You may have received emails or reminders about registering the “.au” version of your business website. At first glance, it could appear to be yet another spam email – but there could be a legitimate opportunity for business owners in Australia if you act before the September deadline. Here are some common questions small business owners have about...
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way when someone copies your business idea, product or artwork. So what protections do you have available to stop a copycat? There is nothing that can infuriate a business owner as much as noticing something they have come up with being used by another business...
A feature of my role as the Small Business Commissioner is that I am often asked about emerging issues in the small business landscape, particularly as each new year commences. While I sometimes wish for a clearer crystal ball, the benefit of having a network of peers across business and all levels of government, as well as having access to our in...
Would you know what to do if a business stopped paying your invoices or became insolvent? What you may not know is that in these situations you are considered to be an unsecured creditor and there are some important government regulations you should be aware of to try and protect yourself from losing money or assets. What is a creditor? You are a...
Small business owners with a business tax debt are encouraged to work with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to help manage it. Dealing with financial stress while running a business can be difficult. It is often tempting to brush it aside and deal with it at a later stage, or panic and try to resolve your debt through a short-term solution...
Many small businesses are facing challenges because of increased costs, the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and other economic factors. You might be one of many business owners who negotiated rent relief to manage the impact of the pandemic, now facing the prospect of paying back your deferred rent on top of meeting your ongoing rent and other business...
Being aware of the early warning signs that your business may be in trouble will provide you with the best opportunity to take action and turn things around.
Visitors to this year’s Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days had the opportunity to meet local small businesses and business advisers in the SBDC Regional Start Ups Arena. The Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days is Western Australia’s largest agricultural Field Days event, having started in the Wheatbelt town more than 50 years ago. A record crowd of 25...
Do you make promises to customers about what you’ll do if the goods or services they buy from you are defective? Any promises or guarantees relating to goods or services are classified as a ‘warranty against defects’, if made at or around the time they are supplied. As these promises are voluntary and often go beyond the protections provided under...
You may hear the term ‘supply chain’ a lot when it comes to the procurement and delivery of products or services – but what does it actually mean and how is it relevant to your business? What is a supply chain? A supply chain refers to the entire process of making and selling products, and can include steps such as: Sourcing raw materials Sourcing...
As tax time draws nearer, you might be wondering what you can claim or ‘write off’ as a tax deduction this year. It’s important to know exactly what you can – and can’t – claim to avoid running into issues later. Our business adviser, Brian Childs, shares some of his top tips for small business owners around claiming tax deductions. Beware of...
Having a written cancellation policy is a must for businesses that offer services, to protect your business and stay on the right side of the law.