Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #252     

There’s a lot of talk in the media right now about the state of small business. If you read across the mastheads and articles covering corporate and personal insolvencies, there’s always a mention of the small business community falling victim. Is it because of Covid? Is it because of the current economic conditions? Or is this the new norm?

This week on Small Biz Matters, we welcome Patrick Coghlan, the Chief Executive Officer of CreditorWatch to answer these questions.

They pull together powerful data that paints a picture of the reality for small businesses right now. Recently, that focus has been on payment times and the knock-on effect to small businesses part of a supply chain when large businesses take too long to pay their suppliers. In some cases where supply chains are limited like in regional areas, and this can be in the collapse of several businesses.

So, if small business in Australia is 32% of GDP, what does an increase in business related personal insolvency mean for the economy and why is CreditorWatch’s data is so important to keep an eye on them? Let’s hear from this week’s expert guest.

PEOPLE – What is your data telling you about how small businesses are doing at the moment? Which macro economic factors are having the biggest impact on small businesses in your opinion? Are we really at the “edge” or is this a “course correction” following the temporary measures to protect small businesses from insolvency?

POLICY - How affective do you think the Payment Times Reporting Register in reducing payment times to smaller business? What else in your opinion can the Government do to accelerate payment times or other measures to support small businesses?

PURPOSE - Why is CreditorWatch working with its data and media reports to highlight the plight of small businesses? Why the change and what are you hoping to achieve? Why is it important to have Unsecured lending in the sector? What’s been the impact of COVID side hustles?

Patrick Coghlan is the CEO of CreditorWatch. In 2010, he became one of the three founding employees of CreditorWatch and helped to shape the innovative product we see today. Patrick’s knowledge and experience has led him to become an industry thought leader, regularly presenting at conferences and providing commentary and insights for the media. His leadership qualities have enabled him to play a key part in developing CreditorWatch’s values and culture, for which the company has won multiple awards including the AFRs Best Places to Work and a Great Place to Work certification.

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #251     

Running a small business is complicated enough, but imagine throwing yourself into unpacking a complex area of policy like skilled migration to ensure that your small business can grow and then, helping other small businesses to do the same. My guest today on Small Biz Matters has done just that. Not only has she unpacked, understood and implemented skilled migration as part of her business model, but she uses her knowledge and awareness to advocate for her industry and small businesses everywhere to ensure that it is more accessible, affordable and a useful tool for small businesses.

Hairdressing is one of the most complex small business models out there. Not only do you have customers, rent, overheads and profitability like everyone else, but you also have the added complexity of a younger workforce, and let’s not forget the expectation of being a psychologist to your clients! Like other small businesses, innovation in hairdressing can be progressed faster by importing skills and knowledge and then , training other staff from these international workers. The Barberhood in Sydney’s CBD has flourished and Succeeded, by learning from the skilled migrants they have hired… and so have their staff.

Today’s story to me, is inspiring. The Barberhood is a success; a CBD businesses rising from the ashes of COVID, but also I find it amazing that any small business owner would want to be a changemaker in policy Renée Baltov is a real business leader who is passionate about making policy and advocacy part of her business and part of everyone’s business.

PEOPLE – Tell us about your journey as a successful small business owner in the CBD. How does your business grow? How did COVID affect you?

POLICY - How did you become aware of skilled migration as an option for you as a small business owner? What have been the biggest hurdles trying to navigate the system? Is it getting any easier? What advice would you give to a small business thinking about bringing on board a skilled migrant to grow their business?

PURPOSE - Why do you advocate for other businesses when it comes to skilled migration? What do you fight for (e.g. the skilled migration lists) How do you work with your professional associations to get support and assist them?

Renée Baltov is a results-driven leader with extensive expertise in strategic marketing, business management, and commercial strategy. With over twenty years of experience spanning the FMCG, Retail, Health & Beauty, and Tech industries, she excels as a skilled business strategist. 

