Journeying Back to Work

With 26 Jan now well and truly in our rear view mirror (as well as 2023), the unofficial start of work has begun and AusCorp looks to be revving back up its engines again. Whilst we have still been hearing of cuts in select companies, business leaders appear to be cautiously optimistic about the year ahead. Many analysts also predict that the RBA will finally cut rates for the first time in a while during H2, which should help give business sentiment a little boost.

At AusCorp HQ, we’ve got a tonne of plans for The Aussie Corporate with more content, surveys, polls and general intel in store for 2024. As we mention further in this newsletter, we have even started an AusCorp subreddit for the AusCorp fam to gather, chat and have great conversation so join in for some banter.

If you would like to partner up with us in 2024, we’re also more than happy to connect.

Starting 2024 off with Ansarada…

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💡 Brain’s Trust - conversations in AusCorp

I. Future of working?

Historically, Apple has been a trailblazer, setting trends that often left us initially scratching our heads. Remember when AirPods first hit the scene, and we couldn't help but chuckle at their appearance? Fast forward to today, and those wireless wonders have become an indispensable part of our daily lives.

On 2 February 2024, Apple will launch its new virtual reality / mixed reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro at a whopping US$3,500. Apple’s promo video does a pretty good job at showing you what to expect and we think it’s worth a watch:

Why is it interesting?

Whilst we don’t know when the headset will be available to Aussies, this device does give us a glimpse into the future of work. Imagine no longer commuting to your office and settling in front of two mundane monitors.

Instead, you will don this headset, instantly immersing yourself in a virtual workspace with five or more monitors at your disposal. Instead of a clunky keyboard or mouse, you can simply type in the air using a virtual keyboard and interact with the computer using only your eyes and fingers.

Apple is giving us a sneak peek into a future where everything we know about workspaces goes virtual. The big question now is whether Apple can make this vision a reality. If their history is any indication, we might just find ourselves in the midst of a revolution, redefining the way we work.

II. New year, new goals

In collaboration with Sentier Consulting (who has provided an exclusive offer to Flat White readers below)

With the new year inevitably comes a flurry of new year resolutions. AusCorp is coming back from its shutdown slumber, and people actually have some time over summer to take stock of where they are at in their life and careers, before we will all inevitably start drowning again under deadlines and paperwork.

Why is it interesting?

Perhaps you’ve come back and don't want to keep doing the same things or feel stuck on a trajectory that just means more of the same type of work. Maybe “what am I doing in my life” is beginning to become a commonly recurring thought. These are all pretty standard when it comes to what we know as the quarter-life crisis.

You might be reassured to know however that experiencing this isn’t uncommon. Often, people feel trapped, uninspired and disillusioned during their mid-20s to early 30s despite us living in such a prosperous, stable and safe country.

Want more?

The longer we work, the easier it is to get stuck in our narrow view of what's possible for us and what we're capable of. We subconsciously eliminate options because we think we can't do it. Sometimes, all you need is a helping hand.

If you are struggling with direction or feeling rudderless, there are a tonne of resources on the internet, but professional help is never a bad idea.

Working with a qualified coach, such as one from Sentier Consulting, could be the push you need. Having someone to guide you might:

• give you the courage to explore a process you can trust;

• help keep you accountable and get to your goals faster; and

• help create clear goals and concrete actions for you to action in your busy lifestyle.

📮 Postbox - DM highlight

Eating Fast and Slow

Now we should start off by saying that nothing replaces proper exercise. But whilst it’s a new year, new you and all, we know that sometimes, it is simply not realistic to stick to a normal gym routine. Enter intermittent fasting.

Why is it interesting?

Expect those initial hunger pangs as they're likely just part of the adjustment period. It wouldn't be unusual if your stomach decides to chime in with a grumble or two during meetings.

The general premise of intermittent fasting is based on our historical roots, when our ancestors were hunter-gatherers and had to go days without food (due to its scarcity). Effectively, intermittent fasting focuses not on what to eat, but rather when to eat, which makes it somewhat easier to commit to.

It isn’t for everyone (e.g. the pregnant, breastfeeding or if you have medical conditions), but most people should be able to try it.

The simplest and most common is the 16/8 plan - you eat only during an 8-hour “feeding window”. This means that the easiest way is to only eat from midday to 8pm daily. It won’t necessarily make you stronger, leaner, fitter, but it will help you eat less.

Want more?

There is a whole intermittent fasting community on Reddit that can support and help you get started, as well as a tonne of other websites that explain this in-depth.

🙊 Community Bantz - DMs that didn't make the feed

You get a (bigger) tax cut, you get a (bigger) tax cut, you get a (smaller) tax cut

The Albanese government recently announced changes to the Stage III tax cuts introduced ages ago by the Morrison government. There’s a whole lot of media scrutiny over this as one of Labour’s election promises was to keep these tax cuts as they were introduced.

Why is it interesting?

These tax cuts affect everyone, and with a number of high income earners (we assume based on our AusCorp salary data) in our midst, some of you may feel more impacted than others.

Interestingly, in a poll we held on this last week, nearly half of our AusCorp fam were fine with these changes, with the main reason being that “those on lower incomes need the money more during this cost of living crisis”.

