Business Essentials

Many employees fear the possibility of artificial intelligence taking their jobs, so how can a small business integrate AI and allay those concerns? Aaron McEwan, VP, Research and Advisory for Gartner, outlines the challenges and opportunities AI brings to the workplace, from fears of job losses to concerns about ethical use and data privacy. He says transparency, ethical practices, and clear comm...

Business debt to the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) has more than doubled over the past five years, with Australian SMEs owing an average of $21,000 each. And with the recent focus on small business tax debts, The CEO and Founder of Grow Capital, Gus Gilkeson, is offering some essential advice on navigating ATO notices, creating cash flow forecasts, and the importance of open communications. G...

Cinzia Cozzolino started her smoothie business almost by accident. After she started preparing delicious nutritional smoothies for her daughter, word got out. Her daughter’s friends and their mums wanted them. The local cafes and retail outlets wanted to sell them. Next thing, Cinzia found she had a very successful business selling to hundreds of stores in the Australia and overseas. She exp...

Before you can effectively manage others, you need to know more about yourself. Employment lawyer and co-founder of Edge Legal David Dilger introduces four animal archetypes that illustrate different management styles, to help small business owners and managers learn about themselves. ‘The Bear’ manager, is one who dictates and focusses on results, ‘The Dog’ manager likes t...

Online spending went through the roof during the pandemic, as consumers stuck at home relied on ordering goods that could be delivered to their door. The increased confidence and reliance in the online marketplace means that your business’s digital presence is more important than ever. So, what should you be doing to ensure you’re front-and-centre in the digital world and are serving y...

Australia’s small business sector is slowly shrinking, with big businesses creeping in to fill the void. SMEs constitute about a third of GDP, but just 15 years ago that figure was 41 per cent. In the same period, the small business share of the private sector employment market has dropped from one half to a third. The Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Bilson, argues that...

Michael Black, Founder and CEO of Success Tutoring has rapidly established the franchise nationally, and he intends to upend the traditional franchising model. He says his company is breaking away from rigid, corporate-style franchising structures, in a model called “flat franchising”. By fostering a collaborative environment where franchise partners, support staff, and tutors operate as equals, h...

Are you constantly distracted by those voices in your head. You know the ones, urging you to check emails or social media, but you really need to concentrate on something else, or they keep replaying a memory or a fear of yours. Or perhaps you’re trying to break a habit, like over-eating or drinking. Well, behavioural scientist Darren Fleming has come across a solution so that you can have more co...

As society, in general, becomes more conscious of mental illness and its impacts on individuals and teams, stigmas persist. The Founder and CEO of the Safe Watch mental health app, Shane Muller, offers some practical strategies for small business owners and managers to support mental health in the workplace. He discusses how reducing stigma, focusing on employee strengths, and fostering trustful,...

COVID changed the world, and now many businesses find themselves having to undertaking sales work over the web, with videoconferencing replacing face-to-face encounters. Sales and negotiations consultant Julia Ewert says there are some important things to remember when conducting sales meetings over the web. She says that on the web, speed kills, so dedicating more time to asking open questions, a...

It has been an acutely challenging year for small businesses. Rising costs, interest rates, labor shortages and big new regulatory burdens have made life much more difficult. So, is there any light on the horizon in 2025? For an end of year economic summary, we’ve turned to the CEO of Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Andrew McKellar. After a look back at 2024, Andrew signposts the glob...

When there’s an unspoken issue hindering communications and productivity, how do you find, and then move, the elephant in the room? It’s something conflict coach and author Genevieve Hawkins discusses in her new book, 'Shrinking Elephants: Untangling workplace conflict to unlock value for all'. She explains why tensions arise due of differing perspectives, and emphasises the importance of open, em...

As a productivity expert, Donna McGeorge has heard all the cliches. For instance, ‘hard work will get you ahead’, you need to be ‘more productive’, and you should aim to do what’s ‘urgent and important’. They’ve become well-worn cliches, as Donna explores what you really should be doing with your workday to feel less overwhelmed. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.co...

