While many people believe that outsourcing is purely for Virtual Assistant and admin work, you would be surprised at the types of jobs that you can have outsourced. For example, our BPO has team members working on skyscrapers in New York, estimators working on your local shopping centre, web developers, designers, and road developers. The options are honestly endless. 

So here are the reasons why businesses are choosing to outsource, and how you can do it well.

Reasons why small businesses are outsourcing

Trouble finding local talent: The main reason why businesses outsource is because they may struggle to find the right person to hire locally. After the lockdowns for example, many expats went overseas, so there was less talent available. Therefore, businesses were competing for who was available – many SMEs were priced out. As a result, more businesses started looking overseas to outsource as they were unable to hire locally. 

Lack of commitment: For small businesses, outsourcing can remove the need to fully commit to local talent when all you are after is a contractor who can work short term.

24 Hour work: In a globalised work, businesses are often expected to operate 24 hours a day: from e-commerce brands that operate internationally to medical consult apps. Having a team that operates 24 hours a day means that your business can still keep moving as you sleep.

Highly qualified talent: Many people in Australia don’t realise how qualified some of the international talent really is. The Philippines, for example, has an excellent school and university system. They also have too many skilled university graduates and not enough jobs. You can find some very talented people when you look abroad who are not being utilised.

How to outsource successfully

There are many factors to consider if you want to really make the most out of outsourcing, including how you can do right by your employees.

Work out what type of employee you need: Do you need someone full time, or do you just need someone for short term tasks?

Choose agency vs freelancer wisely: Many of us will be familiar with the freelancer websites. While some of them work well, going it alone can lead to issues managing your employees. You also have the option to outsource through an agency, if budget allows. Watch out on this note – if you’re outsourcing through an agency, they tend to take more than you bargained for!

Be consistent: Try to build up a relationship with just one person, as opposed to multiple. This not only means you’re giving someone stable, ongoing work, but you also don’t need to keep briefing someone new from scratch. 

Include your outsourced employees in your team: You can utilise outsourced staff as an extension of your team. For example we have businesses who will have digital pizza parties with their entire team worldwide. They will join team meetings and participate in what they can digitally. This helps to boost team culture and ensure your contractor is immersed in the business so they can do their best work.

Remember that outsourcing isn’t just about you, but also your employees, and do you research. You’ll end up with an arrangement that works well for everyone involved.

The post Why (and how) SMEs are outsourcing work appeared first on Inside Small Business.

It’s the wearing of many hats that makes for many challenges when it comes to creating a successful business.

Pip Edwards, the co-founder of fashion-forward activewear brand, P.E. Nation, highlighted the pains felt by any small business in its early stages. “When you’re founding a business and trying to set it all up, those admin parts, those contractual legal parts can become overwhelming,” she said. “You really have to think that you can’t answer all of those questions, and go out and seek the right advice and make sure you’re continually tapping into that.”

And that’s the key, one that many SME owners who wear all the hats get wrong: you need to build a network and a circle of trusted advisors for support.

However, for many small businesses, it is not a matter of wanting to seek advice, but rather the financial ability to seek it. Yet doing so is becoming more affordable, particularly as the likes of online-only offerings, AI and other technologies come to the fore.

Take bookkeeping. It’s an invaluable resource that every small business needs, but many SME owners think they need to do it themselves as they look to minimise external spending. But rather than ramping up knowledge of Xero or MYOB from scratch, a bookkeeper takes one of the more excruciating parts of the workload away from the business owner whose expertise usually lies with the product or service offering.

With many online-only options powered by AI now available, these types of operational duties have never been more affordable (or helpful) to outsource to technology.

Pip says that understanding the numbers is so important. The structure and process represent 80 per cent of the business’s success, and the concept 20 per cent. Then it’s up to the marketing to make that unique.

Marketing is a function that is often an afterthought for the busy small-business operator. Whilst it’s arguably the most critical function to a business’s ability to grow their customer base and create loyalty, for many, a dedicated marketing headcount or function would break the P&L.

