When it comes to warranties for business and enterprise-grade IT kit in Australia, the prevailing attitude seems to be: don’t worry about it.  

And why would you? Most networking gear is solid state and will last a lifetime. So why don’t more brands offer a lifetime warranty? TP-Link’s Omada Pro answers that question very simply: by offering a Limited Lifetime Warranty (LLW). 

This warranty applies to Omada Pro controllers, access points, routers, and switches. A quick refresher on warranty law: A lifetime warranty covers a product for the lifetime of that product, which is generally the time that product stays in production, and some years after that date. In TP-Link’s case, that means the whole period the Omada Pro device is in production, plus five years after it is discontinued. 

The “limited” aspect of the warranty means the warranty only applies to the hardware’s case and internal parts. External accessories like power supplies, modules, and other accessories, are covered under their own warranties. These are usually TP-Link’s three-year limited warranty, but naturally you should check the small print before making any purchase decision for your business.  

Troubleshooting and returns 

A limited lifetime warranty is great on paper, but it’s also only as good as the return merchandise authorisation (RMA) support behind it. TP-Link offers a toll-free hotline on 1300 875 465 where they’ll help businesses first troubleshoot a problematic device, to get a case number they can take to their reseller. And if the reseller won’t accept the return or there’s a problem, TP-Link can also process the warranty claim directly. 

As with the company’s other warranties, if an Omada Pro device is found to be defective and is covered by the LLW, customers can choose whether to get the device repaired, or simply replaced. 

Naturally there are some conditions that disqualify devices, but it’s nothing especially surprising: Don’t kick it down the stairs (unusual wear and tear), don’t try to service it yourself, don’t “jailbreak” it or use open-source software instead of what comes pre-loaded, and so on. One to watch out for is damage caused by transportation – so make sure your Omada Pro device isn’t damaged out of the box when you get it. 

Backing themselves for life 

A Limited Lifetime Warranty is also about peace of mind. After all, TP-Link isn’t offering such an extended warranty because it expects a lot of Omada Pro devices to fail – the exact opposite in fact.  

What a Limited Lifetime Warranty says is that TP-Link expects Omada Pro to be so reliable, you won’t ever have to get it repaired or replaced, and that it will just keep plugging along until you choose to upgrade your network (hopefully with the next generation of Omada Pro devices, right?).  

There’s something especially frustrating about networking gear that doesn’t work properly or having your network “go down” as a small business. Troubleshooting a router or trying to work out why an access point has a green light but no internet – it’s not just costing your business money in lost productivity; it feels like a waste of time. These things should just work! 

TP-Link is essentially making the claim that Omada Pro devices WILL just work, for years on end. And that has to look like a good deal, for any Aussie or NZ business. 

Read more TP-Link articles on Small Business Answers. 

Xero, the global small business platform, has released a Xero Small Business Insights (XSBI) special report, uncovering notable disparities in small business labour productivity across key Australian industries and regions.

The report, Small business productivity: Industry and regional trends, serves as a follow-up to the first XSBI productivity report released in April 2024, which highlighted a nationwide decline in small business productivity throughout 2023.

Small business labour productivity key findings include:

● The most productive Australian industry in 2023 was wholesale trade (A$214.20/hour), while hospitality lagged at A$40.20/hour

● While a decline in productivity was experienced across all industries, 10 sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture and construction, surpassed the national productivity average (A$100.30)

● Western Australia emerged as the most productive state (A$102.50/hour), with average productivity 15% higher than Tasmania (A$89.00/hour), the least productive state

Louise Southall, Xero Economist, said: “Xero’s new productivity data offers timely insights into small business productivity trends, due to its focus on small businesses, speed to market, monthly measurement cadence, and objective, anonymised, aggregated data. This is in contrast to other productivity data which is generally broader, slower to be released and covers a longer time period. What the report reveals is differences in small business labour productivity, varying significantly across industries and states.”

Industry data highlights the importance of embracing technology and investing in skills

Despite being traditional industries, agriculture and construction were two of Australia’s most productive industries between 2017 and 2023. Agriculture operators appear to have embraced innovation, achieving a productivity rate of A$120.60/hour in 2023, while construction businesses have seemingly prioritised skill development, recording A$117.00/hour — the fourth most productive industry.

Conversely, hospitality had one of the lowest levels of productivity at A$40.20/hour in 2023, but Xero’s data suggests the industry is embracing technology to lift productivity in response to ongoing staff shortages.

“The hospitality industry has been able to lift its productivity post-pandemic, and it’s promising to see some operators turning to other solutions to boost efficiencies, such as QR codes or online ordering,” Southall added.

