Business News

Active International has acquired Paykel, an independent media agency operating in Sydney and Melbourne, the companies have announced. Headquartered in the US, Active International describes itself as “Australia’s largest independent corporate trade and financial solution business”. It claims to be the first company to deliver corporate trading services in Australia, …

Mental illness in the workplace is costing the economy $60 billion a year, claims a counsellor who specialises in treating business leaders. Gabriel Edwards (right) is the founder of Breathing Space Counselling Practice. She says senior management has a duty to make workplace mental health and wellbeing a priority. “CEOs …

Ombudsman Kate Carnell has welcomed the Labor party’s commitment to three key changes to legislation on unfair contract terms. Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Ms Carnell described Labor’s announced changes to unfair contract terms as “in line with our submission to the review currently being undertaken by …

Accredited associate coach and professional speaker, facilitator and trainer Renée Giarrusso answers a question on building rapport. Q: I hear rapport can really help me connect as a leader and business owner. Any ideas to help me build rapport quickly? A: What a great question, as awareness of this is …

Drakes Supermarkets is preparing to enter the wholesale market and has chosen Infor as its technology partner. It’s currently building a “state-of-the-art warehouse facility” in Edinburgh North, Adelaide. This will serve both its retail operations and wholesale customers. It will also be capable of warehousing ambient, fresh, chilled and frozen …

Kate Carnell has welcomed Labor’s policy announcement to overhaul jobactive, which she says is letting small businesses down. In a recent statement, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman was scathing about the employment services system. “(It’s) not meeting the needs of small business operators in Australia,” she said. …

Master Grocers Australia (MGA) has praised Minister Kelly O’Dwyer for taking “prompt action” in stopping double dipping for casual employees. In 2018, a federal court decided a casual worker employed on a regular basis could claim annual and sick leave. The employer had therefore breached the Fair Work Act, the …

Accredited associate coach and professional speaker, facilitator and trainer Renée Giarrusso answers your questions on communication, motivation mindset and leadership. Q: I’ve been focusing on transferring emotional intelligence and motivation to my team. What are your tips? Ben, State Sales Manager, FMCG A great question and one I get asked …

ACCC Chair Rod Sims has rejected calls to expand competition law in light of what he called the “hipster anti-trust” movement. He made the comments during a keynote address to the RBB Economics Annual Conference in Sydney last week. ‘Inadvisable and counterproductive’ Mr Sims said some commentators were calling into …

Online retail has raised operating expenses and lowered margins. So safeguarding against Christmas shoplifting is crucial, says Checkpoint Systems. The retail inventory management specialist – which describes itself as “Australia’s leading expert in the manufacture and supply of retail loss prevention and merchandise management solutions” – is warning retailers to …