The lack of female representation in the franchise industry mirrors a broader trend, unfortunately seen across many sectors in Australia. In 2021, the Franchise Council of Australia reported that only 29% of franchise businesses were owned by women. The gender gap in the print industry is even more pronounced, with women making up a significantly smaller percentage of leadership and ownership roles.

So, why exactly are women underrepresented in the print and franchise industries, and what can we do to encourage change?

It would be irresponsible to deny that the empowerment of women in the workforce has significantly increased over the past five years, especially among small-business owners. Female-owned businesses are celebrated in mainstream media, and stories of women breaking through the glass ceiling are frequently featured on magazine covers. We are now more empowered to take the leap society once directed us not to.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that founding and maintaining a small business is no easy feat. Entrepreneurs must navigate a range of challenges without the safety net of an established model. In fact, it’s validating to admit that becoming a small-business owner is tough.

From the outset, small-business owners invest considerable time and resources into developing their business ideas, building operational systems, and establishing a brand from scratch. This process demands extensive market research, relentless marketing efforts, and constant juggling of financial and operational responsibilities.

The need for a proven framework amplifies the risk of failure, as many small businesses struggle with cash flow, market competition, and unforeseen obstacles. With the benefit of an established business model or a loyal customer base, small-business owners can experience a challenging journey where success is far from guaranteed.

But here’s the secret: franchise ownership provides much more support.

Franchisees step into a proven business model, significantly reducing the risk of failure that independent small business owners often face. With established brand recognition, pre-existing customer loyalty, and a tested operational framework, the groundwork for success is already laid. This structure allows women entrepreneurs to focus on growth and management rather than the complexities of starting from scratch.

Many franchises offer flexible work schedules and ongoing support, making them particularly appealing to women balancing business ownership with personal or family commitments. By joining a franchise, women gain access to training, mentorship, and a network of fellow franchisees, empowering them to thrive in an environment that minimises risk and maximises opportunity.

As I’ve navigated the intricacies of the franchise industry, specifically in print, I’ve learned so much about the challenges of balancing creativity with business demands, the importance of efficient operations, and the critical need for adaptability in a rapidly evolving market.

I’ve also gained valuable insights into the complexities of maintaining customer relationships and the significance of staying ahead of technological advancements. Additionally, I’ve seen firsthand the barriers women face in this space, from underrepresentation to limited access to leadership opportunities.

Despite these challenges, I’ve realised that success is achievable with the right support system, like the framework offered by franchising. With access to resources, mentorship, and a network of experienced professionals, this journey has shown me the importance of perseverance, collaboration, and embracing innovation to thrive in both the print and franchise sectors.

Contributed by Sonia Shwabsky, CEO, Kwik Kopy Australia

Research shows that only 1 in 3 people would start a business and work with a family member.

The study, commissioned by COS, an Australian-owned and operated family business offering product supply solutions for the workplace, surveyed over 1,000 Australian workers and uncovered that the majority of people these days would never consider starting a business with a family member. The main reasons were ‘You shouldn’t mix business and family’ (50%), ‘It would be too hard to separate the two’ (32%) and ‘I would argue with them all the time’ (20%). Interestingly males were more open to it (41%) compared to their female counterparts, and 25-34 year olds were the most likely age group to start a family business (45%).

Co-CEO of COS, Belinda Lyone says, “Being part of a family owned and operated company shouldn’t be like an episode of Succession, in fact quite the opposite.  There is something extremely special and rewarding about working in a family owned and run company. Whether you are part of the founding family or an unrelated employee, working for a company that has a strong sense of values, its mission and vision, and one that is able to prioritise people over profit, are just a few of the positive drawcards.”

But Belinda adds that it certainly isn’t for everyone, “I’ve now been in the business for 18 years, but I still remember those early days well, and it wasn’t easy. In our family it’s a rule that you must work somewhere else before entering the family business, and I’m thankful for that as it has helped my confidence and made me realise which parts of running a business I was most passionate about. Often people think that taking the reins of a family business is an easy route, but it definitely comes with great pressure and responsibility, so it’s not a decision or opportunity that should be taken lightly.”

To guide anyone considering to work with a family member

Strategies Belinda and her sister Amie implemented at COS to successfully take over their father’s business of 45 years are:

1. Clearly define roles and responsibilities for all family members involved.

This is the golden rule, because it’s important the role is only accepted if the person is clear and passionate about what they will be doing on a day-to-day basis. For example, at COS Belinda focuses on the strategy, sourcing and sales, with Amie focusing on the team, service levels and logistics.

