A Wi-Fi extender will allow you to extend the Wi-Fi coverage within your business or home. 

If you are in the market for a Wi-Fi extender, we suggest you read Small Business Answers guide to Wi-Fi extenders first.

The DAP-1900 D-Link AC1900 Mesh Wi-Fi Extender allows you to overcome dead zones by retransmitting the Wi-Fi signal from your existing Wi-Fi router, as shown in the diagram below.

The setup is super easy and can be as simple as powering the extender and pressing the WPS button on your router and the extender.  A more complicated setup can be done either via an App or from an internet browser.

A more complicated setup would be if you wanted to connect the extender by ethernet, thus removing the requirement to be in the Wi-Fi range of the router or setting up a non-mesh network with a different Wi-Fi network name.

A Mesh network requires both the router and extender to support mesh and enable a common Wi-Fi network name. This means that you can seamlessly move throughout your wireless network without degradation of internet service quality.

The DAP-1900 supports a wireless AC network (802.11ac) which refers to Wi-Fi technology. Note this is 2^nd latest technology and is fully backwards compatible with all previous versions.  The newest version is AX, but it is most likely if you were going to AX that you would be buying a new router as well. Thus The DAP-1900 is excellent for extending your existing  Wi-Fi router with speeds up to 1900Mbps.  A simple explanation of Wi-Fi versions is the later the version, the faster the network speed. Note it is most likely your NBN connection speed will be your weakest link having the lowest speed.

Why do we like this extender for small businesses!

Simple to set up.  You do not need to be an IT whiz to rid your workplace of Wi-Fi dead zones.

Ethernet backhaul.  You can extend your wireless network using ethernet. You could have a Wi-Fi network in a back shed or down in the warehouse where today’s Wi-Fi signal does not stretch.  You will need to run an ethernet cable which can be bought in long lengths from an office supply store, or an electrician can help you out.

Ethernet ports. Not everything in your office supports a Wi-Fi connection. A printer or network storage device may need an ethernet connection. Where your NBN is terminated, and your router is located may not be a convenient spot for that ethernet printer. The DAP-1900 has 4 ethernet ports on the rear of the unit, giving you lots of flexibility over an extender that may have zero or 1 port. It will provide ethernet connected devices with a more reliable and faster connection when combined with ethernet backhaul.

You’ve probably noticed that a lot of the websites you visit ‘remember’ things about you. The information they store can be anything from your login credentials to items you’ve browsed, articles you’ve liked, and more. To do that, websites use what are called ‘cookies.

In February 2020, to increase consumer privacy, Google announced its plans to remove third-party cookies in the Chrome browser by 2022 – and while the tech giant recently delayed the phase-out until 2023, it’s important small-and-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) start preparing now for this new era of measurement and personalisation.

Central to this is collecting first-party data, which is information collected directly from your audience or customer base. Put simply, businesses need to find ways to earn trust from their customers, so they feel comfortable and safe to opt-in and share their data. The best place to do this is the company website.

Here are a few ways to utilise your website to collect first-party data to ultimately deliver personalised online experiences while ensuring transparency:

Optimise your website

In today’s age, experiences are currency, and audiences expect their digital experiences to be personalised, immediate, and remarkable. All while feeling that their data is being protected and respected. However, the best marketing can’t make up for a malfunctioning website. Before you invest in experimenting with different techniques for first-party data collection, utilise your current website data to ensure your online user experience is fast, easy, and seamless. Having the right technology partner like WP Engine can help drive website visitors, increase performance, and ensure your website uses the latest security updates and upgrades.

Utilise online and offline channels

Depending on your target audience, businesses can collect first-party data from a range of sources, including mobile apps, websites, social media, SMS, email, surveys, customer service interactions, CRM systems, point of purchase, and direct mail (using digital data to inform your offline campaigns). Each channel has a unique set of targeting options, allowing businesses to collect a range of data such as unique visitors and interactions, demographic data, purchase history, interests, time spent on site and more. The more channels you tap into, the more you can learn about your customers.

Reward your customers for opting-in

Businesses must educate their consumers on the benefits and positive experiences they’re going to have in exchange for sharing their data. Loyalty programs are key here. Suppose there’s a strong enough value exchange. In that case, customers will join loyalty programs to not only take advantage of discounts and vouchers but keep up to date with the brand’s new products, trends, product recommendations and other developments. The more you reward your customer, the more likely they will consider using their data for a fair exchange. Importantly, this value exchange must be enduring by protecting and respecting their data and responsibly leveraging the data they have shared.

