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NORTHERN RIVERS REGIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

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Federal Government’s COVID-19 Disaster Payments

NORTHERN RIVERS REGIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

The NSW Business Chamber is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2021 Northern Rivers Regional Business Awards.
The Northern Rivers Business Awards recognises excellence in business, leadership, entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, business growth and employment practices across diverse areas of business including manufacturing, trades, health care, community, retail, tourism and business services.
“The state-wide awards program is a result of the strong relationships between Business NSW and Local Chambers of Commerce alliance partners. The awards program provides an exceptional opportunity to celebrate excellence across the local business community and showcase their success at a local, regional and state level,” said Business NSW Regional Manager, Jane Laverty.
“Encompassing in the 7 Local Government Areas of Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and the Clarence Valley, the 2021 Northern Rivers Regional Business Awards celebrate business excellence across our region, with winners to be announced at an Awards Celebration event on Saturday 23 October.” said Jane Laverty.
Over the past few years, the Northern Rivers Region has seen our best and brightest acknowledged for their achievements regionally, and also on the State stage including Brookfarm, Stone & Wood and BeeInventive (Flowhive) who was crowned for Innovation Excellence and awarded the top gong of State Business of the Year winner at the State awards in 2018.
“Judging by the calibre of our 130 entries this year, I am confident that we will again have the opportunity to represent Team Northern Rivers at the State Awards where our winners compete against 12 other regions from across NSW and Sydney” said Mrs Laverty.
“Due to Covid restrictions we made the decision to host the Regional Business Awards as an online production event (if the ARIA’s can do it so can we) which enables all finalists and their staff to be part of the evening and celebrate in the comfort of their own loungeroom or appropriate local venue. It’s different, but that is something we are all getting used to and we felt it was too important an occasion to not pull out all the stops possible to celebrate our businesses of excellence”. Mrs Laverty said.
“With the support of our partners NRMA Insurance, Southern Cross University, TURSA, TAFE NSW, Clarence Property, Sourdough Business Pathways, Northern Rivers Review and Northern Rivers Provedore we are sending each of our Finalists a Finalists Cheer Box full of local goodies and surprises to help them celebrate the night in style”.
2021 Northern Rivers Regional Business Awards event
Date: Saturday 23 October 2021
Time: 6.00pm – 8.30pm
Venue: Via Zoom (registration essential)
Enquiries: rebecca.watling@businessnsw.com

NORTHERN RIVERS FINALISTS – BY CATEGORY
Cape Byron Distillery Cellar Door
Casino Returned Servicemen’s Memorial Club
Cherry Street Sports
Fliteboard
Mavis’s Kitchen
Old Quarter Coffee Merchants
Potager
Sanctus Brewing Co
The Farmer’s Plate
The Pickled Herd

Retail & Personal Services
Fliteboard
Lazuli and Co
Luxe Elopements
Resonator Music & Tuition
The Farmer’s Plate
The Foundry Murwillumbah

Business & Professional Services
Barefruit Marketing
Connect Business Solutions
Planit Consulting Pty Ltd
Wild Honey Creative

Agriculture & Primary Industries

Five Sixty Farms
Hickey Food Services
Serendip Plantation

Trade, Construction & Manufacturing
AirPhysio
Early Up
Frontier Pets
Premium Solar & Electrical
Sanctus Brewing Co
SimplyClean
Tweed Coast Glass
Tyres & More Kyogle

Health, Care & Wellness Industries
AirPhysio
Crowley Care
Evans Head Holistic Health
Global Performance Therapy: Sports & Remedial Massage
GreenX7
Jessica Maguire
Kyogle Boxfit
Summit Sport and Fitness Centre

Outstanding Employee
Angela Bontea, CASPA Services
Brad Ambridge, Armsign
Jade Lamond, Connect Business Solutions
Jake Bentley, Planit Consulting
Kristy Robinson, Smile Street Dental and Implant Centre
Marcelo Reis, Santos Organics
Maree Lesri Skennar, Casino Returned Servicemen’s Memorial Club

Outstanding Young Business Leader
Donna Masing, Global Performance Therapy
Eddie Brook, Cape Byron Distillery
Jemma Coulter, RAWFAST Fitness & Sports Training Ballina
Lachlan Crawter, Tyres & More Kyogle
Levi Loughlin, Herne’s Security
Simone Skennar, Casino Returned Servicemen’s Memorial Club

Outstanding Business Leader
Diana Scott, Frontier Pets
Hayley Brown, Warrior Refrigeration
Jade Taylor, Sistability
Julia Foyster, Tweed Real Food
Karen Arnold, Effective Workplace Solutions
Louise Roy, Tiger Designz & Business Consulting
Naarah Rodwell, CASPA Services
Nicole O’Connor, Sanctus Brewing Co
Sally Lindenberg, Northern Rivers Music
Trent O’Connor, Sanctus Brewing Co

