Starting a business can be risky. Before starting out on your venture, you want to make sure that important assets like your family home are protected. That way, if business doesn't go so well, creditors can't take away what is most important to you.

Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses with fellow Partner Philip Sewell the importance of Trusts and making sure your assets are protected, including:

- Being wary of personal guarantees;

- Creating and maintaining a Trust; and

- How to work with all your trusted advisors to get the best result.

The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Everyone is searching for the perfect work / life balance. Is it possible that Christchurch landscape architect Tony Milne has discovered the secret? 

Amongst other workplace initiatives, Tony has instituted a 'Four Day Work Week' at his company, Rough and Milne.

In this episode, Brad McDonald and Tony Milne discuss:

- Getting staff to buy-in to changes in the workplace;

- The benefits of regularly giving employees a three day weekend; and

- How to create a company culture you can be proud of.

The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Employees can be the biggest asset to your business, as well as one of the biggest sources of risk. Following on from Brad McDonald's discussion with solicitor James Hobcraft about 'What to do with a bad employee' in episode 5, in this episode, Brad asks company director of Heat Pumps NOW, Blair Ashdowne about his real world experiences.

Blair has been running Heat Pumps NOW in Christchurch since 2013, and has experienced a range of issues with employees including items going missing, inappropriate behaviour on site and employees simply not showing ups for work.

In this frank and honest discussion, Brad McDonald and Blair Ashdowne discuss:

- What not to do, and how you can learn from Blair's mistakes;

- The wider implications of mismanaging employee issues; and

- How to work with your trusted advisors to get the best result.

The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Where will your business be in three months? How about 6 months? What will your business look like this time next year? 

Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses with Chartered Accountant and Principal and PKF Goldsmith Fox, Dorian Crighton the importance of creating, following and implementing a strategic plan for your business, including:

- What should be included in a strategic plan;

- Why strategic planning is vital for business success; and

- How to implement your strategic plan so everyone is on the same page.

If you're interested in learning more about strategic planning or have further questions for Dorian, you can contact him here.

The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Real People, Real Solutions.

If you're in business, there's a good chance you've heard of SEO. Probably because you have received a number of unsolicited emails and phone calls from 'marketers' with big claims about how they can transform your business with an SEO review. The question remains, what is SEO?

Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses all things SEO with Client Services Executive at Mint Design, James Richardson, including:

- What is SEO?;

- What's the difference between SEO and Google Ads; and

- Is there anything I can do myself to improve my website's SEO?

The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Real People, Real Solutions.

If you're in business, and you don't have a website, what are you doing? Another question worth asking is, when did you last update your website? Does it still reflect where your business is now?

Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses with marketer Cameron Taylor of Inform PR the questions you need to ask your web designer or web developer before you start, including:

- What are you using to build the website, and why?;

- How much content do you really need on your website; and

- How are you telling your story to create a great first impression?

The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Real People, Real Solutions.

Employment is a relationship, and it's sad to say that relationship breaks down at times. There is a very strict process that needs to be followed before an employer can dismiss someone, and yet time and time again we read of stories in the media of people being fired at the drop of a hat.

Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses with Solicitor James Hobcraft the responsibilities and potential pitfalls making the difficult decision to let an employee go.

- What to do before making any decisions;

- The process that MUST be followed; and

- How much trouble you can find yourself in if things go wrong.

The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Real People, Real Solutions.

As lockdown restrictions began around New Zealand, many business owners saw the future of online shopping. How can you keep selling your goods and staying in business if people aren't able to come to you? Many traditional 'brick and mortar' stores are now looking at adding an online-wing to reach new people, or to be where their customers are looking.

Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses with James Richardson, Client Services Executive of Mint Design the pro's, cons, costs and everything you need to know about becoming an online retailer:

- What online shopping platform should I be using?;

- Is creating an online store something I can do myself?; and

- Why should I take my business online?

The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Real People, Real Solutions.

Having an online presence is considered a must if you want to do business in this day and age. But what do you need to do and where do you need to be?

Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses social media do's and don'ts with communications and marketing consultant Cameron Taylor from Inform PR.

- Why not being on social media is like winking in a nightclub;

- How to go about growing a following; and

- One document you need to protect your business.

The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Real People, Real Solutions.

In order to succeed, businesses need strong leadership. People making day-to-day decisions within the business, as well as people providing bigger picture guidance about the direction the business is taking.

Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses with Associate James Hobcraft the roles and responsibilities, as well as potential pitfalls of being a shareholder and a director in a New Zealand business.

- The differences between a business director and a shareholder;

- The importance of shareholder agreements; and

- How much trouble they can save you.

The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.