The Queensland Government is extending the Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program. Applications for round 2 of the program start on 1st July 2020 and if you missed out last time you know the importance of being ready.  This quick guide should answer your questions.

There's no use dreaming about what you'll spend your grant money on if you aren't eligable for the grant.  If you answer yes to the below questions you're in with a good start

• Has your business closed or been highly impacted by the shutdown restrictions announced by Queensland's Chief Health Officer on 23 March 2020?Read the Non-essential business closure direction from 23 March 2020.
• Can you show that your business revenue has declined by at least 30% due to COVID-19 for at least 1 month since 23 March 2020?
• Does your business currently employ between 1–19 staff (not including business owners)?These employees must be on your business’ payroll.
• Does your business have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) (as at 23 March 2020)?
• Is your business registered for GST?
• Did you have an annual turnover of more than $75,000 for the 2018-19 or 2019-20 financial year?If you have started your business within the last financial year, you must be able to provide financial records showing that this turnover target will be met.
• Is your payroll less than $1.3 million?
• Can you confirm that no owner(s) or director(s) of this business has ever been insolvent or an undischarged bankrupt?
• Can you confirm that your business has not been approved for funding under round 1 of the Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant program?If you have submitted an application in round 1 but not yet heard back, you are eligible to apply for round 2.
• Is your principal place of business in Queensland?

Click Here to check your eligability on the Queensland Government Website

The available grant amount is a minimum of $2,000 and up to a maximum of $10,000 per eligible small or micro business.  The funding can be used towards the following

• financial, legal or other professional advice to support business sustainability and diversification
• continuing to meet business operational costs including utilities, council rates, rent, telecommunication charges, insurance fees, licensing or franchise fees
• strategic planning, financial counselling or business coaching aligned to business development and diversification
• building the business through marketing and communications activities (e.g. content development – web pages, mobile apps, visual and audio media etc.)
• digital/technological strategy development
• digital training or re-training and up-skilling employees to adapt to new business models
• capital costs associated with meeting COVID-19 safety requirements
• specialised digital equipment or business specific software to move business operations online (e.g. logistics program for online ordering).

Grant funds can be used towards any of the above activities occurring from 23 March 2020 onwards, keeping in mind the project must be completed within a maximum of 6 months from the date of approval.

​A lot of businesses who offer any of the eligable activities will have packages available and should be able to get a quote back to you within 24 hours so get ready now. All invoices or quotes from suppliers will be checked to determine if they are genuine (e.g. supplier has as active ABN and the invoices or quotes have not been altered in any way).
These activities will not be funded under this program:

• applications with a total cost less than $2,000 – all your proposed activities or quotes and invoices must be eligible and be a total of $2,000 or more
• business costs otherwise supported by other Queensland and Commonwealth Government financial assistance measures
• salaries or wage expenses for your employees, including superannuation or WorkCover
• services delivered in-kind (grant funding will only cover services paid for via a financial transaction)
• purchase of business assets such as stock or fleet vehicles/machinery
• fees for services and/or goods provided by related parties (such as companies with common shareholdings or directorship with the applicant, and employees or immediate family of the applicant)
• direct-selling businesses (where sales of another business' goods or services are made in the customer's home, work or other meeting place through methods such as party plan and network marketing)
• goods or services purchased, or any payments made, prior to 23 March 2020.

At Altitude Busienss Solutions we have a number of different products available remembering you can have multiple quotes as part of your application. CLICK HERE to see a list of what we have to offer and request a quote.

This funding round may only be open for a short period due to demand and will close when the funding allocation is anticipated to be exhausted.
Regional Queensland and South East Queensland will have independent funding allocations and may close at different times.
If you're reading this before the 1st July 2020, get ready to apply by completing the following steps.

1. Check your eligibility to:
   • find out if you are eligible to apply for round 2
   • confirm your business location
   • subscribe to be alerted when round 2 opens.
2. Read the application guidelines, frequently asked questions (FAQs) and application tips.
3. Prepare your application and supporting documentation ready to submit when round 2 opens.

If you are reading this after the 1st July 2020 CLICK HERE to apply

If you work in an office, your day might already be planned out, with your coworkers giving you social interaction and your boss giving you accountability.
 
However, working from home is much different. How can you get work done without any of this help that you would normally receive from coworkers?
 
Try these techniques to stay motivated and be productive: 

1. Wake up early. Think of it like this: When you’re working from home, you’re still going to work, but the commute to your desk is much shorter. Set your alarm and make an effort to get up and get ready for an early start. You may find that you’re more productive earlier in the day, as your mind may be sharper.
   
2. Get dressed. However tempting it is to work in a pair of comfortable sweatpants or pajamas, you may be more productive in regular clothes.  Research has shown that how you dress sends psychological signals, so if you want to get work done, it’s important to dress appropriately.
   
