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Breaking Down Business Insurance: What To Consider

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Risk is an inherent part of life, and it is an inherent part of doing business. Business owners have different attitudes when it comes to risk management. But virtually all owners know that business insurance is an essential, if not legally required, component of protecting their businesses from financial ruin.

And most business owners will find that a visit to a business insurance broker helps to reduce risks that are unique to their industries. There are multiple types of business insurance. Each protects from a unique set of risks. You have to consider what kind of risks your business is likely to run into. Then, you can invest in the right business insurance to avoid financial ruin in the event that these risks become a reality.

Let’s look at some of the essential things that you need to consider when it comes to business insurance.

Commercial General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance keeps your business safe from some of the most common risks that you will encounter. Indeed, virtually all businesses have the potential to encounter liability claims from staff or customers. These claims can include injuries and property damage. In the case that either of these harms happens to a third-party in your business, you will have to prove that you were not negligent. But even if you are innocent, the legal fees to defend yourself can add up. It is good to have general liability insurance to keep your business going.

Business Interruption Insurance

There is always the potential for your business to be impacted by a disaster, whether this is human-caused or natural. Floods, fires, earthquakes and the like can all create major disruption and impact your normal revenue streams. As a business owner, however, you still need to pay bills and manage costs while disasters are being resolved. Business interruption insurance will help you stay solvent during these periods.

Product Liability Insurance

If your business sells physical or non-physical products, product liability insurance is a must. When you are in this type of business, your customers might find a problem with your products that can be traced to your business itself. Whether the case has merit or not, going to court to defend your business properly is expensive. And your business still needs to be run well throughout a prolonged legal struggle.

Fortunately, product liability insurance keeps your business financially protected in the event of product liability cases, such as products that cause injuries or illnesses to customers. This type of insurance is important to have if you routinely sell physical products.

On the other hand, professional liability insurance is available for those business owners who provide a service rather than physical goods. This type of insurance is slightly different depending on the industry that you are in. However, the general principle is the same. The insurance will protect you from any claims that allege a customer has faced loss because of your actions.

Commercial Property Insurance

Like other types of property insurance, commercial property insurance keeps the physical premises of your business, and all of its equipment inside, protected from loss. This is a must, especially if your business has invested in costly equipment.

Invest In Business Insurance

Consider the points outlined here and start looking into what business insurance is best for your own business. Especially in the context of the coronavirus, it is important to have financial protection in the event of business disruptions. Insurance helps to keep your business safe from the unexpected. So, even though it can be costly, it is essential for any business owner who is thinking about the long-term viability of their business.

How to do a Vins Revs Car history finance check in Australia

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A revs check or vins check used to be free on the government website before, but now they charge you $4  $2 currently for a vins check. This will also depend from state to state. WA, SA, VIC, NSW, ACT, TAS & NT have their own laws around this

toyota car check

The new website for vins check is http://www.ppsr.gov.au/ (direct links below for checking)

Did you know that if you buy a used car with money owing to a financier from a previous owner, it could be repossessed? (check below for more tips on what to look for while buying a motor vehicle)

Everything you need to know about  VINS number  for vehicles in Australia

  • A vehicle identification number is also known as a ‘VIN’ or a ‘Chassis’ number.
  • A VIN is the 17-character identifier recorded on most vehicles built after 1988.
  • A VIN can only be made up of the following characters: 0-9, A to Z (uppercase) excluding letters I, O and Q.

Before purchasing a used vehicle, you should always do a REVS or VINS check to see if there is any money owing on the vehicle you are buying.

If you type in vins check OR revs check as it is also known, on google or other search engines, you will get many results showing websites available which will do this check. Unfortunately, these websites are only there to make money and will charge a hefty fee compared to the government website as below.

Go Here – Main website

https://transact.ppsr.gov.au/ppsr/Home?li=False

motor vehicle search australia

You can either click on Quick vehicle search link on that page or Then here – to quick vin search or search by serial number or then go here >>

https://transact.ppsr.gov.au/ppsr/QuickVINSearch?li=False

The click the continue button

government website

To go here

third step in process for checking car chasis number and finance owed on motor vehicle

Enter the vins/chasis number and make payment by credit card and you will get details of the check done in next screen, with a email also sent to your with report and receipt immediately.

You can retrieve the search done as well at a later date if you wish with the search number, they email you.

