Below are details of all publicly archived questions & answers for the "Managing & Growing Your Business" category. Wherever possible, Questions & Answers for the public archive are chosen for their broad appeal to a wide range of viewers.
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Should a commission have been paid?
Recently I decided to resign as the area distributor for a range of products. While the agreement that I signed required 1 month written notice, I ...More |
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Which business structure to use
I am currently operating my business as a sole trader but I am wondering whether that is the correct structure for my business. Will I be better off ...More |
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Investment Insurance Policies
My dad used to be in business and he was telling me that he had a investment life insurance policy which became a type of savings for him and he was ...More |
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Government Tenders
What is the best way of finding out information about government tenders and how to apply for them?...More |
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Refunds versus exchanges
I own a small boutique and have only been in business a few months. Now that Christmas is over, I'm getting customers bringing back items, ...More |
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Who is liable for customer property?
Small signwriting business operating as partnership from commercial premises. One particular service is signwriting vehicles which are delivered & ...More |
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Document management
Can you recommend software for imaging, document management, file management (e.g. tracking pending files, backlog, days over due)?...More |
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Marketing a home based business
I have a small home based consultancy business that mostly targets individuals and occasionally does work for other small business. Could you give ...More |
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Approaching the target market
We are a home based picture framing business that has been operating for 8 years. We have developed a line of stretched canvases for artists in ...More |
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Salary for the owners
We are the owners of a busy cafe/restaurant. Business is growing consistently but so are the running costs. We have been open for 18 months and work ...More |
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The mechanics of creating shares
If I value my business assets at say $50,000 and I'm interested in setting
up a company structure in order to attract some new capital, (but I ...More |
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Conditions of sale contracts
I would like to know where I could source a standard copy of "Conditions of sale" or "Terms and conditions" document related to protecting my ...More |
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Obtaining non-executive board members
Our business is looking at appointing non-executive board member for advice on corporate governance issues, particulaly from a compliance/legal ...More |
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Tips on cash flow and receiving payments
We have changed credit terms to COD only for new customer's and provide limited credit terms to historically good customers. This is all ...More |
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Creating a business plan
We have been in business for 20 years; 7 years as Cartage Contractors and then 13 years as gutter installers. We have five people working for us. I ...More |
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Researching benchmarking figures
I am entering the world of business brokerage and need to acquire one or more books on buying/selling businesses. I am told there are some books ...More |
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Overcoming competitor discounts
Our competitors are selling their products at a very low price and we cannot overcome this factor because we're a low volume buyer. Their ...More |
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Selling products to retail outlets
I'm currently making skin care products from home on order (all natural) and selling over the Internet. I would like to start making in semi-bulk ...More |
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Advertisement problem
I have had an advertisement in a business directory for a number of years and in the last publication of the book my ad was not included in the right ...More |
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How to quote for bulk orders
I am the sole trader of a small dancewear retail outlet. Originally the business was set up to cater to the needs of a particular performing arts ...More |
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Migrating to a new business structure
I have been a sole proprietor for over 10 years as a computer consultant. For the past few years I have been developing web applications and ...More |
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Australian Standards approval
We are a service business that currently imports non electric tools to complete these service works. I would like to import a range of electric ...More |
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Joint venture sales agreement
We are a small company in niche magazine publishing. We are looking at forming a joint venture with a large publishing company to produce a magazine ...More |
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Where to advertise?
We are a small business selling computer products to corporate companies. We have recently started selling an IT Auditing package to the market ...More |
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Growing a business
For a business that is in the sevices/consultancy area, under 3 years old with a sound financial and client track record, how do you take the ...More |
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Problem with product cubic weight
I'm a small business in the baby industry currrently producing baby change mats. My business is 2 years old. The business was run from Sydney in ...More |
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Manufacturing and labelling in Australia
We are a small business producing Australian made dance wear. We currently manufacture large volumes of dance wear and are looking at manufacturing ...More |
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Using a Pty Ltd structure
I operate under my own name as a sole trader. When am I entitled to use the Pty and/or Ltd suffixes in a name and do I have to display them?
