Last year, Australia has been named again as one of the happiest countries on the planet by the World Happiness Report, a notable survey by the United Nations to assess the state of global happiness. Ever since the survey was first published in 2012, the country has been a constant inclusion in the top 10. Consequently, Australia also has one of the highest migration rates in the world, one of the highest migrants per net population, and one of the top destinations for skilled migration and sponsorships.
And there is a clear connection. Happiness is an essential ingredient to success, whether it is with your career, financial endeavors, relationships with people, or self-fulfillment. And if a country ranks very high in the happiness level, people will gravitate to it, whatever their goals and missions in life are may be.
However, Australians’ happiness level is not some unexplainable phenomenon with unknown sources. It is the sum total of various social, economic, and environmental factors that the country worked so hard over decades to achieve.
We dissected the many elements as to why Australia is such a happy and attractive place to live in with the help of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s report.
Being employed is very important for your well-being. Not only so that you can pay the bills, but it gives you the opportunity to contribute to society and the economy, hone your skills, and create professional and social relationships. Here, virtually everybody is being given that opportunity. As high as 72% of the working-age population here (aged 15 to 64) is employed and being paid. This is six points higher than the OECD’s 66% employment average.
The unemployed population (those without a job for a year or longer), on the other hand, is down at 1.3%, twice as low as the OECD average of 2.6%. Australians earn an average of US$51, 148 annually, higher compared to the OECD standard of US$40, 974.
We can never overstate the importance of strong social connection. In the age of smart phones, apps, and social media sites, our relationships have mostly died down to random “friends” we don’t even now and anonymous followers.
In Australia, however, connections are as strong as ever. 95% of the people here are secured that they know someone they could run to and rely on when the need arises, way higher compared to the OECD average of 88%. Strong social relationships provide people with strong emotional support, leading to a healthy physical and psychological dispositions in life. It also gives access to more job, career, and business opportunities to members of the community. Possibly another reason why nobody doesn’t go long unemployed here.
An educated country is a country ready to take on challenges and take care of its citizens better. Australia never misses that point. Aussies, on average, spend 19.2 years of their life studying between ages 5 and 39. Of the adults, 77% of them from ages 25-64 have attained upper secondary education. This is important because the skills required in the labour market are mostly knowledge-based, and such impressive educational statistics means that the country is prepared to meet minimum requirements of the job market.
Air and water is supposed to keep us alive. But with pollution both in the atmosphere and hydrosphere continuing to rise, they have become part of the death warrant. Dirty air and water have significantly contributed to increase in many illnesses from infections to cancer to developmental effects in children to shortened lifespan.
As far as air pollutants are concerned, Australia has the lowest rate within the OECD average at 5.9 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter. PM2.5 refers to the particulate matter that we inhale from air. OECD’s average is at 14.05 micrograms per cubic meter. Take note also that the World Health Organization’s annual guideline limit is 10 micrograms per cubic meter. Oz is still way lower.
On the other hand, 94% of people say they are satisfied with the quality of water. Way higher than the OECD average of 81%.
And because of this…
At 82 years of age, Australia has one of the highest life expectancies among the western nations. This is the result of many factors coming in together such as good living standards, lifestyles, quality education, healthy, and clean air and water, among others. Not to mention, the country’s health care is also efficient, making the people feel that they are properly being taken care of. As a result, 85% of people in Australia said they were in good health,
Democracy is a government by the people. And it is only important that the citizens are involved when it comes to nation-building activities such as elections and referendums. The most recent elections produced an overall 93% among registered voters. Civic engagement is proof that the people are well-educated, well-informed about current events, trust their government, and care enough to be involved in the decision-making process for its improvement.
Peace of mind is an important element of happiness. The people should feel safe enough in order to achieve this. Australia’s homicide rate is at 0.8, compared to OECD’s average of 4.1. As far as the trend in the previous years are concerned, crime rate keeps going down, a result of better policing, stronger criminal laws, and crime-preventive education among the people. In fact, the most prevalent offences here aren’t even threatening, as they are mostly public disorder offences, e.g. disorderly conduct or public drunkenness.
When enquired to rate their overall satisfaction with life on a scale of 0 to 10, Aussies gave it a grade of 7.3. This is higher than the OECD average of 6.5. Though this may be subjective, this enquiry produces measurements that provide useful data on the quality of life Australians are having. That only means that all the conglomeration of factors involved resulted on a positive experience they are having. That is the most important thing after all.