Here is the rate comparison for a revs or vins check on different websites

Official govt website Vins search –$2

Compared to private agencies  below

  • www.revscheck.com.au/Australia‎  – $36.95 for a car history report
  • www.carhistory.com.au/REVSCheck‎  $36.95 link goes to same website
  • http://checkvin.com.au/ – 9.90

After signing transfer papers and Transfer of the Registration

After you purchase the vehicle, you must visit a Motor Registry within 14 days to transfer ownership of the vehicle to your name.

You will need:

  • your proof of purchase
  • at least two forms of identification

and money to pay the stamp duty and transfer fee

What to look for while buying a motor vehicle

Here are some helpful questions to ask when buying a car, motorcycle, or other vehicle from a private party or dealership:

  • Are you the owner of the vehicle? How long have you owned it?
  • How has the vehicle been driven? (Around town vs. long trips)
  • What major work have you done on the vehicle? Do you have receipts?
  • Did you buy the vehicle new?
  • Has it ever been wrecked, had body repairs, or been repainted?
  • Do you have the title?

What to check for in the vehicle you are buying

  • Make sure everything works, including the radio, heater, windshield wipers, lights, and turn signals.
  • Check the brakes
  • Check the tires — look for good treads and matching tyre rim sizes.
  • Check under the hood — look at the battery for leaks, check for dirty oil, check the hoses, etc

Dont get fooled by websites that charge you much more that official rates for the same data and checks , get your checks done by using our links above.

The official website is the Personal property securities register and ti is maintained by the government body Australian Financial Security Authority.

Big four banks to dish out refunds into bank accounts before June end

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No one gets money for free, but the refund from Commonwealth bank, Westpac bank, ANZ and National Australia Bank might be hitting your bank account soon.

Forget EOFY tax return refunds from the tax office, this is sweeter as you don’t have to apply for it, its your money getting refunded without any paperwork needed.

If you see this in your commonwealth bank account

Additional interest
refund
Value Date_ 25/06/2020

additional interest refund

The refund posting may look different depending on which bank you bank with.

Fancy a $10,000 refund?

Refunds can be anywhere from couple of thousand dollars to even $10,000 or more depending on how many loans you have with the bank.

Why the refund ?

If you have a refund looking like above in your bank account you could have possibly got a refund related to remediation done on your home loan, refunding you amounts of interest that was wrongly charged by the bank.

This is due to the remediation the banks have been forced to do due to the government enquiry into banks and how they treat and charge their customers.

CBA Refund on home loan interest charges 2020 for COVID19

This is not a refund, but more like a payment  for the interest on interest  you get charged for your deferred home loan repayments. Australia’s largest bank will make payments to home loan customers impacted by coronavirus to offset interest charges. 

When a home loan repayment is deferred for six months, interest is calculated and added to the loan balance each month which can result in customers paying interest on interest each month. Anyone having a home loan could possibly get this refund before end of June this year.

“This means for an average loan of $350,000, CBA will be refunding approximately $45 to offset the effect of interest on interest over the six-month period. Customer payments will vary based on their loan amount and interest rate.” Commonwealth bank representative said.

2020 – Big four’s Banks current relief packages for covid19

The four major banks in March announced they would allow home loan customers to defer mortgage repayments for six months as part of a $100 billion scheme with the Reserve Bank of Australia to alleviate stress on Australian households, as thousands are tipped into unemployment. 

CBA – Following the end of the six-month pause, home loan repayments remain the same as before, with the loan term being extended. CBA will also make a one-time payment to offset the interest on interest being charged to customers over the deferral.

Westpac – Impacted customers are being offered a 3-month pause with the option for a further 3 months after review. Home loan repayments increase after the deferral, but the loan term remains the same.

national australia bank

NAB – Following the repayment holiday, home loan repayments increase, but the loan term remains the same.

Australia New Zealand Bank

ANZ – Customers can choose to keep the loan term the same or extend it by six months, with a review at three months, with both options likely resulting in mortgage repayments increasing after the pause.

Robodebt refund: June 2020

The Federal Government has announced it will refund more than $721 million dollars in wrongly issued Centrelink debts to over 373,000 Australians.

The incorrect debt collections made between the 2015/2016 financial year and November 2019 targeted individuals who had supposedly received more welfare than their income entitled them to.

The debts were automatically calculated by special algorithms without human intervention and became known as rob debts.

How do I get my robo debt refund?

If your eligible, the amount will get credited in your account, so update your details on mygov if not done already.  Government Services Minister Stuart Robert said 190,000 individuals will be repaid starting from July 1.

