Member Spotlight
Function5 Web Design creates and manages an online presence for small businesses, from basic information websites through to feature rich shopping ... Read more
| Marketplace |
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What say you?
Do you take on friends/family as customers?
69% - Sure! The more the merrier.
25% - Sometimes, but tread with caution
5% - No, best to avoid wherever possible
Work smart | Growth
When we first set out down the solo business path, growing sales and profits is clearly one of the key drivers.
However, business
growth can be a double-edged sword.
If things take off more quickly than expected, managing business
growth is critical for ensuring our systems and cash flow can cope with demand. Alternatively, in slow times
it is critical to understand strategies for driving
business growth to maintain profitability.
Growth strategies: Avoid growing pains in your business
16 Nov 11Dean ParkerMost businesses aim to grow. But growth strategies must be implemented carefully. If you lose focus on what you do best or on who your ideal and most profitable customers are, things can begin to get messy. Read more
Comments: 2Tips on doing business in Asia
09 Mar 11David ThomasDoing business in Asia requires a different way of thinking to doing business in Australia. Here are some important points to keep in mind. Read more
Comments: 1BRIC countries: Are you ready for the new BRIC consumer?
04 Dec 10David ThomasBrazil, Russia, India and China, collectively referred to as the BRIC countries, are home to an enormous emerging middle class with massive buying power. Read more
Comments: 2Grow your business with joint ventures
09 Oct 10Deb PilgrimIn its simplest form, a joint venture partnership is a business agreement with another business. Done well, it can be a mutually beneficial way for both of you to grow your business. Read more
Comments: 8Are you ready for international expansion?
19 May 10David ThomasEstablishing your business overseas can be both risky and rewarding. To determine whether your business is ready for international expansion, work through this series of simple questions. Read more
Comments: 1Business downsizing: When receding beats growth
27 Apr 10Robert GerrishA couple of days ago an email dropped into my inbox from an old client who’d just undone years of expansion. Was he happy to be solo again? You bet! Read more
Comments: 42Turn your service based business into a product
06 Dec 09Sara HowardI had many ‘Aha!’ moments at Flying Solo LIVE!, but it was a question from the floor that really got me thinking about how I could turn my service-based business into a product. Read more
Comments: 12China's economic growth: Seven lessons
10 Nov 09David ThomasI have just returned from my first visit to China since the GFC and signs of confidence and growth are everywhere. Here are my key observations about China's economic growth. Read more
Comments: 8Breaking habits: Let go and grow!
28 Sep 09Roz HowlandWhat’s one thing you could give up that would benefit your business? Simplifying parts of your business and life can be liberating. Here’s how to commit to breaking habits and letting go. Read more
Comments: 11Why businesses need to think global, act local
26 Aug 09David ThomasIn today’s global markets, the ‘think global, act local’ philosophy has more relevance than ever for the owners and directors of small business, particularly in Australia. Read more
Comments: 11Nifty ideas to grow your business
26 May 09Heather SmithEvery minute counts! If you find yourself with some spare time in your diary here are some original ideas to grow your business in every direction. Read more
Comments: 29Wealth attraction: Using mindset mastery
17 Feb 09Zoe RouthThere has been an abundance of literature on the subject of mindset mastery for wealth attraction, but before you start rolling your eyes why not put the 'woo woo' to the test? Join in for fun and if you are serious about cranking up the revenue. Read more
Comments: 18How to increase revenue using up-selling
07 Sep 08Louise GorrieUp-selling and cross-selling is cheap to implement, develops customer relationships and can dramatically increase revenue. Are you taking advantage of it in your business? Read more
Comments: 8Solo business growth strategies
06 Mar 08Kate TribeAs a soloist, you may love your work but for many there comes a time when you reach the limit of your experience and want to push your business further. Here are the business growth strategies I've implemented to do just that. Read more
Comments: 13Promotional giveaways: How to create a Value Add product
24 Jun 07Megan ToughWhy take your depth of knowledge for granted, when you can turn that information into promotional giveaways that add value to your clients? Here's how to create what can become a powerful marketing tool for your business. Read more
Comments: 1Business growth: A home office or commercial office space?
15 May 07Melissa NorfolkWhen you experience business growth, is it better to stay in a home office, or move out? Late last year I moved my business out of home and into commercial office space. It's time to update you on what this has meant for me and for the business. Read more
Comments: 12Generating new business: Lessons learned from a slow period
23 Apr 07Megan ToughI know the occasional slow period is a normal part of life as a soloist, but when one hit recently, I was unprepared for the anguish I'd feel when not generating new business! Fortunately I now know a short amount of down time is not a disaster. Read more
Comments: 17Five reasons to grow your business
02 Nov 06Melissa NorfolkFor the soloist, once business starts to take off, there comes a time you need to decide whether to grow your business or keep it simple. Will you take on staff? Will you remain at home or move to bigger premises? Read more
Comments: 8Workload management: How to handle growing pains
26 Oct 06Karen MorrisHow you proceed if you find yourself swamped with work depends largely on your personal goals and the direction you want to take in the future. Three soloists share their workload management experiences. Read more
Comments: 3Are part time staff right for your business?
10 Jul 05Barb ClewsMy recent experience with hiring part time staff has made me appreciate one of the best things about working for myself is the lack of office politics. Read more
Comments: 1Managing small business growth: Success is in the bag
05 Jul 05Sam LeaderDo you want to know more about managing small business growth? Ethan Nyholm, co-founder of digital luggage specialist STM (Standard Technical Merchandise), describes what it's like going from solo to small business. Read more
Comments: 0
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Small Business is Australia's fastest growing sector – this business community site was created for those running a small business of one to five people. Here the solo and micro business owner will find small business forums, a small business directory, free resources, help, tips and advice on: starting a small business; working smarter when working from home; effective small business marketing; small business networking; the solo psyche; staying balanced as a small business owner; small business technology advice and small business finance tips.