3. Have your own workspace. Setting aside a regular space to work sends a signal to your brain to work whenever you’re in your workspace. Plus, having your own workspace will help keep distractions to a minimum. 
4. Create a schedule. A work schedule also helps to motivate you, get you going each morning, and be more productive while you work. With a schedule, you’ll know what to get started on the moment you sit down to work. Then, you can depend on it to guide you throughout the rest of the day.  Your schedule will depend on your own job, but, for example, if you were a blogger, you might write in the morning, before editing and posting the content in the afternoon.
   
5. Take time to exercise. Set aside some time each day to get some exercise. Regular exercise is good for both your body and mind.  Most office jobs are pretty sedentary but working from home may be even worse. After all, you only need to travel a few feet to visit the restroom. With this in mind, it’s important to ensure that you take extra care to look after your physical needs.
   
6. Reward yourself. Since you’re working from home, it would be easy to just sit in front of the television all day and not get any work done. But for obvious reasons this is not the best idea. You can bypass such temptations by using rewards to increase productivity.  For instance, you could work for two hours straight and then reward yourself with a short, 30-minute episode of your favorite show.
   
7. Go outside. Not leaving your house for days on end can negatively impact your mental health. Not only is sunlight good for your health but seeing and interacting with others is important too.  Your mood will be uplifted, and you’ll get more work done after a short break for getting out into nature and socializing with others.
   
8. Avoid social media. If you find yourself browsing Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram instead of working, you can take steps to avoid these distractions.  Try deleting these bookmarks from your browser or installing a plugin that will block you from visiting those sites.  Turning off notifications on your smartphone while you work also helps to stop distractions.

 
Working from home isn’t for everyone, but if you love the freedom of making your own schedule, then you may love it.
 
Follow these tips and you’ll be able to stay motivated, maintain discipline, and get all of your work done while working from home.

At Altitude Business Solutions we work with you to come up with solutions to your business problems and set a plan for implementation.  It all starts with our Discovery call where we will find out more about your business and discuss options for you moving forward.  For Queensland Small Business Owners we will also discuss the Government Funded Australian Small Business Advisory Services program and if your business can take advantage of discounted services.

Book your complementary 20 minute discovery call today.

More than two decades ago, the Internet shot onto the scene and changed the world as we know it. While the concept of the Internet has been around since the late 1960s, when the first electronic message was sent over the ARPANET, it wasn't until the mid-1990s that the Internet began its revolutionary impact on our culture, commerce, and technology. Since then, it has exploded with ways for people to make money online.
 
In the age of the Internet, online niche marketing has quickly become the king of the business and marketing world. Now, both business people and marketers can reach out to increasingly small groups of people to provide them with niche solutions to their problems. As the Internet, and its reach, continue to grow, the development of personalized and targeted marketing to a niche group of people is not showing signs of slowing down anytime soon. If you want to take advantage of this popular way to make money online, then you need to find your niche.
 
Finding your niche isn't without its challenges. You have to take the time to research whether or not your niche idea is viable and whether or not it will be profitable — the key to finding success with an online business if finding the perfect niche for your business. If you want to get started with an online business but don’t know how to go about finding your niche, this 5-minute guide to finding your niche can help.
 
Step One – Your Niche is What You Know
When it comes to starting an online business, there are literally hundreds, if not thousands of markets that you can choose. While you can spend a ton of time exploring the different markets and coming up with ideas for the perfect niche market, this won't guarantee that you'll be able to find success. However, if you can choose a niche topic that you are familiar with, your chances of success increase significantly.
 
Luckily, the idea for a niche market is already floating around in your mind somewhere, and the trick is finding out how to unlock the potential that you already possess inside of you. You can start your search for your niche by creating a list of everything that you are passionate about, interested in, and fascinated about. These shouldn’t be things that you’ve recently become curious about, but instead, they should be things that you've shown a strong interested in for a few years.
 
Starting an online business will be one of the most challenging things you will probably ever do in your life, so you need to choose something that you are passionate about. When you choose a niche that you have a passion for, you will have the motivation to continue working even when challenges arise. If you are finding it challenging to come up with ideas, you can ask yourself the following questions:

• How do you want to spend your time?
• What do you love to talk about all the time?
• What do you read about the most?

 
It is essential to keep in mind that at this point in the process, you're only brainstorming possible niche ideas before you move onto researching whether or not any of your ideas are viable.
 
Step Two – Identify Your Niche’s ProblemAfter you’ve compiled a list of ideas that you are passionate about, you need to work on identifying a problem that is related to the ideas. Most of the online niche businesses that you find have come from identifying the target audiences’ problems and coming up with a solution to solve their problems. Once you can identify the issues that your target audience are experiencing, you can start to think about the kind of solutions that you can provide that will address these issues. But how do you find what problems your target audience is experiencing? There are many tried and tested methods for identifying the issues within a niche market.
 