...More |
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Customer service policies
I would like to know the best features to include in a customer service policy that would lead to a successful business....More |
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Customer Relationship Management
Can you provide quality articles on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) including suggested software packages?...More |
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Expressions of interest
How do I prepare a professional "Expression of Interest" for government and large corporate tenders? There are some opportunities for me to lobby the ...More |
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Start-up issues
I have just been offered a job to manage a new lingerie shop. I don't have much experience in retail management and would like to know some of ...More |
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Researching company employees
How does one tell how many employees are in a company?...More |
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Industry statistics
Where can I find free specific maket share statistics for leaders in the retail electrical appliance industry such as Coles Myer Ltd and Harvey ...More |
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Researching the size of business
I wish to cold call/send letters to a business regarding our services. I have accessed a list of potential clients from Australia on disk, but our ...More |
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Company name vs business name usage
Currently my husband is a sole trader with a natural therapies business which has a registered business name (in the format "XYZ Centre"). He plans ...More |
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Growing a business
I rent and maintain aquariums to people, mostly to professionals for their waiting rooms. My business is currently run part-time, but I would like to ...More |
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Commission taken by retailers
If I'm selling a product (home-made natural therapy line) to a health food store or chemist, for example, what percentage could I expect them to ...More |
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Obtaining teaching qualifications
I would like to find out what qualifications are required or recognised in order to allow a person to teach as well as practise beauty therapy and/or ...More |
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Recovering debt
I run an education centre that provides private tuition. Customers call our business and we arrange tutors to provide tuition to them. We do not ask ...More |
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Software sales & marketing strategy
I have operated my IT consulting business for two years now and mainly used it as an income and tax vehicle whereas most of my job assignment has ...More |
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Telephone sales
I would like to access books or any literature that covers the subject of how to successfully deal with telephone enquiries and telemarketing for ...More |
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Using sub-contractors
I have recently purchased and begun operating a "domestic services" business, where I locate suppliers to carry out a range of services for my ...More |
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Board meetings and etiquette
We are a small family business of five members operating since 1996. Our business has two main activities one of which is run by one family member. ...More |
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Understanding Key Performance Indicators
I need to know what Key Performance Indicators are used for the hairdressing industry. I have two salons with 6 staff....More |
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How do I write a sales letter?
I have recently started a business making and selling natural skin care products. I did notice a similar question to mine was asked a few months ago, ...More |
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Issues affecting future of small business
I am currently studying on line a Certificate of Small Business and have been asked to search the Internet and ask questions in relation to this ...More |
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Market research
We are already an established business for 14 years, but are thinking of opening a new sideline to it. This may seem an obvious question, but we want ...More |
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Creating a marketing plan
I am in the process of drawing up a marketing plan for my proposed business, is this necessary and if it is how would you go about it? What is the ...More |
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Billing clients
I would like your opinion on charging clients. I am a computer and computer network support person with my own business but sometimes spend longer ...More |
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Moving premises
Is there a checklist or guide available for businesses on the things to do and consider when moving premises? For example, who to contact/the things ...More |
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Telemarketing script and objective
I operate a web design & multimedia company. We have been running for our third year now. We would like to try telemarketing. My question is, what ...More |
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Applying for assistance/programs
I currently own three lube businesses, but am leasing the buildings and properties. I would like to buy out these properties/buildings from the ...More |
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Obtaining bar code numbers
I am an inventor who has just had a promotional range of my products manufactured in China. I am currently at the stage of marketing and packaging, ...More |
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Cash reserve levels
My business turns over about $150 kpa, with all assets and business operations fully insured. I have generally held about 5% to 8% of turnover (as ...More |
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Debt retrieval
How do I go about collecting a debt from a customer who has been contacted by phone, has said that they will pay the debt but still have not done so? ...More |
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Marketing strategies for naturopaths
I am a naturopath in the early stages of my business. I currently work both from home and from a clinic and am trying to promote my business the ...More |
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Finding sales companies
Is there such a thing as an outsourced sales company, eg if I wrote a warehouse management software package or had my own call centre type operation, ...More |
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Selling a portion of business
I was wondering what the best procedure is to sell 10% of my business to a potential investor who always wants to work in the business. How do I ...More |
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How to contact industry for our services
Presently I am working for a pharmaceutical business, doing the Computer System Validation as it is a regulatory requirement for this industry. I ...More |
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Retail marketing
