How small start-ups can level the playing field against established competitors

Starting a small business is both exciting and daunting. While the entrepreneurial spirit may drive you to take the leap of faith, the reality is that you may be entering a market that has already attracted some large competitors. It can be intimidating to think about competing against larger, more established competitors, but it’s not impossible. Here are some steps you can take to help your small business take on…  Read more

Business Update – 3 May 2023

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. AFL appoints Andrew Dillon as CEO Andrew Dillon has been named CEO of the AFL, following a year-long search. Dillon started with the AFL in 2000 as an in-house lawyer and has moved on to various other legal and administrative roles. Australia set for budget rebound, signals fiscal restraint…  Read more

Managing Debt and Creating a Debt Repayment System

Debt can be a significant burden on one’s financial life. It can cause stress, anxiety, and make it difficult to achieve financial goals. However, with a little planning and dedication, anyone can create a debt repayment system and get on the path to financial freedom. Here are some tips for managing debt and creating a debt repayment system: Take Stock of Your Debt The first step in managing debt is…  Read more

Business Update – 26 April 2023

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Why the RBA should not use interest rates to target the housing market or debt A panel reviewing the Reserve Bank of Australia RBA has recommended against using interest rates to target the housing market or address concerns about high levels of debt held by Australians. Collaboration to bring…  Read more

Essential steps to managing your family’s finances

Managing family finances can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and mindset, it can be a smooth and effective experience. Here are some essential steps for managing your family’s finances, including budgeting, saving, and planning for the future. Budgeting Budgeting is the cornerstone of managing family finances. It involves creating a spending plan that outlines your family’s income and expenses. A budget helps you to keep track…  Read more

Business Update – 19 April 2023

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Reserve Bank of Australia considers a rate hike The Reserve Bank revealed that it was a “close call” not to raise interest rates at its last meeting due to concerns over inflation and the housing market, but ultimately decided to maintain the current rate of 0.25%. ATO using data-matching…  Read more

Reducing waste and spoilage: Best practices for inventory management

As businesses grow, managing inventory effectively becomes crucial to staying competitive and maintaining profitability. One key aspect of inventory management is reducing waste and spoilage, which can have significant financial and environmental implications. In this blog post, we will explore best practices for inventory management that can help your business reduce waste and spoilage, creating a more sustainable and cost-effective supply chain. Implement a First-In, First-Out (FIFO) system A First-In,…  Read more

Business Update – 12 April 2023

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Federal Court decision shakes up public holiday rostering rules for employers A recent ruling by the Federal Court requires employers to request their employees’ availability to work on public holidays in advance instead of just rostering them to work. Employers must introduce a mechanism for making such requests before…  Read more

Unlocking the secrets of small business cash flow

When it comes to running a small business, maintaining a healthy cash flow is essential for sustainability and growth. Your business can be incredibly profitable but still ultimately fail because of improper cash flow management. To prevent that from happening, here are some best practices that can help you better manage your cash flow and maintain the financial health of your small business. Remember, the key to success is to…  Read more

Business Update – 5 April 2023

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Australian house prices surge, but experts are divided over whether this is a real recovery The Australian housing market has surged in recent months, but experts are divided on whether it’s a “dead cat bounce” or the start of a real recovery. Lenders offer incentives to attract home loan…  Read more

Mastering the Art of Lean Inventory: A Small Business Guide to Just-In-Time Management

As a small business owner, it’s essential to find ways to manage your inventory effectively to reduce costs, optimise warehouse space and ensure customer satisfaction. How you manage your inventory affects your cash flow, your customer relationships, and your relationships with vendors. That’s why it’s vital you use a system and process that works best for your business. Among the many methods of managing your small business inventory is the…  Read more

Business Update – 29 March 2023

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Changes to home-based business expenses Businesses operating from home can claim business-use expenses, including occupancy expenses and running expenses. They can now use the revised fixed rate method of 67 cents per hour for the 2022-23 income year. Find out more here. Get ready for STP Phase 2 Single…  Read more

Using financial reconciliation to keep your business on track

As a small business owner, you’re likely already aware of the importance of keeping your finances in order. Financial management goes deeper than paying your bills on time and collecting on invoices (although those are also important). It involves regularly checking up on your financial situation to make sure your accounts are in order, your records are up-to-date, and you’re spending within your budget. Among those activities, financial reconciliation plays…  Read more

Business Update – 22 March 2023

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Why Australian banks will come out the other side of the global crisis According to Reserve Bank of Australia assistant governor Chris Kent, Australia’s banks are “unquestionably strong” and are equipped to handle a prolonged period of market strain. The banks are already well advanced on their bond issuance…  Read more

Avoiding bankruptcy: Top reasons it happens and ways to prevent it

Starting a business is not for the faint of heart. A certain level of stress comes with carrying the responsibility of ensuring your company’s success. If things go wrong, it all falls back on you. That said, the freedom and sense of accomplishment of running your own business make the challenges well worth it. With good planning and strong business practices, you can avoid the pitfalls and drive your business…  Read more

Business Update – 15 March 2023

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Australian markets take a hit after multiple US banks collapse Australian markets experienced a sharp decline on Tuesday after multiple banks collapsed in the United States. The ASX200 opened down 1.6% and fell a further 2%, wiping out all gains made this calendar year, with financials bearing the brunt.…  Read more

Differences between active and passive investing and why they matter

When you invest your money, it’s a given that you’re willing to take on some amount of risk. There are strategies you can employ to ensure the risk you’re taking is minimal, but it still exists. If you’re comfortable with a lot of risk to enjoy a greater reward, it’s important to understand that you could lose everything you put in. Of course, most of us aren’t putting our money…  Read more

Financially Savvy Women: 5 Strategies to Improve Your Financial Literacy

It is well established that financial literacy is a key component of financial independence. The more you know and understand about finance, the better equipped you are to make important decisions. Historically, women have had lower financial literacy scores than men for many reasons, including social norms, a lack of access to resources, and needing to focus on other issues. That said, women are living longer than men and studies…  Read more

Business Update – 8 March 2023

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Inflation is still a concern as the economy slowly recovers Australia’s economy has recovered better than most from the COVID pandemic and is now 7% larger than before. But experts say that ongoing inflation is a continuing concern for everyday affordability. Mental health is a major concern as the…  Read more

Return on investment vs cost: how to weigh them when making business purchases

Deciding to purchase something to help your business is a big decision. It can be difficult to part with hard-earned money, especially in the early days. To understand the right time to invest by purchasing something for your business, you must calculate whether the Return on Investment (ROI) would be profitable. The cost is the amount of money you spend making the purchase, plus any indirect costs (such as training…  Read more

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