WAHP Business Australia Summer 2014

What insurances do you have in place?

Protect your Business - Are you under-insured?

Put your best Business foot forward

Power of Written Word

Is your business on track?

10 Most Common Business Mistakes5 7 20

WA HP Busines s

BusinessPlan Ahead

Business Management Skills for your Business

GadgetsApps in Review

Use technology to help your business

S.A. Market Bags

Summer Giveaway10 prizes up for Grabs

2015 WAHP Business AwardsNominate your favourite Australian WAHP Business

AUSTRALIA

“Showcasing Australian Small Business and Work At Home Parents”

interview

Promoting Your Business for YOU

Summer 2014

BUY ME

FinancialProtect your Business - Do you have adequate insurance to protect your business?

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WAHP BusinessesProduct Catalogue Showcase- Just a sample of the delightful products by Australian WAHP businesses

Fringe Benefits Tax - How will it affect your business?

InterviewSA Market Bags - assisting South Australian WAHP businesses to promote their businesses

GadgetsApps in Review - Use technology to help your business.

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WAHP Business Australia

Social MediaPower of the Writen Word - Why use Google Plus for your business.

4CompetitionsSummer Giveaway - 10 prizes from 10 amazing WAHP Businesses

Red BordersWAHP Business Australia

Published by Goodnight PublishingEditor: Helen Dayman

Website: www.wahpbusiness.com.auFacebook: www.facebook.com/wahpp

Email: [email protected]

WAHP Business Australia is an online magazine supporting Work at Home Parents and their businesses. Join us for networking with fellow Australian WAHP Businesses on our Facebook page. Check back regularly on our website for more exciting developments.

Are you an expert on business management, financial or social media? We welcome article submissions to our magazine and website. Interested in promoting your business? Send us an email and ask about our advertising packages.

10BusinessPlan Ahead - Business Management Skills for your Business

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Don’t be that Business - Customer Service Standards

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Showcasing Work At Home Parents

162015 WAHP Business Awards - Nominate your favourite WAHP Business

Start your own Business - 22 Business Startup Ideas to get you started

2010 Most Common Business Mistakes - Is your business on track?

Summer GiveawayFrom 1st December 2014 to 15th January, 2015

10 Prizes up for Grabs

Get your Entry - www.wahpbusiness.com.au/giveaway

Showcasing Work at Home Parents

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Protect Your BusinessDo you have adequate insurance to protect your business?

The majority of small home based businesses are operated online. Their online presence may be via a website, online store, blog, Ebay and social me-dia.

Online businesses have sub-scriber lists for email newslet-ters; they receive and process payments online; and they re-ceive and are responsible for their customers’ personal infor-mation.

Many small businesses don’t have the financial funds to spend big $$ on site security leaving them vulnerable to cy-ber-attack.

A cyber-attack on your busi-ness could cost you customers. Studies have shown that 85% Australians would not stay with a business who suffered a data breach.

Cyber Insurance covers your business in case of a breach or cyber-attack.

Cyber Insurance for Small businessDon’t get caught out by a hack attack.

Home-based businesses make up a large percentage of the Australian Small Business community. Did you know that there are nearly one million people just like you, running their business from home?

There are so many advantages to working from home - flexibility, convenience, opportunity to turn a hobby into a business, spend more time with family… I am sure you can add any more to this list.

From day one of starting your business, your driving force has been to grow your business and to be successful. Did you now that the bigger your business grows, the more risk you and your business are exposed to?

The decision to obtain insurance is about identifying and understanding the risks to your business.

What is Risk? We encounter risks in our daily lives from the moment you get up in the morning. Risks you are exposed to vary in degree from low to high risks. Slipping in the shower, burning yourself while cooking breakfast or a car accident on the way to work.

Defining the exact nature of a risk varies on the type of business and other factors. In some cases the emphasis might be on the probability of a risk or event occurring and possible consequences. For small business, a risk or event may have a negative impact on your business with the risk of losing customers or money.

A risk can be broken down into two components - a) Uncertainty of potential outcomes; and b) Outcomes have to matter either financially or impact on your business.

WAHP Business Australia • Summer 2014

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Time to Arrange your Insurance

Once you have identified risks to your business, it is time to start shopping around for the policy that meets all your needs.

