Small and family businesses have just 12 days to make sure they do not have their vital business systems and equipment fail when the 3G network is switched off on 28 October, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

“Many of us do not realise there is an awful lot of technology and equipment we use every day that's enabled by 3G as the wireless comms link and that it will stop working when the system is turned off later this month unless it is upgraded,” Mr Billson said.

 15 October 2024

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Annie Guest.

ABC Radio AM Program

Subject: small business disputes with Big Tech digital platform providers

Nick Grimm (presenter)

Bruce Billson 

Published in the Bendigo Advertiser and ACM Network

14 October, 2024

BIG tech digital platform providers need to urgently lift their game and provide clear, appropriate and easily accessible help for small business - with a real person they can talk to.

Whether it is Facebook, Instagram, Uber, Amazon, eBay, Shopify or any of the many other digital platform providers, small and family businesses are getting a raw deal when they need help.

Bruce Billson 

Published in The Daily Telegraph and the Courier-Mail

15 October 2024

When a small business has a problem with a Big Tech digital platform - such as having your account shut down after being hacked - solving it can be a nightmare.

These platforms require a time and resource-poor small business to navigate the most elaborate maze of dead-ends.

The number of small business disputes with Big Tech platform providers is 86 per cent higher than the same time last year, according to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

Mr Billson said over the past two years, the number of small and family businesses who have suffered some sort of disruption to their business at the hands of a digital platform has more than doubled.

Nicole Overall

Unsurprisingly and sadly, more and more small businesses are falling victim to ever more sophisticated cyber-attacks. So, what's to be done? Well, to explore some potential solutions, I have on the line now Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. Good afternoon, Bruce.

Bruce Billson

Nicole, fab to be with you and your listeners. 

Nicole Overall

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has released a guide to raise awareness among small businesses selling online about United States’ copyright laws that can shut down their access to customers without warning.

“We have seen Australian-based small businesses have their livelihoods damaged by unfounded allegations being made under these laws and then have their products taken down without warning by the major selling platforms,” Mr Billson said.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney on Radio 2CC Canberra.

Subject: Inspiring people to start their own business, creating Prime Minister’s Small Business Awards, right-sized regulation for small business, the importance of mentors

Leon Delaney

By Bruce Billson.

Published in the Western Advocate.

More needs to be done to support and recognise small businesses. 

A RECENT Westpac study found almost half of the people starting their own business are motivated by the dream to be their own boss. Just over one-third said flexible work hours was the top reason while one in four had spotted a gap in the market. 

By Bruce Billson.

Originally published in the West Australian.

Small, family and farming businesses should take urgent action to make sure they are not caught out by the 3G switch-off coming in October.

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