We recently ran a NAB Health Cyber Security Awareness webinar. Please find the recording below.
Webinar
We recently ran a NAB Health Cyber Security Awareness webinar. Please find the recording below.
Webinar
Hospitality business founders Bill Drakopoulos and Dave Henderson shared their experiences over a meal for NAB’s Business Founders Talk series. Hear what they had to say about the passion and drive required to build up their respective businesses.
Insight
The founders of Empowered Women in Trades and The Kurrajong Kitchen Group sat down to share a meal – and their thoughts on building workplace diversity
Insight
While practising in the NSW outback, doctors Hamish Meldrum and Ross Lamplugh had a passion to improve rural and remote healthcare. Today, the result is Ochre Health - a national network of 65 medical centres and two medical recruitment businesses. And they're not done yet.
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Remote Queensland cattle station invests in a greener future for generations to come with support from NAB Agri Green Loan.
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The brains behind Airtasker and v2food share a meal – and their thoughts on how changing your perspective can lead to success.
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“I feel very fortunate to do what I always wanted to do.” President of The Australian & New Zealand Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Dr Patrishia Bordbar tells us about her incredible journey from a young girl in Iran to her career today as a renowned surgeon.
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Hard work, determination, experience and a solid business plan weren’t enough to get Nic and Keryn Crompton their own cattle farm… until NAB backed their ambition with a Future Farmers loan.
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Leave it to chance and you’re putting the future of your legal practice at risk. When it comes to succession planning, this firm of patent attorneys provides a lesson in doing things the right way.
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NAB’s Future Farmers program is making is easier for younger farmers to buy or lease an agricultural property. Cody Scott is one of the first to benefit.
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Download NAB’s Regional & Agribusiness Horizons Report for compelling new insights into regional and rural Australia.
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Rapid growth and huge demand proved a cash flow challenge to toy company Connetix. Here’s how NAB specialist support bolstered their continued expansion.
‘Build it and they will come’ – that’s the belief that drove Brisbane businessman Justin Montesalvo to grow his bright idea from blueprint to thriving high-end camper trailer maker.
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Lower costs, greater productivity and more profitability are just three of the benefits entrepreneur Mat Stillone’s automation investment has unleashed.
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Global pandemic boosts feeling of Australia as the lucky country.
Insight
NAB’s annual pulse check of life in Australia confirms it is, with Australians in strong agreement that our country remains a great place to live.
Avante Medical founder Scott Crawford outlines the high-tech issues of the moment – and the near future – for Australia’s $137 billion healthcare sector.
New research shows what Australians fear most for our nation’s future.
In early 2018, two entrepreneurs launched a website that aimed to address the housing affordability crisis by facilitating co-ownership. A few months later, they had an even better idea.
A Victorian couple have turned their vision for a southern US-style barbecue restaurant with a good heart at its core into a fast-growing business.
When BJ Plummer was handed the reins of acclaimed Tasmanian smoked seafood producer Woodbridge Smokehouse, he was instructed not to ‘mess around’ with the brand. We spoke to Plummer about his strategy, which has seen export revenue grow a whopping 1,300 per cent in just three years.
In an increasingly risk-averse and security-conscious world, Martin Lazarevic had an idea – to revolutionise the police check process. He now heads a $14m business recording stunning annual growth.
A commitment to relationships in Japan and Australia, respect for supply chain profitability and a focus on quality has seen Edwards Livestock double exports in less than a decade.
How a nurse and surgeon husband set out to lower the world’s cholesterol levels, one bottle of olive oil at a time.
Rutherglen’s Campbells Wines has lived through the global rise, fall and resurrection of the Australian wine industry. Current head of the winery Colin Campbell discusses how this fifth-generation business structures itself for export success in the 21st century.
We shine a light on the ongoing innovation efforts of Australian business.
Vision, teamwork and a passion for producing the perfect pie have helped the Porter family transform the old Yatala Pies pie shop into a baking powerhouse.
Passion, history, ambition. There can be many reasons business owners follow their dream. We asked five company heads to explain their ‘why’.
Lawyer turned whisky distiller Cameron Syme pioneered the whisky-making industry in Western Australia when he launched his business more than 10 years ago. His goal? To make the best single malt in the whole world.
When BJ Plummer was handed the reins of acclaimed Tasmanian smoked seafood producer Woodbridge Smokehouse, he was instructed not to ‘mess around’ with the brand. We spoke to Plummer about his strategy, which has seen export revenue grow a whopping 1,300 per cent in just three years.
Thanks to social media, more people are pursuing the job they want, where they want it. Those who prefer country living no longer have to wonder why they’re going to work in the city each day simply to pursue a dream career – as this rural film-maker recently discovered.
From the beginning, Alex Tomic and Nik Mirkovic knew they wanted to think big, and to think global.
Helping out a local sports team with sponsorship can build strong relationships with potential customers – pharmacist Silvana Gittani bet her marketing budget on it. Her success proves how many business, regardless of size, can use strategic marketing to engage with their community and forge lasting business ties.
Hard work and commercial nous acquired on the fly have helped Queenslander Carmel Sales turn a small-time cabinetmaking business into a multimillion-dollar manufacturing powerhouse.
Do you own a small business that’s selling overseas or importing products and equipment into Australia? Trade finance can help you make the most of opportunities without tying up your valuable working capital.
While many city dwellers see farming as old-fashioned, Kim and David Coulton and family of Morella Agriculture know it’s all about cementing market share by staying on top of the science and technology curve.
Rising to the challenge of parenting four children with Type 1 diabetes prompted Elissa Renouf to found Diabete-ezy, a rapidly expanding business whose products help other sufferers manage the condition. We spend a day with her in export and expansion mode.
A big order could completely transform your business but there’s a limit to how much anyone (or any small business) can handle. BDO partner Dr Mark Pizzacalla and Total Image Group CEO Pamela Jabbour discuss preparation, parameters and being strong enough to say ‘no’.
Roza’s Gourmet head Jasmin Robertson grew up immersed in her mum Roza’s sauces business. Though she passed away almost 17 years ago, her mum’s passionate food philosophies – and recipes – remain at the heart of the booming business. We spoke to Jasmin about her mother’s enduring business legacy.
Heading overseas isn’t the only way to grow your business. Here are five ways to consider pumping up your revenue on home ground.
Australians remain positive about their lives today but fear the future.
What is it that drives, creates and sustains great business growth? Four leaders with business growth in common share what lies behind their success.
Melbourne-based start-up Culture Amp is flying high after raising $36 million. So how did they manage it?
Agromin Australia is expanding its exports by sticking to what it knows best – pulses for the Indian subcontinent. Owner Rajni Patel explains how the company is cornering a larger and larger share of the market for Australian farmers.
Their big break: transformative moments for some of history’s best-known products.
Two Australians – a doctor and an engineer – launched the ‘private healthcare in tough conditions’ industry and grew a business that now fights Ebola and runs warzone hospitals.
She set up her business aged just 21 and now runs the largest privately owned uniform company on the east coast of Australia. We meet Pamela Jabbour of Total Image Group.
Making wine is a very personal venture for this Barossa Valley-born and bred artisan combining two passions in his small-batch business.
Online dermatology consults for rural Australians… how a ground-breaking new Teledermatologist platform is delivering specialist care to rural and remote patients.
Brothers Hamish and Gavin dreamed of taking their Aussie backyard turf company big and supplying world-class stadiums. Today they’re internationally recognised suppliers in their field.
Gunning it in the gig economy: how Deliveroo Australia boss Levi Aron sets the pace in a business that never sleeps.
Fourth-generation Australian winemaker Colin has spent 50 years among the vines and says there’s no place on earth he’d rather be.
Watching women’s disappointment when she prescribed therapeutic shoes for their problematic ankles and feet inspired Brisbane podiatrist Caroline McCulloch to create a range of footwear that’s as stylish as it is comfortable.
Seeing the benefits her care provides for patients has been the driving force behind 30 years in private practice for North Parramatta Physiotherapy & Sports Injuries principal, Mary Knapman.
Creating a place that makes customers feel as good as the food tastes has been the driving force behind Harvest, the Newrybar deli/bakery/restaurant three friends bought and transformed into a destination dining experience.
The grandeur of Australia’s wool industry is visible in the huge old wool stores standing tall all over our cities. Moses & Son’s Martin Moses wants Australian wool to rise again – and says the next generation of sheep farmers has the power to take on the world.
Fond childhood memories combined with a holiday hitch inspired Justin Hales to create Camplify, the fast-growing caravan-sharing startup proving a winner in Australia and now taking on the UK.
With a 60-year domestic and international success story already behind them, it comes as no surprise that family-run Nolan Meats has very definite ideas about how to launch a successful push into the Asia Pacific region.
After two years of dead-end phone calls to Asian supermarkets, Lively Linseed’s Jacqui and Chris Donoghue overcame the challenges to find direct-export success.
Fleur Studd and Jason Scheltus saw a gap in the Melbourne coffee market for a quality speciality coffee product that could be traced back to its producers.
In 2009, Sheryl Thai had just started a business and was like any other fledgling entrepreneur: hard-working, idealistic, passionate. Yet she felt alone. What she did next became the basis of a movement that’s helped thousands of women across Australia find their business voice: the League of Extraordinary Women.
While there are many things to consider when buying new equipment to make your business more productive, one of the most important is finding the best way to finance the purchase. NAB Agribusiness General Manager Khan Horne is urging customers to carefully consider all available options.
Passion, persistence and cash flow… hipages co-founder David Vitek shares his formula for turning a shoestring start-up into a profitable business.
Dr Lyn Bishop fought battles on all fronts to establish Sheldon College. Her entrepreneurial approach to education created a successful independent school in just 20 years, and here she details the challenges and obstacles she overcame along the way.
Threats like the recent global WannaCry and Petya ransomware attacks are a good reminder of why it’s important to ensure your business data is safe, by confirming your computer’s security updates and patches are up to date, and backing-up your business data regularly.
What does it take to run a successful rural pharmacy? Two business owners – including the winner of this year’s Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s Pharmacy of the Year Award – discuss the challenges and rewards of working in a small town.
Turning IP into profitable products: WA start-up Wangle Technologies has the lucrative network security market in its sights.
It’s not just nutritional benefits and old-fashioned happiness behind the Sunny Queen egg story – the company’s embrace of digital marketing includes giving an egg its very own blog. The strategy is working.
Artisans of Barossa, a collaboration of six winemaker mates, was born following a business growth decision to band together under the one umbrella brand. The result has been a host of benefits for both the individual business owners and their beloved wine region.
Australian agribusinesses are joining forces with universities to harness growing interest in agricultural careers and develop the future industry leadership needed to succeed in the global agricultural marketplace.
In just a few years, Marie Piccone has revived the fortunes of three mango plantations and the once-renowned Manbulloo brand. A careful strategy built on meeting customers’ demands is what got her there.
Traditional law and accounting firms need to take a hard look at their business models and ways of pricing, or they risk getting left behind. The man who brought the term NewLaw to the world and has researched and written extensively on the subject gives five pieces of advice.
Australia’s next phase of growth must be defined by ideas, creativity and execution. Our future lies in our ability to foster a culture of innovation. But how do we measure innovation across all sizes and types of business?
At last count, the Australian pet industry was estimated at $8 billion. Business View looks at the changing nature of pet ownership and talks to three businesses tapping into the trend.
Superfoods can mean super profits. But which ones are gaining the attention of Australian farmers?
After 10 years in business, Titan Ag is now a formidable strength in holistic agricultural chemical supply, respected for competitive products, relationship building – and now for being grain producers themselves.
Transforming your payments system doesn’t have to hurt and can in fact save time and increase efficiency, as Perth’s Wesley College found out.
Student mental health on the agenda for schools.
Life after a business sale? What Antonio Cerqueira, founder of Oporto, did next.
When the Australian Government removed price reserve guarantees on wool in 1991, the resulting price collapse meant long-standing beef, lamb and wool producers Julie and Sandy Cameron had to either innovate or accept that their business would perish.
What was the moment that mattered? Paul Blackburne, Managing Director of WA property firm Blackburne, and Gen George, Founder and Managing Director of employment sites OneShift and Skilld, tell their stories.
A sharing platform for agricultural equipment could see Aussie farmers spending less on machinery and earning a sideline income hiring out gear which would otherwise sit idle in the shed. Agri View reports.
Rosalie Rotolo-Hassan started serving customers in her parents’ food business at Adelaide’s Central Market when she was just 12 years old – and launched her own export business at 18.
Research trials on two Northern Territory mango farms are investigating the potential of high resolution satellite imagery combined with fruit-scanning guns to improve productivity and farm efficiency.
Cutting the amount of time workers spend on administrative tasks can mean big benefits for a business’ bottom line. Yet for SMEs, honing processes like expense claims often have to take a back seat to building the business. Or do they?
Fifteen years ago, two separate groups of enthusiastic investors and abalone farmers set out to secure a footing on the global stage. It wasn’t until they joined forces in 2008 that everything changed and the farms, within the space of nine years, went from individual 70-tonne entities to being the biggest producer of abalone in the southern hemisphere.
What was the moment that mattered? Adam Hilton, Managing Director of Noisy Beast, Media Manoeuvres' Sam Elam and Co-Founder of Appster, Mark McDonald tell their story.
HelloFresh doesn’t just deliver food, its very ethos is about bringing people together to cook and eat. So when the global franchise was looking to set up in Australia, management needed a particular set of skills to run the ship. Tom Rutledge, business graduate and former MasterChef contestant, was just the man for the job.
Online sales growing over the year, rebound in the month
Customer satisfaction, becoming a viable business and surviving tough economic conditions are the top three moments that matter for Australian SMEs, according to a new report released by NAB. And while almost half of SMEs are set to expand, they’re feeling some pressure.
Digital transformation on a shoestring opens options for residents, frees up staff and provides big benefits for Brimbank City Council, an organisation focused on delivering for its community.
In a changing world, success increasingly comes to those who can devise the most creative solutions to pressing problems. Here we profile seven books to help you reset your thinking, up your flow and tap into your inner creative.
The gruelling task that moving house can be was the inspiration for the online marketplace startup that’s now grown to be a household name and is attracting big investment. Business View spoke to the co-founders of Airtasker, Tim Fung and Jonathan Lui, about their journey.
Many farmers take control of their supply chain but few market the benefits to customers as successfully as Australian Grain Link. Over the past 16 years this strategy has helped them carve out lucrative specialty niches that show no signs of shrinking.
For Oporto founder Antonio Cerqueira, it was finding the right partner. For entrepreneur Anthony Janssen, it was working on his business, not in it. For Girl Geek Academy co-founder and CEO Sarah Moran, it was backing herself. What was the moment that changed them? Three business owners tell.
Robots as a Service could provide the benefits of robotics without the upfront costs. Technology futurist Shara Evans discusses the potential for increasing production and reducing costs.
As Australia embraces digital, the business services sector is booming. Nimble and tech-savvy service providers are helping businesses reach their customers by bridging the gaps.
With far-reaching changes to super just around the corner, business owners need to understand what they will mean to them – before July 1.
From Arianna Huffington, Daniel Goleman, Randi Zuckerberg and more, we share the most insightful quotes from the speakers of World Business Forum 2017.
Former Facebook marketing director Randi Zuckerberg shares her views on why everyone is an entrepreneur, why every company should do hackathons and why failure is just the start of success.
There is a strong business case for diversity beyond legal and moral imperatives. Our panel moves beyond the rhetoric to explore how to bring diversity to life.
Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales on why he’s good at failure, the need to protect information integrity and what he’s about to launch next.
Disruption is impacting both businesses and communities. But there are greater opportunities for business to solve for both. Professor Ian Williamson of Melbourne Business School shares his insights.
From the man who gave the world the EQ revolution comes new thinking on how today’s leaders can embrace connectivity to win in a world of flux and change.
Third generation dairy farmer Tim Marwood was looking for a way to go from “price taker” to “price maker” when he saw an opportunity – premium artisanal ice cream.
“It’s not called failing any more, it’s called learning”: Mohanbir Sawhney, Professor at the Kellogg School of Management, details the concept of agile innovation and shares three ways in which businesses can transform to become agile innovators themselves.
Online sales slower over the year, contract in the month
The world is changing rapidly and companies need new approaches to master the new environment. Rosabeth Moss Kanter of Harvard Business School shares her insights.
Simplicity is about perception, authenticity and doing fewer things better. Former Apple creative director Ken Segall reflects on his time at the tech innovator to explain why simplicity is also the foundation of great business practice in today’s complex world.
Ken Segall is the author of the bestselling book Insanely Simple.
Rosabeth Moss Kanter holds the Ernest L. Arbuckle Professorship at Harvard Business School, where she specialises in strategy, innovation, and leadership for change.
Mohanbir Sawhney is a globally recognised scholar, teacher and consultant in business innovation, technology marketing and new media.
Arianna Huffington is the founder of The Huffington Post
NAB’s Consumer Anxiety Index - which measures concerns about future spending and savings arising from job security, health, retirement, cost of living and government polices - fell to a survey low 55.9 points in Q1 2017 (58.7 in Q4 2016).
