The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, acknowledges the public release and response by the Australian Government of his inquiry into the effectiveness of Commonwealth procurement rules for small businesses.
…
… opportunity for competitive small and family businesses to be a supplier to the Commonwealth”. “Winning a government … are looking for to engage in a complicated, costly and time-consuming process. “Dismissing considered and … boosting women-owned business opportunities and improving payment times. ASBFEO is encouraged by the Government’s …
Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live
… quarterly increase. It increased 0.5% compared to the same time last year. The Australian Small Business and Family … as tax deductions 6 . Regulators’ terminology can also be confusing for entrepreneurs. For example, confusion on … the capital gains considerations that follow. At the same time, there’s been slight rise in owners facing genuine …
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has released a guide to raise awareness among small businesses selling online about United States’ copyright laws that can shut down their access to customers without warning…
… Australian small business selling online warned to be aware of US copyright laws 09 October 2024 The Australian … been issued against an Australian homewares business every time they advertised. That led to Shopify shutting down their store each time until it was resolved, but that caused the Australian …
Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live
Many small businesses say they feel excluded from the chance to tender for Australian Government procurement contracts because they are not part of the ‘in-crowd’ or find the process too hard to navigate, says the Australian Small Business and Family…
… government for procurement and where things might be improved. “Equally, we’re keen to hear examples of … like to but do not. “Winning a government contract can be life-changing for a small business. As all businesses … businesses also point to the high cost and investment of time required to tender, and lack of consideration of this …
Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live
… or your favourite winemaker or café owner who work every day to delight customers and energise enterprise. These are … owner is a self-employed man, aged 50, who works full-time and earns below the average full-time wage. Yet that is … climbing. Just 8% of small business owners are under 30. That’s half the peak for this age group of 17% achieved …
… as a small business Navigating courts and tribunals can be daunting. You can seek help from legal practitioners and … the court system Court and tribunal processes can be time consuming, stressful and costly. If possible, keep … a lot of preparation. At a hearing, dress neatly, be on time, be prepared for delays, and speak calmly and politely. …
… or your favourite winemaker or café owner who work every day to delight customers and energise enterprise. These are … owner is a self-employed man, aged 50, who works full-time and earns below the average full-time wage. Yet that is … climbing. Just 8% of small business owners are under 30. That’s half the peak for this age group of 17% achieved …
15 October 2024
TRANSCRIPT
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Annie Guest.
ABC Radio AM Program
…
… had a big scare. John Toomey (small business owner) One day I found myself locked out of Facebook, I couldn't get in. … Bruce Billson This is 86 per cent higher than the same time last year for disputes involving one of these Big Tech … were about Meta, 17 per cent were directed at Uber for payment problems. So, the Small Business Ombudsman is calling …
Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live
… the amount per month, not realising this meant that each time she altered the amount per month she was entering into a … a quote for several hundred dollars per month. On the same day, after discussing it with her business partner, she … pay system. The small business owner also used this same payment system for her security alarm. Three years later the …
New support announced today by the Australian Government to help small businesses combat cyber attacks is extremely welcome, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.
“One of the biggest fears a…
… the biggest fears a small business has is that they will be targeted and wiped out by a cyber attack and we are … support we have advocated for to assist small business to be as prepared as they can be by providing a free check on … their digital infrastructure and the criminals demand a payment for to access your own information.” Mr Billson …
Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live
Originally published in the Canberra Times.
By Bruce Billson.
I was shocked, but sadly not surprised, to read recently that one in five small businesses have zero cash reserves.
About 18 per cent have less than a month's worth of cash…
… The drain on resources during the establishment phase can be too much. The early years for a new business can be the … 17 per cent of business owners were under the age of 30, but that's down to 8 per cent. CPA Australia's … or their own enterprise as a pathway for the future? At a time when young people, particularly, look for purpose as …
Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live
TRANSCRIPT
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.
…
… good afternoon. Bruce Billson Look, Leon, it's great to be with you. I'm glad you're not asking me to sing, but I'm … concern about small businesses feeling more of their time and a heavyweight rests on them over the business of … go, I know about modern slavery – that's what I do every day, try to earn a crust and support my team and keep my head …
Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live
… is to ask yourself, how did the dispute arise? It can be helpful to write a list of the events leading up to the … to achieve. Consider how this will impact on cash flow, time and resources, productivity, future business, and … is usually sent if you still have not received your payment after first and second reminder letters. Alternative …
Digital marketing can be vital to the success of a small business yet one-in-three end up in a dispute with their provider, according to new research.
