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Articles by Steve Stanley
Being informed requires effort
OPINION Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has become a cultural icon, and for good reason. He helped to shape the course of the United States of America, gave voice to some of the gravest concerns of our citizens, and has remained a beacon of hope for all who wish for a future based on equality. Yet, as is true with any historical character, Dr. King has become more of a quote on a poster, a reminder of our past, and a symbol of a hopeful future.
Being informed requires effort
PUBLISHED JUNE 6 OPINION We live in an age of hottakes, echo chambers, and sensationalized headlines, which are aided in part by the 24-hour news cycle. Readers can merely scroll through their newsfeed and feel as if they have a broad understanding of the world around them without fully understanding the complex mechanism behind the process. Ignorance is bliss, as they say. Yet, our combined ignorance is leading to a rending of the social fabric, which has a cascading effect upon communities.
Modern age requires discernment
OPINION We had to read Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” in high school, the story of the Salem Witch Trials, and it seemed a rather silly book at the time. It was an allegory of the fear-driven emotionalism present in the age of McCarthyism. We like to think we have outgrown witch hunts—but have we really? If so, then why have so many educators found the text important enough to keep it in curricula for so long?
Disagreeing without dehumanizing is possible
OPINION The famous philosopher Socrates once said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” This phrase is often quoted, yet the context is usually lost. You see, Socrates’ philosophical work was developed through conversations with others from varying viewpoints. Longform conversations held in good faith were the cornerstone of his genius insights. This form of argumentation is called a dialectic and is dependent upon diverse and opposing views.
Being informed requires effort
OPINION We live in an age of hottakes, echo chambers, and sensationalized headlines, which are aided in part by the 24-hour news cycle. Readers can merely scroll through their newsfeed and feel as if they have a broad understanding of the world around them without fully understanding the complex mechanism behind the process. Ignorance is bliss, as they say. Yet, our combined ignorance is leading to a rending of the social fabric, which has a cascading effect upon communities.
Commissioners answer “hard questions” posed last week
In last week’s edition of the Leader, Jean Vincent of Polson urged residents to ask some “hard questions” of the present County Commissioners related to how business is being conducted. We welcome questions and would like to address Ms. Vincent’s inquiries. She stated that there is “a desperate need for an independent audit of the county funds.” Montana law requires that a county of our size performs an independent audit every two years.
Guest editorial: Lake County is at a breaking point
In the early 1960s, the state of Montana and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council agreed to conduct law enforcement on the Flathead Reservation under a federal law known as Public Law 280. Under its authority, the state accepted responsibility to provide law enforcement for cases involving tribal members. Today, the Lake County Sheriff's Office and county attorney prosecute all felonies in our jurisdiction, including those involving tribal members.
Local Gigs & Services: Snow Removal : LP Residence
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own. Snow removal for Lower Providence and surrounding area. Please message me your address to cell or friendofafriendcontracting@gmail.com and I will send a quote over. Looking to contract with a few more clients for this season as we have two trucks now. Just plowing local residential and small lots. Will do per storm basis also but contracted customers are always first.
Business Support
We’ve heard it before, ‘it’s lonely at the top’. Those ‘at the top’ or rising to it, can attest to the fact that this couldn’t be more apt. We’ve heard it before, ‘it’s lonely at the top’. Those ‘at the top’ or rising to it, can attest to the fact that this couldn’t be more apt. As you rise up the pyramid, there are fewer and fewer people in whom you can confide. The ability to discuss ideas with colleagues and process thinking becomes less viable as the decision-making elevates.
Lessons learned from our farmers
Recently, I had the privilege of escorting a second group of CEOs, from The CEO Institute, to visit the business of one of the members. He happens to be a farmer and produces crops of various types, and sheep. Sounds simple. You plant crops, fertilise them, then harvest them. You rear sheep, fatten them and sell them. I believe a number of those in the visit, thought that this about summed it up.
Lonely At The Top - a CEO’s Daily Struggle
Many may think that the CEO has it made. Good salary, basically do what they want, have people do their work for them, and enjoy the trappings that come with being the boss. While there are examples of fat cats earning outrageous salaries and bonuses, and, living the high life, this is far from common. Most business leaders struggle daily with a myriad of issues. There is the all-pervasive cash-flow, growing the business, staying on track, planning, and, the biggest of all, people.
SMEs withholding taxes due to fear of retribution
Finance 21 November 2019 — 1 minute read Some businesses are holding back on lodging their tax returns because of cash flow problems, ironically driven by a fear of potential reprisal, the ATO has discovered as part of its business visits.
