Australian businesses are hanging back in their uptake of new digital communication technologies, choosing caution over early adoption. The results are detailed in a report for the Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA) conducted by GfK Australia and published earlier this month. The report draws on a range focus group discussions with SMEs, industry leaders […]
A major new review has identified government education and health services as the new frontier for competition reform while proposing a shake-up of the rules governing pharmacies, taxi licences, trading hours and parallel imports. In a blow for the big end of town, the four member competition review panel led by Professor Ian Harper recommended […]
Small business has won a victory with a new proposal giving the competition watchdog more scope to act against major companies that use their market power to stifle competition.
The Abbott government is soon to release new guidelines to streamline interaction between government regulators and small businesses as part of its drive to further reduce compliance costs and red tape.
The competition watchdog has initiated proceedings against supermarket giant Woolworths, alleging it mislead customers over the safety of a range of products including chairs, matches and deep fryers.
One of Australia’s peak business groups has defended the creation of a more effective appeals mechanism at the Fair Work Commission after the Law Council warned against the controversial proposal. Kate Carnell, the head of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, representing about 300,000 small businesses, said there was precedent for specialist appeals divisions […]
The start-up community is set to benefit next year from changes to employee share schemes and progress on the setting of clear crowd source funding rules. The start-up and venture capital sectors have loudly complained about tough conditions for aspiring tech entrepreneurs, warning they are forcing many to relocate overseas and damaging Australian competitiveness. The […]
Entering into an international trading relationship can appear complex and challenging to many SMEs. The risks are real and need to be carefully managed.
Some entrepreneurs have a knack for innovative business ideas, but lack the key management skills needed to get their idea off the ground and turn it into a viable reality. The truth is that entrepreneurs will be forced to learn this skill or, alternatively, they will need to employ someone to do it. The day-to-day […]
Nearly 70 per cent of SMEs that spend money on innovation expect to receive a return on their investment within one year and expect it to make a significant difference to their business. The July 2014 Bibby Financial Services Barometer shows that more than half of SMEs surveyed are currently focused on innovation in the […]
