Jessica Stanic
Lost documents costing businesses thousands
Australian businesses spend more than 20 hours per week on average looking for lost documents, a new survey has found.
St.George launches iPhone app for home buyers
St. George Bank has joined the ranks of companies looking to capitalise on the power of the iPhone by launching a home loan calculator app for prospective home buyers.
Kraft devours Cadbury in takeover
After months of unsuccessful negotiations, US food giant Kraft has finally tasted victory, successfully winning its takeover bid of British chocolate bar maker Cadbury.
Internet boost for 50,000 small businesses
More than 50,000 small businesses are set to benefit from Federal Government funding which is designed to help them go online or upgrade their business website. The funding is being provided from the Rudd Government’s $10 million Small Business Online program which has been boosted by another $4 million to extend it to more tourism small business […]
Maternity leave key to workplace productivity
Improving maternity leave arrangements will play a key role in lifting workplace productivity and encouraging more women to participate in the workforce, according the head of the Australian Industry Group, Heather Ridout. Speaking on ABC Radio this morning, Ridout said more needs to be done if we are to meet Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s target […]
Aussies do their bit for climate change
Residents in Australia’s eastern states are doing their bit for climate change by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, a new report has found.
SMEs feel the love from their lenders
A new survey has revealed a jump in support for lenders from their business clients, with 77 percent of Australian private businesses claiming they feel supported by their lender. The Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) – a survey which compares business expectations regarding access to finance, with how supportive they feel their lenders are […]
Aussie businesses face further cash flow issues
Australian firms face the prospect of renewed cash flow pressures in the months ahead, according to the latest business-to-business trade payments figures released today by credit reporting agency Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). The findings – which examine the more than nine million current accounts receivable records contained on the D&B database – reveal that a […]
Survey reveals rich don’t pay enough tax
Many Australians believe the rich don’t pay enough tax, according to a survey conducted by think tank Per Capita. As the Federal Government considers the recommendations of a comprehensive review of the tax system by the Treasury Secretary, Ken Henry, the survey findings suggest the tax system favours the wealthy. The survey found 53 percent […]
Interest rates tipped to hit six percent in 2010
Analysts are predicting official interest rates may hit six percent by the end of 2010 as the economy continues to grow. TD Securities senior strategist Annette Beacher said the latest unemployment figures show the economy is speeding up, putting upwards pressure on inflation and therefore on interest rates. “As data like (the jobs report) starts […]
AVG and Red Cross raise funds for Haiti disaster
AVG (AU/NZ) has continued its tradition of fund raising for special disaster charitable appeals with its latest website donation button for the Australian Red Cross’ Haiti Earthquake Appeal 2010 (right). As well as encouraging everyone to donate, AVG is asking other organisations to use their own websites to also promote the appeal. The Australian Red […]
Brad Sugars back for ‘Business is Booming’ tour
Business coach guru and founder of ActionCOACH, Brad Sugars, will be returning to Australia in February to provide business owners with the strategies they need to take their business to the next level. The seven-cities-tour entitled “Business is Booming”, is designed to provide business owners with proven successful business strategies along with the five most […]
Google row with China puts spotlight on censorship
Google’s possible pull-out from China over censorship issues has forced the issue of censorship locally, according to an Australian internet rights group.
Business leaders battle it out on the cricket pitch
Business experts are claiming the best way to build business and establish relationships in business is to battle is out on the cricket pitch.
