Stephen Reilly

A great business banking relationship can span generations. Here’s just one example from BOQ Mackay City. Want to see how BOQ can back your business? Find your nearest BOQ branch at find.boq.com.au

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Did you know that refinancing your home loan could significantly reduce your monthly mortgage repayments? 🤔 Beyond Bank Australia has some game-changing home loan rates right now. But how do you know if it might be the right time to switch? Start by asking yourself the 5 questions below. Thinking of refinancing? Learn more about your options here: https://bit.ly/3RXNimc #refinance #forandwithyou #financialwellbeing #BeyondBankAustralia

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Very interesting insights from Rent.com.au regarding the rental market...

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ClearView Wealth Limited ClearView Wealth's first-quarter challenges are noteworthy, with a reported claims loss, yet the company maintains a strong embedded value and strategic outlook. Read More https://lnkd.in/ga3XBFgV #ClearViewWealth, #FinancialPerformance, #ClaimsExperience, #Profitability, #InsuranceSector

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Geopolitics is heavily impacting Australian retail. Our latest report explains key geopolitical trends and how retailers can build resilience.

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The family and I were lucky enough to have a great weekend watching the Australians (and Brits and Spaniards!) perform at the #Olympics. In between shouting at the beach volleyball and tennis, and enjoying the great food, I was struck by how prevalent the no and low alcohol brands were in Paris. Indeed, the team inform me that this is part of a real growing trend, with the non-alcoholic wine and beer market size hitting €8.6bn in 2023. And markets such as #France, #Germany and #Spain are leading the way. As popularity increases, so does the competition to get into the market – and having ‘boots on the ground’ support can give your business the competitive advantage it needs to succeed. But our latest Trade Barometer results show that over a quarter of businesses need help finding the partners and suppliers that will help them expand into new markets. #SantanderNavigator’s provider directory and calendar of #internationaltrade events are at the heart of our mission to help more businesses make the connections they need to take their next step. And Konstantina Kotta has been busy brewing up two great events, teaming up with one Santander Navigator provider, Club Soda, to give UK businesses the chance to explore taking their no and low alcohol brand to Europe: - Crafting success for no and low alcohol in Europe (19 Sept, Virtual) - https://lnkd.in/e9wjEN79 - Bar Convent Berlin: Add your no/low alcohol brand into the mix (14-16 Oct, Berlin)- https://lnkd.in/emywPFuj These events are a fantastic stepping stone for UK businesses looking to realise their international ambitions. And will provide the opportunity to network with, learn from, and make new industry connections who can help you get your products #export ready. Reach out to Tina directly if you’d like to know anything more about these events. Or you can register your interest by clicking the relevant event link above.

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At Middleton Financial Planning, we understand the unique challenges of planning for aged care. From rising costs to government support, our expert team is here to guide you through every step. We help you create a tailored plan to ensure financial stability while protecting your loved ones’ futures. Discover how we can help you navigate aged care with confidence. Get in touch today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards securing your future. https://lnkd.in/g92A9rVy #AgedCarePlanning #FinancialAdvice #MiddletonFinancialPlanning #ElderCare #RetirementPlanning

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Ethical consumer finance continues to be a steady media drumbeat. Thanks Rose Mary Petrass for the 200,000 readers of Money Magazine Australia      ◼ They're not scared to use the acronym ESG, so really its not that complicated. ◼ Greenwash is such a big big issue still. Gee I wonder why. ◼ How refreshing to read ESG news on real life consumers ! - not interminable reporting and compliance.    ◼ Good to see Certification standards like RIAA being referenced.       ◼ Banks are MIA, its almost always super – and lots are doing great work. Yet banks are $6 trillion sector, double that of super and as any wage earner knows , its only 11.5% of a salary - the rest goes into a bank account. ◼ Consumer sentiment is a trend that will transcend cost of living issues. Its not either/or.  This chimes with the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) report referenced in the piece, which Teachers Mutual Bank Limited and Australian Ethical Investment sponsored. Maria Loyez Estelle Parker Dean Hegarty Nayanisha Samarakoon -  "Openness to investing ethically has skyrocketed, with the highest openness to ethical investment on record at 95%".

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The ‘missing middle’: how do we fill the advice gap for most Australians? Ian discusses some considerations for funds to fill the advice gap in light of the adviser shortage and the rising cost of providing advice in Australia, highlighting funds such as Australian Retirement Trust, Aware Super, TelstraSuper and UniSuper who are making progress with intra-fund advice initiatives. #Superannuation #SuperFunds #Retirement #RetirementAdvice Super Review