All Australian regions experienced fall in productivity

The variation in labour productivity across states and the Australian Capital Territory was smaller than it was across the industries in 2023, with Victoria (A$101.90/hr) and New South Wales (A$101.10/hr) only marginally behind the most productive state, Western Australia (A$102.50/hour). All regions tracked in the XSBI data experienced a decline in productivity, compared to 2022. Queensland experienced the smallest decline in productivity (-2.3%), a few percentage points higher than the average national decline (-2.5%). Interestingly, the largest decline was seen in Western Australia (-4.0%).

“The decline in productivity in Western Australia over 2023 is surprising and most likely just a small pull-back in a state that has outperformed other areas of Australia in recent years. Western Australia is one of only two states that had higher productivity post-pandemic – average over 2022 and 2023 – than it did in the three years prior to the pandemic,” said Southall.

Small businesses can take steps to lift productivity For practical tips on boosting productivity, Xero has compiled a guide covering key areas such as investing in better tools, refining processes, upskilling employees, and leveraging entrepreneurship skills.

Anthony Drury, Managing Director ANZ, Xero, said: “Labour productivity is an important indicator of small business success, and it’s clear some industries and states are thriving while others lag. We encourage small businesses to look at ways to digitalise to drive greater efficiencies in their day-to-day operations. This is particularly crucial for service-based businesses like hospitality and healthcare, which are currently tracking below the national productivity average.”

“Looking ahead, sustained productivity growth is critical for small businesses and the broader economy, and the government must introduce smarter policies that have widespread application for any location or industry,” Drury concluded.

You can find a copy of Small business productivity: Industry and regional trends here.

Amid turbulent times for Australian small businesses, with many on the brink, Employment Hero’s latest SME Index, which draws from an expansive dataset of over 1.5 million employees and 150,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), reveals major discrepancies in wages that pin the winners and losers of wage growth across different industries.

Wage Growth Winners & Losers: Crumbs for hospitality workers

At the bottom of the pay ladder, the retail and hospitality sector recorded the lowest hourly rate at $33.10; a monthly decrease of -1.3 per cent since April. This is aligned with a downward trajectory, recorded from the Index since the start of 2024, causing repeated concern for both workers and business owners in this space.

At the top of the chain, the technology sector currently boasts the highest hourly rate at $55.79. However, a -3.3 per cent dip in monthly wages and an annual drop of -2.5 per cent suggests a continued cooling within this industry, and challenges in maintaining competitive pay as austerity continues in the sector’s push for growth.  

Despite a -2.2 per cent monthly drop in healthcare wages, the sector recorded robust annual wage growth of +7.5 per cent, reflecting the ongoing demand for healthcare professionals.

On the other end of the spectrum, the construction and trade sector, amongst the biggest contributors to the nation’s economy, has shown steady wage growth over the past year, with significant annual growth of +6.2 per cent. Month-on-month, hourly rates grew by +0.7 per cent, up to $40.35, and quarterly growth of +0.9 per cent, indicating consistent upward momentum for this sector, after a concerning slump in recent months.

Overall, the average hourly rate across Australia sits at $38.67 Month-on-Month, a drop of -1.4 per cent in April. However, Year-on-Year, the average rate has grown annually by +8 per cent, which while potentially good for employees in the short-term, suggests an unsustainable and continued cost burden on SME employers.

Wages Signal Wider Economic Implications

Ben Thompson, Co-Founder and CEO of Employment Hero said: “The disparity in wage growth across industries paints a complex picture of the Australian economy right now. While the tech sector’s wage drop may signal an adjustment period, the overall high pay levels suggest sustained investment and demand in this field. 

“Conversely, the retail and hospitality sector’s slower wage growth highlights challenges in maintaining profitability amid fluctuating consumer spending. However, for many industries, if ongoing wage growth continues unchecked, it may contribute to further inflation, posing risks to economic stability. And while the healthcare sector’s consistent growth reflects essential investments in public health and workforce sustainability, the same level of attention should be equally given to our retail and hospitality workers who are currently struggling.”

Healthcare & Construction leading in business growth

Over the past month, overall employee growth increased by +0.5 per cent, with an annual growth rate of +7.0 per cent in May. The healthcare sector saw the highest annual employee growth at +9.4 per cent, indicative of the sector’s critical role and the increasing demand for health services post-pandemic. 

This was followed by the construction and trade sector, which saw a monthly growth rate of +8.7 per cent. This can be largely attributed to ongoing infrastructure development projects, and increasing demand for skilled labour in this sector. Interestingly, despite leading in wage growth, the lowest employee growth was recorded in the technology sector at just +0.1 per cent monthly.

Job stability fading for Hospo, Retail

The median hours worked have remained relatively stable across most sectors, with an average of 141.9 hours per month. Construction and trade employees worked the most hours, equating to 167.7 in May. This represented a -0.4 per cent drop Month-on-Month; the lowest drop of all other industries.

The healthcare sector saw the second highest number of hours worked with an average of 105.1, a -1.1 per cent drop in May, aligning with an overall growth trajectory seen in this sector.

