Leading technology brand Uniden has released its new App Cam SOLO X range, an easy-to-use plug and play security solution featuring eight new 100% wire-free cameras to watch over a small business, inside and out. With high-quality inclusions, the new range adds a video doorbell and a selection of easy to install cameras that can be scaled to suit any property, all accessible in one ecosystem with the MyUniden+ App. All cameras capture in 2K Super HD. 
 

Delivering free 7-day rolling cloud coverage and SD card backup for the lifetime of the product, with no surprise subscriptions or additional ongoing charges*. Helping more Aussies to create a sense of safety and security, the cameras help to monitor household deliveries, check on the status of the house while at work or on holidays, and stay in touch with pets when they’re home alone. 

According to Brad Hales, National Marketing Communications Manager for Uniden, the new range offers a lot to the security camera market, with something for everyone. “This new range of wire-free security cameras provides an innovative and functional way for people to monitor their homes, capturing every detail and storing footage for peace of mind and deterring a crime before it happens. We’ve taken all kinds of consumers into consideration when developing this range, knowing that people seek out trusted brands with a local presence, and most importantly create products that are reliable with no hidden fees after the product purchase.” 

* 30-day subscriptions and advanced Ai subscriptions available if required. 

The App Cam SOLO X2K helps households to build a system to meet their individual security needs, adding one, two or four cameras at a time. Each camera has an integrated spotlight, Thermosense Technology for heat and movement detection, a two-way audio feature to talk via the app, a 120-degree wide viewing angle and a siren alert trigger, ensuring occupants are made aware of any intrusions. Paired with the Uniden solar panel accessory, the camera battery will require minimal USB recharging. 

Uniden App Cam SOLO X2K– RRP $149.95 

Uniden App Cam SOLO X2K– Twin Pack – RRP $289.95 

Uniden App Cam SOLO X2K– Quad Pack – RRP $569.95 

The App Cam SOLO X2K Bullet Kit delivers a powerful spotlight allowing for Colour Night Vision, ensuring all movements are captured with exceptional clarity 24/7. Including an included solar panel and mounting components for easy installation, this outdoor security solution is the most advanced in Uniden’s range, meaning all footage is crisp and faces, number plates and other details are more easily identified, even after dark.  

Uniden App Cam SOLO X2K Bullet Kit – $199.95  

The App Cam SOLO X2K Bell Wirefree Video Doorbell complements the Uniden security ecosystem of security cameras protecting your front door. It includes a 2-way audio feature, allowing for easy communication both inside and outside the house. With Colour Night Vision capability, 2K Super HD camera has a 135-degree viewing angle to make it easy to see exactly who is at the door, whether it’s a courier delivery, kids coming home or an unexpected visitor. The included wireless chime alerts occupants like a traditional doorbell, without needing to rely on notifications via the app and having your smartphone always on hand.   

Uniden App Cam SOLO X2K Bell – $159.95 
 

The App Cam SOLO X2K PT Kit features a pan and tilt function spanning 355 degrees, allowing to capture outside of a regular viewing range, leaving no blind spot uncovered. Also featuring a spotlight, and with a solar panel included, the camera can be controlled seamlessly with the MyUniden+ app to scan surroundings and can be paired with other cameras across the Uniden Solo X range.   

Uniden App Cam SOLO X2K PT Kit – $249.95 

 The App Cam SOLO X2K 4G Kit is a 4G Cellular security camera in Uniden’s range, with a weatherproof solar panel included to charge the device. Ideal for building sites, caravans, sheds, farms and marine locations where Wi-Fi is not enabled, the camera’s 355-degree viewing angle including pan and tilt, lets users check in remotely on one or multiple properties for real time updates.  

App Cam SOLO X2K 4G PT Kit – $429.95 

The Uniden App Cam X25PT Super HD Motion Tracking Camera is an affordable indoor security, with all essential features compacted into a user-friendly device that blends into any home interior. It even includes a motion-detecting camera, with 350-degree pan and 95-degree tilt, tracking any movements – from kids doing their homework to furry friends causing mischief, with two-way talk helping users to check-in and connect with loved ones via the app. 

