We’ve all been impacted by the global economical fallout of coronavirus.  I can’t promise your business will survive but this moment in time will pass eventually. The trick is to hang on if you can. The business landscape will definitely be different over the next year or so. While we can’t predict the future, we can take advantage of government incentives, education, and offers by others to ease the journey.  Try to play the long game and plan for a brighter future with or without your current business model. Look for opportunities.

Coronavirus is history making, so keep in touch with your BAS Agent bookkeeper, accountant or industry professionals for the latest changes in legislation and obligations.  Monitor information daily.

 

RESTAURANT AWARD FLEXIBILITY

 

Restaurant & Catering Association has made an application to the Fair Work Commission for flexibility on the Restaurant & Catering Assoc award:. It will be heard by the commission on 1 April.

As of 31 March, a decision was granted early.   Thanks to R&C Assoc for their outstanding work on this cause.

Here is a link to the DECISION

We expect more information to be released from Restaurant and Catering Assoc in the coming hours.  So check back here.

AS QUOTED BY RESTAURANT AND CATERING ASSOC in the lodgement:
In a landmark deal struck this morning, employers and unions have worked collaboratively in putting together an application that has been lodged this afternoon with the Fair Work Commission. This application amends the Restaurant Industry Award to ensure businesses stay open and workers keep their jobs.

The application seeks to:
  • Provide flexibility around the range of duties that employees can perform, provided it is safe to do so and the employee has the necessary qualifications, such as a Responsible Serving of Alcohol certificate;
  • Allow for a temporary reduction in working hours for full and part time staff (providing 60 per cent of full-time or regular part-time hours) to provide greater flexibility;
  • Allow employees to be directed to take annual leave with notice or agreement and agree to take longer periods of leave at proportionally reduced rates of pay; and
  • Allow employers to close down operations while employees are on leave, or direct employees to take leave, subject to their personal circumstances.
  • The application is listed for hearing in the Fair Work Commission on Wednesday. More information will be provided following this hearing.
    END QUOTE

Here’s a link to the application being submitted to the Fair Work Commisssion: here

PIVOT

Is there an opportunity to change your business model right now? The most common challenge is getting customers into your food business, so consider how you can go to them or give “evasive” service. We’ve noticed some restaurants and cafes quickly pivot to be simply drive up, drive through, take-away or home delivery services to keep the customers buying. Can you sell a product that is difficult for a customer to buy at Coles / Woolworths?  I’ve seen cafes with a small grocery offering go bananas this week. Be careful to not be stuck with useless stock though.

Contact the bigger hospitality wholesalers and see what you can get hold of.  Reward Hospitality is still reasonably stocked (as of 15 March 20).  Look at some local wholesalers that would normally not be on your radar – they will be grateful for your business.   Then have the kitchen ready to pivot and change the menu to suit what’s available. Alter the prices up or down accordingly. Be fluid and creative.

WEBINARS

Hospitality guru Ken Burgin has put together a bunch of practical business tips that an make a difference while the general public’s spending ebbs and flows.

Managing and Surviving The Coronavirus Crisis. Was broadcast Tuesday 17th March 2020. If you didn’t make the live webinar, you can watch the recording here.    Topics covered as listed by Ken:

  • Where to find reliable information about the Coronavirus issue
  • What does it mean for the way you run your business?
  • Staff, suppliers, kitchen systems, customer service, landlords and creditors – what do you need to handle?
  • Simple ways to improve communication with your customers
  • Sanitation and hygiene – taking it to the next level immediately
  • Government assistance – what’s available?
  • Finding opportunities when you lose sales – ‘don’t waste a crisis’

Past and future webinars here

Ken’s recent interview by Sky News here

FREE MEMBERSHIP TO CCIQ FOR 1 YEAR – value $792

Chamber Of Commerce & Industry Qld is offering their $792 membership for FREE for 1 year. But you have to sign up before 31 March 2020.  This is a genuine offer to assist all businesses.  Not since the GFC has business endured such an impact after a rolling wave of bush fires, drought, and now a virus outbreak. The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has offered a deal with reduced membership.

Sign up here.  Open the link and scroll to the bottom of the page to the sign up button.

You will receive:

  • Unlimited HR Helpline advice
  • Modern Award (pay rate) updates
  • Free registration to all webinars
  • Policy & procedure templates
  • Member only news, videos, downloads.
  • Access to CCIQ member directory

This is an incredible offer.  Even I’ve signed up!

HARD HITTING INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS EXPERT ADVICE

Industrial Relations expert Craig Pollard, consults to National Baking Industry Australia. He has done a live Facebook presentation to answer questions on your rights to stand down staff, sick leave entitlements and no pay situations. This is 15 minutes of hard hitting information that you can’t miss – so you can implement compliant strategies and make decisions about staff to suit shrinking revenue.

Watch here.

RESTAURANT & CATERING ASSOCIATION CORONAVIRUS INFO HUB

Restaurant and Catering will keep their special hub updated with the latest emerging information. The COVID-19 status changes daily so stay up to date here

Includes:

  • Links to relevant federal and state government health alerts
  • Updated news relating to the coronavirus
  • Breakdown of the government stimulus package
  • Workplace Relations FAQs for business
  • Coronavirus information and support for business government assistance

SILVER CHEF: WHERE TO FIND RESOURCES

SilverChef has created an informative page of links and downloads. Ready to use hospitality resources at your fingertips. Includes videos and posters and where to find the latest government information.  It is very comprehensive and worth a moment to check it out.
Take a look here.

TELCOS

Telecommunication companies are starting to soften. Amaysim has just announced free unlimited mobile data until 31 July 2020.  Telstra and Optus offering unlimited download until end of April.  Do check with your provider to make sure what you are entitled to the benefits because there are conditions on some of the offers. You don’t need bill shock at this point in time.

YOU

Remember – you are the most important part of the COVID-19 puzzle. While you can’t solve the problems of the world, you can keep yourself mentally and physically well. Take a moment out for just you.  Make plans into the future while you tackle the day to day stuff. This will pass. The world will make some adjustments and everyone’s situation will be different – but that’s ok. You got this!

Watch out for our other Restaurant Bookkeepers article on the latest financial relief packages  on offer which is updated daily.

Follow the Restaurant Bookkeepers Facebook page or our Ideas pages for updates and library of info.

 

Restaurant Bookkeepers Australia is a cloud focused business model which means our team can work from remote locations anywhere for any business. However, we take your health and our health very seriously.  All work will continue as usual unless otherwise advised but we will avoid any client facing interaction unless via tele-conference until further notice.  We can easily take on new clients so drop us a line and we will show you how to get started remotely.