http:// 2013-05-15T23:17:00Z 2013-05-15T23:17:00Z 25-years-on-the-banksia-awards-innovates-again

When the Banksia Awards first commenced in 1988, recognising environmental excellence was a unique concept. After 25 years it has become mainstream and Australia no longer sees environmental matters in isolation. “Today, it is important to reflect the interdependency between environment, society and the economy and the resulting excellence that comes from meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” says Graz van Egmond Chief Executive Officer, Banksia Foundation. “So to mark its 25 Anniversary, the Banksia Awards (now known as the Banksia Sustainability Awards) has acknowledged this vital step forward and the Awards in 2013 will reflect a sustainability approach throughout the various category awards”. To demonstrate this expansive area there will be 21 Awards in total. New awards added in 2013 to the portfolio are: 1.       The Banksia CEO Award - recognising an individual executive's contribution towards the economic, social or environmental sustainability achievements of the organisation or company they work for and which has collateral benefits for the globe. 2.       The Banksia Technical Awards including:a)      Waste Minimisation Soil Remediation & Improvementb)      Energy Efficiency and Carbon Managementc)       Transportationd)      Climate Adaptation 3.       The Banksia Business and Not-for-Profit Award – recognising leadership in implementing projects, strategies and initiatives that demonstrate capacity building, measurably enhancing the long-term social, economic and environmental state of the community and implementation of relevant solutions. This is seen through the full application of shared sustainability principles and practices throughout joint activities, demonstrating societal value add. 4.       The Banksia Local Government - Sustainable Procurement Award 5.       The Banksia Local Government - Sustainability Award To cater for this array, the awards presentation program format needed to be changed. This has allowed for specific awards and areas to be spotlighted. The Banksia CEO Award will be presented at the inaugural Banksia CEO's Corroboree. A breakfast gathering of Non-Executive Directors, CEOs and Senior Bureaucrats designed to provide the opportunity to discuss where their respective sector will be under the sustainability umbrella in 10-15 years. Providing an opportunity to focus on the technical aspects of sustainability, the Banksia Technical Awards will be presented at a lunch. The traditional Category Awards, the GPT Group Community Grant, the Banksia International Award and the Banksia Gold Award will be bestowed at the evening awards function.The Banksia Foundation acknowledges that the Awards are not just for the recipients but should be made accessible to as many as possible to learn and be inspired by the amazing examples of excellence. To enable this accessibility, the Awards Presentation program will be associated with the Australian Sustainability Conference and Exhibition, in Melbourne (9 – 10 October 2013). The Banksia Foundation is pleased to be working with Sustainability Business Australia (SBA) to reach Australian businesses and assist them in these challenging times. Entries are now open for the 2013 Banksia Sustainability Awards, providing Australians a great opportunity to showcase our innovation and leadership in the various areas of sustainability. – ends –

2013-05-15T22:58:00Z budget-2013-smes-must-take-advantage-of-technology-innovation-and-skills-initiatives-to-succeed

16 May 2013 MEDIA ALERTBudget 2013: SMEs must take advantage of technology, innovation and skills initiatives to succeed This year’s budget tax increases and spending cuts are the talk of the town in the lead up to the election. To help Australia’s small and medium business operators (SMEs) get the most out of the budget changes, we strongly encourage them to take advantage of technology, innovation and skills initiatives. These will help boost productivity, business performance and confidence in the domestic economy. MYOB CEO Tim Reed says, “Following the handing down of the budget, it can be tempting for business owners to postpone their growth plans until the election. Jobs and growth are key themes in this budget, and there were some positive announcements and opportunities for SMEs. “Investing $24 billion in roads, including highways and rail in our cities and regions, will help ease the pressure of rising fuel prices. This has been a top pressure point of SMEs since 2011. Our latest research found 61% of SMEs would welcome investment in transport infrastructure in our major states and cities. Adopting teleworking technologies can also help ease the pressure by enabling business operators to operate from home or any location outside of the office. “From a job’s perspective, it’s a pity the increase in the tax-free threshold to $19,400 was deferred, but given the government had already lifted the threshold from $6,000 to $18,200; this should still encourage more part time workers to return to the workforce as it becomes more financially viable. This could result in a larger group of skilled candidates for businesses to draw from when they are employing new staff. A fresh perspective and new skills in a team can work wonders for innovation. “I’m pleased with the government’s pledge for new funding to help small businesses take advantage of the National Broadband Network. I hope some of this can be directed towards training on leveraging the internet for business. Our research found more than half of SMEs were in favour of free government-funded training on how to use the internet to help them enhance and grow their business. In addition, SMEs with a business website were 60% more likely to experience a revenue rise in the past year. “The benefits of online technologies include the ability to compete on a more level playing field with local and global rivals, increased productivity and less time spent on business administration. This means more time for growing the business, which has the potential to make a difference to our economy.” Key 2013 Budget measures announced that may impact SMEs include:$24 billion investment for road and rail upgrades, including money for the M4 extension in Sydney, Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project and Melbourne’s Metro train system.$500 million investment in Industry Innovation Precincts and the government's $1 billion "Plan for Australian Jobs".$378.6 million for the Innovation Investment Fund to pump venture capital cash into high-growth businesses. $29.4 million in assistance for small and medium businesses vying for government services and tenders. Government grants of up to $1 million will be made available for SMEs.$12.9 million in new funding to help small businesses take advantage of the National Broadband Network.$3.2 million over 15 years for the “promotion and marketing” of Australian start-up success stories, with the aim to stimulate innovation within existing Australian businesses. Top initiatives that would turn SME election votes:*Making business life easier by reducing paperwork burden, abolishing the carbon tax and investing further in infrastructure were among the top 10 initiatives that would turn SME election votes towards the proposing party. Policies that significantly simplify the GST/BAS reporting process – 65%The abolition of the carbon tax – 63%More Federal Government investment in transport infrastructure in our major states and cities – 61%A reduction in payroll tax – 57%Increased Federal Government funding for skills, training and apprenticeship programs – 57%Increased Government funding for innovation, research and development by Australian businesses – 53%Waiving any penalty interest charges on late tax payments for start-up businesses in their first two years of operation – 53%Providing free Government-funded training to all small businesses on how to use the internet to enhance and grow their business – 51%The creation of a single flat tax for personal tax and company tax – 49%Further cutting Government expenditure to return to surplus faster – 42% Visit http://myob.com.au/EOFY for a summary of major tax changes, helpful tips and resources, and download a Federal Budget 2013 white paper. Note to media: If you’d like further statistics or commentary from MYOB, please contact:Angely Grecia, MYOB Public Relations Consultant Symon Madry, Haystac Public AffairsP: 02 9089 9071 / M: 0449 169 997 / E: angely.grecia@myob.com P: 02 8094 7779 / M: 0409 919 508 / myob@haystac.com.au *About the MYOB Business MonitorEstablished in 2004, the MYOB Business Monitor is a national survey of small and medium business owners and managers, commissioned to independent market research firm Colmar Brunton. The most recent study ran in January and February 2013, surveying 1,005 operators from sole traders to mid-sized companies, representing the major industry sectors. The Monitor researches business performance and attitudes regarding areas such as profitability, cash flow, pipeline work, technology usage and the government. Note: the weighting of MYOB client and non-client respondents is reflective of overall market proportions.About MYOBEstablished in 1991, MYOB is now Australia’s largest business management solutions provider. It simplifies accounting, payroll, tax, CRM, websites, job costing, inventory management and much more for businesses of all ages, types and sizes. Over one million businesses in Australia and New Zealand have used one or more of MYOB’s 50+ products and services. Today, its solutions extend online, delivering innovation through cloud computing. This enables its clients to be more productive and make smarter connections with their staff, business partners, business advisors and customers. With a network of 20,000+ accountants, book keepers, certified consultants and other professional partners, MYOB provides support and tools that help make business life easier. Visit: http://myob.com.au/smarterconnections.

