Thursday 23rd May

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A Great Gift

Written by
Paul Hassing

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15
Sep

At Christmas, my wife* gave me an amazing gift. The beautiful, rust-proof aluminium name plate you see in the photo. I loved it the moment I unwrapped it.

This plate has since proven its worth beyond anything we imagined. Here’s how.

Postie

Within days of the plate going up, our postie (mail delivery officer) accosted me from his bike. He said he’d had several letters addressed to Empire House, and that he’d toured the suburb hunting for the ten-storey edifice our head office name implies. He was glad of the confirmation.

Clients

Traffic is busy in our one-way street. Visiting clients have remarked that seeing the plate on their first drive by assured them they were in the right spot. This freed them to concentrate on parking.

Neighbours

My renting neighbours change fast enough to constitute a minor marketing demographic. I always try to be welcoming. When I tell newcomers how to prevent their car windows being smashed by thieves, they invariably ask me to explain the plate. This has twice generated business leads.

Law

Registering a business in Victoria requires you to ‘hang your shingle’ outside your premises. I’d been meaning to do this for eight years. Now it’s sorted – in style!

Tax

The plate cost $198 (including GST). Fonnie also gave me the receipt. I was able to claim my own Christmas present as a tax deduction against Empire income. How cool was that?!

Pride

Every time I see the plate, I feel pride that I have a thriving business and satisfaction that I work from home. It’s a great mindset with which to enter my office and start the day.

So, if you need a gift idea for a business owner, throw this against the wall and see if it sticks!

* With extensive artistic and technical input from Adam Finlay. Excel Screenprinting made the item.

Paul Hassing, Founder & Senior Writer, The Feisty Empire

advertising, marketing, name plate, sign, starting a business

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What others are saying

Author

Malcolm Owens

September 15, 2009 at 2:59 pm

That is seriously cool. Glad to see you out and proud and letting the world know what lies behind the fence…..I love the tax deduction. If I sponsor my brother’s new boat with my logo on his sail I wonder if that constitutes advertising and is a justifiable expense. I will check with my accountant and let you know.

This is fun.

Reply
Author

Paul Hassing

September 15, 2009 at 3:04 pm

Thank you, Malcolm. If anyone can get you a deduction, it’s YOUR accountant!

BTW, be careful with your URL typing. Your link was to the Success Surger, which is a rather different propostion to your fine site. I fixed it.

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Author

Stephen Glanville

September 15, 2009 at 7:01 pm

Hi Guys :- )

Yep! Have to agree with Malcolm again Cobba…seriously cool! :- ) If I keep agreeing with Malcolm like this, I’m gunna have to start a Christmas Card List…which will consist entirely of Malcolm :- P

While on the subject of Accountants, I could really use some objective viewpoints, feedback, opinions, advice, whatever, regarding my current Accountant & Bookkeeper situation. As a client, I particularly wish to know if I’m expecting too much from these ‘Professional’ Service Providers:

I’ve recently sacked my bookkeeper after receiving 3 naughty letters from the Tax Office re: non-lodgement of a BAS Statement.
I sent 2 emails attempting to have the issue addressed by the Bookkeeper. The first one was answer with ‘don’t worry, it’ll be taken care of’, which of course it wasn’t…and the second email apparently warranted no reply at all.

I then went to my Accountant and asked if she could take care of my BAS Statement issue. The weird thing was that instead of ‘taking care of it’ directly, my Accountant become a kind of mediator between me and the bookkeeper. I thought this was a bit strange, as I didn’t ask for any such mediation. But I just wanted the problem solved before the fines started rolling in, so I let it ride.

Shortly thereafter, the Accountant informed me that the issue had been resolved….Moving on…

Then I got a bill from my Bookkeeper for $200. This is the content of the body of the email which carried the attached bill:

“Please contact us immediately if you are unable to detach or download your Invoice. Thank you.”

I sat on this for a few days, whilst the ‘murder death kill’ feelings subsided before sending a rather terse email informing the bookkeeper, that in light of previous shortcomings and a lack of communication, that her services were no longer required and that I would not be paying the bill because I did not believe or feel that it been earned.

I got the following email from my Accountant today (as a professional courtesy, I Blind CC’d her in the email I sent to the Bookkeeper).

The email from my Accountant said this:

“I accept that you may have what I call politely a “Personality Clash” with (the Bookkeeper), and be unhappy with the level of communication between the two of you. If you don’t like the way she runs her business then you of course you are entitled to choose someone else. I therefore don’t mind that you wish to change bookkeepers.