2. Develop a conflict resolution plan before any issues arise.

Every team and family experiences conflict at one point or another. Understanding how conflict will be handled and resolved is essential. At COS for example, no conflict is expressed in front of staff members and there is a safe word to signal when the discussion should be moved to a private location.

3. Set boundaries around family time and business time.

Having clear divisions around when is family time and when is company time is imperative. For example, don’t discuss business on the weekend or at family events. It’s also important to foster family relationships separately to the professional relationship to ensure quality time together is still achieved.

4. Never use nicknames.

Calling everyone by their first name is a must – there is no space for ‘Mum’ or ‘Dad’ in a workplace. For employees looking to work for a family business, if first names are not used this is a huge red flag as it indicates there may be issues setting and maintaining personal and professional boundaries.

5. Have a vision for the future.

No matter whether a person is creating a start up with a sibling or taking the reigns over of a corporation from a parent, to be truly successful the team must take full responsibility for the future direction of the business, as well as all day-to-day operations. Without strong goals for the future, the entire company will suffer.

Belinda concludes, “As long as there is strong communication and a mutual determination to succeed, working with family is an honour. Not only are you able to deepen the family relationship and bonds, but you’re able to create or build on a legacy that can live on for generations.”

For more information on COS, visit: https://www.cos.net.au/

Australia’s leading employment marketplace, SEEK, has released its inaugural Workplace Happiness Index, providing a pulse check on Australians’ happiness levels at work, and comprehensive and timely insights into how best to foster and improve workplace happiness.  

This survey of over 1,200 workers across a broad range of generations, locations, industries, income levels and seniorities* revealed that only 55% of Australians report that they feel happy at work. This new Index asked workers how happy they currently are with a range of factors, such as work-life balance and their senior management. This data was then analysed to determine how workers rank each factor in contributing to their workplace happiness overall. 

Aimee Hutton, Head of Customer Insights and Strategy comments: “While we may not love every job that we are in at every life stage, being happy at work is an important contributor to a person’s overall health and wellbeing. However, it’s not just about the individual benefits of workplace happiness. The research in SEEK’s Workplace Happiness Index shows that those who are unhappy at work are more likely (83%) to think about changing jobs, compared to those who are happy (45%) at work. This is testament to happiness at work being invaluable for Australian businesses and healthy productivity in the labour market.  

The aim of this inaugural Workplace Happiness Index is to spotlight the strongest opportunities to improve happiness at work for both employees and employers, and ultimately, drive a happier workforce in Australia.”  

What Australian workers are currently happy with (and not) at work  

SEEK’s research reveals that it’s the type of work, and who we work with and where, that are the biggest drivers of current happiness at work, with location of work, day-to-day responsibilities and work-life balance taking the lead. 
 
On the other hand, the Index also revealed what Australians are least happy with at work, which includes their salary and career growth. This is possibly reflective of an increasingly competitive labour market where some employees may have less bargaining power over their employment terms. The data also suggests there is an expectation that business leaders need to step up to the plate on their commitment to social and environmental responsibility, with only 35% of Australians happy with this. 
 

The most important factors to Australian workers’ happiness at work 

Interestingly, having purpose at work takes the top spot as the most important contributor to happiness, ahead of work-life balance and salary, which ranked eighth and ninth respectively. Australians also consider individual contribution and social connection to be most significant in their happiness at work, with their manager, day-to-day responsibilities, company culture and stress levels ranked as important after purpose at work. 

“What’s quite revealing in this Index is that having a meaningful purpose, followed by a great manager has a bigger impact on workplace happiness than money and job security — which, interestingly, don’t even make it into the top five most important factors contributing to overall workplace happiness. 

It’s uncovered a clear opportunity for employees and employers alike to consider ways to drive greater fulfilment and connection at work. We hope that this Index can help fuel meaningful change to improve happiness at work across Australia,” says Hutton. 

“Many working Australians are struggling with financial uncertainty, and many of us are still grappling with the constantly changing way we work, so it’s unsurprising to see only 55% of people are happy at work,” says Transitioning Well Co-Director and Organisational Psychologist, Justine Alter. “We need to acknowledge this intersection, as it’s just as important to support workers to live well, as much as it is to support them to work well. From an individual point of view, we know that happiness can be a protective mental health factor, and can lead to a longer, healthier life. At an organisational level, there are numerous studies to suggest that happier workers are more productive, highlighting its importance.” 

