Business Management

Five Reasons Why Your SME Should Seek to Implement an ‘Anywhere Working’ Policy

By Angela Hicks Workplaces continue to evolve. The needs of employees are constantly changing. It has never been so pertinent for businesses to adopt innovative strategies, become more flexible and address the emerging needs of their people and the new business environment. Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) introduced an ‘anywhere working’ initiative last year across all […]

May 30, 2017
Business Management

Why an Annual Business Review Is Essential

By Jayde Ferguson When was the last time you reviewed your business? Every owner should conduct an extensive review at least once a year to stay on track. It doesn’t matter if you’re running a small firm or a large corporation – every business benefits from a solid plan of attack. Annual reviews allow you […]

May 25, 2017
Business Management

How Illegitimate Sick Leave Affects SMEs

By Bessie Hassan The fact that Aussies love the beach is undisputed worldwide. What is concerning, however, are the potential business impacts, with a survey of 2000 adults, undertaken by Finder.com.au, revealing that one in seven (14%) have cashed in their sick leave to get some sun and hit the waves.  Every time an employee decides to […]

May 2, 2017
Tax

Business Tax Relief Package: What’s in It for SMEs?

  Parliament has finally passed most of the business tax relief package announced in the last Federal Budget, but with some amendments. The legislation, which has finally passed the Senate, brings into effect the following changes for small business: Progressive cuts to the company tax rate: The tax rate will be progressively reduced to 27.5% […]

April 21, 2017
Business Management

How to Plan Your SME’s 2017-18 Travel Budget

By Pip Spibey-dodd As the financial year draws to a close and next year’s budgets are debated, there are plenty of ducks to get in a row before July 1 hits. While travel spend may not be front of mind, as CFOs we need to think differently (and strategically) about maximising time on the road […]

April 12, 2017
Business Management

How Small Businesses Are Vulnerable to Fraud

By: Deborah Wood A small business is more than a bottom line for an owner; it is often their heart, soul and passion. By taking the plunge and setting up and running a small business, all your time and energy becomes focused on making your life’s dream a success. However, with all of your energy […]

March 23, 2017
Business Management

Why SME Mustn’t Be Afraid of Online Reviews

By: Michelle Tucker Customers have never previously had such a powerful voice thanks to the ever-growing capabilities of the internet and social media. The customer voice has also been amplified with the rise of online customer reviews. Online customer reviews can sometimes be feared by businesses due to the potential for customers to post negative […]

March 11, 2017
Business Management

Attention SMEs: Your “Next Big Thing” Is Overseas

By: Cynthia Dearin As an SME leader, your top priority is to grow your company. You understand that building a pipeline of work, securing recurring revenue and scaling your business depends upon identifying opportunities and being prepared to capitalise on them. What you may not have realised is the “next big thing” for your company — […]

March 10, 2017
Business Management

Cashflow Concerns Top of Mind as SMEs Look to Invest in Growth

By: Emma Koehn  Australian businesses are keen to take on growth projects, particularly when it comes to integrating new technology, but concerns around cashflow and late payments continue to dominate. This month preliminary findings from the Australian Small Business and Family Ombudsman’s (ASBFEO) inquiry into payment times found big business and some government sectors continue to drag their feet on […]

February 28, 2017
Business Management

The Cost of Small Business Company Directors’ Ignorance

By: Belinda Williams You may be risking your entire wealth if you’re a company director for a friend or family member. But legal experts say many SME directors do not understand how the law (Corporations Act) applies to them and the consequences can financially cripple them for life. A common scenario is directors being personally liable […]

February 24, 2017