Experiment with interactive formats

Interactive content types like quizzes, polls, and surveys have been used since the beginning of the web. Still, recently they’ve turned into an efficient marketing tool and can be a great way to learn about your customer. People love interacting with these types of formats. They’re fun, engaging, and informative if done correctly. Experiment with ways you can interact with your customers in a non-intrusive way to not only increase engagement but provide learnings about their interests and needs.

The world of digital commerce is in constant flux. To keep up with this fast-paced market, business owners must understand the importance of data collection, particularly first-party data. Collecting first-party data can be a beast, so businesses must start preparing now by putting a plan in place, optimising their website, tapping into a range of different channels, experimenting with different content formats, and most importantly, delivering a fast, secure, and convenient value exchange with customers.

Written by Helena Softley, SMB Lead at WP Engine, Australia

For more information on Cookies, refer to Small Business Answers guide to the Impact for business post cookie changes.

While many leaders fear that remote work has already somewhat diluted their organisation’s work culture, especially as rituals and ceremonies enacted in the office are inaccessible, the reality is if a business hasn’t made morale a priority, it has likely, unfortunately, slipped.

As a direct consequence of lockdowns, most of Australia’s white-collar workforce have been working remotely or from their home offices since the start of the global pandemic. Back in May 2020, JobAdder surveyed a few of its employees to determine the appetite of returning to the office and found that 90 per cent of employees were experiencing benefits from working from home. 

Outside of JobAdder, the sentiment has remained the same for many workplaces. In fact, Employment Hero’s 2021 Remote Report found that remote work was still the most popular option (from 92 per cent in 2020 to 94 per cent in 2021). However, 31 per cent yearned for camaraderie from coworkers.

Under its “Team Anywhere” policy, Australian tech darling Atlassian announced in April this year that its team of over 5,700 staff worldwide would be able to work wherever they wanted. However, the company’s founders have made it their active mission to ensure they were building diverse distributed teams and prioritise bonds of belonging regardless of where they were working.

While the appeal for Zoom calls celebrating Friday night drinks may have faded away after the first few lockdowns, businesses are still making it their priority to ensure that team morale remains strong for remote workers. Whether through complementary therapy sessions, organising catch-ups outside of lockdown periods, or fostering inclusive ways of communications across the board, job satisfaction should remain high.

So how do SMEs bring scaling back onto the agenda when working remotely? The answer lies in the level of transparency they want to provide. 

Simply, leaders can’t expect to have a positive and consistent company culture when employees are not informed about all relevant information regarding the company. 

Ensuring the wider team is across the scaling plan, even briefly via regular team meetings, allows them to feel like they are part of the process.

When remote workforces, it’s also important that businesses establish a “one team, one dream” type of mindset. This is when everyone is working towards the same business mission and values, no matter their role or location.

Bosses can do this effectively by opening up a line of communication between different employees. 

Whether that be through a team-wide Slack channel, regular meetings, or making introductions between employees in different locations. Rather than working in silos, workers should collaborate and compare strategies and how they can be adapted for different audiences and customers.

To ensure all team members get the same experience, remote onboarding should be streamlined and implemented across all regions so that all team members are provided with the same level of attention and information across the business.

At the end of the day, people make a business. Without the right team at the helm and the right processes and lines of communications put in place, a business won’t grow without the right work culture.

By Graham Moody, Chief People Officer at JobAdder

Setting Your Marketing Budget

As a general rule of thumb, you need to be realistic about matching your budget to your goals for the year ahead. Here, suppose you’re looking to maintain your current business. In that case, you need to set aside 5-7% of total revenue for your marketing budget. To grow your business, you should be looking to spend 7-10% of your marketing budget. To really seek to aggressively gain market share, you would be looking at 10-20% for a dedicated marketing budget.

It is easy to get caught up in the doing – in fulfilment, in the product – but the key is to take a step back and be clear on what you have to play with, and then get to the business of how best to spend it.

