Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose.

EP#223 ~ Resilience in Action - how a thriving refugee business builds on a foundation of struggle to continue to overcome business hurdles and success.

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #223

Broadcast date: 20^th February 2024

Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor

Guest: Dr Suji Sanjeevan, co-founder Light & Glo Designs

Resilience is one of those words that is overused and bandied about when describing small businesses. After Covid it can probably be adopted by every small business that still has their head above water. But today’s story is unique and our guest has come all the way from Melbourne to share her story with us, and inspire our small business listeners.

Dr Suji Sanjeevan, as the co-founder Light & Glo Designs started her business just as Covid hit hard, especially for retail and manufacturing businesses in Melbourne. Through severe, never-ending lockdowns, massive supply chain disruptions, abrupt location changes and downturns in her business she didn’t think she could survive; Suji has emerged triumphant and a success story. Not only that, but she also supports her small business migrant community by being their representative on the Victorian Government Multicultural Business Ministerial Council. And she has inspired numerous other female entrepreneurs through appearances on Shark Tank and mentoring through local business support programs.

She’s joining us today to share with us her amazing journey from Kings College medical graduate to a small business success story and also to teach the importance of building on the skills you never thought you had to overcome the hurdles that are still to come.

PEOPLE - Tell us about your background and how you got into business. Who helped you along the way? You arrived in Australia as a refugee, what skills did you develop in that phase which continue to help you grow and overcome hurdles even now?

POLICY - Accessing Gov support as a manufacturer in Australia is tough. What's been your experience? (why is it that you have to reach your $1.5M in sales before you get the support as a producer)? You have to be connected and really resilient in growth how do you approach that with few connections here?

PURPOSE - Part of your business purpose is to help others learn from your experiences - which is why you're here today. Tell us about why you continue to advocate for small business to decision makers on the Victorian Government Multicultural Business Ministerial Council and how you started that part of your journey?

Dr Suji Sanjeevan is a Melbourne-based medically trained clinical researcher, who made the ultimate career change to become a co-founder of Light & Glo Designs, an Australian fragrance house. With a mere investment of $237 Light & Glo has grown to a successful product-based business, delivering feelings and emotions through senses and scents.

BrandScent, their second business creation was born through the notion that you can spiral one of two ways, either up or down, with COVID – 19 we choose to spiral upwards and built BrandScent to stand out, niche down and innovate.

In the short span of time BrandScent has forged partnerships with American Express, Mimosa Homes and Four Pillars Gin and most recently been named APPA Australian Boutique Supplier of the Year 2020. In 2023 BrandScent appeared on Shark Tank where they presented their fragrant creations to the sharks, who were eager to dive into this aromatic adventure.

Light & Glo also won a multitude of awards, including Wyndham Business Award “New and Emerging Manufacture,” “Manufacturer of the Year”

A natural leader and businesswoman, Suji, a mother of three, started making wood-wick candles as a creative outlet to relieve stress that turned into the start of an entrepreneurial journey and that of personal development having faced many obstacles as a woman, mother, migrant and person of colour.

Prior to her small business journey Suji, who graduated with a medical degree from King’s College in London, stepped into policy and research governance roles by working for Murdoch Children’s research Institute, Melbourne University and Breast Cancer Network Australia. In between studying and running the business, Suji also participates in local and state community initiatives business growth programs as a mentor and is a board member of the Victorian Government Multicultural Business Ministerial Council.

To find out more go to: Light & Glo and BrandScent

EP#222 ~ Translating policy into practice: What do the new Industrial Relations laws mean for your business?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #222

Broadcast date: 13^th February 2024

Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor

Guest: Natasha Hawker, Managing Director Employee Matters

It is all the politicians and business leaders are talking about right now: the new Industrial Relations Reforms passed by Parliament recently after months and months of negotiations. The business groups representing small businesses aren’t happy, the industry associations having been campaigning for months, and small businesses themselves and once again, lost. I suppose they’ll have their say at the next election. But in the meantime, when all the dust settles on leaders’ and the media’s perspectives, what does that mean for you, the small business person?

Luckily, an expert with decades of experience joined us to take us through these changes and the myriad of other laws which have also recently dropped; Natasha Hawker from Employee Matters.

We chatted about Respect@Work, People at Work (psychosocial hazards) D&FV Leave and the process, Pay secrecy... and what small businesses can expect when these recent laws coming into affect.

PEOPLE - How is small business coping with these changes to IR? What is the best advice you can give small business people on how to manage all these changes coming down the pipeline?