Risk -vs- Reward

There is always a relationship between Risk and Reward. To expand and grow your business, you need to be willing to expose yourself and your business to risks.

For your business, it is important to decide how much risk to take and what risks are critical to the success of your business. Insurance cover can mitigate these risks.

Insurance protects your business against unforseen events - loss of business, loss or damage to assets, loss of revenue, legal claims and even injury to employees or customers. Being uninsured or

even under-insured leaves your business vulnerable to major losses which could cause its closure.

Apply sufficient funds to cover insurance premiums in your business budget is effective risk management.

Insurance for your business can be divided into three categories - assets and revenue; liability; and employees.

Assets and Revenue - fire and burglary, glass breakage, perishable food, machinery breakdown, damage to goods, fidelity guarantee (employee dishonesty), loss of money, motor vehicle, product recall, business interruption, income protection, loss of profit, weather and more.

Liability - public liability; professional indemnity; product liability and specialised market/fair insurance.

Employees - firstly, workers compensation (compulsory); sole traders (not covered by workers compensation); and personal accident, illness or disability.

“The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that is changing really quickly,

the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.”

Mark Zuckerberg (co-founder of Facebook)

Ask for quotes from different insurance companies, checking what is covered and those risks that are extra.

You might find that you will use a couple insurance companies to get the broadest coverage, or one may be able to package all insurances under one policy.

Don’t operate your business without insurance.

Ask for a Cover Note to protect you and your business from a specific date - this can be done over the phone and cover in place immediately.

Insurance policies are usually renewed annually, most occur automatically. Pop your renewal dates into your diary and reassess your insurance needs before this date.

Your risks or assets may have increased or decreased over the past 12 months.

Protect your Business


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Power of Written WordPut your best Business foot forward Kira Duff

With the increasing influence of technology, the written word is more powerful than ever. Sadly, that power doesn’t always pack a punch. Businesses suffer from not knowing how to best engage their audience. There is a basic rule when it comes to writing for your business - ‘put your best foot forward at all times’. The internet doesn’t sleep. You may be wondering how you do that with limited resources – but the answer is simple. Three pronged, but simple.

Don’t Misspell Words (or use the wrong word).

I know it sounds obvious; although with the reliance on the red squiggly line in Microsoft products, many people are no longer able to tell the difference between your and you’re! It’s not a bad thing to own a dictionary and a thesaurus and to keep them on

your desk for easy access and regular use. Your thesaurus can not only expand your vocabulary, but it will allow you to repeat your message without sounding like you’re repeating yourself.

Read aloud before you post or print

If you read something aloud you will read what is actually written, not what your mind wants or thinks is written. Don’t worry about looking silly in the office, better there than somewhere your customers can see. When you’re silently reading something you have written, your brain will allow you to read what you intended to write. Also, by reading aloud you will hear if your work makes sense and flows. The most important step is the one that will affect you most long term.

Think before you Post

This one I have said a lot to business people. Once a post goes live on the internet or into print you cannot get it back.

You need to ensure that your piece of work, opinion and style reflects what you want to be known for.

Do you want to be known for the dirty joke or for quality service? People will not quickly forget a mistake, even if it was meant to be funny. Just remember, some things are best kept between friends and not your business network.

Your voice in print or on the internet will be the first thing potential customers see of you and your business. As a business owner, you have the power to decide how you and your business appear in writing.

Don’t let yourself down; polish your words like you would your shoes for a first meeting.


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Helen Dayman: How long have you been operating SA Market Bags? Erin Lang: SA Market Bags has been operating since 2011. I was very excited to have the opportunity to purchase the business in July 2014.

Helen Dayman: Can you tell us a little bit about SA Market Bags? Erin Lang: SA Market Bags is about bringing small business and communities together. It is wonderful to see communities and small business supporting each other. We promote businesses in our bags. The Market Bags are given out at events and markets that choose to use our service. At SA Market Bags ‘We do the work for you’ and assist in promoting your business both online and offline.

Helen Dayman: What materials are the bags made out of? Erin Lang: The bags are made out of paper, which are recyclable.

Helen Dayman: What types of items can businesses put in the Market Bags? Erin Lang: Many different types of items go into the bags ranging from peoples product samples, flyers, vouchers or other promotional goodies. It’s a good idea to make the item useful or fun so that you of course grab people’s attention when they are going through the bag.

