Get your affairs sorted before Christmas
Have you ever stopped to think where would your family and next-of-kin start if the worst happens?
7 Ways to reduce your impact on the environment
Managing your business’s impact on the environment is not only good for the environment but it can also help to improve your business’s reputation and reduce business costs.
5 Types of Sales Promotions in Retail (and How to Implement Them)
Promotions are almost always part of a retailer’s sales and marketing mix, and for good reason — they can drive sales and help you move inventory.
What Retailers Should Know About Selling to Millennials (a Chat with Jasmine Glasheen)
Millennials. They’ve been called everything from entitled and lazy to fearless and empowered. But whatever you think about this generation, one thing is clear: Millennials (aka Gen Y) continue to have a significant impact on the economy and society in general.
6 tips to help you create compelling content for your website
Don't cut corners when creating content for your website. So you’ve decided to start an online business—congratulations!
Tackling your cashflow challenges this Christmas
Most of us look forward to Christmas as a time for fun, festivities and spending time with the family. If you’re a small business owner though, it’s not always the carefree holiday you might hope for.
Millennials Changing the Landscape of the Alcoholic Beverage Industry
Millennials have a significant influence in consumer trends in a wide range of industries. The alcoholic beverage industry, for example, is becoming increasingly conditioned by trends among millennial consumers.
Lean manufacturing and the coffee roast
The coffee category of the hot beverage industry is thriving, with the number of coffee drinkers growing each year. Cafes and coffee vans are everywhere, meeting our seemingly unstoppable need for a regular caffeine fix.
5 Current cloud computing trends in business
For most businesses the question is no longer whether it is appropriate to adopt a cloud service, but rather when is the right time and what services to move.
13 practical ways to make your job ads stand out from the crowd
Writing great job ads is often more difficult than it looks. As well as selling the key requirements of the role, and presenting your company in a positive way, the job ad has to attract the right talent, and drive a response from suitably qualified candidates.
How Small Businesses Can Use Peer-to-Peer Lending
A new trend is rising, changing the way people can are securing financial needs. This new trend gives both individuals and businesses an alternative source of financing.
9 Tech Trends That Are Rapidly Changing How Businesses Do Business
As technology and digital marketing tools continue to improve, businesses will have to adapt to trends in marketing and consumer behavior.
Tips and tricks to operate a mobile office workforce
For more than a year, BUSINESS buddy has operated a mobile office system on Fridays and with some experience of this initiative – we have tips to help it work in your workplace.
On Fridays, the Allens Road office doors are locked tight and our team works from where it best suits their needs, which could be at a client’s workplace, at home, in a hotel – virtually anywhere.
3 Simple signs your business is ready for a payments platform
At a certain point, every growing business needs to take a leap and invest in new technology. It can be daunting and expensive, but the rewards can greatly outweigh the costs and stress.
Four signs it’s time to systemise your staff roster
To be successful in business, you need to be organised, have a clear plan for where you’re headed and be confident with the processes you have in place.
9 ways to squeeze more profit out of every business day
It’s the Holy Grail of business: increasing the number of profitable hours in a day.
8 top tips to manage bad debts
BUSINESS buddy knows that in any business, cash flow is king.
When clients fail to pay on time it makes things toe-curlingly awkward for all involved.
Business owners struggle with chasing clients for money, and it requires awkward conversations and wastes a lot of precious time.
Is Ecommerce Really Killing Brick and Mortar Retail?
Let’s get straight to the point: ecommerce is NOT killing brick-and-mortar retail.
Brewery Inventory Management Up In The Cloud
Brewery inventory management can be done in a variety of ways. Often, companies will rely on a combination of methods, including web apps, written notes and spreadsheets.
Action Planning for client success
When I designed the first Spotlight Reports, I usually included an Action Plan to close the circle between great data analysis and goal-setting.
Digital marketing made easy
Learn how to scale your business online at an exciting new BUSINESS buddy workshop on 12-1pm Tuesday, October 31 2017.
