When you walk into your business premises and see the roof is leaking, your focus is going to be on getting the problem fixed as soon as possible. But who do you turn to and what should you do in these situations? We’ve put together three simple steps to guide you through getting any damage to your business premises fixed in a timely manner. 3...
As a small business owner, it’s important to pay yourself a regular wage – and it’s just as important to make sure you pay the right amounts of tax and super too. Here’s your quick-start guide to paying yourself in your business. Step 1: Start with your business structure The way you pay yourself depends on the structure of your business. We have...
Here’s your guide to what to do if a product you make, sell, import, distribute or otherwise work with in your business is recalled for safety reasons. Every business has a responsibility to make sure their products are safe for consumers, no matter where you are in the supply chain. This means that whether you manufacturer, import, distribute or...
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...
If you’re one of the many small business owners across WA facing rising costs, uncertain economic conditions and the impact of inflation, you’re not alone. While you can’t control these factors, you can take action to help put your business in the strongest position possible. We asked one of our experienced business advisers, Brian Childs, for some...
There can often be confusion and disputes when you’re exiting a commercial lease and need to meet a number of ‘make good’ obligations. The make good clause in your lease will outline the condition the building must be in when the lease comes to an end. Here is a summary of the top make good obligations that most often lead to a dispute, and some...
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) is warning small business owners to be wary of unlawful tax schemes offering to significantly reduce or avoid a tax bill. The ATO has seen a rise in tax avoidance schemes being promoted online, particularly via social media. These schemes can entice honest people into arrangements that can have a significant impact...
As you dive into the new year in small business, it’s important to take stock of your achievements during the past 12 months and to set your business goals for 2025. We have put together a few tips to help ensure smooth sailing in the year ahead. Get on top of your finances Take some time to put your finances in order by reviewing your financial...
If you have never ventured into the world of business ownership before, you may be wondering how different it will be from being employed by someone else. We put together some details on how owning your own business can be a different experience from being someone else’s employee. Flexibility No matter how adaptable your employer is, it’s hard to...
With more than 9,000 business, many classed as small and micro in nature, the City of Cockburn joined the SBDC’s Small Business Friendly Local Governments program in 2018. Having also participated in the SBDC’s Small Business Friendly Approvals Program in 2021, the City continues to demonstrate its commitment to its small business community with...
We all want to avoid non-essential costs when starting a business. The good news is, there are some amazing free resources available to get you started on your business journey. Here are some of the best. 1 - Free Starting a Business workshop If you are new to business, our free Starting a Business workshop is the best place to start. You’ll cover...
A bad credit rating isn’t helpful in your personal finances – but did you know it can impact your business finances too? While your business may experience fluctuations in cash flow for a range of reasons, it’s worth ensuring you can pay your bills and debts on time to protect your credit rating. Here’s what you need to know about your credit...
