From Craig’s desk
From Craig’s Desk – Vault’s World
It’s been an interesting October, with the floods impacting the team at Moree and Grafton, a budget and another interest rate rise. The Team are off to Manila during late November and will be catching up with the offshore team for training and a social catch up. It has been over two years since the Team was formed and finally we can make the trip.
Grafton celebrated the annual Jacaranda Festival, with the team enjoying a half day in perfect weather.
We are pleased to welcome Alan Gough to the Team, Alan has run his own practices over the last forty years and has joined Vault as the business development manager for Central Queensland. Alan loves a fish and has a storied career as a hockey legend.
We were glad to see Oktoberfest Brisbane enjoy six days of good weather (before the rains hit) and we look forward to next year’s event.
Alan, Bud and Craig are heading down to Casino for Primex this week. If you are around drop in and say hello and share the bowl of cherries.
Christmas Closure
| Office | Dates closed | Dates opening | Contact During the Break |
| Bingara | Wednesday, 21 December 2022 | Monday, 23 January 2023 | (07) 3012 6724 / hello@vaultbusiness.au |
| Brisbane | Friday, 23 December 2022 | Tuesday, 10 January 2023 | (07) 3012 6724 / hello@vaultbusiness.au |
| Inverell | Friday, 23 December 2022 | Tuesday, 10 January 2023 | (07) 3012 6724 / hello@vaultbusiness.au |
| Grafton | Thursday, 22 December 2022 | Tuesday, 10 January 2023 | (07) 3012 6724 / hello@vaultbusiness.au |
| Moree | Wednesday, 21 December 2022 | Tuesday, 17 January 2023 | (07) 3012 6724 / hello@vaultbusiness.au |
| Central Queensland | Friday, 23 December 2022 | Tuesday, 10 January 2023 | (07) 3012 6724 / hello@vaultbusiness.au |
Need Help Over the Break?
During this time the phones will still be answered and the Team will be available via Teams chat and the online chat. All emails will be getting read, so if you need assistance feel free to contact us.
Craig will be in Grafton, Moree and Bingara during this period and if you need to make a time to catch up, calling the office number will get you in touch with us.
Technology got the best of us and we have had to re-schedule the survey for next year, we will send through new details once we have found a more solid service provider.
Vault is trying to constantly improve and any feedback is welcomed, please email us at hello@vaultbusiness.au
Our 2023 Events
In late 2021 we had a name change to better reflect the business, as business advisors we work closely with our clients to ensure that they are getting the most out of their businesses and achieving the three freedoms a business owner should expect; time, financial and mind freedom. To this end we have designed an events calendar to better equip our clients to be able to best run their business and to offer them the tools to get the most out of their businesses.
The team has developed the events calendar which can be found here and there is a guide to what the events are about.
Starting in January we are running events for businesses as well as individuals, these are all complimentary and will be held via Teams. The recordings of the sessions will be made available on the Vault YouTube page.