Australia has the talent and the willing investors, so what’s holding our agtech sector back? SproutX General Manager Sam Trethewey discusses a new accelerator program and national co-working space network that could put us on a par with the world’s great innovators.
Now in its 6th year, the index highlights trends in giving and helps inform charities’ fundraising strategies.
Remember the Chinese gooseberry? Not so much. Not until it turned into the kiwifruit and began turning up in fruit salads everywhere. Meet the man introducing ancient Australian bush tucker to global foodies as ‘lime caviar’.
Corporate social responsibility sounds like an excellent idea but in practice it often goes straight into the too-hard basket. Here’s how taking your staff away from the daily grind can save your business in all the ways that matter.
The NAB Monthly Business Survey posted another strong result in April, with both business conditions and confidence improving – pointing to ongoing strength in business activity in the near-term.
Hard work and hustle have helped Melbourne cousins Ross and David Fastuca secure a string of corporate customers and win multi-million dollar backing for Travelport Locomote, their travel platform.
New healthy food trends favouring scratch baking and organic and raw produce have created a resurgence of interest in traditional pantry staples, and ingredients brand McKenzie’s is keen to spur on the excitement.
Leanne Faulkner was riding a wave of success building a fast-growing start-up until the business slowed and the stress took its toll on her health. Now she’s helping others learn how to cope with the pressure.
A once-neglected lavender farm, Bridestowe Estate is today a global tourist destination, celebrated for the romance and colour of its 200 kilometres of blossoming lavender rows.
Results from the March NAB Monthly Business Survey point to an overall healthy economy that is gaining momentum, at least in the near-term.
What does it take to make it in online retail? The ability to put your head down, take risks and follow your vision, says THE ICONIC CFO Anna Lee.
Insights on how to use digital from fashion leaders at the Fashion Industry Forum, supported by NAB and part of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival.
The ballet shoe has remained relatively unchanged for centuries – since it went from having a heel to being a flat. Enter former ballet dancer Tim Heathcote who is taking on the establishment to revolutionise its design once more.
Melanie Perkins, CEO of online graphic design platform Canva, discusses her journey from Australian start-up to global success story.
You may have reached a point where you’ve decided to explore alternatives to exporting alone to Asian markets. Forming a strategic alliance with another business of similar size and market presence can often be mutually beneficial. It’s important to understand how these kinds of partnerships work – and what the benefits are for your business.
Business survey suggests solid near-term activity, despite easing from multi-year high.
Business View dips its lid to a family business celebrating its fiftieth anniversary.
For Matt, beer is liquid gold that will always go some way to curing what ails you. However, it’s the social aspects behind it that he believes is the real cure.
It’s one of those stories you read about and wonder if it’s true – how a business started out with a small offering and grew into an industry leader.
Having his four daughters join the Perth funeral business he founded 26 years ago was initially something Steve Erceg resisted but today believes their involvement has been key in Seasons Funerals’ evolution and success.
No room left at your local hairdresser? Men, it’s time to pamper yourself.
Within a decade, Alborz Fallah went from investing $35 in a domain name to selling his business for a reported $35 million. Here he shares some key lessons for other business owners.
Australia will rely on its schools to grow the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. But to what extent do they innovate themselves?
New data released by NAB today indicates that spending on consumption-based goods and services by NAB customers grew 3.1% over the year to Q4 2016.
More Australian businesses are doing business overseas and with advances in technology and the strength of the Australian dollar, more and more small businesses are choosing to import goods from overseas suppliers.
Australians and businesses overwhelmingly think our country is a great place to live and have a business. However, Australian consumers and businesses are anxious about what the future holds.
The China Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) is a source of significant optimism for many of our business clients, most notably our small and medium sized business clients who are the key employer base in Australia and who generate a significant percentage of our country’s economic activity.
If you want your marketing messages to have stronger impact and engagement, it might be time to consider gamification.
Cape Grim has carved a definitive space in the premium beef market, offering a grass-fed, mature protein raised in an environment the CSIRO tests as amongst some of the world’s cleanest air.
As an exporter, you’ll want to take advantage of any reduced costs that come your way. Free trade agreements (FTAs) do just that – and will make certain markets more attractive than others because of the greater opportunities for your business.
Digital economy opening new opportunities for successful careers.
When Careline first entered the international market place with their infant formula products, they faced some very tough competition and had not yet developed relationships with big local distributors. Now, they can successfully boast China as one of their main export markets, along with Thailand, Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong.
In just two years, Jamie Davison and business partner Nathan Hood acquired six businesses. Here, Davison explains how they did it – and the rookie mistakes others might want to avoid.
Launched in early 2016, Dad’s Oats is the brainchild of siblings Alicia and Peter Cain, who clocked the potential for the family farm to earn extra revenue by selling the cream of their crop direct to the public.
Australia’s service sector already accounts for 70% of our GDP and shows no sign of slowing its growth. That means it’s never been more important to understand the where, what and how of Australia’s most important economic driver. NAB crunches the numbers for you.
Australia’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) can have a significant impact on businesses sourcing materials from Asia, or elsewhere around the globe. It can make it easier, cheaper and faster for both you and the business you’re buying from.
Are you a female entrepreneur or business owner in a regional area of the country? Then the beStella website could be for you.
How to make your social media presence work for you in 2017? Edible Blooms founder Kelly Jamieson shares seven ways to a better social media strategy.
After a hard day’s work, sometimes it’s easier to just phone and order a pizza - one with say, scrambled eggs and potato on top? What might sound to the average Australian as an interesting choice of topping, is actually Domino’s Pizza’s most popular product in the Chinese market.
Clare and Keith Mugford have one defining philosophy that’s been pivotal to Moss Wood's export success over the last 30 years: dedication to absolute quality, from soil to bottle.
Benchmarking can help farmers identify opportunities for growth. Holmes Sackett’s John Francis and NAB’s Matt O’Dea discuss the benefits and considerations.
Australian businesses, especially SMEs, still have a lot to learn about China’s burgeoning e-commerce opportunity, says Alibaba’s Director of Business Development John O'Loghlen.
In 2015, Ian Pratt led major changes to his family company, South Haven Group. He discusses its new branding, the decision to establish an independent board – and the all-importance of culture.
Does focusing on staff satisfaction and building a reputation as a great place to work translate into bottom line benefits for companies? Analytics company SAS believes the answer is yes.
How Peter Barile grew his business from a cafe to the creator of a premium coffee roasting company with its eyes on the global market
After suffering through two droughts in 10 years, the fortunes of Central Queensland cattle stud Olive Brahmans turned around when they met a Thai investor interested in their Brahman cows.
Agronomist Peter Birch details five agricultural technologies on the radar for Australia farmers.
Cultivating fruit that’s sweet in taste, colour and consistency has positioned 2PH as a citrus market leader that can set its export price.
It’s 26 years since Michelle Melbourne experienced a ‘sliding doors moment’ that set her on the path to founding Intelledox, now a global software firm.
Kangaroo broth, macadamia milk, river mint – a new initiative plans to put a premium spin on native Australian foods and take them to the world.
Business leaders can feel isolated with nowhere to turn for advice or support – which is what inspired Jason Tunbridge to co-found the Leadership Think Tank. He and three members discuss the benefits of speaking out.
How did a little maternity wear start-up from Victoria grow into an international business?
Your business can benefit by getting the FX solution that best suits your needs.
Empathy is vital for good leadership but technology can get in the way. Leadership coach Mike Irving discusses the role of empathy in the workplace and how to build your skills.
In 2015, JT Johnson & Sons, a fourth generation family business selling ruminant animal pellet feed and hay, celebrated its 20th anniversary with Japanese joint venture partner Asahi.
After four years at the helm of a firm in turbo-growth phase, Podpac co-founder Toby Strong shares seven ways start-ups can manage rapid growth and live to tell the tale.
Our feature article in this Weekly delves into the recent slowdown in employment, which if it continued into 2017 could be the catalyst for further RBA easing.
When she couldn’t find what she wanted for her baby, Mirabai Winford decided to go out and create it herself.
For the seafood division of the Craig Mostyn Group, one of Australia’s leading food and agribusiness firms, the fastest growing pillar is the export of live southern rock lobster and abalone into the Chinese luxury wedding market.
While the 24-hour news cycle may talk down Australia’s transition from a commodity to service economy, the figures tell a different, and very positive, story.
Australian consumers are swamped by promotions and loyalty schemes. Such schemes offer plenty of upside for retailers but the benefits for both those buying from and supplying said retailers are less apparent.
Sixth-generation farmer Charles Downie has managed Glenelg Estate through a period of drought and active stock reduction, to a flourishing flock producing some of the world’s finest fleece.
Whether you’re currently exporting to Asia or merely thinking about it, a wealth of Australian Government and state support, subsidies, and grants are up for grabs. Taking advantage of any grants, subsidies, support or assistance on offer can help your business expand into overseas markets.
Cindy Batchelor, Executive General Manager NAB Business presents the best ways to take your business online.
Pactum Dairy Group, part of the Freedom Foods Group, is riding the wave of China’s growing love affair with dairy beverages. Freedom Foods Group Managing Director, Rory Macleod, explains how.
From one product line on Australian shelves many years ago, Stahmann Farms now has an abundant 40 nut products in some of the world’s biggest supermarkets chains as well as delivering branded products into its own online store in China.
China faces some interesting healthcare challenges over the next few decades – and Australian companies are well placed to be part of the solution.
The rate of charitable giving in Australia fell in the 12 months to August 2016, following a spike in the previous year, coinciding with the Nepalese Earthquake, and a still cautious consumer, according to new research released by NAB today.
Emma Stallworthy is one half of the entrepreneurial husband and wife team behind growing fitness brand Pinnacle Health Club.
An early love of horses almost led Western Health CEO Alex Cockram to become a veterinarian but her great interest in people’s lives, motivations and their resilience inspired her into psychiatry. It’s what’s still inspiring her today.
Technology has been a boon for farmers but it can also make them vulnerable to a cyber attack. NAB’s Chief Information Security Officer Andrew Dell and Beyond Technology’s Greg Spencer reveal the best strategies for cyber security.
Leadership... it’s not about being right the first time, it’s about being resilient. Wolf Blass and Andrew Abercrombie in conversation.
Launched 40 years ago, the now iconic Australian soft serve ice-cream brand Frosty Boy has grown to become a leader in the frozen dessert and beverage market both locally and overseas with exports to 48 countries.
Growing a sustainable export business requires vision, knowledge, planning – and funds. It’s a costly endeavour that demands exceptional management of your time and resources.
Guillaume Brahimi, Chef and Restaurateur and Karin Adcock, Founder of House of Brands KJ, on moments that shaped their success.
Agribusiness entrepreneurs get a high-powered facility
A commitment to big data is helping the NSW Ministry of Health not only save costs but save lives, from identifying patterns early to ultimately reducing the number of people who end up in the emergency department.
The gurus of luxury, on brand leadership. Fiona Myer, Founder and Creative Director of White Story, and Philip Corne, Executive Chairman of L Catterton in conversation.
This talented Australian professional sportswoman has been kicking goals both in the world of international football and at her university studies in pharmacy.
New laws will soon protect small businesses from unfair terms in standard form contracts. Philip Trinca, a partner at law firm Ashurst, discusses the impact of the changes.
Patricia Ilhan, founder of the Australian Food Allergy Foundation and Kathy Alexander, Chair of Administrators, City of Greater Geelong - discover the key to their success.
Treating the Movember fundraising initiative like a start-up has helped its founders to grow it from a challenge among friends into a global event that has so far raised more than $650 million to help fight prostate cancer.
Listening to their customers’ needs and responding has helped husband and wife team Anoop and Fiona Anchal build a successful business specialising in custom-made corporate uniforms.
Evy Gomo, Clinical Manager at Davidson Trahaire Corpsych, shares her top tips for SME owners looking to create psychologically healthy workplaces.
What makes a successful entrepreneur? We asked a selection of recently interviewed business owners.
The trading partnership between Australia and New Zealand is a strong one. With the earliest trade agreement between the two countries dating back to 1922,
A Queensland school and a schools corporation reveal the financial strategies they’ve put into action to make better use of their funds and save money.
The potential of mentorships to advise, inspire and build confidence and leadership skills is being harnessed within the education sector.
Founder and Managing Director of management consultancy Nous Group Tim Orton explains why taking a flexible approach to working hours makes business sense.
NAB, in conjunction with CoreLogic (RP Data), brings you the Australian Housing Market Update for August 2016.
Boundaries are blurring between profit-making enterprises and philanthropic organisations. We profile two businesses that have prioritised giving back to the community – Kookai’s Katalyst Foundation and Thankyou.
With Asia estimated to account for two thirds of the global middle class economy by 2030, northern Australia’s potential for agricultural expansion to meet the impending demand is being examined.
North Sydney Council has turned to some different financial strategies to create a more flexible funding structure that’s helped drive a series of multi-million dollar infrastructure projects.
This report looks into the growing trends of digitisation and how that is driving deeper partnerships with consumers. It is based on insights from industry experts, clients, NAB Health’s analysts, plus key strategy executives representing practitioners, pharmacists, and corporate health.
Workforce planning can help farmers to operate more efficiently. Rob Grima, a Farm Management Consultant at Planfarm, shares his practical tips for managing a valuable resource.
With the call to entry for the 2016 Ethnic Business Awards now open, it’s the perfect time to celebrate some of last year’s finalists, including Sebastian Galipo, founder and Managing Director of Galipo Foods in South Australia.
Every business needs a plan, including a general practice. Dr Neville Steer and accountant Sue Prestney discuss the benefits of keeping a business plan short and simple.
Aglive has developed a unique digital traceability platform to connect farm to food and unlock the value of food safety compliance for farmers.
In this report we present a strong outlook for Australian pulses production, reflecting the exceedingly favourable season so far and greater plantings for some varieties.
Attitudes to work are changing, with increasing demands for more flexibility in the way we work and what we do fuelling a rise in personal entrepreneurialism
A host of new domain name extensions are providing health practitioners with new branding and search marketing opportunities, as well as creating a level of trust and credibility for the overall sector.
Former refugee Dr Munjed Al Muderis is an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in hip, knee, trauma and osseointegration surgery – a high-tech procedure that has transformed the lives of many amputees, both in Australia and around the world.
Entrepreneur Joep Pennartz is tapping into the appeal of a country break with an accommodation idea that offers a potential new income stream for farmers.
Health Project Services CEO Dean Crozier is on a mission to deliver a vital transformation of the healthcare property sector in Australia.
Rob Cromb has presided over the evolution of Kookai in Australia, from its early years as a Parisian label imported on consignment to its current incarnation as a local designer, manufacturer and retailer.
CSIRO and Bayer have teamed up to run Sustainable Futures, a free education program that’s been rolled out to about 450 schools so far.
Amaysim’s low-overheads model was initially tested in several European markets, teaching it valuable lessons that enabled it to successfully set up shop in Australia’s highly competitive telco market.
David Thornton, Chief Operating Officer at Somerset College, describes the factors they had to consider before committing to one of the most expensive capital works in their 33-year history.
Nick Heywood-Smith and his wife Nikki explain how they built Wellness and Lifestyles Australia into a one-stop shop for allied health services.
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are probably not the first things that come to mind when you imagine setting up a new school. Principal Ian Hewitt describes how social media is fundamental to building the identity of a new school, and helping to foster a new community.
Established as a sideline venture 14 years ago, upmarket Melbourne bicycle accessories range Knog has hit a sweet spot with style-conscious cyclists around the world.
Setting up a new business is inherently risky. Insurance can help a lot – as long as you remember to revisit it as your business grows and changes.
Skye Blackburn is carving out a new market convincing Australians to go eat bugs, shipping 400 kilograms of bugs a week through the Edible Bug Shop.
Tess Herbert, who along with her husband Andrew runs one of the most successful feedlot operations in Australia, is the first female to become President of the Australian Lot Feeders Association.
Digital innovation as well as increasing demand for Australia’s health expertise overseas are two of the big opportunities ahead for the local healthcare sector, says NAB Health’s new General Manager, Cameron Fuller.
Founded in 1928, the Royal Flying Doctor Service is a not for profit with an annual revenue of $300 million operating 68 aircraft, from 24 bases across the country. Keeping the planes flying necessitates fundraising of $50 million annually.
Dr Ben Chan is part of a growing tribe of doctors who have started complementary side-businesses.
An International Treaty is helping Australian farmers to boost productivity, adapt to climate change and stay competitive. Chief Plant Protection Officer Dr Kim Ritman discusses the treaty and its importance.
Hayden Cox heads up Haydenshapes, which shifts thousands of surfboards a year across 70 nations, while chasing the best waves around the world. He shares his tips for working remotely.
Jeremy Meltzer is the founder of i=Change, which gives participating online retailers an easy way to donate money from every sale. He came up with the idea of giving $1 from every sale to a development project while in New York promoting Yellingbo Gold.
Oscar de Vries is the entrepreneur behind OSCAR RAZOR, a subscription-based model that home delivers German-made razors and shaving products.
Kosmea’s Managing Director Marie Kapetanakis recalls how she sold the family car to start her organic skincare business, and recounts her journey to heading up the global success story it is today.
