A re-contribution strategy involves the withdrawal of a lump sum from your superannuation which you then re-contribute back.
By Ashleigh Swayn - CEO
While Skype is well established as the standard for free video calls on the desktop, it’s now also increasingly available to smartphone users on most platforms. This means there are a huge number of businesses and individuals now using Skype as their preferred method of communication.
Needless to say, as a services business, offering tools to empower your customers should always be a priority. With Skype, all you need is internet access, a headset and a webcam and you’re off. With a hardware set up of about $50, there’s no reason why your accountant or financial planner shouldn’t be at the end of a Skype button.
So like many SMEs, we added Skype buttons to our website last year to add to the ways our clients can get hold of us.
All the team here is available on Skype and our team leaders can be Skyped directly from our website. Our clients love taking advantage of the direct communication and video face time – without having to drop by our office or schedule a physical meeting with us.
While the initial idea at my firm was simply to give our clients the most convenient means to access the team, as we’ve used the technology, we’ve also discovered other benefits.
Collaboration
In the office, being able to see to see colleagues’ statuses, send instant messages, transfer files, and initiate calls or video chat is of course incredibly easy and efficient. No need to pick up a handset and dial an internal number to find that your colleague is on the line and you have to leave a message. No need to walk through the office to find they’re on a call. The video calling with the ability to add others to the call adds to our efficiency. It’s just so much warmer and more colourful than email. It’s much more efficient too.
Video conferencing
Our Human Resources manager who is based in our St Leonards office has started to use video calling on Skype to add a personal touch to the regular phone meetings she conducts with staff in our Parramatta office. It’s always better to see who you’re talking to - though she tells me one downside of the technology is that she can’t get away with any bad hair days.
She’s also using the share screen functionality to show employees where to find important documents, HR policies etc on the system. This makes it so easy to share documents and images and discuss them, without having to wave your webcam at the screen.
In addition, she’s finding that Skype is enhancing our induction processes, and essentially allowing her to be in two places at one time.
Interviewing prospective candidates
This year, she plans to introduce Skype video calls to conduct initial job interviews in lieu of phone interviews because it allows for face-to-face interaction without travel time and expenses.
More efficient communications
Let me stress that we’re not dismantling our landlines just yet. However we’re using Skype for general internal calls and connecting with staff in our other office in Parramatta. While it’s not an immersive high definition experience, it certainly beats talking to a conference phone. And as the video service is free, so you’re not shelling out a huge investment for what is a quantum leap in your communications arsenal. Of course, using Skype to call landlines and mobiles is relatively inexpensive compared to traditional phone charges.
If you'd like to talk about growing your business please get in touch with the business advisory team here at Countplus mbt.