The sharing economy is going gangbusters and entrepreneurial Australians are securing a slice of the action.
![Gig economy ripe for the picking](https://business.nab.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Divvy-757x568-3.jpg)
The sharing economy is going gangbusters and entrepreneurial Australians are securing a slice of the action.
A small change in the way you think about motivating your team could have a big impact on results. We count down the power of understanding and acting on your people’s autonomy, mastery and purpose.
The skills you learn around the board table could have a big impact on the way you run your business. Here are six of the benefits.
Do you own an expanding small business? Here are some tips to get more talent on board without sending your direct costs soaring.
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.
Melbourne-based start-up Culture Amp is flying high after raising $36 million. So how did they manage it?
Making wine is a very personal venture for this Barossa Valley-born and bred artisan combining two passions in his small-batch business.
Gunning it in the gig economy: how Deliveroo Australia boss Levi Aron sets the pace in a business that never sleeps.
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.
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.
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.
Could you get more value from your financial services provider? If you only ever talk tax, you could be missing out. Stannards’ Marino Angelini explains changes in the health practice and accountant relationship and why wealth building, cost cutting and asset protection should all be part of the service.
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.
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.
Former Facebook marketing director Randi Zuckerberg shares her views on why everyone is an entrepreneur, why every company should do hackathons and why failure is just the start of success.
There is a strong business case for diversity beyond legal and moral imperatives. Our panel moves beyond the rhetoric to explore how to bring diversity to life.
Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales on why he’s good at failure, the need to protect information integrity and what he’s about to launch next.
Disruption is impacting both businesses and communities. But there are greater opportunities for business to solve for both. Professor Ian Williamson of Melbourne Business School shares his insights.
From the man who gave the world the EQ revolution comes new thinking on how today’s leaders can embrace connectivity to win in a world of flux and change.
There is no trade off between wellbeing and business metrics. We’re at a turning point in terms of how we prioritise what matters in business and our own lives. Arianna Huffington shares her insights on how to thrive.
“It’s not called failing any more, it’s called learning”: Mohanbir Sawhney, Professor at the Kellogg School of Management, details the concept of agile innovation and shares three ways in which businesses can transform to become agile innovators themselves.
The world is changing rapidly and companies need new approaches to master the new environment. Rosabeth Moss Kanter of Harvard Business School shares her insights.
Simplicity is about perception, authenticity and doing fewer things better. Former Apple creative director Ken Segall reflects on his time at the tech innovator to explain why simplicity is also the foundation of great business practice in today’s complex world.
Ken Segall is the author of the bestselling book Insanely Simple.
Rosabeth Moss Kanter holds the Ernest L. Arbuckle Professorship at Harvard Business School, where she specialises in strategy, innovation, and leadership for change.
Mohanbir Sawhney is a globally recognised scholar, teacher and consultant in business innovation, technology marketing and new media.
Arianna Huffington is the founder of The Huffington Post
Melanie Perkins, CEO of online graphic design platform Canva, discusses her journey from Australian start-up to global success story.
In just two years, Jamie Davison and business partner Nathan Hood acquired six businesses. Here, Davison explains how they did it – and the rookie mistakes others might want to avoid.
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.
For the seafood division of the Craig Mostyn Group, one of Australia’s leading food and agribusiness firms, the fastest growing pillar is the export of live southern rock lobster and abalone into the Chinese luxury wedding market.
From one product line on Australian shelves many years ago, Stahmann Farms now has an abundant 40 nut products in some of the world’s biggest supermarkets chains as well as delivering branded products into its own online store in China.
Emma Stallworthy is one half of the entrepreneurial husband and wife team behind growing fitness brand Pinnacle Health Club.
An early love of horses almost led Western Health CEO Alex Cockram to become a veterinarian but her great interest in people’s lives, motivations and their resilience inspired her into psychiatry. It’s what’s still inspiring her today.
Technology has been a boon for farmers but it can also make them vulnerable to a cyber attack. NAB’s Chief Information Security Officer Andrew Dell and Beyond Technology’s Greg Spencer reveal the best strategies for cyber security.
Leadership... it’s not about being right the first time, it’s about being resilient. Wolf Blass and Andrew Abercrombie in conversation.
Guillaume Brahimi, Chef and Restaurateur and Karin Adcock, Founder of House of Brands KJ, on moments that shaped their success.
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.