Helen Dayman: Which markets do your Market Bags go to? Erin Lang: Various markets around Adelaide use our service and these are located in all different suburbs and also include the Adelaide Hills. Businesses can find our current Market schedule on our website.

Helen Dayman: Will you be taking on more markets? How can markets get involved?Erin Lang: We are happy to take on new markets around South Australia and work with the market and event organisers to give a little something extra to the first 100 or so through the door. Market organisers can contact us via our website and we cater to markets of all sizes. We do ask market organisers to book their markets at least 6 weeks before their date.

Interviewwith Erin Lang - SA Market Bags

It was wonderful catching up with Erin Lang for a chat about her business SA Market Bags. Erin is one vey busy lady dividing her time between her family, and her other business (Ezza’s Inner Child Creations). You have also chatted with Erin in her role as admin on our networking Facebook page on Monday daytime and Friday nights each week.

Helen Dayman


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Helen Dayman: How does it work and how does a business promote in SA Market Bags?Erin Lang: A Market or event organiser will register their event with SA Market Bags. The Market will then be advertised on the website and facebook page advising businesses that it is open for bookings. Businesses will book via the website. The booking process is simple. Simply add the market that you would like to participate in to your cart and then checkout. Payments are taken via our website using PayPal or credit card.

Helen Dayman: Is SA Market Bags only in South Australia?Erin Lang: At the moment SA Market Bags is run purely in South Australia but we have received enquiries asking us to expand into other states. We will be looking at this in 2015. We are constantly building a fantastic network, so it looks like some exciting new opportunities will present themselves coming into the New Year.

Upcoming Markets14th December 2014Once Upon a Market NoarlungaMarket Bags - 50 Bookings Close - 5th December Materials Deadline - 8th DecemberCost - $10

12 - 14 December 2014 Hahndorf ChristkindlmarktCnr Main St & Auricht Rd, HahndorfMarket Bags - 100 Bookings Close - 5th DecemberMaterials Deadline - 8th December Cost - $15

17th January 2015 Market Day SAThe Denison Centre, Garden Terrace, Mawson Lakes Market Bags - 100 Bookings Cose - 9th JanuaryMaterials Deadline - 12th JanuaryCost - $15

8th February 2015 Market Republic69 Briar Road, FelixstowMarket Bags - 100 Bookings Close - 30th JanuaryMaterials Deadline - 2nd FebruaryCost - $15

15th February 2015 Lollipop MarketsMorphettviille RacecourseMarket Bags - 200 Bookings Close - 6th FebruaryMaterials Deadline - 9th FebruaryCost - $25

Website: www.samarketbags.com

Interview - SA Market Bags


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Plan Ahead: Business Management Skills

for your BusinessStarting a new business or looking to expand your growing business, you

need to take a close look at your existing skill sets. Updating your skills and additional training might be an option.

Working in your business and running your business require different skill sets. Business Management Skills are essential to run a successful business. Identify the skills that you and your staff already have. Know there strengths and weaknesses.

If you identify a skill shortage there are a few options available - up-skill and train existing staff; recruit new staff or outsource specific tasks. Skills that you and your staff have should include the ability to communicate effectively, manage people and knowing what is best for your business - especially at challenging times.

Let’s take a look at the skills you need to run a successful business:

Manage your Business• Effectively manage your finances and cash flow, prepare financial documents and records.• Manage your staff to improve your employees’ productivity and job satisfaction, while ensuring a safe workplace.• Lead your team using your organisational, problem-solving and decision-making skills. Allocate time to mentor and coach your staff.• Organise, plan, schedule and prioritise your projects to ensure tasks are completed and delivered to your customers on time.

S e l l y o u r

Products• Excellent customer services leads to satisfied customers that in turn leads to higher profits and of course referrals to other potential customers.• Market and sell your products by targeting your potential customers with a marketing plan that outlines your product/service prices and sales strategies.

Build Relationships• Communication (written and verbal) builds good working relationships with your staff, suppliers and customers.• Networking is effective to identify potential customers and other opportunities for your business.

