Interview with Kate Carnell, AO Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman

Kate Carnell, AO is the Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and a Non- Executive Director of the Climate Change Authority. She has held numerous Chair and CEO positions across a wide variety of industries. Kate was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2006 for her services to community through contributions to economic development and support for the business sector, knowledge industries, the medical sector and medical technology and advances. Kate fights tirelessly for Australian Small Business owners, which has never been more important than during this Covid crisis. In this episode Natasha Hawker and Kate Carnell talk about: The current tough times for Australian business owners and the opportunities that exist in this environment Kate's role as the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and what success looks like for her - and why she loves the role she plays in the Australian business landscape - The importance of the small businesses who make up 99% of businesses in Australia - What we need to do to make the SME sector fire up and thrive - Childcare - and the need to focus on this as it is currently a major barrier to small business success. Even with billions of dollars spent on childcare and subsidies the obstacles are still there and it is a disincentive to grow your business as a young person. We invest heavily in education of women but there are mechanisms in place that impact their success in business such as childcare. - Mental health - Kate's advice to small business owners to stay mentally healthy and Kate draws on her own experience. - Small business viability review program - what is it? - Unfair dismissal cases and the huge spike seen in 2020 - The Fair Dismissal code - What can we learn from Australian businesses that are doing well right now - Small Business Award https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/my-business-health/home https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-carnell-24ab4a15/ https://www.employeematters.com.au/podcast/