JPAbusiness

Almost 54% of respondents to our July survey indicated they were ‘confident’ about trading conditions heading into the 2018/19 financial year, while 47% indicated current trading conditions were ‘positive’.

The results indicate a softening in business confidence among respondents since our first survey in December 2017, when the results were 60% and 59%, respectively, for those two questions.

The results also appear to be in line with the NAB business confidence index, which dropped from a high of 12 in January to an 18-month low of 6 in June, before edging up to 7 in July.

Topics: business advice, business confidence survey, Business advisor, staff management, Banks and lending, Business Planning

A bank, financier or equity investor focuses on three S’s when considering their appetite for your business. They are:

• Servicing
• Security
• Surety.

None of these factors are completely controllable, but they are strongly influenced by your actions as a business owner.

Our cheat sheet can help you understand and manage these factors, to help create a strong and positive relationship with your bank or financier.

Topics: Banks and lending, Banking, Advice, Running your business, cheat sheet

Many business owners consider banks a necessary evil, but I don’t subscribe to that view.

Your banker or financier is a key partner in your business and, as with all successful partnerships, good communication is key.

The following cheat sheet contains some of our top tips for communicating with your bank and setting yourself up for a healthy partnership.

Topics: business advice, Banks and lending, Banking, business partners, Business advisor, Business Value

Many business owners, in small and large firms, don’t really focus on their balance sheet.

Topics: Banking, Banks and lending, Advice, Running your business, infographic