Comply with Legal RequirementsBe aware of your:• business rights and responsibilities, • obligations and • legal requirements in running a business at both State and National level.


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Business Management Skills Y/N Entrepreneural Skills Y/NCan you delegate tasks effectively? Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit?

Do you have problem solving and decision making experience? Do set backs motivate you to try harder?

Do you know how to maintain and control stock levels? Do set backs cause you to become frustrated and give up?

Do you have experience coordinating and planning important tasks and projects? Can you turn your ideas into a business?

Do you have good time management skills? Do you know how to evaluate your business idea?

Do you know how to negotiate successfully? Can you find new customers?

Financial Skills Y/N Sales and Marketing Skills Y/NAre you familiar with profit planning, financial forecasting, cash flow management and budgeting? Can you analyse your competitors and your customers?

Do you know how to manage Payroll? Pay Superannuation? Do you know how to research the market, test your product and advertise your product?

Can you cost your supplies, overheads and labour to price your products or services effectively? Are you familiar with different marketing channels?

Can you manage purchasing for your business? Do you know the best way to promote and sell your product or service?

Do you know how to manage debtors and creditors? Do you have strong written and presentation skills?

Do you have bookkeeping skills? Interpersonal Skills Y/NDo you know your requirements for tax, goods and services tax (GST) and business activity statements (BAS)?

Can you lead, train, supervise, motivate and mentor employees?

Training Solution Do you know how to communicate and negotiate with employees and customers?

Certificate III, IV or Diploma in Business Management Are you familiar with requirements for staffing and human resources?

It is important to identify the skills that you and your staff already have. Equally important is to identify those skills that are not available for your business.

Use this handy Skills Checklist. If you answer ‘No’ to any, you have identified a gap in your business’ skill sets.

Plan Ahead: Business Management Skills


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We can help! Visit www.electroniclighthouse.com.au Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/ElectronicLighthouse Or call us today on 0404497798

Time poor and need help to make your business

technology work for you?

Feeling overwhelmed?

Full Stop Design, Editing, Publishing is the one-stop shop for all your desktop publishing needs.

Lauren ShayCreative director• 0410 513 736• [email protected]• fullstoppublishing.com.au• facebook.com/fullstoppublishing

Brochures, flyers, booklets, business cards,

e-books, media releases, Facebook covers

Annual reports, website content, menus,

newsletters, self-published books

Package deals for new businesses

and subscription service available

Design, desktop publishing, writing,

proofreading, editing, print management


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We can help! Visit www.electroniclighthouse.com.au Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/ElectronicLighthouse Or call us today on 0404497798

Time poor and need help to make your business

technology work for you?

Feeling overwhelmed?

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Don’t be THAT Business: Shine with outstanding Customer Service Standards

Anna Holdsworth

Customer service standards are a common topic amongst small business owners, but what do they really mean? How will they transform your business?

Customer service standards are delivery targets for your business. It is a commitment that you of-fer your customers, your staff and your suppliers. More importantly, it is about committing to your brand.

Customer service standards are important because they are a method of holding your business accountable for the services it provides. It helps consumers and your employees understand what type of services and products to expect from your business.

Customer Service Standards are an effective and essential management tool for your business. For a successful business, you need happy and satisfied customers.

Ask your customers and staff how your business can improveCustomers and staff each offer a unique and different perspective on your business. They can often see changes that need to be implemented before you do. Both your customers and staff work closely with the product and point of sale systems, encountering any problems firsthand. Ask their opinions on how to improve your business.

Study other similar-type businessesLearn from the mistakes of others instead of repeating them. Find out how how other businesses have dealt with similar situations. How have they expanded their business? What service standards do they provide? Model your business structure on a business that is successfully implementing good customer service standards and avoid any future pitfalls.

Develop a mission statementMission statements aren’t just for fun. They give your brand and your staff direction. Mission statements are a short sentence about what your business stands for and what they strive to achieve. Develop a mission statement and consider this statement every time you apply decisions and actions for your business.

Evaluation before and after changeMonitor how changes to your business affect overall sales and the future of the business. This will help you maximize success and limit failure.

Train employeesTrain your employees to follow your business’ customer service standards. Ensure all employees are working toward a positive expansion and evolution of your business. Your employees are in direct contact with your customers. Training your staff will give your customers a better experience and as a nice bonus you will see an increase in your profits.

