Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #241 Broadcast date: 16th July 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Wes Lambert CPA, FGIA, CAE, MAICD and CEO Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association

Wes Lambert describes himself as passionate about advancing the interests of the hospitality industry through advocacy, education, and leadership. He has over 24 years of experience in the hospitality industry, a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, as well as the skills and tools to deliver solutions that meet the needs of businesses.

But more than that he’s a passionate advocate. He lives and breathes the sector as a leader who has dedicated decades to bringing the industry to great heights and more than once, ensuring its survival.

But right now, the industry he loves so dearly and has made his life’s mission to see succeed, is on its knees. So, why is it now, even after the ravages of COVID and massive downturns in the economy like the GFC are thought leaders like Wes Lambert talking about devastation of an entire sector like never before? And what can Wes, with his deep knowledge of the policy space push for, to ensure survival of the industry – not just of the fittest?

This isn’t just about $8 lattes anymore. This is about jobs, high streets filled with empty shop windows and the very survival of communities and our way of life. And Wes Lambert is just the leader, advocate and experienced passionate policy influencer who cafes and restaurants need fighting in their corner.

PEOPLE - Tell us about the business owners you represent. Why is it critical for Australian communities and the economy that cafes and hospitality businesses get support right now? Do they need a hand out or a help up? And what does that look like?

POLICY - In a perfect world, in which department would you want to start to improve policy to make it easier to run a hospitality business in Australia? Which areas need the most work? Do you think the Australian Govt is really listening to the needs of small business?

PURPOSE - There's been a lot in the media recently about the dire state of the industry. Is it as a result of inflation, the lag from COVID closures, restaurant input costs or all of the above? What do policy makers need to do urgently to save hospitality small businesses on the brink?

As the CEO of the Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association, Wes Lambert is passionate about advancing the interests of the hospitality industry through advocacy, education, and leadership. With over 24 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, as well as the skills and tools to deliver solutions that meet the needs of businesses.

Wes Lambert is the former CEO of the 2020 Association of the Year Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA), winner of the AuSAE 2020 Influencer Award, and a board member of several industry bodies, including the Australian Foodservice Advocacy Body, the Council of Small Business Organizations Australia, and the Children's Tumour Foundation. He holds a CPA, a FGIA, and a CAE, and am a Member of AICD. He is also a US Army veteran, an author, and a father of three.

The Restaurant & Cafe segment of the Hospitality Industry has been under constant threat & pressure as Taxes, Inflation, Wage rises, Migration & Staffing Challenges, and Relentless Rent Increases decimate business after business throughout Australia.

Our purpose is to Drive Change and be the voice of Restaurants & Cafes by uniting industry leaders, fostering collaboration, and driving impactful legislative and policy shifts to benefit Restaurants & Cafes.

By amplifying the voices of our Members and advocating for their interests, we aim to shape policies and regulations that foster a thriving and sustainable Hospitality Industry.

Join us as we embark on this journey to redefine the future of Restaurant & Cafe advocacy in Australia, one Member and one change at a time.

Together, we can make a real and lasting difference. To find out more go to: www.arca.org.au

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #240 Broadcast date: 9th July 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Live from the Fintech Australia 2024 CDR Summit

This week we were live from Fintech Australia’s CDR Summit for a very interesting discussion on why small biz mattes and why does Consumer Data Rights matter to our community – the advisors, the small businesses and the Fintech industry. Panellists were

Eric Tsang, CEO and Co-founder Skript

Grant Augustin, Managing Director SISS Data Services

Simeon Duncan, Senior Manager of International Corporate Affairs, Intuit

It’s been a hard fought regulatory battle to get us to this point and as you’ll learn in today’s discussion there’s still a long way to go.

So, what can we learn from other CDR and open banking from the rest of the world, where are the opportunities to collaborate? How can the Fintech industry make the most of this change to adapt and evolve to meet growing data needs of business? What are the missed opportunities to the Aust economy if we ignore CDR’s power and the potential to unlock the digital economy?

We need to ensure small businesses and their accountants and bookkeepers can effectively engage with the system and make data valuable and meaningful. Today’s discussion from our experts is about empowerment, enablement and overcoming the barriers.

Let’s here from the experts as they introduce themselves and their expertise when it comes to Consumer Data Rights.

PEOPLE - What is the difference between CDR and bank feed in terms of a small business’ access and right to data? What’s been the advocacy journey to get to this point and who has been involved and why? What do these changes to CDR mean for small businesses and the Fintech industry in the future?

