November 2013 Issue 88

The way we did business 25 years ago is very different to today, and to what it will be in the next 25 years. The world and the economic landscapes are changing fast. Many of the traditional ways are no longer applicable. To put it simply, digital economy is based on the online trades and consumption of goods and services...

When times are hard, the cry always goes up to cut costs. It's not the best place to start. In selective ways, you have to spend money in order to give a business the capacity to recover and grow. One problem is language. We should talk about saving money, not cutting costs. If you think only about cutting, it is...

In its most basic form communication is the ability to convey a message to an audience. Communication is also the process by which information is exchanged between individuals. Recently at PCA we participated in an in-house training activity designed to challenge and highlight the different ways people communicate. The activity involved two teams with "lookers" who saw a finished lego...

When a deal involves financing a newly completed property for investment purposes a key element in a Lender's assessment of the loan application is the anticipated gross weekly rent income. Typically the rent projection is determined by the valuer at the time that the mortgage valuation report is prepared. The valuers anticipated rent income should closely match the independent property...

McDonaldization is a term used to describe a society with a fast food culture. Although the number of fast food restaurants in Australia don't compare to the high number of restaurants in America, health statistics indicate obesity is becoming more prevalent as Australia becomes more industrialized. According to the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in 1995, 57% of adults were...

For many people, updating their Facebook page, sending a tweet or keeping their blogs fresh are easy ways to stay in touch and keep others informed. Even our politicians have embraced social media to share information with us all... sometimes more than we want course… But, in the context of a Family Law matter extra care should be exercised. Real...

If you are a diligent reader of this column, then you will already be aware of the importance of having a valid will. However there are other things that you should do to make the lives of your executors and beneficiaries a lot easier. We have put together a checklist of some things that you ought to do before you...

After a trade mark application is filed it is examined by a Trade Mark Examiner. All trade mark applicants hope to get a "clear" Examination Report. This enables the application to be advertised as accepted. However, many applicants receive an Examiner's "adverse report", leaving some to think the application is "dead in the water" (not automatically true) and others wondering...

The recently released Directors Social Impact Study again provided fascinating insights into the governance of the Not for Profit ( NFP) sector. One of the key findings was that there was no evidence that NFP boards are not any more or less effective than for-profit boards. This finding is important, as there has been much anecdotal commentary that governance of...

Australia exists as one of the most regulated economies in the world. As new technology and access to information sweeps through our lives, society's expectations of what businesses should deliver is constantly rising. That expectation shift means increased "risk" for businesses, as our society becomes increasingly litigious. In all skilled trades and professions this increasingly complex world demands that businesses...

All not for profit organisations need to manage risk, from small local associations through to national peak bodies. While the risks vary across operational sectors, the processes and concepts involved in risk management are similar. Once you understand the basic principles, it's not as complex as it sounds - but it's certainly important to undertake the process. An organisation that...

Audits by the ACT Revenue Office (ACTRO) for payroll tax purposes can result in significant tax liabilities for the unprepared, particularly if workers you've counted as contractors are determined to be employees and you've underestimated your tax liability. What many directors aren't aware of, is the substantial power that ACTRO has to collect the resulting debt. Those who are unsure...

INTERNATIONAL AID CRUSADER TAKES OUT TOP ACT BUSINESS AWARD 10 October, 2013 - A woman who grew up in war-torn Zimbabwe witnessing poverty and discrimination, and who is now shaping the direction of a global aid organisation, has been named the 2013 Telstra ACT Business Woman of the Year. Making a difference to the lives of millions is what CARE...