January Events
| Date | Topic | Description |
| 10-Jan-23 | Basics of Xero – click to book | This session is for anyone currently using Xero or thinking about it into the future. The session will cover the basics of Xero and how to get the most out of it. This is part of an ongoing education session on Xero. |
| 11-Jan-23 | A chat with Adam – click to book | Financial planning can be a mystery for the uninitiated and during these sessions Adam will cover some of the basic financial planning concepts and how financial planning is critical for your future financial security. This month they will be explaining why most people forget to insure their most valuable asset. |
| 11-Jan-23 | Starting a business – click to book | A three part series Craig covers the basics of starting a business and what steps you need to take to make sure your business is a success from the start. Craig will work through some of the issues that you face as you start your business. These sessions are designed for people looking at their first business or just wanting to know what business is about. |
| 12-Jan-23 | Business Planning – click to book | Business planning is critical for all businesses and through this session we will cover thebusiness planning process, what it involves and why it is not a static document, but one that needs to adapt with your business. |
| 13-Jan-23 | Cashflow and Profit Improvement – click to book | Cash flow is the most important thing for business owners, it is something that is often poorly managed. This session will over the basic cash flow principles and what you can do to improve your business. |
| 16-Jan-23 | Monthly Accountability – click to book | Craig works with a group of like-minded business owners to help you focus on working on your business rather than working in it. Designed for small businesses these sessions will cover goal setting, developing business plans, budgeting and making small steps to make your business better. |
| 17-Jan-23 | Know your numbers – click to book | Accounting and financial data can be a mystery, in this session we will cover some of the basic issues in your financial accounts, explain the terms and give you a better understand of what it all means. |
| 18-Jan-23 | Starting a business – click to book | A three part series Craig covers the basics of starting a business and what steps you need to take to make sure your business is a success from the start. Craig will work through some of the issues that you face as you start your business. These sessions are designed for people looking at their first business or just wanting to know what business is about. |
| 18-Jan-23 | Ramp up your business with Xero – click to book | By the end of the session if you are not a convert to Xero, we’ll be disappointed. During this session we will give you an understanding of the architecture of Xero and why it is critical for your business success. |
| 25-Jan-23 | Starting a business – click to book | A three part series Craig covers the basics of starting a business and what steps you need to take to make sure your business is a success from the start. Craig will work through some of the issues that you face as you start your business. These sessions are designed for people looking at their first business or just wanting to know what business is about. |
| 24-Jan-23 | Using Xero in your business – click to book | Vault believes every business needs Xero, and through this session she will show him how to use Xero more effectively in your business. Running through some basic reporting and functionality, The Vault team is going to help you understand why Xero is critical. |
| 31-Jan-23 | Understanding Risk Insurance – click to book | Adam will discuss the basics of Risk Insurance and why it is so important. This is a thirty minute session and will cover the basic issues you need to know about risk insurance |
Business Planning and Why You Need a Business Plan
For 2023 we have identified that business owners are looking for more guidance on running their business as opposed to working in their businesses.
Want to know more about business planning? We are running an information session on 12 January 2023 here
Why we developed this service?
Success is about planning; we want to help you achieve success.
- Do you have a current Business Plan?
- Have you set realistic and measurable goals?
- Do you have clear strategies to achieve your goals?
- Do you regularly review your goals in regard to changing circumstances?
A Business Planning session will require you to take time out from day to day activities in the business to focus on the business. Together we will review your past performance and clarify future direction. You will set solid and realistic business goals and define strategies for achievement. At the end of the session, you will have a one page Business Plan which will act as a guide map to ensure you are on course for success.
Who should have a Business Planning session?
Every business should have a Business Plan. Would you like:
- To increase the level of growth, profitability and cashflow in your business?
- Support to unlock your business potential?
- A clear outline of what you need to do to unlock this potential?
- A document against which to measure your progress?
What is involved?
You’ll attend a four hour planning session facilitated by the team.
The key issues covered include:
- Discussing and setting both personal and business goals for the next 12 months
- Discussing and agreeing on an action plan with strategies to support achievement of goals
- Identifying Gross Revenue Targets and Key Performance Indicators
- Identifying opportunities and vulnerabilities in your business that need to be managed
- Establishing a 90 Day Action Plan to address immediate critical issues
We’ll provide you with pre-work, which you will need to complete prior to the Business Planning session to ensure you identify any issues that need to be discussed. That way we can prepare any information required prior to the session.
When should I have a session?
Any time is a good time to develop a Business Plan if you don’t have one, however it’s particularly relevant at the start of a new year. If you’re contemplating a major change in your existing business or starting a new venture, a Business Plan is crucial. You’ll also require a Business Plan to support any financial applications.
Call us now on (07) 3012 6724 or email hello@vaultbusiness.au discuss the preparation of your Business Plan. We are running an information session about business planning and what it entails on 12 January 2023, click here to join us.
Benefits of a Business Planning Session
- Review and set the direction of the business
- Eliminate procrastination
- Identify common goals amongst a number of directors (if applicable)
- Identify and prioritise your key goals
- Create strategies to achieve your goals
- Identify what you will need to achieve your goals
- Set timeframes for achieving your goals
- Develop a tool to communicate your business goals and vision with your team
- Divide your goals into short term and long term – quick wins vs. key projects
- Develop a template to review actual performance against targets
- Create a platform to develop Financial Forecasts
- Use your Business Plan as a basis for you to set team members’ individual goals / targets
Everything is Cashflow!
