Leader

Unclaimed money

There's a frightening amount of money unclaimed and awaiting collection, about $458 million at last count. Are you one of the 500,000 Australians who’s owed something? Find out here.  

How to write a mission statement

This video by Dan Heath over at Fast Company shows you exactly how the mission statement of a small business goes from tasty to terrible in one brainstorming session.




Just how much are meetings costing you?

This basic, but very effective tool easily gives you the answer. Simply tell it how many people are in attendance, their daily rate and the clock starts ticking. Very, very scary! 

Any procrastinating writers here?

Thought so. This little site is a corker. Select how many words you're trying to write, your deadline and punishment mode and you'll get some pretty sharp reminders if you start to slack off.  



Need a financial health check?

Superannuation advice, budget planners and tips for saving are all on offer at the Understanding Money website. This Government operated site provides real back to basics information on how to, err, understand money. 

Font of all knowledge

Not sure what your default font should be? This site is sure to help. Simply paste in some text, choose from hundreds of different fonts and take your pick! 


Feeling demotivated?

The motivation industry has had its day in the sun. How's this for a contradictory view? Despair.com's demotivators claim to 'increase success by lowering expectations.'

Office pod

We want one. Well half a dozen, actually. These office pods have got to be the coolest little workspaces we’ve seen. They look so yummy in the garden.

18 smokin' hot business cards

If you’re just starting up or looking to redesign your business cards, here is a wealth of inspiration from our friends at Freelance Switch.

Wordle on the street

This cool free tool at www.Wordle.net generates funky looking word clouds based on your website or selected text. You can even try different colour schemes and layouts.

Hot or cold?

Stay up to date with the climate debate on this site. Great for those pro action and sceptics, it lists calls to action and dissenting voices from around the world.

Are you free?

If you struggle getting small groups of people together for a meeting, this little gizmo may help. It certainly saves on the email tennis.

Get help from the crowd

The Flying Solo forums are where you can talk and network freely. If you're looking for help, seeking a referral, or just itching to share some news or knowledge, there's a mob of supporters here.

Someone trying to empty your pockets?

SCAMwatch will help you recognise, report and protect yourself from scams that target you or your small business.

Want to get your articles out there?

ArticlePR features a free list of article submission sites or article banks, to which you can submit your articles in order for them to be distributed far and wide.

Keep it simple, silly

More often than not, a soloist’s life is about multi tasking and coping with complexity. If this sounds like you, our friends at Freelance Switch have some worthwhile tips: 10 Ways to Simplify Your Freelance Life.

Calling all Flying Solo fans!

If you're an active networker or involved in any small business groups, we'd love you to get involved in our snappy little promotional program. Find out more.  

Who's following you?

Twitter fans may like Twittersheep, which tells you which kinds of folk are following you. Give it a go! 

When it all gets too much

When it all gets too much. A big thanks to web developer, Simon for this little gem. Apparently it’s where he heads when clients drive him nuts.

Save (on) your energy

Make It Cheaper provides a free service that helps you ditch and switch energy providers. There’s a handy blog with money saving tips, too.

Have you read our manifesto?

If you've yet to read Flying Solo the book, have a read of the Soloist's Manifesto to get a feel for what it's about. Alternatively, browse some reader reviews.

Anatomy of Australia’s micro business owner

Flying Solo’s Understanding Micro Business, 2010-2011 – Australia’s largest micro business survey takes the pulse of this critical business sector. Download the results now.

 

Get projects over the line

If you admire 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' (and who wouldn't?) and recognise you need some assistance to get over the finish line, this online goal tracker may well appeal.

Text for dummies

Ever wondered where to find that dummy text used by designers? The answer is here. Given it's a practice that's been around since the 1500s, this may not be the original source!

 

Impress your TED friends

There's no doubt that TED is a wonderful resource and we love it, but FORA is pretty awesome too. Enjoy a short movie with your morning tea.

Please help us spread the word!

If you enjoy your time on Flying Solo, you may like to tell others. Here are a number of ways you can do just that. The larger we get, the greater the combined wisdom. Thanks!

What say you?

My days are…
0% - Planned to the minute
83% - Loosely structured
16% - A moveable feast
My days are…
 
HomeStartupSetting business goals

Startup | Setting business goals

Whether you are starting a new business or have spent years running your business, spending time focusing on business planning and setting business goals can have a huge impact on your success.