For the retail and hospitality sector, the downward slope continues, with median hours dropping by -2.5 per cent; the biggest dip of all industries. As restaurants and retailers shut shop across the country, more pain may be on the horizon for workers in these businesses. 

Eddie Kowalski, Senior Insights Manager at Employment Hero, said: “The stability in median hours worked across most sectors is encouraging, particularly in construction and trade services, which saw the least decline. This resilience can perhaps be attributed to the ongoing demand for workers on large-scale infrastructure projects across the country.

“Meanwhile, the healthcare sector continues to show high numbers of hours worked despite a slight drop, reflecting its critical role and growth trajectory which can somewhat be attributed to a rising population. However, the significant decrease in hours in the retail and hospitality sector highlights ongoing challenges and the need for strategic adaptation to shifting consumer behaviours, but even more so, it represents yet another concrete sign of struggle that signals a greater need for government support for small businesses.”

Mr Thompson added: “The retail and hospitality sector is particularly vulnerable in the current economic climate. Business owners are strapped for cash and the declining wages and reduced hours are symptomatic of broader financial pressures these businesses are facing. This trend not only impacts employees but also overall consumer spending and economic stability. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the health of the broader economy, and businesses need to now explore sustainable strategies to navigate these challenges and support their workforce as a direct result.”

The SME Index offers a detailed overview of the current economic landscape, highlighting the need for balanced growth across all sectors. While wage growth is a positive indicator of economic recovery, it must be carefully managed to prevent inflationary risks. The insights provided by the Index enable businesses and policymakers to make informed decisions that support sustainable economic development.

In May 2020, like many of us, my wife Sarah-Jane and I found ourselves in unchartered territory as we found ourselves navigating our first pandemic. With our normal 9 to 5s in disarray, we very quickly realised that there was only so much bread we could make in lockdown. Sorry to take you back to the dreaded days of the covid, but it is the very reason we are here today. We found ourselves in lockdown one day needing to send a gift to a male friend of ours who was turning 31 (no biggy), which meant that we were looking for a simple gift with a wine and a treat or two. Nothing that was going to break the bank, but we still wanted the gift to be fun and boutique. We scoured Google trying to find the perfect gift hamper, but to our surprise there was nothing that tickled our fancy, zero, zip! Now, hear us out – the gift hamper industry was, and is, saturated. However, we simply couldn’t find something that was up our alley at that point in time. We were looking for something that had a collection of cool local brands, as opposed to white-labelled products, something that was beautiful and fun, yet gender-neutral. We wanted quality over quantity.  Six weeks later Good Day People was born.

From the chaos of launching a business during Covid we had a determination to make something extraordinary out of challenging times, little did we know that the chaos had only just begun. I want to share some learnings and insights on finding hidden opportunities when things get tough, leveraging your strengths and resources, and what we wish we knew in the building of a business.  

Seek Out Opportunities During Challenging Times 

When the pandemic hit, everything paused. But instead of wallowing in frustration, we saw an opportunity not only in a business idea but rather an opportunity of more time than we have ever had before. We noticed that there was a gap in the online gift market for gifts that catered to a younger demographic and so, decided to do something different. Good Day People was born, offering boutique, unique, and, bloody brilliant gifts that supported Australian businesses.  

The lesson for us was when life throws pandemics, economy downturns, etc., there is always some new opportunity or gaps in the market. What do people need or want that they can’t get right now? How can you fill that void? Sometimes, the best ideas come from the most unexpected places. 

Tapping into Your Strengths and Resources 

Starting a business in the middle of a global crisis might sound crazy, but we knew with our combined skills and resources that we could make something good. Sarah-Jane, with her background in design and photography, created a stunning visual story for our brand. I, with my experience as a food stylist and cookbook author, focused on curating the best local Australian products and crafting our brand voice. It’s amazing what can be achieved when you have complimentary skills. 

We transformed our skills and resources into a business that not only stands out but also supports local businesses. Our quirky, bright canisters filled with everything from wine and spirits to kitchen gadgets and beauty products quickly became a hit very quickly, too quicky. Our original goal was to sell a hamper day, after the first 12 months of trading we had sold over 10,000+ gift hampers Australia wide.  

So, what’s the takeaway? Leverage what you’re good at. Identify the strengths and resources you already have and think about how you can use them to your advantage. You might be surprised at what you can achieve with what’s already at your fingertips and who may be complimentary to what you offer. 

What Advice Would We Give To New Business People? 

If we could go back and have a chat with our younger selves, we would say: 

1. Embrace Uncertainty 

Life is full of uncertainties, and that’s okay. Don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back. Embrace it, and use it as a driving force to innovate and create. There will be setbacks. Some days will be tougher than others. But resilience is key. Stay focused on your goals or mission and keep pushing forward, even when it feels like everything is against you. 