One of the easiest ways to find out what problems your target audience is experiencing is to ask them simply. Many times, the best niche ideas are identified by the target audience. You can harness these insights and knowledge of your niche market by arranging conversations and conducting focus groups to discuss the problems and present the possible solutions that are related to the niche. You can also send out surveys to gather this information.
 
Another way that you can determine the problems experienced by your niche’s target audience is by heading online. The Internet is the most useful tools that you can use to identify problems within your niche. You can start by browsing blogs and forums, like Quora, to determine the kinds of problems that people in your niche are experiencing. Social media platforms, like Twitter and Facebook, are also filled with people talking about the problems that they are experiencing, as well as raising concerns within your niche market. To inspire more ideas, check out what's trending on Twitter or look through the many Facebook groups.
 
 
 
Step Three – Know Your CompetitionWhile a part of niche marketing is trying to identifying a gap in the market that no one is currently occupying, the sad reality is that there will always be competition. In fact, competition is a good thing when it comes to being a successful Internet business because when there is competition, it means there is money to be made. 
 
For as long as people have been trying to make money online, there have always been business owners in niche marketing that believed that they were on to something huge, only to discover that the reason why there isn't any competition for their niche product is that there is no way to make a profit. That's why it is essential that you conduct some in-depth analysis of the competition in your niche.
 
You can use a simple Google search to browse the Internet for business sites within your niche market. Keep an organized spreadsheet of the different companies and details about the products, services, and market share for each of the competitors that appear in the Google search results.
 
Compete on QualityWhen you are analyzing the competition, you want to look at the quality of the product or service that they are providing. If the other players in the niche market are only producing poor-quality products, by offering a much better product to your target audience, you can beat the rest and come out on top.
 
 
 
Compete on ImageIf your competition is producing high-quality products or offering top-of-the-line services, there are other ways that you can stand out from the crowd that is a bit more subtle. For example, maybe you can strive to come across as transparent and more human-centric compared to the large corporations and faceless companies that are present in the market. Or, you might try to position yourself as a sustainable or green alternative to the competition.
 
Compete on PriceOne of the most necessary determinates of whether or not your products will sell over competitors is the price. It could be that the competition is charging too much and you can try to provide a lower price point for your product or service. Otherwise, you'll have to work to provide a higher-quality product and market your business to those in the market that are willing to pay more.
 
Understanding the competition will ensure that you stand out from the rest. By checking out your competitors, you can assess whether the niche is worth your focus and efforts.
 
Step Four – Determining if The Niche Will Make MoneyNow you've determined your niche, identified the problems of the target audience, and developed a solution, and you've done some research on the competition. Next, you need to determine whether or not the niche will be profitable. While the fact that there are other competitors in the space is an indication that there is some money to be made in the niche, you still need to conduct some further research to find out what kinds of products and services are available in your niche.
 
You can check out websites like Amazon, ClickBank, and Mix (formerly known as StumbleUpon), to find out if there are any products in your niche category. ClickBank is an affiliate marketing site, that can help you determine what digital goods, if any, are within your niche. Mix, is a site that can help you find other websites within your niche and curate those topics into sub-niches. This information can help you find out if there are other websites making money in the same niche as you.
 
If you discover another leading company in your niche, don’t let it discourage you and lead you to believe that there isn’t any hope of you succeeding in that niche. Even though Coca-Cola is a multi-billion dollar company, it hasn't stopped Pepsi from becoming just as successful in the market. While this doesn't necessarily give you too much certainty about whether or not you've chosen a profitable niche, it is more about looking for signs of profitability. The perfect outcome that you can hope for is that there are a few products available in your niche and that it isn't oversaturated with an abundance of products and services.
 
 
 
Step Five – Trial Your Niche IdeaNow you can start to trial your niche idea, to determine if your niche idea will be successful. The first four steps of the process were designed to find out if there is an audience for your niche idea, and this final step is to find out how many people there are who are willing to pay for the product or service that you are offering.
 
You can start to gather information on the interest in your niche by setting up a mailing list. This will give you an idea about whether or not you are going to find success in your niche before you take any risks and waste your time and money. You can use an online email service like MailChimp or Constant Contact to set up an email marketing campaign to test your idea.
 
Another way that you can test your niche idea is by taking pre-orders for your product or service. On your website, set up a pre-order landing page for the product or service that you are thinking about developing. This will provide you with some indication of the number of people that are interested in your niche idea. If you aren’t quite ready to take pre-orders, you can start fishing for interest in your niche by setting up a membership program to develop a direct relationship with your fans. If people show excitement for your idea and are willing to pay for it, they’ll support you.
 

