Small business management?

[ducatilover]

At the course I did years ago, the future was only ever talked about unfavorably....like the failure percentages within the the first two years.

Yup, failure rate is pretty high but, I won't be falling i to debt if it happens, I'm not far off the equipment base I'll need and I currently have no debts to show for it

If I was to purchase a business vehicle, how is that done? I already own a cage, how do I make that a business asset/car/whatever you call it? (Cage owes me nothing, quite seriously)

[bogan]

Also yes, Am I dreaming? I find myself agreeing with you!

yhp.co.nz is the only one I'll use. Of course, being my son-in-law makes it a no-brainer cost-wise. However he is one of only three or four in the world that we can find who know what he knows. A lot of people can do you a website according to your budget, but if you want to grow, Rudy is about the best.

For a reference, just ask John at James Blond Car Rentals, www.jamesblond.co.nz as an example of what he can do. John's business has quadrupled in four years from one of the little guys to one of the biggest and he has been having to import his own vehicles by the shipload to keep up with growth. Rudy scratch built the website.

If he does scratch built websites, he isn't what Doug needs. Focusing on a service rather than a product means the site can be a lot simpler; example work done, possibly rough price estimates (or just what the work done examples cost), work capabilities, contact details, maybe a few other things. The key here is a good landing page, beyond that he doesn't need any fancy databases or shopping cart things. Simple adaption of a template site is going to be the most cost effective I reckon.

[ducatilover]

Answer all email quickly
Under promise over deliver
Communicate clearly so that people are under no false illusions and get what they expect or more
Customer service is a pleasure not a hindrance
Don't spend money on shit you don't need for example computers
Employ Indians or Chinese they are cheap,

Stephen

This is something I can take care of.
Fortunately computers will never be an issue, get high quality gear from my brother, the family computer nut.

[ducatilover]

If he does scratch built websites, he isn't what Doug needs. Focusing on a service rather than a product means the site can be a lot simpler; example work done, possibly rough price estimates (or just what the work done examples cost), work capabilities, contact details, maybe a few other things. The key here is a good landing page, beyond that he doesn't need any fancy databases or shopping cart things. Simple adaption of a template site is going to be the most cost effective I reckon.

I have a mate in that business and many others whom are capable of helping there

[Zedder]

At the course I did years ago, the future was only ever talked about unfavorably....like the failure percentages within the the first two years.

Well, the course I did a few years ago talked about Positive Mental Outlook = Other Peoples Money, among other things.

[unstuck]

you can do as much "real" work as you like, but unless you invoice it, and get paid for doing it, you're not actually doing work (in the sense of effort begets reward) you are playing.

my advice. talk to an accountant.

I get paid rather well for doing what I do thank you, and my wife does rather a good job with the paper work. And I have heaps of time left for playing too.

[Akzle]

GST periods are like smaller versions of the tax year and you offset the GST paid on purchases and expenses against the GST made on sales. This period I may not be able to offset enough as I am expecting a rather large order from a customer, equal to my average turnover for the period. I'd have to buy something substantial to offset it.

you have the option to do GST returns less frequently. do it, i've yet to meet the government guy who can be bothered going through 100 boxes of faded, coffee stained receipts and used hypodermic needles. second option, give me your car for 5$ and a bag of chips.

If I was to purchase a business vehicle, how is that done? I already own a cage, how do I make that a business asset/car/whatever you call it? (Cage owes me nothing, quite seriously)

post shop. register it. you may need to be GST registered for this to get a number to put in a box (there's lots of that if you deal with teh govt.) register it under your name, but ensure the "trading as/representing" field is either your name AS A BUSINESS or your business name.

your "trading as" name can be anything. i can be bob trading as guy who paints your fence in the morning, and bob trading as guy who drinks your beer and makes passes at your incredibly good looking wife, that evening, next day, bob trading as bob smoking joints and building a deck inc.
etcetera.

