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you trust. To get a premium
service, you may have to pay a
small fee, but many services are
free. LastPass, 1Password and
Dashlane are examples to explore.
4
WORK WITH
REPUTABLE SUPPLIERS
At the risk of sounding
like a broken record, we’ll say it
again: If you’re dealing with a
dodgy wholesaler or supplier,
you’re putting your whole
business at risk. All Gemcell
members are reputable,
Australian-based wholesalers
who can help safeguard your
business. Establish a good
working relationship with your
wholesaler, and you’ll deal with
someone highly trained who can
give you after-hours help,
suggestions about upselling
products to your clients, advice
on product warranties and
in-depth knowledge about
different products. It’s a business
no-brainer.
5 LOOK AFTER YOURSELF
6 FUTURE PROOF
YOUR SKILLS
you’re allowing your business to
be left behind. The EcoSmart
Electricians training course is on
the Clean Energy Council’s
approved CPD list and offers
training on a range of topics
including solar generation
systems, energy management and
lighting. For more information,
visit ecosmartelectricians.com.au.
7
KNOW WHO YOU’RE
DEALING WITH
Unpaid invoices can
ruin a business. Download the
ASIC Business Checks app to
help you ask the right questions
before entering into business
with anyone. Before you start
working with a client, ensure
their business is legitimate by
checking their ABN, then
confirm any further company
information on the ASIC
register. Scamwatch.gov.au will
keep you up to date on any
business-related scams you
should be aware of. If you need
to chase up unpaid invoices,
check out the Fair Trading
website, so you’re up to date
with the laws, and make sure
you have a good solicitor on
hand for advice when needed.
8
FIND A MENTOR
However experienced
you are, having someone
who understands the industry to
bounce ideas off and confide in
can protect your business. One
study showed that small- and
medium-sized business owners
who were mentored over 12
months increased their revenue
by 83% compared to 16% of
non-mentored business owners.
Either ask someone who you
trust and admire to be your
mentor or check out the
government mentor schemes
on everything from workplace
safety to business development
at business.gov.au.
9
BECOME AN
ASSOCIATION
MEMBER
Belonging to an industry
organisation is an indication of
professionalism. It shows clients
you’ve agreed to a code of ethics,
which gives them another
reason to employ and trust you.
It also gives you practical
business protection in the form
of technical support, industry
information and updates.
10
GO ABOVE
AND BEYOND
Protect yourself
from one-off business by
offering future services to your
clients. Once you’ve finished a
job, phone the client to let them
know what to do if any problems
arise with the systems you’ve
worked on. This shows you’re
proactive and ready to go the
extra mile. Great service will
keep your clients coming back.
Your business won’t
survive unless you look
after yourself. The suicide rate
among construction workers in
Australia is twice that of any
other occupation, and people
working in the electrotechnology
field are the fifth most likely
group of workers in the country
to take their own lives.
Download a blueprint of how
electrical businesses can help
their staff with mental health
issues at constructionblueprint.
com.au. The charity
matesinconstruction.org.au was
set up to help construction
workers deal with mental health
issues, and can offer support and
advice for you and your staff.
Australia’s emissions
target is a reduction of 26-28% on
2005 levels by 2030. This means
an increasing demand for
sustainable products, technology
and installations. If you don’t have
the skills to work with these, then
AUG – SEPT 2019 GEMCELL.COM.AU
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