Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose.

What does it take to start a business?

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd from Boyd Office Management Services
Date: 21 May 2019

I always enjoy meeting with and learning about authors in our small business world. They are not only experts in their field but have further researched their area of expertise AND made sure it's clear, concise and understandable to those who want to learn all about it. And then they go through the publishing process!

One such person is our guest this week; ingrid Thompson. For the past ten years Ingrid has worked with hundreds of people to create, start and grow their own business. She is the author of “So You Want to Start a Business” and owner of Health Numbers.

This book is completely changing the way people think about getting started in their own business. When she is not spending time with her family and her 4 cats she can be found surfing at Bondi or on her yoga or Pilates mat.

Welcome to the show Ingrid.

 

What are typically the trigger points for Starting a business?

• Being made redundant, waiting for the opportunity
• 2^nd baby – stats, cost for childcare for two kids based on the expected wage for returning to work
• Can’t be bothered going back to university or just finishing studying
• Wanting to do something completely different or a professional who can say “I can do this myself”

 

What do you need before you start

• An interest in running a business
• A certain level of business acumen
• Your finances in order
• A basic business plan
  • How much do you need to earn
  • How much is it going to cost you
  • What to expect in terms of low income for the first couple of months
  • Work the NUMBERS!
  • Understand seasonality – monthly, weekly, daily – and evening it out
• Understand all the protocol in running a small business

 

Where to work

• Rise in working from home businesses – all you need is a mac and an internet connection

 

Thinking in a preventative way

• The reality – if you’re not paying yourself a wage / paying your own super and can potentially take on an employee you’re not running a business.
• What kind of reports are crucial for understanding your business & preventative
  • Making your clients visible – understanding your clients to acknowledge their attendance for example and improve retention
  • Hang on to your existing clients as well as looking for new clients
• Stop looking at what everyone else is doing and focus on yourself

 

The 7 steps in your books

• Who are you to start a business?
• What is your idea?
• Who are your clients?
• What is your brand?
  • Meet the maker
• Compliance
  • Systems
• Financials
  • How much do you want to make?
  • Revenue - How much is it going to cost you and how many clients do you need?
• Marketing & Sales
  • The fun stuff

7 steps of performance management for your small business

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd from Boyd Office Management Services
Date: 14 May 2019

You run a small team, right? You’re a small business, correct? So why does it matter how your team operates, functions and works cohesively? That couldn’t POSSIBLY affect your bottom line and staff turnover is NEVER an issue for small business.

...I think I just answered my own question.

It doesn’t matter the size of your team - even managing a one-man-band takes knowledge, training and experience. So, to answer all the issues relating to team management we’re talking today to Jim Davidson. He’s a team performance coach who’s passionate about working with leaders to build better teams so collectively they can achieve better results.

As Jim says: Great teams create profitable and valuable organisations. Great culture creates competitive advantage and team chemistry.

Welcome to the show Jim.

Topics we’ll be covering:

 Busting the myth of performance management – what its NOT

• Its not only KPIs’ and terminations
• Get out of that corporate mindset

7 steps of performance management

• Recruitment
• Job design
• Learning & Development
• Retention
• Succession planning
• Performance Coaching
• Disciplinary process

We talk about pipeline in sales, how about using that in people

Distilling it down to small business

• If you’re a single director where do you start?
  • Knowing your own EQ, self awareness
  • Hybrid Vigour
• The transition to building a team
  • mindset & process
  • Creating a performance management system
    • Scaffolding first
  • The right people in the right seats
• Looking at your own systems and the new potential team

Let’s talk about great teams

• Recognising when you’ve nailed it
• Relationship trust
• Outcome trust
• Commitment, purpose driven
• Tying it back to EQ

Community approach – The Fathering Project

To find out more go to their website: https://performanceculture.com

What is COSBOA and how does it support small businesses in Australia?

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd from Boyd Office Management Services
Date: 7 May 2019

Did you realise as a small business there’s a powerful advocacy team on your side? Did you know they regularly lobby federal government in relation to policy decisions which directly affect you and your business growth & operations?

Well, there is one and it's called Council of Small Business of Australia. They exist because small businesses don’t have the time, the resources and often the expertise that is required to be alert to the myriad of legislative and regulatory change that affects them on an ongoing basis.

Their passionate & fierce leader is Peter Strong; a small business owner who took his belief in the small business all the way to Canberra and now dedicates his life to supporting pretty much each and every one of us.

Welcome to the show Peter.

