Operating a business can be very demanding and time-consuming. A common problem in small business is that managers and owners spend too much time working 'in' the business and not enough time working 'on' the business.

If you want your business to be successful then you will need to take time out on a regular basis to assess how well your business is operating:

• Are you performing better or worse than your competitors?
• Is your business improving over time?
• Are there any simple actions you might take to improve your performance?
• Are you complying with regulations? 

Many businesses seek formal feedback on their performance by hiring a consultant or spending a large amount of time on research. Before you head down either of these paths, use the tools below to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your business in a variety of management and operational areas.

Bright ideas for your business
Do you realise how important innovation is to your business? Take our quick quiz to learn how developing your own bright ideas will benefit your business.

Strengthen your business
How is your business faring in the current economic environment? Complete the Surviving economic challenges quiz to learn more about key actions your business can implement now in order to assist you through a downturn.

Improve your profitability...
How well is your business performing? Use Financial benchmarking to find out how well your business is performing compared with other businesses in your industry. Benchmark your business against your competitors!

Manage your environment...
How well do you understand your obligations under the Environmental Protection Act? Complete the Environmental management quiz to learn more about reducing the impact of your business activities on the environment.

Develop your business succession and exit strategy...
Have you written a succession or exit plan for your business? Use the Business succession and exit planning quiz to learn more about exit strategies and how to plan a smooth business exit.

Manage your privacy and business information...
How much do you really know about your obligations and responsibilities for managing privacy and business information? Use the Privacy and information management quiz to learn more about how best to collect, store, use and disclose customer information.

Manage your staff better...
How well do you manage your staff? Take the Recruiting, managing and developing your staff quiz to help you assess how well you manage the people within your business.

Meet the needs of your customers...
How well do you know your customers? Use the Understanding customer needs quiz to find out about ways to research your target market and develop your own unique selling proposition.

Understand your obligations as a business operator...
How well do you understand your trading obligations under the Trade Practices Act? Complete the Product and service warranties quiz to learn more about customer rights and the use of warranties as a powerful marketing tool.

Win Government business...
Do you want to sell your product or service to the Government? Use the Winning new business, selling to government quiz to learn about the Government tender process and ways to win Government contracts.

Ensure your workplace is healthy and safe...
Is your workplace healthy and safe? Take the Workplace health and safety quiz to create and maintain a better work environment.

Doing business online...
Have you considered doing business online? Complete the Doing business online quiz to learn about opportunities available to your business to adopt or expand online business activities.