The former Illawarra Business Chamber executive director knows how important small business is to the NSW and national economy.

Which was also highlighted in the federal budget this week with job creation identified as the greatest priority to get Australia through the COVID-19 pandemic.

That occurring at the start of Small Business Month is a chance for Mr Lamont to drive the point home and encourage all small businesses to take advantage of all the assistance that can help them during this challenging time.

And is one of the reasons he wants to attend the Illawarra Business Awards next week to celebrate their resilience, successes and achievements in a year that has thrown up so many challenges.

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For the last three months Mr Lamont has been on the road visiting regional areas across the state.

"I've done northern NSW, southern NSW and some of western NSW principally to hear how things are going," he said.

"I am also asking them if they are aware of the support packages that are available to them and measures that are on the table now.

"And if they have used any what has been their experience and how can we make it better.

"I don't want good businesses to be caught up with bad debt. That is a really complication issue to try and resolve.

"I am really instilling on good businesses to make sure their payment terms are solid, to make sure they have contracts and if they get in trouble to put their hand up and ask for help. Don't wait."

Mr Lamont said the NSW Small Business Commission runs a mediation service that deals with all manner of business disputes including retail and commercial leasing. And has a 92 per cent resolution rate.

"We are getting some very good results around rent rebates and deferments and that is keeping businesses afloat and shops with tenants in them."

Mr Lamont said businesses across the state were really appreciating him visiting their regions.

"You don't take these roles on because you are a passive supporter of small business or enterprise. I really wanted this role," he said.

Mr Lamont said talking to businesses across the state also provided him valuable information and ideas about what else might help.

"It is a really good litmus test for what works, what isn't working and what we can change".

Mr Lamont said it was also great to hear good news stories of small businesses starting to get back on their feet.

"The best way out of this pandemic is when your customers start coming back."

But Mr Lamont knows some businesses continue to need assistance and it is important to keep an eye on what the impact of the tapering off of JobKeeper is having on them.

"The insolvency rate over the last 18 months is actually at its lowest point now and I think JobKeeper and JobSeeker have had a real role in that," he said.

"The challenge now for all levels of government is getting the levers right so we don't turn off the tap too hard. We are also mindful we don't want to put a debt burden on future generations forever."

Mr Lamont said an increase in the sharing of information between government departments and business organisations was one of the things he has seen during COVID and expects will continue.

"I have never seen so many agencies share data with each other and the public," he said.

"I am doing surveys of business each month and I am sharing that with any business, business associations and business chamber that wants it.

"I think there is a real sense we have got to get this right and we have got to collaborate more."

The Illawarra Connection is marking Mental Health Month at its October 20 black-tie networking dinner at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach,

Guest speaker is Mental Health Movement co-founding director and former St George Illawarra Dragons player Dan Hunt.

Taverner Research has acquired the assets and liabilities of IRIS Research in a move that will see the Wollongong not-for-profit become part of a private company.

IRIS Research will retain its name and staff.

Taverner Research managing director Michael Trigwell said they had a great reputation that would only add to the business by leaving things as they are.

Mr Trigwell said Taverner was a medium sized Australian owned full service market and social research company that has been around since 1995.

In the last 12 months it has gone from having one office in Sydney to three in NSW.

Mr Trigwell said the business had a government and social focus with much of its research but also had commercial clientele.

"We see IRIS as a really good opportunity to consolidate where we are and look towards the future," he said.

Mr Trigwell said the Wollongong team had made a significant contribution to the research industry and will help Taverner extend its services in the local government space.

"In 2019 we acquired Jetty Research in Coffs Harbour which also had a strong focus on local government research. That was an extension of our regional NSW network," he said.

IRIS Research general manager Peter Watts said IRIS remains very active with local government work in NSW and Queensland and compliments the work Jetty has been doing in northern NSW.

"One of the great attractions of this merger for IRIS Research, our customers, the people of Wollongong and employees, is we were always constrained in terms of our potential to grow here," Mr Watts said

"Being a not-for-profit there were several structural constraints that came with that. Which meant we could never make the investment in the technology, people, systems and processes that we really needed for a competitive edge in our industry.

"We have been very reliant for many years on having sub-contractor relationships in place. And now through Taverner we have access to a deeper pool of internal talent, knowledge, expertise and experience which is already bearing fruit for our clients.

"This is a really exciting step forward in being able to increase both our scale and our scope. We could never have achieved that alone."

Mr Watts said IRIS Research started from a moment of enlightenment by academics at the University of Wollongong in 1977 and was established in 1980.

It was funded by UOW and four councils and over time gradually transitioned from economic research to more opinion and social research and started generating more of its own revenue.

Mr Watts said what is happening now is technically a transfer of assets, liabilities, employees and goodwill.

"That was a decision of the IRIS Ltd Board and voted on by the IRIS Ltd members," he said.

"The ownership structure has changed but the way we operate has not."

The combined entity has 17 full time staff and about 50 casuals.

Mr Trigwell said Taverner had a very strong history with transport related projects that has taken its people across the state doing face-to-face research.

He said it will be great to have a research team closer to some of those areas in the southern half of NSW.

But there were many other reasons why teaming up with the IRIS team makes sense.

Mr Watts said among the benefits already flowing to local employees was more steady work.

"We are now getting far more work for our call centre that we were able to generate ourselves which is bringing new wealth in the region," he said.

"Being able to tap into a much bigger network of opportunities is great news for our current staff and future staff."

"And our research team has already been included in projects Taverner are leading that we were never considered for before.

"That is introducing new research challenges, experiences, opportunities and developing their professional skills.

"Which is bring new efficiency and new levels of insight that benefit all our clients.

"Even with the COVID uncertainty we have been fortunate to be very busy over the last quarter.

"And we are still continuing to service a number of our regional clients in the Illawarra who haven't skipped a beat with this deal going through.

"We are currently working with a couple of council clients on some major projects for them locally and we are looking forward to being able to build those relationships."

Mr Trigwell said one big project recently secured by the Taverner arm of the business required all hands on deck at the three offices to complete on time. Which would he been very difficult without the team in Wollongong.

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