The global research team from Norton, a consumer Cyber Safety brand of Gen™, today released its quarterly Consumer Cyber Safety Pulse Report, detailing how cybercriminals can use artificial intelligence to create realistic and sophisticated threats. The latest report includes an analysis of how large language models can enhance cybercriminal tactics.

ChatGPT has captured the internet’s attention with millions using the technology to write poems, craft short stories, answer questions and even ask advice. Meanwhile, cybercriminals are using it to generate malicious threats through its impressive ability to generate human-like text that adapts to different languages and audiences.

Cybercriminals can now quickly and easily craft email or social media phishing lures that are even more convincing, making it more difficult to tell what’s legitimate and what’s a threat. In addition to writing lures, ChatGPT can also generate code. Just as ChatGPT makes developers’ lives easier with its ability to write and translate source code, bad actors too can manipulate the technology and use it to scam at a more larger and a faster scale.

“While the introduction of large language models like ChatGPT is exciting, it’s also important to note how cybercriminals can benefit and use it to conduct various nefarious activities. We’re already seeing ChatGPT being used effectively by bad actors to create malware and other threats quickly and very easily,” said Mark Gorrie, Asia Pacific Managing Director at Gen. “Unfortunately, it’s becoming more difficult than ever for people to spot scams on their own, which is why Cyber Safety solutions that look at all aspects of our digital lives are comprehensibly needed, be it our mobile devices to our online identity, or the wellbeing of those around us – being cyber vigilant is integral to our digital lives.”

In addition to using ChatGPT for more efficient phishing, Norton experts warn bad actors can also use it to create deepfake chatbots. These chatbots can impersonate humans or legitimate sources, like a bank or government entity, to manipulate victims into turning over their personal information in order to gain access to sensitive information, steal money or commit fraud.

To stay safe from these new threats, Norton experts recommend:

• Avoiding chatbots that don’t appear on a company’s website or app and being cautious of providing any personal information to someone you’re chatting with online.
• Thinking before you click on links in response to unsolicited phone calls, emails or messages.
• Updating your security solutions and making sure it has a full set of security layers that go beyond known malware recognition, such as behavior detection and blocking.

Year in Review: Norton blocked over 3.5 billion threats in 2022

The latest Pulse Report also revealed that throughout 2022, Norton thwarted over 3.5 billion threats, or around 9.6 million threats per day.

In 2022, Norton blocked:

• 90.9 million phishing attempts
• 260.4 million file threats
• 1.6 million mobile threats
• 274 thousand ransomware attacks
• Norton AntiTrack blocked over 3 billion trackers and fingerprinting scripts.

In Australia, throughout the last quarter alone, Norton blocked over 28 million threats, or around 300 thousand threats per day.

From October through December 2022, Norton Australia blocked:

• 960 thousand phishing attempts
• 1.3 million file threats
• 24 thousand mobile threats

For more information and Cyber Safety guidance, visit the Norton Internet Security Center.

Synology has announced the addition of RackStation RS2423+ and RS2423RP+ to the versatile and cost-effective Plus series systems. The 2U 12-bay RS2423(RP)+ are ideal data management and backup solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as branch offices. 

“With strong performance out of the box and flexible configuration and expansion options, these servers are the perfect on-prem storage solution for growing businesses,” said Peggy Weng, Product Manager at Synology.

Performance and flexibility

Offering a performance increase over its predecessor with sequential read/write speeds1 of over 3,500/1,700 MB/s, the RS2423(RP)+ packs a punch. This device features built-in 10GbE connectivity along with 2 x 1GbE ports with support for additional 10/25GbE networking. The 12-bays of RS2423(RP)+ support up to 216 TB of total storage capacity and can be expanded to 24 bays with a RX1223RP Expansion Unit for up to 432 TB of storage.2

For businesses with low latency or high random I/O performance demands, SATA SSDs can be used to create flash array volumes, or designated as read/write cache to speed up HDD volumes.

Designed for reliability

The two gigabit Ethernet ports of RS2423(RP)+ can be bonded with Link Aggregation to enable automatic network failover and load balancing while two RS2423(RP)+ units can be paired using Synology High Availability to form a reliable active/passive server cluster, maximizing service uptime. Additionally, the RS2423RP+ features a redundant power supply for an extra edge in service continuity.

