Are we adequately building the resilience of young Australians as they transition from school to work?

Young Australians experience disadvantage in the labour market for a number of reasons. Alexandra Loftus says we need to connect young people to the working world as early as possible to expose them to the realities of the job market.

Opportunities for SMEs

Australian and international thought leaders discussed the role SMEs can play in meeting the G20’s target of 2% growth above trend at the invitation of the Honourable Bruce Billson MP, Australian Minister for Small Business, and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

HECS-style loan scheme for Paid Parental Leave provides fairness for women and taxpayers

The Abbott government’s proposed Paid Parental Leave scheme remains controversial. Matthew Taylor from the Centre for Independent Studies lays out an alternative to the Coalition’s reforms.

Come out from your corporate corner

Many companies often automatically hide behind industry bodies and issue statements which can’t be questioned. Christopher Zinn explains how media engagement can be about taking risks, not just avoiding them.

Looking for work? Lucrative job markets across the world

Jobseekers with limited employment opportunities in their hometown might contemplate relocating. Devika Arora has a brief overview of the international job market.

Acting versus reacting – planning your financial future

We don’t have much control over the recent federal budget. Michal Bodi explains which steps we can take to plan our financial future with a family budget.

Budget 2014 and the politics of ‘class warfare’

The national budget presented this week has been met with resistance and has become a serious electoral gamble. Dominic O’Sulllivan says that some of the budget’s more far reaching measures won’t pass the Senate.

Youth unemployment and ways forward

Young people are finding it ever more difficult to find jobs that match their skills and education. Simon Kwan is part of a group of business leaders who offer professional support to young people in their work and career development.

Take advantage of ASEAN’s new market

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), a newly integrated market, will be formed 2015. Australian businesses operating in ASEAN are well placed to capitalise on this new market. The Centre for Economic Diplomacy Asia Pacific (CEDAP) and the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) offer a practical workshop on Monday, 19 May 2014 in Brisbane.

What if consumers were as determined as the businesses they dealt with?

Making meaningful comparisons as a customer is challenging. Christopher Zinn says we need help in order to make better decisions as a consumer.

States heading for a debt problem

The state treasurers are meeting in Canberra today to discuss spending on infrastructure among other things. Robert Carling from The Centre for Independent Studies says that if the states want to be able to spend on infrastructure, they have to keep a tight rein on operating expenses for years to come as the debt of state governments has risen dramatically in the last years.

Are times a-changing or has commerce got a tin ear?

Along with iappANZ Board members Julie Inman Grant, Peter Leonard and esteemed Chair Emma Hossack, I have just been to the annual IAPP Summit in Washington DC.