However, with such a plethora of tools available out there and all of them claiming to be the ‘latest and greatest’, it can become difficult to know which tools are actually worthwhile investing your time and energy (and sometimes money) into. Below is a list of questions to ask when determining the right tools for your business.

• What challenges is your business facing? – To determine which tools to investigate, you must first be clear about what challenges you need to overcome. Consider the nature of your business, your daily operations and processes, (i.e. do you keep a tight daily schedule? How do you communicate with your clients and co-workers? etc.) and where there are many opportunities for improvement.
• Which tools will address those challenges? – Once you have clarity around your key challenges and opportunities for improvement, the next step is to research which tools match your needs. Once you have a list of options, you can then run a comparison of these against your requirements to see which ones tick the most boxes.
• Does the tool offer a free trial? – Many tools offer a limited free trial period or in some cases, offer the basic features for free with paid options to access the more premium or advanced features. Accessing a free trial or product version allows you to assess whether or not the tool meets your expectations and requirements.
• Is it simple to use and actually more efficient? – Once you have had a chance to trial the product, you will be able to gauge whether it is easy to use and whether it actually makes things easier/more efficient.  Some tools may seem to tick all the boxes, but once you use them they aren’t actually any more efficient than your original process methods.

During our day-to-day we come across a lot of tools, a number of which we use ourselves to help streamline our work processes and make collaboration among our team and with our clients a whole lot easier and more efficient. The ‘perfect tool’ will vary for each business and is highly dependent on a number of factors, however, the following list outlines some tools that we love and that have helped make our day-to-day activities run much more smoothly.

Dropbox

It’s very likely that you would have come across Dropbox at some point in time. This cloud-based storage system makes it easy to store and share files, which is fantastic for file collaboration. We often use Dropbox when we need to send large files to clients or share larger files with members of our team. One of our favourite things about Dropbox is that it automatically syncs files in real time across multiple devices so that the file is available and ready for use at all times. Dropbox uses a freemium business model, so you can enjoy up to 2 GB of storage capacity for free. If you need more storage, premium plans start from AU$12.99 per month.

Google Apps for Work

Google Apps seem to be growing in popularity among businesses and it’s no surprise. With a suite of collaboration, storage and communication tools that make working together a whole lot easier. Our favourite tools from Google Apps are:

Gmail

Gmail is Google’s email solution, which I am sure you would be familiar with. The work version offers professional (use your custom domain), ad-free email that integrates with all of Google’s other products, which is super handy (trust us!). With 30GB of inbox storage and 24/7 support, Google has you covered and it’s also compatible with Microsoft Outlook and other email clients if they are more to your liking.

Calendar

Again, you have likely heard of Google Calendar, but the true potential of this tool so often goes unrecognised. We use Google Calendar every day to organise our daily schedules and booking in meetings. In our line of work, we are constantly needing to find meeting times that fit in with multiple people’s schedules, Google Calendar allows us to check our colleague’s calendars to find a time when everyone is free, saving a lot of time and hassle as opposed to checking with everyone individually. The integration with Google Maps is also super handy, allowing us to easily pop in the address of our client or meeting location to be able to then easily pull up the information and directions prior to leaving for a meeting (which when done on our phone, will open Google Maps and we can start navigation).

Drive

Google Drive is Google’s online file storage solution that allows you to store all your work in one secure place. We use Google Drive this to store and organise files that need to be shared with multiple team members. Drive automatically syncs files from your desktop and provides access to all your devices. Another great feature of Drive is that is compatible with over 40 popular file formats including videos, images, Microsoft Office documents, spreadsheets and PDFs, meaning that you can view documents in these formats even if you don’t have the correct software installed to open them.

Docs, Sheets & Slides

Through Drive, you can also access Docs, Sheets and Slides, which are Google’s version of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The advantage of using these tools is that you and your team can create and edit documents within your browser and multiple people can be working within a document at the same time (fantastic for real-time collaboration!). To make this collaboration easier, you are able to see edits as others are typing, communicate through built-in chat and ask questions using comments. These documents automatically save and have an unlimited revision history if you ever need to undo anything.