For this reason, coupled with a lack of knowledge, this is the task they put off the most. A recent survey of small businesses across Australia, the US, the UK and Canada revealed that, marketing is the most likely activity ANZ small businesses will delay undertaking

One of the reasons behind this procrastination is a lack of expertise in marketing. The same survey found that the top issue preventing ANZ SMEs from adding more channels to their marketing mix is a lack of knowledge (37 per cent).

And that’s where third parties and, increasingly, technologies like AI can be a really powerful “advisor” to small businesses. AI-driven marketing tools built specifically for small businesses are becoming affordable for those with small budgets, minimal resources and even less time.

Some MartTech platforms are generating entire marketing plans and social-media recommendations, along with email campaigns including copy and images, or complementary SMS campaigns and social posts with AI-generated images. Importantly, as small businesses spend more time with these tools, the technology learns what the audiences are most likely to engage with, leading to intelligent recommendations that lead to more successful campaigns.

An additional survey Constant Contact survey late last year revealed that of those who have used AI in their marketing for over a year, 46 per cent found they saved time and worked more efficiently, 43 per cent found their business grew faster, and 38 per cent got to know their customers better.

The recent advances in AI have made data, analytics and insights accessible, easy to understand and affordable for everyone. The ability to both collate and consolidate data easily will allow business owners to understand their customers with greater depth, leverage their marketing and help alleviate the cumbersome administration of some business processes.

The key, ultimately, is for small businesses to lean on people and resources in order to be successful. As Pip Edwards said, “It’s overwhelming and seeking outside assistance is the best course of action.” In doing so SME owners can do less procrastinating and more of the activities that will allow them to grow their business.

The post Too many hats, not enough time: how outside help is essential to helping SME owners succeed appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Here are some of the most persistent delivery transport myths to watch out for:

Myth One – All transport companies are the same

Many businesses have discovered this myth the hard way. Anyone can buy or lease a few vans and call themselves a transport company. This creates huge variability in the professionalism and capabilities of different transport providers.

To tell if a delivery transport company is right for you, take the time to get to know them and their capabilities first. It’s essential they can support you at your absolute busiest periods, and can quickly organise replacement delivery vehicles and drivers at a moment’s notice.

Start with a small commitment, such as a trial period, to gauge their responsiveness and quality, and increase your commitment accordingly.

Myth Two – It’s cheaper if I just do the deliveries myself

Some small-business owners get into the driver’s seat themselves, or requisition staff from other areas to do delivery runs. But if you crunch the numbers, this approach never adds up.

For starters, what is your time worth?

The DIY approach often leaves the business ill-prepared for surges in delivery demand. There is no system in place, and it cannot perform under pressure.

Myth Three – It’s all about speed, speed, speed

This is partly true. Some industries rely on speed. But accuracy and reliability can be at least as important.

Reliability means consistently delivering during times of absenteeism, or peak demand. Key issues include customer service and communication, and having the right systems to ensure accuracy and proof-of-delivery. You may be an hour or two quicker, but if the above aren’t in place and you deliver the wrong item then it may not mean much to your customers.

Myth Four – Delivery is not a dealbreaker for our customers

Research suggests customer expectations around parcel deliveries are rising. Customer service shouldn’t stop once a deal has been done – it needs to be fulfilled up to the critical delivery stage.

Too many businesses fail to communicate with their clients regarding deliveries. Those who keep clients informed and execute with professionalism go a long way to fostering loyalty.

Myth Five – Outsourcing takes away some control

This is a classic myth. But if done properly, outsourcing does the exact opposite – it gives you more control.

Outsourcing provides more control and flexibility over resourcing and costs. It provides access to resources that match your business demands, including reliable extra resources when needed during periods of absenteeism or peak periods. If your outsourcing solution isn’t providing more control, it’s time to look for a solution that will.

The post The five biggest delivery transport myths plaguing small business appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Fiverr also noted that Australians in general are taking advantage of the demand for their expertise, especially in the aforementioned fields, as they enter into side hustles in a big way to combat cost-of-living pressures.

Globally, AI services have seen a huge spike in demand, as the understanding of the benefits and efficiencies of AI have become more apparent to more businesses. According to the Index, searches on Fiverr for ‘AI influencer’ have skyrocketed by 6305 per cent. Inquiries for ‘AI SaaS’ – a combination of artificial intelligence and software-as-a-service – have grown by 1461 per cent and searches for ‘AI chatbot’ have increased by 85 per cent, all signs that businesses across the world are harnessing the power of AI to enable market progression.