You gotta dig the No Dig method
Dennis Yarrow began Yarrow Plumbing back in 2003. Before that, he cut his teeth in the plumbing industry working in Papua New Guinea where he learned how to manage a team of 50 (and some other life skills he hadn’t bargained for).
The Best Xero Add Ons for Business Funding
Whether you’re trying to bridge a cash gap or secure funding to grow your business, the Xero marketplace offers a suite of apps that can help
3 Forecasts Your Business Needs To Succeed
Forecasting is the process of estimating the effects trends, costs and external factors will have on your business in order to give yourself time to prepare.
To Airbnb or to not Airbnb, that is the question
The idea of renting your accommodation through Airbnb seems like the perfect way to turn empty holiday homes or spare bedrooms into income earning assets.
Why profit isn’t the problem and cashflow is king
What is cashflow management? In its simplest form, cashflow management is doing everything possible to ensure that money flows into your business as quickly as possible, and leaves the business as slowly as possible.
Should Your Business Give Trade Discounts?
Many businesses use trade discounts to simplify variable pricing, protect a market recognised price point, stimulate sales or reward customer loyalty.
Encourage teamwork in the workplace to enhance stock control
In any business, large or small, good teamwork is essential for morale, productivity and efficiency.
5 Subtle Signs That Your Retail Store Is in Trouble (and What to Do About Them)
Have you ever heard about the parable of the boiling frog?
4 Tell tale signs that you need a new HR system
These days, managing HR in a growing business is a constant task. As an HR manager, you’re probably overloaded with work and you never seem to get to the bottom of it all.
Unleashing the Huge Power of Small – Building an Amazing Business in Amazing Times
It was great to see so many SME operators play truant from the office Monday morning and head along to our Business buddy business-building sponsored event at the Howick Club, and what an event it was.
To receive ideas and inspiration from one of the world’s leading entrepreneurs, mentors and public speakers was truly special.
How Cloud Technology Has Transformed the Role of Accountants
The role of a tax accountant has continuously changed over the course of the last 50 years, and it is currently undergoing yet another transition period with the growing popularity of cloud accounting.
Five ways to build a happy team
We have spoken to hundreds of business owners and thousands of their employees over the last twelve years.
Common Inventory Management Mistakes: A Closer Look
Inventory management can be overwhelming. There can be an incredibly large amount of tangible inventory, which can translate to a huge amount of responsibility and pressure to manage this inventory properly.
9 Expert Tips To Instantly Improve Your Business’ Cash Flow
There are many reasons why you may want to improve cash flow in your business. Maybe you’re looking to free up some cash to put towards growth, or maybe you’d like to build up your cash cushion to protect yourself from any bumps in the road.
Last days for David Awards voting
Have you shown your support for BUSINESS buddy?
The people’s choice for the David Awards 2017 closes on Friday September 15 and we would love you to vote for our team.
Four fab networking tips
If the thought of business networking gives you sweaty palms and a pounding chest then you are not alone.
Often people imagine it involves public speaking or standing in a room making toe-curling small talk with strangers…. cringe…but this fear is usually unfounded.
How to take your business to the next level
You’ve done the hard work by setting up your business and establishing solid foundations with a good client base – congrats! So how do you expand, and do so profitably?
UNLEASH the HUGE Power of Small
BUSINESS buddy has pulled off a HUGE coup and have arranged for one of the world’s leading business thinkers and speakers — Paul Dunn — to present a stunning business-building event right here in our region.
We're bursting with excitement and we want to share that excitement with you.
The Best Xero Accounting Add Ons For 2017
How do you know which Xero Accounting Add Ons to use?
We’ve done it again
Not that we like blowing our own trumpet too loudly…. But BUSINESS buddy has made the finals for another award and we need you to exercise your voting fingers, again.
Using data to drive innovation
We live in a data-driven age - so why not use data in your business to solve problems, be more efficient and invent new products?
Should Your Business Consider Discount Pricing?
Choosing a pricing strategy is a difficult decision, but one that every business needs to make. Pricing strategy affects most aspects of a business, including its revenue, market share and profitability.