However, I think your email was a bit harsh and not exactly diplomatic (a skill necessary for most successful business people) ie there are politer and more constructive ways to tell someone that you don’t like the way they are providing their services to you.

If the invoice was for the processing of the June 2009 Quarter transactions and was about $200 then that is a fair fee and it should be paid.”

What do you reckon?

Cheers

Stephen G

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- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  September 15, 2009 at 7:17 pm
  
  Poor Stephen! I’m having flashbacks to The Black Art of Bookkeeping. There was a hell of a lot of good advice in those comments (that I’m yet to apply).
  
  I’ve pondered your situation and I can’t see a clear answer. It’s like asking an arachnophobe whether it’s OK to use huntsmen instead of Baygon.
  
  It might be best if we open it up to our star chamber…
  
  Reply
Author

Stephen Glanville

September 15, 2009 at 7:33 pm

Indeed there are some helpful comments in The Black Art of Bookkeeping ( http://bit.ly/bGg0X ), but none specifically address this particular concern…i.e. am I expecting too much as a Client?

As a professional, I would not reply to a ‘CC’ anyway, let alone hit a brand new client with such opinions. I’m always up for a bit of constructive criticism, but I feel that I was being lectured to…I feel that it was/is condescending, presumptuous, and I just simply would NEVER send a client an opinion piece, let alone one like that…unless of course I had earned a very particular kind of rapport with the Client.

I would love it if the Star Chamber convened…since you are so enjoying your purveying vista from the top of the ‘fence’…bluddy arachnophobes… ;- P

Cheers

Stephen G

Reply
Author

Stephen Glanville

September 16, 2009 at 10:01 am

G’day Paul (& our beloved ‘Deep Ocean of Mystery’, Megan…no doubt those all-seeing 10,000 eyes are…ummm!…seeing-all? :- )

I was just reflecting on my earlier comments on your latest and excellent article, ‘A Great Gift’.

The nature of the article is very light and ‘up’ and then I chime in with a big fat moan about accountants etc. It might have been better placed on ‘The Black Art of Bookkeeping’ ( http://bit.ly/bGg0X ), or even ‘Deal Breaker’ (http://bit.ly/1XmXpm ) . I could also pop it up on the ‘Getting Started – New Business Forum ( http://bit.ly/YQJ5S ), etc (I just didn’t think of these at the time…Doh! :-/ )

If you wish, I have no problem at all if you pull those comments…I’m concerned that with the ‘Star Chamber’ not convening, that I may have overly changed the direction and lowered the joyful tone of the article ‘A Great Gift’.

So go nuts Cobba, I’m sure I’ll be able to come up with something else to say :- )

Cheers

Stephen G

Reply
Author

Paul Hassing

September 16, 2009 at 10:11 am

Jolly decent of you, Stephen!

I’m very keen for this blog to go wherever the readers wish. And as one of our brightest stars, your wish has magnum grunt.

You also gave me the perfect excuse to cross-reference. So I was happy. No need to change as far as I’m concerned.

Do you still plan to put a name plate on Burn-a-Debt? If so, that would be a nice thing to add to this topic. Naturally, if you’ve changed direction on that idea, and wish to call your oven Enid Fryton, I’ll understand.

With best regards and many thanks for your concern!

Reply
Author

Stephen Glanville

September 16, 2009 at 10:28 am

Spiffing o’l bean :- )

Your capacity for supportive encouragement is comparable only to infinitude…thanks.

Ha! The ‘Burn-a-Debt’ plate will have to wait until I actually do…at least a bit :- P

‘Enid Fryton’? Haahahaaa! ‘Noyce wun moyte’ ;- )

‘Napoletana Bonaparte’?

Pete Zaman? ( I have no idea who he is )

Cheers

Stephen G

Reply
Author

Paul Hassing

September 16, 2009 at 12:15 pm

To infinitude and beyond!

‘Burnapart’ would provide better cadence and a second, thematically relevant meaning.

The carboniferous overtones, however, could dissuade some sensitive target audience members.

In light of the above, we would strongly recommend an extensive battery of focus groups focussed on the dynamic blah blah blah …

… blah blah blah. In conclusion, that’ll be 20,000 bucks, thanks!

K’Ching! (or, to be precise, as a sole trader: I Ching).

Reply
Author

Stephen Glanville

September 16, 2009 at 12:29 pm

Ha! Great comeback Cobba : )

‘Burnapart’! Love it!