Customer Service StandardsHere are a few tips to develop your customer service standards::

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Having strong customer service standards will lead to an increase in client satisfaction. Your business public perception will become more positive and overall performance of your business will benefit.

When dealing with customer service standards it is important to ensure that any changes that you implement are individualized to your business. Ideas that may work for some businesses might not work for others.

The goal is to create meaningful, appropriate and measurable customer service standards that your business can meet - more importantly, standards that are appropriate to your brand. Be sure to consider the number of clients that you currently deal with and the way they purchase goods from your business. It is important to analyze how you and your staff interact with customers.

Put yourself in your customers’ shoes - try to objectively experience the sale from their point of view.

Don’t be that Business - Customer Service Standards


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2015WAHP Business Awards

Nominate your favourite WAHP Business

Major Categories:

2015 Australian WAHP Business Champion

2015 State/Territory WAHP Business Champions

Minor Cateories (each State/Territory)

Craft and Handmade Children Fashion, Accessories and Toys Adult Fashion and Accessories (male and female) Professional Services Trade/Handyman Decor Health & Beauty

Entry Forms and Conditions of Entry are on our Website: www.wahpbusiness.com.au


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1. Freelancing - the most in-demand

freelance services are: data entry, academic

writing, Excel projects, data processing,

Web search and Facebook-based jobs.

Hourly rates start at $30 an hour.

2. Mobile Consulting - Finding ways to

go mobile is a challenge for many business

owners. If you are able o offer an affordable

mobile solution to businesses that need

them you’ll find this a profitable business

opportunity.

3. Translator - Can you fluent in another

language? Both speaking and written?

There are a wealth of opportunities

available. Website translation, assisting

in court proceedings and with business

transactions.

4. Mobile Salon - Hair, Beauty or Nails.

Opportunities are endless. Seniors enjoying

a home service. Busy Mums might find it

easier to keep the kids occupied whike they

enjoy a little pampering.

5. Testing Service - Most businesses have

an online presence but don’t have the time

to test their websites and apps. You could fill

this important niche market.

6. Cleaning Service - Offices, restaurants,

retail shops, bond cleans and domestic

cleaning.

7. Computer Repairs and/or Training

- All businesses have computers. They

breakdown and need fixing. New staff need

training.

8. Consultant - Are you an expert in your

field? Large corporations and even smaller

businesses require the assistance of an

expert.

9. Editorial Service - Copy editing, proof

reading, indexing, copy writing

10. Event Planning - Weddings, birthdays,

corporate and community events.

11. Household Organiser - We all need

a little extra helping hand to bring some

order to our busy environment. In the home

or in the office.

12. Personal Concierge - Business

managers and executives working 7am to

9pm need an efficient professional person

who can do those tasks they don’t have

time to do.

13. Gift Basket Service - Special occasions

such as anniversary, birthday, engagement,

baby shower or even retirement.

14. Graffiti Removal- Provide a regular

subscription to businesses, local councils or

homeowners for graffiti trouble areas.

15. Herb or Vegetable Seedlins - Do you

have a green thumb and enjoy nurturing

herbs and vegies? Start growing and sell at

your local market.

16. Moving Service - Provide a valuable

moving service to businesses and home

owners relocating.

17. Photographer - There are niches you

can explore for photography: portraits of

people and their pets, families, and homes;

photographs of holiday events, birthday

parties or Christmas cards.

18. Website Developer - Capture your

client’s vision for the business and make it a

reality with a functional website.

19. Family Day Care - Provide childcare in

the safety and security of your own home.

This is perfect for stay-at-home mums.

20. Recycling Pickup - Offer a service to

home owners to pick up all their e-waste

— old televisions, broken laptops, defunct

cellphones and dispose at a local recycling

facility.

21. Food Truck/Smoko Van/Coffee Van - Mobile service with a smiile. Construction

sites, Industrial Areas, Office Complexes,

Markets and Fetes.

22. Craft/Hobby into a Business - Do

you enjoy a craft or hobby? Soapmaking,

Jewellery, sewing or crochet, leatherwork,

card making and embellishments. Any of

these crafts and more could be your new

business.

