Perceptions My very nice Twitter friend, Elaine Clark, commented the other day: “Why is it that women are aggressive and men assertive – well that is what blokes always tell me!” I do not have that opinion (and I think Elaine had her tongue in her cheek), but it set me thinking about how perceptions…

Do you try to do everything in your business or do you confine yourself to the sharp end – your expertise? Most of my work is to do with tax; that is advising people on it or writing about it. I am comfortable within my area. I have a lot of experience. I know how…

Are you on top of your business finances, managing your cash flow, your sales takings ratio to money going out? Are your orders coming in well? Are you attracting new business? Do your staff have any issues? Are they happy? Have you asked them recently? The strange thing is that some business owners are so…

The Head Man (Director General) at the BBC, George Entwhistle, resigned not because he made an error of judgement but because his management or his employees did not keep him informed about a major mistake they had made. He then looked foolish because he had not seen what was reported through other media including both…

The high wire Most small businesses rely heavily on the boss. That’s you and I. We may have great managers upon whom we can rely when we are away, but sooner or later, we have to be available to make decisions about the big issues. However, accidents will happen, and therefore we need insurance, whether…

Perceptions My very nice Twitter friend, Elaine Clark, commented the other day: “Why is it that women are aggressive and men assertive – well that is what blokes always tell me!” I do not have that opinion (and I think Elaine had her tongue in her cheek), but it set me thinking about how perceptions…

Do you try to do everything in your business or do you confine yourself to the sharp end – your expertise? Most of my work is to do with tax; that is advising people on it or writing about it. I am comfortable within my area. I have a lot of experience. I know how…

Are you on top of your business finances, managing your cash flow, your sales takings ratio to money going out? Are your orders coming in well? Are you attracting new business? Do your staff have any issues? Are they happy? Have you asked them recently? The strange thing is that some business owners are so…

The Head Man (Director General) at the BBC, George Entwhistle, resigned not because he made an error of judgement but because his management or his employees did not keep him informed about a major mistake they had made. He then looked foolish because he had not seen what was reported through other media including both…

The high wire Most small businesses rely heavily on the boss. That’s you and I. We may have great managers upon whom we can rely when we are away, but sooner or later, we have to be available to make decisions about the big issues. However, accidents will happen, and therefore we need insurance, whether…