“After a turbulent year, the Australian economy grew in December 2023 and those green shoots are reflected in the way businesses are using Fiverr,” Matti Yahav, Chief Marketing Officer at Fiverr, commented. “Searches show that they are harnessing the power of skilled freelancers to drive their business forward, especially in the areas of AI, eCommerce and social media marketing. And, with the cost-of-living crisis still very present, it’s clear that innovative Aussies are using their skills to make an additional income through freelancing.”

The Index found that Fiverr searches indicate that businesses are seeking skilled freelancers who will help them in their social media campaigns, with a particular focus on Google or Facebook ad campaigns and website SEO. Fiverr says that freelancers with these skills can earn up to $2000 per project due to the increase in demand.

The Index also noted an upward trend in eCommerce investment, with Shopify becoming the go-to platform for small businesses. Searches for expert freelancers in Shopify design and marketing on Fiverr have notably increased, reflecting this growing trend. Freelancers with these skills can earn up to $3000 per project, underscoring eCommerce as a lucrative avenue for them.

In addition, the Index found that Australians continue to capitalise on side hustles to supplement their income. The skills required by businesses from side hustles are varied, from female voiceover work to proofreading and wedding video editing, which the report notes is an indication of the breadth of the potential for continued growth in this area.

The post AI, eCommerce and marketing freelancers in greater demand appeared first on Inside Small Business.

There’s one particular detail that is easily overlooked yet must be accounted for when hiring people via an agency or other outsourced provider – ensuring the provider is licenced.

Engaging unlicenced labour-hire workers is a sleeper issue because not all companies understand their responsibility. It’s a mistake to assume the responsibility lies solely with the labour provider.

All states have their own labour-hire laws, and there are huge fines for breaches. According to the Labour Hire Authority in Victoria: Maximum penalties exceeding $600,000 for a corporation and $150,000 for an individual applying under the Act for providing labour-hire services without a licence or engaging in unlicenced labour-hire services.

The important point here is it’s not just the responsibility of the supplier providing the talent – it’s also your responsibility as a business hiring the labour. Any small business engaging third-party resources is therefore responsible for checking their providers are properly licenced.

The other potential trap for businesses is thinking this may not apply to their sector or industry. There’s a perception that labour-hire breaches are only an issue for industries like fruit picking or construction, due to media coverage. But the rules apply to any company outsourcing talent – whether it’s technology, professional services, marketing, or manufacturing.

Consider outsourcing to a sole operator, such as a web developer, marketing consultant, tech support or business advisor – if this supplier brings in some extra support, can you be sure these extra resources are covered under a labour-hire licence?

It’s a common risk in my industry of delivery transport. Anyone can buy a van and call themselves a transport solution. But business can be caught out when their regular driver brings in a brother, cousin, or a couple of friends to help – it’s a detail that is easy to overlook. But it’s up to us to ask: do you have a labour-hire licence?

To ensure compliance when engaging labour-hire services, it’s best to ensure the appropriate licences are in place when you commence.

The post The ‘sleeper issue’ small business needs to avoid when outsourcing appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Myth 1: Marketing is constantly changing and it is hard to keep up

This is a common misconception. While marketing technology may evolve (e.g. changes in social media platforms), it doesn’t change as rapidly as you might think. Underneath all the technology, there are simple marketing techniques that remain consistent, rooted in the timeless behaviours of the humans with which we aim to engage. By focusing on the core principles of understanding your target audience, creating compelling messaging, and delivering value, you can build a strong foundation for your marketing efforts.

Myth 2: There is a secret trick to marketing

I wish. Unfortunately, there’s no magic trick that guarantees marketing success. Behind every successful business and marketing campaign lies a trail of experiments, tests and failed attempts. It’s about embracing best practices and learning from the experiences of others. Instead of searching for a secret formula, focus on understanding your unique value proposition, identifying your target market, and delivering your message consistently across different channels.

