A much-loved farm in Sydney’s Greater West that provides employment for vulnerable and disadvantaged people is calling on businesses to consider setting up a corporate market stall or ordering hampers this Christmas. 

Gifts with meaning and purpose are increasing in appeal for Australians, including businesses. The 2022 World Giving Report ranked Australia as the fourth most generous country in the world, with 3 in 5 Aussies making a financial donation to charity. Research has found that people give to causes that align with their values and culture, for satisfaction, because they want to give back and do the right thing^[1].

Cana Communities is a registered charity that provides accommodation and wrap around support for vulnerable people who want to reintegrate into society. It receives no government funding. An integral part of its mission is its social enterprise, Cana Farm. Located in Orchard Hills in Sydney’s Greater West, Cana Farm has been helping educate and offer extensive outreach opportunities, life skills and community involvement to severely disadvantaged people since 2011. With the help of volunteers, the farm prepares locally grown and chemical-free produce that it sells through its physical and online farm shop. The shop also sells vegetable boxes, hampers, candles, pantry items and free-range eggs. 

Cana is encouraging businesses to consider Cana Farm’s new range of corporate Christmas gifts, or to hold a Cana Farm Christmas market stall on site for their staff to enjoy. 

Proceeds from all sales support Cana’s group homes and shelters in the inner city where community members are supported to rebuild their lives. The production of retail products, hampers and gift sets, and fresh produce provides education and work opportunities for people making a significant change to their lives. 

It is also urging businesses to consider a longer-term partnership with Cana Farm. Canva, which prioritises sustainable and ethically sourced products, is one of a few organisations already supporting Cana Farm. Cana will provide healthy and sustainable produce for Canva’s internal ‘The Communal Table’ program. The program aims to bring the Canva team together to enjoy seasonal, nutritious and delicious breakfasts and lunches within inclusive communal spaces to foster meaningful conversation and connection. The first delivery of vegetables to Canva has been received and was a huge success. The delivery included kale, silverbeet, rainbow chard, bok choy, spring onions, fennel, parsley, radish, carrot, broccoli and leek. The Canva kitchen feeds up to 600 people per day, with all leftover meals donated to Oz Harvest.

“We’re excited to partner with the great team at Cana Communities to incorporate their farm’s chemical-free vegetables and produce into some of the hundreds of meals we serve to our team each day while supporting vulnerable communities and sharing Cana’s amazing story with others,” said Canva’s Global Chef Lead, Mark Hanover.

Endeavour Energy is another consistent supporter of Cana Communities. Cana is presently packaging 1700 gifts with a personalised message for Endeavour staff.

Director of Mission, Julie Sneddon, says by hosting a Cana Farm Christmas stall or buying from Cana Farm’s corporate Christmas gifts, people can ensure their money stays local this Christmas season.

“Purchasing our products helps us to provide support and continue to run the farm, which provides a place for vulnerable people to grow and flourish.”

Julie continues: “Cana Farm also offers a way for companies to engage in their corporate responsibility days. Groups of up to 25 people can come to the farm and work alongside our community mentors. 

Find the full Cana Farm Christmas Catalogue here https://www.canafarm.com.au/our-shop/christmas  

For more information on corporate volunteering at the farm or to register your organisation’s interest in hosting a Cana Farm stall, visit https://www.cana.org.au/volunteer or contact info@cana.org.au  

ACS, the professional association for Australia’s technology sector, is calling for a holistic overhaul of the nation’s skills, training, and immigration programs in its annual Digital Pulse report to be released on Wednesday which outlines the skills crisis in Australia.

The call comes as the report forecasts a crisis looming for the Australian economy with the rapid pace of change seeing 90% of Australian workers’ jobs changing in the next decade, driven by technologies like AI and robotics across most sectors of the workforce.

Chris Vein, ACS Chief Executive, said “By 2030, we will need 1.3 million additional skills to effectively utilise the technologies reshaping the Australian workforce. Forecasts from Digital Pulse suggests Australia is not on track to achieve the growth in skills we need.

“This year’s Digital Pulse is not merely a call to action; it’s a robust, practical roadmap to build the nationwide tech skills we need. We have developed the most comprehensive projections around tech skills demand through to 2030 to date based on currently available information.

“This year’s report calls for a coalition across industry, education and government to start shaping how our society will respond to the skills challenge this exciting era presents.”

