Small Biz Matters

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #263 Broadcast date: 20May25 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Experts and Special Guests live from Accounting & Business Expo 2025 Part 2 Welcome to Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose. I'm Alexi Boyd and I'm thrilled to be bringing you this special podcast – part 2 - recorded on the floor of the 2025 Accounting & Business Expo. There's so much to learn when you attend a conference and they're getting better every year. The accounting and business expo is definitely one for your calendar as a Must Do.. This year there was dozens or great discussions and presentations, everything from technical tutorials for advisors and keynotes from economists, to growing your practice with AI, to thought leaders discussing the future of the industry. As my fellow podcaster Dan from Two Drunk Accountants said, “You always walk away with ideas and fuel in the tank, motivation and great ideas to use in your business.” Didn't make it? Luckily Small Biz Matters was there and can bring you the Best of from ABE 2025. In today's program you'll learn from mentors and trailblazers from the accounting and business world, who are so generous with their wisdom. But it's not just for the accounting nerds out there – small businesses and all advisors will get expert advice on topics like AI for teams, how the accounting world should be tackling gender disparity, growing and selling your business and the importance of e-commerce for growth. Our expert guests include: Dale Dixon, MYOB – What's the mission for software companies to support small business through the ever-changing landscape of digitalisation in accounting? How can they leverage AI to improve their practice and for their clients? Debbie Hatumale-Uy, (The Sweet Stuff) & Martin Rodgers (Realise Business) - The importance of e-commerce in your business but not just to set and forget; recognising you're only as good as the connectivity between your engagements. How does Realise Business enhance digitalisation and the Federal Government program to support small businesses to get into digital? Michele Grisdale (Rainforest Bookkeeping), Rebecca Mihalic (businessDEPOT), Sarah Lawrance (Hot Toast) – why does gender disparity in accounting remain such a problem for the industry? Rob Marshall, General Manager ICB – new compliance requirements for bookkeepers' code for dealing with incapacity in your practice Cissy Ma – Grow and selling businesses. How to get started? What are the pitfalls? Peter Thorp, Australia Bookkeeping Network – what does an association get out of attending ABE? Dan Osbourne, Two Drunk Accountants – What's the top highlight of the Accounting and Business Expo in 2025? Why is it important for busy advisers to attend and learn.

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #262 Broadcast date: 29 Apr 2025 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Experts and Special Guests live from Accounting & Business Expo 2025 Part 1 Welcome to Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose. I'm Alexi Boyd and I'm thrilled to be bringing you this special podcast – part 1 - recorded on the floor of the 2025 Accounting & Business Expo. There's so much to learn when you attend a conference and they're getting better every year. The accounting and business expo is definitely one for your calendar as a Must Do.. This year there was dozens or great discussions and presentations, everything from technical tutorials for advisors and keynotes from economists, to growing your practice with AI, to thought leaders discussing the future of the industry. As my fellow podcaster Dan from Two Drunk Accountants said, “You always walk away with ideas and fuel in the tank, motivation and great ideas to use in your business.” Didn't make it? Luckily Small Biz Matters was there and can bring you the Best of from ABE 2025. In today's program you'll learn from mentors and trailblazers from the accounting and business world, who are so generous with their wisdom. But it's not just for the accounting nerds out there – small businesses and all advisors will get expert advice on topics like Guidance on training your team, best practice when setting up an accounting practice, AI implementation tips, small business restructuring and succession planning, advice from industry associations and the ATO themselves on what's changing for advisors and their small business clients.  So grab a cuppa and enjoy Hearing from the experts from Accounting and Business Expo 2025. Our expert guests include: Michael Morton, Assistant Commissioner for Small Business, ATO – the current focus areas of the Getting It Right Campaign Sonia Gibson, Director Accounting Heart - the things you wish you'd known when you started your own practice Sabby Gill, CEO Dext – what value does an international software company like Dext get from an expo like ABE? Andrew Quinn, CEO AVA Advisory – how advisors can work together to support small businesses facing insolvency through the small business restructuring process Clayton Wood Founder Seamless – what are the benefits of attending ABE as the founder of a new and emerging app? Wayne Wanders, The Real CFO – what have you gained from this event as an attendee at ABE? What will you take away for your business? What about the future of Startups? Dr Craig West, Succession Plus – what and when should you be thinking about succession planning? Heather Smith, (Anise Consulting), Lielette Calleja (businessDEPOT), Mary Delaney Karbon - Strong women in leadership. How can we support impact, integrity and influence?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #260 Broadcast date: 1 Apr 2025 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Experts and Special Guests live from the Press Gallery, Parliament House There is not a lot of small businesses that wait with bated breath each budget night for what is in it for them, but there is a handful of experts; peak bodies who meticulously dissect it line by line, looking out for the needs of small businesses. Each budget night, they are locked with without their devices, crammed into a room which is never big enough, fed with food that is not eaten, handed a stack of budget papers, and then asked to unpack it all in only two hours! It is a remarkable feat and takes the best minds in the country. At this year's Budget Night on 25th of Mar 2025, Small Biz Matters was lucky to be in the media lock up, alongside our colleagues from the Community Radio Network. After the lock up, I spoke to the leading economic, media, advocacy and policy experts in the country (and a handful of special political guests), unpacking the budget from purely a small business perspective. Gavan Ord, Policy Adviser at CPA Australia kindly joined me in conversation the day after to unpack all the pros and cons and what it means for Australian small businesses and of course the all-important Federal Election on May 5th.   Our expert guests include: Dai Le MP Senator David Pocock Chris Richardson from Rich Insight Matthew Addison Chair of Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) Michele O'Neil President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions Innes Willox CEO of Australian Industry Group Ross Greenwood, Business report with Sky News Helen McCabe Founder and Managing Director at FW Allegra Spender MP Senator Jacqui Lambie

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #259 Broadcast date: 25 Mar 2025 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Small Business and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry The national small business strategy was released by the federal minister the Hon Julie Collins MP in Feb 2025. Treasury's media release described as a Strategy to support Australia's nearly 2.6 million small businesses by streamlining processes, reducing duplication, and ensuring small businesses are front and centre in policy decisions. It's signed by all of the state and territory Small business ministers who promised to work more collaboratively together. It was a rather quiet media release. Those that did take notice namely the professional associations like CPA Australia panned it as being a motherhood statement, lacking in detail and failing to solve any of the problems facing small businesses right now. If small businesses are so critical to government policy, why do we continue to see a lack of action and practical solutions? What's the purpose of having a framework that doesn't offer anything new for Small business nor guarantee a more stable and predictable environment in which they can operate? It's the middle of budget week there's a looming election. In her first long form interview on the national small business strategy, The honourable Julie Collins MP joins us today to unpack, explain and answer the critics' concerns. Tell us about the national small business strategy and why it's so unique compared with what the government has done previously supports more business? The positives in the report are that it acknowledges what's currently not working and the driver behind the strategy which is harmonising regulation across the states. It's also a set of principles on which future small business strategies can be built. Can you take that a step further and suggest what sort of regulations will be targeted as a priority? Will the tangible policy changes that this strategy will hopefully bring out be led by the federal government or by states? This report was described in the press release as ground breaking but has left a lot of the leaders in small business wanting. It speaks to motherhood statements without Indicating measurable outcomes. And there's plenty of things that Small business has been asking for over the years. Would you agree there was a missed opportunity here to offer more practical actions in the strategy? Small business moves fast and the environmental factors like the economy which small businesses must react to, even faster. Given the pace of small business evolution in Australia, why are the key decision makers, the small business ministers only meeting every 6 months? Would you consider a working group that includes peak bodies in small business part of this process to really advise on what's critical to small businesses in a more timely manner? The success of this strategy heavily relies on cohesive approach by all small business ministers in all states. Given that you are a Labor government do you believe that this will continue with changes of government and changes of ministers. To find out more about the National Small Business Strategy go to the Australia's Treasury's website - HERE  

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #258 Broadcast date: 18 Mar 2025 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Dr Sherman Chan, Chief Economist at Business NSW 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 her findings or read their quarterly Business Insights data report, the science of economics becomes a little clearer. The report provides policy makers and business owners insights from small business in the form of robust, clearly presented data which is consistent in its presentation of its data. That's why we're pleased to present this information to you on a regular basis on Small Biz Matters. In March 2025, for the first time in three years, the report offering a positive lift in the confidence index. Insurance remains a top concern and we are very much in a 2 speed economy but the green shoots have started appearing alongside the RBA's interest rate cut and as Sherman says, “Confidence comes hand in hand with resilience.” Regularly briefing small business intel from the quarterly business insights report to the likes of NSW Treasury, the RBA and federal politicians, Dr Chan 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. She joins us to unpack the findings of the March 2025 report for small business owners, their advisors and policy makers here on Small Biz Matters. Tell us about the findings in this quarter's Business NSW data report. What insights have you been able to extract from the data in particular for small businesses? Is the data showing different situation for regional or Metro base businesses? What will Business NSW adjust in its priority issues when representing small businesses in NSW? How will they change their policy priorities?  What do you see as the main issues that Business NSW will be advocating for change for small businesses in the coming 12 months? Were you surprised by any of the findings? 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: Real Biz Stories ~ Episode #257         Broadcast date: 11 March 2025 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Simon Potts Owner of Boxes for Business Here on Small Biz Matters Real Biz Stories we're bringing you small business success stories designed to inspire, guide and give you the motivation to achieve your smallbiz dreams. From super heroes who can see the future of an industry or those real life heroes have overcome massive barriers to achieve their small business dreams. Today is one of those journeys. I love talking to business owners who are passionate about their business but more than that, I love chatting to business owners who are passionate about all small businesses. Those that really want to make a difference. I consider them the real business leaders – not the ones with hundreds of thousands of followers and like the sound of their own voice but because they want to take their lived experience, their love of being their own boss and improve the business lives of others. They're the advocates, the backers of business and they're the ones politicians should be listening to. So with the calling of the 2025 Federal election imminent, its time to start talking Real Biz Stories; small business is what makes this nation tick, so let's start listening. Today, we are joined live in the studio this week by an industry leader, Simon Potts. He's master of his niche and an entrepreneur proudly making a difference. So stay with us and be ready to learn from some of the best minds in the business right here on Small Biz Matters: Real Biz Stories. YOUR REAL BIZ STORY – Tell us about your business and why you started Boxes for Business? Running a successful business, particularly in logistics in Australia is challenging. But you've managed to do this for over a decade...What keeps you going? LESSONS LEARNED – Hindsight's a wonderful thing. What would you tell your entrepreneurial self if you could go back in time? What's the biggest headache as a business owner and keeps you from doing what you love? What was the lesson you learned from COVID? WHO DO YOU REACH OUT TO? - Who do you call on when you need help and support? WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER? - What do you think businesses can do to improve the sector as a whole. Do you feel that representative groups are helping to represent your needs as a business owner? What is the one policy the Government can change to make life easier and help you succeed? Simon Potts – Small Business Owner Trying to Make a Difference Simon Potts is an everyday small business owner whose firsthand experience with the challenges of running a business sparked his passion for supporting fellow entrepreneurs and speaking up for small businesses. As the managing director of Boxes for Business, he supplies businesses with quality cardboard boxes and practical packaging solutions, with a focus on sustainability. Navigating business ownership has deepened his understanding of small business pressures and motivated him to engage in national policy discussions. He has appeared briefly on ABC's Q&A and contributed to policy conversations by advocating to politicians for practical, business-friendly solutions and raising concerns with key business organisations, including Business NSW and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. Boxes for Business has been featured in a national CommBank campaign highlighting Australian small businesses and has, on occasion, supplied cardboard boxes for productions such as Celebrity Apprentice and My Kitchen Rules. For more information, visit www.boxesforbusiness.com.au or connect with him on social media.

