A Day of Discovery: My Insights from Small Biz Week 2024
Authored By: Poorvika Nandyala
On a Breezy Melbourne Morning! my day began with a ding of the elevator, the simple yet delightful scene of a two-year-old eagerly pressing the elevator buttons. His bright smile was contagious and set a cheerful tone for my Monday. With a coffee in hand and AirPods in my right ear, I settled at my desk, jotting down my daily tasks as my Teams calls buzzed in the background. The usual routine unfolded, punctuated by the hum of my inbox filling up with emails. As expected, a typical Monday was marked by replying to my colleagues and clients who had been patiently awaiting my return from the weekend.
Midday brought a welcome break, allowing me to recharge and grab some lunch. As I sifted through my university emails, one subject line jumped out at me: “Small Biz Week 2024.” Sent by Eventbrite and recommended by a Deakin professor, the email promised a game-changing event. Intrigued, I found myself scrolling through the details. The event sounded fascinating but was limited to company representatives. Undeterred, I pitched the idea to my boss Mr Praveen Kumar. While he was thrilled about the seminar, he regrettably couldn’t attend but encouraged me to go in his stead. I assured him I’d share all the insights and find ways to incorporate them into our business.
Excited yet apprehensive, I registered for the event. I began to wonder if I’d manage to fit it into my schedule. You see, despite my passion for these events—filled with guest lectures and keynote speakers—my brain sometimes struggles with timelines. Can you relate? If you’re like me, forgetful yet eager, you get it. The entire day, I couldn’t stop thinking about Small Biz Week.
The Event Day
The day finally arrived on Wednesday 29th of May. I was buzzing with anticipation as I reviewed the event’s itinerary. The lineup of participating companies and sessions was impressive, promising an atmosphere reminiscent of TED Talks. The event featured esteemed entrepreneurs from companies like BioPak and Brighte, alongside industry leaders from the host Commonwealth Bank and Salesforce. Each speaker brought a visionary perspective.
Small Biz Week 2024 offered insights from over 100 thought leaders, business experts, and industry gurus on topics crucial to small businesses. The sessions covered a wide array of subjects, from the latest advancements in AI and operations to human resources and marketing strategies. The CommBank Live Stage was the hub for these discussions, showcasing how the newest products, services, and technologies could drive sustainable business growth.
On Thursday, May 30th, my excitement was still high as I attended several live stage events. I started with a session on employment legislation and emerging risks for small businesses, presented by Lisa Davidson,General Manager - Workplace Relations and Wellbeing from the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Her insights on navigating the complexities of workplace laws were incredibly valuable, especially for small business owners trying to stay compliant in a constantly changing legal landscape.
Day2-At 10:10 AM, I eagerly awaited the keynote session that offered innovative approaches to supporting the wellbeing of small business owners. This talk was a deep dive into two impactful programs developed by Deakin Business School and Beyond Blue The “Counting on U” training, developed by researchers at Deakin, focuses on upskilling accountants and bookkeepers—often the most trusted advisers to small business owners. This program helps address the critical link between financial distress and poor mental health. Beyond Blue’s “NewAccess for Small Business Owners” (NASBO) program was also highlighted. It utilizes coaches with both small business experience and mental health training to support owners through everyday stressors. Hearing from Greg Jennings, Chief Engagement Officer at Beyond Blue, and Professor Andrew Noblet from Deakin Business School was enlightening and provided practical tools for supporting mental health in the business community.
Get Your Greens Going-My favorite session of the day, however, was about starting the sustainability journey—a topic deeply tied to sustainability reporting and value creation. The discussion explored the challenges small businesses face in adopting sustainable practices, such as balancing costs, ensuring supply chain transparency, and overcoming resource constraints. These challenges directly impact how businesses track and report their sustainability efforts, a crucial aspect of sustainability reporting frameworks.
Sustainability- panel emphasized that sustainability is not about achieving perfection but about progress—taking incremental steps and documenting them through clear and transparent reporting. Businesses that embark on this journey often see tangible benefits, not just in environmental and social impact but also in enhanced brand reputation, investor confidence, and long-term cost savings—key components of value creation.
Industry Experts:The session also underscored how measuring and communicating sustainability efforts through standardized reporting frameworks (such as GRI, SASB, or ISSB) enables businesses to demonstrate their commitment to responsible practices. Sustainability reporting holds businesses accountable and translates their efforts into measurable value, influencing decision-making for investors, customers, and stakeholders.. Examples from businesses that have begun this journey highlighted the significant impact these initial steps can make. The panel included Camilla Waterhouse Executive Manager of Environment, Social, and Governance at CommBank; Gary Smith CEO of BioPak; Jessica Irvine personal finance expert and moderator from CommBank; Chris Moldrich General Manager of Asset Finance & Business Financial Assistance at CommBank; and Katherine McConnell Founder and CEO of Brighte.
Global Exposure:After these enriching sessions, I explored the event's various stalls. The Salesforce and Nine Ad Manager booths were particularly engaging. At the Commonwealth Bank stall, I couldn’t resist registering for a self-portrait session with Julia Nance . As I wandered through, I visited booths by BNI Melbourne Central. RingCentral Nespresso Professional nbn? Australia Hertz and 宜家 There were fun games, great coffee, and numerous opportunities to connect with fellow attendees.
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Networking and Reflections
The highlight of my day was attending the CommBank SmallBiz Week . This event was truly a game-changer! I had the privilege of meeting and learning from some of the brightest minds in the industry:
Their wisdom on AI, marketing, and sustainability in business has sparked new ideas and renewed my enthusiasm for our company’s focus.
Networking with such accomplished leaders and fellow passionate entrepreneurs was an invaluable experience. The energy, insights, and connections made it all enriching.
A huge thank you to CommBank Business and Institutional for organizing such an impactful event. I’m looking forward to staying connected and applying these learnings to make a real difference. Thanks to my mentor Praveen K for giving me an opportunity to rediscover the realm of business from a different perspective.
Author's Note:
For those interested in more details about the Small Biz Week 2024 speakers and sessions, the complete list of participating leaders and their insights is available on the link. Whether you're a seasoned business leader or just starting out, there’s something valuable for everyone.
Let’s keep the conversation going! ?? Feel free to connect if you’re interested in sharing ideas or simply growing our professional networks together.
Thank You!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience at CommBank SmallBiz Week 2024! ??