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #250

The Australian small business and family enterprise ombudsman has a plan. A 14 point plan. A guide. A list of recommendations to support small businesses to survive and thrive. Is it a comprehensive be-all-end-all or should it just be considered just a start?

Governments have traditionally had problems compartmentalising small business policy, shoehorning them into a single department, or support program.. The reality is every policy affects every small business in the country. So how do governments begin the process of understanding the impact and untangling regulation, making it easier to do business in Australia, and assist small businesses (32% of GDP) to grow flourish and help build their communities?

The Energising Enterprise report: 14 steps to boost Australia’s small and family businesses. What this report does is help to prioritise the governments thinking; it assists policy makers with deciding what’s most important, what’s critical right now and what can perhaps be considered down the track. The reality is small businesses need deregulation in every space but this is at least a coherent starting point at which to tackle the issue of the red tape for small businesses. It covers areas such as small business access to procurement, meaningful regulatory impact statements, tax offsets for startups, mandating low fees for payments, banning unfair trading practices, and Readily accessible and easily navigable central resource hub of ‘best of breed’ actionable information.

He’s got a plan, the man has a plan so let’s hear from the man, The Hon Bruce Billson.

The 14 Point Plkan -  Take us through ASBFEO’s Energising Enterprise report: 14 steps to boost Australia’s small and family businesses:

• Tax discount/offset scheme during the critical first three years.

Bruce Billson commenced his role as Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) in March 2021. The Ombudsman is an independent advocate for small and family businesses.

Bruce brings three decades of experience, knowledge, commitment and an understanding of the issues facing small business. Bruce was the Australian Government Cabinet Minister for Small Business from 2013-2015, a founding Director of Judo Bank and has held various board appointments, including the Franchise Council of Australia, Deakin University Business School and Australian Property Institute. He has also owned and operated a number of small businesses, and knows first-hand the joys and challenges this involves.

To find out more go to: https://www.asbfeo.gov.au

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #249

For years surveys have told us that one of the biggest concerns for small businesses in almost every industry is finding the right people with the right skills, to get the job done.

When unemployment statistics are discussed in small business circles it’s not just about the macro-economic number, there is real world impact. A tight labour market impacts on a small business owner differently since they’re the ones who compete for and attract talent, then manage the longer wait times to find, employ and train the people for their business. And when the economy is challenging as it is right now, small businesses would rather pay themselves less than lose their local employees and go through the arduous process of finding more staff.

Despite warnings from advocates, many industries have experienced years of underinvestment in skills, training and institutions. Apprentice completion rates are problematic, some courses were cut or defunded, and the difficulty as a small business owner trying to navigate across state jurisdictions all led to general confusion in the market. Some industry associations tried to resolve the skils shortages in their industry by becoming RTO’s (registered training organisations) but then found themselves dedicating manhours to navigating this complex system. The whole situation was made worse by the COVID pandemic, the departure of migrants and more recently, a drastic cut to international student numbers.

So the Federal Government established Jobs and Skills Australia to bring cohesion to the industry, better access to skills for workers and a simpler system for employers. Their vision is “for the full skills potential of our nation to be realised, resulting in improved workforce participation, productivity, wages and equity.”

This week Small Biz Matters is proud to welcome the Jobs and Skills Commissioner, Professor Barney Glover AO to deep dive into the workforce and skills shortages faced by small businesses and how Jobs and Skills Australia will aim to solve this complex policy and issue.

PEOPLE – Can you tell us a little bit about Jobs and Skills Australia and how you are engaging with the small business community to consider jobs of the future and meeting the shortfall of the skills required for growth?

POLICY - Skilled migrants speak of barriers to work such as requiring local experience get their foot in the door. Is Jobs and Skills Australia looking at innovative ways to link the skills we need with the migrants struggling to find work?

PURPOSE - Tell us about the Jobs and Skills Australia Atlas project. How will it work to solve the difficult problem of matching the needs of regional small businesses and availability of skilled workers?

