Withholding retention payments in construction can affect subcontractors’ cash flow and profitability. Often used in the construction industry, retention is a fixed percentage of the total payment due for a contract, withheld for a period after the work is completed. It’s there to make sure that the contractor or subcontractor properly completes...
Find out more about the pros and cons of short term leases and one could be right for your business.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has recently announced changes to how your employees can calculate tax deductions if they work from home. Here’s your guide to the changes. Millions of Australians work from home for some or all of their working week. If your business is structured to have your employees working from home at some stage, they...
There’s a fine line between being a business contractor with an Australian Business Number (ABN) and being an employee. If you’re a contractor with your own ABN, read these tips to help make sure you’re being treated fairly and meeting your obligations. In some industries, for example in the construction industry, it’s common for businesses to...
Being authentic and true to oneself has been Michelle Rimmer’s mantra since the launch of her business, Hills Massage, 20 years ago. Reflecting on her business journey, Michelle said she would tell the younger version of herself that consistency is the key to success. “You have to be consistent in the quality of your or product, your communication...
Great news! You don’t need to provide an on-site video arcade, unlimited holidays or free pet-sitting to be an employer of choice. With these simple ideas, you could create the kind of workplace and culture your team will love. You might spend a lot of time and effort attracting customers to your business – but how much have you invested in...
If your rent is due to increase based on the consumer price index, here’s your guide to how it works and the calculations which could be used to work out your rent. The consumer price index (CPI) is a measure of how much the average costs of a fixed basket of goods changes over time. It is calculated quarterly and published by the Australian Bureau...
A false sense of urgency, manipulative tactics or any kind of aggression should be red flags when someone is trying to sell you something. Learn more about high pressure sales tactics and how you can avoid issues within your small business. Some sales training can involve not taking “no” for an answer, overcoming all objections or creating a sense...
New laws designed to create greater flexibility for companies to either restructure their operations to survive, or liquidate their company in a more orderly and less costly way, have now become law.
Small businesses in construction may feel pressured to quickly sign on the dotted line to secure work. But being unfamiliar with certain terms and clauses in contracts can lead to you working on unprofitable jobs or worse — paying out your client when things go wrong. Celia Jordaan, procurement consultant from Ichiban Commercial Consulting joined...
The simple act of gifting a coffee to a stranger has led to a legacy of almost 10,000 coffees being bought by thoughtful patrons at a central Perth espresso bar. Game City Espresso is a coffee shop with a difference, combining a great brew with nostalgic arcade games, all while creating a goodwill legacy. Owner Dharmesh Patel explains, “When people...
Do you have a plan for managing disputes that may arise in business? If not, we explain why it’s worth considering and how to get started. Whether it’s an issue with invoicing, a potentially problematic customer, a dispute with your business partner, or a conflict about a tenancy agreement, managing disputes in your business can be stressful...
