Op-ed

COVID was the catalyst for a seismic shift in how people work. The pandemic turbo-charged a revolution that was underway, proving that tech can support productivity anywhere. Also, it highlighted the financial, environmental and human cost of traditional commuting; the waste of time and energy associated with sitting on trains or in traffic for hours each week, and positive impact of reducing this on individuals’ mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.

We don’t know what tomorrow brings, but if we are able to remain flexible and keep our focus on our consumer’s needs, we stand a good chance at navigating what comes our way.

In the past year, research indicates that nearly a third of organisations have accelerated their plans to automate key security and IR processes, whilst another 85% plan on automating them in the next 12 months. Despite the positivity of these statistics, many organisations struggle to change to a more automated process. This was highlighted at a recent webinar we held with a panel of senior cybersecurity experts from a multitude of sectors.

Six months ago, I sat at my desk, staring at the blank page, thinking about the beginning of my new novel.  I am so proud for being a renowned and award winning mystery novelist, and my publisher was expecting another gritty, engaging novel that would draw readers in. I wanted something a little different for Georgiana Germaine (the protagonist and heroine of the series) this time. I wanted her to address important public agendas in my own special way. I considered the tone and theme, and more importantly, what I wanted to convey by the end of it. As I mulled different ideas around, I started thinking about important topics in the news today, what’s being talked about, and what isn’t being talked about enough.  

It’s set to be a tough Christmas for households. RBA’s rise of 0.25% means households will be paying an extra $71 a month on an average 25-year $500k variable rate mortgage. We have been telling homeowners on variable rates to move quickly in finding a more affordable mortgage for several months, and this has never been more urgent. There’s a real risk that thousands of homeowners could get locked in an avoidable mortgage prison.

Are declining property values the nail in the coffin for Australia's property boom? Hardly. The recent price fall is the first stage of a skydive: controlled and with safeguards in place. The initial drop is fast and exhilarating. Property values have fallen 8.6% since the start of the RBA's rate hikes in May. But things won't last. Without structural shakeups, the Australian property market will deploy its parachute and slow its fall until it hits the ground. Softly.

Property investors are copping a lot of flak recently as rents increase. You only need to look at social media posts that landlords are seen as greedy and mercenary when it comes to rental increases. With the Queensland govt recently announcing a cap on rental increases, there will be repercussions, because renters aren't the only ones hit by the rising costs.

Australia is in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, with out-of-control energy price rises and inflation being made worse by reckless govt spending. Yet, mainstream Australian families have been ignored in this year’s Federal Budget. As reported in the Daily Telegraph, IPA analysis shows that average household energy bills will rise 39% by this time next year from March 2022 levels according to Australian Bureau of Statistics CPI data and Budget forecasts.

Consumer finance is the undisputed king of the banking industry. Accenture recently revealed that, “Consumer finance is the largest retail banking segment, accounting for more than a third of a $2 trillion a year revenue pool.” In the world of consumer finance (CF), various business models have emerged to cater to diverse financial needs and preferences.

It sounds counterintuitive - work one day less but get the same amount of work done, or perhaps even more. But that’s exactly what the four-day work week movement proposes. When New Zealand's Perpetual Guardian tried a four day week, they counted improved staff morale and low stress levels as benefits without any loss of output. Microsoft Japan cited increased productivity and a 23% energy saving when they reduced working hours similarly.