What is the biggest challenge facing SME's in Australia right now?

BRW ran a survey which they published a few weeks ago, where they asked that question. The results confirmed what I am hearing from my clients and Community members. The top three factors are:

Hiring Quality Staff (Skills Shortage) - 49%
Growth Strategies - 17%
Capital for Growth - 15%

 We were privileged and honoured to have Juan Mann - the free hugs guy - speak at our last dinner.

Most of you would have heard something about the Free Hugs Campaign and probably seen the video. It started four years ago when Juan drew up his first Free Hugs sign, and headed out to Pitt St in Sydney ... and he's been there every Thursday since.

According to an article published in today's Daily Telegraph almost half of Australia's workforce want to work for Virgin boss Richard Branson. He is by far the most loved boss in Australia - coming first by a long way when employees were asked who they wanted to work for.

Last night was by far the biggest Love Your Business Community event ever. We had over 100 people there ... well slightly less than 100 people if you don't count the drummers, but I am definitely counting them.

Welcome to our shiny new website! Hope you love it as much as we do.

You'll notice a few things are a bit different ... a new brand and a new logo to start with. And really a new day for Love Your Business.

Did I say my first private jet? Sorry ... I meant to say my first ride in a private jet. To Hawaii. That's me and Trish on the steps.

California Pacific Medical Center … I am very impressed!

This is the hospital where Trish has been for the last 10 days. And her recovery is going well – looks like she’ll be discharged tonight.

Yesterday went nothing like I had planned.

Monday’s are busy days for me at the best of times. Yesterday as usual I had four coaching clients, we also have our weekly team meeting first thing Monday morning. Wayne was in town, and we had another meeting with our partner in the Institute of Business Coaching (another story for another day). It was going to be a busy day.