Square has announces its partnership with Prefecture 48, a multi-venue Japanese dining destination redefining premium hospitality in Sydney’s CBD. Built around precision and craft, Prefecture 48 partnered with Square to reduce operational friction and give teams more time to focus on what matters most: the guest experience.

Prefecture 48 brings together six distinct venues under one roof, from contemporary kaiseki at Garaku and chef-led dining at Five, to the sushi experience at Omakase, robata-focused Ibushi, the Whisky Thief bar and patisserie Dear Florence. Each venue operates with its own service style and pace while contributing to a single, immersive journey. Delivering that journey at scale requires technology that can handle complexity quietly in the background, without demanding attention from staff during service.

“We’ve always envisioned ourselves to be a one-stop for multiple destinations,” says Prefecture 48 Brand Director Cindy Tseng. “Square is a perfect integration into this concept because it allows our guests to move freely between venues with only one bill at the end of the night. To us, that is a big win.”

“Prefecture 48 represents the kind of sophisticated, full-service hospitality Square is built to support,” said Colin Birney, Head of Business Development at Square. “Running an operation of this calibre demands technology that can handle complexity without getting in the way. Square is designed to give teams time back to focus on craft, service and the guest experience.”

At Prefecture 48, the ability to handle complexity without disruption is delivered through Square for Restaurants, combined with Square Register, Square Terminal and Square Handheld, which connect the entire precinct through a single system. Orders, payments and menus flow through one platform, supporting everything from tasting menus and omakase service to bar tabs and dessert-only visits. By simplifying complex operations, Square frees teams to stay present on the floor and in the kitchen.

“I can detail that particular item description within literally 60 seconds,” says Prefecture 48 IT Manager Phil Chan. “That flexibility is critical for a venue like ours, where menus change frequently and accuracy during service matters.”

For front-of-house teams, that reclaimed time translates directly into better hospitality. “Square allows our front-of-house team to spend a lot more time with our guests instead of fussing over behind the scenes,” says Tseng.

In the kitchen, clarity and precision are essential. Head Chef Hiroshi Manaka highlights the importance of clean docketing and clear notes to support multi-course menus and dietary requirements, enabling his team to focus on craft, consistency and timing during service.

Beyond service, Square’s real-time insights give Prefecture 48 visibility across all venues, helping the group make informed decisions while protecting the creative and cultural vision behind the precinct.

The partnership reflects Square’s continued evolution as a hospitality platform built for complexity, not compromise. From neighbourhood venues to some of the most ambitious dining destinations in the country, Square is designed to give operators time back to focus on what matters most.

Three-quarters of Australian small businesses expect stronger results in 2026, according to new data from Shopify. The survey of 500+ local business owners and senior decision-makers explored the business outlook, priorities and technology adoption of Australian small business retailers, with key findings including:

• Business outlook:
  • 31% of Australian SMBs are much more optimistic about their performance in 2026 and another 44% are somewhat more optimistic, while only 4% expressed negative sentiment about the year ahead.
  • The top two priorities of SMBs in 2026: Revenue growth (32%), improving profitability and cash flow (31%), followed by retaining and growing existing customers (28%), and improving customer experience and support (25%).
• Where retailers are investing:
  • Strengthening security, privacy, and data protection (36%) and supporting international selling capabilities (32%) are top of mind for SMBs when it comes to the tools to prioritise, alongside using AI and automation for efficiency and content creation (31%).
    • Many also emphasise connecting in-store and online systems (28%) and improving site/app speed and uptime (27%). 
  • When it comes to emerging technologies, Australian SMBs are prioritising customer-facing tools and sales-driving capabilities: One-click checkout (36%) and retail media networks (35%) are seen as essential to compete, alongside creator commerce (32%) and next-day delivery promise (31%). 
• AI and tech adoption: 
  • Two-in-five local SMBs are in the early majority when it comes to adopting new tech, with many adopting technology once its value is proven. 
  • However, a significant portion (33%) are early adopters, testing and implementing tools ahead of peers. Only a small minority wait until solutions are mainstream (19%) or adopt only when necessary (6%).
  • When it comes to AI, 78% of Australian SMBs report using ChatGPT or another generative AI tool in the past 12 months, while 20% have not used AI, and 2% are unsure. 
  • The most common AI use cases include creating marketing content (37%), generating product content (34%), and analysing data or generating reports (33%). 
• Community impact:).
  • Nearly three-quarters of SMBs expect to increase their community involvement over the next year, with 33% planning a significant increase and 41% anticipating a moderate rise. 
  • The key ways SMBs support their local communities:
    • Offering affordable access to goods or services (39%) 
    • Providing local jobs (36%)
    • Purchasing from local suppliers (31%) 
    • Providing training and mentorship for local workers and entrepreneurs (29%) – the highest rate among the markets surveyed (US 18%; Canada 22%; UK 16%; Germany 22%)