Myth 3: I need to get a formal education to be good at it 

While some education may be helpful, formal learning doesn’t guarantee success over anyone else. Marketing is a dynamic field where practical experience and adaptability are often more valuable. Embrace learning from any available source, including testing and experimenting within your own business. Stay up to date with industry trends, attend webinars or workshops, and engage with online communities to expand your knowledge and network. Or read a new marketing book.

“Investing your time in marketing can be more valuable than any money you spend.”

Myth 4: Marketing is expensive

Yes, marketing can be expensive, especially when considering traditional advertising methods or large-scale campaigns. However, not all marketing strategies require a big budget. In fact, there are countless ways to turn strangers into loyal fans that cost little to no money at all. Leveraging digital platforms such as social media, content marketing and email marketing allows you to reach your target audience effectively without breaking the bank. Focus on creating valuable content, engaging with your audience, and nurturing relationships to drive organic growth. Even just employing different sales strategies can transform your business through the number of leads you convert into customers. 

Myth 5: I need to outsource all of it

False. While it’s true that marketing can feel overwhelming, and certain aspects may require specific technical expertise, there are plenty of tasks that you can handle yourself with consistency, patience and free resources.  

Myth 6: I need to keep it all in-house

Conversely, this is also false. While it’s important to maintain control over your marketing strategy, there are times when outsourcing certain tasks or seeking external expertise can be beneficial. Marketing agencies or freelancers can provide specialised skills and insights, help you navigate new platforms or technologies, and save you time and effort. The key is to strike a balance between in-house and outsourced marketing to maximise your resources and achieve your goals effectively. 

Myth 7: My competitors know something I don’t

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that your competitors possess some secret knowledge or strategy that sets them apart. However, you may be overestimating everyone else around you. You already possess the necessary tools, experience and insights to succeed beyond them. Letting go of this myth will instil the confidence you need to thrive. Instead of focusing solely on your competitors, invest your energy in understanding your target audience, identifying their needs, and delivering value that sets you apart from the competition.

Myth 8: My competitors are spending more money on marketing than I am

Often, this is also a myth. It’s natural to assume that your competitors have bigger budgets or are doing more than you; however, the reality may be different. You may be more aware of their advertising efforts, or they may have simply found a formula that works for them. Or else they’ve captured your browser’s cookies and you just think they’re spending a lot of money because you see their ads everywhere. 

Myth 9: Any DIY marketing efforts I make are going to be terrible

Absolutely false! DIY doesn’t equate to poor quality. In fact, investing your time in marketing can be more valuable than any money you spend because you possess an intimate understanding of your own business. Imagine the compounding effect of spending just 2.5 hours per week on your marketing efforts. That’s nearly 20 working days dedicated to marketing in a year, while many of your competitors may be doing nothing at all. Additionally, there is an abundance of tools available to help you execute marketing activities effectively. Whether it’s designing graphics, scheduling social media posts, or analysing data, there are user-friendly and affordable resources that empower you to take control of your marketing efforts.

Myth 10: A strategy is the same as a plan

A strategy – much like an idea, a dream, a wish or a theory – is not the same at all as an actionable plan. You need both. You need not only the strategy to get you to your goals with marketing, but also the step-by-step plan that you can implement to help you achieve them. You need to know what to do with any time you dedicate to marketing or any money that you have to allocate to it. You need to know when it’s working, when to abandon it, or pivot. A plan is very different from a strategy and combining the two is a misstep. 

By debunking these common myths, you can gain a clearer perspective on small-business marketing and empower yourself to make informed decisions. Embrace the opportunities available to you, leverage your unique strengths, and focus on building authentic connections with your audience. Remember, successful marketing is not about magic tricks or enormous budgets. Identify exactly where you are losing customers on their journey from stranger to fan, and then work consistently on improving.

With the right mindset and a willingness to learn and adapt, you can achieve remarkable results and drive your small business to new heights of success.

