Deliverect streamlines online food ordering

Deliverect, the European scale-up, is helping restaurants streamline orders from third-party food delivery and online ordering services. Deliverect has its arrival in Australia with the appointment of Jeremy Van Dille as the company’s General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, who will be based in Sydney.

Deliverect, which provides a software platform that connects restaurant POS and kitchens with delivery services, already has 1,500 Australian food service locations as customers. That includes Outback Steakhouse, Red Rooster, Hungry Jacks, Fishbowl and Pretzel restaurants, and food delivery partners such as Uber Eats, Doordash, Menulog and Deliveroo. With the addition of a dedicated Australian team that plans to grow to 50 during 2022, the company plans to substantially expand its footprint across the local restaurant industry.

“Moving in and out of COVID lockdowns has fundamentally changed the way people eat and drink and restaurants have had to pivot as demand for food delivery services reaches new heights,” said incoming Deliverect ANZ General Manager, Jeremy Van Dille.

“There are currently about 65,000 restaurant locations doing food delivery across the country. Most have adapted during the pandemic to cater to existing patrons and reach new clientele. These restaurants have come to us because the complexities of dealing with numerous delivery partners complicate managing online sales channels. For family-owned restaurants, large chains and FMCG brands, the priority is to make sure patrons receive the best quality food in the quickest amount of time. They are eager to ensure an operational flow that minimises hiccups that affect customer experience. We are giving them a simple way to manage and grow online orders with ease. Our challenge is to ramp up Deliverect’s Australian operation quickly to meet this demand.”

A subscription-based SaaS solution, Deliverect integrates directly with restaurants’ POS systems, automating the inbound online order flow through a single point. This eliminates the need for staff to monitor multiple devices and manually re-enter orders into their existing system, dramatically reducing staff workload and the probability of errors. When a delivery or takeout order comes in from an Uber Eats, Doordash, Menulog or Deliveroo, Deliverect intercepts the order, processes it, then transfers it straight to the kitchen. Globally, Deliverect processes 1.5 million orders each week, supporting 100+ integrations with major POS and delivery partners, with hundreds of others in the pipeline.

Outback Steakhouse has locations across NSW and Queensland and has been using Deliverect for more than a year. According to Christopher Noble, the restaurant chain’s Group Chief Marketing Officer, “Our partnership with Deliverect has been a game-changer in streamlining our delivery processes and has enabled us to spend more time focusing on our guests’ experience. In an ever-changing world, Deliverect has been key in helping us stay at the cutting edge of technology.” 

“Building on our success in Europe, this year’s expansion into new markets like Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Mexico marks a major milestone for Deliverect. Since our first days, we’ve worked hard to create a strong ecosystem of foodservice customers, POS and delivery partners, and we look forward to building new relationships in Australia,” said Deliverect CEO Zhong Xu.

“Australia has a very sophisticated food industry, particularly when we look at the uptake of QR code menus and ordering in restaurants. We expect the convenience and efficiency of online food ordering mean consumer demand will continue to flourish, and our goal is to be the partner who helps the foodservice industry continue to connect, innovate and evolve through technology.”

For more information read Small Business Answers guide to POS Systems.

First steps to starting a business

You have a great idea for starting a business. Maybe you want to start small and grow, or perhaps you’ll stay small and be content. You could have plans to open a boutique agency, have a brilliant idea for a start-up or an app, or be a tradie working for themselves who contracts out for sites across Australia.

But then reality dawns: how do I even go about starting a business? Who do I speak to? What is an “entity type”, and which one suits what I’m trying to do? How do I comply with tax law and legislation?

All these questions can overwhelm even the brightest minds with the best idea. Rest assured, if you’re lost at the first question of what type of entity you want to be, you aren’t alone: no one is expected to know taxation laws and business terms from scratch.

That’s for the experts to know and walk you through. So, let’s take you through that first step: What entity type is your business?

A Company: A company is a separate legal entity that provides limited liability to its shareholders – the shareholders being the owners of the company, whether it’s you and your business partner or multitudes of partners.

If you plan to grow your business and scale with employees, this is the ideal entity for you. 

