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Category: Business

  • Covid Support Update

    Covid Support Update


    Below are all the current covid support that is available, please read carefully as some of these end shortly.

    Resurgence Support Payment

    This is the new support scheme that became available on Tuesday, and covers the week where alert levels were raised.

    • A business or organisation must have experienced at least a 30% drop in revenue over a 7-day period at the raised alert level compared with a typical 7-day revenue period in the 6 weeks prior to the increase from alert level 1.

    • The RSP is calculated as $1,500 plus $400 per FTE (up to 50 FTE). The maximum payment is $21,500. Sole traders can receive a payment of up to $1,900.

    The following link will give you all the information you need to be able to calculate whether you are eligible. There is also a calculator at the bottom of the page to check eligibility. Read all the info carefully as we have found quite a few of our clients aren’t eligible as they worked double time in the 3 days following lockdown.

    Low Value Asset Threshold and Depreciation

    The low value asset threshold was increased on the 17th March 2020 from $500 to $5,000. This means that it allows for immediate expensing of assets purchased on or after the 17th March 2020 that cost less than $5,000. You do not need to depreciate these items they can instantly go to the Profit & Loss Report.

    If you are thinking of buying new assets do it now, as this threshold will be reduced permanently from the 17th March 2021 to $1,000.

    Depreciation can be claimed on Commercial buildings from the 2021 financial year. This was previousy 0% and has been increased to 2% DV. Ensure that you have recorded the land value separately as this cannot be depreciated.

    Loss Carry-Back Scheme

    Businesses that are expecting to make a loss in the 2020 or 2021 year can use that loss to offset the profit from the year prior. This means if you paid tax in your company in 2019 and made a loss in 2020 you could carry back that loss to 2019 and get your income tax from 2019 refunded.

    The same can be done for the 2021 year as you are able to estimate the loss however make sure that you don’t overestimate your loss as no doubt IRD will impose penalties and interest when you file your 2021 accounts.

    I held off on completing several clients 2020 accounts until this month to be sure on what the approximate loss was going to be therefore not overestimating.

    Small Business Cashflow (Loan) Scheme (SBCS)

    Applications for this loan have now been extended until the end of 2023. The loan is available to Sole Traders, Comapnies, not-for-profit, Partnerships, Joint Ventures and Trust as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

    No interest will be charged if the loan is repaid within 2 years – this is an increase from the original 1 year time line.

    If the loan is fully paid before the end of 2023 you may be able to re-borrow one more time provided that you meet the criteria when you apply to re-borrow.

  • How to be agile at work

    How to be agile at work


    A start up kit for business growth

    If you are like me, you have read a hundred business books and a thousand articles and posts. Most of them with incredible gold and great value as you look at how to start, grow and scale your business.

    Then it comes time to planning.

    You know you need to adapt, be agile, and customer responsive. And all those business books swimming around in your brain seem to illude you.

    This is why I LOVE Plan.D (not sure about the name but I get what the creators Lucy Gilfedder and brother Sam Gilfedder are saying…

    “Plan.D was first realised whilst Lucy was studying for the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation at The University of Technology Sydney. Working alongside Dr Paul James Brown and the Faculty of Transdisciplinary Innovation, she embarked on an in-depth cross analysis of the leading start-up guides and business management books on the market. All of which followed the same information dense structure whilst lacking adaptability and dynamism. There had to be a better, more user-friendly way!”

    Quite simply Lucy wanted to bring to life all the incredible content that they had – to be a useful planning tool for business leaders.

    Plan.D Agile Business cards

    She and Sam collaborated with accountants, entrepreneurs, designers, HR managers, artists, and vast number of other individuals, Plan.D was gradually developed. A start-up guide that uses progressive ideologies, is easy to use and is applicable to anyone.

    We have all heard the adage a business doesn’t plan to fail but they often fail to plan… and the statistics are that 60% of start-ups will cease within three years, and only ten percent will be an ongoing viable concern.

    Start-ups most commonly fail due to one of five reasons: timing, funding, team, business management or idea. Plan.D is designed to address not one or two of these key problems but all five, and in turn provide focus on what is really important to grow a sustainable profitable business.

    There are 50 research-based cards in total – choose one a week or use them as a basis for an offsite. It is so easy… you pick a card from the pack, and each is thought provoking, insightful and fully researched.

