Trying to promote your product or service to everyone can be costly and can miss the mark. Knowing who your ideal customer is (based on certain characteristics) will help to focus your marketing efforts on those who are willing to pay for your product or service. It will also help you to work out if there are enough of your ideal customers to make...
If you’re running a tow truck business, you may be impacted by new industry regulations. As part of the Towing Services Bill 2024, a range of towing industry reforms are being rolled out in a staged approach. The first stage of changes, which relates to capped fees and maximum charges, took affect on 10 January 2025. New requirements for tow truck...
Not sure where to start when it comes to promoting your business on social media? Social media can seem overwhelming, but fortunately there are a few basic principles that can help guide you through the ‘getting started’ stages. The golden rule of social media is to engage with your target market on their preferred platform, using relevant and...
We’ve all heard the saying that ‘cash is king’, but despite the popularity of this phrase cash flow is an area of business that is often neglected. Being able to effectively manage your cash flow is key to the long term survival of your business. It will also allow you to maintain enough working capital to operate through quiet periods. Your cash...
Having a written cancellation policy is a must for businesses that offer services, to protect your business and stay on the right side of the law.
Whether you’re an employer or a person who considers themselves self-employed, it’s important to know the difference between what the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) sees as an employee and a contractor to ensure you are meeting your tax and super obligations. Many people believe that a worker is automatically a contractor if they have specialist...
Using an unregistered agent to lodge your tax return or business activity statement (BAS) can put you and your business at risk. An unregistered tax or BAS agent may not have the appropriate qualifications or skills needed to handle your BAS or tax requirements. If the agent is negligent with your return, you will not be protected by the safe...
A new form of paid leave has been introduced to assist employees who are experiencing family and domestic violence. We outline the facts about the scheme and how it affects small business employers. What is family and domestic violence? According to 1800 Respect, domestic and family violence happens when one person in a relationship hurts another...
The Shire of Augusta Margaret River has recently become the first certified ECO Destination in Western Australia, and has partnered with the Margaret River Chamber of Commerce and Industry to launch a Local-Is-More program to encourage the community to buy locally. The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River joined the SBDC’s Small Business Friendly...
The Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) has been working with State Government agencies and local governments to raise awareness of small business’ role in providing amenity and vitality to the community; and the importance of ensuring practices that minimise the impact of construction on their operations. We have developed guidelines...
Julia ‘Jools’ Nesbitt is the Co-Director of Masonex Building, a family shop fitting business she runs with her husband Mick. The registered building business, offering retail shop fit-outs, de-fits and store maintenance, was busy and in demand before COVID affected their environment. “Before COVID came around, we always had plenty of work,” said...
The way you’re feeling can often be aligned with how well your business is doing. The thought of whether you can pay the bills or wages, or whether your business can actually continue, are burdens that can weigh heavily on any business owner. There are a number of ways you can manage any stress and anxiety you are feeling. Unfortunately due to...