Are you facing these Five Big Dangers in 2012

It is the middle of January 2012 already and Aussies are slowly getting back to work after the Christmas break.  Did you have a good break?

I really enjoyed having some time out, catching up with my extended family at my place for Dinner just before Christmas and with my daughter’s extended in-laws’ family for an Italian Christmas as well.

Now it is time to think strategically about 2012 and make sure we don’t let things drift – perhaps in the wrong direction. 

According to ASIC the number of insolvencies is up with 2011 being the worst year since records have been collected.  They expect 2012 to be another shocking year and of course small to medium enterprises are right up there in those figures.

Smart people prevent things happening to themselves, their families, and their business.  This is well worth thought as we start the new year.

The Five Biggest Dangers Facing Small To Medium Businesses In 2012
1.    Global financial uncertainty is right up there in everyone’s mind
2.    Increasing costs with rising wages, superannuation, rising electricity -  it goes on
3.    Less obvious are the problems your staff cause like lost customers because you have a lack of consistency and a customer focus
4.    increased competition difficulties with marketing and winning customers and tenders
5.    Increased Legislative Compliance and this is the really big one

P.S. I will be discussing these in more detail in future newsletters and you can learn more by going to www.integratedisosystems.com/thank-you.html 

My kindest regards

Jean

Articles

The dangers of working from home

With recent technological advances, avoiding the commute, it’s no surprise more workers are asking to work from home.   This is especially the case where women have young children.

For businesses flexible working arrangements can deliver a competitive advantage.

However a recent ruling against Telstra means it is time to stop and think about occupational health and safety in the home environment.

Cycling, risk management and road rage.

The Tour Down Under is on in Adelaide this week – an International event that is right up there with the Tour De France as one of the major international cycling events.

I love it and I would like to see safer cycling tracks available for 2 wheeled commuters in Adelaide.  However cars and bikes don’t mix well and lots of patience is needed on both sides as they share the roads.  This week in particular there are public rides as well with groups of hundred of riders spread out along the roads last Sunday.

One guy had Fragile in big letters across his bottom.  Very sensible.

Tax and Superannuation convictions up 20%

Yet another area of risk to be managed.

Almost 500 companies and individuals were convicted in the September quarter for taxation and superannuation offences, an increase of 20%, and 12 people were sentenced to jail, for a maximum of five years.

Good grief!  That is almost five each week.

SMEs are confused by the Fair Work Act

The new Fair Work Ombudsman has reported that 26% of 1,800 businesses surveyed were incorrectly paying their employees

Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman told SmartCompany this morning the Government needs to do a better job of informing businesses about correct rates of pay and breaking down the law into easy-to-understand terms.

Zimmerman says about 50% of the calls made to the ARA by employers are about HR or industrial relations matters.

Cyber Crime is Hitting SME’s in 2012

The Australian Federal Police believe that 2012 will see more businesses hit by cyber-crime and hacking attempts than ever before, as more businesses continue to put more critical data online.

AVG security advisor Michael McKinnon says small businesses may be a key target this year.  “In 2011 we saw larger companies, enterprises, becoming very good at protecting themselves and responding to larger threats.”

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