In this section you’ll find plenty of business planning ideas not only on business goal setting, but also on how to achieve your business goals once they have been set. We give advice on setting long term business goals, as well as breaking your business goals into smaller objectives.

Seven tips for effective goal setting

01 Jan 10 | Deborah Keep

It’s a great time to set new goals. These tips for effectibe goal setting are based on neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) to help make your goals more lively, fun, and effective! Read more

Comments: 12

Big Picture Thinking – friend or foe?

27 Jul 09 | Sam Leader

Many experts tell you that the best way to achieve a goal is by using big picture thinking - to imagine how life looks and feels once you’ve reached it. Read more

Comments: 32

How being organised helps you set goals

12 Feb 09 | Roz Howland

Do you feel too overwhelmed by lack of time, space or energy to set goals? Breaking the process down and being organised at every step will see you setting goals in next to no time. Read more

Comments: 8

Targeting key business milestones

11 Jan 09 | Philip Shaw

Success is not about working long hours and weekends, it’s about actively targeting key business milestones in the form of key, or ‘springboard’ events. Here’s how these events can propel your business forward. Read more

Comments: 4

Goal setting strategy: Aim high

21 Jan 08 | Robert Gerrish

Several years ago I took a stab at managing a pop band. They were good musicians. I was an okay manager. Together we failed abysmally. I think I know why. We didn't have the correct goal setting strategy. Read more

Comments: 23

Crafting a personal mission statement

03 Jan 08 | Peter Morgan

To be successful in our business, we need to have a clear vision of where we are going, as well as how we are going to get there. This can be done by creating a personal mission statement, describing the ultimate purpose for our solo journey. Read more

Comments: 1

Business deadlines: Let yourself off the hook

27 Nov 07 | Robert Gerrish

In December, the world of the solo business owner can go somewhat wobbly. Sound familiar? Thought so. Welcome to what I consider the most uncomfortable few weeks of the silly season. I suggest it’s time to let some business deadlines go. Read more

Comments: 27

Vision statements: How to create a vision statement

18 Nov 07 | Peter Morgan

The road to business success can be quite a journey and we need to be clear about where we are going. Learning how to create a vision statement will greatly increase our chances of success. Read more

Comments: 6

How to achieve goals

28 May 07 | Sam Leader

This time last year I took a trip to Borneo, where I climbed south east Asia's largest mountain, Mount Kinabalu. I learned a great deal about how to achieve goals from the experience. Read more

Comments: 12

Get out of your comfort zone!

21 Jan 07 | Megan Tough

Comfort zones are insidious. They keep us doing the same old things, the way we’ve always done them. After all, when was the last time you thought about taking your business to new and heady heights, but didn’t actually get any further? Read more

Comments: 9

An achievable vision for your solo business

28 Nov 06 | Paul J. Morris

Is your vision for your business acheivable? Only then can it keep you motivated and focused. Here's how a vision that's grounded in reality can be of real use to your solo business. Read more

Comments: 2

Setting goals: Turning dreams into reality

31 Oct 06 | Linda Anderson

There is a big difference between dreams and goals. Here's what to consider when it comes to setting goals and turning dreams into reality! Read more

Comments: 9

Setting big hairy long and short term business goals

18 May 06 | Megan Tough

In the heady arena of business strategy, consultants find wonderful acronyms for the work they do. Let me introduce one to you. It’s the BHAG – the Big Hairy Audacious Goal! Read on to find out more about setting long and short term business goals. Read more

Comments: 8

Self-regulation: Setting and achieving goals

16 Feb 06 | Ellen Jackson

What is it that helps and hurts us when it comes to achieving our goals? Why is it so easy one day and so difficult the next? Here are three factors which play a part in self-regulation and setting and achieving goals. Read more

Comments: 5

Goal setting tips for your business

28 Sep 05 | Barb Clews

The secret to effective goal setting is to break your big objectives into manageable chunks. Here's how... Read more

Comments: 3

Business vision: the importance of long term goals

19 Jul 05 | Robert Gerrish

In our book Flying Solo - How to go it alone in business, Sam and I talk a great deal about the role and importance of holding a buiness vision. Having long term goals can help you make decisions every day. Read more

Comments: 2