Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose.

Profit for Purpose - How to build a Long Term Sustainability Business!

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner.
Date: 21 January 2020

The future, sustainability and social enterprise go hand in hand but what is often missing from this equation when starting a business is long term profitability. You can’t sustain a business on goodwill alone and even if you are able to tap into all the kindness out there you’ll eventually run out of customers or steam. So how can you find that perfect balance and Profit for Purpose?

Sure, it’s easy to put sustainability in the too-hard, the I-don’t-know-how or I-don’t-know-how baskets - but can we really afford to do that now?

Today you listeners are in for a treat. You’ll learn that through hard work, perseverance and a passion this balance can be found. We are joined on Small Biz Matters by Paul Frasca - a giant in the sustainability world. In 2015 he and his partner Ewelina Soroko founded Sustainable Salons dedicated to reducing waste in hair salons - the industry where he first started. He’s an international speaker; who remarkably never uses notes on stage and listening to him inspires.

He’s not afraid to speak his mind on the future of not only his industry but all of small business and is passionate about sustainability being the non-negotiable driving force.

Welcome to the show Paul.

Topics we’ll be covering:

• How did you start this 'hairy' business :)
• In your experience as a leader in the small business world; why do you think there is such a huge movement towards sustainability and social enterprise? Where do you believe this momentum is coming from?
• How does Sustainable Salons work and what practical tips can you give other small business to become more sustainable?
• In general, why do you think it’s important that small businesses join a professional association and collaborate together within an industry?
• How can everyday people support the sustainable salons movement?

To find out more go to their website: https://sustainablesalons.org/

 

PAUL FRASCA

CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR

Paul Frasca started his hairdressing career at the age of 11. He was a salon owner by the age of 19. Winning a prestigious Hairdressing Award took him to Europe where he styled an elite clientele for the next decade.

His passion for sustainability started when he lived in Amsterdam where he met his partner Ewelina Soroko, a passionate environmentalist.

Their travels brought them to Australia where they researched salon waste and discovered that hairdressers send one million kilos of aluminium foils to landfill every year. That was the catalyst to start Refoil, the industry’s first sustainably-minded foiling concept and recycled foil product. But their commitment to making salon waste history was only just beginning.

In 2015 the pair started an innovative resource recovery program called Sustainable Salons. Designed especially for the salon environment, Sustainable Salons collects up to 95% of the salon’s waste bin and repurposes it for environmental and community benefit, while rewarding the salon. The program has been awarded Best Business Service of the year in 2016 at the Australian Hair Industry Awards and Best Business Performance of the year at the Hair Expo Awards. Sustainable Salons was also presented with the Special Recognition Award at the 2017 Australian Hair Industry Awards and became finalist at the Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards the same year.

Paul’s role as Managing Director takes him all around Australia and New Zealand speaking to audiences in the waste management, hair, beauty, fashion, hospitality, medical and education industries, all interested in learning how to adopt a more sustainable approach in their everyday lives and businesses.

Paul also volunteers his time as a board director for The Australian Hairdressing Council where he is responsible for improving the industry’s environmental practices.

The COSBOA response to the current crisis for Australian Small Business ... it's time to move past the debate and towards a future of adaptability

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner.
Date: 14 January 2020

In all this sadness and concern over the current and ongoing crisis facing Australia, it’s reassuring to know Small Business has on our side an advocacy group in COSBOA (the Council for Small Business Organisations Australia). The upheaval for SMBs caused by the catastrophic conditions in a huge area of South Eastern Australia should not be underestimated and whilst those in the political space may argue about whether or not the climate changes (which are undeniable) are caused by human impact or natural causes the change is here. There can be no more debate that drought, is here. The most devastating fires since records began, are here. Climate change, is here. The question only remains, what are we going to do about it?

Welcome to the show Mark McKenzie, Chairman of COSBOA.