The cash flow challenge is worsening, and it’s being caused by widespread overdue payments. That’s according to the CEO and Founder of Grow Capital, Gus Gilkeson. At a difficult time, Gus suggests some proactive strategies for managing late payments and outstanding debts. He shares advice on setting up effective terms of trade, the importance of clear communication with clients, and when to consid...

A manager needs to embody a group of distinct archetypes if they are to reach their full potential, according to recruitment expert and Director of Talent X, Marnie Jones. From the pusher to the mentor, the trainer to the policeman, Marnie Jones explains her seven management archetypes and why embracing them all can lead to a better workplace, retention of staff, and higher profits. Business Essen...

COVID reshaped the hospitality sector in many ways, but there’s one positive impact you probably haven’t heard about. The crisis forced the industry to unite and form a health advisory council led by Wes Lambert. The goal of the council was to negotiate with government to keep the industry largely open, while still protecting the public. The advisory council has since become the Australian Restaur...

Employees are losing trust in their bosses and their companies, with huge ramifications for small businesses. That’s according to Aaron McEwan, Vice President of Research and Advisory at global research firm Gartner. He says many employees feel their companies no longer value their contributions — especially as office mandates return post-pandemic. Aaron explores why employees’ sense of trust has...

When it comes to influencing people to change their behaviour, we tend to use logic. That doesn’t work, says behavioural specialist Bri Williams. Humans are emotional creatures: we’re lazy, scared and confused, she insists. By lazy, she means we’re creatures of habit and therefore behaving in a new way takes effort. We’re scared because we don’t want to try something different in case it fails. An...

Victoria’s drastically expanded Vacant Residential Land Tax is setting a precedent that, if history serves as a guide, is likely to be followed by other states. The tax is being imposed in an attempt to address the housing availability crisis, and drastically impact homes that sit vacant for more than six months in the preceding calendar year. Forvis Mazars Partner Michael Jones explains how the t...

We’re facing a world of relentless change and uncertainty right now, from industry transitions, post-pandemic impacts, technology advances, skills shortages, cost-of-living issues, and so on. So, as a leader, how do you  guide your team through the challenges of change? Leah Mether says much of it comes down to communicating clearly and consistently to everyone. It’s all outlined in her book, ‘Ste...

Changes to Fair Work laws that make wage theft a crime, are casting new light on the role of the Fair Work Ombudsman, Anna Booth. But with only one per cent of this type of dispute ending in court, she says her 1000 staff are actually at the service of employers, and not just the workforce. Anna Booth describes her desire to help small businesses achieve compliance with workplace laws and lists th...

A toxic workplace culture grows over time but can strike without warning. It’s corrosive and can have a terrible impact internally on staff and externally with clients or customers. Colin D Ellis, a workplace culture specialist who has written extensively on the topic, has some words of wisdom about how bad cultures can be created and how to fix them. He breaks down how toxic behaviours can arise,...

How do you stand out from competitors? After all, it’s the ultimate goal – to differentiate your business in a way that builds engagement and brand loyalty. Well, sales and marketing guru Tom Poland may just have the answer with his marketing message formula. He says your message needs three elements to succeed: it must be benefit-rich, contain specifics and be differentiated. Business Essentials...

If you need a quick energy boost, or to restore your faith in the new generation, just spend a few minutes with Michael Black, the Founder and CEO of Success Tutoring — a business he started in high school. Now in his twenties and with the company established across Australia, he’s looking at international expansion. Michael reveals the unique business model that sets Success Tutoring apart, focus...

It’s not called ‘the silly season’ for nothing. The end-of-year party is meant to be a time to celebrate and recognise a job well done. But a well-meaning reward could turn into a legal nightmare, warns Business Lawyer Tracey Mylecharane. When you add free-flowing booze into the mix, your business could well be facing repercussions the next day. Tracey provides examples of what could go wrong, if...