Business Essentials

It’s always hard for businesses to secure finance at any point, but it’s getting increasingly difficult these days as banks tighten their lending requirements. So how can accounting firms help their business clients obtain finance?

It’s something that Peter Angelini and his team take quite seriously. Peter’s the CEO of accounting firm Stannards Accountants and Advisors in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

He explains what banks require ...

With so much compliance work available, many accounting practices don’t have the time or inclination to set up an advisory service. The problem is they could be limiting their potential for higher growth and profits.

That’s according to Emily Splatt of Mindshop, a company which consults practices with providing advisory services. If you’re thinking of implementing advisory services or want to ignite higher performance with your cur...

One of the biggest challenges for practices around the country right now is the shortage of accountants. A shrinking talent pool is indeed a headache, but it’s also an opportunity to reassess which of your clients provide the best value.

That’s according to Alan FitzGerald, founder of Practice Connections Advisory. Other opportunities for accounting firms include ever-improving cloud technology, particularly artificial ...

How effective really is your website? If you haven't thought about it that much, then you're not taking advantage of one of your best sales tools.

Irwin Hau is not just any website designer. He matches the psychology of consumer behaviour with the magic of website tools to create a first-rate customer experience – all of which translates to sales. For the average business owner, you don't necessarily have to build a website f...

Former AFL footballer Wayne Schwass has spent decades dealing with depression and anxiety and so he knows first-hand the debilitating effects it can have on one's personal and professional life.

Today, Wayne's a mental health advocate through his organisation, PukaUp, helping to spread the word and provide support about mental health issues in the workplace. He tells his own story and what can be done to alleviate the difficulties ...

How does motivation play in success and achieving goals? Those are the questions Craig Harper is exploring in his quest to further understand self-development.

As a business coach and motivational speaker, Craig believes it’s emotional and social intelligence that make a great leader. If your role is to coach and mentor, he says you need to understand the people you work with, and that comes first from understanding yourself.

Sales isn't just about turning up and relying on your instinct or other skills. Each customer is different with his or her own wants and needs, and you need to prepare for each one.

Rachel Bourke of SalesSPACE says salespeople should go through checklists before even stepping into a sales meeting. Rachel's sales meeting preparation pack includes a personal checklist to ensure you look the part and are speaking the language of your ...

There has been a steady rise in interest in listed property trusts – or REITs – since a shakeup in the market following the GFC. Are they worth considering now?

Greg Keady explains the current REIT market as part of a well-diversified investment portfolio. He says, do your research and don’t limit yourself to the Australian market. It's also important to remember, he says, that past performance doesn’t alway...

There are massive opportunities for businesses looking to expand into China, particularly with food, beverage and health products.

Despite the current trade wars, Andrew Kuiler says there’s enormous interest and activity from overseas companies expanding into China. Andrew's The Silk Initiative helps the process. He shares his thoughts on how to make the most of business opportunities in China and how to avoid any big mistake...

You don't want to be caught underpaying staff, for all the obvious reasons. But inadvertently overpaying staff can also lead to expensive consequences.

There are so many things to consider when running a business that it makes sense to automate as much as possible. But according to Tracy Angwin of the Australian Payroll Association, employers should beware the ‘set and forget’ approach when it comes to payroll. The rule...

Many business functions have completely changed in the last 20 years including marketing, customer experience and supply chains. Yet the sales function has stayed very much the same, resulting in poorer business returns.

Business consultant Steven Norman says that with so much information at the customers' fingertips, it's getting harder to sell. A paradigm shift is needed for many sales teams to achieve more tailored and professio...

Holding a pair of car keys in your fist in a dark street might make you feel safer, but won't help you much if the assailant is twice your size. That's what Stephenie Rodriguez thought when she designed the personal security device, WanderSafe.

She’s now taking the handheld beacon and accompanying app to the world, raising a million dollars from investors already and about to raise more to aid its global expansion.

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