Business Update – 1 November 2023

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Australia’s SMEs outshine global peers in latest Xero report Recent Xero data reveals the ongoing resilience of Australian small businesses despite a deceleration in sales and wages growth. Sales growth remains stronger compared to other XSBI markets. Experts say Australia at 1-in-3 risk of hitting recession next year A…  Read more

Understanding and improving working capital

When it comes to running a thriving business, understanding and effectively managing your working capital is crucial. Essentially, working capital is the cash readily available for the day-to-day running of operations. The more protracted the business cycle, the higher the working capital requirement tends to be. Your goal? To ensure you have enough working capital on hand to cover operational expenses, with a reasonable buffer in place. How to improve…  Read more

Business Update – 25 October 2023

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. LoanOptions.ai crosses the ditch to launch in NZ market A Sydney-headquartered fintech that allows users to apply for loans in under eight minutes is expanding its services with a market entry into New Zealand, following a year of major growth for its Australian operations where the LoanOptions.ai platform has…  Read more

Essential bookkeeping practices for start-ups

Starting a new business is exciting, but it also comes with its fair share of responsibilities. One of the most critical responsibilities is maintaining accurate records of your business transactions. From saving receipts to processing employee payroll, every money-related detail should be documented. It’s not just about keeping things tidy; it’s about understanding the financial health of your business and meeting all your tax obligations. Don’t underestimate the basics Some…  Read more

Differences between BAS and IAS

Running a business comes with a lot of financial responsibilities, and as a business owner, you’ve probably come across terms like BAS (Business Activity Statement) and IAS (Instalment Activity Statement). While they may sound similar, understanding the differences between these two statements is crucial for maintaining compliance and staying on top of your tax obligations. In this article, we’ll break down the nuances of both BAS and IAS and provide…  Read more

Business Update – 18 October 2023

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Concerns raised as small businesses suffer a spending ‘cold snap’ New data from MYOB reveals that small businesses are experiencing what is called a spending ‘cold snap’ with cash and EFT deposits on a decline since June this year. Atlassian acquires video messaging platform Loom for $1.5b In an…  Read more

Business Update – 11 October 2023

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. ‘No rate cuts’: Horror call on Aussie economy Since the Reserve Bank Australia (RBA) first began raising interest rates in May of last year, the volume of commentary on when they would be cut has become greater with each passing month. With mortgage rates having risen to the largest and fastest…  Read more

Debt management tips for small business owners

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

Business Update – 4 October 2023

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Australian house prices smash records, fully reversing 2022 lows Home buyers and sellers have expressed confidence in Australia’s housing market, leading to the full reversal of the most rapid decline in house prices in recent history. Five key changes to welfare and work rules in Labor’s employment white paper…  Read more

How can social media help grow your business?

As a business owner, it’s crucial to understand the power of social media marketing. Social media platforms provide an opportunity for businesses, no matter the size, to reach a larger audience, engage with potential customers, and drive sales. So, you’ve heard that your company needs to be on social media. Although this is true, it doesn’t mean your business is going to go from 0 to 100 overnight. Using social…  Read more

Business Update – 27 September 2023

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. ATO cracking down on tradies dodging the fringe benefits tax The Australian Tax Office is cracking down on tradies who are wrongly not paying fringe tax benefits for their vehicles. Treasurer Jim Chalmers gets to work on fresh jobs plan The government is set to get to work on…  Read more

Launching a business? Ask these 9 questions

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

Business Update – 20 September 2023

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. The dream of business ownership is drifting out of reach for young Aussies In the past, starting a business was a young person’s golden ticket to financial independence. Today, however, for many young Australians, this dream is drifting out of reach. August unemployment rate remains firm at 3.7% The…  Read more

The pros and cons of selling your business to an employee

As a business owner, the thought of selling your company can be quite daunting. You’ve poured your heart and soul into building it, and it’s crucial the company continues to grow even after your departure. An attractive option is selling your business to your employees, those who know your business inside and out and have a vested interest in its success. The upside of employee acquisition Selling your business to…  Read more

Apply now for the Xero Beautiful Business Fund!

Xero Beautiful Business Fund applications are now open! Xero recently announced the launch of the Xero Beautiful Business Fund. Itʼs their new initiative, backing small businesses for the future. What does this mean? Xero is offering more than NZ$750,000 in funding to Xero small business customers across Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the UK and the US. Applications for the fund are open til Oct 6…  Read more

Business Update – 13 September 2023

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Consumers opt for convenience and money-saving technologies amidst higher cost of living Budget-conscious Australians are redirecting funds towards essential goods and services or savings, and changing their shopping and spending habits in response to cost of living pressures, a new CommBank survey shows. Rethinking taxation for Australia’s future A…  Read more

10 concepts every small business owner needs to understand

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

Business Update – 6 September 2023

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

Validate your new business idea with market research

Assessing the viability of your new idea is an essential part of market research. While seeking input from friends and family is common, gathering information from the market itself can provide more accurate insights. Here are 4 effective research tactics to collect accurate information about your business idea: Harness the power of the internet Leverage the power of the internet to explore your chosen market. Investigate your main competitors, their…  Read more

Business Update – 30 August 2023

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

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