Is your Business meeting your Goals?

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Much of the frustration around not meeting business goals stems from the illusion that focusing on results, the business issue, will somehow magically improve the result. The problem is that many managers confuse business and performance issues. Hammering the failure to achieve the desired results and entreating people to ‘try harder’, or trying to treat the result as a business problem, won’t change the result. Only focusing on performance, the choices of behaviours and skills people make to achieve a result, can change the result.

To learn more about how to separate business and performance issues go to http://www.dsbn.com.au/Articles/business-vs-performance-issues

DSBN,  the Dynamic Small Business Network, provides examples to assist you in sorting out where business v performance issues can slow your business. have your considered these issues when your business does not meet your business goals?

Keeping it Real

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“Real” is the latest buzzword in consumer marketing, as businesses big and small look for ways to talk to their customers in an authentic way. The move has come in response to customers wanting a more personalised, grassroots experience.

It’s small businesses that are best placed to take advantage of this shift because, unlike bigger operations, they are nimble enough to respond quickly to changes in the marketplace. So how should you connect with your customers?

1. Use social media

2. Take advantage of being small

3. Get your website working

4. Find the truth in your product (and yourself)

5. “Authenticity…

Go to http://bit.ly/xd8Ycx to read the full article

(extract from www.smarterbusinessideas.com.au)

Have you prepared your business for the Christmas season?

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From Greg Hayes’ article in StartupSmart

 

The Christmas season affects different companies in different ways, and it can have a significant impact on your business. For some it is a boom time, for others a period of significant dislocation. Because of these differences there is not a one size fits all answer to the best way to prepare for and manage the festive season.

You need to look at your business model. Examine how the season affects your customers and suppliers. With this information, what you need to do is reasonably predictable. Any period where operating conditions change means that there can be impacts on your profitability and cashflow. You need to look at both of these areas.

For the full article go to http://bit.ly/rXxjB3

In conclusion:

The key here is to understand the effect of the period and build it into your budget. You need to do this both at a trading level and also in terms of cash flow.

Once you understand the impact, ensure that you can afford it and don’t over commit your business. Too much Xmas spirit can be deadly.

Manage the change period and your business will start the New Year fit and healthy.

Greg Hayes is a director of Hayes Knight and specialises in taxation & business planning advice.

 

Are you offering your staff an end-of-year bonus?

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The question is raised in an article from Start-up Smart at http://bit.ly/upZaSu

As a Centre for start-up and small businesses it’s appropriate to consider the question of bonuses as the year draws to a close.

Some thoughts from Vicki Crowe

Vicki Crowe founded Cannon Recruitment in 1994 and Enneagram Australasia in 2004. Over the past 17 years she has consulted to government, national and global organisations on HR and leadership. www.enneagramaustralasia.com.au

Apparently big bonuses are back and that’s okay if you’re one of the bigger players.

If you are a start-up, however, it can be difficult to find those extra dollars to implement a monetary bonus scheme.  So the first things you need to decide on are what your business can afford and whether your bonuses will be of a monetary or non-monetary value. Then before you race off and start structuring the scheme, take the time to have a chat with each staff member to gain an understanding of his or her current needs. Don’t presume just because you work with them on a daily basis that you know exactly what they would currently value.

If you decide on a non-monetary bonus, it’s a good idea prior to having the chat to make a list of some of your affordable options. Be creative and think about what you know about their lives outside work. Are they a working parent who would love more flexible hours or time off during the school holidays?

Are they trying to save for a deposit for a house and would value a small monetary bonus or are they mad sports fan and would really value a club membership or tickets to a game?

Consider whether the bonus scheme will be based on company performance or individual performance. You need to be a bit careful if it is based on individual performance because if the company does not have a good year you will still have to find the money to pay the agreed individual bonus.

Traditionally, bonus schemes have been linked to performance or productivity. Some positions, although valuable to the business, can be difficult to measure, as they do not directly contribute to the financial success of the business. These include receptionists, administration, accounts and personal assistants. For these positions you will need to think about the things that the staff member actually influences and base their performance objectives on these areas.

For example, a receptionist may be measured by the consistency of feedback received from your customers or clients with how helpful they were.

To help you get that list going, let’s have a look at some of the non-monetary bonuses that the big players are offering:

  • Google: yoga classes, on site car washes, a rock climbing wall, dry cleaning service, gym and fitness classes, haircuts, bike repairs and subsidised massages.
  • Facebook: photo processing, weekly lectures by entrepreneurs, Pilates classes, leather repair and 50% reimbursement on gym fees.

Some companies that I work with offer subsidised (70%) on-site massages, contributions to health funds, childcare, education/training, fortnightly car washes, free lunch and magazine subscriptions.

So, either put an affordable dollar value on a monetary bonus or find out what would make a difference to their lives, regardless you’ll find it goes along way to motivating and boosting morale.

Do you have any good examples of what you do for your staff at year-end?

News from Network Events Melbourne

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End of Year Membership Sale – $100 0ff each package (limited time only!)

Ends 10th December, 2011- offer strictly not available after this date.