As well as being required to abide by the rules of the Australian Tax Office (ATO), companies are also required to abide by legislation administered by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).

A Sole trader: You’re a contractor for a worksite, one not employed as a full-time worker for the building company? Do you work for yourself and in an environment with a low risk of litigation?

A “sole trader” might be for you. A sole trader is a business that is being run under an individual’s name. It is the cheapest and easiest structure to establish. It is often favoured by small contractors, tradies, home-based businesses, and online businesses.

A Trust: While most commonly used as an investment vehicle, a trust can also be used as a trading vehicle. When structured correctly, a trust can offer limited liability for the trustees of the trust. While a trust has excellent income splitting capability, it is not a suitable vehicle for growing and scaling a business.

In short: a trust is unlikely to be your first business entity. But talk to an accountant when establishing your business. There are benefits to having a Trust within your overall structure that they can advise you on.

Partnership: A partnership is an association of two or more entities who carry on business in common. A partnership is a relatively low cost to establish; however, like a sole trader, the partners are jointly liable for the debts and actions of each of the other partners. Partnerships are commonly used in professional service businesses.

So, you’ve determined your entity type: now what?

Once you have selected your entity type, you will need to ensure you comply with all relevant regulations and understand what registrations apply to your business. While some registrations are mandatory for all businesses, others will be dependent on your operations and circumstances.

Let’s look at the most common registrations.

Tax File Number (TFN): a TFN is an entity’s personal identification number issued by the ATO. If you’re already an Australian tax resident, you likely have a personal TFN which can be used if you’re a sole trader – but any other entity must have its own TFN.

Once you register for a TFN, you are required to lodge an annual income tax return. The standard tax year in Australia runs from 01 July to 30 June.

Australian Business Number (ABN): An ABN is a business identifier unique to a business entity. It simplifies interaction with customers, other businesses, and the government.

Registration is compulsory if your turnover is greater than $75,000. While it is not mandatory to have an ABN if your turnover is less than $75,000, it can be impractical not to, given business to business payment withholding rules (businesses must withhold 47% of the sale from a business with no ABN) and banking requirements. Additionally, you need to consider the public perception of not holding an ABN (customers may question your credibility).

Both an ABN and a TFN are managed by and applied for through the Australian Business Register (ABR).

Business name registration:  You are required to register a business name if you conduct business under a name other than your own name or in the case of a company or trust, the name of that entity.

And then…

Taxes. Yep, it’s time to get advice.

It is highly recommended that an entity source external assistance on tax guidance and compliance. Tax rates are constantly changing, particularly around State and Federal Budgets when votes are on the line. A lower tax rate can mean the difference between winning and losing an election.

Furthermore, amid this pandemic, we’ve seen countless changes to various tax rates, such as an increase in the tax-free instant asset write-off threshold for equipment purchases. We’ve also seen the rapid availability of Job Keeper, Job Seeker and now disaster payments, all of which need third party verification of a business’ accounts.

Accountant fees, whether it’s a big bill or a stable, fixed monthly fee favoured by small businesses and sole traders, can be claimed as part of a business’ tax claim, so the spend, in the end, is worth it. An accountant can also help you at step one in advising the right entity type for your business and where and how to apply for ABNs, TFNs and more.

Starting a business is daunting for everyone. But a good idea for a business isn’t worth letting slip because of a fear of failure or a lack of knowledge of the first steps. Start the ball rolling, and before you know it, you have turned an idea into an entity.

Julian Hutabarat, CPA, is the General Manager, Australia for Beany, an online-first accounting company dedicated to proactively serving and advising small to medium businesses and sole traders across the country.  

You can also read Small Business Answers guide to starting a business.

Poly Voyager 4300 UC wireless headset

Poly has announced the Voyager 4300 UC Series to its award-winning family of Voyager wireless Bluetooth headsets. Designed with flexible workers in mind, the Voyager 4300 UC Series keeps workers connected and productive at home or in the office and is now available in Australia.