Topics we’ll be covering:

• Peter, tell us a little bit about your small business journey and why you're so passionate about supporting small business?
• What is COSBOA and how does it support Small businesses?
  • Is it the key lobbying group for us at the federal level?
  • Who does it report to?
  • How do you and COSBOA lobby for the interests of small business
    • Interaction with govt departments & Small Business Ombudsman’s office
  • How does it support all the different sectors in which small businesses fall?
• What’s the key points small businesses need to be aware from the 2019 Budget?
  • Debrief of Budget
  • Tax breaks
  • Increase of depreciation threshold?
    • What does that mean for cashflow?
  • Which of the announcements actually cut red tape for businesses?
• How does COSBOA consult all the different small business sectors?
  • Professional associations and how they interact and therefore the flowthrough to legislation lobbying
• So many issues facing small business are state & local government based (payroll tax, state regulations, council compliance hurdles) how does COSBOA support businesses at the state and local level?
• What new reports & Guides and comms are coming out of COSBOA to help small businesses understand legislation after the upcoming Federal Election?

To find out more go to their website: https://www.cosboa.org.au

Interview with Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd from Boyd Office Management Services
Date: 6 May 2019

What economic indicators should small business owners be aware of to respond to?

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd from Boyd Office Management Services
Date: 30 April 2019

Whilst the economy isn’t in the driver’s seat when it comes to controlling  our business its a factor we should all have at the back of our minds. Why? Because although we Small Businesses  are the “engine room” of the economy the decisions made by the Reserve Bank of Australia mean they’re the ones with their hands on the steering wheel.

Aside from a couple of units of Ross Gittins inspired Economics at school, TAFE or Uni degrees from which we remember not much, our ongoing education around the economic drivers is non-existent. But we should have our finger on that pulse and really understand the affects their actions have on our small businesses.

Here today to share with us their expertise is Scott Shuttleworth, Founder and Portfolio Manager at Vega Capital. His background in economic analysis perfectly positions Scott to help us understand the butterfly effect the RBA’s decisions, actions and even words has on our individual businesses.

Welcome to the show Scott.

What economic factors have the biggest impact on your business?

• Firstly, Business centric factors (competition levels, your offerings, your team, your financial acumen) which are MUCH more important than economic indicators
• Economic indicators factor about a much smaller amount than the way you RUN the business

Other counctrie 9:17am

WHat does the RBA do? 9:20am

What is the RBA and how does the RBA control the economy?

• They control consumer & business patterns in a way they believe supports the long term prosperity of the nation. What’s their main factors they use to control & manipulate the economy?
  • Cash rate
  • Talking about it….

What is the RBA doing when it manipulates the cash rate?

• Raising = conditions are good, consumers spending more on average – great for consumer based businesses but the flow on effect occurs also
• Cutting – weakness, marginal improvement will happen in 12 months as this is how long it takes to
• Roughly a 12 month indicator
• How does it impact the currency?
  • g. 1.5% = the value of AUD in the bank
  • If our cash rate increases and other currencies like the USD remains steady then our dollar is more attractive. At the moment the US cash rate is 2.25 – 2.5% so is generally more attractive (mention the AUD USD currency pair)
  • Investors will “park” funds in a particular country to earn higher rates and then move dollars around as cash rates change
  • If the cash rate goes up or gives a “glowing report” of the economy its an indication that the economy is improving so more investors will buy AUD in view to invest here as the economy is on the rise. The reverse is also true.
  • More investment in the country = more jobs, business improvement through increased capital, more innovation leading to more tax revenue.
• Improvement in economy equates to controlled inventory, cater your resources to the demand which is improving if rates are going up, and the opposite is true for rate cuts.

What about the Unemployment rate?

• Less customers since they have less money to spend and therefore a downturn in business. Lower unemployment rate means its more difficult to find employees and your wage costs might go up!
• High wage costs should always be justified, by the way.

Economic theory around cash rate and employment

• Theory is lowering the cash rate = higher spending leading to greater employment

Learning from the past

• 10 years of expanding economy would suggest a turn towards recession. Typically business increases their debt when economy is good putting them in a vulnerable position.
• Lots of businesses use their family home as an asset to borrow against. What’s the bank going to take? The asset.
• Banks could take your assets (and even if you’re allowed to trade through to better times you’ll still lose those assets and therefore your business in the long term)
• You don’t want to go into a recession with a lot of business (or personal debt) because although the cash rate will fall you’ll be unable to repay the loan due to a likely downturn of your business.