POLICY - Can you walk us through the main changes which have recently been legislated recently and when and how small businesses can expect this to take effect in their business? Respect@Work, People at Work (psychosocial hazards) D&FV Leave and the process, Pay secrecy

PURPOSE - Why in your opinion has the Government felt these changes to workplace laws are necessary? What do you hear from your clients in response to the changes they need to make? What are the risks if you do nothing? When did the changes come into effect?

Natasha Hawker is the Managing Director of Employee Matters and a leader in the Australian HR space. She uses her 29 years of HR and business experience to alleviate 'employee headaches.' From large corporations to startups, she's worked with clients across a diverse range of industries. Her business acumen and commitment to sustainability made Employee Matters a NSW State Finalist in the 2023 Telstra Best of Business Awards and she's an Amazon best-selling author of 'From Hire to Fire & Everything in Between.

Founded in 2011, Employee Matters provides employee support to businesses who want to maximise profitability through their employees but struggle with hiring the best, understanding the legislation and firing non-performers. She could see the frustrations, time wasted and trouble that business was getting into and could see that many businesses were not fully utilising their employee resources to get maximum productivity.

To find out more go to: https://www.employeematters.com.au

EP#221 ~ The Intuit GetConnected Conference Smallbiz Learnings: AI, Advocacy, Advisors and Open Banking

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #221

Broadcast date: 30^th January 2024

Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor

Guest: The speakers and attendees at the Intuit GetConnected23 conference!

Conferences are a great way to connect with your peers, learn the latest industry trends and grab some swag! And last year’s Intuit GetConnect conference was no exception. But what made this accounting and bookkeeping get together different was the quality of the discussions and the focus on the future of tech.

A big focus for me at the conference was Open Banking and what small businesses can expect in the near and distant future. How have international companies supported advocates in the fight to ensure small businesses control, retain and utilise their banking data as an all-important tool.

I’m keen to share those interviews with captains of industry, economists and innovative app founders to find out what they think will be the impact of AI on the Fintech Industry, advisors and small business owners. Small Biz Matters went on the road to find out.  We interviewed:

• Lars Leber, Vice President Australia, RoW & Global Expansion at Intuit
• Robyn Jacobson, Senior Advocate at The Tax Institute
• Danielle Franklin DeSarzant - Global Senior Product Marketing Manager at Mailchimp
• Damien Greathead - Head of Marketing - Accountant & Advisor Group, Intuit Australia
• Grant Augustin, Founder of SISS Data Services and Steve Kemp, Head of Financial Institute Partnerships at Intuit

Let’s have a listen to their thoughts on the digital future, advocacy and open banking!

PEOPLE - Are small businesses in Australia more digitised? Are they really that different than those in other countries? What’s the key piece of advice you’d give to FinTech startups just starting out? How does the Tax Institute work across so many policy areas to improve the tax system?  How does a massive industry shift like AI impact a product like Mailchimp and help the end user like a small business? Does AI really make life easier?

POLICY - What will the Australian Government’s open banking and CDR changes mean for small businesses? What sort of incentives would encourage small businesses to fix tax unintended errors and make the system educative rather than punitive? Why are late payment times so problematic for small businesses and what can be done to speed up this problem?

PURPOSE - What are the benefits of digitisation for small businesses and their advisors?

What international experience does a global company bring to the table in the policy areas of open banking and digitisation?  How have you been active in this space and helped policy makers to make these policy areas work for small business?

So what is it? GetConnected brings together accounting professionals and industry experts for two days of inspiration, education, and networking. Speakers share their experiences and provide insights and strategies to help advisors grow and succeed and support their small businesses.

To find out more go to: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/au/events/getconnected/

EP220 ~ What is the role of .au Domain Administration in the digital space and how does this affect small business?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #220

Broadcast date: 23^th January 2024

Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor

Guest: Rosemary Sinclair AM, CEO of au.Domain Administration

With decades of experience as a leader and advocate in the telecommunications industry, today’s guest is no stranger to policy, international diplomacy and being at the helm of industry bodies, powerful advocacy organisations and having the ear of Government. As the CEO of auDA, the administrator and self-regulatory policy body for Australia’s country code Top Level Domain, the .au domain, she heads the team which manages domain name system (DNS), which is Australian critical infrastructure that supports more than four million .au domain names and helps internet users navigate to websites and send emails with domain names ending in .au. Its about delivering a secure and reliable .au, implementing effective .au policy rules and investing in the Australian internet ecosystem to improve the utility of the .au domain. She’s here today to tell us its purpose, why this matters to small business people, and in what ways auDA advocates for small businesses in the telco industry.

PEOPLE - Tell us about your role at auDA and why you’re so passionate about helping Australian small businesses to successfully digitise. Tell us about your work as as the administrator of Australia’s top level domain?