Uniden App Cam X25PT – $69.95 

Stockists: JB HI-FI and other leading electrical retailers. 

For more information on the Uniden Security Camera range, visit: Uniden.com.au 

Migrating to Australia is challenging for any family, and finding a job is always a hurdle for spouses. To help those partners of skilled migrants, the Australian Computer Society’s Victorian Branch is holding a workshop series for spouses with IT qualifications on their potential in the Australian ICT Market.

Many migrant spouses and partners of skilled migrants possess the expertise needed for the Australian ICT market but lack the network, guidance, and opportunities to secure relevant roles. This series aims to bridge that gap by providing the necessary resources and connections to help you succeed.

ACS Branch Executive Committee member Manjusha Bhakta said: “The program participants will be guided by industry experts, coaches, and recruiters on the job market dynamics and how to present themselves.

“We have so many skilled people who’ve arrived with their partners who have much to offer. We’d really like this workshop series to help newly arrived spouses and their families settle into their new lives in Australia and allow them to realise their potential.”

Dr Rod Dilnutt, FACS CP, Chair of ACS Victoria, added: “Partners of Migrants with ICT talent, are often an unrecognised and untapped resource to alleviate the skills shortage in the Australian economy.

“This program offers a pathway to employment for partners of Migrants who may otherwise face challenges in gaining employment.”

The program will feature the following benefits:

1. Expert Guidance:

Gain insights from industry professionals, coaches, and recruiters who will offer tailored advice and share their knowledge about the Australian ICT landscape.

How to prepare your CV, LinkedIn Profile, and tips for effective networking.

Dos and Don’ts while looking for your first job in this market.

2. Comprehensive Program:

Participate in 6 engaging sessions, each lasting 2 hours, spread over 6 weeks.

Each session is designed to enhance your understanding and skills, making you a strong candidate for the ICT market.

3. Access to ACS training, network, and job opportunities:

You will also receive one year of ACS membership which will open the doors to vast set of trainings, seminars, certifications, networking events and so much more! View all benefits that comes with your ACS Membership: https://www.acs.org.au/join-acs.html

Get access and support from ACS internship and job opportunity portal.

The in-person workshop will take place in weekly two-hour sessions over six weeks starting from 14 August and will cost $389, Including a one-year ACS membership.

Expressions of interest for the series can be entered here. For more information on the program, please contact Anshul Aggarwal, ACS Victorian Branch Manager, at Anshul.Aggarwal@acs.org.au

Intuit Inc., the global financial technology platform that makes Intuit TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, today announced two new innovations, SMS functionality for Australian marketers and an expanded Canva integration, at Mailchimp’s inaugural flagship Australian event, From: Here, To: There, held in Sydney. The one-day event featured a world-class lineup of panellists, talks, and Q&A sessions from the brightest minds in marketing, AI, and e-commerce—including a fireside chat from Seth Godin, entrepreneur & inventor of email marketing, Janine Allis, founder of Boost Juice Bars, and appearances from Hamish Blake, Nazeem Hussain, Holly Ransom, Lisa Jones, Stephen Scheeler, Bri Williams, and more. 

“Australian businesses are constantly looking for new ways to gain a competitive edge and build stronger relationships with customers and prospects,” said Anthony Capano, Regional Director for ANZ at Intuit Mailchimp. “The integration of email and SMS into one platform equips our Australian customers with a more complete view of their audiences during a time when customer loyalty is at a premium. Meanwhile, our expanded partnership with Canva will simplify the way Mailchimp users approach their design workflow, ensuring consistent branding across all channels.”

Mailchimp SMS

Mailchimp’s SMS marketing solution brings together email and SMS channels on a single platform, providing Australian marketers with an invaluable 360-degree view of customer engagement. By integrating email and SMS channels into a single platform, marketers can better coordinate high-converting subscriber campaigns, while keeping track of their ROI from a centralised dashboard. 