Treating the Movember fundraising initiative like a start-up has helped its founders to grow it from a challenge among friends into a global event that has so far raised more than $650 million to help fight prostate cancer.
Evy Gomo, Clinical Manager at Davidson Trahaire Corpsych, shares her top tips for SME owners looking to create psychologically healthy workplaces.
What makes a successful entrepreneur? We asked a selection of recently interviewed business owners.
The potential of mentorships to advise, inspire and build confidence and leadership skills is being harnessed within the education sector.
Boundaries are blurring between profit-making enterprises and philanthropic organisations. We profile two businesses that have prioritised giving back to the community – Kookai’s Katalyst Foundation and Thankyou.
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.
Every business needs a plan, including a general practice. Dr Neville Steer and accountant Sue Prestney discuss the benefits of keeping a business plan short and simple.
Health Project Services CEO Dean Crozier is on a mission to deliver a vital transformation of the healthcare property sector in Australia.
Rob Cromb has presided over the evolution of Kookai in Australia, from its early years as a Parisian label imported on consignment to its current incarnation as a local designer, manufacturer and retailer.
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.
Sir Richard Branson lights up the room with stories of innovation and culture at the World Business Forum. From delegation to innovation to the importance of parties, Sir Richard Branson shares his insights into business.
Mauro Porcini, the first ever Chief Design Officer at PepsiCo, shares what he’s learned at the World Business Forum.
John Mattone, leadership consultant and author of Intelligent Leadership, shares what he’s learned at the World Business Forum.
Nicholas Negroponte of MIT Media Lab shares on the future of technology.
Rita McGrath shares what she’s learned at the World Business Forum.
Tamara Erickson of London Business School shares five predictions on the workplace of the future.
Robert S Kaplan, Harvard Professor, shares what he’s learned at the World Business Forum.
Chris Gardner, author of the 2006 autobiography, The Pursuit of Happyness, shares what he’s learned at the World Business Forum.
Three CEOs share their insights on the process and challenge of transformation.
Business View magazine asks three of the speakers at the Sydney World Business Forum 2016 for their views on the biggest challenges facing the business world today.
Co-working spaces have been springing up in country towns around Australia, providing a welcome boost to Australia’s regional economy.
Suzanne left her high-profile position as head of the Buchanan Group Australia/New Zealand in February 2014 to take the online Habitots business she’d started in 2013 to the next level – launching a bricks and mortar version of the brand.
Two cyclists Cameron Harrison and Thomas Treloar are behind The Rolling Fix, a mobile bicycle service company that’s mending bicycles for a growing number of corporate clients.
With the call to entry for the 2016 Ethnic Business Awards now open, it’s the perfect time to celebrate some of 2015’s finalists and winners, including Elena Gosse, CEO of Australian Innovative Systems.
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.
Queensland podiatrist and physiotherapist Caroline McCulloch launched FRANKiE4 after spotting a gap in the women’s shoe market for styles that are both comfortable and fashionable.
A 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.
Fern Mallis is the founder of New York Fashion Week and has variously been described as an industry titan, doyenne, and The Godmother of Fashion. So her words of advice to those who want to work in fashion, with its reputation for attracting egotistical designers and haughty models could be considered surprising: “Be nice.”
Jodie Fox is revolutionising the footwear industry, but she has a bigger vision for the fashion sector. Custom manufacturing is the way to keep up with evolving customer demands – and one day consumers will be able to 3D print their shoes at home.
Sisters Beth and Tessa MacGraw are riding on a high after winning a prestigious design award at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. They share their story.
Renzo Rosso outlined his approach to fashion and business at a business forum supported by NAB as part of the recent Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. He discussed inspiration and especially the importance of originality and innovation.
Kim Brotherson, Managing Director of Pharmacy 777 and Bruce Annabel, Pharmacy Business Consultant and Adjunct Professor of Pharmacy Management at QUT, share their top five tips for creating a thriving community pharmacy.
Over the past decade, Ballarat City Council has delivered significant savings by swapping the manual processing of invoices for credit cards. Stephen Bigarelli, Ballarat City Council’s Accounting Services Manager, explains.
Fashion supremo Nicola Formichetti has some unusual advice for businesses about marketing. Asked for his top tip, he said “to not think about marketing”.
