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Next month we will welcome seven councils into our Small Business Friendly Councils (SBFC) Program. What does that mean for the small businesses in those regions, and what has been achieved by the 33 councils already on the journey?
Every year, we ask participating councils to reflect on what has been achieved for their small businesses, and to share the highlights. It is important to remember that every council is different - their size and budgets can vary significantly, political landscapes and priorities are naturally varied, and the needs of local small businesses can be quite different. It is impossible to compare progress, which is not the point of the program. The program is about encouraging councils to take a small business centred approach to services, to inspire and motivate councils with fresh ideas and know-how through the shared learnings of others in the network, and to promote and celebrate when great outcomes are made possible.
Sometimes decisions will be made by a small business friendly council that may seem ‘unfriendly' towards business. Being small business friendly is a journey and the small business friendly program only commenced in Queensland less than two years ago. Transforming organisational culture takes time and councils need our encouragement and support.
The QSBC website will have a major overhaul over the next two months. Soon you will be able to follow the progress being made by small business friendly councils - such as Banana Shire Council featured below. Since signing the charter, Cook Shire Council hosted its first ever small business breakfast networking event and nominated a single point of contact for small business enquiries. Moreton Bay Regional Council piloted a ‘data club’ for small businesses keen to use data to extract knowledge and better inform their business decision-making. Some councils have now introduced local supplier spend targets, and local supplier preference weightings for procurement. There are many encouraging stories and small businesses across Queensland are starting to experience the benefits in real and practical ways.
We love it when a business we have previously assisted with a dispute comes back and asks for guidance about how to grow, or how to instigate changes to their business. We have noticed a gradual shift in the enquiries coming through the office this month towards proactive guidance seeking. The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training has been developing brand new resources and tools to help small businesses get ‘Business Ready’ at the various stages of a business lifecycle. This month I wanted to highlight the new marketing, advertising and promotion page. Try starting with the marketing health check, to help focus immediately on the areas in most need of your attention and earmark the things to work on later. Let us know what you think!
Our mediators submitted their annual reports to my office this month and it has prompted debate about a really important question - how do you measure the ‘success’ of a mediation? Is it for example only when agreement is reached on every single issue in dispute? And if so, does that mean a mediation was ‘unsuccessful’ even if it has helped the parties to better understand what is important to each other, what their needs are, and where some common ground might exist?
So far, our data captures when an agreement is reached about a dispute, but perhaps we are missing the additional value of relationships that were restored, misperceptions that have re-adjusted, partial agreements and the understandings reached through the mediation process. We are not saying mediation fixes everything and works every time, but given the possible benefits and the progress the parties can make, it is definitely worth a try. If you would like assistance with a dispute get in touch.
This week the Honourable Di Farmer MP, Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development, officially launched the “Good People Good Jobs - Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032”. It is the first of three multi-year action plans to address workforce participation, local solutions, school-to-work transitions, workforce attraction and retention, and skilling Queenslanders now and into the future.
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Maree Adshead
Queensland Small Business Commissioner
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Informal resolution win for parties
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A newsagent recently contacted our office requesting assistance by lodging an application for mediation. The newsagent was based in a shopping centre and was seeking a reduction in rent because they believed they were experiencing a decline in sales due to construction work occurring on the roof above their shop.
When the newsagent spoke to centre management about a reduction, centre management disagreed that the decline in the newsagent's sales were due to the construction work. To reaffirm this belief, management provided the newsagent with data demonstrating an increase in foot traffic throughout the entire centre, coupled with data highlighting the increase in trade of nearby retailers. Unsatisfied and unable to reach an agreement, the newsagent submitted an application for mediation through the QSBC.
When an application for mediation is made, we assign a business liaison officer (BLO) to the case. The role of the BLO is to remain impartial and contact both parties to gain a better understanding of each parties' position and version of events, and to assess whether mediation is appropriate.
Sometimes disputes can be resolved by the BLO before mediation, by encouraging both parties to appreciate the other's perspective. In this instance of the newsagency, the BLO was able to work with both parties and they reached an informal agreement through a reduction in rent that was in both their interests.
Outcomes like this can save time, money, and relationships. Find out more about the range of assistance the QSBC provides here.
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Website domain name changes
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Digital cash flow coaching kit
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Good cash flow management helps keep your small business on track and helps you grow in good times and bad.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has developed the Digital Cash Flow Coaching Kit for businesses to use with their tax professionals to help you build your cash flow strategies and keep you in business.
You can use this tool to simplify your cash flow complexities via four key questions.
- Am I trading profitably?
- Have I put enough money aside to meet my regular financial commitments?
- Does my business have enough to spend on myself and pay others?
- Is my business improving its financial position year on year?
Speak to your tax professionals and business advisors to see how this kit may be able to help your business. More information can be found here.
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Small business self-assessment checklist
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The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has created a small business self-assessment checklist to help Queensland small businesses understand and comply with your obligations under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
The checklist is interactive, easy to use and has information on:
- displaying prices
- selling safe goods and services
- unfair contract terms
- unsolicited selling
- consumer guarantees and warranties against defects
- receipts
- refunds
- gift cards
- country of origin
You can download a copy of the checklist here.
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SBFC showcase - Banana Shire Council
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Banana Shire Council recently held its inaugural Renewable Energy Pipeline Supply forum to ensure local small businesses in the region were aware of proposed projects, and to be in the best position to take advantage of these upcoming opportunities.
By organising this forum, local small businesses were able to benefit from:
- information on the region’s pipeline of renewable energy projects
- a pre-procurement briefing from a major project supplier
- the opportunity to participate in a renewable energy supply chain forum Q&A
- receive information about supply chain initiatives to improve capability
- network with major industry to learn about innovations and future growth
- network and connect with major industry organisations who will be involved with the projects
- learn about innovations and future growth opportunities from major industry players
This is a fantastic example of what it means to be a Small Business Friendly Council. Through this important event, five local small businesses were able to secure contractual work. This keeps money in the local economy and employs local people. A win for all involved!
Find out more about the Small Business Friendly Councils (SBFC) Program here.
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Be grant ready - is your ABN up to date?
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Did you know that if you apply for grants, government agencies will check your ABN details to ensure they match what you have provided in the Australian Business Register (ABR) and to confirm your eligibility for grants.
Keeping your information, such as your contact details, business activities and organisation's address up to date on the ABR ensures your business is ready for new government services and grants when they become available.
If you need to update your details you can call 13 92 26 or visit the ABR website here.
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Small business export loan
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If you're a small business who needs finance to access new global opportunities you may be eligible to apply for Export Finance Australia's Small Business Export Loan.
This loan allows small and medium sized businesses with an annual revenue between $250,000 and $5 million to access up to $250,000 to support an export contract. This loan is available to small exporters when their main bank is unable to help.
More information including the eligibility criteria and how you can use the funding can be found here.
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Stay connected via our social channels
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Queensland Small Business Commissioner
Level 18, 53 Albert St, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000
business.qld.gov.au/qsbc | 1300 312 344
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