At first glance, the difference between 99.9% and 100.4% seems minor, but when it's the Australian GDP figures for the March quarter that difference is newsworthy.

Growth of 0.4% is hardly boom times, but it ensured Australia avoided the most popular definition of a technical Recession, and proved plenty of pundits - including yours truly - incorrect. It's also a reminder that statistics about the general economy may affect, but never control, the outcomes for any individual business.

Take your business: Did you grow during the March Quarter? How is June looking?

And importantly, how do you define Growth? Is it Turnover? Profit? Capacity? Staff Numbers, or something else again? Are you confident which measurement is best for your vision?

Small Business Investment Allowance
Whether you believe government stimulus prevented the worst, or not, it remains the case that there are benefits to be had. Here's a simple overview of extra Tax breaks currently available.

Just Say No
I'm reminded of Shakespeare's 'Rose by any other name' when I hear of Recessions, Downturns, GFC's, GEC's, and Gloom. Why don't we just say 'No'? "I'm not denying that it exists, what I'm saying is let's not succumb to negativity which creates fear and leads to inaction."

Hold your Breath or Go For Broke?
Inaction is a big concern at the moment - how do we know whether we are wisely pausing to take stock, or holding back out of fear and missing the great opportunities that present themselves? Here are some key considerations from an expert business panel Shirlaws facilitated late last year.

The Netflix Million Dollar Prize
Finally, a Million Dollar solution. If you can recommend a good movie and do it 10% better than Netflix, the industry leader, they will give you $1,000,000! Here's one team's progress report; I'll stick to watching them, thank you very much.

Intranet Joke of the Week

A shopkeeper is dismayed when a competitor opens right next door with a banner reading "BEST DEALS".
Then another competitor opens, on the other side of him, declaring "LOWEST PRICES".
Avoiding the panic (he says No to inaction) the shopkeeper finds a solution. He puts the biggest sign of them all above the door to his shop. It reads:
"MAIN ENTRANCE".

Until next week,
Jacob Aldridge and the Shirlaws Team

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