Expert

Working from home is now a viable option for many businesses. So, this far into the pandemic, what do we think? Work office vs. Home? Let’s talk…

As JobKeeper closes, businesses may need to reduce headcount to keep wage bills affordable. Here’s how to approach a restructure legally and effectively…

Disruption waits for no one, especially not a pandemic. Innovative thinking should be top priority during a crisis. Read on…

Demand, competition and technology are driving seismic changes in the financial landscape, with power heading from the banks to the people…

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work, fast-tracking the digitisation of business and our ideas around flexible working.  While many people talk about the future of work in the context of big business, the topic is just as important for small businesses. The rise of ‘location-independent workers’ widens the talent pool for businesses […]

Last week, as part of the Australian Government’s ongoing response to the pandemic-induced economic crisis, the Senate passed reforms to insolvency arrangements for small businesses with liabilities less than $1 million.  From 1 January 2021, these businesses will be able to avail themselves of: A new debtor-in-possession, debt-restructuring process to improve the prospects of business […]

What happens if two business partners don’t agree on the direction of a business? With no deciding vote in director’s meetings, it can be difficult to intervene – leaving one business partner vulnerable should the other go rogue.  A common scenario  Take the following example. Let’s say you have a very good business which has […]

Consumer data privacy continues to be a hotly debated topic; especially in countries like Australia where we are yet to introduce updated laws to regulate this area. And while stricter data laws have been met with much resistance from businesses in the past, a new pattern is emerging of companies now advocating for greater regulation. […]

A few months ago we were still unsure whether remote working would last. Many assumed that as the COVID-19 situation eased up and gatherings of people would be allowed again, everyone would be back into the office.  But it is now clear: remote working is here to stay. Most companies in Australia have decided to […]

The 2020-21 Budget delivers the biggest Australian deficit since World War 2. The Government’s fiscal stimulus of $51 billion during the GFC pales in comparison to the $257 billion in spending unveiled by the Treasurer yesterday. We asked leading Australian economists for their first impressions on the budget and how it affects business investment in […]

Amidst the constantly changing news cycle and rule amendments, it can be hard for SMEs to keep track of their tax obligations.  We interviewed Kirsten Fish, Chief Tax Counsel at the ATO (currently Deputy Commissioner Small Business), on the major tax issues facing SMEs during the pandemic and how best to navigate them. What are […]

The Morrison Government is right to be pressing for the industrial relations changes that have been so critical to keeping people in work through this pandemic to be extended and to apply to employers coming off JobKeeper. The extension of changes to the Fair Work Act, and the Government’s proposed business investment incentives, is critical […]

Business continuity is your business’ ability to continue functioning as ‘normally’ as possible during and after a crisis. Essentially, it’s your ability to plan for and effectively manage disruption to business as usual. A business continuity plan is your organisation’s formalised processes to manage these disruptive situations. Now, while these disruptions may include things like flood, […]

Telecommunications expert and CEO of Captivate Connect, Mark Horwood, talks us through why all business owners should record their phone calls with customers. State-of-the-art technology is revolutionising the telecommunications industry and offers business owners a valuable opportunity to improve accountability, productivity and customer satisfaction. Telecommunications expert Mark Horwood said business owners, staff and customers should […]

While it has caused disruption and loss in many business sectors, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the conferences and events market to its knees. Hundreds of planned events have been cancelled or postponed indefinitely as organisers come to terms with what ongoing restrictions mean for their futures. It’s clear that taking a business-as-usual approach is […]

Sometimes it takes an outsider to see things clearly. That’s how I felt as a former physiotherapist building a network of allied health businesses into a franchise. When I first started practising in 2004, I trod the well-worn path of becoming a practitioner owner believing, like many, that I could do it all.  Recently however, […]

Australian enterprises which have survived the pandemic need to put plans in place to ensure they’re not left scrambling next time disaster strikes, writes Mark Sinclair, ANZ Regional Director, WatchGuard Technologies. Was yours one of the thousands of businesses forced to send employees home to work in a hurry, after the coronavirus pandemic was declared? […]

As Australia prepares for the challenge of returning to the physical office, organisations nationwide are considering the best course of action when it comes to ensuring that their workers have the most adaptable and flexible approach possible. The year has been unpredictable and frightening, both on a societal and governmental level. Some companies have managed […]

Diversity and a rich blend of skills and experience in the leadership team is likely to stand businesses in good stead as they regroup and rebuild in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, writes BlackLine executive, Claudia Pirko, Regional Vice President ANZ. What a difference a few months makes. The world has changed immeasurably since […]

Australia needs to think about how to strengthen relations in the region so it benefits from trade in a COVID-19 world, says Professor Heng Wang, co-director of UNSW Law’s China International Business and Economic Law (CIBEL) Centre.  The way forward for trade between Australia and China is through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) alongside the […]