POLICY - In what ways does au.DA’s research and reporting influence the Government’s policy decisions in the tech space? What of the future of cybersecurity in the online space, how is au.DA supporting the work of the Government here?

PURPOSE - With which Government departments and agencies does au.DA collaborate with and how does au.DA work with small and large providers in the telecommunications industry?

Rosemary Sinclair AM is CEO of auDA, the administrator and self-regulatory policy body for Australia’s country code Top Level Domain, the .au domain.

Rosemary has over 20 years’ experience in international policy development and multi-stakeholder engagement with bodies including the (OECD), (APEC) and received the Order of Australia Award for service to the telecommunications sector in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Prior to joining auDA, Rosemary was CEO of Energy Consumers Australia, responsible for enhancing consumer advocacy in the national energy market on issues including price, quality and security of supply. With a distinguished record in the telecommunications, technology, energy and education sectors, driving transformation, high performance and advocacy, Rosemary has served on local corporate, government and international boards, including CPA Australia, the Communications Alliance, International Telecommunications User Group (INTUG) and West Tigers Rugby League Football Club.

To find out more go to: https://www.auda.org.au/web/

EP219 ~ Digital Identity is coming. So what does this mean for you and your small business?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #219

Broadcast date: 16^th January 2024

Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor

Guest: John Shepherd PSM, First Assistant Secretary, Digital Identity Taskforce, Dept Finance

You don’t have to be a Fintech or a tech company to work with data as a small business owner. We work on a daily basis with business data, integrated personal information and the data held on behalf of our customers. For most, it’s just contact information in a CRM but small businesses are becoming increasingly aware that even the simplest data is personal, it can be sensitive and should be protected.

Digital Identity is coming and will transform the way a lot of small businesses deal with the data for which we are responsible. It sounds like another Government process which will create more red tape. Well, John Shepherd PSM’s role is to make this economy wide transition as seamless as possible. Luckily he has plenty of experience dealing with small business having previously been in charge of Single Touch Payroll rollout and understands the importance of integrating such a change into small business’ natural processes.

PEOPLE - This new legislation will have direct impact on how small businesses operate with their data and accompanying responsibilities.  Can you give us an overview of what they can expect?

POLICY - Where are we in the legislation cycle for Digital Identity? When will these changes take affect? With whom did you consult from the small business community?

PURPOSE - What's the purpose of this legislation, what problem is it trying to solve? Is it going to make the landscape fairer for small businesses? What does it mean for the data processes we have in place now?

John Shepherd PSM has held a range of senior positions in the Commonwealth Public Service and has more than 20 years’ experience leading successful large scale transformation programs.

John is the First Assistant Secretary, Digital ID and Data Policy Division within the Department of Finance. The Division includes the Digital ID Taskforce, which is leading work to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide system for digital ID, including the introduction of legislation and rules and establishment of a regulator. The Division is also responsible for whole of government public sector data policy, cross jurisdictional data and digital ministerial engagement, and assurance of the Australian Government’s high-cost and high-risk projects and programs.

John held a number of senior roles at the ABS and ATO, leading significant change programs and projects focused on improving the client experience including leading the implementation of Single Touch Payroll. For this he was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) in the 2022 Australia Day Honours list.

EP#218 ~ What is the future of small business advocacy in 2024 and beyond?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #218

Broadcast date: 9^th Jan 2024

Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor

Guest: Kate Carnell AO

There are few people in Australia with more experience in small business policy, advocacy and purpose than Kate Carnell AO. Her resume as a community leader is impressive. Aside from a long career in policy and politics, Kate for five years fiercely fought for all small businesses as the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. Prior to that she was the CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and for many years the head of the Pharmacy Guild. Now she offers her advisory skills and experience as a Director and Chair on numerous boards in the tech, startup, social enterprise in the issues she cares most about; small business, mental health to continue to improve the lives of countless of small businesses.

So who better to discuss the future of small business advocacy in 2024 and beyond? I sat down with Kate to ask what the future holds for small business advocacy in the current political landscape, if anything can be done to improve governments consultation with small businesses before policy is set in stone, and whether the colour of the party in power really makes any difference.

I met with Kate a couple of months ago in Hornsby, and we had an excellent discussion.

PEOPLE - Kate, you’ve been involved in politics for many years and across many jurisdictions. What does the future look like for small businesses and regulation here in Australia? Does a different colour or party really make any difference?

POLICY - The reality is governments have a lot of impact on small business is through regulation and red tape. So realistically, is there anything that can be done, any  thought leadership thinking to improve this situation?