To find out more go to their website: https://vegacapital.net

Learning from the Experts - Edward Zia, #1 Marketing Mentor & Coach

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd from Boyd Office Management Services
Date: 16 April 2019

We don’t often on this radio show showcase people, but this journey is worth listening to; and anyone who’s met today’s guest would agree. From refugee to army captain to sales and marketing coach.

Sales and marketing. It’s a competitive industry because potentially every single business is your client. So how do you go from being relatively unknown to being one of the most well connected, notorious, sales and marketing gurus in Sydney?

He connects people, he’s passionate and he’s outspoken.

It takes time and perseverance to get to the top of your game in the competitive Sydney scene and here to share with us this incredibly interesting journey is Edward Zia.

Welcome to the show Edward.

Topics we’ll be covering:

Sales, marketing & Entrepreneurship

It’s a flooded market - How do you differentiate yourself from those who consider themselves to be an expert after writing a couple of website blogs?

Positioning – let’s face it you are one of the most well known Sydney business celebrities – what was the turning point to get noticed and known around Sydney?

• Reflecting on how I went from the highs of mid 20’s to the low of mid 30’s (I letting myself go)
• Started attending NSW Business Chamber gave me direction, client based & support, security & stability
• Then that paved the way to become the influencer that you are today.

What do you consider an entrepreneur?

Not necessarily the size of company.  It’s about the people, money means nothing. They’re ambitious, kind, generous, want to help themselves.

• Choosing your ideal client: Confidence = facts / Arrogance = ego (destructive classism)

Pulling yourself up from your bootstraps

• Your stories
• You’re honest about it, people are often forced into Entrepreneurship out of desperation because they’re lost with their career, they can’t get jobs, they’re a little bit lost.
• Part of the process is the inspiration

Self actualised after surviving – The Now What?

Knowing what you do but then extended that from achieving this job you’ve created for yourself into doing what you want to do with your life. You’ve worked out what you are good at, the business is ticking along nicely thanks to your hard work so Now What?

Becoming who you are and what you want to be deep down; once you achieve survival you can move onto that process.

• Politics – the knife’s edge of balancing your political opinion with your public profile
• Community engagement

To find out more go to their website: http://www.excellenceabove.com.au

Wills - what implications do they have for your business?

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd from Boyd Office Management Services
Date: 9 April 2019

When medical, legal and government combine…. it’s a powder keg of compliance and red tape. So it’s a great time to call in the experts… your legal team. Every business should have one and today's subject reminds us why it’s so important to engage with a great solicitor who can help across a number of legal battlegrounds.

The issue of Wills is not something we often think of as small businesses but there’s a surprising number of ways NOT having a legal will can affect your business. From a direct impact on partnerships where one side is incapacitated, to the affect on your key stakeholder relationships and of course, family finance - which is ALWAYS wrapped up in small business topics.

So why should small businesses pay attention to wills? Today’s expert is David Peaston from Peaston Legal who’s passionate about empowering small businesses with great legal education and it was HE who suggested we tackle this topic.

Any legal information given in this program is general in nature and cannot be relied on by listeners as legal advice. You are advised to take your own legal advice in relation to your own circumstances.

Welcome to the show David.

Wills

1. Wills - what does a will do and what are the important roles to consider?
2. A Will - controls what happens to your estate when you die.

Your executor is entrusted with the administration of your estate when you die.

Most important role:

• Executor or executors
  • Spouse?
  • Trusted adviser?
  • More than one executor?
  • Adult children? (Not under 18)
  • Need back-up person or persons.
• Job can continue for years
• Physical location for practical reasons.

1. What should a small business person think about in particular in their Will?
2. Company or family trust?

• Control critical
• Shares to someone who can carry on the business if necessary
• Companies and trusts don’t die when you do
• Executor may need business skills.

1. What happens if I don’t have a will?
2. That is a situation called “intestacy”.

• State gets to choose
• Unexpected outcomes - blended families
• Cost and delay - especially for small business.

1. Is there anything I should avoid with my will?
2. Home made wills

• Litigation lawyers love them.

