What to do if the price tag isn’t right
It’s a retailer’s worst nightmare, and a delight for consumers – realising a pricing error has underpriced goods for sale.
It rarely happens, but if it does strike your business, here are...
Money: Brighter NZ banknotes hit the streets
Have you noticed that your cash till is looking a bit different? It could be that you’ve already received some of New Zealand’s new banknotes.
New $5 and $10 notes started to be released by the...
How to avoid estimating mistakes for large projects
Inaccurate estimations can cause drawbacks in the process of important projects. An electrical contractor who ends up buying more materials than is truly needed, for example, might waste a lot of...
Money musts before you die
It might be hard to imagine now but what if something were to happen to you? Would your loved ones be taken care of or would they face a tough financial future?
The greatest gift you can leave your...
Tackling China? Be prepared!
While New Zealand businesses are getting far more savvy about doing business in Asia, some are still learning the hard way that it can be tricky, particularly in China.
Getting your invoice right
Having well structured and timed invoices is essential to getting your invoices paid (and paid on time).
INFOGRAPHIC: How to stack the odds of getting paid on time in your favour
Running a business is a high stakes game, afterall it’s your livelihood… it’s you that has to pay the mortgage / rent and put food on the table. Getting invoices paid on time (or at all) is an...
New Zealand’s commodity obsession stands in the way of innovation success
The recent slump in dairy prices once again reminds us how vulnerable the New Zealand economy is to price fluctuations for commodity products. Of course animal protein is particularly susceptible...
According to 3 successful business owners this is the one thing you need to succeed
According to the Small Business Association, about half of all new small businesses survive five years. And only about 33 percent survive ten years or more. Having a solid plan in place to manage cash...
Keeping your finances in shape
Having spent years as a fitness instructor and in financial services, there are many lessons I’ve learned from keeping in shape and living a healthy lifestyle that can be transferred to managing...
Money tips for your next holiday
The cost of travelling overseas can quickly add up so it pays to know some tips and tricks so you can avoid being ripped off on exchange rates and unnecessary fees as well as get a better deal on your...
Capitalising on China’s e-commerce market by minimising risks
The recent New Balance case should be a big wake up call for Kiwi companies exporting to Asian markets, especially those capitalising on e-commerce to do so.
Online payment options
As a customer, you want the payment process to be easy and as a business, you naturally want to get paid. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to consider what options you give your customers.
Are late payments crippling small businesses?
Small businesses have it tough within their industries, especially in the months and years before they have gained a foothold in the marketplace with a dedicated customer base. They have to develop...
U.S. Retailers: Here’s Why You Need to Switch to EMV ASAP
Over the past two years or so, retailers and payment processors in the United States have been buzzing about the country’s shift to EMV, a more secure payment standard for credit and debit cards....
Is it Legal to Charge Sales Tax on Shipping and Handling?
In a nutshell: It is legal and required in some states to charge sales tax on shipping and handling charges. Some states require sales tax on delivery charges only in special cases and some don’t...
Debt doesn’t have to be a dirty word: leveraging debt in your business
In personal finance, debt is almost always the enemy. Sure, you might take on a loan for school or a house or vehicle. But even then the best policy is to pay it off as quickly as possible. This is...
How to get paid faster
Invoicing clients should be fun - it’s the final step between your hard work and hard cash! But often it’s a stressful process filled with friction and sometimes fiction!
Float – The simple cashflow forecasting tool for businesses
Float is an online cash management and forecasting tool that helps you manage your business and keep on top of your cash flow. By projecting your future cash in the bank it’s easier to make the...
How to reduce your risk of bad debtors, starting today
Talk to any credit control expert and they’ll tell you the sooner you follow up an overdue invoice the better. You’ll not only get paid sooner, but you’ll also send a clear signal to your...
Don’t panic! Timely advice on China’s $ 3.2 trillion stock market crash
The sudden decline in stock values in China is alarming, but the outcome may not be as hard on New Zealand as some people fear. Johnathan Chen, Head of James & Wells' Asia Division, explains.
How to Discount in Retail: 5 Tips for Running Sales Without Killing Your Profits
Discounting is one of the most popular (and arguably among the most effective) ways to drive sales.
Are You Selling All The Hours You’re Paying For?
If you employ people to provide services to customers, it’s vital to manage the hours invoiced to customers compared to those you pay to staff. Reason being, the differential is potential lost...
Summer Budget: What it means for UK small business
Chancellor George Osborne announced a tough Summer Budget yesterday in an effort to turn the UK’s whopping £70 billion deficit into surplus. But what does it all mean for UK small businesses?
...
How to boost profits using behavioural science
Setting a price for your product or service can be difficult to get right. We think we’re rational when we assess the value of something. But there’s actually a lot of factors, including the...
Creating a Cash Flow Forecast
A cash flow forecast is a key management tool for businesses. This video will show you how you can use the Cash Summary report in Xero to quickly create a cash flow forecast in Excel for your...
3 Ways to Help Your Small Business Get Cash Flow Positive Fast
No matter how innovative, sought after or profitable your small business may be, without cash in the bank, you’re going to face some serious struggles.
Is Revenue A True Predictor Of Success?
“Success.”
Typically defined as: ‘the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.’ (1)
Success means a lot of different things to different people. Success may mean wealth, or it may mean...
Are your savings going backwards?
Have you ever thought you were doing something good for yourself only to find out it was having the reverse effect? Like having a caffeine-hit only to end up in an even bigger slump, or dry-cleaning...
Your alternative options to the First Home Saver Account (FHSA)
The end of the first home saver accounts (FHSA) scheme means Australians who have put their money into the FHSA have lost a great vehicle to build up their savings.