2. Be Agile, Not Fragile 

I once heard a physio say you need to keep agile otherwise you will get fragile. Never stop learning. Whether it’s a new skill, a piece of advice from a mentor, or feedback from customers, suppliers or business partners, keep an open mind and be willing to be agile and pivot quickly.  

3. Cash is King 

We’ve all heard the saying “cash is king,” and trust me, it’s true. In the early days of Good Day People, we faced some serious cash flow challenges. Running out of cash is a tough reality many start-ups face, especially self-funded ones. Accelerated growth, especially when you aren’t ready for it, can be a blessing and a curse. We had to get creative and make some hard decisions to sustain the unexpected growth we had during the lockdowns. Given supply and demand, we were able to increase prices, negotiate better rates with our suppliers, get 30 day payment terms and we also ordered ourselves a business credit card to give us an additional 30 days. We were conservative with taking on risk such as increasing our overheads too quickly as we did not know what lied ahead of us beyond the pandemic. Keeping lean has meant that even as we’ve come out of lockdown and into a much slower economic climate, we’ve still managed to achieve a stable revenue stream that is growing year on year.  

4. Build a Brand That Customers Love 

We carved out a niche in our industry with a brand that has a fun voice and personality and a clear mission. We champion our amazing local brands. We are committed to doing better for the environment. We love on our customers and we take them on the journey. 

5. Think Big 

When times are tough, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged. But remember, nearly all challenges can also be opportunities in disguise. By seeking out hidden opportunities, tapping into your strengths, and staying resilient, you can turn even the toughest times into a launchpad for success. At Good Day People, we turned a pandemic-induced pause into a thriving business that’s all about mobilising generosity and making it a Good Day for others, one bougie gift at a time.  

Written by Jacob Leung, Co-Founder of Good Day People and keynote speaker at Online Retailer Conference in Sydney, 24^th July. Jacob’s session will focus on ‘When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Gets Going’ with more information available here.  

A new study conducted by online payments provider Pin Payments has revealed the biggest concerns for small businesses in Australia, with cybercrime, cost of living and late payments taking the lead.

The survey had responses from over 700 participants, who were either business owners or employed at a managerial or executive level within an SME. The results provided a unique snapshot into the current state of play for SMEs in Australia, highlighting the core issues and key differences between the countries.

Cybercrime was top of the list for Australian businesses, with 72 percent reporting fears regarding business fraud and 43 percent stating it was their biggest concern. Despite these worries, only 36 percent reported using two factor authentication as a security measure, showing a lack of fraud prevention across SMBs in Australia.

In New Zealand, the biggest concern for small businesses was late payments, with one in two businesses reporting it as a major challenge. Aussie SMBs weren’t far behind, with one in three people claiming it as a significant issue.

Unsurprisingly, economic instability was a major pain point for businesses in both nations, with a staggering 76 percent in Australia and 75 percent in New Zealand reporting that business has been impacted by inflation or rising costs, with customer spending decreasing by over 60 percent in both countries. Other reasons included, high borrowing costs and an inability to expand.

CEO of Pin Payments Chris Dahl said, it is clear to see the real impacts interest rate rises, inflation and increased costs of living is having on small businesses across both countries.

“This has been a growing area of concern for small businesses for years. Post-pandemic businesses haven’t had a break, with rising costs crippling opportunities for growth and leading to missed opportunities that impact revenue and, ultimately, business survival,” said Chris.

“In the last 12 months, the Australian Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 7.8 percent, its highest since 1990. Coupled with the difficulties businesses are already facing, that’s

concerning for the survival of small businesses which underpin our nation,” said Chris. In New Zealand, 50 percent of businesses said they had no plans to grow or expand. This was in stark contrast to Australia, who reported 1 in 2 businesses with plans to scale.

“It’s clear to see from these survey results, that New Zealand small businesses have been hit harder than Australia by recent global economic instability. Yet, New Zealand is a nation made up of small businesses, with over 5 million SMBs, making their survival vital to the country’s vibrant culture and GDP,” said Chris.

Recruitment sentiments between the two countries were another indicator of the disproportionate impacts of inflation, with Australian businesses being 27 percent more likely to hire in 2024 than New Zealand.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty for small businesses in both countries right now which leads to a halt in innovation and growth. Our nations share a union and often work side by side, with an overlap in businesses and staff. Therefore, the survival and support of the startup and SMB ecosystems in both countries is vital,” said Chris.

Looking ahead, the future of small businesses in Australia and New Zealand will depend heavily on greater collaboration, comprehensive support, and the fostering of a vibrant ecosystem for the SME and startup community.

Initiatives such as providing better access to funding, implementing robust mentorship programs, and fostering innovation through technology adoption are crucial to the continued success and survival of small businesses.

“Despite challenging conditions, SMEs across both nations have demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability over the past few years. Inflation has undoubtedly had a significant impact on small businesses, but with acknowledgment of these challenges and ongoing support, SMEs will continue to overcome obstacles and thrive in the long term,” said Chris Dahl.