While everyone might have the imagination to come up with a brilliant niche idea that addresses a target audiences’ problems, the trick and the challenge is finding a way to make a profit while doing it. The question of how you find a niche isn’t just about solving a problem, but it is ultimately about transforming it into a viable and profitable business.
 
There is really no one-size-fits-all blueprint when it comes to finding your niche. Every journey will be different. The key to finding a niche that will work for you and be profitable is about doing the research to determine if there is an audience that will be willing to pay for your knowledge, experience, products, and services. Take the time to conduct the necessary research, as outlined above, and you will be well on your way to finding the perfect niche for your internet business and finding success.

At Altitude Business Solutions we work with you to come up with solutions to your business problems and set a plan for implementation.  It all starts with our Discovery call where we will find out more about your business and discuss options for you moving forward.  For Queensland Small Business Owners we will also discuss the Government Funded Australian Small Business Advisory Services program and if your business can take advantage of discounted services.
Book your complementary 20 minute discovery call today!

Finding a work-life balance is good for both your physical and mental health. But many times, heavy job responsibilities steal that balance away. When that happens, both our work and home life can suffer unwanted consequences.
 
But how can you achieve that balance and still excel at your job?
 
Use these strategies to create the work-life balance you seek: 

1. Avoid checking your work emails outside the office. While in the office, you’ll probably check your work emails often to ensure that any meetings and deadlines are met. However, checking them when you’re off work allows your work life to encroach on your home life. Set boundaries with yourself and your work colleagues regarding emails, so that you can take care of work communications only while at work.
2. Learn to say no. You may love your job, but it’s usually unnecessary to be available to your boss 24/7. We all need a break occasionally, and there is nothing wrong with saying no once in a while. Especially outside of your allotted work hours.
   
3. Work smarter, not harder. Instead of working all hours of the day, with very little rest, work smarter. You’ll actually get more done in a shorter period of time.
   
4. Prioritize important tasks and do these tasks first each day. This way, the most important things always get done.Avoid unproductive activities, such as unstructured meetings or constantly checking your social media accounts.
   
5. Leave work at work. This may be hard, and may not always be possible, but when you clock off for the day, make a mental note that work has finished.Perhaps take a moment to acknowledge that work has finished by stopping and taking a breath before your commute home. The reason for this is to ensure that you are not bringing the work and any stress associated with it home.
   
6. You don’t need to be perfect. Have you ever been on your way out of the office, only to turn back around because you thought of a way to make a report or task perfect? Sometimes, it pays to remind yourself that you and your work are good enough.
   
7. Focus on things outside work. For some of us, our work is our life, but what happens if one day we lose our job? Where does that leave us? It may be a scary thought, but it’s important to have a life outside work.  Develop some hobbies that interest you. Spending time doing something that you love reduces stress and energizes you while relaxing you and uplifting your mood. Add some “happy time” to your life.
   
8. Make your own rules. There has been a shift in work attitudes, especially among younger workers. More people - even bosses - are recognizing the value of work-life balance. Come up with your own ideas that will help you separate your work from your home life and run them by your boss. They might just agree!

Finding a balance between work and your home life can be difficult, but it’s well worth the effort!  Don't listen to what others say make sure it's your own kind of work life balance.

We are about to launch a brand new course called "The Business Life Project" specifically designed for small business owners who are on the brink of exhaustion to rediscover their passion for business and life.  If you would like to be one of the first to know all about this amazing program simply fill in the form below and we will send you details as soon as they are released.

A lot of us are concerned with the size of our biceps or the girth of our waist. Having a fit body is important. However, keeping your mind in shape is critical to enjoying your life at the highest level. Give your brain the attention it deserves​.
Keep your mind healthy, active, and in shape with these strategies:

