Business news, business advice and information for Australian SMEs | SmartCompany

It’s budget time and I can’t decide where to spend my limited dough?

andrewmedia@internode.on.net (Aunty B) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:02:29 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

I am doing my most hated task of the year (apart from sacking people), which is budgets, and I am not going to have the funds I want due to this sick economy that everyone says is booming – but it ain’t!

We want to start a business but we’re not sure what type?

andrewmedia@internode.on.net (Aunty B) — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:02:23 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

We are two women in our 50s and have teamed up to start a small business, but we don't know what's better. Do we buy a franchise, buy a business or look for an opportunity and start our own business?

I am an experienced business executive who has worked in large businesses for most of my life. My partner has successfully worked in small businesses.

Lorna, WA

Dear Lorna,

Look, in a nutshell, I would think about it like this: someone else's business is for sale because it's a dog. Now maybe that is true, maybe it isn't. But it can be a painful lesson to find out.

Buy a franchise? Look, you guys don't seem the type. Often franchisees don't know a lot about running a business and they are buying in to that experience.

Also, a franchise works best when it is owned by one person who has a large, extended family that will work in one, then two, then three franchisees for love and not much money. Shocking generalisations, but there you are.

So, if I was you, I would start your own. Pick a niche that you know a lot about, make sure everything is in a growth trend, look at how technology can transform the proposition, do your plan and Bob’s your proverbial uncle.

Be smart,

Your Aunty B

My workmates think I won't return after giving birth. Help!

andrewmedia@internode.on.net (Aunty B) — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:06:47 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

I have told my work I was having a baby and now the day is near you would think I have announced I am off to take up residence on another planet. The carry on!

We are downsizing: How do I make sure it doesn't happen again?

andrewmedia@internode.on.net (Aunty B) — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

I am struggling with a problem that I hope you can help me with. We have just had to go through a downsizing.

I’m paralysed with fear about life after my business – what am I going to do?

andrewmedia@internode.on.net (Aunty B) — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:02:23 +0000

Dearest Aunty B,

I have to make a very important decision to leave my business because I am in disagreement with a number of the key stakeholders about the future direction.

Why can’t I get results from a staff member in a remote location?

andrewmedia@internode.on.net (Aunty B) — Fri, 11 May 2012 01:28:45 +0000

Hello Aunty B!

I was hoping you could help me with a people management problem.

I am taking on a new business partner. What vows do I make?

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:55:50 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

Thank you so much for your start-up vows the other day: a great reminder even though I have been running my own business for three years by myself.

Should I stake my own money on an expansion venture?

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:48:23 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

I have a fantastic business that has had market validation, passionate managers with long experience in the industry and loyal staff.

I feel ready to take the plunge, but am I forgetting anything?

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Tue, 08 May 2012 02:01:46 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

I know this is terrible timing but I am about to take the plunge and start my own software business.

I am squeezed between kids, work and marriage. Help!

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Mon, 07 May 2012 00:47:24 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

I am pregnant with my first child and love my job, but I am looking around at all my friends and it seems impossible to have it all.

I am now head of sales. Help!

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:37:03 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

I have just been moved from the role of general manager to heading up the sales and marketing team.

How much should I be paying my accountant?

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Thu, 03 May 2012 00:37:36 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

I recently ditched my accountant of 20 years for a very big important firm at the advice of our lawyer who said we needed better skills and it would assist with things like bank finance.

My wife wants to grow fast, but I don't

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Wed, 02 May 2012 01:55:01 +0000

Hi Aunty B,

My wife and I own a car rental company.

How do I get a technophobic boss to buy computers?

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:53:37 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

I have a CEO who is a technical dill. She barely has any idea how to turn on her computer and we are constantly battling to try to teach her the basics.

My co-worker is a bald-faced liar

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

I run a large division of a big company and my problem is that I have to work closely with another head of division who is a bald-faced liar.

What am I meant to like about being CEO?

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

I have been running my own business for eight years and I loved it until about six years ago.

My director abandoned the company but now wants to come back

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:38:15 +0000

Hi Aunty B, 

I don’t know what to do. The 40%-share director of my company (I own the remaining 60%) has walked away and abandoned the company, leaving me with all her stuff ups to fix.

My staff are always on Facebook and Twitter!

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:54:05 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

I am concerned about the amount of time my staff are spending on social networks. When I walk past their desks I can see their Facebook and Twitter accounts open and they don't even attempt to close them down!

Who should run the show when my company mergers with another?

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:49:02 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

My business partner and I run a small creative agency and are starting initial discussions with another company about a merger.

I feel bad asking my employee to clean up the mess

auntyb@startupsmart.com.au (Aunty B) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Dear Aunty B,

I have recently been promoted several rungs up the ladder and now need to have a lot of meetings in meeting rooms with clients.