Topics we’ll be covering:

• Let’s remind the listeners again of the role of COSBOA and why as the peak advocacy group for small business in Australia you are perfectly positioned to relay the impact on small businesses of these recent climate changes to the Australian Government?
  • Small business is a barometer of the economy both locally and nationally
  • How do your members – the professional associations & their members – communicate their concerns to you as an organisation
  • What are your top line objectives for 2020?
• Those of us fortunate to live in the cities around Australia may not really understand what impact these fires are having on Small business in regional Australia. Sure, we might have to pay more for food but we can largely continue on unimpeded with our own businesses. In the real world what have been the impacts of drought and these massive fires?
• In your report as the Chairman of COSBOA you state you’d like to see the Australian Government “promoting actions that support the capacity of our population to adapt to the new reality created by climate change.” In terms of policy, what would you see change in the short term for support?
  • Rethinking water management
  • Energy usage
  • Industrial relations law
• What are COSBOA’s suggestions for 2020 and beyond of other support for small business in these changing times? Does this support look like grants to boost certain sectors of the economy, a loosening of regulations & red tape, or changes to procurement processes?

To find out more go to their website /www.cosboa.org.au and to read their 2020 vision https://www.cosboa.org.au/post/what-do-we-want-from-2020-and-beyond

The Next Gen of Australian Small Business - Inspiring stories from the future

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner.
Date: 7 January 2020

This week we welcome a pair of inspiring young female entrepreneurs who, after growing up in a semi-rural part of greater Sydney; took that life experience and founded Aggie Global, a social business connecting small farmers to big markets in developing countries via an ecommerce platform.

Social enterprise isn’t necessarily a new concept in small business but it has been wholeheartedly embraced as a way to find a balance between income and inspiration by the millennial generation. As they begin their entrepreneurial journeys they are hungry to find meaning in what they are achieving and giving back to the global community in which they operate. But how do you make sure what you’re doing is financially viable and not just going to burn out your good will?

Lisa & Zoe Paisley are here today to share with us their story of building a business from the ground and the heart up.

Welcome to the show Zoe & Lisa.

Topics we’ll be covering:

Questions:

Tell us about your Agritech business and where the idea first came from?

We are the cofounders of Aggie Global, a social business connecting small farmers to big markets in developing countries via an ecommerce platform.

Lisa and I have always been exposed to agriculture, having cats, dogs, horses and chickens on our family place since we were kids. At high school we studied agriculture and were even given a plot of land to grow fresh veggies. When it came to choosing what to study at university, we both wanted to do something that would make positive impact. And at the end of the day, we all need to eat, so agriculture was a no brainer.

We also love to travel and be outdoors. So we did work placements across Australia and the world where we found that we loved working in agricultural development because it could have massive positive social impact for farmers in developing countries. This is why we started Aggie Global, to make positive social change by connecting farmers to new markets which boosts their income and addresses poverty.

Since then, we have worked in Fiji for 3 years, and found that the tourism industry is importing $30m AUD worth of food into the country every year, yet the majority of Fijian farmers live in poverty. This disconnect is what Aggie Global is addressing.

By connecting local farmers to local hotels and restaurants, farmers are increasing their income by 5x the national average and saved buyers up to 6x the amount of money spent on food.

Aggie Global showcases what local food is available and when via an ecommerce platform. Having this one-stop shop to buy local food, saves a hotel procurement officers hours of time, reducing the procurement process from months down to minutes.

How, in your opinion, are social enterprise businesses changing the world for the better?

Social businesses can have huge positive impact in the communities in which they work.

Social enterprises are a hybrid of positive social impact and sustainable business models, which means they can adapt quickly and scale out internationally when built well.

By being a business, the impact is not determined by donations or grants, but is self-sustaining from the sale of its products or services. All profits are generally used to move the business forward and drive further positive impact.

We believe social businesses are crucial for the key social challenges being faced around the world. Poverty, food security, equality and climate change all need to be addressed from multiple angles and social businesses are bringing a new way to address these issues

For example, there is a cafe in Sydney that employs refugees. By employeeing these refuges it helps them get on their feet in a new country where their previous work experience may no longer be valid.

The growing social business movement means that long term impact can occur and vulnerable individuals are less reliant on aid or government funding when it is needed.

Social businesses, especially start ups can adapt to changing conditions quickly. Businesses can leverage technology to address real problems and reach a wider audience. This is why the growing social business movement has taken hold because of how adaptable yet tailored this approach can be and is why Aggie Global has taken this approach.