2013-05-14T00:05:54Z comworth-announces-availability-of-panasonic-toughbook-cf-ax2-the-worlds-lightest-rugged-ultrabook

Think rugged means heavy? Think again with the Panasonic Toughbook CF-AX2, a new Ultrabook which weighs in at just over 1.1 kilograms yet delivers the reliable performance associated with a business rugged machine. It’s a world-first, too: no other convertible business rugged machine is as light.Available exclusively from New Zealand Toughbook distributor Comworth, the CF-AX2’s convertible format takes advantage of Windows 8’s touch-driven interface when you want mobility, while switching back to the familiar laptop design for working at the desk. Its 360-degree flip-over hinge design allows the CF-AX2 to go from ultrabook to tablet and back in seconds.According to Darryn Smith, Toughbook & Mobility Manager at Comworth, this device combines flexibility, ease of use and ultraportability in a single device. “For many executives, the introduction of tablets – and their wild popularity – has meant more devices to take with them when they travel, not fewer.  With this ultrabook, it goes back to two devices, smartphone and convertible, delivering the best of both worlds.”As a ‘business rugged’ device, Smith explains that the Toughbook CF-AX2 is designed to withstand knocks and drops that come with the demands of busy executives, without compromising on performance or design.Built around a 11.6-inch capacitive multi-touch screen, the machine – which is just 18mm thick - features Intel’s ULV (ultra-low voltage) i5 processor and SSD (solid state drive) storage. These combine to deliver battery life of up to 8 hours on a single charge; as a hot-swappable unit, a spare battery can be snapped into place with zero disruption to outlast even the longest plane flights. Standard memory is 4GB of internal RAM, while connectivity in the convertible business laptop includes 3G mobile broadband, WiFi, Bluetooth and two USB 3.0 ports.Connecting the Intel HD 4000 graphics adapter to external screens is handled by an HDMI interface with a legacy VGA output for easy access to projectors; an SDXC card reader provides the ability to simply transfer files from external devices such as digital cameras or smartphones. Smith says demand for the Toughbook CF-AX2 is expected to be strong. “This device delivers new levels of freedom and reliability for business users in a stylish and lightweight design. Ideal for the mobile sales force, merchandisers and executives, it is equally good as a tablet or a notebook and it is built for reliability and performance.”

2013-05-12T23:50:00Z small-business-still-in-the-dark-about-the-government-s-instant-asset-write-off-benefit

13 May 2013 Small business still in the dark about the government’s instant asset write-off benefitLatest MYOB research reveals one in three small businesses unaware of instant asset write-off Almost one in three small business operators aren’t aware of the small business instant asset write-off, according to Australia’s largest business management solutions provider. The write-off can assist with cash flow, enabling small businesses to instantly write-off the purchase of new business assets valued up to $6,500 rather than depreciating them over time. Cash flow has been a top five pressure for small to medium business operators since 2010. MYOB commissioned independent market research firm Colmar Brunton to explore the use or intended use of the instant asset write-off for their business. Its national survey, which includes 966 small businesses (up to 19 employees) found: Almost one in three small businesses were unaware of the instant asset write-off.Almost one in three small businesses said they would ‘maybe use’ the write-off.More than one in five small businesses had not used or didn’t plan to use the write-off. Almost one in five small businesses had already used or planned to use the write-off. Use of small business instant asset write-offNationalSmall BusinessesBusinesses unaware of the instant asset write-off31%29%Businesses who said they would ‘maybe use’ the write-off30%31%Businesses who had not used or didn’t plan to use the write-off25%22%Businesses who had already used or planned to use the write-off14%17% Chief Strategy Officer John Moss says, “The small business instant asset write-off for new assets, which was increased last year to $6,500, can provide much needed cash flow for many small businesses. If a café purchased new tables and chairs worth $6,500 or less, the business can instantly write-off the full amount rather than depreciate. This helps to reduce their tax bill on company profits, and means more money in the bank for the business. “Generating and maintaining strong cash flow is vital for small businesses. I encourage more business owners and managers to take advantage of the write-off to help contribute to the health of their business. “For example, the write-off can assist in the investment of equipment that improves business productivity, cash flow and team engagement, such as cloud-based IT solutions. Many cloud computing systems avoid the need to spend money upfront but bring immediate benefit.” Visit http://myob.com.au/EOFY for a summary of major tax changes, helpful tips and resources. For MYOB product information, research results, customer service and more visit the MYOB Business Monitor webpage, The Pulse blog, MYOB Twitter or MYOB Facebook. -ends- For further comment or other information please contact:Angely Grecia, MYOB Public Relations Consultant Symon Madry, Haystac Public Affairs Senior Account ManagerP: 02 9089 9071 / M: 0449 169 997 / E: angely.grecia@myob.com P: 02 8094 7779 / M: 0409 919 508 /E: myob@haystac.com.au About the MYOB Business MonitorEstablished in 2004, the MYOB Business Monitor is a national survey of small and medium business owners and managers, commissioned to independent market research firm Colmar Brunton. The most recent study ran in January and February 2013, surveying 1,005 operators from sole traders to mid-sized companies, representing the major industry sectors. The Monitor researches business performance and attitudes regarding areas such as profitability, cash flow, pipeline work, technology usage and the government. Note: the weighting of MYOB client and non-client respondents is reflective of overall market proportions.About MYOBEstablished in 1991, MYOB is now Australia’s largest business management solutions provider. It simplifies accounting, payroll, tax, CRM, websites, job costing, inventory management and much more for businesses of all ages, types and sizes. Over one million businesses in Australia and New Zealand have used one or more of MYOB’s 50+ products and services. Today, its solutions extend online, delivering innovation through cloud computing. This enables its clients to be more productive and make smarter connections with their staff, business partners, business advisors and customers. With a network of 20,000+ accountants, book keepers, certified consultants and other professional partners, MYOB provides support and tools that help make business life easier. Visit: http://myob.com.au/smarterconnections.Page 1 of 2

