Business lessons from averting an air disaster

THE SAME techniques that a highly trained – and determined – Qantas team used to avert what could have become one of the world’s worst aviation disasters, can be used to save your business life.

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GM kills Holden ... but offers a Chevy silver lining?

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) has retired what it referred to as ‘the Holden brand’ from sales in Australia and New Zealand. But will the promise of new Chevrolet Corvettes, Camaros and Silverados help pacify distraught car enthusiasts?

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Bensley creates 2400-room ‘Human Zoo’ wildlife resort

IS THIS what the future of travel will look like? This fantastical rendering was conceived by famed Bangkok-based architect Bill Bensley, affectionately known as the ‘Willy Wonka’ of hotel design. Report from Asia correspondent, Ellen Boonstra.

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Featured Article

October 16, 2020

Business Growth Fund breakthrough to assist high growth potential SMEs

THE formal establishment of the Australian Business Growth Fund is "excellent news for high growth potential SMEs" according to Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell.

The Australian Business Growth Fund, as recommended in the Ombudsman’s Affordable Capital for SME Growth report, will allow established small and medium…

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Issue #95

See what's in issue 95

LEADERS 2019–2020

Special Edition

AUSTRALIA’S MOST DYNAMIC
BUSINESS LEADERS

How innovation is built in for
sustainable growth.

Why astute access to capital
makes the difference.

Leading through knowledge,
networks, collaboration.

Find out more

Latest Business News

15 Oct, 2020

IPA applauds 'record Budget' but urges long-term reforms to 'kick goals'

Finance & Investment

THE Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) has commended the Federal Budget's design to 'create jobs and get Australia moving again' but has repeated its call for the Federal Government to now "address the longer-term need for reform".

“The Federal Budget released last week is designed to reboot the economy which faces the bumpy…
15 Oct, 2020

Generation Australia aims to generate early pathways to meaningful careers

In Brief

By Leon Gettler >>

WITH THE BUDGET forecasting unemployment to peak at 8 percent in December 2020 and stay at around 6 percent until 2023, because of the coronavirus recession, the timing is perfect for Generation Australia.

Generation Australia is part of a global non-profit organisation, founded by McKinsey in 2015, to help…
14 Oct, 2020

UNSW redesigns commerce degrees to produce post-COVID work-ready graduates

Training & Careers

UNIVERSITY of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney’s redesigned Bachelor of Commerce degree courses have been redeveloped 'from the ground up' in response to pre- and post-COVID challenges facing businesses now and in the future.

Aspiring graduates will require a more diverse range of skills outside of those taught in traditional…
13 Oct, 2020

Boosting resources opportunities boosts Indigenous staff

Indigenous Business

QUEENSLAND Resources Council has welcomed the extended commitment from the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships to work with QRC and its members to boost employment opportunities for Indigenous Queenslanders.

“Our members, whether they are coal, metal and gas explorers and producers or their…

Innovative Australian Companies

Mingling spice tech with ‘plain-hard-work tech’ pays off

06 Oct, 2020

By Leon Gettler >>

WITH LOCKDOWNS and more people working from home, everyone is now cooking. Food has now become the way to discover the new normal…

Mask u-turn set to create jobs

11 Jul, 2020

A MELBOURNE manufacturer of reusable protective masks is set to recruit up to 10 new staff following yesterday’s announcement by Victorian Premier,…

Cross Border Air launched ‘out of necessity’ during pandemic

11 Jun, 2020

BUSINESSES launched out of necessity have a high success rate, so it is no wonder that freight and cargo charter flight group Cross Border Air Inc. –…

Companies on the Move

October 06, 2020

Mingling spice tech with ‘plain-hard-work tech’ pays off

By Leon Gettler >>

WITH LOCKDOWNS and more people working from home, everyone is now cooking. Food has now become the way to discover the new normal…