Employers collectively owe $1.35bn: PwC
Management 20 November 2019 — 3 minute read While the scale of underpayments at well-known companies has drawn ire, collectively Australian workplaces are underpaying employees by $1.35 billion each year, new modelling has revealed. The estimate was revealed in a new report from global accounting and advisory firm PwC, which noted that one of the key risks facing businesses today is in ensuring employees are paid accurately for the work that they do.
Healthy cash flow still a pipe dream for many
Finance 19 November 2019 — 2 minute read Australian SMEs are continuing to struggle under the weight of late payments, with many business owners forced to chip in from their family accounts to cover the shortfall. A My Business poll on its website over the month to 19 November asked readers, “How quickly are your invoices typically paid by your customers/clients?”.
ANZ boss compensated for own bank’s shortcomings
Sales 19 November 2019 — 2 minute read ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott has revealed he was sent three remediation letters from the bank, insisting that the company will refund every single customer it has wronged. Appearing before a parliamentary committee on Friday, Mr Elliott (pictured) commented that many customers receiving remediation wouldn’t have known there was an issue at the time, pointing to himself as an example.
Myer slashing footprint as sales fall
Sales 18 November 2019 — 1 minute read At least one Myer store is being closed and others are being downsized as the department store chain aims to reverse a slide in sales and profits observed in FY2019. The retailer is currently clearing stock at its store in Westfield Hornsby, on Sydney’s Upper North Shore, which is due to be closed by January 2020. It already has closure signs in-store, stating “everything must go” and “nothing held back”.
Suncorp buys stake in Aussie car-sharing start-up
Management 19 November 2019 — 2 minute read Insurer Suncorp has taken a stake in an Australian-founded car-sharing platform, the second high-profile company to do so in recent months, amid a $10 million fundraising round. Car Next Door is a peer-to-peer platform that allows vehicle owners to rent out their car when it is not in use. It was founded in 2013 in Sydney, and now claims to have 160,000 members and 3,500 vehicles being shared. Around 20 per cent of its user base are businesses.
Opinion: ‘You are not alone’
It’s often said in business circles that it’s lonely at the top. But with so many Australians running successful, incredible businesses — there is plenty of scope to share and admire the wins. In opening the My Business Awards on Friday night, I spoke about how inspiring the SME community is in building and creating opportunities for so many Australians. But all too often, the efforts of the self-employed go unnoticed and underappreciated — even by themselves.
Struggling businesses seeking help too late
Finance 18 November 2019 — 1 minute read SMEs struggling with cash flow problems and other financial difficulties are being urged not to sit tight and hope they pass, given they play a huge role in business collapses. This time last year, ASIC revealed that of the 7,613 reports it had received from external administrators in the 2017–18 financial year, poor cash flow or abnormally high cash use were found to be the main causes for a business collapsing — prevalent in 49 per cent of cases.
Bushfire victims given tax reprieve
Management Reporter 18 November 2019 — 1 minute read “People affected by the fires should focus on getting their other affairs in order and not worry about their tax obligations,” the ATO has said after giving automatic deferrals to those affected. People who have been impacted by the bushfires devastating parts of NSW and Queensland have been given a two-month lodgement and payment deferral for their tax liabilities.
As bushfires rage, most SMEs are underinsured
Finance 15 November 2019 — 2 minute read Just as bushfires rage across multiple states and NSW faced “catastrophic” conditions, insurer QBE has suggested that many SMEs are underinsured should disaster strike. The insurance giant polled 609 Australian SMEs in April this year as part of its report, SMEs and insurance: A pulse check on risk trends for business, which was released on Friday (15 November), just a week after bushfires ravaged parts of NSW and Queensland, killing at least four people.
Looming glut of businesses for sale
Management 15 November 2019 — 2 minute read Business owners looking to sell up in the coming years may be in for a shock, with an exit specialist warning the volume of businesses listed for sale is set to soar.
Meet the My Business Awards 2019 winners
Management 15 November 2019 — 2 minute read It’s been an anxious wait for the finalists, but the My Business Awards 2019 winners have been revealed in style. See which businesses and their leaders were named the best of the best. The winners were announced at a black-tie gala dinner at The Star in Sydney on Friday night (15 November) in front of a packed ballroom.
What is the ATO’s stance on discounts for cash?
Sales 15 November 2019 — 2 minute read With the ATO cracking down on undeclared cash transactions, many businesses want to know: what is its stance on discounts for cash? My Business went straight to the source to find out. The question was put to ATO assistant commissioner Peter Holt during a recent episode of the My Business Podcast.
Which credit cards cause Aussies the most grief?