By merging separate data sources into comprehensive customer profiles, Mailchimp SMS takes channel consolidation to a new level, powering automated cross-channel nurture pathways and redefining the audience connection matrix. Bringing SMS to Australian Mailchimp customers facilitates streamlined analytics, enhances loyalty, and bolsters ROI through synchronised campaigns. 

Mailchimp’s U.S. SMS customers have seen up to 16x ROI in the first 3 months after launching their first SMS campaign*. The rollout of SMS marketing in Australia paves the way for local businesses to drive forward with robust omnichannel marketing strategies that perform. 

Expanded Canva Integration

Building upon its partnership with Canva, Mailchimp’s new integration functionality will soon enable users to automatically synchronise image folders and files with the platform – eliminating the need for manual updates and providing a more efficient workflow across all channels. 

When working on email campaigns in Mailchimp, users will have shortcuts and actions to “Edit with Canva” embedded in Mailchimp’s email builder, which takes them to Canva. After editing, users can access the updates made to the image in Mailchimp’s context, simplifying the editing workflow, allowing for seamless integration and collaboration.

“We’re excited to expand our global partnership with Australia’s own Canva, and make it easier for our users to launch beautiful and effective email marketing campaigns,” said Ken Chestnut, Global Head of Ecosystem at Mailchimp. “Marketers and business leaders here in Australia have so much on their plates right now. Our refreshed Canva integration makes it easier for companies to leverage best in class design tools to delight and engage their customers.”

“We’re incredibly excited that Mailchimp is deepening its integration with Canva, underscoring our shared focus on providing intuitive and powerful tools for marketers. With access to a more seamless design workflow, users can create engaging emails to help businesses achieve their goals with ease and creativity,” said Anwar Haneef, Head of Ecosystem at Canva. 

These latest innovations follow the June preview of Mailchimp’s upcoming  revenue intelligence technology, a system of always-on predictive and generative artificial intelligence models designed to proactively give marketers opportunities to win more revenue. Together with the recent appointment of Anthony Capano as the Regional Director for ANZ at Intuit Mailchimp, Mailchimp is building upon its momentum in Australia and New Zealand as it further commits to supporting marketers with innovative, AI-driven technologies and providing tools that drive revenue growth businesses across ANZ.

In today’s economic climate, with the rising cost of living, consumers are increasingly discerning purchases and consulting more for recommendations. A recent survey by leading software research site Capterra reveals that only 18% of Australian online shoppers trust reviews made by social media influencers, a significant gap compared to the 76% who expressed they trust reviews from everyday social media users.

This survey analysed Australians’ online shopping behaviours, identifying key attributes that drive their purchasing decisions. Businesses can benefit from the study when it comes to increasing conversions. Despite the decline in influencer marketing effectiveness, the study shows that peer suggestions from regular users remain a primary source of product discovery, as consumers deem these reviews more authentic. When aligned with consumer interests, targeted online advertisements can also capture attention and convert to purchases.

Navigating a turbulent economy

Product recommendations are crucial in assisting consumers during their shopping journey, especially when matched with popular search filters. Notably, price filters are the most used, with 84% of shoppers indicating their importance, followed by size (66%) and brand (48%). The cost-of-living crisis in Australia has led over three-quarters (78%) of online shoppers to value recommendations based on current discounts or deals. Consequently, discounted products are likely to attract budget-conscious consumers.

Capterra’s 2023 Consumer Trends eBook reveals that 82% of Australians have adjusted their spending due to economic conditions. Furthermore, the current study analysed generational differences in online shopping habits with regard to price sensitivity. The unique behaviour of Gen Z shows that they are the least influenced by low prices and pay more attention to visual appeal.

Building trust and credibility

Maintaining and building trust is crucial for increasing conversion rates, as customers who trust a brand are more likely to make purchases and recommend to others, thus generating more peer reviews from the everyday customer. This way, brands can leverage interpersonal relationships for their conversions. User reviews play a significant role, with 62% considering them a vital factor in their online purchase decisions over the past year for new products and services. 

E-commerce businesses could focus on sharing genuine user reviews and leveraging review websites. These platforms are trusted by 59% of users and can be easily implemented into eCommerce sites to gather and display authentic reviews, enhancing the overall credibility and trustworthiness of the brand.