Melbourne Fashion Festival chief executive Graeme Lewsey reveals all the planning that goes into making sure it’s alright on the night - the models and fashion houses, set builders, sound and lighting, caterers, makeup artists and drivers.
Dentist, business coach and author, Dr Jesse Green is on a mission to empower healthcare professionals to become true business owners.
Social media has opened a world of opportunity for businesses – to engage with customers like never before, to publicise their products through a range of channels and to sell online.
When Peter Alexander started his business, he always had a Plan B. Alexander says planning for the worst allowed him to focus on the future of his business, which now turns over $150 million a year, has close to 100 retail outlets and is planning to expand overseas.
A business leader’s state of mind can influence the whole company’s performance. Workplace wellbeing teacher Michelle McQuaid shares her tips for creating a mindset for flourishing.
Cathryn Wills had never really considered herself as a candidate for the top job at handbag, jewellery and shoe label MIMCO. She told at one of a series of ‘Business Events Program supported by NAB’as part of the 2016 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival.
Sue Ismiel is Chief Executive Officer of Sue Ismiel & Daughters Enterprises, a family-owned company run by Sue and her three daughters, Nadine, Natalie and Naomi. Specialising in natural hair-removal products, its brands include Nad’s Hair Removal, Nad’s Laser Clinics, NitWits and PuraSkin.
After a successful career in the mining industry, Amanda Healy started Maxx Engineering, which she sold in 2015. She’s now focused on her next venture, the social enterprise Kirrikin.
“Success always starts with passion and an unrelenting drive to make it work,” according to leading workplace lawyer Fay Calderone, who is a Partner at DibbsBarker Sydney.
Guy Biran, Managing Partner of JMp Accountants, a mid-sized accountancy firm that handles complex tax matters for some of Australia’s most dynamic businesses and wealthiest individuals, shares his top five tips for managing growth.
An advanced software system developed in Alice Springs called Precision Pastoral Management System (PPMS) is helping cattle farmers manage their land better by identifying areas in their production cycle that need to be improved. It could add an estimated $70,000 to the bottom line for the average rangeland cattle property.
Innovation is a key driver of business success. It’s typically defined by a firm’s knowledge of the market and customers, constant process reviews, learning from failures and passion and drive.
The health and wellbeing revolution is sweeping through workplaces, with forward-thinking companies making an effort to promote healthier lifestyles, more flexible working conditions and better work-life balance. We discuss some simple ways SMEs can get on board.
Growth through acquisition has been the approach Spiro Paule has taken to building Findex, spearheading more than 45 acquisitions since 2000.
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.
In this video Cindy Batchelor, NAB Business Executive General Manager, discusses how SMEs can embrace innovation.
Farmers will soon be able to hold up to $800,000 in Farm Management Deposits. Khan Horne, General Manager of NAB Agribusiness, discusses the benefits of this investment.
Ainslie Chemmart Compounding Pharmacy’s Colette Needham is embracing the challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry by positioning the pharmacy as an all round destination for health and wellbeing.
Taking charge of the family business after the death of his father, Peter Freedman persevered through tough times to grow Freedman Electronics from a single shop in the Sydney suburb of Ashfield to become RØDE Microphones – one of Australia’s great export success stories.
In 2012, after a decade as Chief Executive Officer of the National Rugby League, David Gallop was appointed CEO of Football Federation Australia. He shares his mission to have the most fans and participants of any Australian sport.
Husband and wife Chelsea and James Ross are the dynamic duo behind Venivici, a company that operates three – soon to be four – women’s boutique retreats in Bali and Japan under the Goddess Retreats brand.
Chrissy Blackburn, managing partner of brand consultancy West Eighty Second, on why being a purpose-led company is good for business.
With seven facilities in Melbourne and plans to expand interstate in 2016, Kieser Training has successfully adapted a European business model to the local market. Tony Smith, Managing Director of Kieser Training, shares his top tips for bringing a European business to Australia.
Managing chronic conditions is a complex process. GP Tim Koh, co-owner of the Ocean Keys Family Practice in Western Australia, discusses how a multidisciplinary approach can help patients to take better care of themselves and why a GP is best placed to co-ordinate the team.
Adina clock and watch making company produce 40,000 watches a year, all assembled by hand. Founded by Rob Menzies in 1971, his son Grant Menzies has now taken the reins and plans to make Adina an iconic Australian brand.
