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Rene Truter Articles

Guest post by: Rene Truter

Some pointers when choosing a business partner - Click To Read Article
Some hints and tips for choosing an appropriate business partner

Keep your credit record squeaky clean - Click To Read Article
At one time or another, you will probably have to apply for a loan or overdraft to expand your business, buy equipment or finance some other aspect of your operations. This is when having a good credit history becomes very important.

Your employees are the first impression - Click To Read Article
A major aspect of doing good business is that all-important "competitive edge". But don't look too far afield for ways to do this. Your biggest selling point could be the face your business presents to the outside world, and most often, that would be your employees.

Take your business to GREENer pastures - Click To Read Article
"Going green" is not just the latest buzzword being thrown around by various industries. As South African consumers (and potential international customers) become more environmentally aware, it makes good business sense to take your company into the era of environmental consciousness. Depending on what kind of operation you have, this may even be a matter of legislation.

Know where to cut costs - Click To Read Article
The most obvious strategy for staying in the black during tough economic times is to control costs. But how do you know where to cut down without compromising on the quality of your products and the efficiency of your business?

Business Blues - consider your risks - Click To Read Article
Successful businesses depend on proper business planning and proper management. But things do go wrong and such unfortunate events, beyond anybody's control, will cripple a business. There must be contingency plans in place to decrease areas of risk.

Choosing the right name for your business - Click To Read Article
It's amazing how few entrepreneurs put thought and research into naming their business. There are certain guidelines to follow to ensure you not only choose a good name, but that there won't be negative consequences for your choice. These are the rules for naming a company in South Africa.

Organisation structure and job specifications - Click To Read Article
It's important that in any business, people know what everyone's roles and responsibilities are. Developing your organisational structure is best done by drawing an organogram that can help you visualize your staffing structure.

Questions to ask yourself when selecting a business - Click To Read Article
If you're thinking about starting your own business, there are a few points you have to ponder before you can even start the process.

Brush up on your Business Etiquette - Click To Read Article
Business etiquette involves more than eating with the right fork or leaving a suitable tip. It's about generally acceptable, courteous and respectful behaviour. Of course, this changes over time, and varies in situations and between cultures. But there are general guidelines for any business situation.

Buying a property for your business - Click To Read Article
If you're thinking about buying commercial property, knowing the ins and outs of buying in this sector will ensure that you make a sound investment with both short and long-term rewards.

Young entrepreneurs – do you have what it takes? - Click To Read Article
The fact that the SME sector is a tough industry to break into does not seem to deter the average young entrepreneur. But are big ideas, determination, passion and the will to succeed enough to be a truly successful entrepreneur or could your age and a lack of higher education be your downfall.

To expand or not to expand? - Click To Read Article
While many small businesses are struggling to keep head above water, others are considering expansion to take advantage of the opportunities that are still out there. If this is you, there are a few things to think about before going this route.

Pitching your business idea to potential investors - Click To Read Article
Before you approach the bank or other form of financier to fund your start-up or business expansion, you need to be sure that you've done your research and have confidence in your Business Plan. You then need to prepare and practise your business pitch.

Moving your business to cyberspace - Click To Read Article
With the ever-growing world of online communication, at some point or another you may decide to establish a presence on the Internet. It is however, important to first make the distinction between the Internet and the World Wide Web and whether or not having a presence in cyberspace will benefit your business.

Make sure your website is a good one - Click To Read Article
Your website can be an important marketing tool for your business, so if you're about to launch one or are updating your existing site, here are some good tips for what makes or breaks a website.

Assessing your company's financial position - Click To Read Article
If you're not so clued up about the accounting and financial side of your business, you may not realise how an in-depth financial analysis can benefit your company. Learn how to get the most out of your financial information.

Breathe new life into your business - Click To Read Article
You wouldn't be an entrepreneur if you didn't have vision, were afraid to take risks or prepared to let things stay the way they are. So why start now? The world may be in economic crisis, but one man's problem is another man's opportunity.

Alternative ways to market your tourism business - Click To Read Article
As the owner of a small tourism operation, you have to ensure that your lodge/transport service/recreational activity is the option of choice for local and overseas visitors. Partnering with a related organisation may be an effective way to get your name out there and do good business throughout the year.

Who is your customer? - Click To Read Article
Marketing is not about chasing any customer at any given price. You have to decide which groups of customers (called segments) are most attractive to the business and are most likely to boost profits.

Using social medial to market your business - Click To Read Article
You may have heard this phrase being bandied about, but aren't quite sure what it means or how it can be of use to your business. Let's demystify the online world of social media.

Selling your product or service - Click To Read Article
With new businesses opening all the time and consumers getting more and more demanding, it's inevitable that you will have to compete with similar ventures for business. So how do you get and maintain that competitive edge?

Simple tips for marketing your business - Click To Read Article
Marketing your business is one of the most important things you can do to ensure its success. This may sound obvious to you, but many entrepreneurs who are specialists in their own fields find themselves stumped when it comes to marketing.

