Monthly Archives: May 2021

Walkie talkie buyers guide

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A walkie talkie or handheld two-way radio is so much more than a kid’s toy. Mobile phones have done so much for communications, however, having a constant open channel has so many applications, especially for small businesses.  This guide will explain what you need to know about a handheld two-way radio and help you make a buying decision.

A walkie talkie, portable CB or two-way is a handheld radio that allows two or more parties to communicate verbally via free radio spectrum. Any party in range on the same channel will hear all transmitted broadcasts. Communication is initiated by pushing a button only whilst talking.

WHY should I buy a two-way radio for my business?

The two-way radio has been around since the Second World War, and it revolutionised our ability to communicate remotely. With no additional infrastructure (like a phone tower), we can quickly and easily communicate with two or more parties.

Common walkie talkie uses for small business include:
  • Worksites – to coordinate cranes, vehicles, worksite activities, help required
  • Restaurants – co-ordination of meals, empty tables, spills
  • Retail outlets – enhancing customer service, stock control, security
  • Warehouse – facilitate collection, call back to a dock
  • Farm – location identification, voice communication with no phone coverage, lunch call, safety

Unlike a mobile phone, a two-way allows all users to hear the same messages and essentially have a group chat to coordinate activities. Once the walkie talkie is purchased, there are no ongoing monthly charges and is only limited by its range and battery.

WHAT do I need to understand?

A walkie talkie is a handheld device containing a battery, an antenna, microphone, speaker, radio transmitter, and receiver. In Australia, they work on an Ultra High Frequency (UHF). The publicly available models have 80 possible channels (see Channels below).

Range

The radio range is determined by two factors the wattage or transmission power (see next point) and the obstacles between the antennas of each handset. The range will be greater if there is a direct line of sight between the two handsets.  Hills, buildings, walls and even trees will reduce the operating range between each handset.

Power/wattage

In Australia, the maximum wattage permitted is 5 watts(w).  Generally, a walkie talkie can be bought with 5w, 2w, 1w or 0.5w.  Higher wattage models will allow you to switch between different wattage. Reduced wattage gives you reduced range, but longer battery life and more privacy as others are unlikely to be in range to hear your conversation.

How far will my walkie talkie work?
  • 5 watts up to 17km
  • 2 watts up to 13km
  • 1 watt up to 7km
  • 0.5 watt up to 3km
Channels

Channels relate to fixed frequencies the radio can operate at. There are 80 channels to select from, but there are some channels you should not use.
General use: 9-21, 24-29, 39, 49-60, 64-70, 79,80. USE THESE ONES
Repeater Channels: 1-8,31-38, 41-48, 71-78. (use repeater stations to increase range)
Emergency use: 5, 30
Caravaners: 18, 20 (generally use)
Truckies: 29, 40
Data (no voice): 22,23

HOW to choose a walkie talkie?

The below features are ones you should consider in making your decision:

Size – how big the unit is and where you will carry it.

Controls – how easy it is to change the channel or increase the volume.  Could be a rotary knob or buttons.

Battery life – some cheaper models use disposable batteries, but for work purposes, you should look at a rechargeable lithium battery model. Ensure the unit has a clear battery level indicator. Models should indicate an operating time in hours based on 90% standby, 5% transmit, and 5% receive.

Charging – depending on your situation and power sources available for recharging, you can choose between 240v mains, 12volt car charger or USB charger (not supported by all models).

Durable – some radios are built better than others. Some models are designed to take punishment, including being run over and dropped from a height. Look for die-cast chassis.

Incoming alert – this is similar to a ring tone and helps you recognise incoming communication.

Talk confirmation – a tone that indicates the other party has stopped talking and removed their finger from the transmit button. Saves you from saying “over” to finish speaking.

Scan– allows you to scan other channels to hear any conversations in range. Some models allow you to select which channels to scan.

CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) & DCS (Digital Coded Squelch) – allows a group to talk to each other without hearing other users on the same channel and delivers clearer channel operation.

Scramble – enables private communications by scrambling the voice signal. This prevents users without descrambler equipment or a compatible unit from understanding the conversation.

Master scan technology – if your current channel is interrupted by outsiders, all radios in your group will automatically jump to a new clear channel allowing uninterrupted communication to continue.

Waterproof – it is unlikely to be fully waterproof. Still, it will survive water immersion to a depth of up to 1 metre for a specified number of minutes. Look for the IP rating.  Note this rating is based on brand new units, not battered units with ageing seals. This same rating will indicate it is also dustproof.