Enduring  Power of Attorney

1. What does a power of attorney do and why is it called “enduring”?
2. Financial affairs.

• Don’t confuse with USA
• Enduring

1. When does an enduring power of attorney end?
2. It ends when you die. That’s when your will takes over.
3. What are my “financial affairs?
4. Bank account

• Credit card
• Buy and sell shares
• House
• Business property

1. Why should a small business person have an enduring power of attorney?
2. There are a variety of circumstances such as:
   • Elderly
   • On holiday
   • In surgery

1. Should the power of attorney be limited? What if I only wanted my attorney to run the business while I’m on holidays?

1. Example of when David had the business.

Possible limitations:

• Time
• Business
• Property
• Medical
• Anything

1. Can an attorney step in for me as a director of a small business?

• Not automatic director
• Can vote shares
• Alternate director possible
• Check the constitution
• Take legal advice

Appointment of Enduring Guardian

1. What does a guardian do and why is it called “enduring”?
2. Health, living, “lifestyle”
3. When does does that appointment become effective?
4. Mental capacity
5. What sort of things might a guardian have to do?
6. Where you live

• Medical
• Dental
• Personal services

1. How do you know when someone loses mental capacity?
2. Obvious - coma, unconscious

• More difficult - delusional with periods of lucidity.
• Well known medical tests
• Doctor or doctors
• Hot issue in the law - ageing population
• Can’t do a will, EPOA or AEG (and can’t revoke)
• Don’t delay

1. Can my guardian instruct the doctors to stop treating me if there’s no hope - a “do not resuscitate” clause?
2. Often in guardianship documents for my clients

• May not be binding
  • Religious
  • Ethical
  • Professional liability
  • Criminal
  • Seek legal advice
• Clear indication to family and medical practitioners and should be given serious consideration.

Executors, Attorneys, Guardians

1. what should I consider when selecting people to undertake these roles for me? What should I consider if I am asked to take on such a role for someone else?
2. Consent and trust

• Skills required
• Time (length of job)
• Time (involvement) Reasonable?
• Too late to change if you lose capacity or die

1. Any particular issues for a small business person in accepting such a role?
2. All of the above

• Time poor
• Work committments
• Responsibility
• Don’t accept if can’t do it

Self managed Super Funds

Your “Big 3” could become the “Big 4”.

For a lot of people including small business people superannuation is becoming a substantial part of their assets. So ensuring that your wishes concerning your superannuation death benefits are respected is of considerable importance.

1. Is superannuation controlled by your will?
2. Trust deed
3. What happens to superannuation in your self managed super fund when you die?
4. Terms of a trust deed (often called “rules”).
5. To whom can superannuation death benefits be paid?
6. Dependants

• Spouse
• Children
• OR Estate.

1. What should a small business person with a self managed super fund be aware of?
2. Most important - Control

• Trust deed may not provide mechanism
• Amend trust deed
• Legal advice
• Katz v Grossman

1. What should people check in relation to their self managed super funds?
2. Who has the power to appoint the trustee;

Powers of the trustee

Binding death benefit nomination?

Take legal advice

1. The small business owner will often be the trustee of their self managed super fund. What happens if they lose capacity through illness or injury?
2. Ineligible to be trustee

• Power of Attorney
• Consider limitations in POA

Life Insurance

Maybe your “Big 4” just became the “Big 5”

1. Why should a small business person consider life insurance?
2. Two questions:

• Family if I die or suffer a life changing event like a total and permanent incapacity?
• Business if I die or suffer a life changing event like a total and permanent incapacity?
• Family
  • Mortgage
  • Fund to “tide over”
• Business
  • Buy/sell
  • Debt
  • Is money available?

1. Are there any issues to be aware of?

1. Like superannuation life insurance does not automatically fall under your will.

• Check policy re beneficiaries

Other considerations for small business people

1. In addition to setting up a Will, and Enduring Power of Attorney what other things should I be considering?
2. Plan for death or disability

• Will the business continue?
• Do you have a spouse or partners or children to carry on?
• How is the business owned?
• What assets does the business have?
• What about partners/shareholders
• Buy sell price?
• Where will the money come from?
• Insurance?

If you have not thought those questions through an ideal time is when you make your Will.

1. Can any agreements be drafted to cover those eventualities?
2. Shareholders, partnership or unit-holders agreements

• Can provide certainty
• Legal advice essential

NSW Trustee and Guardian

1. Should you engage with the NSW Trustee service to make your will, enduring power of attorney and appointment of enduring guardian?
2. Long established and reputable trustee company.

• If your affairs are complicated it pays to get more specialist advice.
• May be inflexible in dealing with your estate.
• Most of my clients want a relationship - not just a “one off service”.

Remember wills are not SET and FORGET.

To find out more go to their website: https://www.peastonlegal.com.au/

Think Facebook for business is dead? Think again!