Let us get this straight: introverts are not shy, nor do we hate people. We also aren't any weirder than others are. Our brains are just wired vastly different from most of the people. While the extroverts get their energy and excitement from socialization, risk-taking, and adventures, we get ours from within, and an excess of these external stimulants drain the vitality out of us. We recharge by withdrawing from people and enjoying our quiet times. That’s why you may find us most of the time in coffee shops, museums, or libraries, embracing solitude.
And this makes living in such a social country like Australia quite challenging for us. This is a country where barbecues, office parties, and drinking out with your work mates are the norms. Fortunately, there are jobs out here that do not require us to interact with people 90% of the time. Occupations that will allow us to toil alone in an enclosed office or isolated fields. If you are one of us, you better take note of these.
Annual salary: $65,000 per year
Required training/degree: A bachelor’s degree in a field such as zoology, biology, wildlife biology, or ecology.
A zoologist’s line of job can be pretty diverse, ranging from tending for a zoo to caring for sanctuary animals to research and drug development. But the thing is, you only deal with animals from the furry to the scaly, and they won’t engage you in small talks.
Annual salary: $90,000
Required training/degree: A bachelor’s degree in Library Science, Education, or History.
As an archivist, your job is to sort, classify, and catalogue historical materials, documents, or works of arts. You will usually work in museums, libraries, or research centers. These lines of work are what some people will find extremely boring. But as an introvert, you will find these amusing. You will have the opportunity to learn about history, art, or science on a first hand basis, coming straight from the sources of knowledge themselves.
Annual salary: $116,000
Required training/degree: A bachelor’s degree in Geoscience.
Geoscientists either spend their entire time on the field, surveying the site, gathering data, and collecting samples. When they are not out there, they tinker in their laboratories, analyzing said samples, cataloguing, and writing researches. Each day is filled with wonders of discovery, learning, and realisations.
Annual salary: $57,000
Required training/degree: A bachelor’s degree in Computing, Information Technology, or Computer Science.
Computer programming is another intricate task. Programmers usually spend entire days in front of computer screens, building software programs by manipulating codes to the best of their knowledge and whatever programming language they use (yes, computer programs have their own specific languages). It is so challenging that Internet memes have already been made out of it by programmers themselves to make fun of their otherwise arduous jobs.
Annual salary: $78,000
Required training/degree: A bachelor’s degree in Economics
Economics might be a social science, but as someone in the field, social interaction will be the last thing you do. You will be working either in the Government, corporations, or the academia, translating and analysing numbers, extracting patterns, solving complex problems, and analysing human behaviors to paint a bigger picture of their actions and possibly predict the future.
The only time there will be human interaction is when you speak with your clients or superiors to communicate your findings and reports, and these would not take an entire day.
Annual salary: $65,000
Required training/degree: A bachelor’s degree in Mathematics
Not all mathematicians end up lecturing in front of the class. Some of them spend their days inside offices and research centers tinkering with numbers, predicting patterns, and exploring the world of data, facts, and figures. Mathematicians usually work in the fields of astronomy, economics, software and hardware development, and the academe. But you may also find them in robotics, medicine, climate study, and national security.
Annual salary: $51,000
Required training/degree: A bachelor’s degree in Radiology
No, radiologist is not the person who operates the x-ray machine. That is the radiographer. A radiologist is a specialised physician who interprets and analyses results from x-ray, CT scan, MRI, and ultrasound examinations to detect and diagnose certain illnesses, which he/she will then forward to the general physician or the relevant specialist. These people mostly have no patient interaction and deals only with a secretary, a few nurses, and other doctors, which do not always occur.
When we were kids, most of us either wanted to be doctors, lawyers, accountants, and or bankers. We looked up to people who walk the paved streets of commercial centers wearing well-tailored suits and sporting leather brief cases. There weren’t many kids who dreamt of becoming wants to be wants to be mining workers, construction managers, crane operators, as these labourers are always greasy, dirty, and living a life of financial struggle.
Turns out, we got the world wrong. We have unfairly placed these labourers in bad light. Blue-collar workers have a repertoire of benefits the white-collared employees can only dream of. While some of us corporate slaves waste our lives away in our office cubicles, these manual workers are enjoying the day-to-day challenge of their jobs and appreciates the world as it is.
We rounded off some of these perks. So that if you feel like going for the blue-collar path is the best for you, then you don’t have to feel apologetic about it anymore.