    This could be the best investment that you make in the strategic growth of your business.

    A big congratulations to Lucy and Sam.

    Grab your set now


    Also published on Medium.

  • 50 Cent Wants Mayoral Candidate Mamdani Out Of New York

    50 Cent Wants Mayoral Candidate Mamdani Out Of New York


    50 cent , NYC mayor,Zohran Mamdani

    by Kandiss Edwards

    June 29, 2025

    Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson also offered to pay the Democratic nominee for NYC Mayor close to $300K to exit the race.

    Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is speaking out on New York politics, and the Internet is displeased.

    Jackson is making headlines for seemingly dismissing Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York. Mamdani, who won the Democrat primary election, has been running a race that is diametrically opposed to the Republican agenda. Mamdani has proposed raising taxes on the wealthy, free bus rides, a city-wide rent freeze, among other things. Consequently, he has received backlash from the Trump administration and many other political conservatives who do not even live in NYC. Jackson has now added his name to the throes of naysayers.

    The “Many Men” rapper, who hails from Queens, New York, posted a message on Instagram offering to pay Mamdani to exit the race and leave the city. He also questioned the candidate’s presence in the political landscape.

    “Where did he come from? Whose friend is this? I’m not feeling this plan. No. I will give him $258,750 and a first-class one-way ticket to get away from NY. I’m telling trump what he said too!” Jackson said.

    One X user drew a parallel between Trump and Jackson, money. Stating of the rapper, “He’s part of the same group as Musk, Bezos and Trump – billionaires who pay little to no taxes.

    Beyoncé fans also known as the Hive got in formation and encouraged one another to ignore the “Power” producer’s attempts at relevancy. According to this user, Jackson’s political talk among other statements are “painfully cringe.”

    Another user criticized fans of Jackson’s. He likens the support to “worship” and believes Jackson is selfish and cares nothing of his fans’ wellbeing. 

    Jackson has since removed the post from his Instagram account. Though, no one will be surprised if he interjects himself further into the conversation. Mamdani recently won the Democratic primary against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and will be running in the general election in November against current Mayor Eric Adams and the Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. 

    RELATED CONTENT: Zohran Mamdani Could Be NYC’s First Muslim Mayor After Securing Democratic Primary: ‘We Made History’



  • Access to 1,000+ Skill Courses Is Now Just

    Access to 1,000+ Skill Courses Is Now Just $20


    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    If you’re leading a business—or building one from the ground up—here’s a tip: your competitive edge is only as sharp as the skills you keep refining. With EDU Unlimited by StackSkills, you can do just that—for $19.97.

    That’s not a monthly fee. That’s lifetime access to over 1,000 curated courses designed to help business leaders, freelancers, and side hustlers gain an edge in today’s fast-moving landscape.

    This platform offers a curated mix of high-impact content in tech, design, development, marketing, finance, and even soft skills that boost leadership and communication. Whether you want to better understand cloud security before your next pitch meeting or finally wrap your head around growth hacking to boost user acquisition, EDU Unlimited has you covered.

    Led by 350+ vetted, elite instructors, each course is self-paced, practical, and focused on real-world applications—not fluff. You’ll also get certifications to show off your new skills, monthly course updates to keep the learning fresh, and quarterly webinars with instructors who’ve walked the walk.

    Think of it as the Netflix of business skills—but instead of binge-watching dramas, you’re building the skillset that powers your next big business leap. From a Manhattan co-working space to a suburban home office, the lessons apply across industries, stages, and time zones.

    Skip the expensive boot camps and recurring fees and get lifetime access to a world of growth to use whenever, wherever.

    Just $19.97 (reg. $600) gets you StackSkills Unlimited for life—through July 20 only.

    EDU Unlimited by StackSkills: Lifetime Access

    See Deal

    StackSocial prices subject to change.

    If you’re leading a business—or building one from the ground up—here’s a tip: your competitive edge is only as sharp as the skills you keep refining. With EDU Unlimited by StackSkills, you can do just that—for $19.97.

    That’s not a monthly fee. That’s lifetime access to over 1,000 curated courses designed to help business leaders, freelancers, and side hustlers gain an edge in today’s fast-moving landscape.