In this era of AI, professionals must develop new skills to advance their careers. However, new research from LinkedIn shows they are facing roadblocks in their learning journey. Despite over half (52%) of professionals in Australia saying that their company is doing enough to cultivate a culture of learning, findings show that 9 in 10 (90%) say they face barriers that prevent them from learning new skills. Loud Learning is seen as a means to overcome this.

Top barriers faced include feeling exhausted and burnt out (39%), a lack of time due to family responsibilities or other personal commitments (37%), lack of motivation or discipline to set aside time (24%) and feeling overwhelmed by the amount of learning resources available (21%). 

Professionals are Loud Learning to overcome barriers to upskilling

‘Loud Learning’ – the act of being vocal and intentional about learning ambitions in the workplace — has emerged as a promising solution to this problem. Over half (54%) of professionals in Australia say that this practice can help them dedicate time to improve their skills. 

The top three ways that professionals in Australia are ‘Loud Learning’ include #1 informing their team members of their learning time blocks (41%), #2 sharing their learnings with teammates (38%) and #3 sharing their learning journey or accomplishments on LinkedIn (35%). Remarkably, 27% of professionals in Australia are already engaging in ‘Loud Learning’. 

Over half (60%) of professionals in Australia say that seeing their peers engage in ‘Loud Learning’ will motivate them to do the same. To complement their learning experiences, a third (30%) of professionals in Australia also say that they have a Learning BFF, with 41% also interested in getting one. A Learning BFF is a friend who supports and learns with them, makes the whole learning experience more fun and effective, while helping them stay accountable to their learning goals. 

Professionals are leveraging Loud Learning to grow their careers 

LinkedIn research shows that many(49%) of professionals in Australia believe that engaging in ‘Loud Learning’ can support their career growth. Some of the benefits include providing opportunities for mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals (30%),  facilitating knowledge and insights sharing amongst peers (28%)and opening doors to new career opportunities or advancement (27%).

Cayla Dengate, LinkedIn Career Expert, said:,  “According to LinkedIn data, skills needed for a job in Australia are expected to change by 66% by 2030, so it is vital for professionals to be super-focused on learning. ‘Loud Learning’ is a great hack that they can use to overcome the challenges faced when it comes to dedicating time to learning. By engaging in ‘Loud Learning’, you not only prioritise your own learning journey but also inspire and encourage others to dedicate time towards developing skills.” 

LinkedIn is also introducing new AI powered Premium tools to help professionals accelerate their learning journey. LinkedIn Learning’s new AI-powered coaching can help guide professionals’ course experience by allowing learners to ask for summaries of content or clarifying questions and providing real time insights and takeaways directly from the course pages. Powered by AI, LinkedIn’s expert advice allows learners to interact in an easy to use chat interface with select instructors and instantly receive personalised and actionable advice.

LinkedIn has also unlocked free LinkedIn Learning Courses including AI focused courses such as Building AI Literacy and Advancing Your Skills in Deep Learning and Neural Networks, as well as courses to support career advancement like Beating Procrastination and Project Management Foundations. These courses are available until 8 July 2024.

Here are LinkedIn Career Expert Tips from Caylaon how professionals can prioritise and commit time towards learning: 

• Be vocal by blocking out time for learning: Time-blocking your calendar is a simple way to commit to learning a new skill and for others to see you doing it. You could start with committing even just 15 mins a day and that can help you stay on track. 
• Post updates on your learning journey at work and on LinkedIn: Sharing your learning journey can encourage others. Share about your learning progress and how you overcame barriers with your colleagues and your LinkedIn network. This could help to spark discussions and might just inspire others to also dedicate time towards learning. 
• Buddy up with a Learning BFF: A supportive Learning BFF can make the process less daunting and more enjoyable while also holding you to account. Share insights and hold one another to your learning commitments to stay motivated throughout your learning journeys. A Learning BFF can also help to broaden your learning toolkit by introducing you to new tools and resources. 
• Leverage AI to supercharge your learning experience: LinkedIn’s new AI-powered coaching tool features a user-friendly chat interface to guide your course experience. Ask for advice around your learning gaps and get real-time insights on courses. Each response will also be personalised to you based on your title, career goals, and the skills you follow on LinkedIn Learning, so be sure to keep these up to date.
• Build your learning community: Engage in discussions on LinkedIn Groups – online communities where like-minded professionals come together to share insights around different topics. You can also contribute to collaborative articles to further exchange diverse perspectives.

 Shopify, the leading global commerce company powering over 25% of all online retail in Australia, has unveiled 150+ new products and enhancements to create a faster, more resilient, and unified experience for merchants. 

With enhancements across Point of Sale (POS), AI, analytics, merchandising and more, Shopify’s Summer Edition reimagines a truly streamlined and unified commerce experience for merchants and developers. Updates include AI-powered tools that support content generation and help merchants quickly answer customers, features that enable smoother in-person transactions, and the evolution of Markets, to make expanding your business more seamless.