Public health expert Dr Jane Thomason has spent the past 16 years as Chief Executive Officer of JTA International, the healthcare development consultancy she founded in 1999.
A new medical practice can be designed to reflect your vision and may also cost less than an established business. Nathan Marris, Relationship Manager at Medfin Finance, shares his tips for success, and practice owner Dr Prema Joseph discusses why she chose to start from scratch.
Ursula Hogben, co-founder and General Counsel of LegalVision ILP, explains what the rise of the on-demand labour market means for those hiring help.
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.
At Xerocon Melbourne 2015, David Koch hosted a session on the state of small business in Australia. It looked at the challenges faced by start-ups, the growing pains of small business and the changing role of technology in helping people build their businesses.
The stronger the team, the more successful the company. Rob Scott from Presence of IT, an HR/payroll and workforce management consultancy, shares his tips for recruiting, retaining and managing the highly-skilled people a growing business needs.
Telstra has now invested $237 million in 17 healthcare industry acquisitions, investments and partnerships in order to roll out numerous eHealth initiatives, with the ambition of establishing itself as Australia’s leading eHealth provider.
Amanda Dobbie, CEO of not-for-profit organisation, Women in Banking and Finance (WiBF), reflects on her role promoting gender balance and shares her top tips for small businesses looking for greater gender diversity in their organisations.
Machiavelli’s Caterina Tarchi, Marque’s Mark Best and etiquette expert Anna Musson share their ingredients for hosting a successful and memorable business lunch to build rapport with clients or get a deal over the line.
After bringing the Fitness First chain to Australia and building it into the biggest chain of health clubs in the country, Tony de Leede left in 2008. He now co-owns a range of health and wellness businesses. See what a typical day in his life looks like.
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.
When the booming online entertainment business threatened the future of film and television production company Cutting Edge, it invested in digital channels to diversify the business and boost the bottom line. The strategy paid off with expected growth of 20 percent in 2016.
As CEO of Pindara Private Hospital for the past seven years, Trish Hogan has steered more than $110 million worth of development, transforming the Ramsay Health Care-owned operation into the largest and most comprehensive private hospital on the Gold Coast.
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.
Managing staff leave effectively is an ongoing challenge for business owners. Martin Nally, Founder of hranywhere, explains how openness and flexibility help keep employees happy and keep any impact on the business to a minimum.
Launching a casual home-style Mexican restaurant in Swan Street, Richmond, in 2011, Fonda now has four restaurants in Melbourne with 160 staff and annual turnover of $15 million.
Without appropriate protection, your hard-earned assets could be at risk. Paul Jarvis, whose team manages the wealth of clients in the NAB Health sector, discusses how insurance, tax planning and a collaborative team of advisers can help you build a successful practice.
Australia has proven to be particularly fertile territory for British-based Specsavers since it arrived here in 2008, famously opening 100 stores during its first 100 days down under.
After representing Australia as a professional skier, Pete Forras wanted to start a business based on his love of snow sports. Forras shares a day in the life of running XTM Australia from his beach house in Torquay.
Richard Thame, CEO of Fastway Couriers, explains how he tackled a competitive market to carve out new business opportunities and his plans to make Fastway the courier company people think of when it comes to e-commerce and parcel delivery.
NAB Health shares insights into the changing landscape of the health sector in Australia, providing findings from customers and key sector strategy executives for Practitioners and Specialists, Pharmacy and Corporate Health.
A convincing pitch helps to win new clients, secure finance and attract investors. Warren Harmer, Chief Business Planner at The Business Plan Company, outlines the importance of preparation, understanding your target audience and perfecting your spiel.
D.D. Saxena, the founder and Managing Director of Riverina Oils & BioEnergy (ROBE), has built a $150 million state-of-the-art, fully integrated oilseed crushing and refining plant in Wagga Wagga that’s crushing and refining over 165,000 tonnes of oilseeds a year.
Australian companies are leading the world in their use of online freelancers. Kyri Theos, Australian Country Manager of Upwork, and Toby Jenkins, co-founder and CEO of Bluewire Media, discuss how having international access to millions of skilled people could change the way we do business.
Research suggests that, for many dentists, practice management is a major challenge. Anita Roubicek, Joint Chief Executive Officer of Prime Practice dental management specialists, discusses the benefits of having a well-run practice and shares her tips for improving performance.