This year’s Digital Pulse, to be launched on Wednesday, is the ninth since the annual survey of Australia’s technology sector was first released in 2015. Key Statistics on skills crisis from the report include:

• A lack of the right digital skills is currently costing Australian businesses $3.1 billion each year which could top $16bn by 2030.
• The pace of technology investment in Australia is projected to skyrocket from $171B in 2023 to $259B by 2030, this rate of growth is three times faster than overall business investment 
• By the end of the decade, half of Australian businesses will be using AI, data analytics and robotics but technologies like Generative AI mean businesses will need to do more to keep up with their employees shifting skills and demands
• 75% of working hours for Australian workers will be affected by key technologies, heralding a significant skill shift across industries.

In the report, ACS proposes a National Digital Skills Strategy including a skills-first education and training initiative, a national skills platform, more support for career transitions towards a tech orientated career, to boost the diversity in tech skills, programs to boost Women in Tech, and assist skilled migrants utilise their capabilities.

“The stakes are high for Australia,” Mr Vein concluded. “If the nation can get this right, we could be leading the world and guaranteeing our prosperity into the future. If we don’t seize the opportunity, we could well be left behind by the middle of the century.”

With online shopping cart abandonment resulting in a staggering annual loss of $18 billion in sales revenue for E-Commerce stores across Australia^[1], it is not surprising that, in a recent survey of online shoppers, 88 per cent abandon online shopping carts. Interestingly, 63 per cent of respondents identified expensive shipping costs as the main cause of cart abandonment.

The figures have been revealed in a survey of an independent panel of 1005 Australian adults who shop online, commissioned by leading parcel delivery service CouriersPlease. 

The survey results found that only a small minority of online shoppers – 12 per cent – are decisive shoppers that do not abandon online shopping carts, and the proportion is higher among over-50s. Cart abandonment is more common among 18-30-year-olds, with only 3 per cent of this age group proceeding to checkout without leaving items in their carts. Whereas in the 31-50-year-old category, 10 per cent do not abandon their carts and 18 per cent of those over 50 do not leave items in their online shopping carts.

Shipping costs are a concern shared across all age groups, with 65 per cent of under-30s and 59 per cent of over-50s abandoning their shopping carts because of shipping costs and not proceeding through check out. This close margin suggests that consumers of all ages are actively seeking ways to minimise additional expenses amid current cost of living challenges. A higher proportion of women (71%) abandon shopping carts due to shipping costs than men (55%).

Other online shopping expenses are also a concern for shoppers, with 26 per cent of respondents not proceeding to check out after discovering currency exchange fees and other fees associated with their purchases. 

The survey results indicated that a significant proportion of consumers also use shopping carts as a form of ‘window shopping’, leaving their items in the cart while research better deals elsewhere or realising they didn’t need the product. For instance, 38 per cent of respondents – and 45 per cent of 18-30-year-olds – admitted to abandoning their carts after researching and discovering the same item at a cheaper price elsewhere. Twenty-nine (29) per cent of respondents abandoned their carts because they realised the product was unnecessary, while one in four (26%) directly admitted that they use online shopping carts as wish lists. One in five (20%) simply lost interest in their selected product.

Inconvenient delivery options are the reason why 16 per cent of shoppers don’t complete their online purchases. With hybrid working arrangements becoming a mainstay across corporate Australia, flexible and customer-friendly shipping choices are becoming more of a priority.

Commenting on the findings CouriersPlease CEO Richard Thame says: “We are heading into peak sales season – with Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas running in succession – where cart abandonment rates might rise due to wider choices and limited time. Our research aims to inform retailers, who may decide to strengthen sales and marketing messages for individual products to reduce cart abandonment.

“We are proud to partner with major online retailers who prioritise offering value, just as we aim to provide value in shipping. In today’s economy, affordability is key, and our strategic partnerships focus on aligning with retailers whose product offerings resonate with cost-conscious shoppers. 

“CouriersPlease is committed to improving the customer experience and making the delivery process simpler by allowing customers more flexibility in how and when they receive their parcels. We can now offer customers who shop with many of our retail partners the option to collect their parcels – even after hours – from over 3,000 conveniently located collection points. Receivers can also elect to reschedule their deliveries to a different date or redirect to a neighbour’s house in response to a notification that their parcel is on its way.”   

The full survey results

Uniden Australia has announced its latest handheld UHF device, the UH825 series, which is built for rugged conditions and offers enhanced features to cater for lifestyle enthusiasts, off-road adventurers, and thrill seekers beyond the ordinary.