Finding Your Audience

Digital advertising and social media ads are the fastest, most targeted and measurable ways to reach your customers. You can focus on spending money on the audiences you want to attract, be it age, location or interests. It also doesn’t require a big budget to get going (unlike a TV ad!), so there is no barrier to starting.

Just remember to be really laser-focused on who you are trying to engage. Go back to your core consumer or new audience segment and think critically about where they live (digitally!), when and what else they consume, and therefore the platforms you should test or prioritise first.

Stand Out From The Competition

Find the space where you can stand out over the next year by knowing what your brand does better or differently from your competitors and make sure this is what people see. And look at offering additional services that will help you differentiate, like free trials, subscriptions, recycling schemes of money-back guarantees. Importantly, hero these unique selling points through your marketing – from video content and photography to the content you use to explain your business online or in-store.

Remember, people don’t buy what you do. They buy why you do it. Don’t be afraid to tell your personal story. Connecting with your audience can really set you apart from your competitors.

Optimise Your Real Estate

What spaces does your business have that it can brand? Good windows turn window shoppers into foot traffic. Think of simple messaging that explains your business personality in a few quick glances. If you don’t have a store, do you have a company vehicle you can brand? Or, if you run your business outdoors, try flags, outdoor banners and wearable branding (t-shirts and hoodies).

Build Out The Experience

Think about how you can build the customer experience – from physical interactions to digital engagements. This is a sure-fire way of keeping customers coming back for more. For example, you could use your physical space for a complimentary experience (even for a limited time) or drive great 1:1 service – yoga classes and expert teams in the Lululemon store always entices me in!

Offering e-receipts or a loyalty programme will also give you a chance to capture customer details so that you can start building out your relationship and engaging over time. Email is a really inexpensive marketing channel. Consider setting up automated emails when customers first sign up to connect with them while they’re highly engaged. This could be a simple welcome note or special offers to incentivise spending more. For example, if your average order is $60, why not offer $20 when they spend $100 again this month?

On how and why these tips are fundamental for small business owners, Caroline Swarbrick, Senior Director of Marketing, Sales and Customer Experience, comments: “At Vistaprint, we understand the new financial year is an opportune time for businesses to take a deep breath and set themselves up for success for the next 12 months. Refreshing your marketing strategy is an excellent way to reposition your business and find new pathways to growth in your sector and community.

“There is a myriad of ways to approach your strategy, but the most important thing is to keep it clear and simple to develop a strategy around your own business goals. Our aim at Vistaprint is to not only provide small businesses with high-quality custom products to help execute their strategies but also share advice and help businesses better connect with both physical and digital marketing materials.”

Also, see Small business Answers guide to Marketing to grow your business.

As demand for small-format photos continues to grow, businesses are looking for a cost-effective way to deliver quality prints quickly and cost-effectively. To meet that need, Epson has launched the SureLab ^® D1060. This new DryLab printer has been built to address a range of customers from wedding and event photography, to retail in-store ad-hoc printing, to back-office print houses.

It offers a more compact footprint with reduced noise, lower heat output, as well as a range of new features to suit retail and in-house photo production. It also has a faster print speed and a super-fast one-off print mode for event applications.

A new ink system is combined with more flexible networking and an extended print life for those involved with on-demand and back-office print production. Complementing all of this is a new duplex unit that enables automatic double-sided borderless printing for photobook and photo merchandise production.

“High-quality, small-format photo printing is more popular than ever. Whether you have a high-end digital camera or the latest smartphone with megapixel imaging capability, there is nothing visceral quite like a tangible printed photo of a treasured moment. People want to put photos in their family albums, on the desk and up on the wall. Moments in time are fleeting and special. There is nothing like having a memento there in front of you as a reminder of what’s truly important,” said Gordon Kerr, Business Marketing Manager, Large Format, Epson Australia, “Epson has always produced great photo printers. The SureLab D1060 is a leap forward in terms of flexibility, productivity and durability. Never before has it been easier or more cost-effective to produce quality photo prints.”

The new SureLab D1060 delivers print speeds of up to 460 6”x4” photos per hour.¹ It is up to 10 per cent faster than the previous generation, and the new 15-second one-off print mode is set to be a boon for photo studios and event work.²

For improved productivity, the SureLab D1060 features a high-capacity ink system that uses 250ml bags that are cost-effective to purchase, compact to store, and crushable for reduced waste.