Royal Banking Commission Australia

Started: 14 December 2017

Ended: 4 February 2019

The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, also known as the Banking Royal Commission and the Hayne Royal Commission, was a royal commission established on 14 December 2017 by the Australian government pursuant to the Royal Commissions Act 1902 to inquire into and report on misconduct in the banking, superannuation, and financial services industry.

2018 CBA Junk Insurance Refund

After the royal commission, refunds for 140,000 were said to be issued to CBA customers

Commonwealth Bank will issue $16 million in refunds to 140,000 people who were sold add-on insurance right before the bank’s ‘junk’ products become the subject of royal commission hearings.

“Consumer credit insurance” has been pitched to customers as a safety net that’ll help them meet their credit card or loan repayments if they lose their job, become sick, injured or die. The financial regulator characterises them as not of much value and consumer groups simply describe them as ‘junk’.

Consumer Credit Insurance. Consumer credit insurance (CCI) covers you if something happens to you that affects your ability to meet your credit repayment. You may be offered CCI cover by your lender when it approves your credit (such as a credit card, personal loan or mortgage).

Find more about this here- https://www.choice.com.au/money/insurance/insurance-advice/articles/commonwealth-bank-refund-16m-junk-insurance-royal-commission-080318

2016 -Recent Fee for no service scandal:

The sweeping scandals – tagged by ASIC as “fees for no service” in its landmark report in October 2016 – saw the big banks and AMP targeted for practices dating back years where millions of dollars in fees were creamed off accounts for financial advice never given.

Wealth management and financial advice industries were involved and investigated in the banking royal commission for this scandal.

Commonwealth bank Wealth package refund in 2015

This happened in 2015. If you held a wealth package, you could have got a refund. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) was said to refund approximately $80 million to around 216,000 Wealth Package customers as compensation for failing to apply fee waivers, interest concessions and other benefits since 2008.

It equated to an average refund per customer affected of around $370, which includes interest. In this case bank staff had to manually apply many of the discounts available under the Wealth Package, which in some instances did not occur.

2017 – CommInsure refunding – CCP premiums

Commonwealth Bank and insurers QBE and Virginia Surety would repay a total of over $26 million to people who were mis-sold add-on insurance, including consumer credit insurance.

CreditCard Plus (CCP) Insurance protects customers’ credit card repayment obligations in the event of death, terminal illness, disability and involuntary unemployment.

Following a review of their records, they identified that CCP Insurance may have been sold to a number of customers who may not have been eligible for all the benefits when they bought their policy. Therefore, they were refunding the premiums paid by impacted customers.

More details here – https://www.commbank.com.au/insurance/creditcard-plus/faqs.html

2020 Westpac refund for small business – Merchant terminal fee relief

The Merchant terminal fee relief was a part of Westpac’s COVID-19 support package for Australian businesses, for 3 months, starting in April 2020.

All eligible merchant customers would have received their final refund payment and westpac are working to provide you with a GST adjustment note for tax purposes in the coming weeks.

Who is eligible? -Merchant customers with a total card spend of less than $5 million per annum.

More here- https://www.westpac.com.au/help/disaster-relief/coronavirus/business/merchant-terminal-fee-refunds/

2015 – 2019 Nab Refunds

NAB’s refund program was set up in 2015, however only about $300 million has been paid back to customers.  IN 2015  National Australia Bank WAS SAID TOl refund A$25 million ($18.38 million) to around 62,000 wealth management clients who were wrongly compensated.

https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2015-releases/15-194mr-nab-wealth-refunds-additional-customers-following-asic-action/

In 2019 Nab was ordered to pay back money to customers for junk insurance given to customers by shoddy financial advice. This came about by the royal banking commission.

It now expects another of its remediation Project Hunt to be finished in October.

ASIC is currently overseeing more than 100 remediation programs expected to pay out more than $2 billion to consumers on top of the almost $1 billion that has already been returned. About $10 billion has been set aside by the industry for remediation programs.

Qantas refund /Airline refund/ Flight Centre Travel agent refund

Qantas and Singapore airlines have many destination flights from Australia and there are thousands of customers still waiting for refunds directly from the airlines or then from flight centre or travel agents.

Airlines have given a mix of “travel credit” “travel vouchers” flights for future and money refunds. Flight centre has attracted court action and being looked into by authorities for delay in them giving refunds to customers.

Those customers who have accepted a travel credit voucher may not be eligible for a refund of money, however those whose flights got cancelled will be able to claim a refund.

