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One little known part of Australia’s new industrial relations laws is the BOOT. No, this is not way to get rid of troublesome employees by using your Size 9’s (or whatever size boots you wear)! Instead it is an abbreviation for Better Off Overall Test. The new laws allow for award conditions to be varied […]

I am often conducting compliance reviews for small to medium sized businesses.  These reviews are designed to identify any issues that may be placing a business at risk in regards to the many legislative areas that govern employment in Australia. This is a large area – we are dealing with laws in industrial relations, Health

Yesterday, while I was talking to a business collegue, she made a good comment – “why are business owners so willing to accept a risk when it is so easy to fix”. This comment got me thinking.  I am meeting with business owners everyday and I see them making such decisions.  For most it is

I have met with a potential client in the last couple of weeks, who was not concerned over the level of turnover he was experiencing in his business. His turnover levels were around 50% a year and he had managed his business on this sort of rate for many years – his comment to me was that it

It suddenly occurred to me that the one blog I had not written so far was the one about our People Smartz tag line “People Drive Results”. The one thing every business has in common is that people are involved.  Whether we are talking one person hanging out their own shingle or a company with 100’s

In a lot of businesses, appraisal time is one of tension and sometimes confusion.  At times, employees are surprised to be told about “issues” which have been around for a long time, but have not been addressed. Manager’s are stressed because they have to sometimes handle unpleasant realities.  They are further annoyed by the amount

It is interesting the way businesses handle performance issues with employees.  Some handle them promptly, professionally and in a way that encourages improvement.  Others handle them poorly, carry a big stick and get what they want through an aggressive approach.  Finally you have a group that do nothing at all – at least until the

One of the things I am often saying to my clients is that it is better to have no one in a role than the wrong person. Selecting the wrong person for a role can have a big effect on your business overall.  If that person is managing others then the effect can be amplified!

The current economic environment is beginning to have an effect in the workplace. Where employers are growing increasingly concerned about business, employees are acting with greater respect and appreciation in regards to their jobs and their place in the workplace. The HR Coach Research Institutes Quarterly Index Report provides a regular insight into the ever

I am often surprised by the number of businesses that stay in business despite a lack of planning. There is an old saying which says that “if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail”. In my experience, this is very true. Small business Planning Many small businesses begin with a great idea or