Answering the Covid questions you're asking and what you can do in your business


What do you do as a business owner if your business is being affected by Coronavirus directly, or indirectly through reduced consumer or business confidence?

We want to help you build the confidence you need to come out the other end of this crisis with minimal damage to the business, team and revenue. 

Join the conversation in our “Calm Covid Convos” where we’ll be answering the questions our clients are asking us around cash, HR, leadership and tech, teamwork and whatever is on your mind.

 

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29th October 2020

#22 Keeping it real - what's doing in the real estate industry

Whether your business is thriving or surviving, you still need to have your finger on the pulse. t’s important to know what is going on in the real estate industry and what others are doing to take advantage of the opportunities while still keeping a buffer for the uncertain path that lies ahead.

21st October 2020

#21 What now? The no B.S. take on the budget + current climate

The budget has landed. JobKeeper is here [or you at least have an idea whether you are going to get it or not].  Final Cash Boost Payments are hitting your account together with your final JobKeeper 1.0 payments. But, we still have Victoria in lockdown, the threat of a surge in cases in Sydney and footy grand finals ready to test everyone’s ‘COVID safe’ plans.

So, what do you need to know and what should you be doing now to prepare for the next phase of this pandemic? 

 

1st October 2020

#20 JobKeeper 2.0 the extension and rules explained

We have known the JobKeeper payment would be extended for quite a while now, but further information regarding JobKeeper 2.0 and thkey changes was only released by the ATO recently.   

 

20th August 2020

#19 Maximise + protect your payments

We have already talked about JobKeeper 2.0 but the latest announcements made last Friday mean we now need to revisit JobKeeper 1.0 to ensure your business stays eligible and to maximise your JobKeeper entitlements.

 

13th August 2020

#18 Trends to help small business

So often real-time data for small business is jumbled in with other businesses of all shapes and sizes, diluting the value of the conclusions that are drawn from the data. Accounting software provider Xero however, has for years been able to use real-time data to identify trends among small businesses with its Small Business Insights tool.

 

31st July 2020

#17 Lockdown + second wave fears

Whether you operate in Melbourne and are already dealing with a team back in lockdown, or managing a team with concerns about a second wave, they have never needed your leadership and guidance more.  But as a leader or manager in your team, how do you know where to start and how to support them on an ongoing basis?

 

24th July 2020

#16 JobKeeper 2.0

In this 'Calm COVID Convo' we dissect the announcements and discuss what it may mean for you and your business. Of course, we are unlikely to have final legislation in place by then but we will nevertheless discuss the announcements made, what we do know and what it will mean for you and your business.  We will also revisit other support and stimulus measures available such as Cash Boost Payments/Credits and state stimulus.

 

12th June 2020

#15 From the ATOs perspective

The stimulus packages were introduced in a very short time to minimise the impacts of COVID19 to business and employees. The ATO’s role as administrator of the JobKeeper scheme is to ensure payments are made to eligible businesses as quickly as possible. Here to help and support people to do the right thing for the JobKeeper Payment Scheme, the ATO also have checks and balances in place to assess all applications for eligibility as well as detect and deal with those abusing the system accordingly.

To dispel the myths, to calm your nerves and to clarify the ATO position, we have arranged for Assistant Commissioner Andrew Watson from the ATO Small Business Line to join us on our next ‘Calm COVID Convo’.


 

26th May 2020

#14 The future for small business

During this ‘Calm COVID Convo’ we will reflect on the challenges of small business as a way to help identify the opportunities to transform and evolve. Our ‘convo’ will cover off on a wide range of topics specific to small business and family enterprises, including [but not limited to]:

  1. What does the future look like for small business?
  2. Observations from the small business community during these times
  3. Top issues small businesses are facing right now and what will be around the corner
  4. What do small businesses need to help them rebound?
  5. The impact of the Payment Times Reporting Bill on cashflow
  6. The role banks have to play in recovery
  7. Will small business ever be the same again?
  8. Concerns and strategies to support the mental health and wellness of the human behind and within small business

 

22nd May 2020

#13 Back to the office

During this session, we discussed what you need to do to make sure the workplace is safe from a technical and practical perspective. We also talked about the employment law side of things when employees return from being stood down, your obligations from a flexi-working perspective, and Fair Work considerations.

Questions and matters we answered included:

  1. What are the Safework Australia requirements?
  2. How will the phases of returning to work operate and what do you need to be thinking about as an employer?
  3. Practical tips around things like safe distancing, hygiene, and cleaning.
  4. Do you need to update your sick leave policies?
  5. Contractual considerations when returning employees that have been stood down or from reduced hours.
  6. Legal considerations around flexi-working and your WHS obligations.
  7. Ideas around flexible working.

 

12th May 2020

#12 Scaling Up with Glen Richards of Shark Tank

Glen Richards may be best known as a judge on Channel Ten’s Shark Tank, but it’s the support, advice and energy he has provided to the Australian business community that we admire most. In this ‘Calm COVID Convo’, Glen and John discussed how he went from owning a small vet practice in Townsville to being the head of a multi-million dollar integrated pet care empire.