1. Exercise regularly. Roughly 30% of your brain’s volume is composed of blood vessels. It’s important to keep your blood moving! Exercise will get your blood flowing and help to control your blood sugar. High blood sugar is harmful to blood vessels. That’s why so many diabetics die of heart disease or stroke at a relatively young age. For some tips on how to get more excersice into your day this article from CSIRO will give you some tips
2. Read each day. Reading requires a lot of your brain. It’s not easy to transform symbols into words and meaning. Spend some time each day with a book that makes you think. You might learn something useful, too. Avoid reading the same types of books on a regular basis. Read well-written articles. Read the classics. Try a new science fiction novel. How about a book on theoretical physics? Reading the sports page every day doesn’t count. The same goes for romance novels by your favorite author. Mix it up. CLICK HERE for a list of our top business books.
3. Eat well. A healthy diet will help preserve your brain function. Do a little research on the best diet for longevity and attempt to make a few changes to your eating habits. A few, small changes each month will go a long way toward keeping your brain healthy. Again the CSIRO has some great articles on nutrition.
4. Meditate. Meditation is powerful for several reasons. You’ll learn to focus like a Tibetan monk. You’ll also learn how to relax. Both are wonderful for your brain. Meditation is hard work. It’s like a decathlon for your mind. Find a good teacher in your area and meditate in a group. You’ll make some new friends, too. One of our clients has a magnificent product that helps you to meditate while you enjoy the benefits of a soothing bath.  Bathcalm sends you to another world through the power of natural oils, each fragrance comes with a 20 minute guided meditation.
5. Challenge yourself. Learn something new. Learning to paint, speak a new language, or dance are a few great examples. Learning something new forces your brain to create new neural pathways. Your brain’s ability to change is referred to as its “elasticity.”  This can be very challenging at first. If you’ve been living the same day repeatedly for several years, learning something new is similar to going jogging for the first time. It’s painful, and you don’t get too far. Be patient and give your brain a chance to wake up.
6. Do something that requires a lot of brainpower. It might be solving cryptograms or writing a computer program. Take a multivariate calculus class. Study chess. Push your brain to the maximum.
7. Remember the past. As we grow older, it’s more challenging to remember facts from the past. When you can’t remember something, avoid giving up. Take all the time you need to remember. You might finally remember the name of your high-school English teacher while you’re mowing the grass. Keep at it.
8. Get out and socialize. Spending too much time alone has been shown to increase the likelihood of developing dementia. Have an active social life and spend more time with others. You’ll enjoy your life more, too.

There are many benefits to keeping your mind in tip-top condition. You’ll enjoy better mental health and preserve your mental faculties longer. Keeping your mind healthy requires attention. Challenge yourself to learn new information and skills. Your brain is highly elastic. Give it a chance to use that ability.

At Altitude Business Solutions we work with you to come up with solutions to your business problems and set a plan for implementation.  It all starts with our Discovery call where we will find out more about your business and discuss options for you moving forward.  For Queensland Small Business Owners we will also discuss the Government Funded Australian Small Business Advisory Services program and if your business can take advantage of discounted services.

Book your complementary 20 minute discovery call today.

​It’s much easier to plan your budget, savings, and retirement when your income is consistent. If you’re paid on commission or own your own business, it can be significantly more challenging to save regularly for your retirement. Strategies that work for most might not apply when you’re working for yourself.
 
Try these strategies to build your retirement savings even if your income changes from day to day:
 

1. Start slowly if you like, but get started. Many business owners falsely think that it’s a waste of time to save small amounts of money. Even if you can only save $10 each month, it’s a start. Attempt to add to that amount each month.

 

• Getting into the habit of saving money is the most important first step.

 

1. Create your own version of direct deposit. One great thing about working for a large company is direct deposit, because it’s easy to send part of your paycheck off to a savings or brokerage account before you ever see the money. As a business owner, you can create a similar system.

 

• Set up your checking account to automatically transfer a specific amount to a savings account at regular intervals.

 

• Many individuals leave the money in their checking account while attempting to use mental accounting and tell themselves, “This $150 is for savings.” This rarely works. Remember that you can cancel a payment if you’re unable to swing it one month.
  
  

1. Save more when you can. Some businesses are seasonal and many are particularly inconsistent. When business has been slow for a while and then it picks up, it’s natural to want to enjoy your newfound bounty. Avoid falling into this trap. More tough times could be coming. When things are going well, save as much of that extra income as possible.

 

1. Eliminate unnecessary expenses. This is a good rule for everyone. Even if you’re earning $1 million per year, it’s foolish to waste money on unnecessary items and services. For most business owners, it’s wise to consider cutting out anything you don’t truly need.

 

• Once your retirement is funded, you can go crazy and enjoy your wealth.

 
Building a retirement fund sounds great, but without a good budget, you’ll find that most often, there’s nothing to save.

Learn how to create a budget, even with inconsistent income:
 

1. Look at the past. Look back at your bills and expenses for the past year. Now consider your monthly income. It only makes sense to attempt to build a budget with your lowest month of income as a starting point. After all, if you can survive your lowest month of income, the rest of the months will be easy!

 

• You can also average your monthly income from the last year. However, an obstacle may arise if your income is lower than expected for several months in a row. An adequate safety buffer is lacking with this method.
  
  

1. Create an emergency account. The best way to be prepared for low income months or an unforeseen expense is to have an emergency savings account. Once you fall into the trap of avoiding the electric bill to pay for groceries, it’s challenging to dig your way out.

 
 
Get started immediately on your budgeting and savings plan. When you’re self-employed, there’s rarely time to waste. If money is tight, these may be challenging activities. But when you put the proper foundation in place, you’ll greatly increase the likelihood of experiencing an abundant retirement.