2013-05-12T23:09:23Z australian-growth-company-awards-2013-announced

Sparke Helmore Lawyers, in partnership with Macquarie Capital, Deloitte, Westpac Institutional Bank, Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association Limited, MYOB and the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Journal, is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the second annual Australian Growth Company Awards. We are delighted to welcome MYOB, Australia’s largest provider of business management solutions, as a new award partner this year.The Australian Growth Company Awards are focused on celebrating excellence in the mid-market ($25 million to $350 million). They recognise companies that demonstrate high rates of growth, as well as innovation, integrity, contribution to community and sustainability.Launched in 2012 with great success, the inaugural awards attracted over a hundred nominees from a range of business sectors, with a combined turnover of more than $12 billion. This year, there are four award categories: 1.             Growth Company of the Year 2.             Growth Company CEO of the Year 3.             Exit of the Year 4.             Growth Company to Watch. “Companies in the mid-market make an extraordinary contribution to the Australian business community and economy, which should be acknowledged and celebrated”, said Nick Humphrey, Head of Corporate at Sparke Helmore. “The Australian Growth Company Awards give those involved in successful and growing Australian businesses operating in the mid-market space the recognition they deserve.” Nominations will be assessed by an independent panel of judges comprised of Award co-sponsor representatives. The judges will be rewarding nominees who meet the eligibility criteria, and display outstanding innovation, sustainability and integrity. Winners will be announced at an Awards event on 24 October 2013. Tim Reed, MYOB’s Chief Executive Officer, will be the keynote speaker at the awards. Award nominations open on 13 May and close on 30 August 2013. Nomination forms and further information are available at www.sparke.com.au/sparke/growthawards. About Sparke HelmoreSparke Helmore Lawyers is a firm of 600 people working from eight offices across Australia, serving the needs of the insurance, government, financial services, mining, construction and property sectors. Our expertise spans commercial to construction, workplace to insurance, structuring to superannuation, mining to manufacturing, and property to procurement. Our Corporate Group is dedicated to providing a boutique offering servicing mid-market M&A, banking and private equity, delivering world class service and expertise. Our team combines senior partners and associates with experience gained on some of the most iconic and cutting-edge deals while working in top tier Australian and global law firms. In the last 18 months, the team has worked on more than 44 transactions with an aggregate value of $2.4 billion. Media contact: Joanne Been Communications Executive - Corporate p: +61 2 9260 2579 e: joanne.been@sparke.com.au

2013-05-07T14:28:33Z green-experts-and-vip-s-to-attend-sustainable-landscape-event-in-abu-dhabi

Over 300 landscape architects, government authorities, urban planners, property developers, environmental specialists, contractors and landscape suppliers are expected to gather at the Middle East Smart Landscape Summit taking place at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi on 27 – 28 May to discuss opportunities and strategies to develop sustainable landscaping practices in Arab cities.His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, UAE’s Minister of Environment and Water will be officially opening the Summit, and a number of other high-profile GCC government officials will also be attending the event, being held under the patronage of Municipality of Abu Dhabi City (ADM).Jo Ann Jain, Director at event organiser Expotrade Global, believes that it is the right time for the landscape industry to connect. “The focus by municipalities and property developers on sustainability is greater than ever, and smart landscape planning and design play a big role in this change”.“Landscape professionals are using the event as a platform to see what initiatives are being taken by product suppliers to encourage sustainability, and learn of the upcoming projects and strategies by local municipalities”, added Jain.Key speakers include Dr. Amar Jarar, ADM’s irrigation expert, lighting expert Martin Valentine, Dubai Municipality’s Director of Public Parks and Horticulture Ahmed Abdul Karim, and Chief Commissioner of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Prof. Dr. Kamel Mahadin.Local and international landscape suppliers will be showcasing their products at the event with Gold Sponsors Desert Group, Convic, Fontana Fountains, GHESA and Silver Sponsors Crystal and Gulf Perlite amongst the leading brands.Delivered through a combination of key note presentations, case-studies, panel discussions and roundtable sessions the Summit will showcase ADM’s Irrigation Master Plan and Sustainable Public Lighting Strategy, sustainable landscape design by leading architects, smart landscape technologies, and discuss ways to build awareness and engage the community.The continued growth of the MENA region and quick recovery from the GFC has intensified demand for landscape products and services. The planned spend on major projects including theme parks and other tourist attracts across the region is US$3 trillion, and a fresh investment in the UAE construction industry is expected to provide the landscape sector around US$3.8 billion worth of new projects this year.UK-based green roof and living wall expert Gary Grant is one of the international guests to the Summit and will be encouraging the UAE to use an ecosystem services approach to infrastructure planning. Geoff Turnbull of ALDAR Properties PJSC, Holley Chant of KEO International Consultants and Geoffrey Sanderson, Principal Director at GCLA International will all sharing experience from working locally in the Middle East.“The relatively recent introduction of ESTIDAMA planning and design regulations coupled with a growing global sense of responsibility for better resource management has effected a serious change in the landscape industry”, said Geoffrey Sanderson.“Products and processes, landscape management and maintenance are all under challenge and rightly so. ESTIDAMA demands that almost every landscape element be sustainable but there is a great deal of confusion and inadequate data to support choices of materials, especially plants, irrigation rates, hard landscape materials and furnishing”, said Sanderson.Expotrade Global is a conference and event organizer with head office based in Melbourne and regional office in Dubai. Specializing in B2B conferences Expotrade has delivered some of the most high-profile events in the infrastructure, IT, mining and resources, sustainability, banking, lighting and energy sectors.More information on the event can be found at www.landscapesummit.com

