Think: Business Futures

We’re all anxiously awaiting news in 2020 about a successful vaccine for COVID19, with the Australian Government securing a ‘letter of intent’ with Oxford University and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca. But, as we do at Think: Business Futures, it is important to take a closer look at the petri dish, and find out whether the vaccine could bust the virus, or break the bank? Joining us is Dr. Richa...

In the words of the world’s most successful investor Warren Buffet, there are only two rules to playing the stock market. “Rule number one: Don’t lose money. Rule number two: Don’t forget rule number one.” It’s a dangerous hunting ground for the average punter, but, that hasn’t deterred many from trying to make a quick buck between the breakneck speed of peaks and troughs in the COVID economy. Ass...

In late March, the Victorian government put private security firms in charge of hotel quarantine in Melbourne. Since then, a long list of breaches of quarantine conditions by private security personnel, including sleeping with guests, allowing fresh-air breaks or bursting into rooms frantically searching for the TV remote have become public knowledge. But is the industry at large to blame? Or have...

It seems that it often takes a national crisis for cracks in a system to become visible. And under the harsh light of COVID19, the aged care sector has revealed systemic issues in it’s ability to provide adequate care, workers and now, protection against an invisible enemy. Joining host Max Tillman is Professor Michael Woods, Professor of Health Economics at the Center for Health Economics Researc...

We all know big life events like marriage, parenthood, job loss and the death of a loved one can affect our well-being; but by how much and for how long? In today's episode, we talk about happiness in the language of numbers, and talk to one particular researcher who has put a value on the effects of love, grief and everything in between.

In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing whether women’s sport should do more to welcome the rivers of gold from sports betting. Dr. Adam Cohen is a Lecturer in Sport Management at The University of Technology Sydney, who’s piece for The Conversation in March, entitled ‘Can gambling juice fandom for Women’s Sports?’ makes the case that when a fan places a bet, it motivates them to watch a sport and...

This week, we take a closer look at the role of Artificial Intelligence in marketing. We already accept the fact that Amazon, eBay and Spotify can predict what we want to buy, or how we’re feeling. But are there greater ethical questions hidden within those ones and zeros? Joining us today is Dr. Tae Woo Kim, lecturer in the marketing discipline group from the University of Technology Sydney’s bus...

In the last few weeks, a conga-line of some of the world’s largest companies have announced pay cuts for their CEO’s and boards of directors. In Australia alone, $25 million dollars in base pay for company directors and CEO’s has been waved in what appears to either be a sign of solidarity, or a sign that ‘recovery’ is a long way-off. But, with feathers being ruffled on the top-floor; and COVID’s...

Last week, Federal Education Minister The Hon. Dan Tehan announced a raft of changes to the higher learning sector. Degrees deemed 'job-focused' will see a decrease in costs for students, while those determined not to be are going to be a lot more expensive for the average undergraduate. In today's episode, we discuss what this means for the future of learning, and the role of the university in th...

Last Sunday, The Federal Government unveiled their Return to Sport Toolkit, a road map for the glorious return of community and professional sport. But, it is not without its catches. Gone are handshakes, high fives, oranges at halftime and the familiar chanting wall of parents that populate the member’s end of every suburban park. Clubs at all levels will not require a COVID19 safety coordinator,...

Well, first we had Jobseeker, JobKeeper, and now in the naming tradition of COVID stimulus packages, we now have HomeBuilder. And while the Government’s plans to break the champagne over the bow were slightly interrupted by a need to ‘get off the grass’, the latest economic injection has raised voices on both sides of the political divide. Joining the panel today is Federal Shadow Housing Minister...

This week, we ask; what impact have barley tariffs had on grain growers in Australia? What fears do the agricultural sector harbor for the future? And for the scores of Australian businesses that operate in other industries in China, including the countries booming e-commerce trade, how important is knowing the right people on the mainland, and what effect will the US China trade deal have? Joinin...

