4 in 10 SMEs think AI will make their business more profitable.
Insight
4 in 10 SMEs think AI will make their business more profitable.
Insight
Webinar
Download the latest NAB Regional and Agribusiness Horizons Report for data-led insights on the state of play in regional and rural Australia.
Insight
An exclusive insight into our specialists sectors from our Small Business Commercial Broker team. Watch it now.
Webinar
As International Women’s Day approaches, Executive General Manager of NAB Small Business, Ana Marinkovic, shares her view on how to offer greater support to women-led small businesses
Article
SME confidence negative as conditions soften
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A tailored trade and working capital solution developed by NAB in collaboration with broker Max Wang has given pet care company Australia Talentail the confidence to expand into Asia Pacific markets.
Article
Looking to make the most of 2024? Now’s the time to take stock, think big and, above all, prepare for what’s to come, according to NAB Executive General Manager for Small Business, Ana Marinkovic.
Article
Business conditions cool as retail price growth slows
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Confidence slides but conditions still above average
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The holiday season shopping flurry can offer some small businesses the opportunity to prosper… and others a time to take stock for the new year. Both call for careful preparation – particularly in the current environment. NAB Executive Small Business Ana Marinkovic shares her top tips.
Article
Confidence remains low despite healthy conditions
Growth holding up but subdued year ahead
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SME conditions improve but smallest firms still negative
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Understandably, the last thing small businesses need is another overhead. But what if it saved you money in the long term – a lot of money? NAB Executive Small Business Ana Marinkovic explains the financial upside of reduced carbon emissions.
Article
Cost pressures ease amid resilience in activity
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While female-led businesses are a growing economic force in Australia, they receive only 3% of venture capital funding. NAB Executive Small Business Ana Marinkovic explains what can be done about this.
Article
Connect with other business owners and learn from the marketing, technology, finance, HR, and business management experts at the Small Business Australia Conference.
Article
Employment index rises as resilience continues
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Rising costs are having a big impact on small business owners. The good news: there’s lots you can do to stay one step ahead.
Article
The impact on SMEs
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How big is the issue for SMEs?
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Conditions still above average despite warning signs.
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Very slow growth likely across the states in 2023-24
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SMEs see conditions weaken in Q2 as economy slows
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While the threat posed to small business by hackers and cyber criminals is growing, there are many opportunities to lower the risk to your business, says NAB Executive Small Business Ana Marinkovic.
Article
Conditions still above average despite warning signs
Insight
While the Federal Budget wasn’t as generous for small business as in times past, NAB Executive Small Business Ana Marinkovic encourages customers to make the most of what’s there.
Article
Worrying signs of a slowing in activity
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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
Watch the webinar now.
Webinar
Cash flow management is a perennial issue for small businesses. But right now the stakes are even higher. NAB Executive Small Business Ana Marinkovic shares her key insights into ways to manage your cash flow.
Article
How big is the issue for SMEs?
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The impact on SMEs
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Our economists stayed up all night so they could break down the Federal Budget for Australian businesses. Watch their take.
Webinar
Business owners can look forward to energy bill relief, cash flow support and an extension of the instant asset write-off as part of this year's Federal Budget measures.
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Conditions slowly normalising but still high for now.
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How prevalent are attacks & scams & how are businesses & consumers responding?
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Little improvement in cost pressures for SMEs in Q1
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Conditions hold up, price pressures ease
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Population rebounding but growth slowdown looms
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Confidence volatile but conditions still strong
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New-year confidence boost as resilience continues
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Conditions eased for SMEs in late 2022.
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How big is the issue for SMEs & what are they doing to overcome these challenges?
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The impact on SMEs & how business is responding.
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Economy beginning to slow; inflation peak passed
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NAB senior leaders discuss the 2023 business outlook and where the opportunities will lie.
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Confidence now negative, despite strong conditions.
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The impacts on business & supporting local manufacturing to address them
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Conditions still strong but confidence weaker
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Easing conditions for small firms, despite strong demand
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COVID disruptions continue to fade while growth remains strong and labour markets are tight everywhere
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The smart plays that are seeing a cosmetic medicine operator deliver to 20,000 customers a year.
Article
Conditions roar as costs show signs of easing
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No signs of slow down yet as strong conditions roll on.
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A volatile night where earlier price action in Asia was largely reversed.
A broad rise in core global yields has been the big news overnight, fuelled by a better-than-expected US ISM report and news UK PM Truss is planning a huge debt-funded fiscal stimulus.
Eurozone bonds yields and stocks falling on the latest jump in energy prices – both oil and gas – following confirmation the NordSteeam1 gas pipeline will remain shut while Russian sanctions are in place.
A goldilocks payrolls report failed to support risk assets on Friday, with equities and the USD quickly reversing on news that Russia was not restarting gas flows through the Nord Stream pipeline
The bond sell-off shows no signs of abating with a stronger than expected US ISM Manufacturing helping to drive the US 10yr yield up.
August has been a terrible month for balance fund investors with no diversification gains from holding a portfolio of equities and bonds.
Goldman’s noted inflation could hit 22.4% y/y in the UK in early 2023 if gas prices don’t moderate and if there is little in the way of cost of living relief.
Confidence & conditions rally as economy strains capacity limits
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Confidence falls despite strong post-Omicron conditions.
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The impact on business, and how SMEs believe supply chain issues can best be solved.
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How big an issue are they for SMEs, what are their expectations & how does business think they can be resolved?
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Business confidence falls further while conditions hold up.
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Global Central Banks have been lifting interest rates to combat 40-year high inflation numbers. What does this mean for commercial borrowers? Watch now.
Webinar
Global Central Banks have been lifting interest rates to combat 40-year high inflation numbers. What does this mean for commercial borrowers?
Webinar
Confidence eases but conditions and outlook remain strong.
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The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has started raising rates for the first time since November 2010. What does this mean for commercial borrowers? Watch now.
Webinar
Conditions rise further on Recreation & Personal Services recovery.
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Omicron weighed on SME conditions and confidence in Q1.
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Conditions surge higher as costs, prices hit records.
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COVID disruptions have continued but State economies have been resilient and labour markets are strong.
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Activity, employment strengthen as prices push higher.
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This NAB Private Wealth webinar delivers insights into Cyber Security and Fraud.
Webinar
Despite everything the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown at the small business community the spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well in Australia.
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SME businesses shared in post-Delta rebound
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Peter Loukas, Property Executive NAB presents his insights on the residential property survey.
Webinar
Conditions deteriorate as Omicron peaks.
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We look at the domestic and global interest rates outlook for 2022 and why interest rate risk management is an important consideration for many businesses.
Webinar
Omicron dampens confidence, price pressures continue.
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Conditions stabilise as reopening progresses
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Housing values continued to rise last month, but conditions are diversifying as stock levels rise and affordability pressures mount.
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NAB senior leaders discuss the economy and the opportunities for business in 2022.
Podcast
Lower costs, simpler processes and more scope for growth… just some of the benefits your small business might see from embracing the latest tech solutions.
Article
Conditions and confidence rise out of lockdown.
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Australian housing values rose 1.5% last month, a similar result to August and September. However, the trend shows the market is continuing to slowly lose momentum since moving through a peak monthly rate of growth in March 2021, when values were up 2.8%.
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SME conditions fall under lockdowns.
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Cybercriminals are targeting Australian businesses at unprecedented rates, and a strong cyber security program has never been more important.
Webinar
Confidence rebounds on the back of roadmaps, vaccination.
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Australian housing values rose 17.6% higher over the first nine months of the year and 20.3% higher over the past 12 months. The annual growth rate is now tracking at the fastest pace since the year ending June 1989.
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Confidence and conditions tick up.
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Despite many parts of the country remaining in some level of lockdown, the housing boom continued to roll on, with national home values rising another 1.5% last month.
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In our latest report, we look at what small business needs to succeed.
Although the pace of housing growth has slowed, values continue to rise at a rate that is well above average across most areas of the country.
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Confidence and conditions fall further with ongoing lockdowns.