Small Biz Matters: RealBizStories ~ Episode #256         Broadcast date: 25 Feb 2025 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Craig Rochat, Executive Director Land of Plenty Food Group There has been a myriad of government incentives and schemes to bring back manufacturing in Australia, but for some successful businesses, it never really stopped. Those with the experience, tenacity, and the industry know how survived through the ups and the downs like Covid and have been forging the way for the new wave of Australian manufacturers to come after them. One of those industry leaders is Craig Rochat, the founder of Land of Plenty Food Group. He has been working in the industry for decades both internationally and here in Australia and puts all of his passion and experience into his successful business whilst also giving back to Australia's food manufacturing industry; leading the way with innovations and change to make it better. After watching so many of Australia's small businesses flourish, and many of them disappear through the Covid period, what can be learned through the success stories like Land of Plenty? How do you survive a lockdown that affects not only your customer base, but your operations, and ability to even function your business and then emerge, thriving, taking those lessons from that crazy period to see continued growth? To explain how he did just that we are joined live in the studio this week by an industry leader, Craig Rochat. Stay with us and be ready to learn from some of the best minds in the business right here on Small Biz Matters: Real Biz Stories. Questions Tell us about your business and why you started Land of Plenty? Running a successful business, particularly in food manufacturing in Australia is challenging. What keeps you going? What is the one policy the Government can change to make your business life easier and help you succeed? What's the biggest headache as a business owner and keeps you from doing what you love? Who do you call on when you need help and support? What was the lesson you learned from COVID? What do you think businesses can do to improve the sector as a whole. Do you feel that representative groups are helping to represent your needs as a business owner? About our Guest Craig Rochat joined Lotus & Ming in January 2011, partnering with his wife and company founder, Karen Lavecky. Following a successful expansion and growth program the company re- branded in 2016 to become Land of Plenty Food Co. Craig began his career in the Hospitality and Retail industry in South Africa, Craig trained and worked as a chef before moving into management. In 2003 Craig joined The Food Fund Management Group, heading operations in Australia, The UAE and South Africa. This was followed by a 4-year stint with AHL Group as head of Gold Class Cinemas and then 4 years with David Jones as the National Buyer for the David Jones Food-halls, before partnering in his own business. Over the past 11 years Craig has driven the Land of Plenty business from strategic, operational and financial direction which is where his strength lies. The impact of covid was significant for the group with approximately 90% of customers forced to close in the 7 days post the first lockdown of March 2023. In conjunction with an Advisory Board, the group set about navigating the next 2 ½ years and developed an investment and acquisition strategy. It is from this strategy that the group delivered record sales revenue and profit. About Land of Plenty Food Co Is a gourmet food company, manufacturing premium handmade and high-volume life- style brands for both food service and retail. In addition to our branded ranges, we also provide a bespoke manufacturing service for franchise, big box and multi-location customers. Land of Plenty has recently embarked on a business expansion program through their “brands under management' strategy to develop a distribution and investment business that runs concurrently with the main owned brand business. Find out more here

Small Biz Matters: RealBizStories ~ Episode #255         Broadcast date: 11 Feb 2025 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Petko Petkov, FoodTech Founder of CHEFIN Welcome to 2025! Here on Small Biz Matters we're bringing you small business success stories designed to inspire, guide and give you the motivation to achieve your smallbiz dreams. There's loads of stories of success out there from all corners of the small business community from those who can see into the future of the industry or those who have overcome massive barriers to achieve their small business dreams right here in Australia. Today is one of those stories. Imagine being ahead of the curve. You can see the future for an industry but know that change and innovation takes time and you're planning on bringing an entire trade along for the ride. You know your ideas are solid and the future... but others doubt your journey. If you think small business is tough, imagine starting a hospitality business. And if you think hospitality  is tough, try doing breaking into an entirely new and innovative way of working in an industry! That's the story of Petko Petkov. He took a background managing global projects for industry global giants, partnered it with a passion for food and small business and turned it into an innovative tech baby. And that was long before apps and tech was a thing. In the first episode for 2025 sit back and listen to a remarkable story of resilience, innovation and pure grit.   YOUR REAL BIZ STORY – Tell us about your business and why you started Chefin? Running a successful business, particularly in hospitality in Australia is challenging. What keeps you going? LESSONS LEARNED – Hindsight's a wonderful thing. What would you tell your entrepreneurial self if you could go back in time? What's the biggest headache as a business owner and keeps you from doing what you love? What was the lesson you learned from COVID? WHO DO YOU REACH OUT TO? - Who do you call on when you need help and support? WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER? - What do you think businesses can do to improve the sector as a whole. Do you feel that representative groups are helping to represent your needs as a business owner? What is the one policy the Government can change to make life easier and help you succeed? About CHEFIN: Picture this: a world where every meal is an extraordinary experience crafted by talented chefs. Welcome to CHEFIN, a network of independent Chefs. By accessing top-tier culinary talent through the CHEFIN platform, individuals and businesses can create unforgettable dining experiences & deliver remarkable hospitality for their guests. About our guest: Founder & CEO of CHEFIN, Petko boasts 15 years of Consumer Insights & Data experience. He has led sales & operations teams in 12 countries and managed global projects for companies like BP (Carrebean oil spill PR disaster response), Uber's strategic roll out in Asia Pacific, Google's acquisition of YouTube, Nokia's launch in Africa, various NPD projects for Mars, Unilever, Pfizer & Coca-Cola. Petko was part of the Australian launch of global opinion company YouGov Plc.

Small Biz Matters: People Policy Purpose ~ Episode #254         Broadcast date: 4 Feb 2025 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Lewis Rangott, Executive Director, Corruption Prevention, ICAC For those of us old enough to remember the 90's, there used to be a political tagline – Keeping the Bastards Honest.  It belonged to a political party which has since disappeared but them became a popular slogan, used by media outlets when describing how to keep a watchful eye on those holding the purse-strings, those making decisions and those creating policy. Even though that political party no longer exists, the question remains, Who does look after the integrity of our political system and keeps a watchful eye those who pull the levers governing in particular, business? The vast majority of small businesses strive to be fair and equitable in their business practices, and we expect those in politics to behave the same way. But the reality is, just like some small businesses, they are also prone to turning a blind eye, the misuse of funds or power or dare I say it, corruption. We demand a level playing field in business and expect it from our political leaders too. In NSW, the body dedicated to investigating, exposing, and preventing corruption in the NSW public sector is the Independent Commission Against Corruption or ICAC. They promote accountability and transparency in government decision-making by identifying corrupt practices and ensuring public officials act with integrity. But what's that got to do with small business? Well, their work helps level the playing field. By rooting out corruption in processes like procurement, licensing, and regulatory compliance, the ICAC ensures small businesses can compete fairly without the need to bribe or navigate biased systems. This creates an environment of trust, where decisions are made on merit rather than influence or favouritism. To explain how and why and the impact the ICAC has on small businesses, we are joined by Lewis Rangott, Executive Director of Corruption Prevention at ICAC for I'm sure what will be a fascinating discussion about who now, as the saying goes, Keeps the Bastards Honest. PEOPLE -  can you tell me about the role of the ICAC? How do other Australian states and territories manage political fairness? Why it's an important part of keeping the political ecosystem fair and equitable for everyone?  Why is it important for should small businesses to understand about the ICAC's work? ICAC has done some outreach work, can you explain how this supports rural/regional small businesses? POLICY - when is small business owner raises concerns with a local MP or any representative of government, what sort of a response should they expect in return? How can we find a better balance to ensure small businesses have just as much access to policy makers as those who can afford to buy it? PURPOSE - Describing the circumstances in which a private sector business could be found to have engaged in corrupt conduct. Can you tell us about the Operation Mantis report and how it involved some small businesses? Can you tell us about Op Hector, which might be relevant because we recommended a debarment scheme for certain corrupt businesses (which the Government has said it would implement). About our Guest Lewis Rangott BEc (Hons) MCom started his corruption prevention career at the Commission in 2003 as a senior corruption prevention officer and principal officer. He then held senior corruption prevention roles in the public and private sectors before being appointed to the position of Executive Director, Corruption Prevention, in May 2017. Mr Rangott is also a certified fraud examiner The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is dedicated to investigating, exposing, and preventing corruption in the NSW public sector. Independent of the government of the day, the ICAC promotes accountability and transparency in government decision-making by identifying corrupt practices and ensuring public officials act with integrity. For the small business community, the ICAC's work helps level the playing field. By rooting out corruption in processes like procurement, licensing, and regulatory compliance, the ICAC ensures small businesses can compete fairly without the need to bribe or navigate biased systems. This creates an environment of trust, where decisions are made on merit rather than influence or favouritism. Additionally, the ICAC's prevention programs and advice encourage better governance, reducing opportunities for corruption to occur. By fostering a clean, ethical public sector, the ICAC indirectly supports the growth of small businesses, enabling them to thrive in a fair and transparent economic landscape.

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #253      Broadcast date: 10 Dec 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Anna Booth, Fair Work Ombudsman It's been a big year for Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose and we're finishing it off with a bang! This week we welcome Anna Booth, Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman to discuss the changes to industrial relations legislation and what it means for small businesses now and into the future. And importantly, what does it mean for the Fair Work Ombudsman agency itself? Industrial relations and the Fair Work Act have always been a minefield for small businesses but the recent changes are really overwhelming and many have said they will avoid employing anyone as a result. The Respect @ Work legislation, changes to Fair Work Act with Same Job Same Pay (tranche one and tranche two), the Right to Disconnect laws, the introduction of Family and Domestic Violence Leave, Psychosocial hazards and positive duty guidelines... it's not a far-fetched assumption to say it's a little bit confusing at times and downright out of scope for most. There's a lot of speculation in the media (both political and practical) about the impact on small business owners navigating this complex web. Will it mean more owners will shift back to under-the-counter cash in hand wages? With more complexity, will we see more workers vulnerable as small business owners struggle to navigate changes or, is this all a smokescreen and they're handling it just fine. Well, the Fair Work Ombudsman's team is on the front line of these questions from both employers and employees and there to assist both with navigating the complexities. Plus, they've made some pretty snazzy changes to their website in order to make it easier. In the final episode of People Policy Purpose it's a big show, so let's get straight into hearing from this week's expert guest, the Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth. PEOPLE – How would you like to see small businesses become more activated in regards to workplace relations? What sort of education and outreach programs do you currently have to engage with that audience? Where have you noticed small businesses have been engaging to find info on Fair Work? POLICY -  industrial relations legislation is complex. How does the fair work ombudsman take such complex legislation and translated into procedures that small businesses can follow? What would be your recommendations to small businesses listening as a good place to start? Who are the best advisors to work with, if a typical small business owner can't afford an HR lawyer on their team? COSBOA launched the PEAK resource for small businesses to navigate IR changes. How does your office interact with support services like this, offered by other agencies? PURPOSE - can you describe the role of the Fair Work Ombudsman? Is it independent and how do you keep your work at arm's length from policy makers? Do you influence their decisions and guide on best practice when it comes to considering the small business community in their deliberations? Anna Booth was appointed to the position of Fair Work Ombudsman for a 5 year term from 1 September 2023. Under the Fair Work Act 2009, Anna is responsible for promoting harmonious, productive, cooperative and compliant workplace relations. She has extensive and diverse experience in industrial relations spanning more than 45 years, working with unions, private, and public sectors. Anna was most recently Director of CoSolve Pty Ltd. She returned to CoSolve in 2020 after serving as a Deputy President of the Fair Work Commission for 8 years. Before her appointment to the Fair Work Commission, Anna combined her CoSolve directorship with non-executive directorships of ME Bank and IFM and was the non-executive chair of Slater & Gordon Ltd. Anna spent much of her early career in the union movement. She was the National Secretary of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia and a Vice President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Anna has also been Vice President Corporate Affairs at Sydney Harbour Casino and a lecturer at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management and the Australian Institute of Management. She has served on the boards of Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and NRMA Ltd. Anna is an accredited mediator under the National Mediator Accreditation System. She holds a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from the University of Sydney and is the patron of the Industrial Relations Society of NSW. The Fair Work Ombudsman's purpose is to promote harmonious, productive, cooperative and compliant workplace relations in Australia. Their functions are to outline the responsibilities set by the Fair Work Act 2009 to achieve this purpose: provide education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers, employees, regulated workers, regulated businesses, persons in a road transport contractual chain, outworkers, outworker entities and organisations promote and monitor compliance with workplace laws inquire into and investigate breaches of the Fair Work Act take appropriate enforcement action perform our statutory functions efficiently, effectively, economically and ethically. To find out more about the Fair Work Ombudsman and how they help small businesses  click HERE

