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"digital marketing",
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"title": "The Himac Herald",
"url": "/blogs/the-himac-herald",
"description": "<p>Whether you're into earthmoving or agriculture, Himac publish regular handy hints and machinery information in '<strong>The Himac Herald</strong>'.</p>",
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"content": "<p>Have you ever considered the money you can make if you own and hire out a skid steer? There is potential to earn a good income whether that be as a self-drive or with yourself as an operator.</p>
<p>Wet hire means the machinery is hired out with an operator and dry hire means the machinery is hired out on its own.</p>
<p>A skid steer, a piece of heavy plant machinery, is ideal for moving heavy earth, shifting materials on a construction site, or undertaking agricultural work. You can perform different jobs with various attachments.</p>
<p>Before you invest in one, there are a few things to consider – such as maintenance and servicing, as well as transport options to move the skid steer and any attachments. Your skid steer will provide you with a regular income stream, whether full-time or part-time.</p>
<h4 class="hr-2">Demolition</h4>
<p>Australia is a nation that loves demolishing old houses and replacing them with new ones. Look around your neighbourhood, on every street you’ll see a new property rising out from the ground.</p>
<p>Skid steers can be used for both interior and exterior demolition. Using a grapple bucket attachment, shears or hammers, you can demolish just about everything! Concrete, drywall, wooden flooring – nothing is off-limits.</p>
<h4>Landscaping and digging</h4>
<p>A skid steer is perfect for any landscaping work in a garden or larger area. This includes removing trees or preparing an area for a patio or decking. A grading rake attachment to your skid steer will level out the soil and clear the area.</p>
<p>A bucket attachment means you can transport the earth and materials rather than going backward and forwards with a wheelbarrow.</p>
<h4>Agricultural projects</h4>
<p>Farmers may well need a skid steer for agricultural work. A trenching attachment will slice through tough earth. A bucket or grading attachment means you can level, fill in holes or aerate the soil.</p>
<p>For the seasonal sow, farmers may want to hire a skid steer with a seeding attachment or a rotary broom to help sweep dirt from unwanted paved areas. Heavy pallets of food and bales of hay can be easily transported with a skid steer and a fork attachment.</p>
<h4>Mowing (also known as slashing)</h4>
<p>Did you know a skid steer can also be used for mowing? Mowing can be a thankless task, but a skid steer with a rotary cutter can cut down shrubbery, tall grass, mulch small branches and saplings. Many farmers believe they’re even more efficient as ride-on mowers.</p>
<h4>Loading and unloading</h4>
<p>A skid steer can do any heavy lifting, shifting, loading and unloading. By adding a vertical forklift attachment to your skid steer, you can work in warehouses and large stores and carry heavy loads, offloading them in high, out-of-reach areas.</p>
<p>It’s up to you to set your rates. As a guide in Australia, you can charge $130 an hour for yourself and the skid steer for wet hire or $90 for dry hire.</p>
<h4 class="hr-2">Talk to us</h4>
<p>For all your earthmoving attachments contact Himac Attachments. We are Perth’s leading suppliers of earthmoving and agricultural machinery attachments for skid steers, loaders, excavators, and telehandlers. We offer excellent service and affordable prices, but don’t take our word for it – check out our Google reviews.</p>",
"created_at": "2021-05-17 13:33:26 +0800",
"excerpt": "Have you ever considered the money you can make if you own and hire out a skid steer? Before you invest in one, there are a few things to consider.",
"excerpt_or_content": "<meta charset="utf-8"><span><span>Have you ever considered the money you can make if you own and hire out a skid steer? </span></span><meta charset="utf-8"><span>Before you invest in one, there are a few things to consider.</span>",
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"content": "<p>Anyone contemplating buying a skid steer will know that it’s an expensive purchase. However, don’t lose sight of what it can do with the many available attachments. The list is endless. Without a doubt, it’s a powerful piece of machinery. Add a bucket, auger, rake, broom, or slasher and you have a versatile piece of machinery.</p>
<p>These can be mounted and unmounted quickly and easily. Skid steers are so-called because of the way they turn, by moving the left and right wheels at different speeds, the machine drags or skids across the ground to perform a turn. They come in various sizes and capacities and can be used on any terrain to perform a multitude of tasks.</p>
<h4 class="hr-2">Digging</h4>
