News
The weakening global economy is having a severe affect on Australian exporters, with export prices declining by six percent in the March quarter hurting both national income and economic growth. The decline is the fastest since June 2003, with terms of trade (the ratio between export and import prices) falling by nearly two percent in […]
As part of the ‘No Leave, No Life’ program encouraging Aussie workers to use up their accrued leave on a local Aussie holiday (read full story here), Tourism Australia have developed an Employer Toolkit, giving employers advice and information on how they can help their staff find a balance between work and life. The Employer […]
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has called on the big banks to do more to support small business. The big banks have been under the spotlight in recent weeks following their refusal to pass on the latest cuts to interest rates to consumers and business. Business lending remains tight, and the ARA believes that the […]
Australia’s fascination with Telstra has continued despite the news that the company may not be involved in the National Broadband Network being proposed by the government. People love to own this stock yet for the life of me I cannot understand why. Telstra floated in November 1997, and while the stock rose over the first […]
Asserting it’s dominance as the leader in the search engine market, Google has reported a rise in quarterly net profit, at $US1.42 billion ($A1.95 billion) compared with $US1.31 billion ($A1.8 billion) in the corresponding quarter last year. However the internet search giant says that revenue has declined for the first time in consecutive quarters. Google […]
The majority of small business have indicated in a survey conducted by accounting and finance recruitment practice Aequalis Consulting that they will retain the majority of their staff in the downturn, and will instead cut back on employee incentives to save money. The results suggest employers are remaining positive in the current market. The results […]
The number of insolvencies in small- and medium-sized businesses has increased in recent months, however Mr Andrew Needham, director of business recovery at HLB Mann Judd Sydney, says the economic crisis is not to blame as the majority of businesses were going to run into trouble sooner or later. “It is only in the past […]
The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) has announced its state and territory winners and national finalists for the prestigious 2009 iAwards, which recognises Australia’s most outstanding information and communications technology (ICT) innovators. Awards were distributed to winners in the categories of Communication, eGovernment, eHealth, eInclusions & ecommunity, eLearning, eLogistics and supply chain, Financial Industry Application, […]
A recent survey conducted by Unisys Security Index has shown that many Australians believe the economic downturn will increase the risk of identity theft and financial fraud, with 63 percent of respondents concerned about their online security. “The latest Unisys Security Index shows an increase in concerns about the security of online activities such as […]
It seems the financial crisis has Australians thinking about more than just their money, with dating website rsvp.com.au reporting a 31 percent increase in new membership in the previous three months. Love is in the air, with RSVP customer service director Lija Jarvis believing the jump in members reflecting, not only a trend in online […]
Small Business Minister Craig Emerson has called on the big banks to support small business during the economic downturn, by providing adequate credit flows to the sector. In follow-up meeting to the Small Business Roundtable held in Melbourne on March 6, Minister Emerson pointed to the Reserve Bank’s lowering of interest rates, and how the […]
Treasurer Wayne Swan has warned China’s slumping economy could have a major affect on the Australian budget, in terms of deficit and growth. The Treasurer said China’s growth report “provides stark evidence of the impact of the global recession on the mining boom, which supercharged Australia’s economy in recent years”. According to Swan, as a […]
The International Monetary Fund has released its bi-annual World Economic Outlook report with the dire summary that the world will undergo a deep recession that will affect every country. The report also predicted that “the current recession is likely to be unusually long and severe and the recovery sluggish”. Analysis included: Recessions brought on by […]
3 Mobile have announced increased access to 3G services for customers, covering 96 percent of the Australian population, which includes access to social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. The new 3G Roaming Zone now covers areas originally outside of 3’s Broadband Zone, allowing customers to keep in touch with everything they love […]
Telstra is calling on all business women to nominate themselves or someone they know for the 2009 Telstra Business Women’s Awards. Nominations open on the 25 May 2009, giving women the chance to achieve recognition for their business successes. In its 15th year, the Telstra Business Women’s Awards recognise the achievements of women in business […]
The latest small business ‘stress survey’ commissioned by Microsoft Australia has indicated that an increasing number of small businesses are feeling the strain of the downturn, with many taking their stress home.
Certain industries fare better in economic downturns according to franchise network Snap-on Tools Australia who announced an average yearly sales growth rate of 7.7 percent from 1991- 2008. The company is attributing its steady growth to its supply of tools to the automotive repair industry, which is showing signs of remaining steady as consumers retain […]
A leading economist has suggested that the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Government need to continue to work together to lift the economy out of recession, believing if they do so, the recession will be less damaging than the previous. Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said that world growth is weaker compared to the […]
Legal firms have been put under the spotlight, with claims of exploitation of clients. Australia’s attorney-general is set to consider measures which prevent legal firms exploiting their clients and overcharging. The new measures will include a prohibition on law practices charging excessive costs, and fines for any breaches of provisions adopted; along with a new […]
Australians businesses are feeling the pressure of the global economic downturn, with payment terms rising to 57.6 days, according to Dun & Bradstreet’s (D&B’s) latest quarterly trade payment analysis. The figures reveal a five day increase in terms since September 2007, taking business-to-business payment terms (all industries) to almost double the standard term. D&B CEO […]