Striking the right balance in targeted advertising

Despite 92% of social media users seeing too many online advertisements, 61% have looked up more information about a product after seeing an ad. However, it is essential to balance the frequency of advertisements, as nearly half (43%) of users have blocked specific advertising or unfollowed brands due to excessive ads. Repeated exposure leads to ad fatigue, reducing effectiveness.

Catering content to the users’ interests and implementing segmentations can lead to higher brand engagement and purchases. 42% of online shoppers appreciate relevant product advertisements, while 41% value offers or discounts.

“Adopting diverse strategies to understand customer behaviours is vital for businesses seeking to boost conversions,” says Andrew Blair, Analyst at Capterra. “As market dynamics constantly shift, maintaining customer trust is crucial and poses a question to the relevance of influencers. As part of a marketing strategy, influencers should reevaluate their style and approach to regain the authentic image consumers used to find appealing,” adds Blair.

For further information, please visit capterra.com.au.

The Australian government’s recent changes to the Privacy Act are a big step forward for consumer data safety, but for 2.3 million small Australian businesses the transition will be tough. While strict privacy measures were previously reserved for large enterprises, new regulations mandate that all businesses must comply, regardless of their size.

On the consumer side, this is a major win – particularly after millions of Australians were affected by several high-profile data breaches in recent years. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), however, it may be a different story. These businesses are already burdened by red tape and bureaucracy and will undoubtedly require guidance from the government to navigate the transition.

To comply with these new requirements, most small businesses will need to invest time and money in updating their systems and implementing new technology solutions. This will include measures such as adopting digital ID verification to boost data security and prepare for the government’s upcoming national digital ID rollout.

Small businesses often collect vast amounts of personal and sensitive information, such as emails, phone numbers, addresses, and credit card numbers. SMEs previously had no obligation to keep personal information secure or to notify affected people if they experienced a data breach, but once the changes to the Privacy Act kick in, the consequences of these mistakes could be severe. 

To avoid legal penalties and fines for failing to protect consumer data, many will need to restructure their processes, systems, and workforce. This means major changes to the way they receive informed consent, handle customer information, and implement processes for destroying data when it’s no longer needed.

While it’s true that greater regulation around consumer data is essential, it’s also true that countless SMEs will struggle to implement these measures. Adapting systems, implementing new technology, and retraining staff is costly, not to mention time-consuming and overwhelming for business owners. To help with the transition, the government must provide advice, training, and guidance on how businesses can comply with their changing obligations. 

This roadmap to compliance will prove invaluable to small businesses which are the lifeblood of the Australian economy. Beyond that, it will ensure that the government’s vision of a more secure data landscape is made possible. Too often, government regulations are enforced and penalised without any effort to provide methodologies, processes, or best practices for compliance. If large entities like Optus, Medicare, and Latitude struggle with data security, how can family businesses know where to turn? 

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) provides a useful example of how guidance works wonders for compliance: it enforces strict rules for compliance while also assisting companies when they need help. This type of symbiotic relationship would ensure that businesses aren’t left in the dark to manage one of the biggest and most important regulatory changes in recent years.

The government’s reforms to the Privacy Act reinforce the principle that privacy is a fundamental right – not a privilege. This has never been more important in our digital age, where cybercrime and data breaches are more common than ever before. By working together, the government and SMEs can ensure that our data is protected. After all, once it’s compromised, customer privacy cannot be reclaimed

Contributed by Dr Philip Bos, CEO and Founder of BlueKee

The 2024 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards shortlist features a record number of more than 800 female small business trailblazers, now in the running for a coveted ‘Champions’ trophy across more than 60 industry categories.

The nation’s biggest celebration of women in small business will see all winners announced at a glittering gala event, to be hosted by Nine journalist, Jayne Azzopardi, at Sydney’s The Star on Saturday 24 August 2024.

This year marks the third consecutive year of the Women’s Awards programme, created specifically to celebrate the vital economic and social contributions of female-led small businesses across retail, services and manufacturing industries.

