Latest News
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Bad regulation clogging the economic arteries of Australia
Kelly O'Dwyer MP | June 6, 2012The complexity of regulation and the costs of complying with it are often cited as impediments to business in Australia. Kelly O’Dwyer believes that, like bad health, bad regulation brings us all down.
As the family doctor reminds my father, there is both good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Good cholesterol helps keep the artery walls clean and is absorbed through liver metabolism. Bad cholesterol builds up and clogs the arteries and can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke or worse.
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The right use of power
Jenny Morawska | June 6, 2012Jenny Morawska believes that women need to understand their power, stand in that power and use it ethically.
We talk about power all the time – do we really understand what it is and how to use it?
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Does red tape strangle an economy or provide a safety harness?
Fergus Neilson | June 5, 2012It can be hard to tell when red tape has grown out of control and when it is the glue that is holding things together. Fergus Neilson says that removing red tape could leave Australia open to corruption and commercial opportunism.
Open the pages of any publication of even the slightest ‘rightest’ hue and you will trip over demands for an immediate removal of red tape.
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Stop feeling guilty about making quick decisions!
Jeff Cooper | May 30, 2012How long do you take to make decisions for your business? Jeff Cooper believes that you don’t have to take days or months ticking all the right boxes because decisive decision making can benefit your bottom line.
Leaders of medium enterprises have to think quick and generally make tough decisions by ‘going on their gut’. This can often lead to guilt or, more accurately, the concern that the decision made wasn’t given the time or introspect it deserved and could have been the wrong one.
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Cut red tape to help innovation
Peter Strong | May 29, 2012Medium and small businesses are the heart of innovation in Australia however, they can be restricted by competition policy, contract law and compliance demands. Peter Strong believes cutting Red Tape can help these businesses to thrive.
The world is stumbling around an economic meltdown and the way out of that will be found through small business, hard work and innovation.
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Have your say: Stronger Super reforms
Helen Hull | May 29, 2012You are invited to have your say on taxation relief to support the implementation of Stronger Super.
Closing date for submissions: Friday, 8 June 2012.
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Australia–Malaysia sign Free Trade Agreement
Helen Hull | May 23, 2012Economic ties between Australia and Malaysia have been strengthened with the signing of the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The agreement will act to further integrate the Australian economy into the fast-growing Asian region and will benefit industries including milk, automotives, processed foods, plastics, chemicals and a range of manufactured products, wine, iron and steel as well as rice.
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Women typically earn $250.50 a week less than men
Helen Hull | May 22, 2012Australia’s working women earn 17.4 per cent less than their male colleagues, based on new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The average weekly earnings of women working full-time is $1,186.90 per week or $250.50 per week less than men, who earned an average weekly wage of $1,437.40 per week. Over the course of a year, this difference would add up to $13,026.
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Imagination an underrated business asset
Craig Manson | May 22, 2012Imagination can be synonymous with daydreaming, but it is an underestimated asset in the business world according to a new report from Canon. Craig Manson looks at why imagination should be more highly valued.
The Macquarie Dictionary tells us that imagination is the ability to form mental images, sensations and concepts in a moment when they are not perceived through sight, hearing or other senses.
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Forms, forms and more forms
Leighton Jenkins | May 16, 2012The World Bank Group ranks Australia the second easiest country in the world in which to start up a new business. Leighton Jenkins believes we could make it even simpler.
In June 2011 the World Bank published an economic ranking table for countries based on how easy it is to do business there.
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Regulating the 21st century
Patrick Callioni | May 16, 2012Modern society cannot exist without an effective regulatory framework. Patrick Callioni looks at how the reduction of some red tape could enhance business productivity and competitiveness in Australia.
The hallmark of success in a globalised economy, especially in a troubled economy, remains competitiveness.
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Finding ways to cut red tape
Sen. Arthur Sinodinos | May 16, 2012You can’t run a business in Australia without some level of red tape, but when does paperwork become an unnecessary burden?
Senator Arthur Sinodinos calls for contributions to Global Access Partners’ online consultation on the Cost of Red Tape.
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Cost of Red Tape Online Consultation launched
Helen Hull | May 15, 2012Australian businesses would benefit from the reduction of unnecessary regulation and red tape. It is seen as a significant strain on our national productivity and a significant barrier to job and wealth creation.
To identify avoidable red tape and unnecessary regulation, public policy think-tank Global Access Partners (GAP) in conjunction with the First 5000 business network, is hosting the Cost of Red Tape online consultation on Open Forum at openforum.com.au/redtape.
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Essential employee performance management practices
Sean Conrad | May 9, 2012Goal management, regular feedback and employee development are key to creating a good workforce. Sean Conrad shares his ideas on how to make the most of these employee performance management practices.
Since your staff are your most strategic resource, and your only sustainable competitive advantage, it makes sense to invest in HR practices that help maximise employee performance.
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Mid sized businesses should look at budget positives
Helen Hull | May 9, 2012First 5000 members should look at how they can take advantage of handouts announced by the Treasurer Wayne Swan in last night’s (8 May) Federal Budget.
Deloitte Private Tax partner David Pring said that although the government decided not to reduce the company tax from 30 per cent to 29 per cent, it is not all doom and gloom.