Methodology: The survey was conducted from November 18th to 29th, 2025 among 513 Australian business owners and senior decision-makers. Businesses included in the study are ones that focus on selling products, and have at least part of their sales conducted online. 

Sony Electronics Inc. will debut 16 improved BRAVIA Professional Displays – the BZ-P Series – comprised of the BZ40P flagship models, BZ35P enhanced options, and BZ30P core offerings.

Ranging in size from 43-inches to 85-inches and featuring a Deep Black Non-Glare technology, the 4K HDR portfolio is suited for a range of uses in corporate, higher education, retail, and transportation spaces. The thinner options offer crisp imagery and exceptional visibility – even in bright environments.

With a newly updated design, improved installation flexibility, enhanced operability, mindful sustainability, and lower power consumption, the new lineup incorporates a combination of powerful hardware and software capabilities.

“The encouraging feedback to our BRAVIA Professional Displays featuring Sony’s unique Deep Black Non-Glare technology inspired us to innovate further to expand our customers’ creative vision and potential,” said Michael Bell, Head of Home Entertainment, Sony Australia. “We’re proud to provide the pro A/V industry with a choice between 16 revamped displays that strengthen our overall portfolio and combine the most valuable traits inherent to Sony integrated display technology – including pristine image quality, strong visibility, robust integration abilities, and longevity – with an added focus on incorporating the benefits of both hardware and software.”

BZ-P Series Picture Quality & Visibility

The BZ40P, BZ35P, and BZ30P BRAVIA Professional Displays all feature Sony’s impressive AI-powered XR signal processing for accurately depicting images, text, and details with realism and vibrancy and offer brightness between 400-700 cd/m². The full BZ-P Series lineup features a standout Deep Black Non-Glare technology, offering a premium 47%^[1] or standard 25% anti-glare, which combined with a wide viewing angle, mitigates glare and reflection, and provides high contrast for a true-to-life picture, even in bright, direct light-filled spaces.

Installation Flexibility

The BZ-P Series of displays are thoughtfully redesigned with installation and integration in mind. The thin, lightweight new lineup features a universal chassis and even, narrow, and uniform bezels with an imbued logo for flawless portrait orientation and videowall setup options. Additionally, new to the BZ-P Series are center Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mounting holes that allow for easy installation. The lineup’s 75 and 85-inch models also include in-chassis handles for assistance in transport. Furthermore, when used with Sony’s Device Management Platform (DMP), display provisioning can be done quickly and at scale.

Convenient Usability

Sony’s latest displays have been enhanced to ensure more operational efficiency and compatibility optimised for professional users. The lineup uses a System on a Chip (SoC) architecture that removes the need for an additional set-top box for digital signage and features a new user interface and setup program. Additionally, native integration between the new BZ Series and Sony’s powerful and intuitive Remote Management System (RMS) solutions^[2] gives users total control over cloud-based provisioning, control, monitoring and maintenance. Sony also collaborates and conducts compatibility testing with major CMS solution providers worldwide, making it easier than ever to integrate preferred solutions.

Proven Reliability

Sony’s display lineup remains a durable and reliable choice tested to meet exacting demands. Featuring IP5X-compliant dust resistance (BZ40P and BZ35P models only), the BZ-P Series accommodates the demands of use in transportation, retail, and industrial environments, as well as warehouses.