Handsfree mode (VOX) – some models will allow voice activation, so you do not even need to press a button to talk.

LED Torch – a built-in LED light.

Backlit screen & keys – great if you will use at night.

Accessories
  • Microphone – a spiralled cable attached microphone allows communication without holding 2-way.
  • Earpiece – a separate earbud speaker and microphone enable discrete communication
  • desktop charger – for convenient charging
  • carry case – to protect the walkie talkie
  • belt clip – for convenient transport
  • 12volt (car) charger – recharging in your car
  • spare battery – peace of mind by having a 2nd battery
  • external antenna – the stubbie antenna can be unscrewed, and an external magnetic antenna and cable can be attached to increase range from a vehicle

HINTS

Remember, this is a public network, so others can easily eavesdrop on your conversations if they are in range.

Two-way radios permanently mounted in a vehicle don’t need charging and can communicate with walkie talkies, assuming you are in range and on the same channel.

You can licence a channel for commercial purposes, increasing your privacy but also will increase costs.

SUMMARY – Which walkie talkie?

A walkie talkie is a valuable business tool. It can be used to increase productivity and improve customer service.  Radio communication comes into its own when several parties need to communicate at no additional cost, especially when there is no mobile phone coverage.  More expensive models will have a greater range and the ability to keep your calls private.

Product displays in retail stores

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  • An imaginative retail display is a cost-effective way to enhance customers’ purchase behaviour, increase product sales and return on investment. 
  • Imaginative displays work as they increase customer arousal and infer product benefits, which influence their purchase behaviour. The displays need to be consistent with the product nature to have a positive impact.
  • The study, in the prestigious and influential Journal of Marketing, involved researchers from Monash University, Queensland University of Technology and Capital University of Economics and Business (China)

Have you stood back to admire the creative, ‘gimmicky’ and attractive product displays in retail stores? A new international study has found that these displays subtly awaken customer senses and increase purchase behaviour.

Researchers from Monash University, Queensland University of Technology and Capital University of Economics and Business (China) found that for a wide range of consumer products – from bathroom tissues and toothpaste to soft drinks and confectionery – creative product displays positively influence customer behaviour.

Imaginative displays are constructed using multiple units of the same product in a novel and aesthetically appealing form. They can be found in supermarkets or retail stores to entice customers to purchase a certain product. 

This new research paper, published in the prestigious Journal of Marketing – published by the American Marketing Association – examined the effect of imaginative product displays on customers’ purchase behaviour with more than 1,500 participants from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. 

Professor Hean Tat Keh (Monash Business School), Dr Di Wang (Queensland University of Technology) and Dr Li Yan (Capital University of Economics and Business) identified that these imaginative product displays triggered affect-based arousal and cognition-based inferred benefits in customers. 

This means the imaginative display arouses customers’ interest, along with inference of product benefits which increase their purchase intention for the product on display. 

As part of the broader research project, results from six studies showed that, relative to basic and standard product displays, imaginative displays in retail stores can increase customers’ purchase intention, actual purchases, product sales, and return on investment. 

“However, these displays cannot just be creative for the sake of being creative. They need to be relevant to the product and capture the imagination of shoppers,” Professor Keh said.

“Besides arousal, our research revealed a cognition-based process whereby imaginative themed displays, with particular shapes mimicking actual objects such as a bear and a battle tank, conveyed embodied meanings, such as strength and energy, that transfer to the products constituting the display, which increase customers’ purchase intention.” 

Key findings from the research include:

  • A 53 per cent increase in return on investment from the sale of tissue boxes between the imaginative and standard promotional displays in a grocery store.
  • Customers exposed to the imaginative product display were 48 per cent more likely to purchase chocolates than those who saw a standard display at a confectionary store. 
  • Shoppers were more likely to buy more toothpaste if the display was creative and attractive than a standard display. 
  • Energy drinks in a display shaped like a tank increased customers’ purchase intention due to the positive effects of arousal and inferred product benefits.

“Our findings not only explain why some retailers use ‘gimmicky’ imaginative displays but also provide evidence on the processes and boundary conditions of these displays to favourably influence customers’ purchase behaviour and increase sales at relatively low costs,” Professor Keh said.

Professor Hean Tat Keh (Monash Business School), Dr Di Wang (Queensland University of Technology) and Dr Li Yan (Capital University of Economics and Business) produced the study titled ‘Gimmicky or Effective? The Effects of Imaginative Displays on Customer Purchase Behaviour’, forthcoming in the Journal of Marketing. (Both Dr Di Wang and Dr Li Yan obtained their PhDs from the Monash Business School.)

