Having a correct pricing method is fundamental to hitting your profitability targets In this vlog, I talk about having a pricing method or pricing structure, that allows you to drive gross profit dollars into your business. If you don’t get the pricing method right, for all the good work you may do, it is pretty hard to hit those profitability targets Start the vlog by clicking here Some things to think about when pricing: Consider building your price upwards What is the base ...Read more
Business Brief vlog – Pricing
June 10th, 2017Business Brief vlog – Strategic thinking
June 6th, 2017Business success doesn’t happen by chance. Focusing on the bigger picture helps with clarity. To drive strong implementation in your business requires a clarity of thinking. This vlog talks about why taking time to strategically think about your business is vital Start the video here & if you like what you see, remember to subscribe to the channel ...Read more
Business Brief Vlog – Governance & management overview
June 6th, 2017Good governance & sound strategy, followed by strong management & implementation, leads to better profitability Check out the first of the vlogs, giving an overview of governance & management drivers Start the video here & if you enjoy it, remember to subscribe to the channel for more short Business Briefs ...Read more
Getting the most out of your Board meetings
May 30th, 2017The other day I attended a webinar, hosted by the Institute of Directors, which focussed on Chairing Boards It covered a number of topics such as: The role of the chair & how to be effective Preparing for & chairing a board meeting Board processes Working with the board, CEO & other stakeholders It got me thinking, how much time is wasted every year on meetings that have no structure, are not well run & head off track at the first opportunity? So if you’re conducting ...Read more
10 high performance board barometers
May 30th, 2017Good governance is now recognised as an important business function, not just for those multi nationals, but for the SME market as well. For a business to maximise profitability and opportunity it should divide its key roles into strategy, governance and management & on-going implementation. I read an article the other day & it outlined 10 high-performance barometers. Have a look & see how you measure up. Do you: Practise participative leadership Share ...Read more
How are you controlling your HSE risks?
May 30th, 2017Well we’re 1 year plus, for the Health & Safety at Work Act 2015, so what has changed for you? The world hasn’t ended as some predicted, Worksafe, from what I can see are taking a practical approach, there is plenty of good information available, but what is happening in your business? Assuming you reviewed your processes in 2015, is HSE a living part of your business now, is it getting the same attention as your other business functions & are you controlling risks as they ...Read more
Thinking of starting a new business?
May 30th, 2017Over the last few months I’ve been approached by 2 or 3 people thinking of starting up their 1st business & it can be quite a daunting thing! Where to go, what information do you need, when is the right time to start, how much money is needed, the questions keep on going. My comment is always, do your due diligence, do your planning at a practical level, take good advice, but there is never a ‘right time’! So where to go for information? The following links may help ...Read more
Fake Invoice Scam
May 30th, 2017Cyber crime seems to be on the rise. Too often we read or hear of cyber attacks & these aren’t just targeting large multi nationals. So what are you doing to protect your business? The attached article gives some tips from Netsafe, on how to do just that, protect your business Netsafe – Top Tips Then there is this toolkit from Connect Smart that may help you Connect Smart: SME Tool Kit ...Read more
Health & Safety Reform Bill
July 13th, 2015Health & Safety is now recognised as a vital business activity, both at an operational & board level. On average 75 people per year die on the job, 1 in 10 is harmed & 600-900 die from work related diseases, all coming to a cost of $3.5 billion per year. The new Health & Safety Reform Bill that is currently before parliament is here to change that. The new reform Bill was to come into force in the second half of 2015 (but there may be some delays). The changes to the new Bill ...Read more
Protecting your business online
June 15th, 2015Last week I was fortunate to hear Steve McCabe from PWC speak on managing technology risks. Good governance is about managing risk across all areas of the business, but to be fair & judging by the reaction of others in the presentation, technology risk is one that we really need to get a better understanding of. Sure we all understand about operational risk, competitive markets, business continuity, financial health & the numerous other things that directors of most SMEs know ...Read more