2013-05-07T05:30:34Z long-life-battery-protects-assets

Perth based GPS Tracking Company, Myionu (pronounced ‘my eye on you’), have introduced a range of intelligent battery powered GPS Tracking devices which remotely monitor location and movement of a range of assets and plant equipment. Unlike many tracking solutions, Myionu AssetTrack does not rely on external power. Using the very latest battery technology coupled together with intelligent GPS Myionu AssetTrack can last up to massive 7 years. The fit and forget devices are IP67 rated and can work in extreme temperatures  Temperature -30º to +75º C (operating) -40º to +85º C (storage). Using the Telstra Next G network to send data, coverage is excellent. Paul Delaney, Myionu GM says “the Myionu AssetTrack now gives customers a cost effective solution to track and manage a range of assets including trailers, containers and plant equipment” Measuring just 55 x 55 x 260mm the device is completely self-contained and can be deployed in minutes without specialist installation.   The Myionu AssetTrack is a battery operated, non-rechargeable trailer tracking product designed for reliable, multi-year deployments. The AssetTrack is an ideal solution for managing assets that will be deployed for long periods without maintenance needs. The AssetTrack can be configured over the air to change the way the unit reports. Regardless of the number of updates the AssetTrack produces, the monthly service fees remain the same at just $30 per unit per month. As with all Myionu™ products, AssetTrack comes with a life time warranty† and the choice of a no contract option. Location and management information can be viewed at anytime, anywhere in the world from any device that has an internet connection using a standard web based browser. 

2013-05-01T03:24:00Z myob-warns-screen-scraped-bank-feeds-are-unreliable-and-inaccurate

1 May 2013 MYOB warns “screen-scraped” bank feeds are unreliable and inaccurate Many business owners use cloud accounting solutions and benefit from daily bank-feeds, a feature where bank transactions are automatically imported and matched to the correct accounts in their accounting software. Bank feeds remove both the tedious task of data entry and the challenge of correctly allocating numerous transactions in the bank reconciliation process. However MYOB warns bank feeds services from some software providers may be unreliable and inaccurate. MYOB General Manager, User Experience and Design, Ben Ross, says the company is committed to providing reliable, accurate data and maintaining rigorous standards of security when managing financial data. “At MYOB, we understand that reliable access to accurate data is absolutely fundamental for our customers. Automatically importing transaction details into MYOB accounting solutions significantly reduces manual data entry, improves accuracy and saves both time and money,” he says. Mr Ross explains that it is important for business owners to understand exactly how their accounting software accesses their sensitive banking information, and whether that access is authorised by their banks online terms and conditions. “There are several ways that accounting service providers can access aggregated bank transaction data and unfortunately some software providers play fast and loose with data quality and customer security,” he says. MYOB uses a bank-authorised data collection system provided by BankLink for its LiveAccounts and AccountRight Live products. In this process, BankLink supplies secure bank transaction data via direct feeds from financial institutions without needing to disclose logon details. The data is supplied in a secure, ‘read only’ format. The entire process complies with the stringent Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard for the safe handling of transaction data and meets the requirements of more than 100 financial institutions. “MYOB chose to work with BankLink for its proven reliability, security and coverage of feeds from financial institutions across Australia. BankLink has a team of data accuracy specialists reviewing bank data feeds using processes they have refined over their 25 years of providing this service. For this reason, BankLink feeds are 99.9999% accurate and in some cases, more reliable than the bank’s own raw feeds,” says Mr Ross. BankLink applies a series of proprietary, data validation routines to all bank transactions that identify and correct any anomalies in the data. This sophisticated error detection system results in a significant increase in data accuracy. Furthermore, BankLink’s direct contractual relationship with the banks means that they have protocols in place to fix any errors promptly without any interruption to service. Some cloud accounting providers use a method commonly called “screen-scraping”. This process requires a business owner to disclose their internet banking username and password to a third party ‘screen-scraper’. This third party then automatically logs in to the business’s internet banking account at regular intervals, copies their transactions and supplies them to their accounting services provider. The screen-scraping process may contravene internet banking terms and conditions. “Most online banking terms and conditions forbid the disclosure of login and password details to any party, and exclude the bank from liability for any fraud which may then occur on the account – whether or not the fraud is related to the actions of the screen-scraper. We caution users of other software against passing on their online banking credentials through to third parties in return for bank feeds that are insecure and contain inaccuracies,” says Mr Ross. Along with the potential security risks, screen-scraping can also be unreliable as the third party isn’t working directly with the banks. Not surprisingly, this lack of reliability can lead to frustration for accountants, bookkeepers and business owners. “The concern for business owners is in the accuracy of their business financials. Even if only two in every hundred transactions are wrong, how do you know which two? That adds in a whole lot of extra work that undermines the original time saving benefit of the bank feed system.” According to BAS agent, Louise McLoughlin of e-BAS Accounts, the bank feeds with some cloud accounting packages that use ‘screen-scraping’ can be both unreliable and inaccurate. This makes it time consuming to reconcile a client’s bank accounts, adding in costs. “I was reconciling a client’s bank accounts when I discovered only two of the nine accounts matched the balances in the client’s online banking screen. The other seven were wrong by thousands of dollars. Not only was the data inaccurate but a job that should have taken me less than an hour took six hours to do,” she says. “Bank feeds just stop for days on end until you put your bank credentials in again. Then when you do, it dumps days of information in there. It’s not good enough. The additional time it takes me to reconcile these doesn’t make me look good but it’s not my fault and it’s not the client’s fault either,” says Ms McLoughlin. Fortunately for accountants, bookkeepers and business owners who want to enjoy the time and cost benefits of bank feeds, MYOB’s provider BankLink offers both an accurate and more reliable alternative to screen-scraping. “For anyone using cloud accounting, accurate bank feeds can be a real time-saver, inaccurate bank feeds can be a nightmare. To ensure you are getting accurate, reliable data in a way that doesn’t contravene your bank’s terms and conditions, it’s important to understand how your cloud accounting provider obtains its bank feeds. Users should check that they haven’t inadvertently supplied a third party with their banking login in details and ask their provider what industry standards their third party supplier complies with,” says Mr Ross. For MYOB product information, research results, business tips, discussions, customer service and more visit http://myob.com.au, http://myob.com.au/blog and http://twitter.com/MYOB. -ends- For further comment or other information please contact:Angely Grecia, MYOB Public Relations Consultant P: 02 9089 9071 / M: 0449 169 997 / E: angely.grecia@myob.com About MYOBEstablished in 1991, MYOB is now Australia’s largest business management solutions provider. It simplifies accounting, payroll, tax, CRM, websites, job costing, inventory management and much more for businesses of all ages, types and sizes. Over one million businesses in Australia and New Zealand have used one or more of MYOB’s 50+ products and services. Today, its solutions extend online, delivering innovation through cloud computing. This enables its clients to be more productive and make smarter connections with their staff, business partners, business advisors and customers. With a network of 20,000+ accountants, book keepers, certified consultants and other professional partners, MYOB provides support and tools that help make business life easier. Visit: http://myob.com.au/smarterconnections.