<p>The standard attachment for a skid steer is a bucket. There are different types of buckets, all sturdy and perfect for digging, scooping, lifting, and moving heavy materials such as rocks, dirt, debris, gravel, and sand. A dirt bucket has a rounded back, so you can easily spread the material around, but there are dozens of other bucket types to choose from such as a grapple bucket or combination bucket.</p>
<h4>Augers</h4>
<p>Augers are another popular skid steer attachment and can dig precise holes. With the auger’s corkscrew action it can burrow into the ground while leaving the soil around the hole intact. An auger attachment will allow you to dig deep, nearly two metres down. Available as basic, heavy-duty and extreme, consider the job in hand, the ground condition and depth and size of the hole before making a selection.</p>
<h4>Rake</h4>
<p>A skid steer with a rake attachment is perfect for landscaping requirements – to clean up your site or prepare your soil. A rake will collect debris, rocks and uproot any unwanted foliage, while also smoothing out and flattening bumpy ground. A rake with a skid steer attachment is perfect to prepare your soil for a lawn or agricultural seedbed.</p>
<h4>Sweeper or Broom</h4>
<p>This attachment is just as it sounds and is even more useful with a sweeper bucket attached to it. A skid steer with a broom and steel bristles, makes sweeping paths and warehouses a breeze. They can easily pick up debris and surplus dirt which can be pushed into a sweeper bucket to collect the remains.</p>
<h4>Slasher</h4>
<p>If you’re working on land and want to clear grasslands and shrubbery, a skid steer with a slasher is the perfect option for you. It can clear scrub, tidy fence lines, as well as being used for roadway maintenance and general landscaping duties.</p>
<h4>Pickers</h4>
<p>A rock picker will allow you to dig and collect stones with the rotating collector sifting through material picking up stones and screening out large objects up to 50cm wide. It also sifts dirt and breaks up clumps and debris to redistribute the clean soil wherever you want it.</p>
<h4 class="hr-2">Himac have got your back</h4>
<p>Whatever your requirements for your skid steer, look no further than Himac Attachments. We sell a range of attachments that offer reliability and performance – all at affordable prices. We are the attachment experts, so call us for a quote on <a href="tel:1800888114"><strong>1800 888 114</strong></a> for all your earthmoving, construction and agricultural needs.</p>",
"created_at": "2021-05-17 13:41:04 +0800",
"excerpt": "Anyone contemplating buying a skid steer will know that it’s an expensive purchase. However, don’t lose sight of what it can do with the many available attachments. The list is endless.",
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"content": "<p>Although it might not seem like it, mental health can have a massive impact on work, especially for those engaged in manual labour - and this is not discussed enough.</p>
<p>Mental health plays an important role in all aspects of work, from the way you engage with customers and clients, to colleagues, and even the way work is performed. If you find yourself irritable, angry, or just upset a lot, it could be a sign that there's something else lying under the surface that needs to be considered.</p>
<h4 class="hr-2">A taboo subject</h4>
<p>For decades, mental health has been one of those topics that gets shoved under the rug, never to be discussed. Male-dominated fields in particular, such as manual labour, have borne the brunt of the taboo. The need to keep up appearances, to avoid problems and not show weakness has long been a staple in society, and therefore diminished the role that mental health has on work. And with the physical demands that manual labour often takes, it becomes easier and easier to push mental health to the side, even if it is impacting work and the way a business is being run.</p>
<h4>The connection between work and mental health</h4>
<p>The truth is, you spend the majority of your life at work. Whether you're running a business or working under someone, a great deal of time is spent actually working, so keeping an eye on your mental health during this time is incredibly important. Because sometimes, negative thoughts and feelings may come without you even really realising it or paying attention, but it's easier to pinpoint when you know the signs.</p>
<p>Think about your work right now. Are you happy? Do you have the drive to push your business, to keep it growing and meet the demands of manual labour in its different forms? If you often find yourself feeling listless and tired, lethargic and unable to focus, it might be a sign that you need to tend to your mental health. Often, you'll find yourself easily distracted, jittery and nervous...or on the opposite end, you may feel like it's difficult to run things the way they are, to keep going.</p>