In practical ways, what are some of the mistakes you’ve made with setting up this type of social enterprise business which others can learn from?

Our biggest mistakes are intertwined. The first two are 1) not trusting our gut and 2) not making a decision quick enough.

In start-up world you’ll constantly hear “fail hard and fast” and “learn from those mistakes.'' This was something we didn’t do so well to begin with.

Initially, Aggie Global was going to be this really cool app that would do all these amazing things, like identify crop diseases from a single photo. We had talked with customers and had thought this would be an amazing thing that would use AI and have a huge impact for farming communities. But when we actually looked into it further, the app itself had no impact and farmers weren’t interested in using it. So after a year of finding app developers and finally getting an app released, we had to call it off and loose some great team members.

We knew from the start that that idea was a mammoth job but we wanted to get something out in the market and start collecting data. Which meant we were ignoring our gut and what our customers were saying, meaning we didn’t call off app development early enough.

So another lesson here is know your customers and learn from them quickly. Also don’t be married to the solution. See what is actually happening and not what you want to be happening, so constantly question and evaluate your findings and take away your expectations and what you want.

The last thing is specific to Aggie Global, rather than businesses as a whole, but its Fiji Time. We literally have to be knocking down doors to see people when we need to, inorder to be effectively moving the business forward. Getting outside and talking with farmers, partners and government bodies, have been the biggest drivers for our business.

To find out more go to their website: www.aggieglobal.com

Or connect with Lisa and Zoe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-paisley-60b49917a/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-paisley-07049917a and https://www.linkedin.com/company/14543921/

The Australian Chamber of Commerce, so what does Australia's largest business advocacy network do for you?

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner.
Date: 17 December 2019

In this competitive, global commercial world where small business operates and are celebrated for our resilience and innovation, some can be left behind and feel isolated from our small business community.

If you offer a unique proposition or do not fit neatly into a professional association you may continue to go under-represented and lack the advocacy that a larger group can offer.

So who do you turn to for this voice to represent and advocate? Locally of course there are some wonderful Chambers of Commerce but on the national stage (where legislation and decisions which directly affect your business are made) the Australian Chamber of Commerce is there for you.

This week we will talk about what they can offer you as a small business. James Pearson is their CEO, and the Leader of Australia's largest business advocacy network. 

Welcome to the show James.

Topics we’ll be covering:

• Tell the listeners about the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and how this body supports small business? Is it a lobby group, advocacy or information portal?
• Do you only work with businesses and regulators at the federal level or also local and state agencies?
• Do you work with other small business interest groups like COSBOA or state chambers?
• What sort of positive impact has lobbying by the Chamber had for small business; can you give examples where this sort of impact has really made a difference?
• In the next 5-10 years what do you believe will be the main issues facing small business in Australia and what do you plan to do to support them?

Attracting, Engaging, Retaining Your Next Gen Leaders

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner.
Date: 10 December 2019

“Ah Millennials, what ARE we to do with you?” It’s a sentiment quite openly discussed in small business circles; accompanied with the inevitable eyeroll when mentioning the hardship of finding the “right people” for your business …. They lack work ethic, they haven’t experienced hardship, they need to go through what we did to REALLY understand what it means to be in business…. All thoughts openly expressed by us in small business (and yet, not thought of as discriminatory - a thought for another time, perhaps?)

But before you taint everyone from a generation with the same brush and completely forget what it was like to experience jobseeking for the first time at their age; let’s get a real perspective in this. Let’s learn what it’s like for the Millennials to work in small business or BECOME small business.

With a background in HR across corporate, small business and learning & development, Amy Smith, a Millennial workforce specialist trains the trainers in the corporate world on how to better engage and retain their millennial workers. Let’s learn her secrets!

Welcome to the show Amy.