Our cash flow and profit improvement meeting
Want to know more about our cash flow and profit improvement? We are running an information session on 13 January 2023 here
With tougher business conditions, cash is king. We are working closely with our business clients to assist you in improving your cash flow and profitability.
Why we developed this service.
In business, a healthy profit isn’t enough; profitable businesses can fail due to poor cashflow. We want to help our clients better manage their cashflow and the first step is to determine your business’s Cash Conversion Cycle. Then, we can help you identify strategies to shorten the cycle so you have more cash in your bank account.
Of course, profit matters too, and increasing your profit can increase your cashflow. By implementing strategies to improve both your cashflow and your profit, you can set your business up for success.
Who should undertake this service?
If you’re unsure of the difference between cashflow and profit and often wonder why there’s not as much money in your bank account as you expected, this meeting should be a priority. All business owners who want to improve their cashflow and profit, and learn how to manage these more effectively, should attend this meeting.
What is involved?
During this meeting, we’ll:
- Calculate your Cash Conversion Cycle
- Determine strategies you can implement to improve your cashflow and profit
- Use our calculators to demonstrate the impact these strategies can have on your cash position and profit
- Identify actions you should take to implement these strategies and achieve your improvement targets
When should I have this meeting?
The sooner you attend a Cashflow & Profit Improvement Meeting, the sooner you can improve your profit and cashflow and increase the money in your bank.
Call us now on (07) 3012 6724 or email hello@vaultbusiness.au discuss the preparation of your Cash flow and profit improvement plan. We are running an information session about Cash flow and profit improvement plan and what it entails on 13 January 2023 to join this webinar click here
Benefits of a Cashflow & Profit Improvement Meeting
- Teaches you the difference between cashflow and profit
- Helps you understand the key cashflow drivers and the Cash Conversion Cycle in your business
- Identifies ways to improve your Debtor Days, Inventory Days, and Payable Days
- Helps you understand the impact small changes can have on your profit
- Identifies actions you can take to strengthen your cashflow and profit
- Improves business processes to maximise cashflow, profit, and business value
Why human resources are critical
Our guest writer this month is Martin Turner from the Turner Group and TTG Community Engagement.
Martin Turner has joined us for the last two newsletters to discuss the importance of recruitment and screening and why it matters. As the final piece we will be discussing with Martin the complexity of human resources and why the team is critical for business success.
Martin, usually accountants recommend that you cut the marketing and you cut the staff, why is this the wrong approach?
Staff are the lifeblood your business, so in the current talent short market, why would you take them out of the equation? a motivated workforce will be a lot more productive than a workforce that is overworked and has little incentive.
You psych test most if not all candidates, what does this tell you and why is it important?
Together with a formal interview & reference checking, testing is essential. A lot of business owners just hire on gut instinct, this is a recipe for disaster, often there are underlying issues with the candidate which means that they may be great at their job but just not the right fit for your business.
What are you seeing in terms of recruitment trends?
A lot of research is showing that it is the non-cash benefits that are becoming more important, the lifestyle and the ability to have a level of flexibility at a time when work environment has changed through covid. We are seeing candidates doing a lot more research on employers as well, often asking why do you work here? or what is the staff turnover like?
What’s in a title?
This has been interesting, the sandwich artists were an early reflection of giving meaning to a role, and we are seeing that businesses are investing more time into giving validity & definition to positions.
So, when should business start the hiring process?
In my experience, the decision to hire is always too late, and the process is often rushed. Businesses should be mapping out their recruitment needs well in advance, and not just expecting people to fall out of the trees.
For candidates, when should you be looking?
I believe that people need a happy and productive working environment, if this is not the case, and the business is not willing or able to achieve this, then it is time to look. You spend a third of your day at work, it needs to be fulfilling.
At Vault we are exploring the four-day week, what are your thoughts on it?
This is an interesting trend and the research is showing that it is likely to be beneficial for most businesses with increased staff satisfaction, productivity & retention.