Let us eliminate this on-going stereotype first, that manual workers and labourers are living inferior financial lives compared to the office-bound ones. This is not true for most occupations anymore, as they are now taking home upwards of $70,000 and even reaching $165,000. By comparison, average white-collar salary in the country is $73,000 annually, and a chunk of that hard-earned money has to go to settling your university loans.
In blue collar jobs, you will not have that dilemma, it’s because…
The world is continually changing. The technology we rely on today will be considered obsolete in two or three years from now. That’s why it is important to continue upskilling and training to catch up with the times, get ahead of others, and increase your salary.
This is good news since blue collar employees can attend trainings, obtain scholarships, and get certificates for affordable fees. And sometimes these may be settled by the Government completely. This way, you don’t have to go through sleepless nights worrying about your student loans since they are inexpensive.
Sure, companies can have the number crunching, customer service, and administrative jobs be performed by a person from the other end of the world, but good luck doing that with the tasks of repairing the pipe lines or driving the trucks.
This is one reason why blue collar jobs never run out in the country. They just keep coming. They have to be performed personally by people who are actually in the area. Also, you won’t wake up one day finding that your job already belongs to another person from another country with more economical labour rates.
And it also helps that Australia’s industries are on a roll right now with the boom in certain sectors like construction services, food processing, gas transport, and organic farming. We are seeing a secure future here.
Do you know what is the most prolific killer threatening our lives these days? The office chair. Sitting for eight hours straight causes increase in body fats (which results to heart problems in the long run) weakened muscles, lung inefficiency, increased risk of incurring diabetes, digesting issues, bad posture, and even cancer. No wonder, white collar people will tend to counter this by going straight to the gym or yoga sessions after their nine-to-five grind.
Most of the manual labourers, on the other hand, do not have to do this. Their job is already physically demanding, they are already working their muscles, pumping their hearts, and exhausting their lungs while at work. These people will only sit during their lunch or their short breaks. After that, it is non-stop walking and lifting and toiling again. After their shift ends, they just rest or pursue whatever hobbies they enjoy.
And speaking of hobbies…
Work-life balance is the Holy Grail of corporate life these days. A career cornucopia that we have yet to attain as employees and workers. The advancement of technologies allowed our work and off-work environments to merge into a heaping mass of constant confusion and ruined priorities. Smart phones and social media permitted us to attend to home duties while at work and check and write office emails while at home. There is no way to distinguish the two anymore.
The blue-collared workers’ line of work remains unchanged over the years. Most of them still have to perform things manually; repairing equipment, drilling on surfaces, and operating machines. They do not have to be wired constantly to computers and smart phones and work chat rooms. So once their work ends, they don’t have to worry about it anymore until the next day’s punch in.
As a white collar employee, it is not strange to feel like just an item on the huge company spreadsheet. After all, the corporate infrastructure is so technical, cryptically embedded within annual reports, and surrounded by hunky terms like debenture stocks, yield curves, volatility, residual values, and such. It is hard to paint a picture of how your grind actually contributes to the overall progress of the company.
On the other hand, if you work on the construction, you will see as the building gets slowly completed. The metal sheet mechanic sees the piles of steel plates they have tirelessly worked on get higher and then be delivered. The locomotive repair officer can witness as the train whistles again and move on the tracks after fixing it. And the service or welfare worker can see the people he/she has helped become happy and satisfied.
Blue collar workers end their shift with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment because they have a firsthand perspective of what they have shared towards realizing a common goal. This is what drives them to look forward to the next day’s work because they know it is another opportunity to contribute again.
With the unemployment rates going down and manufacturing and consumer spending numbers going up, we have reason to believe that Australia is at its highest economic surge in the recent years. And riding on this wave of prosperity are the women who courageously tried their hands and end bringing home the highest salary this year. The 20 highest paying jobs for women this 2016 is topped by law professionals and then further dominated mostly by those in the medical field. A law or medicine degree really is your path to financial success.
The arbiters of the court took home the most expensive metaphorical bacon on this list. And to add more good news for the womankind of the law, Australia has just named Susan Kiefel as its first female High Court chief justice, a position held by men for 113 years.
Contrary to popular belief, a neurosurgeon’s s expertise isn’t limited to the brain, but they also treat disorders that involves the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and the extra-cranial cerebrovascular system.
Australia holds one of the highest standards when it comes to plastic and reconstructive surgery. The guidelines are constantly being updated to keep up with the times and ensure patient safety.
