News

Nobody likes tax and if you’re starting a business it’s probably one of the least appealing aspects to running it. Ignore it and be disorganised at your peril!

Danielle MacInnis offers eight straightforward tips for gaining a competitive advantage over your small business rivals.

“Customers are becoming bored with hyped up messaging and choose their own media diet. So can we still achieve a competitive advantage in today’s marketplace as a small business?
We can but we have to think faster, act sooner and compete in new ways.”

Like in the Amazing Race, we have entered the last leg and it’s now time to focus on your taxation obligations otherwise the ATO may eliminate you.

Former Dynamic Business cover star Samantha Wills is making it big in the United States and is living between Sydney and New York. Jen Bishop caught up with her for this exclusive interview.

Online ugg boot seller Marksun Australia has been fined $430,000 for engaging in false and misleading conduct, which includes its unauthorised use of the Australian Made logo.

As consumers continue to show their love for group buying deals, more and more SMEs are listing deals on coupon sites – but how can you ensure this works for your business?

World-renowned entrepreneur Anne McKevitt will present a half-day workshop for businesswomen looking to make the transition to high earners in Sydney on 21 July, with all tickets secured before 1July to be sold at a discounted rate.

According to the Tax Institute’s Robert Jeremenko, it’s in every business owners interests to stay up to speed on superannuation changes.

“Many people consider contributing greater amounts into superannuation before the end of the financial year to get the most out of their savings. If you do, it is crucial to make sure you don’t exceed the contributions caps under any circumstances.”

Freelancer.com Founder and CEO Matt Barrie has been named as the Technology category winner of the 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, for the Eastern Region.

The University of Queensland (UQ) is offering a $100,000 prize to the emerging Australian entrepreneur that delivers the most innovative business plan.

With the tax silly season almost upon us, it’s that time of year again for smart business owners to start taking action before 30 June and look at ways to reduce their tax bill.

Employees that witness workplace bullying are just as likely to be impacted by it as those who are bullied, with such behaviour occurring most commonly in businesses with less constructive leadership.

Rick Mapperson blogs about the need to address the ‘elephants in the room’ that may be impacting your business.

“In your business it is an obvious problem or risk that no one wants to address or discuss. Instead, you pretend it is not there and occupy your time with other issues rather than deal with the looming big one.”

The nationally funded Paid Parental Leave scheme was brought in at the start of the year. But did you know that as of 1 July, you’ll be responsible for administering the scheme in your business?

Reckon Limited’s Gerald Chait blogs about what the Australian Consumer Law means for business advertising.

“Some parts of the updated rules are obvious, such as use of the words ‘closing down sale’ – it is clearly misleading to have a closing down sale that lasts for three years. But there are others that are worth keeping in mind when deciding on your advertising campaign.”

Staff retention is not an exact science and different employees will respond to different incentives. But losing good staff is sometimes a reality and that’s where succession planning is key.

Whilst the start of a new financial year is the preferred time for many businesses to purchase and deploy new IT equipment, Kroll Ontrack warns organisations need to pay close attention to ensuring sensitive financial or confidential company information is permanently wiped from old computers and systems.

Australian organisations are suffering from significant gaps in workforce skills, an Australian Institute of Management VT survey has found, due largely to high levels of employee stress.

Fair Work Australia will introduce amendments to minimum working hours for students on July 1, with the General Retail Industry Award to allow full-time school students to work a minimum 1.5 hours casual after-school work.

Australian employees are showing a keen interest in making their workplaces sustainable, but want senior managers to drive the shift to sustainability, a survey has found.