Business

Whether you’re getting into investing for the first time, or looking at how you might expand your existing investment portfolio, it’s important to understand your risk profile. Once you have this key insight, discovering the kinds of investment that will help you meet your goals will be more straightforward.

What is investment risk?

The risk when you make any investment is that you wo

For many of us, the internet is not just an intrinsic part of our lives, it’s integral to how we do business. It enables businesses to connect to global markets and complete transactions in minutes.

As we take advantage of the opportunities the internet has to offer, online security becomes a priority. This means being vigilant about keeping sensitive data and information secure from hacker

A globalised and digitally connected world means that your business isn’t restricted to one country. Expanding your business overseas gives you access to new audiences and a little protection should anything happen to destabilise your home market.

But, as with all things in business, proceed with caution. While the saying ‘no risk, no reward’ holds true, it’s important to

The structure of your new business has repercussions in terms of tax, costs and the protection of your assets. When you decide on what structure you’ll use, keep in mind your future plans, because this may impact your decision.

There are three main structures you could consider.

Sole trader:

If you’re operating on your own, this may seem an obvious choice. It’s a quick one to se

When people talk about ‘brand’ they often think solely from a customer perspective. However, a strong 'employer brand' is also critical, in order to attract the right talent to your business. A company’s employer brand is twice as likely to drive job consideration as its company brand. With a shift in skill-set requirements across most industries, and Gen Y entering the workforce,

Small business budgets are empowering. They give you the knowledge and insight to eliminate wasteful spending and get to profitability faster.

When setting a business budget, you need good numbers. Don’t guess at what’s coming in and what’s going out. You could be making assumptions that just aren’t true. Take the time to look into your accounts and dig out the real figures

The best accountants can do much more than just tax and compliance work for your business. They’re troubleshooters and strategic advisors for small business. Basically, having an accountant means that you can operate your business with more clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re working to get a startup off the ground, or taking the reins of an established business, you’ll see va

Starting your own business is a BIG leap of faith. Will you find any customers? Will you make enough income? These are questions that any founder will ask themselves.

But with the right planning, preparation and support, you can set the best possible foundations for your new enterprise, and take some of the guesswork out of becoming a business owner.

Building the right foundations

So, if you&rsqu

LinkedIn can be a valuable networking tool for business owners and job seekers. Use the site to increase brand awareness, attract top talent, acquire new customers, promote events, and engage with influencers in your industry.

Here are five basic ways to use LinkedIn to create a business advantage:

1. Create a company page.
Help potential and existing customers and team members learn about your bus read more...

Networking can get your business noticed. It can lead to referrals, valuable business opportunities and increased sales. But it can be daunting to put yourself out there, and tricky to get right. Remember that professional networking is a social activity. It’s about building relationships – so leave the hard sell behind. Instead, be open and get to know people.

Here are 10 things you c

With more choice than ever in consumer goods, brands are turning to individuals who will promote products to their large social media fan base.

Each new trend is often an iteration of a previous way of doing things. Companies have long used celebrity endorsement to advertise their brands to customers, but influencer marketing is a bit different.

Made possible through social media, the influencer i

When we set out on a fishing trip or hike, we always check the weather forecast.

It’s no different in business. The forecast tells us if there’s bad weather (poor cashflow) in store based on the direction we’re heading.

Your forecast will tell you:

1. Whether you have enough sales in the pipeline to give you the desired level of profit you want for the year.

2. Whether your margin

The most simple and cost-effective way to grow your business is so often overlooked; happy customers become your strongest advocates. They talk to their friends, family, and associates and refer business to you.

Here are 10 ways to delight your customers:

1. Meet with your customers more often and take a genuine interest in how they’re doing.

2. Run customer events. Put on a few drinks, get in

Seasonal dips in income can be highly challenging when you’re a small business. But there are proactive ways to predict, plan for and overcome these dips in revenue.

The key to dealing with seasonal dips is to know when they’re most likely to occur, and to have measures in place to spread your income and revenue pipeline over the course of the year.

Understanding seasonality in your se