Welcome to our March Newsletter!

 

This month we discuss KiwiSaver, business planning, the minimum wage rise, a couple of good reads from my bookshelf, snacks and an interview with the best hairdresser in town! If you enjoy it, please feel free to share it with your network and get them to sign up to the newsletter here.

Next month, I have a treat in store for you for the beginning of the financial year! A dedicated sales newsletter to get you motivated to have your best year yet! Head over to Facebook with any burning questions you may have around sales!

Michelle xx

 

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Tips for business planning

 

Planning helps you chart the course for the success of your business, it also helps you make effective decisions, creates focus and assists in allocating resources.

Here are some of the best tips I have come across around business planning;

Choose the right type of business plan – Are you a visual person or an excel geek? Do you like to write it up on a whiteboard? Or are you into more digital means?

Keep it simple and succinct! Don’t spend weeks agonising over minute details, start with a small set of goals, they’re much easier to keep on track.

Communicate, communicate, communicate!! Make sure that ALL of the relevant people are on board and focused on the same prize!

Ask for feedback – surveying key stakeholders is always helpful, you want to put your energy into areas that are going to make your customers come back time and time again.

Find a mentor or advisor – having an objective point of view from someone you trust has your best interests at heart can only be positive, (and helps you fight procrastination!).

Remember to be realistic and relevant and along with some hard work and focus, you will be well on your way to success.

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KiwiSaver: Opt-in and dial up your savings

 

If you think KiwiSaver isn’t for you because you’re self-employed, you’re probably missing out on thousands of dollars in government contributions.

The retirement savings scheme isn’t just a smart move for salaried employees. Opt-in when you work for yourself and you’ll still reap the rewards. Here are some tips for powering up your savings;

Get in to get the most out – Even putting a small amount each week into KiwiSaver can make a big difference to your sunset years.

If you put in at least $20 a week or $1,043 a year into your fund, you’ll receive the full government top-up of $521 a year.

Check you’re in the right fund – If you don’t choose a KiwiSaver fund, Inland Revenue will put you in one of nine default funds. This may not be the best option for you.

The right fund for you will depend on your situation and attitude to risk. The riskier the fund, the higher your potential returns. Use Sorted’s Fund Finder tool to find the right type of fund for you and compare different funds of that type.

Don’t pay more tax than you need to – Check your rate is right for your income — especially if your annual income varies greatly year to year. Ask your KiwiSaver provider.

For more information on KiwiSaver, click here.

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Minimum wage rises by 50c

 

The minimum wage is going up from $15.25 to $15.75 per hour. Here’s what you’ll need to know for your business;

When: 1 April 2017
What: The new minimum wage rates are:

• Adult — $15.75 an hour
• Starting-out — $12.60 an hour (up from $12.20)
• Training — $12.60 an hour (up from $12.20)
• Starting out and training minimum wages are 80% of the adult minimum wage.

Why: Government must by law review the minimum wage rates every year.

What you’ll need to do: You and your staff can agree to any wage above the minimum rate. If your employment agreements are a few years old, you can use this as a chance to update them. Note that it is a legal requirement to have a written employment agreement with all your staff.

For more information on the minimum wage rules, click here.

 

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Jay & Sarah: Fresh Affordable Family Food – Jay Wanakore, Sarah Chase

 

Simple yet healthy meals made without fuss by crowd favourites Jay & Sarah from My Kitchen Rules. Jay & Sarah won the hearts and minds of viewers of My Kitchen Rules in 2015. Their enthusiasm for modern, healthy food that is budget-friendly yet quick and easy to prepare is now shown in full in this book of achievable recipes for all New Zealanders. With three children under the age of eight, Jay & Sarah know how to get food on the table with a minimum of fuss, using fresh seasonal ingredients.

Check it out here.

 

 

You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life – Jen Sincero

 
In this refreshingly entertaining how-to guide, bestselling author and world-traveling success coach, Jen Sincero, serves up 27 bite-sized chapters full of hilariously inspiring stories, sage advice, easy exercises, and the occasional swear word, helping you to: Identify and change the self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors that stop you from getting what you want. Create a life you totally love. And create it NOW and make some damn money already – the kind you’ve never made before. By the end of You Are a Badass, you’ll understand why you are how you are, how to love what you can’t change, how to change what you don’t love, and how to use The Force to kick some serious ass.

Check it out here.

 

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Snacks!

Who doesn’t love snacks?! Anyone? I thought so.

Here are some recipes by one of my favourite chefs, Nadia Lim! She says, when it comes to snacks, I have a saying: “Eat snacks from nature, not the vending machine!”. The best snacks are based around vegetables and fruit, so you’ll find lots of fruit smoothies and dips to have with fresh crunchy vegetables here. There are also a variety of tasty vegetable sides that will work as the perfect accompaniment to any meal.

Who says healthy can’t be fun!

Head over to Facebook to share your favourite healthy snack.

 

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Let me introduce you to the lovely Tayla from Taylad Styling hair salon in Silverdale. Tayla opened the salon two and a half years ago and creates tailored hairstyles to suit you and complement you as an individual. I interviewed her for you and here are her responses!

What advice would you give to someone just starting out?

Do your research on your ideal target market and clientele. Find out your other competition in your area, having a difference in your services and brand to make your company more appealing. Have a great accountant on your side that understands where you want your business to head to and they can help you get there and achieve your goals (that’s why I have Michelle). Also be willing to learn/grow/change and be creative with your advertising.

What has been your proudest achievement? 

My son Levi who’s 9 years old, my salon and the growth it has achieved and being profitable and being a recent first homeowner.

What do you like to do in your downtime?

I love heading to the beach, doing yoga and spending time with my family.

Tell us something fun that not many people know about you?

I can recite the alphabet backwards 🙂 I once represented New Zealand in roller skating.

What has been your biggest lesson learned? 

Learning to delegate to my team and at home. Taking time for yourself so you don’t burn out and having a work/life balance.

Visit Taylad Styling’s website and like their Facebook page for more information and to connect.

 

 

 

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