If you join online you will pay $100 more for each package so email Maree today for details. This rate also applies to renewal of memberships prior to expiry date. Renew now and save!

If you have been thinking of joining Network Events Melbourne, now is the time. To join at discounted rates as follows please email: info@networkevents.com.au

Gold Membership   $295

Silver Membership $195

Bronze Membership $95

Conference 2012 – March 9 & 10 2012 (save the date)

Keep your eye out for the earlybird rate!

Members have been asking to book for the 2012 conference (2 days & 1 night). The venue is in Moorolbark & you will work ON your business there! No more going to a conference & coming away having to do a lot of work. We have business coaches, social media experts, and marketing, media & SEO experts. We also have computers available.

Jim Penman from “Jims Mowing” will also speak on his amazing journey to success.

The price will include morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea & dinner. At the end of an intensive day unwind with us, network & listen to vocal freedom!

You can attend for the day or stay overnight with an amazing twin share or single room rate! The event will have an earlybird rate as I have had so many inquiries- numbers will be limited!

Regards

Maree Hamilton

Managing Director, Network Events Melbourne

Spotlight on Illuminate Consulting

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Mark Patterson has taken offices at The Monash Enterprise Centre.  His core business addresses:

  • Social planning policy and strategy development
  • Community consultation and stakeholder engagement
  • Strategic and business planning

With over 15 years’ experience in local government and the not-for-profit sector. Mark has broad experience in social planning, policy, and strategy, as well as a proven track record in management and leadership. He has worked and volunteered in areas including management, social policy, community development, advocacy, youth housing and child protection. Mark has expertise in a range of social strategy areas including community facilities, diversity, place management, housing, public health, volunteering, and community safety.

Mark has recently launched his enewsletter through his website.

Sign up for Mark’s newsletter here.

 

Contact:

 

Does Facebook have a place in your business promotion?

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Often small businesses tend to dismiss Facebook and Social Media for a number of reasons:

  • Not understanding that it is a way to market themselves.
  • Thinking that just setting up a Facebook page equals an increase in sales.
  • Not realising that it’s a great place to tell people about specials, ie. sell to them.
  • Not updating once the page is established
  • Never promoting the Facebook site through other mediums eg email signature, website.
  • Not responding to comments.
  • Not being aware the attraction of a well-designed page
  • Not having the know-how to run the Facebook site.

You may be sitting there thinking my page is not up to speed, so how can I improve it?

Here are some tips. (from Lara Solomon, in Smart Company 24 Nov 2011)

  1. First work out why you actually have a page, what is it’s purpose; if you can’t think of one then maybe you don’t need it!
  2. Decide what people get from liking your page, what’s in it for them – there has to be something- if you can’t think of anything then it probably means you are going to spam them with info on your products!
  3. Work out what your page needs to improve and find out how to do that. Here are some places to go for info – when you get there you need to search for the info if you want it:
    a. Social Rabbit
    b. Inside Facebook
    c. Social Media Examiner
  4.  Alternatively, if you don’t have time to find the information and do it yourself then hire someone (note this costs money, think up to $1,000 for a page overhaul).

Small businesses have such a huge advantage in the world of social media versus large companies. Okay, so you don’t have a budget to promote your page on TV or have your brand name on everyone’s lips, but you are quick, nimble, real, authentic and open to embracing new technology with a high care factor. Take advantage of what Facebook and other social media have to offer, as the benefits outweigh the costs if you do it right!

What have you done improve your business promotion through Facebook?

Share your views on the value of Facebook for your business.

Lara Solomon is the founder of Mocks mobile phone socks, Chief Rabbit at Social Rabbit – your guide in the world of social media, founder of Steps – the online Facebook and LinkedIn training course and author of ‘Brand New Day – the Highs & Lows of Starting a Small Business’. Lara’s business LaRoo was the winner of the NSW Telstra Micro-Business Award in 2008.

Is your business using iPad apps? See the latest for small business.

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Shield your business from emergencies with our new iPad app.
MyBizShield is an innovative app to help you create an emergency management and recovery plan for your business. It gives prompts and handy tips every step of the way.
The app includes practical steps you can take to protect your livelihood, from backing up data to making sure you’ve got the right insurance records. It’s about planning for the worst, not hoping for the best.

Protect your business, download the app now.

Go to http://www.business.gov.au/Documents/iPademail.pdf

 

NBN: how will it impact on small firms and home operators?

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The National Broadband Network Company will allow wholesale internet service providers to cater for small firms and home operators, enabling businesses to tailor their broadband services.

NBN Co., the builder of the network, has outlined plans for telecommunication companies and ISPs to offer quality voice services and longer hours of customer service to small businesses.

According to Jim Hassell, NBN head of product development and industry relations, the new services will give telcos and ISPs more flexibility in offering packages at affordable prices.

“Many home office or small office operators and small businesses are currently using standard residential services for their telephone or broadband, or opting for business-grade offerings over copper-based ADSL2+ services,” Hassell said in a statement.

But for some businesses, receiving business-grade fibre-based services represents a huge jump in terms of price.  Read on..