‘Upwards of $50,000’: Here’s how much being COVIDSafe is costing businesses

Matthew Elmas

21 August 2020

Businesses say they're proud to do their bit to curb the coronavirus, but COVIDSafe doesn't come cheap, even for growing companies.

See-Mode co-founders Dr Sadaf Monajemi and Dr Milad Mohammadzadeh

How “little big company” See-Mode is tackling strokes with AI, and a fresh $9.7 million in funding

Health, Startup News, Technology

Stephanie Palmer-Derrien

21 August 2020

AI-enabled stroke prediction and prevention startup See-Mode Technologies has raised $9.7 million as it ramps up for global growth.

Westfield locks Noni B, Strandbags out of stores as rent disputes escalate

Retail

Eloise Keating

21 August 2020

Westfield has locked out hundreds of retailers from their stores, as rent negotiations between retail landlords and tenants escalate.

Self-interest could spell death for retailers and landlords locked in rent disputes

Business Advice, Retail

John Batistich

21 August 2020

There are no easy solutions to landlord and retailer negotiations about rent, and they will end badly if both parties pursue their own self-interest.

Victoria strengthens rent reductions for small businesses, extending relief by four months

Cashflow, Coronavirus, Property

Matthew Elmas

20 August 2020

Rent reductions will be available for Victorian businesses for at least another four months, under an extension to COVID-19 support.

Vinomofo and Adore Beauty tipped for ASX debut amid COVID-19 e-commerce boom

Coronavirus, Retail, Startup News

Stephanie Palmer-Derrien

21 August 2020

As COVID-19 causes a spike in e-commerce activity, two Aussie tech platforms are reportedly making moves towards the IPO milestone.

COVID-19 drives down global VC funding — but Australia and New Zealand stay strong

Coronavirus, Funding, Startup News

Stephanie Palmer-Derrien

21 August 2020

While COVID-19 has seen venture capital funding dip on a global scale, the Australian and Kiwi markets are faring relatively well.

How Mark LeBusque encouraged his employees to bring their ‘whole selves’ to work… and smash sales targets by 238%

Human Resources, Managing

Mark LeBusque

21 August 2020

What does it mean for an employee to 'bring their whole self to work'? And what if we incentivised them to do this?

Advice

Morrison government disregards calls for a franchising overhaul, opting for minor changes to regulations instead

Franchising, Politics

Matthew Elmas

21 August 2020

The Morrison government has balked at calls for an overhaul of franchising, and will instead pursue minor changes to existing regulations.

China is targeting Australia’s wine industry, and there’s two possible explanations for why

Agribusiness, Importing & Exporting, Retail

The Conversation

21 August 2020

It’s on again! This time, it’s Australia’s wine industry that’s under investigation in China, for allegedly violating anti-dumping rules.

The-Drill-Crisis-Simulator founder-Gerry-McCusker

Why Australian governments and businesses constantly fall short when managing a crisis

Coronavirus, Strategy

Gerry McCusker

20 August 2020

Australia needs this disturbing question answered: 'Why are there so many crises amid our contemporary crisis management responses?'

Mountain Bikes Direct co-founder Jen Geale

With a fully remote team, and growing sales, e-commerce retailer MTB Direct launches in New Zealand

Importing & Exporting, Retail

Eloise Keating

19 August 2020

Fast-growing Australian retailer MTB Direct has expanded into New Zealand, spurred on by growing consumer demand for mountain bikes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Lockdown take two

Why this Melbourne eatery will be staying takeaway-only, even after restrictions are eased

Hospitality

Eloise Keating

20 August 2020

Babajan Eatery owner Kirsty Chiaplias says her Melbourne business will never go back to offering a dine-in service again.

Victoria will offer free mentoring sessions to small businesses dealing with COVID-19

Coronavirus

Matthew Elmas

19 August 2020

Free business mentoring sessions will be made available to businesses in Victoria to help them manage through the coronavirus crisis.

JobKeeper 2.0: ATO updates eligibility guidance, sets August 31 deadline for wages

Coronavirus, Tax

Matthew Elmas

19 August 2020

The ATO has issued new guidance for businesses looking to bring new workers under the JobKeeper wage subsidy program.

For every month of the pandemic, Australian women are losing one year of progress towards gender equality

Coronavirus, Economy, People

Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

19 August 2020

Bianca Hartge-Hazelman's latest economic gender equality report highlights the pandemic’s ongoing impact on women.

Partner content

What are the secrets of a solid innovation strategy in a pandemic?

Articles

Radium

21 August 2020

SmartCompany's Stephanie Palmer-Derrien quizzes a panel of business leaders on savvy innovation strategy during a pandemic.

