Blog - Winner Partnership is an accounting, tax, business and financial advisory firm located in the Sydney CBD.

Climate Change - Fact or Fiction

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -1000

Is the climate changing? Of course it it - all the time. Change is the ONLY constant. The real question is -
Is the climate changing in our favour or against it? Nobody really knows for certain. Opinion on this is divided. What do you think? Make a comment.

Is the CO₂ we are pumping into the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels causing global warming?or Do you believe this warming is a natural phenomenon? Make a comment.

What is the probability of a negative impact on our economy and livelihood if we do nothing? Is it a prudent practice to try to eliminate or mitigate (reduce) the negative risks? What do you think we should do? Make a comment.

Plan your fate

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -1000

Plan your fate.

Opinion is divided on whether Planning or Fate is more instrumental in the future we create. I had a very intuitive business person tell me that planning is something that people do when they want to create the illusion of control. You can't plan for every contingency. In your view is it worth planning or should you leave it all up to fate?

While most people don't "formally" plan their lives they generally tend to have some idea about what they want. Some people don't really know what they want and feel like they are drifting a bit. Do you think you really need a "formal" goal setting and planning process to give your life direction?

What about in business? A well know business saying is "Business don't plan to fail they fail to plan". However, the steps and the pathway(s) are not often clear prior to embarking on the journey. I certainly couldn't have predicted the pathway I have taken in business but I did have it as a goal. How important is it to know the route before starting your journey?

Goals create Success. Dr. Maxwel Malz in his famous 1960 book Psycho Cybernetics described how humans have an automatic goal achieving mechanism. Psychologists call this the Reticular Activating System (RAS). What we need to do is use our imagination to set the goal/ vision/ objectives/ intentions and then let our RAS come up with the steps/ pathway to achieve our goal. If you feel that setting some inspiring goals will Kick Start 2010register for our program.

What does it take to realise your full potential?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -1000

The battle has raged over centuries on opinions as to whether Nature or Nurtureis more important in determining the developmental potential of humans. Arguably both factors play a part. Based on your personal experience what do you think is MORE important?

While we know physical characteristics are genetically inherited via our DNA. The argument heats up when we start looking at characteristics like behaviour, intelligence and personality. Our behaviours determine our results and possibly our success or failure. Could we be genetically predisposed to winning or is this learnt through life experiences?

What about in business? Marketers have been had an equally heated battle over whether the Product or Promotion is key to a successful business. Some believe a good product will sell itself. Is the promotion more important than the product?

Many agree that Nurture (environment/ context) is Decisive. A thoroughbred horse left to graze in the desert will certainly perish. Is your business getting the right advice and nurturing? If you believe you have a really good product or would like to fine tune your product offering and promote it to your target market contact us for assistance.

Margin Vs Markup

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -1000

There appears to be some confusion amongst (especially retail) clients how to calculate the final selling price for their products. If you calculate your price incorrectly you will either be at a disadvantage against your competitors or undercutting yourself and squeezing your profitability. It is important to know which is the right way for your business. The best way to illustrate the final impact of margin vs. markup is with an example.

Cost Price = $500
30% Margin vs. 30% Markup

30% Margin

$500 / (100% - 30%/ 100)
$500/ 0.70 = $714.29

30% Markup

$500 x 30% = $150
$500 x (100%+30%/100) = $650 (1.3 or 130%)
$500 + $150 = $650

Difference between 30% Margin and 30% Markup at a cost price of $500 is$64.29($714.29 - $650)

The 30% Markup is actually a 23.08% Margin.

If you are not sure if you are working out your prices correctly contact usand we can go through it with you. The profitability of your business is VERY SENSITIVE TO PRICING. You could be working very hard but not reaping your full potential.