It’s half a century since the founders of The Pancake Parlour first wowed Aussie diners with fresh, delicious pancakes but age has not wearied the Melbourne dining institution whose charm and innovative strategies continue to drive its success.
Simon Hill is the Co-founder, Director and Investor in a diverse range of e-commerce businesses. He believes in promoting a less stressful work environment by giving his employees more control over how many hours they work and from where.
Lawrence Cusdin and Brett Aldons, the two entrepreneurial friends behind Croc’s Playcentre, have taken a big bite out of the Australian child play centre market. Operating as a franchise model, they plan to have 15 centres operating nationally by the end of 2015.
Uniting under a single ‘True Aussie’ brand could give Australian farmers more visibility, more bargaining power and higher farm gate returns. Simon Talbot, Chief Executive Officer of the National Farmers’ Federation, discusses the opportunities and how farmers can make the most of them.
In healthcare, networking is less about exchanging business cards than building authentic relationships. At the recent Women in Health Leadership Symposium in Sydney a panel discussed how networks and mentors could help build a successful career.
Husband-and-wife partners in film, theatre and entertainment production company Bazmark Inq, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin reveal the secrets to their successful partnership spanning the arts, business and family life.
NAB has identified the top five strategies business owners should consider when they’re preparing for End of Financial Year.
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.
Dr Ben Bernanke, former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, discussed his experience of the global financial crisis (GFC), his views on global growth, the stability of the financial system and where critical economies like China are heading.
The most strategic asset is your collection of first line supervisors. They’re responsible for attitude, retention, productivity and every variable.
Harvard Professor Sarah Lewis, delivers a truly insightful session on the importance of mastery in order to successfully achieve goals and knowing how to proceed or when to quit on an idea. Read the insights from her presentation at the World Business Forum.
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.
Crown Group CEO Iwan Sunito turned a love of drawing and desire to own his own business into a property development empire spanning Australia, Singapore and Indonesia. The group has $3.5 billion of projects in the development pipeline in Australia and Asia. He talks to Anna Fenech.
Vince Frost has built a successful design business by saying ‘yes’ and meaning it. He discusses the benefits of a building a positive culture, the importance of moving outside your comfort zone and why it pays to think twice before saying ‘no’.
How can pharmacies evolve with changing times? NAB research has identified three important metrics for community pharmacies to keep an eye on to improve productivity. They include Stock turnover, dispensary to sales ratio and wage costs for sales ratio.
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.
Following her appointment to lead the Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting service across Australia, Michelle Bennetts improved morale and successfully created a more engaged national service of fire fighters, which saw her achievements recognised at the NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards.
Mentors have played an important role in Lynn Kraus’ career, so she’s now using her own skills and experience to help others on their journey. Already one of EY’s most senior women in Oceania, Kraus was named Mentor of the Year at the 2014 NAB Women's Agenda Leadership Awards.
Influence isn’t about telling people what to do or even expecting them to respond to a logical argument. Neuroleadership expert Jon Pratlett draws on the latest findings in neuroscience to provide practical advice on using influence to shape a successful business.
Melbourne-based architect Peter Maddison splits his days between running his busy boutique architectural practice and his role as host of Grand Designs Australia. He shares a day in the life of running Maddison Architects while moonlighting as a television host.
Offering practical and achievable solutions for governments to act on, NAB’s Deregulation Plan for SMEs aims to help business grow and create more jobs for Australians. The plan was presented to Federal Minister for Small Business, the Hon Bruce Billson MP, on Monday 15 December.
After 24 years in business Collette Dinnigan took the bold move of restructuring her business so she could focus on the purely creative elements of being a designer and devote more time to her young family. One year on, she reflects on her decision.
Every working environment has the potential to create stress but, when you’re running a small or medium enterprise (SME), the pressure can be particularly intense. Exercise, healthy eating and shedding unhealthy habits are recommended as some of the best methods to cope.
In what’s recently been coined “Robin Hood fraud”, criminals are now using stolen credit cards to make donations to charitable organisations. Zoe Fairfull-Smith, NAB’s Manager of Anti-Crime Education, shares five ways charities can better protect themselves from fraud.
While many are divided over Generation Y, these young people can bring unique benefits to your business. Futurist, demographer and social commentator Mark McCrindle explains how, and shares his tips on how to make them valuable members of your team.
