Women

Survey deadline extended for women business owners to be heard

admin — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 02:35:52 +0000

Survey deadline extended for women business owners to be heard admin Fri, 12/10/2021 - 13:35

19 October 2021

The Australian �Թ�� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has extended the deadline for a survey of women who own and lead businesses.

“There has been a tremendous response so far - it is clear there is an appetite to engage, and we want to give more women business owners and leaders the chance to be heard,” Mr Billson said.

The survey launched earlier this month and is aimed at identifying any unique challenges and opportunities faced by women who own and lead businesses. It will now remain open until 29 October.

“A lot of business entrepreneurs that are women are those who have solved a problem in their life, shared that with their friends who thought, ‘Yes, you can do the same thing for me,’ and then that turns into, you know, a side hustle and then on to a business,” Mr Billson said in an interview on Bathurst radio.

“And, frankly, with COVID, there’s been more problems to solve than ordinarily has been the case and we think if we can energise women’s entrepreneurship that will be fantastic in terms of women’s economic empowerment but really fab for the economy and livelihoods more generally.”

“The survey’s trying to say to women business leaders and entrepreneurs, what kind of roadblock’s have you run into? Have there been needless headwinds that have stood between you and your business ambition?”

The confidential survey can be accessed by visiting the Australian �Թ�� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman website or directly at: WOWL survey

A partial transcript of Mr Billson’s recently interview on Bathurst radio 2BS about the survey is attached.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Attachment 1: Partial transcript of interview on Bathurst radio 2BS with Jac Underwood

JAC UNDERWOOD: Now, tell us what you’re up to here. You’re trying to boost Australia’s economy. You’re asking for women, in particular, to complete a survey. Tell us what’s up.

BRUCE BILLSON: Yeah, well, I’ve always had a strong interest in women’s entrepreneurship. It’s been a real area of excitement in terms of the number of women that are choosing self-employment and creating their own business at this time. And that trend’s been with us for a little while but it’s kind of accelerated. There’s almost been a renaissance of entrepreneurship, Jac, over COVID. And women have been leading the charge with, you know, two-thirds of new businesses created in the last couple of years being led by women. And that kind of makes sense.

I mean, a lot of business entrepreneurs that are women are women that have solved a problem in their life, shared that with their friends who thought, “Yes, you can do the same thing for me,” and then that turns into, you know, a side hustle and then on to a business. And, frankly, with COVID, there’s been more problems to solve than ordinarily has been the case and we think if we can energise women’s entrepreneurship that will be fantastic in terms of women’s economic empowerment but really fab for the economy and livelihoods more generally.

And the survey’s trying to say to women business leaders and entrepreneurs, what kind of roadblock’s have you run into? Have there been needless headwinds that have stood between you and your business ambition? And then part of my agency’s role, Jac, is identifying opportunities to improve the environment for small business and entrepreneurship, and we’re doing that through the lens of women business leaders’ experience.

JAC UNDERWOOD: Right. So you’ll take this data and then have a look at how you can make some changes or reform the industry to make it easier?

BRUCE BILLSON: That’s precisely it. And it allows women business owners and leaders to share their experiences and to identify whether there’s areas that seem to be harder than they need to be, mindful and respectful of, you know, it’s tough running a business. But if there’s policy settings and government programs that can be fine-tuned or new areas of support that can really – and I’m sorry for quoting my inner John Travolta; you’re probably too young to know who he is – but, you know, if we can electrify entrepreneurship with women business leaders, that’s fantastic.

And we saw recently the Commonwealth Government had a Backing Female Founders program, and, Jac, the response to that was just terrific. It was so oversubscribed that the government’s thinking about, “Well, what do we do with all the extra applicants who maybe weren’t lucky enough to get that support,” but also mindful that Asialink has done some research and if we can boost the number of female entrepreneurs to get it about where the blokes are, you know, it could add anywhere between $71 billion and $135 billion a year to our economy. And that’s why we think it matters and that’s why we are hoping women entrepreneurs will share their insights with us.

JAC UNDERWOOD: Electrifying. I wonder if you’ve asked – have you asked men these sort of questions as well that go out in this survey? Or why have you decided to only tailor it to women?

BRUCE BILLSON: Well, mainly because we’ve found over the journey – and certainly in my time as the Federal Cabinet Minister for �Թ�� – blokes don’t hold back telling you what they think. You know these are wildly generalised stereotypes, but we’ve often found that women business leaders and entrepreneurs are more circumspect, they’re very receptive to the advice and counsel of others that have made that journey. They tend to be more interested in programs that develop know-how and acumen and can add to their business strategy and tapping into business opportunities, whereas blokes seem to be a little more convinced that they’ve got it sorted. And, you know, whether that’s the case or not I’ll leave that for others to discuss. But in this space we’re just seeing real energy around women’s entrepreneurship, a real opportunity, a real appetite. And we’re just trying to make sure that there’s good policy and programs supporting that entrepreneurship.

JAC UNDERWOOD: Now the survey is confidential. We have until the 19th* of this month to complete it. But where do we go to do that?