The UH825 series is an upgrade from its predecessor: the UH820 series. Incorporating an impressive 2-watt maximum TX output power, the UH825 ensures clear communication over distances of up to 13km. Its long-life 2000mAh lithium-ion battery delivers up to 23 hours of usage, ensuring users are always connected throughout their adventures.

Uniden has integrated USB-C charging into the UH825 series, ensuring rapid and convenient charging. Given the ubiquity of the USB-C cable, you’re likely to find one easily wherever you are, whether you’re borrowing from someone or searching around—a perfect feature for those always on the move. With 80 UHF channels, users are assured of uninterrupted communication, even in the most isolated terrains. Beyond its reliability, the radio is designed to be made durable and is backed by a three-year warranty.

Advanced features like Master Scan®—technology which lets a group of users seamlessly communicate on not just one channel but a group of channels—, voice enhancer, smart key allocation, and rapid scan refine the user experience, ensuring clarity and efficiency in every transmission. The range extender (duplex) capability can amplify the range, while the VOX hands free feature offers the ease of communication even when your hands are occupied.

The digital coded squelch (DCS) and interference eliminator (CTCCS) ensure clear channels with no unwanted disturbances. With its backlit large LCD display, users can navigate with ease, even in low-light conditions. Other user-friendly features include open scan, group scan, auto battery save, instant channel programming and recall, five call tones, and keypad lock.

The innovative smart key feature lets users toggle seamlessly between various functions like voice enhancer, noise reduction circuit (NRC), priority channel (PRI), and CALL, tailoring the device to the user’s exact requirements.

Brad Hales, national marketing manager, Uniden, said, “Our customers are at the heart of our innovation process. The UH825 series is our answer to their evolving needs, delivering top-tier technology that doesn’t compromise on durability or functionality.”

The Uniden UH825-2TP Tradies Pack comes with:

• 2x UH825 UHF radios
• 2x lithium batteries (2000mAh)
• Essential accessories including antennas, belt clips, USB-C charge cable, a dual drop-in charge cradle, AC adaptor for charging, DC cig-lead adaptor, speaker mics, earpiece mics, and a sturdy hard carry case.

For those who need just one unit, the UH825 pack includes:

• 1x UH825 UHF Radio
• 1x lithium battery (2000mAH)
• An antenna, belt clip, and a USB-C charge cable.

Embrace the next generation of handheld radios. Dive into the unknown, traverse rugged terrains, and keep the adventure alive with Uniden’s UH825 series.

Uniden UH825 RRP AU$129.95

Uniden UH825-2TP RRP AU$279.95

Even in hospitality where a warm personal touch is a hot commodity, that chatbot has sparked a lot of talk about the AI wave.

But while Chat GPT is a brilliant tool that can generate fun menus, it’s a distraction from the true impacts of the rapidly building AI tidal wave.

Venue owners have three choices: Put their head in the sand and ignore it, but be ultimately drowned. Another is to pretend their riding the wave by playing with Chat GPT.

The smart ones are starting to get their teams and systems in order.

That’s because AI’s real value lies beneath the digital tools that many venues and their suppliers already use, such as making orders, taking payments and tracking down the best produce.

Pivotal time

In most venues these digital tools have replaced pens and paper. But in the rush to digitize some businesses are now suffocating from SaaS and the monthly fees for the range of apps they’ve downloaded.

We’re now at a pivotal moment when venues must choose tools that will provide streamlined support into the long term.

Those tools will be sourced from quality partners who offer data for good, not from opportunism, and will provide dynamic pricing, forecasting and inventory management.

Venue owners and wholesale suppliers with this information will be empowered to be 10 times better and more scalable.

Those that can’t access it will be pounded by that coming wave then struggle to come up for air.

Guesswork to get the chop

Quality digital solutions find the best suppliers for an individual business’s needs at the right time and simplify procurement. They ‘say’ things like, ‘Are you really sure you want to order that quantity? Did you know if you ordered these, you could get better return on investment?’.

It’s like having a scalpel to snip costs in precisely the right places to drive up revenue rather than the old blunt knife ‘chop 10% across the board’ method.

And, if a business’s financial heart beats strong, it can channel resources into the things that truly matter to customers – great menus and produce at the best available cost – plus those baristas who remember regulars’ names, in a tight and transient labour market. The equivalent is true on the supply side too.

End consumers get venues they love which stay afloat and which are contributing to a more eco-friendly future by minimising their waste.

