Growth | Import | Export
As the dust starts to settle on what has been an astounding US election, the question on everyone’s lips is how will global trade be affected? Let’s face it, the protectionist policies that helped propel Donald Trump’s vote in Middle America will have far-reaching consequences for the global economy and global alliances – if implemented. Nevertheless, we need […]
There has never been a more eagerly awaited election in living memory. American voters will line up on November 8th to cast their vote, most will be for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. Their decision will not simply affect political change in America, it will have far reaching global effects that will reverberate all the […]
Small businesses often have specific financing needs and may require funding support to compete in international markets or to fulfil export-related supply chain contracts. For businesses trying to navigate that next growth phase into an overseas market, there are a number of differences between exporting and operating in Australia which will have an impact on […]
With over 710 million Internet users and 448 million online shoppers, China has the world’s largest Internet population and also the largest eCommerce market. Moreover, the country’s affluent middle class is growing, as is disposable income, and consumers are looking abroad for premium goods and services. With a presence in Beijing and Sydney, Aussie tech […]
Within the next decade, global trade and logistics could be virtually unrecognisable from what we see today. Digital and physical disruption will change the way customers and suppliers connect, and the way supply chains are managed. The barriers to entry to global trade are being torn down, and technological advances across the value chain are […]
Very small businesses in Australia are not typically bullish when it comes to growth and they are content with their size, according to new research from SMB tech provider GoDaddy. Modest ambitions, however, weren’t a sign of meekness; rather, GoDaddy found many operators are driven by flexible lifestyle – not profits – and would ‘get […]
Exports are of huge importance to the Australian economy, making up 19.8% of our GDP in 2015, according to the World Bank. But success with export markets is not limited solely to the agriculture and resources sectors and nor is it limited only to large businesses. There are significant opportunities for SMBs to succeed in […]
Efic and the Export Council of Australia (ECA) have partnered to launch an app that provides new and growing exporters, particularly small to medium businesses, with need-to-know information. According to Andrew Watson, executive director, export finance at Efic, the Export Essentials app alerts businesses to details often overlooked when planning to export. “Exporting can be a complicated business, especially […]
Any inefficiencies within your business can eat away at your bottom line and makes things a lot harder than they should be, which why it makes sense to find some ways to streamline your operation. There are many aspects of your business to evaluate from using an international parcel service to keep control of your […]
Despite globalisation removing barriers to overseas expansion, it appears that SME owners are not yet convinced of the benefits. Recent data from Bentleys, a mid-tier accounting and business advisory firm, found that only 19% of Australian and New Zealand businesses operated in overseas markets. The latest The Voice of Australian Business survey, a bi-annual national survey of SMEs, revealed that a majority […]
Australian small businesses Frankland Islands Cruises and Intersective are among the first to benefit from Efic’s new Small Business Export Loan. The latest finance offering from Australia’s export finance agency, is designed to meet the needs of small businesses seeking export finance, with a focus on convenience and speed throughout the online application and approval process. The […]
As competitors and market expectations keep moving ahead, standing still as a business means you’ll be in danger of being left behind. The focus for many organisations then is on how to turn business process improvement into something that is truly embedded in the way the business runs. The real value comes when business process […]
Running a small business is a stressful job at the best of times but in 2016, small business owners are having to navigate the treacherous waters brought about by a rapidly changing and ultra-competitive market. A Westpac report published recently found trading conditions for Australian SMEs collapsed 14.4% over the second quarter this year. […]
Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics’ export figures show that Australia’s manufacturing industries continue to look overseas for export opportunities. According to ABS, 300 Australian manufacturers began exporting for the first time in 2015-2016. With international demand for Australian-made quality products, this is a trend that is likely to continue. In line with this trend, according […]
The current federal government is more popular amongst SMEs than its predecessor but an increasing number of business owners are dissatisfied with the Coalition’s support, according to the latest MYOB Business Monitor The bi-annual national survey of over 1,000 SME operators revealed that since being elected to power in September 2013, the Coalition government has […]
For small business owners, the intrigue of taking their products and services off shore can be too exciting to ignore. But among all the hype that international business can bring, there are still numerous risks to assess and manage if you decide international trade is right for you. Perhaps the most important area to consider […]
Innovation without a market is like cooking a meal for one – you can still feel satisfied, even if no one else would eat it. But what happens when you start serving your cuisine du jour to others? The decision to innovate can be a difficult one, as innovation typically involves a longer term commitment of […]
Everybody who launches a small to mid-size business of their own these days hopes to hit the bull’s eye as soon as possible. The problem is there are literally millions of other people aiming at the same target. This produces competition of millions, meaning the risk of failing to stand out is high. Here are […]
Startups that fail to exercise resource parsimony or understand the job their customers want to get done will not survive against larger companies and risk falling afoul of investors, a prominent strategy expert has warned. In Sydney last month to participate in the World Business Forum (25 to 26 May), Rita McGrath, a professor at […]
Hey, this is life Jim – and it is just as you know it! Yes, get used to it. As a business owner you’re always going to be taking risks, whether it’s hiring someone new, taking a lease on a new office, or something as simple as taking out advertising space for that new product launch. […]
