Our Business in Focus for this month is Star 104.5 FM, and advertising guy Josh Davies.

Here’s a stat worth knowing – In the UK, 63% of men who finish short-term prison sentences are back inside within a year for another crime. Helping them stay outside involves job training, classes and therapy. And it would pay off handsomely – but the government cannot find the funds.

Toby Eccles shares an imaginative idea for how to change that: the Social Impact Bond. It’s an unusual bond that helps fund initiatives with a social goal through private money – with the government paying back the investors (with interest) if the initiatives work.

Toby has created a radical financial instrument that helps private investors contribute to solving thorny public problems.

As you head off on holidays don’t forget to pack your finest financial habits along with your swimmers and sunscreen. Here are five ways to help prevent the silly season from ruining the great financial work you’ve done throughout the year.

By now many Australians have had their tax returns prepared and are either happy with their refund, or disappointed or annoyed with themselves for having been so disorganised again.

The changes to the Australian Taxation Office’s Director Penalty Notice regime that were introduced in June 2012 have been the subject of much consideration over the past year.

What risks might the recent changes have on professional financial advisers and what can be done to guard against those risks?

This month Managing Director of Logical Building Pty Ltd, Jim Henry, shares with us why “green business ” is the flavour of the month and how he is capitalising on the momentum in the market place for energy efficiency.

Business innovator, Nilofer Merchant suggests a small idea that just might have a large impact on your life and health.

Next time you have a one-on-one meeting, make it into a “walking meeting” – and let ideas flow while you walk and talk.

Nilofer thinks deeply about the frameworks, strategies and cultural values of companies.

Most of us have a good grasp of the notion of life insurance, but less understood is the value of income protection insurance. Few offerings create such useful protection against unexpected, health-related financial turbulence for you and your family.

Businesses are becoming more reliant on cloud services to provide them with a broader range of options. By eliminating the need for extra servers, companies can focus on more important priorities.

Effective from the 30th of June 2013, industries that have demonstrated improved safety and claims experience will receive an average of 7.5% rate reduction, based on the performance of their industry.