    This platform offers a curated mix of high-impact content in tech, design, development, marketing, finance, and even soft skills that boost leadership and communication. Whether you want to better understand cloud security before your next pitch meeting or finally wrap your head around growth hacking to boost user acquisition, EDU Unlimited has you covered.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

  • Brand Is Getting A “Rebrand” — Thank You, AI!

    Brand Is Getting A “Rebrand” — Thank You, AI!


    Brand is having a glow-up, and AI is the glam team behind it.

    (more…)

  • An Overview of How We Got Online

    An Overview of How We Got Online


    Tracking internet usage is more than just counting users. It’s about understanding how digital access shapes economies, education, innovation, and equity worldwide.

    Over the past four decades, the internet has transformed from a research network serving a handful of academic institutions into a critical utility connecting more than 5 billion people. What began as a niche tool in the early 1990s has become embedded in everyday life, with billions relying on it to work remotely, access healthcare, attend school, manage finances, and engage socially.

    While internet access has expanded at an unprecedented rate, it hasn’t been distributed equally. Many countries and communities still face persistent barriers: unreliable infrastructure, high service costs, low digital literacy, or limited access to devices. Urban regions often enjoy gigabit speeds and competitive internet service providers (ISPs), while rural or underserved areas struggle with spotty coverage and few options.

    Understanding where and how the internet is used, who’s online, on what devices, and with what connection quality, can inform everything from policy decisions and infrastructure investments to business strategies and global development goals.

    (more…)

  • Mark Zuckerberg Hated ‘The Social Network’ Film: Don’t Tell Him A Sequel Is Coming – Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META)

    Mark Zuckerberg Hated ‘The Social Network’ Film: Don’t Tell Him A Sequel Is Coming – Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META)



    A new film about Meta Platforms META is in the works. Here’s why Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg might not be happy about seeing his company on the big screen.

    What Happened: A sequel to the 2010 film “The Social Network,” which Zuckerberg was highly critical of, is in the works.

    Tentatively titled “The Social Network Part II,” the film comes from the Sony Group Corp SONY unit of Sony Pictures, according to a report from Deadline. According to the report, the film will not be a straight sequel, but rather a follow-up to the first film.

    Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the screenplay for the first film, is returning to write the screenplay and direct the film. David Fincher, who directed the first film, is not mentioned in the report on the sequel.

    While the first film was based on the book “The Accidental Millionaires” by Ben Mezrich, the new movie will focus on the story “The Facebook Files” from the Wall Street Journal. That story exposed the inner workings of Facebook and the potential harm it has done.

    Sorkin has been vocal about wanting to do a follow-up to the hit 2010 movie; now it appears he’s found his angle with “The Facebook Files.”

    The writer and director also said in an interview last year that he believes Facebook played a role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The new film won’t focus solely on Jan. 6 or the 2020 election. It will also examine the potential harmful impact of Facebook on teenagers and preteens.

    Todd Black, Peter Rice, Stuart Besser and Sorkin will produce the film. A production date has not been announced, with Sorkin likely working on casting first.

    It is unknown if Jesse Eisenberg, who played Zuckerberg in the 2010 film, will return for the follow-up movie.

    Are you buying when the CEOs of the Magnificent 7 are selling?

    Why It’s Important: The 2010 film focused on the early days of Facebook’s creation. It examined several disputes, including those between Zuckerberg and key figures in the company’s early days, such as the Winklevoss twins and Eduardo Saverin.

    Zuckerberg has criticized that film on several occasions, saying it had many inaccuracies.

    “It’s interesting what stuff they focused on getting right; like, every single shirt and fleece that I had in that movie is actually a shirt or fleece that I own. So there’s all this stuff that they got wrong and a bunch of random details that they got right,” Zuckerberg said.

    Zuckerberg may be even more concerned about the second movie as it will center on a report that sheds a negative light on the social media company.

    “The Social Network” grossed $97 million domestically and $225 million globally, according to BoxOfficeMojo.

    The film won three Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing and Best Original Score. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including top categories like Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Eisenberg.

    Meta Platforms’ stock is up 233% over the last five years. Shareholders will closely watch the timing of the movie release to see if the film could harm the company’s brand and share price.

    Read Next:

    Photo: Shutterstock

  • Bookkeeper vs Accountant

    Bookkeeper vs Accountant


    For the accounting/finance side of a business there is a lot to understand especially what expenses you can claim and what are only 50% deductible etc. Having an online accounting software can save time and money and hiring a bookkeeper or accountant to help can ensure everything is done correctly the first time.