A versatile data platform

RS2423(RP)+ includes a suite of reliable file management, sharing, and synchronization solutions. In addition to fast, local access to files, Synology Drive enables easy cross-platform access to file management and sharing tools. Connect and sync data between devices, keeping remote teams and offices up-to-date automatically. 

Businesses with greater syncing requirements can leverage the power of the cloud to enable even higher productivity and lower maintenance needs. Hybrid Share keeps multiple sites in sync using less bandwidth, as files only need to be uploaded once to C2 servers. Frequently accessed data is cached locally, providing immediate and fast access while streaming other files as needed, reducing the storage footprint required. Additionally, unexpected storage demands can be met with flexible on-demand cloud storage.

Learn more about file management

Versatile video surveillance

Synology Surveillance Station is a powerful and flexible VMS with support for over 8,300 validated and ONVIF-certified IP cameras. Up to 50 cameras can be connected to each RS2423(RP)+ and larger deployments can be created by linking multiple Synology servers using the central management system built into Surveillance Station.

Surveillance Station offers a range of powerful but user-friendly monitoring, management, and analysis tools accessible from PCs and mobile devices. As a trusted surveillance solution, Surveillance Station has been deployed at over 500,000 locations globally every day.

Learn more about Surveillance Station

Comprehensive data protection built-in

The versatile RS2423(RP)+ provides efficient data and IT infrastructure backup with support for backup of Windows PC/Servers, VMware and Hyper-V VMs, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace SaaS, and more — all accessible through a single intuitive interface.

Business continuity can be ensured with snapshots which protect files and LUNs against accidental deletion and threats like ransomware with minimal storage use and allow for near-instantaneous recovery of data. RS2423(RP)+ also includes comprehensive system and file backup capabilities for secure backup onto other Synology systems or a cloud storage service.

Learn more about data protection

Warranty and Availability

The RS2423(RP)+ is backed by Synology’s three-year hardware warranty3, with an optional two-year extended warranty available in select regions. It is now available at Synology resellers and partners. For additional information, please visit https://www.synology.com/products/RS2423+.

New research from Vista Australia – partner to Australian small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs – has revealed that we’re a nation of risk takers when it comes to small business ownership, especially in the early days of setting up a business.

Released today, the Vista 2023 SMB Report explores how Australians have approached starting up their business, how they have fared over the past 12 months, and sentiment towards critical areas such as hiring, upskilling, and areas of investment in 2023.

Despite the well-documented factors recently impacting business health such as inflation, cost of living pressures, record low unemployment and supply chain woes, SMBs are seemingly putting it all on the line in a bid to get ahead. However, optimism for the year ahead remains, with nearly one-in-two Australian SMB owners (48%) feeling optimistic about 2023.

The report has also found a marked difference between metro and regional based businesses in outlook and optimism for the year ahead, with 47% of rural businesses feeling positive about 2023 compared with only 43% of SMBs in metro areas.

Risk-taking Australian SMBs

The research found that the majority of Australian SMBs are ‘winging it’ when starting their operation with 3 in 5 (60%) citing having no business management, ownership experience or skills at the outset. In fact, only 9% were seasoned entrepreneurs before setting up their own gig. For 2 in 5 of SMBs (41%), the business began as a passion project which then turned into a mainstay commercial enterprise, and for 1 in 3 (32%) it developed out of an idea conceived at a previous job.

Commercially-speaking, a staggering 4 in 5 (82%) of SMBs were self-funded – only 7% have taken out a loan and 9% have borrowed from ‘the bank of mum and dad’ or family.

Breaking down the research further, female SMB owners were found to be bigger risk takers than their male counterparts, with only 34% having had previous business management, ownership experience or skills, compared to 50% of male SMB owners.

The year ahead: business outlook and areas of investment

There is an air of apprehension among SMBs coming into the new year, with inflation (48%) and the potential recession (29%) the biggest worries for 2023. Despite one in five (20%) SMB owners admitting they’re feeling hesitant and almost one in four (22%) feeling nervous about 2023, they are still willing to invest to get ahead.

Nationally, SMBs’ focus this year is on growth (58%) and recovery from 2022 (43%), while one in five (21%) see innovation as the big opportunity for the year ahead.

Upskilling will be a key focus of 2023 for SMBs, with 40% confirming it’s an area of investment – with female-owned businesses leading the charge at 44% (vs 32% male-owned). A quarter (26%) of SMB owners are looking to learn new technical/digital skills (i.e., AR/VR, automation, data, IT) in the next 12 months, while one in five SMB owners (20%) are focused on leadership as their main area to upskill.

