Small business owners know how important it is to save money. They know that one day that dollar could come in handy, especially during slower times. Saving money is definitely important, but there are also things small business owners can – and should – spend their money on today. It might seem counterproductive to spend money when you want to put it in the bank – and make no mistake,… Read more
Running a business in a smaller city may mean you have a more limited talent pool to draw employees from, but it doesn’t mean you won’t have access to top notch workers. You may need to alter your recruiting strategy to show those skilled employees why they should consider working for your smaller business instead of going to a large corporation in a big city. Here are some ways you… Read more
The working environment of the past 2+ years has brought the concept of burnout to the forefront. Unexpected work-from-home situations, juggling the new normal, and mental fatigue have all contributed to the issue. Recognizing employee burnout and having a plan to address it will ensure you retain employees and keep your company healthy. 1. Ensure everyone takes their time off In an attempt to appear as though they can handle… Read more
Many entrepreneurs believe that hard work and dogged determination are all it takes to build and sustain a successful business. But when you consider the pressures of running a company, it seems wise to add effective stress-management to the list. Left unchecked, stress can erode your passion and undermine performance – not to mention, take a serious toll on your health. Research compiled by Office Vibe reveals that over 70%… Read more
Important Notice To my wonderful clients I know you’re aware of the current inflationary pressures we are all facing right now, and I’m no stranger to them in my accounting practice either. In addition to increased costs for everything, including insurance, staffing, and software, I am facing greatly increased complexity and risk in the tax world and the accounting standards world as well. I have absorbed these increased costs and… Read more
According to Google, which offers employees a course on mindfulness meditation, and Lululemon, a company that keeps a Director of Mindfulness on staff, the answer is a resounding yes. Mindfulness, as American scientist Jon Kabat-Zinn defines it, is simply “paying attention in a sustained and particular way – on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.” Research has shown that practicing mindful meditation can lead to reduced stress, lowered blood… Read more
Photo By Luis Villasmil Lack of sleep, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, paranoia and hopelessness. When asked, the average Canadian might associate these as symptoms of poor mental health. While that statement would be true, these emotions are also common symptoms of poor financial health. The relationship between one’s financial and mental health is a close one. And while over the last 10 years various initiatives, campaigns and brave individuals have… Read more
Wondering if you’re doing everything you can to boost revenue and cut costs? Or if your business is actually more profitable this year than it was last? The best way to answer these questions is with a thorough assessment of profitability. That’s where gross and net profit calculations come in. These are two of the most important metrics for measuring your capacity to generate earnings relative to costs and expenses.… Read more
The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on what’s working in your business, and to set some goals for the year ahead. As you kick back over the holidays, set aside some time to think about your recent achievements, and any current challenges. Think about your work style, too. If you’re like many small business owners, you may be guilty of bad habits that can… Read more
New Year resolutions – we’ve all made them, and broken them − often before the end of January. There’s something about New Year celebrations that makes us yearn for a fresh start, but is there a way to make that desire for change more permanent? Here’s a twist that can make your resolutions more durable, more beneficial and less prone to that embarrassing quick fade. Align goals to your business… Read more
The turn of the year usually prompts most people to think about some business planning for the year ahead. Here are some tips to make the planning more productive. Get your team involved Business planning works best when it’s a team effort. Involve your key staff and your advisors, such as your accountant (hint hint!), your mentor (if you have one), and others who can contribute meaningfully to the planning,… Read more
Solid cash flow management is vital to ensuring your business survives, but not everyone understands what cash flow is or how to manage it. That’s likely what makes it a leading cause of stress for small business owners. Cash flow refers to the movement of money into and out of your business. It’s based on the amount of money you bring in minus the amount you spend. A positive cash… Read more
We now look at eight characteristics important to successful businesses. International researchers who have studied many small businesses have found that these characteristics consistently play a part in the success of small companies. The eight characteristics are: Owners leading by Example Having a simple business structure Information sharing among employees Staff are carefully chosen Staff commitment and loyalty A unique product or service A specific Customer focus Prompt follow… Read more
Help grow your business through collaboration, expansion, improved marketing and some of the following quick tips. 1. Improve your customer service Businesses with good customer service retain consumers and attract new business through word-of-mouth. Even if you think you’re already providing good service, make it a priority to provide refresher training to frontline staff at least once a year. Alternatively, hold regular meetings to discuss any issues as they arise.… Read more
It’s one of those tricky balancing acts most business owners struggle with – how to spend as much time on their business as in their business. An accountability group can help you strategize for future growth and set goals that move your business forward. Most importantly, checking in with other people on a regular basis to report on your progress makes it much more likely you’ll take action and get… Read more
Good afternoon, The CRA has implemented a two-step verification process for authorizing a representative via Represent a Client. In order to have things run smoothly, I am asking that you take a couple minutes and make sure of a few things: Do you have a CRA user ID and password? You will need one. Are you signed up for My Business Account? During this process, make sure you have enabled… Read more
Some small business owners find themselves in the difficult position of running a business that appears to be profitable, but still having no money in the bank. It’s an important situation to address. After all, a lack of adequate cash flow is one of the main causes of small business failure. Here are three reasons profitable businesses have little money in the bank, and what business owners can do to… Read more
Good day everyone! After a summer of fitting ALL the things in, I think we are all maybe a tiny bit grateful for this return to routine and cooler weather. Bringing in the harvest from our gardens, planning and stockpiling for the cold and darker days ahead, as well as playing a bit of catch up from summer holidays is top of mind for now, but I, for one, am… Read more
Every business experiences slow periods when the market for their goods or services lessens and sales drop. Business owners might be tempted to view down times as unproductive or wasted, but there are ways you can make the most of your business during these seasons. Here are four ways to ensure this time isn’t wasted. Take a good look at your business When things are busy it gets easy to… Read more
Running a small business is hard work. Entrepreneurs know they have to put in long days and give up personal time in pursuit of success. There’s a line, however, between putting in some extra time and becoming addicted to work, and it’s important to know the difference between them. Being addicted to work—sometimes referred to as being a “workaholic”—can have serious negative consequences for your personal life and your health.… Read more