My Business Podcast

In this special episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by the deputy editor of MyBusiness, Adrian Flores, to discuss the latest in business news. Over the past week, several big announcements were made from Canberra, including JobMaker’s passage through Parliament and the tabling of both the small-business insolvency reforms and legislation ensuring COVID-related small-business grants are made tax-free. On a state level, NSW unveiled its budget, spurring hope in the small-business community, while Victoria embraced the new COVID normal and South Australia plunged back into uncertainty with the return of several state borders. Adrian and Maja take a look at the above and more, dissecting the key business measures, including JobMaker.

While 2020 has been challenging to say the least, many lessons have been learnt. From the importance of disaster planning to the power of technology, Aussie SMEs have gained a wealth of knowledge during what has for most been the most challenging year on record. In this special episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by Daniel West, chief sales and support officer at MYOB, to look back on the year that was and talk about expectations for 2021.   Daniel shares valuable insights from MYOB’s extensive research into the SME space, as well as tips to help businesses wade the unknown waters during and after the pandemic. Hear his thoughts on the importance of reaching out for support and welcoming it from their accountants and counsellors.

The ATO has released its tax gap estimates for all 15 income and transactional-based taxes for the first time ever, believing $31.2 billion went missing in 2017–18. Last month, MyBusiness sister brand Accountants Daily host Jotham Lian was joined by Tax & Super Australia tax counsel John Jeffreys to unpack the different tax gaps, including the small business tax gap, which remains the largest gap by dollar value and percentage figure. John also dissects the ATO’s sample of agent-prepared returns requiring more adjustments than self-prepared returns and gives his take on how to reduce the tax gap.

With work from home likely to become the new norm, an expert joins us to share tips on creating and maintaining a connected company amid growing challenges.  Late last month, MyBusiness hosted a special, three-day, virtual event to help small-business owners wade through the rough COVID-19 seas. Editor Maja Garaca Djurdjevic chatted with Vicky Skipp, head of APAC at Workplace from Facebook, about managing a dispersed workforce, communicating updates clearly and improving business culture with remote collaboration. Ms Skipp shares some of her key tips to help businesses utilise technology to build their remote muscles. She also gives her thoughts about what the future holds and whether work from home will become a new norm.

“If you’re feeling unsettled, anxious or stressed, we all are. That’s absolutely normal in circumstances we find ourselves in,” Beyond Blue chief executive Georgie Harman said. Late last month, MyBusiness hosted a special, three-day, virtual event to help small-business owners wade through the rough COVID-19 seas. Editor Maja Garaca Djurdjevic chatted with Georgie Harman about the importance of mental health in the workplace and why it’s everyone’s business. Ms Harman shared some key tips to help employers recognise when their employees may be mentally struggling through the coronavirus crisis and steps to take to help them navigate through the tough environment. Ms Harman also provided some key tips that small-business owners can use to check in with themselves. If you are suffering from depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts, or you’re worried about someone else and feel that urgent professional support is needed, contact your local doctor or one of the 24/7 crisis agencies below: Beyond Blue: 1300 22

Late last month, MyBusiness hosted a special three-day, virtual event to help small business owners wade the rough COVID seas. Editor Maja Garaca Djurdjevic sat down and chatted through COVID-related relief and predictions for business with the NSW small business minister Damien Tudehope. In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, we bring you that special chat - one in which Mr Tudehope reveals what’s ahead for business in terms of the state’s plan to ease COVID restrictions, the planned 24-hour economy strategy to revamp Sydney and how businesses can access the state’s financial assistance. Mr Tudehope also looks ahead to the NSW budget and talks alfresco dining in a COVID safe environment.

In this special budget coverage episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by a number of prominent figures in the small business space to unpack the most anticipated budget in history. From loss carry-back for businesses and temporary full expensing which builds on the expanded instant asset write-off, to tax incentives and the JobMaker hiring credit, our host and guests discuss budget 2020 and what it means for business. Maja is joined by Kate Carnell, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman; Andrew Conway, the CEO of the Institute of Public Accountants; Vicki Stylianou, executive general manager, advocacy and technical at the IPA; and the body’s general manager of technical policy Tony Greco. Hear their thoughts on budget 2020 and gain more insight into some of the measures that could help your COVID recovery.

In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by Michael Black, a 21-year-old paving his way in business. Michael started Success Tutoring when he was 17 and is now on the brink of selling his first franchise. Growing from a bedroom desk to a company with 60 staff, Michael’s Success Tutoring has helped over 1,000 students across Australia. He talks about the sacrifices he had to make to get a business off the ground in his teens and how he has navigated the current, tough environment.

In this special episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by the deputy editor of MyBusiness Adrian Flores to discuss the latest business news, reflecting specifically on the situation in Victoria and JobKeeper updates. Over the past several days, Victoria’s Premier Dan Andrews has announced some important updates, including a new $3 billion stimulus package aimed to help those most impacted by the state’s coronavirus restrictions. Adrian and Maja take a look at what’s on offer, sharing also the reactions they’ve been hearing from the business community. The pair deep dive into Andrews’ roadmap to open the state and give a brief recap of the changes to JobKeeper due to begin at the end of month. 