Works the Way You Do

As work dynamics have shifted, the Voyager 4300 UC Series offers a wireless headset that frees you from your desk, allowing you to roam up to 50 metres from your computer. It’s jam-packed with high-quality audio and multiple connectivity options – all at an accessible price point. The Voyager 4300 UC Series has seamless connectivity to your choice of smartphone or computer via the included BT700 USB adapter to provide you with the flexibility you need throughout the day.

This headset enables workers to control one of the biggest pain points of remote meetings – their mute state. This headset comes with an easy-to-find-and-use mute button so you can remain confident that no one on the call can hear the dog howl at the delivery man. Dynamic Mute Alert notifies users when they talk while muted, meaning that talking to yourself or needing to apologise for talking on mute is a thing of the past.

The Voyager 4300 UC Series offers flexibility to work with the partner of your choice. The Microsoft Teams-certified version comes with a dedicated Microsoft Teams button on the headset that instantly invokes the Teams app and provides visual alerts when a Teams notification occurs. For a seamless out-of-the-box Zoom meeting experience, this Zoom-certified headset includes remote call control and mute sync to simplify the way you connect.

Pro-Grade Audio Quality

Wherever you are, whether at home or in the office, the Voyager 4300 UC Series provides outstanding pro-grade audio quality. Poly’s Acoustic Fence technology blocks unwanted background noise, so the person on the other end only hears the speaker’s voice, not disruptive background noises. Poly SoundGuard Digital technology ensures a safe and comfortable listening experience with natural-sounding speech to provide a best-in-class audio experience for everyone on the call.

Andy Hurt, Poly’s ANZ MD, said, “Over the last 18 months, we have seen demand skyrocket for a flexible, reliable, and affordable solution for workers that are working remotely or from the office. The Voyager 4300 UC Series brings a combination of pro-quality audio, freedom to roam, all-day comfort, and connectivity, wherever you work.”

The Voyager 4300 UC Series also offers:

  • Easy set up and usein the office or at home, without the need for IT support.
  • All-day wear and wireless connectivity up to 50 metres, freeing users from their desk (or kitchen table) and is available as a two-ear stereo version or single-ear mono wearing style.
  • The Voyager Office base is an optional accessory for desk phone users, which also charges the headset. Alternatively, you can opt for a Voyager 4300 UC charging stand, designed to keep the device charged and ready to use at any moment (sold separately, also compatible with the Voyager Focus 2)
  • World-class support with Poly Lens – a personal device support service, a 2-year limited warranty and access to Poly’s standard support. For additional peace of mind, Poly+ paid subscription service is available and offers 24/7 technology support for personal devices worldwide and a three-year warranty.
Pricing and availability

For more information on styles, local pricing and availability, please contact certified Poly partners and resellers in Australia or visit: Voyager 4300 UC Series.

Check out Small Business Answers buying guide to headsets for business

Why backing up data is crucial for businesses

Increased phishing, ransomware attacks, human error, and greater reliance on the cloud is why backing up data is crucial for businesses.

Over the past year, Covid-19 has led to unprecedented lifestyle changes around the world. Whether you are working from home for the first time, adjusting to the changing social distancing rules, or taking part in eLearning, the pandemic has thrown up various new challenges and cyber threats. As many organisations transitioned to a remote workforce, organisations witnessed a dramatic rise in cyberattacks from hackers looking to exploit remote employees working without the safety net of their corporate network.

According to data from Check Point Research’s 2021 Mid-Year Report, ransomware attacks in the APAC region increased by 13% since the beginning of the year, with Botnet attacks leading the cyberattack category at 41%. Globally, the average number of ransomware attacks increased each week by 20% in May and April, by 41% in the first half of the year and 93% in the last 12 months.

