Most family business owners have a similar goal in mind – to grow the business and pass it on to the next generation of their family. While keeping the business in the family and getting to work with your parents, siblings, or children who share common goals can be a fun and rewarding experience, running and growing a family-owned business isn’t without its challenges. Conflicting views on business and family… Read more
eCommerce is growing rapidly, and recent research estimates that it will make up over 22% of global retail sales by 2023. With these statistics and the changes COVID-19 has brought, it’s more important than ever to take your retail business online if you want to stay competitive. It adds another revenue stream and keeps your business humming even while your brick and mortar doors are closed. In this article, we… Read more
If you’ve just started working with Xero, it is normal to make a few mistakes while you’re learning. We see mistakes that are quite common – and unfortunately costly – so you should be aware of them if you want to get the most out of Xero’s powerful cloud accounting system. 1. Not connecting all the bank and credit card accounts dedicated for your business Make sure that you keep… Read more
Nobody wants their business to fail. Although it’s impossible to predict the future with 100% accuracy, a cash flow forecast is a tool that will help you prepare for different possible scenarios in the future. In a nutshell, cash flow forecasting involves estimating how much cash will be coming in and out of your business within a certain period and gives you a clearer picture of your business’ financial health… Read more
Owning a small business in the construction industry can be incredibly stressful. In addition to the long days and difficult working conditions, you have to worry about cash flow issues. It can take a long time to collect on payment from your clients or contractors who hired your business, and in the meantime you have to pay employees, cover fixed expenses, buy supplies and pay your own subcontractors. Here are… Read more
Running a business isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It is definitely hard work, but a rewarding journey at the same time and you can probably attest to this yourself. Sometimes, things also don’t go as planned and you may find your business under financial distress. Suddenly you find yourself falling behind on due dates, suppliers are chasing for payments, and your stress levels are skyrocketing. Regardless of the… Read more
Most entrepreneurs find a time in their business when they need to access financing. It may be in the early stages of their business, when start-up costs for offices, equipment and employees must be covered. Or it may be later on, when they have to relocate, purchase more inventory or equipment, or market their business more aggressively. Financing a business can be scary, but there are many options for entrepreneurs… Read more
Everyone wants to achieve financial independence. However, until you have enough income-generating assets, you are unfortunately dependent on someone else such as your employer. Investing in properties, when done right, can provide an ongoing income stream and a cash lump sum when you decide to sell it. If you are a first time property investor, check out these five tips that can help you along your journey towards financial independence.… Read more
Everyone wants the best for their children, and this includes being rich. Being rich is not just about money– it is about wealth in all aspects of life. In this article, we will share some life lessons you must teach your kids while they’re young to help them grow into adults who can build financial wealth, meaningful relationships, and an overall happy life. Lead by example Children learn from their… Read more
Having total control over your finances can give you an amazing sense of freedom. However, it takes a lot of discipline and hard work for you to be able to achieve this. In this article, we will share some of the most useful tips that you can start now to live a better financial life. Build multiple sources of income Whether it’s through your business, a side hustle, or investing,… Read more
Without knowing your break-even point, you can’t make informed business decisions. The performance review has become a rite of passage in the business world, yet many managers and employees fail to make the most of the opportunities these important discussions can provide. When used properly, the annual review process can provide managers with real insight into everything from employee perception of the company to ways to make the firm better… Read more
From Mac computers to make-up, here are six examples of super-strong brands that cornered their markets using different marketing strategies. If you look at their histories and analyze the pivotal moments, you’ll find parallels and pick up tips on how your company can follow in their footsteps and stand on the shoulders of giants. Apple’s call to arms Anyone who remembers Apple’s computers from the 1980s knows its brand… Read more
Online marketing tools make it inexpensive and easy to promote your events online. If you want to expand your business and offer webinars or offline events, these eight tools will create online buzz about your event to a worldwide audience. When interacting with people on the Internet, remember to always act in a polite and courteous manner. Don’t spam invitations or promotions about your event 24, 7. Use common sense… Read more
Good personal finance skills are important in life, but this seemingly simple concept can be difficult to master. Without having a good grasp of how to manage your money effectively, you run the risk of making financial mistakes that could significantly impact your life. Avoid money traps and manage your finances better with the following common sense financial tips. 1. Not all ‘tax effective’ investments are good investments. The term… Read more
When you’re an entrepreneur, your to-do list is often long and constantly growing longer. There are an overwhelming number of things you need to do, and it can feel like they’re all urgent. In such cases, it’s easy to push important tasks to the side and focus on less-vital activities, but that often means you miss deadlines, make mistakes or always feel as though you’re trying to catch up. Here… Read more
Wishing you a safe, joyful and relaxing Christmas and New Year. We would like to take a moment to thank you for working with us throughout 2020 and look forward to seeing you again in 2021. Please note we are closed from 24 December 2020 and reopen on 11 January 2021. Read more
We cannot stress further the importance of properly managing your cash flow to ensure the smooth running of your business. However, in times of crisis such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this becomes more than important– managing your cash becomes a necessity for survival. If you are experiencing cash flow troubles, here are five things you can do to manage your cash flow better. Check your expenses. Now is the… Read more
Every small business owner knows how challenging it is to cut down expenses without somehow compromising internal or external quality. Regardless of the nature of your business, the first step to reducing your overhead costs is to take the time to go through every single expense you have. Next, assess which ones are necessary for your business to operate smoothly, what can be trimmed down, and what can be eliminated… Read more
Many small business owners tend to handle their own accounting and bookkeeping, especially when they’ve just started out. However, keeping track of the finance-side of the business– everything from income to expenses to tax compliance– can be overwhelming. Mistakes can happen quite easily and can have costly consequences to your business. Below are five of the most common DIY accounting errors that you should avoid. Unorganised Records It takes excellent… Read more
Small businesses can grow in boom times as well as periods of difficulty by working smarter and taking advantage of opportunities. Put these following effective tips into practise to help grow your business. 1. Utilise new technology Modern technology can save you time, improve productivity and reduce your operational costs. Make use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media tools to market your business. Google Drive and Dropbox… Read more