The art of effective delegation We have the privilege of seeing many businesses, of all types. So, as the days turn to years, we start to form hypotheses about why some businesses perform and others do not. One such hypothesis is that businesses with leaders that delegate, do better. So, we set out to find … Read more
The self-fulfilling prophecy that is cruelling your business The skills shortage continues to afflict Australian manufacturers. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were nearly 20,000 vacancies in the sector by May 2025. Whilst that is well off the highs of February 2022, it is concerning that the trendline has done nothing but increase … Read more
Australia is experiencing increased volumes of cyber-attacks, but why? Our mandatory reporting regulations may be inflating comparative figures, however ongoing failure to develop systemic and mature risk management controls is at the heart of the issue. So-called ‘threat actors’ are increasing their focus on Australia, increasing ransomware and financial attacks as clients are identified as … Read more
In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is more critical than ever. With cyber threats evolving rapidly, adopting a framework is the best way to get started. One such strategy is the Essential Eight, a set of mitigation strategies recommended by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to safeguard against cyber threats. What is the Essential Eight?The … Read more
How you frame your thinking about things informs your verbal and non-verbal cues and affects those around you. Worse, if you repeat certain words often enough, what began as self-limiting beliefs can become accepted wisdom. It’s at that point that people stop railing against the ‘facts’ and effectively, give up. Here are two examples of … Read more
In our third and final article in our risk management series we provide some practical suggestions to take the next step building your resilience and competitive edge by managing risk. You’ve heard it before, hope is not a strategy. It’s human nature to cross our fingers and hope for the best. But in today’s fast-moving, … Read more
Manufacturing risk isn’t just a possibility, it’s a certainty. Supply chain disruptions, equipment failures, workforce challenges, or unexpected liabilities can throw a spanner in the works. While most manufacturers have contracts in place to manage these risks, insurance can be the unsung hero that takes your risk management to the next level. Contracts vs. Insurance: … Read more
Welcome back to our series on Risk Management in Manufacturing. In our first article, we’ve explored practical ways to manage risks, ensuring your operations remain resilient and competitive. Today, we dive into a crucial yet often misunderstood standard, ISO 31000: Risk Management. What is ISO 31000? At its core, ISO 31000 is an international standard … Read more
If you look forward to the day you can ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after, then you might welcome the news that ‘search funds’ are ‘becoming a thing’ in Australia. Most search funds are happy to write cheques of $10m to $40m for up to 100% ownership of the right business. … Read more
The Australian Government has introduced a revamped Export Market Development Grant (EMDG). By alleviating some of the financial burdens, the EMDG encourages manufacturers to expand their reach and establish a robust presence in international markets. Overview of the Export Market Development GrantThe EMDG is designed to provide financial assistance to aspiring and current exporters by … Read more