One of my sales staff has done something dodgy. Help!
Friday, 08 July 2011
Aunty B is on leave. This article first appeared on July 23, 2010. Dear Aunty B, I have just found out that one of my salespeople has done something dodgy after a request from a client. He knows our policies and when confronted, he admitted that he knew ...

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I have aggressive targets. So why have stretch targets as well?
Tuesday, 05 July 2011
Aunty B is on leave. This article first appeared on September 2, 2010. Dear Aunty B, I have been asked by my board to set stretch targets. This seems complete nonsense to me as I have set quite aggressive targets and communicated those targets to my staff. ...

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A good client has suddenly gone bad. Help!
Monday, 04 July 2011
Aunty B is on leave. This article first appeared on November 23, 2010. Hi Aunty B, I am a small business and I'm having problems with one particular client paying their invoices.  ...

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Do I need a middle management layer to grow?
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Aunty B is currently on holidays. This article first appeared on May 27, 2010 Dear Aunty B, I have recently been on a hiring binge after staying very lean throughout the GFC. My problem is that we took on people who are waiting to be told what to do. We ...

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How do I get my staff excited about growth?
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
This article first appeared on June 9, 2010 Dear Aunty B, Our company is stagnant and we are stuck a bit in doing the same old, same old. How do I make it grow and how do I get my staff excited about growth? Often when I raise new ideas they tell me I ...

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Our clients want us to match our competitors’ dodgy deals. What should we do?
Wednesday, 08 December 2010
Dear Aunty B, Our business is in a nightmare industry that is very dependent on the whims of government.  ...

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Lacking in energy
Tuesday, 07 December 2010
Australia's energy providers are struggling to meet the online needs of their customers, with text-heavy websites delivering poor navigation.  ...

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Franchised Food Co attacks Souvlaki Hut sale process, but administrator denies any wrongdoing
Tuesday, 07 December 2010
Franchised Food Company chief executive Stan Gordon has attacked the administrator of collapsed fast food franchise Souvlaki Hut, claiming the sale of the chain to a group of investors led by former Video Ezy chief Daryl McCormack should have been more transparent. ...

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National Retail Association to renew push for short shifts for student casual workers
Tuesday, 07 December 2010
The National Review Association will renew its push for the minimum shift length for student workers to be lowered from three hours with a fresh application to Fair Work Australia.  ...

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Rates to stay on hold today, but economists tip another rise in early 2011
Tuesday, 07 December 2010
The Reserve Bank of Australia won't raise the official interest rate today – that is the consensus of local analysts and economists, who argue rising inflation figures and lower consumer confidence will keep the cash rate unmoved at 4.75%.  ...

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New Krispy Kreme boss tells: We have to let customers know we are still here
Tuesday, 07 December 2010
New Krispy Kreme chief executive Nigel Glasby says the company must initially focus on letting customers know the chain is still open for business after it escaped from administration with the closing of 24 outlets.  ...

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Parental leave: uncharted territory
Tuesday, 07 December 2010
The government's paid parental leave scheme, which starts next month, is a groundbreaking change for Australian business and workers. For the first time in Australian history, parental leave will be paid by law and funded by the Government.  ...

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I’m finding it hard to win trust from my suppliers and the industry. Help!
Tuesday, 07 December 2010
Hi Aunty B, I am 22-years-old and I'm finding it hard to win trust from my suppliers and the industry. How can I prove to them that I am here for the long haul and they will only get good things doing business with me?  ...

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How to use online networks to boost your business
Monday, 06 December 2010
Social media practitioner Iggy Pintado, author of Connection Generation, is back on SmartCompany to help you unlock the secrets of using online networking to boost your business. Iggy and SmartCompany's Campbell Corser will bring you up-to-date on the latest ...

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Anger too late
Monday, 06 December 2010
Australia's retailers are angry. Not only are they being walloped by poor consumer confidence, rising interest rates and deflation, but now they are being deserted by Australian consumers who are using the strong Australian dollar to shop overseas – without ...

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Former Video Ezy chief executive Daryl McCormack buys collapsed Souvlaki Hut franchise chain
Monday, 06 December 2010
A consortium led by former Video Ezy chief executive Daryl McCormack has purchased fast food franchise Souvlaki Hut, just days after the chain was placed in the hands of administrators.  ...

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I'm starting to freak out over Christmas. Help!
Monday, 06 December 2010
Dear Aunty B, After expecting a great second quarter I am looking at awful figures. I am now expected to put on a happy face, celebrate Christmas, make a hilarious speech at the Christmas party, sing karaoke Christmas carols on the last day (my stupid idea ...

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The power of the individual
Monday, 06 December 2010
I am conscious of the wide range of readers on the SmartCompany site and the recipients of the RSS feeds each week. You probably couldn't find a more eclectic readership profile which ranges from small to medium business owners, to associates and execs in large ...

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Fast food franchise Souvlaki Hut collapses into administration, but buyers waiting to pounce
Friday, 03 December 2010
Poor retail sales, threats of litigation and disgruntled franchisees are being blamed for the collapse of fast food franchise Souvlaki Hut.  ...

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Australian-owned coupon giant RetailMeNot sold to US deals marketplace
Friday, 03 December 2010
One of Australia's hidden online success stories, coupon site RetailMeNot, has been acquired by US deals marketplace WhaleShark Media for an undisclosed amount.  ...

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