<p>If you are not sure what to look for, <a href="https://www.ranzcp.org/files/resources/college_statements/clinician/cpg/mood-disorders-cpg.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists</a> has put together some guidelines to help you identify the signs. While not an exhaustive list of symptoms and signs, it can give you a starting point when thinking about mental health.</p>
<ul>
<li>low mood</li>
<li>little pleasure doing activities</li>
<li>fatigue</li>
<li>excessive guilt</li>
<li>feelings of hopelessness and helplessness</li>
</ul>
<p>The common belief has always been that men don't talk about their feelings, and there's almost a weird kind of pressure to internalize negative thoughts rather than dealing with it. But mental health can impact across different spheres of life such as work very dramatically, and so it is important to move away from that belief. Male-dominated fields like manual labour tend to see this a lot, so it's doubly important to recognize, identify, and take steps towards improving your mental health when faced with this kind of thought.</p>
<h4>What resources are available?</h4>
<p>Luckily, no one is completely alone. There are a lot of resources available to identify and address mental health issues. Some of these include:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/about-us/who-we-are-and-what-we-do" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Beyond Blue</a> provides a lot of services around mental health, including helping find professionals, finding immediate support, as well as hosting online communities and forums for peer support.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://headtohealth.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Head to Health</a> is an Australian government initiative that works to connect people to digital mental health resources, including crisis support phone lines and chat.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://mhaustralia.org/need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mental Health Australia</a> has put together links to different sources that can provide mental health assistance ranging from general to more specific sources.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-links" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Australian Department of Health</a> has also put together resources and directories for mental health services and providers so that people can find the care they need.</li>
</ul>
<p>Ultimately, mental health is one of the most important things to tend to because it can impact so much of your life. Manual labour can often feel tough and isolating, but it does not have to be that way. As more people bring up the impact of mental health, the more its taboo nature sheds.</p>
<p>Continuing that conversation and reaching out to others that may need help is incredibly important. These are some of the resources that are available to provide that service and to help people navigate through these issues while balancing work and family life.</p>",
"created_at": "2021-05-17 10:43:12 +0800",
"excerpt": "Manual labour can take a toll on mental health and vice versa. Reducing the stigma of mental health is imperative for discussing the link between work and mental health.",
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"content": "<p>If you’re a farmer or someone else who works in the agricultural industry, you know that a great deal of your livelihood is controlled by the weather. The changing seasons, fluctuating temperatures, precipitation, and various climate patterns all play a huge part in successful crop production.</p>
<p>Fortunately, many of today’s farmers are better able to control what happens to their crops because of modern technology. Here are four ways Australian farmers are using modern technology to cut costs.</p>
<h4 class="hr-2">1) Cloud computing</h4>
<p>Farmers in Australia are using cloud computing, along with different other types of technology, to improve efficiency in crop production. More and more agriculture businesses are utilising data analytics, besides remote sensors, for creating what’s known as “smart farms”.</p>
<p>For example, farmers collect many kinds of data, such as water and soil moisture levels, crop yields, and crop growth figures. By taking advantage of cloud computing, farmers can ensure product freshness, improve supply chain efficiency, and have optimal labour hours and crop production.</p>
<h4>2) Big data technology</h4>
<p>Although the term “big data” is used for describing all types of digital agriculture, it actually pertains to collecting and interpreting exceptionally massive volumes of data. Digital agriculture involves using sensors, monitors, and other types of digital technology. Once it’s collected, the data is interpreted so that there’s more precise information for making decisions in farm management.</p>
<h5>Uses of big data</h5>