Topics we’ll be covering:

How have you positioned yourself as the expert in your field

• Strategic HR & Industrial relations management
• International experience then a big role in YMCA HR management
  • casualised workforce, regional experience, high volume, high turnover
• Across compliance and HR, very intense – in the end had to make over 250 staff within one month … redundant. Coaching came in that fallout – What do I do now?
  • Difference between regional & city
• In the small business space you supported small business in a role where you utilised LinkedIn to start up a CEO roundtable SME groups

 

So what can you expect from a Millennial in your business

• For generations younger people wanting to better the generations before them
• With IT brings choice – options out there to start their own business
• They’re happy to start their own business if they’re not content in what your providing them
• They’re fighting an uphill battle because their portrayal in the media
  • Entitlement / lazy
• If there’s a simpler way to do it – they’ll look for it. Efficiency is important.
  • Immediacy of product, instant gratification
  • It’s going to be worse in the next generation

 

Job acceptance, role definition, expectations:

Selling the role – (stats on desiring career development, why they choose one career over another, flexibility)

• If you’re not talking about job development, the WHY… why not>
• They know the market rate, they know their value (websites) after that its why am I here?
• Trust is important – Don’t paint just a rosy picture. Millennials have a higher sensitivity to this. Be transparent (like what you won’t enjoy), role longevity & growth
  • They will research your workplace culture - If you are trying to hire Millennials you need to showcase this online

 

In the role:

• Being open to the solutions Millennials can provide:
• They grew up with tech, they have more experience than you and seeing things in a different way, apps
• Watch those assumptions! Have the mentality of getting the work done is the target. Not the time it makes to do it. Just because you can’t see them physically doing the work doesn’t mean its not getting done. They might be doing it remotely…
• Millennials are driven to making an impact. They need purpose as the motivator. WHY am I doing this? How does this help you the boss, the business, society as a whole? Highlight

 

In reality, in your opinion where is the real disconnect between the generation that is hiring

• Technology – hinderance or enabler?
• Having to “earn your stripes”
• “This is the way it’s always been done”
• “Hoarding information” – working autonomously or collaboratively

To find out more about Amy find ehr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amylaurensmith/

 

Amy Smith – Founder at Aligned Tribe

Short BIO:

Amy Smith is the Founder of Aligned Tribe which specialises in helping organisations to ‘bridge the generation gap’ to attract, engage and retain their nextGen leaders and remain competitive in the rapid changing world of work. Amy started her first business at the young age of 12 and by age 23 she was working across the globe helping businesses of all sizes to optimize their talent and business development strategies. Amy has worked ‘behind the scenes’ supporting former CEOs of companies circa $5Mil-100Mil+ to grow their own portfolio careers in the executive recruitment/coaching space and has worked with brands such as HSBC, YMCA, Open Colleges and the Executive Connection (TEC). She is a member of the Directors Institute Next Generation Board of Directors and regularly advises organisations as a specialist on leading and managing Millennials and Generation Z in the workplace.

Amy also supports young people in their careers through her coaching, career workshops and online career management programs. When she’s not working, you will find her on the ski slopes when there’s even a glimpse of snow and enjoying some smashed avocado on toast with friends at brunch on the weekend, like a true Millennial. 

 

Where to find Amy

Email: amy@alignedtribe.com

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amylaurensmith/

Website: www.alignedtribe.com

Facebook page: Aligned Tribe

Access the latest ‘non traditional’ career insights in the Aligned Tribe private FB community ‘Career Accelerators’ here: http://bit.ly/careeraccelerators

Instagram: @alignedtribe

Superannuation Guarantee - Get on top of your super obligations

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner.
Date: 3 December 2019

Superannuation - firstly it’s not your money and secondly if you get it right; there’s no need for us to get involved. That’s the message the ATO is trying to get across to small business. If you pay the correct amount, to the right place, at the right time... there’s nothing to worry about. But if you miss the deadline or the you haven’t checked all the details then the headache isn’t worth it.

Are you aware of the deadlines and what that means for super payments? Did you know you still need to meet those deadlines if you’re an employee? Did you know your payment is late if it bounces back? Super doesn’t have to be an administrative headache if you know what your obligations are. Plus there’s plenty of places to get help, advice and support small business it’s just a matter of knowing where to look

The when, the how and the what of super obligations for small business is all explained in this interview with the Alexi Boyd from Small Biz Matters and John Ford, the Assistant Commissioner for Risk & Strategy - Employer Obligations at the Australian Tax Office.

