Smart Blogs


Boss Lady

Time to get aggressive
Amanda Gome News imageThe next six months are a crucial time to be aggressively attacking the marketplace. You need to start now to get those order books filled up for 2009/10.

The Futurist

Go the extra mile for your customers
Colin Benjamin News imageExpect to be asked for smaller orders, delayed orders, faster response times and requests to carry more costs to end customers.

Get Out Of My Way

10 Questions to test your scruples
Naomi Simson News imageHere are 10 questions to test how scrupulous you are or if there are grey areas.

Entrepreneur Watch

The fall of Tom Hedley
James Thomson News imageCarins-based pub and property baron Tom Hedley was a classic rags-to-riches story, but like so many property entrepreneurs he was caught out with too much debt when the market turned....

Gen-Y Millionaire

Are you creating the magic?
Kirsty Dunphey News imageWhat are you doing to create the magic in your life and business?

Internet secrets

Is iPhone ringing the death knell for Yellow Pages?
Craig Reardon News imageWhich new era marketing combination is right for your business?

The Digital Bottom Line

Words from the wise
Brendan Lewis News imageWrite down quotes and pieces of advice that resonate for running a business.

Cultural leadership

Leadership ethics
Michel Hogan News imageA downloadable simulator gives modern scenarios of how ethics can be shaped in your business.

Ask the Experts


Online sales

Why has my site’s Google rank dropped from 1st to 2nd ?
Chris Thomas News imageBy checking a competitor's back-link strategy you'll soon get an idea if they are using any dirty SEO tricks.

Executive Coach

Should a manager go into the personal issues of an employee?
Tim Sharp News imageBosses can learn to diplomatically and compassionately broach personal issues, ensuring staff get help when needed.

Teams

How do I change from team member to team leader?
Pollyanna Lenkic News imageWorking relationships need to be redesigned as the team dynamics will inevitably change with your promotion.

Tax advice

Have I spent enough to get the 50% tax allowance?
Greg Hayes News imageWhen buying more than one computer you can group them under another provision.

Profitable growth

How do we make sure we learn the lessons of 2008-09?
Julia Bickerstaff News imageUsing the GFC to justify results for FY09 won’t help build a brilliant FY10.

Entrepreneurship

How do I deal with the elephant in the room?
Marcia Griffin News imageResolving an unspoken issue lurking in the business frees you up to focus on more important tasks.

Money

What else do I need to know about pitching?
Gail Geronimos News imageTrust is imperative with investors, but choose the right time to reveal any skeletons.

Selling

How do I get prospects to talk to me?
Sue Barrett News imageProspecting calls need to be efficient, clear and delivered in ways that attracts the customer to what you are selling.

Cashflow advice

What do you do with customers that say their payment terms are 45 days?
Christine Christian News imageSetting and signing clear policies at the start makes all the difference.
Aunty B

Some know me as the Business Bitch. Others just call me Aunty B. What-ever. I'm here for those moments when you want tear out your hair, climb under a doona or clout an employee. I'll answer even the most trite questions and draw on my inexhaustible network of entrepreneurs and experts. Consider us your free entrepreneurial advisory board - though this bitch has the last word.

 

 

I’m scared my start-up is going to fail. Help!

Author: Aunty B on
Dear Aunty B,

I know 80% of start-ups fail, but when I started my business, I was sure it would be a success. Now three years on, I don't feel sure at all. It's been very hard and I feel scared all the time that I'm going to fail.


Hi,

My boss is a tight arse. We have old computers, our server keeps crashing and our systems are under huge strain. Fortunately things have been a bit slow, but as things pick up I predict wholesale disaster.


Hi,

I run a small business and feel that I want to make my staff (eight altogether) happy.


My lovely team leader is a time waster. Help!

Author: Aunty B on

I have a lovely team leader who gives time to her team and to the clients. The only problem is that her paperwork suffers as a result. Payroll had to hold up processing today as her team's hours were not in on time. She claimed to be busy talking to multiple clients. I know her problem is that she cannot be brief with conversations and doesn't know how to end them or move them on.


Hi Aunty B,

I work in an organisation that is going through a lot of change and restructure. It's a very unhealthy work environment and still in crisis. Our new manager was appointed nine months ago to get us through this (not very successful so far) but I did/do have a lot of faith in her skills.


Do I stay small or get bigger?

Author: Aunty B on
Dear Aunty,

I am a proud first time entrepreneur with a one-year-old business forged in the depths of recession!


Dear Aunty B,

One of my new sales staff has a very limp handshake. In fact, he proffers his hand out in a very effeminate way and then basically lets it hang loosely in yours like a dead fish.


Dear Aunty B,

I started a small business five years ago and we have about 10 people. I take a good salary from it and love going to work. The problem is my husband resents the business and the hours I work. I have structured the business around a 50-hour week, (8am to 6pm-ish), never work evenings and just the occasional Sunday afternoon (he plays golf).


I'm stuffed. How can I be superwoman? Help!

Author: Aunty B on
Dear Aunty B,

I am exhausted looking after my business, my kids, my employees, my clients and my sick mother-in-law.


Dear Aunty B,

I am starting a business and thank you very much for the advice. I am in the fortunate position of being able to access the capital I need from angel investors.


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