Small Business
Australian Federal and State Governments offer more than 1,000 grants and funding programs each year targeting different sectors and different types of activities from ‘cleaner tech’ to ‘accelerating commercialisation’. While grants can be a game-changer for your business the application process is often difficult and time-consuming (to say the least). In this article, we’ll discuss […]
A national business poll has been released showing one in three SMEs are considering closing or selling their business within the next six months, due to the impact of the COVID-19 recession, unless there is a significant improvement in conditions. The poll conducted by ScotPac, Australia and New Zealand’s largest non-bank SME lender, has also […]
A few months ago we were still unsure whether remote working would last. Many assumed that as the COVID-19 situation eased up and gatherings of people would be allowed again, everyone would be back into the office. But it is now clear: remote working is here to stay. Most companies in Australia have decided to […]
For many organisations, business survival in a COVID-19 world has relied on their ability to reduce costs quickly. One way to lower costs and ensure business continuity in the wake of future disasters is to outsource key activities to affordable offshore locations. Traditionally, Australian companies have outsourced key functions ranging from back-office administration and finance functions […]
Melbourne based events business Woohah Productions have pivoted their 19-year-old business to adjust to coronavirus lockdowns and revenue declines, resulting in major growth for the business during an exceptionally tumultuous period. It was estimated that cancellations in the Australian events sector would account for the loss of $35 billion and 92,000 jobs for the economy […]
Australian sustainable packaging startup Planet Protector Packaging has been one victim of the Chinese-Australian trade tensions, after their deal to provide the packaging of rock lobster exports was put on hold. Planet Protector Packaging (PPP) was established in 2016 in response to the global plastic waste crisis. Their product aims to eliminate polystyrene from supply […]
Steve and Nick Tidball don’t believe in following the rules. The British twin brothers ignored traditional business thinking when they co-founded Vollebak in 2016, by using science and technology to create clothing for the future. Steve and Nick were two of the biggest names in advertising and knew little about running a clothing line when […]
A record number of Australian companies are participating in the third China International Import Expo (CIIE), open from 5 to 10 November 2020. The annual event is hosted by China in Shanghai and is the world’s first import-themed trade fair. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and trade tensions between Australia and China, more than […]
New research has shown the coronavirus lockdown has reignited Australia’s love for shopping locally, with 91 per cent claiming they are now spending up to $200 per week on their local high street. Takeaway shops, cafes, restaurants and bakeries are among those who have had the biggest bounce since lockdown, according to research commissioned by […]
A 1.75 per cent increase to minimum wages has come into place, as part of the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review announced in June. Usually, minimum wage increases take effect from the beginning of the financial year. However the wage increases for a number of industries have been delayed due to the effects of […]
Research shows that products that use the Australian Made logo have an advantage in the international market, with 97 per cent of overseas consumers adopting a positive first impression of the logo. Ben Lazzaro, CEO of Australian Made, said that the iconic green and gold kangaroo has provided an effective way for shoppers around the […]
Businesses must invest in their online customer service as COVID-19 has driven up consumer demand for more virtual support. A LivePerson Customer Conversation Report found that 55 per cent of Australians said that they believed the online customer service of most companies could be improved. This includes providing more information online or having shorter hold […]
Linktree, the trusted tech platform that connects audiences to a user’s entire online ecosystem, has raised US$10.7 million in Series A funding, led by Insight Partners, an investor in Shopify, and AirTree Ventures, an early investor in Canva. The funding will accelerate Linktree’s expansion in international markets, including global team growth, and the evolution of Linktree’s product […]
The NSW Government is joining forces with Innovation District Partners, including the Australian Catholic University (ACU), to identify innovative businesses for grants under the Boosting Business Innovation Program. This year’s Boosting Business Innovation Program supports businesses which are accelerating the commercialisation of research products to address the many disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Innovation […]
A new study has been released highlighting the essential role small businesses play in shaping communities, with Australian consumers revealing their affection for the sector and its contribution to Australia’s way of life. The commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Xero, ‘The Next Chapter for Small Business’ found 87 per cent agreed […]
While China offers Australian exporters unprecedented opportunity in terms of potential customers, entering the market doesn’t come without risk. One cost-effective way for Aussie SMEs to sell to our biggest trading partner without having to establish a physical presence is through e-commerce. Selling online is a popular way to test how a product will be received in a […]
Small Australian businesses will be hurt the most if trade relations between China and Australia falter. While large companies like BHP and Rio Tinto can absorb the temporary revenue loss from lower export rates, it will be much harder for small businesses to survive. According to the latest release of ABS data on Characteristics of […]
Paypal and Buy From the Bush (BFTB) have launched an online marketplace for rural small businesses to expand their reach through ecommerce. The online marketplace connects bush businesses to consumers in cities around Australia. More than 250 small businesses have already signed up to the BFTB marketplace. Four out of five BFTB businesses are sole […]
With the 2020 Federal Budget bringing news of a new instant asset write-off measure for Australian small businesses, SMEs are being urged to use the opportunity to digitise. Under the new scheme, businesses are able to claim the full value of all new eligible depreciable assets of any value which are first used or installed […]
As the public looks to businesses for the stability and guidance that many international organisations, governments and political institutions have failed to provide, there’s a golden opportunity for Australia’s small business sector to lift the bar and change how it does business. But how can small businesses walk the walk when it comes to upholding […]