Further insights from SEEK’s Workplace Happiness Index  

• Talkin’ about our generations – the youngest generation of workers, Gen Z, is the least happy generation at work, with only half (50%) saying they are happy at work. However, it may not be for the reasons that you think – with Gen Z being least happy with their career progression opportunities and senior leadership, as well as the company’s commitment to ESG. On the flipside, Baby Boomers are the most happy at work (61%).  

• State of the states – South Australian workers are the happiest at work (67%), while Western Australian workers are the least happy (46%). The likes of NSW and VIC sit around the halfway mark – with 54% and 57% happy at work, respectively.  

• Sector by sector – Government workers (71%) and Retail and Consumer Products (63%) workers are the happiest at work, while those in the engineering (25%) and construction (40%) industries are the least happy.  

Westpac research^[1] reveals that almost half (48%) of surveyed Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) leaders looking to start their own business are motivated by the desire to be their own boss.

This was followed by flexibility of work hours (36%), identifying a gap in the market (25%), and being inspired by successful entrepreneurs (20%), which was particularly relevant for Gen Z (at a much higher 48%).

Side hustles are also a key motivator with 19% being driven by another income stream.

On average, the surveyed SME leaders now estimate the businesses they started from scratch are worth $1.8 million.

The research also showed that for more than a third (35%) of SME leaders, their business was profitable within the first year. However, on average it took 2.3 years to turn a profit.

Despite the benefits of being your own boss, new business owners were also faced with challenges. Cashflow was the biggest hurdle they had to overcome in the first two years of establishing a business (27%), in addition to long hours (17%) and operating without making a profit (16%).

Tamara Bryden, Westpac Managing Director, Business Lending, said: “We play a key role in supporting aspiring business owners to get started, as this not only supports their ambitions, but also contributes to economic growth and innovation.

“We know that for many people starting a business, access to funding is a determining factor in getting their business off the ground. We’re committed to supporting the next generation of business owners who want to be their own boss, so we’ve made it less complicated to access finance with dedicated start-up and scale-up loans,” she said.

Westpac is committed to helping businesses start-up and scale-up with business loans for new and existing customers:

• Business Loans for start-ups. Unsecured business loans between $10,000 and $50,000 with loan terms of up to five years to help new businesses get started. These are businesses that have operated for less than 2 years and applicants must provide a sound business plan and budget projections and meet eligibility and credit criteria for approval^[2].
• Business Loans for scale-ups. Secured or unsecured business loans between $5,000 and $3 million with a variety of loan terms to help existing businesses to grow. Applicants must provide relevant financial and tax information, including at least 12 months’ financials, and meet eligibility and credit criteria for approval^[2].

The research also showed:

• On average, SME business leaders started their current business at 33 years old. Female SME leaders are on average three years younger, starting their business at 31 years (compared to 34 years for men).
• Over one in four (27%) SME leaders have started a business from scratch.
• The hardest part of starting a business is the uncertainty about making money
  (21%). The biggest hurdle for over a quarter of SME leaders (27%) in the first two years was cashflow.
• Nearly two thirds (63%) of SME leaders funded their current business through their own savings. This is nearly twice as many as those who used a loan from a financial institution.
• In terms of support, 28% said their family was the most help when they first started their business, followed by partners, and a mentor.

Customer case study

Business name:           Your Space Oceania

Business Website:       www.yourspaceoceania.com

Business Owner:         Tony Milham, Managing Director

Location:                     Tasmania, Australia (national service)

Overview of Your Space Oceania

Your Space Oceania, an Australian-owned and operated company, is setting a new standard in home ownership by offering sustainable, affordable, and customisable modular homes. Proudly designed and engineered in Australia, these homes are crafted with the planet in mind and built to last, utilising materials that minimise environmental impact without compromising on quality or luxury.

The team specialise in creating modular homes that are tailored to the customers’ needs and values. They manage every aspect of the build from initial planning to final installation, providing a seamless experience.

Tony Milham, Managing Director, Your Space Oceania said:

“What inspired me to start my own business was the drive to create sustainable, customisable, and affordable modular homes. At Your Space Oceania, we understand that affordable housing is crucial, and our mission is to provide high-quality, stylish homes even on a modest budget.”

Tony Milham continued:

“After months of struggling to secure a loan from several Australian banks for my new business, I was running out of funds. The lack of response and endless follow-ups left me feeling frustrated and defeated.

“As I’d always had a good experience with Westpac for my home loan, I decided to visit my local branch to see if they could help with my business request. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by a welcoming team that was genuinely eager to help. They swiftly introduced me to Inder Singh, Westpac Business Finance Manager, Small Business, a dedicated banker who had answers to everything and provided great advice.