More than a quarter of SMBs (28%) see marketing as the biggest opportunity for 2023 – with 30% investing most of their marketing spend into social media specifically, followed by 13% investing in their website. SMBs will also be focusing on networking opportunities (24%) and investment in product and resources (20%), confirming that despite hesitation coming into the new year, there is still a focus on investment.

Regional vs metro

In the regions, one in three (38%) SMB owners confirmed they will be learning a new skill in the next year; however, the focus will be on upskilling on existing capabilities (55%) as the main priority.

In a bid to sustain business and even grow, regional and rural based SMBs will be focused on reaching new customers by investing in social media advertising (30%), enabling them to tap into a broader audience.  

“SMBs have been through tough times in recent years – from natural disasters to an uncertain economy and rising inflation, it’s enough to dampen anyone’s spirits. Yet, by and large, SMBs remain stoic in this year ahead. They were willing to take risks to succeed in start-up mode, and they certainly aren’t shying away from investing in 2023 – it’s encouraging to see that so many SMB owners are continuing to look into the future and choosing to upskill and invest, even in uncertain times”, says Marcus Marchant, CEO of Vista Australia.

As a corporate group, Fujifilm’s global approach is to contribute to society via education and advanced technologies. Recently they took on-board the challenge of creating a home for photography enthusiasts of all levels where they could come together, share ideas and their passion for imaging. For this, they developed and opened their first Fujifilm House of Photography in the southern hemisphere in Sydney’s CBD. Now FUJIFILM Australia have taken things up a notch and launched the first free photography workshop in a series of free and chargeable workshops and masterclasses at the Fujifilm House of Photography.

Ryuichi Matoba, CEO of FUJIFILM Australia, explained, “We decided to open the first Fujifilm House of Photography in the southern hemisphere in Sydney following the success of the northern hemisphere’s Fujifilm House of Photography in London. The Fujifilm House of Photography in Sydney showcases a wide range of products and services, from photo taking to photo making. It also pays homage to our heritage and the history of photography itself. Every single masterclass and workshop is custom-tailored to helping the Australian public. The first free workshop, Discover Fujifilm, helped photographers of all levels learn more about the technology and features that makes Fujifilm X Series, GFX System and FUJINON lenses unique. It also taught techniques on how Fujifilm gear can help develop your photographic and videographic style. There is also a wider goal in play as the masterclasses and workshops help to educate, invigorate and nurture Australia’s well documented passion for photography.”

As Matoba explained, Discover Fujifilm, presented by Experience Centre Specialist, Stephen Pierce, helped educate attendees as to the scope of the Fujifilm ecosystem, the capability of their cameras’ X-Trans sensor and the overall benefits of Fujifilm solutions, including image and lens quality, portability, suitability and film simulations.

Pierce added, “The content of the workshop centred around delivering value and benefits, including technical information, to the attendees and end users. We also covered objection handling and the best way to use the Fujifilm House of Photography as a one stop shop for your photography journey.”

Pierce presented the content, the workshop and held a Q&A session after the presentation for attendees, who included everyone from the most amateur of photographers through to enthusiasts and professionals.

Pierce continued, “It was a very interactive workshop with many questions asked around Fujifilm, our multiple X-H Series vs X-T product lines, hybrid and purely photographic solutions. A particularly popular topic centred around why we are creating many products with the same sensor size. To this I explained how each of the tiers of cameras provide a range of capabilities and portability. Our sensor range is two-tiered, X and GFX, with sensor size selected based on the best performance for the task, size and budget. As further added value, we also explained and covered film simulations, something that many of the attendees had heard about but not experienced. To do this, we harnessed the different solutions we had for our camera line up and helped educate the class about the higher specification cameras that are required and why.”

According to Pierce, the feedback at and from the workshop was extremely positive.

He added, “All of the attendees were very engaged with our content, and many were interested in attending the next free workshop on High Speed photography and the Fujifilm X-H2S high speed camera offering, including the latest firmware update V3.00.”

FUJIFILM Australia’s new masterclasses and workshops provide unique Fujifilm-only events and experiences to end-users in Australia. They also add value to those who have purchased or are considering purchasing Fujifilm cameras and FUJINON lenses. Future masterclasses and workshops will feature collaborations with well-known Fujifilm X-Photographers and third-party partners who manufacture all manner of photographic accessories.