Professor Barney Glover AO is the Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia. Professor Glover began his five-year term as Commissioner in 2024.

Professor Glover is a distinguished academic leader, an accomplished mathematician and mathematics educator with significant experience in developing strong relationships with the vocational education sector. He is well respected for his engagement with First Nations Australians and disadvantaged communities.

He was Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University for ten years, from 2014-24, and in 2019 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to tertiary education, professional associations, and cultural organisations. In 2015, Professor Glover was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor for his outstanding leadership whilst Vice-Chancellor of Charles Darwin University from 2009 to 2013. Professor Glover was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Western Sydney University in 2024 in recognition of his decade of leadership.

To find out more about Jobs and Skills Atlas resource click HERE

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #248

Advocates have long spoken about small business people being at the centre of the economy. They are the business, they live and breathe it and often describe it as their livelihood, not just a source of income. So, knowing this all too well, why do policy makers treat them the same way as large corporates, placing the same burden of regulation on people as they do a well-oiled corporate machine?  Why is it so critical that we put small business people first and treat them differently than larger businesses in policy? 

Here to discuss with us today the true impact of overregulation on the mental health of small business people, is our guest, Leanne Faulkner, successful entrepreneur, founder of multiple businesses, fierce advocate and life-long learner.

Leanne took those experiences, those trials and tribulations small businesses all know too well, and placed them squarely at the feet of academia; pushing the system to research into small businesses differently and treat them as people, not corporates. She’s an expert in small business mental health, not only based on lived experience, but as an academic and incredibly well connected business owner.

She’s going to talk us through how she approached your body of work and what were her key conclusions in her PhD. Also, how she would like to see her work influence policymakers now and into the future when dealing with small business mental health and strategies to keep them flourishing and surviving.

PEOPLE – advocates of long spoken about small business people being at the centre of small business. Why is it so critical that we put small business people first as opposed to the way we treat larger corporate’s in the economy?  You’ve been studying small business mental health for a number of years now; what have you noticed that has changed dramatically since Covid?

POLICY - congratulations on completing your PhD, which is all about small business mental health. Can you explain how you approached your body of work and what were your key conclusions? How did you research and approach the well known problem of accessing them and explaining the small business perspective? What programs do you think of my successful in recent memory support small businesses?

PURPOSE - How would you like to see your work influence policymakers now and into the future when dealing with small businesses, their mental health, and strategies to keep them flourishing and surviving?  What should be approached be; do we consider support when small businesses are at the brink (like we are currently doing) or try and initiate programs so that small businesses can put themselves first.

Leanne Faulkner was the original founder of Central Coast skincare brand, Billie Goat Soap. Starting in her kitchen on the Central Coast, Leanne built the brand over several years resulting in sales in over 2000 stores nationwide and exports to several international markets.

For over ten years she has advocated for more mental health resources for business owners, not just employees, and today there are a range of services available for entrepreneurs and those who own a business. She has just completed her PhD on the same subject at the University of Newcastle.  Leanne has developed unique insights about working well that are relevant to people in all business sizes, large and small. She is a popular keynote speaker because she addresses the intersection of business ownership and workplace mental health. She inspires people to think about innovative ways they can care for their wellbeing at work, and there's not a fruit basket, massage train or group hug required. 

To find out more about Fortitude at Work click HERE

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #247

If you were to ask a small business owner which level of government has the most impact on their business, to be honest, it would depend when you ask them. Right now small businesses are thinking about interest rates, rising complexities in compliance around hiring and keeping staff, cost of doing business and of course, the state of the economy right now.

But frequently the decisions made by your local council can have an enormous impact on your ability to run a business. They are responsible for much of the red tape which can suffocate small business growth. Development planning of residential and commercial areas, parking, foot traffic, events, rubbish and recycling disposal, and increasingly finding the right people with the right skills who can afford to live locally.

Small Biz Matters asked a number of businesses right here what they thought were the main concerns facing their small businesses at a local level and what they would like to see the new Hornsby mayor change to improve their economic outlook and make it easier to do business in Hornsby.

