Write a great job ad
Tips for writing the most successful job ad, employing the right person for the job and keeping everyone happy.
Motivate a lazy worker
A lazy or unwilling worker can be frustrating for you and de-motivating for other staff members. Instead of replacing them, finding new ways to motivate your employee will be a more cost efficient method than to start again with someone new.
Generation X - middle generation
Knowing more about Generation X and how they operate can help employers understand the generation. They’re progressing from young upstarts into mid-level management and beyond.
Empower your employees
If you’re wondering how you can dramatically enhance the customer service experience in your business while decreasing the amount of time you actually spend on customer service activities, consider that the solution might be to empower your employees to do it for you.
Conflict in the workplace
While conflict is not always negative, more often than not, particularly in the workplace environment, it can have a detrimental effect that if left unmanaged can spread internally and externally. Sometimes however, it is unavoidable and taking into account that no two individuals are the same, it is important to find ways to manage conflict.
Enhancing business productivity
Workplace productivity is essential in ensuring that your business works at optimum level, but despite its integral role in the workplace, the task of increasing productivity is often a time-consuming and frustrating job.
Stress management tips for business owners
Stress is something we all experience and unfortunately cannot be eliminated altogether. However stress doesn’t have to be an entirely negative emotion – after all, it’s generally what gets us motivated to take action! A certain amount of stress can actually be healthy, so long as the symptoms of it don’t affect our day to day life.
Contributing to superannuation
A guide to how much you can contribute to your super each year.
When an employee leaves
Having to replace someone who has retired, or simply decided they want a change, can be a challenging experience for a manager. As managers typically rely on their key employees, the transition may even have a detrimental impact on operations.....
Creating can create wonders
If you’re really serious about encouraging your staff to be creative and contribute more to your business, then you really need to get creative in the ways you encourage them to do this.
Wanted for hire - only the best will do
"Hire people who are better than you are, then leave them to get on with it. Look for people who will aim for the remarkable, who will not settle for the routine." - David Ogilvy, Advertising Icon
Good leadership defined
Are you a leader just because you run a small business? No. But you need to be.
Why hire Gen Y?
‘They are lazy, selfish, overpaid, arrogant, spoilt, demanding and over-confident!’ But....
5 ways to hit back at the July wage increase
With natural disasters, the dollar at an all-time high, petrol prices going through the roof and energy costs sky-rocketing – what else can happen to harm small business? To add insult to injury Fair Work Australia has approved a $19.40 raise to the minimum wage, taking it to $589.30 after 1 July this year.
How happy are your employees?
As long as employees turn up to work and complete tasks, that’s all that matters right? Wrong! Learn what smart employers do to ensure they have happy employees!
Every business needs a system
A business without a system is like a car without wheels. Whether you are a one man band, employ 50 people or are somewhere in between, every business needs a system and that means Marketing and Sales, Operations, Finance and Human Resources.
Employee appreciation
Creating a successful and profitable business relies heavily on the employees you hire. As such, it is essential to respect and acknowledge every member of your small business team.
Money to grow
It may seem obvious that business growth can only occur with financial support, however many businesses do not understand the importance of sound budgeting and financial planning for long term success
7 steps to a successful year end
Key steps to take to finish the year off on a positive note
How to develop a gold medal attitude in your team
Recently, Aussie hurdler, Sally Pearson won her first Gold Medal in the 100m race at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Dehli. It was a great day for the Olympic Silver Medalist, as just the week before, she had won another race but was later disqualified for a false start. I can’t imagine the disappointment you’d feel at an adjudication like that, but in true fighting spirit, Sally came back in fine form yesterday, even setting a record for the race!
Benefits of a healthy work environment
A major influence upon the success of your business is your staff. They represent the engine of your business and so to keep the business moving forward all components need to be working at an optimal standard.
Teaching Teamwork
We all know how important teamwork is for a thriving organisation. Without some degree of cooperation between your staff, literally nothing would ever get done. You might think that right now your team is working pretty effectively together and that they understand the concept of ‘teamwork’ – however, improving on and refining the way your staff work together can have massive implications for your bottom line.
Performance Standards
Question: “I'm noticing that some of my key staff are beginning to come in later than they should. It's not by much, sometimes half an hour late. However, these same staff members are known on occasion to work back. The thing is, other staff members are noticing and are beginning to creep in a little later than they should. Should I address this with both parties, or just those who haven't put in the extra hours?”
Team time balance - 168 hours!
Just 168 hours per week... Question: “I'm struggling to keep up with life! My business continues to demand most of my time, and there's just not enough hours in the week to unwind or socialise with family and friends. Any tips on how I can strike a balance, without it costing my hip pocket?”
Communication strategies to enhance your team performance
Redundancies, restructuring and closures across all industries are making staff members jumpy across the country. In times like these it is more important than ever to be responsible about your communication style - so that you don't cause your team members undue stress or negatively impact their productivity.