I called my stockbroker a couple weeks a go. I had a question. I wasn’t sure who to ask for because it’s been about a year or so since I actually talked to anyone there. Anyway, I finally get “my guy” on the phone. What a phoney!
This guy doesn’t know me from a fence post […]

It can be surprising how much support a business can require. Even if you look at the basics of Marketing, management and operational issues and the sub headings under each, then you would have to be highly skilled to be able to do all of them, so some support can go a long way!
Most males […]

You do what you do in business because… it pays the bills, it fulfills a lifelong dream, it gives you the lifestyle you want, it gives you something to do where you are the boss. The list can probably go on. and on… but in all of this reasoning is it vital to you that […]

In the crazy mixed up world of business we can often forget why we are in business… of course it’s to make a profit but what kind? is it just money or are there other profits to be had?
Other profits might include
• People learning more and benefitting society by utilising their new found skills and […]

Studies show clearly that many businesses fail in the first 12 months of operation, often due to lack of cash to be able to run the business through the crucial start up phase. But there’s more to the start up phase than just cash, in fact it goes well beyond the start up phase.
Support… Who […]

The accountant chatted about the year that was, big deal it had happened, he mentioned a few down points in the year (a few too many for my liking…) but my trouble was I was focusing on short term here and now, not longer term way back when…
So I was on the up and up […]

Recently I’ve been helping a few people brand new into business with no advertising or marketing budget whatsoever.
One of my main methods that I tell everyone to do is to develop some strategic alliances. “what is that?” is the general response that I am receiving!!
A strategic alliance is where you develop a win-win situation with […]

“Daddy”, my 11 year old daughter excitedly exclaimed. “All I have to do is sell seven Holiday wreaths and I earn enough money to go on the school trip to the amusement park at the end of the year!”
As I reviewed the info packet with an advertising professional’s eye, I casually asked, “What do […]

I have been doing some work near a newish shopping centre, it was completely revamped in the past few years. It has a supermarket and some other shops to act as a draw cards and so far so good.
I went there for lunch on two occasions, an Asian food shop is near one of the […]

Back in September of 2006 I posted an article here warning business people to only guarantee that over which they have control. I advocated only guaranteeing such things as, “Your Money Back” or “Replacement”. I specifically warned against guaranteeing a customer’s satisfaction because you have no idea what will satisfy a customer.
Better than 9 […]

In the service stakes there are those that connect with the people they need to serve and those that quite frankly wish the customers would go away. There are of course levels within that and as always I would like you to focus for a moment on the top end.
People that serve in those lofty […]

Whether you are in business by yourself, or employ a couple of people, every business will benefit from low cost marketing. The following are some strategies you can use to expose your business.
1) Article writing. This will not only ensure you become an expert in your chosen field, it gives you great exposure for your business. […]

Later this morning I have to go and pick up some paintings I have on consignment at a local art gallery. I suspect things have been a little slow in the sales area, as the gallery is only open now at set times on set days and is about to close down. Ok we live […]

Advertising can be viewed as extremely risky for small businesses that don’t have a massive budget each month. It doesn’t have to be that way- as long as you test and measure all of your advertising. Follow the below steps to ensure you don’t waste your precious cash flow on advertising that doesn’t work.
1) First, ensure […]

Most of you will have heard of the term win win, meaning a positive outcome for both parties, I thought about it as I was pondering some marketing options for a business.
My thought went like this, what if a marketing Co (lets say a newspaper selling advertising) were to only offer win win advertising so […]

In business it seems like we juggle a whole bunch of things, from finances, planning, to marketing and operational issues and lots in between. I often say it’s about how well you juggle as to how well you do in business, however lets take some pressure off for a while and imagine if we stopped […]

I don’t mind stating I feel less than excellent. I have some quotes to do, some work to do, some people to chase, some calls to make, bills to pay, $$ to chase and frankly I don’t care if it all gets washed away in a great flood (or any other disaster for that matter.)
We […]