The main counter argument was that $180,000+ probably isn’t the “right threshold”, given inflation and the rising cost of living, and this income level certainly isn’t an indicator of being “well off” or “rich” as the government is making it out to be.

Want more? Here are some other DMs that didnt make the feed:

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🩺 Health Check - health tip/reminder

New year, new routine

The power of routine is enormous, and with Atomic Habits being a cult hit, habit building has definitely garnered much attention over the past few years. Mastering routines can pave the way for a successful year and now is the best time to set these up.

Why is it interesting?

Habits will determine your future. Here are some habits that you can get started with straight away. Choose one or many, or whatever resonates with you!

1. Morning Rituals: Every morning, start with meditation to clear your mind, followed by a healthy breakfast. Prioritise tasks and create a to-do list to set a positive tone for the day.

2. Ergonomic Excellence: Invest in an ergonomic chair and an adjustable desk setup to ensure comfort during long work hours. Regularly stretch and move to prevent health issues related to prolonged sitting.

3. Lunchtime Recharge: Starting getting outdoors during lunch breaks for a a short walk or quick workout. This provides a mental break and sets you up for the afternoon.

4. Digital Detox: Manage digital distractions by turning off non-essential notifications for a block of time to minimise distractions during focused work periods.

5. Evening Wind-Down: Create an evening routine to relax and transition into personal time. Reflect on accomplishments, update your to-do list, and avoid screens before bedtime to improve sleep quality.

👴🏻 Old is Cool - meme throwback (16 January 2023)

💻 Made in Australia - showcasing Aussie start-ups

Powered by Overnight Success, a free weekly newsletter about the Aussie Startup ecosystem

Sonder is a Sydney-founded employee care platform that helps companies enhance the well-being of their workforce. It recently closed $16m in its Series B extension round, with SEEK Growth Fund and Blackbird amongst its investors.

What is it?

Sonder provides an app acting as as your trusty smartphone wellbeing companion, and has been embraced by a number of AusCorp heavyweights like Woolworths, McDonald’s, Team Global Express, Bingo, and Allianz.

The company places a treasure trove of wellbeing resources right at your fingertips, with lightning-fast support from real people whenever you need it. And they don’t just focus on mental health but also has features like delivering real-time alerts about local dangers and offering discreet safety check-ins.

At its core, Sonder is all about your well-being, both physical and mental. It provides you a direct line to healthcare professionals who can provide guidance, tools, and advice to keep you at your best.

For companies aiming to put their employees' health front and center, Sonder seems like a no-brainer.

If you know (or are creating) a great Aussie product, we'd love to hear from you!

👍 The Nook - AusCorp recommendations

🌔 Taylor Swift (16th - 18th (Melb), 23th - 26th (Syd) February) - Arguably the world’s biggest pop star comes down under in February. Expect Swiftmania around these dates… a lot of it.

📕 The Dictator's Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always Good Politics (book | Goodreads 4.3/5) - "The book delves into the dynamics of power, showing how leaders in politics, organisations, and social groups sustain control by manipulating alliances and resources, often sidelining ethical norms and collective interests."

📺 Expats (TV Show, Amazon Prime | IMDb 6.1/10) - "If you’ve ever been an expat or thought about working overseas, this could strike a chord with you. Starring our very own Nicole Kidman!"

📺 Mr and Mrs Smith (TV Show, Amazon Prime) - "Will be released on 2 February 2024, this is one created by Donald Glover, so its sure to be a hoot.”

🗣 AsianBossGirl (Podcast) - "Three girls just chatting about dating, family and life’s problems. Pretty relatable stuff and listening to it is as if you were a wallflower looking into their lives. One of the girls is ex-Big 4.”

🍔 Chebbo's Burgers (Restaurant, Sydney) - “Still slinging out Sydney's best smashed burgers since getting their start during COVID. Nothing beats them.”

☕️ Direct Coffee (Coffee Retailer) - “Specialty coffee retailer online. Love their range of Melb roasters (my faves are Atypical and Pillar). They do bundle discounts - and I love a good deal. Been trying to convert my office to buy better coffee if they want me to come in to work 🙃”

🚗 Under the Hood - what we're working on

💼 AusCorp Subreddit

Ever since we celebrated the big 100k milestone, we've had this itch to create a space where our community can not only connect with us but also with each other. And guess what? Your wish is our command! Introducing the AusCorp subreddit, which has already become home to over 3,000 enthusiastic redditors.

Whether you've got burning questions about AusCorp, are hungry for some career guidance, or just eager to share an interesting anecdote, story, or intriguing news article, this is the place to be. It's not just a support hub but a place you can kick back and enjoy some spirited banter with your fellow AusCorp family members.

We’re also looking for active mods, so if this is something that interests you, do let us know!

📰 Pick & Scroll

For the eagle-eyed TAC fam, you will have seen we have been big supporters of Pick & Scroll News. We’re currently working with them to bring this IG-focused biz news publication under our wing, which is super exciting!

✍️ Feedback Loop - share your thoughts

If you have want to provide more detailed feedback or have any topics that you want to hear more about, you can let us know HERE.