Hangouts

Google Hangouts is a free communication platform that offers instant messaging, video chat, SMS and VOIP features. You can use Hangouts as an alternative to Skype to speak or video conference with multiple people. We use Hangouts internally to quickly chat with team members. Hangouts can also be installed on your phone to allow communication and collaboration while on the go.

Todoist

Managing multiple tasks for multiple projects across multiple teams can be challenging. With a plethora of task tracking apps available, we couldn’t go past Todoist, which we now use company-wide to manage our individual workloads and to maintain effective communication of responsibilities and tasks for group projects. We love Todoist because it makes creating, sharing and completing tasks oh so very quick and easy! Their ‘karma score’ creates a fun way to track your productivity as well. The basic features of this tool are available for free, however, if you want to be able to collaborate on projects then you will need to upgrade to the premium version, which starts at $44.99 per year.

Streak

Streak is an amazingly handy little tool that integrates with Gmail and essentially allows for basic CRM functionality within your Inbox. We find this particularly helpful for the tracking of sales lead from initial prospect through to becoming a client. It allows for team members to be assigned to ‘boxes’, each box representing a contact (in our case, a box could also represent a task depending on how you are using it). This is also a great solution for small businesses that don’t have the budget for a bigger CRM system, with so many potential uses including recruitment, sales, product development, marketing and more.

PayPanther

We recently started using PayPanther, an all-in-one software solution that combines CRM, Invoicing, Time Tracking, and Project Management into one, easy to use platform. We decided on PayPanther as our CRM as it most closely met our specific requirements and so far it has been fantastic for what we need it for. This CRM is relatively new to the market and is constantly being improved upon. One of the great benefits of this is that they are really open to feedback from their users. PayPanther offer a 30-day free trial, perfect to test it out and see if it’s the right fit before making a commitment.

Gliffy

For many of the projects that we work on, we need to create flowcharts, timelines and other diagrams. Gliffy is a fantastic tool that makes this super easy to do, providing a drag-and-drop approach to designing professional, neat and personalised diagrams quickly and efficiently. It also allows for collaboration between team members. The free account allows you to create up to 5 public diagrams, and the paid accounts start at only $3.99 per month.

The business tools outlined above are tools that we have used at Reload. These have been selected based on our specific requirements and while all of these tools are fantastic for our needs, they may not necessarily be the best tools for your business and should all be considered based on your specific processes and requirements. There is a whole world of business tools available to help businesses run their operations more efficiently and the key is to choose the best tool for your business based on your needs. In order to do so, it is important to take the time to research and evaluate your options before making a decision. Periodic evaluation of the tool will also be beneficial, to ensure that it remains the best option as your business grows and changes, or to determine when a change of tool may be needed.

The post 6 business tools we love and use appeared first on Reload Consulting.

It’s common knowledge that being a business owner requires you to wear several hats, especially at the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey. Starting a business requires a unique juggling act between many areas of the operation. However, as you grow, taking on too many roles can do your business more harm than good.

When to delegate.

When delegating work the rule of thumb is to hand over tasks that fall outside your area of expertise. If you have limited knowledge or skills to perform a certain task, chances are you will waste time and be less productive than someone who is better trained in that area (The result of which would be a half-baked outcome). Further, the time taken up for these assignments could have been used for more important and productive activities, such as innovation or networking. Some of the roles that you can consider delegating include:

• Online Marketing – This encompasses the management of your website and social media accounts, as well as digital marketing campaigns and initiatives. Large companies typically have an entire department dedicated to online marketing. Because there is so much involved these tasks can become very tedious and time-consuming.
• Customer Service – Engaging with customers is crucial to the success of your business. Customer service encompasses assisting customers with their needs pre, during and post-sale. Like online marketing, this can be a full-time job especially if you want to do well by your customers. If this is becoming the case, it may be time to bring someone else in to assist with answering customer inquiries, developing loyalty or gratitude programs, and sometimes physically attending to customers’ needs.
• Reporting – A business has many moving parts and it’s critical to monitor each of its facets to ensure that these are running properly. These include such areas as finance, sales and marketing, human resource and operations. Reports help you as a business owner to have a feel of his or her current business state and the information can then be used to plan for the next financial year. Tracking all of these can easily leave a business owner with no time for anything else. By assigning this task to someone else, the business owner can concentrate on other, more important areas of the business.