Top three tips to prepare for digitization’s third AI wave

1. Make sure your existing teams – and any new hires – are at ease with the right tech.
2. Shift your ordering and invoicing into the digital realm so everything funnels seamlessly into one unified accounting system. This is the ticket to unlocking the valuable insights that AI brings to the table.
3. When you pick a tech provider, ensure they have a track record of not just keeping up but leveling up their solutions over the next decade – or more.

Conributed by Adam Theobald who with Andrew Low, founded Ordermentum in 2014 and it is now Australia’s leading ordering and payments platform for the wholesale food and beverage industry.

Major sales such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday (24-27 November) are regarded as windfall events for retailers. Last year, Australians spent more than $7.1bn across the four-day Black Friday-Cyber Monday sales^[1]. Now, new research by a major parcel delivery service reveals that in the weeks before these events, retailers are likely experience a drop in sales as 2 in 3 shoppers hold back their wallets in anticipation of deep discounts during the sales. The findings may help retailers decide whether to introduce earlier or more regular sales.

The results were derived from a survey of an independent, nationally representative panel of 1005 online shoppers^[2] commissioned by parcel delivery service CouriersPlease.

How long do shoppers delay purchases before the sales?

CouriersPlease asked survey respondents whether they hold off on purchasing some non-essential goods in the two weeks, one month, two months, three months or six months leading up to shopping events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the hopes of nabbing a bargain. 

The survey’s most surprising finding was that nearly 65 per cent of Australian consumers opt to defer their online purchases until the peak shopping event of Black Friday, lured by the prospect of significant cost savings and unbeatable deals. It is a purposeful strategy aimed at securing massive bargains.

It appears patience pays off when it comes to the quest for enticing deals. Thirty (30) per cent of shoppers prefer to wait until just two weeks before Black Friday to make non-essential purchases. An additional 17 per cent choose to hold off for a full month. However, the most strategic shoppers display incredible discipline, with 10 per cent postponing their shopping for two months, 5 per cent for three months, and 3 per cent delaying ultimate shopping satisfaction for an extraordinary six months.

Fashion tops the list of purchases shoppers hold out for 

The survey found that shoppers strategically navigate the E-Commerce landscape to pursue enticing deals and cost savings for specific shopping list items. CouriersPlease asked respondents which retail items they generally hold out for, in the hopes of getting a better deal during the sales. Fashion tops the list, with 61 per cent usually holding off on purchasing clothing, accessories and jewellery. 

More than half (57%) delay purchasing personal electronics, 55 per cent delay purchasing household electronics, 45 per cent hold off on household appliance purchases and 43 per cent would delay purchasing beauty and personal care items to try and reap better deals during the sales periodd. One third (35%) of respondents delay buying furniture or homewares, and 30 per cent hold off on books, movies, music and games. One in four (25 per cent) wait to make holiday purchases.

Younger shoppers hold back longer for the sales 

When it comes to what shopping list items are worth waiting for, 23 per cent of respondents aged 18-30 are willing to hold back from purchases for a full month, compared with 17 per cent in the 31-50 age group and 13 per cent of over-50s. Evidently, younger consumers exhibit greater patience in their pursuit of the best deals, as over-50s are less likely to delay purchases, with 52 per cent just buying items as needed.

Additionally, an impressive 65 per cent of respondents aged 18-30 prefer to hold off on purchasing clothing, accessories, jewellery, or shoes, compared with 60 per cent of those aged 31-50 and 57 per cent of over-50s. In comparison, respondents aged 31-50 are more inclined to delay personal electronics purchases, at 61 per cent.

CouriersPlease CEO, Richard Thame, suggests, “Our findings show there may be a temporary dip in sales for retailers in the weeks leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Consumers are withholding spending on non-essential items in anticipation of discounts. To counteract this, retailers might want to consider introducing Black Friday-type deals earlier in the year or invest in a big sale event that becomes synonymous with their brand. 

“From previous surveys that we have commissioned, we know that shipping costs and fast shipping are a major influencer on shopper behaviours. At CouriersPlease, we have forged a strategic alliance with the E-Commerce partner HUBBED where parcels can be directed to over 3000 collection points Australia-wide, with many being accessible after hours. We encourage retailers to choose a delivery provider that provides their customers with plenty of value, including alternate parcel pick-up and drop-off locations, next-day deliveries and redirections.”