  1. Scaling service businesses. 
  2. The challenges around scaling. 
  3. His tips and advice for these challenging times 
  4. The opportunities he sees on the other side of the COVID curve 
  5. His V4P message [vision, planning, people, patience and passion] 

8th May 2020

#11 Modern Leadership with Trent Innes from Xero

Trent Innes has led Xero Australia through this period of amazing growth and in recent times kept Xero nimble enough to adapt and transform with the recent COVID challenges. This ‘Calm COVID Convo’ is a conversation around things like:

  1. Insights from Xero’s Small Business Insights data [what does the data say is happening in small business]
  2. The reality of how well funded small businesses are.
  3. Have habits changed forever?
  4. Importance of hiring for attitude
  5. Culture, values and people management during a crisis and in a high growth environment
  6. Practical ideas, tips and tricks for business leaders

27th April 2020

#10 JobKeeper Alternative Tests

Just when you thought we couldn’t talk about the JobKeeper payments anymore, the ATO releases the alternative tests. During this Calm COVID Convo John and Rebecca discussed the 7 alternative tests relevant for anyone who does not meet the basic test and potential fits into either of these circumstances:

  1. New businesses
  2. Businesses acquired or disposed
  3. Business restructured
  4. High growth businesses
  5. Businesses affected by drought or natural disaster
  6. Businesses with irregular turnover
  7. Sole traders or small partnerships with sickness, injury or leave

23rd April 2020

#9 Everything for Real Estate Agencies

During this Calm COVID Convo, we will update Real Estate Agencies all on the latest information and dive deep into the main areas of your business including:

  1. Cash Boost Payments
  2. JobKeeper payments
  3. Other stimulus and support available
  4. Fair work changes and risks, including penalties
  5. Specialist employment law considerations
  6. Commission only, dr/cr agents and independent contractor considerations
  7. Bank assistance packages
  8. ATO concessions and support
  9. Commercial tenancies considerations
  10. State Government Support
  11. Business tips and suggestion to get to the other side of the dip

21st April 2020

#8 JobKeeper Processes

An update you all on the latest information including the recently released information on the 30% Decline in Turnover Test and step you through the important processes relating to your eligibility now and over the next 6 months. We will also be answering the following questions:

  1. Latest on cash v accrual for measuring the decline in turnover test?
  2. If you are eligible in one month, do you have to continue to apply the 30% test for future periods?
  3. Alternative tests from the ATO [if any released by Tuesday which we do expect]
  4. What if I do not have a comparable turnover position from the previous year?
  5. Update on self-employed eligibility and how it will work.
  6. How do I register?
  7. How do my employees and employers notify each other as required?
  8. Ongoing reporting obligations
  9. How do I apply the test across divisions or different entities within my group?
  10. How should we process in Xero and STP [single touch payroll]?

17th April 2020

#7 Investing during these times

Join John Knight, Rebecca Mihalic and Simone Murad, financial planner and accountant of our Sydney office discuss:

  1. Is there anything that makes this investment cycle different from others?  
  2. What’s the impact on how we invest when we come back from this? 
  3. Do you see investment habits changing into the future?  
  4. Are people still putting investment decisions on hold or are they now wanting to take advantage of the market?  
  5. What long term considerations should clients be thinking about with all investment decisions at this point in time? 
  6. How do you feel about those wanting to take the $10k out of super?  
  7. What are you seeing for other investment classes going forward? 

15th April 2020

#6 Commercial Tenancies

John Knight, Rebecca Mihalic and Robert Shepley answer the following questions for Calm Covid Convos webinar #6 focusing on Commercial Tenancies:

  1. As a tenant, I need to ask for some room to move on my lease. How should I go about that discussion?
  2. As a landlord, I’ve been asked to provide a discount to a tenant in one of my commercial properties. What are my obligations as a landlord to consider this request?
  3. What are the options I could provide as a landlord [such as deferrals, abatements, payment plans and so forth]?
  4. What legal rights do I have as a tenant during this period?
  5. What legal rights do I have as a landlord during this period?
  6. What if I need/want to get rid of a tenant for some reason other than unpaid rents?

9th April 2020

#5 JobKeeper Update

Now that we have actual legislation, John Knight and Rebecca Mihalic will dive deep into the requirements and clarify [as much as they can] your eligibility for the payments. 

 

 

   

6th April 2020

#4 Cutting Costs

In this Calm Covid Convo Webinar episode #4 on cutting costs with Bradley Conn, Rebecca Mihalic and John Knight, we will answer the following questions:

  1. Where do I start?
  2. Tips around how to find the opportunities to cut costs?
  3. How do I approach negotiating with suppliers?
  4. Tips on cashflow budgeting and /or tighter cost control?
  5. When is the right time to talk to banks?
  6. How do I make sure I keep my finger on the pulse?
  7. Is it something I should get the team involved with?
  8. What else do I need to think about when implementing cost reductions?

2nd April 2020

#3 Accessing Income Support Payments

Join John Knight, Rebecca Mihalic and Cara Brett, as they talk accessing income support payments and answer the following questions:

  1. What are the core requirements to access the Jobseeker Allowance?
  2. Asset testing and Income testing requirements
  3. What other support is available to team members that no longer have a job or have reduced hours or reduced work.
  4. What do we know about the Jobkeeper payment that was announced on Monday [including eligibility requirements and how we ‘think’ it will work].

   

30th March 2020

#2 Your people + culture

In this ‘People + Culture’ convo the questions we’ll be answering for you on this second webinar in the series will include:

  1. What do I need to consider if my team are working from home
  2. How do I keep my team motivated if they are working from home
  3. What if I need to reduce some or all of my team, what are my options?

 

   

27th March 2020

#1 Stimulus / Support packages

John Knight and Rebecca Mihalic will discuss the stimulus / support packages for business owners affected by Coronavirus directly, or indirectly through reduced consumer or business confidence. They'll answer:

  1. How will the business support payments of up to $100k be paid?
  2. Will I actually get a payment or just a credit against my BAS?
  3. When can I expect to get a payment [if I get a payment]?
  4. What if I didn’t pay wages in March?  Do I not get anything?
  5. What about independent contractors and self-employed?
  6. My business has been forced to close, what support can I access?
  7. How do you see the government loan support working with the banks?