One of the highlights of the CPA Congress program in NSW this year is the free Small Business Community session, this has continued to be a successful event attracting a few hundred members and non-members.
CPA Australia recently released the results of an Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey that showed differing sentiment in different countries across the region. Small business operators in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia took part in the survey.
The survey showed overall that throughout the region confidence is improving among small businesses. However, CPA Australia’s President Richard Petty FCPA noted that, ‘the results indicate that while there exists a general expectation that conditions will improve this sentiment is qualified in that many small business operators appear hesitant when it comes to obtaining extra funding or employing more staff.”
Can CPA Congress inspire small business confidence?
This year some truly inspirational commentators will be at Darling Harbour Convention Centre to share their stories, least of which is Rick Romanin FCPA. Rick will share the story of Greyhound Australia suffering because of low-cost airlines. He will relate how his company changed their fate by diversifying and recognising the need to respond to change.
This year’s community session includes a panel that will discuss the economic outlook for SME’s, share success stories, offer practical advice and answer questions on real business issues. The panel includes Amanda Gome from smartcompany.com.au, Stacey Lapping the co-founder of Remoov.com.au and Andrew Griffiths who is known as a serial entrepreneur.
Leadership, innovation and risk management are also key issues to be covered this year that affect finance professionals in any sector. There’s now less than a week until CPA Congress opens in Sydney, you can still register.
