Business Essentials

As the ATO grows in size and its collection of data is becomes more sophisticated, Nathanael Lee of Mazars, expects more audits and reviews from the tax office. Currently, it has a spotlight on private groups, including medium and emerging private groups with wealth over $5 million dollars. Nathanael explains an ATO review process and how to prepare for one if you’ve been approached for a re...

As a matter of urgency, Australian businesses are encouraged to adopt an enhanced cybersecurity posture. In other words, be prepared for an attack from Russian cybercriminals, warns the Australian Cyber Security Centre. IT specialist Zaun Bhana, says the Australian government’s support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, is likely to increase cyber-attacks on our shores. Zaun outlines...

It’s a fine line: having the perseverance and grit to constantly manage a business, without succumbing to burnout. Andrew May, CEO of StriveStronger, recognises the challenge businesses face and says looking after your physical and psychological wellbeing is paramount to a healthy business. He says you shouldn’t ignore the signs that your body and mind might be suffering. Business Esse...

When you find what you love and you can make a buck form it, you’ll never ‘work’ another day in your life. That’s according to Stephen Hunt, whose success stems from a $100 beer garden in his parents’ backyard to building a $100-million beer empire decades later. Stephen’s Hunt Hospitality has a portfolio of seven pubs on Australia’s east coast and employs...

In a world that just keeps getting busier, how do we find time to get through our daily tasks? Switching the notifications pings off your computer and mobile phones is one suggestion. And there are many other strategies from Les Watson, Time Lord and author of ‘Get Back An Hour In Every Day: The A-Z of Being More Productive’. Another is prioritising your tasks by ditching or delegating...

It’s more important than ever to have a written employment contract in place with all your staff, and that includes your casual workforce. That advice is from lawyer Paul Cott, who discusses the rules around casual employment of which business owners should be aware. They include leave entitlements, superannuation, and a cap on the number of hours a casual can work. Reference Listen to 'The...

A huge proportion of Australian small businesses will be re-assessing their viability over the next couple of months, and many will close. That’s according to Alexi Boyd, the CEO of peak industry body the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia. She says that many small business owners are exhausted because of the pandemic and will be reassessing their viability. And she says that...

Tony Gattari has always been known as a sales guru extraordinaire, from his time at Harvey Norman, where he increased turnover in its computer division from $12 million a year to well over $500 billion. Today, he’s as well known as the guy who’s lost a heck of a lot of weight and is now a specimen of health. Tony explains why maintaining a healthy regimen has been wonderful for him bot...

Who’d have thought, after more than two years we’d still be talking, thinking and take precautions against COVID? And now, finally, the country is tentatively opening up: the doors are open for international visitors, there is less reliance on QR codes and face masks, and even WA is coming back into the fold. Of course, it doesn’t mean COVID’s disappeared completely. It&rsq...

The fundamentals of selling still exist, but salespeople need to fine tune their skills and techniques to get to their prospects earlier in the decision-making process. That's according to sales and business growth advisor, Rob Hartnett. You need to train your sales staff to be better, he says, in order to create new opportunities, capitalise on them and grow your business. Reference: Rob Hartnett...

The drastic labour shortages that have been affecting small businesses are “peaking” and should start to resolve soon, according to the CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), Alexi Boyd. She says that while it is still the number one problem for small businesses, the “top of the curve” has been reached. Opening international borders will help...

COVID has brought with it a tsunami of change to our lives, and it’s challenged us to adapt and find opportunities that we would otherwise not seize if the world was in it’s slow-moving normal state. That’s according to John Di Natale who offers his three big factors that emerge from a crisis, like our current pandemic: the way we show up; the way we work; and the way we change....

The stock market has seen a woeful start to 2022. In fact, according to Elio D’Amato, founder of consultancy firm Spotee, January was our largest market decline in 40 years. Elio discusses what the volatility means to investors, and he guides us through his stocks to watch. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +61 3 9882 8333 See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

It’s been a tumultuous two years for business across the country, and even now things don’t seem to want to settle. The uncertainty in the market, including staff shortages, supply issues, rising prices, and the twists and turns of COVID, have made it increasingly difficult for businesses to cope. So, where to from here? For guidance, we hear from leading corporate psychologist and Man...

Yes, we’re time poor, we’re really just trying to get through the day, so the idea of networking with peers might not sound overly enticing. But the investment could save you so much time down the track. Nick Jonsson, Co-Founder and MD of Asia’s number one Executive Peer Network. EGN Singapore, offers five benefits from investing in peer networks. Business Essentials Daily is pro...

Google processes billions of searches every day. So, how does your website stand out and ultimately reach the top of the search results page? Leigh Hanney, SEO and Analytics Specialist and the Founder of DataCraft Digitial, says it’s a slow burn but there are a myriad of ways to reach people who are searching for the content, products and service you offer. Business Essentials Daily is produ...

With economic figures looking little more than tragic at the moment, Melbourne University Economics professor Neville Norman explains what businesses should watch out for in 2022, and throws in some good advice he’s gleaned from working with larger enterprises. He says sound strategies for all contingencies are a wise and inexpensive exercise to undertake. And he says while we should all wat...

To be a better and more productive team member, don't get distracted and don't disrupt others around you. That’s advice from Dermot Crowley, author of ‘Smart Teams: How to work better together.’ Two disruptive patterns we all create at work are emails and meetings. Dermot asks, do you really need to copy someone on a message who doesn’t need it? And, must you always drag so...

SEM or Search Engine Marketing is paid or pay per click ads, the ones that appear at the top of search engine results pages and drive visitor action and engagement. Leigh Hanney, an SEO and Analytics Specialist and the Founder of DataCraft Digital, is a huge advocate of SEM and he outlines five ways that business owners can build an SEM strategy. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCart...

Are you and your staff slowly heading back to the office? (COVID restrictions permitting, of course!) It’s not easy to manage. Not everyone’s as enthusiastic about it as you might be, so don’t be surprised if your request is greeted with a “Thanks but no thanks, Boss - I’ll see you on zoom!”. Leading demographer Mark McCrindle has been researching the latest on...

It can indeed be lonely at the top with executive loneliness being a very real issue. Exacerbated by the pandemic, executive stress can lead to some very serious consequences. Nick Jonsson is the co-founder and MD of EGN Singapore, Asia’s number one Executive Peer Network. He’s also the best-selling author of ‘Executive Loneliness’, a book he wrote after going through his o...

If your team isn’t performing as best as it should, perhaps the reason is you. The ingredients to building a successful team comes down to the boss’s accountability, ownership and leading by example. That’s according to Karen Gately, CEO of Corporate Dojo, who offers a six-step solution for leaders to effectively influence the success of their team. Business Essentials Daily is p...

What's your story? Every business has one, and it will help you better connect with potential customers by telling it. Sales expert Colin Pearce says storytelling works if you want to build brand value. Stories move people and they’re a wonderful way to create memorable experiences about your business which will build loyalty and keep your customers coming back. Business Essentials Daily is...

Rather than the big sales tactics it can be the smallest tweaks to your website that can drive the biggest conversions. Leigh Hanney, SEO and Analytics Specialist and the Founder of DataCraft Digital, explains that Conversation rate optimization or CRO is the enhancement of the website experience for your visitors, thereby increasing the conversion rate from your marketing efforts. Leigh offers hi...

Changes to superannuation contribution rules means that substantial tax deductions and a boost to your super balance can be made by people finding themselves in the right circumstances. Mazars Australia Senior Manager Joel Orbita says that anyone who has not regularly maximized their super contributions may be able to catch up by increasing their current super contributions using prior year unutil...