With a skilled workforce of blind and vision-impaired employees, the Royal Society for the Blind Industrial Services in South Australia has carved out a reputation for providing efficient, cost effective and high quality packaging and assembly services to a range of businesses.
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.
Given the link between workplace satisfaction and productivity, and between consumption and wellbeing, creating a happy workplace should be a key focus for any business. We share some intriguing data to help businesses considering how to improve staff engagement and customer satisfaction.
Starting ABC Tissue soon after arriving from Hong Kong, Henry Ngai now manufactures some of Australia’s most popular brands of tissue products. He discusses his business, his strategy for success and being named Champion of Champions at the 2013 Ethnic Business Awards.
It’s called the Sport of Kings, and in Australia one woman stands out among all others. Since taking on the racing board to gain her training licence, Gai Waterhouse has been a formidable force in horse racing and an inspiration to businesswomen everywhere.
The latest issue of Business View magazine celebrates successful Australian business women. In our cover story we talk to top horse trainer Gai Waterhouse about overcoming barriers and what underpins the success of her business. We also chat to Collette Dinnigan and Lisa McGuigan.
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.
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.
Turning a business around can be challenging – but the tougher the turn, the sweeter the rewards. David Koch, Chairman of Port Adelaide Football Club, explains how he helped take the Power from financial hardship and the bottom of the AFL ladder to the finals in three short seasons.
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.
The inaugural NAB Australian Business Diversity Index is a new addition to NAB’s Quarterly Business Survey, and it aims to help Australian industries and businesses better understand diversity performance, in an effort to drive change.
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.
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.
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.
The Crothers family saw a bright future ahead in the cotton industry, but moving from livestock meant taking on a massive challenge. Douglas Crothers talks about storing a year’s supply of water, completely restructuring the farm, and the need to plan for a sound financial future.
Many general practitioners have been exposed to aggressive behaviour yet few have taken steps to protect themselves. Researcher Dr Danny Hills explains his six simple strategies for keeping a medical practice a safer and less stressful place to work.
From deep within the Victorian Mallee, the de Pieri and Carrazza clans are as renowned for blending family and business as they are for blending a great beer. Mildura’s popular brewers and restaurateurs, Stefano and Donata, talk to Business View about achieving the right mix.
In this edition, Business View magazine highlights the success of businesses working with, inspired and supported by family. Our cover story features how Mildura Brewery owners Stefano de Pieri and wife Donata Carrazza successfully blend family and business.
George Kohlrieser, veteran hostage negotiator and Professor of Leadership and Organisational Behaviour at the International Institute for Management Development, shared key insights into how leaders can best draw out the potential of their teams.
Good ideas with no execution ends in no results. There are seven simple tools for developing a culture of excellent execution, says global business and leadership consultant Ram Charan. He has worked extensively with some of the world’s leading corporates.
Gary Hamel, visiting Professor of Strategic and International Management at London Business School, electrified the World Business Forum audience with his new and radical vision of change management and how companies can restructure.
After an unexpected invitation to the Pentagon to discuss how the US could improve its international image, Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide of Saatchi & Saatchi was introduced to the concept of VUCA, a world which is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.
Professor Michael Porter of Harvard Business School and Director of the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness, discusses the world of opportunities available to companies that are willing to recalibrate their thinking around strategy.
Lyn Heward, former Director of Creation, President and COO of the Creative Content Division of Cirque du Soleil challenges every individual and company to go through what she calls ‘the seven doors’ to enhance creativity, motivate high performers and foster innovation.
There’s a lot of change in this year’s budget, so understanding how the Federal Budget impacts you and your business can be challenging. That’s why our team of economists and industry experts have been working around the clock to break it down.
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.
Montague Fresh fought off tough competition to win the prestigious Woolworths 2013 Supplier of the Year Award. Ray Montague and his son Scott discuss the key to their success and how things have changed during their 50-year relationship with Woolworths.
There’s been a lot for Aussie businesses to talk about recently – from the impact of weather on global economic growth to retailers’ expansion plans. Here’s a selection of recent business insights to help you uncover the opportunities across all business sectors in 2014.
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.
Bullying can cause physical and psychological harm to employees and undermine good business. Alex Jenkins of Davidson Trahaire Corpsych suggests ways to create a workplace culture which supports the health and productivity of everyone in the organisation.
Finding and keeping the right people is fundamental to the success of any business. Gavin O’Meara, Manager of People and Culture at Ramsay Health Care, explains how planning, preparation and ongoing support can help you build an engaged and productive team.