Given the high level of risk that this represents for companies and their data security, Check Point Software wants to highlight the crucial importance of restoring a company’s stolen or encrypted data if it falls victim to a cybercriminal. As such, the data security specialist reveals five reasons why businesses should make backups a priority:

Five key reasons why backing up data is crucial for businesses:

  1. Preventive measures do not always work: As cybercriminals continue to target the remote workforce, companies have started to expand their cybersecurity strategy through robust defence software, both for the corporate network and the cloud, to update systems and apps regularly, to install a VPN and to increase levels of protection on employees’ devices, as well as to provide cybersecurity training for workers. While these measures do considerably increase the level of protection for a business. It is still possible that they could fail to stop an attack, as cybercriminals constantly develop new ways to get around the defences. It is essential to have a backup plan so that no data is lost in the event of a cyberattack. If a company becomes the victim of a double ransomware extortion attack, having a backup system in place gives them the chance to quickly restore things back to normal.
  2. Cyberattacks are evolving: Cyberattacks are evolving every day, and cybercriminals are constantly striving to find security loopholes. Companies are often unprepared for new ransomware, phishing emails, and malware. This is why new generation cyberattacks could still get through these defenses and achieve their objectives despite the updates and protective barriers they may have in place.
  3. Data theft puts a company’s reputation at risk: Losing information by exposing customers’ personal data can have irreparable consequences for a business in terms of reputation and financial loss. Since GDPR came in a few years ago, allowing customer’s personal documents to be compromised can lead to litigation.
  4. The cloud becomes another attack vector: The cloud has indeed brought great advantages to companies, like reducing costs and allowing remote working. However, storing data on cloud platforms exponentially increases the attack surface through which cybercriminals could access the corporate network. So, it’s a good idea. In fact, it’s essential to carry out regular manual backups of the information stored in the cloud if anything outside the company’s control happens.
  5. Internal dangers are sometimes undetectable: Unfortunately, even with all possible cybersecurity measures and the best protection software in place, the responsibility of users is fundamental. It is essential to train employees on the different techniques and correct approaches to cybersecurity. Instilling in employees the importance of having up-to-date backups if an unforeseen event or cyber-attack can be one of the best defences.

“Having the security of a backup of our company’s most sensitive and important data gives us many advantages and protects us against any unexpected attacks, both on our company and employees, as well as on our customers and suppliers. This technique is a form of protection in addition to all the hardware and software measures we may have, even if we are migrating our data and files to the cloud,” advised Ian Raper, Managing Director Australia and New Zealand, Check Point Software Technologies.

Read more on the Small Business Answers guide on backup keeping your data safe.

Workplace personas to maximise productivity

Poly has released new research which identifies six distinct workplace personas found within the majority of Australian businesses.

The six workplace personas, which represent approximately 92% of employees within a typical business, each have their own distinct character traits. By identifying the attributes, pain points, and communication preferences associated with each persona, businesses are better equipped to match workstyles and employee behaviours to devices and technologies, increasing organisational productivity.

The six baseline workplace personas, along with the product that would be most suited to each group based on their work style, needs, and behaviours, are:

OFFICE COLLABORATOR

Making up the largest proportion of the Australian workforce at 29%, these workers have a traditional office-based work style that is highly collaborative in nature and open to new technology. However, this brings with it background noise, constant disruptions, and a need to seamlessly manage their communication across devices.

In Australia, workers are most likely to be Office Collaborators, with fewer non-office-based staff than most other nations. This may be partly due to the lower impact that COVID has had in Australia, with fewer lockdowns. However, the research predicts a future decline in this type of worker persona underpinned by the uptick in their desire to work more flexibly.

FLEX WORKER

Splitting time between the corporate office, the home office, and travel, 18% of the Australian workforce is classified as a Flexible Worker. This persona is always innovating and adapting their communications channels due to their frequent remote and on-the-go work. They risk having difficulty collaborating with colleagues, and missing important information in the office, so they need to be “always-on” and communicate across several devices to minimise this risk. The size of this persona group will likely grow as Office Collaborators who want to work more flexibly adapt to work at home, in the office and elsewhere.

REMOTE COLLABORATOR

With fewer opportunities for in-person meetings, the 12% of the Australian workforce who are Remote Collaborators face challenges, including successful and productive collaboration. They need multiple devices and technologies to bridge the gaps between their colleagues, co-workers and clients. In the future, the number of Remote Collaborators is expected to increase, likely due to the number of Office Collaborators who choose to work remotely following the COVID-19 pandemic.

OFFICE COMMUNICATOR

Office Communicators are most comfortable with familiar systems and devices such as a desk phone. They make up 16% of the Australian workforce, and it is important to acknowledge their challenges, such as being diverted by interruptions, background noise and lack of privacy on calls. More traditional workstyles changed during the pandemic, and this persona group is expected to remain stable in the short term as this is a group anxious to return to the office.

