http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz en-us Thu, 12 Mar 2026 20:34:02 +1300 Rocketspark http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/post/159300/when-something-happens-that-no-one-planned-for/ Running a business means making plans.You plan for growth, staffing, cashflow, and customers. You plan for the things you can influence and control.What’s harder to plan for are disruptions that sit outside your control - Events like fire, natural disasters, sudden illness, the loss of a key person, or access issues that prevent a business from operating as normal.When these unexpected events happen, they can change how a business operates overnight.That’s where business resilience comes in.... Sat, 24 Jan 2026 16:08:48 +1300 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/#post159300 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/post/151345/letting-go-without-losing-control/ Every business owner reaches a point where hard work alone isn’t enough.In the beginning, you’re the engine that drives everything. You take the calls, do the jobs, pay the bills, and make sure clients are happy. Your business is a lot like a rowboat - small, nimble, and powered by you. If you stop rowing, the boat stops moving.And that works... for a while. But eventually, the business grows. Staff are hired. More clients come on board. The “rowboat” becomes something much bigger.And he... Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/#post151345 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/post/147738/do-i-need-a-business-advisor-a-business-mentor-or-a-business-coach/ You’ve hit a wall.Or you're ready to grow.Or maybe you’re just tired of having no one to bounce ideas off.So, you start Googling and end up even more confused:Do I need a business advisor? A business coach? A business mentor?What's the difference? And which one is actually going to help?Let’s break it down.A Business MentorThink of a mentor like an experienced friend.They’ve “been there, done that” and are happy to share their wisdom, often informally and for free. Mentors are great ... Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/#post147738 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/post/147080/profitable-but-broke/ It’s a story I hear all too often.On paper, things look great. Revenue’s increasing. Margins are solid. The business is “successful.”Yet they are constantly battling cashflow problems.When we dig a little deeper, the same pattern keeps showing up.They’ve funded their growth with debt.Here’s how it usually plays out:Sales start to pick up. You need more people, more tools, maybe a bigger space.So you borrow. A new vehicle here, a bit of extra equipment there, maybe a lease on a b... Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:24:04 +1200 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/#post147080 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/post/116747/what-if-the-only-thing-holding-you-back-is-you/ Let’s talk about something that doesn’t show up on a profit and loss statement but impacts every decision you make as a business owner: confidence.Not the strutting-around-like-you-know-everything kind. I’m talking about that quiet, grounded belief that says, “I’ve got this.” Even when things feel hard. Even when you’re winging it a bit (because, let’s be honest, most of us are sometimes).Before anyone else believes in you; your team, your customers, your bank manager; you’ve g... Thu, 22 May 2025 14:32:59 +1200 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/#post116747 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/post/143533/want-more-profit-start-with-better-customer-service/ I walked into a shop the other day, and walked out again. Let’s just say I won’t be back.Two staff were behind the counter. Both deep in conversation (with each other), both ignoring the customers wandering around looking increasingly lost. No eye contact. No smile. Not even a quick “Hey, we’ll be with you in a sec.”I wasn’t expecting red carpet treatment. Just a basic human interaction.Good customer service isn’t hard. But when it’s missing, it leaves a sour taste.And for busine... Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/#post143533 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/post/142421/profit-isnt-just-about-making-more-money-its-about-having-options/ If you ask most business owners why they started their business, they’ll often say something like: I wanted more freedom. Freedom to work for themselves, set their own schedule, and earn what they’re worth. But somewhere along the way, the dream of freedom gets replaced by the daily grind of stress, long hours, and cash flow worries.The missing piece? Profit.Because when your business is truly profitable, you have options.You have...🟠 The Freedom to Pay Yourself ProperlyToo many busi... Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/#post142421 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/post/141260/are-relationships-the-backbone-of-business-success/ Business is often seen as a numbers game - profit margins, revenue targets, and bottom lines. It is, but those numbers wouldn’t exist without the relationships behind them.Every sale, every contract, every dollar in your business is the result of the connections you’ve built. As a Business Advisor, I’ve seen that the numbers only work when the people behind them are connected, supported, and aligned.Nurture those relationships, and the numbers will follow.Neglect them, and no amo... Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/#post141260 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/post/139581/why-business-planning-beats-new-years-resolutions-every-time/ It’s the start of 2025, and everyone’s talking about New Year’s resolutions!Being healthier is always on my list, especially after December usually involves way too much eating and drinking!What resolutions have you set? Will they still matter in February?If I want to be healthier, then I need to plan out my daily walks and make a meal plan, otherwise nothing changes! Are you the same?Here are five reasons why ACTION beats INTENTION every time:Resolutions Are Vague, Plans Are Actionab... Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/#post139581 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/post/138622/how-to-build-customer-loyalty-without-cutting-prices/ Everywhere you look, businesses are running sales, slashing prices, and offering ‘too-good-to-miss’ deals. It’s a tried-and-true strategy for big brands looking to dominate the market. But for SMEs—especially those in service or trade industries—is it really the best approach?While big companies use discounts to chase market share, small businesses should focus on something far more sustainable—profitable growth. Let’s dive into why loyalty, not discounts, is the smarter play for y... Fri, 29 Nov 2024 13:30:10 +1300 http://www.helenlaidlaw.co.nz/blog/#post138622