there are some common issues at different stages of business growth; HEre's some insight into a few of them
an idea is born
Business Survival Ten steps for business survival
Business with Friends “I want to go into business with a close friend of mine but people tell me this could be a recipe for disaster. What are the pitfalls and how do I avoid them?”
Working from Home “What do I need to consider if I want to set up a business from home?"
3, 2, 1, Product Launch “I have validated a business idea and am at the stage of building a product to meet the needs of target customers. How do I develop and launch this?”
Advice from the Pros “I’m just getting my business out of the starting blocks and I’m aware of the need to have proper advice. Should I pay to engage an accountant and a lawyer from the outset?”
Business Planning
Business Plans “I made a business plan when I started up my business but I would like to know how often I should update it and whether I have covered off everything I should have in it?”
Business by Design “How do I integrate design throughout my company?"
Planning the Future “Someone told me I need to be spending more time working ‘on’ my business rather than working ‘in’ my business. What do they mean?”
Planning Tools - Why? “Business objectives and KPIs seem like tools for big business. As a smaller business operator, should I be doing this too?”
Getting an Advisor “How do I select a good business advisor to help me?”
Setting up a Board "When should I look at setting up a board for my company?”
BEING A PEOPLE PERSON
The Value of Values “How can I go about establishing an appropriate set of values for my team and my business?”
Performance Reviews “I only have a handful of staff but think I should be doing performance reviews, at least annually. Or shouldn’t I bother given how small the company is?”
Staff Performance “I took on a salesperson who is simply not performing. How do I get rid of them? It seems so difficult to fire people.”
Hiring Extra Muscle “I’m at the point of business growth where I need someone else to help, but I’m nervous. How do I go about it? Should I get a contractor or employ a full timer?”
Manager to Leader “More recently my team have been telling me I need to do less managing and more leading. Where they are coming from?”
TELLING A STORY
Expressing Yourself “I know my business well but sometimes customers can’t see how I can add value for them. What's the best way to communicate with them?”
Smart Marketing “I have a business idea that my friends and family say is great and they would buy my product. I want to put $5000 into an edgy website and brand. Is this a good use of money?”
Marketing Online “I am close to launching an online business selling my uber-widget. Advice on marketing is coming thick and fast and I'm confused ... what should be my priority?”
MONEY MONEY MONEY
When the Bank Says No “Cash flow is pretty tight but I want to develop a cool new idea and the bank won’t lend me the money. What should I do now?”
Finding an Investor “How do I go about seeking an investor?”
Courting Investors “I have been approached by an investor. I could use the money but how do I know if I’m getting the right amount for the business equity I have to give up?”
BUILDING EMPIRES
Before the Product “I've been selling the same product for the last five years and doing well. I've an idea for a cool new product, but it's totally different for a different group of customers. What can you suggest I do before jumping in?”
Sustainable Business “Everyone keeps talking about sustainability and business. What things do I need to consider to make my business sustainable?”
Protecting your Idea “I want to start exporting or licence my product overseas and I'm worried about protecting my intellectual property. It's so expensive to get multiple patents. What should I do?”
Going Exclusive “I have a lot of interest in my product from distributors. Some are asking for exclusivity. What are the pros and cons of this and how should it affect my pricing?”
Customer Retention “How do I recover lost customers or should I just focus on finding new ones?”
Workload Overload “My business is going well, almost too well – I’m feeling totally stretched. I don’t have enough time anymore for my customers, my staff or even for myself. What should I do?”
Growing Profitability “My business turnover has been growing well for the past two years but my bottom line hasn't followed suit. How do I figure what's happening and what to do about it?”
Going Offshore “I had a call from a guy who wants to sell my products in Australia. I've never sold anything overseas before. What tips do you have for taking on a distribution partner offshore?”
Scaling your Business “All the business help books I read say I need a “scalable” opportunity to really become successful. What does this mean?”
Splitting the Business “My sister and I started a business and it is just starting to take off. She wants out but I can’t afford to buy her share. If we sell now we will both lose. What are our options?
