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News, opinions and advice on managing business systems and people.

Why does a $200 million plane have the same bad acoustics as my local...

It's a damn good question. Only one has wooden floors, so that's not it. If you spend any time on aircrafts, or in most coffee shops, you start to wonder about acoustics.

5 tips that will change your customer service into a memorable experience

When researching to start up Bubbler Deals I saw a clear need for a customer service focused deal site. Pretty much everyone I spoke to told me of a bad experience they had purchasing from a deal site. The industry was fast losing the trust and respect of their members – their reason for being.

Does social media make us better people? [VIDEO]

We all invest a lot of time, effort and energy into connecting online, be it via Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Chances are you watched a YouTube video this week. And, you've probably done several Google searches today. But, is it making you a better person?

Are you a winner or a loser?

The wise words of Rosabeth Moss Kanter ring true for every entrepreneur: Everything can look like a failure in the middle. But winners must lose some of the time. How do you know if you, or your company, is a winner or a loser?

Why planning for IP ownership is critical for your business, and your sanity

What happens when you are sitting down with your supplier, customer or contractors, discussing business or a project or a product idea and in the course of the discussion some valuable new intellectual property (IP) is identified? It's an inevitable scenario that can arise almost anytime you have a group of bright and innovative people gathered for a meeting.

New personal liability laws puts company directors directly in the spotlight

Directors of struggling companies will have to act earlier on unpaid super and PAYG if they are to avoid tough new personal liability penalties, warns an insolvency expert. Don’t say we did not warn you.

11 tips for your business to get better profits

Businesses exist to make money. That’s not news right? And, if a company does not generate sufficient profits it may fail. That's not news either. Business bankruptcies are on the rise, with ASIC statistics show that 1123 companies were placed into receivership in February 2012. So, what can businesses do to get better profits?

Want to get more out of your team? Just show more ‘compassionate leadership’

The survey also found that in “high-performing workplaces,” leaders are about one-fifth to one-third more compassionate. This is like discovering values in a successful organization. What might be more compelling, or persuasive, is an answer to its inverse: Do more compassionate leaders lead workplaces to perform consistently high?

Engage with investors, especially in a down period

Whether your company engages a professional investor relations firm to communicate with potential investors or you do it yourself, don’t ignore the benefits of investor relations at all times. Now, this is even more important, given the early signs of recovery.

This one is for all the consultants out there, not just the lawyers [VIDEO]

I used to hear my lawyer friends being bailed up for free legal advice at parties, and think, 'Wow, that's rough". However, recently, my physiotherapist began to quiz me for free marketing and strategy advice - during treatment. Oddly, I still had to pay his bill.

What to do when a crazy customer holds a loaded gun to your head:...

Last week, I shared with you the first part of my interview with John T Unger, the impossibility remediation specialist and artist who truly...

How SMEs can harness the Olympic spirit

SME leaders should also be mindful of some larger lessons from the Olympic Games. We don’t all work only for money. The desire to make a difference and win recognition are far bigger. So are job satisfaction and the spirit of being part of a team.

Staff put employers through their paces on the Naked Office

New website www.nakedoffice.com.au has put Australian employers on notice: you’re no longer the only ones that can deliver career-changing feedback.

What to do when a crazy customer holds a loaded gun to your head:...

So, you’ve slaved away long and hard, begged and borrowed the funds to get your business up and running. And then, something happens. What happens when you have the problem, not your customers? This is when “impossibility remediation” becomes the hottest skill on the block.

7 Lessons your business can learn from the London 2012 Olympics.

Now, other than immersion in the athleticism, is there anything else we can take from the recently concluded London 2012 Olympics? Well, there's plenty! The lessons our athletes have provided, some by having it the hard way on the world stage, are fully applicable in the business world. Some of the athletes will show you the right moves and others; well, they will show you exactly what you should avoid.

Why are CEOs world over worried about the future of their businesses?

Australian CEOs are sceptical about the next six months. Many were doubtful that overall business and economic conditions would improve by the end of the year. Less than a third (31%) thought they would be better in six months’ time, while almost one in four (22%) thought they would get worse.

The beliefs that limit your business growth

One of the most common complaints of business owners is ‘I don’t have enough time.’ The pressure the clock puts on how much you get done, how much your business grows, and how much profit you make is massive. Or is it?

Repent now or, forever be doomed by insolvency, expert warns businesses

“You cannot run a business in these volatile conditions without keeping a close eye on all the potential risks that customers pose.” According to the latest figures from ASIC, there were 1,318 insolvency appointments in May 2012 – up 9% on May 2011 and closely following the April 2012 figures which in case you didn’t know, were the worst ever on record.

Retailers must think beyond traditional customer data to stay in the game

Software solutions provider Pitney Bowes has laid down the law regarding customer data for the retail industry. Perhaps you’ve been labouring under the delusion that old-school broad customer data will do the trick when it comes to growing your retail business. I'm afraid not.

Small businesses happy despite the cloudy economic weather

The current economic climate has often been the subject of negative opinions. Raise your hand if you have not seen a suited-up doomsayer on TV foretelling the economic Apocalypse... see, no hands! However, the responses and attitudes towards whether, and where, existing businesses are prepared to spend over the next 12 months, paint a rather fascinating picture. These guys are dancing in the rain! With 72% of business owners saying they would be happy to start up a business again, the survey also revealed 53% of owners say their business is their passion.
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New Zealand’s Xero eyes US IPO, further disruption as subscribers increase...

Xero recently held its annual meeting in Wellington, during which the company revealed some interesting details about its future. As has been widely suspected, the...

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