In tough economic times, small businesses are often the first to go under, and with the recent financial crisis, many have struggled to survive.There is a fine line between failure and success; one that small businesses have to tread very carefully. So why do small businesses fail and how can you avoid the same fate?
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd fears it is unlikely that an agreement will be reached at the climate change summit in Copenhagen, telling delegates attending the conference that previous attempts from a number of nations to work on a new agreement have so far failed. Rudd said the summit has highlighted a major divide between developing […]
Telstra is expecting little to no sales growth in 2009/10, off the back of a higher local currency and stronger competition. In a statement, Melbourne-based Telstra said the strength of the Australian dollar, tough operating conditions in Hong Kong, and strong domestic competition driven by ULL (unconditional local loop) growth and very competitive mobile offers […]
The 2008-09 financial year was the most volatile for Australian petrol prices, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reports. The competition watchdog says Australian petrol prices have been much more stable in 2009 than the wild swings last year, but overall the 2008-09 financial year was the most volatile on record, with prices hitting […]
Up to 600,000 commuters across Sydney and Newcastle were left stranded this morning, after bus drivers walked off the job. The 24-hour stoppage began at 4am (AEDT) this morning, following demands from the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) for bus drivers to be given a pay rise without award conditions being taken away. On […]
ANZ Banking Group Ltd expects bad debts to fall in 2010, with more significant falls predicted for the following year. ANZ’s retiring chairman, Charles Goode, told the bank’s annual general meeting on Friday that net profits ‚”should be higher‚” in the coming year. “The financial markets are also recovering and the volume of lending should […]
Opposition leader Tony Abbott and Shadow Small Business Minister Bruce Billson, have both called for an official inquiry into restrictions on small business financing. Tony Abbott has claimed that large numbers of small businesses are being denied capital because the banks are refusing to lend on reasonable terms to good businesses. “I know that the […]
Business owners ready for a profitable 2010 A new survey has found that not only have the majority of Australia’s small and medium business owners survived through the global economic crisis but they are expecting a profitable 2010. According to Reckon’s 2009 Annual Business Survey, 63 percent of business owners said their business performance was […]
Qantas, Jetstar engineers walk off the job First it was Australia Post workers, then it was Queensland rail employees, and now a number of Qantas and Jetstar engineers have walked off the job over a pay conditions dispute. The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia (APESMA) said a small group of heavy maintenance […]
Postal strike slows down mail The postie strike expected to continue until Friday will slow down mail delivery, the union representing postal workers warns. Up to 20,000 postal workers across Australia walked off the job or were involved in rolling stoppages on Wednesday in an effort to secure a better wage deal. CEPU NSW state […]
