Category avoid growing pain

Entries 34 Total

Not Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining

Apr 16, ’11 7:22 AM

Much is being said about so called APIs, software bridges, mashable technology an other little innocent sounding descriptions like – “our software plays nicely with this software”! IMO – truth is – there is nothing “nice” about it! Let’s back up a little, what does it all mean? What it means is this, the software…

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Over 50% IT Cost Reduction In The Cloud

Apr 15, ’11 3:12 AM

Servers. Hardware. Software. Installation. Support. Upgrade. Hardware Drivers….. I guess I don’t need to go on, these are all nightmarish terms of a long bygone time in IT history, or are they? It isn’t if you still have your server under your desk. You probably think “Cloud Computing” is something geeks do. Nothing to do…

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Small Business Lists – 10 Reasons to Sell Via Catalogue

Jul 7, ’08 4:52 PM

If you are undecided about the benefits of selling your product via a catalogue then this list may help.   Raising Awareness – Although it is not as spectacular or has as far a reach as traditional advertising methods, catalogues are a good way of letting the public know that your product exists Low Risk…

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Do you have concern for your business or only for yourself?

Apr 25, ’08 4:12 PM

I had an interesting conversation about my view that management control over employees is a myth. I have believed for some time now that an office is often a total waste of money and completely unnecessary. Most of the time I’m told it’s OK when you work by yourself, but not if you have employees,…

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Value Co-Production For Small Business.

Jan 13, ’08 4:17 PM

I talk a lot about outsourcing as a way to grow small business turnover and small business capability, but we should also talk about value co-production! Outsourcing means several businesses working together, to service more customers than they could service by themselves. If you think only small business does this, think again. Almost all big…

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Are you a megalomaniac small business owner?

Jan 9, ’08 11:50 AM

I had many emails regarding my post “Is your competitor for sale?”, the responses show me that some of you certainly have a healthy megalomaniac instinct – good for you! Here comes the BUT! You need to be careful, for bigger business does not always mean better business. While there is no limit to the…

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Is your competitor for sale?

Jan 8, ’08 4:49 PM

One way to grow your small business is to buy another business and merge the two together. When the going gets though, i.e. a recession – many of the non-bootstrapping businesses will be for sale or in trouble. This is the time for you to sharpen your bootstrapping pencil and think about opportunities that present…

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Q & A: What should I do when my bank cancels my overdraft without warning?

Nov 11, ’07 11:55 AM

This question is hard to answer, because there are no simple answers here and the outcome of this situation could easily be fatal to the business and if you are personally guaranteeing this money - and you probably are - this could potentially be very serious for your personal life too.The things that you need to do, in my opinion are: Find out why?... Many years ago someone made the the umbrella analogy and it goes like this: When the sun is shining your bank gives you an umbrella (O/D, Loan);when it is raining, they need the umbrella themselves.It is best if you do everything possible to not need banks in the first place, by bootstrapping, outsourcing, planning your business and keeping your fixed costs as low as possible.Remember sometimes, attack is the best defense even with banks, they may need their money, but they do not need bad publicity either.

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Time Management for Small Business: Cut to the Chase

Nov 2, ’07 8:19 AM

No matter what kind of small business and start-up business, like SOHO-, SME, SMB-, Micro-, Lifestyle-, Home-, DIY-, Hobby-, Boomer- or Personal business, like professional, contractors, freelancer, self-employed, sole-trader and virtual assistants you run, time is a finite resource for all of us, and we need to learn to use our time as best we can.... If you get your work done more efficiently it will help the overall business efficiency, but at the same time get you out of your office sooner, allowing you to enjoy the better things of life.Efficiency is also a bootstrapper trait, getting things done reduces overheads and other costs, you will see the results in your monthly planning exercise, your income will increase while your costs don't change.Here are some basic rules on time management - or cutting to the chase - as I would call it: Tell people who you want them to work with you, or how to use your time;Return the favor, treat their time as you want your time treated;No meetings without agenda;No long documents without a short summery;Make sure you know what is expected of you;Ask - don't wait for offers, go and get what you need to do your task.I'll be writing more one this later, but I guess you get what I'm getting at.

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Q & A: What questions should I ask my accountant before I start my business?

Nov 1, ’07 9:29 AM

Choosing an accountant/CPA is probably one of the most important decisions to get right, because you are unlikely to have an accountant's grasp of taxationcompany lawdealing with the tax authoritieswide range of knowledge about small business.You need to make sure you find an accountant/CPA who concentrates on small business and start-up business, like SOHO-, SME, SMB-, Micro-, Lifestyle-, Home-, DIY-, Hobby-, Boomer- or Personal business, like professional, contractors, freelancer, self-employed, sole-trader and virtual assistants before you make any appointments.Another aspect is size, make sure you are not "one among millions" sort of speak, smaller accountants practices are often more in tune with your small business needs, because they are a small business too.Here are some questions I would be asking when starting out with a new business venture: Should I start my business as a sole-trader, partnership or limited liability company?Can you help me to find and raise finance? (Read about bootstrapping first!)Will you help me with setting up my cash-flow forecast?When do I need to register for VAT (UK), GST (Australia) or when do I need to charge sales tax (US)?Am I ready to start trading, or should I wait?Do I need to choose my financial year and trading year end date?Are you going to do my bookkeeping and accounting work?Will you work online with me, so we both can be up-to-date with my business progress?Will you deal with my employment issues, pensions, annuities and insurances for me?Will you help me to understand more and more of these issues myself, and will you be available for advice if and when I need it?There are many more issues to consider and they depend on your business, that is where your accountant will help you too.

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