Things that you should be doing.

There are certain things that either shouldn’t be delegated or are too personal to hand over. There will be areas that only the business owner will be able to do effectively until the business has reached a certain level of growth. Some of these owner sensitive areas are listed below.

• Product Development (Innovation) – Innovation is key to maintaining and growing your customer base. If you keep offering your customers what you’ve started with, chances are that they will get bored or find a better alternative. Constantly updating your products and expanding your product range will give your customers something to look forward to.
• Hiring – Hiring the wrong people can be costly for your business. The vetting process is time-consuming but necessary for finding the person that would be the perfect fit for your business. The business owner is the best judge of whether or not a candidate is right for the job he or she is applying for. It is also the job of the business owner to set goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for each employee. Once your business has grown to a point where recruitment and HR are becoming a full-time job, then it may be time to consider hiring a HR specialist, however until then, this responsibility should fall with the business owner.
• Budget – The budget of a business for all its activities is usually guided by its previous or forecasted revenues. However as the business owner, you can make tweaks here and there depending on the goals and priorities that you have set for your business. Whatever these may be, the business owner ultimately needs to decide the best use of the business’ available funds and where best to allocate these.
• Strategy – The business owner should no doubt be on top of the overarching business direction and strategy of the business. The strategy is an extension of the vision which the business owner has set prior (seeking help from experts in strategy development can be wise).  Decisions ultimately fall on the hands of the business owner and rightfully so.
• Networking – Networking has many benefits for a business and should be given time and attention. Through networking, a business owner can make connections, get referrals, stumble upon opportunities and increase brand awareness. There is no better person to network than the person who knows the ins and out of the business.

Running a business is not easy. It has many moving parts and each part needs attention in order to function efficiently. As much as you may want to take control of every part of your business, it is not advisable to do so as your business grows. It is best to delegate activities that fall outside of your expertise, as this way you can be assured of achieving your desired results while not wasting your valuable time. The best use of your time is to oversee the core functions of the business – the sensitive functions that only the business owner can do effectively.

The post The business owner’s guide to smart delegation appeared first on Reload Consulting.

The post Queensland Government supports Small Business with Home-based Business Grant appeared first on Reload Consulting.

Your business plan represents the roadmap for your business, enabling you to develop and implement strategies that are in line with your business objectives. This ensures your operations are efficient and targeted towards achieving your goals without wasted expenditure along the way.

Often, however, the extent of detail and inclusions required for a business plan can be confusing, with a vast array of options available from a 3-page template plan to a lengthy 50-100 page custom plan. Determining which option is right for your business can be difficult and can leave many business owners unsure about which path to take. Below we outline the differences between template and custom business plans, to help you identify which is best for you, your business and objectives.

Template Business Plans

A template business plan can provide you with a general outline of the basic components that are necessary for a business plan. These usually range from 15 to 20 pages in length and can be a great guide for getting an idea off the ground. Template business plans are readily available online, some available as free resources and others sold at a low cost.

While they are great for quick turnaround and low cost, the main downside to using template business plans is that they provide a very general format. Even with the numerous industry-specific examples that are available online, they don’t take into account the unavoidable truth that what applies to one business, doesn’t necessarily apply to another. Additionally, not every business owner’s background is in business, and often there can be a lot of confusion when trying to ‘fill the gaps’ under the template headings – especially if they aren’t all relevant to that business.

With that said, templates can be a great option for students to use for university assignments and for entrepreneurs starting out on a shoestring budget.

Custom Business Plans

Custom business plans are exactly that, custom. They are developed based on a deep understanding of the business and the market in which it operates, in line with the business’ goals and objectives. These business plans typically go into a lot more detail and are therefore much more comprehensive than a template plan, with the length of the document varying greatly depending on the business and objectives that it is addressing.