CONNECTED EXECUTIVE

These tech-savvy business drivers make up 11% of the Australian workforce. They go wherever needed to make decisions and solve problems. Versatile in their work style, they use more communication tools than any other persona. Their pain points include diversions, interruptions and unpredictable background noise as they need to stay connected across all devices. Executives need to connect will continue to be persistent, due to which there will be a negligible effect on this persona type in the future.

ROAD WARRIOR

Accounting for 4% of the Australian workforce, Road Warriors are always moving outside of the office more than 50% of the time. They need highly portable and easy to use solutions that eliminate noise and reduce the chance of unreliable connections. Some people will still need to travel at times to complete business tasks that require in-person contributions. This group size will remain stable as those who were prevented from travelling during COVID-19 get back out to see customers and colleagues.

The remaining 10% of employees not covered by the six personas fall under the Office Independent type. This includes people operating in self-directed roles with limited communication and collaboration technology needs.

Andy Hurt, ANZ MD at Poly, explains: “We have been studying workplace personas for almost a decade, but never has it been as crucial as it is now to truly understand the personality types within your business and how to get the best out of them. Whilst this study was conducted during COVID-19, we believe that the behaviour shifts observed in the workplace will remain long-term. Identifying these and ensuring that everyone has the correct tools and devices to maximise efficiency and productivity is the key to a successful and efficient workforce both now and for years to come.” 

The Poly products best suited to each workplace persona:

  • Office Collaborators

The Poly Savi 8200 Office wireless DECTTM headset and Poly Studio P5 professional webcam best suit these traditional office-based work styles.

  • Flex Worker

The Poly Voyager 6200 UC Bluetooth® neckband headset and Poly Studio P5 professional webcam will help minimise the collaboration difficulties for those embracing this new era of flexible working.

  • Remote Collaborator

Utilising the Poly Voyager Focus UC stereo Bluetooth® headset and Poly Studio P15 personal video bar will help these workers retain effective communication channels with their colleagues in different locations.

  • Office Communicator

The Poly Blackwire 8225 headset is ideal for this persona group as it addresses their challenges, such as background noise and interruptions in the office.

  • Connected Executive

The Poly Voyager Focus UC stereo Bluetooth® headset and Poly Studio P15 personal video bar best suits their versatile workstyle needs.

  •  Road Warrior

The Poly Voyager 5200 UC headset is a go-to solution for Road Warriors who need highly portable and easy to use solutions as they are always on the move.

To select the right headset, also see Small Business Answers review on wired vs Bluetooth headsets.

Backup keeping your data safe

People most often consider a backup of their data when it is too late. I am sure you have heard of many horror stories of people losing all their data. The best insurance policy you can have for your business is to have a copy of your files that will enable you to continue your operation in the situation of some disaster. This guide will look at what you should back up and how to do it.

In information technology, a backup or data backup is a copy of computer data taken and stored elsewhere so that it may be used to restore the original after a data loss event.
Source Wikipedia

WHY do you need to backup your data?

Disaster can strike at any time and can come in many forms.  You could lose your data from:

  • Theft
  • Fire
  • Equipment failure, for example, hard drive failure
  • Data corruption
  • Malware or ransomware (see the guide on internet security)
  • Data is accidentally deleted

In theory, if you have a copy, especially at an offsite location, you can then use this to get yourself back to before the disaster.

WHAT do I need to consider in backing up my files?

Backups are periodic, short term images of files for disaster recovery purposes. Archiving, meanwhile, refers to the long-term storage of data that is no longer in regular use but can be restored if need be.  

Three rules of backing up:

  1. Backup regularly
  2. Backup to a reliable medium
  3. Backup to an offsite location

Just as important as backing up your data is the ability to restore your data.  If you cannot restore, then the backup is useless. Understand how to restore and keep a copy of, or know the download location of the software that will restore.

Label your backups, so you know which is the latest.

What data should you backup?