PURPOSE - In your opinion, is there a good place to start for small businesses who want to be more involved in reducing red tape?

Kate Carnell Company Director is the Chair Mable, Chair Racing and Sport Technology, Deputy Chair BeyondBlue, Chair Violet, Director Australian Made, National Co -Convenor of Liberals for Yes. Kate for five years fiercely fought for all small businesses as the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO). Prior to that she was the CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and for many years the head of the Pharmacy Guild. Now she offers her advisory skills and experience as a Director and Chair on numerous boards in the tech, startup, social enterprise in the issues she cares most about; small business, mental health to continue to improve the lives of countless of small businesses.

EP#217 ~ The tech StartUp world seems the darling of government industry policy. But is that the reality?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #217

Broadcast date: 12^th December 2023

Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor

Guest: Murray Hurps, StartUps Director, University of Technology, Sydney

The tech StartUp world is sometimes seen as the darling of government industry policy. Fast paced, fast growth, its an exciting world filled with hard working entrepreneurs. They tried to woo this sector by encouraging private investment, boosting  funding and creating new opportunities to rapidly grow. But how do they talk to the sector to find out what they really want? How is the sector represented and who are their advocates? Well, we have with us today one of the giants of that sector - Murray Hurps, the Director of Entrepreneurship for UTS, leading the work of the University to inspire and support technology-enabled entrepreneurs.

PEOPLE - You're a giant in the startup world, involved as the Board Director of tech representative organisations, running the first university startup hub, helping new startups get their shoelaces tied... What brought you to this world and why are you so passionate about supporting them?

POLICY - What do startups really need to start up and grow at that famously fast pace? What can the Government do to support them at each stage?

PURPOSE -  There seems to be an announcement in every budget to support the startup ecosystem - from both state and federal government. How can that money be best spent? Is a grant system best to encourage single companies creating cutting edge innovation or support for the entire sector to create a better foundation for all?

Murray Hurps is the Director of Entrepreneurship for UTS, leading the work of the University to inspire and support technology-enabled entrepreneurs.

Australia’s recovery needs job-ready graduates, productivity-boosting research, and new entrepreneurs spreading innovations, creating new jobs and driving our recovery. Murray’s work is enabling this critical third pillar of work at UTS.

Before building the largest community of student-launched startups at UTS, Murray was CEO of Fishburners, growing it from 100 desks of startup space, to 750 across Sydney, Brisbane and Shanghai, and supporting 508 startups during this time.

He founded, ran, re-founded in 2023 and ran again, Startup Muster, the largest survey of Australia’s startup ecosystem.

He founded FUELD, Westpac’s data-focused accelerator program.

He’s been a Director of the Australian Information Industry Association, Spark Festival and WorkVentures, all in support of Australian technology-enabled entrepreneurs.

He does what he does because at 16 he founded Ad Muncher, an ad-blocking startup that grew for 14 years, to a peak of 100 million active users. He wants more Australians to understand and pursue the opportunities they have today through technology-enabled entrepreneurship, and for Australia to realise the benefits of this as well.

EP#216 ~ ATMS knows about health, women, the economy, and micro business. How do they represent small business across so many policy areas?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #216

Broadcast date: 5^th December 2023

Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor

Guest: Christine Pope -  Director at Australian Traditional Medicine Society

ATMS is uniquely positioned to advise Government on health, women, the economy and micro business. How do they juggle multiple policy areas and represent their small businesses?

Women are core to the success of the Australian health economy and the same goes for traditional medicine. The vast majority of Australian Traditional Medicine Society members are women, micro business, working from home and juggling a family, their practice and continued education.

So how does ATMS’ leadership best represent their members when the policy areas in which they advocate cross over social, economic and small business issues? Plus, are cross jurisdictional – Federal, State and Local Government? This is an excellent example where an association uniquely intersect between policy and small business and we’re keen to hear from Christine Pope, Director of Australian Traditional Medicine Society and (because she can) the Treasurer and Director of Council of Small Business Organisations Australia ... and she still runs her own practice online and in person.

PEOPLE - Tell our listeners about the work of ATMS and how you advocate for your members?  How can members of ATMS (and other similar orgs) become more involved in their industry association? What sort of influence can they have?

POLICY - In a practical sense, what does an organisation like ATMS do to influence government policy? What areas of policy are you focused on right now? And who do you tend to speak with?

PURPOSE - What inspired each if your to take on a role in advocacy for your industry? Why do you think ATMS is well placed to advise government on health?

