General
Manufacturers given access to grants
Manufacturers may soon be able to access the latest cutting-edge technologies via the internet thanks to a $2.4 million Australian Government innovation grant. Melbourne-based, Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute has been offered the Industry Cooperative Innovation Program grant to develop its LYNX project. Australian Industry Minister, Ian Macfarlane, said the project will be a significant tool […]
Need Staff?
Employing staff during a skills shortage is a major challenge. Make it easier The Need staff? website, a government initiative, is providing information about government recruitment services, employing people with a disability, registering position vacancies with JobSearch, and support and subsidies for employers. Visit needstaff.gov.au or call the Employer Hotline on 131 715.
Is your work a nice place to be?
SMEs are neglecting their culture when developing their businesses. According to research conducted by Shirlaws, a business coaching firm, small and medium businesses only set aside 10 percent of their time to develop workplace culture. Yet 70 percent say a clear culture is crucial to staff recruitment and retention. "The research reveals a major discrepancy […]
Taking Control
With the end of financial year looming and new super choice legislation set to be introduced, the time might be right for business owners to consider their own superannuation options and the DIY option. Despite being compulsory, your superannuation payments are an opportunity to build your financial future throughout the course of your business life. […]
Indigenous tourism a hit
Indigenous experiences were a major factor in choosing Australia for 150,000 international tourists, who spent an estimated $570 million in Australia, according to new research by Tourism Research Australia. And travellers who participated in Indigenous experiences spent an average of $3,800 in Australia, or 39% more than the average for all travellers. The new Tourism […]
Diagnosing problems with your business
High staff turnover is preventable, but many Australian businesses are not conducting 'stay interviews' to identify the problem before it's too late. "Businesses should be willing to run a health check, and ask the tough questions – Are we delivering on our promises to employees? Are we equipping staff with the right resources to enable […]
Softening credit card blows
One in three Australians compare their credit card relationship to being trapped with an abusive partner, according to the poll conducted by financial services website ARTOG. The same poll showed almost half of credit card users have no idea how much interest they are paying. As a result, ARTOG is now offering Australians a free […]
Protecting intellectual property
Bob Baldwin, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, today officially launched the Australian Government's Intellectual Property Management Manual. Mr Baldwin said the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association Ltd (AEEMA) received a $59,509 grant from the Industry Cooperative Innovation Program (ICIP) for the project. "The $25 million ICIP program aims […]
Advertorial: A Breath of Fresh Air
Searching the colossal Asian market for suppliers can be challenging and time-consuming, but thanks to Premier Connect, a business matching service offered by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Advantage Air sourced suppliers and had production up and running in no time. Perth-based air conditioning company Advantage Air has come a long way since starting […]
Filling The Empty Seat
While there are many demons that visit business owners in bed at night, one ranks consistently at or near the top of the nightmare list – staff. I see staffing as consistently presenting four challenges to businesses: • The empty seat kills your momentum. You know you could take on more business or expand locations, […]
Business a Go-Go: Managing the cost of mobility
The exponential growth of technology use in business has fundamentally blurred the boundary between our private and professional lives changing how, where and when work is done. Denis Stevens looks at how managing a mobile phone fleet can help the bottom line Along with most managers of my generation, I remember mobile technology being expensive, […]
Investor Advice
Timing the market versus time in the market—debunking the myth. By Dale Gillham Accepting the mantra that time in the market is more important than timing the market is probably the single greatest downfall of any investor wanting to beat the market average. The public is often cautioned through advertising slogans about the perils of […]