One page business plan

Clear Vision • February 26, 2016

We all know we should be doing a business plan.  But we also know that 20 or 30 pages of detail is a daunting task to put together and who is going to read it anyway?

Reality is, we all should be planning in our business.  Everything from the strategic level to the daily tasks can be better planned to help steer the business in the right direction and help us achieve our end goals.  Yet 99% of businesses don’t have any planning – why?

The main reason is that most business people are great at what they do whether it’s building, driving, filling teeth but when it comes to business planning they don’t know where to start.

So, I’ve taken some tools (with permission) from Verne Harnish, a world renowned business growth strategist, built up my persona skills and knowledge in this area and completed a 1 page business plan.

So what’s different about this plan?

A 30 page business plan can be prepared, in detail, with lots of market research and once completed will sit nicely holding the bottom drawer in place.  It doesn’t become a workable document on a monthly or weekly basis used to keep the captain focused and steering the business to the end result.  It’s too big, too cumbersome and because of the investment involved nobody wants to change it or review it again once it’s complete.

In contrast, a 1 page business plan is designed to have the key goals, visions, targets, key performance measures and actions all on 1 page.  This page gets put up in a place the business owner sees every day.  Sometimes it needs to be in several spots.  As a focused business owner, when you walk past this document, you will glance and linger and this will help you maintain your focus more often on the end goal – the BHAG.

Don’t get me wrong – the market research and detail is critical.  But we don’t want to become so bogged down in the detail and specifics that we can’t see the most important, most immediate goals.

If you are interested in setting up a 1 page business plan, please contact me.  I’ll email you the Verne Harnish template and we can discuss how Clear Vision Accountancy Group can help you get your 1 page business plan started, prepared, finished and on your wall.

What Records to Keep for Your Rental Property

By Caroline Gillies • August 3, 2025
If you own a rental property or holiday home, keeping the right records is key to maximising your tax deductions and staying ATO-compliant. This week, we’re highlighting what the ATO expects you to keep when it comes to residential rental properties. Here’s a quick checklist of the documents you should hold onto: Purchase & Sale Documents – Contracts, settlement statements, and legal documents. Loan & Ownership Records – Loan statements, refinancing documents, land tax assessments. Rental Income – If you don’t have a rental statement you will need to document all rental income received, including bond money retained, insurance payouts, and any other reimbursements. Expenses & Repairs – Keep receipts and invoices for expenses like advertising for tenants, property agent fees, council rates, strata levies, repairs, maintenance, insurance, and interest on loans. Depreciation & Capital Works – Receipts for assets over $300, depreciation reports, and capital improvement records. Before and after photos of any capital works. Holiday Home Use – If your property is rented out part-time, you’ll need evidence of when it was genuinely available for rent (e.g. booking requests, advertising, availability calendars). How long to keep records: You’ll need to keep most records for at least 5 years after lodging your tax return, or longer if claiming capital works or carrying forward losses. Keeping detailed records ensures you claim everything you're entitled to—and makes things much easier in the event of an ATO audit.  Need help getting your documentation in order? Reach out to our team at Clear Vision Accountancy Group—we’re here to help. To read a more detailed list of items you need to keep for your rental property visit: Records for rental properties and holiday homes | Australian Taxation Office

How Much Do You Need to Make? Understanding Business Turnover

By Caroline Gillies • July 13, 2025
Running a business isn’t just about making sales — it’s about making enough sales to cover your costs and pay yourself what you deserve. But how do you figure out how much turnover (aka revenue) you actually need to make each month? Knowing this number helps you: Set realistic sales targets Price your products or services properly Know when to cut costs or increase margins Understand when your business is sustainable This isn’t just about numbers — it’s about clarity and control. Once you know your required turnover, you can stop guessing and start planning. Whether you’re a solopreneur, a growing startup, or a small business owner, this is the foundation of making your business work for you — not the other way around. We love numbers — seriously. And we get that not everyone does. If you need help breaking things down in a way that’s simple, practical, and actually makes sense (even if numbers aren’t your thing), call Clear Vision Accountancy Group today on 4688 2500.

12% Superannuation Guarantee - 1 July 2025

By Caroline Gillies • June 22, 2025
From 1 July 2025, the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate in Australia will increase to 12%. This means employers will be legally required to contribute at least 12% of an eligible employee's ordinary time earnings to their superannuation fund. This increase is the final step in a legislated rise from 9.5% in 2021 to 12% by 2025, aimed at boosting retirement savings for Australian workers. If you use Xero for payroll, the SG rate should automatically update in the system. However, we recommend you double-check your payroll settings to ensure everything is correct. If you’re unsure or need assistance, please contact your bookkeeper or get in touch with us at: Clear Vision Accountancy Group (07) 4688 2500 We’re here to help you stay compliant and avoid any costly errors.