Please visit https://doi.org/10.1177/0022242921997359 for more information. 

For more ideas see Small Business Answers guide to marketing.

Headset for business

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Can you repeat that, I cannot hear you properly? So sorry about the background noise, it is my dog barking. The world is certainly changing, and more and more meetings are done online. Being listened to and hearing is critical to your success in business. This guide will look at why you might consider a headset for business and what you should consider in making a purchase decision.

WHY should I use a headset for business?

There is a very good reason you see so many people wearing headsets on a Zoom call, and there are actually more benefits than just improved sound quality.

Benefits of Headsets

Audio Quality

  • A two-headphone headset covers both ears reducing background noises
  • The microphone correctly positioned improves your voice quality and ensures that quality is consistent as the microphone is not moving like you would move a phone as you hold it.
  • Some headsets use noise-cancelling technology, which can both reduce the effect on the background noise of your hearing and your speaking

Productivity and Mobility

  • Both your hands will be free to use a computer, make notes or handle documents
  • Wireless handsets allow you to walk around your office/house and not be confined to your desk
  • If away from your desk, you can still answer your phone, reducing voicemail and increasing customer service

Neck Pain and Ergonomics

  • If you make lots of calls and cradle the phone on your neck, this can very quickly lead to neck/back pain as well as lead to bad posture
  • A comfortable headset can be used for hours with no discomfort

WHAT do I need to know about headsets for business?

A headset can be bought very cheaply but is unlikely to have the audio quality and be very comfortable.

Gaming vs business headsets

There are headsets designed for gamers and headsets for the office type environment. Both are designed for their specific purpose. Gaming headsets could be used for zoom calls but tend to be bulky, over-ear and tuned for deep sound and surround audio. Headset for business are lightweight, can be used all day and designed to work well with audio and video chat applications like Zoom or Teams.

Wired or wireless

A headset for business can be either wired or wireless. A wireless headset will give you wire-free freedom, but a wired headset is not prone to wireless interference.  Some units have the option of using both. A wired headset cable is likely to wear and possible break over time.
A wired headset can be bought with different connectors, normally depending on what it is connecting to. Typical connectors include:

  • 3.5 mm headphone jack – will fit most PCs
  • 2.5mm headphone jack – typically found on older phone systems and cordless phones
  • RJ11 – connector used to connect a fixed-line phone to a wall socket. Some phones have this extra socket, or you can get a splitter(connecting this way may require an amplifier to increase the volume)
  • USB Type-A – typical USB plug on your PC
  • USB Type C – newer style USB socket that you will find on PCs and smartphones

A wireless headphone is most likely to work via Bluetooth, giving you a range of up to 30m.  A wireless headset will need to be charged; thus, charge times and talk time will need to be considered. Because the unit contains batteries, it is likely to be heavier than a wired unit.

HOW do I choose the right headset for business?

Microphone quality – a directional microphone will receive sound from a certain direction only, whereas omnidirectional will receive sound from all directions.  Look for a headset with a boom mic or stalk, which will put the microphone closer to your mouth and improve audio quality.

Audio quality – I am sure you have heard the difference in sound reproduction from a good speaker.  A headset is no different.  Technically, the sound is produced in low bass notes and high treble notes referred to as frequency response.  Your hearing range will be approximately 20Hz to 20,000Hz, so look for a headphone that can support this range. The end result, you will be able to hear what people say better.

In-ear, on-ear, over-ear– refers to the type of headphone. In-ear being an in-ear earbud, on-ear, a foam pad sits on your ear like an aircraft headphone. Over-ear completely covers your ear in a cup. The style you choose comes down to personal choice, comfort and how much background noise is let in.

Comfort is critical – which will come down to personal preference, which is tough to know if you have not used a headset before. In-ear and over-ear tend to cut out background noise as they provide a seal. This is great for cutting out that background noise, but some still want to hear what is happening around them. On-ear headphone sits on the flat surface of your ear and can become uncomfortable on the ear after many hours.  Similarly, the over-ear headphone (your ear fits inside a cup) can feel uncomfortable on your skull after many hours as they tend to be heavier. Thus the weight of any of the headphones should be a consideration.

Headband – If choosing a headband model, the weight of the headset will rest on that headband; thus, look for models that are adjustable and comfortable on your head.

Ear cups – the materials these are made of will determine how long they last and contribute to comfort.  The type of foam used, like memory foam in more expensive models, may be a worthwhile investment. Fabric outer covers will breathe better, but leather-like material may wear better. In-ear models should come with different size silicone plugs to suit your ears.

