Business Management, Risk Management, Project Management

Supermarket regulator needed to tackle competition issues

Australia needs an ombudsman to protect consumers and food producers from being ripped-off by big supermarkets, consumer group Choice says.

Price pressure fears flat in March, survey shows

Consumer inflationary expectations were flat in March, but signs of firm economic growth meant the proportion of people who expect prices to remain stable declined.

Full-time jobs boost

CHRIS ZAPPONE Australia adds 11,400 full-time positions but not enough to stop the jobless rate edging higher after a revision for January.

Profit outlook for SMEs best in 2.5 years

Optimism among small and medium size firms about future profits is at its highest level since before the global financial crisis, a survey finds.

Jobless figure to test Rudd's stimulus strategy

The federal government's defence of its stimulus strategy is set to be tested this week with the release of employment and consumer confidence data.

Confidence sinks for Victorian SMEs

CHRIS ZAPPONE Small and medium businesses in Victoria have the lowest level of confidence in the nation, a report shows.

Ai Group urges employers to hire more apprentices

A peak industry representative group is urging employers to hire more apprentices to avoid a shortage of some skilled labour that is likely to accompany global economic recovery.

Consumer confidence in Australia rebounds: MasterCard survey

Australian consumers are optimistic about the next six months, according to the latest MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence.

Australian businesses third-most confident in world

Australian private businesses are the third most optimistic in the world about the domestic economy for 2010, a global survey says.

Fair Work watchdog to check on 50,000 businesses

Fair Work inspectors will visit almost 50,000 small businesses across Australia to help them understand and comply with the federal government's new workplace laws.

Potential costs for business in Fair Work start-up

Government fails to rule out that its major overhaul of workplace relations laws will end up costing some businesses in the short term.

Small business in for a shock

MICHAEL EVANS FEWER than half of Australia's small businesses are adequately prepared to deal with a further round of family friendly workplace laws that will take effect next month.

Skills shortage expected to worsen as economy improves

Australia's shortage of skilled labour will worsen as the economy improves, according to a survey by the Australian Institute of Management.

How policy makers are abandoning small business

MICHAEL BAKER Rates are rising, the Reserve Bank is whistling a merry tune. But for small retailers, the idea that things are on the mend must seem ridiculous.

Deaths prompt release of insulation safety procedures

DAVID BARBELER Foil insulation manufacturers have released a comprehensive set of safety procedures following the deaths of two young industry workers in as many months.

Fraud

How Clive Peeters lost then found its $20m

LUCY BATTERSBY AND IAN MCILWRAITH A trusted employee held the key to Clive Peeters' dire financial woes.

Red tape eased for small business

Corner stores and charities would be spared from having to write a detailed annual report under a federal government proposal.

Retail analysis

Rising prices are the work of our food giants, not landlords

MICHAEL BAKER Claims that our food giants hike up high food prices faster than anywhere in the world has let retail landlords - usually considered the culprits - off the hook.