WHAT DOES FREE ADVICE MEAN?

We've all seen it.

It's posted on billboards, online, in newspapers, magazines, flyers - in fact just about everywhere.

'Free Advice'

I'm here to tell you, if it's free - it's advice . . . if you're paying for it, it's probably listed as a professional consultation.

Most SME's have a tough time knowing who to go to (or trust) for advice and assistance.

Whether it's business or succession planning, company structuring or simply budgeting, your success is often is a result of the advice you receive - from the people who deliver it to you.

So? Where can a small or medium sized business find objective, independent advice - information that isn't tainted by commercial alliances or spurious networks.

Well firstly, do your homework.

Sure, 'google' for all you're worth - check out all those advertisers to purport to offer free advice - but remember how much they're probably paying to be at the top of those Google lists and ask yourself how they can afford to be at the top of those lists if they're offering anything truly worthwhile for free.

Your best first course of action in our opinion is to take advantage of fairly general information from State and Federal government bodies which are more likely to be able to at least point you in the right direction.

In the main, they have excellent online services to help start-up’s and SMEs when it comes to basic finance, marketing, registration and bookkeeping.

They are also in a position to assist with finding relevant grants and assistance programs, which can be a godsend (in spite of the paperwork).

If however, your needs are more complex, your best bet is to probably speak with your accountant or business advisor.

Depending on their level of service and expertise, they should be able to assist.

Having access to fiscal tools such as capital, inventory and infrastructure is one thing, having responsible, reliable mentoring, advice and help in business is another. 

If you would like to have more advice, we would love to help you so please give us a call on 02 9821 2455.