Single ear or stereo (both ears) – For noisy environments, dual headphone or stereo headphones will cover both ears, aiding your ability to hear the conversation clearly. Alternatively, a single headphone allows you to hear more ambient noise while providing a lightweight, comfortable fit. The single headphone can be chosen as a headband model or a low profile over the ear headset. Some over the ear models may affect the wearing of glasses and be less stable. Over the ear, models will not affect your hair.

Cable – If you select a cable model, how long is the cable and is there a quick disconnect that allows you to keep the headset on but disconnect the cable.

Recharging and run time – Look for wireless headphones that will give you a reasonable talk time even after only a 5-minute charge. This will get you out of trouble when you forget to charge them. Also, take note of the talk time represented in hours, for example, 10 hours of talk time would get you through a full working day.  Some models come or have a charging stand available as an accessory. This is convenient to hold and charge the headset when not on your head instead of a charging cable that must be plugged in.

Volume and mute button – The ability to change the volume on the headset is convenient. A mute button allows you to quickly remove unwanted noise when you are not speaking. Mute on some handsets is achieved by raising the mic boom.

Durability-A quality headset should last you 3 years. After this point, battery life will start to take its toll.  If a headset seems flimsy and is low cost, it probably not going to last very long.

Noise cancellation – This technology can be integrated into both the microphone and the headphones. Either way, it is a technology to electronically reduce background noise so you can hear more clearly and your voice is heard more clearly. We strongly support this feature.

Busy Light – This handy feature lets work colleagues know when you are on a call.

Certification – Look for official accreditation from the collaboration software vendor like Microsoft teams, Zoom, Cisco etc.  This certification ensures your new headset will work well with that vendor and may possibly provide additional functionality.

Warranties – A good warranty and a supportive reseller will quickly resolve issues and get you back on calls.

HINTS

A headset microphone should be positioned below or to the side of your lips. Avoid putting it in front of your mouth, or everyone will hear you breathing – think Darth Vader!

Headsets can be bought at retailers like Officeworks or JB Hifi. Still, you might be better looking for a specialist retailer that can provide you with informed advice.

Using a headset only for video calls, consider how your headset makes you look and realise that a wireless headset may be of no benefit.

Wireless headsets can also be used with a smartphone by vehicle drivers and commuters to improve their call quality.

Also, see Small Business Answers review of a Wired versus a Bluetooth headset.

SUMMARY – Which headset should I buy?

A headset for business can improve productivity and reduce back and neck pain.

When deciding on a headset, consider these three factors:

  1. Mobility – corded versus wireless
  2. Wearing style – personal preference of comfort and practicality
  3. Environment – how loud will it be where you will use it

Way up what features are important to you in making your purchase decision.

Epson EcoTank Pro Multi-Function printers

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To meet the needs of printing in your small business, you need a printer that will handle the volume and be versatile and economical. The Epson EcoTank printers fit this requirement.

Epson is expanding its EcoTank® Pro line of cartridge-free printing solutions to include models designed for high-productivity home offices. The EcoTank Pro ET-5150 and EcoTank Pro ET-5170 provide home offices and small businesses with a more affordable EcoTank Pro option for high-speed, high-volume cartridge-free printing. The ideal replacement for messy, expensive and heat-producing laser printers.

KEY FEATURES AND BENEFITS
· Heat-Free Technology uses far less power than laser printers.
· Cartridge Free Printing – Print 1000’s of pages straight out of the box1!
· Extremely Low Cost Per Page – Less than two cents per page with replacement ink bottles2.
· Low-cost replacement ink bottles from $24.99 – and easily refillable ink tank with replacement ink bottle.
· Fast First Page out Time – in only 7 seconds3.
· Easy Wireless – easily print from iPad®, iPhone®, Android™ tablets and smartphones®4 includes Wi-Fi Direct®5.
· Do More – 35-Sheet Auto Document Feeder (ADF); auto 2-sided print.
· Easy Touch-and-Swipe Setup and Navigation — large 2.4″ colour touchscreen.
· Bonus One Year Warranty – upon registration within 12 months6.

EcoTank Pro ET-5150

The EcoTank Pro Series allows users to save up to 90 percent with low-cost replacement ink bottles vs. standard capacity black and XL capacity colour laser toner cartridges, equivalent to about 2 cents per colour ISO page versus 27 cents with standard-capacity colour laser toner cartridges. 

