Resources
Keep those corks in the bottles for now…
When you eventually find that precious buyer for your business, you could be forgiven for wishing to shout praise from the rooftops to your favourite deity or hit the top end bars to celebrate. Finding the right buyer and securing a good price are what you have worked...
Pokémon Go at Work? No thank you Pikachu.
It was only a matter of time before the question was going to come up, and I was asked it this morning. The exchange went something like this: ‘David, is there anything that I can do about our employees playing games while at work?’ I looked up and asked ‘what kind of...
Intellectual Property update: Mc and Mac belong to Macca’s
In a ruling by the Luxembourg-based General Court, Europe's second-highest court, McDonald's won a trademark dispute to have the exclusive rights to the use of 'Mc' or 'Mac' in trademark names for foodstuffs and beverages. The Court delivered its decision in response...
Innovative tax incentives to support start-ups
As one financial year draws to a close and after businesses have maximised their potential tax concessions for this year, it is never too early to start to focus on what opportunities are available for the year ahead. A new scheme which may be of interest to many...
Succession Planning: Private Equity Recapitalisation and Employee Share Schemes
When considering succession planning strategies, business owners often focus solely on the sale of their business as the means of exit and close their minds to other potential options. While a clean break can obviously reap immediate returns, sometimes there are...
A “contemptuous disregard” for Australian workplace law results in a record fine for a 7-Eleven franchise.
A “contemptuous disregard” for Australian workplace law results in a record fine for a 7-Eleven franchise. Federal Circuit Court judge Michael Jarrett has imposed $408,348 in penalties against a 7-Eleven franchisee that "systematically exploited" its employees and...
Commercial Basics: Offshore outsourcing
Outsourcing to overseas contractors (‘offshoring’) is often seen as an attractive option for businesses wishing to remove the cost burden of non-core activities. Low wage costs mean that overseas contractors can often provide services at a significantly lower cost...
Workplace Basics: Managing sick and injured employees
Managing employees who are sick or injured can often be problematic. There are a number of potential risks that can arise out of this situation including claims for: Unfair dismissal; Workplace bullying; Adverse action; Breach of contract; Unlawful termination; and...
Commercial Basics: What is due diligence?
Due diligence is the stage during a business sale, where the business is investigated by the purchaser. The process entails the purchaser (or rather those acting for purchaser) reviewing the documents and information belonging to the business to verify the accuracy of...
Workplace Basics: National Employment Standards
The Fair Work Act 2009 sets out 10 National Employment Standards (often referred to as NES) that apply to all permanent employees in Australia. These are as follows: • 38 working hours per week (plus such additional hours that are reasonable for both the individual...