Delayed air ticket and hotel accommodation refunds by travel agents and airlines could lead to further legal action being taken by irate customers due to interest charges escalating on credit cards.

Qantas Refunds

https://www.qantas.com/us/en/book-a-trip/flights/compensation-and-refunds-policy.html

Singapore Airline refund

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/us/travel-info/charges-changes/cancellations-refunds/

Flight Centre Refunds

https://www.flightcentre.com.au/support/bookings#my-options

https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/flight-centre-to-refund-cancellation-fees

The ACCC has received more than 6000 complaints from consumers dissatisfied with travel companies’ refund policies and cancellation fees, with thousands more contacting their local state or territory fair trading agencies seeking assistance resolving individual disputes. 

Qantas is refunding customers for flight cancellations after the ACCC COVID-19 Taskforce raised concerns with the way the airline had handled claims

CRUISE REFUNDS

Cruise Ships Australia

COVID-19 has been called one of the worst things to happen to the cruise industry in decades.

Thousands of cruise customers from big cruise companies like Caribbean Cruise, Princess Cruise, Carnival Cruises and P & O Cruises are awaiting their refunds due to cancellation of cruises all over the world.

Most cruise liners though American owned, operate from overseas tax haven countries and so has been denied by USA for financial bailouts in the COVID19 Crisis times.

Most cruise liners are offering cruise credits to their customers leaving not many options to disgruntled clients.

Princess cruises

https://www.princess.com/news/notices_and_advisories/notices/refunds-and-future-cruise-credits.html

Royal Carribean Cruises

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/booking-cancellation-refund-policy

P&O cruises

https://www.pocruises.com/request

Carnival Cruises

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/list/search/suggested/1

Reference Websites

Banks:

Westpac Bank – https://www.westpac.com.au/

ANZ Bank – https://www.anz.com.au/

National Australia Bank – https://www.nab.com.au/

Commonwealth Bank – https://www.commbank.com.au/

Government:

ACCC

ASIC – https://asic.gov.au/

ATO – https://www.ato.gov.au/

APRA – https://www.apra.gov.au/

ACCC – https://www.accc.gov.au/

Search Keywords to Article:

Refund from CommBank 2020

Commonwealth bank refund

Credit in bank account

When do I get my cruise refund

What Are The Warning Signs of a Gas Leak?

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A gas leak is a very serious problem that requires immediate attention. If left unchecked, this may lead to serious consequences. For one, inhaling high concentrations from a natural gas leak can cause asphyxia (when you don’t get enough oxygen).

This then can lead to death. Aside from that, a gas leak may also cause a fire or an explosion. So if you notice a gas leak, it is important to act and call for help immediately.

If you feel you have a gas emergency, you must leave the premises immediately, turn your gas supply off, if it is safe to do so. Once you have done this, you can call a gas fitting Sydney plumber to help you repair the cause of the leak.

Here are the gas leak warning signs you should look out for:

1. Rotten egg smell

The first and most common sign you will notice when there’s a gas leak is a horrid smell. Initially, natural gas in its pure form is colourless and odourless. But since this makes it difficult to notice, experts added a chemical called mercaptan to make it easier to detect whenever it starts leaking. So while this rotten egg smell may be awful, it can save your life.

2. Hissing noise

When you hear a hissing or whistling sound near your gas line or around your yard, make the call. This may just be the sound of gas escaping through a crack or a leak in the pipe. 

3. Mist or cloud

Another warning sign to take note of is a mist or cloud. This is usually caused by a tear or a rupture on a gas line. If you reside in Sydney, make sure to contact a gas fitting Sydney professional once you see this white fog or cloud.

4. Dead or unhealthy plants

If you notice that the grass, plants, or vegetation in your yard is unhealthy, dead, or discoloured, there might be a bigger problem than just forgetting to water them. See, gas lines can leak even under the soil. When this happens, it restricts oxygen from the plants.

Additionally, a gas leak can also cause bubbles in still water or blow dirt around your yard. So you see, never ignore little things.

5. Physical symptoms

When the amount of oxygen in the air is reduced, you may feel some of the physical symptoms of a gas leak. These can include any of the following:

· Dizziness

· Fatigue or drowsiness

· Headache

· Difficulty in breathing

· Flu-like symptoms

· Chest pain

· Loss of appetite

· Blistering (when in direct contact with gas)

· Nausea

· Nosebleed

· Eyes and throat irritation

If you have pets, they might also experience some physical symptoms caused by a gas leak. These are symptoms you should watch out for in your pet:

· Difficulty in breathing

· Lethargy

· Watering or red eyes

· Vomiting

· Change in mood or behaviour

· Loss of appetite

· Sore throat

For very high levels of gas, your pet may become unconscious or may even die.