Everything!  Any file that you have created or modified should be backed up.  For a small business, this will include everything from accounting files to emails.  If you are using cloud-based applications, ensure that the vendor has appropriate backup procedures and save a copy of your cloud data locally so if their systems fail, you can still restore it.

HOW do I back up my data?

To back up our files, we need to decide on a medium, select a schedule and develop a process to complete the backup.

Media Options include:

  • USB (thumb) drives – a low-cost physical device that must be moved offsite.
  • External Hard drives – a larger capacity physical device that must be moved offsite.
  • Shared or NAS storage (see our guide on shared storage) – onsite network attached storage for local copies across multiple devices. (Easy way to implement a backup policy)
  • Cloud Storage – subscription-based storage with its own backup and security. Requires internet.

The best practice for a small business would be to backup all the files you are using. Make a  copy to keep at your office and an additional copy at an offsite location.

Set a schedule of how often this should be done.  The rule of thumb is how many days of work you can afford to lose.  As a general rule, either daily or weekly.

Finally, what is the process to actually do the backup?

  • Manual task – A person has the task of manually doing the backups based on a prescribed agenda.
    • Very labour intensive
  • Application-based – automatic routine as set up in an individual OS or application.  For example, Windows 10 can be set up to automatically back up all data off your PC
    • Only good for individual PCs or applications
  • Specialised backup software
    • Costs more but may automate the entire process
  • Combination – Hybrid of the above 3.

We strongly recommend that you discuss this with your IT Support organisation as they will have the right knowledge to suggest and set up the right solution for you.

HINTS

Sync is not backup. With sync services such as cloud-based Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, OneDrive, or others, if you accidentally delete a file on one device, it’s gone on all of your devices as soon as the next sync happens.

Getting this solution right will take a bit of homework, but in the event of failure will save you big time.

When moving your confidential files, always ensure they are secure.

Consider having some backup log to understand what you have from when.

A full backup will back up everything.  An incremental backup will only backup those files that have changed since the last full backup.  Incremental backups will be much faster.

SUMMARY – Secure data backup

Data backup of all your files means that you can restore and keep working in the event of a disaster.  Back up solutions can be low cost and high maintenance through to high cost and automated.  Backups should be done reliably, securely, regularly, and kept at a different location.

Rebrand or revamp on a budget?

If your business is starting to look and feel a little outdated, refreshing your brand is a great way to adjust to new trends and remain contemporary. But first, decide whether your business needs just a revamp or a complete rebrand.

A rebrand can be quite a big investment that requires a lot of thought – you’re not only rehauling your look but essentially changing your business’ personality. Instead, a refresh is a simple yet effective way of taking your existing core brand message, along with the visual elements and giving them an update or mini-makeover. Vistaprint Australia’s Art Director, Bhavani Lee, shares her top tips for a simple and effective brand refresh with limited resources.

Know Your Audience

When it comes to revamping, or really any business decision, it’s important to know your audience. Knowing who you’re talking to will heavily influence what your communications look and sound like – e.g. bold colours vs. a subdued colour palette, casual vs. formal tone – and how they make customers feel. Always keep your desired audience top of mind and ensure your brand’s visual identity speaks directly to them. If you can make small improvements to relate to them, you’ll be set up for success.

Simplify Your Logo

Your logo is where your brand begins, so it’s best to keep it simple. More often than not, there will always be something that can be simplified. Remove any elements that could be distracting, like too much text or busy images. Think about some of the most iconic brands, like Nike, Apple, Google and Amazon – their logos are simple and sleek. 

Experiment With Colour

Look at ways to revamp your brand by exploring the most recent colour trends and applying these where it feels appropriate. 2021 has seen a mix of neutral tones with a bright coloured accent for contrast and impact and the continued popularity of colour blocking to create interest and eye-catching visuals. 

Consistency Is Key

Create a consistent look across all your marketing, both printed and digital. Whether it’s a flyer in the mail, a poster on your window, an email or an Instagram post, every time a customer comes into contact with your business, they should feel an instant connection back to your brand.

Typography Comes In Twos

Be mindful of your typography. Generally, it’s best to have just two fonts in your repertoire. Fonts can be fun to use, but mixing too many different styles, weights and sizes can quickly distract from your message as well as the visual appeal of your design. 

