Small business tips

Practical ideas from small business owners.

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Paul Anstis, Arrive on Time Appliance Repairs:
"Employ a consultant." 



Sandra Baigel, Voice & Word:
"Make and commit to appointments with yourself as well as to your clients. Use a diary system to capture time commitments with yourself so that you can achieve continuous business development and systems improvements as your business grows. Non-negotiable 'time-on' the business and 'time-away' from the business is as vital to your success as 'time-with' your customers and clients. 'Time-on' your business is where you project the future and work with business strategy. 'Time-away' from the business is where you give yourself a break, unwind and connect with your life. 'Time-with' your clients is where you find out exactly what your customers want so that you can exceed their expectations." 



Angie Fry, Angelic Consulting:
Always have business in the pipeline. You can never be too complacent ..even when you think business is picking up, you still need to make those cold calls."

James Glen, Conversations without Conflict:
"Strong relationships are vital to hosting successful negotiations. Yet in business, sometimes we settle for something less. Focus on pursuing relationships rather than settling for transactions."

Dr. Warren Harmer, Crecer Business Solutions:
"In this current economic environment you need to think 'outside the box' when trying to find staff. Here are a few ideas that may help:

• When placing advertisements, think about publications of professional associations. They can often be more targeted and cheaper.
• Is there scope in your business to take on a graduate or student who is training in your field?
• Is it possible to allow some of your staff to work part of their working hours off-site? This may expand the pool of available candidates.
• Consider part-time or job share.
• Is there a small business opportunity that you can offer someone that replaces the role you are trying to fill?
• Think about profit share or part ownership to make the deal more attractive, increase commitment and inspire motivation."

Susie Pavey, Crecer Business Solutions:
"Make sure you take the time to review your systems and processes at least once a year. By analysing your business functions (finance, marketing, sales etc), you will hopefully design and implement the most efficient systems, but what was once innovative can quiet easily become outdated. Hence the process of review and ongoing refinement is vital to continally improve. 

Quite often after the system is implemented, business owners tend think their job is done. This is not the case; you need to take time to review, as it is impossible to think of everything during the design stage. and your business and the market are constantly changing, so certain aspects of the design may become redundant.

Ron Stark, Business Kits:
There’s no such thing as a mistake that’s entirely wrong.  Whether it’s a product, service or business relationship, it’s important to focus on that 5, 10 or 20% that needs improvement.  Keep the good bits and work on the rest.  After all, mistakes identify opportunities for improvement, not reasons to come to a stop.

In other words, in business don’t be deterred by mistakes that you’ve made or intimidated by the possibility that you’ll make one.  Be encouraged instead.

Fran Kilpatrick, Numbers Figured:
"Surround yourself with people who are experts in their field, from computer gurus, business consultants, accountants and bookkeepers. The time they can save allows you to spend more time doing what you do best - running your business.

I have always worked on the premise that I don't know what I don't know until someone tells me, a philosophy I applied when starting my own business. Very early in the process I realized that what I knew about starting a business could be written on the back of a postage stamp and therefore I required assistance, if I was to succeed.
 


If I was to offer advice to anyone starting out in business it would be " Make sure you have a very clear picture of what your vision is for your company, included in this process should be clearly defined policies and procedures."

Long Term this will ensure that all members of your team have a clear understanding of your goals and what is expected of them to ensure those goals are met. 

Most importantly, if you make a mistake (and believe me you will) don't be too hard on yourself. It is all part of the process. Learn from it."




Giles Whittle-Herbert, Whittle Waxes:
"The best way to build your future is to build yourself, the best way to build your business is to build your people."



Lynda Slavinskis, LSLC:
"Reward your clients for their loyalty as you are likely to get the best and most business from existing clients.
 


Don't check your emails every 5 minutes.
 


Have a lunch break  - away from your computer (!) even if it is only for 20 minutes."





Jenny Wilkinson, Hey dee Ho Music for Tinies:
"Have you ever noticed that it is harder to let someone else down than yourself?  Whether it be a friend, a family member or an employee, it is more difficult to disappoint others than yourself.
If you agreed to employ someone or to provide a service to an external party you will usually find a means to meet your commitments. This is much the same as the saying "you won't succeed unless you burn your bridges".  If yourself give your way out - you will often take it. If your back is against the wall you will do the things that you hate doing in order to make it happen. Try it sometime...it is easy to rationalise why you can't make that phone call but it is very difficult to tell an employee that you  don't have the money to pay them that week.



It shouldn't be this way of course - we would all like to think that the image we have of ourselves is one that deserves our best endeavours, we all have business plans, we all have systems in place to handle most every situation but human nature continues to play a part in our lives when we least expect it. If you ever speak to a guitar or singing teacher they will tell you that adult students are the most unreliable - we always make sure that our children turn up at lessons but if it is something for ourselves.... well it always seems that something is more important.
 


If your business revolves around you - ask yourself "am I placing the same importance on my results and needs as I would an employee..." maybe try employing someone, relax control a little and see how things expand."





John Engelander, The Planet Earth Cleaning Company:
"Four things that are often over looked in small business: sales (never wait for business - do something - get out there: Sell! Sell! Sell!). Staying excited (being motivated is inspiring to others and best of all it's the fuel that gets things done - bring back the love in your business: there has to be something otherwise eventually you'll have nothing). Self maintenance (being in check with your mood, being fit, eating well and sleeping well); and setting goals. Now there is an idea!  Often this can bring back the excitement.  If you don't know what goal you want, then make it up.  If you don't, then you are going for nothing: just imagine football players on the oval - they're playing brilliantly, then suddenly the goal posts disappear!  Now what? There mission is over. There is no place to aim for. No where to go. Interestingly, business can do that!"





Jenny Menz, The Wall Sticker Company:

1. Schedule in time to do what you know you should be doing in your business.
2. Sieze every problem, look it straight in the eye and turn it into an opportunity to improve.
3. Read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
4. Listen to Warren and do everything he says.

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