6. Higher than your normal gas bill

If you notice a big change in your gas bill, call your local gas fitting Sydney service provider as this can be an indication that gas is leaking through your pipes or lines. Have them check and inspect your systems to see what’s causing the sudden rise in your bill. Also, this way, they will be able to find the faults and risks and prevent them from causing any more problems in the future.

Ready for a Starter Home? 5 Things you Must Keep in Mind

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start a home and costs involved

Homeownership rates in Australia are touted to reach 64% by 2021.

Undeniably, having a place to call your own is an incredible achievement, regardless of whether you are purchasing a starter home or a forever home.

This achievement is, however, a substantial financial undertaking that calls for preparation, foresight and a lot of diligence.

Are you in the market for your first home? If yes, here are five things to keep in mind.

1. Your Credit Score Will Matter Greatly

Your credit score is among the most significant determinants of what your loan’s terms are going to be.

It’s therefore advisable to know what it is, way in advance. If it’s less than pleasant, you will have some time to try and improve it before you actually make a loan application.

Australia scores individuals on a 0 to 1200 scale, with 500 to 700 considered as average. While you might still get a financier with a below-average score, this will likely be on higher interest terms.

A good score, by and large, gets you a better offer.

2. There Will be Additional Expenses

There are several other chargeable fees over and above the actual cost of the home. Some of these include insurance, repair costs, property taxes, association fees and so on.

You should, therefore, have the budget or income to cover not just these costs, but also to cover emergency costs that might arise.

Think ahead to how you intend to furnish your home and how much house leaves you with enough to do that.

If you’re on a shoestring budget, it’s advisable to start with the basics such as living room furniture, beds and bedding and basic kitchen utensils and appliances. But don’t rush to the shop if your old stuff is still usable.

However, don’t drag dilapidated belongings into your new home. If you live in the capital, and want to throw away your mattress, consider mattress recycling in Canberra instead of sending it to a landfill.

3. A Good Realtor is Key

Each neighbourhood has unique qualities and peculiarities you should be well aware of before making a purchase.

A credible agent will have a firm handle on what these are, as well as an array of properties with different features and a wide range of budgets.

As you shop for an agent, look for one with extensive experience and coverage in the area you are looking to settle in.

4. You Need a Reputable Home Inspector

A home inspection is done to identify any problems with a house that might require repairs or overhauls.

Without a reputable home inspector, you run the risk of missing some of these issues. The last thing you need is an inspector that overlooks problem areas just to help a seller or a realtor to make a sale.

If you are referred to a tried and tested agent, you can ask them to refer an inspector to you. If not, then you’re better off finding and vetting an inspector or an inspection company by yourself.

If you buy a house with major damage, you will find yourself in a pinch months or years after the purchase as repair and labour costs can get quite high.

5. You Need to Protect Your Financial Standing

Your pre-approval will be solely set within the information given at the time you make an application.

Any amendments like a job with a different salary, additional loans or job loss can result in your loan being denied when you begin the purchase process.

As much as possible, try to hold your financial position constant so as not to jeopardize your homeownership dream.

Easy Does It

Finding and buying a house is not a process that should be rushed. When you finally decide to take the steps towards homeownership, allow yourself the gift of time.

This should enable you to shop around for a great house in an enviable neighbourhood and at a good price.

It should also allow you the time to vet agents, inspectors and lenders. Ultimately, you deserve not only the home of your dreams, but you also deserve to get a good deal on the home of your dreams.

The Rostering Revolution: How to Effectively Track a Remote Workforce

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remote working from home wfh

As the world sees a huge shift towards remote working in the last few months, businesses and offices all around the globe have had to find effective ways to manage and track their workforce. Managing staff in an office setting can be difficult enough, let alone managing a workforce that is situated all around the country. Whilst tracking a remote workforce can take a little time and effort on the part of a business owner, it is not an impossible feat. In today’s article, we have a look at how business owners can effectively track a remote workforce by using various tools and strategies that help streamline the tracking process. Read on to find out more!

  1. Software is Essential

When it comes to tracking schedules and work hours, software is an absolute essential. Relying on word of mouth or manual ways of tracking hours is almost always a recipe for disaster. This is why it is so important that business owners make use of tools such as an app for rostering your staff when engaging with a remote workforce. With the help of a timesheet and scheduling app, you will be able to effectively and closely monitor employee hours, shifts and schedules. Software essentially does the work for you, thus greatly reducing the burden on your shoulders whilst at the same time tracking your workforce with utmost precision and accuracy.