Welcome to the show John.

Topics we’ll be covering:

• Can you give us an overview of super for employers?
  • What is super and why does it exist
  • The SG super is actually just about the relationship between employer & employee and there is no need for ATO to be involved until things unravel
  • Why do we have super guarantee, retirement income and live a healthy lifestyle

• I see that you have developed an easy six step checklist to make sure employers have their SG sorted. Can you take me through the six steps?
  • Check you’re paying super to all eligible workers
    • Employee SG super, when you start paying super, how it‘s calculated & what constitutes super applicable ordinary time earnings. When ATO gets involved it becomes all Salary & wages
  • Check you’re paying the right amount
    • check your calculations & systems for 9.5% if you’re still using old spreadsheets
  • Check you’re paying on time
    • deadlines, time lag between authorising the payment & clearing house making payment & when the money actually hits the super fund
  • Check you’re paying to the right place
    • details are all correct, processing with inducting employees & making sure the super choice form completed (due diligence)
    • Discussion - Is this the same as the letter from your super fund? Gathering the right info from employees
  • Check you’re paying the right way – what is a clearing house?
    • What does the ATO provide as an alternative? (ATO SBSCH)
  • Check you’re keeping accurate records
    • what constitutes accurate reporting?
    • STP

• Most employers do the right thing, but there are always those few that do not. What is the ATO doing to level the playing field?
  • Link to STP data and why it’s in place?
  • Employer payment amount and times vs what the super fund. Chat about the data coming from Super funds – is it solid?
  • What impact does 4-5 days late every quarter have on the long term retirement income.

• A number of changes aimed at protecting employees' superannuation entitlements have recently become law. Can you tell us more about this?
  • Talk to recent changes.

About John Ford:

John Ford is an Assistant Commissioner, who has been has been with the ATO since 1998.  He has held senior roles in a number of business lines including Superannuation, Private Groups and High Wealth Individuals, Goods and Services Tax, and Small Business.

John is currently the leader of the ATO’s Risk and Strategy – Employer obligations portfolio.  In this role he is responsible for the ATO’s approach to ensuring that employers are engaged with meeting their Superannuation Guarantee, Fringe Benefits Tax and Pay as You Go Withholding obligations.  A key component that John is seeking from the work he leads is to be increasingly driven and transparent in what the ATO is seeing and how the ATO intends to respond to help employers to meet their obligations. 

To find out more go to their website:

Resources

• Super guarantee employer obligations course - https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Super-for-employers/Working-out-if-you-have-to-pay-super/Super-guarantee-employer-obligations-course/
• Brochure - ‘Paying super is an important part of being an employer’ https://www.ato.gov.au/superquickcheck
• Video - https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Super-for-employers/
• Super guarantee client health check - https://www.ato.gov.au/business/super-for-employers/in-detail/super-guarantee-client-health-check/

Tools and Calculators

• To work out who you have to pay use the Super Guarantee Eligibility Tool
• Some contractors, even if they have their own ABN may be eligible for super. To check, use the Employee/Contractor Decision Tool
• To work out how much super you must contribute for your eligible workers use the Superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions calculator

I’m a small business so why do I need legal counsel?

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner.
Date: 26 November 2019

We talk a lot on the program about surrounding ourselves with good advisors. We develop good relationships with financial and marketing advisors but why is it legal counsel, which is so important, is left until you really, really need it?

One aspect which is often neglected when setting up a business is that of contractual law. And too many times small business relies on a handshake or good faith as the basis for those contractual relationships and it’s here we can come undone!

Today we are in conversation with Ursula Hogben, co-founder of LegalVision & co-founder of Zero Emissions Sydney North Incorporated now assisting in sustainable development. She's going to help us to learn about the importance of good legal counsel and NOT when you need it most.

Welcome to the show Ursula.