POLICY - What’s the difference between bank feed and, open banking and screen scraping and why does it matter? Does the “perfect scenario” exist anywhere else in the world? Why is data quality integral to small business, government and policy making? How important are bank feeds to cash flow and accurate / informed decision making?

PURPOSE – What is Consumer Data Rights and how did we get here? Who has lobbied to ensure small businesses, advisors and Fintech to ensure there was minimal disruption to bank feeds and the digitisation of all small businesses?

The 2024 Fintech Australia Consumer Data Rights Conference’s aim was to build awareness about the Consumer Data Right reform so more organisations across sectors can be involved in future proofing its success. It also aimed to achieve a high level of technical education for stakeholders on how Open Innovation can evolve the emerging Consumer Data Right ecosystem towards economy wide Open Data reality. It successfully showcased CDR opportunities, current and potential use-cases and connecting the established ecosystem with a broader commercial audience. full day of plenary and breakout sessions to explore the vast potential of the Consumer Data Right and highlight potential use-cases and commercial opportunities. It captured a broad audience spanning the digital economy, including fintechs and large financial institutions which are interested in but not yet fully harnessing the CDR. The event provided opportunities for players from across this burgeoning ecosystem to connect and discuss the vast opportunities CDR provides for the future digital economy.

Featuring local and international experts, policy makers, founders and builders will take to the stage to discuss the future of the CDR and showcase the most exciting emerging use cases.

The Major sponsor was Intuit.

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #239 Broadcast date: 2nd July 2024 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor Guest: Dominique Lamb, the QLD Small Business Commissioner

Queensland is a unique part of the world, not only for its natural beauty, incredible tourism industry, but it’s people. And it’s Queensland’s people that are at the heart of small business. From agriculture to retail to tourism to metro and regional areas they are as diverse as any other part of Australia.

Unique to Queensland is their passionate, experienced small business commissioner, Dominique Lamb. Formally the CEO to the National Retailers Association. She’s brought with her a wealth of experience and passion for her state to deliver some incredible achievements after only a couple of years in office. Cheers tenacious, empathetic and loves her state and the diversity of small businesses within it.

She joins us on Small Biz Matters today to talk about those achievements in two short years, and the difficulties facing small businesses in Queensland now and into the future. Plus we unpack the recently published report and first of its kind study: Understanding the lifecycle and mindset of Queensland small businesses. Its been nominated for an international award! We will ask what did the agency learn about small business in QLD and why was it so important to inform through this publication?

PEOPLE Can you tell the audience why you’re so passionate about small business and what you’ve done over the years to support? The reality is governments have a lot of impact on small business is through regulation. So realistically, is there anything that can be done, any thought leadership thinking to improve this situation?

POLICY - What are your key policy priorities for businesses in QLD? In your opinion, is there a good place to start for small businesses who want to be more involved in reducing red tape and improving policy in QLD? What successes have you recently had? QLD seems to be at the mercy of the impacts of climate change. What are the key policy priorities here of your office to support small businesses who experience its impacts?

PURPOSE - Tell us about your recently published report First of its kind study: Understanding the lifecycle and mindset of Queensland small businesses, I’ve heard it’s nominated for an international award! What did you learn about small business in QLD and why was it so important to inform through this publication? Can you tell the audience about the role of the commissioner, how it is independent and how you influence policy in the federal Govt? Who are the main advocates who support your work and how does your office engage with them?

Dominique Lamb assumed the role of Small Business Commissioner in December 2022. With a robust background in industrial relations and employment law, she brings a unique blend of legal expertise and advocacy skills to her position.

Dominique's primary objective is to enhance the operating environment for small businesses in Queensland and to reduce the time and costs associated with resolving disputes involving small business. In her capacity as Commissioner, Dominique has embarked on a proactive engagement strategy, collaborating closely with governmental bodies, industry organisations, and regional stakeholders. One of Dominique's notable achievements has been the significant expansion of the Small Business Friendly (SBF) Program, which now boasts participation from 49 Councils. Additionally, she has taken proactive steps to establish three new roundtables, providing platforms for industry representatives and regional stakeholders to voice their concerns and contribute to policy discussions.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Dominique is deeply committed to social causes, particularly those addressing domestic and family violence.

To find out more go to: https://qsbc.qld.gov.au/