Energy Efficient and Environmentally Conscious

The BZ-P Series offers a substantial reduction in power consumption. The displays’ new high efficiency optical system and XR processor–based AI backlight control deliver up to about 31% lower power consumption than the BZL series (when comparing the FW55BZ40L and FW55BZ40P). Another important distinction to support energy efficiency on a global scale are the models’ Energy Star and pending EPEAT certifications. The new models also increase the use of SORPLAS™, Sony’s unique recycled plastic material, to a maximum of 43%^[3] to reduce environmental impact and further align with the company’s long-term sustainability goals. Additionally, the display’s usage can be tracked and managed through its internal ECO Dashboard to provide visibility into the impact of using certain settings and help contribute to a reduced total cost of ownership.

BZ-P Model Overview

BZ40P – Flagship: Four models ranging in size from 55 to 85-inches, featuring Deep Black Non-Glare Premium technology that accommodates 47% anti-glare and supports 700 nits of brightness, along with an IP5X-compliant dust resistance.

• FW-85BZ40P
• FW-75BZ40P
• FW-65BZ40P
• FW-55BZ40P

BZ35P – Enhanced: Six models sized from 43 to 85-inches, featuring Deep Black Non-Glare Standard technology and offering 500 nits, as well as IP5X dust resistance.

• FW-85BZ35P
• FW-75BZ35P
• FW-65BZ35P
• FW-55BZ35P
• FW-50BZ35P
• FW-43BZ35P

BZ30P – Core: Six models in 43 to 85-inch sizes, incorporating Deep Black Non-Glare Standard technology and providing 400 nits of brightness.

• FW-85BZ30P
• FW-75BZ30P
• FW-65BZ30P
• FW-55BZ30P
• FW-50BZ30P
• FW-43BZ30P

The new BZ-P Series complements Sony’s existing lineup of BRAVIA Professional Displays, highlighted by the 98-inch BZ53L Series, 32-inch BZ30J Series, and EZ20L Series.

In Australia the new BZ40P, BZ35P and BZ30P series will be available from July 2026 (selected models June 2026) through authorised Sony Professional Dealers.

For more information, please visit https://pro.sony/en_AU/products/professional-displays/product-line-up  

New research from Teletrac Navman, a leading connected mobility platform and a Vontier company, has found that 84% of fleets cite driver exoneration as a leading reason for deploying safety technology, with 53% of fleets that suffered accidents in the past 12 months successfully able to exonerate a driver. 

The ‘Mobilizing the Future of Fleets: 2026 Risk and Exoneration Edition’ uncovered that a third (34%) of fleets reported being impacted by fraudulent motor claims. 77% of respondents also agreed that increasing litigation and legal costs are now a global concern, made evident by the rise of fleet insurance premiums (Risk Strategies1), with umbrella liability coverage increasing from 10% to 30%, and auto liability from 10% to 20%. 

“The role of telematics is evolving and taking on a more strategic purpose in fleet organizations, moving solely from a tool used for cost control and improvements, to an extremely powerful, proactive risk prevention and management solution,” said Alain Samaha, Chief Executive Officer, Teletrac Navman.  

“A high percentage of fleet safety incidents are caused by third parties and other external factors, and video telematics is now the most powerful tool to provideirrefutable, contextual evidence that protects people, preserves reputations, and stabilizes margins.”  

Teletrac Navman’s research found that modern fleets are also taking a considered and layered approach to risk management, with 56% utilizing five or more technologies and 74% partnering telematics with dashcams – this combination providing fleets with the full context around driving events, combining performance metrics, video evidence and location data to create a complete, defensible picture when incidents occur, and for meaningful, proactive driver training. 

Accordingly, since implementing safety technology 85% of fleets have reported being able to counter the general rise in insurance premiums, with 65% recording premium decreases. Nearly three-quarters (70%) of respondents reported that combining cameras with telematics data drastically reduced the time needed to process accident claims, indicating that integrated evidence is transforming disputes into clear outcomes. 