Don’t Forget About Social Media

Extend your rebrand to social media. We all know social media is a great way to connect with your audience and share your brand’s personality, so have fun with it and use strong visuals to catch the eye of even the most avid scroller. You can also add your refreshed look to merchandise; run giveaways or competitions to engage users and get your brand in their hands. 

Be sure to also read Small Business Answers guide to marketing to grow your business.

eftpos & Beyond Blue support mental health

eftpos today announced a supporting partnership of Beyond Blue as part of a $200,000 multi-year engagement encouraging all Australians to achieve their best possible mental health. The partnership will focus on funding and providing access to the Beyond Blue Support Service and aims to raise awareness about the link between financial and mental health, particularly for small businesses and young people.

eftpos CEO Stephen Benton said the alignment between eftpos and Beyond Blue’s purpose and core values was immediately clear and enormously important to both organisations.

Mr Benton said that through the partnership, eftpos would be encouraging consumers and small business owners to take steps and seek support to improve their overall mental health and wellbeing, particularly during these difficult times of COVID lockdowns and recovery. 

“eftpos’ purpose is to do Good for Australia, and we see this partnership as having a direct and positive impact. By contributing to and supporting Beyond Blue’s Support Service, it is our hope we can make a difference to the lives of people in Australia, especially in these challenging times,” Mr Benton said. 

“With disruptions to how we live, learn and work, we have limited access to the usual supports and coping mechanisms that help keep us well. This comes at a time where many in our community, including young people and small business owners, are also experiencing financial pressures which we know are closely tied to mental health,” Mr Benton said

Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman thanked eftpos for its support, with partnership donations going towards the Beyond Blue Support Service.

“eftpos’ support is vital, especially at a time when millions of people are experiencing the effects of the pandemic, including the impact on many people’s financial wellbeing,” Ms Harman said.

“Contacts to Beyond Blue’s support services are up 30 per cent on pre-pandemic levels, so we are extremely grateful to eftpos for supporting us so we can keep answering every call and online chat.

“Every dollar will go to the Beyond Blue Support Service, which is staffed around the clock by mental health professionals. They are ready to provide free, immediate and confidential counselling, advice and referrals online or over the phone. We thank eftpos for their support.”

Research shows two-thirds of small business owners say the pandemic has negatively impacted their mental health, a figure that has doubled since before the pandemic. 

Even more worryingly is that small business operators support others, such as their family and staff, rather than tending to their own needs when they need support themselves. 

Along with the eftpos partnership funds going to the Beyond Blue Support Service, we’re also encouraging small business owners to find out more about Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners, a program supported by trained mental health coaches who have a background in small business,” said Mr Benton.

Uniden XTRAK Pro UHF with location sharing

Uniden is releasing the App-enabled XTRAK Pro Series, setting a new benchmark and delivering an industry first in UHF radios for both in-car and handheld communications.

As communication is critical and remaining connected is more important than ever, the new XTRAK Pro includes in-vehicle and handheld UHF radios, both of which can track and share the user’s exact location through the XTRAK Bluetooth App. Offering both a handheld and in-vehicle UHF with location sharing is a first in the market. Users are never out of contact and are always able to talk to a friend or colleague while on the road and in remote locations.

Whether in the car with the XTRAK 80 Pro, or on foot with XTRAK 50 Pro, contact is always possible between the vehicle and handheld units, utilising the advanced positional tracking and location sharing feature for accuracy through the Uniden XTRAK app.


Designed and engineered in Japan, the Uniden XTRAK Pro features a large, high contrast anti-glare OLED display and backlit keypad on the in-vehicle UHF radio, clear and easy to read in all lighting conditions. Sound is not compromised with a powerful integrated 2-Watt speaker and 4 level voice enhancers that enable maximum sound clarity in noisy environments. Bluetooth connection is available on the XTRAK 80 Pro, connecting to the vehicle’s audio speakers.