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #252      Broadcast date: 26 Nov 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Patrick Coghlan, Chief Executive Officer CreditorWatch 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      Broadcast date: 19 Nov 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Renee Baltov, Director The Barberhood 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 Broadcast date: 29 Oct 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: The Hon Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman 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. Right-sized regulation - For every Cabinet submission and new policy proposal include a regulatory impact statement Prime Minister's Small Business Awards Federal Small Business and Codes List in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia to give small businesses an affordable, effective and timely alternative to defend their own economic interest where fair trading protections and reasonable commercial conduct safeguards are infringed upon Procurement & compete for government contracts Mandatory for banks and other providers to charge the lowest fee Insurances - understandable, accessible and affordable Ban unfair trading/business practices that distort competition and harm small business Small Business Commissioner and Division within FWC for smaller employers Digital platform providers standardised procedure for dispute resolution A ‘Good Business Pays' recognition and accreditation. Focus on business system and reg-tech solutions, information management (including cyber resilience, eInvoicing, data management, privacy duties and Consumer Data Right awareness, AI uses) Readily accessible and easily navigable central resource hub of ‘best of breed' actionable information 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 Broadcast date: 15 Oct 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Professor Barney Glover AO, Jobs and Skills Australia Commissioner 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 Broadcast date: 1 Oct 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Leanne Faulkner, Small Business Wellbeing Advocate and founder of Fortitude at Work 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 Broadcast date: 10 Sep 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Janelle McIntosh (Labor), Nathan Tilbury (Independent), Warren Waddell (Liberal) 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 Nathan Tilbury - Independent Warren Waddell - Liberal 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 Broadcast date: 3 Sep 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Guests, CEOs and leaders in Regional Australia at the Regional Australia Summit 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 Hon Kristy McBain MP Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, leader for Nationals in the Senate John Cleland, CEO Essential Energy Sam Dimarco , GM Regional & remote nbn Hacia Atherton CEO empowered women in trades 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 Broadcast date: 20 Aug 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Dr Sherman Chan, Chief Economist at Business NSW 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 Broadcast date: 6 Aug 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Huy Truong Co-Founder and Executive Chairman at Thrive Refugee Enterprise 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 Broadcast date: 30 July 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Liz Ritchie, CEO at Regional Australia Institute 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  

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #242 Broadcast date: 23 July 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Alexandra Cannizzaro, Founder of Platform Zero With so much going on in the world, it's time to be inspired on Small Biz Matters. Our guest is a founder, has spent most of her working life since 2014 in the industry and a changemaker. She's the sort of person that sees a problem and knows that she's the right person to fix it. As the old adage goes, if you want something done right do it yourself. We all know that sustainability and the responsibility of business go hand-in-hand and Alex is one of those young, inspiring people, who have really taken the bull by the horns, and made it their mission to implement change. She is the Founder of Platform Zero; an expert in redirecting and repurposing food waste and passionate about tackling climate change and rising prices. She knows the problem and has lived experience in the fresh food, wholesale and the premium quality produce industry. Now made it her life's mission to create a successful sustainability business, tackling climate change, and rising prices called Platform Zero. She'll join us to inspire, and offer some tips on how we can do better in our homes and businesses and get involved with great organisations like Platform Zero. PEOPLE –  Tell us about your small business journey and how you came up with the concept for your startup. As a young person trying to start a business in Australia, what has been your biggest hurdle?  You mentioned during your appearance at the COSBOA summit this year how a lack of competition in the grocery sector impacts small business like yours. If you could talk directly to the CEOs of the giant businesses out there, what would you say to them to encourage them to make a Farah for young people and young business is trying to get started in the industry? POLICY -   If there was one thing, the government could do to reduce the red tape in your industry what would you suggest to them?  You are involved in the supply chain in the grocery sector. Clearly there are major problems with how this is streamlined, despite big business being in control of those processes for so long. What small business attributes could big businesses learn from to improve the process PURPOSE we all know how difficult it is to start and grow a business here. What keeps you going? What drives you to succeed and where would you like to be in 10 years time? How would you like to influence the industry Alex Cannizzaro is Founder of Platform Zero; and expert in redirecting and repurposing food waste and passionate about tackling climate change and rising prices. At Platform Zero, I have developed technology solutions that cover the whole supply chain ecosystem to redirect waste from landfills and re-purpose them for a wider range of purposes. At Platform Zero we hit all your ESG targets and we do it fast. Where it all started? The fruit and veg industry. My family has been involved in the fruit and vegetable industry for over 70 years, covering the entire ecosystem both nationally and globally. I am the third generation within the family business, and I am responsible for steering this industry in a more sustainable, digitally advanced, and environmentally friendly direction in order to contribute to a more sustainable future. To find out more about Platform Zero, check it out HERE

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #241 Broadcast date: 16th July 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Wes Lambert CPA, FGIA, CAE, MAICD and CEO Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association Wes Lambert describes himself as passionate about advancing the interests of the hospitality industry through advocacy, education, and leadership. He has over 24 years of experience in the hospitality industry, a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, as well as the skills and tools to deliver solutions that meet the needs of businesses. But more than that he's a passionate advocate. He lives and breathes the sector as a leader who has dedicated decades to bringing the industry to great heights and more than once, ensuring its survival. But right now, the industry he loves so dearly and has made his life's mission to see succeed, is on its knees. So, why is it now, even after the ravages of COVID and massive downturns in the economy like the GFC are thought leaders like Wes Lambert talking about devastation of an entire sector like never before? And what can Wes, with his deep knowledge of the policy space push for, to ensure survival of the industry – not just of the fittest? This isn't just about $8 lattes anymore. This is about jobs, high streets filled with empty shop windows and the very survival of communities and our way of life. And Wes Lambert is just the leader, advocate and experienced passionate policy influencer who cafes and restaurants need fighting in their corner. PEOPLE - Tell us about the business owners you represent. Why is it critical for Australian communities and the economy that cafes and hospitality businesses get support right now? Do they need a hand out or a help up? And what does that look like? POLICY - In a perfect world, in which department would you want to start to improve policy to make it easier to run a hospitality business in Australia? Which areas need the most work? Do you think the Australian Govt is really listening to the needs of small business? PURPOSE - There's been a lot in the media recently about the dire state of the industry. Is it as a result of inflation, the lag from COVID closures, restaurant input costs or all of the above? What do policy makers need to do urgently to save hospitality small businesses on the brink? As the CEO of the Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association, Wes Lambert is passionate about advancing the interests of the hospitality industry through advocacy, education, and leadership. With over 24 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, as well as the skills and tools to deliver solutions that meet the needs of businesses. Wes Lambert is the former CEO of the 2020 Association of the Year Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA), winner of the AuSAE 2020 Influencer Award, and a board member of several industry bodies, including the Australian Foodservice Advocacy Body, the Council of Small Business Organizations Australia, and the Children's Tumour Foundation. He holds a CPA, a FGIA, and a CAE, and am a Member of AICD. He is also a US Army veteran, an author, and a father of three.  The Restaurant & Cafe segment of the Hospitality Industry has been under constant threat & pressure as Taxes, Inflation, Wage rises, Migration  & Staffing Challenges, and Relentless Rent Increases decimate business after business  throughout Australia. Our purpose is to Drive Change and be the voice of Restaurants & Cafes by uniting industry leaders, fostering collaboration, and driving impactful legislative and policy shifts to benefit Restaurants & Cafes. By amplifying the voices of our Members and advocating for their interests, we aim to shape policies and regulations that foster a thriving and sustainable Hospitality Industry. Join us as we embark on this journey to redefine the future of Restaurant & Cafe advocacy in Australia, one Member and one change at a time. Together, we can make a real and lasting difference. To find out more go to: www.arca.org.au

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #240 Broadcast date: 9th July 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Live from the Fintech Australia 2024 CDR Summit This week we were live from Fintech Australia's CDR Summit for a very interesting discussion on why small biz mattes and why does Consumer Data Rights matter to our community – the advisors, the small businesses and the Fintech industry. Panellists were Eric Tsang, CEO and Co-founder Skript Grant Augustin, Managing Director SISS Data Services Simeon Duncan, Senior Manager of International Corporate Affairs, Intuit It's been a hard fought regulatory battle to get us to this point and as you'll learn in today's discussion there's still a long way to go. So, what can we learn from other CDR and open banking from the rest of the world, where are the opportunities to collaborate? How can the Fintech industry make the most of this change to adapt and evolve to meet growing data needs of business? What are the missed opportunities to the Aust economy if we ignore CDR's power and the potential to unlock the digital economy? We need to ensure small businesses and their accountants and bookkeepers can effectively engage with the system and make data valuable and meaningful.  Today's discussion from our experts is about empowerment, enablement and overcoming the barriers. Let's here from the experts as they introduce themselves and their expertise when it comes to Consumer Data Rights. PEOPLE - What is the difference between CDR and bank feed in terms of a small business' access and right to data?   What's been the advocacy journey to get to this point and who has been involved and why? What do these changes to CDR mean for small businesses and the Fintech industry in the future? POLICY - What's the difference between bank feed and, open banking and screen scraping and why does it matter? Does the “perfect scenario” exist anywhere else in the world? Why is data quality integral to small business, government and policy making?  How important are bank feeds to cash flow and accurate / informed decision making? PURPOSE – What is Consumer Data Rights and how did we get here? Who has lobbied to ensure small businesses, advisors and Fintech to ensure there was minimal disruption to bank feeds and the digitisation of all small businesses? The 2024 Fintech Australia Consumer Data Rights Conference's aim was to build awareness about the Consumer Data Right reform so more organisations across sectors can be involved in future proofing its success. It also aimed to achieve a high level of technical education for stakeholders on how Open Innovation can evolve the emerging Consumer Data Right ecosystem towards economy wide Open Data reality. It successfully showcased CDR opportunities, current and potential use-cases and connecting the established ecosystem with a broader commercial audience. full day of plenary and breakout sessions to explore the vast potential of the Consumer Data Right and highlight potential use-cases and commercial opportunities. It captured a broad audience spanning the digital economy, including fintechs and large financial institutions which are interested in but not yet fully harnessing the CDR. The event provided opportunities for players from across this burgeoning ecosystem to connect and discuss the vast opportunities CDR provides for the future digital economy. Featuring local and international experts, policy makers, founders and builders will take to the stage to discuss the future of the CDR and showcase the most exciting emerging use cases. The Major sponsor was Intuit.

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #239 Broadcast date: 2nd July 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Dominique Lamb, the QLD Small Business Commissioner Queensland is a unique part of the world, not only for its natural beauty, incredible tourism industry, but it's people. And it's Queensland's people that are at the heart of small business. From agriculture to retail to tourism to metro and regional areas they are as diverse as any other part of Australia. Unique to Queensland is their passionate, experienced small business commissioner, Dominique Lamb. Formally the CEO to the National Retailers Association. She's brought with her a wealth of experience and passion for her state to deliver some incredible achievements after only a couple of years in office. Cheers tenacious, empathetic and loves her state and the diversity of small businesses within it. She joins us on Small Biz Matters today to talk about those achievements in two short years, and the difficulties facing small businesses in Queensland now and into the future. Plus we unpack the recently published report and first of its kind study: Understanding the lifecycle and mindset of Queensland small businesses. Its been nominated for an international award! We will ask what did the agency learn about small business in QLD and why was it so important to inform through this publication? PEOPLE Can you tell the audience why you're so passionate about small business and what you've done over the years to support? The reality is governments have a lot of impact on small business is through regulation. So realistically, is there anything that can be done, any thought leadership thinking to improve this situation? POLICY - What are your key policy priorities for businesses in QLD? In your opinion, is there a good place to start for small businesses who want to be more involved in reducing red tape and improving policy in QLD? What successes have you recently had?  QLD seems to be at the mercy of the impacts of climate change. What are the key policy priorities here of your office to support small businesses who experience its impacts? PURPOSE - Tell us about your recently published report First of its kind study: Understanding the lifecycle and mindset of Queensland small businesses, I've heard it's nominated for an international award! What did you learn about small business in QLD and why was it so important to inform through this publication? Can you tell the audience about the role of the commissioner, how it is independent and how you influence policy in the federal Govt? Who are the main advocates who support your work and how does your office engage with them? Dominique Lamb assumed the role of Small Business Commissioner in December 2022. With a robust background in industrial relations and employment law, she brings a unique blend of legal expertise and advocacy skills to her position. Dominique's primary objective is to enhance the operating environment for small businesses in Queensland and to reduce the time and costs associated with resolving disputes involving small business. In her capacity as Commissioner, Dominique has embarked on a proactive engagement strategy, collaborating closely with governmental bodies, industry organisations, and regional stakeholders. One of Dominique's notable achievements has been the significant expansion of the Small Business Friendly (SBF) Program, which now boasts participation from 49 Councils. Additionally, she has taken proactive steps to establish three new roundtables, providing platforms for industry representatives and regional stakeholders to voice their concerns and contribute to policy discussions. Beyond her professional endeavours, Dominique is deeply committed to social causes, particularly those addressing domestic and family violence. To find out more go to: https://qsbc.qld.gov.au/