“This is a moment for fleet leaders to make a positive, strategic shift,” added Samaha. “Treat safety tech as a long‑term asset: invest in platforms that scale, embed evidence into everyday workflows and fraud protection, and use outcomes to renegotiate insurance and drive operational change. Do this, and safety becomes a competitive differentiator – not just a line on a budget, but a foundation for resilience and growth.” 

Jabra, a global leader in professional audio and video solutions, today announces the launch of the Evolve3 series, the next generation of its market-leading headset lineup. Building on the success of Evolve and Evolve2, this latest evolution introduces a boomless mic design with class-leading comfort and portability, future-ready voice access for AI and real-time adaptive noise cancellation. It’s engineered to be the first true cross-over headset, built to meet the needs of today’s hybrid professionals and designed for day-to-day personal use.  

The Evolve3 85 (over-the-ear) and Evolve3 75 (on-the-ear) offer professional-grade voice clarity and all-day comfort in a modern, contemporary and Danish design. Whether switching between meetings, concentrating on complex projects or using voice to activate AI tools, Evolve3 is built to match the pace and flexibility of modern work. 

Poor sound quality remains a top concern for today’s professionals, with 99 percent of knowledge workers reporting that bad audio impacts online meetings and call quality ranking as the number one pain point in headset use.2 Despite this, only 20% are using an enterprise grade headset and rely on other solutions, with 46 percent still bringing consumer headsets to work, which often lack the clarity, comfort and compatibility needed for professional communication3. There is a preference for consumer headset design, and Evolve3 is intended to meet this challenge with a cross-over experience that delivers professional grade performance paired with matching consumer expectations on design. For the first time, users will sound professional but look smart, regardless of wearing it for prolonged time in the office, being on calls in an airport, listening to media on a flight, taking meetings while commuting in traffic or any other situation where you need a headset. Evolve3 delivers clear speech in any environment, even outdoors, which is a significant step up in performance from the previous Jabra Evolve2 85 and 75 boom arm products.

Distraction-free conversations in any environment

Evolve3 features Jabra ClearVoice, a combination of deep neural network (DNN) technology and Jabra’s multi-mic algorithms. Inspired by how the human brain filters noise in a crowded room and leaning on technology from GN’s group-wide capabilities, the DNN model processes layers of sound data to distinguish the user’s voice from surrounding noise without the need for a visible boom arm. This means you can now always be heard clearly on a call with all background noise blocked. This AI-driven approach works with the hardware to enable discreet mic placement while maintaining high level clarity. 

Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) responds in real time to both your environment and how the headset fits. Unlike most headsets, the ANC on Evolve3 85 and 75 continues to block out distractions even during calls, not just between them. Whether in a meeting or listening to music, Jabra Evolve3 helps users stay in the zone with fewer interruptions. 

Designed for both work and pleasure

Unlike traditional professional headsets, Jabra Evolve3 85 and Jabra Evolve3 75 offer a minimalist design that fits the flexibility of modern work scenarios as well as most user’s wish for a clean, every-day look. This makes Evolve3 a true cross-over headset from professional to leisure use. The Evolve3 85 is an over-the-ear headset designed for immersive focus, while the Evolve3 75 offers an on-the-ear fit for lighter wear with greater environmental awareness. Both models are the most compact and lightweight design in their class, setting new standards for comfort and portability. 

Voice-ready for the future of work

Evolve3 supports voice interaction through seamless and accurate access to AI, enabling professionals to use voice input in mobile and screen-free scenarios. Powered by Jabra ClearVoice, this system uses AI-driven deep learning technology trained on more than 60 million real-world sentences to isolate speech from background noise with high accuracy. In real-world environments, it delivers AI-ready performance capturing 96% of words accurately across tested environments (99% in open office)4, even without a visible boom-arm. This helps users with AI prompts, to complete tasks, issue commands or dictate messages on the go. Voice input is up to three times faster than typing, making it a practical option for staying productive in mobile or screen-free situations5.