No, these merchants do not time travel. Futures refer to financial contracts providing the buyer an obligation to acquire an asset (and the seller an obligation to sell an asset) at a predetermined future date and price.
Vascular surgeons deal with problems with arteries and veins.
Many people confuse the two (and understandably, there is an overlap). A gynecologist specializes in the medical care of women and their reproductive system. While an obstetrician deals with the surgical care of women and their children during pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care.
Gastroenterologists are also among the highest paid medical practitioners in the UK, USA, and Canada.
While magistrates perform almost the same role as a judge, magistrates have lesser powers and handles only small and minor cases.
Anaesthetists and anesthesiologists are the same. The latter is an American term.
An ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) specializes in eye and vision care and can perform. Not to be confused with optometrists and opticians (both not on this list). The former provide primary vision care via sight testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes. The latter designs, verifies, and fits eyeglass lenses and frames
Starting a new life in a different place is not for the weak of heart. You will leave the comforts of your home, sever ties with friends, and embrace uncertainty. But for most people, it is the only choice. A bad career, a college degree going nowhere, a bitter failure, or even just discontentment in the status quo. These, among others, push people to walk the path of no return and settle for a foreign land they hope to call their new home.
But not all places are created equal. Some are more viable to fresh starts than others. Every year, Australia attends to thousands of hopeful applicants trying to get a job and settle in the country. Most of them escaping an old life to create a new and better one.
So why is the country a harbor for this kind of exodus? We laid out the reasons.
Australia is a huge place. Nobody will know you here. You can blend in and no one will mind or criticise who you are and what you are doing. You can be whoever you are.
Moving to a new place does not only involve making a fresh start, but recreating yourself. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to fit in and let the people decide your identity. No. You establish your personality and identity and find the people that will accept you. It is not difficult to do this in Australia. The country’s culture is known for tolerance and acceptance of people from various walks of life, gender, culture, and religion. You don’t have to adhere to a certain philosophy or way of life to live here.
Anonymity might be good. But isolation is not. In that case…
This social oxymoron is what separates Australia from most of the prime destinations in the world. The Aussies might be tolerant and will most likely leave you alone, but they are open in welcoming people. They love good conversations, cold beer, barbecues, traveling with friends, and other activities that let them meet people, expand their relationships, and strengthen their ties. The fact that Melbourne and Sydney is tagged as the most and fifth friendliest cities in the world, respectively, only solidifies this reputation.
This is because the Australian mindset is bound to the virtue of mateship. This social concept centers on equality, loyalty and friendship, three binding ideals that make Aussies so accepting of other people.
However, respect here is not just given. It is earned. You should also provide the same openness the people give, regardless of gender, politics, and beliefs. For someone going for a new life, this is a good exercise since it challenges the status quo and reshapes your perception of the world through the people you meet and befriend.
Moving away is futile if the destination reminds you of home. Australia is a place like nowhere else. It is a unique conglomeration of British and Native Australian influence with cultural contributions from New Zealand, United States, and even Asia.
Given, the country might always be compared to the other two global haven, the United Kingdom and the United States, as its most similar counterparts, but even people have to agree on the resemblance. This is because Australia has a unique identity. From the work and social practices, to the landmarks and tourist spots, to the equally intimidating and palatable food. And don’t even get us started with the wild life.
The country’s geographical isolation somehow prevented it from being like any other nations in the world, and provides migrants a one-of-a-kind place to call home.
Part of starting a new life is finding yourself. Yes, you have left a lucrative yet empty career back home, but for what? These failures that had battered you down, what did they taught you? What actually makes you happy? There can be lot of questions to be answered, doubts to be cleared. You need to be somewhere else to be alone, but not lonely.
For decades, Australia has been a top choice for solo travelers and back packers who want to experience nature and meet people. The Magnetic and Fraser Islands in Queensland are perfect for musing alone; just hire a boat, paddle in its crystalline and calm waters, and you will appreciate silence and solitude. And if you still want to see a bit of civilization and marvelous architecture, look no further than Sydney Harbor Bridge’s boat ride tour. Admire the expansive beauty of Port Jackson and connect with other people, too.
You get away because you want a better, albeit uncomplicated life, not sink in the depths of poverty and debt. You need a place where you can me employed, pay bills, eat three times a day, and enjoy the simpler things. Australia is that country.