For single-sided printing, the machine uses large 65m roll-based media that is available in widths from 3.5”-210mm (A4) in a range of media weights and finishes.

One of the key design features of the SL-D1060 is its reduced Total Cost of Ownership. Not only has it been designed to offer worry-free operation with minimum maintenance, but it features double the print life of its predecessor. It comes with a comprehensive ‘heads-and-all’ on-site warranty that can be extended with CoverPlus for up to five years.

Pricing and Availability SureLab D1060

The SureLab D1060 is expected to be available from November 2021 in Australia. A base printer with 5 years CoverPlus is expected to cost $6,995 (RRP ex GST), while the version with the duplex unit is expected to cost $7,995 (RRP ex GST).

For information on general office, printing see our guide on printers.

The Australian Banking Association says banks will defer loan repayments for small businesses affected by COVID-19 lockdowns throughout Australia for three months.

“Deferred COVID loan repayments is a positive initiative that will help many struggling small businesses stay afloat in these challenging times,” says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson .

“The banks’ commitment to supporting small businesses through this period is highly valued and is the kind of a key support element that could be incorporated into an agreed predictable and known national framework of support. 

“Such a framework, involving both Government and private sector elements, step up as COVID-inspired economic constraints and introduced, up-levelled or extended that small and family businesses can count on when seeking to navigate these challenging and uncertain times.

“I would encourage all small businesses owners who are experiencing financial difficulties to call their banks now to make the necessary arrangements.

“Home loan support, including deferrals on a month-by-month basis, is also available to small business customers.

“Banks are promising to support small businesses if they need it – so long as the loan is in good standing with repayments up-to-date or there’s a payment program in place.

“It’s encouraging to see our banks taking this proactive approach and leading by example.

“This consistency from the banks will help small businesses navigate and adapt to periods of uncertainty such as this.”   

See Small Business Answers guide to a small business bank account.

With the latest COVID-19 outbreak putting many states in Australia into lockdown, it’s more important than ever to support someone close to you who may be showing signs of a mental health condition.

There are signs to look out for and resources available to help you and your colleague tackle these challenges to fully understand and support someone close to you who may be struggling with their mental health.

Glenn Baird, Head of Mental Health at leading life insurer TAL, shares some tips on how you can help someone struggling with a mental health condition.

Treat them with respect and dignity

Treating people living with mental health conditions with respect and dignity can go a long way towards creating healthy and respectful relationships. Being non-judgmental can help break down any stigma or misunderstanding associated with mental health, which is crucial for long-term growth and happiness.

A good place to start is listening. The most important thing to keep in mind when listening is that you shouldn’t be listening to respond. You should be listening to understand. You do this by listening to the content, and the feeling, i.e., what do you pick up that is not being said. Once you begin to understand how your friend/family member is feeling, you’ll be better placed to show empathy and offer support.

Ask them if it’s okay to talk about how they are feeling

Talking about how you feel is a positive step towards improving mental health, but it can take a lot of trust and courage. Despite the prevalence of mental health conditions in Australia, it’s not uncommon for those dealing with mental health conditions to be reluctant to talk about their challenges. 

Start by asking directly, “is it okay if we talk about how you are feeling?” and then you might follow this with “, if now is not a good time, I can check in with you another time?”. If they are okay with talking, you might want to start with an open question, “help me understand how this impacts your day today?”. Let your friend/family member lead the discussion at their own pace, and don’t pressure them to talk about things they’re not ready to share. It’s also important to let them express themselves without you interrupting. Being sensitive and encouraging in your responses will help make them feel comfortable to open up further. It may also be beneficial to avoid problem-solving mode, which has the right intent but can often shut down the conversation rapidly.

Offer pathways of support

Support from family, friends and professionals plays a significant role in the recovery process of someone experiencing mental health issues.

When you are in a place where you understand what your family member is experiencing, and they feel understood, it is worth having further discussion about what additional support may be useful to them. Encouraging someone to look after their physical health by eating right, sleeping well, and regularly exercising are always good places to start. Empowering them to seek professional help is also a healthy step forward if they aren’t already. This could be offering to make an appointment with a GP or mental health specialist and ask if they’d like you to go with them. 