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #238 Broadcast date: 25th June 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Hon Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman I get cross when people say there's no one representing small businesses. Not only do we have great business leaders and industry associations speaking up (often as volunteers or with relatively low funding or pay) but we have business peaks like COSBOA standing up for ONLY the concerns and needs of small business. By far the most empowered and collaborative of our representatives is the tenacious, independent and laser focused Ombudsman, Bruce Billson. With fewer resources than is needed the ASBFEO team works across activities like research, policy submissions, constant engagement with small businesses, outreaches into community, all in order to effectively advocate for all of us. In today's show, we get our Small Biz Matters exclusive update from the Ombudsman on recent activities and research, plus we get Bruce's take on the recent May 2024 federal budget. In the world of digital marketing and social media ASBFEO has been busy. Complaints from small businesses about social media platforms and marketing companies targeting the small end of town have been increasing dramatically. Thanks to shockingly poor processes to protect their clients (the small businesses), its relatively easy to hack a social media business account. This can be incredibly damaging. And Marketing companies looking after websites aren't doing any better: often offering  poor customer service and then threatening small businesses if they try to leave. On the issue of procurement: Government spends billions and a very small proportion of that goes to small business. Shouldn't small businesses have a bigger piece of the pie? Why is it so difficult to get the Government as a client? Because the rules are complicated and as Bruce describes “it's in-crowdy”. Plus, agencies tend to favour the usual suspects (the Big 4). The focus of ASBFEO's report was all about not just saying we should do better but invest in, create policies and monitor the procurement process so the “doing better” actually happens. Now that the Buy Australian Plan is in place ASBFEO is working to put more profits back into Australian communities, and that means small businesses. ASBFEO has also been advertising the Flinders University independent statutory review of the family and domestic violence leave entitlement and how small businesses can get involved and have their voices heard. He makes a good point that the impact on small businesses is disproportionate given all the double handling of work, costs and those wanting to do the right thing navigating a complex system. Plus, we also have a good chat about the May 2024 Budget. Bruce's thoughts about backing small business are inspiring; let's amplify his work and back this great business advocate. PEOPLE -   you've recently released the ASBFEO report into Government Procurement in which you make 11 recommendations. What are they and why are you critical of the equity of procurement for small businesses? What exactly do small businesses have to do in order to gain access to the billions of dollars of government spending? Is the process to prohibitive? And which given the recent federal budget, which dept has the biggest opportunities for small businesses? POLICY - Flinders University is conducting an independent statutory review of the family and domestic violence leave entitlement. How can small businesses get involved and why is it important to hear from them at this point in the process? PURPOSE - What did you think of the May 2024 Federal Budget for small businesses? With the economy at such a low, did they go far enough to support small businesses in their hour of need and what could be done to improve their lives and make it easier to run a small business in Australia right now? 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 #237 Broadcast date: 18th June 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Will Day, Deputy Commissioner Small Business at Australian Taxation Office We are pleased to be joined on Small Biz Matters by those in government who are really at the coalface of supporting small business. Today we welcome Will Day, Assistant Commissioner in charge of small business at the Australian Tax Office. So why did we ask the ATO on the program you may ask? Well, as difficult as it may be, whilst small businesses struggle to keep their doors open in the current economic climate, it's also important that they continue to work on meeting their obligations. We all know that tax and compliance is difficult and unnecessary burden on small business but it is also critical ensuring that small businesses a vital role in the economy. But whilst we all struggle with compliance and making sure everything is in order there is a group of businesses who do the wrong thing; making it unfair and inequitable for the rest of us. The ATO takes a considered and careful approach when dealing with small businesses, doing their best to really understanding what they're going through. Critical to this is their relationship with the advisor community and associations who speak openly and frankly about what their small businesses; and how the policy burden can be better administered by the ATO to make the process as simple as possible. So let's have a listen to what Will Day has to say about the way they support, work with advisors, the latest digital developments on the ATO website and what they're doing to stamp out software that gives some small businesses and unfair advantage. PEOPLE - How does the tax office engage with the small business industry groups and associations to understand the needs of small businesses and the best way to support their members to meet their tax obligations? How important is it to engage with advisors, and is that a different conversation?  POLICY - What are your current priorities which the ATO developing with these groups to refine and make fit for purpose for small business? "The new Commissioner mentioned at the COSBOA summit the amount of collectable debt is now at over $50 billion. 65% of all collectable debt owed relates to small business and 74% of that relates to activity statements. What's your message to small businesses listening today who have a debt with the ATO and are not sure what they should do?" PURPOSE - How does the ATO work with other government departments and regulators to streamline processes and make it easier and lessen the reporting burden on small businesses? Are there any new tech developments in the pipeline? With over 25 years' experience in the Australian Taxation Office, Will Day has performed many senior roles leading its support to client experiences. As ATO Deputy Commissioner for Small Business, Will is focused on helping small business owners get things right from the start by making it easier to comply with their tax and superannuation obligations as well as helping to improve overall business literacy and skills through education.  Will has responsibility for delivering a program of work that is focused on collaborating with partners to design a digital-first approach to make it easier for small businesses meet their obligations. Will is also focused on making sure there is a level playing field for the vast majority of small businesses that do pay their fair share by looking closely at activities in the shadow economy.   Prior to his current role, Will had senior roles focused on improving the quality of the ATO's technical public advice and guidance as well as roles supporting the integrity of the tax and superannuation systems. To find out more go to: ATO Small Business Newsroom

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #236 Broadcast date: 4 June 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Roger Gregg, Sabby Gill, Aly Garrett We all know that data, in the wrong hands can be destructive. But we also know the power of data to make us more efficient, save us time and the potential to make us better advisors and business owners. There's a tug of war going on right now. As small businesses, advisors and Fintech companies, how do we work together to simultaneously embrace data's potential and control its misuse? How do we take into account the needs of businesses and consumers and the advisors in the middle? And who owns the data anyway? In today's panel we unpacked all this and more including AI's impact on small businesses and software development and what Australian policy makers can learn from the rest of the world to resolve the issues around data privacy. We're lucky to have such an esteemed group of guests. Our expert panel consists of leaders in the fields of accounting and small business, Fintech Founders and renowned international software, data and AI policy experts. Roger Gregg - Hospitality leader and founder of software companies like LightYear Sabby Gill - CEO of Dext and Chair of the international Digital Leaders professional network, Aly Garrett FCA - All In Advisory Architect and Accounting Adventures Podcast host. This podcast was recorded back in 2023 at the Xero Mastermind Community Precon and co-hosted in collaboration with Heather Smith, Host of Accounting Apps podcast and international speaker on AccountTech. PEOPLE –  - How should or could advisors embrace AI to make their practices run more efficiently (yes we do include some good practical examples). What is the reality and do small businesses in different industries even have the time to implement AI and what happens to them if they get left behind? POLICY -   Potentially, we could be looking at more regulations placed on accountants and bookkeepers as government knee-jerk-reacts to community concerns. What will be the impact on advisors and clients if regulations tighten in data privacy with the number and severity of cyber attacks? PURPOSE -   The impact of CDR consumer data rights could have been disastrous for advisors and their clients; luckily we dodged a bullet here in Australia but it's a great example of how too much restriction can strangle innovation. From the perspective of those who rely heavily on data to function (the advisors and their clients) what would happen? Roger Gregg is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in management accounting, manufacturing, retail, fintech and hospitality. Born in Northern Ireland, prior to moving to Australia, Roger was involved in the manufacturing sector in Belfast, and was Chairman of the Northern Ireland Furniture Group. Then when he moved to Australia in 2007, Roger was recruited to be Director of Operations for Keystone Hospitality Group, taking the group to win the prestigious Australian Group Operator of the Year award in 2008, 2009 and 2010.  It was there that he saw (and felt) the need for Accounts Payable automation and in 2011 he co-founded the Accounts Payable tech start-up invitbox with his brother Chris.  Despite neither of them having any tech experience, invitbox was awarded Xero's Emerging App of the Year for Australia in 2013, just prior to being acquired by Intuit in 2014.  Building upon their previous success they founded Lightyear in 2018 to continue their mission of solving Accounts Payable headaches for SMEs. The company operates both domestically and internationally, with a staff of 60 offices in Belfast and Sydney, servicing 6,000 businesses across 22 countries. In addition to Lightyear, Roger is involved in a number of hospitality businesses as a partner in House Made Hospitality, as well as helping Bondi Brewing Company take it to the big guys. Aly Garrett FCA is a multi-award winning fellow chartered accountant, tax agent and podcast host (check out Aly & Andrew's All Aussie Accounting Adventures) who founded All In Advisory Pty Ltd in 2018. All In has won Boutique Firm and Start up Firm of the Year at Accountants Daily and are Xero Cloud Champions of the Year. Aly has worked in the accounting industry for 30 years, with big, small, traditional and innovative firms and everything in between and has helped many of them work through their digital journeys.  She knows the challenges and opportunities this can present and likes to use her experience to bring positive change in our accounting and bookkeeping communities. Sabby Gill was appointed CEO of Dext in October 2022 and brings more than 35years' experience in the technology sector, spanning sales, operations, development, support and customer service.  He has spent his career supporting businesses of all sizes with technology that looks to unlock their potential—both at home and in international markets. Prior to Dext, Sabby was CEO of Thomas International, which is a leading talent assessment and psychometric provider.  Other past roles also included UK & Ireland Managing Director of Sage, in addition to senior executive leadership roles at Epicor, IGT, HP, CA Technologies, Oracle, PeopleSoft and Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC).Sabby currently is a member of the UK's Digital Economy Council with Secretary of State, and the Chair of Digital Leaders Advisory Board, which has over 180,000 members across the UK. To find out more about the best Accounting podcast out there, check it out HERE

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #235 Broadcast date: 28 May 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: Gavan Ord, Policy Adviser CPA Australia What could be better than one Budget Special?? Two!! That's right, we are the only dedicated small business policy and advocacy analysis radio program so its important we bring you the budget experts to really help you understand what the Budget means for you. If you missed last week's episode, we had a jam-packed show filled with experts on budget night for their immediate reactions and a great unpacking of the budget from David Harding from Business NSW. So, to recap, there's not a lot of small businesses that wait with bated breath each budget night for what's in it for them, but there is a handful of experts looking out for the needs of small businesses in every single budget. They include Peak business groups, community organisations, industry groups and advocates from all over the country. Making it more difficult for small business advocates, is the fact that small businesses are affected by spending decisions every single policy area and every single government department. This week, we take the advisors' perspective; Gavan Ord from CPA Australia gives us an analysis from what it means in terms of small business investment, planning and the future of small business policy for advocates. Gavan is one of those experts who has been in many lock-ups, and understands how to read the papers with an added bonus capability – he's an accountant! Plus, we unpack a great piece of research from CPA Australia - their 2023-24 Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey. The research found that businesses owned by under 40s are more likely to invest in new technologies, are more likely to innovative, are less risk averse, and ultimately, are more likely to grow. Getting more young people into business – and nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit – can only be a good thing for the economy in the long-run. Problem is, we have an aging population of small business people in this country; so what are the policy settings the Government needs to consider to support them and enable them to handover the mantle to a new generation of entrepreneurs? Let's find out on Small Biz Matters this week. PEOPLE –  Can you tell us about the recent survey conducted by CPA Australia, annual Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey and what the key findings were? What does the Govt think of when they think of innovation? What impact do accountants have on the everyday lives of small businesses and why are they so important in the co-design of policy? POLICY - Why should policy makers pay attention to this data, and what should it mean for the emphasis for self employment assistance programs? How does an organisation like CPA Australia consult to Government and what other key areas are you working on right now? Does it go beyond Tax & Super? PURPOSE -  What are the positives from this research about the future of small businesses in Australia? Or, should we be worried about growth and innovation? There is clearly a strong link between migration and small business success. This data proves it. Gavan is an expert on business and the economy, with a special interest in small and medium enterprises in Australia and Asia. Gavan meets frequently with governments to give CPA Australia's perspective of the impact of policy changes on the business sector. He also makes regular appearances in media commenting on business conditions and the economy. CPA Australia's 2023-24 Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey found that businesses owned by under 40s are more likely to invest in new technologies, are more likely to innovative, are less risk averse, and ultimately, are more likely to grow. Getting more young people into business – and nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit – can only be a good thing for the economy in the long-run. A link to the full survey results, the Australian summary and infographic, and the characteristics on high-growth small businesses can be found here

