Small Business
Small Business
Creative vision slides into multi-million dollar presentation company
One idea, one vision and a desire to follow her passion has transformed a once introverted graphic designer with a fear of public speaking into one of Australia’s most sought after keynote speakers. Hailing from the United Kingdom, Emma Bannister landed on Australia’s shores in 2002 with a backpack and a vision. “At the time […]
Australian beauty brand, Babe Australia, builds overseas presence with the help of Efic’s export loan
Efic’s Small Business Export Loan helped Victorian-based beauty product business, Babe Australia (Babe), deliver on three purchase orders in the US and Mexico and continue to build brand presence overseas. For Kim Peirce, Founder and Director of Babe Australia, the move from being a management consultant in the oil, gas and mining industry to starting […]
Let’s Talk: Overseas expansion
What can derail a businesses’ plans to launch their offering into an overseas market? Global expansion may be every enthusiastic business owner’s dream but is your business truly ready to expand? Cultural, political, social and logistical differences can impact on your product’s success, as well as simple mistakes, such as neglecting to check your trademark, […]
Anxiety in the workplace is estimated to cost businesses up to 100,000 hours of lost time
Last week I received a call from a CEO overseas who had slipped into a very dark place. He had acknowledged that his levels of anxiety were “out of control”: sliding relationships at home; constantly thinking about work problems; poor sleep patterns; negative thinking about work colleagues; poor diet and a growing reliance on alcohol. […]
How I went from selling mice to pet stores to becoming the CEO of Australia’s most awarded pet care brand
Anneke van den Broek, founder and CEO of Australia’s most awarded pet care brand Rufus & Coco, started her entrepreneurial journey at just six years of age, breeding mice and selling them to the local pet shop for 40c each. This entrepreneurial spirit and an unwavering belief that she could achieve anything she set her […]
Countdown to Single Touch Payroll: everything you need to ask
KEY FACTS Single Touch Payroll (STP) When: 1 July 2018 By: Australian Taxation Office For: Employers with 20 or more employees *The STP will apply to employers with 19 or less employees from 1 July 2019 – subject to parliament Time is well and truly ticking as the countdown begins for larger businesses in Australia […]
Life Instyle: Melbourne’s favourite retail industry event is back for 2018
Melbourne’s most stylish trade destination for retail, Life Instyle, is already proving a hot favourite. The ultimate trade event for the retail industry has announced that the 2018 show is already 95% sold, as those on the cooler side of design get well ahead in their plans for Christmas and 2019. Life Instyle Melbourne’s continued […]
Remote employees: How to prepare for the Remote Revolution
The need for flexibility in the workspace is growing – sometimes even as far as to a workspace on the other side of the continent. Working remotely is becoming increasingly popular, both on the employer side and on the employee side. Even though it might not be the right choice for every organisation, many opportunities […]
Global demand boosts NSW exports
Global demand for NSW exports has put the ‘First State’ in the lead with $35.7 billion worth of Australian services exported last year. NSW contributed 52.3 per cent of the total Australian growth in services exports, which highlights the NSW Government’s success in creating an entrepreneurial business environment. Minister for Trade and Industry Niall Blair […]
$10,000 grants up for grabs for budding entrepreneurs
Corporate lawyer Alyce Tran had a dream to make an extra $50,000 from her fashion blog, The Daily Edited, which she co-founded with her friend Tania Liu. After an unsuccessful attempt to launch an online clothing line, the pair introduced their personalised accessories business, which today turns over more than $15 million a year – […]
Australians spend a record of $21.3 billion shopping online
Online purchases continue to grow with more Australians shopping online than ever before. New research from Australia Post indicates total purchases topping $21.3 billion for the first time, a 18.7% increase compared with 2016 with local retailers accounting for more than 80% of the total spend. Australia Post today released its annual Inside Australian Online […]
When good credit becomes bad credit
In a perfect world, suppliers would prefer to be paid cash up front. However, in reality, the world works on credit. Trade credit is inevitable and so is the debt that comes with it. For most businesses, trade credit is essential for growth as businesses don’t have to pay suppliers on the spot but rather with […]
Holiday adventure inspires Sydney based startup
Sydney based startup, Seaquatix, proves that entrepreneurial inspiration can strike anywhere, anytime – even while snorkeling off the coast of Asia. Seaquatix is the brainchild of founders Aprille Lim and Max Mabeka who have developed waterproof cases for phones and valuables using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) technology and a patented lock system. “Max and I were […]
It’s time to cultivate corporate wellbeing and GROW productivity
Work-life balance is a term that is often bandied around the office, yet there’s no doubt mobile technology is one of the leading factors fuelling Australia’s ‘always-on’ culture, which is eroding the boundaries between work and personal life. According to WellBeing GROW Managing Director Charles Hunter, “Burnout, that is driven by prolonged workplace pressure is […]
Why artificial intelligence is crucial for sales to bridge the customer chasm
For years, sales teams have struggled to keep up with a customer base using the latest technology to upend the traditional sales process. Today’s customers have more choice and buying power than ever before, and they expect unprecedented levels of contextualisation and personalisation. The latest wave of technology, led by Artificial Intelligence (AI), may be […]
Small businesses should live for a budget
Any first time business owner will encounter the world of numbers and sometimes, become stuck among the intimidating and sometimes confusing jungle. Budgets; a word no one is thrilled to hear but its presence is critical to the success of a business. It’simportant you live for a budget. Make budgets your ally Financial plans and […]
Ten easy steps to avoid unexpected downtime
In an era of digital connectivity and data dependency, continuous access to electricity has never been more critical for Australian small businesses. Yet, many are still unprepared despite the widely reported rise in blackouts stemming from increased infrastructure pressures, greater demand on the grid and unpredictable weather extremes. Eaton’s Annual Blackout Tracker not only revealed […]
MYOB and BPAY collaborate to speed up business payments
MYOB has teamed up with BPAY to offer a new invoice payment method, which was rolled out to MYOB customers last week (May 15), allowing businesses to get paid up to four times faster. MYOB Head of Product Marketing, Kim Owen-Jones said that giving customers the choice of BPAY as a payment method would provide […]