I’ve just read The Sweet Spot¹ (thanks Calvin Penrose from Loanwriters for the recommendation).

The book deals with the economic and social successes of Australia and challenges you to review where we’ve come from and where we’re headed. If you’re in business or contemplating starting a business you’re encouraged to read the book. Of course, if you’re suffering from time-poor syndrome here’s my take on the messages from the early chapters.

• In 2011 Australians enjoyed a higher average income per head of population than Germany, Japan, Singapore, France, Britain and America2. When we beat these countries at the Olympics it is front page news, but who among us knew we’d beaten them in the category of average income per head?

• The UN Human Development Index combines a measure of income, education and health. In 2010 Australia came second to Norway – again, who knew? This index is important as it measures how well people can develop their full potential and lead productive, creative lives.

• In 2011 the OECD concluded that Australia was placed first in its Better Life Index.

• Why? Well, Australia reformed and renovated its economic landscape well before the current mining boom and we continue to enjoy a stable democracy. The rich have been getter richer and the poor have been getting less poor to a point in 2008 where Australia’s gap between rich and poor was below the OECD average for the first time.

While there’s a tall poppy syndrome in Australia it doesn’t really operate to hold people back. It’s used to cut down those who have tickets on themselves. No Australian is permitted to assume that he or she is better than any other Australian. This has its roots from the earliest of days in the penal settlement quickly evolving to a community with free settlers. The Eureka Stockade, Lambing Flat, the Unions are also credited.

The wonderful balance of free enterprise without show ponies has resulted in a landscape where individual endeavour can shine. An excellent example is Professor Ian Frazer’s work to produce the world’s first vaccine to prevent cancer. But why does commercial, social and entrepreneurial freedom matter?

Because an entrepreneur (that’s you!) invests money and hires people to conduct a business. When your business prospers you invest more and hire more. This compounds in Australian society to provide skills and capital for others to go forth and create further opportunities.

Perhaps this is why Sullivan Dewing loves working with passionate business people. By taking business risk and providing the foundation for the future success of Australia you deserve to be acknowledged, supported and congratulated.    

1 Peter Hartcher, The Sweet Spot, ISBN 9781863954976 (pbk.)

2 Most of the author’s authority comes from the UN, OECD, World Bank, IMF and the like