EcoTank Pro ET-5150 ink tanks

The EcoTank Pro ET-5150, powered by PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology, offers revolutionary cartridge-free printing with easy-to-fill, supersized ink tanks. It includes thousands of pages of ink in the box1. That’s an incredible amount of ink — enough to print up to 5,200 colour pages1. Plus, it features auto-stop ink bottles with each colour uniquely keyed for easy filling of each tank. The ET-5170 also offers a high-capacity 250-sheet paper tray, fax, 2.4″ colour touchscreen, 35-sheet ADF, fast auto 2-sided printing, no warmup time, first-page first printing and convenient wired and wireless networking.

Epson Australia MD Craig Heckenberg said, “The way we live and work has truly changed, and not just in the short-term. As people adapt to this new reality, it’s important to have technology tools that not only ease the transition but enable productivity, efficiency and help generate revenue. EcoTank Pro printers ensure small office, home office, and business professionals can take full advantage of the benefits cartridge-free printers provide. They are also much better for the environment than laser printers.”

The new EcoTank Pro ET-5150 and EcoTank Pro ET-5170 augment the existing line of EcoTank Pro models, providing a compact, entry-level, affordable solution to users that require high-volume printing.

Pricing, Availability and Support
The EcoTank Pro ET-5150 (RRP $639.00) and EcoTank Pro ET-5170 (RRP$649.00) are now available at www.epson.com.au, and all good Epson retailers and resellers.

For more information on buying a printer, see Small Business Answers guide here.

ATO warns on ‘copy/pasting’ claims

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The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is alerting taxpayers that its sights are set on work-related expenses like car and travel claims that are predicted to decrease in this year’s tax returns.

Overall, around 8.5 million Australians claimed nearly $19.4 billion in work-related expenses in their 2020 tax returns.

Assistant Commissioner Tim Loh noted that COVID-19 has changed up people’s work habits, so we expect their work-related expenses will reflect this. 

“We know many people started working from home during COVID-19, so a jump in these claims is expected,” Mr Loh said.

“But, if you are working at home, we would not expect to see claims for travelling between worksites, laundering uniforms or business trips.”

Last year, the value of car and travel expenses decreased by nearly 5.5%. However, there was a slight increase of around 2.6% in clothing expenses. With uniform and laundry claims significantly lower, this increase was driven by frontline workers’ first-time need for things like hand sanitiser and face masks.

“While it’s good to see most people have been doing the right thing, our data analytics will be on the lookout for unusually high claims this tax time. Particularly where someone’s deductions are much higher than others with a similar job and income.”      

“We will also look closely at anyone with significant working from home expenses, that maintains or increases their claims for things like car, travel or clothing expenses.”

“You can’t simply copy and paste previous year’s claims without evidence.”

“But we know some of these unusual claims may be legitimate. So, if you explain your claim with evidence, you have nothing to fear.”

“We also want to reassure the community that we will be sympathetic to legitimate mistakes where good faith efforts have been made. However, where we spot people deliberately claiming things they’re not entitled to, we will take firm action,” Mr Loh said.

During 2020, the ATO had to shift focus on getting stimulus benefits out the door as quickly as possible to support so many businesses in need.

In 2021, we will be continuing to balance our role in supporting taxpayers through this very challenging time, while recommencing our focus on addressing overclaiming of work-related expenses.

How COVID-19 has changed work-related expenses

Working from home expenses

The temporary shortcut method for working from home expenses is available for the full 2020-21 financial year. This allows an all-inclusive rate of 80 cents per hour for every hour people work from home, rather than needing to separately calculate costs for specific expenses.

All you need to do is multiply the hours worked at home by 80 cents, keeping a record such as a timesheet, roster or diary entry that shows the hours your worked.

Remember – the shortcut method is temporary. If you want to claim part of an expense over $300 (such as a desk or computer) in future years, you need to keep your receipt.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) 

If your specific duties require physical contact or close proximity to customers or clients, or your job involves cleaning premises, you may be able to claim items such as gloves, face masks, sanitiser, or anti-bacterial spray.

This includes industries like healthcare, cleaning, aviation, hair and beauty, retail and hospitality.

To claim your PPE, you’ll need to have purchased the item for use at work, paid for it yourself, and not been reimbursed. You also need a record to support your claim – a receipt is best.

Clothing and laundry, self-education, car and travel expenses

In 2020, we saw a decrease in the value of work-related expenses for cars, travel, non-PPE clothing and self-education as a result of the introduction of travel restrictions and limits on the number of people who could gather in groups. We expect this trend to continue in the 2021 tax returns.