Joining us live in the studio we have:

• Janelle McIntosh - Labor

PEOPLE –   What do you think is the number one issue for small business people right now? How will you improve engagement with local small business representatives?  Will you support the council creating a new role of economic development manager?

POLICY -   Beyond the Hornsby After Dark campaign, how will you improve foot traffic for areas tenanted by predominantly small business? What policies will you implement in the first 12months for small businesses in Hornsby?

PURPOSE - How many Chamber of commerce or other business events have you attended in the last 3years?

Councillor Janelle McIntosh

Janelle was born and raised in Hornsby Shire and together with her husband is raising her son here. She is passionate about local government, returning for her third term at Council after being first elected in 2004. Janelle is proud to have initiated many key issues and strategies such as Aboriginal Acknowledgement in Hornsby, the Economic Development & Tourism Strategy, Public Domain Guidelines, Dementia Friendly Hornsby, Street Library Grant program and the Healthy Ageing Strategy. She is well known for fostering engagement with the community and for active promotion of local businesses and organisations, Council issues, programs and events.

To find out more about Janelle McIntosh’s campaign to be your local Mayor, click HERE

Councillor Nathan Tilbury

Nathan Tilbury was first elected as Councillor representative in 2012 and has served since. He genuinely knows and cares for his community. He is well known for his empathetic approach and his ability to listen to all residents, no matter how large or small their issue may be.

To find out more about Janelle McIntosh’s campaign to be your local Mayor, click HERE

Councillor Warren Waddell

As a fifth-generation resident of Hornsby and a proud second-term Shire Councillor, I have a deep-rooted connection to our community. Growing up in Galston, attending Macquarie University, and managing my family’s historic orchard have all shaped my commitment to our Shire. My experience with local organizations such as the Hornsby Kuring Gai Women’s Shelter and Habitat for Humanity has reinforced my dedication to creating a safe and thriving environment for everyone

To find out more about Warren Waddell’s campaign to be your local Mayor, click HERE

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #246

The appeal of regional living is here to stay for thousands of metro movers, requiring new thinking and action on how the services, housing, and skills landscape will develop to meet this ongoing demand across the country. Important economic and social transitions are underway, and regional Australia is at the frontline of this change.

That’s the focus of the 2024 Regional Australia Institute’s Regions Rising National Summit and exactly the right platform to tackle the critical policy issues for regional Australia. Small Biz Matters was lucky to be invited, interviewing speakers, experts and leaders on their thoughts about their people, policy, and purpose for in particular, small business.

The program featured engaging addresses from the nation’s politicians, inspiring thought leaders and changemakers. A series of panels and concurrent sessions addressed the key pillars of RAI’s Regionalisation Ambition – a framework to ‘Rebalance the Nation’, telling the stories of regions’ challenges and success stories, and providing a wealth of knowledge to help drive change in communities and businesses.

It was a solutions-focussed, nation building event bringing together thought leaders across all sectors of government, industry, academia, and most importantly regional communities.

We interviewed:

• Liz Ritchie CEO Regional Australia Institute

Let’s have a listen to their thoughts on the regional Australia’s People, Policy and Purpose!

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #245

Dr Sherman Chan is one of those few economists who, when they explain a complex problem, it makes sense. That’s why whenever you attend a BusinessNSW event where she is presenting or read their quarterly Business Insights data report, the science of economics becomes a little clearer.

Small business is on the roller coaster of macro economic conditions, and its currently on the downward side of the big dipper. It is of course greatly affected by interest rates, unemployment rates and inflation (the usual suspects) and well aware of the micro conditions facing their own small business but the insights coming from small business can paint a clear picture for policy makers too. This is particularly true when that data is robust, clearly presented and consistent in its undertaking. It’s a powerful tool for both small businesses but politicians and policy makers who are ultimately making decisions which affect your business every day.

