New figures from the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman reveal a 50 per cent jump in requests for help from distressed business owners who are fearful that another business who owes them money has become insolvent or who are worried about their own ability to meet their financial commitments.

The Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, said payment disputes were an early warning sign of a cash flow problem and can have a ripple effect that threatens the viability of other businesses. 

Opinion piece by the Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

Mary runs a small civil construction business but one of her customers, another small business, had not paid their $20,000 bill for 180 days.

The delay, well beyond the usual payment terms of 30 days, was having significant flow-on consequences for Mary as it left her without sufficient cash to pay her suppliers.

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subject: 3G shutdown to affect small, family and farming businesses

Leon Delaney

There are lots and lots and lots of pieces of business equipment that might well be caught up in the phase out of 3G. Joining me now, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson. Good afternoon.

Bruce Billson

Opinion piece by the Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

Small, family and farming businesses should urgently make sure they are not caught out by the 3G switch-off which is now scheduled to take place on 28 October.

This is about far more than upgrading an old 3G phone.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Julie-anne Sprague.

Radio 6PR Perth

Subject: 14 Steps to energise enterprise

Julie-anne Sprague

There is a worrying trend and the Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is sounding the alarm. He's concerned we are sleepwalking into a big corporate economy. Joining me to find out why and how. Bruce Billson himself, Bruce G'day.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Nadia Mitsopoulos.

ABC Radio WA

Subject: 14 Steps to energise enterprise, small business conditions, family business succession, lowering merchant fees on transactions, the high cost of insurance, tax discounts for small business

Nadia Mitsopoulos

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Eddie Williams.

ABC Radio South-East NSW

Subject: rising cost of small business insurance

Eddie Williams

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Tim Webster.

ABC Radio Sydney

Subjects: ransomware attacks on small business, cyber security tips for small business, insolvency concerns, business continuity planning, changes to privacy laws, energising enterprise, Carly Simon, Warren Beattie, Mick Jagger and James Taylor

Tim Webster

Opinion piece by the Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

Originally published in the Daily Telegraph.

Small business is a big deal. But not as big as it used to be. Economic contribution has dropped from 40 per cent to 33 per cent since 2006 and share of private sector jobs at 42 per cent, down from over half. We are sleepwalking towards a big corporate economy.

Opinion piece by the Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

I fear we are sleepwalking into a "big corporate" economy.

Many small and family businesses are doing it tough right now and the post-COVID environment is, in many cases, even more difficult.