Business Research & Insights

Reserve Bank research suggests that the two rate cuts to date will boost growth by 0.25-0.4pp over two years and lift inflation by only 0.1pp over two to three years.

The nation’s thoughts are with drought-afflicted farmers. As distressing as their current circumstances are, the encouraging news is that underlying economic conditions remain positive and will help them bounce back once the drought breaks.

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’.

While there are many things to consider when buying new equipment to make your business more productive, one of the most important is finding the best way to finance the purchase. NAB Agribusiness General Manager Khan Horne is urging customers to carefully consider all available options.

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.

Transforming your payments system doesn’t have to hurt and can in fact save time and increase efficiency, as Perth’s Wesley College found out.

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.

While consumers use the convenience and technological advances offered by credit cards for over 35 per cent of their payments, corporate cards are used for under 2 per cent of business payments.

A Queensland school and a schools corporation reveal the financial strategies they’ve put into action to make better use of their funds and save money.

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.

Colin Lear buys an $80,000 van for his food truck company every two weeks to ensure strong sales and lower maintenance costs. “If you’ve got a nice, new, shiny van that looks right, you’ll actually have better sales from it,” says the Tasty Trucks boss.

Reliability is crucial to the success of Budd Green’s family quarry business.

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.

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.

“Success always starts with passion and an unrelenting drive to make it work,” according to leading workplace lawyer Fay Calderone, who is a Partner at DibbsBarker Sydney.

Farmers will soon be able to hold up to $800,000 in Farm Management Deposits. Khan Horne, General Manager of NAB Agribusiness, discusses the benefits of this investment.

Money educator Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon and Paul Fog, General Manager of Financial Planning at NAB, explain why teaching younger Australians to be financially literate has never been more important.

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.

Schools are being encouraged to take practical action on energy efficiency and the use of solar power to reduce their power bills and build a greener, more sustainable future.

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.

A budget will help you to monitor the financial health of your practice – but that’s just the beginning. Stephen Allan, Credit Executive at Medfin Finance, explains how a budget can also help you to run a more productive and profitable practice.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Health Minister Peter Dutton have announced that the proposed $7 GP co-payment will be redesigned. Scheduled to commence on 1 July 2015, we explain the new measures and how NAB Health can help your business prepare for these changes.

While global grain prices are currently weaker than recent seasons, NAB's Greg Noonan says Australian growers are being paid a hefty premium. He's urging them to work through the pros and cons of marketing options when deciding whether to sell now or hold onto their grain.

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.

Dairy farmers are encouraged to review budgets and timing for any capital expenditure plans off the back of opening dairy price forecasts. NAB’s Neil Findlay says these plus this financial year’s stronger finish should support the confidence that’s been returning to southern producers.

The end of financial year is a busy time for the 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.

The Australian project finance market is widely considered a world leader when it comes to assessing the financing of greenfield development risk. Michael Clarke looks at how mining/resource project financing may be a helpful paradigm for financing large-scale greenfield agri developments.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There’s been a lot for Aussie businesses to talk about recently – from the action on Melbourne’s Chapel Street to where to find the richest retirees. Here’s a selection of recent business insights to help you uncover the opportunities across all business sectors in 2014.

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.

New Year is the perfect time to be considering and reviewing your strategies for the year and putting your plans in place to make the most of opportunities. Our message to farmers is that if they’re ready for more in 2014, we’re here and ready for them.

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.

It’s a season of stark contrast for Aussie wheat growers, with those in the west and south set for a bumper season while those in the east are doing it tough. International factors are also placing downward pressure on prices, with Canada producing one of its biggest wheat crops on record.

Farmers’ Markets are helping to bridge the gap between the city and the farm. Jane Adams, National Representative of the Australian Farmers’ Markets Association, explains how farmers can benefit from selling directly to their consumers.

In this edition of Corporate Finance Insights we focus on the value that can be unlocked in managing working capital, hear perspectives from industry leaders and share insight from NAB specialists into the major trends and opportunities for working capital management.

Only 50 percent of Australian businesses have a website, according to a recent poll commissioned by Google Australia. Your website can be a real revenue earner if you build it the right way. We share some very simple but crucial elements to include in your website.

Good cash flow is the lifeblood of every business yet many owners feel uncomfortable about chasing the money they're owed. Roger Mendelson, CEO of Prushka Fast Debt Recovery, suggests practical, easy-to-implement ways to ensure you're paid on time.

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.

Most businesses in the healthcare sector are affected by fluctuations in currency and interest rates. NAB’s Head of Corporate & Institutional Markets, Darren Hooton, cautions against complacency and suggests strategies for mitigating risk.

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.

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.

Nationally, farmers have been using Farm Management Deposits (FMDs) at record rates - the biggest month for deposits each year has traditionally been June, as farmers look to take advantage of tax benefits before financial year end.

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.

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.

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.

Grain growers who have done their homework will usually get opportunities through the year to lock in price spikes above $300 per tonne and hopefully healthy margins. NAB’s Director of Commodities, Business Markets believes preparation is the key aspect of managing risk for grain growers

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.

The New Year is a time to reflect and review – and that goes as much for your business as any other aspect of your life. That’s why NAB is encouraging farmers and those beyond the farm gate to spend some time now planning for 2013.

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.

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.

Michael Bassingthwaighte, CEO of not-for-profit health insurer Peoplecare, talks cash flow, growth, decision-making and regulatory management.

Are your tax records are up to date? Do you know how to effectively reduce your taxable income? NAB Health’s John Minto shares some pointers.

How can small businesses stay financially fit? Serg Premier, NAB’s General Manager of Deposits & Transactions, explains the importance of controlling business expenses.

Cash flow is the oxygen of business. The more effectively you manage it, the more successful and profitable your practice will be.

What can businesses do to stay ahead of the pack? Peter Strong, Executive Director, Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA), lists his top tips for small business success.

Good loan advice can bring your business plan to life and give you breathing space as interest rates change. We share some tips on loan selection.

No matter which area of the health industry you’re in, a higher or lower Australian dollar will impact on your profit margins when purchasing medical equipment or products from overseas or when recruiting staff from abroad. In the current situation, with the Australian dollar trading strongly, some GPs are buying equipment from online overseas medical […]

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. […]

You can’t manage it if you can’t measure it. But how do you get your reporting systems to accurately portray what you really need to know?

With the Australian and US dollars trading close to parity, price ramifications for both exports and imports can make life difficult for local industries. But there are tools to reduce financial risk and help protect Australian businesses from the effects of currency fluctuations.

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.

Managing a cash squeeze is a challenge for many agribusinesses, especially when faced with unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters, injury or even a fleet of late payers. Read our five-point strategy for healthy cash flow management.

Good cash flow management is critical to business success. While at times it may prove difficult to manage, it’s important to recognise there are different levers that agribusinesses can consider to help improve their payment systems and free up more cash. Glenn Cox, Senior Agribusiness Manager at the Griffith Agribusiness Centre, suggests businesses consider the […]