Excellence in Export
Norco Co-operative
OZGANICS Australia

Excellence in Sustainability
Casino Returned Servicemen’s Memorial Club
Four Drunk Parrots
Hemp Foods Australia
SAE Group
Santos Organics
Southern Cross Credit Union

Outstanding Start Up
Ascent Dance
Country & Coast Magazine
Foods That Love You Back
Hanging Rock Flowers
Mazzer Photographics
McAuliffe School of Dance
My Fashion Store Pty Ltd
New Directions Online Realty
Sanctus Brewing Co
The Myrtle Trading Co
Wondery Skin Food

Outstanding Local Chamber
Grafton Chamber of Commerce
Lismore Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Excellence in Micro Business
Certifiers2U
Lazuli and Co
Northern Rivers Music
Scarborough’s
Serendip Organics
Tweed Real Food
Wild Honey Creative

Excellence in Small Business
Aussie House Sitters
Effective Workplace Solutions
Mavis’ Kitchen
Potager
SimplyClean
Sistability Pty Ltd
The Farmer’s Plate
The Foundry Murwillumbah
Virtus Heritage

Excellence in Business
AirPhysio
Cape Byron Distillery
Connect Business Solutions
Fliteboard
Frontier Pets
Norco Co-operative
Planit Consulting
SAE Group
Southern Cross Credit Union
Summit Sport and Fitness Centre
Tropical Fruit World
Your Plan Manager

Excellence in Innovation
Fliteboard
Motor Scout
One Vision Productions

Outstanding Community Organisation
Byron Community Centre
Casino Returned Servicemen’s Memorial Club
Friends of the Koala
Jumbunna
Kyogle Junior Rugby League
North Coast Community Housing
Northern Rivers Animal Services Inc
Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond
Santos Organics
Wollumbin Family Support Inc

Employer of Choice
CASPA Services
Connect Business Solutions
Effective Workplace Solutions
Lazuli and Co
SAE Group
Smile Street Dental and Implant Centre
TONO Group

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Business News

Why Do SMEs Struggle to Scale Up?

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SMEs

Why Do SMEs Struggle to Scale Up?

 

By Jeff Gibbs

A defence industry executive recently posed a compelling question: why do so many SMEs in the defence sector, and across industries globally, plateau or sell after reaching a certain size, typically around 15-20 staff and $5 million in revenue? This observation resonates deeply, highlighting a widespread challenge in SME growth.

One significant reason behind this stagnation is the lack of long-term planning among business owners. While many start with aspirations for growth, they often fail to strategies for the future, limiting their potential. Some entrepreneurs opt to maintain their business at a certain scale to support their lifestyle or preserve a legacy, rather than seizing growth opportunities.

This tendency to remain small has broader economic implications, particularly in reducing economic complexity. Without more SMEs scaling up, countries struggle to develop diverse industries. This issue is particularly pertinent for Australia, were economic complexity lags behind other developed nations. Amidst economic challenges, SMEs require support to overcome stagnation and foster growth.

SMEs

So, what can be done to break through this stagnation?

  1. Embrace a Growth Mindset: Business owners must commit to growth and adopt a proactive approach. Governments can support this by fostering a growth-oriented culture through education and providing incentives for expanding companies.
  2. Define Growth Objectives: It’s crucial for businesses to clearly articulate their growth objectives and envision the future state of their organisation. This includes setting specific goals, identifying target markets, and determining resource needs.
  3. Delegate Responsibilities: Entrepreneurs must recognise the importance of delegation and building a capable team to support growth. By relinquishing control and empowering others within the organisation, businesses can navigate growth more effectively.

Ultimately, when SMEs transcend their growth barriers and evolve into larger entities, the entire economy benefits from increased diversity and prosperity. It’s incumbent upon us to inspire SME owners to choose growth, thereby creating jobs and fostering a robust economy for future generations.

 

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One million ‘Introduction to AI’ scholarships available to Australians

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'Introduction to Artificial Intelligence' are now available.

One million ‘Introduction to AI’ scholarships available to Australians

 

Artificial intelligence (AI) ‘scholarships’ are now on offer to one million Australians, in a bid to increase the nation’s literacy of a technology estimated to be worth $4 trillion to the economy by the early 2030s. 

The free ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence’ microskill course is provided by the National AI Centre (NAIC), coordinated by Australia’s national science agency – CSIRO, and the Institute of Applied Technology Digital (IATD).

