It seems consumers are still thinking positively, despite the fact that Australia is now in a recession with The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment increasing by 8.3 percent in April, from 85.6 in March to 92.7. Westpac Chief Economist, Bill Evans was surprised by such a big jump. “This is a surprisingly strong result. […]
Online retail spending experienced a much needed boost in March 2009, according to online marketing and business solutions company Coremetrics. Consumers who shopped online in March purchased nearly 12 percent more items compared to the previous month, while the average dollar value increased by more than four percent, suggesting that not only are consumers buying […]
QBE Insurance Group says it will be pleased if it can maintain profits this year in the face of a declining economy. The Sydney-based insurer says that the majority of its businesses are outperforming their peers. At the company’s annual general meeting in Sydney yesterday, chairman John Cloney said the insurer “expects 2009 will be […]
Westpac’s decision to pass on this week’s official interest rate to small business borrowers has been welcomed by small business industry groups, with the other big four banks urged to follow suit. The Franchise Council of Australia (FCA), and the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) have welcomed the move, and have lobbied all […]
The Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) has welcomed the Reserve Bank’s latest cut to interest rates, believing that it is a modest, but necessary step to sustain economic growth. The retail body believes that while the cut of 25 basis points (a quarter of a percent) to take interest rates to an all-time low of […]
St George Bank has continued its support of small business by running the second annual Small Business Mentor Program, together with business coaching organization, ActionCOACH. The mentor program aims to provide businesses with an opportunity to gain practical advice on how to achieve business success, covering everything from business planning, recruitment and time management, to […]
With unemployment reaching record highs, MYOB is encouraging small to medium businesses to focus their attention on finding and retaining high quality staff in the downturn. MYOB CEO Tim Reed believes small businesses will need to be fully equipped to handle issues brought on by the economic downturn and come out on the other side […]
The economic crisis has led to an increased interest in Australians taking on contract work, according to a Robert Walters survey. The survey of over 4,288 respondents from 17 countries found that 59 percent of Australian respondents said they would be happy to take on a contract role, as opposed to a worldwide average of […]
Time is running out for small to medium businesses to nominate themselves or other businesses, for the 2009 Telstra Business Awards. With only two and a half weeks to go until the extended entry deadline of Friday 24 April, Telstra Business Group managing director and Telstra Business Awards ambassador, Deena Shiff is encouraging small businesses […]
A new Australian-first website for women in home business has been launched to provide helpful advice for women wanting to start their own home business, or for those already working from home and seeking greater success. Home Biz Chicks is designed to provide women with the support, guidance and motivation needed to start a home […]
