Author Archives: Valens Quinn

About Valens Quinn

Val’s been running small businesses for over 25 years. He’s written and edited magazines, tech websites and is Channel 7 Australia’s resident technology expert, appearing on Sunrise, Seven News, The Morning Show, and Kochie’s Business Builders. Val is passionate about how technology can enhance your life, as well as building high-performance teams and creating a great place to work.

Buying a van – which one?

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When buying a new car, most people already have a strong opinion about what they want. Colour, brand, features etc., can be a very personal decision. However, where do you start if you need a new van for your small business, especially if you have not bought one before? This guide will help you understand what you should consider in making your decision about buying a van.

A van is a medium-sized motor vehicle, typically without side windows in the rear section of the body, for transporting goods.

WHY buy a Van?

If you need to transport goods in an enclosed vehicle that will not fit in a car, that needs to be protected from the weather and kept secure whilst still being very maneuverable and economical to run. Then a van might be the answer.

The small van is synonymous with small businesses, whether a tradesman, delivery driver, or even a mobile barista. They offer great cargo carrying capacity whilst driveable on a standard license and can still be easily parked.

WHAT factors should influence my decision when buying a Van?

When considering buying a van, you should evaluate the following:

Specifications
  • Size – When you consider your needs, vans will normally be described as short or long wheelbase, which indicates length. Think about what you need to carry and thus your required dimensions. Width is also key if, for example, you need to be able to load a standard-size pallet in the rear. The bigger the van, the harder it will be to park and maneuver.
  • Roof height – Being able to walk around upright may be a requirement but remember you might now no longer be able to drive into a loading dock or car park that has height restrictions.
  • Payload – What is the maximum weight the van will carry? Note this measure will also have to include vehicle occupants and fuel weight. A twin rear wheel axle will allow additional weight to be carried. It is important to know that a gross vehicle weight over 4.5 tons will require a special driver’s license.
  • Engine – Traditionally, petrol gives better speed whilst diesel provides more pulling power and fuel economy. Another advantage is a diesel engine will have a longer service interval and is designed to do more kilometres keeping your van on the road longer.
  • Drive train – Although more expensive, an automatic transmission may significantly reduce your driving fatigue if you are negotiating city traffic. In the country, an all-wheel-drive variant might be needed to get you where you need to go.
Passenger considerations when buying a van
  • Doors – Door configuration can also be very important depending on how you want to use the van. Say you want to reverse up to a loading dock, then barn-style doors with 180-degree hinges allow you to do this. Sliding doors on both sides allow better access to contents etc. If you have ladders on the roof, will a lifting tailgate allow you to access them?
  • Weekend warrior – If the van will also be your transport during your time off, are there any considerations you need to make, like extra seating or provision to carry a bike or surfboard?
  • Seating– Extra seating is available in some models if your van is to carry the workers and the tools. Indeed most car manufacturers offer a small minivan in the same format for moving up to 12 people (a special driver’s license is required if you have more than 12 seats)
  • Comfort – Vans typically have a very upright seating position. If driving all day, consider this carefully when test-driving vans. You might also be able to pay extra to have more creature comforts like climate control air-conditioning.
Nice to haves when buying a van
  • Parking aids – Rear parking sensors and a camera will greatly assist in reversing into those hard-to-get spaces.
  • Safety features, if available, might save someone’s life or make driving just that much simpler and could include adaptive cruise control, hill start, speed limiters, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, automatic headlights, lane departure, road sign assist, etc.
  • Internal fit-out – You want your van fit for purpose, and lots of options are available and could include interior lining, refrigeration, safety barriers, built-in navigation, racking, draws, tie-down hooks, onboard power, etc.
  • Accessories – A van can become more versatile with optional accessories like roof rack, side awning, roof ladder, interior lighting, towbar, rear step, cargo barrier, grab handles, etc.
  • Branding – A van is also a mobile billboard and gives you the canvas to create advertising on its side to promote your business. Some businesses might want to stay incognito if the van carries expensive items.
  • Warranty & reputation – Check for how many years of warranty you get if used in a commercial environment. Also, check online forums where others may share their experiences of driving that vehicle.
  • ANCAP Safety measures how safe your car/van will be in the event of a crash. Ratings for vans in Australia can be found here. Simply the more stars, the better.
Running costs
  • Capped servicing – Some van manufacturers will offer a fixed-price servicing plan which helps you with your budgeting.
  • Running costs – Be realistic on just how much it will cost you to keep your van on the road and use this cost in your business planning to understand costs vs revenue.
  • Repairability –  Chances are, as a commercial vehicle, your van will do many more kilometres than a car. This, unfortunately, increases your chances of having an accident. How easy is it to get replacement panels, and at what cost? Because of the nature of this being a commercial vehicle, it is likely the interior fittings will be designed to take some punishment.
  • Insurance will differ by make and the driver’s age and driving record. Vans generally will do more kilometres, so more likely to be in an accident and will attract higher premiums.