“The Summer ’24 Edition reflects our mission to create a unified commerce experience for our merchants,” said Shaun Broughton, Managing Director, APAC at Shopify. “This unwavering belief in simplicity is what allows entrepreneurs and teams to expand into new markets, quickly pivot on up-to-the-minute data, and share new and exciting products, all without the costs and complexity that can so often hinder business growth.”

Simplify expansion with reimagined Markets

Millions of merchants rely on Shopify to scale their business—from entering new regions, expanding to wholesale, or opening brick-and-mortar stores. This Edition, Shopify has evolved Markets, formerly its cross-border selling solution, to become the central command centre for growth and expansion.

New in the Summer ’24 Edition for Australian merchants is: 

• Markets: With our reimagined Markets, merchants can sell internationally, expand into B2B and sell in person with Shopify POS—all consolidated into one location in their admin. They no longer have to navigate multiple stores or different workflows. The process stays consistent—simply create a new market (international, wholesale, in-store), make the customisations, and they are ready to launch.

AI enhancements built for commerce

Time is a valuable and often scarce resource for an entrepreneur. That’s why in the Summer ‘24 Edition, Shopify has taken its AI-powered features to the next level, embedding them throughout Shopify to save merchants precious hours and dollars.

New in the Summer ’24 Edition for Australian merchants are:

• Media Editor: In January, Shopify released AI image generation via Media Editor and saw merchants save over one million AI-generated images to their storefronts. Now, Shopify has extended AI image editing to everywhere in the Shopify admin where merchants use images, like the Online Store Editor and Email Editor. This feature is also available on the mobile app, so merchants can make professional image edits while on the go.
• AI-powered product creation: There is now an easier way to add new products to a store. With just a few keywords and a product image, Shopify Magic instantly suggests personalised and intelligent recommendations for all product categories. It will assign the right attributes to new products—like colour, size, and style—minimising listing errors so customers can easily find them on a merchant’s online store, on social, and on marketplaces.
• Suggested replies: Providing online shoppers with real-time answers to their questions can take up precious time that merchants are short on. Now, Shopify Magic quickly suggests an AI-generated response to an incoming customer chat based on information specific to a merchant’s store. Merchants can then approve (or edit) the response, hit send while they have the customer’s attention, and keep on selling—all in seconds.

Streamline in-store selling

Creating a seamless shopping journey in-store is vital for businesses. With Australians continuing to show interest in brick-and-mortar experiences, Shopify has made a series of upgrades to make selling in-person as easy as selling online.

POS updates in the Summer ’24 Edition for Australian merchants are: 

• Automations: Retailers can now offer one-tap digital receipts. If an in-store customer is a Shop Pay user, their email shows at checkout, where they can opt into receiving digital receipts and marketing. Shopify has also enabled automatic detection of whether a product can be returned, and provide staff with context on why. This reduces uncertainty among staff and creates a more consistent return experience for customers.  
• Discounts: Merchants can benefit from added flexibility when it comes to creating irresistible offers for customers. In POS, multiple discounts can now be applied at once to a cart. Merchants can also enhance their promotional strategies by introducing “Buy X Get Y” discount codes. 

Support timely decision-making with up-to-the-minute data

In a competitive retail environment, merchants need to be able to analyse customer behaviour and pivot quickly when needed. Fragmented and outdated data impacts timely decision-making, so Shopify has completely rebuilt its analytics to work smarter, faster and more intuitively for merchants.

New in the Summer ’24 Edition for Australian merchants is: 

• Unified analytics: Act on smarter, faster and more intuitive data with Shopify’s updated dashboard, powered by a pre-built report designed to provide insights on the most frequent commerce questions from merchants.

D-Link A/NZ has launched two new DXS-3410 Series Layer 3 10 Gigabit Stackable Managed Switches, the DXS-3410-32SY 32-Port with 28 10Gb SFP+ Ports and four 10/25Gb SFP28 Ports, as well as the DXS-3410-32XY 32-Port with 24 Multi-Gigabit 10GBASE-T Ports, four 10Gb SFP+ and four 10/25Gb SFP28 Ports.

The DXS-3410 Series are highly versatile Layer 3 stackable switches that provide adaptable, bottleneck-free 10G business connectivity. As they include powerful L2 and L3 features, they are highly flexible and capable of accommodating different network deployments.

Each of the two new models boast 10G fibre ports as well as four 10/25G SFP28 ports to provide versatility and speed, whilst providing either 10GB Ethernet or 10GB SFP+ interfaces across the models, providing flexibility for any type of deployment.

The DXS-3410 Series allows multiple switches to be combined to form a single physical or virtual stack. This increases redundancy over multiple physical units, simplifies management and provides a single IP address to manage all members in the stack. Up to nine switches can be combined using DACs/Fibre to make up to 252 10Gb Ethernet ports available, allowing switching capacity to be increased with demand, whilst up to 32 units can be virtually stacked.