Smart, secure and scalable

The Evolve3 series is certified for major UC platforms, includes a pre-paired Bluetooth adapter for instant and secure connectivity and supports Bluetooth Native for connection directly to devices. With the Jabra Plus Management software, IT teams can manage devices remotely, push firmware updates and configure settings through a central dashboard. End-users benefit from the new Jabra Plus mobile app with customisation options like equaliser controls, wind noise reduction and quick firmware updates from their smartphone. A desktop version of the Jabra Plus app will be available later in 2026.

Both headsets also feature replaceable batteries for extended product life, in compliance with repair legislation. With up to 25 hours of calls and 120 hours of music,1 wireless charging and fast charging that provides up to 10 hours of power in just 10 minutes, the Evolve3 series is designed to keep professionals connected and powered throughout the day.

Calum MacDougall, President at Jabra says, “In today’s hybrid world your work and life converge into one and with Evolve3 we deliver a real step-change in user experience of a professional headset. This series brings together industry-leading voice technology, a design you want to wear and seamless integration with the tools and platforms you rely on every day both professionally and personally.”

Key Features shared across both Evolve3 85 and Evolve3 75

• Boomless design with Jabra ClearVoice, powered by deep neural network (DNN) technology for professional-grade voice clarity
• Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation that adjusts in real-time to environment
• Spatial Sound for more natural, and less fatiguing call experiences
• Fast-charge support that delivers up to 10 hours of power in just 10 minutes by cable. Wireless charging also available. 
• Voice input for accurate access to AI workflows and tools
• AI-readiness and screen-free productivity
• Tuned for high-fidelity music with the LC3 audio codec
• Certified for leading virtual meeting platforms (UC-certified variants)
• Secure Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity with pre-paired adapter included
• Centralised device management through Jabra Plus Management
• Customisation and control via the Jabra Plus mobile and desktop (later in 2026) app
• Replaceable batteries to extend product life and support battery recycling
• Designed with sustainability in mind incl. recycled and bio-circular materials, replaceable parts (batteries and ear cushions) and certified to TCO generation 10

Jabra Evolve3 85 (Over-the-Ear) Key Features

• Over-ear design for maximum immersion and noise isolation
• Ideal for professionals needing full focus in louder environments
• Extended battery life for 25 hours of call time or 120 hours of listening to entertainment (with ANC/busylight off) and 10-minute fast charge for 10 hours of use
• 35% slimmer and 23% lighter than Jabra Evolve2 85
• Foldable and portable with compact storage case

Jabra Evolve3 75 (On-the-Ear) Key Features

• On-ear design for lighter, more breathable wear
• Great for hybrid workers who want greater situational awareness
• 22 hours of call time or 110 hours of listening to entertainment (with ANC/busylight off) and a 10-minute fast charge for 10 hours of use
• More compact and travel-friendly for everyday mobility

Availability

• Jabra Evolve3 85 will be available from March 1, 2026. (MSRP $979 AUD)
• Jabra Evolve3 75 will be available from March 1, 2026. (MSRP $719 AUD)
• Warm Grey colour variant will be available in select markets from April 2026

For more information, visit www.jabra.com/evolve3

PACK & SEND Live is a platform that integrates with any shopping website to fulfill shopping cart orders. The service means orders are automatically imported into the platform, instigating labels and a courier service to collect the products and proceed to fulfillment. Auto-generated tracking to customers means faster deliveries worldwide. 

With features including modern shipping technology, integration of multiple carriers, access to PACK & SEND’s competitive carrier prices and a dedicated team of account managers, PACK & SEND Live emerges as a viable option designed to support online enterprises. 

Sonia Shwabsky, President of PACK & SEND said, “Australia’s small business landscape was recently disrupted, but now is the time to underscore the importance of having a flexible and reliable shipping solution partner, and we’re here to assist in ways that we can.”

PACK & SEND Live is seamlessly integrated with online sales channels, including Shopify, Woo Commerce, Magento and many more – enabling a direct flow with the platform for a more precise process. With a centralised system, businesses can access different carriers with live fee comparisons. There are no additional subscriptions necessary and customers are only required to process freight costs.

A national network of fulfillment facilities is available under the PACK & SEND Live Pro+ option, where storage and handling can also be availed. That includes from a small range of products on shelving to unloading a full sea container of inventory regardless of business size. Furthermore, add-ons such as custom packaging and gift notes can also be provided to enhance the businesses’ brand delivery experience. 

