Without doubt behind every successful business sits a strong administrative function. Establishing and maintaining good business practices requires a dedication to getting procedures in place and ensuring they are followed. The effort is well rewarded and ongoing management becomes far simpler, operation becomes more consistent and customer satisfaction is more likely, more often.

Recruitment
Understanding the fundamentals of recruitment and employee development is critical to the smooth running of your business - and in protecting your most valuable asset - your people. The People Section explains in detail how to select, train and apply performance measures for staff at cellar door. This section provides you with the administrative support materials such as templates, checklists, examples and procedures that will simplify your business processes and help you to run a professional operation.

Size and Success
It is common to hear small business owners preclude themselves from the necessity of 'corporate' behaviour on the basis of their size. Business success relies upon strong leadership, understanding of the organisational and operational structure, clear assignation of roles and tasks, regular reporting, transparent and structured communication and most importantly, accountability. Regardless of business size, if applied, these principles will ultimately have a positive impact upon your chances of success.

A real life example of this is the (small but fast growing) Tasmanian brand whose owner decided to get serious about the professional operation of his family business at the outset. He recruited successful executives from a range of business sectors to sit on a formal Board (paid positions) which meets monthly and operates with corporate rigour. He testifies now that the degree and pace at which the business has achieved beyond its aims is directly linked to the discipline and accountability brought by the Board.

The best way to grow into a bigger business is to start to act like one even when you are still small.