Workplace conflict is inevitable. A small comment can quickly escalate, creating tension that affects productivity and morale. Before long, what started with awkward silences has turned into people avoiding each other at the coffee machine and refusing to work together, and then HR gets called in to fix things. But what if managers were empowered to handle and resolve employee conflicts themselves? Rather than always stepping in as the 'fixer', HR's role should be to equip ma

Most business owners don’t think about HR until they’re tied up dealing with a staff issue they didn’t see coming.  Whether it’s someone...

Most workplaces run into communication hiccups sooner or later, and as your team grows, the more likely you are to experience it. It's not because people aren’t capable or willing, but because they naturally communicate in different ways and process information differently. And when those differences aren’t understood, conversations can miss the mark, barriers start to appear, and things can feel harder than they need to be. That’s where understanding the DISC Model becomes a

Just one uncomfortable joke, one inappropriate comment, or one ignored concern. It could easily happen in so many workplaces, and that’s all it takes for a safe, respectful workplace to become a legal and cultural risk. The new positive duty laws mean employers can no longer wait for a complaint before taking action. You now have a legal obligation  to prevent sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation before they happen . If you employ people, whether it’s a team o

Every business owner wants a team that’s committed, reliable, and genuinely invested in the work they do. Many small business owners mistake quiet compliance for satisfaction. People show up, get through their day, and rarely complain - so everything must be fine, right? Not necessarily - turning up doesn’t always mean tuning in . Disengaged employees rarely make noise; they simply give you the bare minimum until something better comes along. By the time you notice, you’ve lo

Have you ever applied for a job and heard… nothing? No acknowledgment, no update, just silence. Now imagine that happening to a talented candidate applying to your  business. They’ve done their research, spent time on their application, and waited, and waited, only to feel ignored. The process is slow, or feels impersonal. They wait weeks without a response, interviews are disorganised, and no one follows up. Chances are, they move on. Maybe they tell others about it too. Tha

With the holiday season here, office Christmas parties are starting. These parties are a fun way to celebrate and bring the team together, but it’s important to plan carefully and stay in control if something goes wrong. Setting Expectations Before the staff Christmas party, let everyone know the rules. Share clear guidelines about behaviour, drinking limits, and the company’s code of conduct. A friendly email reminder before the event can help, encouraging respect and profes

When an employee suddenly resigns or you need to let someone go, one of the first questions that comes up is: 'How much notice should be given?' Notice periods can feel confusing, especially when you’re juggling contracts, awards, and the Fair Work Act. But once you understand the rules and how to apply them, they can help you manage staff transitions smoothly and fairly. In this article, we’ll look at: What a notice period actually is Statutory notice periods under the Natio

Expired qualifications and licences such as driver’s licences, forklift tickets, trade tickets, Working with Children Checks, or Working with Vulnerable People checks aren’t just admin oversights - they’re potential WHS and legal risks to your business. If someone drives a company vehicle, operates a forklift, or works with kids or vulnerable people without a valid clearance, your business could face: Regulatory penalties  or fines for non-compliance. Insurance issues  if an

Recruitment is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a business owner. The right hire can drive growth, improve culture, and free up your time. The wrong hire can be costly, stressful, and set your business back months. The good news is that hiring doesn’t have to feel like guesswork. With a clear recruitment and hiring process, you can attract the right candidates, assess them effectively, and make confident hiring decisions that support your long-term goals. He

Giving feedback is one of the hardest parts of managing people. Say too little, and your team keeps repeating the same mistakes. Say too much, and you risk discouraging them. But when feedback is delivered the right way, it builds clarity, trust, and motivation, turning performance conversations into real opportunities for growth and improvement. Many small business owners and managers struggle with the same challenge: how do I give feedback that is clear, constructive, and d

Micromanagement is one of the fastest ways to lose good people. You can have competitive pay, flexible hours, and great intentions, but if your team feels like they’re not trusted, morale and performance will drop. The challenge is that micromanagement isn’t always obvious. It doesn’t just show up as the boss breathing down your neck or second-guessing every move. Often, it’s subtle - excessive 'just checking in' emails, constant tweaks to someone’s work, or needing to approv

Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats, but if you’re like most owners, you probably spend more time than you’d like on...

Deciding whether to pay employees an hourly rate or an annual salary  is one of the biggest pay structure questions for business owners....

Paying your staff isn’t as straightforward as choosing a rate that 'feels fair' and adding a little extra for overtime. As with most...

Recently a local business owner who runs a small marketing agency told me during a meeting, “ I’ve never used written contracts. Just a...

Spreadsheets. Paper rosters. Signed contracts lost in the bottom of someone’s drawer. If managing staff feels more complicated than it...

Ever had that sinking feeling when something goes wrong at work and you’re suddenly searching through policies, trying to find answers,...

Work anniversaries can be easy to miss when you're running a business and juggling a dozen priorities. But when they quietly slip by...

You’ve built a great team, but there’s one person who just isn’t keeping up. You’re not ready to let them go, but you know things can’t...