<p>One of the primary ways big data is utilised is in yield production, which uses mathematical models for analysing data around weather, yield, leaf and biomass index as well as other things. By predicting yields, farmers can get a more accurate idea regarding what they should plant in addition to knowing the best time to plant. Sensors are used to collect data. As a result, there’s less labour involved. This improves crop production.</p>
<p>Risk management is another important use. Farmers using big data are now able to estimate the odds of having to deal with problems such as crop failure. This results in a significant amount of financial savings from what would have been a financial disaster from shifting weather patterns.</p>
<p>Food spoilage prevention and food safety—Microbes and food contamination can instantly be detected because of big data farming. Data can be collected for information, including temperature, humidity, and chemicals. By discovering problems early, repair bills are less and there’s not as much wastage.</p>
<h4>3) Precision farming</h4>
<p>Precision farming has been proven to be highly effective, especially in New Zealand, where agriculture is a key industry. Also known as satellite farming, precision farming involves a GPS device that’s installed in a vehicle for the purpose of spreading fertiliser. Data is sent through a network to a secure server.</p>
<p>The system monitors the rate and width of fertiliser application, which allows farmers to check the trail of a fertiliser spreader, besides improve their farm management. As a result, farmers can cut costs. In other words, thanks to precision farming, farmers are less likely to waste fertiliser, as they use only the amount that’s needed.</p>
<h4>4) The Internet of Things</h4>
<p>The Internet of Things (IoT) in large-scale farming agriculture is a term that refers to using highly interconnected sensors for measuring information, such as the number of seeds a farmer plants, soil moisture levels, fertiliser amounts used, temperatures of stored products, and other farm variables.</p>
<p>One of the main benefits for farmers is that they can reduce production costs. What’s more, the internet of things improves crop monitoring so that there are fewer crop losses from harsh weather or disease. This modern technology also improves communication and is more affordable than mobile networks.</p>
<h4 class="hr-2">Considerations and warnings</h4>
<ul>
<li>Digital agriculture in Australia is mostly used for growing crops, such as in remote monitoring by drones, satellite, or internet-connected harvesting equipment. However, it’s also used in <a href="http://theconversation.com/technology-is-changing-the-face-of-northern-australian-cattle-farming-31552" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cattle farming</a>.</li>
<li>Consider how, historically, agriculture in Australia has been plagued with extended droughts and irregular rainfall, which can result in financial loss for farmers. That’s why modern technology is especially helpful here as it helps with crop monitoring.</li>
</ul>
<p>Do you need high-quality machinery attachments for your farm equipment that can save you countless hours of labour on the field? Then look no further than Himac Attachments.</p>
<p><a href="/pages/contact">Contact us</a> to learn more about our exceptional products.</p>",
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"excerpt": "Many of today's farmers are better able to control crops because of new technology. Here are four ways Australian farmers implement technology to cut costs.",
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<p><span>While print advertising and word-of-mouth will land you jobs</span>, more and more potential customers research online than ever before. That is why you need a sound digital marketing plan to help you generate more leads and build a large client base.</p>
<p>Here are six easy ways that digital marketing can help you grow your landscaping business.</p>
<h4 class="hr-2">1) Open a landscaping website</h4>
<p>The website is quickly becoming a primary business front. Often, consumers who shop online use company websites to compare products and services. An impressive and easy-to-navigate site attracts many shoppers because they feel that you are experienced and credible.</p>
<p>You want a simple, modern design for your website that is not only easy to navigate but also has concise information that leads visitors to your call to action. Make your site mobile-friendly since a lot of visits are on phones.</p>
<h4>2) SEO</h4>
<p>Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a household name in digital marketing and is synonymous with organic traffic. It makes your brand searchable and visible in search engines, which spikes up your website traffic and allows you to convert leads into sales and visitors into paying customers.</p>
<p>You want your articles and content pieces featured on the top page of search engines using white hat strategies such as the use of targeted keywords or inbound and outbound links. The best thing about SEO is that you are not paying anything, especially if you have a content writer on your staff.</p>
