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Category Archives: Small business

Your Social Media Strategy

It is almost impossible for anyone operating a small business these days to avoid two things if they want to continue growing awareness about their business:
  1. A good website; and
  2. A social media presence.
I'll leave what makes a good website for another article but this month I'll discuss your social media strategy. Why do you need social media for your business? What will a social media presence do for you? How do you create an effective, but pragmatic, social media strategy to grow your business? (more…)...
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Create A Feedback Culture In Your Business

One of the consulting assignments I most enjoy is working with all the people in a client's business. Often, when I am helping Directors prepare a strategic plan, or Managers work on their business plans, I only work with these Directors and Managers, or sometimes owners and other stakeholders. Rarely do I get to work with the company as a whole unless I am working on a change management assignment involving restructuring, systems, people and culture. But of course, even when I don't work with people below management level, I meet and interact with the other employees, and see a vast range of cultural phenomena. Even in driven and well-led companies, I sometimes see an underground layer of tension. Leaders need to recognise that some people feel intimidated by strong leadership and despite being invited to, do not voice their opinions. They have to be invited to do so and be given the opportunity to see that feedback from them is welcome and positive. (more…)...
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10 Tips to Avoid Insolvency

It is a tough world out there for small business at the moment. Interest rates are bottoming out yet not much consumer spending is being seen. Here in Perth, iconic restaurants and pubs are closing down, strip shops are empty, fashion labels are rationalising their stores and outlets. While we cannot succumb to all this bad news, and we must look forward to our continued success in business, nevertheless you cannot simply ignore what's going on. No matter how many times you visualise success, if you don't do something tangible, those problems are going to come and get you. (more…)...
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Creating An “Advisory Board” For Your Small Business

In larger companies, establishing an Advisory Board is becoming more commonplace as these large businesses seek to add to the value and experience of their Board of Directors. This is a trend that can also be of great help to a small business, whether you are operating as a company or not. Most of my clients and readers run family-owned companies or husband and wife operations. Their Boards of Directors are usually the owners. While this provides control of ownership, it does not provide these businesses with fresh perspectives on strategy, reaction to economic trends, specific industry or geographic experience as well as on markets and legal and legislative circumstances. Knowing your business in and out is great - but think of the added value of a pool of new minds that have a different and fresh perspective on the wider business world. (more…)...
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OTS Management