Articles

With increasing pressure from external regulatory bodies and savvy consumers looking to make smarter and more responsible purchasing decisions, it is more important now...

Every business owner knows the importance of running a profitable and lean team, but when was the last time you took the pulse of...

The current global financial crisis has been described as a “once in a lifetime recession”. However savvy business owners, entrepreneurs and investors recognise it as a once in a lifetime opportunity to make money.

What do your logo colours secretly say about your business?

What do your logo colours secretly say about your business?

Call me crazy but we've recently offered 'pay what you think it's worth' (PWYT) terms to selected customers.

Call me crazy but we've recently offered 'pay what you think it's worth' (PWYT) terms to selected customers.

There is an old saying: "If you aim at nothing you will hit the target with amazing accuracy." If you want to improve the results in your business, you need a target to aim for and a system for monitoring progress.

The place of interaction between government and industry is often clouded with confusion, perplexity and frustration, where it seems as though no one is...

It seems that almost everyone is currently offering advice on how to bunker down and ride out this bleak economic period. Here are 12 hidden opportunities to help you build while your competitors balk.

Much of the chatter on the topic of social media has focused on businesses that sell to consumers (B2C) as opposed to other businesses (B2B). Consumer-focused companies like Starbucks, Wells Fargo, Dell, Cirque du Soleil and traditional media outlets are leading the pack, but should B2Bs learn and employ similar tactics, or is social media the domain of the B2C market only?

Much of the chatter on the topic of social media has focused on businesses that sell to consumers (B2C) as opposed to other businesses (B2B). Consumer-focused companies like Starbucks, Wells Fargo, Dell, Cirque du Soleil and traditional media outlets are leading the pack, but should B2Bs learn and employ similar tactics, or is social media the domain of the B2C market only?

Here are five things that you can do to make sure you get the best results when pitching for new business.

During World War II when times were tough and money was tight, most businesses around the world were forced to make immediate cost-cuts. The first...

Here's a question for all network marketers: How big can your business grow and how successful can you be if people do not listen...

A business plan is nothing without a well thought out strategy. In other words, the business plan should look beyond simply how you plan to work. Rather, it should provide a detailed road map to success.

Like many start-up businesses, you may consider mixing your name with your partner's name and come up with something like Jotom or Bevmax. Although that may mean something to you (and your partner), it says very little to your customers. Your business name should communicate what you 'do' or 'how' you do it.

Now, I don't like it when a hairdresser carries on with extended chit-chat, so my first reaction was to wonder why anyone would want to be pitched to while their shoes were being shined. But then again, if Kate does her job well (I gather she does), isn't that better than being shouted at by someone in a TVC, or spending precious time scouring a web page trying to figure out how to close those dastardly pop-up/down/out ads?

For most managers, conducting a management buyout (MBO) can be a life-changing experience. An MBO offers the management team (either as a whole or a few individuals) an opportunity to purchase the business from its current shareholders, usually with the backing of a private equity fund. The transaction allows the individuals involved to enjoy a significant stake in their own business and be given the opportunity to "run the show".

The 2008/2009 financial year would have to be one of the most volatile for many years. What will 2009/2010 bring for SMEs? Some say it will be tougher and there will be more job losses and some say there will be great opportunities around. Whatever the next financial year brings, every business owner needs to plan for the worst and the best case scenario.