How to network effectively - Click To Read Article
Don't underestimate the value of face to face networking to make yourself and your company visible, but no matter how outgoing your personality, you have to have a clear strategy when attending these networking events.

What makes a good project manager? - Click To Read Article
For any project to run smoothly and produce the desired outcomes it has to be lead by someone who can bring all the elements - and people involved - together to work towards achieving a common goal. This person is called the Project Manager.

Protect your company's sensitive information - Click To Read Article
While technology and the Internet has made it possible for SMEs to compete with their big brothers and do business with anyone from Cape Town to Canada, it also makes us vulnerable to a whole new type of criminal. If left unchecked, these digital thieves can cause irreparable harm to a small business and even lead to its downfall.

When to call in an expert to help start or manage your business - Click To Read Article
Many entrepreneurs get professional advice to help start their business and with various aspects of their day-to-day operations. These services often come at a high price, so how does one know if it's really necessary?

Successfully selling your product or service - Click To Read Article
You may not see it this way, but no matter what type of business you operate, you will have to sell. Whether you are selling your product, your service or simply your company's reputation, you have to be good at it to guarantee the long-term success of your enterprise.

Happy Employees = productive employess - Click To Read Article
As the owner of a small business, you may wonder what your employees' emotional or mental health has to do with you. Well, not only does an employee's mental frame of mind impact directly on his or her ability to perform, but also on your organisational productivity and profitability.

Finding a female mentor - Click To Read Article
It's no secret that women think and behave differently to the not-so-fair sex and it's no different when it comes to business. It's one reason why you may want to consider finding for a female mentor.

Buying a Business – what should you be looking for? - Click To Read Article
Buying a business seems to be an easy way to enter the business world. However, it can be hazardous if you do not know your way around the financial figures or legal aspects. Remember, buy only where you have skill to manage and develop the business.

Finding better work/life balance - Click To Read Article
Running a small business usually means your working day is almost never a nine to five affair. While this is the fate of most entrepreneurs, it's important that you strike a balance between being on top of everything at work, spending time with your family and getting some much needed rest and relaxation.

Thinking of becoming a momtrepreneur? - Click To Read Article
Many mothers are hesitant to become entrepreneurs because they're afraid of the many risks involved and that it will do their family life more harm than good. These are valid concerns, but there are also good reasons for why starting a business may do exactly the opposite.

Setting goals for your employees - Click To Read Article
When it comes to setting targets for the financial year, most SMEs think "operations, growth, expansion, profits" and so on. These are all necessary elements of successful planning, but what about setting goals for your employees? Is it necessary, and if so, where do you start? This article can be used as a guide for individual goal-setting and measuring achievement.

Collecting debt from your clients - Click To Read Article
Not being paid on time for your products or services can do serious harm to your cash flow, and your business. So here are some pointers to help you implement an effective debt collection process.

Asking yourself the right questions when selecting a business - Click To Read Article
When you're thinking about starting your own business, you have some soul-searching to do before you settle on what type of company to start.

Project management in a small business - Click To Read Article
Before you dismiss the idea of project management as something that only big companies do, think again. No matter how small your venture, implementing effect project management processes can ensure things get done quickly, on time and of the highest quality. Now who doesn't want that for their business?

Positive Cash Flow leads to success - Click To Read Article
Ensuring a steady cashflow is essential to your company's success. Implementing effective controls over money coming in and money going out can help a business to generate substantial wealth.

Do you need a mentor? - Click To Read Article
When it comes to finding accurate information about starting or running a business, it can be hard to know who to ask or where to look. Reading the articles on this website are a very good place to start, but it can be even more valuable to find an expert who can give you face-to-face advice.

Setting up a home office - Click To Read Article
Having a home office may be an attractive option if you're running a small "one-man show" or starting out small with a view to expand once the business is off the ground. There are, however, some practical issues to consider before you start setting up your office.

Tips when looking for business premises - Click To Read Article
One of the things you have to think about carefully when starting or buying a business is where it is or will be housed. There are many factors that will influence your decision, but let's look at the most important issues to get you in the right frame of mind.

Tips for marketing your home-based business - Click To Read Article
A good marketing plan is vital to the success of your business. When you're running your business from home, it's often overlooked or you just don't know how to go about doing it. Marketing your home-based business is not as hard or as scary as it sounds.

Is your business feasible? - Click To Read Article
Before you can start a business you must be reasonably sure that the business is feasible. One also needs to be certain of the resources required to start the business and then continue managing the business profitably. This article will guide you through the process of conducting a feasability study.

Keep your employees motivated - Click To Read Article
Keeping up your staff morale is important whether things are going well or not so great with your business. Motivated employees make for better business all around. Let's look at various ways you can keep your employees motivated.

Being assertive is good for business - Click To Read Article
Not everyone knows how to be assertive, that is, being confident and firm without being aggressive. It is especially useful in the working environment, as greater assertiveness can help to get the best out of yourself and your people, yielding returns in all areas of your business. Assertiveness encourages those who are shy or less vocal to become more involved, and helps the more extrovert or volatile to fine tune their dealings with customers, suppliers and colleagues. An assertive person is a positive, resourceful presence in your business.





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