Penny pinching? Here are some ways to reduce costs
With global recessions, increasing oil prices and increasing competition, saving money wherever possible and thereby maximising profits is the name of the game.
Ditch the smart device
BUSINESS buddy loves technology. However, let’s throw it out into cyberspace that to really get the most out of apps, notifications and those bings and bongs – every now and then you should turn off your smart device.
Accurate Inventory Costing: Why It’s Critical for Success
Even if a business has some other, high value, assets such as factory plant, inventory is likely to essential to the business’ ability to trade profitably.
Work from Phone: 5 Ways to Use Your Mobile Device to Run Your Retail Business
Mobile technology has revolutionized the way modern society does business and permanently changed the retail landscape.
Supply Chain Risks and Inventory Management
There are a multitude of things that can go wrong throughout the supply chain, exposing the firm to different kinds of risks.
Handheld devices in field service
More than just dispatching machines, handhelds have become as ubiquitous to field service as the screwdriver and wrench.
Get ready! The millennials are coming…
Millennials – young people born between the 1980s and early 2000s – make up an increasingly large proportion of drinking-age customers. It’s important that good hospitality businesses understand that.
6 warning signs that your business is outgrowing your ecommerce platform
There are many factors to consider when you’re selecting an ecommerce platform, and when you first start selling online, it can be hard to find one that’s the right match.
4 tell-tale signs you need an HR manager right now
No one ever starts a business with the intention of spending most of their time tied up in the administrative tasks that come with operating one.
Vote for BUSINESS buddy
BUSINESS buddy has entered The People’s Choice category of The David Awards 2017. With just one click, you can vote for us.
The BUSINESS buddy team is small and determined. They are relentless about delivering their promise to their clients, recognising success comes from its clients' success and their key principle is “Growing your business is our business.”
Knowledge is power
As business owners, we can all get so busy focusing on the day-to-day running of our businesses that it can feel impossible to find time to analyse what we’re doing and planning for the future.
BUSINESS buddy realises that there is always something on the to-do list that just can’t wait, however exercising your business skills you will improve your entrepreneurial fitness.
Want to Create Amazing Customer Experiences? Learn From These 4 Homeware Stores
The homeware and furniture industry has been doing well for the past couple of years, and we expect this trend to continue. The annual expenditure on furniture per US consumer was $502 in 2015 (up from $386). Meanwhile, a report by Furniture Insights found that furniture orders for February 2017 were up 4% from last year.
Bitcoin adventure for BUSINESS buddy
In a bold move, BUSINESS buddy has opened a bitcoin account and now we can accept and make payments with the digital currency.
We have done some homework and discovered the background of bitcoin and how businesses can use it.
It is, to say the least, confusing. Here, BUSINESS buddy has a go at explaining and simplifying the futuristic currency.
How to ensure your jobs are profitable
If you’re in business, making decent money is important. Sometimes, though, it doesn’t always work out the way you’d planned...
The Benefits of Cloud-Based Software for Manufacturing Businesses
More and more manufacturing companies are beginning to use cloud-based manufacturing systems to improve the way their business functions.
SMEs and Globalization: A Changing Landscape
Advances in technology over the last two decades have shrunk the world; travel is inexpensive, cross border payments are fast and businesses communicate in real-time.
Let’s make it clear – Good mobile staff communication is vital
Many small business owners don’t give a second thought about the need for clear communication.
6 Tools Businesses Need to Get Their Finances in Shape
You need to keep track of transactions for the tax office, lenders, but most importantly for yourself, as a business owner.
6 Retail Books You Need to Read
Helpful and informative retail books abound everywhere you look these days.
No dedicated hr team? You need these essential hr tools and solutions
Every business owner knows that as soon as you start hiring people, there’s a whole heap of important and must-do HR related tasks and compliance requirements that goes with them.
Machine learning in field service
Machine learning has the power to change how we look at field service – what it means to contractors and customers alike.