Finance Grace Ormsby 14 November 2019 — 1 minute read In an eight-month period, Aussies complained about credit cards more than 3,500 times – so which providers left customers feeling most in need of airing their grievances against them? According to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), a total of 3,570 complaints were lodged to the independent body between 1 November 2018 and 30 June 2019 that dealt with credit cards.
Five minutes with... Pinky McKay, Boobie Brands
Management 14 November 2019 — 3 minute read It’s a serious business behind this quirky name, and as its mother-of-five founder reveals, developing products that meet a real customer need can make you famous within your target demographic! Background • Business name: Boobie Brands • Industry: Foods for breastfeeding mothers • Number of employees: 10 • Operating since: 2012 • Location: Melbourne, Victoria What was your first paid job?
Green light for Aus Post price hike
Sales 14 November 2019 — 1 minute read Australia Post will push ahead with its plans to hike the cost of certain postal services in the new year, after clearing a potential roadblock. It was revealed in August that the national postal service plans to hike its prices by 10 per cent for letters (although Christmas stamps and priority labels will remain at their current prices), but the ACCC was given the proposal to examine on competition grounds.
1 in 4 business owners to quit in 3 years
Management 14 November 2019 — 3 minute read Alarming findings suggest that a quarter of Aussie business owners want to get out within the next three years — many driven by the personal toll. But their dreams may be scotched by a lack of succession planning.
SME finance giant to form under new merger
Finance 13 November 2019 — 2 minute read Australia’s largest equipment finance broking company and a debtor finance specialist have announced that they intend to merge, a move that will form an SME and equipment finance giant.
‘Almost inevitable’ fatality sees company fined $650k
Human Resources 13 November 2019 — 1 minute read The death of a labourer in a workplace accident has seen a business fined $650,000 in court for breaching safety rules. But the penalties may be hard for regulators to recoup. SafeWork Victoria revealed that the County Court last week found construction company Concorp Group Pty Ltd guilty on two counts of breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
‘The way we’re working, isn’t working’: Dropbox
Human Resources 12 November 2019 — 4 minute read Would you trial four-hour work days, beach-side remote offices and job swapping to boost productivity? Dropbox Australia tested these and more, and now wants other workplaces to do the same. The company is challenging Aussie businesses to trial new ways of working over the summer months as part of its “Enlightened Summer” initiative, following its own experiments of various ideas which delivered vastly different results.
Risks abound in small business CGT exemption
Finance 11 November 2019 — 1 minute read Trustees looking to contribute proceeds of the sale of their business into their SMSF should be aware of the risks, given the ATO’s strong track record of winning cases against small business owners who fall foul of the rules, according to SMSF Alliance.
‘One of the most pressing issues of our time’
Management 11 November 2019 — 2 minute read This week marks Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week, with corporations like Coca-Cola and Officeworks unveiling new initiatives aimed at reducing waste, particularly around plastics. Stationery and office supplies giant Officeworks announced that it has launched a new customer recycling program targeting two of the products it sells that most commonly end up in landfill.
Attaché sold to UK player, plans for ANZ expansion
Management 11 November 2019 — 1 minute read Australian payroll and finance software provider Attaché has been sold by its founders to a British business software company, which has plans for a broader push into the local business market. The Access Group announced its first wholly overseas acquisition earlier this month, for an undisclosed sum.
SMEs ‘underestimate’ GST as half self-lodge BAS
Management 11 November 2019 — 1 minute read Almost half of small businesses choose not to use a registered agent to lodge their business activity statements, potentially leaving them open to the complexities of GST reporting. Business owners typically rely heavily on tax practitioners to comply with their income tax obligations, with over nine in 10 businesses using a registered agent to lodge their income tax returns.
Rates heading to 0.25% despite ‘upbeat’ RBA
Finance Reporter 08 November 2019 — 2 minute read The Reserve Bank remains on track to cut interest rates twice in the coming months, despite singing a “more upbeat” tune in its statement on monetary policy, according to a senior economist. On Tuesday (5 November), the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) held the official cash rate at 0.75 per cent, in line with market expectations amid positive inflation and labour market indicators, which were offset by weak retail sales figures.
10-year ban for liquidator sets new precedent
Management Reporter 08 November 2019 — 1 minute read A Federal Court ruling has set a new precedent for the ATO to tackle phoenix behaviour, with a liquidator given a 10-year ban from practising for “systemic negligence” across at least 23 companies. The ATO said in a statement that it was the first time it had launched action in the Federal Court using the Corporations Act to take on the facilitators of tax evasion schemes.