This article first appeared in issue 42 of the Inside Small Business quarterly magazine

The post Ten myths about SME marketing that could be holding you back from success appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Get some short-term help with answering calls while you’re away

While it may be Easter time, the holiday period rarely stops customers from calling and needing assistance. Instead of your callers constantly reaching your voicemail, having your calls answered by a virtual receptionist is a great way to ensure your customers are being tended to while you’re away. Phone answering services are designed to take care of calls when you’re not able to get to the phone, where trained operators will answer the call on behalf of your business and will take a message that’s sent to you via email and SMS. The call centres are also 100 per cent Australian based and operate 24/7, meaning your service is guaranteed to be working even on public holidays like Good Friday.

Get in the Easter spirit with on hold messages

With many businesses experiencing a large amount of calls coming through over easter, having the ability to promote your brand and special promotions every time somebody calls can be a game changer. On hold messages are professional voice recordings that will give your business a professional touch with options of both male and female voice talents. Instead of hearing silence or standard music, customers can be notified of important information such as holiday trading hours or special easter promotions. It’s a great way to enhance your business image while also getting into the easter spirit.

Create a contingency plan to back up your operations

Using the lead up to Easter is a great time to ensure all your systems are in working order. While this may look different for every business, some ways to prepare for the holiday period may be to ensure you’re well-staffed, fully stocked and you have a good contingency plan in check for unforeseen circumstances. For example, if your business relies heavily on internet, making sure your broadband service includes 24/7 customer support and 4G back up can ensure your business continues to run as usual in the case of an outage. Whether you’re working over the break or taking time off to de-stress, using the lead up time to Easter to make sure that all of these systems are in check will give you peace of mind.

Not sure where to start when it comes to planning for the Easter period? Get in touch on 1300 00 1300 or CLICK HERE and one of our expert business consultants will happily assist in finding the best solution for your business.

The post Three ways to take care of business this Easter appeared first on Inside Small Business.

ISB: What was the inspiration behind the launch of mtime?

Sarah Agboola: When I was a teenager, my dad passed away very suddenly. I have two younger sisters and our closest relatives live in Nigeria. So, my mum was tasked with taking care of a household, three children, and full-time work by herself, when what she really needed was someone to take care of her while she recovered from her own grief.

This experience imprinted on me, and I realised that parents of all backgrounds are dealing with their own struggles but there wasn’t anything that truly addressed their needs. Just imagine, after a busy day at work, you come home not for a break, but to be an on-demand cleaner, nanny or chef. You could hire a cleaner but they won’t look after your kids, or you could hire a nanny but they won’t clean your home. And even if you hire them both, you still have laundry, dinner and errands to think about.

“Our goal is to create a seamless and holistic path to employment for anyone who wants to be a carer.”

So, mtime was created not only to help parents like my mum, who are in high-stress situations, but also to help people with the chronic stresses that come from modern life.

ISB: A lot of businesses today are leveraging the ‘gig economy’ but you directly employ your moncierges – what is the reasoning behind that approach?

SA: We actively chose not to run as a gig economy marketplace because we knew that one of the big reasons many in-home or childcare-based businesses of that nature fail is because of the lack of consistency for customers. The word ‘gig’ implies one-off commitments that you can opt in or out of, but we needed our moncierges to work at the same time, with the same family, every single week. This commitment to them around regular hours and stable pay is part of our ‘culture of care’, and we believe that if we take care of our moncierges, then they are better placed to take care of the families, who are then better able to take care of themselves.

ISB: And what are the chief benefits of that model to, firstly, your employees and, secondly, to the business itself?

SA: The biggest benefits for our staff are security and stability. Our moncierges rest assured that they will get paid every fortnight, receive super on top of their wage, are fully covered by insurance and if ever they have any issues at work the mtime team is there to support them. This security was most evident during COVID, as many of our team received JobKeeper and were able to support their families when we were forced to close. The stability of the role comes from our decision to run mtime as a subscription service rather than as an ‘on demand’ marketplace. Moncierges aren’t randomly messaged about one-off gigs, instead they get an offer for ongoing, stable work at hours that suit their schedule.

Rebecca Kraut: The collective outcome of this is that every single employee has a true sense of belonging to our community. We have moncierges who have become mentors and trainers to support our new recruits, and we even have a member of our recruitment team who started as a moncierge and has progressively been promoted into a head office role. This is why we see longer customer tenure than is standard for the care industry, which is a great win for revenue.

ISB: How has mtime been received since its launch?