Toys ‘R’ Us under fire for underpaying workers
One of Australia’s biggest toy retailers, Toys R Us, has come under fire from the Fair Work Ombudsman for allegedly underpaying more than 700 workers across the country. The retailer has been accused of underpaying 700 staff members, most of them casual employees and under the age of 18. The company is now facing more […]
Scammers quick to exploit Haitian earthquake
Cyber-scammers are using the latest Haitian earthquake to prey on unsuspecting consumers, by setting up fake charities and urging people to donate money to the victims, according to Symantec. Symantec security experts have uncovered a number of spam e-mails soliciting donations and poisoning search results that can infect computers with malware. One such scam involves […]
Telcos improve service, but still have to pay
A new report has found that major telecomunnications companies Telstra, Optus and AAPT improved their connection services in the 2008-09 financial year, but were still forced to hand over more than $1 million in compensation to customers for some slow services. The ACMA’s Telecommunications Performance Bulletin 2008-09 found that Telstra, Optus and AAPT all made […]
Employers urged to keep good staff
Employers must do more to hold on to good staff this year as the economy continues to improve and workers look for better opportunities, analysts warn. With latest ABS figures revealing the unemployment rate fell to 5.5 percent, and the latest ANZ jobs survey pointing to a six percent growth in jobs advertised in December, […]
Jobs data points to resilient Australian economy
The latest ABS jobs data released this week, highlight the resilience of the Australian economy, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said. Figures reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday, showed the economy added 35,200 jobs in December, with the unemployment rate dropping to 5.5 percent. Gillard told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday […]
Employers urged to hire more apprentices
The Australian Industry Group is urging employers to hire more apprentices to avoid a skilled labour shortage. "While skill shortages were less evident during the global economic and financial crisis, as we start to see a return to growth it's clear that the shortages were just below the surface," Ai Group chief executive Heather Ridout […]
Banks cash in as personal loans skyrocket
Personal loans for cars, boats and travel have jumped 38 percent since November 2008, according to the latest ABS figures. In the year to November, loans for new cars jumped 8 percent, loans for boats increased by 19 percent, and unsecured loans for blocks of land skyrocketed by 50 percent. Banks have captured all of […]
Telling bosses the truth good for health: study
A British study has found that telling the boss what you think of them is good for your health and can help to reduce stress and improve communication in the workplace.
Aussie workers urged to get active
Aussie workers are being urged to get active, after a corporate health program revealed participants in the program registered 41 percent less sick days then their non-participating colleagues. The Global Corporate Challenge (GCC) is aimed at encouraging corporations to help their employees to get active and healthy, through a four-month pedometer-based exercise event that encourages […]
Unemployment drops to 5.5 percent
Australia’s unemployment rate fell to 5.5 percent last month, as the labour market gathered strength, latest ABS figures reveal. The unemployment rate eased to 5.5 percent in December, defying analysts’ predictions that the jobless rate would remain unchanged at 5.7 percent for the month. The economy added 35,200 jobs last month, much more than the […]
New Year the time to renew life insurance
Australians are being urged by Lifewise, the risk insurance education campaign, to make a financial New Year’s resolution to review their personal insurances, including life, income protection and trauma insurance. Recently released industry claims figures show that Australians continue to be underinsured. Australian families received an average life insurance payout of $91,000 in 2008 following […]
Aust urged to boycott China over Google attack
The Greens are urging the Australian government and businesses to boycott China after an alleged attempt by Chinese spies to hack into internet search giant Google.
Unemployment likely to remain at 5.7 percent
Analysts are predicting unemployment to remain unchanged at 5.7 percent, when the latest job figures for December are released today. The Australian Bureau of Statistics is set to reveal its labour force data for December, and most experts are expecting a rise of around 0.1 percent in employment, which would mean the unemployment rate would […]
Economists predict further rate rises
Economists are tipping a fourth consecutive interest rate rise next month, despite a large drop in housing finance commitments. The latest ABS figures on housing finance commitments revealed a 5.6 percent fall in lending November, seasonally adjusted, to 59,516. ICAP economist Adam Carr said the fall was the result of first home buyers dropping out […]
Rental prices tipped to soar
As the economy continues to grow, property analysts are predicting rental prices will start to rise.
Software piracy costing businesses thousands
New figures released today by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) into the trend of illegal software downloads by businesses have revealed that crime does not pay.
Live cricket streaming now available on iPhone
Aussie cricket fans can now watch live coverage of their favourite matches on their iPhone with the introduction of the new Cricket LIVE iPhone application.
Global slowdown expected in 2010
The winding down of stimulus programs around the globe, high unemployment and a continuation of subdued bank lending are likely to result in a global slowdown during the course of 2010, according to a new report. Dun & Bradstreet’s 2010 Economic & Risk Outlook Report, released today reveals that growth in 2010 may be quite […]
First home buyers leave market as grants phased out
First home buyers are leaving the property market at a record pace as a result of rising interest rates and the withdrawal of the Federal Government grants, latest figures show. Official ABS figures yesterday showed the number of new home loans issued in November dropped by 5.6 percent after the First Home Owners Boost was […]
Fair Work fails small business: Billson
Shadow Minister for Small Business, Bruce Billson, has hit out at the Rudd Government over its new Fair Work regime, after the results of an Australian Retailers Association (ARA) survey revealed that many small business retailers still do not understand their obligations under the new workplace regime, with many believing it will place a financial burden on their business.
