Successful retailing during a downturn means taking stock of your store’s appeal to the senses, providing smarter service and never, ever letting your promotional wheels grind to a halt.   Read More

There have been recent increases in business and consumer confidence in many developed economies and expectations are growing that the worst of the global financial crisis and its associated recessions may be over. However, the optimism is mixed with caution.   Read More

The average age of the workforce is steadily increasing. For employers, that means the average age of their workers is steadily increasing. Baby Boomers, who make up the majority of the workforce, are now aged 45 to 62 years. Over the next few years more and more of them will be retiring turning a trickle into a torrent. In the past new hires would be found easily enough to replace them. In the future the shortage of replacement workers from among the younger generation, the so-called Gen-Y (currently aged 16 to 31 years old), may make finding the right, or any replacement a lot more difficult.  Read More

It’s all too easy to get people offside through poor communication – the careless remark that cuts to the quick, the dismissive answer. People make mistakes in how they communicate with others all the time. Read More

Thinking about death is uncomfortable in itself - coldbloodedly sitting down and working out scenarios to deal with what will happen in the event of it actually happening is even more traumatic. That's part of the reason why succession planning goes to the bottom of the 'to do' list for most business owners. Read More

Small business owners are starting to feel the effects of the credit drought. Many may already have experienced disappointment with a loan application. Meanwhile unexpected needs for a cash injection keep coming up such as a delivery vehicle breakdown or an opportunity to pick up some normally expensive office equipment or machinery at a good price. With credit getting tighter and credit card charges going up, who can a cash strapped owner turn to for a loan? Read More

Well, the Credit Crunch is well and truly at our door. Read More