‘Work from home’ just sped up but needs more grunt - Riverbed Tech

Tasmanian natural plant oil underpins Zea Relief’s success

Cbus and Media Super join forces

Working from home is working for Aramex

That’s the pandemic spirit: ‘We’ll make sanitiser’

Investec backs Australia’s Longtail UX in global expansion

People on the Move

September 30, 2020

Ombudsman congratulates Outstanding Western Sydney Women award winners

THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has congratulated the winners of the Outstanding Western Sydney Women…

Darren Rudd to head up AFTA

CSIRO chief Larry Marshall reappointed for three years

Nutanix appoints Lee Thompson as new Aust-NZ MD

Resources sector IWD award winner paves way for working parents

Cooper joins Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre board

Recruitment entrepreneur Steve Scanlan takes stake in Technology People

AusMumpreneur Awards now sponsored by St George bank

Innovation

September 09, 2020

Flinders Uni researchers cash in on marine byproducts

AS EXPLOITATION of wild fisheries and marine environments threaten food supplies, Flinders University scientists are finding sustainable new ways to…

COVID-19: our greatest opportunity to innovate – with ‘presilience’

Need for speed: what if technology could work as fast as your imagination?

Large enterprises (hey, big banks) must change broken innovation models

LiveTiles leads remote working by example

Aussie biotechThe iQ Group Global and Harvard University create real-time printable COVID-19 diagnostic test

Delosa urges business leaders to ‘take decisive action’ now

Helping innovative women to get venture capital on board

Trade

September 22, 2020

Resources report: sector is keeping Queensland economy 'afloat'

THE RESOURCES industry has played a critical role in keeping Queenslanders working and earning through COVID-19 and is…

Australia's fuel security plan 'misses the boat' on shipping say unions

Qld resource exports holding up despite COVID-19

Stronger domestic cattle market to counter pandemic-affected trade says Rabobank

Asia-Pacific

October 04, 2020

Indonesia becomes first signatory of UNWTO Tourism Ethics…

THE Republic of Indonesia has become the first signatory of the Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics, the landmark…

Investors wary of Japan's resurgence in new COVID-19 cases says GlobalData

Thailand ranks second in the world and first in Asia for COVID-19 recovery

Hilton resumes operations in China

Digital Business

September 29, 2020

AIIA praises $800m digital business investment

AUSTRALIA’s peak industry representative body for innovation technology, the Australian Information Industry…

Cynch founder warns small businesses are at high risk of cyber attacks

Australia’s Cyber Strategy urgently needs people to make it work

Industry and government to step up ‘cloud’ cyber security

Editorial

February 16, 2019

Australia needs leadership now, not rulership

BUSINESS ACUMEN’s special report on leadership, in edition 93, could not be more timely. Or more poignant. Or better…

Banks: here’s how to mean business instead of being mean to business

'Administrating' the administrators

How the ‘too big to fail’ have failed Australian SMEs

Management

September 09, 2020

'Gilly' goes to bat on strong parallels between sporting and business leadership

By Jordan Reizes >>

WHAT MAKES a great leader, especially in rapidly changing circumstances?

I recently had the chance to interview Australian…

Business leaders today need a ‘wartime’ mindset

What the government changes to JobKeeper mean for business owners

Strive to reduce time spent managing e-mail

How will people be drawn back to office work?

COVID-19 induced remote work strategies will pay off long term

Small Business Ombudsman releases new mental health resource for sole traders

Opinion

August 24, 2020

Directors warn: the second wave economic disaster is a ticking rental time bomb

By group director Tim Newman-Morris and the directors of LPI Group >>

THE COVID-19 rental legislation appears to be a…

Builders call for 'constructive' Federal Budget

Chop chop: hurry up and turn job cuts around

How long will the recession last? IFM economist measures it up

Central banks cannot save us from coronavirus warns Rabobank economist

Risk of coronavirus-driven short recession, investors urged to take action by deVere Group

Real digital innovation is about ‘customer centricity’

Grow our productive industries then productivity will look after itself.

