There’s a lot of data supporting the idea that it’s less costly, easier and more efficient to encourage repeat customers than bring in new ones. Among the stats Hubspot lists are that a 5% increase in customer retention is responsible for more than 25% increase in profit; repeat customers are 9 times more likely to convert than first-time visitors; and a 2% increase in customer retention has a similar impact… Read more
Receipts are vital to successfully running a business. You need receipts to track your purchases and expenses. Your clients need receipts for their tax purposes and to manage their finances. Paper receipts have been around a long time, so many people are used to them and may even be resistant to moving away from them. Thanks to technology, paper receipts are becoming more a thing of the past. There are… Read more
Bookkeepers can be highly beneficial for businesses of any size. They offer expertise and insight into areas that you may not have experience in. They can also take some tasks off your to-do list, freeing up your time and energy to focus on other matters. Here are 4 benefits to hiring bookkeepers to help you manage your business. Expertise A bookkeeper is an expert at managing, sorting and recording your… Read more
Traditionally, employers have relied on giving employees raises as a way to retain their staff and reward them for being hard-working and loyal. Raises can get expensive, and there is often an upper limit for what you can offer when it comes to increasing salaries and wages. Keeping your employees happy makes business sense. You want to keep your good employees, and it costs money to find, hire and train… Read more
Whether your small business is business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C), you likely deal with some level of customer churn, especially given the COVID-19 pandemic. Even customers who love your business and your products may have lapsed for a variety of reasons. Whatever their reasons for leaving, it’s still a great idea to try to win them back. Why? Mainly because winning back a lost customer still has a higher success… Read more
Should You Mix or Match Your Booster Dose? In Australia, Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are recommended as booster shots, regardless of which vaccine you had for your first two doses. Some research has indicated that “mixing and matching” vaccines could give your immune system a bigger boost. Eligibility Criteria for Tourism, Hospitality and Gym Grant in SA Extended The South Australian government has announced the eligibility criteria for its… Read more
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment People who are forced out of work to isolate due to being infected or being a close contact are eligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment. You are also eligible if you are caring for a child under 16 years old who is a close contact or infected, or someone with a disability or a severe medical condition who is a close contact of someone with… Read more
When you run your own business, it’s tempting to take on every responsibility. There are many reasons for doing so: because you want something done a specific way, because you don’t have the time to explain how to do it, or because you’re not sure someone else can handle the task. Delegating saves you valuable time and energy. Sharing duties with your team also fosters a sense of responsibility, engages… Read more
COVID-19 Vaccination Info Kiosks COVID-19 vaccination information kiosks are now open in shopping centres and at events in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia to help you book a vaccination appointment. Australia to Push Ahead with Reopening The government said the milder impact of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 meant Australia could push ahead with plans to reopen the economy even as new cases hit a record… Read more
Government Rules Out Lockdowns Despite Omicron Surge Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia must move past “the heavy hand of government” and authorities must stop shutting down people’s lives with lockdowns. This comes amid the surge of COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant. The government is now aiming to ramp up the rollout of booster shots. Australia- UK Free Trade Agreement The UK and Australia have signed a Free… Read more
Moderna and Australian Government Partnered to Bring Manufacturing to Australia Moderna, Inc. announced an agreement with the Australian Government to build a state-of-the-art messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine manufacturing facility in Victoria, including access to Moderna’s mRNA development engine. Up to 100 million mRNA vaccine doses could be produced in Australia each year. This collaboration will support Australia with direct access to rapid pandemic response capabilities. Visa Holders Now Allowed to… Read more
Queensland Border Reopening Requirements The Queensland border will open at 1 am on 13 December, earlier than expected. Fully vaccinated people from declared “hotspots” – that includes NSW, Victoria and South Australia- will be able to enter by road or air. Those crossing into Queensland from a declared hotspot require evidence of a negative PCR test in the 72 hours prior to crossing the border. After arriving, those from hotspots… Read more
International Border Reopening for Skilled Workers and Students Delayed Plans to reopen international borders to skilled workers and students have been halted due to concerns over the COVID-19 Omicron variant. The 1 December opening will be delayed by at least two weeks, including the plan to open the border to visitors from Japan and South Korea. Travel Guidance for International Arrivals In an effort to prevent the spread of the… Read more
Australia to Reopen to Foreign Visa Holders Australia will allow foreign visa holders to enter the country from the start of December in a bid to revive the economy. International borders have been shut since May 2020 and allowed only restricted numbers of citizens and permanent residents to enter to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said starting 1 December, vaccinated students, business visa holders, and… Read more
Australia Hits 90% Single-Dose Mark Australia has hit a new milestone, with 90% of those who are 16 years old and above having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This makes every state and territory on track to hit 80% fully vaccinated by the end of 2021. Australia Aims to Vaccinate Children Under 12 Years Old Australia will likely start administering the shots for children under 12… Read more
$44 Million Recovery Package for Melbourne The Melbourne Money scheme is returning to the CBD, with the state government and City of Melbourne launching a $200m “revitalisation fund”. From 15 November, those dining in the CBD between Monday and Thursday can claim a 30% discount – of up to $150 – off their restaurant bill. Previously, the Melbourne Money scheme launched over the winter had a cap of $100. Last… Read more
If you’re like most small business owners, you spend the majority of your time managing daily operations, keeping customers happy, and looking for new ways to grow. Spreadsheets, cash flow analysis, and financial projections are probably not your first passion. However, measuring profitability, creating realistic budgets, and planning ahead for the future are crucial to your professional success. Follow these four tips to get a handle on the numbers, and… Read more
Borders are reopening! After closing its international borders for nearly 600 days, Australia is now open to foreign visitors starting on Monday, as restrictions gradually lift. Fully vaccinated travelers from New Zealand who test negative in pre-departure tests can now enter and avoid quarantine in NSW. The next set of foreign travelers who can visit Australia will be those from Singapore. From 21 November, fully vaccinated travelers can enter NSW… Read more
Cloud computing is quickly moving from an obscure concept to an everyday reality for small businesses all over the world. A 2015 survey of small business owners found that 52% had already adopted some form of cloud-based data storage; however, a general lack of awareness regarding the logistics and advantages of cloud computing has made others a bit more resistant. The truth is, there are several very practical benefits to… Read more
Two weeks ago I cracked. My son cracked. We were broken. Something had to give. I simply didn’t want any more tears (from him or me). The day I told him that school would open up (in regional) but he would return on separate days to his older brother and they would not overlap, it was all too much for him. He took himself to bed at 7pm and cried… Read more