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eNews February 2022
Welcome to the latest Ahead for Business eNewsletter, bringing together resources from the Ahead for Business digital hub with events and services from our community to support your mental health and wellbeing in small business.
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Blue Mountains small business energised by a strong foundation in self-care and community
2022 has started on a positive note for Paudha Healing owner Renee Tilley, who has bought another small business, NueBar, and employed local staff to support her growing businesses.
Renee explains that maintaining her self-care routine keeps her feeling energised. “I continue to take the time to go to the gym in the morning, spend time gardening and walking the dogs.”
Now that she is managing a team, Renee checks in with her employees regularly to make sure they have everything they need.
“Being from a small community, the Blue Mountains, and being a mother myself, it’s important to me to help locals and give opportunities to those who prefer to work during school hours so they can be present for their families.”
Learn more about looking after yourself as a small business owner in this video from when we visited Renee in 2021.
There are many unique small businesses across Australia, facing many unique challenges. We want to know what topics you would like to see addressed on the Ahead for Business website – simply respond to our one-minute survey!
WayAhead releases guide to support businesses post-lockdown
COVID-19 has only added to the stress of running a business, with so many new considerations it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why WayAhead Workplaces recently partnered with Transitioning Well to create a Post Lockdown Workplace Guide. The guide covers six key areas designed to help you adapt to the challenges that come with operating a business on the other side of lockdown, including anxiety, hybrid work, and vaccinations.
New Access for Small Business Owners extended!
The New Access program developed by Beyond Blue has been extended for a further 12 months following its initial success. The program provides free, confidential mental health coaching to small business owners to help them better understand and address their challenges.
Any small business owner or sole trader feeling stressed, worried or overwhelmed can enquire about the program on 1300 945 301.
Looking for COVID-19 support?
Businesses are still facing a multitude of challenges as a result of COVID-19 – from staff availability and travel restrictions to vaccinations and venue capacity. Adding these to the regular stress of running a business can lead to increased burnout and mental health issues. There are a variety of resources available to help you out, including the Ahead for Business COVID-19 resources, and the WayAhead COVID-19 Hub.
Ombudsman launches small business natural disaster preparedness inquiry
Natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and droughts can be devastating to small businesses. This is why the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has launched an inquiry into natural disaster preparedness, with the aim of developing targeted resources for small business owners to better support preparedness and resilience. The report is due to be released in March, so watch this space!
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Staying well at work in trying times The Black Dog Institute has created a short fact sheet with tips to help you support your team’s mental health, as well as tips on how to reduce your own stress levels and prioritise your wellbeing. Protecting your business from the ‘Great Resignation’ More than 600,000 Australians expect to be with a new employer this year, and it’s possible this may be one of your staff. If the hiring process stresses you out, you could save yourself the worry by learning more about how to retain your existing employees. Alternatively, you could reduce your stress by perfecting your hiring process. Being prepared and proactive will help you manage these transitions better. |
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Changing, pausing, closing or selling your business COVID-19 has been a rollercoaster for business owners, and for some the business they once had may no longer be viable. There are many avenues you may explore if this is the case for you, and the ATO has all the information you need to make this process as easy as possible. Keep track of your mental health in 2022 Did you know you can complete a free and confidential mental health check-up on the Ahead for Business website? This will help you understand your current mental health and wellbeing status, and identify areas for action and support. If you sign into your account you can even track your results over time to see areas of improvement or decline. Try completing a monthly check-up to keep track of your mental health this year. |
