The Buy Queensland Supplier Awards are a great way to get your business recognised as a supplier of goods and services to the Queensland Government.

I am excited to announce that we are now accepting nominations for the 2023 Buy Queensland Supplier Awards.

Nominations for the 2023 Awards close at 11.59pm AEST, 4 July 2023.

Why nominate?

By nominating, not only will you raise the profile of your business, your achievements will be recognised and you will inspire other businesses to adopt the Buy Queensland procurement approach.

Your business may also be recognised on the Buy Queensland shout-out page on our website and social media as a champion supporter of Buy Queensland.

If you are a Queensland business and you currently have, or have had, contracts to work with the Queensland Government since September 2017 you are eligible to nominate.

Nominating is easy

Businesses self-nominate against the award category which best applies to their business.

All you need to do is, provide details and evidence about how your business is supporting the Buy Queensland procurement approach, attach some business photos and provide referee contact details.

To learn more about the Awards visit our website or click on the Nominate Now below. 

NOMINATE NOW

As of April 1st, new employer responsibilities come into effect, one of the upcoming challenges we are identifying in the small business space is the expansion of the WHS laws and employer responsibilities to ensure the psychosocial safety of their employees (in addition to the existing physical safety requirements).

Below is a link that includes a short video explaining the new responsibilities.

https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/codes-of-practice/managing-the-risk-of-psychosocial-hazards-at-work-code-of-practice-2022?

eXecforce Lead and Team Program has been designed specifically to solve the problems that occur in businesses large and small. Its premise is based on a wealth of experience working in leadership and management roles bringing together the best of elite sports, military practices, and strategic business planning to give clients a true competitive advantage.

eXeforce has created a program that we are proud to stand behind and put our name to because we would not accept anything less than a world-class program – but it still needed to be affordable and accessible for small businesses.

To be effective, we designed the program so that the content is based on current real-world examples, is experienced in a different way to the usual boring classroom style training, and most importantly, delivers real tangible results for our clients.

The Compass Management Program is a twelve-module learning experience designed to provide participants with an ongoing and structured framework that they can use now and for their entire career. 

In essence, the program changes the way you see your professional world. It puts you at the centre of your own compass and allows you to plot and embark on your own course. It covers individuals’ growth and development, team communications, increasing productivity, strategic and tactical planning and execution, positive conflict, and developing a leadership and management style that best suits your environment.

Grant Doyle
Director eXecforce

Grant is currently running our Business Accelerator Program which is now nearing completion with attendees loving the content on offer as well with Grants style of delivery of the current program.

Grant is an excellent facilitator and delivers a very engaging active learning space, always encouraging discussion and participation on the key criteria and concepts, by using practical and meaningful material to achieve the learning outcomes.

This opportunity to date has also provided a 1 on 1 coaching session with Grant, where we focused on my individual goals and outcomes, and I know that he is always available via email and text if I need to reach out.

Chrys
Business Accelerator Program Participant

Attached is a copy of the flyer which outline the program and the modules participant swill work through over 6 months starting March 23 rd 2023 for just $825 per person. The KCCI is pleased that we can offer this highly desirable program at this price with our co contribution through the Federal Governments Black Summer Bushfire Funding received through collaboration with South Burnett Regional Council.

Our advocacy relies so much upon what we hear on calls to our Assistance line and the data collection efforts driven by different agencies across Queensland. Without this information we cannot advocate for change or improvements for small business across Queensland and I cannot stress enough – how important your stories and your voices are.

You told us that your demand and profitability was improving but that your biggest problem was hiring and retaining staff. You raised your concerns around the increasing costs and challenges associated with wages and workforce planning. 

This month, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland released their Pulse survey results for December 2022. The survey reflected the views we have been hearing on the ground and shows a divergence between business confidence and steady business performance. 

Approximately 37% of Queensland businesses have seen their sales and revenue improve. Yet, businesses overall are reporting that costs continue to hinder their profitability which is what we have discussed with small business owners on our travels. 