RK: We launched in 2017, and in the five years since, the demand for our service has never been higher. We’ve had families begging us to skip the queue to be matched, and people across Australia have been contacting us saying, “Please, please, when are you bringing mtime to my city?”

Pre-pandemic, we had strong customer growth sourced from [search engine marketing] SEM and a small amount of content marketing. Demand was steady and in line with moncierge acquisition. Interestingly, during COVID, despite our inability to deliver the service, we had consistent spikes of customer enquiries. I believe the heightened stress of lockdown life only further increased the realisation for many families that they desperately needed extra support; they needed that spare set of hands more than ever. This reinforced the need to make the market aware that this type of service exists, so we doubled down on creating content while we had the space to do so.

By 2022, when we were able to operate as normal again, that content strategy was paying off. Despite not increasing our marketing spend, our customer numbers jumped to the point that for a period we switched to waitlist only. To this day, our biggest challenge is that we cannot source nearly enough moncierges to work with our families – we joke almost every day about what a great problem this is to have.

ISB: I understand you have eschewed off-the-shelf technology to develop your own platform – what drove that decision?

SA: Honestly, we’d have preferred to use something ‘off-the-shelf’, and we tried to, but the existing HR software we found was built for white-collar professionals, or focused only on recruiting but not staff management or onboarding, or didn’t account for large mobile workforces, or had limited integration for all the safety and compliance checks we require…Need I go on?

RK: Exactly. Even products built for NDIS support workers were missing key features we required for our service to run at its best. So, we decided to create a custom solution that covers the entire journey for people entering the care industry, as the current alternatives are fractured and do not take in the needs of jobseekers. Our goal is to create a seamless and holistic path to employment for anyone who wants to be a carer.

ISB: How do you see mtime growing and developing in the next couple of years?

SA: From the get go, my vision has been for mtime to become a global care network that enables anyone, anywhere to access the care they need, while ensuring that anyone anywhere can get a job in the care industry and support their community.

RK: We’re super excited about an imminent expansion across Australia, starting in regional Victoria, and then we’ll be opening in additional capital cities by the end of the year. After that, we plan to expand internationally.

SA: As someone who grew up in a regional town, I’m thrilled that we’re opening in those areas. We often get a bit overlooked so it’s an awesome opportunity to be going there. Ultimately I can’t wait for the day that when people think of care they think of mtime. To know that no matter where you are in the world, when you need care, mtime will be there.

This article first appeared in issue 38 of the Inside Small Business quarterly magazine

The post Culture of care appeared first on Inside Small Business.

A millionaire mindset isn’t about having a million dollars in the bank or living in a luxury penthouse. Instead, the focus is on creating the perspective of a millionaire, which is one of abundance. It is about transforming your attitude towards your life so that you feel you have everything you need and can therefore move through your life and towards your goals with ease, confidence and enjoyment.

Outsource what doesn’t serve you

Time is a precious currency that cannot be earned back. In turn, many millionaires or those on the trajectory to millionaire-hood outsource all tasks that they believed aren’t playing on their strengths. Even before they could justify the expense, some hired a house cleaner or personal assistant because this fed into their millionaire mindset. By outsourcing, they freed up time to focus on wealth creation, time with their loved ones and doing what was most important to them.

By applying this theory, once you calculate your per hour salary and the hours you gain back per week by outsourcing tasks, you will often find that you are ahead financially, using those hours gained to create wealth or enrich your life.

Incorporate daily spirituality

Many modern-day entrepreneurs have intertwined business and spiritual practices such as feng-shui. The intention is to focus on abundance flowing into you with ease. For example, in feng-shui, the colour green is often associated with wealth and certain plants are said to increase ‘wealth energy’. So, including these in your home can connect you with a feeling of prosperity and positivity.

Our thoughts are also energetic. Therefore, by limiting negative self-talk and transforming your words into ones of gratitude, you will reprogram your mind to see opportunities in obstacles. Focusing on money as energy activates the subconscious mind to remain laser sharp on creating wealth. Prioritising this view will continuously stand as a reminder that you are capable of and are here to generate a wealthy lifestyle. 

