Professional Development
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Quick decisions help medium sized businesses
David Brown | August 21, 2012Gut instinct, timing and action are critical for developing a business. David Brown, First 5000 member and founder of e-commerce company, Trixan, shares his thoughts on why making quick decisions has helped his company.
There’s no doubt that the best decision I have ever made was to go into the pet supply market in the US when we did, in 2002.
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How to unlock passion in your business
Shivani Gupta | August 15, 2012Is your passion for your business waning? Shivani Gupta tells us how to regain the drive you once had.
A lot of managers and leaders start a career in an area in which they are passionate. After a number of years it is easy to lose that passion. But it is vital that you get that passion back if you are to make your career and your organisation as successful and rewarding as possible.
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No shame in admitting you are wrong
Jeremy Liddle | August 14, 2012How do you feel when you make a mistake or are wrong about something? Entrepreneur Jeremy Liddle believes it’s important to admit when you are wrong and try to correct your actions immediately.
Many people think that committing mistakes is shameful and because of that they never have the courage to move towards their goal. They don’t have the courage to face the setbacks and failures that may come with achieving what they want.
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The erosion of privacy for jobseekers
Carolyn Smith | August 9, 2012It’s a fine line between private and public these days and some jobseekers have found that out the hard way. Carolyn Smith says that while many may lament the widespread Googling of candidates it’s the reality of the modern jobs market.
Picture the typical scenario playing out across offices in Australia. The recruiter or HR Officer makes a shortlist of resumes and then Google’s the job candidate.
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Feeling constrained in your business? Try these HR tips…
Michael Hyatt | July 17, 2012Constrained is sometimes just a business euphemism for being restricted or ‘stretched’ or in financial terms ‘short of cash’. Deloitte Private Account Director Michael Hyatt shares his HR tips for cash constrained or resource constrained organisations.
Productivity is the key component of business success, particularly in perilous times. Traditional measures of productivity centre on hours worked and widgets per hour but these are just measures they are not drivers of productivity.
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Balancing growth with satisfaction
Shivani Gupta | July 17, 2012Sometimes it’s good to take stock of where your business is at and how you are servicing your existing clients. Shivani Gupta shares her experience in creating the right balance.
These past few months I have found myself busy with clients and many projects but still rushing from meeting to meeting, always searching for more opportunities.
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Focus on the positives to cultivate employee performance
Sean Conrad | July 11, 2012What is your approach to staff management? Sean Conrad believes it is important to look at the positives in order to get the most out of your staff.
In mid-sized companies, and especially in today’s economy, our resources are often stretched to the limit. We need to get the most from every one of our employees.
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Marketing should focus on more effectiveness, more efficiency
Darren Woolley | June 27, 2012You have many different options in regard to your marketing strategy. Darren Woolley shares how important it is to focus on effectiveness and efficiency.
There is no denying that marketing has become more complex and one of the main drivers of this complexity is the rapidly increasing number of channels in which we can engage consumers.
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Defending your market from competition
Mark Ostryn | June 26, 2012How do you make your business stand out from the pack? Mark Ostryn shares his ideas on how to defend your business against competition.
Warren Buffett famously invests in businesses that have what he calls a protective ‘moat’ around them – one that inoculates them from competition and allows them to control their pricing.
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Make those New Year goals stick
Shivani Gupta | June 12, 2012Motivation and clear goal setting is important to ensuring that you and your staff are hitting their targets. Shivani Gupta shares her ideas on how to make sure you stick to the plan.
We are almost half way through the year. How are you going with those goals you set for yourself and your department or organisation in the New Year or at the last planning session?
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The right use of power
Jenny Morawska | June 6, 2012Jenny Morawska believes that women need to understand their power, stand in that power and use it ethically.
We talk about power all the time – do we really understand what it is and how to use it?
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Imagination an underrated business asset
Craig Manson | May 22, 2012Imagination can be synonymous with daydreaming, but it is an underestimated asset in the business world according to a new report from Canon. Craig Manson looks at why imagination should be more highly valued.
The Macquarie Dictionary tells us that imagination is the ability to form mental images, sensations and concepts in a moment when they are not perceived through sight, hearing or other senses.
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Essential employee performance management practices
Sean Conrad | May 9, 2012Goal management, regular feedback and employee development are key to creating a good workforce. Sean Conrad shares his ideas on how to make the most of these employee performance management practices.
Since your staff are your most strategic resource, and your only sustainable competitive advantage, it makes sense to invest in HR practices that help maximise employee performance.
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Victoria’s Kwik Kopy Richmond crowned Franchise of the Year
Helen Hull | May 8, 2012
First 5000 partner Kwik Kopy Australia has crowned its Richmond branch 2012 Franchise of the Year.Delighted Owner, Steve Strangward accepted the award on behalf of the team who work at the Melbourne design and print centre.
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Employing senior staff worth more than $1000 gov bonus
Sarina Russo | May 1, 2012Sarina Russo, Founder and Managing Director of Sarina Russo Job Access believes employers need to realise mature aged workers are of much more value than a $1000 bonus offered as part of a government plan to make it easier for older people to find a job.
In mid April the federal governmnet announced bosses will be offered a $1000 sweetener if they hire people aged 50 as part of the Jobs Bonus scheme. However, it’s not just about monetary reward, it is important to take a look at the skills and experience mature workers bring to the table.