  1. Face-To-Face Interaction

Face-to-face interaction when it comes to managing a remote workforce is actually more important than you may think. It can be all too easy for both employers and employees to feel disconnected when working from home, which can ultimately prove to reduce motivation and efficiency levels. In order to prevent this, it is incredibly important that business owners engage in face-to-face interaction with employees at least once a week. This could be in the form of a team meeting, a one-on-one meeting with staff or even just an online socialising session that allows everyone to come together and let their hair down. Never underestimate the power of face-to-face interaction when it comes to tracking a remote workforce.

  1. A Culture of Accountability

Once a business has implemented its time tracking and scheduling software, it is important for those who are higher in the hierarchy to lead by example. This can come in the form of sharing your own timesheet with your employees and encouraging everyone to do the same. Openly sharing timesheets can greatly improve employee motivation and can easily set a benchmark for performance, efficiency and productivity amongst the workforce. Sharing this information also helps to foster a culture of accountability amongst your workers which will inevitably make your job of tracking them much easier in the long run.

  1. Focus On Deadlines

One of the best ways to encourage productivity and efficiency with remote workers is to set strict deadlines that workers have to meet. Ensuring that your team fully understands the scope of their work and being firm with deadlines is a fantastic way to ensure that every monitoring activity will be focused on one singular outcome instead of getting your team to collaborate together towards a shared goal. Individual deadlines can keep employees on their toes, thus ensuring that everyone is giving their 110% and reducing the need for business owners to constantly be checking up on activity and efficiency levels.

  1. End Of Day Report Summaries

With the number of tasks that your team has to deal with, it can be easy for them to lose track of what they have accomplished during the day. This is why introducing end of day report summaries is such a great idea. These summaries can be used as a tool to help both employer and employee identify opportunities for improvement, iron out any potential issues and keep track of their activity on a daily basis. Summaries should be paired with regular team meetings in order to make sure everyone is on the right track and no one is left lagging behind.

——

Tracking and managing a remote workforce can be a challenging job, but it certainly isn’t one that is impossible. By utilising a wide variety of tools and ensuring clear and effective communication channels with your workforce, you’ll find that managing your team is a lot easier than you had ever imagined.

Isolation Innovation – 5 Tips for Small Business Owners Working from Home

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Source: Pexels / Pixabay

Across the world, business owners and employees are being urged to work from home. For some, it’s an effortless process, and one they may have already been doing to some degree. For others, it’s foreign territory that can take a while to navigate and explore. Here are a few different things that can help make that adjustment period a bit more comfortable:

Keep Your Professional Support Contacts

Working from home may mean you’re working in a different setting, but it doesn’t mean you aren’t going to face the same challenges as you would in your office. Don’t cut contact with those other businesses that keep yours going. Stay in touch with your small business IT support guru and remember to keep your accountant informed with business operations.

Everyone you needed to run your business at the office will still be required while you work from home.

Don’t Change Your Routine

Working from an office has always promoted a sense of routine. You rise at the same time every day, get in the car or jump on public transport, then spend the working week doing the same things. While your morning commute is now from the bedroom to the dining room, that doesn’t mean your work routine must change.

Wake up at the same time, have a shower, get dressed in tidy attire, and start the working day at the same time. The sameness of your routine can ensure you achieve the same level of work as you would if you were in your office.

Educate Your Family

Your spouses and kids know that when you’re at the office, you’re not available to make them lunch, help with chores, and answer the door when there’s a knock. After all, how can you do those things when you’re not home?

Once you’re working from home, though, it can be easy to forget that you’re in work mode. When the working week kicks off, offer a gentle reminder that interruptions can be disruptive to how much work you achieve. Of course, spend time with your family, but set aside a few hours of your day just for you and your regular work routine.

Be Comfortable

Most people have their work station set up ergonomically at their place of business. Once you get home, though, you’re more likely to learn over a laptop in bed or stare down your phone with your neck at a crooked angle. Working at home should mean the same ergonomic principles apply.

Use a comfortable chair and desk, keep your monitor an arm’s length away, and adjust your chair height, so your hips and knees are level with each other. The more comfortable you are, the more you can achieve.

Use Apps

Working from home can mean you go without some of the creature comforts of the office. You may not have the same conferencing software, dedicated room for meetings, or microphones and camera equipment. Things are different, but there are some apps online that can make your working-from-home experience better.