Automation can help to reduce costs, boost production and make Australian SMEs more globally competitive. Professor Roy Green, Dean of the UTS Business School, and RØDE Microphones founder Peter Freedman discuss the best ways to make the most of emerging opportunities.
Continued growth in the ageing population is expected to generate business for healthcare providers. Strategic Professor Susan Gordon, South Australian Chair of Restorative Care at Flinders University, explains the benefits of differentiating your services to meet older people’s evolving needs.
The international trend towards more nutritious, protein-rich eating is reaping healthy rewards for Australia’s largest nut and health food company, Select Harvests.
We talk to one of the developers of the CancerAid smartphone app that helps doctors to personalise their support for cancer patients.
Colin Lear buys an $80,000 van for his food truck company every two weeks to ensure strong sales and lower maintenance costs. “If you’ve got a nice, new, shiny van that looks right, you’ll actually have better sales from it,” says the Tasty Trucks boss.
Reliability is crucial to the success of Budd Green’s family quarry business.
Six years ago, James Lillis founded the clothing label Black Milk, using the power of social media to grow a cult following. Now Queensland’s largest clothing manufacturer, with sales of more than 1000 garments a day, it’s now working on cracking the American market.
Rachel Brindley is the former Melbourne-based chef turned jillaroo behind Outback Careers, where tree changers can search jobs and access information about life on the land.
Vision Australia has come up with an innovative approach to fundraising – equipping Ambassador Seeing Eye Dogs with Tap and Pay devices.
Sir Richard Branson lights up the room with stories of innovation and culture at the World Business Forum. From delegation to innovation to the importance of parties, Sir Richard Branson shares his insights into business.
Mauro Porcini, the first ever Chief Design Officer at PepsiCo, shares what he’s learned at the World Business Forum.
John Mattone, leadership consultant and author of Intelligent Leadership, shares what he’s learned at the World Business Forum.
Nicholas Negroponte of MIT Media Lab shares on the future of technology.
Rita McGrath shares what she’s learned at the World Business Forum.
Tamara Erickson of London Business School shares five predictions on the workplace of the future.
Robert S Kaplan, Harvard Professor, shares what he’s learned at the World Business Forum.
Chris Gardner, author of the 2006 autobiography, The Pursuit of Happyness, shares what he’s learned at the World Business Forum.
Three CEOs share their insights on the process and challenge of transformation.
CEO Seat: Architect Rebekah Hurworth, the powerhouse behind Family Home Experts, a Brisbane practice specialising in new homes, renovations and extensions.
With the call to entry for the 2016 Ethnic Business Awards now open, it’s the perfect time to celebrate some of the 2015 winners, including Joseph Kairouz, CEO of Cedar Meats.
Business View magazine asks three of the speakers at the Sydney World Business Forum 2016 for their views on the biggest challenges facing the business world today.
Vet4Pets has created a community-centric social media strategy, tapping into its strong ties with the local area as well as bringing the brand’s motto, ‘Family Vets for Family Pets’, to life. Vets4Pets Business Manager Carole Benassy shares her top tips for using social media.
A perfect opportunity for a Bee Gees classic with more Jive Talkin’ amongst US Fed officials with Lacker and Dudley hitting the wires overnight following Wednesday’s more hawkish Fed Minutes.
Co-working spaces have been springing up in country towns around Australia, providing a welcome boost to Australia’s regional economy.
Buying an established practice can give medical practitioners a head start in business. Medfin’s Nathan Marris and orthodontist Dr Nour Tarraf discuss the benefits and potential pitfalls.
Suzanne left her high-profile position as head of the Buchanan Group Australia/New Zealand in February 2014 to take the online Habitots business she’d started in 2013 to the next level – launching a bricks and mortar version of the brand.
Two cyclists Cameron Harrison and Thomas Treloar are behind The Rolling Fix, a mobile bicycle service company that’s mending bicycles for a growing number of corporate clients.
Wearable technology could improve patients’ quality of life and help medical professionals to provide more tailored care. Associate Professor Vijay Sivaraman discusses the potential benefits, and why widespread adoption could be five years away.
With the call to entry for the 2016 Ethnic Business Awards now open, it’s the perfect time to celebrate some of 2015’s finalists and winners, including Elena Gosse, CEO of Australian Innovative Systems.
At the start of this month we’ve seen another cut to the cash rate, taking official interest rates down to a new historic low of 1.75%.
Australian small businesses are owed an average of $13,200 in late invoices. NAB’s Rebecca Warren and Intuit Asia Pacific Vice President & Managing Director Brad Paterson discuss strategies for improving cash flow.
More flexible working hours at all levels of business – for both men and women – and family-friendly workplaces are just some of the changes that need to be widely adopted if parity is to be achieved.
In today’s economy with ever-increasing operational costs and competition, it’s never been more important for businesses to provide the best customer experiences possible. Ryan Townsend’s You Review is a new patented platform giving businesses the tools to do just that by turning instant customer feedback into business intelligence.
Anna-Lisa Newman, Chair of Women in Farming Enterprises, explains how this social and professional network is helping women to share their knowledge and experience.
Cattle breeder Margo Hayes is the powerhouse behind Vitulus Lowline Stud, an award-winning semen and embryo export business with customers in a string of countries, including the US, the UK, Thailand and Italy. We share a day in her life.
NAB, in conjunction with CoreLogic (RP Data), brings you the Australian Housing Market Update for April 2016.
Hard work, patience, sound recruitment practices and good advice are behind the growth of Johnson Partners, according to Theo Rigopoulos. These attributes have helped the accountancy firm grow tenfold. Now employing 40 staff, it’s in demand with SMEs and high-net-worth individuals.
Queensland podiatrist and physiotherapist Caroline McCulloch launched FRANKiE4 after spotting a gap in the women’s shoe market for styles that are both comfortable and fashionable.
A lot of small and medium businesses don’t realise they are conducting Research & Development when they improve existing products or develop new ones. They might be eligible for a generous tax incentive, but time to claim is running out.
Richard Mohan and his family run a micro agribusiness called Midyim Eco Produce, which specialises in rare and specialty peppers such as pimientos de padrón – small green peppers unique to the Spanish region of Padrón.
A growing number of SMEs are putting their staff through meditation workshops as a way to improve health and wellbeing and increase productivity. We talk to two meditation teachers about the benefits as well as a business that’s reaping the rewards.
E-commerce consultant Chris Vincent shares his tips for building an effective e-commerce site
Gilmore speaks to Private Word about setting up the restaurant, his goals for its future and some of the secrets of his success.
Fern Mallis is the founder of New York Fashion Week and has variously been described as an industry titan, doyenne, and The Godmother of Fashion. So her words of advice to those who want to work in fashion, with its reputation for attracting egotistical designers and haughty models could be considered surprising: “Be nice.”
Jodie Fox is revolutionising the footwear industry, but she has a bigger vision for the fashion sector. Custom manufacturing is the way to keep up with evolving customer demands – and one day consumers will be able to 3D print their shoes at home.
Just over 15 years ago a trusty Tasmanian truffle dog named Pickles sniffed out the unmistakable perfume of the first Australian-grown black truffle. Today we are the fourth-largest producer of the luxe fungus labelled “black diamonds” because of the price tag it commands.
Named CEO Magazine’s 2015 Chair of the Year, Monash Health’s Barbara Yeoh says her successful career was shaped by the support and guidance of strong mentors.
Wootten is a leather goods workshop in inner city Melbourne that produces bespoke shoes, bags and aprons using time-honoured methods and tools. What inspired founder Jess Cameron-Wootten to run an old-school business in the 21st century?
The Fresh Produce Group has built its burgeoning Asian export business by expanding on what they already did very well – international trade, economies-of-scale, and customer-centred delivery.
Sisters Beth and Tessa MacGraw are riding on a high after winning a prestigious design award at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. They share their story.
Renzo Rosso outlined his approach to fashion and business at a business forum supported by NAB as part of the recent Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. He discussed inspiration and especially the importance of originality and innovation.
The first two months of the year have seen the housing market regain some of the losses recorded over the final quarter of 2015, with capital city dwelling values rising by half a percent in February following a 0.9% rise in January to take our hedonic index 1.4% higher over the year to date.
Kim Brotherson, Managing Director of Pharmacy 777 and Bruce Annabel, Pharmacy Business Consultant and Adjunct Professor of Pharmacy Management at QUT, share their top five tips for creating a thriving community pharmacy.
Over the past decade, Ballarat City Council has delivered significant savings by swapping the manual processing of invoices for credit cards. Stephen Bigarelli, Ballarat City Council’s Accounting Services Manager, explains.
Coomera Anglican College in Queensland expects energy savings of 30 per cent or over $70,000 a year from the Energy in Education Program for Schools.
Designer Yeojin Bae never really intended to become a business owner, so when she ended up running her fashion label she had a lot to learn. She shares tips for start-ups.
Fashion supremo Nicola Formichetti has some unusual advice for businesses about marketing. Asked for his top tip, he said “to not think about marketing”.
Melbourne Fashion Festival chief executive Graeme Lewsey reveals all the planning that goes into making sure it’s alright on the night - the models and fashion houses, set builders, sound and lighting, caterers, makeup artists and drivers.
Dentist, business coach and author, Dr Jesse Green is on a mission to empower healthcare professionals to become true business owners.
Social media has opened a world of opportunity for businesses – to engage with customers like never before, to publicise their products through a range of channels and to sell online.
When Peter Alexander started his business, he always had a Plan B. Alexander says planning for the worst allowed him to focus on the future of his business, which now turns over $150 million a year, has close to 100 retail outlets and is planning to expand overseas.
A business leader’s state of mind can influence the whole company’s performance. Workplace wellbeing teacher Michelle McQuaid shares her tips for creating a mindset for flourishing.
Cathryn Wills had never really considered herself as a candidate for the top job at handbag, jewellery and shoe label MIMCO. She told at one of a series of ‘Business Events Program supported by NAB’as part of the 2016 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival.
Sue Ismiel is Chief Executive Officer of Sue Ismiel & Daughters Enterprises, a family-owned company run by Sue and her three daughters, Nadine, Natalie and Naomi. Specialising in natural hair-removal products, its brands include Nad’s Hair Removal, Nad’s Laser Clinics, NitWits and PuraSkin.
Political refugee Luz Restrepo’s struggles settling in Australia led to her setting up the social enterprise SisterWorks that’s helping vulnerable women with an asylum seeker, refugee and migrant background.
After a successful career in the mining industry, Amanda Healy started Maxx Engineering, which she sold in 2015. She’s now focused on her next venture, the social enterprise Kirrikin.
“Success always starts with passion and an unrelenting drive to make it work,” according to leading workplace lawyer Fay Calderone, who is a Partner at DibbsBarker Sydney.
VIDEO: Georgia Beattie, founder of Beatttie Wines, discusses how she plans to remain innovative over the next five years and who she is partnering with to do so.
VIDEO: Monica Meldrum shares the increasing demand for ‘clean’ food and how her fast-growing business Whole Kids is committed to improving children’s health.
With the mining boom at an end, the dining boom has certainly fuelled the Australian agricultural sector. This sector is 5 percent of the Small Ordinaries and has been a source of great returns over the past few years.
It may traditionally have been known as the Apple Isle, but Australia’s smallest state is earning an ever-growing reputation for its production of fine single malt whisky that’s being hailed as some of the best on the planet.
Guy Biran, Managing Partner of JMp Accountants, a mid-sized accountancy firm that handles complex tax matters for some of Australia’s most dynamic businesses and wealthiest individuals, shares his top five tips for managing growth.
An advanced software system developed in Alice Springs called Precision Pastoral Management System (PPMS) is helping cattle farmers manage their land better by identifying areas in their production cycle that need to be improved. It could add an estimated $70,000 to the bottom line for the average rangeland cattle property.
Innovation is a key driver of business success. It’s typically defined by a firm’s knowledge of the market and customers, constant process reviews, learning from failures and passion and drive.
The health and wellbeing revolution is sweeping through workplaces, with forward-thinking companies making an effort to promote healthier lifestyles, more flexible working conditions and better work-life balance. We discuss some simple ways SMEs can get on board.
When sisters Nikki Jurcutz and Rachael Waia co-founded the Tiny Hearts Paediatric First Aid course, they became the youngest women to own a registered training organisation in Australia.
The Maitland family had already been farming for five generations when they decided to turn the durum wheat grown on their farm into healthy, wholegrain pasta. Pangkarra Foods are now selling their products across Australia and south-east Asia.
This excerpt from the NAB ACRI Australia-China Business Index examines barriers to engagement between Australian and Chinese businesses.
Growth through acquisition has been the approach Spiro Paule has taken to building Findex, spearheading more than 45 acquisitions since 2000.
The recent Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper committed $4 billion to the sector but is that enough to support potential growth? Simon Talbot, CEO of the National Farmers’ Federation, discusses the gains, the gaps and why the industry needs to revisit its image.
While most of their neighbours were growing food crops for the domestic market, the Salvettis of North Queensland Tropical Seeds (NQTS) diversified their seed, grain and legume crops with traceable Australian-grown chia, tapping into lucrative offshore markets.
NAB, in conjunction with CoreLogic (RP Data), brings you the Australian Housing Market Update for February 2016.
Intellectual property covers everything from your brand to customer lists. It could be your most valuable asset, so how can you best protect it? Bill Ladas, Special Counsel at King & Wood Mallesons, and Tara Tissott, Legal Counsel at NAB, discuss the options.
The Purbrick family has been managing the Tahbilk winery in Victoria for five generations. It’s now managed by Alister Purbrick and his daughter Hayley, who believe they have a responsibility to leave both a sustainable environmental legacy and a successful business for future generations.
In this video Cindy Batchelor, NAB Business Executive General Manager, discusses how SMEs can embrace innovation.
This excerpt from the report synopsis examines how Australian and Chinese businesses believe the Australia China Free Trade Agreement will impact bilateral engagement.
Farmers will soon be able to hold up to $800,000 in Farm Management Deposits. Khan Horne, General Manager of NAB Agribusiness, discusses the benefits of this investment.
Ainslie Chemmart Compounding Pharmacy’s Colette Needham is embracing the challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry by positioning the pharmacy as an all round destination for health and wellbeing.
VIDEO: We talk to Georgia Beattie about how she went from a uni student to a successful business owner who exports her products to Asia.
Taking charge of the family business after the death of his father, Peter Freedman persevered through tough times to grow Freedman Electronics from a single shop in the Sydney suburb of Ashfield to become RØDE Microphones – one of Australia’s great export success stories.
In 2012, after a decade as Chief Executive Officer of the National Rugby League, David Gallop was appointed CEO of Football Federation Australia. He shares his mission to have the most fans and participants of any Australian sport.
The first-ever report comparing attitudes of Chinese and Australian business leaders towards bilateral engagement was conducted by NAB and the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney. This excerpt examines how bilateral engagement is expected in increase.
In this video Cindy Batchelor, NAB Business Executive General Manager, discusses why innovation is so important for business.
The first-ever report comparing attitudes of Chinese and Australian business leaders towards bilateral engagement was conducted by NAB and the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney.
Run by four families, Flinders Ranges Premium Grain in South Australia has an expanding grain and flour export business that sells itself on the location and soil it’s grown in, in the same way wine does.
Husband and wife Chelsea and James Ross are the dynamic duo behind Venivici, a company that operates three – soon to be four – women’s boutique retreats in Bali and Japan under the Goddess Retreats brand.
In this video Alan Oster talks about the state of innovation in Australia.
“Hard work pays off” is a philosophy that Rick Hall, the Alice Springs business owner of Alice Motor Sales, off-road motorbike champion and father of five, has always subscribed to.
The Victorian Healthcare Association (VHA) explains how it’s using Twitter to interact with members and influencers in its sphere.
Father and son entrepreneurs Stuart and Cedar Anderson of Flow Hive™ fame overshot their original crowdfunding target of $97,000 by about $16.8 million. How did it happen and where do you go from there?
The Ralstons have been farming oysters for five generations. Now, with brothers John and Ben Ralston at the helm they are using innovative techniques to attract new customers.
Chrissy Blackburn, managing partner of brand consultancy West Eighty Second, on why being a purpose-led company is good for business.
Dairy farmer John Fairley has built Country Valley into a successful niche brand. He explains how sustainable practices are helping him to cut costs and attract premium prices.
Shoes of Prey co-founder Jodie Fox has moved the fashion-tech company stateside. She shares her experience tackling the US market from her Santa Monica base.
There have been some volatile shifts in the global economy recently, prompting pessimists to declare that there’s a 50–50 chance of Australia going into recession. However, a closer look at the numbers behind the forecasts shows there’s plenty of reason for optimism.
The December Housing market updates shows the highest annual growth rates are still being recorded in Sydney and Melbourne.
The right practice manager can improve the profitability and viability of a practice. GP Philip Gribble of the Clare Medical Centre and Gillian Leach, National CEO of the Australian Association of Practice Management, discuss the benefits of employing someone to take care of business.
Alice Mabin re-launched her career from animal health to rural lifestyle photographer, author and entrepreneur with the launch of her self-published book, The Drover capturing an epic cattle drive. She explains how taking a risk helped her build a business doing what she loves.
Takeshi Takada, Alt.vfx co-founder is the winner of the Small Business category at the 2015 Ethnic Business Awards.