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Very strong SME business conditions in Q2.
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Cash may have once been king, but do current digital payment trends mean its reign is almost over?
Article
Confidence falls on virus fears.
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Housing market ended the financial year on a high note. Despite another month of strong gains, there are signs that some heat is coming out of the market
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A new phase of growth emerges across the states following a fast rebound.
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Good for you, good for your new hire, good for Australia. Bringing a subsidised apprentice on board can be a winning trifecta – here’s how to get it right.
Article
It’s do or die when it comes to connecting digitally with today’s consumers. With a recent report revealing many in professional services lack a clear digital marketing strategy, we look at what it takes to succeed.
Article
Business conditions continue to boom.
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CoreLogic’s national Home Value Index up 2.2% in May - a stronger result compared with the 1.8% lift in April.
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Unleashing your creative side can help your small business thrive. Our expert tips show you how.
Article
Business confidence and conditions hit new highs.
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Housing values are still rising at a rapid pace, up 6.8% over the past three months to be 10.2% higher than the COVID low in September last year.
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Confidence pulls back from record high, but conditions lift.
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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.
Article
Business conditions reach a record high.
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The national home value index recorded a 2.8% rise, the fastest rate of appreciation since October 1988.
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A diverse workforce is one thing… but it’s cognitive diversity that can truly set your business apart.
Article
Business conditions bounce, confidence rises further.
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Momentum continued to build across Australian housing markets last month, as values rise at the fastest rate in seventeen years.
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Global pandemic boosts feeling of Australia as the lucky country.
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SME confidence hits a record high as conditions rebound
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A strategy known as business process improvement – or BPI – could help deliver rapid benefits to your operations. Bill Lang, of Small Business Australia, discusses ways to put it into practice.
Article
Housing values continued to rise through the first month of 2021
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Business confidence rises, while conditions pull back.
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Business conditions improve to multi-year highs.
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Recovery from COVID-19 continues across Australia
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It’s never been cheaper and easier to upgrade the digital side of doing business. Use this expert guide to choose where to prioritise your IT spending.
Article
Despite new research showing small to medium businesses are struggling to keep pace with digital transformation with the added challenge of COVID, there are ways to get programs back on track.
Article
NAB senior leaders discuss the economy and the opportunities for business in 2021. Watch the video now.
Webinar
Australia's housing market continued to recover, with dwelling values up 0.8% over the month.
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Further gains as the economy continues to open up
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COVID-19 deepened the faith business clients have in their accountants. What better time to build that advisory business?
Article
Could a mindset shift help your business power through 2021? Experts say yes, and here are six key ways of thinking to try.
Article
Regional housing markets continued to outperform the capital cities in October.
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Business confidence rose to its highest level since mid-2019, led by a large gain in Victoria.
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SME Conditions & Confidence better in Q3, but still weak.
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As they rapidly evolve to meet the challenge of COVID-19, so Australia’s accountants, lawyers and financial service experts have been there to support their clients’ survival.
Article
Consumer confidence increased, new listings rose, and six of the eight capital cities recorded a rise in home values over the month.
Insight
Australian home values moved through a fourth month of COVID-induced falls.
Article
Calling today’s tech leaders and future disruptors. Nominations are now open for the Deloitte Technology Fast 50.
Latest restrictions will hit Victoria’s economy hard, but COVID-19 has impacted all states.
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Record low interest rates, government support and loan repayment holidays for distressed borrowers have helped to insulate the housing market from a more significant downturn.
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The SME sector sees a large COVID hit.
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As we face an uncertain future, there are new approaches to business success.
Article
New research released by NAB identifies the reform needed to unlock growth for SMEs.
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Despite values being down in June, estimates of market activity showed a further improvement from the April low.
Insight
Podcast: How can small businesses bounce back from COVID-19?
Podcast
Despite the loss of momentum in housing value growth, buyer numbers have shown a solid rise in May.
Listen to new podcast: As restrictions ease, how can small businesses rebuild their finances?
Podcast
Market activity dropped sharply from the second half of March and through April.
New podcast: How small businesses are surviving COVID-19.
Podcast
No state or territory will be spared from COVID-19 economic fall-out.
March was the lowest monthly gain in national housing values and likely sets the tone for housing conditions over the coming months.
SME confidence declines ahead of the COVID-19 disruption.
Webinar
Housing values surged by 1.1% with 5 capital cities reaching new record-highs last month.
Uncovering the business impact of the bushfires through the eyes of over 500 Australian SMEs.
By unleashing the power of big data, artificial intelligence is helping businesses supercharge their performance.
Its population is under nine million but Switzerland has topped world innovation for nine years running. Why?
SME conditions and confidence edge lower.
Housing market update shows the rebound in Australian housing values has continued into 2020.
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.
The housing market recovery has continued to gather some pace through with our national index up 1.7% last month.
Have you got the entrepreneurial gene? We examine the psychology of business success with Geoff Rohrsheim, who’s built and sold a series of companies, and Andreas Rauch, Professor of Entrepreneurship at The University of Sydney Business School.
Latest report shows a 1.2% rise in national dwelling values, delivering the fourth straight month of rising values.
Housing market made further progress towards a recovery in September, recording the third consecutive month of gains.
The Australian economy grew by 1.4% over the year to the June 2019, its weakest growth since 2009.
Recovery in housing values accelerated in August.
NAB’s inaugural Legal Services Industry Survey offers key insights into what SMEs truly need and value.
Despite an up-tick in confidence, conditions deteriorate.
The next wave of digital marketing is voice. Is your business equipped to ride it?
Believe it or not, working long hours can be bad for business – as well as health. Should you explore the shorter working week?
The sharing economy is going gangbusters and entrepreneurial Australians are securing a slice of the action.
Conditions ease further, confidence turns negative
Deterioration in conditions in most states, with current momentum negative. Household sector weakness evident, investment still ok (outside mining), while agri. facing easing prices and needs rain. Housing sector downturn, population growth centred on the eastern states, agricultural prices easing.
NAB’s view is that prices will decline further over the next year or so - led by further declines in Sydney and Melbourne. We also see the adjustment continuing in an orderly manner, with prices remaining well up on 5 years ago.
Technology is changing the way accounting professionals work and the relationship they have with their clients. Cloud accounting business specialist Lielette Calleja shares the secrets of her own success and suggests ways to make the most of continuing transformation.
New NAB data reveals key factors for the wellbeing of small business owners.
Growth capital is more important than ever. But while we’re seeing new and innovative forms of funding stepping up to meet this need, it’s clear small and medium-sized businesses must step up too.
Confidence and conditions continue to ease
Business conditions continued to ease in Q4 and while they remain above average, forward looking indicators point to potential further weakness.
New research shows what Australians fear most for our nation’s future.
Good advice that you just have to take... six entrepreneurs share the words of wisdom that helped them turn their ideas into thriving businesses.
Total NAB customer spending grew 7.0% y/y in Q3 2018 - up from 5.6% in the previous quarter and 3.0% in the same quarter a year ago.
The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index gained 0.8% in October on a month-on-month basis, rebounding from a much weaker 0.2% in September.
In seasonally adjusted terms, at 0.3%, online retail sales slowed in September. The 12 months to growth rate is also slower.
Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) business conditions edged lower in Q3 2018 to +11, while SME business confidence fell to +2pts. While conditions have eased over the past two quarters, they remain well above average, though confidence has declined to below average levels.
Keen to expand your business’s global footprint? If so, there are compelling reasons to consider heading to the UK, especially if you own a tech start-up, with an exciting new competition just launched.
The business conditions index rose by 2pts to +15 index points in August, recovering some of the ground lost in recent months. Business confidence fell 3pts to +4 index points and is now below average.
Online sales growth on par with June, faster over the year
Total NAB customer spending grew 5.6% y/y in Q2 2018, down from 6.8% in the previous quarter and 3.9% in the same quarter a year ago. It grew faster in metropolitan (6.5%) than regional (5.1%) areas.
Our expectation for the Australian economy is that GDP will increase by just under 3.0% in 2018 and 2019.