    Whether you need to hire an accountant or bookkeeper before you start or later in the year will depend on how complex your business is, the structure that has been setup and how much knowledge you have about accounting.

    Bookkeeper vs accountant: What’s the best choice for your small business?

    If you’re looking to for a professional to help your business sort out its financials for the first time, then you’ve likely done more than a few things right to get this far.

    How do you determine what level of financial assistance your small business truly needs? Should you turn to a bookkeeper, an accountant or both? These are the questions I see a lot.

    Before making any decisions or just hiring the first person you phoned, the first step is to understand the differences between the two and how an accountant or bookkeeper can help your business.

    The first thing is that a lot of people think that bookkeeping and accountant are the same. That is not so both professions work towards the same goals however their daily tasks can be very different.

    What do bookkeepers do?

    Bookkeepers process a business transactions which can include; completing payroll, recording financial transactions, producing invoices, maintaining and balancing subsidiaries, general ledgers and historical accounts, as well as posting debits and credits. They can help to ensure that IRD filings are completed in a timely manner.

    Business owners who are just starting out may opt for a bookkeeper over an accountant as they can provide the finance knowledge that a business owner may lack or complete tasks the owners don’t have time for. Some bookkeepers will come into the office which can help to train an owner on what they need to do later on and others can complete the task virtually depending on the software you are using.

    A bookkeeper can be useful to keep your records up to date and compliant ready to be handed over to your accountant at the end of financial year to complete your tax filing.

    Cost: Bookkepers tend to be cheaper than accounts and may offer monthly retainer packages depending on the hours required.

    Tip: If your Bookkeeper also offers end of year financials check that they are actually a qualified accountant before accepting. I have seen bookkeepers file end of year accounts and haven’t run depreciation and don’t do the ongoing training that accountants do to keep up with the ever changing tax laws.

    What does an accountant do?

    Depending on the accountant that you hire they provide many services. These can include; reviewing what your bookkeeper has done on a quarterly or bi monthly basis, end of year financials, providing tax advice, reviewing and filing of gst returns that your bookkeeper has reconciled etc. Accountants can also provide strategic advice around cashflow and your business goals.

    Accountants normally have more training – requiring an accounting degree and chartered accounting firms also require or train their staff towards a chartered accounting degree which necessitates a certain amount of extra training each year to remain qualified.

    Small businesses tend to hire an accountant to complete their end of year financials and consider enlisting more of their services once they start employing staff or require more specialised reporting.

    Accountants can be helpful when looking at ways to upgrade and improve how a business is run and what software can be used to save them time.

    Cost: Accountants may offer a fixed monthly fee based on the size of your business to complete everything for you or charge on a time and cost basis.

    Tip: Research the accountants you are going to use before hiring one and look at what your needs are in regard to services. Is a chartered accountant a better option for your business? Chat with friends who are also in business who do they use and why? This can be a good starting point for your search. Do you require a large big 4 firm (Deloitte, PWC, EY, KPMG? a smaller second tier firm (RSM, Grant Thornton, BDO), or will just a small home accountant be the best for your business.

    Best of both worlds

    The two roles complement one another and it’s not uncommon for many small businesses to employ the services of both. Bookkeepers will also attach receipts to transactions which will reduce the amount of queries that your accountant has for you. Apps like Hubdoc can help you complete this process easily.

  • Business Growth Hacks – Naomi Simson

    Business Growth Hacks – Naomi Simson


    Choose Growth Content series with Airwallex

    Having worked with many business owners over many years, I’ve found there’s a key differentiator between achieving incremental versus exponential growth. True business growth requires a mindset shift and a simple question – 

    What are you doing today to create growth for your business?

    I’m so pleased to announce my Choose Growth partnership with global fintech Airwallex, to bring fresh and creative content to business owners looking to scale. As part of the Choose Growth partnership, we will explore key growth challenges facing businesses, including: :

    • How to build a customer-obsessed culture 
    • How to achieve cash flow confidence
    • How to develop your leadership team
    • How to grow & retain top talent

    Most business owners I work with are always looking for ways to acquire additional customers, whilst keeping the ones they have. In this series, I share my thoughts on the importance of customer obsession, including how to stay focussed and agile to meet changing customer needs whilst keeping an eye on ‘profitable growth’. 