Matoba continued, “The masterclasses and workshops are about FUJIFILM Australia giving back to the community and adding value for consumers. They provide existing Fujifilm users a home where they can learn more about their cameras and how to enhance their kit. For those new to Fujifilm cameras and lenses it’s a chance to explore and learn about our full range. Then, for those who are new to photography altogether, we will provide a rich environment where they can come and learn about cameras from the ground up and begin their photography journey in the most exciting way possible.”

The photographic market in Australia is evolving fast and over the past three years, Fujifilm has grown their Electronic Imaging business with the continued success of their Fujifilm X Series and GFX System. They have also broadened the appeal of the Fujifilm brand in the Australian market as a result.

Matoba continued, “The first Discover Fujifilm workshop provided dedicated Fujifilm content enabling customers to maximise the performance of their camera, tailor their methods to extract the best results and explore how to expand their photography skills by capitalising on the latest technology. Then, the upcoming masterclasses and workshops will cover a wide range of topics including different types of photography, high speed shooting, technical approaches and photographic experiences. They will also provide a learning opportunity no matter what your photographic area of interest or level of technical understanding. In short, the aim of the masterclasses and workshops is to provide attendees with a learning experience, led by professional photography educators and photographers that provides simple to apply insights and techniques for maximising the results of your camera.”

FUJIFILM Australia chose central Sydney CBD for the Fujifilm House of Photography as they wanted a standout location with high traffic which would attract lots of visitors. The location would have to also be able to showcase products, services and solutions and also host the new masterclasses and workshops, so they also included a designated studio which has been professionally set up with lights, product display stands and tripods.

In truth, the Fujifilm House of Photography is actually more of a ‘home’ than a house, where dedicated experts (or “X-Perts” as FUJIFILM Australia calls them) provide advice to photography enthusiasts of all levels on how to best express oneself through photography. There are also several interactive play tables with the very latest photographic technology and lenses for real hands-on experiences too.

FUJIFILM Australia’s GM of their Electronic Imaging & Optical Devices Division, Shaun Mah, added, “Photography is a much-loved hobby which encourages creativity and self-expression. With the new masterclasses and workshops in the Fujifilm House of Photography we are demonstrating how photography is a real alternative and much healthier option to playing video games or sitting down and being glued to your smartphone. We also hope to help upskill photographers and create a wider sense of community.”

The Fujifilm House of Photography and its masterclasses and workshops have been greatly received by photographers of all ages, from all walks of life and have already generated robust conversations about the future of photography across the country.

Ryuichi Matoba concluded, “The Fujifilm House of Photography in Sydney is the first Fujifilm House of Photography in the southern hemisphere. We now also have these unique, masterclasses and workshops and a wide range of products and creative solutions available for photographers of all levels to touch, try, explore and learn with. We also offer sit down, one-on-one personalised consultations and have a printing and personalisation station where visitors can create a multitude of products from their favourite images. As a result, we believe the Fujifilm House of Photography and our masterclasses and workshops help deepen Australians’ love of photography and will help introduce photography as a new, healthy hobby for younger generations as well.”

Optus Business is launching the Optus Business Plus Roadshow, with leading mentors, Mark Bouris Chairman of Yellow Brick Road, Founder and CEO of Rare Birds Jo Burston and One Love Australia founder Jamal Elsheikh to share their insights with SMEs at a series of regional and metropolitan events.

The roadshow will leverage Optus’ growing footprint of Optus Business Centres (OBCs), local hubs offering help to Australian businesses. Optus currently has over 25 OBCs nationwide, with a further 13 planned for 2023.

Mark Bouris’ appearances form part of a wider partnership with Optus Enterprise and Business, including the Healthy Business campaign and the Optus Business Real Estate Industry Pulse 2022 report.

Optus will also donate $60,000 to select business chambers to support the implementation of technology that will increase flexibility through modularisation. Recipients will be chosen by these business chambers to receive grants of up to $15,000. The funds may be used to create a customisable and flexible technology solution from Optus to meet the unique evolving needs of the Australian business market. Interested parties can apply through their local Business Chamber.

Sean Casey, VP Optus Business, Enterprise and Business at Optus said, “Before we launched Optus Business Plus in 2021 we consulted our business customers to learn about their unique challenges. Many of our customers feel that traditional, business critical technology solutions aren’t flexible enough for their business’ needs.  

“The Optus Business Plus Roadshow will connect our business customers with others in the SME community, as well as provide insights from some of Australia’s greatest business minds. It’s our hope that this series will help Aussie businesses stop compromising on technology solutions and achieve more flexibility through freedom and modularity.”

