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business.gov.au have put together an A – Z of business tips for businesses of all sizes, operating in Australia. As a syndication partner of business.gov.au, Australian Women Online is able to publish these helpful tips on our website as an easy reference guide for small business owners.
This information is brought to you by business.gov.au
A is for the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS)
ABLIS is a free service to help you find the business licences, permits, registrations, codes of practice, standards and guidelines you need to meet your compliance responsibilities as a business owner.
ABLIS saves you time and money by making it easier to find information and comply with government business regulations. ABLIS also benefits businesses that operate across multiple states and territories, by providing a single place to search for information.
Search the ABLIS 
website for more information for your business.
B is for Business finances
As a business owner, you can engage bookkeepers, accountants and other advisors to look after your finances, but ultimately the financial responsibility of your business lies with you.
Visit our Business finance topic to find out more about managing your business finances and seeking business finance.
C is for Connecting with customers
Connecting and listening to your customers can help you generate ideas to improve your business.
You can connect with your customers by:
- offering your customers channels to give feedback on your products and services
- conducting market research to better understand how your customers use your products and services
- understanding the importance of marketing and branding for your business.
Read our Innovation topic for information on connecting with customers.
D is for Debt
Cash flow is an important part of any business and it’s vital to stay on top of outstanding debts in order to grow your business.
Read our Business finance topic for information on improving your financial position.
Visit the BusinessVictoria website for information on the process of recovering debt.
E is for Events calendar
Visit our Events Calendar to find business events, seminars, training courses and workshops around Australia.
Search by category, date and/or state to find events that suit you and your business.
We publish our events one month in advance, however organisers may change details at any time so please contact them directly before attending any event.
Government business events may be listed in our Events Calendar by contacting us.
F is for Franchising topic
If you’re looking to start a business, buying into a franchise can be a good alternative to starting a unique venture. Some of the benefits of a owning a franchise are:
- the business already has stock
- the business has established suppliers
- the business has an established brand.
Read our Franchising topic to find out about buying a franchise or franchising your own business.
G is for Grants and Assistance Finder
Finding government grants and assistance to help grow your business has never been easier.
A variety of grants and funding programs, as well as advisory and counselling services are available for Australian businesses.
Search our Grants and Assistance Finder to find a list of Australian, state and territory grants and assistance programs most relevant to your business for free.
Visit our Grants and Assistance topic for more information on finding grants and funding for your business.
H is for Home-based business topic
Running a home-based business can offer many advantages including flexibility of work hours, having creative control, and the reward of watching your business grow over time.
Read our Home-based business topic for information on:
- planning and getting your home-based business started
- registration and licences for your home-based business
- taxation and insurance for your home-based business.
I is for Intellectual Property (IP)
Unique ideas and creations can exist in every business, but how do you stop competitors from copying your most valuable asset?
Intellectual property (IP) represents creations of the mind or intellect that can be legally owned.
IP laws allow for protection through:
Read our Intellectual property topic to find out more about protecting your IP.
J is for Joint venture
A joint venture is when two or more businesses combine resources, knowledge and skills to boost business growth.
Joint ventures can vary depending on your business goals and the level of commitment you want to give to a project.
Visit the Queensland Government Business and industry portal to find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of joint ventures.
K is for Knowing your target market
To run a successful business you need to know all about your potential and existing customers and the marketplace you operate in. Take time to regularly assess who your competitors are, including:
- their strengths and weaknesses
- who your customers are and what they want
- whether there are any gaps in the market.
Putting the effort into researching your target market will help you determine whether you can turn your idea into a profitable business.
Read our Market research and statistics topic for information on assessing your market and competitors.
L is for Licences and permits
If you’re running a business, it’s important to make sure you have the right licence or permit. Having the right licence allows you to operate without worrying about being shut down over non-compliance.
The federal, state and territory and local governments are all responsible for the different licences, permits, registrations and certificates that apply to business.
Read our Licences and permits topic to find out about the licensing requirements that apply to your business.
Search the ABLIS website for more information on licences for your business.
M is for Marketing
A successful marketing plan can help you reach your target market, boost your customer base and, ultimately, increase your bottom line.
Good marketing helps your customers understand why your product or service is better than, or different from, your competition. Developing a marketing plan is essential for the success of your business. Regardless of how good your product or service is, customers will not always come to you, and you’ll need to bring them to your business.
A marketing plan should set clear, realistic and measureable objectives, include deadlines, provide a budget and allocate responsibilities.
Read our Marketing and advertising information and watch our Marketing Plan video.
N is for News for your business
If you’re in business, it’s important to keep up to date with the latest government and business news.