Try apps like Skype, Slack, Trello, and Calmly. Whether you need fewer distractions or a working platform for you and your team, you’ll find plenty of options online.

Working from home may not be something you are familiar with, but that doesn’t mean it has to impact how much work you get done. Stick with your routine, talk to your family, and keep your same professional contacts so that your business operates like a well-oiled machine. You’d be surprised at how convenient and effortless working from home can be.

World’s Best Boss – 5 Tips For Keeping Employee Morale Up During The Coronavirus Pandemic

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Photo: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the world’s economy, many people are worried about their current and future state of employment. While workers deemed “essential” are still fortifying the work front, many laid-off workers wonder if and when they will return to their jobs.

Although times are uncertain right now, employers can do a lot to boost morale and ease the minds of their employees. If you’re an employer, take a look at the suggestions below to keep your workers’ spirits up as this worldwide crisis continues.

1. Give the Gift of Appreciation

COVID-19 has separated and isolated the public at large. As such, workers may feel disconnected at home and taken for granted in the workplace. As an employer, you can help your workers, both at home and in-office, feel connected and valued by giving corporate gifts of appreciation.

You’d be surprised at how much small gifts can help during this trying time. It will remind your employees that they are part of a larger group and that they are still valued as a member of the team.

2. Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Because times are uncertain right now, it’s important to keep the lines of communication open. Whether your employees are working from home, working in-person, or laid off during this time, you must keep them apprised of any and all changes taking place. By adopting an “open-door” policy, your employees still feel connected and able to discuss their concerns about work, family, and health with you.

3. Embrace Virtual Technology

As the coronavirus spreads, many people are forced to work from home. Aside from the traditional phone call or email, employers should adopt other forms of virtual tech to help employees feel less disconnected. Facetime, Skype, Zoom, and other online technologies make it possible to conduct one-on-one video calls as well as group video conferences over a wi-fi signal. As an employer, you should use as many virtual enhancements as possible to help your workers feel as if it’s business as usual, even if they’re quarantined at home.

4. Give Working Parents a Break

The rapid spread of the coronavirus has led to the mandatory closing of schools as well as some childcare centers. This leaves working parents struggling to balance their jobs with childcare. As the boss, it’s up to you to recognize this struggle and give your working parents a break when you can.

If their job isn’t one that needs to be done during normal business hours, you can allow them to work when it’s convenient for them. Alternately, you could relax project deadlines to give them more time to complete their work.

5. Make Sure Your Network Can Handle Remote Work

Despite the many reasons to be feeling down about COVID-19, many people are still motivated to do their jobs well. As such, your company’s network must be able to handle the influx of remote work that’s taking place. If it can’t, your workers may begin to feel dejected with an attitude of “why bother?”

If you notice that your IT infrastructure isn’t keeping up with the demand, you should get the expert help it takes to get things running smoothly for your employees. If you don’t have the funds for in-house IT workers, small business IT support services can save you in these difficult times.

No one knows just how long the coronavirus is going to continue to wreak havoc on the world. Until it’s all over, though, employers can help boost the morale of their employees by adopting some or all the suggestions listed above.

Small Loans – Getting Financial Help When You Need it Most

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Staying safe and helping each other through COVID has become a focus for us all right now, and safety means our well being – physically, mentally, and financially.

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We all need to focus on what matters in our lives and keep things as simple as possible – as there has been a lot of change for us all to get used to.

One of the most important things for us to do though is keep those necessities going – the little things in our lives that we see as essential to our well being.

That’s where a small loan can help, and with social distancing, and the temporary closure of many face-to-face businesses, it’s helpful to know that the application can be completed 100% online.

Unlike large loans say for houses or cars, a small loan is designed to help with life’s necessities. For some of us, those necessities are yoga classes which we can do online, and for others of us, it might mean purchasing a breadmaker so we can make gluten-free baked goods and be self-sufficient at home.

Whatever your situation, we are all in this together, and we all need to focus on what matters most to us and the people we care about.

Whether it’s realising that you now need to purchase a laptop or a tablet so the kids can keep learning from home, or being able to pay a higher than usual utility bill because you are housebound, a small loan may help relieve the pressures we are experiencing right now.

Rates have been officially frozen in Australia by the RBA, so there are no more increases to come while we take measures to look after our health, and plan for life during and after COVID.