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd from Boyd Office Management Services
Date: 2 April 2019

I know small business needs to be adaptable, but that is ridiculous! Ahhh, the moving beast that is Facebook advertising; how can we possibly keep track of the changes in our own personal page let alone the algorithms not to mention the cost changes? And let’s not get started on that You Can Reach xxx button.

So, let’s bring in the expert Heather Porter, an expert in Social Media Strategies Consultant & general Facebook Guru. I’ve twice enjoyed her excellent presentation on Facebook advertising and learned lots. So, we’ve brought her on the show to share with us her advice on Ads, setting things up just right no matter your business and general advice on social media advertising.

Welcome to the show Heather.

Topics we’ll be covering:

Why running a Facebook single ad does not work as well as it used to

• How the 'Rule of 7' works
• The market is savvier and expects better targeting

What is a social media funnel and why you need one

• What is a customer journey and how do you map one out for your business?
• What type of content should you share for each step in the journey?
• How often should you sell something in your posts?

How to set up your ads account for your funnel

• The difference between a promoted post and an ad
• What is the Facebook pixel and when and how do you use it?
• Understanding what an audience is and why you need them
• The different types of audience targeting you can do in your ads account

The 3 step plan to set up your own social media funnel

• What types of content do you need to prepare?
• The difference between Instagram and Facebook and what works best on each platform
• How to follow up with people on social media based on where they are in your funne

Heather Porter Bio

Heather Porter helps small business owners get out of overwhelm with her framework to work less and earn more using a mix of online marketing and automation.

Heather’s career started as an event manager and crew coordinator for Tony Robbins and other popular speakers. In 2007 when social media and online marketing started gaining momentum, she focussed on helping speakers reach more people outside of the seminar room and launched a membership website for one of her clients that attracted 18,000 members at launch. From then on Heather started helping other businesses reach more people online.

She is Founder of Website Love, a website development and marketing training company, is co-author of 4 business books and host of That Social Media Show on the Bizversity business education app used in over 100 countries.

Heather also shares tips on her blog and regularly speaks for audiences that range from local councils to small business mentoring groups.

To find out more go to their website: https://websitelove.com.au/

The Secret Herbs & Spices to the Perfect Presentation!

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd from Boyd Office Management Services
Date: 26 March 2019

When you present to a group large or small, how do you know when you’ve really nailed it? And what’s the magic formula for getting it right? What if I said to you the answer is as simple as great delivery and Just. 5. Slides.

That’s it, simple right?

Well of course you need to know your stuff and be an expert and also be pretty good at microphone technique but the secret sauce is Just. 5. Slides.

Jeremy Goff from CloudSix is an expert in PR and Comms is going to share this and other secrets which you won’t believe makes it so easy…. plus learn all about the best approach to those tricky email conversations.

Welcome to the show Jeremy.

How to communicate clearly

Communicating is ultimately about getting someone to do something for you or NOT getting them to do. That’s personal AND business.

• What’s the DO WHAT? What do I have to do? That’s the meaning of the communication? Are you trying to convince someone?
• Email is the default and people are becoming lazy with the way they say in emails, the tone, the structure,
• This is easy to fix – you just need to remember that people can’t see your face. You can imply the word please when communicating verbally but implicitly need to. Say it in an email
• Are the people you’re talking to made to feel comfortable. The starting point should be what you’re familiar with. As we were just discussing… as per previous emails. This makes a connection.

Email strategies:

• Use short sentences – fewer than 25 words
  • Sentence 1 – sets the context - why are we talking about this?
  • Sentence 2 – Why now? The timing
  • Sentence 3 – question/statement which leads to sentence 4
  • Sentence 4 – what are we trying to achieve?
• Get to the key message within 4th sentence in 3 points max

People – internal:

• Different to clients, recognise there will be various WAYS to communicate - Toolbox talks, WIP, slack conversation
• Have you made a conscious decision about how to communicate with your internal people. Understand you need to be flexible because of time sensitivity.