In this week's edition of Think: Business Futures, our gaze turns to the often tumultuous relationship between Australia, and our largest trading partner, The People's Republic of China. Is brash ‘megaphone diplomacy’ the right move? Are there alternatives to Chinese markets elsewhere in the world? And, most importantly, how does Australia traverse the next few months as a middle power wedged betw...

Well, how much would you fork out for a stake in an airline? On this week's episode, we take a closer look at the Queensland Government's potential stake in Virgin Australia, why inter-state tourism is the best next step and what the future of travel could look like. Joining the program today is Mr Timothy Mander, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Treasurer for the State of Queensland, Do...

Well, should Australians get a fair go and a first go at jobs in the post-covid economy? Labor Home Affairs Spokesperson Kristina Kennelly certainly thinks so, and the senator is not alone. Immigration reform will be one of the key talking points as Australia scales down its global isolation and begins the economic and social re-building effort, but is immigration, and immigrants, a fair scapegoat...

On this week's addition of Think: Business Futures, we ask; what is the state of the NDIS during COVID19? The National Disability Insurance Scheme has a particularly interesting role to play in ensuring that some of Australia’s most vulnerable are shielded from the physical, and by extension, economic impacts pf COVID19. But how important a piece of national infrastructure is the NDIS at a time li...

Could commodities be the light at the end of the COVID19 tunnel? Australia has the second-largest accessible reserves of iron ore in the world, the fifth-largest reserves of coal and significant gas resources, so it isn't hard to imagine how the answers to our economic questions could be lying beneath our feet the entire time. To help unpack what COVID19 has done to commodity markets is Dr Christi...

As businesses across the country close up shop, adapt to working remotely or simply cease to exist, the big questions are how things will look on the other side of COVID19. For indigenous-owned businesses, there is much to be asked, and answered, on the political, social and financial structures that will aid or abet businesses in returning to normal. Joining the panel this week is Robynne Quiggin...

Well, how safe is your super? And if you already know the answer, have you had thoughts about cashing out? One of the victims of the COVID19 economic crisis has been Australia’s retirement industry, with over $3 trillion dollars worth of assets currently swirling around superannuation funds across the country in a state of absolute panic. Joining the panel this week is Professor Ron Bird, Emeritus...

As we settle down to life in the midst of COVID19, the numbers show that Australia property values continue to rise. With widespread concerns about job security and the rapid sell-off of the share market, it’s an interesting time to talk about real estate. Joining host Max Tillman are Professor Harald Scheule, Professor of Finance at the University of Technology Sydney, Professor Heather MacDonald...

Fire up the printer, dust-off a table and get ready for the future of employment. In this week's episode, we take a deeper look at the viability of working from home, and whether it's still possible to separate Church and State in the post-COVID19 business world. Host Max Tillman is joined by Dr. Robyn Johns, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations at The University o...

How capable are Australia's hospitals and healthcare systems of handling COVID19? This week on the program, host Max Tillman is joined by Stephen Duckett, The Health Program Director at The Grattan Institute, Prabhu Sivabalan, Associate Dean of Engagement at the University of Technology Sydney, and Rosalie Viney, Director of the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation at the University...

Last week, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced huge price cuts for Saudi crude oil and a planned increase in the country's daily production from 9 million barrels to 11 million barrels per day, with the extra production beginning next month. But what does this mean for petrol prices in Australia? Doctor Nicolas de Roos, an Associate Professor of Economics at The University of Sydney,...

This Sunday marked the 43rd International Women’s day, and with it, a broader retrospective on gender equality in Australia. In this week's edition, we take a look a closer analysis shows that all-too-familiar barriers to entry such as lower numbers of females in management roles and sexual discrimination are still very much present in the Australia workforce. Dr. Alice Klettner and Professor Thom...

COVID19 has rapidly become one of the biggest health emergencies in recent history; but how has the virus effected our economy? Host Max Tillman is joined by behavioural economist Professor Michelle Baddeley, ABC Business Reporter Carrington Clarke and supply-chain expert and industry consultant Rob O'Byrne to make a prognosis.