Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose‪.‬ Alexi Boyd

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #230Broadcast date: 23 April 2024Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy AdvisorGuest: Tim Beresford CEO Australian Financial Security Authority
So many acronyms, so little small business time. But the PPSR is one you and your advisors should know about. Why? Because it’s free, it helps to protect your assets and your business. PPSR stands for the Personal Property Securities Register which is an official government register; a public noticeboard of security interests in personal property that is managed by the Registrar of Personal Property Securities. According to the Attorney General’s department it must be reliable, managed responsibly and is accessible.
But that’s not much use if small businesses, the ones who can benefit the most, don’t know about it. So, who the AFSA is and what they regulate and enforce, how the PPSR came about and what important role advisors and associations can play in assisting small businesses to manage their assets?
The AFSA also manages the application of bankruptcy laws in Australia, which right now, is a big deal for small businesses. According to CreditorWatch’s most recent research, Australia is on track to see 10,000 small businesses collapse by the end of June, the worst number in 11 years. CreditorWatch has said the number of businesses in external administration has hit a record high.
Today we welcome Tim Beresford, the CEO of the Government regulator in charge of Australian Financial Security Authority to tell us about the importance of their work in engaging with small business in all industries and how they’re working harder to ensure more small businesses can take advantage of the PPSR and understand better the regulations around bankruptcy and personal property.  
PEOPLE –  Tim, tell us about yourself and how you’ve come to be an advocate for small business in this space? How can small business people best utilise the personal property security services in their businesses? Who should they go to for advice?
POLICY - Bankruptcy and personal property securities laws seem like a personal problem but we know the Government is very concerned about small businesses too. How has the COVID insolvency laws impacted the current state of small businesses?
PURPOSE -  How did the PPSR come about and what problem is it trying to solve? Who does AFSA regulate and enforce? Advisors play an important role in assisting small businesses to manage their assets - how can the Aust Financial Security Authority and advisors work better together to help small businesses to manage their assets?
Tim Beresford is the Chief Executive at the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA), having joined the agency in mid-2022. AFSA’s role is to support a strong credit system for Australia and is a visible, modern and contemporary regulator. The agency administers and regulates the personal insolvency and personal property securities systems and manages criminal assets.  Tim is also the immediate past Chair of the Benevolent Society (TBS), Australia’s oldest non-Indigenous not for profit.
Previously, Tim has held the roles of Acting Chief Executive of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Deputy Vice- Chancellor of Macquarie University and First Assistant Secretary of the Social Policy Division in Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He has significant leadership experience in the higher education, government, not-for-profit, financial services and professional services sectors. His areas of expertise include strategy, governance, public policy, change management and organisational design. He holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours), Bachelor of Laws, a Masters of Philosophy (International Relations), and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Relations) and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
To find out more go to https://www.afsa.gov.au