Business Travel & Events

September 11, 2020

Export grants review 'positive for tourism' says ATEC

THE Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to backing recommendations which have come out of the…

Hong Kong is back in the meetings business, big time

Bill Bensley creates 2400-room ‘Human Zoo’ wildlife resort

Travellers are wary, but plan to drive closer to home

Dreamworld, WhiteWater World get financial support to roar back into action

Room with a view to recovery

Brisbane Convention Centre readies for re-opening

In Brief

October 15, 2020

Generation Australia aims to generate early pathways to meaningful careers

By Leon Gettler >>

WITH THE BUDGET forecasting unemployment to peak at 8 percent in December 2020 and stay at around 6…

Accountants call for 'holistic tax reform' to drive recovery

Ombudsman call for super tax cuts instead of employer super…

New awards recognise 'internal talent' excellence

Research & Books

July 09, 2020

Ken finds the fun in failure – fast and often

REVIEW By Mike Sullivan >>

AS SUCCESS guides go, this one is a complete failure. If you follow its writer, Ken…

Australia’s ageing population: Pressure that’s only set to…

From sand-papering cricketers to sandbagging bankers: why…

CEPAR research shows taking a mortgage triggers…

News Feature

August 26, 2020

CSIRO's 'Mission Possible' for Australia's future

CSIRO chief executive Larry Marshall, in his recent address to the National Press Club, issued the call to Australia to…

IPA warns about lodging tax returns too early

Newsagency and lottery businesses seek extension on JobKeeper April top-up payments

Employers can now prepare for JobKeeper payments rollout - ATO

Regional Economic Development

August 21, 2020

Qld Government to spend $5 million on Bowen Basin gas pipeline study Blue Energy

BLUE ENERGY Limited has commended yesterday’s announcement by the Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, that the…

HomeBuilder scheme a 'massive relief' to tradies - Master Builders

Building industry calls for a $13 billion stimulus action plan

Empty nesters cannot downsize, so younger families locked out of property market

Manufacturing Acumen

July 11, 2020

Mask u-turn set to create jobs

A MELBOURNE manufacturer of reusable protective masks is set to recruit up to 10 new staff following yesterday’s announcement by Victorian Premier,…

UniSA industry workshops help Defence sector innovation fight COVID-19 impacts

Hellyers Road whisky welcomes back 'an old friend'

Shadow Minister Brendan O’Connor addresses workforce capability and availability at National Manufacturing Summit

World-first printed solar panels completed at Newcastle Uni

Manufacturers step on the gas for energy relief

Victorian company first to develop nanotubes

Aviation Acumen

September 23, 2020

Lloyds says aircraft auctions taking off in Australia

LLOYDS AUCTIONS is seeing strong interest in its upcoming aircraft auctions. In fact, the sector may be aided by the current pandemic.

According to Lloyds Auctions chief operations officer, Lee Hames, with the set-in…

US launch for Monarc Global’s Travech air charter software

Cross Border Air launched ‘out of necessity’ during pandemic

Could Virgin Australia's collapse trigger a better post-coronavirus scenario for national aviation?

Monarc Global system gives lift to air charter industry

Best in the flying business: Aviation Week’s Laureate Award winners named

Scoot lifts customer experiences with Dell Boomi-fuelled data analytics

Automotive Acumen

September 23, 2020

Original 'Fast and Furious 4' Chevelle SS muscle car under auction in Australia

THE ORIGINAL 'hero car' of the cult movie Fast And Furious 4, driven by action star Vin Diesel, is up for auction in Australia.

It is the original 1970 Chevelle SS from the blockbuster movie and…

Andrew Birkic gears up as Ford president and CEO for the region

Racing Holden Monaro snares record price

Holden’s first racing Monaro’s auction could be affected by ‘export ban’

Volvo's new Polestar 2 uses Veoneer 'brains' for safety

Lloyds says old Holdens are becoming new favourites

GM kills Holden ... but is there a Chevy silver lining for Aussie car enthusiasts?

