Seems to be the week for workplace accidents. In just the last few days I've heard from three of my clients who've had an employee injured at work. Simple things like one woman tripping, hitting her arm on a table and breaking a bone!
Every year in Australia, according to Safe Work Australia, it's estimated that more people die from workplace accidents and injuries than on our roads. Then there are thousands of people who have time off work because of sickness or injury incurred.
As a small business owner, you are legally required, under Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation, to adrere to specific regulations and codes of conduct. The expectation is that you have to make every effort to keep you and your team safe and healthy at work.
It's vital that you're OH&S compliant, no matter how big or small your business is. In The Small Business Success Guide, I run through where to start with OH&S issues.
My top tip is:
* Talk to your staff: "If people are expected to carry out tasks in a certain way, they should be given a say in the procedures," says Dr Maree Bernoth, an OH&S researcher and lecturer at Charles Sturt University.
Once you identify what's needed, you can organise training through your state WorkCover organisation (see my book for a list of contacts).
How safe is your workplace?
Margie
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Top tips for networking
There are lots of ideas out there on how to make the most of networking events. In fact, as I was about to post this blog, ChefMumu had a great Twitter on the subject at http://twitpic.com/1p156e
Adding to this is the fact that, for me, networking is also about developing relationships and opening your small business, and yourself, up to opportunities. To do this, go in to an event with one question top of mind: How can I help the person I'm speaking with?
But remember, every networking event is an investment in your time and money.
Don't waste either your time or your money by talking to just one person, or sticking next to someone you already know. The idea is to talk to lots of people at an event and pick up general and specific market intelligence that could benefit your business. Otherwise, why are you there?
Collect as much information as you can, and the contact details of every person you speak with. Then, after the event, you'll have a reason to reconnect. It might be as simple as pointing them in the direction of something interesting you've read online that will help them.
Call it your right-time, right-place strategy. Look at networking as an investment in your future business and you'll get the most out of every event.
Every time!
Margie
Adding to this is the fact that, for me, networking is also about developing relationships and opening your small business, and yourself, up to opportunities. To do this, go in to an event with one question top of mind: How can I help the person I'm speaking with?
But remember, every networking event is an investment in your time and money.
Don't waste either your time or your money by talking to just one person, or sticking next to someone you already know. The idea is to talk to lots of people at an event and pick up general and specific market intelligence that could benefit your business. Otherwise, why are you there?
Collect as much information as you can, and the contact details of every person you speak with. Then, after the event, you'll have a reason to reconnect. It might be as simple as pointing them in the direction of something interesting you've read online that will help them.
Call it your right-time, right-place strategy. Look at networking as an investment in your future business and you'll get the most out of every event.
Every time!
Margie
Workcover gets social?
It's one of those, I never thought I'd see the day moments. What? WorkCover NSW has a Facebook page! Blow me down.
Just goes to show the power of the social media network when an organisation like this has a presence.
And the WorkCover Facebook page isn't bad, either. Not only is it a good forum for employees hearing about other workers' stories, and getting advice, there's advice for business owners in the Talking Safety section. Worth a look.
When it comes to WorkCover, it pays for small business owners to be informed. I heard a terrifying story just yesterday of one business being found out for not having paid up their workers' compensation. The only way anyone found out was when an employee had to claim for an injury. Stay tuned for the drama.
You owe it to your employees and your business to be up on the latest in workers' comp and what you have to legally do with all your employees' entitlements.
Sites like WorkCover NSW offer some good information for anyone who does, or is thinking about, hiring staff (you'll find similar info on every state workers' comp organisation's website).
Take their advice on board!
Margie
Just goes to show the power of the social media network when an organisation like this has a presence.
And the WorkCover Facebook page isn't bad, either. Not only is it a good forum for employees hearing about other workers' stories, and getting advice, there's advice for business owners in the Talking Safety section. Worth a look.
When it comes to WorkCover, it pays for small business owners to be informed. I heard a terrifying story just yesterday of one business being found out for not having paid up their workers' compensation. The only way anyone found out was when an employee had to claim for an injury. Stay tuned for the drama.
You owe it to your employees and your business to be up on the latest in workers' comp and what you have to legally do with all your employees' entitlements.
Sites like WorkCover NSW offer some good information for anyone who does, or is thinking about, hiring staff (you'll find similar info on every state workers' comp organisation's website).
Take their advice on board!
Margie
Monday, May 17, 2010
Who's stressed?
The good days in small business are great. The bad days, when everyone wants a piece of you and you have no time to do anything properly, can seem like a whirlwind.
You go home and you feel swamped by the demands on your down time. And then you wade into the sea of paperwork that awaits your every night. There just doesn't seem to be an end to what you need to do.
Now, don't get me wrong: some stress can be good for you. It can give you the boost you need to blitz a client presentation, or to achieve a deadline you never thought possible. It can help you rise to the occasion and juggle the demands of business and family.
The flipside is that the physical effects of all this stress can be a negative in your life. As a small business owner, you owe it to your business, and to yourself, to be in the best health you can be.
So keep your stress levels in check, and recognise when you really do need a break.
Margie
You go home and you feel swamped by the demands on your down time. And then you wade into the sea of paperwork that awaits your every night. There just doesn't seem to be an end to what you need to do.
Now, don't get me wrong: some stress can be good for you. It can give you the boost you need to blitz a client presentation, or to achieve a deadline you never thought possible. It can help you rise to the occasion and juggle the demands of business and family.
The flipside is that the physical effects of all this stress can be a negative in your life. As a small business owner, you owe it to your business, and to yourself, to be in the best health you can be.
So keep your stress levels in check, and recognise when you really do need a break.
Margie
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