News

The rise of trade delinquencies over the last 12 months is putting small businesses in serious risk of debt defaults.

Cloud accounting enables small business owners to keep their finger on the financial pulse of their business in the same way a large corporation would – and better still, it’s available anytime and anywhere they’re online.

Danielle MacInnis looks at whether small businesses should be spending time on content marketing.

“The question floating around is, is it worth the time, effort and creative energy to create this content in its many varied forms?”

Central Coast-based business, QiQ Communications, has won funding from NSW Trade and Investment to expand into the US and UK markets over the next 12 months.

Groupon Australia has announced it will no longer operate under the Stardeals brand it’s been utilising since February, with all traffic to be redirected through to Groupon.com.au.

The Commonwealth Bank has employed Facebook’s location-based marketing expertise to give away a year’s worth of free movie tickets to anyone who opens an Everyday Account with the bank after “checking in.”

As local businesses face continued difficult economic times, an increasing number are seeking online solutions for managing their customer relationships and cashflow – a trend that’s seen software development and direct debit payment processing company Debitsuccess enjoy a 25 percent revenue jump.

Retailers remain concerned about the impact of the carbon tax, with a survey revealing 83 percent expect the tax will mean consumers spend less and an even larger number reporting it will have a negative impact on profitability.

Sara Redman blogs about granting yourself permission to practice guilt-free self care.

“Why do so many people find it difficult to give themselves permission to look after themselves? The answer is because guilt gets in the way.”

Freelancer.com has dropped listing fees for projects posted by the end of August, with CEO Matt Barrie urging businesses make use of the special offer to get much-needed projects off the ground.

Demand for business banking products has dropped significantly over the past four months, with commercial banks including the Big Four local providers as well as regional and international banks all reporting a downturn in demand.

Consumer confidence will likely take another hit unless the big banks reject a looming deadline to raise EFTPOS fees, with proposed new “interchange fees” to come into effect from 1 October.

In the first part of her two-part blog series, Phoebe Netto looks at ethically using manipulative marketing tools to benefit your small business.

“Marketing tools can be used in an unethical and manipulative way, & can also be used as an influential or attention-grabbing way for your business.”

Arndria Seymour looks at the importance of being influential in your industry.

“The ability to influence is pivotal to be able to identify new ways of doing things and evoke the necessary change to make it a reality.”

7-Eleven is celebrating the achievement of two important milestones this week, having just opened its 500th branded store and converted its 100th Mobil retail fuel sites since acquiring the business in October 2010.

A group buying site designed to ease the ongoing financial costs associated with raising and entertaining children has launched, with Kid U Not’s Founders promising also to give back to the community through its various charity partners.

Over 25 percent of small businesses around the world have chosen AVG as their internet security provider, according to newly released GfK figures.

Neil Tilley looks at what a work/life balance means in today’s terms.

“In the majority of cases today, work/life balance is less about a division between what is and what is not work and more about a flexible approach to working.”

The unemployment rate climbed from 4.9 percent in June to 5.1 percent last month; rising a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Alycia Edgar delivers 9 tips for completing those projects you haven’t managed to get off the ground.

“Would you love to feel more in control of your workload and finally get to those projects that you’ve been attempting to work on for quite some time; those projects that will provide revenue-generating opportunities; and implement them, finally?”