Stephanie G.

Still hesitating? Waiting for a sign? If you've been seeking that motivation to kickstart your business, this is it.  Starting a business might seem daunting, but remember: every successful business owner was once where you are — at the very beginning. Just a dream, a vision.💡 Before you launch your small business dream, get sharp on everything business-wise you need to know by checking out Afirmo's Small Business Learning Hub resource - loads of useful (completely free) articles from 🚀 Choosing your Business Structure 🚀 Getting a loan to start a Business 🚀 Making the switch to self-employment  🚀 Beginners guide to Market Research .... And way more See all our "Starting a Business" articles now 👇

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Looking to make a real impact with your tender and grant applications? Showcase your organisation's impact with these top strategies: 1. Spin a yarn that grabs attention 📖 2. Back it up with solid data 📊 3. Highlight what makes you a cut above 🌟 4. Paint a clear picture of outcomes 🎯 5. Tailor your pitch to each funder 🎭 Got a top tip or burning question? Drop them in the comments below! #WinningTenders #GrantSuccess #ImpactfulProposals #ImpactfulProposals

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Want to stand out on Google? 🌟🔍 87% of Australian local businesses aren’t maximising their Google Business Profile listing. Don’t miss out! It’s the fastest way to get clicks, calls, clients, and ultimately, a more profitable business. No website or physical address needed! Make the most of this free marketing tool with our Google Business management service, or learn to manage it yourself with our online training module. Let’s get you found! 📈💼 Contact us to get started! 💌 [email protected] #brisbaneseo #seobrisbane #digitalmarketingbrisbane #localseo #googlebusiness #google

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Conducting a strategic opportunity audit for AI in aged care: It's about transforming challenges into opportunities. AI isn't just for tech experts; It's a tool that can revolutionize aged care. Harnessing AI's power starts with identifying repetitive tasks. AI can automate: • Routine data entry • Appointment scheduling • Medication reminders • Monitoring patient vitals AI enhances personal care by: → Analyzing data to tailor services → Using predictive analytics for health issues → Ensuring compliance with regulations → Optimizing staff allocation AI solutions must align with: • Organizational goals • Compliance standards • Long-term objectives The benefits of AI include: → Reduced workforce pressures → Improved personal care → Streamlined administrative tasks Implementing AI involves: 1. Identifying tasks for automation 2. Analyzing data for service improvement 3. Ensuring regulatory compliance 4. Allocating staff efficiently 5. Aligning AI with goals Expect costs and time frames to vary. Set a realistic start date. Ensure your team is ready. If not, reassess and try again. If yes, proceed with implementation. You now have a roadmap to harness AI. Good luck! Transform Challenges into Opportunities: Partner with Us for a Strategic Audit

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A must read piece for NGO leaders in the Herald today from Monique Forbes https://lnkd.in/gcy_rabp For those of us working in the not-for-profit sector, we’ve always known that survival is hard fought, especially in choppy economic times. Our traditional operating models—usually fairly dependable—are often tested. Reliance on short term contracts, tenders, donations, sponsorships, and grants, while necessary, to keep the lights on, make us vulnerable to changes in circumstances. I agree with Monique, to move forward, we have to disrupt ourselves. Incremental growth or sustained impact won't happen without fundamentally rethinking how we operate. We need to move beyond our comfort zones, because true innovation and resilience require bold steps. And while it’s daunting, it’s also an exciting time—we’re not without opportunity here in New Zealand. With the right technology and relationships, we can diversify our revenue streams and reduce dependence on particular grants, donors, or sectors or ways of working. Crowdfunding, peer-to-peer campaigns, fee-for-service programs, and social enterprise models are all options ripe to explore. We need to build self-reliant, sustainable organisations. The challenge is real. Unlike corporates, many NFPs still rely on old tech, manual processes, the same grants and a volunteer network. Building up capital for reinvestment and embracing emerging tech will be crucial in making this leap. I talk with many in the not for profit sector who are all doing it tough. Many more of our grant bids this year have involved ‘club funding’ approaches to help out other NGOs working in our spaces and places. Thank you Monique for challenging our sector to step up, innovate, and make bold decisions that will position our organisations for long-term sustainability. We have the vision, we have the tools—now we need the courage to embrace the change ahead. Are you in the not-for-profit sector? Do you agree that there is a need to disrupt or be disrupted? #Leadership #Innovation #NonProfitSector #Sustainability

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There are two main complaints that I hear frequently about business cases: 1. They are too expensive, often costing tens of millions of dollars. 2. They take far too long - often taking years to get through the process. This incentivises decision-makers (politicians) not to wait for the business case but to make announcements, undermining good decision-making. Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides one of the most important opportunities to reduce costs and speed up the creation of business cases. Please let me know if you have seen guidance on using Artificial Intelligence in Business Case development.