“He recommended I take out a Westpac Business Loan for start-ups – all I needed was a solid business plan and to meet the credit criteria.

“Just two weeks later, I received the loan. It was that simple!

“Since I have received the loan, I have been able to focus on developing our products, building our website, paying wages, and start trading! I’m happy to say that business is going well, and we have already sold several of our modular homes.”

For more information on the Westpac business loans for start-up and scale-ups, visit:

Business loan for startups | Westpac

 Life360, a family connection and safety company, today introduced an all-new lineup of Tile Bluetooth trackers. Dedicated to making everyday better, Life360’s new Tile trackers are designed to help families and small businesses effortlessly keep track of their valuable items and ensure the safety of their loved ones with enhanced location-sharing capabilities. Each tracker will feature a multi-function button that extends the Life360 app’s SOS services, providing an extra layer of security at the user’s fingertips. In addition to an enhanced integration with the Life360 app, models in the new Tile lineup will feature improvements such as extended range, a louder ring, and a refined design, delivering unmatched convenience and peace of mind to customers.

Tile’s full integration with the Life360 app and network is a category-changing next step toward Life360’s vision of keeping its members safe and close to the people, pets, and things they care about. The new multi-function button on Tile extends Life360’s SOS feature to Tile devices. In an emergency, pressing the Tile button three times triggers a Life360 SOS alert, which sends a notification and the user’s location information to their Life360 Circle and designated emergency contacts, letting them know something is wrong. SOS alerts are free for all Life360 users. 

Additionally, the Life360 app can be used to locate and ring shared Tiled items or ring a connected mobile phone, allowing families to help each other quickly find important items. With compatibility across both iOS and Android, the Tile and Life360 apps ensure that these essential features are accessible to all the important people in your life, regardless of phone choice.

“As we expand Life360’s capabilities, the new Tile lineup advances our vision of a comprehensive solution for staying connected and protecting what matters most to families,” said Chris Hulls, co-founder and CEO of Life360. “With our extensive network of over 70 million monthly active users, finding lost and stolen items is faster and more reliable than ever before. By enhancing the integration of Tile and Life360, we are creating a seamless experience that provides peace of mind by keeping our members close to the people and things they love.”

The Tile lineup features a sleek redesign and four new colours, allowing each family member to select their favorite. Tile trackers also include four unique models, each ready to use right out of the box with no additional accessories. The models include:

• Tile Mate ($44.95): Tile’s everything tracker with built in key ring. The Mate is ideal for keeping track of anything from keys and backpacks to lunchboxes and handbags.
• Tile Pro ($59.95): Our most powerful tracker with built in key ring, the Pro has a louder ring and the longest range. Keep an eye on your most valuable stuff – like your golf bag, camera, or car.
• Tile Slim ($49.95): Tile’s thinnest tracker, the Slim slides easily into wallets, passport holders, luggage, and more.
• Tile Sticker ($39.95): The smallest Bluetooth tracker on the market, the Sticker adheres easily to your loseables and valuables – whether it’s the TV remote or a brand-new bicycle.

Tile Mate, Slim, and Pro each extended their Bluetooth range to be best in class (Tile Pro now ranges up to 500ft), while Tile Mate, Sticker, and Pro each now feature an even louder ring for a superior nearby finding experience. These new features complement Tile’s existing benefits, such as Anti-Theft Mode, a unique feature designed to protect high-value items from theft. Unlike competitors, Tile won’t alert thieves to its presence via notifications, so users have an improved chance of recovering their valuables.

Life360 offers various membership tiers—Free, Silver, Gold, and Platinum— designed to meet the diverse needs of families. The optional Gold and Platinum memberships, available in Australia, the US, UK, and Canada, provide additional benefits, including the ability to contact emergency dispatch services with the Tile’s SOS feature. This means members do not have to call for help themselves; the dispatcher will assess the situation and contact the appropriate authorities. Other optional premium benefits include Roadside Assistance, Stolen Phone Protection, 30 days of Location History, Individual Driving Reports, and much more, offering an extra layer of security and peace of mind.

The new lineup will be available on September 17 across Tile.com and retailers worldwide.

In anticipation of the iPhone 16 hitting stores this Friday, Vodafone has revealed the top finance hacks for customers to get a free iPhone 16.  

Recent findings show that the average Australian household has 1.5 unused smart devices tucked away¹. Whether you are a Samsung user wanting to switch or an Apple fanatic, Vodafone says these forgotten gadgets can be turned into valuable trade-ins, covering the entire cost of the new iPhone 16 devices valued between $1,399 and $2,849. 