<h4>3) Social media marketing</h4>
<p>Social media permeates the daily lives of billions of users worldwide, and it has proven that it's not a passing trend. Businesses have recognised the significance of a social media presence as more users turn to these platforms to look for services and products. Hence, the platforms have become an ideal channel to engage customers, raise brand awareness, and promote business products and services.</p>
<p>A landscaping business without an active social media presence is missing out on a golden opportunity to tap into a large customer base, generate leads, and drive traffic to their sites. Some social media platforms (like Instagram) are extremely effective in encouraging action from users such as visiting online shops and websites.</p>
<h4>4) Video marketing</h4>
<p>Video marketing has become a hot trend in recent years as more customers demand videos, which they tend to consume more thoroughly compared to other content forms. Most internet users check videos on the products they want to purchase before deciding to visit a store.</p>
<p>You can do video marketing in numerous ways. It can be an educational video, a product promotional piece, a webinar, tutorial, or a behind the scenes glimpse. What's more, videos can increase engagement and awareness, so adding them to your business's digital marketing strategy makes sense.</p>
<p>You can also feature short videos of your completed projects on your YouTube channel, your social media sites, or add them to your website.</p>
<h4>5) Content marketing</h4>
<p>Landscape companies that blog consistently accumulate more links to their website. This is because producing informative content regularly attracts consistent traffic. Content marketing allows you to do this. Providing great content that is relevant to your target customer base can help you cement your authority in the landscaping sector.</p>
<p>The trick is providing informative content, solutions, and answers to users' problems. When users go online and search for products or services that they want or need, they can find your blog content, read it, and land back on your website where you can easily convert them.</p>
<h4>6) Paid advertising</h4>
<p>Depending on where you operate from, seasonality can significantly affect the number of contracts you get during certain times of the year. However, running paid ads to reach potential clients looking for landscaping services can help you remain afloat all year long.</p>
<p>Depending on the services you offer, always make your ads as specific as possible to avoid ambiguity. Creating paid ads that are creative and specific can help you in targeting your audience based on the services you offer.</p>
<h4 class="hr-2">Create a marketing strategy for your landscaping business</h4>
<p>Keeping the above six marketing techniques in mind can help you develop your digital marketing strategy and grow your landscaping business. If it feels overwhelming, you may opt to consult a landscaping marketing consultant for some assistance.</p>
<p>Himac Attachments provides an incredible and reliable range of machinery attachments for skid steer loaders, ag loaders, tractors, telehandlers, wheel loaders, and excavators Australia-wide. <a href="/pages/contact">Contact us</a> today to get your quote or to learn more about our products.</p>",
"created_at": "2020-07-23 22:24:39 +0800",
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"excerpt_or_content": "<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="content-type"><span>While print advertising and word-of-mouth will land you jobs, more potential customers research online than ever before. That is why you need a digital marketing plan.</span>",
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"content": "<p>Let’s face it - sometimes the industry has ups and downs, and mistakes are inevitable. So, whether you are a manager or you own an earthmoving business, you need to understand how to drive the company in the right direction. The best way to do this is by learning from general mistakes that characterise the earthmoving business.</p>
<p>Below are the common blunders and how you can avoid them.</p>
<h4 class="hr-2">1) Overestimating or underestimating your capabilities</h4>
<p>Earthmoving businesses sometimes underestimate their abilities and shy away from seeking big clients. In such scenarios, you may think that you have insufficient capabilities to handle the specific needs of the client. Sometimes, on the other hand, you may overestimate your abilities, and you may end up failing to meet the expectations of your client. These could either lead to lower returns or harm your bottom line and reputation, respectively.</p>