Treat yourself with care

The way you treat your wellbeing is a reflection of the financial opportunities that will come to you. Therefore, resting and doing what you love must be scheduled into your calendar. Recharging your internal energy battery is a must if you want to trailblaze ahead and gain clarity into your vision for goal setting and achievement.

The greatest entrepreneurs and millionaires schedule monthly or weekly day spa appointments, time with their loved ones, a swim at the beach, or simply a sleep-in. The key is to choose your preferred recharge method and incorporate it into your schedule as a non-negotiable.

Blocks to achieving your millionaire mindset

I’ve seen firsthand several things that will keep you from achieving the millionaire mindset and creating an abundant life.

Firstly, feeling guilty about money and wealth creation will sabotage your success since your self-talk will be shameful and condemning. Also, if you need to earn a side income while you start your business, you must allow yourself to do so. If you don’t, you will be desperate for sales and your customers, sensing this, will run a mile. Finally, one of the biggest blocks I’ve seen is people’s fears about expenses. Believing that expenses are investments instead of liabilities is crucial to creating gratitude, positivity and prosperity.

Fortunately, these blocks are all transformable by becoming conscious of yourself and following the tips above.

The post Three tips to develop a millionaire mindset appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Australian businesses are increasingly looking towards flexible work solutions to alleviate the growing pressure of rising operating costs, staff shortages and the shift to remote work.

No longer is it absolutely essential for SMEs to have a physical centralised office, with staff expected to be present from nine to five each day. Many businesses have embraced the trend towards hybrid work: according to the ABS, as of August 2021, 41 per cent of employed people regularly worked from home, up from 32 per cent in August 2019.

One positive byproduct of the COVID-19 lockdowns has been organisations recognising the benefits of taking a more flexible approach to work. Employing a remote or hybrid workforce can mean reduced rent overheads as well as increased productivity amongst a more empowered workforce.

Australian small to medium businesses that have opted to go remote are looking for flexible solutions for how to present their brands in the most professional light whilst maintaining a distributed workforce.

Hub Australia’s New Virtual Office Memberships

Hub Australia, the pioneer of flexible workspaces in Australia, has recently launched its new virtual office memberships. These memberships allow remote workforce businesses to experience the benefits of a premium inner-city address, mail forwarding, virtual receptionist and other perks that only a premium flexible coworking space can offer.

What does a Hub Australia virtual office membership include?

• Business addresses – A virtual office membership at any Hub Australia location allows you to register your business address at one or more of their iconic locations, positioning yourself close to your clients and aligning yourself with the premium quality of spaces Hub Australia has become renowned for.
• Mailing addresses and mailing service – Virtual office memberships offer the use of one or more Hub locations as your premium business mailing address, allowing you to collect mail weekly, or have it forwarded to an alternate address.
• Virtual receptionist – Build an instant local presence in an Australian city with your own local telephone number and virtual receptionist to professionally answer and forward your calls.
• Access premium workspaces as you need – Every virtual office membership offers discounts on Hub Australia’s day passes, so you can work from any of their thirteen national locations as you need, including access to meeting spaces and amenities.
• Member benefits and discounts – Hub’s virtual office membership will provide you with access to Hub Australia’s growing list of partners and perks, with exclusive discounts and trials on products and services hand-selected to help you grow your business. With savings on retail, software and business tools, your membership becomes a tool to help you succeed and save.

Here’s what a Hub Australia Virtual Office client has to say about the service

The team at strategy and innovation consultancy, Tank, shifted to remote work in March 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns. As a small business with a reputable clientele, the consultancy wanted to maintain a professional look, and preserve the benefits of an office, but one without a physical location.

Jim Antonopoulos, Managing Director at Tank said, “We can work wherever we want. People say ‘where is your office?’ and we can say ‘our office is in Melbourne, in Canberra and in Sydney. We can also access the boardroom facilities which offers us flexibility.

“The flexibility (offered by Hub Australia’s Virtual Office service) really allows us to rethink the structure, shape and nature of our business.”

Inside Small Business readers can enjoy their first month of Virtual Office Membership free with a month-to-month plan. Mention the code ‘INSIDE SMALL BUSINESS’ when enquiring or email connect@hubaustralia.com.

Find out more.

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