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Sharing some upcoming workshops and webinars I'm hosting, all focused on launching, fundraising for and growing businesses that do good. If you're in South Australia, I'm presenting a rare in-person workshop with South Australian Social Enterprise Council (SASEC) as part of their Business for Good Workshop Series. 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝟓: 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 - 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟎, 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞, 𝟏-𝟑𝐩𝐦 𝐀𝐂𝐒𝐓 The workshop will provide an overview of capital raising options and considerations for early-stage social entrepreneurs, helping participants think through the trade-offs and possible opportunities for each option. We will cover the '5 C’s for Successful Funding' model – Clarity, Credibility, Communities, Channels and Courage - focusing on the actions that can be taken to create more clarity, credibility and momentum early on to increase the ability to raise capital. Then I've got a number of webinars with Campus Plus, Disruptors Co and the City of Sydney in June and July: 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟐, 𝟏𝟐-𝟏𝐩𝐦 𝐀𝐄𝐒𝐓 Social entrepreneurship is the application of entrepreneurial approaches to the goal of creating social impact. A key part of this approach is being aware of and leveraging different approaches to fundraising, including philanthropy, impact investment and presales. This webinar will cover considerations and requirements for different forms of capital, an introduction to social enterprise and leveraging business as a tool for impact and the truth of the Australian impact investment marketplace. 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡, 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟖, 𝟏𝟐-𝟏𝐩𝐦 𝐀𝐄𝐒𝐓 In an era where economic pressures are compounded by the need for sustainable and ethical business practices, business owners must learn to balance competing priorities and business models. Discover how social entrepreneurship and alternative models can not only sustain, but enrich your business amidst economic challenges. Learn how to overcome rising operational costs, blend profit with purpose, contribute to community wealth and achieve sustainable growth. 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟑𝟏, 𝟏𝟐-𝟏𝐩𝐦 𝐀𝐄𝐒𝐓 Crowdfunding is a popular way to launch or grow a social enterprise or non-profit, raise funds for a cause or an impact project or fuel a grassroots movement or campaign. But the truth is, the majority of all crowdfunding campaigns fall short. Attend this webinar to ensure you know the formula for success. We will cover common misunderstandings, what those who successfully raise funds are doing right and how to think through the best crowdfunding model, goals and outreach strategy for your project or enterprise. All links to RSVP are in the first comment below. #socialenterprise #socentau #fundraising #purpose

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As one who's utilized various standards and complaints "authorities", and come away disappointed, I imagine the threshold to succeed with a complaint about a violation of the Advertising Authority's Standards is pretty high. I wish You all the best, but remember: It's not enough that We're simply offended by Hobson's Pledge's (HP's) agenda: everyone has the right to freedom of expression (with the proviso that it isn't seeking to instigate violence or harm to others). On the face of it I reckon it'd be difficult to win a complaint on those grounds. A better use of Our efforts might be to determine what specific disinformation or malinformation is on HP's website, and campaign to shut the website down on that basis. Or, see if there's any way to find out who are the big players supporting HP and shame them publicly. Or fundraise for a NZH ad that mirrors the format, but has a pro-Te Tiriti message - or (if that's unaffordable, or We can't compete with HP's money) run an assertive campaign on free social media (using the strength of numbers, rather than money) with viral messaging that shames HP and gives accurate context about the foreshore and seabed situation.

You don't have to be an expert to know that competition is not working well in New Zealand. The effects are painful. A lack of competition means less choice, less innovation and, usually, higher prices. That’s why the Government is progressing an ambitious review of New Zealand’s competition law to ensure we have sufficiently tough settings to deter monopolies, duopolies and cosy oligopolies from forming in the first place.  https://lnkd.in/gsdZq9Z6