2013-04-29T01:27:03Z westpac-drives-digital-economy-with-target-to-get-100-000-small-businesses-online

Westpac has committed to getting 100,000 Australian small businesses online as the Bank launches “Ready for Business”, a joint initiative with MYOB developed to provide a much needed boost to the digital economy by advancing digital capabilities of small business. The ‘Westpac Ready for Business Report’, which surveyed 1,000 Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), found that over half (53%) of Australian small businesses do not have a website, equating to potentially more than one million businesses who are not online, promoting their business.                          The report also surveyed 1,000 Australians on their preferences when shopping with 50% of those consumers surveyed saying they always use the internet to research prior to purchasing a product or service, and over half (53%) reporting they spend more than an hour shopping online a week. “The results demonstrate a divide between the ‘digital haves’ and the ‘digital have-nots.’ Many businesses without digital tools such as a website and online invoicing and payment capabilities are competitively disadvantaged,” said Westpac General Manager Retail Banking, Gai McGrath.To help combat this, Westpac has teamed up with MYOB to provide a digital toolkit called ‘Ready for Business’ which offers SMEs the tools they need to start and grow their business, all in one place. Key to this is including a tool to build an off-the-shelf website, which has been identified as a key revenue driver.Of those small business owners who have a transactional website, 91% reported an increase in revenue as a direct result of the transaction function.‘Ready for Business’ also helps facilitate both online invoicing and payments with the report revealing that two in three (66%) SMEs believe that having the ability to be paid online through a transactional website would provide an advantage for their company.MYOB CEO Tim Reed says, “We’re thrilled to partner with Westpac on the initiative. We share a goal of making business life easier by helping small businesses engage in the digital economy. The benefits of being online include the ability to compete on a more level playing field with local and global rivals, increased productivity and less time spent on administration.“Businesses taking up Ready for Business will be able to build an attractive website, raise invoices, get paid online and integrate this with their business bank account where transactions are automatically fed through to their online accounting. What’s more, they will get help along the journey from MYOB and Westpac experts,” says Mr Reed.The report found that two of the biggest challenges identified by respondents were getting set up (28%) and knowing where to start (22%), indicating a need for additional support.“We understand the major issues faced by SMEs and topping the list is getting paid, getting more customers and getting more time. With more than 300,000 new businesses registered each year in Australia[i],'Ready for Business' is just one of the ways Westpac is supporting small business to make it to that crucial second year in business and beyond. Westpac has the largest network of small business bankers in Australia, with 650 branch-based small business specialists available nationally,” says Ms McGrath.The majority of those surveyed responded that having an online payment facility made it easier for customers to make purchases (94%), increased sales (79%) and revenue (75%). Interestingly, 43% of small business owners list time as the scarcest resource over money (33%).“The research also found that over half (53%) of small businesses surveyed believe that they have missed out on business opportunities due to not having a website. These figures suggest that a large group of Australian businesses are missing out on a significant amount of money as a consequence,” explains Ms McGrath.‘Ready for Business' offers the following key services in one central place, enabling SMEs to: Attract Customers: MYOB Atlas is a website builder that makes it easy for businesses to get online and start attracting customers anywhere, anytime. It includes social media integration, online search optimisation, and it’s free for the first three months Manage Your Earnings: Westpac is offering SMEs a Business One Low Account with no monthly plan fees for twelve months. MYOB Atlas also offers the ability for SMEs to easily get paid through a website transaction facility Get Paid Faster:MYOB LiveAccounts is an easy online accounting solution that includes key features such as secure bank feeds and easy invoicing. It’s free for the first three months Plan Ahead: Westpac’s Davidson Institute provides online tutorials to create a comprehensive business plan to detail your purpose, identify your core proposition and manage key performance metrics to help your business prosper and grow. In addition, business operators can book a complimentary one hour consultation with a MYOB Certified Consultant for an introduction to MYOB Atlas and/or MYOB LiveAccounts. “While we know that most start-ups have been considering setting up a business for some time and are very familiar with their industry, the process of actually starting a business can be complicated. Through 'Ready for Business', Westpac and MYOB is making it simple, easy and fast to help establish and grow your business with ongoing support from the start-up phase through to the growth phase and beyond,” Ms McGrath concludes. KEY FINDINGS FROM RESEARCH: Resources ·         43% of small business owners list time as the scarcest resource over money (33%) ·         The most time consuming activities small business owners undertake every week include: o    Managing accounting /administration (53%) o    Generating sales leads/revenues (49%) Challenges and Issues ·         The biggest challenges SMEs identified when starting their business included: o    Getting set up (i.e. registering the business, acquiring insurance, establishing bank accounts) (28%) o    Knowing where to start (22%) ·         The biggest issues faced by SMEs right now include: o    Generating sales and sales leads (17%) o    The cost of running the business (12%) o    Managing cash flow (11%) Fundamentals of Success ·         The key secrets to success listed by SMEs include: o    Implementing the right processes (48%) o    Good marketing material (23%) o    Using communication technology e.g. mobile devices, social media and applications (23%) The Benefits of Websites ·         50% of those consumers surveyed always use the Internet prior to purchasing. Despite this, 53% of Australian businesses do not have a website. ·         Those SMEs who have websites find them most useful for the following reasons: o    Establishing business credibility (90%) o    Raising awareness of business/brand/product (89%) o    Growing the business (79%) o    Generating qualified leads/sales (76%) ·         The majority (75%) of small business owners feel that having a website makes them more competitive ·         Those small businesses who have set up a website have reported an increase in their: o    Level of business awareness (73%) o    Number of leads and customer traffic (69%) o    Number of sales (61%) o    Amount of revenue (61%) o    Sales footprint (55%) o    Conversion rates (52%) ·         Generally, many small business owners believe an online presence is important to their customers (51%) and that an online payment facility is important to them too (41%). ·         Over half (53%) of those surveyed believe they have possibly missed out on business opportunities because of a lack of online presence. Transactional Websites ·         Of those that had a transactional website (24% of the total sample), most did not have a physical store (66%). Many only added this transactional capability at a later stage of their website development (45%). ·         91% of small business owners with a transactional website did report an increase in revenue as a direct result. ·         Most report having an online payment facility: o    Made it easier for customers to buy (94%) o    Increased sales (79%) o    Increased revenue for their business (75%) ·         The majority of small business owners thought it would be useful to have the ability to go to one place online to set up their website (including a transactional facility), business banking accounts, and online banking/ accounting (66%). o    Most of these people thought it would: §  Make things easier (48%) §  Save time (34%) ·         Of those thinking they would save time, half estimated saving at least four hours per week (52%)   Website Development Support ·         Around a third (35%) of those small business owners without a website are likely to set one up in the next two years (and 42% in the next five years), ·         The majority of businesses without a website either don’t feel or are unsure they currently have enough information and support available to create an effective website (61%). For more information on Ready for Business visit http://westpac.com.au/myob or http://myob.com.au/westpac -- ENDS –About the ‘Westpac Ready for Business Report’Source: CoreData Consulting Pty Ltd, commissioned by Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC) (ABN 33 007 457 141) and based on information as at March 2013. Data used in this report may change into the future which may affect the outcome. For further information regarding the methodology used in the report please contact WBC Media Relations Unit on 02 8253 9484. A summarised version of the CoreData Consulting Pty Ltd Report is available on request. If you would like a copy of the research please contact the WBC Media Relations Unit on 02 8253 9484.[1] ABS Catalogue 8165.0 (Count of Australian Businesses, including entries and exits - Jun 2007:Jun 2011, pg 12) 