$70k scammed during business sales
Finance 07 November 2019 — 2 minute read Business buyers and sellers, the real estate industry and its clients are all being urged to be vigilant after $70,000 was stolen by scammers during two recent settlements. The warning came from WA’s Consumer Protection Commissioner, David Hillyard, after scammers cloned emails from a Perth settlement agent.
Director loans bankrupting business owners
Management 07 November 2019 — 3 minute read Business owners are being warned about director loans contributing to personal bankruptcies, as creditors chase business owners for outstanding funds during liquidation.
3 skills will redefine recruitment: LinkedIn
Human Resources 08 November 2019 — 1 minute read Anyone responsible for recruitment will increasingly be reliant on three core skills over the next five years, according to a report by LinkedIn. But recruiters may be falling behind the needs of business. The report, titled The future of recruiting, found that people responsible for recruitment will need to shake off their creatures-of-habit psyche and focus more strongly than ever on getting the right hire to boost retention.
Alarm bells as insolvencies, payment defaults spike
Management Reporter 08 November 2019 — 1 minute read New figures released by CreditorWatch have revealed a 20 per cent jump in the number of business insolvencies in Australia, with payment defaults also rising by double-digit figures.
‘We will pay interest on any late payments’
Finance 07 November 2019 — 4 minute read The federal government has announced five-day payment terms – or interest on the overdue amount – for electronic invoices, a move praised as “a significant step” in tackling late payments to SMEs. Finance minister Mathias Cormann (pictured) announced at a business summit in Sydney on Thursday (7 November) that effective from the new year, the federal government would commit to paying contractor invoices within five days, where those invoices are issued...
Self-lodgers linked to meagre tax refunds
Finance 06 November 2019 — 1 minute read The introduction of the government’s $1,080 low and middle-income tax offset has done little to lift tax refunds, with the spike in self-lodging taxpayers linked to the meagre increase. Despite the government’s doubled end-of-year tax offset of $1,080 for low and middle-income earners kicking in this year, average refund amounts have just risen to $2,800 from $2,379.
Greater Melbourne SMEs in ATO’s sights
Management 07 November 2019 — 1 minute read Late BAS and tax return lodgements have again been used to direct the ATO on its next set of business visits, which will this time see its officers visit in SMEs in parts of greater Melbourne. Just days ago, the ATO revealed that its inspectors would visit the NSW South Coast, driven in part by an unusually high number of businesses being late with their lodgements.
Meat alternatives: Good business or bad idea?
Sales 06 November 2019 — 2 minute read A number of advancements have been made in developing alternatives to farm-raised meat, but there are conflicting views about their viability and consumption benefits. In August this year, it was revealed that Sydney start-up VOW had secured a government grant to develop and commercialise its lab-grown meat.
Coles launches subscription delivery service
Sales 06 November 2019 — 1 minute read While grocery deliveries is nothing new, Coles Group has launched a new subscription service for these deliveries, which it claims will curb the cost for customers to have groceries delivered to their door. The service, called Coles Delivery Plus, will charge customers a flat monthly fee for home deliveries, with an unlimited number of deliveries. There will also be two types of subscription to cater to different budgets and customer needs.
Have your say on new Business Growth Fund
Finance Reporter 05 November 2019 — 1 minute read The federal government has launched a consultation on the draft legislation for a new $100 million Australian Business Growth Fund, but the window to comment on the plans is closing fast. In a joint statement, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash opened a consultation on the exposure draft legislation concerning the establishment of the Australian Business Growth Fund (BGF).
Debt management ‘vultures’ draw fire
Finance 05 November 2019 — 3 minute read Several warnings have been issued about debt management businesses creating more financial strife for Australians than they solve, charging “extortionate fees” and having a nasty sting hidden in their service contracts.
Business travellers spending big on food
Human Resources 05 November 2019 — 1 minute read How much are Aussie workers spending on food while away on work trips? A new poll by Airbnb has some surprising findings on the degree to which these costs are racking up for employers. In research commissioned by the tech company, and conducted by PureProfile, 1,000 Australians were asked in October 2019 about their eating habits while travelling for work.
Five minutes with... Graeme Caplen-Black, Entegy
Management 06 November 2019 — 2 minute read Few people know the importance of being adaptable better than Graeme Caplen-Black, who completely changed his business and product offering to become something far bigger than he’d expected. Background: Business name: Entegy Pty Ltd Industry: Events / software Number of employees: 25 Operating since: 2014 Location: West End, Brisbane 1. What was your first paid job? I was a bartender at a cocktail lounge in Cape Town, South Africa 2.
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