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NDIS POWER DYNAMICS NDIA: The Treasury Titans Control Over Funds: NDIA’s control over the distribution of #NDIS funds is like putting a fox in charge of the henhouse. Influence participant outcomes & scheme's sustainability, all while looking out for the bottom line. Do you trust them to prioritize anything other than saving a buck? NDIS Commission: Rulebook Tyrants Regulatory Authority: #Commission has power to make or break service providers. They say, "Jump," & providers ask, "How high?" But are they the watchdogs we need or just another layer of bureaucracy pretending to care? DSS: Policy Puppeteers Policy & Funding Control: DSS holds the puppet strings of policy & funding, shaping NDIS's direction. High-level decisions from people who might never have seen a participant up close – what could go wrong? Conflicts NDIA: Bean Counters vs. Human #Needs Financial vs. Participant Needs: Imagine an agency more obsessed with keeping the ledger balanced than keeping people alive. Will they cut corners to save a dime, even if it costs participants dearly? NDIS Commission: Judge, Jury & Executioner Provider Interests vs. Participant Protection: The Commission's job is to protect participants, but what happens when they're too chummy with providers? Bias in investigations could turn justice into a joke. DSS: Budget Hawks vs. Social Advocates Budget Constraints vs. Service Provision: DSS dances on a tightrope between budget constraints & need to provide services. When politics get involved, who do you think gets the short end of the stick? Ambiguities NDIA: Decision-Making in a Black Box Transparency: Trying to understand NDIA’s decision-making process is like deciphering hieroglyphics. Participants are left in the dark, questioning if there's any rhyme or reason behind their funding & plan decisions. NDIS Commission: Rule Roulette Consistency: The Commission's enforcement of rules can feel like a game of roulette. Will they be lenient or strict today? Even they might not know until the wheel stops spinning. DSS: Policy Ping-Pong Federal & state policies often clash like rival siblings. This coordination, or lack thereof, leads to policy gaps that participants fall through, leaving them wondering if anyone up top actually knows what's going on. Hidden Agendas NDIA: The Surveillance State Centralization & Surveillance: NDIA's push for central control & data collection, privacy concerns rise. Are they genuinely interested in participant welfare or just playing Big Brother with a benevolent mask? NDIS Commission: Provider Pawns Influence of Providers: When the Commission starts bending to the will of powerful providers, trust flies out the window. Are they there to regulate or just to make it look good on paper? DSS: The Political Puppet Show Political Influence: DSS's decisions often reflect political strategies rather than participant needs. Is it about improving disability services, or just scoring political points and votes?

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Would you even believe me if I told you that the NDIS wasn't some great new innovative idea but a recycled 40 YEAR OLD concept - a polished 💩 if you will... Well what-do-you-know here we are. This is a stark example of how history repeats itself in #disability reform. The systemic challenges identified in the (attached) 1983 New Directions review & addressed through the Disability #Services Act 1986 (DSA) closely mirror the same issues being discussed & debated today, particularly in the context of NDIS. 1983 vs. Now (40 years later) Unmet Needs & #Accountability The 1983 review criticized the lack of clear program objectives and accountability for service quality. Services were not consumer-focused and often relied on institutional, charity-driven models. The same criticisms are echoed in NDIS operations. Lack of clear, measurable outcomes for participants. Rationing of services due to budget constraints & underfunding.Persistent calls for accountability in how funds are spent & outcomes measured. Federal-State Coordination A significant issue was the lack of coordination between #Commonwealth & State governments, in 1983 leading to fragmented service delivery. Under the NDIS, federal-state tensions persist. Disagreements over funding contributions & responsibility for certain services. Ongoing jurisdictional confusion regarding health vs. disability services. Transition to Community-Based Models The 1983 review advocated for community-based services, reducing reliance on institutional care, & ensuring individual choice in service provision. While the NDIS emphasizes #choice & control, many participants & advocates argue that services remain overly bureaucratic and prescriptive. True community integration is undermined by systemic rigidity and centralized control. Consumer Outcomes Focus The DSA 1986 sought to tie funding to specific, agreed-upon outcomes for participants, marking a shift toward consumer-driven models. Despite this being a core principle of NDIS, there is widespread dissatisfaction with inconsistent plan outcomes. Reliance on generic solutions that fail to account for individual needs. Resource Allocation The 1983 New Directions review highlighted the need for better allocation of funding to smaller, community-focused organizations rather than large institutions. Critics of #NDIS often point to over-reliance on large providers at the expense of grassroots, community-driven services. Concerns over administrative overheads consuming a significant portion of NDIS funding. continued in comments 👇 Peter Gregory Jarrod Sandell-Hay Samantha Connor Tara Hannon Annette A. Dr George Taleporos (GAICD, PhD) Vern Hughes Graham Taylor Mark Sweeney Mark Toomey Marie J. Marie J. Karrie Brockovich Byron Stol Shirley Humphris Bob Buckley Cat Walker Uli Cartwright Katy Gagliardi Loma Naser William Ward-Boas Aaron Cotton Muriel Cummins Dr Rodney Jilek MAICD Rachel Allan Amanda Challen👩‍🦼 David Napier