2013-04-24T01:04:42Z aerator-pumps-play-important-role-for-australians

Perth, WA, April 24, 2013 - In a recent blog post, Pump Solutions Australasia explained how aerator pumps work and how important they are to our way of life in Australia. Aerator pumps are crucial to waste treatment and to aquafarming. Since fish farms and adequately processing our sewage are important parts of modern society, it can safely be said that Australia would have to make some pretty big adjustments if there were no aerator pumps available. Aerator pumps are used to provide oxygen as part of the sewage treatment process, and for water whose oxygen has been depleted, compromising its ability to support aqueous life. Their primary applications are in sewage treatment and aquafarming. Small aerator pumps are used for aquariums, and provide a miniature model of what larger aerator pumps accomplish. In sewage treatment plants, aerator pumps are used to provide oxygen for the second stage of the treatment process. In the second stage of the waste treatment process, microorganisms are used to remove organic waste material from sewage. Those microorganisms must have oxygen to live. The aerator pump provides oxygen to the microorganisms, allowing them to consume the organic waste material and thus remove it from sewage. In aquafarms, aerator pumps provide oxygen to water where oxygen has been depleted due to too much demand. A fish farm, for example, produces too many fish for the amount of oxygen that would naturally be present in the water supply. When the oxygen becomes depleted, it is then necessary to supplement the oxygen in the water, or the fish will die. Aerator pumps provide oxygen by drawing air from above the surface of the water, and releasing it at the bottom of the water, where the bubbles rise to the surface. On their way to the surface, the bubbles interact with the water, and oxygen is transferred into the water. This process is known as subsurface aeration. Pump Solutions Australasia carries a full line of Tsurumi submersible water pumps, including their line of water aerator pumps. Tsurumi, located in Kyoto, Japan, has manufactured pumps since 1924. Since their first submersible pump, produced in 1953, Tsurumi has been responsible for many innovations and advancements, and have developed an impressive resumé in the field of submersible pumps. Tsurumi now manufactures 500,000 pumps per year, with a capacity of as many as one million if the demand arises. They currently make submersible pumps than any other manufacturer in the world, and export them to every major international market. Mike Hurlbatt, owner of Pump Solutions Australasia, is proud to be Western Australia’s distributor of Tsurumi pumps: “Tsurumi is an old, respected name in submersible pumps. It is not a stretch to say that almost everybody’s way of life has been influenced, either directly or indirectly, by a Tsurumi pump. You don’t notice them, but they are the most popular option for submersible aerator pumps in waste treatment facilities and fish farms everywhere.” Hurlbatt continued, “Aerator pumps fill a vital role in treating waste and in making sure that anything produced in aquafarm has enough oxygen to live. The smaller pumps are also great for small ponds that need a little oxygen boost to keep the marine life alive.” Hurlbatt concluded, “If you need an aerator pump, large, small, or in between, we have exactly what you’re looking for.”  Pump Solutions Australasia is Western Australia’s foremost distributor of Tsurumi submersible water pumps. For more information, call 1300 922 973 or visit their website: http://www.pumpsolutions.com.au/.