Elevator/verbal/ Conversations communication

• Yes, it might be non-planned, and you need to be quick on your feet BUT if you stick to the rules. Lead them to the end point by making them feel comfortable.
  • Context
  • trigger - Why are we talking about this now?
  • What are we doing moving forward
  • Here’s the plan or information

How to give a good presentation – the 5 Slide Rule

• How not to bore your audience and be invited back!
• What you’re presenting is irrelevant
• Start & Finish Slide & Agenda (the leads of the 5 slides)
• Why only 5?
  • Short attention spans – capture, get to key message
  • Set them free from your own powerpoint and leave them wanting more info
• What to include in the slides
  • The top of the slide is NOT the heading; it’s a lead
  • In your 5 slides the “leads” should make a 25 word sentence on what the presentation is about logically from beginning to end.
• Talk to images not words. Never read off the slide. You SHOULD be able to say what you need. With images/graphs/pictures (can cheat using fly-in images on the slide)
  • But what if there’s detail?
    • That’s what backup slides are for! Anticipate the questions and have the answers in backup slides
  • Timing – only use HALF for presentations and the rest for
    • This changes the energy because you’re energetically moving through the material and this might end early!
  • Questions? YES!
    • Build relationships with the audience & Engage one-on-one
      • Great tools That’s a great question / There’s so much more about this, come and find me and we’ll have a coffee afterwards / I’ll be over there after the presentation / Name people (that wakes them up!)
    • Plant a question with a friend
    • Don’t know anyone? Be at the conference BEFOREHAND to meet with the attendees and see what they’re interested in?
    • If all else fails ask your own question “what I’ve been asked before is” “I can see a few people nodding”
  • Finishing
    • Have a finishing slide!

To find out more go to their website: www.cloudsix.com.au

Top Tips on Working WORLDWIDE

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd from Boyd Office Management Services
Date: 19 March 2019

The business arena has changed immeasurably in the last 30 years. From the dawn of the internet (1983)  to cloud based software and onto worldwide connectivity - this is a widely different world in which to operate a small business. But it’s also flexible and enjoyable, if you can make it work for you. The world is quite literally, your small business oyster.

So how do you navigate the software developments, client expectations and fast paced world of working worldwide? Technology implementation can be daunting. Well, if you’re a Small Biz Matters listener you just keep listening. On the show today we welcome Heather Smith, Chartered accountant. Cloud solutions expert. Business automation virtuoso. YouTuber. Podcaster. Author. Speaker. Sounds like she’s just the person to give us Small Business owners Top Tips on working worldwide and the best tools you’ve probably already got access to!

Welcome to the show Heather.

Topics we’ll be covering:

Working worldwide

• You’ve told me that your practice fits in your handbag, can you share with us what tools you currently have in your handbag?
• When you’re travelling how do you find suitable locations to work?
• If you are operating with clients in different time zones - how do you balance work and personal/home time?
• Can you share with the audience what you mean by the term ‘worcation’
• What are the advantages of working with an international client base? (Take advantage, or be aware of, the seasonality nature of your sector and your clients. In accounting for example different jurisdictions report at different times of the years
• This could help to spread your workload!)
• What are some Apps that can enable you to work as a Digital Nomad, from anywhere in the world? (to mention Calendly)

Efficiencies Expertise

• Adopting technologies & why its important in every business
  • Where can we find the efficient and effective apps etc to use in our profession?
• Big tools and small tools - MUST HAVE’s
  • Dashboards
  • Platform - online accounting - Bank feeds
  • RB
• The difference between solutions (such as online accounting) and tools (such as tools that extract data from online accounting, or that trigger an activity)
• MinuteDock - Time Tracking solution that enables you to track clients, tasks, activities, working across budgets, targets and budget goals.
• Why it helps firstly to look more closely at the system you’re already using.
  • cloud based solutions are constantly evolving and releasing new features.
  • Contact existing software providers to find out about training opportunities then actually set time aside to train and learn all features.

Engaging with a bookkeeper  

• How does this differ to an accountant?
• How best to use their expertise
• Why are more and more accountants are using bookkeepers more

To find out more go to her website: https://heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/

Sign up to her newsletter - > https://heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/newsletter/

Listen to the Cloud Stories podcast - > https://heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/podcast/

Heather Smith BIO

Heather Smith helps businesses reduce the time they spend on admin, improve their workflow, automate business processes and surface information to support data-driven business decisions. Throw into the mix some technology buzzwords like machine learning and artificial intelligence, you can think of it as employing robots in your business! By leveraging technology, people can spend less time in the business and more time on the business.

Heather helps businesses understand cloud-based connected technology through education.  She’s educated over one million people, via her YouTube channel, her Cloud Stories podcast, an online MasterMind group, and a curated Business apps newsletter  – all of which are available for free! Plus, she’s written nine business books including the Xero for Dummies series a business planning book, called Learn Small Business StartUp in 7 Days. Heather is a chartered accountant, has run her own practice, and believes professional advisors can work from anywhere, and support clients anywhere, by honing their ability to offer services online.