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’.
Consumer anxiety up steeply in Q2. Overall spending tightens as concerns about the economy and our household financial positions grow. Spending on utilities a key expense, and growing.
The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index gained 0.9% in July on a month-on-month basis, following a gain of 0.5% in June.
The global boom in SMEs in a world hungry for quality Australian goods and services is creating opportunities for local businesses prepared to look beyond their own backyard.
The business conditions index fell by 2pts to +12 index points in July, continuing its run of declines since April. Business confidence ticked up 1pt to +7 index points, an around average level.
In seasonally adjusted terms, at 1.2%, online retail sales slowed in June. The 12 months to growth rate is also a bit lower.
Business conditions ease slightly.
Favourable business conditions persist.
The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index gained 0.5% in June on a month-on-month basis, following gain of 0.6% in May (revised from 0.8%).
Participants in the Professional Services Awards receive independent, verified feedback from their clients, not to mention publicity and a morale boost if they win. Entries open this month and, with a fast and easy application process, there is no reason for your firm not to join.
The NAB Residential Property Index fell sharply in the June quarter 2018, down 17 points to +6 to sit at its lowest level since mid-2016 and well below its long-term average (+14).
The business conditions index ticked up by 1pt to +15 index points in June, after easing in the previous month. The business confidence edged down 1pts to +6 index points, to be around its long-run average level.
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.
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.
NAB Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) slowed slightly in May (+1.2% mom s.a.) from stronger growth in April (1.6%). 12 months to growth was also slower in May, with sales up 17.2% compared to April’s 12 month to growth of 18.4%. While slowing, trend online retail sales is still much stronger compared to the same period a year ago.
The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index gained 0.8% in May on a month-on-month basis, following a flat read in April (revised from -0.6%).
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.
The business conditions index decreased by 6pts to +15 index points, easing back from the historical highs seen in April. The business confidence index fell by 5pts to +6 index points, to be around its long-run average level.
Home ownership is a key to wellbeing according to new research from NAB
NAB Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) accelerated in April (+1.4% mom s.a.) from stronger growth in March(1.1%).
Australia is a high performer in academic research – yet when it comes to commercialising that research, we rank last in the industrialised world. It’s time for change, says the Chairman of NAB.
Total NAB customer spending grew 6.8% y/y in Q1 2018, up from 5.0% in the previous quarter and 2.0% compared to the same quarter a year ago.
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.
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.
Australians rate restaurants, movies and travel as the most positive experiences their money can buy, according to new research from NAB.
Nationally dwelling values continued their downwards trend last month; the seventh consecutive month on month decline since the national index series peaked in September last year.
The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index was weaker in April, down 0.6% on a month on month basis in March.
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’.
Keen to export to Asia? Make sure you understand what’s involved and how best to prepare.
In seasonally adjusted terms, at 0.9%, online retail sales accelerated in March. The 12 months to growth rate is however a bit slower.
Business conditions at record levels.
With 1.2 million visitors injecting $10 billion into the Australian economy each year, and almost one third of our international students now coming from China, Chinese custom is big business. Alibaba Australia’s MD explains Alipay.
Total NAB customer spending accelerated to 5.0% y/y in Q4 2017, from 3.0% y/y in the previous quarter with spending growth up across all metropolitan and regional areas.
Heading overseas isn’t the only way to grow your business. Here are five ways to consider pumping up your revenue on home ground.
Fitting out or refurbishing a work space? It’s a big outlay. These tips can help you spend wisely.
From a lick of paint to renting out rooms – 10 ideas on boosting the value of your own building.
Do you own an expanding small business? Here are some tips to get more talent on board without sending your direct costs soaring.
Insights into the mindset of Australian consumers – anxieties around future spending and savings plans, household finances, the economy, financial concerns & how these are impacting spending behaviours and levels of financial hardship.
Business conditions strong and businesses have their say on tax.
Australians remain positive about their lives today but fear the future.
Our small and medium businesses are critical to Australia’s prosperity, so it is important that we put in place the right settings that enable our entrepreneurs to have the greatest chance of success.
Setting goals can drive business success – but it doesn’t come naturally to many small business owners. Consultant and author Stephen Barnes shares tips on how to get started, how to set effective goals and how to motivate your staff to reach their targets.
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?
Business conditions strong and businesses have their say on tax.
The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index grew 1.2% on a month on month basis in March – slower than January or February.
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.
Australian dwelling values held firm in March, with the combined capitals continuing a softening trend, recording a 0.2% fall, while regional markets saw a 0.4% rise in values over the month.
Business conditions come off the boil, but still hot.
More Aussies are opening their wallets to charity, says NAB report.
Making wine is a very personal venture for this Barossa Valley-born and bred artisan combining two passions in his small-batch business.
The NAB Residential Property Index rose 3 points to +23 in the March quarter 2018 and remains well above its long-term average (+14).
NAB Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) slowed in February (+0.8% mom s.a.) from stronger growth in January (1.6%).
Online dermatology consults for rural Australians… how a ground-breaking new Teledermatologist platform is delivering specialist care to rural and remote patients.
The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index continued to improve into February, a welcome trend after the weak sales experienced at the end of 2018.
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.
The business conditions index moved 3pts higher to +21 index points. This is a record high since the monthly survey commenced in March 1997, although the same measure in NAB’s quarterly survey reached this level in 1994.
Nationally, dwelling values recorded their fifth consecutive monthly decline in February, taking the value of housing 0.8% lower since the market peaked in September last year.
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.
New research challenges old adage – can money buy happiness?
The award-winning Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation has created jobs in some of Australia’s most isolated communities. CEO Alastair King explains how ALPA is creating the jobs that are key to building successful communities in remote locations.
NAB Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) rebounded strongly in January (+1.5% mom s.a.) from a revised contraction (-1.8%) in December.
Accountants should be reassured that most SMEs view them as trustworthy. Yet, at the same time, they may wish to reconsider how they can better help their business clients. NAB’s inaugural Australian Accounting Industry Survey offers telling insights into what accountants are doing well – and where they could better respond to what their customers need and value.
The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index shows improvement in January following a weak December.
Five years since switching from winemaking to vinegar-making, Ian Henderson has gone from being a one-man start-up to opening a multimillion-dollar world class facility to keep up with international demand.
Strong improvement in SME business conditions in Q4 2017, while confidence retreated a touch.
CoreLogic reported further slippage in dwelling values over the first month of 2018, with national dwelling values recording their second consecutive month on month decline. After dwelling values held firm in October and November, they slipped by a third of a percent in both December and January to be down 0.7% from their peak.
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.
Elevated business conditions & confidence point to a robust business sector in Australia at present.
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.
The quarterly NAB Business Survey gives a more in-depth probe into the conditions facing Australian business than the monthly survey, and also provides extra information about how firms perceive the outlook for their respective industries.
After half a century in business, Geoff Slade has learnt a thing or two. Here he shares seven truths about what it takes to make it in the business world.
NAB’s Consumer Anxiety Index* was basically unchanged in Q4 2017 at near survey lows with job security causing Australians the least stress, consistent with a strongly improving labour market.
In seasonally adjusted terms, at -2.2%, online retail sales contracted in December, the largest since November 2014. Looking through the month to month volatility, while the trend is still positive, it has again slowed.
Sentiment towards Australian housing market positive in Q4, but confidence wanes. NAB’s view for 2018 largely unchanged, but degree of moderation ramped up.
Confidence lifted to narrow the divide with business conditions, indicating a strong business sector in Australia at present.
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.
The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index shows a slowdown in December following a strong November.
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.
Japan is arguably Australia’s most important Asian ally, and its large market of wealthy consumers is a natural target for Australian businesses selling high-quality goods and services. Here are some tips to help you establish successful business relationships.
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.
What will the new year bring in the world of business trends? Whether it’s health or agriculture, hyper local advertising or self-trained artificial intelligence, NAB has one eye on the (crystal) ball.
NAB Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) accelerated strongly in November(+4.7% mom s.a.).
The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index shows strong growth in the month of November (1.6% mom).