2013-04-19T03:41:48Z action-sheds-australia-warns-readers-protect-your-assets-with-a-cyclonic-shed

Perth, WA, April 19, 2013 - After the Perth area’s recent near-miss with Cyclone Narelle, Action Sheds Australia received many calls asking about cyclonic sheds. While the Perth area has been fortunate lately, weather incidents are on the rise globally, and it is impossible to reliably predict when or where the next natural disaster will hit, until it is actually in progress.Five cyclones have either landed ashore or passed closely enough to buffet the Perth area with cyclonic winds since 1960. In 1960, winds of 113 km/h were recorded in Perth, and winds blew a lot of small boats ashore. The winds extended to the Wheatbelt, where wheat silos, outbuildings, and homestead roofs felt the effects of the heavy winds.In 1975, on 20th March, Vide touched land, bringing winds of 128 km/h to Fremantle, and 109 km/h to Perth. Many buildings sustained wind damage, including St George’s Cathedral and Perry Lakes Stadium.Three years later, in April of 1978, Alby passed close to Cape Leeuwin. The gale force winds killed five people, and caused property damage over a widespread region, from Mandurah to Albany. In the aftermath, dust storms and fires created reduced visibility, as little as 100 m, over most of the region.The next incident was February, 1986, when the tail end of Rhonda came ashore near Perth, and caused 131 mm of rain to fall on Greenmount. The downpours cause over 100 traffic accidents.On April 1st, 1989, Perth sustained its last direct hit, when Ned came ashore near Rockingham. Winds were measured at 100 km/h or greater.Since then, the greatest storms in Perth have been non-cyclonic, such as the recent storm on 23rd March. While they aren’t cyclones, the most recent storm generated over 200 calls to the State Emergency Service, and the Insurance Council of Australia called Perth an “insurance catastrophe.” This statement means there was a lot of property damage.Action Sheds Australia offers cyclonic sheds for industrial, office, warehouse, and residential applications. The cyclonic sheds are designed to withstand winds of up to 316 km/h, and are also certified by ShedSafe.In the last few years, many businesses have realised that industrial sheds are a safe and economical alternative to having a standard, bricks and mortar building erected. The sheds can be modified and decorated so that they don’t even look like sheds, and their strong steel frames and cyclonic construction makes them as safe as a standard building.Action Sheds Australia reports that many of their customers who have bought industrial cyclonic sheds in the Perth area for warehouse, office, or factory space, have remarked that they wouldn’t know it was a shed if they hadn’t been told before buying.According to Max Italiano, Owner of Action Sheds Australia, sheds are becoming popular as an alternative to standard buildings: “A lot of businesses are building sheds when they are expanding or building new office space. They are built with the highest quality BlueScope Steel, and can be customised to look like a standard building. The structure has a 10 year warranty, and the cladding has a 15 year warranty.”Italiano concluded, “Call us for a competitive quote. You really have to see our work to believe it. We can save you time and money.”Action Sheds Australia distributes and builds cyclonic sheds in Perth and surrounding areas. For more information about cyclonic sheds, please call 1300 778 628 or visit their website: http://www.actionsheds.com.au/

2013-04-18T08:25:31Z data-indicates-that-high-end-residential-property-is-due-for-a-better-2013

Rockingham, WA, April 18, 2013 - Currently, real estate market statistics are moving in a pattern similar to the beginning of the housing market recovery at the end of 2008. After property had bottomed out in the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), it was the more affordable properties that showed the first movement, followed by movement in the premium property market. According to current data, home values in the capital cities have started to rise in the recent months, even as prices are still slightly lower than the same time last year. According to new information published by RP Data, home prices across all three major sectors are beginning to exhibit the same market patterns, with the affordable end, the middle 60%, and the premium end nearly intersecting as one line when the information is shown on a graph. From September 2011 to September 2012, both the affordable end and the top end areas in the capital cities and suburbs reported a decline of -1.7%, while the middle 60% reported a fall of -0.3%. In the most volatile capital city markets, those with the most severe drops are the most affordable areas around Brisbane, down -13.2% from their pre-GFC peak, and the premium areas in the Brisbane market, which are down -10.8%. Melbourne’s top end property is down -10.4%. In the capital cities, the average home value has fallen by 6.1% from the onset of the GFC to September 2012. The largest decreases in value were in Melbourne, at -8.3%, and Perth with -6.8%, while the least change was in Canberra at -3.2%, and Adelaide and Darwin, both at -3.3%.  From the post-GFC to market peak to the current trough, home values have fallen -7.4% individual cities with the largest declines have been Darwin, with -19.7%, and Hobart, with -14.6%. Those capital cities least affected were Sydney, at -5.0%, and Canberra, with -5.3%.  However, capital city housing prices are currently on the rise. They bottomed out in May 2012, but rose 2.1% by October 2012. Justin Smith, Principal of The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham, is encouraged by the statistics: “It’s been quite an interesting journey the last few years. Before the Global Financial Crisis, most investors acted as though one could count on real estate prices to rise every day with the sun. If there’s one thing the last few years have taught us, it’s that even real estate is subject to market peaks, valleys, and troughs.” Smith continued, “Many in the housing, property, and mortgage industries are surprised that prices haven’t recovered to peak level yet. In the Perth area and in Western Australia, if the past and other economic factors are any indication, prices should recover fully to peak prices. The mining boom has brought a lot of jobs and a lot of money into Western Australia and most builders are expecting a labour shortfall by the end of the year. Demand for houses is rising and it is only a matter of time before supply dwindles and prices once again rise to former levels.” Smith concluded, “It certainly appears that prices are about to rise on all levels. For anyone who is thinking about buying a new home or upgrading their current one, it might be a good time to act.” The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham are the premier mortgage brokers in the Baldivis, Kwinana, and Rockingham areas. For more information about a home loan, call 08 9527 1800 or visit their website: http://www.themortgagegalleryrockingham.com.au/