Debt Recovery & Management

July 15, 2020

Time to pay on time and time to pay say accountants

THE Payment Times Reporting Bill 2020 and Payment Times Reporting (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2020, which are now before Parliament, will go a…

DG Institute warns on dangers of new credit file databases

Welcome to Debt Recovery and Management as informed by Bailiff-Sheriff Australia

What Bailiff-Sheriff Australia can do for your business

Legal

September 29, 2020

Insolvency reforms may underpin economic survival

THE Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement to reform Australia’s insolvency framework.

“These…

Small businesses spared from unnecessary insolvency disasters: Ombudsman

Law Council urges caution on changes to fundamental principles of criminal responsibility for all corporations

The JobKeeper re-test is a call to action for employers

Acumen Archives

January 27, 2015

Less pain and effort now it’s Ezy-As

For many, the arduous task of donning compression stockings can be frustrating. This is especially true if the wearer is living independently,…

Ludowici revolutionary technology cleans coal, minerals

CatchLog: Unique Queensland company hooks global fishing…

Permaclean revolutionises cooling tower technology

Business Incubator: ACS Labs

August 08, 2020

ACS welcomes Federal Government’s 2020 Cyber Security Strategy

ACS, the professional association for Australia’s technology sector, has welcomed the release of the Federal Government’s 2020 Cyber Security…

Defence Forces hackathon #Shockproof manoeuvres with ACS…

ACS extends six months free membership to help Australia’s…

Technology association ACS to overhaul governance, form as…

Queensland Leaders

June 24, 2020

Critical thinking as a leadership discipline

By Louise Broekman >>

HAVE YOU FELT the overwhelming sense that you (as a business leader) are operating at 100 percent of your mental capacity?

While overcommitting and overscheduling is part of…

SpareBizSpace engineers a new kind of ‘space-age’

Advisory Board Centre builds a foundation for better business growth

Nautech doubles down on innovation

Orcoda cleverly organises connected data

TransitCare innovates community transport

TechnologyOne lifts enterprises globally through ‘the cloud’

NSW Leaders

August 14, 2019

Ceramisphere technology goes global

By Mike Sullivan >>

CAN CERAMIC micro-encapsulation technology – a new materials process originally developed by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation – change the world for the…

Adora Handmade Chocolates taste sweet expansion

Ocular Robotics envisions the future

Hargraves Institute backs Public Sector Innovation awards.

Copyright Agency assists Isentia

Women on Boards offer impactful advice

NSW Leaders developing new pathways for business success

Victorian Leaders

September 26, 2019

From HR Gurus to Millennial who-do

FOR SOMEONE like Emily Jaksch, who helps businesses to evolve, it makes perfect sense for her own business interests to continually evolve. While she…

NCS Group brings to account true strategic financial advisory services

Australian-developed VaultID brings financial inclusion to the world's 'Unbanked'

UGT International: it's all in the family

Dreamcity is Australia’s first ‘edutainment’ theme park

Australian eHat to transform field work

Few businesses prepare properly for transition says Star Business Solutions

South Australian Leaders

September 25, 2019

Clarke Energy changes the power game

CLARKE ENERGY is building a reputation for being one of the most agile and innovative power generation suppliers in the country as Australia transitions to multi-source power generation.

The…

Ikon Institute explores new frontiers of learning

Workspace makes interiors from outer space

Western Australian Leaders

October 15, 2019

CFO Centre gives companies a new analytical edge

THE ROLE of the chief financial officer (CFO) in today’s challenging and fast-changing business environment cannot be understated or underestimated.…

Excel Robotics develops vital production machinery

AlphaBiz charts 10 years, strides into the future with certainty.

Global Drone Solutions: getting business airborne

Creative Industries

August 04, 2020

Quota suspension could spell curtains for film and TV small…

THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell said thousands of small businesses in the screen production industry could…