The summer edition of Business View Magazine explores the ecosystem behind the business of sport, looking at how entrepreneurs working in and with the sports sector deal with changes in the business environment. Download the free iPad edition via our new publications app NAB Think.
A farm can be a dangerous place for farmers, their families, workers and even visitors. John Temperley, Executive Officer of Farmsafe Australia, discusses some of the most common hazards and shares practical steps for making farms safer for everyone.
Companies in the industrial raw materials sector are facing a new era. For years, miners of resources such as iron ore, base metals and coal enjoyed a boom driven by incredible demand from China and other emerging markets that were urbanising and investing heavily in infrastructure.
From property development to motorsports, Betty Saunders Klimenko is used to changing landscapes with an entrepreneurial spirit, a business mentality and people power. The colourful owner of the Erebus Motorsports team discusses the business of motorsports.
Best known for her BBC TV series, Mary Queen of Shops, Mary Portas shared her top tips for small businesses during her recent visit to Australia to promote Support Small Business Day - a Victorian Government initiative in partnership with NAB.
It’s never too early to get your practice ready for sale. As Paul Freeman, Chief Executive Officer of Medfin Finance, points out, potential purchasers look for the kind of well-run business that's also efficient and profitable for you. Here are his tips for getting it up to speed.
The 2011 Agricultural Census reveals an evolving sector - in terms of both farm and farmer. With bigger farms and more sophisticated owners to contend with, service providers need to prepare for a new and challenging landscape.
Good cash flow is the lifeblood of every business yet many owners feel uncomfortable about chasing the money they're owed. Roger Mendelson, CEO of Prushka Fast Debt Recovery, suggests practical, easy-to-implement ways to ensure you're paid on time.
The Patient-Centred Medical Home (PCMH) could improve overall population health and lower the cost of healthcare. Dr Eleanor Chew, Vice President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, explains the benefits of a voluntary system where one GP co-ordinates patient care.
A successful business needs quality employees but in agriculture, skills are in short supply. Rimfire Resource's Nigel Crawley suggests ways to attract the right recruits and explains how the Career Harvest initiative could bring more young people into the industry.
Four years ago, John Gladigau joined forces with fellow farmer Robin Schaefer to create a new business, Bulla Burra. Here Gladigau explains how the collaboration has led to improved efficiency, economies of scale and even a better lifestyle.
A business that depends on one person for its success is a business at risk - but stepping back is rarely easy, particularly for the founder of a family business. Bill Noye, Partner in charge of KPMG Private Enterprise in Brisbane, suggests ways to make the process as smooth as possible.
Since new standards for hospitals and day surgeries took effect in January 2013, there have been signs of improvements for patients that also make financial sense. Professor Picone AM, CEO of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, discusses the initiative.
As the war for talent intensifies, business owners with an eye on the future are nurturing older workers. Michael Hyatt, Director, Human Capital Advisory at Deloitte Australia, discusses the benefits of maturity and the importance of harnessing skills and experience.
In this edition, we delve into the experiences of finance commentator turned business builder Alan Kohler, detail bringing an invention to life and explore running a business in an extreme climate. We also cover retaining staff, handling tax in your SMSF and negotiating contracts in China.
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.
Agriculture in Australia has an exciting future. The changing landscape of Australian agriculture is creating a raft of opportunities across the sector and for the first time in years, agricultural student enrolments are up, and quite significantly.
The NBN will make it possible for more employees to work anywhere - could that be good for your business? Dr Yvette Blount, Research Coordinator of Macquarie University’s Anywhere Working Research Network, discusses the benefits and obstacles you might want to consider.
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
Farming is in Michael Schembri’s blood – after a short break from the land, he and his family are pulling together to build their investment in a New South Wales poultry farm. Here he talks about the challenges they face and their commitment to ongoing growth.
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.
From the brink of breaching environmental standards to a leading diversified food and agribusiness company – CEO David Lock talks about transforming the Craig Mostyn Group, securing a supply chain and tapping into consumer preferences.
A new survey gives an insight into how much the majority of Australia’s CEOs are paid. Chairman and CEO of The CEO Institute Ken Gunn believes that the research, carried out in partnership with RMIT University, will help CEOs to benchmark their pay.