Martin as a plug, what do The Turner Group offer? We offer recruitment service for businesses but also ensure that the candidates are properly screened and tested. To engage with the Turner Group click here.
The Turner Group is a leading boutique provider of holistic recruitment and staffing solutions, and HR services. Our people, our values, our history and our culture all combine to make us the recruitment consulting team we are proud to be.
Pets and Queensland Properties
The new pet rules for Queensland properties are in place, and this will mean that some property owners need to re-consider the rules in their property. The rules mean that property owners can’t unreasonable withhold consent for pet owners.
Bud what does this mean for property owners? Well, let’s be frank a lot of tenants had pets and were hiding them during inspections, this brings it into the open and makes sure that there are rules around it.
As a property manager, what is the impact? For the most part pet owners are looking for stability for their animals and are less likely to be difficult. In my years of experience I have rarely seen an irresponsible pet owners, compared with other tenants.
The REIQ has said this will be the final straw for property owners, what’s your view? A well managed property with a good property manager will not have this problem. I struggle to see that allowing tenants with pets into a property will cause a property investor to leave Queensland.
What should I consider as a landlord? First up, make sure your body corporate rules are appropriate and secondly have policies around pets. There are limits in the legislation. Equally it might be time to get rid of the carpet and go for hard wearing floors, fixing the fence or making sure that the property is pet friendly, chances are the rent will rise.
Should investors be afraid? No. In my experience pet owners are responsible and will make sure that the property is well cared for, they want a home for themselves and their best friend.
Bud, what policies is your business going to run with? We are implementing a pet register and a pet bond. Each are permissible under the Act. We are also encouraging our owners to look at their properties and see if there are ways to improve the value.
What if I need help? We pride ourselves on excellent property management and can help you through the new rules. Reach out to me here.
When Should You Contact Us?
If you are looking at investment property for the first time or adding to your existing portfolio, it is always a good time to contact us. If you utilise our support services before, during or after buying an investment property, we have advice and tools that will assist you in growing and managing your properties.
At Streten Property Group, technology allows us to manage properties all over South East Queensland. Properties located 2 hours away get no more or less attention than one on my street. A “good” manager can do their job effectively no matter where they are and now has the technology to thank and back them up.
Contact Bud at
Phone: 0436 486 444
Email: bud@stretenpropertygroup.com.au
Meet the Team – Cheryl
Where are you based? Back in PH, I am based in Polomolok, South Cotabato Mindanao. South Cotabato is in the southern part of Mindanao. I am currently in Canada.
What is the area best known for? Pineapple plantation, this is where the Dole Philippines located.
Tell us something about your area that you’re proud of? LAKE SEBU is a must-see attraction in South Cotabato if you wish to forge lasting memories and connect with nature. It comprises of seven enormous waterfalls that significantly contribute to the irrigation of the province.
Away from work what are your interests or hobbies? Travel, camping, hiking, scuba diving and taking photos, in fact I have my own IG page where I posts my photos.
What is a perfect weekend for you? In this Covid world, I prefer to sleep, eat and Netflix.
Could you also tell us about your family?I am the youngest in our family. I lost my mom last 2016, and 3 months after I lost my brother. And I lost my father at the start of this year. This is the reason why I left Philippines and asked to take a break here in Vault so I could concentrate on myself and find my place in the world by myself.
How long have you worked with Vault? I have started to work here December 2020, after I arrived in PH from Maldives. 2 years, including 3 months break.
What area do you work in? Bookkeeping
What’s the most enjoyable part of your job? I think being safe from Covid since I am working at home and no longer experience transportation problem.
Learn about our team here
Meet the Team – Alan
Where are you based? Turkey Beach.
What is the area best known for? Fishing and more fishing.
Rumour is you could play a bit of hockey? Before the knees gave way, I could use a stick.
What is a perfect weekend for you? I already live in the perfect place, so it is more enjoying the location.
You’ve only recently joined Vault, what has been the highlight so far? Joining a larger firm which is highly systemised has been a crash course in technology. It has been challenging but brilliant.
What area do you work in? Business development, primarily in the Central Queensland area.
Learn about our team here
