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Fiona works with small business owners getting started or growing an existing business. Her services include creating business plans, tax planning ... Read more
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Do you take on friends/family as customers?
68% - Sure! The more the merrier.
25% - Sometimes, but tread with caution
5% - No, best to avoid wherever possible
Work smart | Processes
Putting in place effective business processes is a key way of working smarter, not harder. And once the business processes have been implemented, it is beneficial to document your business procedures to save you time in the future.
This section includes a wide range of business processes articles covering topics such as project management skills and why projects fail, stock management and how to organise your paperwork.
It is good practice to regularly monitor your business processes to see where improvements or changes can be made to help things run more smoothly.
How smart sourcing can help your bottom line
12 May 12Michelle KvelloSmart sourcing is the big brother of outsourcing: it’s not just about cutting costs; it’s about sourcing the optimum solution for your business, making sure that it stays agile and flexible. Read more
Comments: 1How filling my beanbag can help your business
01 Nov 11Sam LeaderWhen I grow up, I’m getting a proper sofa. In the meantime, I like to lounge on beanbags. Sit back and relax as I draw a surprising business analogy. Read more
Comments: 10Micromanaging: Overcoming your inner micromanager
14 Feb 11Madeleine ShawIf you’ve ever worked for a micromanager, you know how destructive it is. One of the joys of soloism is being free of micromanaging monsters. But are you really? Read more
Comments: 3Writing briefs
03 Jan 11Jo MacdermottWriting briefs to suppliers is part of everyday business for many soloists. Here’s how to do it with class. Read more
Comments: 4NLP: Are your strategies working?
23 Oct 10Deborah KeepDo you ever find yourself doing something in a way that frustrates or irritates you, over and over again? Read more
Comments: 5The importance of business process documents
25 Jun 10Karen MorrisAs your business grows you may consider obtaining help, whether by outsourcing tasks to free up your time or hiring staff. Either way, are you ready for all that involves, including having business process documents? Read more
Comments: 1Processes and why we need them
24 Dec 09Robert GerrishIf you've ever read small business classic, The E-Myth, you'll be aware that processes and procedures are highly valuable to our enterprises. But you still haven't written any, right? Watch this video and learn how to get started. Read more
Comments: 0Tips to create standard business procedures
07 Oct 09Megan ToughThe more soloists can create standard business procedures for what they do, the more efficient, productive and consistent they will be. Activities that can be proceduralised are often low cost and result in big payoffs. Read more
Comments: 13Business procedures manual: The style guide
29 Sep 09Heather SmithWe have read about the benefits of documenting the procedures we adhere to in our business. Michael Gerber has made a lot of money telling us we need them and Flying Solo extols the virtues of a business procedures manual, but where to start? Read more
Comments: 13Creating a business procedures manual
29 Aug 09Craig ReidProcesses. Love ‘em or loathe them, we can’t live without them. They are part of everything we do. But often we take our business processes for granted until disaster hits or we need to break free from our indispensible role as the boss. Read more
Comments: 16Why we all need more structure and routine
16 Aug 09Kate JamesOne of the challenges for many soloists is having too much freedom. When you work alone, no one notices when you don’t follow a structure or routine, tidy your desk or get your filing done. But productivity can nosedive if you’re not careful. Read more
Comments: 8Five business processes that drive success
26 Jul 09Stacey BarrBusiness processes are the flows of activities that get things done in your business. Once processes are identified and measured, you can automate, streamline and even redesign them in the best possible ways for your business. Read more
Comments: 12The Big O – Being organised!
25 Jun 09Roz HowlandAny improvements you make to your business processes will relate directly to your clientele numbers. Which of course relate directly to your balance sheet. It’s simple: being more organised equals more profit. Read more
Comments: 10How to avoid false and misleading conduct
28 Apr 09Michael TerceiroHere’s a summary of section 53 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (TPA), which deals with false and misleading representations. Read more
Comments: 3Are your business templates up to date?
09 Apr 09Linda AndersonLike many soloists, I use templates. Mine are for things like invoices, coaching agreements and emails for new clients. Business templates create efficiency; however they also create opportunity for error. Read more
Comments: 7Misleading or deceptive conduct
23 Nov 08Michael TerceiroDid you know that you can fall foul of the law if you engage in misleading or deceptive conduct, or conduct that is likely to mislead or deceive? Read more
Comments: 7The importance of using checklists
03 Nov 08Robert GerrishIt amazes me how many times I come away from a life experience with something valuable to my business. In many cases, the gems are as simple as they are surprising. Here’s one about using checklists that I was reminded of a couple of weeks ago. Read more
Comments: 23Business systems: How they save your sanity!
27 Apr 08Sue HirstA challenge for any solo business owner is how to get others to help run the business, so that it doesn’t completely take over your life. You can look over everybody’s shoulder all of the time or you can invest in business systems to free yourself. Read more
Comments: 7Benefits of a good work-in-progress system
23 Mar 08Sue HirstA successfully managed work-in-progress system for your solo business can help you improve profitability, cashflow and customer satisifaction. Read more
Comments: 2Taking stock of your stock management
20 Jan 08Sue HirstStock needs to be available for sale when your customer is ready to buy. But because it sucks up cash to have it waiting to be sold, it is good stock management to keep stock on the shelf for the shortest possible time. Read more
Comments: 6Why you should document procedures
28 Nov 07Mark MooreMastering the art of performing a new business process, such as using a new software program, is something we can be proud of. It is also something we should write down. Here I outline several reasons why it is beneficial to document procedures. Read more
Comments: 13Why you need a business procedures manual
12 Nov 07Sam LeaderIf you’re ever intending to take extended leave from your work, step sideways into a different role or simply escape one set of tasks to concentrate on another, then read on to find out why you need a business procedures manual. Read more
Comments: 29Successful business strategies: Is faster better?
05 Nov 07Robert GerrishIt seems to me that everywhere I look someone is trying to persuade us to accomplish things more quickly. Doubtless there are successful business strategies and products that can help us be more efficient, but is faster always better? Read more
Comments: 11The importance of setting boundaries
04 Oct 07Linda AndersonMany soloists fall into the trap of saying yes to business that they should really be saying no to. To avoid this happening, you need to understand the importance of setting boundaries in your business. Read more
Comments: 7September is the time for action
02 Sep 07Karen MorathSpring is a time of new life, and that’s exactly what we can do with September. Now is the perfect time to reassess your business and do some of the things you have been putting off all year. Now is the time for action! Read more
Comments: 7How social capital is good for business
16 Aug 07Zern LiewWhen social capital, or generosity, is a foundation of your business strategy, it provides huge benefits. It helps build strong relationships with your community and customers, plus when it comes to PR, it beats expensive advertising. Read more
Comments: 4Australian copyright law: How to protect your work
30 May 06Melissa NorfolkWhat would you do if you discovered your work had been reproduced without your permission? Here we look at the basics of Australian copyright law, including how to protect your work and what work can't be protected. Read more
Comments: 6Slimy business practices
01 Dec 05Paul J. MorrisMany of us engage in certain business practices because, well, that’s what businesses do, even when these business practices leave us feeling creepy and oily. Read more
Comments: 8
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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.