With seven facilities in Melbourne and plans to expand interstate in 2016, Kieser Training has successfully adapted a European business model to the local market. Tony Smith, Managing Director of Kieser Training, shares his top tips for bringing a European business to Australia.
From real-time payment processing to seamless reconciliation, the New Payments Platform (NPP) will transform the way we transact and do business. Eric Tsang, Head of Group Payments Development at NAB, discusses the potential of this world-leading Australian initiative.
Taking the risk to pitch an Australian segment for Sesame Street has opened doors globally for Wayne Denning, founder of Carbon Media.
Managing chronic conditions is a complex process. GP Tim Koh, co-owner of the Ocean Keys Family Practice in Western Australia, discusses how a multidisciplinary approach can help patients to take better care of themselves and why a GP is best placed to co-ordinate the team.
The latest edition of Business View magazine is now available to download for free on iPad and iPad mini via our app, NAB Think.
Adina clock and watch making company produce 40,000 watches a year, all assembled by hand. Founded by Rob Menzies in 1971, his son Grant Menzies has now taken the reins and plans to make Adina an iconic Australian brand.
The housing market appears to be moving through an inflection point with the rate of capital gain reducing over the past three months.
Healthy, delicious, sustainable – and as Australian as you can get. Kangaroo meat’s praises are being sung by chefs, and farmers would love to see increased harvesting of the animals. But local consumers remain slow to put it on their regular shopping list.
Money educator Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon and Paul Fog, General Manager of Financial Planning at NAB, explain why teaching younger Australians to be financially literate has never been more important.
Public health expert Dr Jane Thomason has spent the past 16 years as Chief Executive Officer of JTA International, the healthcare development consultancy she founded in 1999.
A new medical practice can be designed to reflect your vision and may also cost less than an established business. Nathan Marris, Relationship Manager at Medfin Finance, shares his tips for success, and practice owner Dr Prema Joseph discusses why she chose to start from scratch.
The realisation that so many Australian school children are completely oblivious about where their food and fibre comes from prompted a South Australian mother to create the George the Famer app.
Professor Yogesan Kanagasingam, Research Director of the CSIRO’s Australian e-Health Research Centre, is using the NBN Satellite to conduct remote eye screening in remote indigenous communities. He’s expanded the reach of the Remote-I platform to China.
According to a recent report from Deloitte Access Economics, Digital Government Transformation, governments have already adopted a range of digital innovations and are gradually moving services online. However, they’re lagging behind both the private sector and their own customers.
Melbourne has overtaken Sydney as the best performing capital city over the past quarter in the latest NAB housing market update.
Health represents one of the largest and fastest growing sectors of the Australian economy. This insight paper has been prepared by NAB Health to address current issues and trends emerging in the Australian Aged Care Services sector.
Mara Seeds is a diverse family company selling everything from organic soil treatments to cattle. Managing Director Stuart Larsson discusses his sustainable approach to business.
Ursula Hogben, co-founder and General Counsel of LegalVision ILP, explains what the rise of the on-demand labour market means for those hiring help.
Australia’s agricultural producers, long frustrated by the inaccessibility of neighbouring Asian markets, now find themselves operating on a more level playing field given the signing of free trade agreements with Japan, Korea and China.
Business expenses continue to rise – but are you paying more than you need to? Brett Hay, a consultant with Expense Reduction Analysts, shares seven simple strategies that could help shave 10 percent or more off the everyday running costs of your business.
A denial of service (or DoS) attack is designed to disrupt a website in order to prevent legitimate users from accessing it. The attackers ‘flood’ the website with many connection requests, far too many for the website to handle, and as a result the website is knocked offline.
The digital world offers big opportunities for Australian small businesses, and a few simple tips can help you make the most of your online efforts. Panellists at Xerocon Melbourne 2015, discussed the opportunities in a session called “Defining your digital world”.
For many young Australians, food is something that comes from a shop, not a farm. Lynne Strong and Tony Butler discuss two very different ways of bringing young people and farmers together.
At Xerocon Melbourne 2015, David Koch hosted a session on the state of small business in Australia. It looked at the challenges faced by start-ups, the growing pains of small business and the changing role of technology in helping people build their businesses.
Individuals should consider the value of their human capital as well their financial assets when calculating their net worth.
Chinese economic data has been weak, causing significant weakness in global equity markets In Australia, second quarter economic growth was lack lustre and there was a surprise fall in retail sales, but other measures of economic activity such as building approvals and employment look good.
Robin Levison, Chairman of ASX-listed Eureka Group Holdings, is running a ‘shared value’ enterprise, providing quality, affordable housing for low-income seniors and giving a return to shareholders at the same time.
In the past 12 months Sydney values have increased by 17.6%, Melbourne values by 10.6% with the next best performing capital city being Brisbane seeing a growth in values of 3.9%. The disparity in the top performing growth rates highlights just how diverse the housing market has become post GFC.
The stronger the team, the more successful the company. Rob Scott from Presence of IT, an HR/payroll and workforce management consultancy, shares his tips for recruiting, retaining and managing the highly-skilled people a growing business needs.
KAITEKI Fresh has launched a hydroponic facility in Victoria that produces up to eight times as much high quality, high nutrient spinach, rocket and kale using less water than conventional farming and no pesticides.
Across Australia, some of the country’s leading female chefs are at the helm of thriving city-based restaurants. Here’s a taste of what they have on offer for that next business meeting.
With the US out for Labour Day and not a lot of economic data elsewhere, it was a relatively quiet night. Market moves were somewhat restrained, awaiting guidance from the upcoming FOMC meeting (next week) and how China’s economy deals with the current uncertainty.
With demand for flavoursome craft beer with personality continuing to boom in Australia, a new brewpub with one of the country’s top brewers at the helm was guaranteed to win plenty of fans. But FogHorn Brewhouse is also gaining attention for its approach to environmental sustainability.
Diverse opportunities in the non-Central Business District (CBD) office sector mean high net worth investors can invest through pooled/syndicated vehicles or directly. Peter Cashmore, NAB Senior Real Estate Equities Analyst, outlines what investors need to know.
Indonesia is Australia’s 11th-largest export market and 12th-largest trading partner. From what to wear to business meetings to how best to manage the decision-making process, we share tips to help Australian businesses prepare for opportunities within the world’s 16th-largest economy.
Telstra has now invested $237 million in 17 healthcare industry acquisitions, investments and partnerships in order to roll out numerous eHealth initiatives, with the ambition of establishing itself as Australia’s leading eHealth provider.
Amanda Dobbie, CEO of not-for-profit organisation, Women in Banking and Finance (WiBF), reflects on her role promoting gender balance and shares her top tips for small businesses looking for greater gender diversity in their organisations.
Former shopping centre developer, grazier, entrepreneur and now magazine owner, Peter Howarth, explains how his personal passions drove the success of his enterprises.
Machiavelli’s Caterina Tarchi, Marque’s Mark Best and etiquette expert Anna Musson share their ingredients for hosting a successful and memorable business lunch to build rapport with clients or get a deal over the line.
After bringing the Fitness First chain to Australia and building it into the biggest chain of health clubs in the country, Tony de Leede left in 2008. He now co-owns a range of health and wellness businesses. See what a typical day in his life looks like.
The latest NAB property market updates are now available, take a look at the national or your capital city update.
With today’s school students entering a highly competitive workforce, gaining exposure to businesses throughout their school years is more important than ever.
You might not know the name, but if you’ve driven a car or travelled in a bus, ferry or train lately, you’ll have seen the work of Hi-Vis Group, an innovative Newcastle-based company at the forefront of the Australian signage industry.
There’s no such thing as a typical Australian business. And with over 2.1 million actively trading businesses across the country that’s not surprising.
In recognition that a mentally healthy workplace can start with a single employee – and a conversation – here are some tips to make your workplace mentally healthy.
When the booming online entertainment business threatened the future of film and television production company Cutting Edge, it invested in digital channels to diversify the business and boost the bottom line. The strategy paid off with expected growth of 20 percent in 2016.
As CEO of Pindara Private Hospital for the past seven years, Trish Hogan has steered more than $110 million worth of development, transforming the Ramsay Health Care-owned operation into the largest and most comprehensive private hospital on the Gold Coast.
Australia’s second-largest sugar producer also powers almost a third of Mackay. Quinton Hildebrand, Chief Executive Officer of Mackay Sugar, explains how a ‘nothing is wasted’ approach to the business is creating multiple income streams.
The value of education as an export for Australia is set to boom as the country taps into the soaring growth in demand by international students in Asia and beyond.
GT Ferreira, who made his mark in South Africa, is leading the charge to make Australia the most valuable mohair producing country in the world.
A growing number of private company owners are taking lessons from successful business owners with the hope of developing their entrepreneurial skills and ultimately lift their business performance.
The best small business owners are those who know what good service is and are committed to delivering it. For Christian Jackson, owner of the busy Bakers Delight store in Victoria’s seaside town of Torquay, ensuring his customers receive the best personal service possible is paramount.
Managing staff leave effectively is an ongoing challenge for business owners. Martin Nally, Founder of hranywhere, explains how openness and flexibility help keep employees happy and keep any impact on the business to a minimum.
Launching a casual home-style Mexican restaurant in Swan Street, Richmond, in 2011, Fonda now has four restaurants in Melbourne with 160 staff and annual turnover of $15 million.
Nick Cracknell explains how sustainable practices helped increase production, reduce costs and minimise waste without comprising on flavour.
Without appropriate protection, your hard-earned assets could be at risk. Paul Jarvis, whose team manages the wealth of clients in the NAB Health sector, discusses how insurance, tax planning and a collaborative team of advisers can help you build a successful practice.
Australia has proven to be particularly fertile territory for British-based Specsavers since it arrived here in 2008, famously opening 100 stores during its first 100 days down under.
After representing Australia as a professional skier, Pete Forras wanted to start a business based on his love of snow sports. Forras shares a day in the life of running XTM Australia from his beach house in Torquay.
The Brosnans used innovative technology to create a 1,300-sow piggery that’s efficient, humane and powered by electricity generated from pig manure and other waste products. We look at how they’re leading the way with their sustainable, whole-of-farm approach.
Richard Thame, CEO of Fastway Couriers, explains how he tackled a competitive market to carve out new business opportunities and his plans to make Fastway the courier company people think of when it comes to e-commerce and parcel delivery.
Jillamatong’s pastures are lush and weed free yet Martin Royds spends next to nothing on biocide sprays – and has even sold his ploughs. He discusses the role of holistic management in creating a drought-resistant environment for raising healthy cattle
A skills shortage is affecting every aspect of Australian agriculture. Professor Jim Pratley, the author of a government review of agricultural education and training programs, discusses how schools and universities are helping boost the number of qualified people in the sector.
At an outdoor festival in 2009, Georgia Beattie was told that wine was too hard to serve. This experience inspired the then 22-year-old to bring her single serve wine concept to life and start a business that turned over $1 million in its first year. She shares her entrepreneurial tips.
Like every other business owner, a general practitioner (GP) needs a business plan. Tristan Bond, Founder of The Healthcare Business Group, and GP Dr Karen Price discuss the benefits of a plan, what it should cover and how a business coach could help doctors to stay on track.
Are you missing out on money that could help you grow your business? Billions of dollars in business grants are available now. GrantReady Chief Executive Officer Adrian Spencer shares his tips on how to make grants part of your business strategy.
Twelve months after launching Doughheads, Newcastle-baker Anna Farthing is selling up to 4000 doughnuts a week. Her decadent doughnuts have hit the sweet spot with the business now employing 14 staff and averaging growth of 20 percent a month.
Nathan Free, 26, a fourth generation Victorian farmer, named the 2014 AUSVeg Young Grower of the Year, runs Wattle Organic Farms. Launched six years ago by a group of like-minded organic growers, the business is growing at 200 percent year-on-year.
NAB Health shares insights into the changing landscape of the health sector in Australia, providing findings from customers and key sector strategy executives for Practitioners and Specialists, Pharmacy and Corporate Health.
A convincing pitch helps to win new clients, secure finance and attract investors. Warren Harmer, Chief Business Planner at The Business Plan Company, outlines the importance of preparation, understanding your target audience and perfecting your spiel.
D.D. Saxena, the founder and Managing Director of Riverina Oils & BioEnergy (ROBE), has built a $150 million state-of-the-art, fully integrated oilseed crushing and refining plant in Wagga Wagga that’s crushing and refining over 165,000 tonnes of oilseeds a year.
SMEs need to be especially vigilant in taking steps to protect themselves from cyberattacks, particularly considering a Symantec report finding that in 2014, 60 percent of all targeted cyber attacks globally focused on SMEs.
While many owners of small-and-medium-sized businesses won’t hesitate to insure their physical assets, they often overlook the importance of insuring themselves.
Recognition that the environment in which patients are treated makes a big difference to how successful the outcomes are is driving hospital design, according to Conrad Gargett’s Managing Director Bruce Wolfe, a firm believer in what’s known as ‘Salutogenic Design’.
Andrew French is a Gippsland farmer who’s exceeded his own expectations by turning what could have been a disastrous event into a booming business with the help of some indigenous plant species that grew and thrived in the salty estuaries of his Snowy River property.
Australian companies are leading the world in their use of online freelancers. Kyri Theos, Australian Country Manager of Upwork, and Toby Jenkins, co-founder and CEO of Bluewire Media, discuss how having international access to millions of skilled people could change the way we do business.
Meetings can be an expensive use of your time. Ed Robins, Director and Principal Consultant at ProFocus Business Performance Consulting and Training, discusses the importance of testing the business case, considering alternatives and keeping everyone on track.
Research suggests that, for many dentists, practice management is a major challenge. Anita Roubicek, Joint Chief Executive Officer of Prime Practice dental management specialists, discusses the benefits of having a well-run practice and shares her tips for improving performance.
It’s half a century since the founders of The Pancake Parlour first wowed Aussie diners with fresh, delicious pancakes but age has not wearied the Melbourne dining institution whose charm and innovative strategies continue to drive its success.
Snowden Group achieved a breakthrough for the Australian service sector by cooperating with one of China’s central technical design institutes for the mining sector. The Australia-China Trade Report highlights the trends in the services sector from 2009 – 2014.
Schools are being encouraged to take practical action on energy efficiency and the use of solar power to reduce their power bills and build a greener, more sustainable future.
Simon Hill is the Co-founder, Director and Investor in a diverse range of e-commerce businesses. He believes in promoting a less stressful work environment by giving his employees more control over how many hours they work and from where.
Women are still under-represented in senior positions across public and private organisations. Speakers at the recent Women in Health Leadership symposium considered why this is the case, and whether financial acumen could help women to achieve the most senior positions.
Lawrence Cusdin and Brett Aldons, the two entrepreneurial friends behind Croc’s Playcentre, have taken a big bite out of the Australian child play centre market. Operating as a franchise model, they plan to have 15 centres operating nationally by the end of 2015.
Uniting under a single ‘True Aussie’ brand could give Australian farmers more visibility, more bargaining power and higher farm gate returns. Simon Talbot, Chief Executive Officer of the National Farmers’ Federation, discusses the opportunities and how farmers can make the most of them.
Over a decade of cultivating relationships and building up the Tangalooma brand, the number of Chinese visitors has increased tenfold.
When the Estens family started growing oranges they had been cotton farmers for over 30 years. Dick Estens discusses why they decided to diversify, how they’re building a sustainable citrus industry and their success in exporting orange juice to Asia.
The past decade has seen remarkable growth in the trading relationship between India and Australia, with two-way trade in goods and services reaching $14.8 billion in financial year 2013-14.
Bees that pollinate crops (worth an estimated $4 billion) are under threat from a devastating pest, the Varroa mites. Beekeeper Lindsay Bourke, a finalist in the 2014 Plant Biosecurity Farmer of the Year Awards, explains how biosecurity – and the bees themselves – can build up our defences.
In healthcare, networking is less about exchanging business cards than building authentic relationships. At the recent Women in Health Leadership Symposium in Sydney a panel discussed how networks and mentors could help build a successful career.
Husband-and-wife partners in film, theatre and entertainment production company Bazmark Inq, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin reveal the secrets to their successful partnership spanning the arts, business and family life.
David Hohnen, the former CEO of Cape Mentelle and Cloudy Bay, is combining his dual passions for wine and sustainable agriculture with a family winery called McHenry Hohnen and The Farm House, a butchery, smokehouse and smallgoods maker.
As economic and consumer dynamics change, Australia’s charities are looking for new ways to earn a buck. Andrew Loveridge, Head of Government, Education and Community Business, and Nicole Brasz, Marketing and Fundraising Director at Save the Children, discuss the brave new world of fundraising.
NAB has identified the top five strategies business owners should consider when they’re preparing for End of Financial Year.
Mark Wootton and Eve Kantor have spent almost 20 years building up their carbon neutral sheep and cattle farm. Wootton explains how planting almost a million trees helped to double the carrying capacity of their 6700 hectares and boost their profitability.
Continuous improvement is fundamental to business success. Training and management consultant Derek Stockley explains how leading by example and creating the right culture can engage and motivate your employees as well as generate new ideas.
