Private Business Barometer Webcasts

Some of the key highlights from Private Business Barometer V include:

• Medium-term outlook robust – Overall, businesses are still targeting double-digit growth in their three-year outlook.
  
  
• Growth states hold the line – Western Australia and Queensland reported double-digit average sales and profit growth over the past 12 months. By contrast, average sales and profit growth in New South Wales and Victoria had fallen well into single digits.
  
  
• Most businesses losing value – Over half of respondents believe the value of their business is down, with the average reduction more than one quarter.
  
  
• Federal Government asked to listen – Nearly half of businesses want an annual summit for small and medium businesses (SMEs) or a dedicated SME committee formed to address the sector’s concerns.
  
  
• Debt reduction and cash form top agenda – If businesses were given A$1 million each, the majority would use the funds to pay down debt or maintain cash reserves.
  
  
• Talent war now a skirmish – For the first time, lack of qualified talent has been replaced by high wage costs as the top hiring constraint for businesses.

• Introduction – Private Business Barometer: 5th Edition
• Funding – Businesses are getting back to basics
• Growth – Look towards 12 month and 3 year horizons
• Operations – The mechanics that make a business tick
• People – War for talent now a skirmish.