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #229Broadcast date: 16 April 2024Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy AdvisorGuest: Dr Michael Schaper, Board Chair, small business advocate and policy specialist
There is a sector of the small business community that is even more regulated than others but there is a good reason for that. Due to some bad actors in the sector in the past, Franchising has been under scrutiny and so has the Government and the way the Franchise code is managed.
It’s not just stock or a shop or a brand you’re buying, you’re entering a complex contract which is in fact a long term relationship. And like long-term relationships, things can sometimes turn sour. Franchisees can sometimes be the victim of poor contract terms, unfair, or inequitable relationships with the company they paid a lot of money to, for the privilege of using their brand and not get the relationship they paid for.
According to the Franchise Council of Australia, franchising is a $146bn sector and there are approximately 1,200+ different franchise systems, over 800,000 franchised businesses and the sector employs more than 500,000 people. Ans that’s a big chunk of the economy we need to get right.
In 2014, the government introduced The Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes-Franchising) Regulation 2014 (Franchising Code) regulates the conduct between participants in franchising which is regulated by the ACCC. The code was created to establish walls between the two parties to make the relationship more fair and equitable.
Today we welcome Michael Schaper, who’s going to tell us all about the 2024 franchise code review. He was one of Australia’s first small business commissioner’s, a previous deputy commissioner for the ACCC, named COSBOA’s small business champion in 2009, and a passionate advocate for small businesses around Australia.
PEOPLE –  You have been involved in small business policy, making and codesign for many years; tell us about your journey and why you’re so passionate about helping the sector. Can you tell us about the franchising community and what impact and benefit does it provides to the economy?
POLICY - Why does the franchisee code exist? And how does influence policy in other areas when government is making decisions about small business? How many reviews have their been and in the past, what has changed?
PURPOSE -  What were your key recommendations as part of the review, and which would be the most important to be implemented to help the sector?
Michael has substantial experience across the small business sector. He served as one of the country's first Small Business Commissioners (for the ACT), held the first designated professorial chair in small business at an Australian university, and was the inaugural Deputy Chair (small business) within the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission. In 2009 he was named as the COSBOA national small business champion. More recently, he has worked on a number of SME projects for the United Nations, Asian Development Bank, and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Today he chairs a number of boards in Australia, and in 2023 was asked to review the Franchising Code of Conduct for the federal Small Business Minister.
To find out more go to: https://treasury.gov.au/publication/p2024-487230#:~:text=On%208%20February%202024%2C%20the,by%20its%20Terms%20of%20Reference

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #228Broadcast date: 9 April 2024Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy AdvisorGuest: Dr Stephen Morse, ESG Strategist & Founder Unchained & Serena Stewart Head of Strategic Partnerships, Business/Law School at UTS
If you asked a small business owner if they had processes which showed consideration, fairness and equality when hiring new staff, that they were making considerable effort to reduce their impact on the environment and be more sustainable, and had all their paperwork up to date with ASIC; the vast majority would say yes, they were working on all of that or had it nailed. But if you said to the same small business person: Are you meeting your ESG reporting requirements they would probably look at you quick blankly and ask what that stands for.
Yet another reporting requirement, is what it stands for. Something small businesses are not ready for, is what it stands for. But what it IS, is the reality coming down the pipeline. Yet many small businesses owners are unaware of the impact of ESG reporting requirements, what and when they need to take action and how it will change their business significantly if they’re not ready.
Luckily, we’ve got Dr Stephen Morse on the Small Biz Matters again. You’ll remember him from a few years ago when he came onto our radio show to talk about another set of requirements : Anti-Slavery reporting requirements. He’s joining us once again to support small businesses to understand what they need to do and where to get help. Plus,
Serena Stewart from UTS will be jumping in to tell us all about the ESG survey they are developing and they’re asking for your help to make policy better!
PEOPLE –  Tell us about your journey and how you became so passionate about helping small businesses to navigate regulation like ESG and anti-slavery requirements. What sort of small business people are the most vulnerable if they don’t start planning out how ESG will affect their business? Are you concerned that small businesses will be left with another overly-onerous reporting regime they don’t understand? What is working elsewhere in the world?
POLICY - Is the solution for ESG additional regulation really just reg-tech or do you think the Government needs to consider small businesses at the co-design phase? Which is more efficient: Should we be designing ESG reporting methods around different segments of small businesses or allow big business to dictate what they need to see from their supply chain
PURPOSE -  What exactly is ESG and why do small business people need to be aware of it and starting to plan NOW for the changes coming? Where is a good place to start? Will it be mandatory? How can we make it as easy as possible for small businesses to report and what do you think the Government needs to do now in its policy settings to support the transition?
Dr Stephen Morse is CEO of Unchained Solutions Pty Ltd, a Sydney-based facilitation and advisory firm that enables organisations to make a meaningful contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and improve their ESG reporting and CSR commitments. Unchained’s solutions are designed to help local and global teams to thrive. Stephen has over 25 years’ experience in entrepreneurial leadership in the not-for-profit and private sectors, both in Australia and overseas. He’s a seasoned public speaker, thought leader and strategist who brings an engaging and refreshing perspective on business and human rights due diligence in supply chains. Stephen obtained his Doctorate in Human Trafficking Intervention through Fuller Theological Seminary in 2016, and MBA through University of Technology Sydney in 2020. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Freedom Business Alliance. He also Chairs the Ethics Committee of the Australasian Supply Chain Institute and the Communications & Capacity Building Working Group of the Commonwealth 8.7 Network.
To find out more go to