If you eat meat and live in Australia you’ve most likely eaten the award-winning fare created by Bertocchi Smallgoods, the nation’s largest continental smallgoods manufacturer.
Sixteen years ago, Melbourne’s Caulfield Grammar School looked to China to give its Year 9 students an immersion experience. The Australia-China Trade Report highlights the trends in the services sector from 2009 - 2014.
Dr Ben Bernanke, former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, discussed his experience of the global financial crisis (GFC), his views on global growth, the stability of the financial system and where critical economies like China are heading.
Many of the great companies in technology were started by partnerships. Wozniak says when you have great ideas you need some other people to ripple it off, and at least one key friend who believes in it.
The most strategic asset is your collection of first line supervisors. They’re responsible for attitude, retention, productivity and every variable.
Harvard Professor Sarah Lewis, delivers a truly insightful session on the importance of mastery in order to successfully achieve goals and knowing how to proceed or when to quit on an idea. Read the insights from her presentation at the World Business Forum.
Deliver humanity to a customer and they will treat you like a friend not a vendor. Don Peppers tells us the four key components to creating a frictionless customer experience.
According to Oliver Stone, the success of a film comes down to the story that is being told, the authenticity of that story and the leadership that follows.
Three successful CEOs talk about the most significant challenges they’ve faced in growing their businesses and managing their own careers. Radek Sali from Swisse, Liz Butcher from ISGM and Nick Abboud from Dick Smith shared their experiences at World Business Forum with facilitator Professor Geoff Martin from Melbourne University.
Lynda Gratton, a Professor at the London Business School, identifies five key ways that our lives will change over the next decade – something that has major ramifications for both individuals and companies.
After years of studying to be a medical practitioner you’re finally earning an income. Philip Mawkes, a Senior Relationship Manager at Medfin, explains why it’s important to make your financial future a priority and shares a five-point plan to help you get off to a flying start.
Australian service exports to China have been increasing for more than ten years. The Australia-China Trade Report highlights the trends in the services sector from 2009 – 2014.
Across the health and aged care industry there is a continuing trend towards consolidation through mergers and acquisition. NAB’s Nehemiah Richardson and Natalie Smith discuss the impact of this trend and how to prepare for a merger or sale.
This edition highlights some of Australia’s successful businesses. Our cover story reveals the secrets to Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin’s successful partnership. We also chat to John Bertocchi and Peter Paolino of Bertocchi smallgoods and Fonda co-founders David Youl and Tim McDonald.
Apps are making sophisticated technology available to small businesses for little or no cost. Darnelle O’Brien, Director of The K.I.S.S Marketing Agency, discusses their benefits and shares her top 10 suggestions for places to start.
A growing number of general practitioners are using social media to attract new patients and secure their loyalty. Helena Athans from NAB Digital and David Bacon from the Healthy Thinking Group discuss the potential benefits and how to make the most of them.
Farmers are using drones to collect information on everything from germination patterns to hail damage. Peter Birch, who operates a drone for farmers around Australia, discusses their value and the role they’re likely to play in the future.
Self-storage, healthcare and childcare are emerging markets to watch in the commercial property sector, as Peter Cashmore, Senior Real Estate Equities Analyst, NAB reports.
Crown Group CEO Iwan Sunito turned a love of drawing and desire to own his own business into a property development empire spanning Australia, Singapore and Indonesia. The group has $3.5 billion of projects in the development pipeline in Australia and Asia. He talks to Anna Fenech.
The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), reached in November 2014, is opening up a massive potential market for Australian healthcare providers. Tom Taylor, NAB Head of International Economics, and Nehemiah Richardson, NAB Health General Manager, discuss the opportunities and ways of making the most of them.
Infrastructure failure, cyber-attack, extreme weather – whatever the disruption, you need to get your business up and running as quickly as possible. Matt Henderson, Head of NAB’s Group Business Continuity Management, shares six steps to consider that may help your business recover.
There’s a growing need for in-home care services and we are seeing more private operators come into the sector. Caroline Ucherek and Sheree Gover from CJU Medical Marketing share their tips for driving business growth by building relationships with clients, their families and referrers.
One of Shanghai’s largest private real estate developers, Shanghai Zhongfu, faced the challenge to integrate off-take from its planned Australian operation into the long supply chain of China’s domestic market.
The 2014 Australia-China Trade Report reveals China is Australia’s top dairy export market highlighting the considerable growth potential for Australian agribusiness in processed food as Chinese incomes rise.
It started out as a way of cutting the cost of fuel. Today, Ecofuels Australia’s biodiesel operation is just one aspect of a ‘closed-loop’ system that includes rearing livestock and generating power. General Manager Peter O’Donnell discusses his commitment to sustainable practices that make economic sense.
Australian engineering company, Mawson Global offer value chain services to Australian SME clients who otherwise would not be able to access global sourcing. Their approach facilitates the transition from localised to globalised production for clients.
Medical practitioners often put their patients first – but the price could be compassion fatigue. Dr Frank Jones, President of the RACGP, and Dr Frank Meumann, President of the region’s Balint Society, explain how sharing experiences can have a positive impact.
It’s not widely known that China’s a strong buyer of Australian manufactured goods. In fact, manufacturing is now the second largest Australian exporting sector to China behind resources. The Australia-China Trade Report highlights the trends in the manufacturing sector from 2009 - 2014.
Drawing from his experiences in the sporting world, management consultant, Kirk Peterson, is now helping Australian businesses learn from successful sporting teams and reach their premiership status. He shares the five traits of what he’s coined the ‘business athlete’.
Cloud computing can reduce practice costs and increase efficiency but, as yet, only a minority of general practices have embraced the technology. Dr Nathan Pinskier and NAB’s cloud computing expert Tim Palmer discuss the benefits, current limitations and the potential for change.
Michael Kenihan is well placed to help clinicians succeed in business. A former athlete and physiotherapist, he now runs Australia’s largest network of allied health and sports medicine practices. He discusses the skills and behaviours that drive a successful private practice.
Trust is one of the most powerful marketing tools – and consumer trust in Australian farmers is on the rise. Patrick McClelland, from public relations firm Porter Novelli, explains how putting three key principles to work can help farmers turn consumer trust into business growth.
Weed control activities are costing Aussie farmers around $1.5 billion a year and herbicide resistance is on the rise. Whilst wide rows make it easier for machinery to pass through stubble they increase the need for herbicide. A return to narrower rows could be part of a balanced solution.
Vince Frost has built a successful design business by saying ‘yes’ and meaning it. He discusses the benefits of a building a positive culture, the importance of moving outside your comfort zone and why it pays to think twice before saying ‘no’.
After struggling to find a buyer for his first crop of coffee, Ian MacLaughlin has gone on to become Australia’s largest exporter of Arabica coffee. He explains how sustainable practices helped him to create a competitive edge and underpin his continuing success.
Lisa McGuigan’s eponymous wine label really took off when she secured a deal to create wine for Jetstar’s inflight service. Now her wines are stocked by 350 retailers and restaurants across Australia. She shares her story and next big step: selling her wine into overseas markets.
How can pharmacies evolve with changing times? NAB research has identified three important metrics for community pharmacies to keep an eye on to improve productivity. They include Stock turnover, dispensary to sales ratio and wage costs for sales ratio.
A lease could help you to afford the equipment you need for your business – especially if it’s tailored to your cash flow. NAB Asset Finance specialists Fiona McDowall and Rebecca Warren discuss your choices, potential benefits and the pitfalls to avoid.
Nine months into an ambitious export program, Norco has been exporting between 4,500 to 25,000 litres of fresh Australian milk to China each week – commanding $7 to $9 a litre. CEO Brett Kelly explains how the dairy co-operative gained a foothold in this lucrative market.
In recent years, Australian agriculture improved its productivity by 72 percent – more than any other industry sector. Dr John Bell, who chaired an Expert Working Group reporting on productivity, discusses the role played by research and technology.
Social media can be a great way for community organisations to engage with their supporter base and encourage donations from the wider community. But many don’t know where to start. Todd Copeland, NAB General Manager Digital, shares his top tips.
A budget will help you to monitor the financial health of your practice – but that’s just the beginning. Stephen Allan, Credit Executive at Medfin Finance, explains how a budget can also help you to run a more productive and profitable practice.
Work experience programs can often do little to stimulate and prepare Australian students for the workforce. But Work Inspiration aims to change that by ensuring a young person’s first contact with the working world is meaningful and inspiring. See how businesses are getting involved.
A new approach to risk management looks at the range of variables rather than average values. Cam Nicholson, a farm consultant with Nicon Rural Services, explains how this approach can help shape a more effective risk management strategy.
Talking to the deregulation plan for SMEs that NAB presented to the Federal Government in December, Angela Mentis, Group Executive Business Banking, explains why it's important to seize opportunities that can help Australian business develop new markets and create more jobs.
A recent survey of over 5,000 farming customers found that 74 per cent had made changes to their businesses as a result of natural resource sustainability in the past two to three years. NAB is stepping up its recognition of the benefits of sustainable business practices.
David Blackmore’s melt-in-the-mouth Wagyu beef is recognised around the world thanks, he says, to a healthy farm and happy cattle. Today his biggest challenge is keeping up with demand from some of the world’s leading chefs and restaurateurs.
Following her appointment to lead the Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting service across Australia, Michelle Bennetts improved morale and successfully created a more engaged national service of fire fighters, which saw her achievements recognised at the NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards.
Since he left Croatia in 1986 for a new life in Australia, Ivan Filipovic has built one of the biggest formwork companies in Victoria. As owner of I&D Group and winner of the Medium to Large Business category at the 2014 Ethnic Business Awards, he shares what it took to succeed.
2015 could be a very good year for agribusiness, with easier access to Asian markets and favourable economic conditions. Five of NAB’s leading commentators take a close look at the opportunities and share their tips on how to make the most of them.
Mentors have played an important role in Lynn Kraus’ career, so she’s now using her own skills and experience to help others on their journey. Already one of EY’s most senior women in Oceania, Kraus was named Mentor of the Year at the 2014 NAB Women's Agenda Leadership Awards.
2015 could stand out as a year of change for the health sector – so where do the best opportunities lie? Dean Pearson, NAB’s Head of Industry Analysis, and Melissa Timbs, Senior Policy Advisor - NAB Health, look at how the changes could work in your favour.
The most recent Global Dairy Trade auction, held in mid December 2014, posted a small increase in weighted prices. This, combined with expectations of weaker supply growth in 2015, may point towards price stabilisation in 2015. Get the full picture on the local and global dairy outlook.
Thanks to the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA), there are now new opportunities for Australian businesses to move into Japan. NAB's Kohei Tsushima explains how those in agribusiness, financial services, health and education are the most likely to benefit.
When succession planning, how do you recognise the on-farm contribution of children who’ve stayed working in the business? National Manager of Agribusiness Wealth at NAB, Bill Adams, illustrates how putting a dollar value on this ‘sweat equity’ can help explain estate planning decisions.
In 1992, Charles Davidson was living in Japan enjoying their local hot springs when he heard that hot geothermal water had been discovered just 90 minutes from Melbourne. Today, his team at Peninsula Hot Springs welcomes on average more than 1,000 people a day, all year round.
2015 could be a good year for smaller businesses. Dean Pearson, NAB’s Head of Industry Analysis, looks at opportunities sector by sector, suggests ways to make the most of them and explains how technology is helping to level the playing field for SMEs.
Influence isn’t about telling people what to do or even expecting them to respond to a logical argument. Neuroleadership expert Jon Pratlett draws on the latest findings in neuroscience to provide practical advice on using influence to shape a successful business.
An elevator pitch can be a powerful selling tool you can use in any situation. We ask an expert about the importance of having a great elevator pitch and share their tips for crafting a concise and compelling overview of your business.
Melbourne-based architect Peter Maddison splits his days between running his busy boutique architectural practice and his role as host of Grand Designs Australia. He shares a day in the life of running Maddison Architects while moonlighting as a television host.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Health Minister Peter Dutton have announced that the proposed $7 GP co-payment will be redesigned. Scheduled to commence on 1 July 2015, we explain the new measures and how NAB Health can help your business prepare for these changes.
Offering practical and achievable solutions for governments to act on, NAB’s Deregulation Plan for SMEs aims to help business grow and create more jobs for Australians. The plan was presented to Federal Minister for Small Business, the Hon Bruce Billson MP, on Monday 15 December.
After 24 years in business Collette Dinnigan took the bold move of restructuring her business so she could focus on the purely creative elements of being a designer and devote more time to her young family. One year on, she reflects on her decision.
Every working environment has the potential to create stress but, when you’re running a small or medium enterprise (SME), the pressure can be particularly intense. Exercise, healthy eating and shedding unhealthy habits are recommended as some of the best methods to cope.
In what’s recently been coined “Robin Hood fraud”, criminals are now using stolen credit cards to make donations to charitable organisations. Zoe Fairfull-Smith, NAB’s Manager of Anti-Crime Education, shares five ways charities can better protect themselves from fraud.
While many are divided over Generation Y, these young people can bring unique benefits to your business. Futurist, demographer and social commentator Mark McCrindle explains how, and shares his tips on how to make them valuable members of your team.
With a skilled workforce of blind and vision-impaired employees, the Royal Society for the Blind Industrial Services in South Australia has carved out a reputation for providing efficient, cost effective and high quality packaging and assembly services to a range of businesses.
If you're thinking of buying an investment property, financial commentator Peter Switzer explains what’s involved in property investment through Self-Managed Super and the key advantages and limitations to consider before making a decision.
The World in Gala Dinner evening, inspired by The Economist's annual The World In... publication, returned to Sydney last night. Helen Clark, UN Development Programme Administrator, shared how the UN is mobilising the expertise and ideas countries need to drive sustainable development.
The World in Gala Dinner evening, inspired by The Economist's annual The World In... publication, returned to Sydney last night. China Business Editor and Shanghai Bureau Chief, Vijay V Vaitheeswaran, shared the publication’s key predictions for 2015.
The World in Gala Dinner evening, inspired by The Economist's annual The World In... publication, returned to Sydney last night. Daniel Franklin, Executive Editor of The Economist and Editor of 'The World In…', shares his annual collection of forecasts for the year ahead.
Warren Taylor has been breeding and selling bees for over 40 years. He also rents them out to farmers to help pollinate their crops – and he’d like us all to be more aware of the role the humble honey bee plays in both global agriculture and the Australian economy. We share his story.
Under the China Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), big opportunities will exist for agricultural exports with considerable growth potential, like dairy, beef, lamb, wine and horticultural products. Australia's wool industry will also benefit from improved trading conditions.
Financial commentator, Peter Switzer, explores property investment through Self-managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs). Peter explains the benefits of borrowing through an SMSF, steps to get an LRBA as well as some 'Do nots' when considering if it's right for your situation.
Following the signing of the China-Australia Free-Trade Agreement yesterday, NAB General Manager Agribusiness, Khan Horne said dairy, beef, lamb, wine, horticulture, grains and seafood are some of the sectors set to benefit, and that it's an exciting for many farmers across the country.
15 years ago, Indonesian-born Astrid Vasile turned to a career in construction after she moved to Australia. Today, she’s one of just 12 female registered builders in the country, plus Executive Chair of the Australian Indonesian Businesswomen’s & Professionals Network.
While global grain prices are currently weaker than recent seasons, NAB's Greg Noonan says Australian growers are being paid a hefty premium. He's urging them to work through the pros and cons of marketing options when deciding whether to sell now or hold onto their grain.
It’s tempting for business owners to buy their own commercial property – the reasons are many and varied. So what’s the right step for your business? Finding an answer requires some careful consideration. We look at the pros and cons of renting versus owning.
Given the link between workplace satisfaction and productivity, and between consumption and wellbeing, creating a happy workplace should be a key focus for any business. We share some intriguing data to help businesses considering how to improve staff engagement and customer satisfaction.
Changes to the financial sector’s Basel III rules are making it expensive for councils to borrow from banks. NAB’s James Waddell explains how the Local Government Funding Vehicle (LGFV) will create efficiencies, reduce borrowing costs and open up new avenues for local council finance.
Starting ABC Tissue soon after arriving from Hong Kong, Henry Ngai now manufactures some of Australia’s most popular brands of tissue products. He discusses his business, his strategy for success and being named Champion of Champions at the 2013 Ethnic Business Awards.
It’s called the Sport of Kings, and in Australia one woman stands out among all others. Since taking on the racing board to gain her training licence, Gai Waterhouse has been a formidable force in horse racing and an inspiration to businesswomen everywhere.
The latest issue of Business View magazine celebrates successful Australian business women. In our cover story we talk to top horse trainer Gai Waterhouse about overcoming barriers and what underpins the success of her business. We also chat to Collette Dinnigan and Lisa McGuigan.
With the world’s fourth largest pool of funds under management, Australia’s superannuation industry is only set to grow. Here’s a look at how our ageing population is managing its retirement funds for the future.
Starting a dental practice for the first time can be challenging, especially during the initial planning stages. One of Medfin’s leading dental finance specialists, Haydn Maddock, shares his top 10 tips for setting up a practice that’s built for success.
BRW named brand promotion business, Zinc, one of the top 10 ‘great places to work’. Believing the commitment and loyalty of his team has been fundamental to Zinc's success, Peter Cleary shares his secrets for keeping good people by creating great workplace culture.
