The business information section on the Business Victoria website is a terrific place to find essential information, tools and templates to help you develop the skills you need to start, run or grow a successful business. Below is just a sampling of the amazing resources they have to offer.
Starting a business
This section is the perfect place to look if you are starting your new business journey. It walks you through everything you need to think about from something as important as your business name and structure, your products, finances and business plan, to your legal, tax and safety obligations, and licences and registrations you’ll need to run.
Grow your business
This section will help you develop a business strategy to grow your business. It also covers key performance indications for your staff and business and explains how to create a positive culture within your business to train your staff, retain employees and boost your profitability.
For more information on training your staff, you can also check out their workshops and mentoring opportunities.
LinkedIn Learning also offers thousands of online courses to learn in-demand skills from real-world industry experts. Access is free with your library card!
Finances
Managing your finances is a huge part of running any business. This part covers setting up your finances, pricing your product or service correctly and using discounting strategies so you are making a profit, managing your suppliers and developing good financial procedures.
Sustainability
Sustainable practices will help you operate in a way that considers your social and environmental impact. This section will help you manage and cut energy costs, and reduce your usage and waste. It will also help you undertake an environmental audit of your existing business.
You can also use this section to create a sustainable office space or products.
Workplace wellbeing
This page offers many services and resources for small business owners to assist their businesses with managing stress, mental health and wellbeing. It also includes how to create a mentally healthy workplace and how to access urgent mental health support and services (in multiple languages).
It is common for people to feel stress or concern about their business. Many people may not have someone to share their concerns with or would prefer not to discuss these issues with family members or friends.
This page includes details for Lifeline, Beyond Blue and the Partners in Wellbeing helpline which provides support for business owners and employees, including personal wellbeing, business advice and financial counselling services.
It also contains information about Covid–19 in many languages, and the contact details for the Translating and Interpreting Service — offering free interpreting support for people with English as a second language to contact helplines.
Partnerships with other businesses
If you are looking to grow your partnerships with First Nations businesses try using the Victorian Aboriginal business directory.
If you are looking to grow your partnerships with LGBTQIA+ businesses, the Victoria Pride Society runs a directory of queer-owned businesses in Victoria.
Books
- Getting started in small business by Veechi Curtis, 2021
- Fair pay: how to get a raise, close the wage gap, and build stronger businesses by David Buckmaster, 2021.
- The lost art of connecting: the gather, ask, do method for building meaningful business relationships by Susan McPherson with Jackie Ashton, 2021.
- Social media for small business: marketing strategies for business owners by Franziska Iseli, 2021.
- How to avoid a climate disaster: The solutions we have and the breakthroughs we need by Bill Gates, 2021.
For more tips, tools, and upcoming events for your business, visit our Small Business Support page.