The landscape of work has shifted in Australia, with the rise of the hybrid work model. According to a recent study by tech giant, Logitech ANZ, 60% of Australian office workers now embrace the flexibility of working both in the office and remotely. However, the study also highlights a glaring issue: only 12% of these individuals feel they possess the right tools to work productively in this new hybrid model reality. It’s time for Australian businesses, large and small, to take a fresh approach—one that puts employee satisfaction AND productivity front and centre.

The truth is, that the success of the hybrid model isn’t just about where employees work; it’s about how they work. As the Logitech study reveals, when working from home, employees report feeling more creative, relaxed, and concentrated compared to being in the office. But here’s the catch: they also acknowledge the lack of superior technology at home, which is readily available in their traditional office setup.

This is where Australian small businesses can make a difference. It’s not just about sending employees home with a laptop and calling it a day. It’s about investing in the right technology that empowers them to be their best, regardless of their location. Collaboration tools, high-quality webcams, ergonomic home office setups—these are not just niceties; they are essential tools for success in the hybrid era.

Moreover, it’s crucial for small businesses to listen and consult with their employees continually. The evolving hybrid model demands flexibility, and this means engaging in an ongoing dialogue with your workforce. What are their needs? What tools and support do they require to thrive in this new work environment? Small businesses that prioritise employee feedback and adapt accordingly will be the ones that truly succeed.

Gen Z, the digital-native generation, is at the forefront of this shift, with 51% of Zoomers working from their bedrooms at least one day a week. Their preferences and needs differ from previous generations, and it’s essential to cater to their expectations. This generational shift underscores the importance of staying attuned to the evolving dynamics of the modern workforce.

Australian small businesses need a new focus in the era of hybrid work. Prioritising employee satisfaction and productivity means maintaining an open line of communication with your workforce and investing in the right tools and technology. By doing so, businesses can create a work environment where content and efficient workers thrive, regardless of where they choose to work. The future of work is hybrid, and it’s time to embrace it wholeheartedly.

A spending downturn in the retail and e-commerce sector drove a $2.9 billion YoY nation-wide drop in online spending, according to the Q3 Digital Economy Index from leading global financial platform Airwallex.

The quarterly Airwallex Digital Economy Index records year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter snapshots of the digital economy by state and industry.

The Index highlights online spending has dipped YoY across all sectors from 1.29 per cent for the digital and technology sector, to nearly 7 per cent for education, 7.9 per cent for insurance and self-managed investments and 8.02 per cent for retail and e-commerce. Online travel spending has been spared the downturn, recording 12.75 per cent growth YoY and 6.49 per cent since Q2.

The consistent factor leading the decline in each state was retail spending, with travel spending in Queensland helping make that the only state not to record a YoY decline in the Index.

Airwallex’s Australia and New Zealand Vice President of Growth, Matt Sek, said the upcoming Q4 would typically see an upswing in digital spending as Australians take advantage of the peak sales season.

“Official data shows Australians have collectively around $250-300 billion in their savings accounts. Savvy businesses will seek ways to maximise the upcoming sales season to get customers spending again,” Sek said.

“Australians have been spooked by the economic environment over the past 12 months but as things have stabilised we can see they’re taking the time to do their research and hunt for the best bargains before they part with their hard-earned cash.

“As business revenue has declined, companies have been pulling back on their own spending, with digital and technology spending dipping 1.29 per cent YoY driven by lower online advertising. It shows businesses are looking carefully to maximise the return on investment from each dollar they spend.

“The latest Digital Economy Index suggests Australians have been taking a collective big breath before the usual uptick in spending and activity we see in Q4 each year.

“The businesses that do the best over the next three months will be the ones that find the savings and efficiencies in their cost base to offer the sorts of discounts and deals Australians are used to during peak sales season.”

Sek said Airwallex would today host a summit of retailers and online businesses in Sydney to look at the impact of recent consumer spending trends and discuss ideas and solutions to the challenges retailers expected during the upcoming peak sales season. The 250 person event for retail professionals will also feature Airwallex partners including Afterpay, Wayflyer, Refundid, Elephant Room, BigCommerce, Marketplacer and Shipbob.

“There’s a sense of optimism that the signs are there for a spending turnaround and online businesses are keen to learn how they can replicate the success and resilience in spending the travel sector has seen,” Sek said.

The ‘Your Passport to Beyond Black Friday’ summit is free and will take place from 4.30pm, Thursday, 5 October at Watersedge at The Rocks in Sydney. In addition to various speaker sessions, the summit will also feature a Peak Season Partner Marketplace where attendees can ‘shop’ and come away with goodies and solutions to help companies maximise the sales season.

You can find out more about Airwallex’s approach to Black Friday and beyond here.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is announcing the latest FE series additions to the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem — the new Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+, and Galaxy Buds FE. Known for their iconic designs, performance, cutting-edge camera and audio capabilities, and so much more — these are the most epic FE devices yet. For those who want to experience Galaxy flagship devices for the first time, the new FE devices are the perfect entry point.

