Mark Gwilliam

Why it pays to have a network of advisors – part 1

Why do you need advisors? If you’re an entrepreneur, it’s likely that your training is in a specific specialty area. You’re brimming with ideas and very good at what you do. Your major weaknesses are probably in sales, marketing, management, law, and accounting…in other words, those areas most critical to running a successful business. The […]

The business lifecycle – part 3

In parts 1 and 2, I discussed the first 4 phases of a typical business lifecycle; from its very first days to reaching maturity. In this article, the last of the series, I’ll discuss typical characteristics of a business that has developed to a stage where its owners are expanding. I’ll also discuss how to […]

Why paying attention to the “ups” and “downs” of the business lifecyle will help you – Part 2

My previous article looked at the traits of a business that has just begun, may be with just a thought, and how it moves into a start-up phase. This article looks at the next 2 phases as the business begins to take shape and grow, then reaching maturity. 3. Growth phase Your business has made […]

Why paying attention to the “ups” and “downs” of the business lifecyle will help you – Part 1

Introduction Businesses form, develop, mature, reinvent or die. Different stages of the business life cycle are associated with different risks and expectations and they may need different management styles and strategies to meet the needs of their customers. Many businesses, that live long enough, typically start with an entrepreneurial seat-of-the-pants management style, and then move […]

01/07/2007
Mark
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Hi, I am going to be taking a family holiday during school holidays on July 5 for 9 days as we head to Tonga in the South Pacific. I’m not anticipating adding any articles during this time so I’ll resume in mid-July! People keep asking me when my next 2 eBooks on “Secrets to better […]

What to look for when choosing an accountant

No matter how small your business or how terrible your cash-flow is, an accountant is one professional you cannot afford to be without. Accountants provide services that go way beyond frantic, last minute tax returns; or at least they should do. They are highly trained professionals who can be a tremendous benefit to your company. […]

How to prepare a budget

There you are, running around in small circles with deadlines to meet and bills to pay. Can you really afford the time required to produce a detailed budget? Isn’t your time better spent generating revenue? Yes and no. To paraphrase Alice and the Cheshire cat: “If you don’t know where you are going, you are […]

The ABC of keeping a book-keeping system

Book-keeping makes your paperwork easier. It provides a system that tells you – and your accountant – exactly what is going on. Whether you use a manual or computer-based system, the same principles apply. It is worth deciding if you are going to computerise your accounts at an early stage. While a traditional paper-based system […]

5 reasons why a business plan is essential for your business

A sound, well thought through, business plan is the cornerstone of any business…whether is it a start-up, growth or established business…as well as being a significant tool for monitoring the progress and growth of your company. Most people would not embark on a long journey to somewhere they have never been without finding out how […]