Follow through and follow up

Providing ongoing emotional support and continuity of care can increase the likelihood to recover from a mental health condition. Knowing you are always there for them is crucial in helping them recover.

Admitting that you need support can be one of the hardest steps for a person with a mental health condition. If support offers are made, it is important to follow through with whatever action you have stated you would do. Once this is done, ask them directly, “do you mind if I check in with you again in a few days?”. This way, you are not applying immediate pressure for them to take action. You can keep the dialogue open so they understand they are not tackling their challenges alone.

Supporting someone who experiences a mental health condition isn’t easy, and it can affect your own mental health and wellbeing. It’s important to also look after yourself during this process.

Other resources:

www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 224 636

www.lifeline.org.au131114

Australia is facing one of its toughest challenges in containing the spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant, with thousands of businesses seeing themselves back in lockdown. However, eCommerce business expansion shows no signs of slowing down, presenting an opportune time for SMEs to examine the learnings that helped Aussie SMEs navigate the road to recovery last year. 

ABS data revealed online sales increased by 52.7% in February 2021 and 37.4% in March 2021 compared to the respective months last year*. However, a considerable portion of Aussie SMEs is yet to embrace eCommerce business expansion due to financial barriers**.

The accelerated update of eCommerce as a response to the pandemic offered many businesses the opportunity to tap into global markets and reach new customers. However, part and parcel of this are that many SMEs were required to learn about foreign exchange (FX) on the fly. The reality is that a false step and currency volatility can transform what seems like a great deal into a potential loss.

So whether you’re an eCommerce newbie or looking to expand your current business operations, you will want to limit your exchange rate risk and keep conversion fees to a minimum whenever you are exchanging one currency to another. 

Understanding the role of FX can help you better protect your profit margins against currency risk exposure when dealing in multiple currencies. Currency fluctuations and the strength of local currencies can impact the amount you end up paying when supplier invoices are due. At times, you could be paying more than you originally planned for.

So, how can you ensure you have the appropriate FX safeguards in place when engaging in cross-border trade?

Integrated FX solutions for eCommerce business expansion

If you’re selling on international marketplaces, or collecting and receiving funds from payment gateways, one of the most important factors as an online business is ensuring you don’t get stumped by unnecessary conversion fees. 

Let’s break this down further. Some countries like the US require businesses to have a local bank account to receive funds in the local currency. Without a US-based account, marketplaces and payment gateways can automatically convert your US dollar revenue back into Australian dollars using their own exchange rates. As a result, if you use your Australian bank account, you could pay more in conversion and merchant fees than necessary.

So, whether you’re selling on Amazon, eBay or using payment gateways like Stripe, opening an OFX Global Currency Account can be a great way to bypass merchants double-dipping in currency conversion and merchant fees. 

Financial connectivity when selling globally

We all know as a business owner, you can wear many hats in your business. So it’s no wonder that turning to one institution, like a bank, to conduct all finance and FX related logistics can be very appealing. However, you could be missing out on the more FX specific expertise and tools that an FX specialist, like an OFXpert, can offer to help safeguard your business against exchange rate fluctuations.  

For example, the OFX Currency Exposure calculator reveals that a US20,000 invoice could have cost as much as AU$26,745 and as little as AU$25,439 in the last 3 months – an annual difference of AU$5,224. Having the awareness and education to understand how currency volatility can impact your costs and profit and how to access favourable rates even if the market isn’t in your favour is key. 

When planning and preparing for potential FX risk, it’s worth looking beyond traditional institutions to currency specialists who have the expertise to support you and your business on your global FX journey. Working with an OFXpert can help give you the tools to help take control of your transfers, so you can go back to focusing on what matters most – your business. 

Contributor Bio:

Edward Wiley, Director, Strategic Partnerships – eCommerce, OFX
Ed Wiley has been running the eCommerce partnership arm of OFX since 2016, responsible for driving growth and innovation. He regularly shares his wealth of knowledge in the areas of international payments and eCommerce with sellers and partners around the world. Ed is an annual speaker at conferences such as Retail Global and Online Retailer and a guest speaker on several eCommerce podcasts. By partnering with other leading eCommerce services, Ed is creating educational content and resources to help OFX online sellers take their business global.

Edward.wiley@ofx.com or visit ofx.com

Also, see Small Business Answers Guide to loans and equity funding.