The country’s economy is on a roll, gross domestic product is surging up, the manufacturing and spending statics are improving, and unemployment is decreasing. All these point out to the fact that the country can take care of you. Here, you can find a job that can support you and start a career (if you do not know how, you can read here, here, here, also here, and especially here), or save up buy the house of your dreams, or try go on a business and enjoy financial freedom and independence.
The opportunities in Australia are virtually limitless. All you need is great courage to embrace uncertainty, the openness to other people, and unwavering passion to pursue the life that you want. And a visa. You need to have Australian visa.
Congratulations on your Permanent Residency! You can now stay in Australia for good and have access to social welfare benefits, the national health care, and higher education loans. Also, you can finally vote and apply for citizenship.
But perhaps the biggest benefit is that you can finally own a house. This is a prime requirement if you really want to settle. No more rents to pay and no more arguing with your landlord over bad plumbing. Just you and your dream house.
Here's the catch: owning a property isn't for everybody. Too many people have jumped in the world of home ownership without being financially prepared only to find themselves in debt. So how do you know if you are ready to buy a house? Follow these signs, and if everything is right on your part, then get that beach villa you have always wanted.
If you are an urban nomad whose job involves traveling from one area to another within months, then keep your dream house just a dream for now. Renting is the best fit for you. If you are not planning on moving in the next five years or so, then push through with the ownership.
Getting a home while constantly moving will only place unnecessary expenses on your back. Just imagine paying both the mortgage and rent, and you will dry up your resources sooner than later. Unless you are Bill Gates, do not do this.
Yes. Those years of not giving in and maxing out your credit card because the new iPhone will not buy itself has paid off. By avoiding debt, paying the bills on time, and settling your loans properly, you can build a good credit score. This is essential in determining if you can apply for a mortgage and what the interest rates will be. If you have a low score, chances are you won’t be getting a mortgage, or if you do, higher interest rates apply.
Please be advised, however, that credit score seesaws constantly, so be sure you always check yours on line (you can do it here).
Having your wedding in the next few months? Your partner is expecting? Planning to get your degree? You might want to rethink about getting a home. House ownership is all about prioritising and commitment. If the coming months or years' plans will put house payments on the back burner, don’t do it. You will waste money and will probably cause you to run into more debt.
One of the most fatal mistakes home buyers make is putting all their savings on the down payment. There will always be additional expenses coming, either the paint job is bad or the plumbing is not up to par (it’s always the plumbing). With all your money on the house payment, you won’t have much left.
Worse case is unforeseen and unwanted expenditures barreling you down: you got fired from the job (see here how you can find out if you will get the boot) or a family member got sick. If you already exhausted your unemployment or emergency fund, you will be in trouble.
And likewise...
If you only saved for the bare minimum of the down payment, then you haven’t saved enough yet. Hidden and unexpected expenses such as title insurance and inspection fees will always be coming and adding up to the final numbers which can be as high as ten percent. Have a buffer and protect yourself from unwanted surprises.
If you need a place you can call as your own, then by all means do it. If you are doing so because you are under the impression that a house is an investment that will make you more money, then we have to stop you right there. First, house market price over the course of years fluctuates dramatically, so earning significantly is not a sure thing. Second, even if you earned, the inflation and all the financial stress it brings cancels it. Be sure you buy a house for the right reasons.
Not all debts are created equal. Some are being made to lift off a business or expand an enterprise. Others are results of unsettled contracts. And sometimes they are a product of irresponsible finances and living beyond the means. If you belong to the last category, think twice about getting a mortgage. Be sure you have a good plan on dealing with your debt first. Debts are constantly increasing and if you are not consciously aware of where they are coming from, then that's a red flag. Take a step back and manage your finances.
Aussies are overall friendly and open people but that doesn’t mean they cannot spot a liar or a blunderer from a mile away. They are perceptive people and that goes the same when they do job interviews. They are on the prowl to weed out those who are dishonest and incompetent from those who are genuinely willing to work. You have to be careful not only with your answers, but with the questions you ask as well.
If you want to ace your job interview, avoid asking these questions:
This question reveals that you entered the building unprepared. When applying, do some research about the company, its mission and vision, and the details about the position you are applying for.
Sometimes your company will need you to work beyond your usual nine to five shift, and that is normal as long as they are not violating any labour laws. If you are the type of person who will only log in for as long as you want, you may not be a fit for the company. Self-entitlement has no place here.
