Lobby group COSBOA installs new chairman

The Council of Small Business of Australia has appointed Geoff Fader as its new chairman, following the departure of Bob Stanton.

COSBOA executive director Peter Strong says Fader brings “plenty of experience” to the role, having already held senior positions in a multitude of organisations.

Currently working for the Tasmanian Small Business Council, Fader headed advertising agency Leo Burnett for nearly two decades, and was formerly chief executive of the Agricultural Society of Tasmania.

He is also a life member of the Australian Marketing Institute, having served as both state and federal president.

Strong says Fader’s focus within small business is on people, which is how the council intends to operate in the future.

Fader says the main issue surrounding small businesses is ensuring the health and wellbeing of both employees and employers.

“What we find is that there is a considerable focus from the government on employees, irrespective of the size of the business for which they work,” Fader says.

“It is the responsibility of the employer to help ensure their employees are looked after in relation to the support mechanisms available to them.”

“The issue in that regard is that the owner of a small business is also an employee of that business, yet that individual is completely overlooked.”

“We believe there should be a recognition of that, and that the same support available to employees is available to employers.”

Fader says one way of alleviating the pressure on small business owners is by reducing red tape, which means creating awareness among politicians and bureaucrats.

“Small business owners are carrying the commercial responsibility and of course the legal responsibility [of running a business] in addition to actually making sales,” he says.

“For a small business, nothing happens until a sale is made. You can the most wonderful business plans, the best systems and excellent processes in place but if you’re not making sales, you can’t grow.”

“First and foremost, the small business owner should be focused on productive aspects of running their business.”