Additionally, one in three Australians upgrade their phone every two years or sooner². Below is a table of devices Aussies might have stashed away at home, which could save them thousands in repayment fees if they’re considering upgrading. 

Australians can get a free iPhone 16 for $0 by signing up to Vodafone’s $79 plan, staying connected for 36 months, and trading in an eligible device. 

To make the deal even sweeter, Vodafone has tripled the monthly data on this $79 plan from 200GB to 600GB and is throwing in 3 months of free Binge to stream! 

Social media tactics are the top lever Australian retail entrepreneurs are employing to attract and retain customers. This is according to new data from more than 13,000 owners of retail businesses on Shopify, including over 800 from Australia, exploring the priorities, challenges and opportunities that merchants are seeing ahead of the peak holiday sales season.

These strategies emerge as the current economic climate and its impact on consumer spending remain top-of-mind for retail entrepreneurs, with local retail business owners the second most concerned globally about consumer spending levels (77%)  behind Spain (83%), and the most concerned about interest rates (66%). When it comes to Black Friday/Cyber Monday and the holiday season,  33% of Australian retail entrepreneurs say they are optimistic about the upcoming peak sales season compared to 35% who are less optimistic. Toys & Games merchants were found to have the most positive holiday outlook (42% optimistic) compared to other categories and are equal first when it comes to business preparedness (20% prepared) alongside Food and Beverage business owners. 

But while economic challenges continue to be a concern for Australian retail entrepreneurs, the data also highlights the resilience of Australian businesses and their drive to adapt and innovate to meet the needs of today’s consumers.

Strategies for navigating the peak holiday season

According to the research, Australian retailers are focusing on several key strategies for their peak season plans:

• Expanding into new product areas (31%)
• Improving ROI on marketing spend (30%)
• Reducing operating cost (27%)
• Expanding into new sales channels (22%) 

When it comes to attracting and retaining customers, social media-related strategies feature prominently: 

• 70% of retail business owners said they will prioritise social media engagement for customer retention, followed by providing exclusive offers and promotions (42%) and enhancing customer service (38%). 
• Organic social media content (47%) and paid advertisements on social media (32%) ranked as the top two strategies for attracting new customers, with a substantial 72% of respondents citing strategies related to social media, affiliate marketing and influencer partnerships overall. 
• 63% of retail business owners said they will be leveraging social media platforms for direct sales.

Cost of living concerns continue to impact spending habits 

Unsurprisingly, the rising cost of living and inflationary pressures continue to be the driving factors behind consumer habits, which is a key concern for merchants: 

• 44% of Aussie retail business owners have noticed an interest in discounts and 43% have noticed an increase in price sensitivity.
• Over half (51%) of retail entrepreneurs have noticed a decrease in discretionary spending, 50% cited a decrease in frequency of spend and 36% noted a decrease in average order value.
• The top concerns cited by Australian business owners are consumer spending levels (77%), inflation (76%) and local economic conditions (71%). 

As a result, merchants are revisiting their pricing strategies, targeting new audiences, and introducing compelling new offers to remain competitive:

• 48% of business owners said that due to changing consumer behaviour, they are adjusting pricing strategies to remain competitive, while 46% are increasing promotional activities to boost sales. 
• 37% of retail entrepreneurs are investing more in digital marketing to reach broader audiences
• 28% of retail business owners are shifting focus to more cost-effective products
• 24% are redesigning their marketing messages to emphasise value and affordability.  

Optimism in technology sparks AI utilisation

Businesses are also continuing to strive to create efficiencies within their operations in the lead-up to the peak sales period, which is sparking an uptick in AI use:

• Over half (53%) reported using AI to generate content, from product descriptions to blogs and social media captions, with Health & Beauty and Food & Beverage retailers reigning as the top industries to use AI for this function (both 59%).
• AI is being used to enhance product imagery (37%) such as background removal, image enhancement, and virtual try-ons, most primarily by Toys & Games retailers (42%). 
• AI is being used to drive marketing initiatives (35%) such as product recommendations, social advertising, campaigns, SEO, and customer targeting, most primarily by Toys & Games retailers (40%).
• A quarter of Aussie retail entrepreneurs also reported using AI to help with data analysis and insights, and 24% use AI to automate and streamline business processes. 
• The top industries embracing Shopify’s AI functionality are:
  • Toys & Games (31%)
  • Baby & Toddler (23%)
  • Arts & Entertainment (21%)

Shaun Broughton, Managing Director, APAC at Shopify comments: “As Australian entrepreneurs navigate the current economic climate ahead of the holiday season, it is crucial that they not only deepen their engagement on social media — where their customers spend significant time — but also remain agile in responding to growing price sensitivities. Investing in technologies like AI that drive greater efficiencies while reducing costs, has also emerged as a valuable strategy for improving business readiness.” 