    That being said, not all customers are equal. Business owners must learn to target customers that can be turned into   advocates, as well as return customers who deliver incredible value, creating profitable growth.

    As we move into the digital age and beyond, helping business owners master a growth-mindset is now crucial to remain viable…It’s easy for business owners to get lost in the grind of operations, logistics and a never ending inbox. This series will provide actionable insights and advice to ensure your business remains focused on growth. 

    Airwallex was built to empower businesses of all sizes to operate anywhere, anytime. Today, Airwallex is Australia’s fastest growing unicorn that powers many other businesses like The Sheet Society, Sleeping Duck and Nimble Activewear.

    To kickstart our partnership, SmartCompany will be hosting a webinar with myself, Julie Mathers, Founder of Flora & Fauna (Australia’s #1 Ecommerce Person in 2021) and Vijay Raghvani, Head of Sales at Airwallex.

    This online event will take place on Thursday 29th July at 12:30 – 1:30 pm AEST.And I invite you to join us.

    For more details on the ‘Choose Growth’ series please go to https://www.airwallex.com/au/resources/naomi-simson 

     


    Also published on Medium.

  • Study Cites Barriers Black Families Face In Mental Health Care

    Study Cites Barriers Black Families Face In Mental Health Care


    racial Tensions, Therapist ,Mental Health, AI theraphy

    by Jeroslyn JoVonn

    June 24, 2025

    Black families face significant barriers that prevent access to mental health care

    A new study is looking to spark broader conversations about the ongoing efforts needed to make mental health care more accessible for Black families and youth in the U.S.

    The Child Mind Institute, in collaboration with the Steve Fund, reently released findings from the Mental Health Support for Black Families study, which highlights the attitudes toward mental health care within the Black community and reveals major barriers Black Americans face in accessing quality care. By surveying 1,000 Black parents who sought mental health care for their children and 500 young adults ages 18–24 who sought care for themselves, researchers uncovered the deep impact that racism and discrimination have on the mental health of Black youth and young adults.

    “Our mental health care system must acknowledge its shortcomings and failings to effectively support Black communities across the country,” said Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, Founding President and Medical Director of the Child Mind Institute. “Our findings reveal significant disparities and barriers to care, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.”

    Survey participants identified as Black/African American, Afro-Latino, Afro-Caribbean, African immigrants, and other members of the African diaspora living in the U.S. They completed questionnaires detailing their experiences and the challenges they faced when seeking mental health care.

    Key findings highlight the feelings and preferences Black families and youth have about mental health and seeking treatment. While more than three-quarters of both parents and young adults shared a generally positive view of mental health care and professionals, half of the respondents voiced concern that providers are too quick to prescribe medication to children and young adults.

    Nearly half (46%) of both groups were concerned about the stigma surrounding mental health disorders and its negative effects. However, parents (28%) were less likely to be discouraged from seeking treatment for their children compared to young adults (42%) seeking care for themselves.

    About half of both parents and young adults reported that white and non-Black mental health professionals often misunderstand or downplay the impact of racism on mental health when providing treatment. Respondents also reported their children facing an average of three mental health challenges, but noted they often didn’t receive treatment for all the issues they identified, highlighting significant gaps in mental health care.

    Anxiety and depression were the most frequently reported mental health challenges among both groups, with young adults reporting higher rates of anxiety (69% vs. 46%) and depression (62% vs. 28%) than parents. When seeking treatment, common barriers included high costs, limited insurance coverage, long waitlists, and a shortage of local mental health providers.

    To tackle these challenges, researchers recommend making care more affordable with subsidies, expanding telehealth access, increasing school-based mental health programs, and normalizing mental health conversations to reduce stigma within Black communities.

    “These findings reveal a mental health system that is failing to meet the needs of Black families and young adults,” said Stephanie Bell-Rose, President and CEO of the Steve Fund. “From financial barriers to cultural misunderstandings in treatment, we’re seeing the same systemic failures whether in homes or on college campuses. This demands immediate, coordinated action.”

    RELATED CONTENT: Kyrie Irving Discusses Mental Health, Advises Others To Pursue Help, Check In On Others