Spanning all capital cities as well as rural, regional and suburban towns, the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards is comprehensively judged according to stringent criteria by an independent expert panel and over several judging rounds.

Among this year’s most competitive categories: Business Services features 23 finalists; Business Coaching includes 15 finalists; and eight have made the Women’s Organisation 2024 shortlist.

“We received thousands upon thousands of submissions this year and the overall quality of entries is exceptionally high, so the creation of our 2024 shortlist has been no easy feat,” explains Steve Loe, Awards Founder and Managing Director of Precedent Productions, which coordinates the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards.

“When the Champion Judges evaluate entries, they consider all aspects of a business: its strategies, growth, eco-friendliness, innovation, customer service and community support – to name but some of the criteria.

“Being selected as a finalist of this prestigious event from a national entrant pool of thousands speaks volumes of the tenacity and leadership at each of these female-led small businesses.

“The following rounds of judging will be just as intense as we continue to evaluate the achievements of this year’s record number of finalists to reach just one winner per category,” adds Mr Loe.

The 23 Business Services category finalists are:

CSmart Consulting (NSW), Dream Admin Services (NSW), Samu Test (NSW), BackBone (NSW), Pinnacle People Solutions (NSW), Growth Collective Hub (NSW), BizCubed (NSW), Small Business Hub (NSW), The Foundry Cowork (NSW), Martha Travis People Innovators (NSW), Insync Workplace Solutions & The Centre for Human-Centred Leadership (NSW), Optimum Operating Procedures and Services (NSW), Mint Business Centre (NSW), DanicaB PR (NSW), Empower House (QLD), Deborah Anne Kurikka (QLD), Kwik Kopy Eagle Farm (QLD), Accent HR (QLD), Kx2 Management Group (QLD), BNI Gold Coast and Tweed (QLD), King Virtual Services (SA), The People & Culture Office (WA) and Whitney Consulting (WA).

The 15 Business Coaching category finalists are:

The Reluctant Coach (QLD), Emma McQueen (QLD), Caroline Brunne (QLD), Rachel Carey (QLD), The Deeply Satisfied Woman (QLD), The Alternative Board Northern Beaches (WA), Freedom is Within (VIC), S38 Business Management (VIC), Cathy Smith Coaching (SA), Socially Piper (NSW), Little Country Study (NSW), Lunaria Gaia (NSW), Elements 4 Success (NSW), The Alternative Board (NSW) and Be The Impossible (NSW).

The eight Women’s Organisation category finalists are:

SHE Talks (VIC), She’s The Boss Group (VIC), Love Worthy (QLD), Hen Pen Australia (QLD), Get It Girl Networking (NSW), The Evolve Academy (NSW), Wollondilly Women in Business (NSW) and Women in Business Connect (NSW).

According to Australian Government data, women account for around one-third of the nation’s small business owners and that number is rising more than three times the growth of their male counterparts. Furthermore, research from the Commonwealth Bank shows that women opened almost half (43.2 per cent) of all new business transaction accounts during the 2023 financial year.

For more information and the full list of 2024 finalists, visit championawards.com.au/womens.

The 2024 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards programme is sponsored by Castaway Forecasting, Big Clean, Xcllusive Business Sales and NOVA Employment.

SEO strategy: 82% of Aussie consumers begin their buying journeys on search engines 

How can eCommerce businesses gain a competitive edge by becoming more visible online and capture the attention of consumers by answering user queries more accurately? 

Capterra’s Elusive Online Consumer study analysed the online shopping behaviour of more than 5,500 consumers across 12 countries globally, including nearly 500 Australian consumers to determine what affects the end-to-end customer journey from initial search to purchase.   

Search engines are most popular for product search but are not without their challenges 

Search engines are the primary destination where consumers begin their online search for products in Australia. About eight in ten (82%) Aussie consumers start their online search for products on search engines, followed by retailer websites (54%) and department store websites (38%).  

Search engines are a traditional method of finding products or services online, which may indicate that Aussie consumers prefer tried and tested routes over other ways. While the favorability of search engines may also indicate their continued dominance as a source for discovery, consumers face many challenges when using these platforms to search for products or services online.  