AWS Amplify Days is coming: Join the practical two-day event

Articles

Amazon Web Services

14 August 2020

AWS is looking forward to hosting this two day event live streamed on Twitch. Expect actionable insights and content from a range of experts.

What are your employee relations obligations in a pandemic?

Articles

Employsure

13 August 2020

Thanks to the fallout of COVID-19, employee relations obligations have become a potential minefield. Here's how to ensure you're covered.

Starting a micro-business? Here are the legalities you need to consider

Articles

Lawpath

10 August 2020

Many people have hobbies or ideas that they want to pursue on a commercial basis, which is where micro-businesses come in. Distinct from the…

Startups

Dear Mr Morrison: Aussie tech leaders demand better engagement and a halt to R&D reform

Coronavirus, Startup News

Stephanie Palmer-Derrien

21 August 2020

Australian startup leaders have sent a letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison demanding the government engages with the sector on make-or-break policies.

Businesses should do like Atlassian and tell employees if they can ‘work from home forever’

Remote Work, Startup News

Angela Priestley

21 August 2020

Atlassian recently announcement that staff will be free to work from home permanently. And other businesses should follow suit.

Spaceship bags $10 million to meet shifting financial mindset among young Aussies

Coronavirus, Finance, Startup News

Stephanie Palmer-Derrien

20 August 2020

Spaceship has raised $10 million in fresh funding, as COVID-19 pushes younger Aussies to re-think their financial futures.

Software startup Buildkite rises from stealth mode with $28 million funding round

Funding, Startup News

Stephanie Palmer-Derrien

19 August 2020

Software development startup Buildkite has raised a massive $28 million in its first major funding round, valuing it at $200 million.

Mental health and wellbeing

To run a business or startup successfully, entrepreneurs must prioritise their own mental health and wellbeing. But where does one even start? We suggest diving into the content below. Some is written by SmartCompany's editors, and some is brought to you by MYOB and Smiling Mind.

Why taking care of your mental health is taking care of your business, says Linktree’s Alex Zaccaria

Sleepless nights and cluttered thoughts: Smiling Mind founder Jane Martino and MYOB CEEO Helen Lea share mindfulness tips for small business owners

“I was just not myself”: Entrepreneur Sheryl Thai on COVID-19, mental health and the power of asking for help

“The stats are scary”: COVID-19 is taking a toll on the mental wellbeing of entrepreneurs

Eight tips for relaxation when you’re working from home

Four tips to build your mental health for small business owners

Atlassian-chief-people-officer-Tami-Rosen

Atlassian makes employee survey open-source, encourages businesses to consider staff wellbeing

Tired and cranky? Here’s why COVID-19 is sapping your energy

How to establish a new routine in a time of social distancing, according to an organisational psychologist

Time management tips for small business owners

The future of retail

China is targeting Australia’s wine industry, and there’s two possible explanations for why

Agribusiness, Importing & Exporting, Retail

Markus Wagner and Weihuan Zhou

21 August 2020

It’s on again! This time, it’s Australia’s wine industry that’s under investigation in China, for allegedly violating anti-dumping rules.

As Aldi goes upmarket and Kaufland fades from memory, the cost of groceries is going to increase

Economy, Retail

Jason Murphy

20 August 2020

Rising grocery prices, combined with a rise in unemployment and a decline in wages, will give Australians a nasty shock.

Livelihoods are at stake: Consumers need to shake up their rituals and start buying local

Coronavirus, Retail

Nicholas Bolto

20 August 2020

As the pandemic grinds on, it will continue to mess with supply chains, so it's no surprise consumers are increasingly buying local.

With a fully remote team, and growing sales, e-commerce retailer MTB Direct launches in New Zealand

Importing & Exporting, Retail

Eloise Keating

19 August 2020

Fast-growing Australian retailer MTB Direct has expanded into New Zealand, spurred on by growing consumer demand for mountain bikes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Partner content

Working from home

Businesses should do like Atlassian and tell employees if they can ‘work from home forever’

Remote Work, Startup News

Angela Priestley

21 August 2020

Atlassian recently announcement that staff will be free to work from home permanently. And other businesses should follow suit.

Urban sprawl and job clusters: How working from home will reshape the nation

Economy, Property, Remote Work

The Conversation

19 August 2020

The working from home revolution will see more urban sprawl, job flight to the biggest cities and greater regional economic disparities.

Slow to adjust to this new normal? That’s just your brain learning new skills

Coronavirus, Productivity, Remote Work

The Conversation

13 August 2020

As many Australians come to terms with working from home, our brains are, in effect, learning entirely new skills.

Finance professionals most concerned about commuting to work and colleagues not following safety rules: Survey

Coronavirus, Remote Work

Eloise Keating

12 August 2020

Australian professionals are increasingly concerned about commuting to work, as some workplaces contemplate making the switch back from entire teams working from home.