Business processes

They say that getting your business processes in place and working is half the battle when you start to run your own business ... that and managing cash flow. Moving out of a PAYE situation into doing my own 'thing' is going to force me to do the paperwork on a regular (ie - daily) basis.
This doesn't come naturally as 'my people' have always done this sort of stuff before, but now I am 'my people'.
So, finally got the ABN and the ACN and the tax file number all in place so once the bank says OK and sets up my bank account - should be OK.
Almost finalised my first three agreements with my (still) current employer - so at least there is the promise of some funds coming in from the start.
Then I'll need to start the marketing phase.
Anyone recommend a book on consulting?
Off to a wedding today - every blessing to Tim and Sarah.

So, what am I worth ...

Had one of these conversations tonight. It was a very pleasant setting, looking over Sydney's Rushcutters Bay with something nice to drink and something good to snack on, but working out your worth is never easy. Especially when its with someone you have worked for for the past six years and they're being quite generous in what their offering you.
So - I've postponed my answer - only by a day or two, but maybe some brilliant phrase or strategy will come to mind by then ... or maybe not.
I'll let you know ...

Back to work and back to business ... mine

The tag line under the title of this blog promised that it would be a regular account of my moving from being a staffer with a non-profit organisation to a consultant in the same sector. So, here's my first posting on this topic - a very personal one for me.
I started working for an employer in 1966. Now, 42 years later and seven different employers I am about to start a new career, that of working for myself.
Why now? Its hard to pin-point a single reason, but it's a combination of, "if I don't do it now, I never will," through being fed up with battling Sydney's traffic every day (up to 3 hours a day commuting) to wanting to simply be more in charge of my own future.
When I spoke to my accountant, who set up my Pty Ltd company structure, he said he was always surprised at how may people had 'sat in that chair' and said they were 'scared at taking this step' and then 12 months later said it was the best thing they ever did. I'm hoping that that will be me.
I've also heard the joke, "how do you start a small business?" "Just start a medium sized business ... and wait."
Each of my three sons now run their own business - you can see their web sites listed on the right, so that's also an incentive. Great thing is that they work in similar areas to me, film making, graphic design and photography. The image above (reverse of my business card) was designed by Nathan from Blacklist Studios. Check out his blog also - some nice stuff there.
In the next month I'll be setting up my home office (with help from J) and putting my marketing campaign together, which will be mainly web and e-mail based.
More tomorrow ...
Martin

Travelling in style ...

Never thought I'd experience this, but with no public transport between Seattle airport and the ferry terminal to Bainbridge Island, where the Lausanne meeting was held, the system is to use a local limousine company. Last time I did this the guy picked me up in a Lincoln Town Car - very nice, but this time he turned up in a stretch limo for both trips.
So last Sunday I travelled from the airport in one of these and today, Grace and I travelled back to the airport in one. It looks dark outside, but that's because the windows are shaded and of course the flash stops the camera down.
You can see some more pics on my web site. Click here
Lots of fun ...

So, what are the key global issues?

This is the happy snap of the group meeting in Seattle. It's always great to meet with Christian communicators from around the world. We're grappling with how we involve Christians world-wide in creating the global agenda for the October 2010 meeting. There is a very strong feeling that we need to move away from the tradition of leaders (usually American) determining what they think needs to be discussed at such gatherings. The team wants a global discussion for at least 12 months prior to the conference from which the key issues that Christians worldwide are concerned about, then influence the conference agenda.
What are the issues? Is this a conference that will finally kill off the 'Prosperity Gospel' teaching?
Let me have your comments .....
For more on plans for the Capetown Conference ... click here

The perfect Christmas gift?

Saw this together with other similar ones outside a local store in Poulsbo, Seattle. Its a plastic dome about six feet high, inflated by an air blower. The air also inflates the Santa image inside and sucks up polystyrene beads that then float down like snow.
There were some other ones featuring 'The Grinch' coming out of a chimney, plus one of the stable with Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus. Probably all made in China, but as you can see ... just $99.95 US.

Sunny in Seattle

I'm back in Seattle at a conference at Masterworks looking at the Communications issues around Lausanne's Capetown 2010 Conference. Arrived Sunday night but on Monday I played tourist on a beautiful late Autumn day. This is the Seattle needle - like our Centrepoint with a ferris wheel in the foreground.
I also visited Pike's Place market - some great produce on display.

This is my blog - stay tuned for more stuff