Bring on the carboniferous sensibilities…noSh-it! Wood-Fired Pizza is Beyond Carbon Neutral ( http://bit.ly/nB5Ea )…Officially! :- )

20,000 bucks U’Ching? What a bargain :- )

Just got kicked in the guts by a Gov’t dept. Apparently since last time I spoke with them, laws have changed…this dramatically affects my immediate/short-term options for places to trade. It has changed from pretty much anywhere so long as I’m not within 180 metres of a built up area, to requiring a Hawker’s License (which I was previously and specifically told I didn’t need)…such applications now require Police Checks which can take weeks.

So now I need to go back to Parks & Conservation and re-start my inquiries there…

It seems that it doesn’t matter how much research & preparation one does, that Small Business Support remains a very difficult concept to translate into actuality.

I’m hoping this is only a minor set-back…but at this stage of the game (2 sleeps from Launch), it’s a bit much.

But, as we say Good Sir, To Infinitude & Beyond…and Never Give Up Never Surrender!

I’ll bluddy well set up in my mate’s front yard if I have to :- )

I’ll keep you posted.

Cheers

Stephen G

Reply
Author

Stephen Glanville

September 16, 2009 at 12:33 pm

PS I think in all fairness, I should mention that my discussions with the National Capital Authority (they manage certain precincts, other than the above mentioned Gov’t Dept), are going well, and they are being extremely helpful in expediting my requests in time for my launch…so there are some that take Small Business Support, seriously.

Cheers

Stephen G

Reply
Author

Stephen Glanville

September 16, 2009 at 12:34 pm

Dear Malcom,

HEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPP! ;- P

Cheers

Stephen G

Reply
Author

Paul Hassing

September 16, 2009 at 12:49 pm

Man, that is so bulk not-ace!

You should change your trading name to Tantalus-Sisyphus Pty Ltd, the way they’re pulling fruits from and dropping rocks on you.

If push comes to shove, start a petition. I’d sign for sure. Or set up shop at a homeless shelter. I’d like to see the suits try to stop you feeding the poor.

Oh hang on; you ARE the poor. Sorry.

BTW, that Beyond Carbon Neutral site is a ripper.

Reply
Author

Stephen Glanville

September 16, 2009 at 12:57 pm

Yeh! It sounds bad…but I reckon the fact that I’m blogging this stuff may make it seem unusual…when the only unusual part is that I’m blogging about it :- )

I don’t for a moment consider that my ‘Tantalistic-Sisyphations’ are any worse than the stuff that every small business owner gets walloped with during start-up?

Thanks again for your kind support Cobba…I hope my rants are helping someone.

Cheers

Stephen G

Reply
Author

Paul Hassing

September 17, 2009 at 3:05 pm

FYI. Excel Printing just gave me the green light to link to their site: http://www.excelscreen.com.au/index.html

Reply
Author

Stephen Glanville

September 17, 2009 at 7:28 pm

Hi Paul,

Can you elaborate please mate? I don’t get why this is worthy of note?

e.g. Link from where?, why?, who benefits? and how?

If I’m being a bit too nosy, just let me know :- )

Cheers

Stephen G

Reply
Author

Paul Hassing

September 18, 2009 at 7:21 am

Sorry, Cobber; I didn’t explain. Excel Printing made my name plate. I added a footnote yesterday, but didn’t flag it.

I didn’t want to put their name in without their say so. Now that I’ve got it, anyone who reads this post and wants a plate of their own can go to the source of mine if they wish.

Reply
Author

Stephen Glanville

September 18, 2009 at 8:43 am

How do you spell ‘OH!’ really loudly and enthusiastically, without it sounding like ‘OOOOooH!’? :- )

Thank you Good Sir! Nice one!…back on topic and everything…AND DAMN! You did it in one bluddy paragraph…AGAIN!!!

Indeed, I imagine that it would to be impossible to imagine Excel Printing saying ‘no’ to such a fine plug in this fine feifdom (‘Meaning 2′. Not the ‘feudal lord’ bit…the ‘fine folks working together’ bit – http://bit.ly/iB24p :- P).

Damn nice Sign it is too! Geez! It’s difficult to believe that we’re up to ‘Comment 18′ and only just now talking about the fine subject at hand. Hmmmm! Who could we blame for that? (Duck, weave, dodge, parry…puts a Doona over his head and remains very still ;-P )

Well, gotta go…big day, lots of good stuff happening…have managed to regroup scathingly brilliantly, yet again! :- )…and you know the ol’ saying…’Nam Myo Ho, Renge Kyo’! Flowers bloomin’ from the pooh, once again :- )…Bring it on Universe, you starry eyed, wearer of eveyone’s blouses! :- )

Have a great day folks.

Cheers

Stephen G

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