Intro

• A corporate and capital raising lawyer at Baker McKenzie, then a Director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, for 15 years
• A co-founder of LegalVision, an innovative fast-growing tech-based law firm for 5 years
• Ursula now assists sustainable development businesses, and is the co-founder of Zero Emissions Sydney North Incorporated, to accelerate our transition to net zero emissions

3 areas:

1. The importance of key contracts for a business
2. The importance of protecting intellectual property
3. A recent innovative sustainable development project in our area – the 4 Pines community solar project 

1. The importance of key contracts for a business

Why are any legal contracts needed?

Legal contracts are an investment in the smooth running and growth of your business.

What are the key types of contracts required?

(i)    Your website

(ii)   Your clients or customers

(iii) Your company’s interaction with third parties – eg Manufacturer, Distributor

(iv)  Your employees and contractors

(i)             Website contracts

What are website contracts, why needed?

Privacy Policy: If your business has an annual turnover of over $3 million, or if you are a small business with an annual turnover of $3 million or less and you meet certain criteria, you are legally required to have a Privacy Policy.  Even if the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) does not apply to your business, it is prudent to have a Privacy Policy in place so that your customers are clear on what personal information you are collecting about them and how you will use and disclose it.

Website Terms of Use: To protect your website IP. To explain your content is not advice, and you cannot be sued for it.

(ii)            Clients or customers contracts

Why do you need these, doesn’t the consumer law cover this?

Once you operate a business, you establish a legal relationship with your clients or customers, even if you do not have anything in writing. The consumer law applies, and this generally protects and benefits the client.

One key reason for you to have written terms, is to add terms that benefit your business. For example, a client can obtain a refund if a product is faulty. You can specify what is permissible use, and what is not permissible use. For example, a water resistant phone cannot be fully submerged in water.

Another is to provide clarity. You can set out the circumstances for refunds or exchange, and the procedure. It is worth noting that there is no legal requirement to refund or exchange for change of mind, However many shops do including online clothes shops. They specify the address, the need to include all packaging and tags, and the requirement for goods to be unworn.

What are the two primary client and customer legal documents?

(i)             Client agreements - primarily used for service-based businesses.

(ii)            Sales Terms and Conditions - primarily used for goods-based businesses including e-commerce stores, retail stores, and manufacturers

Client Agreements outline details of the services you are providing and the manner at which you will be providing these services.

• Details of the scope of work;
• Timeline;
• Pricing and Invoicing;
• Indemnity and liability;
• Warranties and consumer guarantees; and
• Dispute resolution

Sales Terms and Conditions common clauses in include:

• Product details;
• Delivery (particularly for online-based businesses or businesses that sell big-ticket items such as fridges, furniture, etc.);
• Payment terms;
• Consumer warranties and Australian Consumer Law provisions; and
• Refunds and returns.

(iii)                   Your company’s interaction with third parties – eg Manufacturer, Distributor

What are some examples and why are these needed?

Manufacturing: The Manufacturing Agreement is the legal document used to engage a manufacturer to produce your goods. The Manufacturing Agreement should cover the entire process, from the specifics of the design and the material to be used, up to costs, payment and delivery. Key issues include protecting intellectual property, quality control, and time-frames for delivery.

Distribution: A distribution agreement governs the relationship between suppliers or manufacturers and distributors. Suppliers or manufacturers engage these distributors to sell their products at a retail or wholesale level. Some businesses appoint a distributor as a vehicle to get their products to the market. Others appoint a distributor to benefit from their expertise, or to share customer lists and market contacts. Key issues include Exclusive or non-exclusive, for an area and/or products (Eg franchises can only sell the franchisors products), minimum performance clause (eg minimum sales) and Competition

(iv)                   Your employees and contractors

How do you determine the nature of the relationship and the terms and conditions at which a worker will provide services?

Businesses can either have workers on board as employees or contractors.

An employee works in your business and is part of your business. A contractor is running their own business

Employees

If you are an employee, you may be employed on a fixed-term, permanent or casual basis. The Fair Work Act (2009) (Cth) governs the employment relationship and includes the National Employment Standards that ensures every employee has access to the basic entitlements.

An employment agreement includes:

• Remuneration;
• Leave entitlements;
• Hours of work;
• Redundancy entitlements;
• Position description and
• Dismissal and probationary provisions

Contractors

Contractors differ from employees as they are not covered by the Fair Work Act, and they are typically individuals providing their services to your business, whatever that might be. There are penalties for “sham contracting” arrangements where you hire the person as a contractor, but the nature of their engagement is really that of an employee.

