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Xero finds New Zealand small business productivity lags
Manufacturing

Xero finds New Zealand small business productivity lags

New data show Kiwi small firms generating less per hour than peers in Australia and the UK, as rising costs squeeze margins.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 18th Jun 2026

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UK small business sales & hiring growth slow again
Xero

UK small business sales & hiring growth slow again

Weak demand, higher fuel costs and slower payments are squeezing cash flow at small firms, with jobs growth at a near two-year low.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Australian small business sales growth slows to 6.5%
Xero

Australian small business sales growth slows to 6.5%

Higher borrowing costs and fuel prices have cooled discretionary spending, leaving consumer-facing firms under pressure as sales growth slowed.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Australian banks pay over AUD $4,000 a day for specialists
Digital Transformation

Australian banks pay over AUD $4,000 a day for specialists

Banks and insurers are scrambling for scarce regulatory experts as deadlines bite, even after cutting about 8,000 permanent roles this year.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month
London workers lead UK in AI use as hiring rebounds
Human Capital Management

London workers lead UK in AI use as hiring rebounds

London's labour market is recovering, with small firms hiring again as AI use and confidence among workers outpace the UK average.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Last month
Australia rates more likely to rise again, warns economist
Artificial Intelligence

Australia rates more likely to rise again, warns economist

Households and firms face renewed pressure, as mixed survey data point to the Reserve Bank of Australia staying tight and possibly lifting rates again.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Wagepoint & Xero boost Canadian payroll integration
Software-as-a-Service

Wagepoint & Xero boost Canadian payroll integration

The new link should cut manual reconciliation and give smaller firms a clearer view of cash flow as costs and admin pressures mount.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last month
Amazon boosts Ohio with USD $23 billion investment
Data centers

Amazon boosts Ohio with USD $23 billion investment

The spending now supports more than 41,000 jobs in Ohio, while Amazon's local sellers and suppliers add further economic lift across the state.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Last month
Hays warns of AI training gap in Australia tech jobs
Data Analytics

Hays warns of AI training gap in Australia tech jobs

Only 22% of tech staff have formal AI training, leaving Australian employers exposed to skills gaps as adoption races ahead.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Tue, 30th Jun 2026
Canada's tech workforce set to top 1.5 million in 2026
Digital Transformation

Canada's tech workforce set to top 1.5 million in 2026

Rising demand for digital skills is pushing employers to compete harder as Canada's tech workforce heads towards 1.54 million in 2026.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Sat, 27th Jun 2026
UK tech workforce hits 2.15 million as demand grows
Digital Transformation

UK tech workforce hits 2.15 million as demand grows

Demand for digital skills is tightening hiring across UK industries, with tech roles now making up 6.4% of jobs and paying 53% more.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Fri, 26th Jun 2026
Australia inflation supports case for RBA rate rise
Supply Chain

Australia inflation supports case for RBA rate rise

Higher housing and wage pressures are keeping Australian inflation too hot for the Reserve Bank to rule out another rate rise as soon as November.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Wed, 24th Jun 2026
MYOB data points to pause in small business hiring
MYOB

MYOB data points to pause in small business hiring

Weaker demand and rising wage costs are leaving most SMEs in a holding pattern, with few planning to add staff over the next year.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 23rd Jun 2026
MYOB says Australian SMEs stay in growth territory
Supply Chain

MYOB says Australian SMEs stay in growth territory

Rising costs and weaker spending left many small firms under pressure, even as national SME activity still managed quarterly growth of 0.6%.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Tue, 9th Jun 2026
Zeller launches grants as hospitality operators face strain
Data Analytics

Zeller launches grants as hospitality operators face strain

Only 12% of Australian operators say now is a good time to open a venue, as rising costs and weaker spend squeeze margins.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Fri, 5th Jun 2026
Retailers prioritise cost control over staff experience
Digital Transformation

Retailers prioritise cost control over staff experience

Higher labour costs are pushing retailers to cut hiring and raise prices as employee experience slips down the agenda, WorkJam says.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Thu, 14th May 2026
Australian employers raise pay for AI skills, survey finds
Human Capital Management

Australian employers raise pay for AI skills, survey finds

AI skills are pushing up salaries across Australian workplaces, with employers struggling to price talent amid fierce competition.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Thu, 14th May 2026