Whether its new support programs or changes to legislation, business.gov.au’s free email update service will help you to stay informed.
Get regular business updates on:
- news
- resources
- events
- services.
You can customise what information you would like to receive by selecting what state you are interested in, and choosing how often you’d like to receive the updates.
Sign up to the business.gov.au free email update service and get business news emailed straight to your inbox.
O is for Online business topic
Online business, also referred to as e-business, is any kind of business activity that happens online (over the internet).
By trading online you can save time and money, reduce your overheads and reach a much wider market. You also make it easier for your customers to do business with you.
Online businesses can take many forms including:
- websites
- online shops or marketplaces
- blogs
- social media accounts.
Visit our Online business topic to find out how you can get your business online.
P is for Planning for your business
business.gov.au has a free suite of planning tablet apps, developed by business experts, that you can access anytime, anywhere. You can use these apps to create well-structured plans that are tailored to your business.
Our suite of planning apps includes:
- MyBizPlan – this app provides an interactive business plan template that guides you through the process of creating a solid, well-structured business plan, tailored to your business
- MarketMyBiz – this app provides an interactive marketing plan template that guides you through the process of creating a marketing plan to help you achieve your business goals
- MyBizShield – this app steps you through the process of creating a solid, well-structured emergency management and recovery plan, tailored to your business.
Download our free Planning apps and start planning for your business success.
Q is for Quality management system
A quality management system can cover systems, processes and controls used in a business to improve its operations.
Quality management systems focus on the customer’s needs, and help with development in the areas of cost, reliability, quality, innovation, efficiency and business effectiveness.
Visit the SA Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy’s Small Business page for more information quality management systems.
R is for Registering your business name
A business name not only identifies you to your customers, but also allows you to differentiate yourself from your competitors and enables your customers to make an emotional connection to your business and brand.
If you operate as a sole trader, partnership or a trust, and not as a company, you will have to register your business name with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) .
If your business name is your or your partner’s full name, then there is no need to register.
Read our Registrations and licences topic to find out more about registering your business name.
S is for Social media for your business
Many businesses use social media to promote their business, communicate with customers and build their online profile.
Getting involved with online communities that use social media may help your business build relationships with customers and supporters.
Visit the Digital Business website for information on using social media for your business.
T is for Templates
Planning should always be the first step in developing your business as it gives you direction and helps you prepare for a lot of what you may need to overcome in the future.
The suite of business.gov.au planning templates helps guide you through the steps of creating solid, well-structured plans for your business.
Use our templates to develop a business, marketing, succession and emergency management and recovery plan for your business.
Visit our planning templates page to access a range of templates to help you plan for your business.
U is for Understanding your tax obligations
It’s important for any business owner to understand how taxes can affect their business. You can save money by paying the right amount on time and take advantage of any exemptions that you may be entitled to.
Read our Taxation topic to find out about your taxation obligations.
V is for Videos
Our Business videos section is a great place to find videos on starting, running and growing a business in Australia. From finding a business advisor to developing your marketing plan, our suite of videos cover all of the tools and resources you’ll need for your business.
You’ll also find playlists of videos on a range of business topics including tax, employing people and intellectual property.
You can also watch our videos on YouTube and subscribe to our YouTube channel , so we can help you work smarter, not harder.
W is for Work Health and Safety (WHS)
Creating a safe work environment is critical to the success of your business, and is one of the best ways to retain staff and maximise productivity.
Knowing and understanding the work health and safety (WHS) laws will help you avoid unnecessary costs and damage to your business caused by workplace injury and illness.
Read our Occupational health and safety topic to find out what you need to do to create a safe working environment.
X is for ‘X-porting’ (exporting)
Looking to expand your business through exporting?
Exporting can:
- open your business to new markets
- spread risk by reducing dependence on the local market
- increase your competitiveness.
Read our Importing and exporting topic to find out more about expanding your business by importing or exporting.
Y is for YouTube for your business
Every day millions of people (potential customers) watch, share and comment on videos posted online.
YouTube is a powerful way for businesses to connect with their audience by:
- demonstrating their skills
- launching new products
- asking for feedback
- increasing the search engine optimisation of their website by linking their YouTube videos to their website.
Visit the BusinessVictoria website to find out how you can use YouTube for your business.
Z is for Zoning permits for Businesses
Changes and modifications to business premises are likely to require permits relating to zoning, approvals and inspections.
As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to adhere to the planning and building regulations.
A good place to start is by contacting your local council’s building or planning department for the relevant permits and approvals for your business.
Visit the BusinessVictoria website to find out more about Zoning and approvals for business premises.
Search the ABLIS website for more information for your business.
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