Small Business - Big Business...Whats the Diff?

Small Business, Big Business ? What's the Diff?

Well a lot actually!

I become frustrated and angry at the government's paying lip service to assisting small business. It appears as though all governments, bureaucrats and many accounting advisers do not know what a real small business is.

In Australia the government's definition for a small business is one which has less than 100 employees. Who are they kidding? In my consultancy that's a big business.

They believe that 'small business' is the same as 'big business' on a smaller scale, that 'big business' is 'small business' with more of the same.

Wrong! About 99% of small business employs less than 10 employees and what is beneficial to the 100-employee firm may be downright dangerous for the 10-employee firm. Governments must know that. They can't be so stupid not too? can they?

We Aussies are ready to believe anything about our politicians. We have met so many of them and none of them seem any brighter than the fellow next door. (In fact, none of them seem to know as much as I do).

When I decided to go global I was certain that the situation would be different in the USA. I was wrong.

The USA Small Business Authority has set a size standard for most 'small business' enterprises. In the full Table of Small Business Size Standards Matched to SIC Codes published by the Small Business Authority it is annual turnover that limits the size of small business firms.

In my consultancy of restaurants, coffee shops, florists, hairdressers, electrical retailers etc. the turnover limit is $5 million. In Australia there are NO single shop establishments achieving that sort of turnover.

In Australia a hairdressing salon working a 7-day week at an average price of $70 per client would need 30 clients each and every hour on ever day of the year. Impossible in Australia and probably in the USA too.

This does clear up an anomaly I had noticed in the different approach business plans took in Australia as opposed to that taken in America.

When Australian business began to use the Internet almost all the business plan software was from the States. The plans, although meant for small business, were not appropriate for Australian firms because they focused entirely on obtaining venture capital.

There were very few venture capital providers in Australia and of those that were few were interested in providing capital to the majority of our small 'small business'. Business Plans languished in the filing cabinet and were hardly ever seen again.

The Australian consultants began to oversee business plans that focused on their being used as management tools. The planning itself was a vital element in the success of the business?and the plans were used to chart the course of the firm.

Each month the actual results were compared to what had been expected in the business plan. Tactics were formulated to overcome shortcomings or build upon favorable results.

Are you a small business owner who has studied all the books and web information that you can get hold of, and it is still not happening for you?

Perhaps it is because the information was directed to firms much larger than yours - firms with 100 employees or $5 million in sales. You need information more suited to your own business size.

Various organisations publish benchmarks for your industry. Compare your own results with the industry average. This will show where you should be concentrating your efforts for improvement.

You should seek out advisers and information that applies to 'mini' business ? firms that are your size whatever it is. Perhaps you own accountant can help you find it.

But never be so foolish as to believe that what the government says is good for small business will be necessarily good for you.

Kelvyn Peters CPA and Associates knows profitable business strategies that really work.

And he's only an e-mail away.

The Author

Kelvyn Peters is one of Australia's longest serving Tax Agents. He was registered in 1962 and became a CPA in 1964.

Kelvyn served on many charitable boards including St Aubyns Hospital, Alzheimer's Association, Older Peoples Advocacy Service and Golden Years Center. As a young man he won the Outstanding Jaycee Award three times.

Kelvyn is a compassionate, generous man who loves people. That's why he is so skilled at helping people in trouble.

Kelvyn Peters was Mayor of Kingaroy Shire Council from 1979 to 1984 and campaigned as the 'Young Man of Action".

Over 20 years later he still regards himself as a 'Young Man of Action'.

He is a director of Restaurant Catering Qld Inc the peak employer representative in Queensland, and has advised the hospitality industry for many years.

His specialty is moving in to rescue an ailing business.

Kelvyn Peters CPA has spent over 20 years experimenting and researching methods to help small business in ways that are affordable.

He's done that for local clients now he's going global.

http://www.profitstrategies4business.com

custom home cleaning Wilmette ..
In The News:

