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AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS NEWS
- News and features
The latest news, announcements & related links...
HOW TO GUIDES
- Thinking of starting a business
Are you ready? Need help with planning, raising finance or writing your business plan? These guides and templates can help. - Starting a business
Ready to start? Here's information on starting a new business, a home-based business and buying a business or franchise. - Exiting a business
Closing or selling your business? Find out about succession planning, bankruptcy, deregistering your business and employee payments.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
- business.gov.au checklists (link coming soon)
The business.gov.au Starting your business checklist and Growing your business checklist will guide you through the various stages of your business, whether you're just starting or ready to grow. - Desktop business assistant
The Desktop business assistant is a simple tool that 'hovers' on your desktop. It's your own entry point to the business.gov.au website. From tool you can access current news and features, quick links to business.gov.au services and our business.gov.au search. - Government and business associations directory
Contains details for federal, state, territory and local governments and business associations. You can search either by the name of an organisation or by key words, or browse an alphabetical list. - Starting your business checklist
The checklist contains a series of questions to guide you through the various stages of your business including before you start, when you start, when you buy and when you run your business. - Growing your business checklist (link coming soon)
- Business consultation website
Register. Be consulted. Have your say.
BUSINESS TOPICS
- Employing people
Good employees can be your greatest asset, so recruiting and retaining the right person is very important. Find out your obligations... - Environmental management
As a business you could have some impact on the environment, whether large or small... - Importing and exporting
If you import goods into Australia, you will be affected by certain government regulations. Expanding your market can bring enormous benefits to your business, but successful exporting doesn't happen by accident... - Fair trading
In Australia federal and state laws protect you, your business and your customers from unfair trading practices... - Franchising
Franchising allows one business to operate under the name of another business' established brand and sell a prescribed product or service. Franchising can seem like an easy way of starting or expanding your business, but it's not something you should rush into without the proper knowledge. Whether you are buying a franchise or franchising your own business, it requires a significant investment of your time and money. - Grants and assistance
Grants and other funding programs are available from the federal, state and territory governments and in some cases from local councils... - Home-based business
If you're running a home-based business there are a wide range of government requirements that may apply to you... - Independent contractors
As a basic definition, independent contractors run their own business, and hire out their time to businesses and other organisations as a service. - Insurance
Insurance is an essential part of running any business. If you are operating a small business you need more than just property insurance... - Intellectual property
Intellectual property covers a range of laws that give individuals and businesses exclusive rights over their creative and inventive projects. - Market research and statistics
To run a successful business you need to know all about your potential and existing customers and the marketplace you operate in... - Occupational health and safety
Safety in the workplace is critical to the success of running a business, no matter what size it is... - Online business
Are you interested in starting an online business? By trading online you can save time and money, reduce your overheads and reach a much wider market... - Registration and licences
When you're starting up a new business it's important to find out what registration and licences apply to you... - Taxation
Understanding taxes and meeting your taxation obligations can save you money... - Tenders and contracts
Selling goods and services to government is an important opportunity for all businesses. Find out about tender opportunities...
This information is brought to you by business.gov.au, your business gateway to government information and services
Business Assistance
See how a BEC can assist your business
An Example of Assistance
A small retail business is concerned about its low sales. Times are tough and he is afraid the business will have to close. The owner decides to contact his local BEC for advice. The BEC manager and business owner agree to meet. The person is asked to bring relevant business information to the meeting.
Assessment of the Business
During the initial one-hour interview it is discovered that the business has been operating 15 months and is struggling to pay expenses. An assessment of the financial position reveals that they business is carrying too much stock and that it is undercapitalized.
Alliancewith other Professionals
A meeting is then set-up with the accountant. After discussion, it is agreed that the business should conduct a sale of some of its goods to generate cash flow. The BEC manager assists in the preparation of a concise business plan supported by financial statements from the accountant. This is then given to the bank. The retail business applies for and receives a small overdraft.
Advice on a Marketing Plan
One month later the business returns to the BEC to consult on a marketing plan for the next 12 months.
Counselling and Monitoring
Once the plan has been prepared and action steps confirmed, the business then agrees to meet with the BEC manager every second month for the next 6 months to monitor progress. After 12 months the business has doubled turnover. It is now making a profit for the first time. The BEC manager continues to counsel, give advice and monitor progress on an as needs basis.
Networking
The retail business also joins the BEC and receives regular newsletter, invitations to networking opportunities, business breakfasts and training information. Through attending these events, the business owner meets other local business owners and better understands the local business environment plus forms some strategic alliances with other local business. Through his association with his BEC he has developed a substantial network to draw upon when support is required.
There is ample evidence to support the fact that the micro-business sector prefers personal contact with someone from a BEC because of their small/ micro business experience and their counseling skills. Given that this sector has a high failure rate in the first 3 years of business, access to free information, referral and counseling services is vital to its survival.