Christine Pope is an experienced Naturopath and Nutritionist based at Elemental Health St Ives. Christine is also an experienced trainer and presenter and was Head of Nutritional Medicine and Homeopathy at Nature Care College at St Leonards from 2012-2015. More recently she has founded her own training programs “Ageing Outrageously”.

Christine has over twenty years experience in her earlier career in Risk Management and Venture capital. In 2016 Christine undertook training with Dr Dale Bredesen in his protocol for Reversing Alzheimers, a detailed protocol involving up to 36 points of intervention including diet, lifestyle, hormonal balance, exercise and detoxification. Subsequently her focus in clinic has been working on healthy ageing and reducing the impact of chronic disease.

Christine is a director and treasurer of The Australian Traditional Medicine Society and the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia. (COSBOA).

The Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS) is Australia’s largest national professional association of natural medicine practitioners. ATMS is a multi-modality association representing around 9,000 accredited practitioners and students throughout Australia. ATMS currently accredits 20 natural medicine modalities.

ATMS promotes and represents accredited practitioners of natural medicine, who are encouraged to pursue the highest ideals of professionalism in their natural medicine practice and education.

To find out more go to: https://www.atms.com.au/

EP#215 ~ ACCAN, who is the organisation fighting for small business people’s rights in the telecommunications industry?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #215

Broadcast date: 28^th November 2023

Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor

Guest: Andrew Williams, CEO Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)

This week on the show we welcome Andrew Williams, CEO Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). After the recent (and increasingly frequent) interruptions and disruptions caused by the telecommunications powers-that-be, small businesses can feel as though they are helpless victims of these events, with no power or voice to stop them. Well, we are here to tell you there is an advocacy organisation working with small businesses to fight for their rights in these situations. They’re also a strong voice in the room with Government when telco policies and support measures are being written and fight for smallbiz rights to make sure that contracts, access and price is fair and equitable for small businesses.

ACCAN was founded in 2009 and their aim is to empower consumers to make good choices about products and services. As a peak body, ACCAN represents the views of its broad and diverse membership base to policy makers, government and industry to get a better outcome for all communications consumers. As their CEO, Andrew Williams is with us to explain how.

PEOPLE - Why are you so passionate about supporting small businesses in the telecommunications industry? Is this more difficult for small businesses in regional areas? If so, why? Is that a current focus?

POLICY - How do you support small business people in the telecommunications industry and fight for their rights to make sure that contracts, access and price is fair and equitable for small businesses?  Where do you submit and consult government? What policy areas is ACCAN currently working on? Can you tell us about the telecommunications review which is currently underway?

PURPOSE - ACCAN was founded in 2009. Tell us about some of the major milestones and successes, the organisation has had in advocating for small business.

Andrew Williams joined ACCAN in 2019 and became CEO in November 2021 With experience base spans a wide range of commercial disciplines in both private and public sector industries.

ACCAN is Australia’s peak communications consumer organisation representing individuals, small businesses and not-for-profit groups as consumers of communications products and services. They focuse on all goods and services including broadcasting, internet and online services, for current and emerging technologies.

They aim to empower consumers to make good choices about products and services. As a peak body, ACCAN will represent the views of its broad and diverse membership base to policy makers, government and industry to get a better outcome for all communications consumers.

To find out more go to: https://accan.org.au/

EP#214 ~ How does ABS’ powerful data lead to informed policy for small business?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #214

Broadcast date: 21^st November 2023

Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor

Guest: Bjorn Jarvis, Head of Labour Statistics at Australian Bureau of Statistics

This week on the show we welcome Bjorn Jarvis is the head of the labour statistics program at the ABS. Why are we talking to the ABS? what has this got to do with my small business? Because they are advocates for the power of high quality statistics in understanding the Australian economy and society, and in informing important decisions by businesses, households and governments. And as we know many of these policies are based on this data and as we are going to learn this week, much of this data comes from the ABS.

PEOPLE - Who influences the decisions on which data is most important and when to release the data? Is it political or is the ABS independent and driven by the economic landscape?

POLICY - How the data the ABS provides influences government policy decisions and where does it have the most influence?  

PURPOSE - What's is the ABS' fundamental purpose? What is it hoping to drive with its data? How can small businesses make the most of this data?

Bjorn Jarvis is the head of the labour statistics program at the ABS. He is a prominent advocate for the power of high quality statistics in understanding the Australian economy and society, and in informing important decisions by businesses, households and governments.

Bjorn is a regular voice in public commentary and on social media highlighting important insights from ABS statistics, including the experiences of small businesses. He is also passionate about small business owners being able to get their hands on data, with lots of data available for free through the ABS website, including information on how their industries and communities are changing.

To find out more go to: https://www.abs.gov.au