Innovation. Governance. Succession planning. Absolutely key to long-term family business success, and all getting a big red X in PwC’s latest survey of the sector. The survey shows the blame lies not with interest rates, the competition or government policy. The obstacles are internal: poor governance, risk aversion, under-investment in digital tools. Seventy percent of […]
Family Business: Walking the Talk? Read More »
“That [course/conference/membership] is a bit expensive,” said a million business owners. But what if you flip it and view it as an investment? Costs and investments both show up in your P&L, but they are totally different in meaning. Costs are for essentials, like rent, fuel or electricity. Investments build capability and expand your options.
Personal Development: Investment or Cost? Read More »
This season reminds us that lighting one small candle of kindness makes the world a brighter place. My own favourite way to do that is Kiva. Kiva is a micro-lending service for people who would not have access to fair finance. Too often their only option is predatory loan sharks. It’s inspired by Grameen Bank, whose founder, Muhammad Yunus, won a Nobel Peace Prize. There’s a lot to like about Kiva: We’re very fortunate in regional WA, and we
Season of Giving: Kiva Read More »
Here’s something real. People actually want better coaching from their leaders, and most leaders feel unprepared to give it. Our Bunbury CEO Round Table had a very frank conversation with an accomplished executive coach. He has walked in his client’s shoes, as a former executive in the industry he now serves. He is soft-spoken, realistic and practical, a little self-deprecating about the important work he does. And he has got evidence. According to research
A Coaching Culture Read More »
Here’s two important facts about non-profits: In the regions, but also in the capitals, non-profits or NFPs are supporting kids, young people, parents, those living with disability, elders, veterans, women, men, and basically all of us. They supply education, safe spaces, housing, advocacy, social connection, advice, emergency response, wildlife rescue, and every kind of helping hand. Without them, our communities would cease to function. And their boards, committees and governing bodies are rich in wonderful, committed human beings who
Governance of Non-Profits: Good Intentions are not Enough Read More »
Is Family Business Even a Thing? For many regional Australians, a family business is just the default way they put bread and cheese on the table. Where jobs are few and families work together, family business is normal and natural. The family farm, the general store, the partnership running a trade or contracting business, the biggest independent brewer in the country… Across all sizes
Is Family Business Even a Thing? Read More »
“We should view this as a contract, as the company’s commitment on how it will behave.” That was a quiet bombshell dropped into the conversation recently. We were having a very honest discussion with a group of key client staff, about taking major strategic growth opportunities without destroying the reason so many good people want to work there. We were doing the hard work on strategy development, in
Strategy Is a Promise: Are You Keeping Yours? Read More »
Feeling trapped? Too many of the business owner-leaders we speak to can’t see their way out. The business may be profitable, they may have achieved what they set out to do, but now they find too much depends on their personal involvement. They may feel stuck, overwhelmed and (often) very alone. On the business journey, being indispensable to your business
Succession Thinking – A Way Out of the Maze Read More »
Will there be a global recession? I don’t know. I can’t foretell the future, and nor can you. But one thing we know is that sooner or later times will come that will challenge your business, perhaps to its very survival. How will you respond? How will you prepare? Here’s a clue. As a member
Business Resilience Read More »
Are you in a family business? Some of the business owners we speak to don’t even regard that as a thing. It’s just the way they do business. Others don’t see it as anything special. That’s a shame, because they are missing out on resources that specifically offer help to family business stakeholders. But first
Family Business – an Introduction Read More »