Each stop on the roadshow will involve an intimate breakfast panel with a mentor and special guest, chaired by Sean Casey. Businesses will be able to connect with their OBC and local support team while building relationships with other business owners to further increase their support network.

Mark Bouris, Founder and Chairman of Yellow Brick Road, said, “I know what it takes to build a business from scratch and turn it into something special. From my experience, when it comes to technology, even with all the choices out there it can become easy to settle. However, there are things you shouldn’t compromise on. That’s why I want to share my knowledge, so other Australian small businesses can be armed with the tools they need to build something incredible.

“Teaming up with Optus for their Optus Business Plus Roadshow is a full circle moment – an opportunity to network with likeminded people and mentors is exactly what I would have wanted when I was first starting out. I’m looking forward to connecting with small business owners and giving back to those taking on the huge challenge of starting their own business.”

The Optus Business Plus Roadshow will commence on March 14 in Adelaide. SMEs interested in attendance should RSVP here, as space is limited.

Optus Business Plus Roadshow events:

• For information and to RSVP for the Adelaide event on 14 March, click here.
• For information and to RSVP for the Orange event on 22 March, click here.
• For information and to RSVP for the Shepparton event on 29 March, click here.

Jabra,have launched the Speak2 range, the newest products in Jabra’s world market-leading Speak line-up of professional speakerphones which include the Speak2 75, Speak2 55 and the Speak2 40.  

Hybrid work has shifted the way we meet, with 80% of all meetings now being either fully remote or hybrid*. The new Speak2 range is engineered specifically to meet the need for an intelligent speaker that is built to handle anything a busy hybrid working day throws at you – whether it be conference meetings, direct calls, streaming media, presentation or other.  

With more than 9 million speakerphones sold worldwide, Jabra has long been leading the speakerphone market. Now, giving more power to the speaker than ever before, the Speak2 range is like widescreen audio for your ears, offering mobile and futureproof professional quality sound so all voices can be heard, wherever they may come from. 

Next generation engineering for each and every voice 

For all meeting participants to not only feel heard, but also listened to, the Speak2 range is engineered to go beyond standard speakerphone performance, and a full duplex audio. This speakerphone allows users who are talking simultaneously to conduct much more natural two-way dialogues, as though each speaker was there in person, without disrupting conversation flow.  

42% say they can’t hear what is being said in meetings*. With the Speak2 75, Speak2 55, and Speak2 40, gone are the days of raised voices straining to be picked up by poor quality speakerphones. Every speaker in this new range features cutting-edge Voice Level Normalisation technology and state-of-the-art beamforming microphones that eliminate background noise for superb voice pick up. 

Built with versatility in mind, the Speak2 range ultimately offers, professional, pocketable, and portable devices packed with the latest technology. All packaged up in a stylish, contemporary design with premium materials including 100% sustainable fabric for the speaker. When in call mode, the subtle user-interface ring lights up and brings use functions with relevant icons to life.  

Advanced professional speakerphone with superior audio  

Jabra Speak2 75 is like a boardroom in your pocket, being the only speakerphone in this range to feature a custom-designed Microphone Quality Indicator. The 360-degree light ring shows users how well their voice is being picked up by the microphones, giving users the reassurance of true professionalism from wherever they may be working. 

In addition, this speakerphone includes an advanced full range 65mm speaker, offering a dramatically more powerful audio experience and ultimately resulting in much more efficient and productive meetings.  

Compact speakerphones full of productivity-boosting tech  

With the Jabra Speak2 range, users can be sure to rely on seamless plug-and-play connectivity, so users can focus on what matters most; hosting professional and reliably brilliant meetings. For those who like choice, use the USB cable for a direct line with the Speak2 40 or go wireless with the Speak2 75 or Speak2 55.   

Finally, each Speak2 product is designed to work with all leading virtual meeting platforms, meaning users can participate confidently in calls and meetings from any location, without the worry of poor audio quality or connectivity issues. There’s even no need to be concerned about durability, since all of Jabra’s Speak2 products feature IP64-rated protection from dust and water. 

Aurangzeb Khan, SVP for Collaboration Solutions at Jabra says, “Sound clarity is fundamental when looking to ensure all employees feel included in hybrid meetings. Therefore, Jabra decided to take on the challenge of re-engineering the world-leading Jabra Speak series for better performance and optimised experiences. Engineered for the hybrid worker who wants to hear and be heard in the most productive way, the new Speak2 range demonstrates to those working flexibly between home and office, that their voice matters too. So, get ready to speak up.” 

