- Business - WHAT CAN YOU DO WHEN YOU CAN'T PAY YOUR TAX? The tax bill comes and as the deadline draws near, there is still no cash to pay it. Yet with the high interest rate and penalties charged by IRD, not paying them is not really an option. What do you do then? There are several workable solutions that will save you from the ire of the bank and the certainty of rapidly doubling your tax debt. Full Story
- Hot Tip -
INFLATION IS ALIVE AND WELL
There has been an 11% decline in purchasing power since the start of the recession. For small business owners, this means an increased difficulty (or impossibility) to raise prices, in the face of inflating costs. Yet for those who still haven't put their prices up, perhaps now is the time to do so. Your power supplier, insurer, supermarket, oil company or Council don't seem to suffer from the same constraints!
- Press Release - HB BUSINESS CAPTAINS GATHER EN MASSE FOR MARKETING WORKSHOP
When John Francois and Nick Roberts founded the Business Academy and launched their first series of workshops, they were hoping to help as many local business captains as possible. What they hadn't anticipated was the massive turnout at their first seminar: over 45 business owners came to develop and work on their advertising and networking skills. As the room kept filling in, the two hosts wondered whether there would be enough chairs in the Havelock North Community Centre. Happily, everyone found a place to sit and within minutes, attendees were hard at work on practical exercises.
The feedback, after this first of a six series, was very positive, with everyone looking forward to the next session.
Nick and John have promised that, even with more people showing up next time, all will be comfortably seated. More details can be found on this page. Free course information and material are also available to those unable to attend by signing up here.
- Expert View - KIWI SAVER TO BUY YOUR FIRST HOME Getting a deposit to buy a first home can be tricky for families. Yet for those who have contributed to the Kiwi Saver scheme for over 3 years, it may get a lot easier. First time home buyers may indeed receive funding for their deposit. And the news keep getting better as this is not a loan so won't need to be paid back. Full Story
- Tech - WHY PASSWORDS NO LONGER PROTECT YOU
Experts all agree: password technology is dead. Yet it is the only one that is still largely used to protect your most sensitive data, like access to your bank accounts or vital business information. As a business owner, there is a lot you can do to ensure the safety of your systems but as a user of other's services, what can you do to keep safe? Full Story
- Mobile - OUR APP SELECTION Our selection this month is bound to make your life easier, your business smarter... and your data much safer!
Flipboard
A free app that may very well revolutionise the way we access our news, Flipboard brings together your favourite news sources, newspapers sections, blogs, RSS feeds and even social media like Facebook, Twitter etc. Everything gets beautifully presented in a flawless magazine format. No wonder they keep receiving the highest commendations and reviews. iOS - Android
Strip
With large, mass-market multinationals and small businesses getting hacked daily, keeping the same password across all your accounts in no longer sensible. Fortunately for those of us who can't remember dozens of long strings of special characters, there is Strip, which even the best hackers have deemed safe. There is also a lite (free version) available for iOS.
Full version: iOS - Mac - Google Play - Windows
Zoho CRM
For those who have ever dreamt of automating business tasks, Zoho may very well be the ideal solution. This highly acclaimed, web-based CRM package will allow you to automatepretty much all your customers and production related issues: sales force, marketing, customer support & service, inventory, CRM analytics, workflow... Need we say more? iOS - Android
- Client Profile -
Scarlett
Securing a prime location is very important to any retail business. Scarlett, in the very heart of Havelock North, could not be better situated: between banks, cafes, food outlets and other shops, there is a lot of shopping going on in the area. Even better, the post office opposite means that people can buy a gift and send it right away. Regardless, giftware is a tough business to be in during a recession. Yet Scarlett is doing very well indeed. The secret, according to Anne Le Grys, owner and manager, resides in the careful selection of bright-coloured, high quality items, with an emphasis on functional objects. She displays them tastefully according to their shades rather than nature: experience having taught her that people often look for something to match an outfit or an interior.
"There's always a need for special gifts. Of course you can buy a present from a large retailer but here, for only a few dollars more, you will get quality, something really special" says Anne.
Yet a year ago, Anne admits that she was 'just managing' with two shops to run in Havelock and Waipukurau, plus her practice as a nurse. She knew there was a lot that needed to be done in order to really bring her business to their full potential but without any help available and an accountant whose eyes would glaze over as soon as she asked a question, her to-do list kept getting longer. She mentioned her problems to her bank manager and was henceforth referred to Nick Roberts. She hasn't looked back since.
In the last 6 months, they have arranged the sale of her Waipukurau shop, firmly establishing her in Havelock North. They have also put together a workable business plan and set up a newsletter system to keep in touch with her customers. Soon, Scarlett will also be selling online through their MYOB-powered website and Ann is looking forward to a key year in her business history.
Profits inSight is a free Newsletter for all Hawkes Bay Business Captains. Subscribing is completely obligation-free. ABAC takes its privacy and confidentiality policy very seriously. We will not share your details with anyone, for any reason, nor use them for other purposes than the ones you have subscribed to.
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Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to provide valuable, useful information in this publication, this firm and its owners, employees and contractors accept no responsibility or any form of liability from reliance upon or use of this contents. Any suggestions should be considered carefully within your own particular circumstances as they are intended for general information only.
Strip
Zoho CRM