If you are looking for a small loan to help, here are a few tips on what to look for online:

1. Is the process simple?

When situations are stressful, and we are all experiencing a lot of change both socially and financially with COVID, you want to keep any processes simple. Look for a small loan online that is straightforward, and that is easy for you to complete. Expect to answer a few simple questions, so look for online applications that can be completed in a relatively short time frame (less than an hour).

2. Are the repayment terms clear?

You want to make sure that you can manage your repayment cycle, and that there are no hidden fees with any small loan. Look for how you access the money, what the interest rate is, and whether you have a short repayment term like three months, or a long repayment term. It can be easy to understand repayment amounts if the loan company has an online tool.

3. Does it fit with your pay cycle?

Be sure that you can fit the repayment with your pay cycle. This can make it easier for you to manage, as you will know when the money will come out of your account.

4. Can you speak to a customer service team easily?

You want to be able to contact a customer service representative of the company when you need them. Check for their operating hours, and whether you will be able to speak with them, email them or phone them.

5. What are other customers saying about the small loans?

Look at what other customers are saying. This will help verify that the online application is as easy as the loan company says it is.

If you are looking for a small loans, remember that simplicity is key.

Look for a small loan that can help you cover the essentials for your family when finances are a little stretched in the short term. It might just be the positive difference you all need in your life to keep you focused on what matters most – the health and safety of your family.

Taste in Tech: How Modern Technology Has Changed the Hospitality Industry

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In the last decade or so, technology has truly changed how we live. From our daily lives to our jobs, technology plays a huge role in how our society functions. One of the industries that has benefited the most from technology is hospitality. The hospitality industry is a dynamic environment that evolves and changes at a rapid pace. With the aid of new technologies, the last decade has witnessed the industry advancing at a remarkable pace. In today’s article, we have a look at how modern technology has changed the hospitality industry, so read on to find out more.

  1. Contactless Payments

The truth is, as a society, we are rapidly shifting towards a cash-free lifestyle. Thanks to advances in technology, the hospitality industry has been able to greatly reduce cash transactions. Gone are the days where time had to be wasted calculating change or handling stacks of cash. Almost every restaurant, hotel or bar now offers various payment methods through their POS systems in Sydney. This allows customers to pay in a variety of ways, ranging from debit or credit cards to digital wallets that pay the bill in an instant with a simple tap of one’s smartphone.

  1. Online Bookings and Reservations

Did you know that based on surveys that have been conducted, most people would rather not have to call a restaurant or hotel up if there was an option for them to book a table or room online? Thanks to advances in technology, almost every single restaurant, bar or hotel now allows for customers to make a booking or reservation online. Not only does this save your customers time and hassle, it also reduces the workload on your service staff as it won’t be necessary for them to tend to bookings on the phone all day long.

  1. Social Media Presence

Social media rules the world and has completely changed the way hospitality businesses interact with their customers. Businesses are now able to advertise their services on their social media platforms without having to spend a single dollar. For businesses looking to go the extra mile, there are various sponsored ads and promotions that many platforms such as Facebook and Instagram offer. These sponsored ads allow you to reach thousands of people online that may have otherwise never heard of your business. Social media is also a fantastic tool to engage with your customers and ensure that they are happy with your services. Showing that you care on a personal level is what differentiates a good business from a great one.

  1. Remote Check-In & Check Out

Think about how much time is wasted when guests at a hotel queue at the front desk to check in and out of their hotel rooms. Thanks to good ol’ technology, most hotels allow for guests to virtually check in and out of their hotel rooms via a mobile application. By enabling guests to handle the check-in and check-out process on their own, hotel managers are effectively freeing up staff hours that could otherwise be spent on more pressing tasks. This could even reduce the need for a large number of staff members, thus eliminating unnecessary costs for the business. Mobile apps can also help hotels and businesses further understand their customers needs and provide them with a more personalised experience.

  1. Online Reputation Management

Before the days of Yelp! And Facebook, people had to rely on word of mouth. Thanks to so many online platforms that have popped in up the last few years, hospitality businesses are able to keep track of their online reputation with ease. Online reviews and comments offer businesses direct insight into what customers think of their services, ways they can improve and things that may need to change. By using this feedback, businesses are able to improve their standards and offer a better guest experience for all. The fact that this information is public also serves as a motivation for staff members to ensure that they provide the best possible customer service experience.

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With the help of technology, the hospitality industry has seen unprecedented growth in the last decade that is only predicted to continue for years to come. We hope that this article has given you some valuable insight into how modern technology has changed the hospitality industry for the better.