In turn, the DXS-3410 Series gives enterprises and organisations a highly reliable network, allowing for maximum business continuity and by utilising built-in G.8032 Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS) help minimise recovery times to 50 ms.

Along with a host of essential network reliability features, both new switches in the series also support an external redundant power supply to ensure business operations continue unimpeded.

The DXS-3410 Series provides users with the latest security features such as Multi-layer and Packet Content Access Control Lists (ACL), Storm Control, and IP-MAC-Port Binding (IMPB). Other advanced features like DHCP Snooping let the switches automatically learn and save IP/MAC pairs to the IMPB whitelist.

There are more benefits to the user too as the DXS-3410 Series supports authentication mechanisms such as 802.1X, Web-based Access Control (WAC) and MAC-based Access Control (MAC) for strict access control and easy deployment. After authentication, individual policies such as VLAN membership, QoS policies, and ACL rules can be assigned to each host.

In summary, the DXS-3410 Series implements a rich set of multi-layer QoS/CoS features to prioritise critical network services such as VoIP, video conferences, IPTV and IP surveillance. With robust features including Traffic Shaping, L2 Multicast, Host-based IGMP/MLD Snooping and ISM VLAN, administrators get a whole new way to manage their traffic that fits their needs.

New DXS-3410 Series Layer 3 10Gb Stackable Managed Switches key features

DXS-3410-32SY

    • 10 Gigabit Layer 3 Stackable Switch

    • 28 10Gb SFP+ ports

    • Four 25Gb SFP28 uplink ports

    • Stackable up to 9 units (physical), 32 units (virtual)

    • Supports long-distance stacking over fibre

    • 200Gbps per device stacking bandwidth

    • Lossless Ethernet via Data Centre Bridging (DCB)

    • Redundant power supply support

    • Easy-to-use web GUI

    • Industry standard CLI

DXS-3410-32XY

    • 10 Gigabit Layer 3 Stackable Switch

    • 24 Multi-Gigabit 100M/1/2.5/5/10GBASE-T ports and 4 10Gb SFP+ ports

    • Four 25Gb SFP28 uplink ports

    • Stackable up to 9 units (physical), 32 units (virtual)

    • Supports long-distance stacking over fibre

    • 200Gbps per device stacking bandwidth

    • Lossless Ethernet via Data Centre Bridging (DCB)

    • Redundant power supply support

    • Easy-to-use web GUI

    • Industry standard CLI

Availability and pricing

The DXS-3410-32SY and DXS-3410-32XY are available now from www.dlink.com.au and from all authorised D-Link partners and resellers for the following RRPs:

DXS-3410-32SY – AUD8,999.95

DXS-3410-32XY – AUD$12499.95

A new report from Power Retail – the number one resource for Australian e-commerce news, content, data, and insights – in partnership with the Australian Loyalty Association (ALA) has exposed a significant challenge for the retail sector: nearly 50% of Aussies are unwilling to share their data with retailers, signalling a general distrust in the handling of their personal data.

Drawn from a survey of over 2,800 engaged shoppers, and exploring 44 retail-specific loyalty programs, the 40 page Loyalty Insights Report, released on Wednesday 19th June 2024, highlights what Australian consumers want most from loyalty programs and what retailers need to do to gain and maintain the trust and loyalty of their customers.

The report not only explores consumer rewards program preferences, but also highlights the challenges facing brands, namely, that even with incentives of all description, majority of shoppers are uncomfortable sharing their data with retailers. This demonstrates a pressing need for retailers to rebuild consumer trust in handling personal data safely. Increased consumer awareness around data security, following multiple recent data breaches from prominent Australian companies, has undoubtedly driven this sentiment.

Editor of Power Retail, Rosalea Catterson says, “Whilst data security is a major concern for consumers, it offers a key opportunity for retailers to adapt and re-build trust with their customers. An up-front approach that communicates clearly with consumers about where and how they use their data and the measures they take to protect customer data, can go a long way to building consumer trust and create opportunities for more personalisation, enhancing loyalty programs in ways that most benefit their customers.”

The report has also found that consumers overwhelmingly prefer email communications from retailers (81%), while SMS marketing has fallen out of favour with shoppers, again, likely due to heightened concerns around data scams.

Unsurprisingly, loyalty programs that helped Aussies to lighten the load on their wallets such as Woolworths Everyday Rewards and Coles Flybuys, were the most popular loyalty programs with all shoppers surveyed. Both of these specific programs offer discounts on spending, full payment of reward items using points, and cashback on spending, which are the most well-liked incentives for shoppers.

With spending on everyday essentials increasing by 5.4% last year, shoppers are on the lookout for any opportunity to save money, with one respondent saying, “Groceries are a big expense and being rewarded for buying products that are a basic need is helpful,” and another stating “All I care about is cash back or discount incentives, not special offers or exclusive deals.” (Corina, 43, Burleigh Waters).