Uniden’s innovative one-touch instant replay avoids missing important transmissions, with the ability to listen to recent communications received up to six minutes prior. This has been a popular feature of Uniden in-vehicle UHF Radios for many years and is an industry first for UHF handheld radios with the launch of the Uniden XTRAK Series. A Smart Key also helps to easily toggle between instant channel, call tone or equaliser.

Pairing with the Bluetooth XTRAK App, available for iOS and Android, is simple and immediately pinpoints a map position with the UHF radio. The App also gives access to settings controls on the radio, allowing the management of Selcall contacts and extra receive channels, as well as sending in-App text messages.

Uniden UHF radios are tough, designed and built to withstand the harshest conditions, with the magnetic microphone mount across both in-vehicle XTRAK and XTRAK Pro providing quick access and keeping the mobile safe and secure when driving. The XTRAK 50 UHF Handheld Series is waterproof, offering a range of up to 17 kilometres with 30 hours of operating time.

Watch Uniden XTRAK in action: https://youtu.be/l2ripCbTvcM

Uniden XTRAK Pro key features:

  • UHF Radio and Location Tracking in 1 – Industry first for UHF Handhelds
  • Industry First Instant Replay Function (Both UHF Handheld and UHF In-Vehicle)
  • Bluetooth App enabled
  • Large Anti-Glare OLED Display with Dimmer
  • 2-Watt Speaker in Remote Microphone
  • 80 UHF Channels
  • Magnetic Microphone Mount (In-car UHF Radios)
  • Voice Scrambler
  • Open/Group Scan with Priority Channel watch
  • 5-Watt Maximum TX Output Power
  • Designed and Engineered in Japan

Uniden XTRAK (available from late August 2021)

XTRAK 80 – Smart UHF Radio with Large OLED Display and Instant Replay Function – $449.95 RRP

XTRAK 50 – 5-Watt Waterproof Smart UHF Handheld Radio with Large OLED Display with Instant Replay Function – $329.95 RRP

Uniden XTRAK PRO (available late September 2021)

XTRAK 80 PRO – Smart UHF Radio with Large OLED Display, Location Sharing Through App and Instant Replay – $549.95 RRP

XTRAK 50 PRO – 5-Watt Waterproof Smart UHF Handheld Radio with Large OLED Display, Location Sharing Through App and Instant Replay Function – $449.95 RRP

Customer enquiries: phone Uniden on 1300 366 895 or visit www.uniden.com.au

Also, see Small Business Answers guide to handheld radios.

WeWork Growth Campus supporting start-ups

WeWork, the leading flexible space provider, has launched WeWork Growth Campus, a new initiative aimed at boosting Australia’s entrepreneurial start-up ecosystem. 

While Australia has seen some scale-ups rise to new heights during the pandemic, COVID-19 has presented a huge challenge for startups and the community that supports them. With innovation being key to a thriving economy, Growth Campus will support the sector and its role in the region’s economic recovery.

With emerging technology businesses and entrepreneurs playing a central part in WeWork’s community, Growth Campus is built on its expertise in providing its members with the network and space to help their business grow and thrive. 

With campuses across Australia and beyond, Growth Campus gathers a whole entrepreneurial community together virtually and through subsidised space. Members will have complimentary access to WeWork Labs, which offers virtual acceleration support: online access to mentoring and coaching opportunities, customised educational programming, a global network and member community, and exclusive member benefits and discounts to help them grow.

Monica Wulff, Head of WeWork Labs, Australia, Southeast Asia and South Korea, shared, “WeWork has played an integral role in many companies’ growth strategies, and as COVID-19 continues to impact the economy and disrupt the way we work, we saw the need to offer a network and workspace designed to help businesses thrive. As economic recovery evolves across the region, we can expect more companies to emphasise workspace strategy to advance productivity, collaboration and creativity.

“Founders know that building a business isn’t a solo endeavour. Through subsidised workspace, virtual mentoring, customised education and access to our global network of members, we can provide more to help startups grow and kickstart this sector.”

Growth Campus is open to start-ups, accelerators and investors of all sizes. Launched in the UK in February, the program attracted over 800 signups in the first six months, including Antler UK and Crowdcube.

Further information on how to apply for the WeWork Growth Campus can be found here.

Small Business Answers also has a guide to help you find business premises.