Ask any business owner to nominate the most frustrating thing about running their business and cashflow quickly comes up in the conversation. Running any business successfully entails maintaining a positive cashflow. Even in the most buoyant economy, let alone one that’s floundering, cashflow can be a challenge. Considering the poor current financial climate we asked debt collection expert MICHAEL TODD to share his tips on creating positive cashflow.
Collecting overdue accounts can be a major issue for small to medium businesses but the impacts of not staying on top of debtors can be devastating. As a small business operator you are under no obligation to extend credit. After all, payment is expected at the time when an airline flight or a hotel room is booked and if any small business chooses they can do likewise. There is no need in the current economic climate to be exposed to the risk of bad debts. But if you are extending credit and chasing slow payers you will find these tips very helpful. Read the rest…
Contributed by
Lynette Palmen.
Lynette Palmen AM is the Founder and Managing Director or Women's Network Australia. She started WNA 20 years ago to offer support, inspiration and services that would inspire women to succeed in their career and business endeavours. WNA is now the Nation's premier networking organisation for business and professional women. T: 1800 052 476.
This week-end the Government will receive the Productivity Commission’s recommendations on Maternity Leave. It appears that after all the carry-on about this idea it’s not going to even get a look-in as part of the May Budget.
It seems the Nation is not in an economic position to implement it – well the Government had heaps of time to think about accommodating this one before giving away $12 billion of the surplus to many people who don’t actually need it. Maternity Leave payments would have achieved the same outcome – women spending money in retail outlets in preparation for the birth of their baby. It’s not rocket science. And in anycase wasn’t the Government funding for the recommendations of the Commission going to be mostly funded by a revamp of the current Baby Bonus package? Read the rest…
As most Members are aware, we held grave fears for the safety of WNA Member Denise McCann from Women of Wine who had not been heard of following the complete destruction of her family property in the fires that ripped through Steel’s Creek last Saturday.
I am so very pleased to be reporting that, although traumatised and in a state of shock, Denise has been located alive. On Thursday I had the opportunity to speak with her personally about her amazing escape by car – it’s a drive none of us should ever have to make.
During this call I relayed to Denise that she has the support and prayers of all WNA Members nationally. I pledged my personal support by way of a $500 cash donation which I told her would be used to kick off a WNA fund aimed to support her most immediate needs. If, in addition to the donations you have already made to the public appeals, you can manage to make a donation to Denise, please read here for details on how to go about it. You will see that on this page at our site you can also leave Denise a message of care and support. Read the rest…
I have received hundreds of emails agreeing with my lack of enthusiasm for the Government’s proposed stimulus package. The consensus of opinion is that one off bonuses are not the way to go, but rather a combination of infrastructure projects, tax cuts and one off payments going only to those crippled by the economic fallout. In other words, much stricter means testing. There’s a definite trend unfolding and this is that we’ve had it with Governments who can only see as far as the next election.
You don’t need to be an economist to know that sinking money into infrastructure will create jobs and bring life back to many of the regional areas currently hurting. I know I want a Government who’s willing to take responsibility for the next 20 – 30 years, not just the next 3 months. Any bonuses handed out by Governments should only be given to those in most need. I just find it hard to comprehend that many of the people I know will, at the minimum, each receive at least $950 – whilst on any given Saturday evening dining out in the city they will pass homeless people sleeping in the streets. Read the rest…
How insignificant the economic woes of the Nation become when one considers the tragedy that’s unfolding in Victoria. Today you would be hard pressed to find anyone anywhere in the country complaining about their loss of employment or weeping over the hit they’ve taken on their investment or superannuation funds. It’s a sobering time for all of us and we should take the opportunity to work through what we truly value and the things we hold close to our hearts.
In life the best laid plans often come undone and none of us are ever privy to what’s around the corner, even for the Nation. In saying this, I hope the Federal Government has the vision to revisit the use of the country’s current surplus through their $42 billion stimulus package. Can’t we drop it back by $5 – 10 billion and, as of today, make the Nation’s top spending priority caring and supporting Australians who, over the last 48 hours, have found themselves displaced, homeless or mourning the loss of loved ones? I know where I would rather see any bonus I am entitled to channelled. How do you feel?