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #227
Broadcast date: 2 April 2024
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guest: Sandy Chong, CEO of Australian Hairdressing Council
There is a sector of the small business community who has always been on the business frontline and constantly impacted by macro and micro economics. They are the embodiment of small business people :  First in line to feel it when consumers tighten their belts, often holding together a regional community, quick to feel the pain of supply chain issues, wondering how they’re going to pay their energy, rent and wages bills, listening to customer’s woes whilst wondering how they’ll keep their on doors open... They wear all the hats and suffer all the consequences of poor Government decisions.
Yet without them we would grind to a halt – which is what happened during COVID when we all realised how much we need their listening ear, their business to flourish so young people in our community can get a head start and of course, their magic touch to make us feel good and a smile as you enter their salon. I am of course, talking about Hairdressers.
And there is no one. And I mean no one out there who is more dedicated, passionate, fearless and fabulous than today’s guest, Sandy Chong. So strap yourself in and hit that record button; she’s about to share with us a rollercoaster of a career as an advocate, a business leader, an industry leader and a formidable woman in Canberra.
PEOPLE - Tell us a bit about your background and why you are so passionate about advocating for small businesses in your industry. What have been the highs and lows of advocacy? How difficult do you find it to engage with small business to help advocate for them?
POLICY - What areas of policy are you focused on right now? And who do you tend to speak with and on what formats/roundtables?  Do you touch on all levels of government?
PURPOSE - What policy issues matter most to small businesses in your industry? Does that change from year to year? How do you deal with the slow pace of change in government policy? What are the biggest threats to them? Are the needs of small businesses in your industry different to that of small businesses in other industries?
Sandy Chong is a key influence in the Hairdressing Industry. Currently she is the CEO/Director of the Australian Hairdressing Council and past Director of COSBOA (Council Of Small Business Organisations Of Australia) representing small business. She speaks on behalf of the industry to Government, creating relationships to support an industry that is often overlooked.
Her role at the AHC has established better business practices, training and education and building sustainable careers for the future of the industry.
Sandy’s vision is to create an industry that has the highest possible standards in ethics, technical ability and workplace practices.
Owner of her own salon Suki for 38 years, Sandy is a business multi award winner as well as being inducted into the Industry's Hall Of Fame and is also the recipient of The Australian Hair Industry Special Recognition Award. She is a respected industry source for the media and has been interviewed as a guest on countless television, radio, press and online platforms. 
To find out more go to: https://www.theahc.org.au