BRUCE BILLSON: We’ve stretched out the dates so there’s a little bit more time for people, given the interest that’s been there. But jump on I think the world’s most gripping website, Jac – that’s www.asbfeo.gov.au. That’s my website as the Australian �Թ�� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. And tap on to that website; the link will be there for the survey, but there’s also some useful resources there that small business owners and listeners might find really helpful, including a little bit of a check-in just on people’s emotional wellness at this time when there’s been, you know, on top of the usual challenges and responsibilities of running a business, you know, no-one ever learnt before how to navigate a global pandemic – well, no-one that’s alive now has. And that’s added a whole other degree of stressors for business owners and leaders. And there’s some helpful resources on the website for that group, too.

JAC UNDERWOOD: Fantastic. It has been great to welcome you to the program.

*survey deadline extended to 29 October.

Media contact: 0448 467 178

Ombudsman supports outstanding Western Sydney Women

admin — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 02:22:56 +0000

Ombudsman supports outstanding Western Sydney Women admin Fri, 12/10/2021 - 13:22

15 November 2021

The Australian �Թ�� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson is proud to support this year’s Outstanding Western Sydney Women Awards to be hosted on 16 November 2021, with a stellar line-up of finalists announced.

“I’m encouraged to see so many exceptional women-owned and women-led businesses recognised at this premier event,” Mr Billson says.

“The pandemic has generated a new era of enterprising women who are trailblazing their own paths to success.

“They’re community leaders, entrepreneurs and tradies – and they deserve this recognition for the brilliant work they do.

“My office is honoured to get behind the awards and the efforts of Western Sydney Women, which aims to help women in the region advance their businesses and career paths and provide a network of support for each other.

“Our �Թ�� Counts report shows more than 35% of Australian small businesses are female-led. In fact, two-thirds of new businesses formed are led by women. That has been rising steadily since the 1990s but certainly more can be done to support women in business.

“Research tell us that the most successful start-ups are created by those who have a network or mentors for support.

“That’s why organisations such as Western Sydney Women are so important in creating a critical mass of female entrepreneurial role models.

“I look forward to celebrating the achievements of these outstanding Western Sydney Women on 16 November.”

Ombudsman congratulates enterprising Western Sydney Women

admin — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 02:18:13 +0000

Ombudsman congratulates enterprising Western Sydney Women admin Fri, 12/10/2021 - 13:18

17 November 2021

The Australian �Թ�� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has congratulated the winners of the Western Sydney Women Awards, many of whom are outstanding small and family business owners.

The awards, held virtually last night, recognised the resilience and agility of community leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals who have navigated their own pathways to success throughout the pandemic.

“Congratulations to the winners and finalists – who are all exceptional women,” Mr Billson says.

“It’s inspiring to see these enterprising women recognised for their hard work in fearlessly facing the challenges presented over the past two years.

“Alison Covington – founder and MD of Good360 Australia – was named Western Sydney Woman of the Year and I congratulate Alison for being a leader in her field as well as an innovator and social entrepreneur.

“Like many women-led businesses, Alison is a problem-solver who founded Good360 as a solution to reduce waste by matching excess goods with those who need them most.

“I wish Alison every success at achieving her goal to provide $1 billion worth of brand-new goods to Australians in need by 2025.

“A big shout out to Cassandra Kalpaxis of Kalpaxis Legal who took out the Western Sydney Women �Թ�� Growth Award, who has carved a reputation as a disruptor of the legal industry and founder of the Dispute Resolution Centre Australia.

“My office is a proud partner of these awards and supports the efforts of Western Sydney Women, which aims to help women in the region advance their business and career goals.

“Research shows the most successful small businesses are run by those who have a network of mentors for support. Western Sydney Women offers a critical mass of enterprising female role models, which is especially important at a time when two-thirds of new businesses formed are led by women.

“It was an honour to take part in this year’s Western Sydney Women Awards, celebrating the achievements of these talented women.”

Women recognised as key drivers of business growth on World MSME Day

Toby — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 02:35:07 +0000

Women recognised as key drivers of business growth on World MSME Day Toby Thu, 12/02/2021 - 13:35

25 June 2021

The Australian �Թ�� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has recognised the rise of ‘womenpreneurs’ and the key role women will play in driving future business growth on World MSME Day (Sunday 27 June, 2021).

World MSME Day 2021, declared by the UN, has identified the evolution of womenpreneurs as one of the Top 10 Trends of the year.

Mr Billson says this is also an emerging trend in Australia, with women-owned women-led enterprises increasing at a faster rate than male-owned businesses.

“On World MSME Day I want to thank all small and family businesses for their vital contribution to Australia’s prosperity, wellbeing and community,” Mr Billson says.

“Female entrepreneurs have been acknowledged on World MSME Day as being a crucial part of the global SME ecosystem who are looking for new growth opportunities.

“In Australia, about 38% of small businesses are owned by women and we are likely to see that number continue to grow.

“In the decade to 2019, of the 171,000 newly established businesses in Australia, two-thirds were led by women.

“Research has found the economic opportunity for Australia by boosting the number of female entrepreneurs to parity with men would be worth between $71 billion and $135 billion to the nation’s economy.”

Resilience has also been listed as one of the Top 10 Trends of 2021 as part of World MSME Day.

“The past 18 months has been incredibly challenging for small businesses, but I have been inspired by the courage and agility shown by our small business community,” Mr Billson says.

“Our �Թ�� Counts report noted ABS data revealing 40% of small businesses have changed the way they provided products and services as a result of the pandemic.

“More than ever we have seen the deep personal commitment it takes to run a small business and I thank Australian small and family businesses for their fighting spirit, hard work and determination.”

View ASBFEO’s World MSME Day video here.