HOW do I buy a van?

What is your budget? Just like cars, there are dealers for both new and 2nd hand. You can, of course, buy privately.

Car dealers might offer drive-away deals and special financing deals to encourage you to purchase. Look out for bonuses like roadside assistance or scheduled servicing thrown in.

Check the latest rules as you might be eligible for an instant asset write-off from the ATO.
Car dealers might also offer fleet deals or a special price for ABN holders.  The GST on your vehicle may also be claimable

Note: Registration is generally more expensive for a business vehicle but is also claimable as an expense.

HINT – Buying a van

Before you rush out to buy a van, there are a few further things you need to know. 

Vans are built to a price, and that normally means cheap. Although some vans come with a 5-star safety rating, some do not, and due to maximising cargo space, might be very unsafe in a head-on collision. Please consider what your personal safety is worth. In Australia, vans were not required to have stability control (reduces the chance of rollover in a poor traction situation) until November 2017, so consider this when buying 2nd hand.

Vans are not cars. Thus, comfort, aesthetics, and multimedia will not be of the same standard. A van is designed to carry weight, and as such, the suspension will be hard and unforgiving in corners. When the van is empty, it leads to poor rear braking and front heavy handling. Drivers often sit ahead of the front tires, increasing the risk of cutting a corner early. Rear and side vision is restricted. Engine noise will be greater if the engine is below the driver’s seat.  

A great guide for buying 2nd hand vans can be found here

SUMMARY – Which Van

Which small van or which large van is the one that meets your business needs best?

If you own a delivery van, every friend and family member will want your help on the weekend.

That aside, it is a great representation of your business from both functionality and advertising.

Buying a Mobile Phone (Smartphone)

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When it comes to a mobile phone, are you an Apple person or an Android person? Believe it or not, the experience is similar, and both camps always copy what the other does. Fanboy tendencies aside, we will consider what you should know and consider when buying or selecting a new mobile phone. We will cover smartphones in this guide, not simple handsets with limited functionality.

A smartphone is a mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded apps.

WHY will a new mobile make a difference to my business?

While evaluating a smartphone, you should consider how important this device will be in helping you run your business. For example, beyond making phone calls, you could be using it to take food orders, process an EFTPOS payment, make roster changes to staff shifts, take photos, check your bank balance, pay your staff, enter a receipt or check your current business profit.

WHAT you need to know about Mobile Phone Retailers

You can buy a mobile phone outright or via a phone plan. Buying a phone outright means paying upfront versus via a plan where the payment is spread across several years. Which way is cheaper depends on whether a mobile phone carrier has subsidised the phone via a phone plan to encourage you to join their network. Subsidies normally only exist on popular handsets to encourage customers to join their network.

Be sure to read our essential guide on Mobile Phone Plans. Each phone vendor has lots of information on their websites. By visiting a phone shop or consumer electronics retailer, you can see many models on display, including some powered up for trial. Different retail stores will be aligned closely with one phone carrier, and the range might be limited based on who the carrier is aligned with. Traditional retailers like JB HiFi or Harvey Norman will have a greater capacity to choose from.

