Is your business locked in competition warfare, defending a position that costs you blood, sweat and profit? That’s the red ocean: a race where every win costs you more and every race is ultimately to the bottom. It’s red because there’s blood in the water. Now imagine clear blue waters—an ocean of...
The Role of a Family Business Advisor
“Why,” said Greg, “should we invite an outsider into our family discussions about our business plans?” It’s a fair question, on the face of it. And yet it misses the point. Greg and his family were preparing to navigate a major transition in their business; and they assumed that...
Innovation: The Regions’ Secret Sauce
Australia’s regions have always been hotbeds of innovation, driven by a blend of necessity, resourcefulness, and a keen understanding of local needs. From the stump-jump plough to one-of-a-kind tourism experiences, regional businesses consistently break new ground. Today, change is accelerating, and innovation isn’t just an option – it’s...
So-Called Non-Profits
Our world would stop without the not-for-profit groups. Literally, our regional communities and local economies depend on a small army of good people, mostly organised in non-profit associations (NFPs), to deliver a huge range of essential services. Aged care, childcare, disability services, youth services, public safety and emergency response, health,...
Synergy in Business
Have you read Stephen Covey, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People? Perhaps the most quoted (and mis-quoted) book title ever. If only it were read half as often as it’s mentioned! The sixth habit is “synergise”. Covey provides his own paraphrase for synergy: creative cooperation. It’s the crowning achievement...
Isolation in Business
Isolation in Business It can be a very lonely gig, being in business for yourself. I know, I’ve been down that rabbit-hole. You can feel your energy and creativity drain away, until you are left with nothing but struggle. It doesn’t have to be like this; in fact, it should not be...
Pride of Place
Isn’t it fantastic to be a regional business owner? Sometimes we get bogged down in the challenges and we limit our own horizons. But here’s an invitation: lift up your eyes, and join me in celebrating what we have here! Local Connections. Regional businesses benefit from strong relationships with customers, high...
How to Leave Your Business
The end of the year. For some, the end of 12 years of school, or 3-4 years of Uni, or some other big chunk of calendar time that has dominated their life. As you reflect on endings, you would do well to reflect: What about the end of my involvement...
Deep Listening
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I was handed a shit sandwich. It was a software project for a government department, central to their mission, and it was months late, over budget, and not yet doing anything useful. The list of problems was getting longer, not...
Grant Thornton – Rehabilitating the Third Generation
Grant Thornton Australia just released their 2023 family business survey, called Future-Proofing Your Family Business. It’s a very relevant title, because so many of the benefits of the family business model depend on longevity – the ability to take a “patient capital” view of business investments; the ability to create...