PACK & SEND Live is available for businesses across Australia looking for a professional partner in shipping and order fulfillment that operates with efficiency. For more information, visit packsend.com.au/live.

Every January, many workplace leaders hold their breath and hope Australia Day will pass quietly.

No complaints. No difficult conversations. No tension to manage.

I understand the instinct. January 26 is divisive, emotionally charged, and deeply personal. But for workplaces, avoiding it does not make the tension disappear. It simply drives it underground.

Australia is a divided nation when it comes to Australia Day, and workplaces inherit that division whether they like it or not. Employees don’t leave their identities, values, or emotions at the door. They bring them into meetings, team chats, and leadership decisions.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, January 26 marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and intergenerational trauma. That truth alone makes it a difficult day for many workplaces. But it does not stop there.

Increasingly, this is not only a First Nations issue.

Employees from migrant and refugee backgrounds, particularly those from countries shaped by colonisation, conflict, or displacement, often experience Australia Day with ambivalence. Some feel proud to celebrate their citizenship, while simultaneously feeling uneasy about what the date represents.

At the same time, many non-Indigenous allies are also finding this period increasingly uncomfortable. Not because they lack care or goodwill, but because the conversation has become so polarised that people fear saying the wrong thing, being labelled, or causing harm. What was once curiosity has, in some spaces, turned into hesitation or silence.

What unites these experiences is uncertainty. People don’t want to offend. They don’t want to get it wrong. And when leaders say nothing, employees are left to navigate that complexity alone.

In my work with Evolve Communities and the workplace training programs we run, we hear this repeatedly. People are not asking leaders to take a political position. They are asking for acknowledgement, guidance, and permission to hold mixed feelings.

The biggest risk for business leaders is assuming silence is neutral. It isn’t.

When organisations avoid January 26 altogether, the impact shows up quietly but consistently. Disengagement, exclusion, increased cultural load on First Nations staff, and a hardening of views that goes unaddressed. Trust erodes. Psychological safety weakens. Leaders lose credibility, not because they chose the “wrong” stance, but because they chose no stance at all.

Australia Day has only been marked nationally on January 26 since 1994. It is younger than Kylie Minogue’s Locomotion. Yet many leaders treat it as an immovable tradition, rather than a moment that requires mature leadership in complexity.

This is why January 26 is not a once-a-year communications issue. It is a leadership capability test.

The good news is that navigating this well does not require grand statements or perfect language. It requires practical, human leadership.

What works, and what we see working with our clients, starts with acknowledging complexity. Naming that Australia Day holds different meanings for different people creates immediate psychological safety. It signals that employees don’t have to hide how they feel.

Choice matters. Offering options to work, to take leave, or to mark the day in a way that aligns with personal values respects difference without forcing conformity.

Education matters even more. Not as a one-off session or symbolic gesture, but as part of ongoing cultural capability. Understanding history, listening to lived experience, and building confidence in how to have respectful conversations reduces fear and division over time.

At Evolve, we use a simple framework. Reflect, relate, reconcile. Reflect on the issue and the facts. Relate by stepping into someone else’s perspective. Reconcile by asking how we move forward together. This shifts conversations away from winning arguments and towards maintaining relationships.

Perhaps most importantly, leaders need to recognise that workplaces are cultural actors, not neutral bystanders. The way organisations handle January 26 sends a powerful signal about who belongs, whose experiences matter, and how difference is held.

Australia Day will not become less divisive by ignoring it. But leaders who are willing to step into the discomfort calmly, respectfully, and with curiosity will build stronger, more inclusive organisations because of it.

Contributed by Carla Rogers, Founder of Evolve Communities

New AMP Bank GO research reveals one in four small business owners don’t have time for a holiday, with most stuck in a constant state of ‘always on’.

As much of Australia switches off for a break over summer, small business owners are doing the opposite – working longer hours, sacrificing personal time and worrying about cash flow, even while on holiday.