The report also revealed that there is a huge opportunity for retailers to reward customer loyalty and invest in long-term customer relationships by understanding and being adaptable to their ever-changing needs. Failure by retailers and their rewards programs risk the same fate as the Flybuys program in New Zealand, which closed down in 2023, due to its lack of ability to keep up with rapidly changing demands of consumers.

When it came to generational preferences, surprisingly, the report found that 67% of Gen Z respondents believed that loyalty programs provided a high level of value. This generation also had the highest engagement with loyalty programs out of any generation surveyed. Respondents in this age bracket demonstrated a greater liking for tiered benefit programs, based on spending, such as the MECCA Beauty Loop, indicating that gamification can be an influencing factor in consumers of that age engaging with a brand loyalty program. Said one shopper, “These types of programs “give great value for money, both in discounts, points earned, and special offers and have unique offers that reward you for consistent purchases.”

Across all retail categories surveyed, the top ranked loyalty programs included:

· FMCG: Woolworths Everyday Rewards; Coles Flybuys; My Dan’s Dan Murphy’s and IGA Rewards.

· Homewares: MYER One; Amazon Prime; Cash Rewards; and IKEA Family.

· Beauty: Priceline Sister Club; MECCA Beauty Loop; and Sephora Beauty Pass.

· Fashion & Department Stores: MYER One; Cotton On, Rebel Active; David Jones Rewards Points; Bonds and Country Road.

· Other Retail: Amazon Prime; Bakers Delight Dough Getters; Supercheap Auto Club and Petbarn Friends for Life.

Factors such as the prioritisation of building trust with their customers, and offering long-term value, have allowed these retailers to achieve top rankings with their loyalty programs. CEO and Founder of Power Retail, Grant Arnott says, “Retailers that help shoppers easily earn, access and use rewards incentives to ease financial strains stand themselves in a strong place to gain favour with shoppers and achieve long-term loyalty. To achieve this, retailers need to focus on the most reported satisfaction drivers: easy-to-understand schemes, easy-to-use apps and website tools, as well as strong clear customer communication, all of which help to build trust and brand loyalty.

“Loyalty is a game-changer for retail, a means to create substantially and more value for customers. These insights show that while the appetite for loyalty from consumers is strong, there is substantial opportunity for growth and improvement for retailers who are prepared to invest in the right strategies and technology to deliver loyalty excellence,” said Arnott.

For more data from Power Retail and to review the full report, please visit: https://powerretail.com.au/resources/loyalty-insights-report/

Square 50 returns for a second year to recognise businesses around the globe that are reaching the latest milestones within their operations. New this year, Square 50 is now accepting nominations from customers, fans, community members and businesses themselves to find the best of the best for this year’s 50 select businesses.

Square 50 nominations are open now until July 18 across five categories:

• Innovation: Businesses that innovate within their industry, from diversifying their offerings to revolutionising their operations to stand out from the competition
• Growth: Businesses that made incredible strides to expand their reach through new location(s), increased revenue, international expansion and more
• Community: Businesses that enrich the communities where they operate, supporting charities, prioritising diversity in their employment, building inclusive spaces and operating with integrity
• Experience: Businesses that change the game in customer experiences and level up their operations to entice new and existing patrons
• Sustainability: Businesses that champion greener operations and promote social and cultural growth through their work

For more than 15 years, Square has been a trusted partner in enabling businesses to succeed, and understands firsthand what it takes to create a growing and thriving business. With millions of groundbreaking and innovative businesses choosing Square, the company is uniquely qualified to identify and spotlight the next wave of rising, must-know businesses around the globe.

Last year’s Square 50 honourees have seen their strong momentum continue, from opening new locations to expanding their offerings. From Australia, healthy fast-food chain Fishbowl opened its first international location (as Thisbowl) in the US in Spring 2024. Seafood restaurant Broad Street Oyster Company, recently opened a new location in Southern California and another in San Francisco as it expands to new territories. In the beauty and wellness industry, Savanna Boda Aesthetics in Lewisville, TX just signed a lease for a new, larger location given her growing business, and LaToyia Mays, owner of The Laya Center in Kansas City, MO recently launched her own book.

Whether opening a new location, growing revenue or building deeper relationships with communities and customers, Square 50 aims to showcase the diverse and impactful businesses achieving success – and the many different definitions of what success looks like.

By being selected for Square 50, honourees will benefit from visibility across the Square website and social media channels; from credibility as a Square-recognised, standout business; and from Square prizes to help winners celebrate and share the news. All applications to Square 50 will be considered for future marketing opportunities with Square for additional exposure.

Winners will be selected for how each business’s accomplishments relate to any and/or all Square 50 categories. Nominations can be made here until July 19. Honourees will be announced later this year.