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Canterbury Crusaders – Empowering Teams: Lessons for High-Performing Professionals This month I had the privilege of attending a leadership session with the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch. Statistically, the Crusaders are the most successful sports teams in Australasia over the past 25 years, and their insights to how they build a strong team culture can extend beyond the sporting field to high-performing professionals. Making People feel Connected Every morning when you arrive at the Crusaders office, every team member from the CEO to the cadet will walk around and fist pump and make eye contact with everyone. This ritual is designed to provide energy and connection for all subsequent interactions throughout the day. The CEO, Colin Mansbridge, (an ex-banker) conceded an initial hesitancy to adapt to this routine, but it did not take him long to appreciate the benefits. The Crusaders want a work environment where it is not all about you, but they do want you to bring your authentic self, so you give your best. They quote Muhammad Ali’s famous “me we” poem frequently. As Colin noted, you are more likely to invest in people when you know them well. Making People feel they Belong An interesting exercise had us rank in priority the importance of purpose, core values, belonging, vision and environment to an organisation. If you could only pick one to prioritise, what would it be? The Crusaders noted both good teams and bad teams have the same core values written on their walls. In their experience, a sense of belonging drives everything. People are more likely to adjust their behaviour to your values over time if they want to feel part of your team. Fundamentally, people have a desire to conform and feel like they fit in. If people don’t feel like they fit in, they leave. A feeling of loneliness has the same impact on your brain as pain – both encourage you to be less productive. Leadership Starts with Self-Leadership The first rule of leadership is to learn to lead yourself. The Crusaders challenge us to ask: “What would it be like to be led by me?” Not necessarily an easy question to answer(!), but if there are cultural problems in the team, the Crusaders have found it likely reflects problems with leadership. They stressed the importance of being clear and caring when giving feedback. They use a simple model: 1. Be clear about what you expect. 2. Show genuine care for the person. Care means being honest. The word culture originates from the Latin “cultus” meaning care. If you have a difficult message to deliver, frame it up as “I am telling you this because you can handle it”. 3. Provide specific next steps. Being clear is kind, being unclear is unkind. This approach ensures that even difficult conversations are productive and focused on growth. You can read the full article at https://lnkd.in/g8CuKr_a

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Checkout this webinar, where the team at Banjo - Business Loans and I unpack the insights from the SME Compass report. Thanks again for having me on the panel! #Banjo #Business #BusinessLoans #SME #CommercialLending

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Total spending decreased 0.3% in September. Overall, total consumer spending increased 0.9% in 3 month average terms and 3.2% over the past 12 months. Read the full report here.

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While R&R is in a multi-year recession (3 years of declines off the 2020 boom) and big-ticket overall is doing worse, some big-ticket spending is doing far better. The demand for outdoor products is outperforming meaningfully – products like composite decking and siding. You can see this in the spectrum of 2024 sales outlooks by public companies. If these segments of outdoor can outperform in a stagnant environment, they should further outperform in a growing R&R environment. We believe these projects are a reflection of 1) homeowners staying in place and improving their place, 2) high home equity values to cushion the investment, 3) high return on investment, and 4) lower cost vs. kitchen and bath remodels. TRG-covered names like Trex and AZEK are clear beneficiaries, as is Louisiana Pacific (LPX). This note overviews outdoor trends vs. indoor trends and ROI for these projects. #trgbuildingideas https://lnkd.in/g6pj5wkF

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From the ANZ Corelogic housing affordability report, chart of the week: Households earning the median #income ($101,000 per year) will need approximately 10.6 years to save a 20% deposit to purchase the median-valued #dwelling. Sydneysiders are looking at a median house price of $1.65 million making it a mammoth task to get on the #property ladder.

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Understanding Super Funds – Part 2 Members first, in thought and actions Superannuation funds, in my opinion, epitomize human centred decision making followed closely by Financial Advisers.  Everything starts and finishes with the member; they have genuine and cultural interest in doing the best they can for all their members. This ‘member first’ culture is what aligns super funds and advisers. In the first part of my three-part series on Understanding Super Funds, I wrote about ‘what interests my boss, fascinates me” encouraging Advisers to understand what interests’ trustees and how that influences their behaviours.  In part two I’ll focus on member centricity. The member focus by super funds is what brings them closer to financial advisers.  Advisers share the same cultural belief of putting their clients (member) first.  This commonality provides advisers and superannuation funds with the critical alignment required to form a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship. Some points to keep in mind. Given their trust structure (see Part 1 – “What interests my boss, fascinates me!”), Trustees are required to put their members first.  This means decision making is simpler, all they need to consider is whether it’s better for the member setting them aside from many other businesses who also need to consider shareholders/owners and stakeholders. Super funds take their role of nurturing very seriously.  They recognise that most of their members they have limited financial knowledge and literacy.  This engenders a very protective mindset, looking out for the people who have trusted them with their retirement savings.  This should not be taken as combative (even though at times it might feel like that) but respected as a reflection of how seriously they take their role of looking after their members and their interests. As with any successful business they believe people are better off with their product or service.  Super funds are no different they are highly convicted about their product, that’s what makes them who they are. But super funds also recognise and accept that, on occasion, a member may be better off in another product.  If it’s in the members best interest, they will accept that.  Equally advisers should recognise that for many members the best thing is to stay in their super fund augmented with their strategic advice. In my opinion, Advisers should focus on what you have in common with superannuation funds to build a great relationship.  Like advisers, they put their members first, in thought and action.  Sound familiar?  It should because that’s what advisers do with their own clients, put them first.   Super funds and advisers have more similarities than differences, building on those similarities will contribute to a great working relationship.

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An uneasy feeling Jamie Lee Curtis. Like a heroine in a horror movie that suddenly feels that something is not quite right, the #RBA Board is starting to feel a little uneasy. Sure inflation is still sticky, the labour market tight, and the economy slowing but the consumer is reducing their spending right? And surely there could be no more supply-side shocks? Could the RBA’s narrowing path be shrinking to the width of a glistening knife blade?  What the RBA’s Statement said? Click on the below link for full article. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gWycy2jc #InterestRates #RBADecision #AustralianEconomy #Inflation #EconomicOutlook #FinanceNews

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