This question just screams “I am going to do something wrong so I might as well know the firing process now.” And more surprisingly, it isn’t uncommon. Asking how you may get booted out sends the wrong message to the interviewer.
This is one of those questions better left unasked. Social media sites have taken over our lives so there might be gravity to this concern. When posting on social media, avoid anything that speaks ill of the company, your superiors, or co-workers, even if you are not friends with them. These people always have a workaround. They will know.
Inquiring about rumours and hearsays is a sign of being unprofessional. Upping the ante by gossiping about the CEO is a bad move, mate.
We know the interviewer is impossibly good-looking, but you need to avoid asking personal inquiries. It is intrusive and unprofessional. You are there to prove yourself for a job position, not to look for a potential partner. Don’t be a creep and reserve those questions for bar conversations. Or for Tinder.
The last person on the job might have been fired due to misconduct or he/she could have taken a different career path. You will appear to be too prying on personal matters if you ask this question. Nobody likes someone who is too nosy. Especially employers.
Just like with the social media question up there, this question shows that you are hiding something. This provides a more negative impact since you are talking about the company resources and facilities. Asking this will raise red flags to your interviewer.
This glaringly (and unfortunately) shows your priorities. While your interviewer tries to find out what can you offer to the company, you are thinking of sipping piña colada while getting paid with company money. Obviously, there is disconnect in your primary concerns and therefore you do not deserve a spot in the office.
As much as we do not want you asking these questions, not asking anything is just as bad. An interview is like a first date. If you are the person who only talks about him/herself during the entire dinner, you won’t get a second date. Asking for further details about the company and your job description (in addition to the ones you know) shows that you are curious and eager to take on the job. That is a plus point added to your score already.
There is no perfect time to start a business in Australia than now. Ideas are in a boom, the economy is on a roll, and consumer market is very upbeat. The conditions are just perfect to have your own business and contribute further to the country’s economy.
We had shown you before the seven important things you need to remember when starting a small business in the country (click here if you missed it). But entrepreneurship is such a challenging, albeit exciting road to take, we have seven more important details to keep in mind when having your own startup.
Take note, mates. These could skyrocket you to success.
The best entrepreneurs in the world didn't become the best because of their Master’s Degrees or training in their belt. They became the greatest by actually starting their businesses and learning from it. No amount of business books or entrepreneurship seminars can prepare you for what’s coming. Learn the ropes by going ahead and starting your business.
Mark Zuckerberg didn’t finish college. So as Bill Gates. And Steve Jobs. We are not saying you should quit your education. Our point is that these guys did not let their lack of a diploma stop them from launching their companies. So do it. The learning starts when you fail and take notes from what happened.
There are two sides to the population of starting entrepreneurs. On one side are those cowering in fear of failure, on the other are those who fall for the survivorship bias. These people focus only on the successful businessmen and think the same thing will mostly happen to them.
Here’s the thing. Your business can fail. And if you don’t set up any safety nets such as insurance, your failure will hurt more than it should. Business insurance is not only a security measure but a requirement in Australia. There are currently three types of business insurance available: the asset and revenue insurance, personal and workers insurance, and liability insurance. See which one is best for your business well apply for one.
As Thank You Group founder Daniel Flynn puts it: a smashing idea doesn’t always equate to success. Everybody has a good idea. Your execution, however, shapes the fate of your business. Have a good business plan. Keep your priorities clear, as juggling too many balls in the air will only lead to them crashing. Be consistent with your execution plans. And revisit your strategies to tailor-fit them to the numbers you are getting, but never change your end goals.
It is also important that you surround yourself with people and employees that will provide a positive and productive culture to your business. You might have planted the seed of the idea, but their aggregate efforts and concepts borne from brainstorming will be the water and the sunlight that makes sure that seed grows strong and big.
The Australian Government never leaves its entrepreneurs alone. It gives them access to grants and assistance such as commercialising your products, business expansion, idea research and development, and even import and export of goods and services.
You just click the link, check the kind(s) of assistance your business needs. State your industry, period of operation, and annual turnover. And you will receive help from the government.
Most entrepreneurs underestimate the importance of having a mentor. They think that mentorship is only for those “want to keep their level of success maintained.” Mentors are positive forces that keep you inspired when the numbers seem to go against your plan. They will guide you to make the best choices (No, they cannot make the choices for you. Every business situation is different). And best of all, mentorship is personalised. You may read a thousand motivational and business books from the greatest authors, but nothing beats the advice of someone who can see your strategies, operation, and results on a first hand basis.