The course will provide a non-technical introduction to AI fundamentals and is designed for people at the beginning their AI literacy journey.

This makes it ideal for workers seeking to upskill, individuals starting their career in AI, and small to medium business owners.

Rita Arrigo, Strategic Engagement Manager of National AI Centre (NAIC). 'Introduction to Artificial Intelligence'

Rita Arrigo, Strategic Engagement Manager of National AI Centre (NAIC).

With many small to medium enterprises (SMEs) grappling with the challenge of adopting AI, NAIC Director Stela Solar said the course is the perfect opportunity for business owners to build their AI understanding.

“SMEs make up over 98 per cent of Australia’s economy, and ‘Introduction to AI’ is their opportunity to learn how they can use this revolutionary technology to enhance their operations, services, and market competitiveness,” Ms Solar said.

Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) CEO Luke Achterstraat welcomed the introduction of the course, praising its ability to provide small businesses with the knowledge needed to unlock AI’s vast opportunities.

“Small businesses are a main source of innovation in Australia – they are entrepreneurs who try new ideas, test new products and usually back themselves with their own capital.

“This microskill course will help build confidence and competency for small businesses as they navigate the AI landscape.”

Stela Solar, Director of the National Artificial Intelligence Centre (NAIC). - 'Introduction to Artificial Intelligence'

Stela Solar, Director of the National Artificial Intelligence Centre (NAIC).

Director of IATD Operations Helen Fremlin said the accessibility of the course will empower Australians nation-wide to advance their AI understanding.

“No programming or computer science background is required for students to enrol, and the virtual nature of this course facilitates an easier path for Australians to upskill in AI, whenever and wherever they choose.”

Available now through IATD, the two-and-a-half-hour course will cover:

  • What AI is
  • Common AI terminologies
  • The challenges and risks of using AI
  • Common misconceptions
  • Real-world applications of AI
  • Australian AI case studies
  • Advice from industry experts to start your career in AI

Students will receive a certificate of completion upon finishing the Introduction to Artificial Intelligence course. Register for the course.

 

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BOUNCE IN BUSINESS CONFIDENCE DESPITE COST CRUNCH

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Business Confidence

BOUNCE IN BUSINESS CONFIDENCE DESPITE COST CRUNCH

 

The State’s peak body for business, Business NSW, released their Quarterly Business Conditions Survey Report today.

Businesses have recorded their highest levels of confidence in nearly two years, but remain concerned about cash strapped customers, insurance and energy costs.

The gradual rise in business outlook has been cautiously welcomed by Business NSW with business confidence levels coming off an historically low base.

“The increase in business confidence to its highest level in nearly two years has largely been driven by interest rates remaining on hold,” said Jane Laverty, Northern Rivers Regional Director for Business NSW.

“With every interest rate rise, small to medium businesses experience an almost immediate reduction in customers walking through the door. This increase in business confidence is a positive sign.”

When it comes to their customers, 95% of businesses are experiencing some impact of the rising cost of living.

“The most common experience is reduced customer demand for their products and services,” Mrs Laverty said.

“A majority of businesses have observed consumer behavioural changes in the form of reduced frequency of purchases, reduced quantity per order, increased appetite for lower cost substitutes and increased price negotiation.”

“This means businesses are doing another pivot in their business lifecycle to meet this change.”

Business Confidence

Businesses have recorded their highest levels of confidence in nearly two years, but remain concerned about cash strapped customers, insurance and energy costs.

Insurance is again the top of the list of cost concerns for businesses, while taxes/levies are second and energy costs third.

“It remains vitally important that our state and federal governments make the cost of doing business the number one, two and three issues on their agenda.

“To improve the ease of doing business, survey respondents consider taxes, levies and government charges as the area that requires top priority attention from government.”

Key findings from the survey of more than 1100 businesses include:

  • • The Business Confidence Index has risen for the third straight quarter to -52.9, the highest reading in nearly two years.
  • • 95% of businesses are experiencing some impact of the rising cost of living.
  • • More than half (51%) of NSW businesses have reported business supply chain disruptions in the past three months.
  • • 10% of businesses observed more job applicants as a result of cost-of-living pressures.
  • • 92% of businesses have identified issues related to attracting and retaining skilled workers in their region.
  • • 17% of businesses are planning to hire additional staff in the next three months, while 18% are planning to cut staff. The rest are planning to maintain the same headcount

“Northern Rivers businesses are looking ahead to the next quarter with considerably higher levels of confidence and that is pleasing for our regional economy and the community at large. That confidence will also be buoyed by locals continuing to spend in the region first.” Mrs Laverty said.

 

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