Risking It All presenter and business expert Shivani Gupta has a passion to see people grow their businesses. Shivani brings her vast experience and practical business sense to help out the entrepreneurs in the television show and the SBS online audience in her business blog. http://www.sbs.com.au/rss/Blog/107919 The Prime Minister has been urging businesses to retain staff as the global financial crisis and economic downturn continues to bite. Should small business retain staff and how can they do this if sales and profits are falling? http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/111642/Retaining-staff-during-difficult-times http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/111642/Retaining-staff-during-difficult-times Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +1000 When we appeal to people's value set, we hit their 'button'. Let me explain. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/111657/Meet-your-clients-changing-needs http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/111657/Meet-your-clients-changing-needs Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +1000 Here are some tips to stay positive in an economic downturn. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/111652/Will-you-survive-or-thrive http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/111652/Will-you-survive-or-thrive Fri, 15 May 2009 12:45:34 +1000 In business we must listen to, and tailor our solutions to, meet the client's budget. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/111647/Being-an-entrepreneur-in-financially-challenging-times http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/111647/Being-an-entrepreneur-in-financially-challenging-times Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:40:56 +1000 During these challenging financial times small businesses want to improve marketing without spending a fortune. Business signage can be a relatively cheap and effective way of achieving this goal. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/109224/Sign-up-for-smart-advertising http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/109224/Sign-up-for-smart-advertising Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:01:17 +1100 Have you set yourself some goals for you and your business yet this year? Made some new year’s resolutions? If you haven’t, you should do it this month, but do it so they will last and make a difference to your business. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/109072/Make-those-New-Year-goals-stick http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/109072/Make-those-New-Year-goals-stick Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:27:24 +1100 As the impact of the financial crisis hits home, some businesses will face challenging times. Here are a few tips to help weather the storm. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108981/Staying-motivated-through-challenging-financial-times http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108981/Staying-motivated-through-challenging-financial-times Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:52:11 +1100 Many people running a small business get caught by leases. A lease essentially provides you with the legal right to occupy premises. It protects you and the landlord by setting out all the agreed terms of occupancy. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108446/Getting-the-right-lease-for-your-business http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108446/Getting-the-right-lease-for-your-business Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:31:34 +1100 The right branding is worth its weight in gold Michael Phelps is not only the most successful Olympian in history, he has also been coined the possible billion dollar man, with experts predicting that he could now earn up to 30 million dollars a year including sponsorships. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108292/The-right-branding-is-worth-its-weight-in-gold http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108292/The-right-branding-is-worth-its-weight-in-gold Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:37:10 +1000 Starting a new business can be financially difficult for anyone especially if you are giving up an existing job paying you a regular income.You’ll have costs too, such as fitout, rent, and staff wages. Managing the cash flow right is one of the most important things in a start up business. This can amount to a large hole in your financial situation. If a grant is available to suit your needs, then this may be the go. Although you may need a loan, see if you can find a grant first. Also search for grants on Google as see if you can find samples of a grant to see how it is done. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108228/Grants-can-help-to-get-your-business-started http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108228/Grants-can-help-to-get-your-business-started Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:23:48 +1000 In business, it is difficult to be the one who is generating new ideas, managing staff, managing finances and implementing client relationships. Phew! http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108193/The-best-business-books-to-get-your-mind-going http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108193/The-best-business-books-to-get-your-mind-going Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:27:19 +1000 Networking is a buzz word. It is essential, but like all things in business, it has to meet your broader business plan. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108027/To-network-or-not-to-network http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108027/To-network-or-not-to-network Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:46:29 +1000 In running a successful small business, you rely on a number of key suppliers to help you deliver your business outcomes. Things must be delivered on time so you can manage your business and your clients. If people do not deliver to you on time, it can be costly and embarrassing for your business. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108004/Learning-to-give-feedback http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/108004/Learning-to-give-feedback Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:17:08 +1000 As your business grows you need to find good people. Your people are so critical that you must be involved in this process to some degree. Here are some tips on hiring the right staff. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/107982/Hiring-the-right-staff http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/107982/Hiring-the-right-staff Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:17:54 +1000 In Episode 3 we meet Dean, the 26-year-old golden boy. For the past six years Dean has earned his stripes cutting hair at an upmarket salon. Desperate to prove he can be his own boss, Dean opens his own salon in what was a corner deli in a quiet suburban street. Dean has never run a business before, and it shows. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/107978/You-can-t-just-be-a-technician http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/107978/You-can-t-just-be-a-technician Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:48:01 +1000 If you love what you do, does that mean working 70 to 80 hour weeks is good for you and your business? The short answer is no. We are increasing our understanding of stress and its effects with research and technology. Stress is cumulative, so if you work long hours each week and think that you can ‘de-stress’ with a two-week holiday in Hawaii, think again! http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/107974/Work-life-balance http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/107974/Work-life-balance Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:57:04 +1000 In Episode 2 of Risking It All we meet Brad. He thinks he has spotted a gap in the already flooded health and fitness market and risks his relationship, friendships and investments to set up Zone Health and Fitness. He’s convinced his girlfriend, his ex-wife, her new husband and a silent partner to invest over $350,000 in his dream. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/107960/Letting-go-can-grow-your-business http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/107960/Letting-go-can-grow-your-business Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:30:00 +1000 Goal setting is a very powerful tool in business and your personal life. Many of us set goals as New Year’s resolutions. We start off eagerly, determined to do things differently this year. It doesn’t take long before we start to waiver in our resolutions. The motivation is starting to fade and old habits are creeping back in. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/107925/Staying-motivated-towards-your-goals http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/107925/Staying-motivated-towards-your-goals Thu, 29 May 2008 10:08:15 +1000 We are thrilled to be airing episode 1 of Risking It All tonight at 8pm. The series portrays the roller-coaster ride of what is at stake when people attempt to get a new business off the ground. These rookies put friendships, family, secure salaries, houses and savings on the line in a bid to live their dream and make millions. In today's blog post I discuss what it takes to ditch the nine-to-five grind. http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/107923/Ditching-the-nine-to-five-grind http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/107923/Ditching-the-nine-to-five-grind Wed, 28 May 2008 14:44:32 +1000