A seasoned mentor has already walked the path you are trailing right now. He or she is armed with experience, insights, and networks that you do not have right now. Take advantage of these and build your way to success.
Depending on the type of your business or the products and services you offer, you will need to follow mandatory safety laws, including construction, performance, testing, labelling and information requirements. Click here to get a full understanding of these laws.
The codes of practice also give a minimum standard of security to consumers and businesses in certain industries. Contact your state or territory consumer affairs office for further details on codes of practice in your area or you may click also here.
And finally, you need to be aware of the safety and labelling standards in the country in case you are trying to sell products. Click here and here for more information about them.
Most young entrepreneurs will jump from one opportunity, idea, or product to another, neglecting their original priority. This is a rookie mistake. As we said, juggle one too many balls and you will end up crashing them to the ground. Once you created your core product, funnel your time, efforts, and resources on it. Develop it, make it grow, perfect it. This will raise your chance of success.
And once everything is stable and expansion is the only way to go, scale up slowly. You are entering a new realm you are not familiar. Better to look ahead carefully before you leap.
The business and technological world is rapidly changing. In fact, we are currently experiencing their fastest development in centuries. Chances are those hard-earned and prized skills of yours may not work anymore (for the time being, at least). Constantly upskilling and gathering knowledge is the key to survive the digital jungle.
Months ago, LinkedIn discovered and brought to light what expertise will be in-demand next year by pooling and analysing billions upon billions of user data and going through tens of thousands of job postings, searchings, and recruitment activities in their website to pin point the“hot skills” that companies will be looking for.
Here are the top ten. There is still time to upskill, train, and obtain your certifications before 2017 knocks on our doors.
Cloud computing refers to the storage and access of data and programs over the Internet as opposed to your computer's hard drive. Using the Google drive or your iPhone’s iCloud are examples of these. Someone who knows to enable this technology is an asset to companies because it provides self service provisioning, flexibility, and pay-per-use set up for the business.
Distributed computing, on the other hand, lets components of a software system to be shared among multiple computers working on the same goal to boost up efficiency and performance. Dozens upon dozens of projects on various fields ranging from Astrophysics to Cryptography to Finance are currently operating on this technology.
Statistical Analysis refers to the process of obtaining, scrutinising, and presenting huge quantities of data to uncover underlying patterns and trends. This is helpful to any business that process huge amounts of information or deal with a big number of people like manufacturers, airline companies, communication companies, and even government agencies. Data mining is drawing out meaningful information from large sources to create models that help important business decisions.
The two might sound the same, but they are not. Both are equally important to businesses and yes, they sometimes overlap but they utilise entirely different approaches.
Website architecture is simply the planning and designing of the technical, functional and visual components of a website. It deals not only with the appearance, but also server, memory, processes, and security parameters of the site.
Development Framework is the creation and improvement of software frameworks that provide specific functionality as part of a larger software platform to expedite development of software applications, products and solutions.
Middleware is the software that often operates between operating systems and applications or between clients and database servers, allowing them to communicate and work efficiently together. The Android system and other game engines operate on this system.
Integration, on the other hand, is the process of merging together disparate subsystems so that the data contained in each becomes part of a larger, more inclusive system that will easily share data when necessary. The AppleWorks for the Apple II utilised software integration.
User Interface Design refers to maximizing the user’s interaction, efficiency, and experience. It applies mostly to computers, smart phones, and other electronic devices where usability is of paramount concern. The multiple applications running on your smart phone do not negatively affect or slow down each other's operation and efficiency because of User Interface Design.
With the advent of social media upon us, not to mention the digitalization of government agencies, more and more sensitive information is being shared on line than ever. This leads to the rise of Network and Information Security to thwart any efforts of stealing and misusing these information.
Network security refers to the protocols and practices implemented by a network administrator to prevent and keep track of unauthorised access, exploitation, and modification, of the network and network resources. Information security, on the other hand, is the set of protocols and practices implemented to detect and counter the threats to digital (and even non-digital) information.
Mobile development is the creation and development of applications for mobile and smart phones. The era of smart phones is here and progressing, thousands of mobile applications are being created and developed every day to ride on this technological boom. No wonder mobile development will be a huge hit next year. If you are reading this article from a Chrome browser application on your iPhone, you can thank mobile development for that.
