Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. How Australia’s housing market compares to the rest of the world Australia lags behind much of the world when it comes to home ownership, and households are taking on far more debt to buy a house than in other similar nations. Less than two-thirds of Australians (63 per cent) own their…  Read more

Succession planning in a family business is a complex and often emotional process that involves more than just passing on company control to the next generation. It requires careful preparation, open communication, and a deep understanding of the emotional dynamics at play. Effectively managing these emotional dynamics is crucial to ensure both family harmony and business continuity. Understanding emotional dynamics Family businesses are a unique blend of personal and professional…  Read more

A solid sales strategy will help you consistently grow your business. It will give you a framework for generating more leads, closing more deals, and ultimately increasing your revenue. From nurturing existing accounts to thought leadership and effective pricing discussions, here are some actionable steps for a winning sales strategy. Nurture existing accounts:  Schedule regular check-ins with current customers to maintain relationships.  Use social media to engage with customers through…  Read more

  For small business owners, leveraging LinkedIn can be a powerful strategy. Unlike platforms that primarily focus on casual interactions, LinkedIn fosters an environment specifically designed for networking, collaboration, and business growth. By using LinkedIn’s latest features small business owners can effectively showcase their expertise, build a robust professional network, and engage with potential clients or partners in a meaningful way. The benefits of using LinkedIn include the opportunity to…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. ‘Every chance’: Massive rates prediction A number of telltale signs have emerged indicating the Reserve Bank is planning a major, surprising pivot within a few short weeks. Global payment processors issue warning to RBA over card fee restrictions Global payment processors Mastercard and Visa have threatened to stop refunds…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Hiring new employees for the festive season? As the festive season approaches, you may be thinking of hiring new employees to help with your business. Here are some key things to remember when it comes to your tax and super obligations. Reserve Bank ‘having a bet each way’ on…  Read more

Procrastination can be a formidable foe for small business owners. With endless responsibilities, it’s easy to fall into the trap of putting off important tasks for later. But fear not! Here are some practical solutions that can help you slay procrastination once and for all.  1. Eat the frog first Ever heard of the saying “Eat the frog first”? It’s a productivity hack inspired by Mark Twain’s advice to tackle…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Banks ordered to refund millions of Aussies Nearly two million Aussies could soon receive hundreds of dollars after multiple major banks were ordered to issue more than $28m in refunds. A report by ASIC reveals that some banks have kept low-income customers in high-fee accounts, leading to financial strain.…  Read more

Avoid a tax time shock Individual taxpayers can take the following steps right now to ensure the correct amount of tax is being put aside throughout the year: let their employer know if they have a study or training support loan, such as a HECS or HELP debt; check they are only claiming the tax-free threshold from one employer; consider whether the Medicare Levy Surcharge may affect them this financial…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Survey reveals Australian CEOs confident of economic improvement KPMG CEO Andrew Yates has revealed some of the big economic pressures that chief executives are currently feeling at the moment. Mr Yates joined Sky News Business Reporter Ed Boyd to discuss KPMG’s annual CEO survey that revealed one in two…  Read more

Working hard can only make you more money but does not grow your money or keep it safe. And that’s where investing comes into the picture: it fights inflation, grows money multiple times, and can help secure your future. Here we have curated a list of eight factors that you need to consider before investing: Understand your investment objective This is the first step. Decide what your main investment focus…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Leading Australian economists tip interest cut rate in February Leading Australian economists say the RBA will deliver a gift to cash-strapped households in February, but one key player is holding firm on a rate cut this year. Polling of 34 keen Australian economic minds shows 15 of the experts…  Read more

In the wake of the pandemic, many small business owners have become increasingly concerned about fraud. According to SAP Concur, a staggering 85% of businesses surveyed expect the risk of fraud to continue even after the pandemic. Making matters worse, many fraudulent acts originate from within businesses themselves. Below you will find some essential internal controls that you can implement to safeguard your business and mitigate the risk of financial…  Read more

Data is more accessible than ever. But how can small businesses leverage it effectively to drive growth? Let’s explore data-driven strategies that can help you make informed decisions, improve customer experiences, and ultimately, boost your bottom line. Why data-driven strategies matter Data-driven strategies are essential for businesses seeking to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth. These strategies enable businesses to make informed decisions based on real-time insights rather than relying…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Roy Morgan Business Confidence jumps due to increased confidence about the economy In August 2024, Roy Morgan Business Confidence was 101.3 (up 6.2pts since July 2024) due to increasing confidence from businesses about the performance of the Australian economy. The boost to Business Confidence came after the Stage 3…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Despite all the doom and gloom on Australia’s economy, could the worst be behind us? We hear about the ‘weakest growth in decades’ and being ‘smashed’ by the RBA, but positive tidings abound – if you want to look for them. Economists think a rate cut is coming. Michele…  Read more

Taxpayers can start lodging their tax returns With millions of pieces of information now pre-filled (including information from most banks, employers, government agencies and private health insurers), the ATO is giving taxpayers with simple affairs the ‘green light’ to lodge their tax returns. Taxpayers who plan to claim deductions this year should make sure they have the correct records, and, in most cases, “a bank or credit card statement (on…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. How Australian spending habits are weathering the high cost of living Many Australian businesses are feeling the pinch as customers can no longer afford the armchairs, gadgets, clothing brands and new bathrooms they could before the cost of living shot up. But spending patterns remain uneven, and at times counterintuitive,…  Read more

  Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Business confidence nudges up across Australia The Roy Morgan Business Confidence index was 95.1 in July 2024, up 3.6 points from a month ago and up 7.6 points from the same month last year. It comes after Stage 3 income tax cuts to consumers boosted the spending power…  Read more

ATO’s tips for correctly claiming deductions for rental properties Taxpayers who have work done on their rental property should consider the following factors in determining claims for expenses. Repairs and general maintenance are expenses for work done to remedy or prevent defects, damage or deterioration from using the property to earn income.  These expenses can be claimed in the year the expense occurred. Initial repairs include any work done to…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Conflicting data: Is wage growth cooling down or heating up? While the official ABS data showed the Wage Price Index (WPI) rose 0.8% in June quarter 2024, and 4.1% for the year, the reality on the ground might be over double that, according to payroll platform Employment Hero. E-commerce…  Read more