Nationally, dwelling values were unchanged in November 2017 according to the CoreLogic home value index.
Aussies’ wellbeing at its highest since 2013, but high anxiety still impacting one in four
Last month’s surprise spike in business conditions was more than unwound in November, although that was partly expected.
The inaugural NAB Professional Services Awards winners were announced on December 12. The awards celebrate the small and mid-sized professional service firms that consistently add value to Australian businesses.
Last month’s surprise spike in business conditions was more than unwound in November, although that was partly expected.
Passion, persistence and cash flow… hipages co-founder David Vitek shares his formula for turning a shoestring start-up into a profitable business.
The craft beer industry has exploded in Australia. Four brewers explain what’s driving demand, where the sector is headed and what others entering the industry might consider.
NAB Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) rebounded in October(+1.5% mom s.a.) from a contraction in September (-0.5%).
Spending growth slows but “experiences” continue to out-perform.
A shopfront to the world: how Amazon’s arrival could spell opportunity for Australian retailers.
How an unemployed single father turned his life from anxiety to a $6 million success story.
NAB’s proprietary indicator of Australian retail sales reveals a continuation of very slow growth in recent months.
Hope Estate’s Michael Hope says there’s a new leisure market generated by stressed city folk looking for authentic experiences to enliven the senses – and Hope Estate is taking centre stage.
Moving to a regional town might seem a career-limiting step but for entrepreneurial Australians with an eye for untapped market opportunities the opposite can apply. Business View meets two former city-slickers achieving success in country Australia.
Business conditions hit an all new high in October.
Explaining subdued US and Australian wages growth.
CoreLogic’s national Home Value Index held steady in October, confirming a cooling trend in housing market conditions.
Online sales contract in the month, also slower over the year.
Insights into the donating behaviours of Australian consumers
SME business conditions and confidence both improved in Q3.
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.
The NAB Quarterly Business Survey showed a continuation of the very upbeat conditions for firms into the September quarter.
NAB’s proprietary indicator of Australian retail sales, the NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index, reveals a rebound in spending in the month of September.
Turning IP into profitable products: WA start-up Wangle Technologies has the lucrative network security market in its sights.
Economic growth in most states is expected to strengthen somewhat in 2017-18 before moderating a little in 2018-19 as dwelling investment and LNG exports peak.
Australian housing market sentiment lifted over the third quarter of 2017, supported mainly by a large increase in the number of property experts reporting positive rental growth in the quarter and continued house price growth in most states.
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.
Overall we are expecting that growth rates will continue to moderate across the combined capital cities.
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.
Business conditions are strong, but retail is still a significant concern.
Over 130,000 Australian business owners will benefit from a complete overhaul of NAB’s existing business standard loan form contract.
Online sales accelerated over the year and month.
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.
Insights into the mindset of Australian consumers – their anxieties around future spending and savings plans, what drives these concerns and how they are impacting actual spending behaviours and financial hardship.
Consumers spending their disposable dollars on experiences
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.
NAB’s proprietary indicator of Australian retail sales, the NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index, reveals a sharp decline in spending in the month of August.
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.
The latest housing market results showed dwelling values held firm nationally.
Business conditions are strong. Confidence takes a hit. Some signs of inflation pressure.
Online sales growing over the year, slight slowing in the month.
Australian fashion house Misha Collection has risen to international status within the space of three years. Fundamental to its success has been the approach of its founder, Michelle Aznavorian, a 27-year-old who has put her personal brand at the core of the company’s strategy.
Skills shortage holding back Australian business.
Under the pressure of managing day-to-day responsibilities, successful business owners don’t always realise they may also be in a position to build a property portfolio.
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.
Get the latest monthly update on housing market conditions around Australia.
The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index is a new product which provides timely proprietary data on a major part of retail spending in Australia.
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?
Conditions continue their strong run, bolstering business confidence.
Online sales still growing, albeit slower over the month and year.
SME business conditions eased in Q2 while leading indicators remained mixed.
While almost half of SMEs are set to expand in the coming years, they’re feeling the pressure of competition, according to a new report released by NAB.
Australian housing market sentiment (measured by NAB’s Residential Property Index) fell noticeably in the June quarter after climbing to a 3-year high in March.
Business conditions hit another multi-year high, with most industries performing well. Stronger trading conditions (sales) and profitability drove the improvement, while employment conditions were steady.
Get the latest monthly update on housing market conditions around Australia.
Australians reported a further improvement in the quality of their lives in the March quarter.
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
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.
A bounce back in the healthcare sector in early 2017 has experts confident the sector is only primed for further growth. KOSEC founder Michael Kodari reports.
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.
Get the latest monthly update on housing market conditions around Australia.
Financial anxiety eases but 4 in 10 consumers still experienced some form of financial hardship in the last 3 months. Financial anxiety continues to be a bigger issue for young people (particularly women) and low income earners.
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.
Business conditions remain elevated, but confidence pulled-back from multi-year highs.
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.
New data released by NAB today shows that spending on consumption-based goods and services by NAB customers slowed to 2.0% over the year to Q1 2017, from 3.1% over the year to Q4 2016.
Online sales slower over the year, contract in the month
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).
Now in its 6th year, the index highlights trends in giving and helps inform charities’ fundraising strategies.
Get the latest monthly update on housing market conditions around Australia.
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.
More for business customers and regional areas, but will the promise of red tape being cut ever be realised? Budget 2017 insight.
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.
Online sales faster in the month but slower over the year.
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.
Conditions were again strong in essential services including health, property, finance, transport and business services.
Australians remain highly anxious. While having more money might solve some of our concerns, it would do little to solve some of the biggest detractors of wellbeing. But, it could help close the “wellbeing gap” between high and low income earners.
The NAB Quarterly Business Survey generally paints an encouraging picture of both current business activity and the outlook.
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.
Fashion and design identities share their business tips at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Week Business Seminar, supported by NAB.
Global e-commerce and multichannel retailing expert Martin Newman shares his tips on how to build a better e-commerce business.
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.
Ethical fashion is the right thing to do and also makes good business sense, guests were told at a Fashion Festival forum on responsibility and transparency in fashion.
Online sales slower over the year and month.
With Australia’s former mining boom on the decline, employees are looking elsewhere for opportunities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Low-tier SMEs’ business conditions now comparable to that of their mid-tier and high-tier counterparts
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.
The strength witnessed in last month’s NAB Monthly Business Survey continued into January, with both business conditions and confidence jumping to much higher levels.
Digital economy opening new opportunities for successful careers.
In total, we estimate the Australian online retail market was worth $21.65bn in the 12 months to December 2016.
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.
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.
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.
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
US small business owners tend to be Republican, and those who are member of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) overwhelmingly so. Thus optimism among NFIB members surged to its highest level since 2004 in December and with the monthly increase, from 98.4 to 105.8, the largest since 1980.
We estimate that Australian consumers have spent around $21.4 billion over the last 12 months to November 2016
Overall consumer anxiety eases a little more in Q4, but our spending behaviours are still yet to respond.
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.
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.
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.
With an eye to adding more diversity to their beef, lamb and cropping operation, the Warner family hatched a plan to use their 1,700-hectare property to house a true free range egg enterprise. Caravan Eggs is the fast-growing result.
In the 12 months to September, Australians spent an estimated $20.8 billion on online retail – a level that is equivalent to around 7% of the traditional bricks and mortar retail sector.
The NAB SME Survey is the leading business survey of small businesses in Australia, and complements the comprehensive Quarterly NAB Business Survey.
The quarterly iteration of the NAB Business Survey provides additional valuable insight into Australian business than the regular NAB Monthly Business Survey. This publication offers a more in-depth probe into the conditions facing Australian business.
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.
We estimate that Australian consumers have spent around $20.6 billion over the last 12 months to August 2016.
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.
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.
How one assesses Australia’s economic performance at present depends in large part on which industry / geography one looks at and whether the benchmark is in real or nominal terms.
Consumer anxiety eases as concerns over jobs, the cost of living and government policy continue to moderate.