The top challenges relate to an overwhelming abundance of online search results that are difficult to navigate and refine. Survey participants cite the following challenges they have encountered with online product search results: 
 

• Inaccurate or irrelevant results (63%) 

• Too many sponsored ads or results (62%) 

• Too many results (32%) 

• Knowing which search terms to use (22%) 

How to increase your online visibility and overcome search engine challenges with search engine optimisation (SEO) tools? 

Businesses that optimise their web pages with SEO tools and techniques can increase the chances of online shoppers discovering their content when they type a search query into internet search engines. Optimising websites includes aspects such as incorporating relevant keywords into text, adding descriptive meta tags to images and video content, and improving page loading speeds. 

Additionally, SEO-optimised websites will send positive signals to search engines to display content relevant to a user’s search query. Businesses should also consider conducting thorough keyword research when optimising their content to discover ranking, difficulty, and keyword gaps, to develop an SEO strategy.   

Narrow down the customer journey per age group 

Despite internet search engines being the most popular place to start a search—even among all generations—there is a considerable difference in use across different generations. Of the older generation respondents (boomers and Gen X), 86% say they use search engines to search for new products and services, followed by millennials (82%) and Gen Z (76%).  

Further analysis of final purchasing channels where consumers typically end up making purchases also shows a difference between age groups. Predominantly, 70% of Australian online shoppers say they typically end up purchasing from individual retailer websites or apps. However, there are significant disparities between age groups for respondents who say they typically end up purchasing from eCommerce marketplaces and department store websites. As you can see in the graph below, older generations were more likely to cite eCommerce marketplaces, such as Amazon, than other generations.  

Evaluate the customer journey and optimise visibility   

The dynamic nature of customers’ online presence challenges businesses to implement a comprehensive marketing strategy that integrates various aspects of the customer experience.  

A multi-faceted marketing approach is essential for retailers to properly target customers. Buyers have a dynamic psyche on preferences, whether on platforms or influences in purchase decisions. Businesses must bear in mind their target market and focus their efforts on optimising brand visibility. 

By Andrew Blair, Analyst, Capterra 

New figures show almost 1 in 4 small-to-medium-sized businesses (23%) won’t benefit from the new Federal Government incentives offered in the 2024-2025 Budget – but a significant 94 per cent would have liked incentives such as tax cuts, lower-rate loans, and wage subsidies.  

The figures were revealed in a survey by business loan comparison platform Small Business Loans Australia. The full survey results, including breakdowns across the major states, can be found here: https://smallbusinessloansaustralia.com/will-small-businesses-benefit-from-the-new-federal-government-incentives-in-fy2025/.  

The 2024-2025 Federal Budget introduced some relief measures to help small businesses tackle current economic challenges. In an environment of rising costs, weaker demand, labour shortages, and higher interest rates, 7742 companies went into external administration from July 2023 to March 2024 – a 36 per cent rise from the previous year.  

Against this backdrop, Small Business Loans Australia questioned an independent panel of 204 SME business directors and decision makers to gauge which Budget incentives will help them this financial year, listing the extension of the instant asset write off, the Energy Relief Fund, and the Small Business Debt Helpline and free financial counselling services. It also asked respondents what alternative measures they would have liked to see the Government offer. 

How much do SMEs support the Budget? 

Electricity concerns continue to remain a top cost of living issue for households across the country, with electricity prices higher in the quarter from January to March this year compared to last quarter across all regions in Australia¹. The survey found that the Energy Bill Relief will help the largest proportion (52%) of businesses. Almost half (49%) of respondents said they will benefit from the instant asset write off.  

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) saw a 20 per cent increase in requests from small businesses struggling to manage their debts in the quarter from January to March this year². Despite this, the Debt Helpline and financial counselling services received minimal support with only 11 per cent of respondents believing this would assist them.  

A significant 23 per cent will not benefit from any of the Budget measures. Older business owners and decision-makers are least in favour of the Budget. The proportion of over-55s (35%) who don’t support any of the Budget measures is double that of under-55s (16%).  