A contractors’ agreement includes:

• Scope of work
• Timeframe
• Payment
• Termination

The importance of protecting intellectual property

What is intellectual property?

Intellectual property (IP) is a term that is applied broadly to something that is created, invented, designed or written by an individual. IP is sometimes referred to as ‘property of the mind’, which is a good way of thinking about it. It is not tangible property like land, which is known as ‘real property’, but it is still an asset that belongs to the creator, as it can be sold, transferred or leased, and it is certainly worth protecting.

The overall rule is that there is no protection for an idea – only the expression of that idea.

Sourdough bread example

Is there any automatic protection?

Copyright

In Australia, businesses do not need to register copyright as it automatically subsists in original work such as music or paintings. Copyright protection lasts for 70 years after the creator’s death.

However, copyright does not offer comprehensive protection of IP under the law, for example it doesn’t prevent others from creating a similar version of your work. You can further protect your intellectual property by registering for a trademark or patent.

Trade Marks

Trade marks are used for branding – business names, product names, logos or taglines. You can register signs or symbols that distinguish your goods and services from the goods and services of other traders. Trade marks, in Australia, can be renewed in 10 year blocks indefinitely. Examples: Confectionary giant Cadbury has controversially obtained a trade mark registration for a shade of purple.

Patents

Patents are granted in relation to the function of inventions or processes that are novel, whereas designs are registered over the look and feel over new products. 

3. 4 Pines Community Solar Project

Tell us about a recent project that benefitted a company and the community?

4 Pines Brewing Company installed rooftop solar panels. 100 kW solar system to supply renewable electricity to their brewery, pack line, and office spaces in Brookvale. This is the first step towards 4 Pines being run on 100% renewable electricity by 2025.

What is unusual about this?

The solar project was 100% funded by a community of investors, 4 Pines employees, friends and Northern Beaches locals.

The not-for-profit community energy group ClearSky Solar Investments will set up a Fixed Unit Trust through which community members can invest. 4 Pines will pay for the solar electricity generated for ten years post installation and this revenue stream will repay the community investors with an attractive rate of return.

A ClearSky Trust is legally restricted to just 20 investors who would have needed to invest almost $6,000 each to raise the $116,000 cost of the installation.  This hurdle was overcome when Pingala Co-operative stepped in and agreed to become the principal investor in the ClearSky trust, taking on responsibility for raising 75% of the capital.  Pingala will do this by offering $250 shares, with a maximum of 4 shares per person.

A set of legal agreements between ClearSky and Smart Commercial solar will ensure that solar generation revenue gets distributed to unit holders in the ClearSky Trust and Pingala will use its share to pay a dividend to the Pingala shareholders.

What are the returns?

Pingala Co-operative aims to provide a return of between 5% and 8%. Dividends will be paid annually to each investor.

To find out more go to their website: www.jimmyhalfpenny.com.au 

FinTech Success, how GoCardless grew from splitting a restaurant bill to a worldwide solution for small business

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner.
Date: 19 November 2019

What is it about successful Fintech companies that makes their evolution so exciting and inspiring? Is it because in an industry of stale, boring business models anything new is considered innovative and so we find it fascinating? Or is it because of that fabulous term, Unicorn?

That being said, no one can argue that FinTech companies solving the problems of small business is a refreshing change to the dinosaur behaviour of Finance. Take GoCardless for example who recently launched the first global network for recurring payments. They describe it as a totally new way of collecting international payments without the hassle and admin. It means you can now collect international recurring payments through one bank account.

Here to share with us a unique journey from idea to global company is the CEO and Founder of GoCardless, Hiroki Takeuchi.

Welcome to the show Hiroki.

Topics we’ll be covering:

• Tell the listeners about your personal GoCardless journey and the problems you’re trying to solve for Small Businesses around the world
• As a Fintech company what comparisons between entering the Australian market and somewhere like the US?
• Why are payment terms such a pain point for small businesses all over the world and how do solutions like GoCardless support them?
• Why are advisors the best partners for payment services?
• What solutions are out there for cashflow problems and what has changed in the Fintech space that has made companies like GoCardless so successful in recent years?

