No Images? Click here Dear , By most measures the average CEO is usually a pretty positive type: ambitious, energetic and optimistic. PwC’s latest CEO Survey confirms as much but points out that there is at least one thing troubling the contemporary Australian CEO psyche: The country’s status as one of the highest taxed nations in the OECD. There’s a growing chorus of voices saying there’s a clear need for comprehensive tax reform in Australia and, given we’ve recently been dropped from the ‘top 10 destinations for global capital’ list, they’re likely right. Maybe it’s time to take a leaf from our biggest investor’s book: The US is starting to reap rewards from its own radical taxation and regulatory overhaul, and given our modest economic growth and slipping global position as an investment destination, surely now is as good a time as any to follow suit. In other news:
Finally, in our stories from the coalface, we take a look at how First Software got together with two Australian specialist software vendors to deliver a disruptive solution that is taking on the big boys in the hardware business. Knowing that customers’ digital experience holds the key to success, find out how Agnew Building Supplies is using hybrid A/NZ technology to stake its claim. Enjoy! Jonathan Cotton The age of anxiety: PwC’s maps Australian CEO uneasePwC's 21st CEO Survey takes a look inside the mind of chief executives to reveal a world of optimism - and a fair dose of anxiety - as CEOs struggle with intelligence tech and tax reform... Good news first: The 2018 survey from PwC records the highest-ever jump in CEO optimism – both global and domestic – regarding global growth for the next 12 months. “Australia should be concerned because the US is the biggest investor in Australia - more than 10 times that of China.” CFOs need to think about the hole, not the diggerUnderpinned by data, services and customer-centricity, the role of the CFO is evolving… Amidst the continued pressure to deliver services-driven growth, financial leaders play an important, evolving role. “It was about cost containment and pure operational efficiency. Now, it’s about how the back office can deliver top line growth.” Data illiteracy plagues Australian workforceWhat will it take for industry to actually realise its analytics potential?... Even though data and analytics is the number one investment priority for CIOs, attaining a significant degree of data literacy is easier said than done. “Employees must use more data than they ever have but employers are not providing the training needed to succeed.” Data breach notifications: Ignorance no longer an excuseNotifiable data breach (NDB) laws are now a reality for Australian organisations and Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is coming in May... For a long time, organisations have, to some extent, been able to get away with knowing about security compliance breaches but not acting on them. “Businesses can expect some difficulties as the new legislation changes the way they assess, manage and respond to risk.” Smart communication or app overload? The new workplace comm problemWhen it comes to the myriad things “costing billions to the average business”, here’s something else to add to the list: Too many comm apps... A new study reveals that the very apps intended to streamline tasks have sparked an app overload that’s “injecting chaos into business workflows and costing companies billions”. “Most workers want a single communications platform but there's a disconnect with the shift to new collaboration solutions.” Timber! How collaboration powers industry disruptionTrans-Tasman vendor collaboration enables pure-play online hardware retailer… Justin Newman is CEO at Sydney-based timber industry digital solution provider VTH. “There’s no point being efficient in warehousing but manually entering data for incoming goods. The system is only as fast as its slowest point.” This week's sponsor: Upcoming events: > APAC Blockchain conference 2018 | Mar 13-15 | Melbourne iStart is proudly supported by these leading Australian software providers: Latest Buyer's Guides ERP Buyer's Guide | CRM Buyer's Guide | HR/HCM Buyer's Guide | BI & Analytics Buyer's Guide Privacy statement: We have sent this weekly eNewsletter to you at your e-mail address: [email address suppressed]. iStart will never share your e-mail address, but you may from time to time receive other event invitations or partner communications from us. You can opt out of these by managing your subscription preferences, where you can also update your e-mail address and other details. Find out more about iStart | Advertise with iStart | Subscribe
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