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#AusMumBlog "As small business owners, we work in silos. We're the only women we know who own our own business. Being at the AusMum [AusMumpreneur] Awards allowed us to meet other incredible ladies on their entrepreneurial journeys. We're connecting with women who can complement our business, but also connecting businesses to businesses." - Em Frost & Jessica Breakwell of Virago Logistics when asked how did the awards help them in their business Read more: https://lnkd.in/gRj5SBYH #AusMum23 #blogfeature #blogpostoftheday

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Claystone Marketing 100 % Aboriginal owned is proud to be managing this Movember campaign John Paterson It’s November and besides celebrating AMSANT’s 30 Anniversary this month Movember Australia we will be featuring our SEWB teams promotion of Aboriginal male health ( See our fundraising link below ) Where men live is an alarmingly significant indicator of how long they live. From Movember`s The Real Face of Men’s Health report Men in the Lingiari electorate, covering 95% of the area of the Northern Territory, are, on average, over 3.5 times more likely to die prematurely than men living inner metropolitan Sydney, New South Wales, Key points include: 1. Premature Mortality: Indigenous men have a rate of premature death more than double that of non-Indigenous men, with the gap increasing in recent years. ​ 2. Suicide Rates: Suicide is 2.6 times more common among Indigenous males than non-Indigenous males, with 34% of suicide deaths in Indigenous males occurring in those aged 15-24 years. ​ 3. Chronic Disease and Multimorbidity: Indigenous men experience higher rates of chronic diseases and multimorbidity, often linked to socioeconomic disadvantage and isolation. ​ 4. Cultural Identity and Health: Cultural identity is deeply connected to health and wellness for First Nations peoples. ​ Culturally protected and sensitized programs, co-designed and led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, are critical for improving health outcomes. ​ Will you chip in to help our AMSANT team raise much-needed funds for men's health this #Movember? Together we can stop men dying too young https://lnkd.in/g824F27V Mark Wenitong Karl Briscoe - Jawalba, Kuku Yalanji Bama - MIBL, MPH John Paterson

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🌟 2024 Federal Budget: What It Means for Your Business 🌟 Tonight’s Australian Federal Budget announcement promises significant changes for SMEs, startups, and industries. At IntraWork, we’re ready to help you navigate these new opportunities for growth and sustainability. From cost of living adjustments and business support to innovation incentives and infrastructure investments, the budget aims to create a thriving environment for businesses and communities. Stay tuned for our comprehensive analysis on how these developments can impact your business and how you can leverage them for success. Read our full pre-budget insights here: https://wix.to/KppGvKa #FederalBudget2024 #BusinessGrowth #IntraWork #Innovation #EconomicDevelopment #SMEs #Startups

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82 per cent of founders Yuzu Agency questioned said they had NOT spoken to at least five (or more) of their ideal target customers. 82 per cent. Why are there so many founders out there who are piling their life savings into a venture they have done little to no due diligence on? When you combine this with data from CB Insights that says 42 per cent of all startups fail because they built a product there was no market need for, it becomes less and less surprising. The good news is, most of your competition don't understand their customers beyond a superficial level. They don't truly understand the core problem their ideal customers need solving. This is an opportunity to arm yourself with a huge competitive advantage. For the price of a conversation with your ideal customers, you can: Validate your thinking Move faster Spend less Create more loyal customers But what should you be asking them? How should this conversation be structured? How can you get the most value from it? I'm sharing everything in my new book, The Minimal Viable Launch: https://lnkd.in/es-4xEXv #MinimalViableLaunch #TechStartup #MVP #ProductMarketFit #SoftwareDevelopment #StartupInvestment #StartupAdvice

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Wondering how to market your business in 2025? This guide will help you navigate the complexities of online, offline, and event marketing, ensuring your business has the best chance to thrive in 2025. Read the guide here -> https://lnkd.in/g-qTmW56 Let us know what your biggest marketing struggle of 2024 was in the comments below. #thrivein2025 #marketing #business #sme #win

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An excellent article on the increasingly complex role of directors and three key takeaways for directors to take into account new year. #boards #directors #governance

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