We have been producing a health food product for the last few years. We have been marketing our product in bulk to people who pack it and sell ...More |
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Telephone support for clients and fees
My question has evolved from a client complaining about an account for telephone support we sent to him. I charged out in 15 min. blocks, however, ...More |
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Using overseas contractors
If you wish to hire contractors, who are citizens of a foreign country, to perform certain tasks for you in their own country, even though you are ...More |
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Hire purchase vs lease
We are looking at purchasing a motor vehicle for our business and would like to know the difference between a hire purchase and a lease....More |
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Postage and handling costs
How do I go about posting items that range in weight, possibly up to 30kgs to customers around Australia without incurring massive costs, either to ...More |
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Setting prices
I want to know how to set prices (I own a healthy sandwich bar that serves coffee and some hot take-away foods as well as seating for 15 customers ...More |
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Winning actual contracts from marketing
As highly experienced media professionals, we have just started a communication consultancy offering writing, editing and project management ...More |
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Effective advertising alternatives
My husband and I have started a home based IT consultancy business in which we handle all things IT, from networking to web sites to building ...More |
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Advertising with pamphlets
I have started a wedding planning business and have currently placed an ad in The Wedding Guide and also the Yellow Pages. I have had some advice on ...More |
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Business plan outline
We intend to restructure our business in order to increase our client base. We are performing business plans to reveal our individual perceptions of ...More |
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Finding cleaning contracts
My husband and I have started a business in the cleaning and maintenance field. We are currently doing work for a large building company but would ...More |
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Commision sales
I run a Mobile Suit Hire Franchise and need to expand. I wish to concentrate my efforts more in marketing to build more sales. I feel that my best ...More |
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Company profile
I have started working under a consulting company. At the start, all of my work was prearranged as it was for set project work that was supplied by ...More |
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Keeping a business afloat
As a new business we are still facing the challenges new businesses face. There are times when the challenges are very scary and most of the time it ...More |
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How to get new business for the company
I have your weekly newsletter emailed to me and find that the info would serve my husband well as he is about to start work for my father-in-law’s ...More |
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Information on sales agents
We are a small skincare product manufacturer based in Melbourne. We would like to expand interstate and will need to use an agent to do this. As we ...More |
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Labour hire rule of thumb values
We are considering taking over some labour hire contracts from another labour hire firm. Are there any rules of thumb as to the value of such ...More |
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Market penetration at low cost
I have recently set up a company running non-gambling casino events as corporate entertainment. The business is currently part time and I only have a ...More |
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Marketing lists
How do I obtain database of clients (businesses that own or lease buildings) or residents to market my product? Can I purchase these lists etc.?...More |
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Obtaining a business manager
I am writing on behalf of my brother. He has a successful business designing and installing video surveillance systems. He is very good at the work ...More |
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Obtaining stock from manufacturers
My question relates to companies who continually refuse to sell me their products because they want me to have showrooms, join "Buyer's Groups" ...More |
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Offering customer credit accounts
I am enquiring as to what should be included on an application form when setting up account customers. My business involves the supply of industrial ...More |
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Research on bookkeeping industry
Would you have any research on the bookkeeping industry i.e. the trend, growth rate and the future expected dollar value of the industry etc? Your ...More |
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Subcontracting information
I am new in the business field and would like information in subcontracting. What information do I need to create a contract with the other people ...More |
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Taking on partner vs going it alone
I am currently 12 mths into my business and have not got very far. I am currently looking to take on my father, a panel beater and my brother, who ...More |
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Taking the next step
We have successfully survived the start-up phase. However, we have reached the limit of our expertise in company management and growth. We are both ...More |
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Vending and sales reps
I presently manufacture and site vending machines primarily to bars and nightclubs. I subcontract all of the parts and then assemble the machines ...More |
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How to best market my service
I have been in business for about two and a half years now and have a fairly steady flow of customers from different sources but I still have a lot ...More |
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Negotiating with large retail chains
We are a small business supplying horticultural products to Victorian nursery and garden centres. We have been approached by a large retail chain to ...More |
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Advertising for shop
We have a shop (children’s clothing), but our major business is manufacturing the clothes. How do you advertise for the shop without upsetting nearby ...More |
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Barcoding
I am a recently established trading company, just wondering if you could help me about barcoding. I am planning to sell my product to retailer. Do ...More |
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Establishing clients
What methods are best used to establish clients while still holding a professional company look?...More |