At Altitude Business Solutions we work with you to come up with solutions to your business problems and set a plan for implementation.  It all starts with our Discovery call where we will find out more about your business and discuss options for you moving forward.  For Queensland Small Business Owners we will also discuss the Government Funded Australian Small Business Advisory Services program and if your business can take advantage of discounted services.

Book your complementary 20 minute discovery call today.

Life is fast moving and complicated. There’s a lot you can do to simplify your life and still get more accomplished. There’s a seemingly endless supply of “hacks” online. There are hacks for work, your love life, exercise, and everything else under the sun. Getting through all of the hacks requires a hack of its own.
 
Keep things simple and focus on a few powerful strategies:
 

1. Make a short list. The fewer things you try to accomplish, the more you’ll get done. Make a list of the 2-3 most important things you want to get done at work. Before you drive home, make a list of the 2-3 most important things you want to get done at home. Make a new list for the weekend.

 

• The act of making the list will force you to prioritize so you can accomplish the most important tasks.

 

1. Focus on one task at a time. Switching back and forth between two or more tasks is inefficient. Learn to focus on one task until it’s complete before moving on to something else. Try this for a week and notice the difference it makes.
   
   
2. Simplify your diet. The next time you’re at the grocery store, stick to the edges of the store. What do you find there? Lean protein, vegetables, fruits, and dairy. Throw in some nuts and healthy whole grains and you have a healthy diet.

 

• You’ll save time and money at the store and do wonders for your health.
  
  

1. Try to limit your emails to five sentences. If an email is five sentences, no one will complain that your email is too short or too long. You can maintain relationships without spending a lot of time typing a senseless email. Pick up the phone as the situation calls for it.
   
   
2. Go to bed early. Any extra time you’re awake at night probably isn’t productive. It’s probably spent watching TV while nodding off in your favorite chair. Get to bed early and get up early. You’ll get more done.
   
   
3. Sort your mail as soon as you get home. Each day, grab the mail and stand over the garbage can. Throw out the junk and sort the rest. Put it all away in the appropriate place.

 

• Avoid the frustration of lost bills and clutter. Save your time and energy for more important tasks than going through a huge stack of junk mail every time you need to find a bill or other important paper.

 

1. Work offline. It seems that more and more work must be completed on the computer, but there are pitfalls to working online – the internet. The internet is both the best and worst thing ever invented. It provides tremendous resources, but it’s also the perfect way to waste a lot of time.

 

• Would you rather complete the billing report for your boss or watch a video of kittens riding on the back of a goat? See how easy it is to get distracted?
  
  
• If you’re at home, pull the Ethernet cable or turn off the Wi-Fi. You can find a similar solution at work.
  
  
• One famous writer once stated that the only way he could get any work done was to glue the Ethernet cable into the port and then cut off the cable. He couldn’t control himself if he had access to the internet.

 
Try out these seven hacks and see how they impact your life. What other hacks could you add? Consider where you seem to waste the most time. This is a prime area for developing a hack of your own. Keep your life simple and it will be easier to get through the day with a feeling of accomplishment.

Gone are the days where you business can successfully grow without a website.  And for those of you thinking that everything has moved to social media, well that's a blog for another time.  In today's business world having your own website means you can transact across the glob and also give you a quick and easy point of reference of your business for your customers.

Here are five essentials every business website should include:

1. A powerful home page
Your website’s home page is the first impression you give the online world about your business: It is a representation of you and your business and it's so important that its easy to use and has all the elements expected. It should clearly communicate your business’s brand image through appealing visuals and copy, along with:

• What your business does
• Who it serves
• Why it exists
• Why a customer should care

There are many creative ways to approach your home page, but it should include (at minimum): your logo, a brief description of your business and a navigation menu that directs users to other important pages on your site.
Now that at least 68 percent of Americans own smartphones, according to Pew Research Center, your website should also include responsive design features that ensure it’s as easy to view and navigate on smaller screens as traditional desktop computer orientations.
2. User-friendly navigation Whether your navigation menu expands across the top of your site or in a sidebar, it must be easy for site visitors to locate, and should include logical categories that make it simple for site users to find the information they seek. According to an infographic, poor navigation is the No. 1 reason people abandon a website they’ve visited.
Consider how you can best structure your navigation menu and the categories (and possibly, subcategories) it will contain based on common questions a new customer to your business might ask. For example:

• What broad categories of items or services do you sell?
• What do those products or services cost?
• Where is your business located; what are its hours of operation?
• How do customers purchase items or services, and what forms of payment do you accept?