HOW to decide on Mobile Phone Features

You should consider which of the following features when deciding which phone will suit your needs:

  • Android vs IOS – or Google vs Apple. Your choice here will limit which phones you consider and possibly the apps available to you. If the app you need to use is only available on one platform, then your decision is made. You might also consider what you are familiar with today.
  • Country of origin – almost all phones are made in Asia and China. They may be designed elsewhere, and the software will come from an American company. Most recently, there have been many security concerns relating to the country of origin, but there is no proof of its validity.
  • Prices – whether buying a phone outright or on a plan, a $3000 phone is still expensive (especially if you lose or break it). You will likely have the phone for 2 to 3 years, so it is worth considering a mid-range phone from about $700 up, and it will do everything you ask of it.
  • Screen size is a diagonal measure of the screen represented in inches. The larger the screen, the easier it is to see content such as text or pictures. The downside is that a larger screen means the phone will be bigger to hold and store and consume more battery life. Some users may prefer a small smartphone.
  • Screen resolution – More expensive phones have a higher resolution so that you will have a crisper image on the screen. Also, consider what the screen is made of, which will determine its likelihood of breaking. Gorilla glass is good. The bigger the number, the better.
  • Processor – Just like a PC, the better the processor, the faster the phone will complete tasks. More expensive phones have faster processors.
  • Battery Life – Some brands don’t even quote battery size, for example, 3000mAh. In reality, battery life depends on how much you use your phone and for what. A phone vendor will normally promote battery life if that is a key feature of their phone. Some phones have user-replaceable batteries. Battery life does deteriorate over time based on the way and number of times you charge your phone.
  • Carrier frequency – A phone bought overseas may not be suitable for Australia. Carriers in Australia use different radio frequencies to make mobile phone networks work which may be different again overseas. Ensure the phone you choose is designed to work with your chosen carrier.
  • 3G, 4G, or 5G – This refers to the technology behind how your calls and data are sent and received. The key benefit is that the bigger the number, the faster the data (and the lower the reaction time latency) will be. Note this is not your allowance but rather how quickly you can download a large file. The phone and the phone network need to be compatible.
  • Camera – The photos you can take on a phone are amazing, but this is also a measure of price. Consider if you want that functionality and how much you are prepared to spend on this feature quality. Camera features include quality represented as megapixels, zoom, wide-angle, telephoto, focus ability, low light, and software manipulation features such as stabilisation.
  • Warranty – For how long and what will they include?
  • Reliability/Service – How easy is it to get phone support or repairs, and where would you have to go to get a repair done?
  • Cost of Repair – If you break a phone screen, what is the cost of getting a new one?
  • Rugged – Some phones are ruggedised, which means they will better survive a drop from a height. Great if you are a tradie.   At the very least, we suggest you consider an optional case to protect your investment.
  • Water-resistant – You should never take your phone swimming, but many phones these days will survive a brief dunk in water without failure. This key feature will likely deteriorate over time with knocks and bumps.
  • Storage – How much memory does the phone have, and or can you add a microSD memory card to expand it? If you are taking lots of photos or storing large files on your phone, you should consider this. Cloud storage is also a feature, and Google or Apple will provide a certain amount free, after which you pay.
  • Other – Other things you may consider are weight, design, colour, bendability, and how you unlock your phone.

HINTS

When getting a new phone consider what optional accessories may make your life easier. These may include a second charger – one for work, one for home, a car charger and holder, a case and/or screen protector to keep it safe, or a power bank to make sure you always have power.

SUMMARY – Which phone to buy?

Unfortunately, even if you buy the best phone available today, a new one will come out before you know it. You might have phone envy but remember this is a key tool so make sure the features make you more efficient in your business.

Be sure to visit our sister publication GadgetGuy for all the latest news and reviews on Mobile Phones.