Get the latest monthly update on housing market conditions around Australia.
The results from this month’s survey remain broadly consistent with our prior view of the economy and the near-term outlook. It points to a patchy, but sustained, improvement in the non-mining economy, with the major services sectors and construction leading the way.
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.
What makes a successful entrepreneur? We asked a selection of recently interviewed business owners.
Online sales down by 0.36% in July 2016
Founder and Managing Director of management consultancy Nous Group Tim Orton explains why taking a flexible approach to working hours makes business sense.
Business sentiment has shown great resilience to external shocks in the July NAB Monthly Business Survey, with firms choosing to remain focussed on the positive trends within their own business.
Nick Whitehead, Head of Marketing at Viocorp, and Tracey Atkins, Managing Director of Golden Eye Media, explain how SMEs can best leverage video content.
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.
National Australia Bank’s latest Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) shows online spending grew by 13.5% in the 12 months to June 2016. While still strong, growth has flattened from the year-on-year growth seen back in 2011 when the index was first established.
Australia’s next phase of growth must be defined by ideas, creativity and execution. By people and businesses that are adaptive, agile, thought leaders and doers.
The NAB SME Survey revealed very strong results across a wide range of indicators in Q2, suggesting that the non-mining recovery is broadening to include smaller businesses.
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
Solid growth across the large south-eastern states has become increasingly entrenched over the past year, while difficult conditions in the mining sector are having a more pervasive impact across Western Australia, the Northern Territory and parts of Queensland.
This NAB special report provides a unique insight into Australia’s start up culture. It explores the latent desire of many budding entrepreneurs (both younger and older) to start their own business.
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.
Consumer anxiety has now fallen for each quarter over the past year, as Australians respond to sustained improvements in the labour market and recovery in the non-mining economy.
Online sales increase 2.0% in May 2016
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.
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.
This month’s NAB Business Survey remains true to theme of ongoing recovery in the non-mining economy, building on the already solid growth seen in the recent National Accounts.
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.
Online sales increase 0.3% in April 2016
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.
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.
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.
Firms continue to see a favourable business environment, despite pairing back some of the strong gains seen last month.
Australian consumers spent an estimated $19.3 billion online in the past year, primarily on homewares, groceries, media and fashion. According to National Australia Bank’s (NAB) latest Online Retail Sales Index in-depth report, online spending increased 12.4% over the last year.
A resilient economy, solid employment growth, strong household consumption and lower levels of consumer anxiety helped support the charity sector and the ongoing generosity of Australians.
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.
The sharing economy is growing at a rapid rate, as new business models based on ‘access to’ rather than ‘ownership of’ physical and human assets like skills, time and space, continue to emerge.
NAB Business Survey suggests non-mining recovery is broadening, and bolstering confidence despite global uncertainties.
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.
Consumer anxiety has now fallen for its third quarter in a row as recovery in the non-mining economy supports the labour market.
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
Online sales increase 0.8 % in February 2016.
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.
Dentist, business coach and author, Dr Jesse Green is on a mission to empower healthcare professionals to become true business owners.
Improvement in business conditions adding to evidence of a buoyant non-mining recovery. Business confidence also resilient despite global uncertainty
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.
In dollar terms, we estimate Australians spent $19.2 billion on online retail in the 12 months to January 2016.
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.
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.
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.
Growth through acquisition has been the approach Spiro Paule has taken to building Findex, spearheading more than 45 acquisitions since 2000.
In this December 2015 quarter edition of the NAB Online Retail Sales Index, we have responded to market changes by including separate data on takeaway food and smaller online retailers.
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.
Business conditions eased slightly to +3, slightly below the long-run average. Business confidence picked up to +3 in the December quarter.
Business confidence is sub-trend, but holding up reasonably well in the face of financial turmoil. Business conditions eased, but still consistent with non-mining recovery
Online sales rose 1.8 per cent in December 2015.
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.
Business confidence resilient to financial market turmoil (for now). Business conditions suggest non-mining recovery remains on track
“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 latest seasonally adjusted NAB online retail sales index shows sales grew 0.7% in November, an improvement on the contraction in October.
In this video Alan Oster discusses the opportunities for SMEs in 2016.
NAB’s Dean Pearson shares his economic outlook for small-to-medium business owners in 2016 as Australia prepares for life after the mining boom.
The NAB Quarterly Australian Behaviour Survey (formerly NAB Consumer Anxiety Report) shows consumer anxiety falling again (and to its lowest level since Q4 2014), amid more signs of improvement in the labour market and non-mining segments of the economy.
Many Australians dream of a financial windfall that would significantly improve their lives forever, but how much is enough? In this special report, we ask over 2,000 Australians to tell us how much they need.
Takeshi Takada, Alt.vfx co-founder is the winner of the Small Business category at the 2015 Ethnic Business Awards.
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.
At -0.6% the latest seasonally adjusted NAB online retail sales index shows sales contracted in October, a deterioration on the revised 1.4% recorded in September.
The latest NAB Online Retail Sales Index shows sales experienced relatively strong month-on-month growth of 1.1% in September, seasonally adjusted. This is a considerable improvement on the sales weakness evidence in July (-1.4%).
The latest edition of Business View magazine is now available to download for free on iPad and iPad mini via our app, NAB Think.
At 1.1% the latest seasonally adjusted NAB online retail sales index shows sales accelerated in September (possibly iphone 6S related), an improvement on the 0.6% recorded in August, and a rebound on the July contraction (-1.4).
In the quarter, SME business conditions stayed unchanged at +4 index points. Within the components of business conditions, trading conditions were particularly strong, which flowed into modestly better profitability conditions. However, employment conditions remained subdued.
The latest NAB online retail sales index figures show sales grew in August. In dollar terms, its estimated Australians spent $17.5 billion on online retail in the last year. Growth accelerated for electronic games and toys which leads growth, along with media and fashion.
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.
Innovation is a key driver of business success and a differentiator of high growth-potential segments of the economy. This special report explores business attitudes towards innovation and opportunities.
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.
We estimate Australians spent $17.4 billion on online retail in the 12 months to July 2015 which level is equivalent to 7.1% of spending at traditional bricks & mortar retailers excluding cafés, restaurants and takeaway food.
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.
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.
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.
At -0.1% the latest seasonally adjusted nab online retail sales index shows sales growth was virtually flat in May, a significant slowdown on the 1.6% growth recorded in April. At 0.5%, the trend estimate for online retail sales was unchanged on the previous month.
Nick Cracknell explains how sustainable practices helped increase production, reduce costs and minimise waste without comprising on flavour.
In the June quarter, SME quarterly business conditions and confidence rose rising by 2 points to +4 and +5 index points respectively. SME business conditions were superior in property, finance, business services, wholesale, manufacturing and transport sectors.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Online sales fell 0.1 per cent in May 2015 and all categories except Daily Deals (-26.2% yoy) and Personal and Recreational good (-0.6 yoy) recorded growth in May.
Consumer anxiety rose despite falling concerns over government policy post the federal budget. More consumers are paying off debt and spending more on “essentials” however, fewer consumers cut back their spending on “non-essentials”.
NAB has identified the top five strategies business owners should consider when they’re preparing for End of Financial Year.
Australia’s online retail spending increased to $16.9 billion for the year to April 2015, or by 9.6% annually. It now represents around 7.0% of traditional retail spending, excluding cafe's, restaurants and takeaway food.
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.
The most strategic asset is your collection of first line supervisors. They’re responsible for attitude, retention, productivity and every variable.
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.
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.
Incentivising small business to grow is part of creating confidence and that’s good news for the economy. Hear from our panel of experts as they discuss the 2015 Federal Budget and the impact it will have on business and the economy.
Stephen Southon, Chief Tax Officer NAB, provides an overview of the tax changes announced in the 2015 Federal Budget and how they will impact businesses and families.
Cindy Batchelor, Executive General Manager, NAB Business outlines the key positives for Small Businesses following the 2015 Federal Budget.
Alan Oster discusses the impact the budget will have on consumer sentiment and business confidence, benefits for Small Business and key Agribusiness outcomes.