“Black Friday/Cyber Monday and the broader holiday season present a valuable opportunity for businesses to explore new initiatives and strategies that can maximise reach and help them stand out. Although venturing into new markets or adopting new technologies can be daunting, it is important to think creatively and stay forward-focused,”said Shaun. 

Officeworks has announced the launch of “Officeworks for Business,” designed to support and provide a convenient solution to businesses nationwide. 

Tailored to meet the needs of today’s business environment, Officeworks for Business provides exclusive value and benefits to both new and existing business customers. Businesses, regardless of size, can save 5% on hundreds of business essentials, receive 30 days to pay to help stay on top of their cashflow and access a range of other exclusive offers both in store and online.  

Sarah Hunter, Managing Director of Officeworks, commented, “Officeworks for Business provides access to exclusive pricing and benefits on the widest range of products, including​ a​ 15% off introductory offer on four of our most popular copy paper lines. We remain focused on meeting the changing needs of our community as digitisation is transforming the way our business customers work, learn, create and connect. We are truly focused on helping our business customers make bigger things happen. 

Sarah Hunter added, “We understand the challenges that businesses face, especially small businesses during these inflationary times, and with Officeworks for Business, we aim to offer more than just products. Whether a local gym, not-for-profit, retailer or medical centre this is a complete support system that helps them save time, money and receive in-person personalised support to ensure they can focus their resources on what matters most.”  

Officeworks for Business comes at a time when SMEs are experiencing financial pressures with data showing:  

• Credit reporting firm illion finds that the number of small businesses at risk of collapse has jumped by 20 per cent in a year. 

• In 2023, the Australian Bureau of Statistics identified about 14.0% or 356,216 Australian businesses ‘exited’, simply closed. 

Professor of Consumer Behaviour and Retail Marketing, Gary Mortimer said, “Australian businesses, particularly sole-operator and small businesses have been doing it tough for many years, so such a program can alleviate some of the costs for operators. In particular, offers that include business discounts, free delivery and same-day printing certainly responds to the financial and operational pressure’s businesses are facing today. 

“Business buyers are also actively seeking products that cause minimal environmental harm – businesses must embrace sustainability practices. This new Officeworks for Business program offers guided buying and sustainable initiatives, which takes the ‘guesswork’ out for businesses, helps them attain their sustainability goals and meet their customers’ demands,” Professor Gary Mortimer added.  

Officeworks for Business reinforces the brands commitment to putting the community at the forefront of their operations and being a vital partner to small to medium-sized businesses.  

• Officeworks serves over 260,000 business customers, 92% of those are small medium enterprises (SMEs) 

• Officeworks provide approved access to credit to more than 100,000 businesses.  

• Where a customer faces financial hardship, Officeworks will work with the customer to put payment arrangements in place. 

Community support for SMEs: 

• Many small businesses rely on Officeworks support to start, run and grow their operations.  

• With dedicated assistance from the Officeworks local community engagement team, small business customers remain their top priority and a key long-term commitment. Throughout the year, Officeworks has provided in-kind support to 4,826 small businesses, helping provide relief as cost-of-living pressures increase.  

• Additionally, Officeworks store teams are encouraged and measured on the connections they create in their local communities. By engaging with small businesses, local schools, community groups and not-for-profit organisations, Officeworks can leverage its scale to support as many small businesses as possible.  

• Since FY2020, Officeworks has supported 19,000 small businesses, with the aim to achieve 24,000 small businesses by 2025. The aim is to help these businesses start, run, grow and thrive in the years ahead.   

Future advancements of the program are still in the works, with the business working towards launching more service additions and innovative solutions across its 170 nationwide store locations. Positioned to be a one-stop shop and convenient destination for all, the launch of Officeworks for Business reflects the retailer’s ongoing commitment to helping businesses of all sizes thrive. It offers low prices, the widest range of products, and the essential services customers need to manage both their households and businesses. 

Creating an account is simple—any customer with an ABN, regardless of their size or spending with Officeworks, can sign up. Existing Officeworks Business Account holders will also automatically gain access to the new offers, excluding those with existing, negotiated business pricing.  

• To sign up for Officeworks for Business, click here.  

