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Business Confidence Stories - Page 2

Australian Stories

Business Confidence stories

Fuel costs push NSW firms to review staffing levels
Supply Chain

Fuel costs push NSW firms to review staffing levels

Almost half of surveyed employers are weighing shorter hours or fewer staff as higher fuel bills squeeze margins and weaken demand across NSW.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month
'Imbosster Syndrome' hits confidence of sole traders
Digital Transformation

'Imbosster Syndrome' hits confidence of sole traders

'Imbosster Syndrome' is eroding the confidence of Australian sole traders, with self-doubt stalling key decisions and slowing business growth.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Tue, 10th Mar 2026
Construction surge powers Australian SME growth in 2025
Manufacturing

Construction surge powers Australian SME growth in 2025

Construction and manufacturing fuel a second straight quarter of growth for Australian SMEs, narrowing the gap with the wider economy.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 5th Mar 2026

Global Stories

Business Confidence stories

Entrepreneurs turn to AI for efficiency, not new markets
Robotics

Entrepreneurs turn to AI for efficiency, not new markets

Entrepreneurs increasingly see AI as a tool for efficiency and cost-cutting, not a springboard to new markets or sustainability goals.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Thu, 12th Mar 2026
Late payments push Australian small firms into debt
Fintech

Late payments push Australian small firms into debt

Late payments are pushing more Australian small firms into debt, draining weeks on chasing invoices and fuelling rising financial stress.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Wed, 11th Mar 2026
NZ small firms see strongest sales growth in three years
Manufacturing

NZ small firms see strongest sales growth in three years

New Zealand small firms notch strongest sales in three years as December spending surges and easing interest rates speed up payments.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Thu, 26th Feb 2026
New Zealand bosses plan pay rises as confidence grows
Human Capital Management

New Zealand bosses plan pay rises as confidence grows

New Zealand employers plan pay rises and richer perks as economic optimism grows, with 84% expecting the outlook to lift staff salaries.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 24th Feb 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Business Confidence stories

Transport firms warn of conflict-hit supply chains
Manufacturing

Transport firms warn of conflict-hit supply chains

Concern has surged among UK logistics firms as Middle East conflict raises the risk of supply chain delays and higher shipping costs.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month
New Zealand SMEs hit by falling revenue & weak confidence
Risk & Compliance

New Zealand SMEs hit by falling revenue & weak confidence

Rising costs and policy uncertainty are squeezing small firms, with 63% of owners reporting lower revenue and confidence subdued across the sector.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Tue, 31st Mar 2026
Intuit UK wins Fair Payment Code Gold for prompt pay
Fintech

Intuit UK wins Fair Payment Code Gold for prompt pay

Intuit UK secures the government's Fair Payment Code Gold, highlighting rapid supplier payments as ministers crack down on late payers.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Wed, 25th Mar 2026
Sage data shows UK SMEs grow profits but slash investment
Digital Transformation

Sage data shows UK SMEs grow profits but slash investment

UK SMEs lifted revenues and profits in 2025 but cut capital spending for a 17th straight quarter, Sage data shows, signalling wary growth.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 19th Mar 2026
Irish leaders most wary on AI risks in Expleo survey
Data Protection

Irish leaders most wary on AI risks in Expleo survey

Irish bosses are warier of AI risks than peers in the UK, Germany and France, with cybersecurity and job fears driving cautious adoption.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Wed, 18th Mar 2026
US small firms see sales slow but invoice payments rise
Data Analytics

US small firms see sales slow but invoice payments rise

US small firms saw sales growth sink to a two-year low in late 2025, even as invoice payments sped up and cash flow pressures eased.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 5th Mar 2026
Resilience is becoming Canada's new competitive advantage
Digital Transformation

Resilience is becoming Canada's new competitive advantage

Canadian firms are harnessing AI and efficiency to turn tariff shocks and labour shortages into a new edge: resilience-driven growth.

By LSP Chandrashekar • 5 min read • Wed, 4th Mar 2026
NZ SMEs lift hours while wage growth softens in January
Jobs

NZ SMEs lift hours while wage growth softens in January

New Zealand SMEs lifted staff hours but eased wage growth in January, leaning on existing rosters as they cautiously test post-holiday demand.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Wed, 18th Feb 2026
Inflation, US debt & AI: key risks for NZ investors
Risk & Compliance

Inflation, US debt & AI: key risks for NZ investors

New Zealand investors are warned AI-fuelled gains face “incredible danger” from US inflation, soaring debt and turbulent midterms ahead.

By Michael McCarthy • 5 min read • Wed, 18th Feb 2026
Manchester firms delay growth plans amid volatility
Digital Transformation

Manchester firms delay growth plans amid volatility

Manchester's mid-sized firms are stalling investment and expansion, citing volatile costs, policy shifts and tougher access to finance.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Fri, 13th Feb 2026