The full survey results can be found here: https://couriersplease.com.au/portals/0/Black%20Friday%20White%20Paper%202023%201_02.pdf 

American Express’ Shop Small movement returns for its 11^th year in Australia, highlighting the valuable contribution small businesses make while encouraging shoppers to show their support.  

New this year, American Express is offering eligible small businesses across Australia the chance to win one of ten $10,000 Shop Small Business Grants, on top of its continuing commitment to help encourage spend with small businesses through an American Express Card Member offer. 

Launching today, each American Express transaction processed in store or online at a Shop Small business during the month of November will receive an entry into a draw to win one of ten $10,000 Shop Small Business Grants each. All American Express Shop Small businesses are automatically enrolled into the promotion and stand a chance to win¹.  

American Express is also giving eligible Card Members the chance to win a share of 10 million points. Once enrolled in the Shop Small offer, each time a shopper uses their enrolled American Express Card to make a purchase at a Shop Small business, they stand a chance of winning 1 million Membership Rewards points, Qantas points or Velocity points, depending on their individual loyalty program. Each transaction increases a Card Member’s chance of winning.²  

Emily Roberts, Vice President and General Manager of Consumer and Commercial Services at American Express, said: “Since 2013, American Express has shone a spotlight on the importance of supporting the small business community through Shop Small as we believe that small businesses are the heart of communities and the backbone of our economy, but they need all of our support if they are to thrive.”  

“Australians are proud to support local in the knowledge that every dollar spent with a small business is important in maintaining the vibrancy of local communities and the livelihoods of hard-working small business operators. We look forward to seeing shoppers backing small businesses, especially during the all-important lead-up to Christmas.”  

To learn more visit. 

Zeller, the Australian fintech reimagining business banking, has enabled businesses using Zeller to seamlessly and securely accept in-person contactless payments using Apple’s Tap to Pay on iPhone contactless payment acceptance technology, and the Zeller App.

 Tap to Pay on iPhone accepts all forms of contactless payments, including, contactless credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets, using only an iPhone and the Zeller App — no additional hardware or payment terminal is needed.

 At checkout, the merchant will simply prompt the customer to hold their contactless credit or debit card, iPhone or Apple Watch to pay with Apple Pay, or another digital wallet near the merchant’s iPhone, and the payment will be securely completed using NFC technology. Tap to Pay on iPhone also supports PIN entry, which includes accessibility options.

 Apple’s Tap to Pay on iPhone technology uses the built-in features of iPhone to keep the business’ and customers’ data private and secure. When a payment is processed, Apple doesn’t store card numbers on the device or on Apple servers.

Benefits of Zeller’s Tap to Pay on iPhone offering for business owners include:

• No additional hardware or apps required: Business owners can accept contactless payments with only their iPhone and the Zeller App, eliminating the need for a card reader and the hassle of downloading a separate app.
•  Ease of getting started and simplicity of use: They can easily use Tap to Pay on iPhone with the Zeller App. They simply need to log in, enter a payment amount, and have the customer tap their contactless card or smartphone to the merchant’s iPhone.
•  Access industry-leading payment features within the Zeller App: Business owners can enjoy Zeller’s industry-leading payment technology, which includes features like built-in tipping, surcharging, transaction notes, digital receipts, and more. Businesses can also manage their finances, accept contactless payments, open transaction accounts, issue debit cards, and track performance, all from their iPhone.
•  Affordable pricing: One low, flat transaction fee for all cards, including American Express, and no monthly subscription fees. Plus, business owners get their money faster with nightly settlement to their Zeller Account, 365 days a year.
•  Secure contactless payments: Tap to Pay on iPhone ensures fast and secure contactless payments, backed by Zeller’s industry-leading security for the protection of business and customer data.

“Zeller’s launch of Tap to Pay on iPhone is a significant step forward in our mission to simplify financial management for businesses of all sizes. By offering Tap to Pay on iPhone within the Zeller App — our dedicated business super app — we’re offering increased efficiency for our customers, who can accept payments, manage finances, and streamline operations all from their iPhone. This is a game-changer for business owners at every stage,” commented Ben Pfisterer, Zeller CEO and co-founder.

Tap to Pay on iPhone enables Zeller customers to use a contactless payment acceptance solution that is easy to set up and use. On an iPhone XS or later running the latest version of iOS, merchants can simply download the Zeller App from the Apple App Store to get started accepting contactless payments within minutes.

 For more information on Tap to Pay on iPhone using Zeller.