A new report from the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council (IPC) released this week reveals that 255,000 of the state’s small businesses are standout performers when it comes to jobs and profitability, but need to focus on more innovation to help them grow.
IPC chair Neville Stevens said the report offers new insight into the sizes, economic contributions and characteristics of NSW businesses that employ workers
“For the first time we’ve been able to conduct an in-depth analysis of firm-level data held by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), which offers us a unique and clearer perspective,” he said.
“As well as measuring NSW businesses’ economic contributions we’ve also been able to track the important innovation and productivity characteristics of Australian businesses.
“These included a business’s tendency to use data analytics and key performance indicators, its development of a business strategy, its adoption of a digital capability, and its desire to collaborate and innovate.
NSW jobs minister Stuart Ayres said the report demonstrated the importance of small business in job creation.
“Small businesses with 1-19 full-time employees account for 94% of all employing businesses in NSW, created 28% of all jobs and took 37% of all profits, despite contributing only 9% of turnover,” he said.
“The report also shows if small businesses want to grow and be more resilient they need to adopt some of the habits of their larger cousins, particularly when it comes to innovation.”
Trending
Daily startup news and insights, delivered to your inbox.