Job ads surge as market recovers
Job ads surged six percent in December, compared to the previous month, recording the strongest monthly trend rate of growth in 31 months, according to latest ANZ data. ANZ job figures released on Monday revealed that the number of jobs advertised is now 19.1 percent higher than the trough recorded in July 2009, a sign […]
95 percent of workers want new job: survey
Up to 95 percent of Australian employees are planning to jump ship this year and look for a new job, with the economic woes of 2009 leaving them feeling tired and disillusioned, a new survey has found.
SMEs more likely to embrace new technologies
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are more likely to adopt cutting-edge technologies than their larger counterparts, a new study has found.
Aussies spend more than they realise: survey
Many Australians are unable to keep a proper track of what they spend each week, a new survey shows.
Aussie consumers optimistic about year ahead
Australian consumers are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, expressing renewed hope for the future, the latest MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence reveals. The index found consumer confidence in Australia has rebounded dramatically, with Australia's index rating surging to 69.5 compared to 24.1 six months ago (a rating of […]
IBISWorld reveals hot jobs for 2010
With first round university offers about to be released around the country, business information analysts IBISWorld unveil the hot professions of the future. According to IBISWorld’s latest industry report, 2010 will be a boom year for Australian business, and the next five years will see significant economic growth. IBISWorld general manager (Australia), Robert Bryant, said […]
Maritime strike may damage economy: ACCI
Strike action by a group of maritime workers off the West Australian coast is putting Australia’s economy at risk, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has warned.
Fair Work may trigger small business job cuts
A survey conducted by the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has found that many small business retailers are still in the dark about Fair Work, with over 40 percent expecting increases in wage bills and one third planning to cut staff hours as a result. The survey of over 150 retailers found that 72 percent do […]
ACT tops national rankings, NSW falls behind
The ACT has topped the table in CommSec’s latest State of the States economic rankings report, while NSW dragged its heels, coming in last.
New Year off with a bang as job vacancies surge
Employers and job candidates are being advised to make the most out of a strong January jobs market, as job vacancies surged 6.5 percent over December, IPA data reveals. The pace of employment growth accelerated in December, with the latest monthly data from IPA, one of Australia’s largest recruitment firms, showing job vacancies increased 6.5 […]
Retail sales strong in November
Retail sales remained strong in November, despite rising interest rates, latest ABS figures show. Retail sales grew 1.4 percent in November, the strongest monthly rise since March 2009. ANRA CEO Margy Osmond said strong November retail figures shows spending may be starting to realign with consumer confidence. “Up until now we’ve seen confidence lift and […]
Policy changes a ‘big deal’ for SMEs
Major policy initiatives implemented by the Federal Government in recent months will have a major impact on small to medium enterprises (SMEs), according to a respected accounting and advisory firm. Marc Peskett, partner of Melbourne based firm MPR Group, believes some major policy initiatives will have a significant impact on businesses for 2010 but will […]
Google launches ‘super phone’ to rival Apple
Google has stepped up its efforts to trump Apple in the smartphone market, with the launch of what is being dubbed a 'super phone' in the US last week. Google’s Nexus One is an HTC-built phone using Google’s own mobile software platform, Android and boasts similar features to that of the Apple iPhone. It is […]
SMEs poised for growth in 2010
The economic woes of 2009 are a thing of the past and 2010 is a time for Australian small and medium businesses to capitalise on the opportunities presented by a strengthening economy, according to Westpac’s general manager of SME segment, Sian Lewis. “The New Year is a great time to take stock and prepare your […]
Books labelled most popular Christmas present
Despite an abundance of gadgets available, consumers are turning to traditional presents this year, with a new survey revealing the humble book will be the most popular present under the Christmas tree. Figures released by the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) reveal consumers are more likely to buy a book as a gift this year than […]
Christmas food bill to hit $8 billion
Shoppers are expected to fork out more than $8 billion on food and liquor this festive season, IBISWorld forecasts. IBISWorld analyst Raghu Rajakumar said shoppers were snubbing specialised food outlets to get a cheaper version of Christmas goodies at the supermarket, with the food bill tipped to hit $8 billion. Woolworths and Coles are expected […]