If an employee is working from home due to COVID-19, but needs to travel to their regular office sometimes, they cannot claim the cost of travel from home to work as these are still private expenses.

Case study – overclaiming work-related expenses

A Canberra administrative worker fraudulently received nearly $7,000 in refunds after claiming work-related car, travel, clothing and self-education expenses he wasn’t entitled to. He had his fraudulent claims knocked back in 2014, after he couldn’t provide any receipts, instructing us to “just process the return”. He tried it on again in his 2015 and 2016 returns, this time providing a fake letter from his employer.

Given the brazen and repetitive nature of the fraud, the taxpayer was prosecuted and now has a criminal record. He was also fined $1,800.

Additional information

To help people find out what they can and can’t claim, we’ve created nearly 40 occupation and industry guides. This year we’ve added three new guides for gaming attendants, community support workers and recruitment consultants. Visit ato.gov.au/occupations

To work out claims for items over $300, the ATO has created a depreciation tool as well as a ‘how to’ video: ato.gov.au/DepreciationTool

See Small Business Answers guide to tax returns here.

JobMaker Hiring Credit

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The Australian Tax office (ATO) JobMaker Hiring Credit scheme is an incentive for businesses to create jobs and hire young Australians.

Suppose you have hired additional employees between 7 January and 6 April 2021. In that case, you may be eligible to claim JobMaker Hiring Credit payments for their wages.

Under the scheme, as an employer, you can receive payments of up to:

  • $10,400 over a year for each additional eligible employee aged 16 to 29 years
  • $5,200 over a year for each additional eligible employee aged 30 to 35 years.

This not only gives a young person a job but also can help with the cost of growing your business.

You can register with the ATO for the JobMaker Hiring Credit here.

You only need to register once before the end of the claim period for the first JobMaker period you want to claim for.

To check your eligibility as an employer, you can find more details here.  Note you cannot also claim JobKeeper at the same time.

If you are approved, payments will be made every 3 months in arrears.

Also, see Small Business Answers guide on hiring staff

Pinterest Idea Pins

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Those small businesses using social media to promote their business will be interested in this new announcement from the Pinterest platform.

Pinterest is introducing Idea Pins, its multi-page video format, to all creators in Australia. This new access and capability will empower anyone with a business account to create inspiring content. It will allow you to better interact with your audiences, building more engaged communities directly on Pinterest.

Creators will also have a suite of new publishing tools, including video-first features, new editing tools and updates to create Idea Pins easier and more creative. Idea Pins will appear at the top of the home feed for Pinners, at the top of creator profiles, with curated collections appearing in search and on the Today Tab to introduce creators to new community members and build their audience.

“We believe the best inspiration comes from people who are fueled by their passions and want to bring positivity and creativity into the world. On Pinterest, anyone can inspire. From creators to hobbyists to publishers, Pinterest is a place where anyone can publish great ideas and discover inspiring content. We have creators with extraordinary ideas on Pinterest, and with Idea Pins, creators are empowered to share their passions and inspire their audiences. By helping people on Pinterest spark creativity, try new things, build confidence, and be themselves, we believe creators are truly helping with our mission of bringing inspiration to create a life you love.” – Evan Sharp, Co-Founder, Chief Design and Creative Officer, Pinterest.

In the past month, Pinterest has seen a 9x average comment rate on Idea Pins compared to standard Pins. Allowing brands to build and engage with communities as they see the process of inspiration unfold.

Idea Pins make it easy for creators to publish high quality, long-lasting, saveable content directly to Pinterest. In Australia, creators such as RecipeTin, Taste.com.au, and The Local Project have already grown their audiences, sharing Idea Pins like this intro to a new product and inspiring how to’s. In fact, the number of Idea Pins created daily has grown by nearly 4x since January.* With these updates, Pinterest highlights the people behind the content and encourages Pinners to follow creators and engage with the ideas they find.

Check out Small Business Answers guide to social media to engage customers.

Solar savings allow business to innovate

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As businesses transition out of a challenging 2020, some NSW-based small businesses invest in solar and use the savings to innovate and undertake business improvements.

Solar cooking

With payback periods plummeting to around two years, companies can use the savings generated from solar energy not only to improve their bottom line but to invest in new initiatives. One company doing just this is Cooks Confectionery. One of Australia’s leading confectionery companies, which produces premium quality chocolate, toffee and nut products for wholesalers and retail outlets.

Based in Albion Park near Shellharbour, Cooks is a family-owned business that moved to its current site in 2004 and expanded to include a toffee plant and chocolate facility. The production of chocolate is high in energy with the need to refine it for 10-12 hours, motors on for the same amount of time and heaters working for 24 hours.

