Tendering is the process of creating a formal offer (or ‘bid’) to supply goods, services or works as requested by a government agency or private organisation. Procurement and tender specialist Celia Jordaan also sees tendering as an opportunity to work out what you do well in your business and use that to your competitive advantage. Through her...
Gary Mitchell knows just how much the world of small business has changed over the past 30 years. He credits the SBDC with helping him get through the tough times to help his business thrive. For more than 30 years, Gary Mitchell has been carving a niche in WA’s small business landscape. His business, Framous Picture Framing, offers a range of...
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world. If you’re ready to embrace AI but you’re not sure how to get started, consider these five ways you might use AI in your business. Until recently, using AI may have involved simply asking your phone for directions, setting a reminder or changing a song on your playlist. But recently, you may have...
Find out what Western Australian business owners have said are the most important things they have learnt about running a business.
If your rent is due to increase based on the consumer price index, here’s your guide to how it works and the calculations which could be used to work out your rent. The consumer price index (CPI) is a measure of how much the average costs of a fixed basket of goods changes over time. It is calculated quarterly and published by the Australian Bureau...
Lou Corteen’s journey into the world of food manufacturing began with a simple compliment. “A friend raved about my green tomato chutney and told me I should sell it. I thought, ‘Yeah, OK, that’s what I’m going to do,” Lou recalls with a laugh. From that spark, Urban Forager was born, starting as a small venture at local farmers markets. Lou’s...
Small Business Commissioner David Eaton warns that the traditional technique of stretching working capital by delaying payments to creditors presents reputational risks, and boards of organisations need to prioritise creating a responsible payment culture. Late payments to small businesses from their larger business customers have long been one of...
What would you like to achieve ‘one day’ in your business? Perhaps adding new products to your range, upgrading your website, growing your team, outsourcing tasks you don’t enjoy, or finally getting around to working out what to do with your social media presence. As a business owner, it can be all too easy to fill the hours with the processes and...
If running a business makes you feel like there’s just not enough time to get everything done, you’re not alone. Whether you ‘are’ your business, or you manage a small team, it’s always challenging to find enough hours in every day, while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Sometimes, the best you can do is more effectively manage the time you...
Nobody likes an awkward conversation. As tough as it may be, it’s hard to avoid difficult conversations when you’re in business. Here are some tips to help you plan ahead and ensure difficult conversations run smoothly and calmly. Difficult conversation #1: A client hasn’t paid you When you spend so much of your time working to attract new clients...
If you’re like many business owners at the end of a busy year, you might find yourself putting off certain tasks, actions or decisions until after the festive break. However, sometimes there’s no time like the (Christmas) present to wrap up properly and ‘sleigh’ the end of the year. We asked our business adviser, Marie, for her thoughts on what...
Having the right mindset is key to success in small business. Adwoa Abban sees every project as a win – and has used a range of our SBDC services to set up, expand her knowledge and grow her business. Quantum Phases Consortium is an independent cost, contracts and claims consultancy based in Perth. Adwoa Abban, the principal consultant and owner of...