Raising equity capital

Equity capital involves selling a portion of your business in exchange for cash. It’s often ideal for startups or businesses in high-growth phases that need significant funding for expansion. There are various types of equity investors, including angel investors, venture capitalists (VCs), and corporate investors. Talk to us early about your options and how we can help. Each source its own approach and requirements, but not all can provide the…  Read more

Impact of discounting

Be wary of discounting on a regular basis to gain sales. It can be a sound strategy if you are aiming to find new customers and sell loss leaders, or you have a cost or price advantage. Discounting can also work in certain circumstances, for example, selling off old stock or to release working capital if funds are required more urgently elsewhere. But if you’re fighting a price war with…  Read more

How can social media help grow your business?

As a business owner, it’s crucial to understand the power of social media marketing. Social media platforms provide an opportunity for businesses, no matter the size, to reach a larger audience, engage with potential customers, and drive sales. So, you’ve heard that your company needs to be on social media. Although this is true, it doesn’t mean your business is going to go from 0 to 100 overnight. Using social…  Read more

Improving break-even

If you need to sell more items than expected to reach your break-even point, there are several steps you can take to lower that point. Step 1: Develop premium products and services If you can increase the average value of each sale, you’ll widen the difference between the sale price and labour and materials. Developing premium products and services allows you to start selling items where you can charge more…  Read more

Protecting your business online

Xperion

Whether you handle online payments, store customer data, operate remote teams, or rely on SaaS platforms to run your company, you’re exposed. From stolen credentials to ransomware, cybercrime can disrupt your business, cost you real money, and damage your reputation. It’s important to pay attention to anything the seems out of the ordinary, such as: Unusually large transactions from new or unverified customers. Multiple credit cards used by a single…  Read more

Restructuring if cash stressed

Restructuring your business can feel like a daunting task, but in times of economic uncertainty or shifting markets, it can be the key to long-term success. The idea is to focus on what works and making tough decisions about what doesn’t. It’s how you can build a stronger, more agile business. Here’s how to approach restructuring with confidence and purpose. Audit your business with honesty To strengthen your business, it’s…  Read more

Understanding and improving working capital

When it comes to running a thriving business, understanding and effectively managing your working capital is crucial. Essentially, working capital is the cash readily available for the day-to-day running of operations. The more protracted the business cycle, the higher the working capital requirement tends to be. Your goal? To ensure you have enough working capital on hand to cover operational expenses, with a reasonable buffer in place. How to improve…  Read more

What are the Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP) disclosure requirements?

An Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP) is a scheme that companies can use to offer their eligible workers the option to purchase company shares at a specific price in the future. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (‘Corporations Act’), you must provide a disclosure document when offering shares or options to third parties. In the context of ESOPs, you must provide employees with the necessary disclosure to ensure they have the…  Read more

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Family Trusts?

Most people tend to follow a pattern in life. They go to school, obtain qualifications, get a job, pay taxes, and eventually settle down with a family. During this time, many make investments and even start a business to increase their wealth and assets. You can either own those wealth and assets in your name or set an alternative structure, like a family trust to hold them. Doing so, could…  Read more

Driving sales and revenue

Improving sales and revenue can resolve many business challenges. When more money comes in than goes out, your business stays solvent, giving you time to implement further improvements. Here are some actionable strategies to increase your revenue and drive growth. Sell to existing customers One of the most cost-effective ways to increase revenue is to sell more to your existing customer base. Research shows that 20% of customers typically generate…  Read more

What is the difference between a contractor and an employee?

When you are running a business, hiring people can seem like a confusing process. To make things more complicated, there are multiple employment types in Australia. When choosing who to hire for your business, it is important to be aware of these different employment types. In particular, you should know whether or not you are hiring a contractor or employee. This ensures that you can take the correct steps to…  Read more

Tactics to offset rising business costs

Responding to market forces outside your control is one of the trickier aspects of running a business, even more obvious today as world markets fluctuate. While you can’t always predict a sudden change in costs, there are steps you can take to manage the impact. Solution one: Increase price and margin If you’re able to raise your prices without impacting demand or the customer relationship, your problem of rising costs…  Read more

Do casual workers have leave entitlements?

Casual workers have been a staple of the Australian workforce for many years. Businesses employ casual workers on a short-term or temporary basis to typically work irregular hours. However, many business owners are unsure about their legal obligations when providing leave entitlements to their casual employees. This article will explore whether casual workers have leave entitlements and an employer’s corresponding obligations. What is a Casual Employee? A casual employee is…  Read more

Strategies to future proof against inflation

High inflation affects both businesses and individuals, as rising prices reduce profitability and buying power. Staff shortages, freight challenges, and bad weather add more layers to the cost-of-living crisis. As a business owner, you need to adapt to these changing conditions to survive. Consider the following strategies to prevent inflationary pressures from causing a rise in your business costs. Option 1: Wait until the market recovers Maintain current prices and…  Read more

Find and fix bottlenecks

Bottlenecks are the inefficiencies or constraints that slow down your operations, impacting everything from production and sales to customer satisfaction. These roadblocks hinder growth, making it difficult to scale your business effectively. When you adopt a methodical approach to identify and resolve these challenges, you’ll free up valuable resources and time, enabling you to focus on building a more efficient, scalable business. Understand your process flows Start by examining how…  Read more

Surviving supply chain disruption

Supply chains get disrupted all the time, and when they do, it can seem as if the wheels of commerce have seized up. You can’t get enough ingredients, components, supplies, or products to keep your business ticking. But with the right contingency strategies in place, you can reduce the impact on your business. The shock of disrupted supply You’re on your way to work and decide to grab a cup…  Read more

What are the ESOP Reporting requirements?

Employee Share Option Plans (ESOPs) are becoming increasingly popular among Australian businesses, as they offer a way to incentivize and retain employees by giving them an ownership stake in the company. However, as with any employee benefit plan, certain reporting requirements must be met to comply with Australian law. In this article, we will explore what ESOP reporting requirements are from a tax perspective, why they are necessary, and how…  Read more

How can my business comply with the Australian Consumer Law?

If you run an Australian business that provides goods or services, you are required to comply with the Australian Consumer Law (‘ACL’). The aim of the ACL is to protect consumers. If you fail to comply, you may have to provide a remedy or in some circumstances, pay a fine. Therefore, as a business, it is important that you understand your obligations concerning the ACL. This article will explain three…  Read more

How to efficiently manage small business admin

Running a small business is exciting – but let’s be honest, managing the admin side of things can feel overwhelming. Between keeping financial records, looking after daily operations, and ensuring compliance with tax laws, it’s easy to feel buried under endless to-do lists. But here’s the good news: with the right strategies, small business administration doesn’t have to be a headache. Here are some practical steps to streamline your business…  Read more

How do I protect my brand?

If you are a business owner, you likely know how important your brand is to your business. Your existing customers know and trust your name and logo, and your unique packaging and design bring in new customers to try your products. Therefore, you want to do everything you can to ensure that other businesses do not copy your branding and steal your hard-won reputation and customer base. Intellectual property protections…  Read more

How to strategically allocate resources for optimal growth

As a business owner, you understand that growth doesn’t just happen – it takes smart decisions, dedication, and a clear plan. One of the most critical decisions you’ll make is how to allocate your resources effectively. Do you expand into new markets, invest in technology, or double down on customer acquisition? For many businesses, resource allocation is both an art and a science. This blog dives into why strategic resource…  Read more