Speaking at the BeefEx conference on the Gold Coast today, NAB’s Regional Head of Food and Agribusiness, Patrick Vizzone, explained that China is changing how it does business and the shift in thinking from self-sufficiency to trade provides a massive opportunity for beef exporters.
From satellite navigation to controlled traffic zonal tillage, David Cox is at the cutting-edge of precision farming. He explains how he uses technology to reduce costs and increase efficiency on his North Queensland sugarcane farm and how he’s now helping other farmers do the same.
After co-founding the first privately run specialist veterinary practice in Sydney, Dr Sarah Goldsmid swam against the tide of the GFC and expanded her business. A finalist in last year’s Telstra Business Women’s Awards, she explains how a passion for surgery continues to drive her success.
Adelaide-based FCT Flames has ignited all but one of this century’s summer and winter Olympic Games cauldrons since Sydney in 2000. Con Manias reflects on the time he spotted this unique opportunity for his business as well as managing an unpredictable cash flow.
A recent survey shows that over half of all Australians don’t expect to have enough money to retire on. NAB Group Chief Economist, Alan Oster and General Manager of Wealth, Business Banking, Iain Rogers look at how small business owners and individuals can better prepare for retirement.
The Australia China Business Council (ACBC) promotes trade and investment between Australia and China. National President, Duncan Calder reflects on this critical partnership as China’s burgeoning economy fuels unprecedented demand for Australian supplies and services.
Since 2008, Erica and Trudi’s online gift site has grown to represent more than 700-curated sellers offering 25,000 products. Recently named by SmartCompany as Australia’s seventh fastest growing small business in 2013-2014, the two owners share a day in the life of running hardtofind.
From fresh-faced cadet journalist to business publishing kingpin, Alan Kohler has traversed a lot of ground. In his journey across the desk he’s learned the difference between business commentator and business owner, and just how much graft it takes to make a business work.
With imports and exports worth $9 billion and $19 billion respectively, the Republic of Korea is Australia’s fourth-largest trading partner. We share tips to help Australian business prepare for opportunities in South Korea.
As a small business gets bigger it increasingly becomes a people business. Chief Happiness Officer at The Happiness Institute, Dr Timothy Sharp, explains the importance of culture in an organisation and how a person’s immediate manager becomes most vital to a sense of wellbeing.
Not all fruit and vegetables can be supermodels – the wonky carrots and curly capsicums farmers often have to throw away are just as tasty and nutritious. As CEO of Spade & Barrow, Katy Barfield is committed to reducing waste and paying farmers a fair price for their whole crop.
Your waiting room can influence how your patients feel about you and your practice. Caroline Chaplin, Director of Rooms With Style, explains how colour, lighting and soft furnishings can help you convey the right message in a cost-effective way.
Turning a business around can be challenging – but the tougher the turn, the sweeter the rewards. David Koch, Chairman of Port Adelaide Football Club, explains how he helped take the Power from financial hardship and the bottom of the AFL ladder to the finals in three short seasons.
China accounts for a staggering 43 per cent of the projected increase in global agrifood demand over the next 35 years, and Australian agribusinesses are positioning themselves now to seize the business opportunities.
Barwon Health’s Volunteers Services Director sees volunteers as community advocates who enhance the healthcare experience of consumers. Recognised at the 2014 NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards, Zoe Waters is now taking her message to a wider audience.
Keen to encourage young people to enter the sheep, meat and wool industry, Don and Pam Mudford changed the way they did business to better suit the next generation. Don opens up about his family’s commitment to breeding hardier sheep and the challenge of encouraging young people into farming.
For Allpress Espresso, creating a loyal market for their brand takes a carefully selected and dedicated group of coffee connoisseurs. We look at how they turned their start-up business in New Zealand into a leading supplier of specialty coffee in Australia, the UK and Japan.
Creative thinking has all sorts of benefits, not just for marketing and promotion, but also for solving business problems and innovating. Advertising executive Carolyn Miller shares tips on how small businesses can benefit from creative persuasion.
Musician, actress and founder of Big Hearted Business, Clare Bowditch believes there’s never been more opportunity for people with good ideas to find their audience. She talks of her success and shares her tips for building a business out of doing something you love.
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When you’re ready to go it alone, do you buy an existing dental practice or start from scratch? Medfin CEO, Paul Freeman explores the decision-making process, and believes the end result normally stems from whether you’re more entrepreneurial or risk-averse.
Social media can help you grow your business, deliver advice from international experts, even provide practical ways to help fix your tractor – but how do you know where to start? Digital strategist Tim Gentle explains how to develop a strategy for making the most of online opportunities.
Technology changes quickly, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and out of touch. But, as Chief Executive Officer of Tech Coach HQ, Megan Iemma explains, the secret to feeling in control and making the most of technology is taking it one ‘byte’ at a time.
Clinical trials provide access to new treatments, contribute to Australia’s economy and support our public sector institutions. Dr Brendan Shaw, Medicines Australia Chief Executive, discusses the challenges and opportunities that are shaping our innovative medicines industry.
Innovation is often confused with invention, but it’s fundamental to business growth and maintaining a competitive edge. Chris Gebhardt, Director of William Buck, discusses the importance of building an innovative culture and suggests simple ways for generating new ideas.
In 40 years, about a quarter of Australia’s population will be over 65. Michael Bassingthwaighte, CEO of Peoplecare, explains how a closer relationship between private health funds and GPs could improve patient wellbeing and manage increasing costs.
Many things have changed since Malcolm Knight’s grandfather ran Golden Wattle farm, but the family’s commitment to the community is stronger than ever. Knight discusses the changes, the challenges, and a welcome trend for more young people to return to the family farm.
With information about prices, market trends and the supply chain, farmers can plan more effectively and run a more profitable business. Mick Keogh, Executive Director of the Australian Farm Institute (AFI), explains the importance of statistics and where to find the most useful ones.
Australian businesses are increasingly exporting to Asia. Business View talks to Thermal Electric Elements (TEE), a manufacturer of custom-made heating units and elements, about their journey east and the impact it’s had on their business so far.
The Wine Liquidation Centre promoted a flash sale on Facebook for the first time, and it delivered $7,000 worth of sales in the first 24 hours! With help from Tiger Pistol, they also noticed an increase in foot traffic at their warehouse sales and in subscriptions to their newsletter.
If your employees underperform there may be a good reason. Jon Pratlett, creator of the seminar ‘Leading with the brain in mind’, suggests some simple ways to understand employee behaviour, become a ‘brain friendly’ leader and nip poor performance in the bud.
Australians are increasingly importing from Asia. Business View talks to designer, Christina Re about her journey east, the impact it’s had on her Aussie-based business, and how she believes Asia provides scope for growth and the opportunity to create beautiful products.
Facebook can be good for business, but many business owners aren’t sure how to use it effectively. Steve Hibberd, co-founder of Tiger Pistol, discusses ways to make the most of Facebook by getting your message to the right people, as well as a special offer for NAB Business customers.
The Crothers family saw a bright future ahead in the cotton industry, but moving from livestock meant taking on a massive challenge. Douglas Crothers talks about storing a year’s supply of water, completely restructuring the farm, and the need to plan for a sound financial future.
Dairy farmers are encouraged to review budgets and timing for any capital expenditure plans off the back of opening dairy price forecasts. NAB’s Neil Findlay says these plus this financial year’s stronger finish should support the confidence that’s been returning to southern producers.
The end of financial year is a busy time for the businesses, but there’s still an opportunity to get yours into shape for June 30. Executive General Manager of NAB Business, Angela Mentis shares seven practical strategies to help your business make the most of tax time.
The end of financial year is a busy time for the healthcare sector, but there’s still an opportunity to get your business into shape for June 30. NAB Health General Manager, Nehemiah Richardson shares seven practical strategies to help your business make the most of tax time.
Michael Worthington, Chief Executive Officer of PMA Australia-New Zealand, says the produce sector is ripe with fresh opportunities for fruit and vegetables growers of all sizes – as long as they keep pace with their customers’ changing needs.
In the leadup to the end of the financial year, NAB Private Wealth shows you how to build and protect your wealth the tax effective way.
Many general practitioners have been exposed to aggressive behaviour yet few have taken steps to protect themselves. Researcher Dr Danny Hills explains his six simple strategies for keeping a medical practice a safer and less stressful place to work.
From deep within the Victorian Mallee, the de Pieri and Carrazza clans are as renowned for blending family and business as they are for blending a great beer. Mildura’s popular brewers and restaurateurs, Stefano and Donata, talk to Business View about achieving the right mix.
The Australian project finance market is widely considered a world leader when it comes to assessing the financing of greenfield development risk. Michael Clarke looks at how mining/resource project financing may be a helpful paradigm for financing large-scale greenfield agri developments.
Ninety three percent of Australia’s annual grain crop is grown under dryland conditions. Southern Panel Chair of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, explains how national and international research is helping farmers in this challenging environment.
In this edition, Business View magazine highlights the success of businesses working with, inspired and supported by family. Our cover story features how Mildura Brewery owners Stefano de Pieri and wife Donata Carrazza successfully blend family and business.
George Kohlrieser, veteran hostage negotiator and Professor of Leadership and Organisational Behaviour at the International Institute for Management Development, shared key insights into how leaders can best draw out the potential of their teams.
Technology has changed virtually every part of our lives: how we interact with friends and family, how we raise our children, how we announce major life news, how we find love, and how we manage our careers. Randi Zuckerberg explores the exciting developments in technology.
Good ideas with no execution ends in no results. There are seven simple tools for developing a culture of excellent execution, says global business and leadership consultant Ram Charan. He has worked extensively with some of the world’s leading corporates.
Gary Hamel, visiting Professor of Strategic and International Management at London Business School, electrified the World Business Forum audience with his new and radical vision of change management and how companies can restructure.
After an unexpected invitation to the Pentagon to discuss how the US could improve its international image, Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide of Saatchi & Saatchi was introduced to the concept of VUCA, a world which is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.
Australia’s 25th Prime Minister, the Hon. John Howard, spoke at the World Business Forum about how political contexts shape economic climates, sharing his optimistic outlook for Australia and the US and the challenges ahead for China.
In today’s increasingly digitised world, consumers are sharing data in unprecedented ways. Andreas Weigend, a Professor at Stanford University, has coined the term Social Data Revolution to represent this deep shift in how people make purchasing and lifestyle decisions.
Professor Michael Porter of Harvard Business School and Director of the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness, discusses the world of opportunities available to companies that are willing to recalibrate their thinking around strategy.
Lyn Heward, former Director of Creation, President and COO of the Creative Content Division of Cirque du Soleil challenges every individual and company to go through what she calls ‘the seven doors’ to enhance creativity, motivate high performers and foster innovation.
Farmers looking to retire or play a less active role in the family business have a special set of considerations at tax time. Farmers are encouraged to investigate the most effective tax solutions and their longer term wealth creation.
View the NAB Group Chief Economist Alan Oster’s presentation, 3AW commentator Tom Elliott’s assessment and the Q&A panel at our Federal Budget Breakfast in Melbourne.
The key focus related to health in this year’s Budget is savings. The introduction of GP co-payments, changes to PBS provisions, Medicare safety nets and indexation arrangements will contribute significant savings. We assess the key initiatives impacting Australia’s health sector.
There’s a lot to talk about following last night’s Federal Budget announcement. NAB’s team of economists have analysed what last night’s Federal Budget means for the Education sector and outlined key initiatives.
The Federal Budget contained few tax surprises, with most of the key revenue changes previously announced by the Government, including the expected additional tax for high income earners, while the Indexation of Fuel Excise will impose an additional cost on both business and individuals.
While some saw this as ‘the Budget we had to have’, the grants news is good. Overall funding for businesses is set to increase under measures proposed in the 2014 Federal Budget. GrantReady summarises what the Budget means for grants and funding programs.
Brendon Lyon, CEO of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, says the 2014 Federal Budget is an excellent outcome for the national infrastructure sector. He shares his views on the largest-ever national infrastructure investment programme.
The 2014 Federal Budget outlined some drastic measures for the agriculture sector – from changes to Landcare to additional RD&E funding. Colin Bettles, Canberra Bureau Chief, Fairfax Agricultural Media, shares his summary of the proposed measures.
For small to medium business owners, the 2014 Federal Budget contained both certainties and uncertainties. Andrew Conway, Chief Executive Officer of The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) shared his views on what the Budget means for the sector.
Alan Oster, NAB’s Group Chief Economist provides his initial thoughts on the 2014 Federal Budget announcement.
Patrick Vizzone, Regional Head of Food & Agribusiness, Asia, Institutional Banking reflects on how the outcomes of last November’s Third Plenary Session of China’s Communist Party’s Central Committee may shape the Australian agriculture sector.
When running a business it’s important to understand your obligations in relation to domestic and international sanctions and embargoes, and how they may potentially impact your business before entering into arrangements with offshore customers and/or their agents.
China is the world’s biggest market for red wine at 1.87 billion bottles in 2013. Australian wine producers are invited to experience first-hand Chinese tastes, the local industry and build valuable contacts with a wine study tour to China and Hong Kong.
Robots are on the march. Most of them work on assembly lines, building cars, making electronic devices and processing food, drugs and chemicals. But robots are spreading beyond the factory - a trend that will accelerate in 2014.
Software and services firms will have a good year in 2014 according to The Economist Intelligence Unit. Software spending by businesses and government will rise by 6.2%, while the canny consultants who explain how to use the stuff will enjoy revenue gain of 5.7%.
Discount sales strategies have become commonplace across Australia as cost-conscious consumers are herded into shops by big signs promising reductions and great deals. But here are five strategies to boost your local sales without slashing prices.
The internet has always been the enemy of music executives, facilitating piracy, denting cd sales and encouraging people to download single songs instead of buying them by the dozen. But it will give executives something to sing about in 2014.
In 2014, Asia will lead the way with outbound tourism growing by 7.9% according to The Economist Intelligence Unit. Whilst tourism worldwide will grow by a strong 5.3% in 2014, the biggest increase since 2010.
More than $1trn will be spent on hardware, including telecommunications gear, in 2014 with tablets expected to grow by 40%, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit. Salespeople, executives and even doctors will find ever more uses for portable screens.
Montague Fresh fought off tough competition to win the prestigious Woolworths 2013 Supplier of the Year Award. Ray Montague and his son Scott discuss the key to their success and how things have changed during their 50-year relationship with Woolworths.
There’s been a lot for Aussie businesses to talk about recently, from shoes to defence contracts - Australian and global markets appear to be bursting with opportunities. Here's a selection of business insights to help you uncover the opportunities across all business sectors in 2014
There’s been a lot for Aussie businesses to talk about recently – from the impact of weather on global economic growth to retailers’ expansion plans. Here’s a selection of recent business insights to help you uncover the opportunities across all business sectors in 2014.
Running a business with family members has its challenges and benefits. But Bart and James Cummings are proof that a cross-generational family business can work and, through their training partnership, it can survive and even thrive.
M&A has been a big theme recently, with entrepreneurs and established businesses alike snapping up opportunities. Air-con was a burning issue and property developers were dancing at the prospect of better funding and more opportunities.
Marketing can help you to build a practice, run it successfully and ultimately make a profitable exit. Jason Borody, Managing Director of Vividus Marketing, talks about opportunities, challenges and how the internet has made communications a priority for the healthcare sector.
There’s been a lot for Aussie businesses to talk about recently – from the action on Melbourne’s Chapel Street to where to find the richest retirees. Here’s a selection of recent business insights to help you uncover the opportunities across all business sectors in 2014.
Bullying can cause physical and psychological harm to employees and undermine good business. Alex Jenkins of Davidson Trahaire Corpsych suggests ways to create a workplace culture which supports the health and productivity of everyone in the organisation.
Finding and keeping the right people is fundamental to the success of any business. Gavin O’Meara, Manager of People and Culture at Ramsay Health Care, explains how planning, preparation and ongoing support can help you build an engaged and productive team.
Monica Meldrum was named '2013 Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year' at last year’s NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards. Here, she discusses the increasing demand for 'clean' food and how her fast-growing business Whole Kids is committed to improving children’s health.
Last week there was a lot to talk about for Australian businesses - from Xbox One gamers to Valentine’s Day and cornflakes. Here’s a selection of recent business insights to help you uncover the opportunities across all business sectors in 2014.
Robots are rapidly moving out of science fiction and on to the farm. Salah Sukkarieh, Professor of Robotics and Intelligence Systems at the University of Sydney, says they could soon be helping farmers to cut costs and increase yield - and that now is the time to prepare.
Australia is a nation that prides itself on sports and we have plenty of options when it comes to sourcing our equipment and selling it. Here are some interesting facts and tips for your consideration.
There’s been a lot for Aussie businesses to talk about recently - from community newspapers to consumption of whiskey. Here's a selection of recent business insights to help you uncover the opportunities across all business sectors.
Pitching for new business is a fine art. For the last six years, as CEO of the Victorian Major Events Company – which has won such iconic events as the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the 2010 Cycling World Championships and the Formula 1 Grand Prix – Brendan McClements knows how to get it right.