“At Samsung, we are committed to bringing world-class innovation to everyone through epic mobile experiences that fit their lifestyle,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our new FE devices are packed with crowd-pleasing capabilities that, on their own or as part of a connected ecosystem, let Galaxy users maximise their creativity and productivity.”

Galaxy S23 FE: The Galaxy S Series’ Iconic Design, Pro-Grade Camera and Smooth Gaming Performance are Designed to Elevate Your Everyday

Galaxy S23 FE stays true to the iconic S series design with its new floating camera and premium finish protected with IP68ⁱ water and dust resistance for an even sleeker display. Offered in new, vibrant colours, Galaxy S23 FE allows users to select the device colour that best fits their style.

Everyday moments come to life on Galaxy S23 FE with pro-grade camera features to help you capture amazing photos and videos. See sharp details with a 50MP high-resolution lens, and 3X optical zoom. After dark, Nightography on Galaxy S23 FE lets you take clear selfies and portraits in lifelike colours. With advanced digital image stabilisation (VDIS), take steady shots on the go using the rear camera with optical image stabiliser (OIS) angle.

When it comes to creating perfectly sharable content, Galaxy S23 FE is like an editing studio on the go. In Pro Mode, controls for shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and more can be manually adjusted to your preferences. Capture customised shots with the Camera Assistant appⁱⁱ and choose which automated features to use for a fully customised shooting experience. With the freedom to create and customise, Galaxy S23 FE camera has the AI-powered editing tools to help elevate your creations.

For gaming and streaming, Galaxy S23 FE’s powerful processor makes every action rapid and fluid with a vapor chamber that helps to control heat and sustain performance. The long-lasting 4,500mAh battery intuitively adjusts to conserve energy and all this power comes to life on a bright, super-smooth 6.4-inchⁱⁱⁱ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. Based on your surroundings, Vision Booster technology on Galaxy S23 FE automatically detects bright lighting conditions, keeping the screen vivid just like flagship models.

The Galaxy S23 FE series is available from AU$999 in modern, bold colours, including Mint, Cream, Graphite, and Purple. Indigo and Tangerine are also available exclusively at Samsung.com.

Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Tab S9 FE+: Large Screen Viewing, IP68 Durability, and S Pen Boost Possibilities for Creativity and Productivity

Whenever inspiration strikes, Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+ deliver essential entertainment, expressive creativity, and seamless productivity. With two portable and powerful devices to choose from, even more users can experience the versatility of the Galaxy Tab S series. Digital creators, entrepreneurs, busy students, artists, gamers, and more will explore their passions and get work done with improved device speed and even better performance^iv compared to the previous FE Series.

Responsive and immersive viewing and creating can happen at home, at work, on campus, or even at the park on Galaxy Tab S9 FE’s 10.9-inch and Tab S9 FE+’s 12.4-inch displays^v — featuring an automatic refresh rate that adapts up to 90Hz. Sunlight is no match for Vision Booster, which enhances visibility in outdoor environments by optimising colour and contrast especially in the dark area of screen. Plus, Tab S9 FE+’s long-lasting battery with up to 20 hours^vi of video playback on a single charge means work and play won’t keep you tethered to a cord.

Like the Galaxy Tab S9 series, the Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+ include a wide variety of creative tools and apps, including fan-favorites like Goodnotes^vii, LumaFusion^viii, Clip Studio Paint^ix, and more. Easily keep class notes, sketches, videos, and more with up to double the storage^x, plus the option to upgrade to 1TB with a microSD card.

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE series is available from AU$749 in four fashionable colours^xi: Mint, Silver, Grey and Lavender.

Galaxy Buds FE: Incredible Sound, Powerful ANC and Ergonomic Design Expand the Excellent Audio Experience to More Users

Galaxy Buds FE bring Samsung’s innovative sound experience to more users. Its powerful bass offers deep and rich sound that allows you to enjoy music the way the artist intended, while powerful Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Sound enable you to hear more of what you love and less of what you don’t. Also, automatic personalised beamforming of the advanced three microphone system, along with AI-powered Deep Neutral Network (DNN), separates your voice from unwanted background noise for clearer calls.

Galaxy Buds FE provide up to 8.5 hours of playback with earbuds, and total up to 30 hours including the charging case^xii. Even when using ANC, users can get up to 6 hours of playback with earbuds, and total up to 21 hours including the case. Inspired by the iconic and ergonomic design of the series, Galaxy Buds FE are engineered to be comfortable enough to wear for a long time, and enable a more customised fit with three different sizes of ear tips and two different sizes for wingtips.

Galaxy Buds FE are available for AU$199 in two distinct, modern colours: Graphite and White^xiii.

One Seamlessly Connected Galaxy Ecosystem

With new FE devices, it’s easier than ever to experience the full power of the connected Galaxy ecosystem. Productivity is intuitive with Multi Control^xiv, which enables users to drag and drop content easily between multiple Galaxy devices. Copy and paste or drag and drop between smartphone and tablet. When creativity strikes, simply transfer videos or images from smartphone to tablet with Quick Share, for easier editing.

When it is time for immersive entertainment, Galaxy Buds FE are the perfect companions. Auto Switch intelligently switches sound between your smartphone, tablet, and even watch and TV – based on your usage with no manual adjustments required^xv. Also, SmartThings Find helps you track down misplaced Buds and also sound an alarm should they be left behind^xvi.

