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It seems like the perfect storm has hit, with rising interest rates and inflation soaring. As a result, households are dealing with higher borrowing costs, leaving them with less disposable income to spend. And that means businesses are feeling the pinch. To make matters worse, staff shortages are adding to the pressure. Retail sales decline affects all businesses. Almost every sector is experiencing a downturn. Building companies, property companies, retailers,…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Australia’s inflation rate eased to 4.9% in July, down from 5.4% in June Australia’s inflation rate eased last month to its lowest level in 17 months, led by falling prices for fresh produce and automotive fuel, reducing the likelihood the Reserve Bank will need to raise interest rates again.…  Read more

For a small business owner, managing finances can be a daunting task. Keeping track of expenses, payments, and cash flow can be overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with debt too. A business loan, line of credit or a business credit card can help your company hire new employees, purchase inventory, purchase equipment, and finance growth, but too much debt can become an unsustainable expense. Debt management is vital to the…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Australia’s nervous watch for any great fall of China Economic troubles in China could hit Australian jobs and growth. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the slump in China’s economy painted a worrying picture. Intergenerational report 2023: six key points for Australian businesses The latest Intergenerational Report has arrived, projecting what the…  Read more

Even if you have outsourced your financial functions, as a small business owner, it is crucial to have a solid understanding of key financial concepts to work with your advisor and ‘speak their language”. This article outlines several important concepts that every small business owner should be familiar with. Basics of income and expenses As a small business owner, it’s important for you to understand how you generate and spend…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. A survival guide for SMEs in the face of inflation Inflation is a challenge for all businesses, but the sting is especially painful for SMEs. With limited resources, they can find themselves struggling to absorb costs associated with inflation, potentially leading them down the path of price increases and…  Read more

tarting a new business can be incredibly exciting, but it’s important to thoroughly evaluate your business idea before taking the plunge to ensure you’re creating a sustainable and successful venture. To get started, here are 9 questions to consider as part of an overall evaluation process. Save yourself money, time, and heartache down the line by investing a little time now. What customer problem does your business solve? Your business…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Australia lags US in beating inflation Australia is lagging considerably behind the United States in combating inflation, with recent data showing a vast disparity between the two nations. ASIC accuses $13.6b Active Super of greenwashing its investments in gambling and coal The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has…  Read more

Crafting the ideal successor for your business When you’re busy running and growing your business, it’s generally not a priority to think about who will take over when you can’t or don’t want to be so involved. Transitioning leadership can be a challenging task. It demands an insightful and systematic approach to ensure that the process runs smoothly. Achieving a successful handover requires detailed and strategic planning that will benefit…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Stoking the engine room of the Australian economy The nation’s fleet of small to medium-sized businesses boosting economic growth has been one constant amid the technological and demographic transformation of the Australian economy. Enabling them to be more successful is the focus of ANZ’s new Group Executive, Australia Commercial Clare…  Read more

Cybersecurity Best Practices for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses In our digital age, cybersecurity is a crucial aspect of running any business. Cybersecurity breaches could lead to not only data theft but also reputational and financial loss. Hence, it’s imperative to establish robust cybersecurity measures to protect your business and customers’ sensitive information. Here are some cybersecurity practices that could help safeguard your online presence. 1. Invest in Security Software: One…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Another 1.3 billion consumers will shop online by 2027 Online retailers should be gearing up for the addition of a further 1.3 billion consumers worldwide joining the ranks of online shoppers by 2027, says market research firm Juniper Research. Not fair on consumers, not good for business’: Financial complaints…  Read more

Q. I am finding it tough. Sales are slowing but I can’t figure out exactly why. No-one seems to be unhappy with what we do, and no competitor has entered the market.  People seem to be buying less often and in lower numbers.   Your existing customers are your most valuable asset. This is because it’s easier and far less expensive to get an existing customer to buy off you…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Why Aussies are ditching cash New data by Reserve Bank of Australia has revealed that the number of Australians paying by cash has more than halved since 2019. Of the people who held cash in their wallet in 2022, the most important reason for doing so was for emergency…  Read more

Managing family finances can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and mindset, it can be a smooth and effective experience. Here are some essential steps for managing your family’s finances, including budgeting, saving, and planning for the future. Budgeting Budgeting is the cornerstone of managing family finances. It involves creating a spending plan that outlines your family’s income and expenses. A budget helps you to keep track…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Tradies say raising pension age “unfair” after a life of hard work takes its toll Hardworking Aussies fear a decision to lift the pension age to 67 means they will be forced to work even longer in labouring jobs. Consumer watchdog says Australians paying too much for electricity As…  Read more

As a business owner, you know that the right people are crucial to your company’s success. The best employees can help you achieve your business goals, improve your productivity, and drive growth. But finding the people best suited to your team can be daunting, and sometimes it’s easy to hire someone who seems okay, rather than taking the time to find the best fit.  Here are some steps you can…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. One of biggest defence deals in Australia’s history inked in Berlin Australia will export more than 100 Brisbane-made Boxer heavy weapon carrier vehicles to Germany starting in 2025 under a $1 billion deal. The military vehicles will be produced in Redbank and will secure around 1,000 jobs. Gas ‘plays a…  Read more

Many entrepreneurs believe that hard work and dogged determination are all it takes to build and sustain a successful business. But when you consider the pressures of running a company, it seems wise to add effective stress-management to the list. Left unchecked, stress can erode your passion and undermine performance – not to mention, take a serious toll on your health. Research compiled by Office Vibe reveals that over 70%…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Electricity prices rising In May, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) confirmed that energy prices would rise by 19.6 per cent and 23.9 per cent in NSW, SA and southeast Queensland. Electricity prices are set to increase by up to 25% from 1 July. Chinese travellers invited to Come and…  Read more