Across the states and territories, South Australians are overall the most sceptical respondents in the country, with more than half (53%) saying none of the benefits would help them, followed closely by ACT (50%).  

The ACT had the lowest support for the instant asset write-off, with just 17 per cent of respondents saying it would help them. This compares with 56 per cent of WA respondents and 54 per cent of NSW respondents, who are most in favour of the measure.  

South Australian business owners and decision-makers showed the least support of the Energy Bill Relief, at just 27 per cent. NSW respondents showed the highest support, at 72 per cent, followed by Victorian respondents, at 67 per cent.  

Alternative measures that would have helped SMEs 

A drop in the 25 per cent company tax rate garnered the largest support among respondents – at 52 per cent. This support jumped to 65 per cent among over-55-year-old business respondents. 

Financial help such as wage subsidies are the second-most supported measure, with 41 per cent advocating for it to alleviate the pressure to meet minimum wage requirements. The minimum wage in Australia was increased on 1 July this financial year by 3.75%, seeing an increase to $915.90 per week or $24.10 per hour³. 

Respondents were divided on interest rates. Surprisingly, one third (34%) support the Reserve Bank and the Government in fighting inflation by maintaining or increasing the cash rate, while 39 per cent would benefit from reduced interest rates on loans. 

The survey also showed around a quarter (27%) of respondents would like the Government to bring back SME loan guarantees. In 2021 and 2022, the SME Recovery Loan Scheme offered SMEs secured and unsecured loans of up to $5 million, with capped interest rates and extended repayment periods⁴. 

Alon Rajic, Founder and Managing Director of Small Business Loans Australia, says these figures could indicate that businesses are looking for immediate financial relief from their debts, as opposed to assistance in just managing them. “In the last tax year, nearly half (43%) of small businesses were not profitable⁵. Business owners need money back in their bank accounts to help alleviate or minimise their debts, not just manage them. This is reflected in our survey, with strong support for measures such as interest rate cuts to business loans and cuts to company tax rates.”  

The full SME budget incentives study can be found here: https://smallbusinessloansaustralia.com/will-small-businesses-benefit-from-the-new-federal-government-incentives-in-fy2025/. 

As macroeconomic pressures continue, even the largest businesses are bearing the brunt. However, small businesses are disproportionately affected because they lack the resources and financial reservoirs of their larger counterparts. In fact, small businesses are entering administration at far higher rates than bigger businesses.

Against this background, it may be easy for Australia’s 2.5 million small businesses to splash out on costly new products and services or even use high-risk strategies to survive. Yet, two of the most cost- and time-effective ways of driving incremental revenue and growth opportunities in the new fiscal year are actually the most straightforward: optimisation and collaboration.

For the many small companies with remote workers, optimisation and collaboration helps them work as efficiently as possible while preserving a flexible and asynchronous workplace. This means businesses no longer need to worry about the impact of varying time zones and working hours on their operations because they have laid the groundwork for connected teams.

Keeping processes simple but efficient with optimisation

For small businesses with limited resources, optimising operations is key to growth. This means cutting back on unproductive or duplicate tasks and finding better processes. The first step is for a business to articulate goals clearly, like higher basket numbers or a stronger supply chain. Then obstacles are identified and a roadmap with action items is created, including technology implementations.

For instance, an online retailer might set up dynamic optimisation of their inventory to prevent overstocking or understocking, both of which result in lost earnings. The power of technology and data can help them measure sell-through rates to track potential issues like poor sales, bad forecasting or mismatched products. Doing this enables businesses to build more efficient supply chains and improve customer experience, which are both crucial for small retailers.

Brick-and-mortar retailers face many of the same challenges as their online counterparts. For offline sellers, optimising their operations might look like installing mobile point-of-sale technology to make checkout faster. This not only reduces the length of queues, but also frees up time for team members to engage with shoppers. A streamlined, optimised point-of-sale system not only enhances the customer experience, but also builds loyalty.