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #234 Broadcast date: 21 May 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guests: David Harding, Executive Director BusinessNSW and expert guests from the Budget Lockup There's not a lot of small businesses that wait with bated breath each budget night for what's in it for them, but there is a handful of experts looking out for the needs of small businesses in every single budget. They include Peak business groups, community organisations, industry groups and advocates from all over the country. Each budget night, they are locked with without their devices, crammed into a room which is never big enough, fed with food that isn't eaten, and handed a stackof budget papers, and then asked to dissect and unpack them in only two hours. It's a remarkable feat and takes the best minds in the country. Making it more difficult for small business advocates, is the fact that small businesses are affected by spending decisions every single policy area and every single government department. On Budget Night 14th of May 2024 Small Biz Matters was lucky to be in the media lock up, unpacking the budget from a small business perspective, surrounded by policy experts from the Community Radio Network, The Wire and leading educational institutions. After the lock up, I spoke to a number of leading economic experts in the country, unpacking the budget from a small business perspective.  Then this week I was lucky enough to unpack the budget with David Harding, Executive Director from BusinessNSW, who dissected it from all angles and all policy areas. We start the show with the small business segment on The Wire, live from the studios of the Press Gallery in Parliament House. PEOPLE –  Why does the Federal budget mean so much to small businesses? Do you think they listen in, or do they rely on organisations like BusinessNSW to unpack and make the budget info relatable? POLICY - Tell us about the Federal Budget and what small businesses need to know. Were there any nice surprises or was most of the information generally inconsequential? What are the major areas where the Government has offered support? PURPOSE -  Do you think it will  it encourage innovation, growth and survival? What does the budget mean for BusinessNSW? How will the announcements make you change direction in your policy and advocacy work representing small businesses? Chris Richardson, Australia's leading independent Economist Bran Black CEO of Business Council Australia John Grimes CEO of Smart Energy Council Georgie Dent CEO of Parenthood David Harding, Executive Director from BusinessNSW As Executive Director at Business NSW, David leads a number of diverse and capable teams ranging right across NSW's cities and regions, and also sits on the national business Executive Leadership Team. He is dedicated to ensuring a strong economic and social future for all NSW communities. He is also co-Chair of the Committee for Sydney Commission into the Future of the Sydney CBD, represents customer's interests at the Australian Energy Regulator and sits on a wide range of other trade and industry groups, policy teams and government boards and taskforces. A supporter of good social investment, he is a Director of Engineering Aid Australia and works with many other sporting and community charities and foundations in NSW. Business NSW is focused on the well-being and sustainable growth of our business community. Our purpose is to provide a strong, clear leadership voice for businesses on important economic and financial issues. Working closely with our members and government, we identify key challenges and develop practical policy solutions to ensure that businesses across NSW prosper and grow. To find out more about their budget coverage go HERE

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #233 Broadcast date: 14 May 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Dr Brendan French, CEO of Energy Consumers Australia There are some big changes coming down the pipeline for small business; and it involves an input every business needs: Energy. Whether you're located in a small country town or the middle of a major shopping centre in the middle of the CBD, the energy transition is marching towards net zero with or without you. And the changes will affect many aspects of your business; from the equipment you use to make stuff, to how and where you get your energy from. And once again policy makers are grappling with how to include small businesses in the energy transition. So what is the transition and how has it already affected your business? What's in store in the future? Are costs only going to go up? And what about the businesses who have no power over their power? Luckily there is an organisation which represents small businesses when it comes to the cost of energy, changing to renewables and navigating the maze of unrelatable information for small businesses. Today we welcome Dr Brendan French, the CEO of Energy Consumers Australia to answer all those questions about Energy and small business and explain how ECA is advocating for small businesses in the energy policy space. PEOPLE –  Tell the audience about how ECA works to advocate for small businesses in the energy system? How does it influence decision makers in Government and what is its relationship with regulators to make the energy system fair and equitable for small business? How do small businesses think about energy and how does the Government think about small businesses? Is there a disconnect? POLICY - what are the key considerations for small business and energy policy? What do policy makers need to consider as the priorities? PURPOSE -  The clean energy transition is upon us but many small businesses don't know what their role is or what deadlines they have to meet. Is there anything the Government can do to keep them informed? Dr Brendan French is a leading consumer protection and dispute resolution expert, with extensive executive experience across corporate, academic, public, and community spheres. Prior to joining Energy Consumers Australia as CEO, Brendan championed consumer interests as the Commonwealth Bank's Executive General Manager Customer and Community Advocacy and before that as Deputy Ombudsman at the Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON). He also taught in the Law School at Western Sydney University, was a Board director for a number of consumer and charitable organisations, and is a published author of academic and popular texts. Brendan holds a doctorate in the History of Ideas and has been awarded for his innovative work on fostering trust between community, corporates and government. To find out more go to: https://energyconsumersaustralia.com.au/

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #231 Broadcast date: 30 April 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Hon Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Back in April 2024, Small Biz Matters was lucky enough to attend the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia's National small business summit. COSBOA is the peak body representing the entire small business community in policy, advocacy and media on the national stage.   It speaks directly to ministers and departments and policy makers everywhere. So you can imagine the importance placed on its national summit – which each year the opportunity to set the national policy agenda for small business; which as our regular listeners will know, is EVERY area of policy. And this year they listened with leaders including the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in their speeches speaking of the importance of small business to our economy and our nation.   The closing remarks from the Summit were presented by Hon Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. He spoke about the policy areas covered by the conference but also highlighted the desperate need for well thought out policy measures by Government to secure the future of small business in the economy, our communities and in our lives. PEOPLE –  Who did we hear from at the Summit - the politicians, the regulators and the advocates. POLICY - What new policy suggestions were made? What are the policy priorities for small businesses (NOT the Government) right now? PURPOSE -  Who REALLY has the finger on the pulse of small businesses? What SHOULD policy settings be trying to achieve for Australia's 2.2million small businesses... And what about the self employed? 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 #231 Broadcast date: 30 April 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Gina Cass-Gottlieb, Chair, Australian Competition Consumer Commission Competition is a major part of law reform which affects all small businesses. Whether it's a small grocer in a regional town or a newsagent in a major city's shopping centre, having a level playing field is paramount to small business community survival. And without it, there is a serious impact on communities themselves. A reduction in foot traffic as a new shopping mall is built nearby, changes to infrastructure which bypasses a regional town's city centre in an effort to improve traffic, a big box retailer moving into the middle of town... these changes not only affect small businesses but their ability to grow, hire more people and continue to support their community. So, who's thinking of small businesses when these laws are being designed? It's the ACCC. The Australian Competition Consumer Commission's role has unique powers to administer and enforce the 2010 Competition and Consumer Act and other legislation promoting competition. Whether it's a big giant company gobbling up the competition with view for a bigger market share or a multinational company buying land to lock out their smaller competitors, or a large shareholder led conglomerate sidestepping competition laws by moving into a different segment the ACCC is keeping an eye on them to level the playing field. Today we welcome Gina Cass-Gottlieb, Chair of the ACCC to tell us about the important work they are conducting to ensure small business voice and perspective is heard in these complex negotiations.   PEOPLE –  Can you explain the unique powers of the ACCC? What are the benefits to small business to have a strong, vigorous competition in their sector? POLICY - Often the public reads about multiple enquiries into aspects of competition (in this instance the grocery sector); ACCC, Treasury, sometimes ACTU. Is it necessary? Isn't this a duplication? How do ACCC enquiries differ? the franchising code of conduct is administered by the accc and was recently reviewed by a former deputy chair of the ACCC, Dr Michael Schaper. It's endorsed the ACCC's suggestion to move to a licensing system. Where are we up to with that proposal? PURPOSE -  The law regarding unfair contract terms has recently been amended to improve protections for SB. How's that working out? Should small businesses fear the ACCC? After all, many see the sale of the business as succession planning and don't want any limitations placed on this as a possibility for their business. Can you explain the merger reform and this will benefit small business? How will increased regulation not mean more red tape? Gina Cass-Gottlieb commenced her 5-year appointment as Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on 21 March 2022. Before she joined the ACCC Gina was a senior and founding partner of Gilbert and Tobin's competition and regulation team. Gina has over 25 years' experience advising on a large number of merger, competition and regulatory matters in Australia and New Zealand. She is widely recognised as one of Australia's leading competition and regulatory experts. Gina was appointed by the Commonwealth Treasurer to the RBA's Payments System Board in 2013 and again inin 2018. Gina was appointed to the Financial Regulator Assessment Authority in September 2021 and for 10 years Gina was a director on the board of the Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation. Gina chairs the Digital Platforms Board and Financials Service Inquiry Board, and is a member of the Consumer Data Right Committee, Enforcement Committee, Infrastructure Committee and Communication Committee, Mergers Review Committee and the East Coast Gas Market Board, Electricity Markets Inquiry Board and Supermarkets Inquiry Board. Gina is also a member of the Bureau of the OECD Competition Committee. Gina holds Bachelor of Economics and Laws degrees from the University of Sydney and was a Fulbright Scholar at UC Berkeley from 1986 to 1987, obtaining a Master of Laws degree, majoring in US competition law, comparative constitutional law, financial institutions regulation and securities regulation. Gina is the first female Chair of the ACCC since it was established as an independent statutory authority in 1995.

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #230 Broadcast date: 23 April 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Tim Beresford CEO Australian Financial Security Authority So many acronyms, so little small business time. But the PPSR is one you and your advisors should know about. Why? Because it's free, it helps to protect your assets and your business. PPSR stands for the Personal Property Securities Register which is an official government register; a public noticeboard of security interests in personal property that is managed by the Registrar of Personal Property Securities. According to the Attorney General's department it must be reliable, managed responsibly and is accessible. But that's not much use if small businesses, the ones who can benefit the most, don't know about it. So, who the AFSA is and what they regulate and enforce, how the PPSR came about and what important role advisors and associations can play in assisting small businesses to manage their assets? The AFSA also manages the application of bankruptcy laws in Australia, which right now, is a big deal for small businesses. According to CreditorWatch's most recent research, Australia is on track to see 10,000 small businesses collapse by the end of June, the worst number in 11 years. CreditorWatch has said the number of businesses in external administration has hit a record high. Today we welcome Tim Beresford, the CEO of the Government regulator in charge of Australian Financial Security Authority to tell us about the importance of their work in engaging with small business in all industries and how they're working harder to ensure more small businesses can take advantage of the PPSR and understand better the regulations around bankruptcy and personal property.   PEOPLE –  Tim, tell us about yourself and how you've come to be an advocate for small business in this space? How can small business people best utilise the personal property security services in their businesses? Who should they go to for advice? POLICY - Bankruptcy and personal property securities laws seem like a personal problem but we know the Government is very concerned about small businesses too. How has the COVID insolvency laws impacted the current state of small businesses? PURPOSE -  How did the PPSR come about and what problem is it trying to solve? Who does AFSA regulate and enforce? Advisors play an important role in assisting small businesses to manage their assets - how can the Aust Financial Security Authority and advisors work better together to help small businesses to manage their assets? Tim Beresford is the Chief Executive at the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA), having joined the agency in mid-2022. AFSA's role is to support a strong credit system for Australia and is a visible, modern and contemporary regulator. The agency administers and regulates the personal insolvency and personal property securities systems and manages criminal assets.  Tim is also the immediate past Chair of the Benevolent Society (TBS), Australia's oldest non-Indigenous not for profit. Previously, Tim has held the roles of Acting Chief Executive of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Deputy Vice- Chancellor of Macquarie University and First Assistant Secretary of the Social Policy Division in Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He has significant leadership experience in the higher education, government, not-for-profit, financial services and professional services sectors. His areas of expertise include strategy, governance, public policy, change management and organisational design. He holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours), Bachelor of Laws, a Masters of Philosophy (International Relations), and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Relations) and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. To find out more go to https://www.afsa.gov.au

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #229 Broadcast date: 16 April 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Dr Michael Schaper, Board Chair, small business advocate and policy specialist There is a sector of the small business community that is even more regulated than others but there is a good reason for that. Due to some bad actors in the sector in the past, Franchising has been under scrutiny and so has the Government and the way the Franchise code is managed. It's not just stock or a shop or a brand you're buying, you're entering a complex contract which is in fact a long term relationship. And like long-term relationships, things can sometimes turn sour. Franchisees can sometimes be the victim of poor contract terms, unfair, or inequitable relationships with the company they paid a lot of money to, for the privilege of using their brand and not get the relationship they paid for. According to the Franchise Council of Australia, franchising is a $146bn sector and there are approximately 1,200+ different franchise systems, over 800,000 franchised businesses and the sector employs more than 500,000 people. Ans that's a big chunk of the economy we need to get right. In 2014, the government introduced The Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes-Franchising) Regulation 2014 (Franchising Code) regulates the conduct between participants in franchising which is regulated by the ACCC. The code was created to establish walls between the two parties to make the relationship more fair and equitable. Today we welcome Michael Schaper, who's going to tell us all about the 2024 franchise code review. He was one of Australia's first small business commissioner's, a previous deputy commissioner for the ACCC, named COSBOA's small business champion in 2009, and a passionate advocate for small businesses around Australia. PEOPLE –  You have been involved in small business policy, making and codesign for many years; tell us about your journey and why you're so passionate about helping the sector. Can you tell us about the franchising community and what impact and benefit does it provides to the economy? POLICY - Why does the franchisee code exist? And how does influence policy in other areas when government is making decisions about small business? How many reviews have their been and in the past, what has changed? PURPOSE -  What were your key recommendations as part of the review, and which would be the most important to be implemented to help the sector? Michael has substantial experience across the small business sector. He served as one of the country's first Small Business Commissioners (for the ACT), held the first designated professorial chair in small business at an Australian university, and was the inaugural Deputy Chair (small business) within the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission. In 2009 he was named as the COSBOA national small business champion. More recently, he has worked on a number of SME projects for the United Nations, Asian Development Bank, and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Today he chairs a number of boards in Australia, and in 2023 was asked to review the Franchising Code of Conduct for the federal Small Business Minister. To find out more go to: https://treasury.gov.au/publication/p2024-487230#:~:text=On%208%20February%202024%2C%20the,by%20its%20Terms%20of%20Reference

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #228 Broadcast date: 9 April 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Dr Stephen Morse, ESG Strategist & Founder Unchained & Serena Stewart Head of Strategic Partnerships, Business/Law School at UTS If you asked a small business owner if they had processes which showed consideration, fairness and equality when hiring new staff, that they were making considerable effort to reduce their impact on the environment and be more sustainable, and had all their paperwork up to date with ASIC; the vast majority would say yes, they were working on all of that or had it nailed. But if you said to the same small business person: Are you meeting your ESG reporting requirements they would probably look at you quick blankly and ask what that stands for. Yet another reporting requirement, is what it stands for. Something small businesses are not ready for, is what it stands for. But what it IS, is the reality coming down the pipeline. Yet many small businesses owners are unaware of the impact of ESG reporting requirements, what and when they need to take action and how it will change their business significantly if they're not ready. Luckily, we've got Dr Stephen Morse on the Small Biz Matters again. You'll remember him from a few years ago when he came onto our radio show to talk about another set of requirements : Anti-Slavery reporting requirements. He's joining us once again to support small businesses to understand what they need to do and where to get help. Plus, Serena Stewart from UTS will be jumping in to tell us all about the ESG survey they are developing and they're asking for your help to make policy better! PEOPLE –  Tell us about your journey and how you became so passionate about helping small businesses to navigate regulation like ESG and anti-slavery requirements. What sort of small business people are the most vulnerable if they don't start planning out how ESG will affect their business? Are you concerned that small businesses will be left with another overly-onerous reporting regime they don't understand? What is working elsewhere in the world? POLICY - Is the solution for ESG additional regulation really just reg-tech or do you think the Government needs to consider small businesses at the co-design phase? Which is more efficient: Should we be designing ESG reporting methods around different segments of small businesses or allow big business to dictate what they need to see from their supply chain PURPOSE -  What exactly is ESG and why do small business people need to be aware of it and starting to plan NOW for the changes coming? Where is a good place to start? Will it be mandatory? How can we make it as easy as possible for small businesses to report and what do you think the Government needs to do now in its policy settings to support the transition? Dr Stephen Morse is CEO of Unchained Solutions Pty Ltd, a Sydney-based facilitation and advisory firm that enables organisations to make a meaningful contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and improve their ESG reporting and CSR commitments. Unchained's solutions are designed to help local and global teams to thrive. Stephen has over 25 years' experience in entrepreneurial leadership in the not-for-profit and private sectors, both in Australia and overseas. He's a seasoned public speaker, thought leader and strategist who brings an engaging and refreshing perspective on business and human rights due diligence in supply chains. Stephen obtained his Doctorate in Human Trafficking Intervention through Fuller Theological Seminary in 2016, and MBA through University of Technology Sydney in 2020. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Freedom Business Alliance. He also Chairs the Ethics Committee of the Australasian Supply Chain Institute and the Communications & Capacity Building Working Group of the Commonwealth 8.7 Network. To find out more go to: https://unchainedsolutions.com.au Serena is currently the Head of Strategic Partnerships for the UTS Business School and UTS Faculty of Law. She has 15 years' experience in new business and program development management with a strong focus on strategising, developing, planning, implementing, and managing multifaceted programs with industry, government and community (domestically and internationally) to support multidisciplinary research projects and enterprise learning activities (I.e., funding, resourcing and advocacy). She has built an extensive network across multiple sectors, comprising of senior executives, high net worth individuals, government, and leading corporate organisations and demonstrated the capacity to raise revenue from multiple channels (primarily industry and philanthropy), generating approximately $205M, with the funds supporting major capital infrastructure projects, research and education.

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #227 Broadcast date: 2 April 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Sandy Chong, CEO of Australian Hairdressing Council There is a sector of the small business community who has always been on the business frontline and constantly impacted by macro and micro economics. They are the embodiment of small business people :  First in line to feel it when consumers tighten their belts, often holding together a regional community, quick to feel the pain of supply chain issues, wondering how they're going to pay their energy, rent and wages bills, listening to customer's woes whilst wondering how they'll keep their on doors open... They wear all the hats and suffer all the consequences of poor Government decisions. Yet without them we would grind to a halt – which is what happened during COVID when we all realised how much we need their listening ear, their business to flourish so young people in our community can get a head start and of course, their magic touch to make us feel good and a smile as you enter their salon. I am of course, talking about Hairdressers. And there is no one. And I mean no one out there who is more dedicated, passionate, fearless and fabulous than today's guest, Sandy Chong. So strap yourself in and hit that record button; she's about to share with us a rollercoaster of a career as an advocate, a business leader, an industry leader and a formidable woman in Canberra. PEOPLE - Tell us a bit about your background and why you are so passionate about advocating for small businesses in your industry. What have been the highs and lows of advocacy? How difficult do you find it to engage with small business to help advocate for them? POLICY - What areas of policy are you focused on right now? And who do you tend to speak with and on what formats/roundtables?  Do you touch on all levels of government? PURPOSE - What policy issues matter most to small businesses in your industry? Does that change from year to year? How do you deal with the slow pace of change in government policy? What are the biggest threats to them? Are the needs of small businesses in your industry different to that of small businesses in other industries? Sandy Chong is a key influence in the Hairdressing Industry. Currently she is the CEO/Director of the Australian Hairdressing Council and past Director of COSBOA (Council Of Small Business Organisations Of Australia) representing small business. She speaks on behalf of the industry to Government, creating relationships to support an industry that is often overlooked. Her role at the AHC has established better business practices, training and education and building sustainable careers for the future of the industry. Sandy's vision is to create an industry that has the highest possible standards in ethics, technical ability and workplace practices. Owner of her own salon Suki for 38 years, Sandy is a business multi award winner as well as being inducted into the Industry's Hall Of Fame and is also the recipient of The Australian Hair Industry Special Recognition Award. She is a respected industry source for the media and has been interviewed as a guest on countless television, radio, press and online platforms.  To find out more go to: https://www.theahc.org.au

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #225 Broadcast date: 19th March 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Elizabeth Skirving, CEO of Rural Business Tasmania Small businesses are often (when it is convenient) referred to as the “backbone of the economy” but nothing could be closer to the truth in regional, rural and remote communities. They literally are the fabric binding economic success, growth, jobs, training and the survival of many communities. Its not the big businesses running down the flooded or fire ravaged high streets supporting communities immediately after a disaster or when a call to action is heard to support a community or sporting group. It's the small businesses who are quick to lend a hand, equipment, resources and even just a listening ear to their friends and family which is their community. So what can be done to keep these small businesses front and centre of policy and planning? Is this a local, state or federal issue? Are councils doing enough and leading the way? Does the Federal Government in Canberra even know how important a regional high street is to the communities? And how can Government do a better job of listening to their leaders? Today, Elizabeth Skirving – quite frankly a bonafide thought leader in this space and CEO of Rural Business Tasmania and Director of COSBOA, joins us to share her thoughts on how Government can improve their engagement and strategy to support small business in regional, rural and remote areas so they can continue to grow and support their communities and the national economy. PEOPLE - Tell us a bit about your background and why you are so passionate about advocating for small businesses in regional, rural and remote policy. Why is it so critical for small business to be considered when developing regional policy in Australia? How do you find the balance between the social needs of regional communities and the economic needs of the small businesses which are part of their fabric? POLICY - What areas of policy are you focused on right now? And who do you tend to speak with and on what formats/roundtables? Why is it critical small businesses in regional areas are considered at the co-design period of policy development? PURPOSE - What regional issues matter most to small businesses? What are the biggest threats to them in regional Australia? Are the needs of small businesses in RRR really that different to that of small businesses in metro or city areas? Elizabeth is passionate about Tasmania, and in promoting good business management to ensure prosperous rural and regional communities continue. She believes in supporting local communities and business. With a background in finance and business, Elizabeth has been CEO of Rural Business Tasmania since 2006 with a board portfolio which includes previous Deputy Chair, Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia COSBOA, Director of Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group, Director of Tasmanian Small Business Council and as an Industry representative of Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) Advisory Board. As a 5th generation of a farming family who were active within their community and industry, she has a long history of community involvement including board experience with various not-for-profit associations, including a substantial time with Rural Youth Tasmania and current Hon. Auditor for Encore Theatre Co Inc.   Established in 1986, Rural Business Tasmania Inc is a not-for-profit association that primarily offers financial counselling and business support expertise to rural and regional communities. It's key objective is to help rural families, businesses, and the community manage the ever-evolving demands and challenges facing the primary industry sector. To find out more go to: https://www.ruralbusinesstasmania.org.au

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #225 Broadcast date: 5th March 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Emma Clarke, Chief Operating Officer, Mable Increasingly, big tech companies are playing the role of advocate on behalf of their small business users. Some even have branches dedicated to governance and ensuring the data is aggregated, safe to share and presented so policymakers can read it as a reflection of what matters most to small businesses. There are some tech companies who use their data for the power of good. They use it to support advocacy efforts that shape policies to ensure the views of their small business customers are well-represented both directly to the Government and through organisations like COSBOA and industry associations. However, some tech companies only use data to further their corporate bottom line. Unfortunately, this is a practice that happens worldwide. So, how do policymakers tell the difference? Should big tech and its data be the advocate for small businesses? Especially when the sector can not produce data themselves. And where do the big four consulting firms fit into this picture? Today, Emma Clarke, the Chief Financial & Operations Officer for Mable, joins us to discuss how Mable supports small business owners in the care and support sector. We will explore how Mable uses data to ensure that its business decisions and advocacy efforts align with its platform users' needs, wants and preferences. PEOPLE – Tell us about how this small tech start up and been so successful? When it Why does a company like Mable find itself in this position of being an advocate for contractors? In a practical sense, how do you do this and why? POLICY – What sort of an influence does big tech have in policy? Were you surprised by this and how did you prepare the organisation to grow in this direction? In which areas of policy do you have the most impact and with which organisations do you collaborate with to improve the landscape for your small business members? PURPOSE How do you balance profitability and sustainability with the expectation that big tech has a role to play in social licensing and social responsibility these days? Emma has a Bachelor of Business from Monash University and is Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) qualified. She held executive roles at Redbubble Group, ANZ's Technology Division and Diners Club Australia. Emma ensures sound financial management and continuous improvement in all systems, processes and people development at Mable. She's also responsible for our high-quality customer service. “It's very rare to have the opportunity to work in a company that is fast moving and high growth, but also full of purpose-driven people working together to enable everyone in our society to remain in their homes whilst living their best life.” Mable is where you can live your kind of independence Since 2014, our online platform has connected Australians looking for disability and aged care support to independent support workers. Mable is where people provide and receive the kind of support they want, enjoying more choice, control and flexibility.   To find out more go to: https://mable.com.au

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #224 Broadcast date: 27th February 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Stephen Walters, Chief Economist Business Council of Australia (BCA) There is a group of boffins who wield influence and power in Canberra and across the state and local governments too. And it is just as well since they know the effect of policy and politics on businesses and the economy as a whole.  But the big question we're going to ask today is how well do they understand and reflect the needs of small business in their research and policy work? We are, after all, the backbone of that economy! We welcome to the show Stephen who as the previous Chief economist for NSW Treasury and Chief Economist with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and J.P. Morgan. He's passionate about ensuring all stakeholders in the economy have a better knowledge of how macro economics shapes the real world we all live in and that which small businesses thrive. PEOPLE – Tell us about your role as NSW Chief Economist during the pandemic. How have economists become so influential in the media and advocacy work and critical in the decision making process? POLICY – How and which macro-economic factors most influence policy makers when designing that which so greatly impacts small business PURPOSE Behind closed doors, what data really matters as opposed to the limited stats we hear about in the media? Does this between state and federal governments? Stephen Walters is Chief Economist for the Business Council of Australia (BCA), based in Sydney. He previously was Chief economist for NSW, based in NSW Treasury. Before joining Treasury, Stephen was Chief Economist with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and, for 14 years, was Chief Economist for investment bank J.P.Morgan. Stephen previously was Senior Economist with Access Economics in Melbourne and International Economist with Norwich Union and Alliance Capital in the United Kingdom. He also spent seven years as an Economist with the Treasury in Perth. Stephen holds a Bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Western Australia and a Master's degree in applied finance from the University of Melbourne. He also has qualifications in journalism and graduated from the AICD's Company Directors Course in 2017. Stephen has published two books, with a third to be published soon. Stephen is chair of the Executive Committee of the Australian Business Economists (ABE) and is a member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council (ASAC). To find out more go to: Business Council of Australia

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #223 Broadcast date: 20th February 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Dr Suji Sanjeevan, co-founder Light & Glo Designs Resilience is one of those words that is overused and bandied about when describing small businesses. After Covid it can probably be adopted by every small business that still has their head above water. But today's story is unique and our guest has come all the way from Melbourne to share her story with us, and inspire our small business listeners. Dr Suji Sanjeevan, as the co-founder Light & Glo Designs started her business just as Covid hit hard, especially for retail and manufacturing businesses in Melbourne. Through severe, never-ending lockdowns, massive supply chain disruptions, abrupt location changes and downturns in her business she didn't think she could survive; Suji has emerged triumphant and a success story. Not only that, but she also supports her small business migrant community by being their representative on the Victorian Government Multicultural Business Ministerial Council. And she has inspired numerous other female entrepreneurs through appearances on Shark Tank and mentoring through local business support programs. She's joining us today to share with us her amazing journey from Kings College medical graduate to a small business success story and also to teach the importance of building on the skills you never thought you had to overcome the hurdles that are still to come. PEOPLE - Tell us about your background and how you got into business. Who helped you along the way? You arrived in Australia as a refugee, what skills did you develop in that phase which continue to help you grow and overcome hurdles even now? POLICY - Accessing Gov support as a manufacturer in Australia is tough. What's been your experience? (why is it that you have to reach your $1.5M in sales before you get the support as a producer)? You have to be connected and really resilient in growth how do you approach that with few connections here? PURPOSE - Part of your business purpose is to help others learn from your experiences - which is why you're here today. Tell us about why you continue to advocate for small business to decision makers on the Victorian Government Multicultural Business Ministerial Council and how you started that part of your journey? Dr Suji Sanjeevan is a Melbourne-based medically trained clinical researcher, who made the ultimate career change to become a co-founder of Light & Glo Designs, an Australian fragrance house. With a mere investment of $237 Light & Glo has grown to a successful product-based business, delivering feelings and emotions through senses and scents. BrandScent, their second business creation was born through the notion that you can spiral one of two ways, either up or down, with COVID – 19 we choose to spiral upwards and built BrandScent to stand out, niche down and innovate. In the short span of time BrandScent has forged partnerships with American Express, Mimosa Homes and Four Pillars Gin and most recently been named APPA Australian Boutique Supplier of the Year 2020. In 2023 BrandScent appeared on Shark Tank where they presented their fragrant creations to the sharks, who were eager to dive into this aromatic adventure. Light & Glo also won a multitude of awards, including Wyndham Business Award “New and Emerging Manufacture,” “Manufacturer of the Year” A natural leader and businesswoman, Suji, a mother of three, started making wood-wick candles as a creative outlet to relieve stress that turned into the start of an entrepreneurial journey and that of personal development having faced many obstacles as a woman, mother, migrant and person of colour. Prior to her small business journey Suji, who graduated with a medical degree from King's College in London, stepped into policy and research governance roles by working for Murdoch Children's research Institute, Melbourne University and Breast Cancer Network Australia. In between studying and running the business, Suji also participates in local and state community initiatives business growth programs as a mentor and is a board member of the Victorian Government Multicultural Business Ministerial Council. To find out more go to: Light & Glo and BrandScent

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #222 Broadcast date: 13th February 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Natasha Hawker, Managing Director Employee Matters It is all the politicians and business leaders are talking about right now: the new Industrial Relations Reforms passed by Parliament recently after months and months of negotiations. The business groups representing small businesses aren't happy, the industry associations having been campaigning for months, and small businesses themselves and once again, lost. I suppose they'll have their say at the next election. But in the meantime, when all the dust settles on leaders' and the media's perspectives, what does that mean for you, the small business person? Luckily, an expert with decades of experience joined us to take us through these changes and the myriad of other laws which have also recently dropped; Natasha Hawker from Employee Matters. We chatted about Respect@Work, People at Work (psychosocial hazards) D&FV Leave and the process, Pay secrecy... and what small businesses can expect when these recent laws coming into affect. PEOPLE - How is small business coping with these changes to IR? What is the best advice you can give small business people on how to manage all these changes coming down the pipeline? POLICY - Can you walk us through the main changes which have recently been legislated recently and when and how small businesses can expect this to take effect in their business? Respect@Work, People at Work (psychosocial hazards) D&FV Leave and the process, Pay secrecy PURPOSE - Why in your opinion has the Government felt these changes to workplace laws are necessary? What do you hear from your clients in response to the changes they need to make? What are the risks if you do nothing? When did the changes come into effect? Natasha Hawker is the Managing Director of Employee Matters and a leader in the Australian HR space. She uses her 29 years of HR and business experience to alleviate 'employee headaches.' From large corporations to startups, she's worked with clients across a diverse range of industries. Her business acumen and commitment to sustainability made Employee Matters a NSW State Finalist in the 2023 Telstra Best of Business Awards and she's an Amazon best-selling author of 'From Hire to Fire & Everything in Between. Founded in 2011, Employee Matters provides employee support to businesses who want to maximise profitability through their employees but struggle with hiring the best, understanding the legislation and firing non-performers. She could see the frustrations, time wasted and trouble that business was getting into and could see that many businesses were not fully utilising their employee resources to get maximum productivity. To find out more go to: https://www.employeematters.com.au

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #221 Broadcast date: 30th January 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: The speakers and attendees at the Intuit GetConnected23 conference! Conferences are a great way to connect with your peers, learn the latest industry trends and grab some swag! And last year's Intuit GetConnect conference was no exception. But what made this accounting and bookkeeping get together different was the quality of the discussions and the focus on the future of tech. A big focus for me at the conference was Open Banking and what small businesses can expect in the near and distant future. How have international companies supported advocates in the fight to ensure small businesses control, retain and utilise their banking data as an all-important tool. I'm keen to share those interviews with captains of industry, economists and innovative app founders to find out what they think will be the impact of AI on the Fintech Industry, advisors and small business owners. Small Biz Matters went on the road to find out.  We interviewed: Lars Leber, Vice President Australia, RoW & Global Expansion at Intuit Robyn Jacobson, Senior Advocate at The Tax Institute Danielle Franklin DeSarzant - Global Senior Product Marketing Manager at Mailchimp Damien Greathead - Head of Marketing - Accountant & Advisor Group, Intuit Australia Grant Augustin, Founder of SISS Data Services and Steve Kemp, Head of Financial Institute Partnerships at Intuit Let's have a listen to their thoughts on the digital future, advocacy and open banking! PEOPLE - Are small businesses in Australia more digitised? Are they really that different than those in other countries? What's the key piece of advice you'd give to FinTech startups just starting out? How does the Tax Institute work across so many policy areas to improve the tax system?  How does a massive industry shift like AI impact a product like Mailchimp and help the end user like a small business? Does AI really make life easier? POLICY - What will the Australian Government's open banking and CDR changes mean for small businesses? What sort of incentives would encourage small businesses to fix tax unintended errors and make the system educative rather than punitive? Why are late payment times so problematic for small businesses and what can be done to speed up this problem? PURPOSE - What are the benefits of digitisation for small businesses and their advisors? What international experience does a global company bring to the table in the policy areas of open banking and digitisation?  How have you been active in this space and helped policy makers to make these policy areas work for small business? So what is it? GetConnected brings together accounting professionals and industry experts for two days of inspiration, education, and networking. Speakers share their experiences and provide insights and strategies to help advisors grow and succeed and support their small businesses. To find out more go to: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/au/events/getconnected/

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #220 Broadcast date: 23th January 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Rosemary Sinclair AM, CEO of au.Domain Administration With decades of experience as a leader and advocate in the telecommunications industry, today's guest is no stranger to policy, international diplomacy and being at the helm of industry bodies, powerful advocacy organisations and having the ear of Government. As the CEO of auDA, the administrator and self-regulatory policy body for Australia's country code Top Level Domain, the .au domain, she heads the team which manages domain name system (DNS), which is Australian critical infrastructure that supports more than four million .au domain names and helps internet users navigate to websites and send emails with domain names ending in .au. Its about delivering a secure and reliable .au, implementing effective .au policy rules and investing in the Australian internet ecosystem to improve the utility of the .au domain. She's here today to tell us its purpose, why this matters to small business people, and in what ways auDA advocates for small businesses in the telco industry. PEOPLE - Tell us about your role at auDA and why you're so passionate about helping Australian small businesses to successfully digitise. Tell us about your work as as the administrator of Australia's top level domain? POLICY - In what ways does au.DA's research and reporting influence the Government's policy decisions in the tech space? What of the future of cybersecurity in the online space, how is au.DA supporting the work of the Government here? PURPOSE - With which Government departments and agencies does au.DA collaborate with and how does au.DA work with small and large providers in the telecommunications industry? Rosemary Sinclair AM is CEO of auDA, the administrator and self-regulatory policy body for Australia's country code Top Level Domain, the .au domain. Rosemary has over 20 years' experience in international policy development and multi-stakeholder engagement with bodies including the (OECD), (APEC) and received the Order of Australia Award for service to the telecommunications sector in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours List. Prior to joining auDA, Rosemary was CEO of Energy Consumers Australia, responsible for enhancing consumer advocacy in the national energy market on issues including price, quality and security of supply. With a distinguished record in the telecommunications, technology, energy and education sectors, driving transformation, high performance and advocacy, Rosemary has served on local corporate, government and international boards, including CPA Australia, the Communications Alliance, International Telecommunications User Group (INTUG) and West Tigers Rugby League Football Club. To find out more go to: https://www.auda.org.au/web/

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #219 Broadcast date: 16th January 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: John Shepherd PSM, First Assistant Secretary, Digital Identity Taskforce, Dept Finance You don't have to be a Fintech or a tech company to work with data as a small business owner. We work on a daily basis with business data, integrated personal information and the data held on behalf of our customers. For most, it's just contact information in a CRM but small businesses are becoming increasingly aware that even the simplest data is personal, it can be sensitive and should be protected. Digital Identity is coming and will transform the way a lot of small businesses deal with the data for which we are responsible. It sounds like another Government process which will create more red tape. Well, John Shepherd PSM's role is to make this economy wide transition as seamless as possible. Luckily he has plenty of experience dealing with small business having previously been in charge of Single Touch Payroll rollout and understands the importance of integrating such a change into small business' natural processes. PEOPLE - This new legislation will have direct impact on how small businesses operate with their data and accompanying responsibilities.  Can you give us an overview of what they can expect? POLICY - Where are we in the legislation cycle for Digital Identity? When will these changes take affect? With whom did you consult from the small business community? PURPOSE - What's the purpose of this legislation, what problem is it trying to solve? Is it going to make the landscape fairer for small businesses? What does it mean for the data processes we have in place now? John Shepherd PSM has held a range of senior positions in the Commonwealth Public Service and has more than 20 years' experience leading successful large scale transformation programs. John is the First Assistant Secretary, Digital ID and Data Policy Division within the Department of Finance. The Division includes the Digital ID Taskforce, which is leading work to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide system for digital ID, including the introduction of legislation and rules and establishment of a regulator. The Division is also responsible for whole of government public sector data policy, cross jurisdictional data and digital ministerial engagement, and assurance of the Australian Government's high-cost and high-risk projects and programs. John held a number of senior roles at the ABS and ATO, leading significant change programs and projects focused on improving the client experience including leading the implementation of Single Touch Payroll. For this he was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) in the 2022 Australia Day Honours list.