Unless you have a sound business background, it is usually advised to seek out the services of an expert business consultant to help craft your custom business plan. This ensures that the end result is backed by sound business knowledge and research, and covers all of the requirements to meet your objectives (i.e. includes all information that the bank needs to see to approve financing applications). As would be expected, engaging an expert to deliver a custom higher quality business plan does require a higher investment and so may not be the best choice for entrepreneurs starting out. However, if you are applying for funding or have other specific objectives that you need to meet, the outcomes are certainly worth the investment.

When making the call as to which path to go down, it’s important to consider the objectives and purpose behind having a business plan and subsequently, the investment that you are willing to make in order to achieve that. If you’re still unsure, speaking to a consultant can be a great way to gain further clarity. An initial chat shouldn’t cost you anything, depending on who you go to, and they should be able to advise you as to which option will be best suited to your current situation and desired objectives.

The post Custom or template – which business plan is right for you? appeared first on Reload Consulting.

“…responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the environment, through transparent and ethical behaviour that

• Contributes to sustainable development, including health and the welfare of society.
• Takes into account the expectations of stakeholders;
• Is in compliance with applicable law and consistent with international norms of behaviour; and
• Is integrated throughout the organization and practised in its relationships.”
• A good CSR strategy engages in a holistic approach with the organisation at the centre and incorporates seven core subjects; human rights, labour practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development.

In most cases, incorporating a CSR strategy is voluntary, however, there is increasing pressure to make a positive contribution to society. In Australia this pressure is primarily ‘societal’, however internationally, governments are starting to push for enforcement of certain CSR elements.

While many SMEs may not have the resources required to incorporate all seven core subjects, a ‘leaner’ approach can still have a positive impact on your business. Taking into consideration which elements will have more meaning for your market and your brand, you can determine which elements to focus on strategically in line with your business objectives. The benefits that can come from this include:

Strengthened brand reputation

Contributing positively to the good of others or the environment is always highly regarded and businesses that can show they are doing so can achieve a positive boost for the reputation of their brand. People buy from or work with businesses that they know, like and trust, and are more likely to buy from businesses that they see as being reputable and community focused. Investors are also partial to enterprises whose reputations are in good standing.

Enhanced trust and participation from stakeholders

Having open communication lines with internal and external stakeholders allows a business to understand how to better enhance its relationship with them. This allows for strategic focus on programs that will jointly benefit the business and the stakeholders. For example, creating programs that show concern for employee well-being can decrease employee turnover costs for the business and boost employee morale.

Reduced cost from efficiency improvements

Ensuring a more efficient use of resources saves money and has a less negative impact on the environment. Improving environmental practices such as reducing pollution and improving waste management within the business can lead to better financial performance through both increased revenues and lower costs. SMEs can incorporate simple programs such as recycling or upcycling to help mitigate their environmental impact.

The impact that socially responsible actions have for an SME may not be as all-encompassing as those initiated by larger corporations, however incorporating a well-planned CSR strategy can potentially make a positive impact where it matters most – in the SME’s own backyard.

The post The value from investing into CSR appeared first on Reload Consulting.

Most people understand the basics of a business plan and the process, however often expensive consultants try to “make one size fits all” as their mantra by rolling out templates or telling their clients they should read a book and all will be OK.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t work for a business plan as every business and organisation is different in size, staff numbers, marketing budgets and growth strategies.

We have seen some of the smallest start up’s being the most growth-focused and cash ready businesses around, willing to push the boundaries and take a risk.

Then we also see (in the majority I might add) businesses that are stable and supporting staff costs and marketing budgets already. They are sometimes wary of fast risky growth and make sure they plan out what they do next.

For every client though, we are focused on outcomes and results. Throughout the business planning process, we ensure that we provide a personalised and structured business plan service, with the very best business consulting and business advice delivered at all times.

Business planning outcomes will often include:

• A clear business plan, vision and mission
• Outstanding profitability and more growth
• More sales and leads with better customer retention incorporating thorough research
• Greater cost reduction
• Scalable and robust IT systems specifically for their needs
• Exceptional marketing techniques, strategies and campaigns
• A greater understanding of their unique “points of difference”
• Any other business help and business advice

Without these, your business plan may not be the investment it should be.

The post Business Planning: The Difference for SMEs appeared first on Reload Consulting.