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Finance

Beestings: Balancing risk and reward in business

Business is all about balancing risk and reward - at that is particularly true when it comes to financing growth. Typically, many New Zealand home and small business owners are risk-averse (and wisely so), but one of the biggest reasons business owners give for their businesses failing to thrive is lack of capital. This week's guaranteed-under-two-minute read delves into some of the options and offers some advice if you're needing to invest in the business to help get it off the ground or to the next level.
February 7th, 2012 by Bizbuzz Team

Finding the money to grow your business

What are some of the avenues available to home and small businesses for raising the necessary finance? What are the benefits and drawbacks of each?
February 2nd, 2012 by Heather Douglas

12 Tips to protect your business against volatility in 2012

2011 was a tough year for many businesses, and even if there's a glimmer of hope that 2012 will be better, it might not all be plain sailing. Sue Hirst helps you prepare to cope with the ups and downs.
February 1st, 2012 by Sue Hirst

Keeping a finger on the financial pulse of your home business

Good financial management throughout the year gives you a clear picture of how your business is doing, helps you set financial goals and plan budgets and makes handling the necessary administration for your financial year-end easier.
January 5th, 2012 by Heather Douglas

Beestings: What will you do differently next year?

New years bring new beginnings, so now is a great time to plan some changes that will bring great results in 2012. This week’s guaranteed-under-two-minute-read has some ideas to get you started.
November 22nd, 2011 by Bizbuzz Team

10 Small changes to make a big improvement to your business

Sometimes, it's little things that count. Debbie Mayo-Smith suggests ten things you can tweak in your business, which together should add up to a significant overall improvement. The trick is to get started, and keep honing away at them.
November 18th, 2011 by  Debbie Mayo-Smith 

What are ERP systems and how they can help your business

Enterprise Resource Planning is increasingly being used by businesses - large and small - and whether you are using it (or considering using it) in your business, or are supplying businesses using ERP, Nicholas Birch gives you an overview of how it works.
November 17th, 2011 by Nicholas Birch

Beestings: What's threatening your business?

While everything might seem to be going swimmingly in your business, you need to look beneath the surface to uncover and manage risks before they become real problems. This week’s guaranteed-under-two-minute read covers off some potential pitfalls and gives suggestions for how to deal with them
October 25th, 2011 by Bizbuzz Team

How to make incentives pay in your business

Whether you have sales people on your staff, an outsourced or contracted salesperson or salesforce, or pay associates for lead generation, incentivising sales can be tricky. Sue Hirst has some fantastic advice on how to get it right.
October 21st, 2011 by Sue Hirst

Do you use this smart little strategy to create a better business and a better life?

Do you want to make more money in your business right now? Do you want more time to spend with your family? Do you want to take more overseas trips or have 3 months off work? Do you want to follow your passion but don’t know how? Kim Baird shares her strategy for success.
October 3rd, 2011 by Kim Baird
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Nine bookkeeping basics for new businesses

Avoid major headaches in your new business by getting your bookkeeping basics right. Stephanie from Jada Accounts and Bookkeeping has nine tips for first time business owners (and those who have never quite figured it out).
September 29th, 2011 by Stephanie Crawford
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The coffee’s a grind ... and how this hurt one business

You may be working hard at bringing in the income and keeping down expenses - but somehow things just aren't going the way they should. Sometimes it's not obvious what changes can be made, until you dig a little deeper.
September 22nd, 2011 by Jackie Bourne
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Making your service business perform better

Service based business can be the most difficult in which to measure profitability. All kinds of issues can impact the difference between what is charged to a client and the cost of delivering the service. Sue Hirst has some tips to help you enhance the profitability of yours.
September 21st, 2011 by Sue Hirst

Beestings: Are you creating your future?

If you're in business, what you do today is going to determine to a large extent what your future holds - we call it marketing. This week's guaranteed-under-two-minute-read has some suggestions to help you keep your business healthy.
September 20th, 2011 by Bizbuzz Team

Put the squeeze on your debtor without hurting the relationship

Sometimes you really, really need an overdue account to be paid, but are afraid putting pressure on the debtor could sour the relationship. Michael Todd suggests there is another option.
August 31st, 2011 by Michael Todd
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How to get paid what you're worth

If you’ve ever spent hours trying to work out what price or rate to charge, or come away from a negotiation thinking ‘I’ve undersold myself – again!’ you’re not alone. Hannah Samuel has some great advice to help you charge what you know you are worth.
August 29th, 2011 by Hannah Samuel

Beestings: Add dollars to your bottom line

A lot of business owners dive right into the “doing” part of their business without understanding how the numbers work. Knowing how to increase profitability and productivity helps you work smarter rather than harder and today’s guaranteed-under-two-minute read points you in the right direction.
August 16th, 2011 by Bizbuzz Team

The value of getting your costing right

Understanding costing is vital if you want your business to grow. Sue Hirst says many small and home business owners are working hard without seeing the results, and she has some tips to help you make your business more profitable.
August 15th, 2011 by Sue Hirst
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Are you ready for International markets?

Many businesses looking to grow will at some point consider expanding into international markets. Whatever your situation, and particularly in times of global recession, it's essential that you do your homework thoroughly before making any decision to export.
August 4th, 2011 by Jen Tyson
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Are you losing up to 90% of sales, when you don't need to?

Most small businesses are losing an astounding amount of business, and are sitting there scratching their heads wondering why the sales just aren’t coming in. Read this article to find out the one thing you can do for your business to turn this problem around .. FAST!
July 18th, 2011 by Kim Baird
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