Key shared features of the Speak2 range: 

·         Four beamforming noise-cancelling microphones with innovative background noise reduction technology 

·         Advanced full duplex audio  

·         Voice Level Normalisation technology 

·         Designed to work with all leading virtual meeting platforms, like Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and Zoom 

·         IP64-rated protection from dust and water 

Speak2 75 only: 

·         Super-wideband audio and full range 65mm speaker  

·         Microphone Quality Indicator  

·         Up to 33% sustainable materials (from mechanical parts) 

·         Easy connection with Microsoft Swift Pair 

·         Plug-and-play straight out of the box  

·         Up to 32 hours of wireless battery life 

·         Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms 

Speak2 55 and Speak 40: 

·         Plug-and-play for ease of use, with Jabra Speak2 55 boasting up to 12 hours of wireless battery life  

·         Contains more than 50% sustainable materials (from mechanical parts) 

Speak2 will be available from end of March 2023. 

Speak2 75 MSRP $559 AUD 

Speak2 55 MSRP $269 AUD  

Speak2 40 MSRP $239 AUD  

Find out more about Jabra Speak2 at www.jabra.com.au/speak2 

*Jabra Hybrid Ways of Working Global Report 2022 

Serving as the perfect companion for the office and on the go, Bon.elk’s extensive range of stylish accessories has been widely embraced by professionals and creatives across all disciplines. Taking that extra step further to add a splash of colour to the everyday routine, Bon.elk has launched a 3-in-1 USB-C Hub and a Slim 4 Port USB-A Hub in different colour variations suited to any aesthetic and mood. The new coloured hub range brings the essential connections that you need to connect your USB-C laptop or tablet to your monitor and peripherals or extend your device’s USB-A port to accommodate more USB-A devices or peripherals. Built using premium grade aluminium and featuring Bon.elk’s FLEX-SR™ strain relief along with a braided nylon jacket to protect the cable, your new hub will be sure to have a long life. These hubs are the perfect size for travelling and will be protected when you’re on the go with the included premium carry pouch, with room enough for an additional cable or small devices such as a USB or SD card.

Bon.elk USB Hub Key features:

3-in-1 USB-C Hub:

– Five colours; Black, Blue, Green, Space Gray and White

– HDMI: 4K@30Hz, FHD 1080p@60Hz

– USB-A 3.0 SuperSpeed 5Gbps

– USB-C PD Charging 100W

– Premium grade aluminium housing

– Durable Long-life cable with braided nylon jacket and FLEX-SR™ strain relief

Slim 4 Port USB-A Hub:

– Five colours; Black, Blue, Green, Space Gray and White

– Four additional USB-A 3.0 ports

– USB-A 3.0 SuperSpeed 5Gbps

– Premium grade aluminium housing

– Durable Long-life cable with braided nylon jacket and FLEX-SR™ strain relief

The new range is available for purchase at JB HI-FI and Bonelk’s Online Store. The 3-in-1 USB-C Hub is available for AUD$59.99 and the 4 Port USB-A Hub for AUD$39.99.

Deel, the global HR company, today published its State of Global Hiring Report. Findings from 260k+ worker contracts across 160 countries, show that from January through December 2022, global hiring grew across all regions.

In APAC, Australia took the top spot for fastest growth by organisations’ rate of hiring and number of organisations hiring. Of all 2022 contracts, 89% were for remote roles.

Shannon Karaka, Country Leader, Australia and New Zealand, Deel, said: “The latest Deel data shows that amid Australia’s ongoing talent crunch, local businesses are having to look further afield and find alternative ways to recruit and employ talent.

“Many industries in Australia are beginning to explore a global HR strategy. From January to December 2022, Australia witnessed a 107% increase in organisations’ hiring of workers based in the United States, which saw more workers hired globally than any other country. It’s possible that Australian organisations are turning to the US to employ some of the talent that has been laid off in that country over the past few months.

“Given that software engineers and developers are among the most in-demand roles for international hiring, the hunt for tech talent is clearly a major driver of global hiring among countries like Australia. More broadly, as the desire for flexible work options sets in and the challenge of securing talent locally continues, the new global hiring model is answering the needs of local businesses,” Karaka added.