This year’s Budget is a great start for small business where the focus is on driving confidence by reinvesting in businesses.
Tom Elliott shares his views on the 2015 Federal Budget.
The Government is seeking to lift the level of small business investment, with a view to generating new jobs and greater economic activity in this year’s budget.
Gemma Dale from NAB Trade shares her 2015 Federal Budget summary focusing on what it means for investors, small business and the economy.
Peter Hogan from MLC shares his analysis of the 2015 Federal Budget focusing on four key areas: personal taxation, superannuation, social security and small business.
We’ve asked some of our Small Business Customers to tell us what they’re looking for in this Federal Budget. From tax cuts to cash flow incentives, hear their thoughts here.
NAB’s David Bannatyne talks about what the small business sector is looking for from Tuesday’s Federal Budget.
As the Federal Budget gets closer, small business owners often ask what they need to know and how they can get prepared.
The latest NAB online retail sales index shows sales experienced growth of 0.8% in March, seasonally adjusted. At 0.3%, the trend estimate for Online retail sales slowed relative to February, but remained positive. We estimate that online sales are now 8.0% higher compared to a year ago.
SMEs’ quarterly business conditions remained largely stable in the first quarter of 2015, with firms from all tiers showing broadly similar conditions from the previous quarter. SME trading and profitability conditions have deteriorated, offset by improved employment conditions overall.
Business confidence dropped back again in the first quarter of 2015, falling even further below the long run average level. This is consistent with a pull back in confidence in the February monthly survey, although this was completely unwound in March.
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.
Online retail experienced strong growth in February, with sales growing 1.7% compared to January (0.3%). This month’s NORSI trend growth result is much faster than that recorded in February 2014 (0.2%). We estimate that online sales are now 8.7% higher compared to a year ago.
Consumer anxiety rises again in Q1’15 after a short-lived improvement in the previous quarter, as concern over government policy overtakes cost of living as the single biggest cause of consumer stress. With overall anxiety increasing, consumers are cutting back on many “non-essentials”.
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.
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.
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.
Australia’s online retail spending increased to $16.6 billion for the year to January 2015, or by 9% annually. It now represents around 6.9% of traditional retail spending.
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.
After reaching the highest levels since 2009 in the September quarter, SMEs’ quarterly business conditions fell in the December quarter for the first time since Q4 2013. Firms from all tiers: low/micro, mid and high, showed consistent declines in their overall business conditions.
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.
Business confidence eased back in Q4, dropping below the long run average level. Sentiment and business conditions are generally consistent with a ‘patchwork’ economy. Outside of construction and services, conditions remain soft in all other industries.
Online retail experienced a modest growth in December, with sales growing 0.1% compared to November (-0.3%), and 8.9% higher compared to a year ago. In dollar terms, we estimate Australians spent $16.4 billion on online retail in the 12 months to December 2014.
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.
NAB has released its first annual pulse check on the big issues facing Australia today. Important concerns include cost of living, access to healthcare, employment, the economy and terrorism/security concerns, while indigenous issues, infrastructure and transport and taxation are lowest.
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.
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.
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.
Online sales growth slows markedly in November with most categories following suit. Despite the general slowdown, at category level, Electronic Games and Toys maintained recent momentum. In dollar terms, Australians spent approxinately $16.3 billion on online retail.
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.
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.
Australia’s online retail spending increased to $16.19 billion for the year to October 2014, or by 11.9% annually. It now represents around 6.8% of traditional retail spending. The share of domestic spending continues to edge higher, now controlling 75.2% of total online spending.
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.
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.
Online retail showed further encouraging signs of growth in September, to be 1.1% higher compared to August, and 12.8% higher compared to a year ago, the highest rate since March (13.7% YoY).
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.
SME business confidence eased slightly, continuing the trend decline from the peaks seen around last year’s Federal election. While this result is consistent with the ongoing sluggishness of demand in the domestic economy (excluding exports)…
Business confidence was unchanged in Q3, remaining close to the long run average levels. However, our monthly survey shows that the momentum has turned, with confidence easing steadily over the quarter.
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.
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.
Online retail showed further encouraging signs of growth in August, to be 0.7% higher compared to July, and 8.3% higher compared to a year ago, although slower than July (9% YoY).
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.
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.
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.
It started with two men and a double decker bus taking backpackers on cheap European trips. Against the odds, Flight Centre International has morphed into a global travel empire with an annual turnover of $14 billion. Graham Turner looks back on his successful journey.
Australia’s online retail spending continues to increase following a period of more subdued growth and is now valued at around $15.6 billion for the year to July 2014. This represents annual growth of 8.6%, placing online at around 6.6% of traditional retail spending.
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.
The Winter edition of Talking Shop covers a range of topics designed to help your business prepare for a successful festive season including keeping your business safe, accepting UnionPay and harnessing the power of Facebook. There’s also tips for making the switch to PIN.
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.
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.
Business confidence again surprised on the upside, supported by better business conditions (largely reflecting sales and profits) and a surge in retailer confidence. Firms still unfazed about the Budget (for now). Conditions jumped to a four year high
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.
Online retail showed further encouraging signs of growth in June, to be 0.9% higher compared to May, and 9.5% higher compared to a year ago. On the other hand, ABS data showed negative comparable sales growth at traditional retailers in May, to be 0.3% lower than April
SME business confidence eased again in the June quarter, but is holding up against heightened consumer anxiety with the support of positive sentiment in property and construction. Conditions rose slightly, but are still at levels suggesting sub-trend growth.
Business confidence eased a touch, but remains at relatively resilient levels post-budget. Business conditions improved marginally as underperforming industries improve. Forward indicators point to further modest improvement over coming months.
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.
Online retail sales growth rebounded in May, after a small decline in April. Online spending totalled $15.3 billion in the past year. Groceries & Liquor and Electronic Games & Toys continued to strengthen while Daily Deals and Personal & Recreational Goods experienced negative growth
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 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.
While China remains our biggest trading partner, other emerging Asian nations – including ASEAN, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan – are critical sources of imports and exports for Aussie SMEs. Understanding these regional economies and their distinct differences is critical.
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.
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.
Australia’s online retail spending has continued to grow, sitting at $15.25 billion, while over 65s have experienced the strongest growth post-Christmas – meaning retailers need a clear strategy to reach this growing online consumer base.
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.
Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey handed down the 2014 Federal Budget last night and there’s plenty to talk about. Our team of economists have analysed what it means for you, your business and a variety of key industries with our summary fact sheets.
Our leading team of economists have broken-down how the 2014 Federal Budget impacts Australian small business. As well as analysis, we outline the key initiatives and how the industry is responding.
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.
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.
NAB’s Group Chief Economist Alan Oster provides his overall summary of Joe Hockey’s 2014 Federal Budget, including his initial thoughts, how it could impact small and large business, and the wider economic implications for the Australian economy.
NAB Group Chief Economist Alan Oster provides a pre-budget overview of what he thinks we can expect to hear from Treasurer Joe Hockey’s first Federal Budget announcement next week.
In the year to March 2014, Australians spent $15.2 billion on online retail. This level is equivalent to 6.6% of spending with traditional bricks & mortar retailers (excluding cafés, restaurants and takeaway food to create a like-for-like comparison) in the year to February.
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.
SME business confidence eased for the first time in over a year – consistent with persistently soft conditions and trends seen by larger firms. Nevertheless, business activity has improved with conditions rising to their highest since mid-2010 – although still sub-trend.
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.
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.
Recent improved momentum in online sales stall in February – with trends weaker for most categories – strength remains in Groceries & Liquor, but Personal & Recreational Goods and Daily Deals contract. Online spending up to $15 billion in the past year.
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.
Talking Shop provides our merchant customers with relevant industry updates and insights to help manage their business more effectively. In this edition we look at boosting sales, reducing chargebacks, keeping customer data safe and transitioning to PIN authorisation.
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.
