News
Last week, the PR industry was put in the spotlight with Jen Bishop’s blog ‘Media coverage or your PR for free?’ I understand Jen’s concerns about where she sits with the whole ‘guaranteeing PR coverage for clients or they get it for free’ debate. However, I don’t think she should feel pressured to publish an […]
Individual taxpayers who are employed and not in business, are being incorrectly advised by car salesmen that they will get the 30 percent investment allowance if they purchase a new car simply by applying for an ABN, says “Mr Taxman” Adrian Raftery. Raftery said he has had a number of clients coming to him requesting […]
This month has seen a renewed interest in the banking sector, especially since the US announced its latest package to support the financial industry. Of the big Australian four banks, WBC has risen around 19 percent, while NAB and CBA have each risen around 20 percent, with the standout performer being ANZ having risen around […]
You know I don’t like to be controversial or provoke reaction of any kind, but… The last time I blogged on the subject of women in business it kicked off big style. My spiel on networking group Business Chicks got a few people hot under the collar and it was a great debate, although it […]
The Federal Government is set to give a $720 million cash flow boost to small business, self-funded retirees and small superannuation funds, in an effort to free up cash flow to provide further economic stimulus. Under the plan, the quarterly PAYG (pay-as-you-go) instalments will be cut for 1.5 million taxpayers in the 2009-10 financial year. […]
Thousands of Telstra customers were left confused and a little late yesterday, when an electronic glitch caused a number of mobile phones, BlackBerries and personal digital assistants to change their internal clocks a week early, winding back the clock one hour. According to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald, many people were left late to […]
Legal academic Bryan Pape is set to challenge the Rudd Government’s stimulus package in the High Court today, citing the package as “exceeding the government’s taxation powers” making the bonus a “gift.” If Pape is successful in overturning the new law, it could mean that a number of payments made in past years could be […]
The tourism industry has taken a severe beating in the financial crisis, with new figures released by the ABS indicating the number of tourists visiting Australia has dropped substantially. In the ACT, the number of tourists visiting the region fell, with only 70 percent of hotel rooms in the territory occupied in the December quarter, […]
Online monitoring company Hitwise has announced their Australia Online Performance Awards, recognising the most popular websites from 2008 in more than 100 industries. Both online and offline brands were named at the top of their respective industries, including Wotif.com, ninemsn, Sony and BHP Billiton. Directories were also popular, with Natural Therapy Pages taking out the […]
The Department of State and Regional Development is set to hold a small business workshop targeted at mature age employees and young entrepreneurs, designed to improve communication between the two groups. Demographer and social researcher, Mark McCrindle will be on hand to provide insights for young entrepreneurs on demographic trends shaping the future of the […]
Scammers on the internet targeting innocent citizens and businesses is nothing new, however new research has uncovered they are zeroing in on small business. According to ACCC deputy chairman Michael Schaper, scammers target more than 300,000 small businesses across the country every week. The problem has become so widespread the ACCC and the Office of […]
In some positive news concerning the economy, the Reserve Bank head of Economics Analysis department, Anthony Richards has said in an address to the Annual Housing Congress in Sydney, that the recent drops in interest rates are having a positive effect on the economy and the household sector. Richards said that the lowering interest rates […]
Virgin Blue has announced it is set to cut 28 of its 330 daily flights, which could mean job losses of up to 400. The scheduled changes will take place from May 7, expected to be felt in one of its most common routes Sydney-Melbourne. The announcements comes after the airline attempted a number of […]
The big banks are finally starting to listen to the financial needs of small business when it comes to lending and borrowing, with the Australian Banking Association announcing it will work closer with small businesses to provide greater financial assistance. The move comes after small business minister Craig Emerson put banks and small business lending […]
As the economy worsens, job cuts are increasing. It is a difficult time to be looking for work. Those finding it particularly tough in this current climate are university graduates. A number of companies are reducing their recruitment drive numbers in an effort to weather the financial crisis. According to a report on ABC News, […]
I’m all for reassessing how you do business in the light of a recession and maybe offering your customers something different/more affordable that will work better for them in these challenging times. Today I received a story pitch from a PR agency (not surprisingly) about the PR agency itself (a bit different). It was about […]
Even before it’s introduction, the Government’s emissions trading scheme is bringing unexpected benefits to Victorian businesses, who are pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit, by using energy efficient technologies to minimise emissions. According to Sustainability Victoria, businesses are reaping the rewards of energy efficient technologies. Food giant Nestlé, has made changes to the […]
Is it just me, or is the NSW Labor Government running the state into the ground? Now, as a Labor voter myself, I suppose that I only have myself to blame, but I am increasingly becoming frustrated with the way they are attempting to run this state. My biggest grievance? CityRail. Yes, the shambolic rail […]
Responding to small to medium business owners need to improve business efficiencies and increase productivity, Canon has launched the fastest scanner in their category, with the release of the DR-3010C. The scanner offers 30-page-per minute desktop scanning, allowing businesses to boost office productivity and save time. Office administration duties can be completed efficiently, with the […]
After revising it’s outlook for official interest rates, JPMorgan is predicting the RBA will be likely to cut interest rates by 50 basis points next month, as the global economy worsens. Chief economist Stephen Walters has signalled the RBA may need to cut official interest rates when they meet next month, after the central bank […]