Dr Sherman Chan is passionate about making small business data meaningful, accessible and importantly impactful to these policy makers. Regularly briefing small business intel from the quarterly business insights report to the likes of NSW Treasury, the RBA and federal politicians, she has an intelligent approach to data gathering, presenting it in a clear and relatable way, Dr Sherman Chan is exactly the right person to deliver the information you need to understand the state of small business right now.

PEOPLE –  Can you tell us a little about yourself and why you’re so passionate about supporting small businesses through data? Why has business New South Wales continue to produce the Business Insights report? How have economists become so influential in the media and advocacy work and critical in the decision making process when it comes to policy decisions made by Government?

POLICY - What difference can surveys make to the policy direction for businesses in NSW? What’s the difference between your Saturdays and the work that the ABS does? How do the surveys influence the policy work of BusinessNSW? How do you use the surveys to drive decision makers?

PURPOSE Can you tell us a little bit about the BusinessNSW surveys that have been running for many years? How are they put together? And how do you decide which questions to ask? How influential are they?

Sherman is an economist with experience in government, banking and consulting. In her role as Chief Economist at Business NSW, Sherman drives strategic research and builds the evidence base for policy advocacy. She manages the quarterly Business Conditions Survey – Business NSW’s flagship research product that generates insights into business opportunities and challenges across key industries in NSW.

Prior to joining Business NSW, Sherman was a Senior Manager in the Risk and Regulatory Consulting practice at MinterEllison. This followed a six-year stint in NSW Government with agencies including NSW Treasury and the Audit Office of NSW where she led large-scale program evaluations and performance audits.  

Sherman’s journey as an economist also includes working at Moody’s Analytics and HSBC (Hong Kong) during the Global Financial Crisis, covering economies and financial markets across the Asia-Pacific region. Sherman also has experience working at the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

Sherman holds a PhD and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours in Economics) both from UNSW. Proficient in both macroeconomics and microeconomics, Sherman has been a Lecturer at UNSW since 2014. She specialises in government policy evaluation, impact measurement and cost-benefit analysis.

Business NSW is the peak business organisation for New South Wales representing the needs of 48,000 businesses across the state. Its purpose is to create a better Australia by maximising the outcomes and potential of Australian businesses. The organisation achieves this by working with businesses spanning all industry sectors including small, medium and large enterprises.

To find out more about BusinessNSW Business Conditions Survey, check it out HERE

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #244

Recent data from Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman shows one out of three small business owners (34%) were born outside of Australia. Migrants and refugees are more likely to be successful in business ownership; they may have previously run a successful business or simply have the unique skills from challenging life circumstances which bring the tenacity and grit to run a small business.

Australian Bureau of statistics data shows that typically it takes 4 years before humanitarian visa holders earn more than $30,000 per year. That’s not a liveable wage anywhere. It’s one thing to welcome refugees with open arms and it’s another to support them into viable, economic stability and empower them with skills and training to, if they wish, to start their own small business.

So why are there not more opportunities and programs encouraging this, given that it can be a more reliable source of income for those who don’t have their skills or qualifications recognised? Well, one such organisation is feeling this very important gap.

The Thrive Refugee Entrepreneurship Program is specifically designed for refugees and asylum seekers interested in starting their own businesses and aims to accelerate and increase social and economic inclusion for refugees and asylum seekers through self-employment. 

The strength comes from a national footprint with grassroots service delivery model embedded in key refugee settlement destinations. And as migration flows towards different areas and refugee communities become more established, the need for communities outside the major cities to access and benefit from the Thrive continues to grow.

There is also added benefit to the whole economy, of increased employment opportunities for the local community as the number of small businesses grow, and of course the benefits to the government of GST and tax collected. Plus, refugees and migrants who have invested in a small business, both financially and with their time are more likely to remain in a community where the type of business are forged.

Today we welcome Thrive’s proud co-founder, Huy Truong, who, along with an incredible board and advisory council who are passionate about refugee, economic empowerment is ensuring this not-for-profit grows from a concept to a national organisation, making a real difference to the Australian economy.

