News

Stay up to date with all things Xero, accounting & bookkeeping advice, and business guides and tips.

VacancyJargonGovernmentCouncilsGrantsFundsOffice partiesClient giftsStaff giftsStaff expensesEntertainmentJeannie davisMackyla worsellMarisRunning costsVehicleMotor vehicleLog bookMeet the teamStaffPetrol refundOff roadPetrolFuelExcise TaxAccounts Receivable SpecialistSelf-employedBusinessesSmall-Business Cashflow (Loan) schemeLeave Support SchemeShort-term Absence PaymentResurgence Support PaymentsCovid Protection FrameworkFinancial supportRed lightProtection FrameworkLossesGainsMortgageInterestLegislationResidential rentalRentalResurgence SupportResponse PlanFrameworkCovid-19Audit ShieldAnnual returnsRSPWage subsidyUpdateAR specialistDebtor managementBusiness HeadspaceDebtor DaddyIndustry specialistsICNZB Annual AwardsBookkeeperAnnual ICNZB conferenceBookkeeping Business of the YearBookkeeper of the YearLeaderTeam-buildingTeam workEmployment incomeBeneficiary incomeSuperannuation taxFBTPropertySharesTrustsTax obligationsIndividualsTax rateBusiness assetsDepreciationStarting out minimum wageWagesTraining minimum wageAdult minimum wageConProPlantMachineryEquipmentLeaseBuyTenantsPeriodic tenancyNotice periodsTenancyRentTenancy lawOfferingEmpathyChanges10 StepsBetter BusinessMerry ChristmasPivotTop tipsDiversifyOnline MeetingVideoFace-to-faceAgendaTechOnlineMeetingDowntimeAllocateManage timeListsDelegateScheduleProductivityTime ManagementTimeErrorsIRDSupportXAPMental HealthBusiness performanceEquityReportsStatement of Financial PositionDirect CostsReportP&LProfit & Loss StatementBusiness supportMackylaTrusted advisorBusiness advisorGST ReturnFilingHybrid basisInvoice basisPayments basisTurnoverRegisterGSTCelebrateVisualiseBusiness successSmall stepsSuccessfulBookkeeper in a Small Practice AwardNorthlandBookkeepersAwardsCertified BookkeepersICNZBNorthland BookkeepersGoodsSellingBusiness useOfficeRecordsHome OfficeImportanceTeachingSavingMoneyKidsPayment termsBalance sheetDebtCredit controlFreelancingControlCost managementBudgetPlanOutflowInflowCash flow forecastForecastCash flowInvoicing sytemsDebtor softwarePayment servicesPrompt paymentDebtorsIntegrationTrackingQuotingAccurateProcessesJob CostingGrow your businessReturn on investmentAccountantProfit vs CashFinancingMarginsInvoicingSalesProfitEmployment AgreementsACCDomestic violence leaveMinimum wage increaseERA Act 2018ACC LeviesSkillsIndependentEmployeeContractor vs EmployeeHiringContractorsServicesProductsNeedsCustomersTarget marketMarket researchEligibleExpenditureTax incentiveDevelopmentResearchR&DRecord keepingIncomeCashDeductionsTaxGetting startedContractingGoal-settingFinancesLifestylePerformanceVisionGoalsGrowthLiquidity ratiosLiabilitiesAssetsQuick ratiosProfitability ratiosSolvency ratiosRatiosBusiness healthMyIRPay runInland RevenuePAYEEmployeesPayday filingXero payday filingTax invoiceGetting paidContractorFocusConfidentClientsB2BBusiness to businessAcknowledgementAccountabilityActionAcceptanceAwarenessChangePayrollSoftwareSimplifyStreamlining processesCreativeAccounting tipsBusiness taxesLimited companyFinancialLegalBusiness complianceRegulatory requirementsFoundationsComplianceXero integratedPayment methodsCultureTeamSystemsFlexibilityCommunicationTechnologyRemote WorkEntrepreneurialSuccessValueMentorSmall businessInvestmentSuperannuationRetirementContributionsSelf employedSuperSafe onlineHackersCyber-crimeSecureAnti-virusSecurityInternetCloud platformBookkeepingAccounting systemFinanceCloud accountingCloudBusinessAccounting Income MethodProvisional taxAIMDataTasksSpreadsheetsAccountingAccounting SoftwareXero SoftwareExcelReviewSuppliersPaymentsInvoiceOverheadsExpensesPlanningWork-life balanceClaimCharitable organisationsTax returnTax deductionTax creditCharityDonationsBusiness.govt.nzLaw round upLandlordsEmployersBusiness ownersLaw changesCard paymentsOnline paymentsDirect debit paymentsOnline payment servicesAged debtCashflowXero payment servicesAccounting tools menuBusiness menuAccountants and bookkeepersNavigation MenuXero updateHolidaysClosure datesChristmas breakChristmasMy Two Cents AccountingXero AdvisorMy Two CentsXero NavigationXero
TAGS

Building a better business in 10 steps

You’re in business, congratulations, that takes courage and commitment.

It’s not easy, and at times you might find yourself questioning why you’re even doing it, but you’re here because you had a vision. You decided being in business was a better way to achieve that vision than working for someone else. And, you’re right; you just have to work on it. Good things come to people who hustle.

You’re likely an expert in what you do… maybe you’re a mechanic and know the inside of a car engine like the back of your hand. Or, maybe you’re a fashion retailer who can style anyone. This doesn’t mean you’re an expert at running your business though. It’s hard taking time out of working in your business to work on it. But doing this is essential for its success.

There’s no magical overnight solution to building a more successful business. It’s about taking small steps every day to get a bit better than the day before.

So, what should you do to build yourself a more successful business? We’ve broken it down into 10 essential steps:

  1. Get clear on exactly what it is that you want.
  2. Be open to change and new learning.
  3. Define where you are now (warts and all).
  4. Make a plan.
  5. Get your organisational structure right.
  6. Be a better leader.
  7. Be held accountable by someone independent.
  8. Build strong networks.
  9. Monitor your progress.
  10. Keep your well of happiness full.

These are the 10 most important things you should be working on to ensure you achieve your goals. Small, incremental changes can have a massive effect on your success.

We’re here to help you, every step along the way. Get in touch!

“Success isn’t overnight. It’s when every day you get a little better than the day before. It all adds up.” - Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson