Small Biz Matters – #208 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014 with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner. Date: 18 May 2021 We all live, work and spend money in a global economy. E-commerce, virtual assistants, zoom calls & remote working are not new concepts. So what’s stopping you from operating your business globally? As a small business we can struggle to see the bigger picture - scaling, growing internationally, a true global business - concepts which can seem out of reach for most of us. But what if this was a real possibility? What if there were government supports in place to help you? You just need the right advice and then you’re ready for global growth. Trena Blair from FD Global Connections, is an expert in transitioning businesses of all sizes into having a global presence. She’s going to explain the logistics, the pitfalls involved with setting up globally and some strategies to ensure that you’re prepared and NOT attempting this monumental change to your business all by yourself. Welcome to the show Trena. Topics we’ll be covering: Under what typical circumstances would you consider setting up an office overseas? Examples of small businesses who have done just that? Expanding on opportunities you may not have here in Australia Is there a particular type of small business or sector of the economy which do this better? What’s involved in setting up and launching a business in US in particular Visas Office space Restrictions about being an overseas based business? Cultural differences? Are there restrictions from the Australian side? ATO? What about a non-physical presence? Who can you utilise to help you? Interim sales professionals and tapping into that process? How are they paid - Retainer What are some of the pitfalls to setting up a presence overseas? Growing too fast Typical mistakes you see Growing a network Webinar - scaling during turbulent times Which industries at the moment are seeing growth in global market To find out more go to their website: https://www.fdglobal.com.au Forbes 2018: "Trena Blair is an expert in expanding businesses from Australia into the U.S., with New York as the entry point." Trena is a global citizen, having lived and worked in Australia and the United States of America (New York) during the course of her 20+ year international executive career. During her career, she managed global regions including Asia Pacific and the America’s. Trena has extensive expertise in working with organisations in establishing holistic sustainable business models and served for 7 years as a Business Excellence Evaluator for Business Excellence Australia. This led to her passion of working with Australian companies to prepare them for, and launch, in the USA, specialising in New York. In addition to her executive responsibilities which included working at a Telco startup, Trena has founded 2 startup's, including an Italian luxury import/wholesale business. In 2014, Trena founded and is CEO of FD Global Connections which works with Australian companies to prepare for and launch their business in the USA, and also USA companies launching in Australia.

Small Biz Matters

Reconnecting to global markets - what opportunities await in overseas markets? With special guest Trena Blair, CEO of FD Global Connections

Small Biz Matters – #207 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014 with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner. Date: 11 May 2021 You couldn’t get more topical than this at the moment. Equality, fairness and equity in the workplace. Our country’s leaders have failed so can the small business community become the leaders in this space and embrace a new philosophy around fair and equitable discussions? The reality is many small businesses don’t even know what their obligations are, let alone how to be equitable, fair and equal when engaging with others. Today’s guest might just be able to help us with this. I found her social media presence to be refreshing at a time when I felt only disappointment and dissolution in the way our country was being run. Her thought provoking posts led me to invite her on Small Biz Matters to help us tackle this important topic. Cathy is passionate about equity and equality in the speaker space, and was disappointed to find that the traditional speaker agency and bureaus tended to only feature celebrities and professional speakers; the same perspectives but repackaged differently. So she founded Keynoteworthy which aims to see diversity and inclusion on stage, and she joins us today to share her own small business journey and help us to see things differently, or rather, equitably. What does it really mean to be to be fair and equitable? Why did you decide to become self-employed and start your own business, Keynoteworthy? There is a lot of talk about diversity, equity and inclusion. What does it mean? Is it all just corporate-speak? Pronouns, how to understand them and what meaning they hold for individuals? Why should small businesses think about diversity, equity and inclusion in their business? Is it a must as part of your duty of care to your staff? What about the speaker’s circuit, and choosing those who speak for your branding? To find out more go to their website: https://keynoteworthy.com.au/ About our Guest: Cathy Ngo (pronounced norr) is an entrepreneur, writer, presenter, speaker and who thrives at the intersection of tech, comedy and activism. She’s the founder of Keynoteworthy, a challenger speaker agency and social enterprise focused on bringing diversity and inclusion. Cathy has a degree in Business, majoring in Human Resources because she didn’t want to be an accountant, lawyer or doctor. Much to her parent's dismay, they still don’t know what she does for a living. She’s spent more than ten years climbing and playing ‘snakes and ladders’ in Australia’s top listed companies before hitting the ‘bamboo ceiling’ several times (it’s like the glass ceiling but thicker). Entrepreneurship has always been in Cathy’s blood from a young age. Outside of work, she dabbles in stand-up comedy at random covid-safe bars and restaurants and mainly jokes about being positively discriminated against for being Asian-Australian. She is also an obsessive indoor plant collector and has a hard time trying to keep them alive. About Keynoteworthy Keynoteworthy solves the problems that events and conference organisers have in finding and booking speakers that reflect the diversity of gender, sexualities, ethnicity and ultimately, perspectives and ideas that event-goers and sponsors are increasingly looking for.

Equity & Equality. It's time for small business to take the lead With special guest Cathy Ngo, Founder of Keynoteworthy, Equity & Inclusion Changemaker

Small Biz Matters – #206 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014 with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner. Date: 4 May 2021 That’s where the brick walls start to pop up. In the last 12 months things have changed; lending criteria, requirements for financial fitness, what the banks are looking for and looking at have evolved. The goalposts have shifted. So who can you turn to, to untangle the maze? Today we welcome David Gandolfo, Chair of Advocacy at CAFBA Commercial and Asset FInance Brokers Association of Australia to explain what you need to know in regards to changes over the past 12 months, what to expect now in small business lending, and what to do to access funds more efficiently. Tell us about CAFBA as a professional association and what you do for your members and the small business community as a whole? In your experience How has covid impacted business borrowing over the past 12 months? The evolution of small business lending - credit crunch, second tier lending The loan deferral scheme & other options What can business borrowers do to manage their funding requirements and get better outcomes? Tactical tips on preparing your business for accessing funding Financials & interims up to date Identifiers in place to prove you are who you say you are Why is ATO tax debt such an issue? Are you up to date with ATO & reporting or not? Why is having a loan with the ATO a problem when borrowing? What are banks looking at - bank accounts, tax portals, spending patterns, benchmarks for your industry How do you see things going forward? What’s going to change in the next 12 months for small business’ lending - will there be improvements to lending criteria for small business? To find out more go to their website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-gandolfo-86736116/ About our Guest: Director of Quantum Business Finance, which arranges Equipment Finance (Lease, Hire Purchase and Chattel Mortgage). Our clients range from small and medium sized businesses through to ASX200 companies and Government authorities, and we assist them to acquire the necessary plant, machinery, motor vehicles, computers etc that are used to run their businesses. Quantum is a broker with a panel of over 25 commercial lenders, from whom we source the best outcome for the customer, and then arrange the approval and documentation through to settlement. Broking firms like Quantum are known for their long-term personal relationship with each customer, which allows us to have "line of sight" and a first-hand understanding of each customer's needs. We are a highly capable business that assists other capable businesses. See www.quantumbusiness.com.au Board Patron and Past President of Commercial & Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia (CAFBA), which is the peak national body of both commercial and equipment finance brokers in Australia. CAFBA is a self-regulating body which enforces stringent education, probity and procedural standards on its members, and advocates for its members and their clients through high-level engagement with regulators and legislators. CAFBA strives for industry excellence through education and scholarship programs, and is heavily engaged with regulators to make the clear distinctions between the very different needs between consumer and commercial borrowers.. See www.cafba.com.au Advisor and Former Deputy Chair of the Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA), which is the country’s peak body exclusively representing the interests of SME businesses. COSBOA has a proud history of strong advocacy on small business issues ranging from taxation and workplace relations, through to competition law and retail tenancy. COSBOA is an association made up of associations whose members are small and privately owned businesses. (e.g. The Pharmacy Guild, Master Grocers, etc) and we are the collective voice exclusively representing the interests of small businesses through policy change and regulatory reform at all levels of Government. see www.cosboa.org.au

Financial gain, minimal pain Navigating the ever shifting sands of small business finance With special guest David Gandolfo, Chair of Advocacy at CAFBA

Small Biz Matters – #205 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014 with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner. Date: 27 April 2021 Small business can be an incredible ride: exhilarating, rewarding, fulfilling, exhausting, challenging, and sometimes depressing. How do you ride the highs and lows without completely burning out? And as a small business owner where can you find the strategies and support you need, particularly when you’re going through those tough times?  In today’s Small Biz Matters show we’re joined by Tim Hoopmann, Beyond Blue Speaker, who is going to share where you can get help and what to do if you’re in a position to help other small business owners.  NewAccess is a free and confidential mental health program developed by Beyond Blue.  Over six sessions, coaches with a small business background will work with you to overcome difficult issues, providing you with practical skills to manage stress and get you back to feeling like yourself. There are some great resources produced by the team at Beyond Blue and Tim, our regular guest on mental health for small business will share his own experiences and how he’s supported others. What is New Access for small business owners? What can you expect from the programme as a small business person? Why has it been set up specifically for small business owners? How long has it been available? To find out more go to their website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess/newaccess-for-small-business-owners PLUS… The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman’s My Business Health web portal - https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/my-business-health/home Everymind’s Ahead for Business digital hub - https://www.aheadforbusiness.org.au The Support yourself and small businesses: A learning course for business advisers developed by Beyond Blue and Xero - https://www.headsup.org.au/training-and-resources/educational-and-training/beyondblue-resources/small-business-advisers About our Guest: Tim Hoopmann has owned and operated a bookkeeping practice specialising in cloud services for over 10 years. He transformed his business from a desktop and paper based practice to a cloud bookkeeping practice, 100% online and paperless with streamlined and automated processes.                                                                   Tim utilised technology to change the way he serviced his customers by moving them online and streamlining their bookkeeping and finance. Showing them how to take back control and sit in the drivers seat of their business thus allowing them the freedom to focus on key revenue generating areas of their business instead of being buried in day to day processes.                       Tim is passionate about helping businesses make the transition to being fully automated and cloud based though enabling the power of todays technology. This will allow for greater freedom and the ability to enjoy a powerful work/life balance. Tim is a speaker for beyondblue helping to increase the community’s understanding about mental health. He knows the importance of mentally healthy workplaces and shares his experience in how to create an environment that values mental health.

Beyond Blue's New Access for small business owners program. How can it help you? With special guest Tim Hoopmann, Beyond Blue Speaker

Small Biz Matters – #204 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014 with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner. Date: 20 April 2021 As councils and governments try to balance the needs of the environment, accessibility, urban infrastructure and private developments, small business can often be left to last in the consultation process. But if you’ve ever attended any kind of small business key stakeholders consultation group, a new networking event or even headed to a new venue in an unfamiliar area, you’ll learn that a key issue for small business is parking - and it’s not just about retailers. So how does government, enterprise, and small business find the right balance in this important issue that can affect a small business’ livelihood - and make it fair? Well, funnily enough there’s an app for that. Michael Doherty, Head of Business Development for Smarter City Solutions joins us to explain that with good research by government departments, a fair consultation process and an enterprising tech solution the balance can be found which supports small business and the entire community in which we operate. So why is parking so important to small businesses, particularly retailers? It’s all about foot traffic and customer turnover It’s not just about the high street or CBD g. city of Sydney are trying to remove parking for competing reasons Whose responsibility is it to communicate to small business customers It’s important this is transparent and clear How does technology support reducing traffic commuting issues? Adoption of electric & driverless Disabled parking Selling with Government - what has your experience been of the procurement process What top tips would you offer for those interested in selling to government Govts not doing their research to find out the different options in the private sector Is the solution a multi-app approach - where does that happen elsewhere? Which city is the gold standard? To find out more go to their website: https://smartercity.com.au/ About our Guest: Michael Doherty - Head of Business Development for Smarter City Solutions Michael Doherty has been at the forefront of parking technology for close to a decade, having worked with many of the businesses behind Australia’s leading parking and payment apps and cloud-based permit and compliance technologies. As Head of Business Development for Smarter City Solutions, he oversees the sales and marketing of unique integrated parking solutions for local councils, universities and corporate clients all over Australia. Michael was the first employee at Smarter City Solutions when it launched as CellOPark in 2013. He returned to the company in 2020 after several years at parking availability app UbiPark, as well as SenSen Networks, one of the world’s leading AI solutions providers for smart cities and enterprises. Multi-disciplined with a solid, 25-year strong track record in information technology, Michael embraces disruptive technology and looks forward to a future where parking permit stickers and coin-fed meters are a thing of the past.

What's the age-old problem for small business? It's not cashflow - it's parking! With special guest Michael Doherty , Head of Business Development for Smarter City Solutions

Small Biz Matters – #203 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014 with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner. Date: 13 April 2021 It’s been tough for everyone these last 12 months but conceptually, it’s been difficult for those of us who are largely soldiering on to understand what it means, really means, to be shut down. We think of the inconvenience, the hassle of wearing a mask and of course, the hit to the bottom line. So what is it really been like when an entire industry, worldwide, is brought to its knees.  Imagine one day you’re open and trading as normal with stock, employees and happy customers, and the next nothing. Zip. Nada. Employees sent home with no wages, stock slowly It’s kind of like a really, really, really long blackout with severe consequences for everyone and everything you hold dear. So, I thought it would be a good idea to bring into the studio Shaun de Vries, Hospitality Expert & Advocate from Open Pantry to educate us on how Hospitality is faring all those months later and how we might be able to help. Let’s take a practical approach and explain to us what it’s been like for the hospitality industry in the last year It’s not just about closing your doors and saying no wages to your staff Uncertainty means it takes longer for consumers to come back Even a short term lockdown can break the business - key dates are really important to these businesses - be conscious of the dates for the industry Stock levels - has this changed the way the industry deals with stock suppliers etc? What about the relationships? What skills and attributes have you seen from those who have successfully navigated the crisis From adversity comes power and it’s Shaun’s belief that Melbourne hospitality will bounce back and be successful The movement to online ordering - different verticals Back of house operations were really crucial - good management was a real strength Time and cash was really necessary to pay for those online platforms Putting their head in the sand was never a good idea What can the industry learn from this experience Be better at planning in terms of crisis - actually have processes in place Not having too much stock Think less about staffing & recruitment - use tech as an enabler rather than thinking of it another cost In what way can small businesses in the hospitality industry support one another and be an advocate for their colleagues? Who’s doing that well? To find out more go to their websites: Principle of Hospitality- https://www.principleofhospitality.com/ Open Pantry Consulting - https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/ About our Guest: Shaun, Open Pantry Co’s founder has been an industry leader in Melbourne’s hospitality industry for over 20 years. Shaun has been a venue owner himself, he knows the commitment, effort and experience required to develop a concept into an award-winning, and profitable venture. He also knows how to develop a process to get there that’s enjoyable and rewarding for all involved.  Today, Shaun hosts the Principle of Hospitality - The Podcast, an initiative set up in 2018 under the former name of the Open Pantry Podcast, to give hospitality leaders a voice on an international platform. The insights shared by Shaun’s network of hospitality pros have helped thousands of people in the industry. With over 130 episodes so far, Shaun has interviewed big names such food writer Kara Irving, Nick Stone from Bluestone Lane Coffee, Kim Teo from Mr Yum and hospitality expert, Frank Widen.   With the support and knowledge of Shaun, his team and Open Pantry Co’s partners, Open Pantry Co. can quickly apply their organisation improvement model to ensure high-quality execution and operation of any food and beverage brand.

The future of Hospitality in Australia? A leaders thoughts on the industry-wide shutdown With guest Shaun de Vries Hospitality Expert & Advocate

Small Biz Matters – #202 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014 with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner. Date: 6 April 2021 Small Biz Matters is proud to announce our ongoing collaboration with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterpris­­e Ombudsman through regular updates from Bruce Billson about all ASBFEO is doing to advocate and support small businesses. In the fifth of the series the new ombudsman Bruce Billson will update us about ASBFEO’s response to the crisis facing small business. This week we’re updating you on: Mental health statistics and what they mean for small business What about the My Business Health program and the New Access for Small Business Owners information from beyond blue? And why were they initiated? What does this program aim to achieve in the small business community and why this approach to deliver through a coaching program? Bruce Billson, as an independent advocate for small business owners, has the legislative power to influence our nation’s lawmakers, ensuring legislation and regulations are put in place to help small businesses grow and in these times, survive. Mental health statistics: -        A recent Federal Government survey of more than 1000 small business owners revealed one in three had been diagnosed with stress, anxiety or depression. Financial concerns were the biggest contributor. -         The Productivity Commission’s report into mental health found the cost of absenteeism and presenteeism to the sector is over $17 billion per year. That was prior to the pandemic! MYOB research revealed 56% of small business owners feel that running their business has directly brought on anxiety and depression. 48% of those small business owners reported their anxiety was largely caused by financial and cash flow concerns. My Business Health: -        My Business Health was launched in 2019 in response to concerns that small business owners were under a great deal of stress due to the day-to-day grind of running a small business. -        It was developed in consultation with EveryMind, Beyond Blue and small businesses. -        The free web portal provides easy-to-read practical tips on managing a business, government support measures along with links to mental health resources from Australia’s leading mental health organisations. -        Just recently, My Business Health has been redeveloped to improve the user experience and to fully integrate the web portal with Beyond Blue’s tailored mental health support service called New Access for Small Business Owners. New Access for Small Business Owners information: -        A free, confidential mental health program developed by Beyond Blue to give small business owners then support they need. -        Coaches with a small business background work with the small business owner over six sessions to provide practical skills to help manage stress. -        The coach completes an initial assessment in the first appointment, to develop a tailored program -        No doctor referral or mental health treatment plan is required – you don’t have to visit a doctor first. Why it was initiated – The initiative was jointly conceived by Beyond Blue and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), responding to rising calls for a dedicated mental health support service for small business owners. Running a small business is a unique experience which often involves stress. If left unaddressed, these can be at risk of longer-last mental health challenges. Small business owners don’t necessarily have the time or the money to seek help and there is often limited availability of services during business hours and in convenient locations for the small business owner. We know that the normal day-to-day pressures for small business owners compounded for many during the COVID crisis. That’s why Beyond Blue is offering this program. What it aims to achieve – Importantly, NewAccess is designed to appeal to people who might not otherwise seek support for their mental health and to provide support early, preventing symptoms from potentially getting worse.    The program avoids clinical language, does not require a doctor’s referral and is delivered by relatable coaches – in this case people who have owned their own small business – making it an ideal service for small business owners.  To find out more go to their website: https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/ About our Guest: The Ombudsman - Bruce Billson Bruce Billson is the inaugural Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO). As the ASBFEO, she is an independent advocate for small business owners.  His office has the legislative powers needed to effectively influence our nation’s lawmakers, ensuring legislation and regulations are put in place to help small businesses grow. The ASBFEO office also provides small businesses and family enterprises with assistance should they find themselves involved in a business dispute. Small businesses are the engine room of the economy; it’s a big reputation to live up to, so we need to do all we can to ensure they have the freedom to innovate, employ and thrive well into the future. About ASBFEO Australia is a nation of small businesses and family enterprises.  It’s a dynamic and exciting sector that allows people with an entrepreneurial spirit to pursue their dreams. One of the fastest growing in the economy, the sector presents many opportunities – and challenges – for those who dedicate themselves to pursuing a small business venture. The ASBFEO's role is to support small businesses and family enterprises to enable them to grow and thrive. The ASBFEO was launched on 11 March 2016 and has two key functions: to assist and to advocate for small businesses and family enterprises. ASSIST: We understand the challenges facing small business owners. We provide access to dispute resolution services for those who may be involved in a disagreement, so they can try and find a solution to their problem without having to go to court. ADVOCATE: There are a number of different activities the Ombudsman may conduct in fulfilling the role of small business advocate. Broadly these include: Conduct inquiries and research Work with other arms of government Contribute to other inquiries Promote good business practice.

April 2021 Update from ASBFEO & Small Biz Matters With special guest Bruce Billson the Australian Small Business and Family Enterpris­­e Ombudsman

Small Biz Matters – #201 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014 with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner. Date: 30 March 2021 LinkedIn is the place to be if you’re B2B, we all know that. But are we getting to messaging, profile and social strategy correct? How can we possibly understand the algorithm (which keeps changing) and how can you tell if your message is even making a difference? Like all social media there’s the good, the bad and the ugly. You still need to be yourself, polite and wear your “happy face” and know where the dangers lie, but this is business rather than socialising and sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference. For example, How do we build a LinkedIn network of followers and how do you find the balance between numbers and genuine connections? There is literally no one else I would have on this radio show to educate you on priming your LinkedIn profile and LI social media planning than Jillian Bullock. She speaks all over Australia, is the only certified LinkedIn Ninja in Australia and is incredibly generous with her knowledge of the LinkedIn Matrix. How can you tell if your message is even making a difference? What diagnostics should you be looking at and is this available in the free version? What is the role of a LinkedIn Profile? Does it depend on your audience? Are there any stats around where people look predominantly? If you only had time to improve one section, which would it be? What's the biggest mistake you see people making on their LinkedIn profile specifically? What about in their feed? How can we understand the algorithms? Can they realistically be manipulated Ow frequently does LI make these changes and are they big or incremental so we don’t notice? How can people work with you and learn more about you? About our Guest: Jillian Bullock is Award-winning & Cert. LinkedIn Expert, Veteran LinkedIn Trainer (12 years), Podcaster, PSA qualified Speaker, Co-Author & Ranked No1 LinkedIn Trainer Australasia 2018 SMMI! Is your business taking advantage of the 26% increase in traffic on LinkedIn during COVID-19? Professional services, consultants and contractors are being forced to downsize or finding that clients have dried up. Use this downtime effectively to focus on networking and branding, using LinkedIn as a pivotal tool to create and generate new leads. LinkedIn can be confusing and difficult to use as an effective and profitable business tool as so much of it is hidden. This powerful platform is the most direct Social Media tool today to showcase your expertise within your niche. Without a great LinkedIn profile ‘selling’ you on your behalf just like a brochure or website you are definitely missing out on business. If you have been reliant on local trade, face-to-face networking or worse still, converting from stage at events, the LinkedIn platform should be a crucial part of your strategy to ensure ongoing development of business and relationships. Especially now! On average, I increase people’s visibility on LinkedIn by 600%. Since being recognised by LinkedIn HQ as one of only 12 “LinkedIn Independent Experts worldwide, I was ranked #1 LinkedIn Trainer Sydney in 2019 and In February 2020, I was ranked #1 LinkedIn “Rockstar” globally. If you are stuck for ideas or not sure what to do next, book yourself in to a free 20-minute discovery session with me at https://calendly.com/jillianbullock To find out more go to their website: https://linkedinninja.com.au/ or LinkedIn.com/in/jillianbullock 

LinkedIn Update.... from the only one who knows how. A Ninja! With special guest Jillian Bullock, the LinkedIn Ninja

Small Biz Matters – #200 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014 with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner. Date: 23 March 2021 In the last 12 months policy makers, regional communities, corporates and small businesses all sat up and have taken notice of remote working. But it’s not a new normal for regional communities. Part of the evolution of the Tree Change Sea Change concept is the move towards working remotely. So, corporate does it, government does it, but for once small business has been a little bit slow off the mark, slow to adapt to a sensible way to grow. Is it because we are now fearful of employing in Aust thanks to our archaic employment laws? Ot the tyranny of distance (which is ironic), or a mistrust in internet capacity? Or has the offshoring process simply become too easy and switching back by bringing the jobs, money and employment home again all seems too hard? Here to talk us through the processes, the new innovations, the myths and the wonderful impact this has had on regional communities is Jo Palmer. One can only describe her as a powerhouse for regional Australia. She speaks for communities and offers actual solutions which make a difference. A person who, put simply, gets it done.  We are really focusing on the impact that remote work has on rural communities in regards to the attraction and retention of population. We have built a new tool that helps those living in metro areas to find communities in the regions to relocate to. Happy to talk about businesses no longer being location dependent in regards to staff or their physical location? Storage space and logistics are cheap in the bush! To find out more go to their website: https://www.pointerremoteroles.com.au/ About our Guest: Jo is the Founder and Managing Director of Pointer Remote, a company that supports communities, businesses and individuals to leverage remote work to grow. She is particularly passionate about how remote work is an economic development tool to attract and retain populations in the regions. Pointer Remote runs training programs that support business owners to make remote and flexible work actually work in an organisation as well as supporting team members to be the most effective and efficient remote worker possible.

ONshoring is better for the economy, communities and your small business. Why? With expert guest Jo Palmer, Founder & Managing Director Pointer Remote

Small Biz Matters – #199 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014 with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner. Date: 16 March 2021 The silver bullet vaccines are being rolled out and the economy appears to slowly be getting back on its feet. But a recovery for small business is unique and much more unpredictable than that of our larger counterparts. Remember that we span all sectors of the economy, all geographical regions of this huge country, all spaces available; and across all cultures and diversity our society is made up of. It is difficult to pigeonhole us at all beyond being “small business”. Given that there are complex issues including stock to replenish, staff to re-train, premises to re-configure and budgets to re-evaluate it’s a huge task to wrangle us as a group let alone provide the support, and administer the government’s stimulus measures. So how does an agency the size of the ATO manage this and still keep in touch with the unique and complex needs of small business? This week we welcome back to the show Andrew Watson; Assistant Commissioner of the ATO to explain what stimulus measures are being administered by the ATO and what plans the ATO has in place to support small business in particular when navigating a recovery that effects us all. In 2020, the government announced a number of stimulus measures to help businesses deal with the impact of COVID. Can small businesses still access any of these? What is the ATO responsible for as opposed to other agencies? Who are the best people to ask for advice on these matters? Now that we’re into 2021 and the COVID vaccine is starting to roll out, we can only hope that lock downs are a thing of the past, and businesses can look to getting back to normal. What should small businesses do to start their COVID recovery? What are the mistakes the ATO witnessed from the GFC that small businesses can perhaps learn from? In terms of what the ATO would like to see, what should small business do to avoid red flags? To find out more go to their website: www.ato.gov.au About our Speaker: Andrew Watson is an Assistant Commissioner for the Australian Taxation Office in the Small Business line. He is currently responsible for understanding how small businesses engage with the tax and super systems, collaborating with small businesses, industry groups and government agencies to shape the client experience and drive improved digital services. His area also helps small businesses manage cash-flow and digital readiness so sustainable and viable businesses can thrive, and advocates for small businesses within the ATO.

How can the ATO help you and your small business navigate the uphill battle? With special guest Andrew Watson, Assistant Commissioner – Small Business Experience, Australian Tax Office

Small Biz Matters – #198 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014 with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner. Date: 28 February 2021 With more and more small businesses becoming fluent with social media landscape (and all of it’s platforms) we find ourselves in a changing world where we used to dominate with thousands of views and have become almost invisible. As small businesses,competition can drive us to be unique, genuine and clarify what you offer to your clients but it can also make us fearful of change. A dip in our engagement numbers can signal a change in the landscape; perhaps a competitor is muscling into your territory and grabbing your likes followers? So what can you do about it? Stella Gianotto is an expert in brand recognition, helping retail business increase market share by creatively using data to futurize their customer experience, and she’s joining us to explain the difference between differentiating or distinguishing so you can avoid being a copy of a copy! Primarily we are talking about how to create differentiation for your brand of your business, to achieve distinction or to be distinguished. What is the definition of differentiation for a brand or a business? VS What is the definition of distinction? How can a small business achieve differentiation in the absence of a big budget? How many ways are there to achieve differentiation for a small business? Has branding only been reserved for larger business, global brands, and the elite? What can a small business do right now to start to create differentiation for their brand? Does differentiating a brand increase revenue? To find out more go to their website: https://brandforbrands.com/ About our Guest: With 25 years’ experience as a Branding Expert and the Creative Director at the Brand for Brands Agency (a family owned business co-founded with her sister Joanne Gianotto), Stella Gianotto has delivered over 1,000 brands globally, received multiple business awards including Best Brand Agency Sydney 2019. Stella is a multi-award-winning Creative Director and the go-to Branding Expert, working with businesses to create brands for a purpose, profit or a legacy. She is demystifying what branding “really” is, educates us on what branding “actually” does and makes branding accessible for business across various industry segments. This has led to wide ranging recognition including multiple business and design awards, including being awarded BEST BRAND AGENCY in Sydney 2019. Her brands have even appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show!!! Stella’s industry presence and expertise has led to her contribution to several books, Keeping Retail Alive, Marketing Brands Made Easy, Social Media Marketing: Write Up Your Tweet and Well Spun: Big PR and Social Media Ideas for Small Business. Stella also contributes to media including articles’, podcasts and video presentations: SME Experts Show with Mark Boris, SME TV and Podcasts, Daily Telegraph, Business Daily, The Shaker, Oxygen Magazine, Start-up Daily Australia; Dynamic Small Business Australia; Australian Business Solutions Magazine, Australia Post Priority Magazine; CEO Blog Nation and Marketing Space to name a few.

Don't be a Copy of a Copy! Should you differentiate or distinguish? With special guest Stella Gianotto, BrandForBrands

Small Biz Matters – #197 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014 with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner. Date: 23 February 2021 Time to get excited about statistics. No, really! As small business owners we are often reminded to learn who our ideal client is and research this with gusto until we have a perfect image in our minds as to who they are and what makes them tick. We normally gather this info from anecdotal experiences and conversations with other business owners or mentors. But what if all this ideal info like location, B2B details, demographic, political persuasion, customs and habits, and social media use was already easily and freely available. Well, guess what… it is! There’s a government department full of real boffins who are passionate about sharing this wealth of knowledge and when it comes to collecting, analysing and delivering this sort of data they’ve made it accessible and useful to small business - and now have a brand new website too! Its all there for the taking and today we welcome back John Shepherd the General Manager, Industry Statistics Division &  Bjorn Jarvis Head Labour Statistics to explain how and why we should tap into this goldmine of data. Topics we’ll be covering: Why should small businesses be across these statistics and how to access specifically the labour force data? How can being aware of labour force data influence your growth decisions as a small business? How can a business navigate their way through the website and what are the most useful sections, in your opinion? Where does the ABS get this data from & how robust & accurate is it? Building on success on ATO’s STP and exploring ways a business can report survey data through their software It’s now real-time rather than based on tax returns which can be months out of date Sharing the latest ABS updates for small business & new website COVID business survey Patterns and trends Latest retail trade survey Business conditions updates Why check out the new website? Easy to digest info Start with business snapshot then go and explore the main page Jobs and wages info (from 700,000 businesses) then breaking down by sectors > how can businesses use the data To find out more go to their website: www.abs.gov.au All about the ABS - https://www.abs.gov.au/about?OpenDocument&ref=topBar ABS response to COVID-19 - https://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/ABS%20responds%20to%20COVID-19. A handy calendar that lists statistical releases for the coming six months - https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/webpages/ABS+Release+Calendar About our Guest: John Shepherd is the General Manager leading the Industry Statistics Division. The Industry Statistics Division is responsible for developing, compiling, analysing and disseminating statistical information across a range of sectors including Agriculture, Environment, Building and Construction, Transport, Tourism, Financial Institutions, Innovation and Technology. The Division also produces Main Economic Indicators including Private New Capital Expenditure, Retail Trade, Business Indicators, Building Approvals, Job Vacancies, New Motor Vehicle Sales and Housing and Lending Finance. The Division includes the Statistical Infrastructure and International Branch, encompassing the International Relations & Regional Statistical Development section, the Business Register Unit and the Statistical Standards and Infrastructure section. The Division is focussed on working with its partners to provide a strong information base for policy development and evaluation. John joined the ABS in June 2019 after a lengthy career at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). At the ATO, John held a number of senior roles in his 28 years, including leading significant change programs and projects focused on improving the client experience. John’s most recent role was leading the implementation of the Single Touch Payroll (STP) initiative, enabling employers to report their tax and superannuation information for their employees at the same time as they paid staff. STP aims to streamline business reporting to government and support better tax and super experiences for all employees. John also played an active role in superannuation reform, including leading the implementation of SuperStream and a number of other superannuation reform initiatives including online superannuation account consolidation. John is a passionate Movember ambassador and fundraiser for men’s health initiatives. John holds a Masters of Taxation from the University of NSW and is based in Canberra. Bjorn Jarvis is the head of labour statistics at the ABS. His team produces the wide range of information on the labour market, based on data provided by businesses and  people. He has a passion for how statistics can help businesses, governments, communities and individuals inform their important decisions, and also loves a good graph.  

Latest Regular Update From The Aust Bureau Of Statistics Special Guest John Shepherd, Industry Statistics Division & Bjorn Jarvis Labour Statistics

Small Biz Matters – #196 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner.Date: 14 February 2021 Small Biz Matters is proud to announce our ongoing collaboration with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterpris­­e Ombudsman through regular updates from Kate Carnell about all ASBFEO is doing to advocate and support small businesses. In the fourth third of the series Kate Carnell will update us about ASBFEO’s response to the crisis facing small business. This week we’re updating you on: Insolvency changes and access to funding for small business since 1Jan2021 Temporary restructuring relief - how to get started Why should small businesses familiarise themselves with the Personal Property Securities Register? Access to credit after JobKeeper and how will small businesses cope with its removal? What about those businesses looking to hire additional staff – what do they need to know about JobMaker Hiring Credit Kate Carnell, as an independent advocate for small business owners, has the legislative power to influence our nation’s lawmakers, ensuring legislation and regulations are put in place to help small businesses grow and in these times, survive. A lot has happened since January 1 – rules around insolvency have changed for one – what do small businesses need to know? Let’s talk about temporary restructuring relief. What is it and how do small businesses get started? There’s a lot of talk about a steep rise in insolvencies this year. Why should small businesses familiarise themselves with the Personal Property Securities Register? JobKeeper is being phased out and that will no doubt put struggling small businesses under pressure – how important is access to credit? (Kate to talk about revenue contingent loan scheme) What about those businesses looking to hire additional staff – what do they need to know? (Kate to talk about JobMaker Hiring Credit) To find out more go to their website: https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/ About our Guest: The Ombudsman - Kate Carnell "In this role I will seek to bring together the many voices within the small business community in a way that promotes growth in this vital sector." Kate Carnell is the inaugural Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO). As the ASBFEO, she is an independent advocate for small business owners.  Her office has the legislative powers needed to effectively influence our nation’s lawmakers, ensuring legislation and regulations are put in place to help small businesses grow. The ASBFEO office also provides small businesses and family enterprises with assistance should they find themselves involved in a business dispute. Small businesses are the engine room of the economy; it’s a big reputation to live up to, so we need to do all we can to ensure they have the freedom to innovate, employ and thrive well into the future. About ASBFEO Australia is a nation of small businesses and family enterprises.  It’s a dynamic and exciting sector that allows people with an entrepreneurial spirit to pursue their dreams. One of the fastest growing in the economy, the sector presents many opportunities – and challenges – for those who dedicate themselves to pursing a small business venture. The ASBFEO's role is to support small businesses and family enterprises to enable them to grow and thrive. The ASBFEO was launched on 11 March 2016 and has two key functions: to assist and to advocate for small businesses and family enterprises. ASSIST: We understand the challenges facing small business owners. We provide access to dispute resolution services for those who may be involved in a disagreement, so they can try and find a solution to their problem without having to go to court. ADVOCATE: There are a number of different activities the Ombudsman may conduct in fulfilling the role of small business advocate. Broadly these include: Conduct inquiries and research Work with other arms of government Contribute to other inquiries Promote good business practice.

February 2021 Update from ASBFEO & Small Biz Matters With special guest Kate Carnell the Australian Small Business and Family Enterpris­­e Ombudsman

Small Biz Matters – #195 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner.Date: 9 February 2021 So the Australian Government in defence of one industry, has decided to take on the giants of the tech world and this may affect that proportion of small businesses that rely on those giants for marketing, sales, data storage, functionality, admin, our processes.... Pretty much everything. I know what you’re thinking - that’s basically all of us. It’s like a David and Goliath battle with small business playing Piggy in the Middle. So, how concerned should small business be that this currently slightly worrying news story may implode our businesses? Is the threat real or just grandstanding? Will it turn our online worlds upside down or are we just going to pivot to a new search engine? There’s no one else who’s better positioned to allay our fears (or perhaps make them worse) than Seamus Byrne. With decades of experience as an Award-winning journalist and broadcaster covering the future of technology, videogames and digital culture he’s going to explain the current situation and what you, as a small business, need to know. What is the fight between google and the gov about? Is the google threat real? Or just a bit of grandstanding to help get their view out? What’s the most likely outcome here? Is there a middle ground? Or is it all or nothing on both sides. Worst case scenario and google leaves ... are we screwed? Or could we adjust to a life of Bing or Duck duck go? How should we prepare as small business? Or is it wait and see what happens? To find out more go to their website: https://byteside.com/category/shows/byteside/ For many small businesses the thought of digital solutions encompasses a long list of To Dos which can quite frankly, be overwhelming. Between website, social media, admin, maintaining data, compliance and learning all the above, getting a foothold in the digital space is almost as challenging as starting the actual business itself! So how do you prioritise which digital solution to use for which problem? What aspects are important when getting your business started, ramping it up or growing quickly? And what client behaviours in all of these aspects should influence your decisions? Dinesh De Silva is the founder of netStripes,  a leading authority on digital innovation and has helped over 7000 businesses to understand and implement digital solutions. He’s joining me in conversation today to help you prioritise the MUST DOs above the nice to have and help you overcome those hurdles of overwhelm to nail all the digital spaces. Behaviour of Consumer/customers have changed dramatically with the pandemic, how can business owners understand and then cater to these changes successfully ? In this new year, what are the top 3 things Small and Medium business must do to keep their businesses progressing despite the pandemic Are there success stories of businesses who have taken these steps in the most affected industries, and what have they done differently? What is stopping a business owners taking this action despite the transformation of results they can achieve To find out more go to their website: https://www.netstripes.com/ About our Guest: Dinesh De Silva – Founder of NetStripes Dinesh is a leading authority on Small and Medium Business Digital Innovation. His current passion is to empower 1 Million SMEs to accelerate their business growth through Digital Innovation, which he believes can change the course of small businesses in this country, whilst creating millions of jobs across the world. Having worked with over 7,000 business owners in recent years, he is regularly called upon to share these deep insights as a thought leader. Media appearances include ABC News, ABC Radio, Sky Business, Sky News, AFR, and CIO.

Aust Govt vs Google with small business in the middle. Plus, Digital Solutions to jump start your business.

Small Biz Matters – #194 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner.Date: 2 February 2021 According to our guest Ben Joseph, manufacturing in Australia is the one sector in which you SHOULDN’T niche. With tight margins, a globally competitive industry and fragile supply chains, a lack of diversification can mean you can’t adapt fast. For instance, when a global shutdown strikes how can you pivot your way out of that one? The industry, like all other small businesses, has learned a great deal from 2020. Good, solid processes, tech integration, communication and of course resilience have been necessities for survival into 2021. Part of Josco’s recipe for success has been solid processes, access to real time data through reliable tech integration but more important than that - communication with key stakeholders. When the world shut down ‘cause of COVID they relied on those relationships to build back up again. And some were in Australia and some overseas. See, diversification in action! But what of the future of the industry and the reality of being independent in Australia - is it just a pipe dream? Is it the industry which will drive change or does key policy makers have a role to play to shape its future. Let’s hear from Ben, who has lots to say on the issues of the future of the industry, procedures, tech integration, communication and of course resilience necessary for survival from 2020 into 2021. What would you like to see in terms of the the future of manufacturing in Australia and whether it, in reality, can be sustainable? A “blended” approach and working collaboratively and utilising the skills in which we excel seems to work at the moment But the industry needs to be evolving and adaptable all the time. What did 2020 teach us about globalisation? The fact is there are risks as well as positives What is the Government focusing - innovative manufacturing, reducing the dependency on one nation as our “factory”. Innovation reduces our dependency on nations which provide labour cheaply Describe the affect the COVID crisis had on the manufacturing industry as a whole Disruption of supply chains Breakdown in communication How long did the “panic”last Was it a matter of survival of the fittest or was it something about your processes and procedures which meant you could survive? Why was being aware of your cash flow position and real time data so important? What about the relationships with your suppliers - did they take a beating and did you have to rebuild the trust? What lessons did you learn about business continuity now that you’ve come out the other end? Planning for the future – where do you invest and how do you make those decisions? What do you consider as “Innovation” when reinventing & reinvigorate your business Focus on your strengths Remote working – how to manage staff What are some signs to look out for in for business owners how to use the guide to support the conversation? To find out more go to their website: https://www.josco.com.au/ About our Guest: Ben Joseph is the Managing Director of Josco Australia, a trusted Australian owned and operated business supplying hand tools and power tool accessories for nearly 45 years. Originally from Adelaide, Ben spent his formative years in Perth where he commenced his career before moving back to Adelaide and then ultimately Melbourne 27 years ago. Throughout his working life, Ben has worked for manufacturers, importers, multinationals and iconic Australian businesses, including Hills Industries and Philips Electronics. As the second generation in the Josco business Ben has seen the business grow from its formation in a back yard garage, to a business now operating nationally throughout Australia New Zealand and the UK, with major customers including Bunnings, Mitre 10, Total Tools and Blackwoods. In recent years, Ben has worked actively on the business to transition the business to the generation, becoming the major shareholders together with his other director Maury Chalmers.  In making this change there has been a transformation from a “family business” to a more corporate professional organisation and the disciplines associated with this.  Many of these changes proved highly beneficial as the impact of COVID-19 hit in 2020. “Trust” is a major focus for both Ben and Josco.  As many of Josco’s products are used in heavy duty applications on powerful power tools, the ability of the products to perform under pressure is critical.  Over many years the products have been put to the test in the toughest Australian conditions and met the challenge.  Josco’s customers and end users “trust” the business and products, for their reliability and ability to get the job done. Ben is married with 4 sons, one of whom is now the 3rd generation working in the business in a sales capacity.

What of the future of Manufacturing in Australia? A leader’s thoughts on sustainability, diversification & collaboration. With special guest Ben Joseph, Managing Director at Josco

Education & Advocacy with small business experts, industry leaders and your host, Alexi Boyd - a voice by Small Business FOR small business in Australia.