Start Your Own BusinessHave you started your business yet? If not, you may be sifting through ideas for your new venture. There are so many potential business ideas out there, it can be hard to choose. Weigh up your skills and strengths, but it comes down to ‘what you enjoy’. You need to love what you do! If you love your work, love your business - then your potential for success is HIGH. You might find your new business venture among one of these.


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Fringe Benefits Tax: How will it affect your Business

As a small business, you are most likely aware of the main taxes - GST if your business is registered and PAYG if you have employees. If you employ workers, one tax that can be confusing for business owners is the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). From 1st April, 2014 FBT was raised to 47%.


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What are Fringe Benefits? They are non-cash benefits paid to employees (current, past and future)or their associate (spouse or child) in addition to their wage or salary.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) states that a “Benefit is broadly defined and includes any rights privileges or services.” The benefit can be provided by you the employer, an associate or a third party in arrangement with your business.

Fringe Benefits may include -• Allow employee to use a work car for private use• Provide a cheap loan to employee• Reimburse a non-business expense incurred by an employee (eg. school fees or health insurance)• Provide entertainment which may include food, drink or recreation

Residual Fringe Benefits include provisions by you as the employer to an employee of any right, privilege, service or facility that does not fall into any of the above specific categories. These may include - • Use of an Employer’s property (eg video camera or television)• Provision of a Service (eg advice given by a solicitor)• Private use of a motor vehicle that is not a ‘car’ for FBT purposes (eg one tonne Ute)• Use of an Employer’s Electronic Toll Tag

FBT is separate to Income Tax. The normal financial Income Tax year runs from 1st July to 30th June. The FBT year runs from 1st April to 31st March.

As an employer you are required to assess your FBT liability annually and should be lodged by 21 May. Any Tax paid in the FBT year should also be reported on the relevant employee’s group certificate (payment summary) for that financial year.

Source - www.ato.gov.au

The ATO suggests small business owners ask themselves the following questions.

If you answer ‘YES’ to any, you may be providing a fringe benefit to your employees and be liable to pay FBT.

Do you make cars or other vehicles owned or leased by the business

available to employees for private use, including a car garaged at

the employee’s place of residence?

Have you paid for, or reimbursed, a non-business expense incurred

by an employee?

Do you provide your employees with entertainment by the way of

food, drink or recreation?

Do you provide your employees with loans at reduced interest rates?

Have you released an employee from a debt?

Do you provide an employee with a house or other accommodation?

Do you provide your employees with board (meals and

accommodation)?

Do you, as an airline or travel agent employer, provide your

employees with free or discounted air travel on a standby basis?

Do you provide your employees with ’living away from home’

allowances?

Have you, as a tax-exempt (not for profit/charity) organisation,

provided your employees with food, drink or accommodation?

Do you provide car parking for your employees within one kilometre

of a commercial car parking station?

Have you provided your employees with property, either free or at a

discount, or with goods at a lower price than they are normally sold

to the public?

Do any of your employees have a salary package arrangement in

place?

Do you provide your employees with other fringe benefits not

covered above?

Fringe Benefits Tax


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Mistakes can be costly. Lost opportunities, added expenses or in extreme cases possibly shutting your business down. Success in business is a juggling act of avoiding costly mistakes and doing the right thing for your business to succeed. Sadly there is a 50/50 chance of small business failure in the first five years.

Every business is unique and may face different challenges. A bricks and mortar business may face different challenges to an online business. However, these common mistakes can affect virtually all businesses. Don’t fall into the trap of creating potentially expensive problems for your business by avoiding these common mistakes.

Failure to Plan = Plan to Fail

Research is a good place to start as a great idea or

product won’t fly if there is no demand or market.

A Business Plan is THE most important basis

for any business. If you don’t have one… start

researching and planning NOW. It is the basis for

how your business will succeed. Remember, your

business and market are constantly changing,

update your Business Plan to stay on the road to

success.

Low Prices = Low Revenue

Undercharging to beat the competition might be

a good strategy when you are starting out. BUT…

it can become a bad habit and will reduce your

product value if done long-term. Consider your

product costs, margin of profit that will make it

worthwhile.and your time is important too.

