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Join DevExpress on the Express Way Tour

With stops around the world, DevExpress and Sixth Avenue Studios will teach you how to design and build engaging modern web applications in ASP.NET using the DevExpress toolset. At the end of this half-day event not only will you have witnessed an application go from inception to design to creation, but you will walk away with the source code too! The event is free. Lunch is provided. Register today.

Tour Page with Registration Links: http://www.devexpress.com/Home/Community/expresswaytour.xml

Brisbane Registration Page: http://theexpresswaytourbrisbane.eventbrite.com

Sydney Registration Page: http://theexpresswaytoursydney.eventbrite.com

Know your numbers

When beginning your start-up journey, there is so much you need to be on top of –your product, customers, marketing, finding staff… the
list never ends. Whilst most start-ups dread the thought of doing their books, staying on top of your numbers is super important for a start-up’s success.

How can knowing your numbers help you?

Knowing your numbers can lead to better decision making. Your numbers will tell you all of these things… and more

• Your sales numbers – Is one product line performing better than the others? Do sales peak in certain months? Are your sales one-off or do you have a loyal recurring customer base? Are you too reliant on a few big customers?

• Your expenses – Are your expenses actually translating into sales? How much are you spending? Are you spending too much or spending too little? Do your expenses peak in certain months? Can you afford to spend what you’re spending? Can you afford to start a new marketing campaign? Should you be renegotiating terms with some of your suppliers?

•  Your profit –How much money are you actually making?  Some businesses can be making sales, but still be unprofitable. Why? Is that you – have you priced your product too low? Are you spending too much?

• Cash Flow– If you have very little money in the bank, how will you pay your bills?Do you have a lot of customers who owe you money? Are you in the early stages of your start-up and the sales have not yet started coming in? How long will your start-up survive without any cash? Should you be looking for investors or funding? Or are there signs of poor financial management in your start-up?

So how do you stay on top of your numbers?

There are a lot of cloud-based programs in the market which make staying on top of your numbers really easy (and even a little bit fun). Programs like Xero* have automatic bank feeds and credit card downloads, which mean you don’t need to waste time typing out lines of bank and credit card statements.

A good tip is to make sure you continue to do your numbers at least once a month. Some start-ups sign-up to software like Xero and start-out with the best of intentions… and then they get too busy and the numbers get forgotten. If you need help, ask for some. Stay on top of your numbers. Have a look at your numbers each month and use those numbers in your decision making. You’ll be surprised at how good the decisions you make can be.

By Emma Petroulas

Emma Petroulas is Client Happiness Director and Co-founder of Nudge Accounting, online accountants for StartUps and Small Businesses. She also lectures in Small Business at the University of Technology, Sydney.

*At Nudge we use Xero and MYOB Live Accounts

You’re invited!

Please join us for a special Windows Azure Developer Camp event.  Windows Azure DevCamps are free and fun events for developers, by developers.

This special DevCamp will be presented by Microsoft technical experts. You do not want to miss this unique event.

What am I going to learn?

At this DevCamp you will learn how to use the new Windows Azure features and services including Windows Azure Virtual Machines, Web Sites, and Visual Studio 2012 to build and move a variety of apps to the cloud.  You will see how to build web sites, mobile applications, and enterprise-class applications.

The Windows Azure DevCamp is a great place to get started with Windows Azure development or to learn what’s new with the latest Windows Azure features.

Details

Melbourne – March 15th @ Clifton’s Melbourne. Register here.

Sydney – March 22nd @ Clifton’s Sydney. Register here.

Brisbane - March 28th @ Clifton’s Brisbane. Register here.

Attendee Pre-requisites

Along with your laptop computer, we ask that you activate your free 90 day trial Windows Azure subscription prior your arrival.  If you have not yet activated your subscription, please go to the Windows Azure Subscription Activation page and follow the instructions provided.

Fees

This event is brought to you by your local Microsoft office and is free of charge. However, delegates are responsible for booking and paying for their own travel and accommodation.