Ideally, a clean navigation should use logical sequencing and titles that help customers easily identify the section of your website they need to visit.
3. Search features Include a search box feature in addition to your site navigation menu so customers can type keywords or phrases to find the information they need when the navigation menu doesn’t meet their needs. When customers type content into the search box, they’ll be presented with relevant pages to visit, so they don’t have to handle their search manually. (The more content you have on your site that addresses all possible keywords, the more beneficial the search box feature becomes.)
4. Access to help Despite the marketing benefits that a website offers small businesses and online customers, there are times when customers want to connect with a human. Your website should include the option to connect via phone, email and at your physical location, if you have one. Amazingly, Social Media Today reports that 93 percent of small businesses do not publish an email address that customers can use to contact them.
5. FAQ pageThe more you engage with customers online and off, the more you’ll sense patterns in the types of information customers seek, and the questions that arise in regards to your products or services. Offer a page of frequently asked questions and their answers on your site to make it easier for customers to find the detailed information they need.
A small business website is an affordable and effective way to expand your online reach and potential to market to prospects and customers. Yet it needs a few critical elements to make a positive impression. Incorporate these five important website elements into your site to build an online presence that brings customers directly to your business, no matter where they’re located. 

At Altitude Business Solutions we work with you to come up with solutions to your business problems and set a plan for implementation.  It all starts with our Discovery call where we will find out more about your business and discuss options for you moving forward.  For Queensland Small Business Owners we will also discuss the Government Funded Australian Small Business Advisory Services program and if your business can take advantage of discounted services.
Book your complementary 20 minute discovery call today.

*blog courtsey of entrepreneur asic pacific

CRM = Customer Relationship Manager, and if you are in a service or sales based industry we're sorry you need one and now.  If you've been considering a CRM system but have been bamboozed by the choice that is out there then you are not alone.  We had to look in every dark corner of the internet and were so pleasantly surprised to come across 17hats.
Main features of 17hats are:

• Client Profile Management - take notes record phone calls log time
• Dashboards - Easy interface with a Dashboard that has all the information on it
• Templates - Making everything easy
• Online Contract Signing - Someone wants to do business with you sign away
• Workflow Automation - Like you're own personal assistant
• Lead Generation - forms that can be embedded on social media and websites
• Invoice Management - Invoice direct to your custombers 
• Scheduling - clients can book straight into your diary
• Credit Card Payments - intergrates with Square
• Automated Payment Reminders - When invoices are coming up and overdue
• Financial Management - Bookkeeping options
• Free webinars where you can ask all the questions you want
• A comprehensive training platform

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In our experience we couldn't live without 17hats and it has totally change the way we do business.  It combines so many different platforms in one it cut our subscriptions down and saved us money.  Now that's all well and good I hear you say but what is the cost? well it starts from just $395USD for 2 years it represents amazing value, best thing is with the link below you can try it yourself for free an use the same link to get 10% discount at checkout. Winning!

Keep an eye on our Live Webinars as we regularly have a session on 17hats. CLICK HERE to see our upcoming webinars

The ideal way to stay in touch with your clients and your staff, once you get over seeing yourself on the screen or your fear of the camera you are right to go. Zoom is a cloud-based and highly scalable video and web conferencing software that allows users to carry out online meetings, file sharing, webinars, and group messaging. The platform is ideal for any company regardless of size. Zoom makes use of high-quality video and audio for an immersive interaction and screen-sharing experience. This robust software is capable of combining meetings online, cloud-based video conferencing, group messaging, and sharing content wirelessly in one convenient place. Through Zoom, users are given the option to connect to more than one conference room, include more attendees remotely, and conduct face-to-face meetings with a single mouse click.

Main features of Zoom are:

• Zoom Meetings Rooms
• Integrated Scheduling
• Video Webinar
• Premium Audio
• Group Collaboration
• Cloud and Local Recording

If you are alrady one of our clients you will know how we love zoom, it's how we do all our webinars and 70% of our client meetings.  The fantastic thing about Zoom is you can try it for free by simply clicking the link below, many businesses and organisations can get away with using the free version, however if you need to upgrade you can do from as littls as $21 per month.

Ahhh Trello, where do we start? If you run a team of any sort or are looking for a project managemet program then get ready to fall in love.  Infact we could rave on all day about this amazing tool, but we won't here's the list instead.

