STARTING A BUSINESS

BEING A LEADER

When you're starting a business, leadership is essential. Read tips on what it takes to be an entrepreneur, defining your vision and goals, and staying motivated while you develop your new business. Plus, learn the importance of decision-making, sharing your vision with staff, and successful strategies for managing your people in the all-important start-up phase.

The opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and not those of Optus. The articles on this website contain general information only and are not intended to be relied on as legal, financial or professional advice. Readers should seek their own advice based on their specific business [or personal] needs.

Passion - the main ingredient to business success

To build a great business it's important you have passion to make it work.

Why women should aim for the top

A bright, young woman in her late 20s told me recently she was very confused about her path. She and her friends wanted to be successful but did not necessarily want "careers". "We can't have it all," she says

Leadership builders

The greatest builder I've ever dealt with was a natural born leader. Well, that was what I thought until the day I actually confronted him with his stand-out qualities.

From executive to chairman, director and beyond

So you think you can lead? David Mortimer AO, one of the nation's most respected business leaders, has climbed the corporate ladder and knows the strategies behind great leaders.

Service your strengths and weaknesses

Some small business owners decide not to take on staff because they don't think they can lead. They convince themselves they will not be able to inspire staff, or in some cases, keep them under control.

Turning up the heat in the kitchen

If necessity is the mother of invention, then opportunity is the father of the entrepreneur - as a business leader you have to harness opportunity to grow your business.

Are the Boring Bits of Business Costing You Money?

If you look at Australia's Top 10 companies you'll see 4 banks, 2 miners, 1 insurer, 1 Telco, 1 supermarket and a hardware chain. Their products aren't all that glamorous but what do they do really well that makes them successful?

Local leadership

Many regional businesses overlook their key strength - locality. Yes, being an effective leader means rising above restrictions and barriers, whether they be financial, social or even geographical, to push your team to excellence - but for many in re

Service your leadership

A major complaint I hear all too often from many business owners is they don't believe they are leaders. They say they don't have the ability or skills to front up to bad seeds in the business, instead giving in to them so as to avoid a confrontation

The right way to lead in retail

reat trade businesses are headed up by great leaders who create a positive work environment, instil a productive work ethic and who put time and money into training their staff. Regardless of whether you're a manager of a national retail chain store,

Mind the gap

The Ned Montarello story is one for the small business textbooks where an entrepreneur saw a neglected market, thanks to the hardnosed attitudes of the banks, and then linked it to one of greatest threats to business success -- cash flow.

Great leadership is key

One of the greatest challenges for business owners in the modern era is Gen Y staff. Right? Wrong. The greatest problem for business owners belly aching about the under 30 worker is their own leadership.

Life in the fast lane

This age of technology is allowing many of us to run a business from home. And this social and economic trend is not heading for any dead-end. In fact, it's taken the turn-off for the fast lane.

Effective selling

It makes it much easier to sell to a customer if you know what they want. Here are some tips about getting to know your customer

Stories of business growth

Success leaves clues, and the winning story of a guy called George Holman - who went from garbage trucks to health clubs to running a multi-million-dollar automatic billing business - is one worth noting.

Tips for improving leadership

Leadership skills are a necessity if you want to start your own business.

Business leaders are decision makers

When you're in business, the most important thing to do is to make decisions, which means taking a risk. Sitting on the sideline will get you nowhere.

What keeps you awake at night?

What keeps you awake at night? Many people who have started a business spend nights tossing and turning worrying about business. I've certainly done it. Do others worry as much as we do?

Leaders need clear goals and vision

Having answers to the most important questions to determine the success of your business should be your key aspiration. But I reckon knowing the right questions to ask is more important. After all, you can always pay an expert to help you.

Zen and the art of business

Twenty years ago if you tried to talk to business people about being in The Zone you were talking to a brick wall.

Doing business the right way

Being on top of your business means having a vision. As Sir Isaac Newton once said: "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."

Leaders only have themselves to blame

Over the years talking to some of the greats of business who have created household name business - the people behind these organisations never tell me the truth, the whole truth, when explaining how they grew their respective businesses.

Think like a manager

Managing a small business demands that you develop not only a whole new set of skills, but also a completely different way of using existing skills.

Think big

Am I being foolish to think big? Great advice goes simply like this: 'Never be afraid to dream big.' The same goes for your business, and a smart way to make it happen is to aspire to make your business world-class.

Core of success

What is at the core of successful small businesses? There are about 20 things business builders nail on the way to constructing superb operations. However, for those who like to keep it simple, these can be reduced to three big 'must haves'.

The secret weapon

The Secret Weapon: Success in life comes down to attitude.

The spirit of Australia

It is important for entrepreneurs to play an active role in the growth of their business.

New kids have guts

Starting a business can be daunting, but with confidence in what you have to offer, you business can flourish.

Mind your F's and P's

Just imagine how you could boost your business if you really became objective about all of your weaknesses and then did something about them.

May the force be with you

Success is a function of two major forces. The first is the most important and it is all about what's inside you.

Simply the best

There are a range of qualities that a good leader must possess. Here are some tips to be the best leader you can be.

Leading ingredient

One of the most important characteristics of a business owner is the ability to be a leader.

The Rockefeller habits

Running a business requires good leadership and a great team to make it work.

Employers and employees

Anyone can be a leader of a business, but showing great leadership is what makes the difference.

"You know it don't come easy"

Here are some tips to consider before you start a business, and to help your business grow in the future.

Thicker than water

What does it take to be a leader? Ensure you are committed to the position and be prepared.

What makes a leader?

While a major part of being a leader is about inspiring others, you also need to be a great listener and be able to learn from mistakes.

Be the best

To become the best leader, you have to learn from the best. What characteristics make a great business leader?

A cut above the rest

If you want your business to succeed, it's important that you know how to lead. Learn from the best.

Lead The Way

If you think you aren't a leader, you need to read about, develop and apply leadership skills more than anyone else.

Wired for sound

In order to grow your business, great leadership is essential. If you've relaxed with the inflight entertainment on a Qantas flight, then you've enjoyed the efforts of Rob Lynch and his company.

RECENT ARTICLES

10 lessons from the dotcom bust

March marks a decade since the beginning of the end for the dotcom bubble. On March 10, 2000, the technology-heavy NASDAQ sharemarket index peaked at 5048.62 - double its valuation of a year earlier

The entrepreneurial factor

Leadership is one of the most important ingredients when it comes to growing a business. It's also crucial to take lessons from other great entrepreneurs on board.

Switzer's Hint

This is a bit of lateral thinking from Henry Ford on who employees work for: "It is not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It is the customer who pays the wages."