Disputes about being paid, trouble with a digital service provider, contract battles and franchise disagreements are the top four issues where small business have sought the help of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman over the past six months.

The Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, said two out of every five requests for help from a small business related to a payment dispute while almost one-quarter of cases involved digital platform providers.

 TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with David Dowsett.

ABC Radio Wide Bay

Subject: Small business disaster preparedness

24 January 2024

David Dowsett

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.

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.

Radio 2CC Canberra

17 January 2024

Leon Delaney

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman is offering to lend a helping hand to small businesses who are struggling with digital marketing. The Ombudsman is Bruce Billson, good afternoon.

Digital marketing can be vital to the success of a small business yet one-in-three end up in a dispute with their provider, according to new research.

And almost 70% of small businesses last fewer than 12 months with the digital marketing provider they choose.

Originally published in Kochies Business Builder.

Many small and family businesses say their biggest and most pressing cost pressure is not wages, energy or even landlords putting up the rent; it’s insurance, writes Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

Finding adequate insurance cover at commercially viable terms is fast becoming a wicked challenge that is, sadly, in too many cases, forcing small businesses out of business.

Originally published in The Daily Telegraph

By Bruce Billson.

When a bushfire, storm, flood or other natural disaster strikes, small business owners are often the first to volunteer to fight fires, lay sandbags, assist with evacuations and help with the clean-up.

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. 

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Kerry Peck.

Radio 2BS Bathurst

27 November 2023

Kerry Peck

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.