Medicare scams cost $54 billion in 2024 as fraudsters target beneficiaries with fake calls demanding payments and personal information to steal benefits.
Scammers create fake Evite invitations that mimic legitimate event emails, requiring users to verify senders and use antivirus software for protection.
The new Apple Watch hypertension feature passively monitors blood pressure patterns over 30 days using sensors to detect chronic high blood pressure signs.
Chrome extension spyware disguised as a free VPN service highlights security risks after it captured private browsing data from trusted sites.
New research shows how fatty acids in cooking oil can safely dissolve and recover silver from circuit boards without harmful chemicals or environmental damage.
The Fox News AI newsletter gives you information on the latest AI technology advancements, and about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Anthropic investigates alarming AI abuse case where hacker automated entire cybercrime campaign using Claude, stealing sensitive data from defense and healthcare firms.
TikTok, Meta and YouTube restrict Charlie Kirk shooting videos with age gates and warnings while X faces criticism for allowing continued circulation.
Cybercriminals use fake troubleshooting websites to trick Mac users into running terminal commands that install Shamos malware through ClickFix tactics.
San Francisco startup Fable launches Showrunner, an AI platform dubbed the 'Netflix of AI' that generates animated episodes from text descriptions with Amazon support.
Apple raised iPhone prices for some models despite receiving tariff relief from President Donald Trump, with the new lineup starting at $799 for the base model.
A two-story 3D concrete printed home in Western Australia demonstrates faster construction methods that could reshape American housing amid rising costs.
Credit scores remain important during retirement for insurance rates and housing applications, while seniors become prime targets for identity theft and financial scams.
Scammers now send unexpected packages with QR codes that redirect victims to fraudulent websites or download malicious software to steal sensitive information.
Meeting AI tools record private conversations alongside work discussions, creating privacy risks that can be managed with proper settings and awareness.
Hotel privacy concerns are valid but rare, with methods to detect hidden tech using smartphone flashlights, mirror tests and scanning apps.
Improve your Wi-Fi speed and reliability with 10 simple router optimization tips that don't require special apps or expensive subscriptions.
A Columbia University breach exposed names, Social Security numbers and academic records of nearly 869,000 people, with notifications beginning in August.
Rental car drivers use AI-powered apps like Proofr to protect themselves from unfair damage fees as major companies deploy automated inspection tools.
Fox News' AI newsletter brings you the latest on technology advancements around artificial intelligence.
OnTrac data breach between April 13-15, 2025, exposed personal information of over 40,000 people including Social Security numbers and medical records.
A woman named Wika announces her engagement to an AI chatbot sparking worldwide debate about virtual relationships and technology.
The notorious people search site National Public Data relaunches despite a previous breach affecting 3 billion individuals, raising fresh privacy concerns.
Revolutionary TRAUMAGEL gel controls life-threatening bleeding from gunshot wounds and traumatic injuries, helping first responders prevent prehospital deaths.
Protect your home network by enabling proper encryption, creating strong passwords, checking connected devices and using VPN and antivirus software.

Public Relations: Antidote for Small Business Failure

When small businesses fail, the wreckage is often assigned to... Read More

The Care and Feeding of Your Small Business

While I was hard at work last week, an everyday... Read More

A Look at Incorporating a Business in Florida

As you may know, there are many ways to incorporate... Read More

Three Ways to Add Leverage to Your Small Business

Remember those drawings from science class of how a lever... Read More

Top Ten Resolves for Building Your Business in 2005

1. Resolve to build a consistent network system.Since referrals are... Read More

Small Business 101: Deadly Ignorance

American small business is again in transition. Many employees, now... Read More

Dont Wait - Sell The Future Now!

Just as you are about to say "good-bye" to your... Read More

A Portable Trade Show Exhibit Makes for an Easier Show

You can make your trade show experience much easier by... Read More

Wichita Kansas is a Great Place to Run a Business

We love Wichita because it has great all round weather... Read More

Do You Need Accounting Software for Your Small Business?

If you're anything like me then you dislike with a... Read More

Using Business Broker In the Franchising Industry for Franchise Sales

Franchising companies often use Business Broker to help attain sales... Read More

Why The Carwash Industry is Stagnant; What You Can Do to Change Your Field

Many years ago, I had warned the carwash industry of... Read More

Encouraging Your Customers to Pay On Time

Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More

Two Types Of Business Plan Cover Pages ? Which One Are You Using?

This is the tale of two business plans with very... Read More

To Buy A Fat Pig

What does buying a fat pig have to do with... Read More

How to Find Success in the Import Export Business

Take advantage of world politics today and start your own... Read More

Modern Clear Coats, Auto Detailers and visit to Lexus of North America

We visited Lexus USA, home of the Lexus North America... Read More

Going Public: Now that You Have Successfully Made the Transition, What Do You Do?

Ok, you have successfully accomplished your dream of being the... Read More

Small Business Grants - Tips from the Pros

Every business starts with an idea or a dream. To... Read More

Get Out Of The Rut And Back On the Track

Do you sometimes find yourself just going "through the motions"... Read More

How To Ruin Your Business

If you're like the rest of us, you've spent a... Read More

Pressure Washing Business Case Study, Tractor Cleaning

So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which... Read More

Small Business Mistakes: Are You Making Enough of Them?

That's right ? are you making enough mistakes in your... Read More

Small Business Health Check-Up

If your home business is not performing the way you... Read More

How to Find a Microenterprise Loan for Your Business

If you're looking for start-up capital for your business, but... Read More

same day cleaning service Morton Grove ..