Graphic design – get graphics done

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What does the logo say about your business?  Does your website design and images make your business look attractive to the readers?  Are you sweating on a big presentation, but the text-based version just does not cut it?  Chances are unless you are artistic yourself, you are going to need some help. This guide will look at some graphic design options to help you improve your image and get graphics done.

Graphic design is the process of visual communication and problem-solving using typography, photography, iconography and illustration. The field is considered a subset of visual communication and communication design, but sometimes the term “graphic design” is used synonymously. Graphic designers create and combine symbols, images and text to form visual representations of ideas and messages.
They use typography, visual arts, and page layout techniques to create visual compositions. Common graphic design applications include corporate design (logos and branding), editorial design (magazines, newspapers and books), wayfinding or environmental design, advertising, web design, communication design, product packaging, and signage.
(Source Wikipedia)

WHY is graphic design important?

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If you were going to the most important face to face meeting of your life, would you wear a dirty shirt, ¾ pants, and sandals? No, because you would not be creating the best impression.  Similarly, you want your business to make the best impression and no matter if it is your logo, website, business card, brochure, Facebook post, presentation, or the sign on the side of your workplace.

We want your business image to be impressive, and we also want it to be memorable.

The use of graphic design can help with this. If we use the example of a logo, it allows customers to identify your company. A good design will be simple and memorable.

WHAT do I need to understand about graphic design?

Graphic design has gone through an evolution over the last few decades, starting from being done by hand with paper, pencils, crayons, and paint. Then came the introduction of computers and specialist software for those same artists to work within this new technological medium. Today cloud-based tools are made available at a low cost that allows anyone to be a designer, supported by many helpful templates.

A template is a predesigned image that you have the right to use and manipulate to suit your needs.  Templates are available for many needs today but for reference, think of a template for a social media post or advertising flyer.

A really important concept to understand is the usage rights of templates and photos.  You can use many free templates and photos, but some are licensed.  This means you cannot simply copy them. Rather you must either seek permission or, in most cases, pay to use them, possibly for a set period in a fixed geographic location.  The more famous/better the photo, the more expensive.

If you wanted to design a logo, for example, these are possible steps you might follow:

  1. Think about why you need a logo
  2. Define your brand identity
  3. Find inspiration for your design
  4. Look at and compare what the competition is doing
  5. Choose your design style
  6. Find the right type of logo
  7. Pay attention to colour
  8. Pick the right typography (arrangement of the image)

HOW can I get graphic design help?

What help you need will depend on your capabilities and what you need to do.  For example, if you want a company logo designed, you will probably need help, but if you’re going to improve your presentation slides, there are simple tools that can make a world of difference for the novice. Your options for graphic design include:

  1. Outsource – On the internet, there are many services to get quotes for and find graphic designers. 
  2. Add on services – If you need to get business cards printed you will often find the printer or retailer will have a design service available as an additional service. This can be a cost-effective method.
  3. Graphic design business – Seek out a graphic design agency or freelancer directly
  4. DIY graphic design  – Will the help of templates and simple to use tools the average person can now produce amazing results. A great Australian cloud-based company offering this solution globally is “Canva”.
  5. Stock photos – If you require photos for your marketing needs many internet-based repositories are offering a free, subscription, or peruse option. For example, Shutterstock offers a free trial.
  6. Templates in your apps – Applications like those discussed in the Office Applications guide such as PowerPoint or Slides offer various free templates to use in your presentations.

HINTS

Before choosing a designer, make sure you see a portfolio of their work.

It is better to get a fixed cost for design work rather than pay by the hour as the hours can easily blow out.

Remember, everyone’s tastes are different, so get a few people’s opinions before deciding on a design.

Understand a graphic designer might know more about graphic design than you do.

SUMMARY – improve your image

Good graphics representing your business will make a good impression and help you build your brand identity.  Graphic design will help your image and can be done yourself using templates and tools right through to having the assistance of an expert.