A shortage of skilled labour is the biggest challenge facing small and medium businesses, according to a poll of state and territory winners and finalists in the 2011 Telstra Business Awards.
More than 100 businesses participated in the poll leading up to the national finals, which will be announced at the 19th Telstra Business Awards taking place in Melbourne on 26 August.
The poll found skills shortages are the biggest concern for 18 percent of respondents, followed by increased business costs (16 percent), cash flow (11 percent), increased competition (9 percent), red tape (7 percent) and the high Australian dollar (7 percent).
Respondents said lowering company taxes was the most important thing the Federal Government could do to better support small and medium business (43 percent), followed by cutting red tape and compliance costs (12 percent) and giving the Minister for Small Business a Cabinet position (12 percent).
In response to emissions reduction measures, one in five businesses said they would use cheaper energy sources and introduce technology such as videoconferencing to reduce travel (23 percent).
When asked to predict business conditions for the 2011-2012 financial year, 53 percent of respondents believed conditions will improve, while 19 percent believed they will worsen and 22 percent expected they will stay the same.
These predictions are more pessimistic than last year. In 2010, 66 percent of Telstra Business Awards Finalists thought conditions would improve in the year ahead, and only 5 percent expected them to worsen.
The 2011 Telstra Australian Business Awards national finalists are:
Business Owner Micro-Business Award
- Plants Management Australia TAS
- The Wall Sticker Company VIC
- Motivate You Fitness & Personal Training NSW
- Learning Options ACT
- JADE Corporate & Community Development QLD
- Darwin Day Surgery NT
- Veritas Engineering Pty Ltd WA
- Brazcom Imports SA
MYOB Small Business Award:
- Tas Petroleum TAS
- EasyWeddings.com.au VIC
- Ecoline Pty Ltd NSW
- Interaction Consulting Group ACT
- Flash Fotos QLD
- Abode New Homes Pty Ltd NT
- Gnarabar WA
- Health and Life SA
Panasonic Australia Medium Business Award:
- Preshafood VIC
- Janison NSW
- Luton Properties ACT
- Stream Group QLD
- Area9 IT Solutions NT
- Australian Pressure Testing Services WA
- Beerenberg Farm SA
AMP Innovation Award:
- Plants Management Australia TAS
- BikeExchange.com.au VIC
- Colmax Glass NSW
- Lucy Media ACT
- Zehnder Gluten Free QLD
- Darwin Day Surgery NT
- RePipe Pty Ltd WA
- SCF Group SA
Yellow Pages Social Responsibility Award:
- Tasmanian Wing Chun Academy Ulverstone TAS
- m.a.d.woman – making a difference VIC
- Ecoline NSW
- PCA People Pty Ltd ACT
- Samies Girl Seafoods QLD
- Area9 IT Solutions NT
- RePipe Pty Ltd WA
- Health and Life SA
Telstra Regional Award :
- M & J Baker Farms TAS
- Blackmore Holdings VIC
- Janison NSW
- Flash Fotos QLD
- Eldorado Motor Inn Golden Chain NT
- Gnarabar WA
- Cowell Electric Supply Pty Ltd SA
Telstra Australian Business of the Year:
- Plants Management Australia TAS
- EasyWeddings.com.au VIC
- Janison NSW
- Luton Properties ACT
- Stream Group Aust QLD
- Abode New Homes NT
- Australian Pressure Testing Services WA
- Beerenberg Farm SA