PEOPLE –  Tell us your story and how your journey had led you to be one of Australia’s foremost refugee advocates. Why is it so important to empower through entrepreneurial enterprise rather than position refugees as victims?

POLICY - Why should economic empowerment for refugees be front of mind for all policy makers? What are the benefits to the local and national economy?

PURPOSE - What role does your NFP organisation Thrive Refugee Enterprise play in leading the way for purpose-driven funding? Which areas of Government do you and your team work with and how do you advocate? What would be your advice to other social enterprises starting today?

Huy arrived in Australia as a refugee and is an entrepreneur and investor who now dedicates his time to the success of refugees and migrants in Australia.

Huy is the Executive Chairman and Founder of Thrive Refugee Enterprise – a NGO dedicated to the economic self-reliance of refugees. Since inception, Thrive has provided almost $15m in business financing and planning support to over 700 refugees to start/grow a small business – generating over $70m p.a to the Australian economy. Thrive operates in QLD, NSW and VIC with a strong governance including Advisory Council members Martin Parkinson, David Gonski, Christine Holgate and John Curtis.

Huy began his career with the Boston Consulting Group before embarking on his entrepreneurial and investment career path.

Huy has an Economic Honours Degree from Monash University and a MBA from Harvard Business School.

Huy lives in Melbourne, married with 3 children and is passionate about a confident, united and Progressive Australia.

Thrive was founded on the core beliefs that refugees are entrepreneurial, hard working and contribute back to the economy through business participation and social integration.

You can find out more about Thrive HERE

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #243

The latest Regional Australia Institute report Regional Movers Index (created in partnership with CommBank Business and Institutional) highlights fascinating trends in our nation's population movements. Metro to regional relocations are now 20% above pre-Covid levels with 24% more people moving from capital cities regions compared with the opposite direction. That’s a net migration out of our cities into our regional towns!

With such a large change population and the unique circumstances that brings, what’s required is relationship building, placed based approach to policy and connectivity into community. Luckily there’s a think tank doing exactly that, and it’s run but the policy  powerhouse and regional expert, Liz Richie. 

The Regional Australia Institute captures the unique skills of their team, as well as their passion for regional Australia. In fact, the majority of them live in the towns which they represent! Researchers, policy experts, and influential relations experts who come together to make regional Australia better. 

There are few people as interconnected into regional cities, understanding population growth, the need for skills and how their small businesses flourish and when they need support. This is going to be an excellent discussion from an expert in the field and a true female leader in Australian policy.

PEOPLE –  Who does RAI represent? How do you work so successfully as a regionally located team, focussed on regional issues? Tell us about the upcoming Regions Rising Summit in Canberra in August and what you're hoping to achieve and what you'd like to highlight to decision makers at the conference?

POLICY - Which policy areas are you currently focussed on? Which departments do you work with and how do you work as an advocacy organisation with politicians and departments to ensure the voice of regional, rural and remote Australia is heard?

PURPOSE Tell us about your recently published reports and what you’re trying to achieve in the policy space for each of these?

The daughter of a farmer who grew up amongst the rice crops and river redgums around Deniliquin in south-western New South Wales, Liz Ritchie’s had a lifelong affiliation with regional Australia. As CEO of the Regional Australia Institute her purpose is to empower regions to thrive through leadership, activation, and impact. Liz firmly believes that by replacing myth and stereotype with facts and knowledge, the RAI can help build a bridge between city and country Australians. She spearheaded the development of the Regionalisation Ambition – a framework to ‘rebalance the nation’ by driving a parity of population between the regions and cities. Prior to joining the RAI, Liz worked for Westpac and the Committee for Economic Development of Australia.

Independent and informed by both research and ongoing dialogue with the community. The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) develops policy solutions and advocates for change to build a stronger economy and better quality of life in regional Australia – for the benefit of all Australians.

To find out more about Regional Australia Institute, check it out HERE