Mercy Corps Youth Employment’s Post

Small businesses in Scotland are more optimistic than at any time in the last two years, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

More than eight-in-10 (81%) small businesses in the UK are prioritising new initiatives to boost their growth prospects in 2025, according to a study by Novuna Business Finance. The percentage of small businesses in the construction market prioritising new growth initiatives has increased by three percentage points to 79% while growth initiatives have declined in both the real estate and finance and accounting industries. Jo Morris, head of insight at Novuna Business Finance, commented: “A lot of attention in recent weeks has been on the Autumn Budget — and while our data suggested that 86% of UK small business owners were fearful of Budget announcements, in truth, small businesses finish 2024 in a resilient position." Read the full story at B&C: https://lnkd.in/ewRfK-Pb

More Kiwi businesses are looking to work with finance advisers who can provide full solutions for asset and business finance - bringing New Zealand closer to the way Australian businesses operate. Read more here ... Finance New Zealand Oliver McGuigan Alan Rigby Great Things Grow Here #financenz

The financial strain on Australian small businesses is alarming A recent survey found that more than one in five small businesses in Australia have no cash reserves, and many more are close to running out of money. The hospitality industry has been especially affected, with owners having to use personal funds to cover business expenses. This comes at a time when interest rates are at a 12-year high and small businesses owe a significant amount of tax debt. This is a critical issue that needs to be addressed. Small businesses are the backbone of the Australian economy, and we need to do more to support them. #ausmallbusiness #financial #economics #hospitalityindustry #SME

Family businesses comprise over 70% of Malta's SMEs, playing a crucial role in employment and reflecting core Maltese values. However, they face unique challenges like succession planning, governance and long-term strategy. There are various initiatives that offer some financial relief to ensure that family businesses continue to thrive for future generations. Discover some of the incentives and support schemes that your family business can benefit from here: https://lnkd.in/dtxFChgk

📣 Reminder for Lancashire businesses 📣 Boost wants to remind Lancashire businesses of the fully-funded finance support available to them through the Access to Finance service, whilst it is still available. Some of the ways the Access to Finance team can help:  ✅ Becoming investment ready  ✅ Advise on the most appropriate type of growth finance ✅ Help with preparing funding applications and liaise with investors and lenders through the application process ✅ General financial planning Mark Gibbons, lead adviser at Access to Finance, said: “We are seeing an increase in demand for finance support which is why we have invested in our team in recent months. We have six experts who can advise businesses across the full range of finance options, making sure they receive the best possible support every time they contact Boost. “Our specialist team can help businesses of all sizes to ensure you have the correct finance in place. Get in touch to understand how our experts can support your growth ambitions.” 📖 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eCW3Prje #HelpingLancashireBusinessesThrive #FinanceSupport #BusinessFinance Firoza Ismail Warren Lunt Iain Duncan Peter Capper Amanda Jayne Farrington

Adversity or opportunity... what do you see? Small and medium businesses are the heartbeat of our economy, accounting for almost 70 per cent of employment in Australia. While larger businesses show signs of resilience and recovery in the post-COVID economy, a recent report by the Commonwealth Bank shows small businesses are at a very real risk of going under. This demands immediate attention to safeguard these crucial contributors to our economy. Small business is being hammered by rising costs – with higher costs for energy, rent, insurance and interest rates all putting them under the most financial pressure in decades. Small business accounts for 97 per cent of all businesses and employs about one in five people, however some 46 per cent of small businesses DID NOT make a profit in the most recent year of financial accounts available, according to Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise’s analysis of ATO data. Persistent inflation, elevated interest rates and the Australian Taxation Office chasing tax debts drove a 40 per cent jump in corporate collapses in 2023-24. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) need to be particularly strategic about how to future proof their business – seek advice from trusted sources, innovate and look for ways to acquire knowledge and education about how to structure and manage their business. Global Business Camps new business development event at Crowne Plaza, Surfers Paradise from 24-26 February, 2025 is fast approaching. This brilliant 3-day Camp is guaranteed to give you the knowledge, skills and insights to help futureproof your business and enable you to work your way through the current challenges. Visit https://lnkd.in/gkJssXu to find out more and REGISTER. Or you can call John Tsoulos on 0410 583 875.

Winning a government tender can be life-changing for an Australian small business. But a perfect storm of conditions, including of a crackdown on badly behaved large consulting firms, means skilled government contractors and consultants are now being replaced with in-house generalists. This not only means government projects miss out on niche expertise, but many small businesses will eventually shut down, creating job losses, less economic spending, and less tax being paid to the government. In the last year, more than 15% of Australian businesses failed, the worst rate since the Global Financial Crisis. Half of the businesses established in 2019 aren't around today, and small business failures have jumped by more than 33% this financial year. However, the federal government could make several simple but meaningful changes to open tenders to smaller businesses to benefit themselves and the wider economy. Read more about this issue and proposed changes in gemaker Managing Director Natalie Chapman RTTP GAICD's insight at https://lnkd.in/gDq58CdK David Pocock

Earlier this week, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce launched ‘Go Big on Small Business,’ outlining our recommendations for all three levels of government to support the growth and success of entrepreneurs, innovators and business owners. With an impressive 95% of Calgary businesses classified as small, they are responsible for much of our economic growth, job creation and vibrancy. However, affordability, labour, and regulatory concerns are holding businesses back. Our recommendations:   TAX: → Eliminate the provincial small business tax, currently at 2% → Increase the federal Small Business Tax Deduction threshold from $500,000 to $750,000 → Rebalance municipal residential and non-residential taxes, shifting 2% annually for the next four years   LABOUR: → Increase provincial nomination limits, giving provinces more flexibility to recruit the skills we need → Restore the Labour Market Transfer Agreement, which funded the Canada-Alberta Job Grant  → Invest in upskilling and reskilling programs to ensure businesses have the skills they need    REGULATORY CERTAINTY: → Streamline granting and funding applications  → Simplify, clarify and accelerate processes to obtain licenses, permits and regulatory approvals → Minimize business disruption during construction

Queensland Business Growth Fund Applications Open! The Business Growth Fund offers up to $75,000 to eligible small and medium-sized businesses in Queensland to help cover the costs of acquiring highly specialised equipment or services. Stage 1: Expression of interest (EOI) closes 5pm, Tuesday 14 May 2024. How to Apply? 1. Prepare Your Application: Detail your business's growth potential, how the grant will assist, and a plan for scaling your operations. 2. Gather Supporting Information: Ensure you have all necessary financial statements and records to demonstrate your business's financial health and growth potential. 3. Submit Your Application: Applications can be submitted via the official Queensland Government website. Be mindful of the application deadlines and ensure you submit all the required documentation. Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Read more about the Business Growth Fund and check your eligibility here: https://sowo.kr/qatp1sT1 #qldgrants #businessgrants #smallbusiness