SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS TO BE READY FOR NATURAL DISASTERS

The terrible floods and storms causing great trauma for parts of the country should be a red alert for small business to be prepared for natural disasters, warns the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

Mr Billson said the overwhelming majority of small and family businesses do not have a current disaster preparation plan for their business.

“An inquiry by my office found only one in four small businesses have a current business continuity plan,” the Ombudsman said.

Uncaring banks drop a deposit on regional clients

Originally published in The Daily Telegraph

By Bruce Billson.

Banking is an essential service with a privileged position in the economy, and our small, family and farming businesses depend on having a close and reliable relationship with their bank. But when the bank leaves town, it can have a shocking effect on those businesses, jobs, liveability and prosperity. 

Since 2017, there’s been a reduction in bank branches throughout Australia of one-third and the number of automatic teller machines has been cut by two-thirds. 

DON’T BE DUPED BY SCAM OPERATORS

Small business owners are being urged by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, to be on high alert to the rising number of criminals who may try to impersonate their business or a government agency such as the Australian Taxation Office.

Mr Billson said Scam Awareness Week was an ideal time for small business owners to take a few extra moments to check they have appropriate safeguards in place to avoid falling victim.