Safe WA leads nation’s SME revival: NAB survey

Kate PurnellThe West Australian, Thu, 29 July 2021 Kate Purnell NANB says business loan approvals increased in WA in the second quarter. Credit: Paul Harwood/@galleryharwood/Paul Harwood/@galleryharwood WA’s small and medium-sized enterprises are leading a national rebound as business conditions across the country surge to record highs. National Australia Bank’s quarterly SME report released today found conditions improved significantly in the …

Small financial advisers say system broken

Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business CorrespondentAAP The West Australian, 29 July 2021 Financial advice is becoming out of reach for many Australians, a federal committee has been told. Credit: AAP Financial advisers operating as small businesses have pleaded with federal politicians to reconsider the extent of regulation being imposed on the industry in the wake of the Hayne banking …

Winning government tenders: The six most common errors

Check these mistakes before submitting. Source: Unsplash/ charlesdeluvio Authors Thomas Pollock Grants SmartCompany, 29 July 2021 Each year the federal and state governments’ combined spend on goods and services within Australia is over $150 billion. Government procurement exists in many forms, including contracts, tenders, Request for Quotes (RFQ’s), and grant programs. Most smaller businesses don’t consider the government a realistic …

Deliveroo shakes up delivery options with launch of Signature

Lois Maskiell SmartCompany, July 29, 2021 Morgan Hipworth, owner of Morgan’s Bistro in Windsor, Melbourne. Source: Supplied. Deliveroo is revamping how customers and hospitality businesses interact with the launch of its new platform Signature this month, allowing diners to order directly from restaurants’ websites. Launched at a time when delivery services have been the lifeline for many hospitality businesses in …

COVID-19 lockdowns: A state-by-state guide to commercial rent relief

Lois Maskiell SmartCompany, July 29, 2021 Source: Unsplash. State governments have announced new rent relief measures for commercial tenancies as businesses emerge from lockdown in Victoria and remain under tight restrictions in Sydney. Last year, the National Cabinet’s leasing code of conduct was established to set up protections for SMEs and a process for rent relief negotiations between commercial landlords …

‘We have nothing in the bank, it’s very scary’

Mark LudlowQueensland bureau chief Financial Review, Jul 27, 2021 Maroubra beauty salon owner Kayla Parry doesn’t know how much longer she can keep her business afloat during Sydney’s extended lockdown, especially when she hasn’t been able to get any government financial assistance. When she and her business partner bought the business in March last year, just weeks before the first …

COSBOA’s Peter Strong to retire; Alexi Boyd appointed CEO

Eloise Keating SmartCompany, July 28, 2021 Source: COSBOA Small business advocate Peter Strong has announced his retirement as chief executive of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) after 11 years. Strong commenced three months leave in June, with Alexi Boyd stepping in as interim chief executive. Boyd has now been appointed as chief executive of the council, which …

A 620% uptick: Equity crowdfunding in Australia gathers momentum

Stephanie Palmer-Derrien SmartCompany, July 28, 2021 Bubble Tea Club co-founders Jenny Le and Pam Yip. Source: supplied. More Australian businesses are raising more money through equity crowdfunding, with investments in the last quarter up a massive 620% compared to the same time last year. According to a report from crowd-sourced funding (CSF) platform Birchal, funds raised through such campaigns were …