This refers to the summarising, organising and communicating mathematical data and information using various tools, such as diagrams, distribution charts, graphs, and histograms,. This skill is handy in business, sales, auditing, and marketing fields.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the maximization of online presence by making sure the website ranks high in the search engine results. Wikipedia always appears first on Google results whenever you search for a word or a term because it is one of the most efficiently optimised websites on the planet. Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a type of digital marketing being done through the use of paid promotions and advertising.
Both skills are essential in this day and age where businesses are no longer of brick and mortar variety and marketing is already beyond billboards and TV spots .
This is a broad skill, as it comprises (and even encompasses) the virtualisation, replication, and mirroring of data and networks, as well as security, compression, traffic analysis, process automation, storage provisioning, and other related techniques.
Nothing hits harder and more surprising than getting the boot. It starts with a bright and promising day at work. Then your boss calls you into his/her office. Next thing, he/she tells you to pack your things and look for other opportunities. It is like a sucker punch, if sucker punches can drain your bank account and throw you into depression.
If only there were signs, right?
Well actually, there always are. But they are so conventional and familiar that they are easy to ignore. Here, we list the eight signs that says you will be dismissed. However, all hope is not yet lost. Here are our articles on how to write a terrific curriculum vitae and how to nail a great interview to get you out of the unemployment line.
Aha! This is a win. This means you will have more free time to get closer to your crush during water cooler chats or update your Instagram account.
Better update your resume, mate. This means your responsibilities are being redistributed to other people as preparation for the hugehole you will be leaving when you walk out of the door. This is especially true if you are a high-level employee and/or used to juggle multiple tasks at the same time. If you get to log off from work early while your co-workers have to take overtime, do not feel blessed. Danger is coming your way.
We know, you hate meetings. You think it is a waste of time because it burns precious hours staring at slide shows that you could have poured on your tasks. And you would feel happy if you will no longer be part of them anymore. Trust us, you shouldn't. Not getting invited to key meetings and projects means the company is moving forward without you. The signs only get clearer when you try to bring this up to your superiors and all your get is a shrug. That means you will be getting the pink slip.
And speaking of your boss…
So, your supervisor that was always gleeful and supportive towards you suddenly becomes quite cold and overly critical. She now spends less time with you, and even less open with her ideas and prospects. “Alright,” you tell yourself, “She must be going through a lot lately, or having challenges with the work-life balance.” It is OK to clear up the negativity in your head, but if this goes on for weeks or months without any explanations or apologies, you better re-establish your connections and ask for openings.
Like your other, more personal relationships like with your partner, family, and friends, a sudden and huge change in your boss’s behavior spell signs of trouble. Ignoring these is a career death warrant.
The other way around is not good news either. If your boss is monitoring your cases closer than the usual, he might be looking for pitfalls and reasons to show you the door. Initiatives such as constantly asking for progress reports or putting you on a performance review only solidifies this.
And speaking of reports…
If the accounting department suddenly asks for documentations of your time and expenses, be warned. Increased scrutiny like these don’t casually happen, only when your boss and/or the company thinks someone (including you) has misused/bloated the expanses more than the company allows.
This is worse if you are the only one getting combed. That means they zeroed in on the irregularities on your end. And you think that unwarranted drinking and spending during the last business trip won’t haunt you again.
So, you were granted a vacation leave. Another win, right? Come on, nobody gets this privilege other than you.
But before you schedule your next trip to the beach, remember that unsolicited time offs are red flags, especially if it is something you don’t really need. Since your tasks and responsibilities are getting slashed, the company thinks they don’t have to pay you for the days you will never use productively anyway, thus the time off.
Not all signs can be seen from your boss. Sometimes the indication can shows up from the very people who gets the memo first: the HR department.
And contrary to what everybody believe, the Human Recourse office is not peopled with megalomaniacs who wants to see employees get fired. Like you, it breaks their heart to know that some people should go. And that makes them act unusual and bizarre around those they know will get dismissed. If you notice anything out of the ordinary in the way they act around or talk to you, be wary.
Let us preface this by saying that not all mergers are bad. It is a way for the company to continually grow and expand by unifying the two entities’ resources.
But sometimes, when two companies combine, their common departments overlap, and this leads to massive layoffs (You don’t need two administrative departments, do you?). The same effect happens when a new leadership takes over and wants to bring the company to a different direction. This sometimes involve huge overhauls among employees they deemed too unnecessary. So you better make calls if news of a merger starts looming in the horizon.