Daniel Lezcano, Managing Director, said that given the size of their power bill, it was a no-brainer to look at installing solar on the roof of their 1000 M² property. 

The company reached out to several providers and chose Energus based on price and its strong track record.  Keen to have as many solar panels as possible on the roof, the company decided to install its 70kw system in July 2020.

Thomas Bell, Sales Director, Energus, said, “We were very pleased to see that the huge reduction in energy costs enabled the company to double its shifts. Even with the introduction of the second shift and operations spanning from 6 am to 10 pm, the company’s energy bill stayed the same, thereby saving them $10K/quarter.” 

“We effectively doubled production without increasing our energy costs, “said Lezcano.

The 52.2MWh of energy produced in the first 6 months since installation is enough to dry 49,671 kilos of laundry or boil 645,230 litres of water.

Bell commented that Energus has seen a significant increase in solar from companies of all sizes as they look to save on power costs, reduce emissions and use the savings to invest in other parts of the business. This was particularly evident during the pandemic and has continued in 2021.

Solar Printing

Other companies investing in solar and undertaking innovation in their operations include CBS Printing, a family-owned and operated business providing commercial printing, design, and distribution services to the Macarthur area for over 40 years. CBS Printing decided to install over 260 solar panels on the 1300sqm roof of its Smeaton Grange factory in September 2018 and has since saved almost $30,000 on energy costs. 

In 2020, the panels produced 96.8MWh of energy, which is enough to use a computer for 841,562 hours or make 1,935,594 pieces of toast.

Director, Stephen Wilson, said the decision to convert to solar was easy after calculating the company’s return on investment to be under 5 years.

Wilson said the company has expanded its extensive range of printing and fulfilment services over the past 12 months to adapt to challenges experienced due to COVID-19. CBS Printing has started producing ready-meal food packaging, which has seen a spike in demand since the start of the pandemic.

This decision to innovate and produce a new product has helped offset a downturn in business from regular clients who were unable to operate due to COVID-19 restrictions and reflects the same forward-thinking that inspired the company to go solar.

In addition to its financial benefits, Wilson says the decision to convert to solar energy was an important step toward developing sustainable business practices.

Wilson said that the statistics provided to CBS Printing by Energus reinforce the company’s decision to go solar when they see the energy and financial savings the solar installation is achieving. 

Also see Small Business Answers guide on getting a better electricity deal.

Poly unveils Voyager Focus 2 headset

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Poly has just announced the newest addition to Poly’s line up of best-selling stereo Bluetooth headsets – the Voyager Focus 2, a smart, wireless headset with next-generation noise-cancelling technology.

A 2020 Gartner survey predicted that 41% of the global workforce are expected to be working at least some of the time post-COVID remotely.
Thus the tools to facilitate this are critical. Given so many meetings will now be done virtually, it is more important than ever to have a headset that can block background noise in any situation. Being able to hear and be heard is critical.

Voyager Focus 2, the latest addition to Poly’s line up of best-selling stereo Bluetooth headsets. Available in Australia now, the Voyager Focus 2 is a smart, wireless headset with amazing audio that’s intuitive and easy to use. Designed to reduce distractions while working from anywhere, the Voyager Focus 2 features Poly’s next-generation Acoustic Fence technology with Advanced Digital Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

“In this work-from-anywhere era where background noise comes at you from all sides, workers are looking for technology that reduces distractions and allows them to focus on what really matters,” said Andy Hurt, Poly MD, ANZ.

“The Voyager Focus 2 is packed with three levels of hybrid ANC, so all you hear is your call. While on the other end, all they hear is your voice – no other background noises – thanks to our high-performance microphones and Poly’s Acoustic Fence technology.”

No background noise

Callers are guaranteed to hear you clearly – not your surroundings – when you’re using the Voyager Focus 2 headset. Poly’s pro-grade noise-cancelling microphone with Acoustic Fence technology provides Poly’s best noise reduction yet, delivering crystal clear sound. Poly’s Advanced Digital Hybrid ANC comes with three settings: high, mid, and off so you can set the right level for your surroundings. A convenient carrying case is also included, so you can take the headset wherever you go.  

Pro-Grade Performance

You’ll never have to worry about forgetting to un-mute. The Voyager Focus 2 has a Dynamic Mute Alert feature that lets you know if you’re speaking while on mute. An online ear cup indicator flashes when you’re on a call for a visual cue to others that you’re busy. Additional smart sensors will help you answer calls and play or pause music. The smart microphone boom will automatically switch left and right audio no matter which side the headset is worn. The headset intuitively mutes the headset when the boom is in the upright position to ensure you are always in control of your call.