Main features of Trello are:

• Detailed & Quick Overviews of Front/Back Cards
• Easy, Drag-and-Drop Editing
• In-Line Editing
• Easy Organization with Labeling, Tags, and Comments
• Progress Meter Checklist
• Card Records Archive
• Easy Upload (Local Devices, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box)
• File Attachment
• Data Filters
• Deadline Alerts and Notifications
• Automated Email Notifications
• Activity Logs
• Individual/Group Task Assignment
• Information Backup
• Information Retrieval
• SSL Data Encryption
• Mobile-Friendly Views
• Developer API
• Customer Support
• Easy Upload (Local Devices, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box)
• File Attachment
• Individual/Group Task Assignment
• Voting Options
• Discussions

with all these features you's expect to pay a bomb for this program but it's seriously just $5 per month.... what are you waiting for try it now........Oh keep an eye on our Webinars this is another- one we do webinars on cause it's amazeballs.  
CLICK HERE to see our upcoming webinars

For those of you who already have a CRM system and are looking for a fantastic scheduling tool then this is the one for you. Not only is this scheduling platform so easy to use it sends automatic text messages and emails to your clients reminding them of your meeting.

Main features of Calendly are:

• Open API
• Calendar integration
• Fully optimized for all devices
• Simple, elegant and modern interface
• Automatic/custom notifications
• Team scheduling
• Group events
• Enhanced privacy and controls
• Can be embedded with websites
• APIs and Webhooks
• Invitee calendar integration
• Metrics and reporting

The great thing about calendly is the basic version is free so it's a no brainer to give it a try, paid verison start from just $8USD per month.

E-mail is not dead.... I reapeat E-mail is not dead.  With that being said over 50% of small business owners have either given e-mail the flick or just can't be bothered, that's where MailChimp comes in.  With over 90% of it's users saying they would reccomend it we will let the list of features do the talking.

Main features of MailChimp are:

• Email Designer
• Reports
• MailChimp Editor
• Social Sharing
• Custom Forms
• Email Client Testing
• Mobile Signup Forms
• RSS-to-Email
• MailChimp Mobile
• MailChimp Coupon Scanner
• Campaign Archives
• Merge Tags
• MailChimp Snap
• Automation
• Social Profiles
• Integrations
• MailChimp VIPs
• SMS for Events
• Geolocation
• Segmentation and Groups
• Multi-User Accounts
• A/B Testing
• Delivery by Time Zone
• Spam Filter Diagnostics
• Email Beamer
• Subscriber Profiles
• Email Delivery
• Email Templates

Another great product that offers a free account however if you want to get the upgraded features plans start from just $15.00 per month and is based on the number of contacts.

At Altitude Business Solutions we work with you to come up with solutions to your business problems and set a plan for implementation.  It all starts with our Discovery call where we will find out more about your business and discuss options for you moving forward.  For Queensland Small Business Owners we will also discuss the Government Funded Australian Small Business Advisory Services program and if your business can take advantage of discounted services.

Book your complementary 20 minute discovery call today.

Volunteering can be a very rewarding experience for individuals and the communities they serve. By managing your volunteers well, you can make the most of their contributions. Here are some suggestions:


Preparing For Volunteers
1.    Assess your organization. Recruiting volunteers always sounds like a good idea. Before you do, be sure to thoroughly review whether your organization can offer an experience that will benefit both you and your potential supporters. Identify appropriate tasks. Ensure you can provide adequate support and supervision.

2.    Conduct interviews. Matching the right candidate with the right role is essential. Talk with people about their skills and what they want to do. Someone who works in information technology may want to provide computer services. Or they may want a chance to branch out and do something completely different, like work with children.
3.    Hold an orientation. Welcome new volunteers with a comprehensive orientation. Brief them on the mission, history, and services of your organization. Take them on a tour of your facilities and the area where they'll be working.
4.    Provide training. Get off to a good start by offering instruction for the specific tasks that the volunteers will be doing. Experienced volunteers can be a great asset for inspiring newcomers and providing guidance. Complement your training sessions with manuals that volunteers can keep or refer to online.
​Working With Volunteers

1.    Sign a written agreement with detailed position descriptions. Put your expectations for volunteers and the organization into writing. It will help everyone stay on track and accomplish what they set out to do.

2.    Integrate volunteers into the organization. Ensure that volunteers feel like they're a valued part of the team. Introduce them to the staff. Invite them to meetings and encourage them to report on their work. Where appropriate, many volunteers will enjoy having direct contact with the people or animals that your organization serves.
3.    Coordinate. Online scheduling tools make a coordinator's work much easier. Post your volunteer opportunities online so your constituents can view them whenever they want. Track the number of people who sign up so you'll be prepared to make good use of their time.
4.    Evaluate. Develop procedures to give and get feedback from your volunteers. It will help improve your program over time. Plus, it's one more way to demonstrate your ability.

At Altitude Business Solutions we work with you to come up with solutions to your business problems and set a plan for implementation.  It all starts with our Discovery call where we will find out more about your business and discuss options for you moving forward.  For Queensland Small Business Owners we will also discuss the Government Funded Australian Small Business Advisory Services program and if your business can take advantage of discounted services.

Book your complementary 20 minute discovery call today.