[Edbear]

If he does scratch built websites, he isn't what Doug needs. Focusing on a service rather than a product means the site can be a lot simpler; example work done, possibly rough price estimates (or just what the work done examples cost), work capabilities, contact details, maybe a few other things. The key here is a good landing page, beyond that he doesn't need any fancy databases or shopping cart things. Simple adaption of a template site is going to be the most cost effective I reckon.

Of course he won't need anything like that for starters, I was just giving an example of what Rudy can do. He can also do low-end start up sites to budget.

[Maha]

Yup, failure rate is pretty high but, I won't be falling i to debt if it happens, I'm not far off the equipment base I'll need and I currently have no debts to show for it

If I was to purchase a business vehicle, how is that done? I already own a cage, how do I make that a business asset/car/whatever you call it? (Cage owes me nothing, quite seriously)

Your attitude will see that the foundations are firmly laid..

[unstuck]

Your attitude will see that the foundations are firmly laid..

Yep, I agree.

[cynna]

got a degree in accounting 18 years ago and never used it - now ive ended up doing the accounts for a mate of mine that has started a painting business in chch... bit stressful but accounting software takes care of most of the records these days. xero.com is a good one if you are looking for one to use

[Zedder]

Yup, failure rate is pretty high but, I won't be falling i to debt if it happens, I'm not far off the equipment base I'll need and I currently have no debts to show for it

If I was to purchase a business vehicle, how is that done? I already own a cage, how do I make that a business asset/car/whatever you call it? (Cage owes me nothing, quite seriously)

You're in great "shape" compared to many small business startups.

I did a course on marketing/sales when I started out but a good accountant has also worked very well for me in terms of claiming business related expenses etc.

[Akzle]

btw, the fee schedule for "bob trading as bob's start up business consultant services" runs to about 200$/word.

your invoice is in the mail.
15% discount if you pay in cash...

[Gremlin]

At the course I did years ago, the future was only ever talked about unfavorably....like the failure percentages within the the first two years.

The problem is, some people are leaders and others are followers. Ergo, some can run a business, but plenty can't. The other problem is that many think owning your own business is a wicked cool way of working a few hours, making lots of money, and basically a ticket to success.

Those that own one know far better. Most work long hours for little pay, and once the bills are paid and the tax man takes his cut, the little you're left with makes you wonder why you keep doing it...

As long as you go into it with your eyes open and goals realistic then there is no reason why you can't carve out your piece of the market. Just make very sure to invoice all customers correctly, and make sure that money comes in on time. It's very easy to spend lots, then not invoice and wonder why the bank account is empty.

[ducatilover]

btw, the fee schedule for "bob trading as bob's start up business consultant services" runs to about 200$/word.

your invoice is in the mail.
15% discount if you pay in cash...

YOu can suck my farts, I'll send you an invoice for that

You're in great "shape" compared to many small business startups.

I did a course on marketing/sales when I started out but a good accountant has also worked very well for me in terms of claiming business related expenses etc.

Am I? That's got to be an advantage
I'm bound to have a mate who is an accountant somewhere... I think one of my Cuzzies is.

The problem is, some people are leaders and others are followers. Ergo, some can run a business, but plenty can't. The other problem is that many think owning your own business is a wicked cool way of working a few hours, making lots of money, and basically a ticket to success.

Would be nice if it was that way.
The jobs I've been doing have been slightly longer in hours than one would like to admit, but, it's something I don't mind doing and I have no other commitments, so I have plenty of time on my hands.

Those that own one know far better. Most work long hours for little pay, and once the bills are paid and the tax man takes his cut, the little you're left with makes you wonder why you keep doing it...

Have a few mates working for themselves in various areas and they all agree with this, my father is self employed and works silly hours. He's doing well though

As long as you go into it with your eyes open and goals realistic then there is no reason why you can't carve out your piece of the market. Just make very sure to invoice all customers correctly, and make sure that money comes in on time. It's very easy to spend lots, then not invoice and wonder why the bank account is empty.

I'm trying to get the eyes open as well as I can