Fiverr International Ltd, the company that is changing how the world works together, has released its latest data revealing how Aussie businesses surveyed are gearing up to tackle an unpredictable holiday shopping season. Fiverr conducted a nationwide survey of 504 consumers and 500 small-to-medium business leaders across Australia in partnership with Censuswide. The findings highlight significant shifts in marketing strategies among Australian businesses, driven by evolving privacy laws, economic pressures, and changing consumer priorities. 

Privacy Laws Prompt a Shift Away from Targeted Advertising

With impending privacy regulations set to align with Europe’s stringent GDPR laws, 24.8% of medium-sized businesses surveyed are scaling back on targeted advertising. This strategic shift prioritises compliance and long-term sustainability over traditional data-driven marketing methods.

“The upcoming privacy regulations are really pushing businesses, especially mid-sized ones, to rethink how they approach advertising,” said Gali Arnon, Chief Business Officer at Fiverr. “With the rising costs and risks tied to data-driven advertising, along with the new challenges around consent management, companies are being driven to shift toward more sustainable and privacy-compliant marketing strategies. As the definition of personal information broadens and consent rules tighten, brands will have to find new ways to connect with their audiences.” 

Prioritising Customer Experience and Operational Efficiency

Rather than simply cutting costs, businesses are reallocating their budgets toward enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. Notably, 41.8% of Australian companies surveyed are investing in AI across the customer journey, while 40.8% are optimising logistics and offering faster shipping options. Furthermore, 39.8% are turning to content creation and influencer partnerships to build direct, owned channels, reducing reliance on traditional advertising methods.

AI adoption is accelerating, with 68.6% of respondents integrating AI into their operations. This trend is especially pronounced in e-commerce, where 84.2% of businesses now use AI, particularly for chatbots and inventory management, to better meet consumer demands.

Recruitment Trends for the Holiday Season

The research also highlights strategic workforce planning among SMEs for the upcoming holiday season. With 42.8% of SME owners surveyed hiring full-time or part-time staff and 40.2% bringing on seasonal employees, the retail sector is preparing to meet the festive rush. Additionally, 40% of businesses are leveraging freelance talent for added flexibility, and 6.8% are turning to AI tools as an alternative to expanding their teams. 

Surviving the ‘Amazon Effect’ 

Small and medium-sized businesses are grappling with challenges as they compete with larger eCommerce brands like Shein, Amazon and Temu. These giants have the financial resources to weather economic downturns, making it difficult for SMBs to keep pace, especially with rising labour costs, inflation, and shrinking sales. Competition from these larger e-commerce brands is a major concern for 44.60% of SMBs surveyed, highlighting the immense pressure they face from well-resourced competitors. 

“For SMBs, the challenge is not just how to compete, but how to outmanoeuvre competitors with far deeper pockets. It’s a critical time for businesses to invest strategically, ensuring every dollar spent contributes to long-term growth and customer loyalty,” added Ms. Arnon.

Affordability Takes Precedence Over Sustainability

Another key finding from the research is the shift in consumer priorities, with affordability now outweighing sustainability in purchase decisions. As economic pressures mount, 50.79% of respondents prioritise good deals, and 41% value free shipping, particularly among women. While these practical concerns dominate, a notable 7.14% still consider sustainable products, and 7.74% prioritise ethical brands, indicating that despite the focus on affordability, a segment of consumers continues to value sustainability and ethics in their choices.

Methodology

Global Consumer Research: The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,539 nationally representative consumers across the USA, UK, Germany, France, and Australia. The data was collected between 26.07.2024 – 30.07.2024. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct which is based on the ESOMAR principles.

Global Business Research: The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,508 SME owners/leaders (aged 18+) in Retail or E-commerce across the USA, UK, France, Germany and Australia (excluding sole traders). The data was collected between 27.07.2024 – 05.08.2024. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct which is based on the ESOMAR principles.

Gen™, a global leader in consumer Cyber Safety with a family of brands, Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender and CCleaner, has released the Q2/2024 Gen Threat Report. The report spotlights the most notable cyberattacks targeting consumers from April to June 2024.

Gen experts warn that it is more important than ever to stay vigilant as cybercriminals increasingly use generative AI to create sophisticated scams using voices, images and videos to make their schemes more convincing. Attackers are using celebrities, global events, and brands as shiny lures. And as more people find themselves navigating economic hardships, the promise of easy money through phony investments, cryptocurrency giveaways and part-time job offers has also become a timely hook for scammers preying upon unsuspecting victims seeking financial security.  