Australia’s online retail spending increased to $14.9 billion for the year to January 2014, or by 11.3%, now representing around 6.5% of traditional retail spending. Domestic retailers continue to control the largest share of online sales – at around 74%.
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.
SME business confidence up for a fourth quarter – consistent with increases seen by larger firms. Confidence is finally gaining traction to support business activity, with conditions rising to their highest since mid-2011 – but remain soft.
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.
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.
Recent improved momentum in online sales maintained in December – with trends positive for most categories - strength in Electronic Games and Toys, Groceries and Liquor, and Media. Online spending up to $14.7 billion in the past year.
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.
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.
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.
Growth rates for online sales increased in November – with trends positive for most categories - strength in Media, Groceries and Liquor, Toys and Electronic Games and Department and Variety Stores. Online spending up to $14.6 billion in past year.
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.
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.
This year in business there's more to talk about.
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.
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.
Australian online retail sales rose to $14.4 billion for the year to October 2013, a level that is equivalent to 6.4% of traditional retail spending. Domestic retailers continue to control the largest share of online sales - at around 73%.
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.
Online sales growth edges up in September – to +0.3% mom (from even weaker sales in August). Sales trends mixed by category. In the year to September 2013, Australia’s online retail spending totaled $14.3 billion. This is equivalent to 6.3% of the traditional bricks & mortar retail sector
SME business confidence broadly unchanged – with no sign of the political kick in confidence seen elsewhere in business. That may in part reflect a significant fall in business conditions in the quarter. SME performance in poor sectors of the economy were similar to larger firms.
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.
In the year to August 2013, Australians spent $14.2 bn on online retail. This level is equivalent to 6.3% of spending with traditional bricks & mortar retailer (excluding cafés, restaurants and takeaway food to create a like-for-like comparison) in the year to July 2013.
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.
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.
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.
Australian online retail sales rose to $14.1 billion in the year to July 2013, a level that is equivalent to 6.3% of traditional retail spending. Department & Variety Stores, Groceries & Liquor and Media drove the growth over this period.
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.
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.
Online sales growth slowed to +14% yoy in June - the second slowest rate recorded. Fewer Fridays and a lack of product launches may have contributed to subdued growth. In the twelve months to June 2013, Australian online retail spending totalled $13.9 billion.
SME confidence & conditions improve significantly with activity of smaller firms outperforming larger firms for the first time in almost four years. SME conditions strengthened across most industries.
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.
The Winter edition of Talking Shop has a new look in addition to the usual insights from industry experts on the latest security, technology and industry developments. We look at how to generate more sales, how to reduce the risk of online fraud and more.
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.
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.
For the year to May 2013, Australians spent around $13.7 billion with online retailers. This is equivalent to 6.1% of the spending in the traditional bricks & mortar retail sector (excluding cafés, restaurants and takeaway food for a like-to-like comparison) in the year to April 2013.
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.
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
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.
For the year to April 2013, Australians spent $13.5 billion online - a level that is equivalent to around 6.0% of traditional retail spending. Online retail sales have continued to grow at a vastly stronger rate than the traditional bricks & mortar retail sector.
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.
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.
NAB’s Senior Tax Advisor and panel of leading economists break down the tax impacts from the 2013 Federal Budget. Understand what the changes are for individuals and businesses including a recap on those that were previously announced.
For business owners, the end of financial year is the time to get things in order. Here are 11 strategies that could help you build and protect your personal and business wealth in a tax-effective manner.
The Council of Small Business Australia’s (COSBOA) CEO, Peter Strong, provides his summary of what the Government’s Federal Budget announcement means for small businesses – do they stand to benefit or will they be worse off?
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.
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.
Online sales growth slowed in March to +15% yoy, with sales possibly impacted by the absence of new flagship tablet release. In the twelve months ending March 2013, Australian online retail purchases were $13.3 billion.
SME confidence & conditions edge higher in March quarter but still near post-GFC lows; SMEs more pessimistic than larger firms and activity also more subdued. Capacity utilisation falls to lowest level in history, despite tick up in forward orders. Signs lower borrowing rates are helping…
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
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.
Online Retail Sales Index weaker in February. Sales grew by +19% yoy in the month, the weakest growth rate since May 2012. For the twelve months ending February 2013, Australia’s online retail spending totaled $13.1 billion. This level is equivalent to around 5.9% of Australia’s …
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 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.
Online retail sales continue to shape the Australian marketplace. Sales rose to an estimated A$13 billion in the year to January 2013 and is now equivalent to 5.8% of traditional bricks and mortar sales (excluding food).
SME confidence & conditions weaken a touch in Q4 and poor relative to history; sentiment and activity of SMEs a touch weaker than their larger counterparts. Forward indicators remain subdued implying little upturn in near-term activity. Weakness in manufacturing, retail, wholesale and ….
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.
Online Retail Sales Index dipped in December (from Nov peak) – a seasonal trend around Christmas. Sales up 23% yoy, but slowing implying a ‘weaker online’ December. In 2012, Australia’s online retail spending was $12.8 billion. This level is around 5.8% of the size of Australia’s.
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.
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.
Online Retail Sales Index surges ahead of Christmas, but year-on-year growth only edged higher to 27%. In the twelve months to November 2012, Australians spent around $12.6 billion on online retail. This level is equivalent to 5.7% of the scale of traditional bricks & mortar retail
We bring you the first of five research reports examining the Australian Corporate Bond Market, prepared for National Australia Bank by the Australian Centre for Financial Studies.
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.
Australia’s online retail sales are continuing to climb, up to A$12.3 billion in the year ended October 2012, but for now the share of total spending is still modest, at around 5.6%. The rate of growth in online sales has strengthened considerably over the last six months.
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.
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.
Australian online retail sales up 23 percent yoy in September, but the level is still modest compared to traditional sales. Domestic online retailers continue to innovate – in an effort to develop or maintain a competitive advantage.
SME confidence and conditions better in Q3 but still below average; sentiment of SMEs now in line with their larger counterparts but activity, capacity utilisation and new orders continue to under perform. Strength in recreation & personal services and transport a consistent theme
Conditions recover and businesses take comfort from better sales, a lower AUD and talk of interest rate cuts. Global uncertainty still weighing on near-term activity indicators. Business conditions improved in September, after edging down over the previous two months, with the outcome suggesting that the Australian economy may be stabilising. However, there are still signs […]
Business confidence recovers modestly but still down beat – especially mining. Business conditions disappoint – with struggling retail and wholesale falling significantly. Forward orders noticeably weaker and capacity utilisation trending down - indicative of weakening demand.
Growth in online spending remains strong - relative to the past year - with spending increasing by around +22% year-on-year in August. This level is slightly softer than in July. In the year to August 2012, Australians spent a total of $11.9 billion in online retail sales. This figure is equivalent to 5.4% of traditional bricks & mortar retail spending (excluding cafes, restaurants and takeaway food) for the year ended July 2012.
In this issue, we discuss ways to reduce overall merchant service fees, provide tips on mitigating risks to your online business and reveal the winner of our Post-a-Pic competition.
The NAB Online Retail Sales Index provides key insights into online spending in the retail goods space, capturing domestic and international trends, as well as regional and age demographic trends. It’s a unique tool based on up to 2 million non-cash transactions per day, scaled up to replicate the broader economy. Online sales growth recorded […]
Australia’s monthly survey of the current performance of the non-farm business sector, based on a survey of around 350 small to large sized companies. Includes a monthly update of the global and Australian economic outlook. Business conditions improve on the back of strengthening trading and profitability – especially in interest sensitive sectors. But confidence falls […]
Australia’s monthly survey of the current performance of the non-farm business sector, based on a survey of around 350 small to large sized companies. Includes a monthly update of the global and Australian economic outlook. Business conditions worsen in the face of poor trading and profits, with weakness particularly evident in retail and wholesale – […]
The NAB Online Retail Sales Index provides key insights into online spending in the retail goods space, capturing domestic and international trends, as well as regional and age demographic trends. It’s a unique tool based on up to 2 million non-cash transactions per day, scaled up to replicate the broader economy. With traditional sales totalling […]
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.
