If your business has been affected by a skills or labour shortage, here are some ways you can take action to keep your business thriving. An ongoing challenge many businesses are facing is the shortage of skilled or available workers across many industries. Some workers may have changed careers or industries, others may have moved away or perhaps...
The past ten years have brought major shifts in the Australian small business landscape. Some sectors have boomed, while others have evolved, reflecting changes in technology, consumer habits and the environment. And of course, no recap of the past decade would be complete without mentioning COVID-19, which reshaped how Australian small businesses...
Nobody wants to think about the impact a disaster or emergency could have on their business – but what would happen if you suddenly couldn’t operate as usual from your premises? Serious damage to your premises can interrupt trading, create safety risks and raise difficult questions about rent, lease obligations and insurance. In Western Australia...
Each year as the annual budget is handed down, there is a conversation about what’s in it for small businesses. While much of the analysis focuses on programs that are directly targeting SMEs, it is worth looking beyond the headline measures at how some of the investments open the doors for small businesses, either as part of the supply chain...
Running a business brings with it a number of risks and rewards. We asked members of our Facebook group, I’m a small business owner in Western Australia, what the best and worst things are about running their business. Here is some of their collective wisdom… It gives you a sense of purpose One of the overwhelming positives of running a small...
Owning a small business is like having a child that doesn’t sleep, according to Tamara Cook, owner of events management agency, Known Associates Events. “Of course, it’s extremely joyful but it’s also all-consuming and always in the back of your mind,” said Tamara. Freedom of running own business Tamara founded Known Associates in 2007. The...
A range of support measures have been introduced to support small business owners dealing with the rising cost of fuel and supply chain uncertainty. Interest free loans The Federal Government's Economic Resilience Program will provide $1 billion in interest free loans to fuel, fertiliser and other critical supply chain businesses. You can find out...
As a business owner, there might be times when you have uncollected goods from your customers sitting on your premises. This might include furniture or equipment left behind in a space, or something your customer never came back to collect, such as a watch or even a car left for repairs which turned out to be more than the value of the item itself...
State Government procurement opportunities are more accessible than ever for small business owners and provide a solid opportunity to diversify your income stream and build long term partnerships. Whether you’re a regional tradesperson, a professional services provider, or a product manufacturer, Western Australian Buy Local Policy 2022 has the...
Have you been experiencing issues with a vehicle purchased for your business? Vehicle issues that take small business owners off the road can have a major impact, and it’s a common concern our business advisers hear about. These issues can include: Faults occurring soon after purchase. Warranties not being honoured. Misleading sales tactics...
Being aware of the early warning signs that your business may be in trouble will provide you with the best opportunity to take action and turn things around.
Our latest research shows that small business is generating real returns for the Western Australian economy.