Longer Talk Time

Poly has supersized its most popular Voyager Focus headset by extending the battery life in the latest model and providing the option to use it as a corded device, with audio over USB mode. The battery alone will offer a longer talk time, with up to 19 hours

Works the Way You Do

The Voyager Focus 2 headset is available in two different options; the Voyager Focus 2 UC and Voyager Focus 2 Office.

The UC headset connects to mobile phones and PC/Mac via Poly’s new BT700 USB adapter. This ensures a more stable audio connection and extended range when you need to step away from your device while staying connected. It also has a convenient desktop charging stand option to ensure one is always charged plus serves for easy desktop storing.

For those who need to connect to multiple communication devices throughout the workday, the Office headset connects with desk phones, mobile phones, and PC/Mac. The Office version continues to charge in the base when the headset is not in use, so you are always ready to take a call. It can also be used as a wired headset when plugged into the computer’s USB port.

Microsoft Teams Open Office Certification

The Voyager Focus 2 is Microsoft Teams-certified and comes with a dedicated Teams button for instant access to the app. It’s also compatible with Zoom right out of the box to seamlessly support all your collaboration and communications needs.

Poly+ and Poly Lens Supported

For added convenience, the Voyager Focus 2 supports Poly Lens, making it easier for IT teams to troubleshoot and manage devices while working remotely. The Voyager Focus 2 comes with a 2-year limited warranty and access to Poly’s standard support. For additional peace of mind, Poly+ is available, a paid subscription service that offers 24/7 technology support for personal devices worldwide and a third-year warranty.

Are you eligible for the Instant Asset Write Off?

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UPDATE: The Australian Tax office has announced that for assets you start to hold, and first use (or have installed ready for use) for a taxable purpose from 7.30 pm (AEDT) on 6 October 2020 to 30 June 2023, the instant asset write-off threshold does not apply. You can immediately deduct the business portion of the asset’s cost under temporary full expensing.

This means for Small Business with a turnover of less than $50 million; you can immediately deduct the business portion of that asset for both a new and 2nd hand asset you have purchased until June 2023 (extended in 2021 Budget). Note that there are rules around passenger vehicles which in the 20/21 financial year have a limit of $59,136 unless a commercial vehicle with a carrying capacity of more than 1 ton or more than 9 seats.

We do recommend you keep good records and more information an record keeping can be found here.

This is welcome news for SMEs who have, to quote Queen Elizabeth from her 1992 address, endured an ‘annus horribilis’; firstly with the catastrophic bushfires in January then debilitating COVID for the most part of the year.

Under the new Instant Asset Write-Off scheme, businesses can now claim an immediate deduction of up to $150,000 for the purchase of new or second hand goods.  With this new arrangement, SMEs will pay less tax in 2019-20 helping business cash flow and withstand and recover from the economic impact of the Coronavirus.

For businesses with a turnover of under $10 million have access to a tax-free payment of up to $25,000 to help boost cash flow.  The threshold applies on a per asset basis, so eligible businesses can immediately write‑off multiple assets.

One business that has witnessed the momentum of the stimulus first-hand is Pickles.  As Australia’s leading marketplace for transport, construction, mining, aviation, vehicles, and salvage assets, Pickles has been inundated with enquiries and has been working with its SME vendors and buyers on how they can take advantage of the increased Instant Asset Write Off.

“Buying heavy equipment and machinery is a significant expense for any business, and with 2020 bringing more challenges than normal, the Government’s $150K Tax Break couldn’t have been a better reward for surviving the year,” says Pickles Director, Industrial, Bruce Connors.

Aside from the obvious advantage that buying used heavy equipment and machinery allows for a cheaper outlay, it also helps with resale value if and when a business does look to move on from its equipment. 

Connors adds: “The increased Instant Asset Write Off has allowed our customers to set themselves up for a strong 2021 while giving them a much-needed cash injection now.  We have seen a sales spike in earthmoving, haulage, forklifts, and general vehicles.”

Key benefits to SMEs

  1. The instant asset write-off has been supercharged – threshold increased to $150,000 for businesses with an annual turnover less than $500 million.
  • Accelerated depreciation scheme to support business investment – deduct an additional 50 per cent of the asset cost in the year of purchase.
  • A cashflow boost will be provided to small and medium-sized businesses.

To check your eligibility for the increased Instant Asset Write Off go to ato.gov.au.