New research from AMP Bank GO reveals that one in four Australian small business owners don’t feel they have time to take a holiday, while half are reluctant to take time off at all, concerned about the impact on their business.

The findings highlight a growing divide between employees – who have a legal ‘right to disconnect’ – and small business owners, who remain tethered to their work, finances and admin, even during the festive season.

Key findings from AMP Bank GO always on research:

Holiday stress:

• 90% are preoccupied with work outside typical hours, with 1 in 3 thinking about work ‘constantly’.
• 1 in 4 small business owners say they don’t have time for holidays.
• 50% are reluctant to take time off, worried about the impact on their business.

Strategy not a priority:

• 2 in 5 aren’t planning effectively for the future, only able to step back and strategise once a year, or not at all.
• Of the 40% who don’t regularly undertake strategic planning, they key reason cited was it being ‘not important’, followed by ‘too much admin’ and thirdly, ‘not enough time’.

Financial admin burden:

• 43% spend too much time on financial administration, with more than half dedicating over six hours a week to admin tasks.
• 60% sacrifice personal time or weekends just to stay on top of their finances.
• 35% don’t believe they’re working as efficiently as they could.

Cashflow and money worries:

• 70% worry about their cashflow, and 6 in 10 small business owners worry about being unable to pay their bills.
• 40% of small business owners reported their core businesses’ product/service demand is unpredictable, which only adds to their money stress. 

John Arnott, Director AMP Bank GO said:

“Small business owners deserve a break. The hustle never stops – but taking even a short pause can be the difference between surviving and thriving in the year ahead.

“While many Australians are switching off for a break, small business owners are still ‘always on’ – worrying about cash flow, admin and whether their business can cope without them. That’s not sustainable.

“The new year beginning should be about setting yourself up for success. A few hours of reflection now can pay dividends all year long – but only if owners have visibility over their finances and confidence to switch off.”

Xero, the global small business platform, today announced the global launch of its new AI-powered analytics capabilities, setting a new standard for small business intelligence. Millions of business owners now have the ability to access leading analytics, insights, and reporting, and get instant answers to their financial questions directly within Xero. 

“Powerful analytics embedded in Xero puts small businesses on equal footing with larger enterprises and enables them to move beyond guesswork and make clear, data-driven decisions with greater speed and confidence,” said Diya Jolly, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Xero. “We know businesses that analyse their financial data regularly see higher average revenue growth, and these tools make it easier than ever to understand performance and maintain a competitive edge.”

Following its 2024 acquisition of Syft, a leading AI-powered reporting and insights platform, Xero has rapidly integrated the company’s powerful analytics features to put enterprise-grade intelligence into the hands of small businesses. In less than one year since closing the deal, analytics embedded within Xero have been made available to millions of customers worldwide. 

Built for the business owner–not highly specialised data analysts–Xero’s analytics platform gives small businesses sophisticated yet easy-to-navigate insights tools, including: 

• Dashboards: customisable views of performance across revenue, expenses, and KPIs
• Visualisations: graphs and tables to track profitability, cash flow, balance sheet health
• Cash flow manager: projections up to 180 days, with the ability to scenario plan “what if” outcomes
• AI insights: AI-generated suggestions and summaries provide a clear explanation of financial data
• Business health scorecards: create custom scorecards that track key performance metrics alongside external data—like website traffic—for a consolidated view of business health

“These new analytics features from Xero are exactly what I’ve been looking for,” said Macushla Collins, founder at The BD Edge. “Instead of searching for another tool, I can now get the clear financial understanding I need, right within Xero. I’m looking forward to using these insights to feel more confidence in my business decisions.”

This milestone is part of Xero’s broader AI and insights strategy, which includes the recent unveiling of JAX, Xero’s AI financial superagent. Together, these innovations realise Xero’s vision to bring enterprise-grade intelligence to small businesses, delivered with the trust, accuracy, and human oversight that define the Xero brand. With 4.6 million subscribers today, Xero continues to successfully balance growth and profitability, recording a 20% increase in first-half revenue to NZD $1.2 billion (to the half year ended 30 September 2025), while delivering an above Rule of 40 outcome.