Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #224
Broadcast date: 27th February 2024
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guest: Stephen Walters, Chief Economist Business Council of Australia (BCA)
There is a group of boffins who wield influence and power in Canberra and across the state and local governments too. And it is just as well since they know the effect of policy and politics on businesses and the economy as a whole. But the big question we’re going to ask today is how well do they understand and reflect the needs of small business in their research and policy work? We are, after all, the backbone of that economy!
We welcome to the show Stephen who as the previous Chief economist for NSW Treasury and Chief Economist with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and J.P. Morgan. He’s passionate about ensuring all stakeholders in the economy have a better knowledge of how macro economics shapes the real world we all live in and that which small businesses thrive.
PEOPLE – Tell us about your role as NSW Chief Economist during the pandemic. How have economists become so influential in the media and advocacy work and critical in the decision making process?
POLICY – How and which macro-economic factors most influence policy makers when designing that which so greatly impacts small business
PURPOSE Behind closed doors, what data really matters as opposed to the limited stats we hear about in the media? Does this between state and federal governments?
Stephen Walters is Chief Economist for the Business Council of Australia (BCA), based in Sydney.
He previously was Chief economist for NSW, based in NSW Treasury. Before joining Treasury, Stephen was Chief Economist with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and, for 14 years, was Chief Economist for investment bank J.P.Morgan. Stephen previously was Senior Economist with Access Economics in Melbourne and International Economist with Norwich Union and Alliance Capital in the United Kingdom. He also spent seven years as an Economist with the Treasury in Perth.
Stephen holds a Bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Western Australia and a Master's degree in applied finance from the University of Melbourne. He also has qualifications in journalism and graduated from the AICD's Company Directors Course in 2017. Stephen has published two books, with a third to be published soon.
Stephen is chair of the Executive Committee of the Australian Business Economists (ABE) and is a member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council (ASAC).
To find out more go to: Business Council of Australia
EP#232 ~ Closing remarks from the 2024 COBSOA National Small Business Summit
EP#231 ~ Mergers and acquisition law changes - whos' thinking about small business?
EP#230 ~ What is the PPSR and why do small businesses, associations and advisors need to know about this tool?
EP#229 ~ The Franchise Code review - what does a review mean for small businesses in the sector?
EP#228 ~ Environmental, Social, Governance. How can policy makers reduce the burden of ESG reporting on small businesses?
EP#227 ~ Sandy Chong One of the most influential industry leaders. What drive these advocates?
EP#226 ~ Why should Regional, Rural and Remote communities be front and centre of small business policy planning? We ask a passionate thought leader.
EP#225 ~ Big Tech sometimes plays the smallbiz advocate but do they really represent the small business voice?
EP#223 ~ Resilience in Action - how a thriving refugee business builds on a foundation of struggle to continue to overcome business hurdles and success.
EP#222 ~ Translating policy into practice: What do the new Industrial Relations laws mean for your business?
EP#221 ~ The Intuit GetConnected Conference Smallbiz Learnings: AI, Advocacy, Advisors and Open Banking
EP220 ~ What is the role of .au Domain Administration in the digital space and how does this affect small business?
EP219 ~ Digital Identity is coming. So what does this mean for you and your small business?
EP#218 ~ What is the future of small business advocacy in 2024 and beyond?
EP#217 ~ The tech StartUp world seems the darling of government industry policy. But is that the reality?
EP#216 ~ ATMS knows about health, women, the economy, and micro business. How do they represent small business across so many policy areas?
EP#215 ~ ACCAN, who is the organisation fighting for small business people’s rights in the telecommunications industry?
EP#214 ~ How does ABS’ powerful data lead to informed policy for small business?
EP#213 ~ How bookkeepers advise their small business clients and how ICB advises Government
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Commercial Edge: Unleash the Power of People
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Aligned Money Show
Gorse Culture PODcast : The H.R. Detective Agency!
HCI Leadership Revolution
The Ramsey Show
Planet Money