Removing roadblocks to success through collaboration

Four years after the pandemic started, businesses of all sizes are still working on remote or hybrid models. This flexibility attracts talent, but it also creates challenges, especially for small businesses under pressure to optimise their operations. It’s not an either/or scenario, however, just one that underscores the importance of collaboration.

Strong collaboration not only leads to better business outcomes, but also boosts employee morale. The right technology is essential to execution. One of the most important things is to ensure that tools are not siloed. When multiple pieces of software are siloed, that means it is difficult, if not impossible, to share information between them.

In an ideal scenario, collaboration tools are integrated and work on platform-layer services like AI, unified search and process automation. A business’ project management software, messaging platform and note-taking app should all be able to “talk” to one another to minimise friction. This reduces the time spent on managing collaborative tasks and increases productivity.

Unfortunately, that is often not the case, and many businesses say they face difficulties with their current software. To address these issues, Zoho has announced major enhancements to our four core collaboration tools, which can optimise even the smallest of businesses. These include new AI capabilities to perform contextual information extraction and other tasks, and Blueprint, our powerful visual workflow automation technology.

Ultimately, taking the fullest advantage of collaboration tools results in seamless, optimised workflows no matter where team members are located or what times they work. This results in businesses that are more productive and efficient, and better set for strong financial performance, no matter their size.

Contributed by Vijay Sundaram, Chief Strategy Officer at Zoho

Employment Hero, the employment management platform serving almost one-fifth of Australia’s private businesses, has announced its recruitment tool – SmartMatch – is now shaving two weeks off the recruitment process. 

With 1 million job seeker profiles and 10,000 candidates signing up each week, SmartMatch is the first tool in the world where live candidate searches have been made available inside an HR system.

Built into Employment Hero’s platform for employers and powered by employee superapp, Swag for job seekers, SmartMatch facilitates proactive and predictive hiring by analysing a business’s organisation chart and predicting hiring needs based on sector, size, location, and seasonal trends.

Employers have the ability to surface candidates against existing roles, for example where an identical growth role is required or when an employee resigns. For recruiting new roles, a simple search can yield results within seconds. And the full functionality of Employment Hero’s Applicant Tracking System helps employers manage candidates so they can start the interview process immediately. 

Employment Hero’s own research has shown that 75% of SMEs struggle to compete for talent against big businesses. Traditional recruitment methods are costly and slow – the average cost to hire someone regularly exceeds $5k. 

“Our innovative approach marks the end of the ‘pay and pray’ recruitment model, ensuring a continuous talent pipeline that will save businesses thousands of dollars. Gone are the days of writing job descriptions, placing ads, and sorting through countless CVs. Instead, SmartMatch’s AI-driven approach ensures that the most suitable candidates are matched with the right roles seamlessly. 

“Now, both hiring managers and job seekers can claw back hours of time previously spent stuck in an inefficient process. We’re confident that SmartMatch deletes two weeks from the current recruitment process by eliminating this need for employers to go out and find their own candidates,” said David Holland, Managing Director of Swag at Employment Hero.

The real-life benefits of SmartMatch

Daniel Oliveira, HR Manager, Tradern Australia Care and Training Services:

“When it comes to finding talent, SmartMatch is infinitely faster than the other options out there. Recruitment can be such a burden and this tool helps to ease that, it’s such a beneficial tool for small businesses that don’t have hiring teams. 

“There’s a very good reply rate from people who are listed on the SmartMatch talent pool. In my experience here, if we connect on SmartMatch, we try to send emails to 10 people on SmartMatch, and approximately eight of them will reply. Using SmartMatch, we’ve hired candidates in just a few days because the reply rate is so high.

“Because the recruitment system is inside Employment Hero itself, it means that you collect all the information in one platform, and you add it all into their employee profile inside the HR platform. It saves so many hours of work and is better compliance-wise for keeping track of files. The integration of all the processes is the best feature it has. If everything can be done within the same system it becomes much less work.

“SmartMatch saves HR Managers and Recruiters hours of time administering the search process. This can be as much as 16 hours for our industry.” 

Read here for more information on how SmartMatch works.