Category Archives: Running Your Business

Are you the Master of your Marketing?

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Are you short on time? Struggling to get your marketing under control?

Kym Illman has put together a regular series of short videos for business people just like you. He turned a tiny home-based business into an international success story through innovative marketing and outstanding customer service. Let him help you grow your business. Every week he’ll be releasing a new video. It will challenge you try new strategies and open your mind to how other businesses grow and prosper. There is no charge for these videos, so if you’re ready to become a Master of Marketing visit www.MasteringMarketing.com.au and register FREE to get started.




Small Business Victoria Update

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Small Business Victoria provides regular updates  to the small business community through its’ newsletter. The latest edition includes news and information about Water Rebates, Free Retail Excellence Workshops, Understanding Financial Statements Seminar, a Marketing Basics Seminar, and a Forum for Business and Community Partnerships.

This Forum is looking at ways local businesses can partner with community organisations for mutual benefit. If you are a business that has partnered with a community organisation attend this forum and have your say.

Check out the latest edition here.

 

 

Are you looking for useful resources in running your business?

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The Monash Enterprise Centre has a list of Useful Links at http://www.monashincubator.com.au/pages/Links/ which  provides you with resources when you are seeking information to help you in your business activities. There are links to Australian Taxation Office, Fair Work Australia, Small Business Mentoring Service, and a range of support services for small business.

Your input is welcome. Are there additional links you’d like to see on our website?

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.

 

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

 

Are you mobile ready – Or is it a waste of time?

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A recent article on Smart Company suggests your business should engage with “Apps”.

The article states that a leading bank will be releasing their payment app this week, and it was a lot better than many were expecting. The application allows users to make payments to others and retailers using their phones.

The article questions whether or not a small business is putting enough effort into going mobile and integrating ecommerce in their business operations? If not, you should definitely get moving fast.

Some of the thoughts the author shared were:

  • That you should use video as part of your marketing
  • Small businesses should keep up with technologies
  • That many businesses don’t even have a web presence

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK – IS IT A WASTE OF TIME?

Should your business keep up with the latest technologies? Let us know by leaving your comments below? If you are using these technologies, how have they helped you in your business?

To read the full article go to:

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/information-technology/20111027-what-we-learned-this-week-the-future-is-mobile.html