Coaching and Mentoring

As leaders of businesses, we have many responsibilities. These range from dealing with the day to day operational aspects of our businesses and handling business finances to developing the people working with us. Each of these is critical and warrants much of our time...

Safety and Wellbeing

Safety and Wellbeing (often also known as Occupational Health and Safety) relies on a combination of a strong policy framework and a commitment by business owners and leaders to people and safety for a successful and a safe work environment. Every work environment,...

An engaged team – your best marketers!  

Business owners and leaders work very hard to build their brand and to develop and maintain their reputation in the marketplace. This process often takes many years of investment in time and money and it is critical to ensure all aspects of your business support the...

Australian Businesses responsible for imported product safety

As a result they can be held liable for any defect or other condition that renders the product unsafe and results in injury, death or damage. Generally, all businesses that manufacture or import products will have Public & Products Liability Insurance. However,...

Furnishing Industry Timber Due Diligence Toolkit LAUNCHED

The Australasian Furnishing Association is proud to launch the Furnishing Industry Timber Due Diligence Toolkit. ‘The AFA, together with stakeholder partners and the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, has developed the ‘AFA Timber Due Diligence System’ to...

Australian Online Household Furniture Sales On Upward Trajectory

Australian Online Household Furniture Sales On Upward Trajectory The tables have turned: The impact of COVID-19 and trading restrictions have encouraged consumers to buy more furniture online. IBISWorld’s analysts constantly monitor the industry impacts of...

5 Top Tips for Manufacturers To Go Direct To Consumer

Going direct-to-consumer (D2C) comes with a range of options to shape-shift manufacturing businesses from a strictly B2B model to an online solution. Read on for tips and learn what goes into establishing a D2C ecommerce site.

The renewed love affair with products manufactured in Australia at risk when the lines are blurred

The resurgence of interest in products that are made in Australia has been significant in the past two years. Australian consumers, buyers and specifiers are willing to pay for products they believe are made in, grown in or product of Australia, or support local jobs and businesses. Even Australia’s Governments’ are beginning to push for ‘buy local’. However, any Country of Origin claim should provide consumers with clear, accurate and truthful information about what they are buying. Significant penalties apply if a product is misrepresented

Who is Responsible for Furnishings in the Safe Work Environment?

A person conducting a business or undertaking has the primary duty under the Work Health and Safety Act to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and other persons are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the business or undertaking....

PRODUCT RECALLS ON THE RISE   

Product recalls are on the rise as ever increasing consumer protection and new regulations come into play. It does not take much of a defect to fail to meet various legislation and Australian Standards. When a recall is declared by a government agency or a retailer,...

The real cost of getting workplace compliance wrong

From reinstatement of a dismissed employee to unlimited damages that could go into hundreds of thousands of dollars. As an employer, what could you be hit by? Businesses have to deal with a really complex set of rules when it comes to managing employees. As difficult...

How the workplace affects employee health and wellbeing

The most direct effect that workplaces have on employee health and wellbeing is through the occurrence of injuries or illness due to work. Our workplaces affect the types of risks involved. Workplaces with high levels of physical work (for example, those that involve...

Storm Over Procurement Loopholes

A storm is brewing over government procurement policies within the furnishing sector, with Members of Australia’s peak industry body, the Australasian Furnishing Association (AFA), pushing for reform. It seems that the AFA may have ‘hit a nerve’, with the issue...

Bunks and Bean Bags top the list of failures

A further nine furniture product safety recalls were reported to the ACCC this month, with Bunk Beds and Bean Bags heading the list and eBay being amongst the sellers under scrutiny. Retailers have been warned to meet their obligations. Concerns are increasing over...

Warning on Toppling Furniture following the Death of another Child

NSW Fair Trading and other consumer affairs agencies across the country have launched a campaign to ensure parents and carers know how to protect their children and prevent a serious accident from toppling furniture and TVs. NSW Fair Trading Commissioner, Rod Stowe,...