With the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup set to come to town in January 2015, it’s time to think about how Australian businesses can benefit from the influx of tourists and anticipated $225 million boost to the economy.
As Australian business owners return from the summer break, there’s plenty for them to be positive about. Now is the time to be planning ahead, so we’ve developed 10 top tips for SMEs to ensure they make the most of opportunities and grow their business in 2014.
Running a seasonal business can be challenging, but strategic planning can help even out the ups and downs. Manly Surf School’s founder Matt Grainger discusses managing the swells and lulls of a surf school, and the importance of saving for a rainy day.
The big question for 2014 is whether the Australian dollar will keep trending lower with perhaps a secondary question about whether Australian property will continue to boom. According to Business Spectator’s Alan Kohler - yes and yes.
There’s been a lot for Aussie businesses to talk about so far in 2014 - from weather predictions to our reading habits. Here’s a selection of recent business insights to help you uncover the opportunities across all business sectors in 2014.
Entrepreneurial thinking can strengthen rural businesses and reinvigorate entire communities. Dr Yasmin Chalmers, Director of Marcus Oldham College’s Centre for the Study of Rural Australia, explains how the EntruBIZ program is helping people to think in an entrepreneurial way.
As our population ages and demand for facility management services increases, hospitals are doing their best to manage costs. Ivan Fernandez, Industry Director at Frost & Sullivan, suggests ways for facility management providers to identify new opportunities and overcome challenges.
The New Zealand economy is set to be one of the strongest in the developed world this year. This should provide a timely boost to the Australian export and tourism industries, particularly if the New Zealand dollar appreciates as much as some expect.
The limp performance of metals and bulk commodities over the past couple of years has resembled a unicycle rather than the superbike of previous years. According to Simon Wright of The Economist, the 2014 outlook for demand is rosier and commodity prices should start climbing once again.
Australians have now installed more than two million small-scale renewable energy systems, the Clean Energy Regulator has confirmed, providing a strong indication that investment in small-scale renewable energy continues to flourish in Australia.
Some of the world’s fastest-growing economies in 2014 will be in Africa. Since 2001, Africa’s GDP has expanded more quickly each year than the global average. In the past decade, only the block of developing Asian economies, led by China, has grown faster than Africa.
Start to prepare for a new era in the Australian Chinese relationship. Well within five years, instead of simply looking at Chinese manufacturing, Australia will look at the tourist bookings due to a very big rise in Chinese tourism.
As many SMEs might be a million miles away from the mining and resources sector, it’s easy to think it’s all completely irrelevant. That’s not the case. It’s important that you're aware of the general direction of the industry because it can affect your own business.
New Year is the perfect time to be considering and reviewing your strategies for the year and putting your plans in place to make the most of opportunities. Our message to farmers is that if they’re ready for more in 2014, we’re here and ready for them.
Through our partnership with Kochie’s Business Builders, David Koch speaks with NAB Chief Economist of Markets, Rob Henderson about his outlook for 2014. Join them as they discuss some of the big trends in the economy that may impact small business.
The summer edition of Business View Magazine explores the ecosystem behind the business of sport, looking at how entrepreneurs working in and with the sports sector deal with changes in the business environment. Download the free iPad edition via our new publications app NAB Think.
A farm can be a dangerous place for farmers, their families, workers and even visitors. John Temperley, Executive Officer of Farmsafe Australia, discusses some of the most common hazards and shares practical steps for making farms safer for everyone.
Smartphones and tablets are old news. The New Year promises tantalising prospects when it comes to new technology and innovation. Business Spectator explores the top five new technologies set to send pulses racing in 2014.
There are strong opportunities for Australian agribusinesses as key Asian markets are increasingly demanding high quality, safe and healthy food.
What thought have you given to the future of your business if suddenly you can no longer work or indeed function? There’s more to preparing for the future than just writing a will. Approximately 50 percent of Australians have prepared a will and only half again have addressed all the issues.
From property development to motorsports, Betty Saunders Klimenko is used to changing landscapes with an entrepreneurial spirit, a business mentality and people power. The colourful owner of the Erebus Motorsports team discusses the business of motorsports.
Do you know how sanctions and embargoes work and how they can impact your business? As an agribusiness it's important to understand your obligations in relation to domestic and international sanctions before entering into arrangements with offshore providers and/or their agents.
As Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) reforms continue to roll out, many pharmacists are taking a broader approach to boosting profits. Pharmacy owner and Managing Director of Rx Management, John Loveridge, discusses the changes and strategies for mitigating their impact.
Five years ago, Daniel Flynn dreamed of changing the world by selling bottled water to Australians. Today, his Thankyou products are sold in Australia’s leading supermarkets and helping thousands of people in need. It’s an inspiring story of hard work and persistence.
It’s a season of stark contrast for Aussie wheat growers, with those in the west and south set for a bumper season while those in the east are doing it tough. International factors are also placing downward pressure on prices, with Canada producing one of its biggest wheat crops on record.
Farmers’ Markets are helping to bridge the gap between the city and the farm. Jane Adams, National Representative of the Australian Farmers’ Markets Association, explains how farmers can benefit from selling directly to their consumers.
Aviation businesses are notoriously expensive and, when you're flying a seaplane, there's an extra layer of complexity. Tim Robertson discusses how he and fellow aviator Christiaan Durrant overcame the challenges to make Tasmanian Air Adventures an award-winning success.
Best known for her BBC TV series, Mary Queen of Shops, Mary Portas shared her top tips for small businesses during her recent visit to Australia to promote Support Small Business Day - a Victorian Government initiative in partnership with NAB.
It’s never too early to get your practice ready for sale. As Paul Freeman, Chief Executive Officer of Medfin Finance, points out, potential purchasers look for the kind of well-run business that's also efficient and profitable for you. Here are his tips for getting it up to speed.
The 2011 Agricultural Census reveals an evolving sector - in terms of both farm and farmer. With bigger farms and more sophisticated owners to contend with, service providers need to prepare for a new and challenging landscape.
Wine sales in China are expected to increase 50 percent between 2013 and 2016. Australian wine producers have the opportunity to differentiate themselves from international competitors by concentrating on marketing more premium vintages in China.
Economic data can be baffling. Bombarded with numbers, headlines, warnings and opinions from all directions, it can be hard to know just what to focus on. So what do you really need to know? And what does it all mean? We explain.
Grace Mazur was so impressed by the Thermomix she saw in Europe that she decided to sell them in Australia and she’s now the world’s leading independent distributor. Grace talks with Business View about the hard work, perseverance and passion that have contributed to her success.
More than a third of Australia’s general practitioners, nurses and specialists are over the age of 50, so what will happen when they all retire? Dr Henry Cutler, Director, Head of Health Economics at KPMG, discusses possible skills shortages and ways to ameliorate any emerging problems.
As Managing Director of Taylors Wines, Mitchell Taylor is steward of a family-owned company which was founded by his grandfather. Here, he explains how his passion for handing on a sustainable business inspired the creation of the world’s first carbon-neutral wine.
Only 50 percent of Australian businesses have a website, according to a recent poll commissioned by Google Australia. Your website can be a real revenue earner if you build it the right way. We share some very simple but crucial elements to include in your website.
Good cash flow is the lifeblood of every business yet many owners feel uncomfortable about chasing the money they're owed. Roger Mendelson, CEO of Prushka Fast Debt Recovery, suggests practical, easy-to-implement ways to ensure you're paid on time.
The Patient-Centred Medical Home (PCMH) could improve overall population health and lower the cost of healthcare. Dr Eleanor Chew, Vice President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, explains the benefits of a voluntary system where one GP co-ordinates patient care.
A successful business needs quality employees but in agriculture, skills are in short supply. Rimfire Resource's Nigel Crawley suggests ways to attract the right recruits and explains how the Career Harvest initiative could bring more young people into the industry.
If you're looking to grow your business, offering credit to your customers can be a smart business move as long as the process is carefully managed. Danielle Woods of Dun & Bradstreet, suggests practical ways to avoid the pitfalls.
Four years ago, John Gladigau joined forces with fellow farmer Robin Schaefer to create a new business, Bulla Burra. Here Gladigau explains how the collaboration has led to improved efficiency, economies of scale and even a better lifestyle.
It was a tough sell, but Cyril Callister, inventor of Australia’s beloved spread, Vegemite, overcame a disappointing beginning to shape the taste of a nation. Read how Vegemite went from being spectacularly unsuccessful to remarkable.
Like China, Indonesia has a fast-growing middle class with an appetite for Australian produce. Grant Healy, Director of NAB's Asia Desk, discusses the business opportunities, available resources and the importance of paying a visit.
It’s time for Australian businesses to start thinking more about how they can tap into China’s booming e-commerce market. Lisa Goodhand, Director at China Blueprint Online shares some steps businesses can take to help boost their sales.
Telehealth could provide many Australians with easier access to healthcare, monitor chronic illnesses more effectively and assist the ageing population. Dr James Freeman (pictured) founded GP2U to remove logistical obstacles to the uptake of telehealth, but other challenges remain.
A business that depends on one person for its success is a business at risk - but stepping back is rarely easy, particularly for the founder of a family business. Bill Noye, Partner in charge of KPMG Private Enterprise in Brisbane, suggests ways to make the process as smooth as possible.
Since new standards for hospitals and day surgeries took effect in January 2013, there have been signs of improvements for patients that also make financial sense. Professor Picone AM, CEO of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, discusses the initiative.
30 years ago, Rushel Farm was a bare and uneven block of dirt. Today, Russell and Helen Chapman head a family concern selling over 550,000 cartons of capsicums, melons and mangoes every year. They’re also August’s featured family in the NAB Agribusiness Calendar.
Researchers say tax compliance is costing small businesses $28,000 a year - but Sue Prestney, spokesperson for the Institute of Chartered Accountants, believes that many are spending far more than they need. Here are her suggestions for saving time and money.
Most businesses in the healthcare sector are affected by fluctuations in currency and interest rates. NAB’s Head of Corporate & Institutional Markets, Darren Hooton, cautions against complacency and suggests strategies for mitigating risk.
As the war for talent intensifies, business owners with an eye on the future are nurturing older workers. Michael Hyatt, Director, Human Capital Advisory at Deloitte Australia, discusses the benefits of maturity and the importance of harnessing skills and experience.
In this edition, we delve into the experiences of finance commentator turned business builder Alan Kohler, detail bringing an invention to life and explore running a business in an extreme climate. We also cover retaining staff, handling tax in your SMSF and negotiating contracts in China.
If you’ve been thinking about improving the efficiency of your importing or exporting business with Australia’s largest trading partner, there’s now a more efficient way to settle trade transactions in China. Hear the latest insights from NAB’s team of experts.
According to the 2011 Census, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry is now Australia’s biggest employer. The Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association’s Andrew McAuliffe discusses increasing demand, unequal growth and opportunities for innovation.
Being Lean worked for Toyota - could it work for you? Chris Foster, KPMG Director, National LEAN Service Line Leader, explains the five basic principles of the Lean system and how doing less work can create more customer value.
Pharmacists are helping to reduce pressure on the health system and improve quality of life. President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Kos Sclavos, discusses the importance of pharmacists retaining their sustainable competitive advantage in the face of growing retail competition.
22 years after his first visit, Michael Jackson, a beef farmer and specialist in agricultural real estate, accompanied the NAB Agribusiness team on a 10-day study tour of China. Here, he discusses the country’s development, current opportunities and why he’s since made a third trip.
Growth is the engine that drives a business - but it’s also an ongoing challenge that brings many businesses unstuck. So how can you ensure your business is set up for growth? Dr Richard Shrapnel, Executive Director at Pitcher Partners, shares some practical suggestions.
Agriculture in Australia has an exciting future. The changing landscape of Australian agriculture is creating a raft of opportunities across the sector and for the first time in years, agricultural student enrolments are up, and quite significantly.
The NBN will make it possible for more employees to work anywhere - could that be good for your business? Dr Yvette Blount, Research Coordinator of Macquarie University’s Anywhere Working Research Network, discusses the benefits and obstacles you might want to consider.
A GP setting up a private practice needs to consider everything that comes with owning a business from demographics to finance, taxation, employment and compliance issues. Paul Freeman, CEO of Medfin Finance, explains how to avoid the pitfalls.
As owners of Ellerslie Hop Estate, the Crokes have been putting the flavour into beer for over 80 years. Managing Director Greg is the grandson of the founder and the son of the chairman - and they're June's featured family in the NAB Agribusiness calendar.
The right mentor could help you resolve issues, avoid pitfalls and feel more confident in moving forward. In New South Wales and Victoria, the not-for-profit Small Business Mentoring Service brings businesses and mentors together. Chief Executive Officer David Gregory explains the benefits
As we approach the end of another financial year, Bongiorno Group’s Director, Michael Waycott, discusses tax-effective strategies, recent changes that may affect healthcare providers and why you should start planning now for next year’s return.
David Brett, NAB's Head of Agribusiness for Northern Australia, says it’s been a solid year for Australia's 1,500 cotton farms.Driven by a more positive global economic outlook, Australia looks set to export a record 1.1 million tonnes of cotton this financial year.
Nationally, farmers have been using Farm Management Deposits (FMDs) at record rates - the biggest month for deposits each year has traditionally been June, as farmers look to take advantage of tax benefits before financial year end.
At the end of the financial year it’s important to make sure your tax affairs are in order. The Australian Tax Office has provided information about recent changes that might affect your business and a checklist of common mistakes you’ll want to avoid.
In the lead up to the Australian events for Australia China Business Week, we bring you part two of our series and reveal more of the insights discussed at last month’s Shanghai event. If you’re considering doing business with China then read on to learn more about the Chinese market.
Chances are you have a self managed super fund (SMSF) because you like the extra flexibility that it can provide. But to make the most of your fund, you need to keep up with the latest rules and legislation changes.
Considering doing business with China? Australia China Business Week, the most significant Sino-Australian business events of the year, kicked off in Shanghai last month ahead of upcoming events in Melbourne and Sydney. We reveal the insights shared by the Shanghai delegates.
Until the age of 19, Evangelos Kalafatis grew fruit and herded sheep in a remote Greek village. Today he heads a family business that supplies stone fruit, apples and pears to supermarkets across Australia – and which features in the NAB Agribusiness calendar for May.
Understanding how the Federal Budget impacts you and your business can be complex. Our team of leading economists, tax and superannuation experts keep you up-to-date with all the latest news from the 2013 Federal Budget so we can help you get all your ducks in a row.
Business Spectator share a candid account of what it’s like inside the Federal Budget lock-up ahead of tonight’s announcement …..the budget lock-up is a strange place where 'parameter variations' are king and phoneless journalists fight over warm sushi and moneyed clichés.
The Council for Small Business Australia’s CEO, Peter Strong, talks to Business View, about the key areas they’d like to see addressed in tonight’s 2013 Federal Budget announcement and how those areas could help the broader Australian economy.
Do you know how much your business is worth? A valuation can provide a sound foundation for growth as well as help you to get the best possible outcome from a future sale or merger. Greg Hayes, Chairman of Hayes Knight National Group, explains how.
A trip to the Calgary Stampede in Canada was the highlight of the year for Joel Fleming, ALPA 2012 Young Auctioneer of the Year. Here he talks about the competition, his win and how the experience of a lifetime has also provided a boost to his career.
With over $1.5 trillion of savings invested, superannuation remains the largest asset for most Australians outside the family home, and one of the most tax-effective savings vehicles available.
The carbon pricing budget black hole may sound bad now, but it’ll get far worse due to completely unrealistic assumptions in the Coalition’s budget costings. It’s been reported that Treasury will now dramatically revise down the expected revenue from the government’s carbon pricing scheme.
Networking via social media can be a cheap, fast and effective way to grow your business or a complete waste of time if it’s done the wrong way. Here, business growth expert and mentor Mike Boorn Plener shares some simple strategies for success and flags the traps you need to avoid.
Understanding the steps that lead to a purchase can help you to market your business more effectively. Mark Fletcher, Principal Consultant at ShopScience, shows how to map the ‘customer journey’ for your target markets and make the most of the insights this provides
If you want to do business in China, you have to go there. Developing relationships and understanding the intricacies of doing business are vital to successfully taking advantage of the opportunities presented by Asia’s growing population and wealth.
Farming is in Michael Schembri’s blood – after a short break from the land, he and his family are pulling together to build their investment in a New South Wales poultry farm. Here he talks about the challenges they face and their commitment to ongoing growth.
Skills shortages and an ageing population are affecting rural communities across Australia, highlighting the need to attract more young people to agribusiness. So what traits must young people have to carve a successful career in farming or agricultural services?
The internet has created a new breed of empowered and informed shoppers who know what they want and won’t settle for less. ShopScience’s Principal Consultant, Mark Fletcher, shares his insights on how they think, and how to make the most of their changing expectations.
Want to maximise your retirement savings? Property investment through a Self Managed Super Fund could be an effective way to save for your retirement and may be tax effective.
Self managed super funds (SMSFs) have a number of benefits for farmers including control, flexibility and concessional tax treatment, but they’re not for everyone. Bill Adams, NAB’s National Manager of Agribusiness Wealth, discusses the pros and cons of SMSFs.
