Train your staff and expand the skill-set in your business
2 February 2023
When a business trains its staff, not only are employees upskilled, but this also expands the skill-set in the business. This is why staff training is a must. When employees can see you're invested in their future, they feel valued, empowered, and engaged with your vision. That's great news for the productivity of your business.
Investing in your team
If you want great things from your people, you’ve got to give them the very best support. A job is not a static thing. It’s a role that will evolve and change over time, with new skills, new job descriptions, and new responsibilities along the way. To offer your team the best opportunities, make staff training and development a key area on your business leader’s to-do list.
As a starting point:
- Find out what training and education your people want. There’s no point second-guessing what your staff wants to learn. Talk to each staff member and ask them where they feel they need extra skills, or where there’s room for progression in their training. This can be an enlightening process, and helps you get an angle on where these new skills could be used within the business.
- Help them find the relevant courses or in-house training. You may be able to offer some key training in-house, as long as you have people available to do this, who have the skills. There are also plenty of professional bodies, industry institutes, or colleges that will offer courses in the right areas.
- Set clear targets for their education in the business. Once you’ve identified the learning and development that’s needed, make sure this is added to the employee’s development plan for the year. Your employee’s goals could be to complete an online training module, go on a residential course, or take part in mentoring sessions with a senior colleague. The important thing is to agree on the goals, set the right timelines and track each person’s progress against their plan.
- Set a career path and give employees increased responsibility. A key goal for most employees will be to aim for a promotion. With their learning and development goals set, you could also think about giving your employee new responsibilities, testing out their managerial skills, or giving them specific projects to manage and curate. By taking on these challenges, and testing their new skills out in the real world, you’ll help them build confidence and gain valuable hands-on experience.
- Check in with your staff regularly to see how they're doing. Hopefully, you’ll have a review process already set up for your staff, but don’t leave discussions about development purely for these review conversations. Check in with your people regularly and use these informal, relaxed chats to see how each person (and each team) is doing.
Setting up a staff training programme
An investment in employee development is an investment in the future of your business. It’s a sign that you want to support the careers and progression of your people. We can help with training in bookkeeping, business accounting, strategic planning, and many other areas of business management.
It's that time again and Moving Day is upon. Moving Day' is a big day in the farming industry. To help you with a smooth transition here are some tips: Early preparation Make sure sharemilker or contract milker contracts are signed. Plan a farm inspection with relevant parties (farm owner, incoming and outgoing sharemilkers, farm manager, advisor). Recruit and finalise employment agreements for new farm staff. Communicate plans and dates with everyone involved. Contact your insurer and utility providers. Farm owner responsibilities Make sure employees leave the houses clean and tidy. Carry out house inspections for maintenance. Comply with healthy home standards. Confirm departure and arrival times with tenants. Consider drug testing, if needed. Animal movements and biosecurity Plan animal movements carefully. Clean and disinfect farm equipment and machinery. Minimise the risk of introducing exotic pests. About 5,000 farmers do this every year. Talking clearly and planning well makes this important farming tradition go smoothly.
Selling your business is a huge milestone—one that marks the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and vision. But once the deal is done and the dust settles, you may find yourself wondering, “What’s next?” Exiting your business opens up a world of possibilities. Here are five potential pathways to consider as you embark on this new chapter of your life. 1. Enjoy Retirement For many, selling a business is the gateway to retirement. After years of being immersed in the day-to-day demands of running a company, retirement offers the opportunity to slow down and enjoy life at your own pace. Whether it’s traveling, spending time with family, or taking up new hobbies, retirement allows you to focus on the things that bring you joy. Planning ahead—both financially and emotionally—will ensure you make the most of this well-earned time. 2. Invest in Other Businesses Selling your business doesn’t mean stepping away from the business world entirely. Many people choose to invest in other businesses, whether it’s through buying equity, becoming a silent partner, or supporting start-ups. Your years of experience give you a unique perspective, and investing allows you to stay connected to the business community while diversifying your income streams. 3. Start a New Venture Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur! If you have a new idea or are passionate about exploring a different industry, selling your business can provide the resources and freedom to start fresh. Whether it’s launching a tech start-up, opening a café, or pursuing an entirely new market, starting a new venture keeps your entrepreneurial spirit alive. 4. Become a Non-Executive Director Another pathway is to leverage your expertise and become a non-executive director. Many businesses value the insight and guidance of experienced business people. As a non-executive director, you can provide strategic advice, mentor leadership teams, and help shape the future of other companies—all without the full-time commitment of running a business. 5. Pursue Philanthropy For some, selling a business is an opportunity to give back. You might choose to support causes you care about through charitable donations, creating a foundation, or volunteering your time. Philanthropy not only helps make a difference in your community or the wider world but can also provide a deep sense of fulfilment and purpose in your post-business life. Charting Your New Path Exiting your business is both an ending and a beginning. It’s a chance to reflect on everything you’ve achieved and to embrace new opportunities that align with your goals and passions. Whether you’re ready to relax and retire, dive into new ventures, or make a positive impact through philanthropy, the choice is yours. Whatever path you choose, careful planning will help ensure your next chapter is as rewarding and successful as the one you’ve just completed. If you’d like support in exploring your options or preparing for life after your business, don’t hesitate to reach out us for guidance.
Cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to trick businesses, and their scams are harder than ever to spot. Small businesses are especially at risk, often seen as easy targets due to limited resources or weaker security. But with the right precautions, you can protect your business and prove the scammers wrong. Be Aware of New Threats Staying informed is your best defence. Here are some of the latest cyber threats: AI-Powered Scams : Scammers now use artificial intelligence to create convincing phishing emails and fake websites that are difficult to distinguish from the real thing. Impersonation Attacks : Posing as banks, government agencies, or suppliers, attackers aim to trick you into sharing sensitive information. Deepfake Technology : Fake audio and video messages that mimic trusted sources are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. Train Your Team Educating your team is crucial. Teach them to: Spot warning signs, like urgent requests to act quickly. Double-check email addresses and URLs before clicking on links. Be cautious with unusual requests, even if they seem legitimate. Regular training sessions and phishing simulations can help your staff stay alert and recognise scams before they cause harm. Protect Your Business Basic but effective security measures can go a long way. For example: Enable two-factor authentication to secure your accounts. Keep your software and systems up to date. Use resources like the Business Online Security Series for practical cybersecurity tips. It's also wise to consult with your IT provider to evaluate your business’s vulnerabilities and develop a cybersecurity training plan for your team. Taking action now can save your business from potential threats while safeguarding your reputation. Stay informed, train your team, and strengthen your defences!
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