Sales Only -vs- Whole Business Approach

Don’t get lost focusing on Sales only. Let’s face

it… if you don’t have sales, you don’t have

revenue - this can be a recipe for disaster. Sales are

just one part of your business. Don’t drop the ball

in other areas of your business. Customer Service,

warehousing or delivery of items, accounts, after

sales service… these are just a few areas that

could affect your sales. Take a Whole Business

Approach and offer a complete business to your

customers and watch your business grow.

Extending Credit = Low Cash Flow

It is tempting to offer credit to customers. This

may entice new customers or repeat customers.

The biggest risk is unpaid accounts. Offering

credit has its own set of procedures - establishing

credit policies, credit checks and chasing

payments. Costs may outweigh any benefits. The

bottom line is that it reduces your cash flow.

Boring -vs- Fun

You started your business because you have a

passion for what you do. It is easy to concentrate

on those parts of the business that you love and

easy to ignore the boring bits. It is important to

manage and work on the whole of your business,

neglecting those boring tasks and your business

will suffer or possibly fail.

Jack-of-all-Trades -vs- Specialising

While it is important not to put all your ‘eggs

in one basket’, sometimes spreading yourself

across too many different services or products

can work against you. It is better to do a few

things well instead of many things only so-so.

Pick a group of products or services - specialise.

Become known as the business that specialises

in “your product/service”. Become the ‘go to’

business that everyone is talking about.

Customer Service

One of the biggest mistakes for any business, is

bad customer service. The customer might not

always be right, but the customer must feel that

they are important to your business. If there is

a problem, resolve it quickly. You want every

customer feeling happy and wanting to return to

your business. You want every customer to feel

valued. Customer Service can make or break your

business. Word of Mouth is the most successful

marketing strategy and costs you nothing.

I can do it All - or can you?

Saving money and working on a shoe-string is

important for any small business, especially a

start-up. BUT… can you do everything? Burn-

Out is the major cause of business failure. Pick

the tasks that you love and do well. Look at

employing staff or outsourcing the other tasks.

Emotions -vs- Facts

You love your business and have a passion for

what you do. It is easy to allow our emotions to

get in the way and make business decisions for

the wrong reasons. Make business decisions by

relying on facts and sound business judgement.

Expensive advertising - does it target a large

section of your market; if yes, can your business

cope with a large jump in orders. Using capital

to purchase equipment - how long till it pays for

itself; do you really need this equipment. Make

ALL business decisions based on facts and the

benefits for your business.

Continue Learning = Business Success

Never stop learning new skills and expand the

potential for your business success. It said that we

continue to learn throughout our life, the same

goes for business. Your business is continually

evolving, your customer base may expand or

change and technologies are always advancing.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest

business or industry standards. Developing your

leadership and business skills. Ask any successful

business owner - they never stop learning.

10 Small Business Mistakes

How do you avoid these 10 Common Business Mistakes?

Take the time to assess yourself, staff

and your business.

If you find that your business is making

one of these mistakes, take this

opportunity to turn it around and point

your business towards SUCCESS.


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Small Business mistakes

Put a group of small business owners in one room and conversation will eventually end up on the topic of those common mistakes.

Yes… even the most successful business owner, from home run (WAHPs) to multi-corporation owners - every business owner has made a mistake or two, or more.


22

Cathy Ewald

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Gadgets:Simple mobile Apps to organise your business.

Are you running a business and using a smart phone or tablet? Do you want a way of keeping track of what you have done and need to do without time sheet software? Reminder and notes apps make it easier to stay organised by helping you document activities like client meetings and schedule follow up actions.

We examine three free or cheap reminder and note apps that will help turn your phone or tablet into a Personal Assistant.

Android Specific Apps - The apps for this section are for Android devices only. If you are unsure if your device uses Android, go to its Settings menu and look up the ‘About Phone’ section or equivalent. If the word Android appears on this screen, you have an Android phone or tablet and these apps may be for you.

apMemo

Cost:Limited Version - FREEPaid Version - $2.99

Available from Google PlayDeveloper - APSoft SystemsReviewed Version - 2.1.27

appMemo is my personal favourite because it is simple to use and non-intrusive (i.e. does not pop up when you make a phone call). I use the same phone for business and private calls, so don’t want my business software nagging me if I’m calling a loved one.

It is quick and easy to make a note, either by typing or drawing. Notes are stored locally but in the paid version, can be shared to Dropbox and other messaging and email applications.

Adding a note - Sharing information

Sharing is as easy as selecting the

Sharing option and then picking the

way you want to share from the screen

below.

This sharing gives you a totally

independent backup so you can

access your information from other

devices, share it with whoever you like

even if they are not apNote , or access

it from any device.

Summary:Good points - Easy to use; Full version : easy to back up and share

content; Data stored locally on phone; Full version : save and transfer

memos as a file, back up without relying on server; control backup and

collaboration. Collaborators don’t need an account. Lots of choices for

how to share information; Can set reminder on any memo ( that’s what

the clock icon does).

Bad points - Required to pay for sharing/backup, which are

essential for business use unless you are prepared to constantly take

screenshots; Cannot do voice or photo/video memos; Android only.

Who is it for?

Businesses or individuals using Android phones or tablets who want a

quick and easy memo and reminder solution when on the go and who

want to be in control of the backup and sharing of their information.

It could be used as a diary to track information gathered while on the

move and set reminders to follow up.

Screenshots:


23

Col Reminders

Cost:Limited Version - FREEPaid Version - $2.50

Available from Google PlayDeveloper - ColAppsReviewed Version - 2.65.5

Col Reminders is an excellent reminder program and the free version has enough functionality to meet the needs of most small businesses looking for a quick, robust and simple reminder system.

For this reason, we did not review the premium (paid) version.

Image 2: Telephone call is a very useful one for business as it can be set to

pop up when you finish a call (on phones) to enter followup actions. This can

be turned off if you don’t want to see it for every call (as I have done). You can

enter details for any reminder and set a time. Parking allows details of where

you are parked to be entered as well as the time parking expires. Here’s the

screen for entering a call and as you can see you can add details and the

number or select someone from your contacts.

Summary:

Good points - Easy to use; Easy to back up and can be automated; Custom

phone reminders are helpful if you make a lot of calls requiring followup.

Bad points - Not designed for long/detailed memos or specialised content

such as pictures; Cannot enter notes without reminders so not a diary

solution.

Who is it for?

Businesses or individuals who are Android users want a quick and easy

reminder solution and to be able to back up their data to dropbox. It is

especially helpful for those who want to set lots of phone call related

reminders.

Screenshots:

For Everyone - The third app will work on any device so if you are an Apple or Windows Phone user, this one may be for you. Also note that Apple provide a free Calendar. Reminders and a free Notes app on all IPhones and iPads. These are basic but will serve most simple needs.

Image 1: Col Reminders allows you to create three types of reminders as seen

in the picture.

Image 3: Backing up data is simple and can be done automatically. Dropbox

can be used, providing a place to store reminders that is accessible from

every device and independent of Col Reminders.

Evernote

Cost:Limited Version - FREEPaid Version - $45.00 (linked to all devices)

Available from Google Play, Apple itunes, evernote.comDeveloper - EvernoteReviewed Version - 5 (iPad and Android)

Evernote is a very popular notetaking and reminder application. It is “cloud based” which makes sharing between users of Evernote very easy but the free version does not provide ways of exporting or sharing with people who are not Evernote users. Everyone who uses the system needs to have a (free ) account.

For those in industries where offshore data security is a concern should note that the servers are located in the U.S.A. Be wary of posting sensitive client information. A highlight of Evernote however, is that it is available for almost all device. Summary:Good points - Easy to use; Server based notes mean easy to share with other users; not reliant on mobile storage; requires

an internet connection to access; paid premium account enables offline work; Allows voice and photo memos; Supports

reminders; versions for Android, Windows phone, IPhone and iPad, Mac and PC.

Bad points - Server based, no local backup of data; no offline use on mobile in free version - limitation is removed in the

paid version; Servers located outside Australia and subject to U.S law; Data limit in free version; Evernote business has a

larger quota calculated by the number of paid users you have.

Who is it for?

Businesses or individuals using any smart phone or computer who want an easy way to make and share a variety of notes

when mobile or at the office. Its especially useful if you use more than one type of device or want to add photos, voice

memos or other rich content to your notes.

Gadgets: Simple Mobile Apps to organise your Business


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25

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Documents

WAHP Business Australia Summer 2014