“We continue to see cybercriminals expand their toolkits with even more uses of AI to strengthen their attacks,” said Siggi Stefnisson, Chief Technology Officer at Gen.

“Scammers are cunning and adept at exploiting what is most likely to be on consumers’ minds – whether it has to do with elections, love or financial security. Now with AI and other new tech, their schemes are more sophisticated and convincing than ever before. We urge consumers to stay informed and alert. We will continue to keep a watchful eye on the latest threats and provide the latest knowledge and tools needed to be safer despite the evolving threat landscape.” 

Gen has one of the world’s largest consumer Cyber Safety networks protecting people around the globe against advanced online threats. Throughout Q2, Gen Cyber Safety brands blocked over one billion unique attacks each month, up 46% compared to last year. Interestingly, a staggering 95% of attacks happen while people use their browser and surf the web. In addition to blocking threats directly as part of our customers’ products and services, Gen researchers discovered and reported security vulnerabilities so that they could be patched by other companies, helping protect people from further attacks.  

Gen experts shared some of the most prevalent threats to watch for based on this quarter’s findings: 

Scammers’ Playbook: New and Revamped Tactics 

The accessibility and rise of AI allow cybercriminals to add a modern twist to their old tricks to lure more victims. We have seen bad actors using deepfakes of celebrities to promote fake cryptocurrency investment schemes, and now, scammers are targeting widely publicized events that will be broadcast live to draw a large audience.

For example, recently, scam group CryptoCore lured victims with highly convincing deepfakes of official events disseminated on compromised YouTube accounts and used QR codes to direct victims to fake crypto giveaway campaigns, stealing $5 million. During the SpaceX Starship integrated flight test (IFT-4) in June, nearly 50 YouTube accounts were hijacked, and the campaign resulted in 500 transactions amounting to a total value of $1.4 million. Gen products helped protect thousands of people from this threat in Q2, with the largest amounts in the US, UK, Brazil and Germany.

Amid challenging economic conditions, scammers are capitalizing on consumers’ needs with part-time job scams that promise quick money by completing simple tasks, like promoting goods on social media. Once trust is established, the scammers convince their victim to send them money so they can steal it. These scams have now evolved from text-based interactions on Telegram to more sophisticated AI-generated voice communications, adding a whole new layer of deception and realism. 

This quarter saw the revival of the classic antivirus scam that was first popular in the late 2000s, when cybercriminals were making millions of dollars by selling fake antivirus products. Nowadays, cybercriminals deploy aggressive pop-up alerts that mimic real antivirus programs, often claiming the computer is infected to urge immediate action. These fake alerts abuse the Windows notification system to appear as credible system messages to scare the person into purchasing antivirus software so the scammers can earn commissions through third-party referral programs.  

Digital Identity Theft: The New Gold Rush 

As large-scale company breaches seemingly become the norm in 2024, cybercriminals turn an eye toward stealing digital identities. Attackers are using direct methods such as Information Stealers (InfoStealers) and Mobile Bankers, going beyond buying data on the Dark Web to snap up consumers’ valuable personal information. 

InfoStealers breach devices to steal login details, session cookies, passwords and financial information. While InfoStealers saw a slight decline in Q2/2024, notable malware families continue to grow, with the most dominant AgentTesla increasing its market share by 11 %. 

Mobile bankers, on the other hand, specifically target mobile devices to steal banking details, cryptocurrency wallets, and instant payments credentials. In Q2/2024, Bankers such as TeaBot, disguised as a PDF reader, targeted Revolut customers. Meanwhile, spyware threats such as XploitSpy and AridSpy are sneaking onto the PlayStore, stealing files and monitoring users through their cameras and microphones.  

Norton LifeLock provides a 12-step guide to help people if they believe their identity may have been compromised.  

On the Rise: Consumer Ransomware 

Consumers remain an attractive target for ransomware as they often have less protection in place than large companies. According to Gen telemetry, there was a 24% rise quarter over quarter in consumer ransomware attacks in Q2/2024. India saw a staggering 379% increase, followed by notable spikes in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

A popular delivery technique is to hide ransomware payload in pirated content. Even though some operators of major ransomware gangs like LockBit have been brought to justice in the last quarter, Gen urges consumers to take precautions to keep their data safe, such as doing regular back-ups. 

Gen researchers collaborate with governments across the globe to combat ransomware by providing free decryption tools for victims, and most recently released the Avast DoNex Ransomware Decryptor. 

To read the full Q2/2024 Gen Threat Report, visit: https://www.gendigital.com/blog/news/innovation/q2-2024-threat-report