Small Business (SMB) stories - Page 26

Freebies alone won't build a strong workplace culture; employees seek purpose, recognition and clear development to stay motivated and committed.

Australian firm ORCA Opti has launched an AI system to help SMEs cut costs on cyber threats and compliance by integrating key business functions seamlessly.

KnowBe4 launches AI-powered Prevent to help SMBs prevent outbound email risks by using real-time machine learning alerts against data breaches.

Temu has opened its Local Seller Program to all Australian businesses, offering a new, low-cost way to reach millions of shoppers with local inventory.

Sage appoints Damon Scarr as General Manager for Asia Pacific to drive growth and expand its AI-powered finance solutions across the region.

Black Pearl Group will acquire US AI sales firm B2B Rocket, combining platforms to boost automation and drive growth with a USD $2.1m revenue earn-out deal.

Australian businesses face rising AI-driven cyberattacks as criminals use machine learning and deepfakes, urging firms to adopt advanced cybersecurity measures.

Qantas has revealed a cyberattack on a third-party call centre, exposing personal data of 5.7 million customers and raising serious security concerns.

Mid-size firms and government sectors lag in hybrid identity security, with scores dropping 15% to an average of 61 globally, reveals Semperis' 2025 Purple Knight Report.

Zoom's AI Companion now integrates with 16 apps including ServiceNow and Jira, enhancing productivity by automating tasks within its platform and beyond.

MYOB launches Solo Money in Solo app, offering Australian sole traders a business account with integrated banking and accounting from July 2025.

Expense reporting is evolving from a compliance task to a strategic tool, boosting business resilience, efficiency, and growth through real-time insights and automation.

Optus cuts prices on new Business nbn plans, adding faster speeds, 4G backup, and bundle discounts to support small businesses and simplify consumer choices.

On MSME Day 2025, Australia's small businesses face growing compliance challenges from new laws, risking productivity but solutions through automation offer hope.

Lightspeed's Asia-Pacific MD Nicole Buisson says AI and smarter tech are vital for Aussie hospitality to tackle inflation, labour costs and changing consumer habits.

Queensland's 2025-26 budget pledges AUD $130 million to support 495,000 small businesses and launches a AUD $1 billion fund for digital public services.

HPE launches unified Partner Ready Vantage programme to simplify enrolment and boost partner expertise in AI, cloud, and hybrid solutions globally.

Canadian moving service marketplace Top Move rebrands as Wise Move to unify its brand and expand globally with a transparent, digital-first platform.

Phishing-as-a-Service, powering 60-70% of attacks, is lowering barriers in cybercrime, letting novices launch large-scale scams in 2025.

Optus offers new and existing mobile customers a free 12-month subscription to Perplexity Pro, an AI search valued at AUD $300, enhancing access to AI tools.