Recent Insights.
3 November 2020
Guide to setting up a small business in Australia
Have you ever thought about setting up a small business in Australia but are yet to follow through? Now is the best time for you to become that entrepreneur you have always wanted to be. Business success results from a strong business model and a unique idea that has been purposefully built to solve problems. Let’s take General Motors, Airbnb and Uber as examples. All three businesses were created to solve a problem. What makes them even more interesting is they were founded during economic downturns. The current business climate is tough to navigate, so it’s essential that you surround...
2 October 2020
Creating a multi-generational workplace
Did you know that Millennials, those born between 1981 and 1996, is the largest generation yet? By 2025, most Millennials will be in the workforce and the next generation “Gen Z” would have entered. We are familiar with new generations entering the workforce but what do younger generations have to offer and why should businesses have a key focus on creating a multi-generational workplace? Can you imagine being born into a world where your parents could use Google to search for ‘most popular baby names’? Gen Z have lived and breathed in a digitalised world from the moment they were...
2 October 2020
How to improve your business’ credit score
Funding growth, expansion or other working capital requirements is always something on the minds of business owners. If you are seeking a business loan facility, your business credit score will be used as an indicator of your ability to repay the loan. In this article we explain what a business credit score is, why you want this to be a good score, what influences it and tips to improve it. What is a business credit score? Your business credit score is used by financial institutions (banks/lenders) as an indicator of your creditworthiness. It calculated using the information listed on your...
1 September 2020
Deferred loan payments: Where to next?
The six-month loan repayment deferrals are due to conclude at the end of September 2020 as Banks enter the next phase of support to assist customers. Whether you are a business or an individual who is currently under a loan deferral structure, you need to know what the next phase entails and what this means for you or your business. The next phase, for most banks, will begin on 1 October 2020, where customers who are able to start paying their loans will be required to do so. Those who are still unable to pay due to ongoing financial difficulty...
4 August 2020
Business loan requirements: What you need to know
It’s no doubt that financial markets in Australia and across the world have been largely impacted by COVID-19, as it has become not just a health scare but an economic one at that. The Government has put many incentive measures in place and the RBA cash rate has remained at an all-time low. But businesses are still struggling which has proven difficult when trying to secure funding. There are various finance solutions available for businesses and the role of commercial finance brokers has become more important now than ever before, as we support these businesses and create market clarity. What questions...
7 July 2020
The role of a commercial finance broker
Businesses have been faced with many challenges over the past few months and there is bound to be more as we continue to navigate through changes within our businesses and the wider market. In this article we will explore the role of a commercial broker and how they can assist businesses through what are currently unchartered waters. As businesses are figuring out how to best navigate the impact of COVID-19, estimating their funding needs and taking advantage of government stimulus packages, a commercial broker’s role is to create market clarity and support for these businesses in a number of ways....
1 July 2020
Operating cash flow: The core of your business
What is Operating Cash Flow? Operating Cash Flow (OCF) is cash relating to core business activities over a given period. Ideally, you want the cash coming into the business, generated from your service offering (i.e. sales) to be more than operating costs. OCF is used to evaluate the underlying health of the business and to demonstrate the cash generated from normal operations, without taking into account secondary sources of revenue, such as investments, finance or the sale of assets. Operating activities explained The various sources and application of cash which would be included in your OCF are those which are...
25 June 2020
Government housing grants: Support for homeowners
Are you buying, building or renovating? The Government has put a number of stimulus packages in place to support homeowners and prospective home buyers. Here’s what you need to know about the Government grants. WA State Government First Home Owners Grant of $10,000 & Stamp Duty Concessions This is available for First Home Buyers who: have never owned a property in WA in your own name and neither has your spouse; intend to live in the home as your principal place of residence for at least 6 continuous months within 12 months of settlement; enter into a contract to purchase...
2 June 2020
Industry health check survey: COVID-19’s impact on WA businesses
Ledge recently surveyed a number of Perth small businesses (mostly clients and other stakeholders) to get a better understanding of and to provide clarity around how industries have been impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) and its knock on effects. We surveyed businesses from various industries, including infrastructure/earthmoving, construction/engineering, manufacturing, agri/food and professional services. Whilst the effects of COVID-19 have been widespread across all industries, some businesses have been able to operate as per usual, whereas others have had to innovate and think of new ways to deliver their services. Changes in Operations As a whole, 48.3% of WA businesses surveyed have...