Business conditions improve slightly but overall activity remains soft; forward orders and employment conditions imply weak near-term demand. Confidence falls marginally, implying little relief from RBA rate cuts; European uncertainty and new taxes may be weighing on sentiment. Government handouts provide some respite to consumer dependant sectors but benefits may be short-lived – time will […]
The NAB Manufacturing Activity Index provides detailed analysis of activity in Australia’s manufacturing sector and has been constructed to replicate quarterly movements in activity within the sector. The Manufacturing Activity Index* eased further in Q2, remaining in negative territory – despite some divergent trends in individual sub-sectors. The index implies declines in quarter-on-quarter growth in […]
The NAB Quarterly SME Survey covers conditions in small, medium and emerging businesses (SMEs) across all parts of the non-farm business sector in Australia. SME confidence & conditions deteriorate further. Weakness in small firms increasingly pronounced compared to their larger counterparts – weakness in manufacturing, retail and construction a persistent theme across all small firm […]
Business conditions weaken; forward orders and other indicators of near-term demand still soft. Confidence slips further, with heightened European uncertainty seemingly outweighing relief provided from RBA rate cuts – new taxes may also be weighing on sentiment. Business conditions weakened in the June quarter, following modestly better activity over recent quarters. Official ABS data suggest […]
Business conditions now the weakest in three years: mining and construction down sharply. Confidence falters on global Greek exit fears, weak orders and negative reaction to the May Budget. Indicators of demand imply softer near-term activity and more jobs shedding in weak sectors. RBA to cut again in coming months. Business confidence deteriorated sharply in […]
The NAB Online Retail Sales Index provides key insights into online spending in the retail goods space, capturing domestic and international trends, as well as regional and age demographic trends. It’s a unique tool based on up to 2 million non-cash transactions per day, scaled up to replicate the broader economy. Online sales growth continued […]
Businesses remain confident of better near-term activity but actual conditions weaken in April – with multi-speed element widening again. Forward indicators remain lacklustre, with a material decline in capacity utilisation signalling increased slack in the economy – and further weakness in the labour market ahead. More rate action to come, although how much depends on […]
The NAB Online Retail Sales Index provides key insights into online spending in the retail goods space, capturing domestic and international trends, as well as regional and age demographic trends. It’s a unique tool based on up to 2 million non-cash transactions per day, scaled up to replicate the broader economy. The value of the […]
How can small businesses stay financially fit? Serg Premier, NAB’s General Manager of Deposits & Transactions, explains the importance of controlling business expenses.
The most comprehensive survey of current performance as well as near-term and medium-term expectations of the non-farm business sector, based on a survey of around 1,000 small to large sized companies. Business conditions edge higher but lack of jobs growth likely to keep near-term activity fairly soft. Confidence slips back and remains below trend. Forward […]
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’.
Confidence and conditions grind higher but with little jobs growth. Forward indicators marginally improve but remain subdued. Multi speed economy still to the fore – with non mining edging up a touch. Domestic forecasts edge lower with unemployment up. Rates view unchanged. Businesses appeared slightly more confident about near-term activity in March than in February, […]
The NAB Online Retail Sales Index provides key insights into online spending in the retail goods space, capturing domestic and international trends, as well as regional and age demographic trends. It’s a unique tool based on up to 2 million non-cash transactions per day, scaled up to replicate the broader economy. Growth in online sales […]
The NAB Quarterly SME Survey covers conditions in small, medium and emerging businesses (SMEs) across all parts of the non-farm business sector in Australia. Seasonal adjustment of SME survey results SME survey data reported in the March 2012 NAB Quarterly SME Business Survey have been seasonally adjusted for the first time in the history of […]
Confidence retreats while conditions edge higher. Forward indicators remain weak. Retail, manufacturing and construction still struggling while services, transport and mining strong. Growth lowered locally. Businesses appeared less confident about near-term activity in February than in January. While overall confidence remained positive, uncertainty emanating from the euro-zone and financial markets, the persistent strength in the […]
The NAB Online Retail Sales Index provides key insights into online spending in the retail goods space, capturing domestic and international trends, as well as regional and age demographic trends. It’s a unique tool based on up to 2 million non-cash transactions per day, scaled up to replicate the broader economy. Online sales strengthen in […]
Confidence and conditions a touch better but economy still marking time. Sectors remain wide apart. Inflation weakening as retailers increase discounts and one more rate cut possible. Overall business confidence was relatively firm in the month, with businesses seemingly still taking relief from the recent RBA rate cuts as well some abatement of concerns about […]
The most comprehensive survey of current performance as well as near-term and medium-term expectations of the non-farm business sector, based on a survey of around 1,000 small to large sized companies. Despite better business conditions and improved confidence, survey still only suggestive of an economy growing at around trend. Forward indicators slightly better, implying a […]
Confidence up a touch in December, despite global economic worries. Conditions consistent with an economy going sideways – but multi- speed. GDP forecasts lowered & two rate cuts now expected in 2012. Business confidence strengthened a little in December, although it remained below the series long-run average. Business sentiment over recent months has been seemingly […]
The NAB Online Retail Sales Index provides key insights into online spending in the retail goods space, capturing domestic and international trends, as well as regional and age demographic trends. It’s a unique tool based on up to 2 million non-cash transactions per day, scaled up to replicate the broader economy. In a fast-changing environment, […]
The NAB Quarterly SME Survey covers conditions in small, medium and emerging businesses (SMEs) across all parts of the non-farm business sector in Australia. SME confidence and conditions rebound but still below levels of their larger counterparts. Low tier (smallest) SMEs struggle. SME firms reported improved confidence in the December quarter – especially compared to […]
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.
Conditions improve slightly in November and are consistent with an economy growing around trend. Services sectors (ex. finance) and retail doing better. Confidence overall relatively stable – despite European concerns. GDP revised up on mining & consumer strength. Business conditions edged higher in November, after softening a little in the previous month, and are consistent […]
Cash flow is the oxygen of business. The more effectively you manage it, the more successful and profitable your practice will be.
Conditions soften in October, suggesting growth in the economy is treading water. But, for the second month in a row, confidence has improved. Also tentative signs of Qld re-construction kicking in. Business conditions softened in October, partly unwinding an improvement in conditions in the previous month, with trend conditions suggestive of an economy that is […]
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.
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.
The NAB Quarterly Business Survey is the most comprehensive survey of current performance as well as near-term and medium-term expectations of the non-farm business sector, based on a survey of around 1,000 small to large sized companies. Business conditions slump and confidence falters mid-quarter, but monthly profile points to subsequent improving trend. Hours worked strengthens […]
The ASX 300 Quarterly Business Survey captures the views of the ASX 300 business community and is a key peer comparator for companies. The report shares business and sector insights, and an understanding of economic confidence for the quarter. Business conditions for ASX300 declined further in Q3 – driven by manufacturing – narrowing the gap […]
The NAB Quarterly SME Survey covers conditions in small, medium and emerging businesses (SMEs) across all parts of the non-farm business sector in Australia. Subdued SME conditions persist and confidence falls further. Business confidence of SMEs fell heavily in the September quarter, consolidating a sharp decline in the June quarter and consistent with the deterioration […]
Global jitters jolt confidence. But could have been worse given global turmoil. Business conditions only a touch weaker – but with further restructuring evident in a widening of the multi-speed economy. Business confidence dropped sharply in August, with heightened global uncertainty, large falls in equity markets and the fear of debt market contagion. Confidence deteriorated […]
Business conditions weaken showing an economy continuing to lose momentum and traveling below trend. Confidence remains subdued in the face of continuing uncertainty – but carbon didn’t appear to cause further retreat. Growth in the domestic economy weakening in July, with business conditions now indicative of below-trend growth. This weakening trend was broad based – […]
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.
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 […]
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. […]
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?
Improving your business-to-business sales and marketing technique can deliver significant returns. The trick is to put yourself in the customers’ shoes.
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.
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 […]
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.
Time and money usually prevent smaller businesses from embarking on an environmental path
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 […]
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 […]
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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