In business, loving thy neighbour can mean the difference between being a survivor and a casualty. In this spirit, this November MYOB, one of Australia’s largest accounting software providers, is giving back to the Aussie business community that supports it, through the Shop Small movement.
The Shop Small movement was created four years ago by American Express as a one-day event in the US, and has been successful there, in Canada and in the UK, before now coming to Australia. MYOB has now partnered with American Express and other sponsors to promote the initiative, which runs locally during the month of November.
What has MYOB prepared to give away?
MYOB is running a campaign to give away a grand total of $75,000. Up for grabs are five business makeover grants worth $10,000 each and 100 prizes of $250 cash to the customers of small businesses participating in the “Shop Small” month.
The first competition asks eligible business owners to tell MYOB how a makeover will help them love their work, and take a ‘Business Selfie’ (a photo that encapsulates their business) to share via social media. A winner will be announced each week during November, with the fifth prize awarded to the most popular entry.
The second competition asks customers to simply fill out an entry form upon completing a transaction worth $10 or more at a participating business. 25 winners will be drawn weekly throughout the month of November.
That’s not all though. MYOB is also offering three months’ free access to MYOB Live products to non-clients who get involved with the initiative in November. Keep in mind that their Shop Small (#ShopSmallAU) support is not limited to bricks and mortar, it extends to online business.
SMEs are the unsung heroes of Australia
CEO Tim Reed highlighted the importance of championing small business noting that SMEs provide close to half of industry employment – around five million people – and contribute around one-third of our GDP, yet they often don’t receive the attention they deserve.
He also remarked that despite the fact that Australia is ranked in the top 10 of 183 economies in the world for starting a new business, getting credit and ease of doing business, we are also ranked 12th when it comes to business closes.
“We can slow the shutting of doors through encouragement and patronage. That’s why MYOB hopes to inspire millions of Australians to support our local operators and make November the biggest small business shopping month of the year. Let’s celebrate and encourage the success of these unsung heroes,” Reed concluded.