To find out more go to their website: https://gocardless.com

In Celebration of Global Bookkeeping week - why does my business need a bookkeeper?

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner.
Date: 12 November 2019

As a small business owner we all wear many hats but there’s one hat out there, for lots of small businesses, that REALLY doesn’t fit. And that’s the bookkeeping hat.

So with the evolution of cloud accounting, AI and better data entry automation do I really need a bookkeeper? Well, last time I checked the compliance side of running a small business in Australia isn’t going away. In fact, with GST, STP, Super Regulation and Fair work mandatories, I don’t think the red tape beast is dying anytime soon. Plus do you really know HOW to get the most out of all that efficient software or should you really have some help along the way?

So who’s the best advisor to wear this compliance, data entry, regulation hat on behalf? A qualified BAS agent, that’s who. Here to tell us why is Matthew Addison, the Executive Chairman & Director, Institute of Certified Bookkeepers who has for many years been the champion of the industry and the small business champion too. Let’s find out how…

Welcome to the show Matthew.

Topics we’ll be covering:

• How has the emergence of technology affected small business’ record keeping, requirements and the way you comply with tax law when running a business
• Tell us about the role of the bookkeeper and the bookkeeping community and how it has evolved over time?
  • Payroll
  • Super compliance
  • Bookkeeping
  • GST
• Does a good bookkeeper offer an advisory service as well as bookkeeping?
• Why is it so important for any organisation to join a professional network and association? What sort of advice and service does a good professional org offer any small business?
• What does ICB do to represent BAS Agents, bookkeepers and to life the standard of bookkeeping in Australia?
  • Representing to government, regulators, policy makers, Tax Practitioners Board
  • Constantly assessing the members
  • Advocacy, consultation and collaborating role of ICB
• Why is a good bookkeeper in the perfect position to understand the be a great advisor for every small business?
• What do you see for the future of the BAS Agent and Bookkeeping industry?

To find out more go to their website: https://www.icb.org.au/About/Welcome

Surviving Through Sustainability and Gaining the Edge over your Competitors

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.
with Alexi Boyd from Boyd Office Management Services
Date: 5 November 2019

Sustainability in your small business is more than just a buzz word. There are other factors to being sustainable. One could argue you actually need to be first economically sustainable to have the capital and funds to then be environmentally and socially sustainable. And so, what does that even mean?

One government funded program we can all access is the Better Business Partnership. Through a tailored, strategic program of education and practical suggestions your business can achieve true sustainability - of the economic, social AND environmental kind.

Here to tell us more about the BBP program and all it can do to improve, grow and sustain your business is it’s Program Coordinator, Amanda Choy. She has over over 20 years experience in the both corporate and legal spheres, as a transformative leader and change agent and she’s here to help you change your business for the better.

Welcome to the show Amanda.

Topics we’ll be covering:

• Introduction about Better Business Partnership
  • Online sustainability assessment tool supporting local businesses to help them thrive through sustainability
  • How is it funded
  • Where it is available in Sydney?
• How businesses are chosen to be part of the program
• The three levels
  • Business & economic sustainability
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Social sustainability
• Spread out amongst those three levels are 9 areas of assessment:
  • Procurement & purchasing
    • Sustainable & social (ethical) sourcing, supply chains
  • Business health - setup/startup or established. The WHY, the Mission, The purpose and linking that to business growth & marketing strategy
  • Community, staff
  • Energy Water Waste
  • Sustainable transport
  • Bye Bye Plastic
• The link with other Govt programs
  • Biz Connect & Netstripes
  • BBP connecting with rebates, advice support
    • Give examples
  • How does the overall program help the general small business community as a whole?
    • Creating a sustainable business, better business being more attractive to your clients
    • Networking events which lead to B2B opportunities
    • Examples of local businesses who have accessed the program
  • What is the circular economy and how can we tap into that?
  • How does my business access the support?

To find out more go to their website: http://www.bbp.org.au/