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #218 Broadcast date: 9th Jan 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Kate Carnell AO There are few people in Australia with more experience in small business policy, advocacy and purpose than Kate Carnell AO. Her resume as a community leader is impressive. Aside from a long career in policy and politics, Kate for five years fiercely fought for all small businesses as the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. Prior to that she was the CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and for many years the head of the Pharmacy Guild. Now she offers her advisory skills and experience as a Director and Chair on numerous boards in the tech, startup, social enterprise in the issues she cares most about; small business, mental health to continue to improve the lives of countless of small businesses. So who better to discuss the future of small business advocacy in 2024 and beyond? I sat down with Kate to ask what the future holds for small business advocacy in the current political landscape, if anything can be done to improve governments consultation with small businesses before policy is set in stone, and whether the colour of the party in power really makes any difference. I met with Kate a couple of months ago in Hornsby, and we had an excellent discussion. PEOPLE - Kate, you've been involved in politics for many years and across many jurisdictions. What does the future look like for small businesses and regulation here in Australia? Does a different colour or party really make any difference? POLICY - The reality is governments have a lot of impact on small business is through regulation and red tape. So realistically, is there anything that can be done, any  thought leadership thinking to improve this situation? PURPOSE - In your opinion, is there a good place to start for small businesses who want to be more involved in reducing red tape? Kate Carnell Company Director is the Chair Mable, Chair Racing and Sport Technology, Deputy Chair BeyondBlue, Chair Violet, Director Australian Made, National Co -Convenor of Liberals for Yes. Kate for five years fiercely fought for all small businesses as the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO). Prior to that she was the CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and for many years the head of the Pharmacy Guild. Now she offers her advisory skills and experience as a Director and Chair on numerous boards in the tech, startup, social enterprise in the issues she cares most about; small business, mental health to continue to improve the lives of countless of small businesses.

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #217 Broadcast date: 12th December 2023 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Murray Hurps, StartUps Director, University of Technology, Sydney The tech StartUp world is sometimes seen as the darling of government industry policy. Fast paced, fast growth, its an exciting world filled with hard working entrepreneurs. They tried to woo this sector by encouraging private investment, boosting  funding and creating new opportunities to rapidly grow. But how do they talk to the sector to find out what they really want? How is the sector represented and who are their advocates? Well, we have with us today one of the giants of that sector - Murray Hurps, the Director of Entrepreneurship for UTS, leading the work of the University to inspire and support technology-enabled entrepreneurs. PEOPLE - You're a giant in the startup world, involved as the Board Director of tech representative organisations, running the first university startup hub, helping new startups get their shoelaces tied... What brought you to this world and why are you so passionate about supporting them? POLICY - What do startups really need to start up and grow at that famously fast pace? What can the Government do to support them at each stage? PURPOSE -  There seems to be an announcement in every budget to support the startup ecosystem - from both state and federal government. How can that money be best spent? Is a grant system best to encourage single companies creating cutting edge innovation or support for the entire sector to create a better foundation for all? Murray Hurps is the Director of Entrepreneurship for UTS, leading the work of the University to inspire and support technology-enabled entrepreneurs. Australia's recovery needs job-ready graduates, productivity-boosting research, and new entrepreneurs spreading innovations, creating new jobs and driving our recovery. Murray's work is enabling this critical third pillar of work at UTS. Before building the largest community of student-launched startups at UTS, Murray was CEO of Fishburners, growing it from 100 desks of startup space, to 750 across Sydney, Brisbane and Shanghai, and supporting 508 startups during this time. He founded, ran, re-founded in 2023 and ran again, Startup Muster, the largest survey of Australia's startup ecosystem. He founded FUELD, Westpac's data-focused accelerator program. He's been a Director of the Australian Information Industry Association, Spark Festival and WorkVentures, all in support of Australian technology-enabled entrepreneurs. He does what he does because at 16 he founded Ad Muncher, an ad-blocking startup that grew for 14 years, to a peak of 100 million active users. He wants more Australians to understand and pursue the opportunities they have today through technology-enabled entrepreneurship, and for Australia to realise the benefits of this as well.

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #216 Broadcast date: 5th December 2023 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Christine Pope -  Director at Australian Traditional Medicine Society ATMS is uniquely positioned to advise Government on health, women, the economy and micro business. How do they juggle multiple policy areas and represent their small businesses? Women are core to the success of the Australian health economy and the same goes for traditional medicine. The vast majority of Australian Traditional Medicine Society members are women, micro business, working from home and juggling a family, their practice and continued education. So how does ATMS' leadership best represent their members when the policy areas in which they advocate cross over social, economic and small business issues? Plus, are cross jurisdictional – Federal, State and Local Government? This is an excellent example where an association uniquely intersect between policy and small business and we're keen to hear from Christine Pope, Director of Australian Traditional Medicine Society and (because she can) the Treasurer and Director of Council of Small Business Organisations Australia ... and she still runs her own practice online and in person. PEOPLE - Tell our listeners about the work of ATMS and how you advocate for your members?  How can members of ATMS (and other similar orgs) become more involved in their industry association? What sort of influence can they have? POLICY - In a practical sense, what does an organisation like ATMS do to influence government policy? What areas of policy are you focused on right now? And who do you tend to speak with? PURPOSE - What inspired each if your to take on a role in advocacy for your industry? Why do you think ATMS is well placed to advise government on health? Christine Pope is an experienced Naturopath and Nutritionist based at Elemental Health St Ives. Christine is also an experienced trainer and presenter and was Head of Nutritional Medicine and Homeopathy at Nature Care College at St Leonards from 2012-2015. More recently she has founded her own training programs “Ageing Outrageously”. Christine has over twenty years experience in her earlier career in Risk Management and Venture capital. In 2016 Christine undertook training with Dr Dale Bredesen in his protocol for Reversing Alzheimers, a detailed protocol involving up to 36 points of intervention including diet, lifestyle, hormonal balance, exercise and detoxification. Subsequently her focus in clinic has been working on healthy ageing and reducing the impact of chronic disease. Christine is a director and treasurer of The Australian Traditional Medicine Society and the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia. (COSBOA). The Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS) is Australia's largest national professional association of natural medicine practitioners. ATMS is a multi-modality association representing around 9,000 accredited practitioners and students throughout Australia. ATMS currently accredits 20 natural medicine modalities. ATMS promotes and represents accredited practitioners of natural medicine, who are encouraged to pursue the highest ideals of professionalism in their natural medicine practice and education. To find out more go to: https://www.atms.com.au/

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #215 Broadcast date: 28th November 2023 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Andrew Williams, CEO Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) This week on the show we welcome Andrew Williams, CEO Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). After the recent (and increasingly frequent) interruptions and disruptions caused by the telecommunications powers-that-be, small businesses can feel as though they are helpless victims of these events, with no power or voice to stop them. Well, we are here to tell you there is an advocacy organisation working with small businesses to fight for their rights in these situations. They're also a strong voice in the room with Government when telco policies and support measures are being written and fight for smallbiz rights to make sure that contracts, access and price is fair and equitable for small businesses. ACCAN was founded in 2009 and their aim is to empower consumers to make good choices about products and services. As a peak body, ACCAN represents the views of its broad and diverse membership base to policy makers, government and industry to get a better outcome for all communications consumers. As their CEO, Andrew Williams is with us to explain how. PEOPLE - Why are you so passionate about supporting small businesses in the telecommunications industry? Is this more difficult for small businesses in regional areas? If so, why? Is that a current focus? POLICY - How do you support small business people in the telecommunications industry and fight for their rights to make sure that contracts, access and price is fair and equitable for small businesses?  Where do you submit and consult government? What policy areas is ACCAN currently working on? Can you tell us about the telecommunications review which is currently underway? PURPOSE - ACCAN was founded in 2009. Tell us about some of the major milestones and successes, the organisation has had in advocating for small business. Andrew Williams joined ACCAN in 2019 and became CEO in November 2021 With experience base spans a wide range of commercial disciplines in both private and public sector industries. ACCAN is Australia's peak communications consumer organisation representing individuals, small businesses and not-for-profit groups as consumers of communications products and services. They focuse on all goods and services including broadcasting, internet and online services, for current and emerging technologies. They aim to empower consumers to make good choices about products and services. As a peak body, ACCAN will represent the views of its broad and diverse membership base to policy makers, government and industry to get a better outcome for all communications consumers. To find out more go to: https://accan.org.au/

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #214 Broadcast date: 21st November 2023 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Bjorn Jarvis, Head of Labour Statistics at Australian Bureau of Statistics This week on the show we welcome Bjorn Jarvis is the head of the labour statistics program at the ABS. Why are we talking to the ABS? what has this got to do with my small business? Because they are advocates for the power of high quality statistics in understanding the Australian economy and society, and in informing important decisions by businesses, households and governments. And as we know many of these policies are based on this data and as we are going to learn this week, much of this data comes from the ABS. PEOPLE - Who influences the decisions on which data is most important and when to release the data? Is it political or is the ABS independent and driven by the economic landscape? POLICY - How the data the ABS provides influences government policy decisions and where does it have the most influence?   PURPOSE - What's is the ABS' fundamental purpose? What is it hoping to drive with its data? How can small businesses make the most of this data? Bjorn Jarvis is the head of the labour statistics program at the ABS. He is a prominent advocate for the power of high quality statistics in understanding the Australian economy and society, and in informing important decisions by businesses, households and governments. Bjorn is a regular voice in public commentary and on social media highlighting important insights from ABS statistics, including the experiences of small businesses. He is also passionate about small business owners being able to get their hands on data, with lots of data available for free through the ABS website, including information on how their industries and communities are changing. To find out more go to: https://www.abs.gov.au

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #213 Broadcast date: 14th November 2023 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Rob Marshall, GM Community Engagement and Education at Institute of Certified Bookkeepers Let's dive into the world of member associations. Bookkeepers and accountants are critical to your small business success. Assisting with compliance, getting set up and keeping all of your financial ducks lined up, and support as you grow and evolve your business. You ask them for advice not only about your numbers but staffing, human resources, cybersecurity, data, super, payroll... the list goes on. But who supports the supporters? The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers do... and they are a formidable organisation if you're on the receiving end of their advocacy for members and small businesses. They work with almost every regulator and administrator in Government which deals with small business – which is all of them.  ATO, FairWork, ASIC, ACCC, in constant communication with Ministers and Senators plus heavily involved with the good work of strong advocates like COSBOA. Rob Marshall, is of their passionate Directors, taking his decades of experience as a small business owner with numerous accolades including WA Micro Business of the year, a professional bookkeeper since 1996 and an inaugural member and Fellow of ICB. This is who supports the supporters, the army of bookkeepers looking after their small business clients. PEOPLE - How can members of ICB (and other similar orgs) become more involved in their industry association? What sort of influence can they have? POLICY - In a practical sense, what does an organisation like ICB do to influence government policy? PURPOSE - What inspired each if your to take on a role in advocacy for bookkeepers? Why do you think ICB and bookkeepers are well placed to advise government on the impact of regulation on small businesses? Rob Marshall is the GM Community Engagement and Education at Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. He's been a small business owner in many industry since 1985, a professional bookkeeper since 1996  with numerous accolades including WA Micro Business of the year and an inaugural member and Fellow of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers since 2006. ICB is a formidable organisation, if you're on the receiving end of their advocacy for members and small businesses. They work with almost every regulator and administrator in Government which deals with small business – which is all of them.  ATO, FairWork, ASIC, ACCC, in constant communication with Ministers and Senators plus heavily involved with the good work of strong advocates like COSBOA. To find out more go to: https://www.icb.org.au/   

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #212 Broadcast date: 7th November 2023 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: The stars of Xerocon! EP#212 ~ Highlights from Xerocon 2023 ~ What will be the impact of AI on the Fintech industry and small business?   Back in August I was invited to attend Xerocon where I interviewed captains of industry, economists and innovative app founders to find out what they think will be the impact of AI on the Fintech Industry. All small businesses are well on their way to a digital future and are already familiar with how integration works between their business, banking and process data. But what will AI mean? What new changes will small businesses have to adopt and who will manage these? What's the role of advisors? What's already under way in the Appshpere? Small Biz Matters went on the road to find out.  We interviewed: James Bergin, Executive General Manager - Technology Strategy & Integration at Xero Louise Southall, Economist at Xero Sabby Gill, Global CEO at Dext Tony Harcourt, Co-Founder at WorkGuru.io Trent McLaren, Strategic Advisor, Growth Consultant & Brand Ambassador at Annature Let's have a listen to their thoughts on AI and the future of data and integration.   PEOPLE - What will AI mean for small business owners and their data in Xero? How can advisors support small business clients in change management and AI automation? POLICY - The quarterly Xero Insights report is influential with policy makers as it provides quality small business data into Government. How is the data gathered and how can users be confident their data is protected? Why do small businesses need to know about changes to Anti-Money-laundering PURPOSE - What were the key takeaways from the latest Xero Small Business Insights report? What does AI mean for a large, international company like Xero's future? What's the future of AI to solve our “wicked problems”   So what is it? Xerocon is It's a two-day annual cloud accounting and bookkeeping conference for accountants, bookkeepers and advisors. It is designed to help delegates discover the latest technology to help them save time and grow their business, listen to keynote speakers to be recharged with fresh ideas to improve operations and working with clients and a community event of learning, inspiration and celebration. To find out more go to: https://www.xero.com/au/events/xerocon/