Steve O'Neill, (self-employed trainer, voiceover artist and podcaster) shares his thoughts and learnings on having been self-employed for nearly a year.

The key lessons include:

• Have a plan
• Don't be afraid of the steep learning curve
• You need to be ultra-disciplined
• Work on being multi-skilled (quickly)
• And more

You can find Steve here:

Website: www.sondevelopment.com Podcast: www.sharppodcast.com

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In this episode strengths coach Daria Williamson (www.dariawilliamson.com) discusses how working out your strengths (the things you enjoy and are good at) can help you in your working life.

You see, we all have things we like doing and don't like doing.  The things we don't like can demotivate us and we're prone to putting them off.

Here, Daria gives you some thoughts on how you can work with areas where you're not strong and make more of what you enjoy (without ignoring the less exciting stuff).

We look at procrastination and how to reduce it, how to leverage help when needed, and ideas for getting the most out of your 'zone of genius'.

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Emily Cordwell, business owner and productivity podcaster (https://open.spotify.com/show/managing-the-juggle), shares her tips for being successfully self-employed.

She also shares some pointers on how to organise yourself when you're a busy mum trying to run a business from home.

Emily's key points include:

• Get some help - you can't do everything (neither should you try)
• Don't fret about having someone else look after your kids while you work
• Make sure you know what 'one thing' you'd like to accomplish each day
• Do your most important stuff when you're at your most awake
• Look after cashflow and get help if you struggle with this

LET'S CONNECT:

https://aucklandbusinessbuilders.co.nz/

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/AucklandBusinessBuilders

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When introducing new products or services to your marketing there's no need to reinvent your marketing wheel.  Chances are good that what you've done in the past will work with the new thing.

You see, those who want to build their business often overlook the stuff that's worked in the past when they do something new.

They think that "if it's a new thing then we need new marketing".

And this simply isn't usually the case.

If you're selling to the same audience (market) then the same tried-and-tested approaches will most likely work.

So try the marketing techniques you've used thus far and only change them if they don't seem to work with the new product or service.

LET'S CONNECT:

https://aucklandbusinessbuilders.co.nz/

https://www.instagram.com/AucklandBusinessBuilders

https://www.youtube.com/channel/AucklandBusinessBuilders

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With Covid variants running rampant it's a wise move to try and plan short-term so you can quickly adapt to the changing business environment.  Quarterly is a good time-frame to do this and here's why.

You see, nobody can predict what's happening at the moment and govt's seem to be very quick to just lock down the economy and this could have a very negative impact on your business.

So, make sure you've done some thinking about what will happen to your business if this happens.

This episode of the podcast will give you some ideas and things to think about.

LET'S CONNECT:

https://aucklandbusinessbuilders.co.nz/

https://www.instagram.com/AucklandBusinessBuilders

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If you're running a small business you should remember that social media is there as a client-engagement and customer-attraction tool.  And that means treating it more like an actual marketing channel.

You see, far too  many smaller businesses (and the self-employed) seem to think that just 'putting stuff on social media' is the way to attract customers.

Yes it will have some affect but you need to make sure you're putting out some actual marketing messages.

• Are you encouraging people to visit your website to take a look at what you're offering?
• Are you steering people towards enquiring about your products/services?
• Are you promoting offers and/or featured products?

Whatever you do, just remember that social media for business is a marketing exercise.

LET'S CONNECT:

https://aucklandbusinessbuilders.co.nz/

https://www.instagram.com/AucklandBusinessBuilders

https://www.youtube.com/channel/AucklandBusinessBuilders

https://www.facebook.com/AucklandBusinessbuilders

In our social media business world it's important to make sure you're connecting with the right people to maximise the value of your network.

This means taking the time to evaluate connections.

You see, you need to understand if a connection will be of use to you, you to them, or if they will provide something to your network that will be useful.

If you can't see any of this happening then you should decline the request and move on.

Remember: it's not about the quantity in your network, it's about quality of your network.

LET'S CONNECT:

https://aucklandbusinessbuilders.co.nz/

https://www.instagram.com/AucklandBusinessBuilders

https://www.youtube.com/channel/AucklandBusinessBuilders

https://www.facebook.com/AucklandBusinessbuilders

Knowing your key financial numbers is vital for your business if you intend to grow it.  Without up-to-date, accurate financial information you won't be able to make properly informed decisions.

In this interview, Murray Phillips (https://www.insightca.nz) shares his insights into the key financial figures that you should have available when you need them.

Murray addresses 4 important questions:

1. How important is it to know your numbers in business (turnover, gross & net profit, customer LTV etc)?
2. What are the most common mistakes that small business owners make with their numbers?
3. How can they avoid those mistakes?
4. What key financial knowledge does someone need when trying to grow a small business?

LET'S CONNECT:

https://aucklandbusinessbuilders.co.nz/ https://www.instagram.com/AucklandBusinessBuilders https://www.youtube.com/channel/AucklandBusinessBuilders https://www.facebook.com/AucklandBusinessbuilders