Inventory Management: Five Key Tips for Distributors
Due to the nature of the distribution model where distributors profit by selling inventory to their customers, failing to manage inventory well can be a major liability for distributors.
Goal: Successful supply chain management
Have you ever sat back and wondered how giant companies such as Apple, Walmart and Ikea became so successful both in their reach and their inventory turnover?
Empower your ecommerce customers with a branded mobile app
Over the past five years, mobile devices have begun to dominate the consumer landscape around the world.
Are you getting the most out of digital working practices?
Businesses today are quickly adopting cloud software as the benefits become more apparent and even necessary to keep a competitive edge – benefits like less paperwork, greater efficiency, and time savings.
Impact of immigration changes on Kiwi businesses
It’s an election year and immigration is a hot topic. Migration to New Zealand is at a record high and while it has significantly boosted the economy, some say it has contributed to Auckland’s housing crisis and pushed infrastructure to breaking point.
In April 2017, the Government announced changes in criteria for people applying for residency under the skilled migrant category (SMC), to stabilise immigration numbers.
The Best Xero Accounting Add Ons For 2017
How do you know which Xero Accounting Add Ons to use?
HOW IMPROVING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT CAN BOOST YOUR BOTTOM LINE
Look at a company with a reputation for strong employee engagement and you’ll find a high performing business. We’re not making this up.
Common mistakes made when calculating payroll costs
Knowing what your payroll costs are – daily, weekly, monthly and yearly – is an important part of running a successful business. It allows you to forecast future wage costs, ensures you don’t have any surprises come pay day, and gives you confidence in the stability of the business.
But do you know the TRUE cost of your roster?
Thanks for the PJs
That’s the Jammie Army done and dusted for another year. Thanks to the generous people who sent snuggly pyjamas into BUSINESS buddy headquarters.
7 ways to block ransomware
With the recent spate of cyberattacks causing havoc to businesses and individuals around the world, it has become evident that hackers are more threatening than ever before.
Number Nurses wins
When Number Nurses won the marketing innovation award at the New Zealand Bookkeepers Association conference we nearly needed some CPR to control our racing heartbeats.
THE HAPPINESS FACTOR: 6 TACTICS FOR IMPROVING WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY
Remember the old (and slightly misogynistic) phrase Happy Wife, Happy Life! ? Well, it turns out there is a workplace equivalent: Happy workers, productive business! (and no – we couldn’t make it rhyme).
Why Accurate Costing is Vital for Success
Inaccurate information about your company’s expenditure can greatly inhibit your capacity to make and maintain a successful business.
Three Lessons Retailers Can Learn from Craft Brands
Retailers have historically dominated the commerce landscape. Several years ago, industry trends and top products were set by the stores selling them.
THE SIMPLE WAY FOR CUSTOMERS TO BUY NOW AND PAY LATER
When a visitor spends time browsing your online store or bricks-and-mortar outlet, they’re looking for something. And when they find it, they’ll be tempted to buy it.
Small-Man-Syndrome: How SMEs can be successful on a global stage
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) are companies that are independently owned and managed with less than 250 employees in their ranks and bringing in less than 50 million euros per year.
REDEFINING YOUR POINT OF SALE WITH A MODERN POS PLATFORM
It doesn’t matter how large or small your store is, or how many of them you’ve got—if you’ve got a point of sale (POS), you’ll see big benefits in switching from a simple cash register to a full-featured, cloud-based POS platform.
Investing in staff training is an investment in your business
Staff training is one of the best investments you can make for the future success of your business.
How to Upsell and Cross-Sell in Retail: 6 Pointers to Implement in your Store
Picture this: You’ve just about closed a sale, and the shopper made up their mind to buy a product. What do you do?
How to Prevent and Handle Robberies and Theft in Retail
Are you equipped to handle retail theft and robberies? Whether you answered yes or no to that question, keep reading.
How Elon Musk’s neural lace could change your business
In April this year, Elon Musk (CEO of Tesla and SpaceX) publicly announced that his company, a startup in California, Neuralink, is developing a neural lace technology that will enable human beings to communicate with devices through their thoughts alone.