All these devices and connectivity capabilities uphold Samsung’s commitment to providing secure and private experiences. Galaxy S23 FE and Galaxy Tab S9 FE series are backed by Samsung Knox protection, meaning personal information is kept that way, by default. 

Galaxy FE availability

Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Galaxy Buds FE will be available in Australia from Samsung.com/au and select retail and telco partners from 12^th October.

To learn more about Galaxy S23 FE, please visit: http://www.samsung.com/au/galaxy-s23/

To learn more about Galaxy Tab S9 FE series, please visit: http://www.samsung.com/au/tablets

To learn more about Galaxy Buds FE, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/au/audio-sound/

Online retail purchases are forecasted to make up 21 per cent of all retail purchases this year and 24 per cent of all purchases by 2026. As online purchases continue to grow and digital technology evolves the sector, Davie Fogarty, founder of The Oodie and former AFR Young Rich lister, and Shark Tank Australia 2023 judge, shares his insights on 7 risks and challenges for online retailers in this competitive market. 

Davie began his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 23 with just $500 in savings and an idea of a wearable blanket, he became an eCommerce success, with The Oodie having sold more than 8.1 million units, exceeding $500 million in revenue. 

Yet despite his resounding success, Davie acknowledges that he reached this point after several failed business ideas and startups, but his determination and hunger for results led him to acquire extensive digital skills. He taught himself the algorithms and systems of major social media platforms, growing Instagram accounts to 600,000 followers. Beyond his own ventures, he shares his insights and strategies on social media to assist aspiring digital entrepreneurs. He says: “There are a lot of challenges, risks and dangers that come with launching and growing a business online. Some of these are, unfortunately, out of a brand’s control – but there are things you can do to lessen their risk and prepare for the potential roadblocks on the path to brand growth.” 

Davie now shares his valuable learnings with start-ups looking to achieve the same level of success, through his mentoring service, Daily Mentor. 

7 risks and challenges for online retailers are likely to encounter in their business journey:

1. Scam sites, counterfeit products and intellectual property fraud. In 2023 alone, Australia reported 182,593 scams, resulting in losses totalling $328,655,604 . Fraudulent activities are becoming increasingly sophisticated, posing a threat to both brands and consumers. Davie recommends businesses establish robust monitoring and reporting processes to identify activity that is potentially harmful to their brand. Websites with fake brand products mimicking established brands are on the rise, can damage the reputations of original brands and make it hard for them to build consumer trust in the online space. Davie reveals, “We have recently come across a fake website imitating The Oodie. These scammers are advertising their sites on Google despite the brand being trademarked. Hundreds of people are being scammed daily, and despite doing everything we can, scammers are smart and are finding ways around the systems we have in place. It is proof that even big brands are not immune.”

2. Online reviews tarnishing brand reputation. Negative online reviews can tarnish a brand’s reputation, with 93 per cent of consumers admitting that online reviews influence their purchasing decision. While businesses cannot control customer reviews, they can monitor reviews online and respond to negative reviews with the aim of resolving them as quickly as possible and turning an unhappy customer online into a satisfied one. An escalation in negative reviews can point to an operational or product or service issue. Ongoing, brands would be wise to identify customer pain points and do everything they can to reduce them to avoid negative reviews in the first place.

3. Intense competition. There are an estimated 12-24 million eCommerce sites in the world, giving 2.64 billion online shoppers^[5] the ultimate in choice but fierce competition for brands. “Take time to research the product you want to sell and how you will sell it. You can research on social media platforms and on drop-shipping sites to identify what products are currently saturating the market. Tools like AI and other online software had made this process faster. Make your product and brand stand out. You want to be the consumer’s first choice,” Davie says.

4. Poor user experience (UX) and customer experience (CX). A seamless and user-friendly website along with efficient customer service is essential for sales conversions. Davie says complex navigation and slow loading times will turn customers away, and poor customer service processes will prevent them from coming back. Ensuring a positive user and customer experience can impact overall business success.

5. Low visibility on search engines. Google has 4.3 billion users worldwide and over 3.5 billion searches take place per day. In such a highly competitive online market, it’s essential for target customers to find brands easily on Google and other search engines. Poor search engine optimisation (SEO) can prevent customers from finding a product to meet their needs. 

6. Scaling and meeting demand. Rapid growth, while desirable, can strain a business’s infrastructure, supply and operations. Davie says, “Have a plan in place to prepare for the growth of your business. It can be challenging to maintain consistently high service quality, adequate inventory and efficient fulfilment when scaling rapidly. Networking with other entrepreneurs and remaining transparent with suppliers and your team can all help mitigate the risks associated with unprepared growth. Growth is exciting, but that also means it can be easy to drop the ball.”

7. Marketplace dependence – having your own platform. Approximately 27 per cent of online retailers use drop-shipping to fulfil customer orders , which offers an inexpensive way to run an online business. Heavy dependence on big online marketplaces for operating an online store can limit brand development. As a brand grows, having its own website and operation systems allows for greater brand control and a personalised customer buying journey.