Key global hiring trends worth noting in Australia:

●      Australian organisations’ hiring of workers in the US has increased, year-on-year, by 107%. And hiring of workers in the Philippines increased by 200%.

 Top 3 job positions in Australia are:

1.     Software Engineer

2.     Business Development / Sales

3.     Content / Design

The top countries Australian organisations are hiring from are:

1.     Philippines

2.     India

3.     US

4.     Canada

5.     UK

The top roles Australian workers are being hired for are:

1.     Software Engineer

2.     Statistician

3.     Digital Designer / Content

The most common home countries of companies hiring remote workers in Australia on Deel are:

1.     US

2.     Canada

3.     UK

4.     Singapore

5.     Hong Kong

More broadly, global hiring in APAC:

 APAC companies hired globally at the fastest rate of all regions. The Philippines is the hottest market in APAC to hire from.

Top three countries by number of organisations hiring:

1.     Australia

2.     Singapore

3.     India

 Top three fastest-growing countries by organisations’ rate of hiring:

1.     Australia

2.     Hong Kong

3.     India

Operations & customer support saw the biggest salary gains across all roles.

Social media isn’t exclusive to big business anymore. With over 4.7 active social media users globally, a consistent and engaged social presence is crucial to growing an audience and connecting with customers in 2023 — for businesses of any size. As small businesses look to navigate this wild and often unpredictable space in what will be another defining year, leader in social media management, Hootsuite, is sharing five ways to boost social media marketing to drive small business growth.

Determine the right social channels for your business and steer clear of cross-posting

In the fast-paced and rapidly-changing social landscape, competition can be steep for social networks looking to attract new audiences — and as a result, many are introducing new trends and features often on a daily basis. For businesses, this means constantly being sidetracked and challenged to consider which features and platforms to consider as part of their social marketing strategy.

To be most effective, it’s important that brands take a step back and assess which platforms (and features) are most likely to drive business objectives. Every platform comes with unique benefits, as well as different audiences, and it’s critical that brands recognize that their audience not only gets different value from different networks — they explicitly use different social networks for different purposes. . To maximise success this year, small businesses should ask themselves which platforms will be the most effective in driving return-on-investment based on how their audience is using each platform and, in turn, which ones they should reduce their focus on, or even let go of all together.

At the same time, as social continues to evolve at lightning speed, the weight seems to increase on small businesses’ shoulders, who are wearing multiple hats and are largely limited in the time and resources they can allocate towards social marketing. This often makes shortcuts — including cross-posting content on different social platforms — tempting for small businesses wanting to get the job done quickly and with few resources. In fact, Hootsuite’s research found that 52% of survey respondents said they cross-post content to multiple social platforms with as few changes as possible, with a mere 18% creating different posts from scratch for each platform.

While common, this social strategy can often lead to the detriment of the business. As each social platform provides different value to its audience, cross-posting the same content means running the risk of audiences seeing repeated content — and also seeing content that is not suitable for what they are using the platform for, leading to boredom and/or frustration. In 2023, the most successful small business marketers will be the ones that focus on creating content that’s well suited to those platforms, rather than trying to keep up with every feature-level change the networks throw their way.

Get ahead with content planning and scheduling

As new trends are constantly emerging on social, social marketers are challenged with needing to spontaneously create and push content, and strategically planning content ahead of time. While striking a balance is ideal, developing a content calendar and scheduling social posts is the more effective way to ensure impactful, quality content is being published — consistently. Mapping content out ahead of time also allows businesses to be more strategic with the content they are sharing and increases the likelihood of engagement with their audience — whether that’s through aligning social posts with relevant upcoming days of note (think: Black Friday), or planning engaging contests and giveaways for followers to participate in.

To get started, businesses should look to develop a content calendar that maps out the content for at least the month ahead, if not longer. This should include drafted copy, accompanying assets such as imagery or video, any important links, and timing for the post. As well, leveraging social media management tools at businesses’ disposal is a key way for small businesses to get organised, while lightening the load in the long run. Once a content calendar is in place, businesses can create their social posts in advance using scheduling tools like Hootsuite to have them posted automatically, at the right time.

Foster a community on social and reap the rewards

While brands are increasingly being called on to be more creative and authentic with their content to reach and capture the attention of existing and prospective customers across every channel, fostering a sense of community among followers is arguably just as important. For small businesses in particular, committing to community management is key to seeing results on social. As social platforms are increasingly driven by algorithms that favour engagement, businesses can expect to be rewarded the more actively they interact and engage with users.