And almost 70% of small businesses last fewer than 12 months with the digital marketing…
… DIGITAL MARKETING 17 January 2024 Digital marketing can be vital to the success of a small business yet one-in-three … “But for too many small businesses this relationship can be unsatisfactory, and for one-in-three it ends in a dispute. … business and a digital marketing provider. “There needs to be clear and honest communication about budget, the exact …
Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live
… claims, and administrative reviews. It's designed to be user-friendly and less formal than traditional courts. … claims, and administrative reviews. It's designed to be user-friendly and less formal than traditional courts. …
… and costs at the start, they are unlikely to improve over time. Tip 4 - Careful consideration of your contract Make … (don’t expect anything that is not included) all costs, payment timings and overall contract costs regular and …
Basic page
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Gary Adshead.
Radio 6PR Perth
Subject: Ombudsman’s guide for small business - using social media securely
Gary Adshead…
… and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, and he joins me now. G’day Bruce. Bruce Billson Gary, fab to be with you and your listeners? Gary Adshead Can you tell … get a call from my bank saying, Bruce, we've blocked this payment. Do you know who they are? I said, they seem to be a …
Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live
Originally published in The Canberra Times
By Bruce Billson
As we return to business as usual after the election, I am hopeful that the incoming government will have a very strong and prominent focus on small and family businesses. It is…
… that are first used or installed ready for use by June 30, 2026. While this is a very positive step, small … safeguards. Broad consultation with small businesses will be important to ensure that the proposed banning of … about a renewed effort to boost productivity will be welcome by small businesses as productivity improvement …
Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live
… There were 594,855 small businesses in Greater Sydney on 30 June 2023, representing 70% of all small businesses in … areas with the highest number of small businesses on 30 June 2023 were: Sydney Inner City (74,583 small … in Condell Park. Baulkham Hills (19,329 small businesses), 30% of these were in Baulkham Hills (West) – Bella Vista. …
… to the Code enacted in June 2021 allow for a process to be followed should a franchisee wish to terminate their franchise agreement early. Under the Code, at any time a franchisee may give their franchisor a written … for the proposed termination. Note that the proposal may be different from the terms set out in the franchise …
… 1. Structure your day Schedule time for calls, lead follow-ups, emails, social media … and compliance tasks, important ‘breaks’ and get away time. … Schedule time for calls, lead follow-ups, emails, social media … and compliance tasks, important ‘breaks’ and get away time. …
Originally published in the Canberra Times.
Finding adequate insurance cover at commercially viable terms is fast becoming a wicked challenge for small and family businesses.
There have been countless examples of small businesses closing…
… Unlike households who - for many reasons - might choose to be uninsured or underinsured and have options about the level … particularly in regional Australia. Crucially, a DMF would be able to impose conditions of entry standards for members … vital business precondition, is no longer a once-a-year payment (with a likely inevitable modest price increase) that …
Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live
Originally published in The Daily Telegraph
By Bruce Billson
This sector makes up 98 per cent of Australian businesses, so why is it under-represented at the upcoming economic roundtable? It cannot merely be an afterthought, writes Bruce…
… at the upcoming economic roundtable? It cannot merely be an afterthought, writes Bruce Billson. Only a few more … sleep wondering about what might happen at the three-day event. Too many though, are losing sleep over concerns … owners making decisions and weighing up choices every day, any focus on improving the economic climate and …
Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live
… profitability. A franchise investment opportunity should be able to show it is a proven and successful business model, … relationship, the franchise relationship will evolve over time. Early on, there will likely be a lot of excitement and expectation for success. Over time, the franchisor and the franchisee will have to work …
… Line caters for the needs of small business owners who may be visually impaired through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS). TIS can be contacted on 13 14 50. The Information Line also provides …
Basic page
Opinion piece by the Ombudsman Bruce Billson.
Originally published in the Daily Telegraph.
Small business is a big deal. But not as big as it used to be. Economic contribution has dropped from 40 per cent to 33 per cent since 2006 and share…
… Small business is a big deal. But not as big as it used to be. Economic contribution has dropped from 40 per cent to 33 … sleepwalking towards a big corporate economy. At the same time, insolvencies are at a record high. The Tax office, hot … owner is now 50 and only 8 per cent are under the age of 30, half what it was in the 1970s. It is in our national …
Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live
Originally published in the Canberra Times.
By Bruce Billson.
The latest report card on the economy will be no surprise to small business owners. Economic growth is barely limping along.
The combination of…
… Bruce Billson. The latest report card on the economy will be no surprise to small business owners. Economic growth is … they do business with - who might owe them money or worse be on the verge of insolvency. Requests for help from small … are earning less than the average total weekly, full-time earnings. I can't stress enough the importance for a …
Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live
… turn ads on or off and can remove or update advertising payment information. Have your account/s set up so that … app, text message or email to help with account recovery. Be aware of and follow the platform’s community guidelines. … your issue immediately with Meta and remember it may take time to resolve it. Keep a copy of the details and number of …