Common mistakes made when calculating payroll costs
Knowing what your payroll costs are – daily, weekly, monthly and yearly – is an important part of running a successful business.
5 tips for becoming your own boss
The idea of starting your own business and being your own boss has become more popular in recent years.
Got the guts to tackle innovation
Phenomenal leaps in technology often polarise people, with some loving the new developments whereas others prefer a more tried and true approach.
The America’s Cup yacht racing is a great example of bold innovation that people either embrace or reject – even if they couldn’t care less about sailing.
Fight preventable illness with our Jammie Army
Winter is here and BUSINESS buddy needs you to help battle childhood illnesses that no tiny tot should have to endure.
Snuggling up at home in a warm pyjamas can be all it takes to keep little ones out of Kidz First Children’s Hospital, at Middlemore in South Auckland.
The Power of Collaboration For Marketing Your Business
Collaboration is the key to success for every business—that’s what 75% of CEOs believe. It’s a way of bringing together diverse minds and ideas and sharing resources to create something bigger and better than individuals could achieve alone, and it’s gradually becoming the status quo for modern businesses in all sectors, including retail.
How Isle Of Skye Candles Reinvested For Growth With Float
The Isle of Skye Candle Company’s first batch of candles was made in a converted croft on the Isle of Skye in 2006, and since then the company has been lighting up across Scotland and the UK.
Budget 2017 no tax surprises
Another New Zealand Budget has come and gone and there was not much to excite tax payers or small and growing business owners.
The Minister for Small Business, Jacqui Dean is reported as saying there are plenty of stimulants that will put more money in people’s pockets – hence increasing their expenditure, which may help the retail sector.
Trade Barriers: Mitigate the Impact on your Business
It can be unwelcome news that the success of your business is, in part, out of your control. If your business involves importing or exporting inventory, it pays to be aware of and be prepared to mitigate potential impacts of trade policy on your business.
The Importance of Accurate Costing
It’s no debate that the world is becoming increasingly globalized. Despite some barriers to entry into international business, geographical expansion and the use of imports and exports has become easier and more prevalent. Regardless of the size of a business or where it chooses to operate, one necessity remains constant, and that’s the need for accurate costing.
B1G1 feels good
BUSINESS buddy is proud as punch to have provided 3,385 doses of vitamin C injections, 25 days of bookkeeping, with another 10 days pending, and supplied 2,310 medical items for less fortunate four-legged friends.
In June 2016, our head honcho, Kirsten Hawke signed BUSINESS buddy up to B1G1 – a global philanthropic programme businesses can join to support people in developing countries.
Ready to leave the nest and share?
Working at home has its advantages. The commute is negligible, it’s much cheaper, you can bring in the washing if it looks like rain and work around children schedules and nap times.
On the other hand, there are negatives. Client meetings may require a tidy up and a vacuum, taking on employees means having them in your private home, isolation from the rest of the world, no handy coffee shop next door for your caffeine fix.
Watching China in 2017
China-watching is mandatory for many people in business.
The world’s most-populous nation looms large on the global stage in politics, commerce and sport. Its 300 million aspiring middle class citizens – still a small part of the total population - are increasingly sophisticated in their consumer activities, travelling a lot more and further, and pursuing business interests on all continents and the South Pacific region.
Top 7 Tips for Finding the Right Business Software
You almost certainly started your business for one of two reasons: you can do something better than anyone else, or you have a burning passion so deep you cannot focus on anything else. And if you’re lucky, it’s both. You didn’t start your business because you wanted to track cash moving in and out of your bank account. Nor to complete complicated forms for the government. You hadn’t even contemplated how business software could help you do these tasks, mostly because you didn’t know you need to do them.
Key management skills to grow your business
Many small business owners start out with a good business idea but little concept of what it takes to manage and grow a business.
The good news is that you can definitely learn and improve your management skills as your business grows.
And while there isn’t a definitive list of skills, the ones we’ve listed below could help you to build your initial vision and develop your business to its full potential.