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #225
Broadcast date: 19th March 2024
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guest: Elizabeth Skirving, CEO of Rural Business Tasmania
Small businesses are often (when it is convenient) referred to as the “backbone of the economy” but nothing could be closer to the truth in regional, rural and remote communities. They literally are the fabric binding economic success, growth, jobs, training and the survival of many communities.
Its not the big businesses running down the flooded or fire ravaged high streets supporting communities immediately after a disaster or when a call to action is heard to support a community or sporting group. It’s the small businesses who are quick to lend a hand, equipment, resources and even just a listening ear to their friends and family which is their community.
So what can be done to keep these small businesses front and centre of policy and planning? Is this a local, state or federal issue? Are councils doing enough and leading the way? Does the Federal Government in Canberra even know how important a regional high street is to the communities? And how can Government do a better job of listening to their leaders?Today, Elizabeth Skirving – quite frankly a bonafide thought leader in this space and CEO of Rural Business Tasmania and Director of COSBOA, joins us to share her thoughts on how Government can improve their engagement and strategy to support small business in regional, rural and remote areas so they can continue to grow and support their communities and the national economy.
PEOPLE - Tell us a bit about your background and why you are so passionate about advocating for small businesses in regional, rural and remote policy. Why is it so critical for small business to be considered when developing regional policy in Australia? How do you find the balance between the social needs of regional communities and the economic needs of the small businesses which are part of their fabric?
POLICY - What areas of policy are you focused on right now? And who do you tend to speak with and on what formats/roundtables? Why is it critical small businesses in regional areas are considered at the co-design period of policy development?
PURPOSE - What regional issues matter most to small businesses? What are the biggest threats to them in regional Australia? Are the needs of small businesses in RRR really that different to that of small businesses in metro or city areas?
Elizabeth is passionate about Tasmania, and in promoting good business management to ensure prosperous rural and regional communities continue. She believes in supporting local communities and business.
With a background in finance and business, Elizabeth has been CEO of Rural Business Tasmania since 2006 with a board portfolio which includes previous Deputy Chair, Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia COSBOA, Director of Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group, Director of Tasmanian Small Business Council and as an Industry representative of Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) Advisory Board.
As a 5th generation of a farming family who were active within their community and industry, she has a long history of community involvement including board experience with various not-for-profit associations, including a substantial time with Rural Youth Tasmania and current Hon. Auditor for Encore Theatre Co Inc.  
Established in 1986, Rural Business Tasmania Inc is a not-for-profit association that primarily offers financial counselling and business support expertise to rural and regional communities. It’s key objective is to help rural families, businesses, and the community manage the ever-evolving demands and challenges facing the primary industry sector.
To find out more go to: https://www.ruralbusinesstasmania.org.au

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #225
Broadcast date: 5th March 2024
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guest: Emma Clarke, Chief Operating Officer, Mable
Increasingly, big tech companies are playing the role of advocate on behalf of their small business users. Some even have branches dedicated to governance and ensuring the data is aggregated, safe to share and presented so policymakers can read it as a reflection of what matters most to small businesses.There are some tech companies who use their data for the power of good. They use it to support advocacy efforts that shape policies to ensure the views of their small business customers are well-represented both directly to the Government and through organisations like COSBOA and industry associations.However, some tech companies only use data to further their corporate bottom line. Unfortunately, this is a practice that happens worldwide.So, how do policymakers tell the difference? Should big tech and its data be the advocate for small businesses? Especially when the sector can not produce data themselves. And where do the big four consulting firms fit into this picture?Today, Emma Clarke, the Chief Financial & Operations Officer for Mable, joins us to discuss how Mable supports small business owners in the care and support sector. We will explore how Mable uses data to ensure that its business decisions and advocacy efforts align with its platform users' needs, wants and preferences.
PEOPLE – Tell us about how this small tech start up and been so successful? When it Why does a company like Mable find itself in this position of being an advocate for contractors? In a practical sense, how do you do this and why?
POLICY – What sort of an influence does big tech have in policy? Were you surprised by this and how did you prepare the organisation to grow in this direction? In which areas of policy do you have the most impact and with which organisations do you collaborate with to improve the landscape for your small business members?
PURPOSE How do you balance profitability and sustainability with the expectation that big tech has a role to play in social licensing and social responsibility these days?
Emma has a Bachelor of Business from Monash University and is Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) qualified. She held executive roles at Redbubble Group, ANZ’s Technology Division and Diners Club Australia.
Emma ensures sound financial management and continuous improvement in all systems, processes and people development at Mable. She’s also responsible for our high-quality customer service.“It’s very rare to have the opportunity to work in a company that is fast moving and high growth, but also full of purpose-driven people working together to enable everyone in our society to remain in their homes whilst living their best life.”
Mable is where you can live your kind of independenceSince 2014, our online platform has connected Australians looking for disability and aged care support to independent support workers. Mable is where people provide and receive the kind of support they want, enjoying more choice, control and flexibility.
 
To find out more go to: https://mable.com.au