Australia’s fastest-growing supermarket milk brand, A2 Milk™ turned an obscure milk protein into a profitable point of difference. CEO of A2 Dairy Products Australia, Peter Nathan, explains how and discusses the growing export market.
This month in Agribusiness View, we have an in-depth talk with food producer Maggie Beer, hear about Asia’s growing demand for milk and dairy products, and learn how grain growers can manage their risk. We also give you a new view on women in the agricultural industry.
As a business owner, you diversify risks and investments everyday, but you mightn’t be doing this in your personal life. This week on Kochie’s Business Builders, Iain Rogers of NAB Wealth shares some simple strategies that’ll help build, manage and protect your wealth for the future.
This week on Kochie’s Business Builders, founding partner of La Porchetta, Sara Pantaleo and NAB Business Banking Manager James Tickner discuss the importance of having a crisis management plan and what to consider when creating your own plan.
Bad business mistakes happen to good people, according to author and entrepreneur, Mathew Dickerson. Here, Mathew explains to Business View where some businesses stumble and reveals his list of common mistakes to avoid in business.
Beyond the cook’s toque, NAB Agribusiness customer Maggie Beer wears many hats − farmer, gourmet food producer and sometime television presenter. But her least celebrated role may be her greatest achievement given the challenges of her industry - businesswoman.
Michael Bassingthwaighte, CEO of not-for-profit health insurer Peoplecare, talks cash flow, growth, decision-making and regulatory management.
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.
We profile Robert Radford from Radfords – a Gippsland family-run meat processing company with an annual turnover of $30 million.
In the current business climate, businesses need to plan and out-think the competition or risk being left behind as others steal market share. Help get your business on track by embedding five goals into your business plan.
Could forming a partnership boost your business prospects? Ashurst Partner, David McManus talks through some of the fine print.
Following another successful Australian Open, Tennis Australia CEO, Steve Wood shares his strategies on how to succeed during a tougher economic climate.
Currently working with family, or considering it? KeepCup CEO, Abigail Forsyth, who’s in business with her brother Jamie (both pictured), gives the scoop on how to make it work.
Cloud computing can slash costs and drive productivity. Google’s Stuart McLean explains how.
Do you run business meetings that tend to go overtime and don’t stick to the agenda? How you chair a meeting can impact dramatically on the outcome. From body language to voice tone, here are some tips to help chair with flair.
Setting goals is an important part of business growth. And that means having a clearly defined strategy that embraces all levels of your business.
Attention to business reporting will give your practice the information it needs to operate more efficiently.
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?
You know the feeling – a day spent frantically chasing your tail only to come out the other side feeling as if you’ve achieved nothing at all. Blake Beattie, speaker, consultant, performance engineer and author of Bullseye! The Ultimate Guide To Achieving Your Goals offers practical guidance how to stop sabotaging your own success by […]
Whether you’ve been asked to perform your first keynote, or you just want to face a fear, speaking in front of a crowd can be enormously empowering. It can also increase your visibility as a business leader. Fortunately, the speakers’ stage is not reserved for veteran CEOs. What audiences want The one demand Australian audiences […]
A business’s most valuable asset comes in human form, in the expertise of owners and employees.
With Australia’s constantly evolving population, cultural diversity should be firmly fixed on the radar of every business in this country, according to Lena Belin, founder of intercultural consultancy and training company, Cultura Franca.
With an increasing focus on work–life balance, an organisation has a lot to gain from allowing employees to work from home. Creating a virtual office environment can transform a business, save money and improve staff morale and work rates, according to John Maley, Director of Unisys HR. Speaking from direct experience. Unisys, an information service […]
Adopting a systemised sales structure not only leads to greater efficiency for the sales team but also strengthens overall business performance. Many of Lackovic’s clients complain that, while they’re able to systemise processes such as accounts, administration, recruitment and so on, it’s very difficult to systemise sales. But without a structure, he says, sales teams […]
When it’s time to pass the family business baton on to the next generation, it’s vital to make sure that it’s a well-rehearsed and seamless transition. In any business, succession planning is critical to continuity and long-term success. But research suggests that in family businesses, this important area of planning is often neglected. Andrew Ward, […]
Identifying and utilising the strengths of individuals is key to both business growth and employee engagement. That is the overriding message that Lanja Fletcher delivers to business owners when teaching about strength-based leadership.
© National Australia Bank Limited. ABN 12 004 044 937 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 230686.