Latest News
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Payment times improve but too many SMEs are still left waiting
First 5000 | January 9, 2018New figures suggest that Australia’s late payment culture is changing for the better but more remains to be done to ensure larger firms pay their suppliers on time.
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The heat is on employers to protect workers from the sun
First 5000 | January 8, 2018With record temperatures hitting several state capitals, the need for firms to ensure their workers are protected from the sun is now more important than ever.
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Is it time to replace reference checks?
Melissa Wheeler | January 7, 2018The ritual of securing references from job candidates tends to favour people from privileged backgrounds. Would alternative methods of assessment help mid-sized companies pick the best person for the job?
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The new user friendly guide to SME cyber security
First 5000 | January 6, 2018A new Cyber Security Best Practice Guide has been developed to help busy small and mid-sized businesses understand the risks of cyber crime and take simple but effective protection measures.
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Work related training in long term decline
First 5000 | January 5, 2018Despite repeated calls for a better skilled workforce, new ABS data shows the percentage of people undergoing workplace education and training continues to fall.
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The danger of blurring business and personal funds
First 5000 | January 4, 2018The owners of smaller businesses can be tempted to use unsecured personal funds to invest in their firms but the consequences can be dire.
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SME exporters confident of further success in 2018
First 5000 | January 3, 2018After a positive 2017 in most sectors, 2018 is shaping up to be a year of strong growth for Australia’s small and medium sized exporters.
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Choosing the right social media for your firm
Tiffany Wilson | January 3, 2018A social media presence is vital for every modern business, but with so many platforms to choose from, which ones should you choose to engage your target market?
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Cyber-attacks up 23% as the ‘New Mafia’ hit town
First 5000 | January 2, 2018A ‘new mafia’ of traditional gangs, state-sponsored attackers, ideological hackers and hackers-for-hire is wreaking havoc in the online world.
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What to expect in 2018 and beyond
Ross Dawson | January 1, 2018Several social, economic and technological trends which gathered pace in 2017 are set to further accelerate in the near future, challenging our notions of work and social interaction.
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Why getting enough sleep should be a New Year’s resolution
Amy Reynolds | December 31, 2017Ditch the alarm clock and make getting enough sleep one of your New Year’s resolutions. Your memory, waistline and your employer will thank you for it.
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The Fourth Industrial Revolution is here – are you ready?
John Hawthorne | December 30, 2017Australian firms must grasp the breathtaking opportunities generated by the ‘4th industrial revolution’ or risk being left behind.
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A year of progress for Australia’s SMEs
First 5000 | December 29, 2017The Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has welcomed significant strides towards an improved business environment for SMEs in 2017, but warns that challenges await in the New Year.
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Call for action against occupational lung disease
First 5000 | December 29, 2017The unwelcome return of ‘black lung’ and other debilitating lung diseases to mining and other dust producing industries is a national scandal demanding a national response.
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Pacific opportunities beckon Australian mid-sized firms
First 5000 | December 28, 2017Proximity to Asia, development opportunities and rich natural resources make the Pacific a lucrative target for Australian mid-sized firms.