Cathy Dimarchos believes that there are always opportunities in the market if you know where to look. With over 35 years of experience in finance and business, Cathy Dimarchos has seen it all. Today she is an adviser, mentor and small business coach, channelling her hard-earned knowledge towards helping fellow business owners survive and thrive amid challenging times. Cathy joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic in this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast to talk about decision making in difficult times and how business owners can best deal with fear while making sure their staff are looked after too. Cathy touches on the importance of stepping back and revisiting that passion that first led business owners to start their companies, she shares her tips on switching to solution focus mode to drive business growth, and tops off our chat with some inspiring business success stories. 24-hour mental health telephone support is available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

For GetCapital, the past several months have been quite demanding. At the onset of the pandemic, their call centre lit up with calls from overwhelmed business owners, but as time went on and the number of businesses that recognised a chance to transform grew, GetCapital was soon swamped by calls of a different nature. Chief product officer at GetCapital Paul Nayda joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic in this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast to talk about the past several months and how businesses are faring according to GetCapital’s data. He also shares some unique customer stories, celebrating businesses that found their footing and turned to growth, and talks about the importance of cash-flow planning in a period of extended choppiness.

Fitness and events are two industries that have been upended by the coronavirus crisis and Josh King’s business falls within both.   Josh King, the managing director of Corporate Fighter, had to build his resilience and prepare for the worst at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year. Since that initial closure period and a mental health slump driven by the high levels of uncertainty, Josh swiftly made the tactical decision to fight for his business. He joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic in this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast to chat through his COVID journey and how this seemingly daunting sport is actually a front to a story of acceptance, support and friendship.

Employing nearly half of all Australians, small businesses are absolutely vital for the nation's economy. Alex Brgudac has been on the ground supporting this sector through the rollercoaster ride that is COVID-19 in his role as the head of partnerships at online lender Prospa. Alex joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic in this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast to talk about Prospa's transition to remote working conditions, the sentiment among his SME clients throughout the crisis, and the effectiveness of the government's support schemes thus far. He also explains how businesses have been pushed to positively adapt, what he expects to happen in the SME sector over the next few months, and shares some words of advice to small businesses that are struggling at the moment.

As the president of the Independent Bar Association NSW and owner of three small bars, Karl Schlothauer has witnessed the dramatic effects of COVID-19 on Australia's hospitality sector, first-hand. In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, Karl joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic to talk about the challenges his industry has faced in navigating the current environment and the importance of government support measures for keeping his businesses above water. Karl reveals how his staff and customers have been responding to the circumstances, considers what would happen if a second wave was to hit NSW, and outlines some of the creative initiatives he's implemented in order to adapt, such as "Shaz", the social distancing pool noodle.

Sisters Frances Atkins and Naomi Vowels founded technology platform givvable just eight months ago as a means to help companies find, source and track the impacts of any sustainable, circular or social spending they do. Frances joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic in this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast to share how the idea for the business came about, what it's been like navigating COVID-19 as a brand-new startup, and why it's important for SMEs and corporations to source local and sustainable products. She also talks about her experience winning the inaugural Xccelerate2020 venture program, her plans for growing givvable over the coming months, and her advice to other entrepreneurs who want to found a startup.

At the onset of the pandemic just a few months ago, lockdowns in China meant that Melbourne-based company FloatPac Group was in serious trouble. In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by FloatPac Group's CEO, Gavin Hodgins, to share the inspiring story of how he managed to pivot the 40-year-old company's product offering by manufacturing face masks. This new product not only saved FloatPac from going under, but also provided a critical service to the community at large. Gavin details what measures his business is taking to stop the spread, explains how effective government support measures have been, and shares a message to other business owners experiencing a tough time at the moment.

The Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman (IGTO) provides an important, free service to assist taxpayers with complaints and concerns around the ATO and the TPB. In this special episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, the editor of Accountants Daily, Jotham Lian, is joined by the Inspector-General of Taxation, Karen Payne, to outline the role of her office in the broader tax system, new stats around taxation complaints over the last few months, and the process of escalating tax administration concerns. Karen explains why she endorses the simplification of the taxation of deceased estates, the key recommendations out of the Senate Economics Legislation Committee's inquiry, and the IGTO's plans for the coming financial year.

The coronavirus crisis has stacked burden after burden on already exhausted business owners, but now they're faced with more uncertainty in the shape of tax time 2020 and the ATO's presumably firm compliance approach. In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, the Institute of Public Accountants' general manager of technical policy, Tony Greco, joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic to discuss a broad range of issues weighing heavily on the minds of small and medium-business owners. From tax time 2020 and the considerations for recipients of stimulus measures to the ATO's compliance approach and the possible JobKeeper extension, tune in for an expert's view on these key issues and more.

Historically, fashion options for the ageing and differently abled population have lacked style, trendiness and sophistication. Just six months ago, Matthew Skerritt established his adaptive clothing business EveryHuman with the goal of breaking down that stigma. In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, Matthew joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic to share why he decided to move from accounting into business ownership, what motivated him to enter the adaptive space, and how he has been getting the word out about his brand. Matthew also explains how he has been navigating his new business through the global pandemic, the importance of surrounding oneself with other business owners, and his plans for expansion over the next six months.

Meet the two Aussie women who went from zero to global in just six months with a very interesting and unique product. In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, our editor Maja Garaca Djurdjevic speaks to Zhenya Gerson and Jacqueline Weiley, the owners of PROPPR - an Australian-made and designed luxury foot stool that has taken the world, and Gwyneth Paltrow, by storm. Tune in to hear how these women took a frail business, capitalised on its uniqueness and the very important issue of gut health, and turned it into a global success, winning a Good Design Award for innovation in the process. Full of passion and energy, Zhenya and Jacqueline talk about the ins and outs of running a business, the importance of celebrating small victories, the impacts of COVID on business, and more.