2013-04-18T06:08:25Z new-website-for-the-world-poultry-congress

With billions of chickens being farmed for food every year it was time for the world poultry congress to create a new website. The poultry industry is constantly booming with famers, corporations and big businesses working side by side to provide the world with poultry produce. The aim of the world poultry congress is to provide a platform where people working within the industry can come together and learn all about recent advances, news updates and everything else relating to the world of poultry. The world poultry congress website is a great way for workers to stay connected and up to date with changes in the industry. Every year there are new ideas, innovative techniques and new health and safety regulations imposed on the poultry industry. The new website serves as a one stop shop to explore these changes and keep up to date with new ideas and techniques merging from across the globe. Not only does it provide a platform for learning but the new website from the world poultry congress www.wpc2012.com also provides a place to educate. For workers or industry professionals who have had ground breaking ideas or simply want to share their techniques this can all be done through the new and exciting website. Working within the poultry industry means that each worker has a dedicated duty to provide the world with high quality and safe produce. The world poultry congress can help workers and industry professionals meet these needs. The new website hosts a range of benefits and the overall aim of the world poultry congress is to educate, inform, connect and ensure the world enjoys gold standard poultry produce. This all starts with the launch of the new website dedicated to the world poultry congress and supporting the poultry industry.

2013-04-04T05:16:14Z gouldian-finch-bird-watching-tours

Experience The Wild is booking tours to see the endangered Gouldian Finch in the Top End of Australia for the upcoming dry season. Many birdwatchers consider the Gouldian Finch to be the most colourful and spectacular bird in Australia. Unfortunately, much of the natural habitats of the Gouldian FInch has been destroyed, and now only about 2,500 finches are remaining. Mike Jarvis, one of the most respected birdwatching tour guide operators in Australia, is organising tours to sight the Gouldian FInch in it's native environment in the Top End of Australia. With limited places, Mr Jarvis is encouraging birdwatching enthusiasts to get in quick to avoid disappointment. Experience The Wild offers a wide range of tours, from half-day tours, to 10 day Top End experiences. Visit the Experience The Wild Bird Watching Tours website for more information.

2013-04-03T22:50:20Z three-in-five-smes-now-have-teleworkers-within-their-business

New research by Australia’s largest accounting software provider, MYOB, reveals almost three in five small and medium businesses now have employees who telework to some extent.MYOB commissioned independent market research firm Colmar Brunton to conduct a nationally representative survey of 1,005 SMEs. One in four (25%) said their employees worked ‘mainly away from the office’, one in three (32%) said they worked ‘partly from home and from the office’ and the remainder did not have remote workers. One key finding was that SMEs whose employees worked mostly from a location other than business premises were 24% more likely to see a revenue rise in the past year. They were 32% less likely to see a revenue fall. CEO Tim Reed says, “The link between teleworking and improved business results is clear in MYOB’s research. SMEs whose employees worked remotely most or all of the time were 24% more likely to experience a revenue rise in the past year. 21% experienced a rise, compared to 17% whose staff only worked from the office.“The link became even clearer when we investigated revenue falls in the past year. 44% of the SMEs without teleworkers saw a fall, versus 30% of those whose staff teleworked most of the time. This speaks volumes as to why empowering employees to work outside the traditional confines of an office is becoming increasingly prevalent. Businesses are realising the bottom line benefits and rewards from more engaged employees.”Business advantagesKey benefits experienced by the 57% of SMEs whose staff teleworkinclude improved employee satisfaction, travel savings, reduced overheads and increased productivity.  Business benefits of teleworking technologies Employees are happier 31% Travel costs have been reduced 28% Employees are more productive 27% I can hire employees living in any location/s 17% IT costs have been reduced 16% Overall IT performance has been improved 15% Business manager(s) is/are happier 13% My business’s carbon footprint has been reduced 12% Premises rental costs have been reduced 11% The number of employee sick days has dropped 10% I can attract higher quality staff 10% IT issues have been reduced 9% Other 12%                         Mr Reed says, “Technology is a key enabler of teleworking and nowadays you don’t need to spend much money upfront to get started. There are plenty of simple free online technologies and applications available such as Skype, Dropbox and Gmail. And the cloud-enabling of new versions of more fully featured applications such as Microsoft Office 365 and MYOB AccountRight Live makes for an easy transition for working remotely.“The initiatives emerging from the Federal Government’s National Digital Economy Strategy should also make the move an easier process. The government is running a range of programs that support its efforts to reach a target of one in eight Australian employees having a regular telework arrangement by 2020.”Teleworking technologiesRespondents whose employees worked away from the office to some extent were asked what technologies they used for teleworking. Two in three used email, nearly three in five used laptops/computers and more than one in two used smartphones. Interestingly, fewer than one in 10 respondents used VPN and video conferencing. Technologies used to assist teleworking Email 66% Laptop/computer 58% Smartphone 55% Instant messaging 25% Telephone conferencing 19% Security software / firewall 18% Cloud computing services 11% VOIP 9% VPN (virtual private network) 7% Router at the teleworker’s premises 6% Video conferencing 6% Other 6%                      Those most likely to teleworkDelving further into the research, SME operators most likely to use teleworking include those in:·         Medium sized businesses (78% versus 53% in micro businesses, which were the least likely)·        Business, professional and property services (70% versus 35% in agribusiness, forestry and fishing)·         Gen Y (69% versus 50% of Baby Boomers)·         Start-up businesses (68% versus 47% of established businesses)·         Metropolitan based businesses (67% versus 45% of their rural counterparts)·         Western Australia (60% versus 54% in Queensland). For MYOB product information, research results, business tips, discussions, customer service and more visit the MYOB Business Monitor webpage, The Pulse blog, MYOB LinkedIn, MYOB Facebook or MYOB YouTube.