Engaging with customers online, and fostering a sense of community on social channels should be thought of as an extension of a business’ customer service, and can be achieved by creating two-way interactions with customers online — whether that’s through responding to comments and answering questions, or simply re-sharing a tagged story. This engagement will result in a network of customers who feel connected to the brand and are more likely to become loyal, repeat customers — on and off social.

Tap into trends (and so much more) with social listening tools

Running a small business is no easy feat. With a million and one things that need constant attention, it’s nearly impossible to allocate endless time to monitoring social media, on top of all the other daily tasks a small business owner bears the responsibility of. . To make keeping up with social a more efficient task on the mile-long list of things to do, small businesses should consider implementing a social listening tool, like Hootsuite’s, which would enable them to work smarter, not harder. By gleaning valuable insights on brand sentiment, customer pain points and needs, as well

as intelligence on trending topics and competitor activity, businesses can make sense of thousands of conversations happening in real time, to keep up with industry trends and get ahead of customer needs.

Measure success every step of the way

While an appealing benefit to running a small business is (oftentimes) discretionary reporting, measuring the impact of their social marketing outputs must not be an element of reporting that is overlooked. As small businesses test and iterate on social to identify what resonates best with their audience, collecting and analysing performance data is the only way to better inform future content strategies — and is a key element of growth and success on social.

Social marketing doesn’t have to be a guessing game. With social media analytics tools, businesses can track progress over time and easily access a metrics-driven representation of which platforms and content type are generating the most engagement with customers (through likes, comments, shares, clicks, etc.) — allowing them to put more effort behind the content that is working, and pivoting from the content that isn’t.

Keeping up with the pace of social, and adapting strategies along the way, is challenging for businesses of any size — but particularly for small businesses. Having the foundational skills to navigate the ebbs and flow of the wild world of social is essential to success, and that’s where expert guidance comes in — Hootsuite’s Social Media Marketing Course is an invaluable resource for small businesses to grow their social presence, and in turn, their businesses too.

Soaring living costs, inaccessible housing markets and years of remote working have driven a major shift in people’s interest as Aussies plan to relocate, according to research by leading payroll and HR services company ADP. 

The People at Work: A Global Workforce View survey found that nearly half (45%) of Australian workers  either want to relocate within Australia, or are already in the process of doing so. Additionally, 40% of respondents were planning or in the process of moving overseas. 

Exposure to working from home was an important influence on whether people wanted to relocate, with those who worked from home (58%) being almost three times more likely than those who were not (20%) to want a sea or tree change.

“The last few years have given some employees the confidence that remote work is viable for them. This has opened up a plethora of opportunities to relocate and pursue a better quality of life, affordable housing, and new job opportunities,” said Kylie Baullo, Managing Director ANZ at ADP. 

“The pandemic changed workers’ expectations and we are seeing an increased need for employers to provide a better work-life balance to retain and attract top talent,” adds Mrs Baullo.  

The desire to relocate was strongest for 18-24 year olds, with well over half (60%) looking for a change in scenery. Meanwhile only half as many (28%) of 45-54 year olds felt the same. Additionally, men (55%) were more likely to be motivated to move than women (36%). 

“This dispersed workforce creates a win-win for employees and employers,” adds Mrs Baullo. “The high cost of living in major cities has made rural and regional areas more appealing, especially to younger workers.” 

“Employers can access a greater talent pool in opening up new geographies to source grass-roots talent from,” says Mrs Baullo.

The research also found that more than half (54%) of 18-24 year olds and nearly two thirds (65%) of 25-34 year olds would consider looking for another job if their employer insisted on a full-time return to the workplace, compared to 46% of the 45-54 age bracket and only 27% of the 55 and over demographic, with a strong correlation between the desire to relocate and the demand for flexible working models amongst the younger age bracket.

However, with office occupancy now at its highest level since the pandemic began in Australia, potentially driven by less-accommodating work-from-home policies, ADP suggests employers need to be best prepared for a hybrid workplace. 

“With flexible working here to stay, employers should instead look to embrace and plan for a dispersed workforce,” says Mrs Baullo. “Businesses should look to offer remote work options. With the potential for multiple employees moving at any given time, and the variety of payment conditions that can occur in different locations – both domestically and overseas, working with a payroll expert to manage smooth transitions is important. ” concludes Mrs Baullo.

For more information on ADP’s payroll and HR software solutions, go to au.adp.com.