Sophisticated criminal gangs are putting Australian businesses at risk by attempting to take over their computers, stealing security information such as passwords and using these to siphon money from their bank accounts. Learn how you can help protect your business.
Not enough hours in the day? Good time management can help you to grow your business and enjoy a healthy work-life balance. Time management specialist Geoff Prior helps people to work more effectively – and here he shares his top five tips.
A year on from the establishment of the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR), NAB Agribusiness is foreseeing a time when the system may assist more people to get into farming. NAB Agribusiness Head of Southern and Western Australia, Neil Findlay explains.
From the brink of breaching environmental standards to a leading diversified food and agribusiness company – CEO David Lock talks about transforming the Craig Mostyn Group, securing a supply chain and tapping into consumer preferences.
A new survey gives an insight into how much the majority of Australia’s CEOs are paid. Chairman and CEO of The CEO Institute Ken Gunn believes that the research, carried out in partnership with RMIT University, will help CEOs to benchmark their pay.
Australia’s fastest-growing supermarket milk brand, A2 Milk™ turned an obscure milk protein into a profitable point of difference. CEO of A2 Dairy Products Australia, Peter Nathan, explains how and discusses the growing export market.
This month in Agribusiness View, we have an in-depth talk with food producer Maggie Beer, hear about Asia’s growing demand for milk and dairy products, and learn how grain growers can manage their risk. We also give you a new view on women in the agricultural industry.
Australia has one of the strongest economies in the world and there are positive prospects for this year. This month in Business View, we include a link to the latest digital Business View magazine, provide expert tips for both managing the media and avoiding business mistakes.
A family concern started in the early 19th century is now Australia’s largest onion and walnut grower. Webster features on the February pages of the NAB Agribusiness calendar and, here, CEO Leigh Titmus talks about their sustainable success.
Grain growers who have done their homework will usually get opportunities through the year to lock in price spikes above $300 per tonne and hopefully healthy margins. NAB’s Director of Commodities, Business Markets believes preparation is the key aspect of managing risk for grain growers
SME confidence is expected to increase as financial markets show some improvement and consumers continue to spend strongly in certain sectors. While the dollar is expected to remain high, the cash rate could fall as low as 2.25 percent this year, reveals NAB’s Head of Australian Economics.
As a business owner, you diversify risks and investments everyday, but you mightn’t be doing this in your personal life. This week on Kochie’s Business Builders, Iain Rogers of NAB Wealth shares some simple strategies that’ll help build, manage and protect your wealth for the future.
This week on Kochie’s Business Builders, founding partner of La Porchetta, Sara Pantaleo and NAB Business Banking Manager James Tickner discuss the importance of having a crisis management plan and what to consider when creating your own plan.
Bad business mistakes happen to good people, according to author and entrepreneur, Mathew Dickerson. Here, Mathew explains to Business View where some businesses stumble and reveals his list of common mistakes to avoid in business.
Beyond the cook’s toque, NAB Agribusiness customer Maggie Beer wears many hats − farmer, gourmet food producer and sometime television presenter. But her least celebrated role may be her greatest achievement given the challenges of her industry - businesswoman.
Speaking at International Dairy Week in Tatura, Victoria, Grant Healy of NAB Asia said the growing demand for Australian agricultural produce in Asia represents a sustainable opportunity for Australian dairy producers and processors.
In this edition of Business View, we talk to Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan and hear from some of Australia’s most unique and successful business owners, including Maggie Beer. We also offer new angles on pricing, marketing, self managed super funds and creativity in the workplace.
The New Year is a time to reflect and review – and that goes as much for your business as any other aspect of your life. That’s why NAB is encouraging farmers and those beyond the farm gate to spend some time now planning for 2013.
Generation X has spent more per person in the retail sector this year than any other generation, new industry data reveals.
This month in Agribusiness View, we’ve taken a closer look at the critical issue of succession planning, the changing role of women in farming and the need to provide young people with the skills and encouragement they need to forge a successful career in the sector.
The role of women in agriculture has changed dramatically over the years, and with more women pursuing a career in rural industries, the future looks bright. Agribusiness View talks to Growcom’s ‘Women in Horticulture’ coordinator, Jane Muller.
How can your business use advertising to get your brand noticed? We get the inside scoop on ways to make your business marketing savvy in our interview with Australia’s biggest ad buyer, Aegis Media’s Executive Chair, Harold Mitchell.
Overwhelmed by regulatory paperwork? “One of the biggest bugbears for small business is inefficient or unnecessary regulation” says the Hon. Brendan O’Connor MP, Federal Minister for Small Business. He pinpoints how government reforms are cutting red tape.
A major survey conducted by NAB Agribusiness found that farmers approaching retirement are far less certain about how and when they’ll transition out of the business compared to younger farmers. Read on for more survey findings
Where many farming families trip up is that they have no succession plan in place. Help keep your farm’s future secure by rolling out a succession plan now, cautions NAB’s Agribusiness Wealth National Manager, Bill Adams. He explains the process.
As far as property performance goes, it’s been a mixed bag in 2012 with residential outperforming the commercial sector. James Connell, who heads up Melbourne real estate agency Marshall White, discusses property performance in 2012.
Australian farmers are experiencing price volatility, so how can hedging help them take advantage of boosted demand for Australian exports following the US drought? NAB’s Head of Agribusiness for Business Markets, Rod Fraser, explains.
Accepting payments on the go is vital for some small businesses success. This week as featured on Kochie’s Business Builders, Cindy Batchelor from our NAB Small Business Banking team presents our top tips to getting paid quicker and easier on the go. Watch Cindy’s tip.
What does the Federal Government’s Not-For-Profit (NFP) review, with legislation due to be finalised in October 2012, mean for the healthcare sector? JBWere’s Director of Philanthropic Services gives a lowdown.
We headed along to the AMA annual conference recently held in Melbourne where Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek outlined the health reforms handed down in the 2012–13 Budget.
How eHealth ready is your business? Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, Chair of the World Medical Association is leading a team of clinicians to roll out eHealth for the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA). Here, he talks you through the eHealth basics.
Michael Bassingthwaighte, CEO of not-for-profit health insurer Peoplecare, talks cash flow, growth, decision-making and regulatory management.
Are your tax records are up to date? Do you know how to effectively reduce your taxable income? NAB Health’s John Minto shares some pointers.
This digital version of the 13th issue of Business View includes case studies and features designed to help you get your business firing on all cylinders.
Which Australian industries are peaking this year? IBISWorld General Manager, Karen Dobie, dissects the research.
How can Australian SMEs make inroads into India? We speak with Austrade’s Senior Trade Commissioner, Peter Linford in New Delhi.
Thinking of expanding offshore? Head of Think Global Consulting, David Thomas, gives the inside scoop.
From grants to farming apps, read our review on what’s happening in the agribusiness sector.
TNB TULIPS, in Victoria’s Monbulk, explains how rolling out an innovative automation system has helped its business bloom.
Which agribusiness sectors in Australia are well placed to trade with India? Read our India overview.
We profile Robert Radford from Radfords – a Gippsland family-run meat processing company with an annual turnover of $30 million.
How can small businesses stay financially fit? Serg Premier, NAB’s General Manager of Deposits & Transactions, explains the importance of controlling business expenses.
A Gillard-chaired manufacturing taskforce aims to reignite Australia’s struggling manufacturing industry by helping local firms compete more effectively to harness opportunities emerging from the ‘Asian century’.
Use of social media in business is skyrocketing globally, yet few local GPs are capitalising fully on this trend. Here’s how to boost your professional presence online.
Property can be a means to reduce your tax bills and help fund your retirement. Read up on tax tips and property strategies for the healthcare sector with NAB Health Senior Financial Planner, Matthew Wilson.
The impact of the Euro-zone financial unrest to the healthcare industry is increasingly affecting importing and exporting decisions of Australian healthcare businesses. Economic backdrop Currency markets continue to be volatile, notes Mike Bligh, NAB Head of Specialised Business, Business Markets and Wholesale Banking, and “significant swings are becoming a daily event. We recently saw the […]
In the current business climate, businesses need to plan and out-think the competition or risk being left behind as others steal market share. Help get your business on track by embedding five goals into your business plan.
Could forming a partnership boost your business prospects? Ashurst Partner, David McManus talks through some of the fine print.
Following another successful Australian Open, Tennis Australia CEO, Steve Wood shares his strategies on how to succeed during a tougher economic climate.
What’s the key to long-term business growth? Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory explain how they’ve adapted to keep going strong for over 120 years.
Businesses can't plan for every adversity but Italian restaurant franchise, La Porchetta has proved that a good crisis plan helps owners and employees deal with the worst of tragedies.
To respond quickly to online customer queries, artificial intelligence is increasingly being used by businesses, from retailers to publishers. My CyberTwin CEO, Liesl Capper-Beilby (pictured), explains this trend.
Currently working with family, or considering it? KeepCup CEO, Abigail Forsyth, who’s in business with her brother Jamie (both pictured), gives the scoop on how to make it work.
Cash flow is the oxygen of business. The more effectively you manage it, the more successful and profitable your practice will be.
What can businesses do to stay ahead of the pack? Peter Strong, Executive Director, Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA), lists his top tips for small business success.
If executed correctly, loyalty and reward programs can encourage customers to return to spend again and again. Here’s how.
Cloud computing can slash costs and drive productivity. Google’s Stuart McLean explains how.
We profile Australia’s largest tendering website, ServiceSeeking.com.au, co-founded by Jeremy Levitt (pictured), which has year-on-year revenue of 129 percent.
Considering hiring GPs from overseas for your practice? Before you invest money and time, make sure you’ve done your homework.
To reduce risk exposure, health professionals are investing in shares outside the health sector. JBWere’s Chief Investment Officer, Giselle Roux, details this trend.
In the world of agribusiness, coping with adversity is often part of the job. However, when a serious accident or illness strikes, both the farm and family security are at risk unless steps have been taken to protect income and assets. “Because most farm businesses rely on family members to keep the productive unit running, […]
Find out how to convert advertising into commercial strength for your practice.
Good loan advice can bring your business plan to life and give you breathing space as interest rates change. We share some tips on loan selection.
Increasingly, Australian agribusinesses are competing with supply from South America and Africa to feed Asia and the northern hemisphere. NAB’s 2010 Agribusiness Leader of the Year, Alan Winney, explains how to profit from this trend.
Self-managed superannuation can help you build personal wealth away from the farm. But you need to be aware of the rules.
Do you run business meetings that tend to go overtime and don’t stick to the agenda? How you chair a meeting can impact dramatically on the outcome. From body language to voice tone, here are some tips to help chair with flair.
Setting goals is an important part of business growth. And that means having a clearly defined strategy that embraces all levels of your business.
Attention to business reporting will give your practice the information it needs to operate more efficiently.
No matter which area of the health industry you’re in, a higher or lower Australian dollar will impact on your profit margins when purchasing medical equipment or products from overseas or when recruiting staff from abroad. In the current situation, with the Australian dollar trading strongly, some GPs are buying equipment from online overseas medical […]
No matter what the size of your business, it’s never too early to start securing a retirement nest egg and planning how to comfortably fund your future lifestyle.
A lucrative property investment is one that outperforms the market in capital growth. And, as John McGrath, CEO of McGrath Estate Agents says, while yield is important, the serious windfall comes when you identify a hyper-growth area through solid research, observation and calculated risk. “Imagine if you’d bought a couple of Paddington terraces in Sydney […]
Investing in assets away from your agribusiness can be a worthwhile strategy for diversifying risk. We outline some pointers to consider when diversifying off-farm to help reduce exposure to factors such as weather cycles and commodity price fluctuations.
Many businesses are familiar with the stress of waiting for multiple customer invoices to be paid and concerned with the need to extend credit. This is where invoice finance may be a viable option. The most obvious advantage of invoice finance is the ability to improve core cash flow by converting debtor invoices into cash. […]
China, the food bowl of Asia and the world’s fastest-growing economy, offers valuable trade opportunities for our beef and dairy sectors. We outline some of those opportunities, from westernisation of the Chinese palate to animal husbandry.
Keeping up to date with technological advances can produce significant efficiency benefits for Australia’s agribusiness sector. From knowing when to update equipment to staying abreast of computerised farming techniques, technology management’s integral to an agribusiness plan.
Working with a partner can take your agribusiness brand to the next level. Using Certified Australian Angus Beef as a case study, we highlight how entering into a brand partnership can sharpen competitive edge.
You can’t manage it if you can’t measure it. But how do you get your reporting systems to accurately portray what you really need to know?
With the Australian and US dollars trading close to parity, price ramifications for both exports and imports can make life difficult for local industries. But there are tools to reduce financial risk and help protect Australian businesses from the effects of currency fluctuations.
Improving your business-to-business sales and marketing technique can deliver significant returns. The trick is to put yourself in the customers’ shoes.
The complexities of the health system mean medical practices are not as straightforward as the average business when it comes to financing. Regulation, continual technological advances and changes in public policy all affect the economics of health businesses. Add to that a workforce of professionals whose services are in high demand and you have a […]
You know the feeling – a day spent frantically chasing your tail only to come out the other side feeling as if you’ve achieved nothing at all. Blake Beattie, speaker, consultant, performance engineer and author of Bullseye! The Ultimate Guide To Achieving Your Goals offers practical guidance how to stop sabotaging your own success by […]
In an era when consumers are constantly bombarded with advertising messages in myriad forms, the challenge for businesses is how to break through the marketing ‘noise’ and create measurable, lead-generating opportunities.
Business owners can gain valuable tax concessions by establishing a self-managed superannuation fund.
Whether you’ve been asked to perform your first keynote, or you just want to face a fear, speaking in front of a crowd can be enormously empowering. It can also increase your visibility as a business leader. Fortunately, the speakers’ stage is not reserved for veteran CEOs. What audiences want The one demand Australian audiences […]
A business’s most valuable asset comes in human form, in the expertise of owners and employees.
Good cash flow management is critical to business success. There are a number of different levers businesses can use to help improve their payment systems and free up more cash.
With Australia’s constantly evolving population, cultural diversity should be firmly fixed on the radar of every business in this country, according to Lena Belin, founder of intercultural consultancy and training company, Cultura Franca.
Passionate business owners know they have a lot to offer employees but how do they communicate that to job hunters and existing staff? There are some initiatives businesses can employ to attract and retain the right people.
Businesses need to differentiate themselves from competitors if they’re to be successful in the quest for talented staff. The quest for talent is set to heat up and as businesses compete for staff, there are strategies managers can use to ensure that their businesses attract and retain good people. Suzie Ward, senior consultant at specialist […]
It’s said that the ideal time to plan to move out of your business is when you start it, but – in reality – most business owners’ eyes are not on the exit from day one. Deloitte partner Craig Holland, author of The Art of Business Succession, reports that fewer than 30 per cent of family […]
Managing a cash squeeze is a challenge for many agribusinesses, especially when faced with unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters, injury or even a fleet of late payers. Read our five-point strategy for healthy cash flow management.
Good cash flow management is critical to business success. While at times it may prove difficult to manage, it’s important to recognise there are different levers that agribusinesses can consider to help improve their payment systems and free up more cash. Glenn Cox, Senior Agribusiness Manager at the Griffith Agribusiness Centre, suggests businesses consider the […]
Would you use a product or service if someone you respected recommended it? In most business cases, personal recommendation is the source of a long-lasting relationship with the customer. This is why social media marketing has taken the business world by storm in recent years. It aims to open a dialogue with the customer rather […]
In challenging times, it's no surprise that marketing budgets tend to be reduced. However, research suggests that businesses who either maintained or increased their marketing in these times were able to recover more quickly as the environment improved.
Time and money usually prevent smaller businesses from embarking on an environmental path
With an increasing focus on work–life balance, an organisation has a lot to gain from allowing employees to work from home. Creating a virtual office environment can transform a business, save money and improve staff morale and work rates, according to John Maley, Director of Unisys HR. Speaking from direct experience. Unisys, an information service […]
Adopting a systemised sales structure not only leads to greater efficiency for the sales team but also strengthens overall business performance. Many of Lackovic’s clients complain that, while they’re able to systemise processes such as accounts, administration, recruitment and so on, it’s very difficult to systemise sales. But without a structure, he says, sales teams […]
When it’s time to pass the family business baton on to the next generation, it’s vital to make sure that it’s a well-rehearsed and seamless transition. In any business, succession planning is critical to continuity and long-term success. But research suggests that in family businesses, this important area of planning is often neglected. Andrew Ward, […]
Driving website traffic to your business is all about using the right search engine strategies. Business owners considering an investment in search engine marketing (SEM) can often feel like they’re drowning in a sea of marketing acronyms and lingo. It comes down to making sure that your business is at the top of the list […]
Identifying and utilising the strengths of individuals is key to both business growth and employee engagement. That is the overriding message that Lanja Fletcher delivers to business owners when teaching about strength-based leadership.
Today’s marketing environment is constantly evolving. And for many businesses, particularly smaller businesses, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to devote the resources and time needed to maintain a consistent, strategic approach to marketing and customer communications. Relieving marketing pressure and allowing a business to focus on its core competencies are the obvious benefits of bringing in […]
A strong brand is more than a well-designed logo that opens the door to a business. The experts will tell you a brand is what your customers think, feel and say about your product and service.
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