To provide further support with workforce planning, the Queensland Government has just announced a free workforce planning course for business owners and managers. This is a valuable opportunity for you to work smarter, to recruit and develop the workers required NOW. 

We have seen a 60% increase in call volumes to our Assistance line. Most calls have been enquiries or disputes associated with ‘options’ within a lease. Many callers were not familiar with the meaning of an ‘option’ or were seeking more information. You might find this new QSBC factsheet, Option to renew a lease helpful.

To advocate for small business at a federal level within a Queensland context, I met with Bruce Billson – the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. We discussed federal issues impacting small business including the cost of labour, insurance, and taxation. 

If you are experiencing any issues relating to federal matters or have any suggestions about how the federal government or its agencies could streamline their interactions with small business, please get in touch. I will be attending my first National Small Business Commissioner’s Meeting chaired by Mr Billson on 7 March. This is a fantastic opportunity for your voice to be heard at a federal level. 

If you are new to our newsletter or would like to learn more about our services, resources, initiatives, and projects, visit the QSBC website. If you are ever unsure and are looking for more information, give us a call at 1300 312 344 or submit an enquiry. 

Dominique Lamb 
Queensland Small Business Commissioner

Included in this update:

• Changes to work from home tax deductions
• How to check and apply for a trade mark
• Business valuation for tax purposes
• Small Business Friendly Update
• Queensland Training Awards 
• Case study – Renewing a lease

Click here to view full update here.

Returning Officers are professional, organised, team players and they come from all walks of life. We couldn’t deliver elections without them!

We are reaching out to let you know about these vacancies and to ask for your assistance in spreading the word among your local community group or community.

To assist, we have compiled a Stakeholder Engagement Kit (attached) which contains useful information that you can print and share on your local channels.

Applications for this role (and others in interesting locations across Queensland) close on 3 March. You’ll find all the details, including how to apply – on the Smartjobs website.

Nominations close 6 March 2023.

VP Reference #VP348804.
Buyers Reference #2022-23 RFP0197.
Closes on Wednesday 15 March 2023, 5:00 PM (E. Australia Standard Time).

Details: To support current and future community needs within the Gympie region, Gympie Regional Council (Council) is seeking to establish a Register of Pre-Qualified Suppliers from suitably qualified and experienced suppliers specialising in the category of Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Drainers to support Council at various times throughout the Gympie region.

DISCLAIMER: This information is subject to change and should be verified directly from the website. For more information and/or available documentation relating to this tender notice, click here.

Local Business Heroes is an Australia Post initiative to recognise, support and celebrate small businesses for their contribution to local communities. 

Tell us about the great things your business is achieving and you could be one of 100 Aussie local businesses given the stamp of approval with a Heroes Package worth over $5000.  

Don’t miss out – applications close on 12 March 2023.

Apply Now.

If you’re selected as a 2023 Local Business Hero, your Heroes Package could help to give your business a boost. Tailor your own Heroes Package from a range of options, including: 

• Promotion of your brand in the local area or local Post Office
• Broadband or mobile packages to help you communicate and connect with your customers
• A MyPost Business band boost to save time and money on your sending
• Packaging that’s specially designed to promote your brand
• Home office supplies to make working from home easier
• One-on-one business coaching to help you take your business to the next level

Celebrating local businesses for the value they give our community. It’s just another way we’re delivering for Australia at Australia Post. 

South Burnett Regional Council is requesting quotes to supply a large volume of water meters for a Capital Works project Meter renewal program for 2023.

The request for Tender (RFT) document had been prepared to provide a description and set out the minimum requirements for the design, supply, construction, installation, testing, commissioning and handover to South Burnett Regional Council involving three (3) separable portions including for a new water supply reservoir, and roof replacement on the existing water supply reservoir at Mount Wooroolin, Kingaroy.