<p>You can remedy these by <a href="https://www.professionalwriter.com.au/winning-capability-statement/" target="_blank" title="Write a capability statement" rel="noopener noreferrer">preparing a capability statement</a> that you present to your prospects. Show every client what you can do and let them decide whether they will hire you. Even if you do not qualify, they may recommend you to another client or use your services in the future.</p>
<h4>2) Ignoring ‘smaller’ opportunities</h4>
<p>Another common mistake by earthmoving companies is being picky with the available opportunities. Compared to the bigger projects, small construction deals come in numbers. If you focus on the best or the biggest, you could miss out on consistent opportunities, valuable contacts, and much more.</p>
<p>Therefore, we recommend that you handle any job that you can. This could help build your networks, smoothen your cash flow, and improve your bottom line.</p>
<h4>3) Ignoring tender opportunities</h4>
<p>Some earthmoving companies prefer dealing with confirmed jobs. This is mostly because they believe tenders have a longer waiting period with minimal chances of winning a hire contract. Well, tenders indeed have <a href="https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/marketing-sales/tendering/improve-approach/capability/steps" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">longer processes</a>, but they are only for valuable projects.</p>
<p>It is okay to just stick to confirmed jobs, but submitting bids for tenders could benefit your company in many ways. Important people will note your company name, and this exposure could generate more leads for your business.</p>
<h4>4) Inadequate financial knowledge</h4>
<p>The financial landscape of this sector is fairly complex and requires a great deal of expertise to maintain accounting books. Without the proper knowledge, earthmoving business operators may experience difficulty understanding the source of profits or how to boost revenue. Furthermore, such businesses may not understand how to cut costs.</p>
<p>Hiring a qualified accountant could help you assess every aspect of the company from a different point of view. All costs will be calculated accurately, and the right measures established to increase profits.</p>
<h4>5) Buying or renting earthmoving equipment</h4>
<p>One of the toughest decisions for earthmoving business owners is to buy or rent equipment. The best approach is looking at the job to be carried out, how often you will use it, and the expected maintenance and operating burden.</p>
<p>Smaller equipment can be purchased, considering they are usually mainstays within the company. Larger equipment like excavators, on the other hand, should be assessed before making the right decision. This is where you need to consider their frequency of usage and the associated costs.</p>
<h4>6) Toxic work culture</h4>
<p>Business culture consists of unspoken rules which drive the decisions of employees. Most construction companies have repeated behaviour and practices that lead to toxic work environments.</p>
<p>So how do you <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/triciaemerson/2018/04/29/how-to-change-a-toxic-culture/#1b52f97b54c1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">change the derailing culture</a>? You can begin by dealing with individuals who embody toxic attributes – no excuses. Even top performers should not be left behind. You also need to involve all sections of the organisation in defining what should be changed and how they are expected to behave.</p>
<h4>7) Poor marketing strategies</h4>
<p>Your marketing efforts have a crucial role in the success of your business. Successful earthmoving enterprises are known to establish and implement outstanding strategies. Others, however, fail to invest sufficient resources and time in standing out in the industry. That is why most end up overshadowed in the competitive industry.</p>
<p>Do not get intimidated by the presence of your competitors if you want to boost your returns. Whether you have a few items in your fleet or you are already established, you have no option but to stand out. We recommend that you cook up an exceptional marketing plan to get a competitive edge.</p>
<h4>8) Poor machine maintenance</h4>
<p>You do not need an expert to describe how costly machine downtime could be for your company. Still, it is common to find most companies using equipment while ignoring the defects. Since they are not checked regularly, they have higher chances of break-downs without notice. This could bring about missed deadlines, interrupt business, lower revenues, or interruptions in operations.</p>
<p>To fix this, you can establish a schedule and create a budget for maintenance. Such <a href="https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/43579417.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">preventative measures</a> could maximise the useful lifetime and keep your equipment in shape to handle the next task.</p>
<p>Part of proper machine maintenance also involves making sure that you replace attachments with top-quality items. Himac Attachments are experts in the field, offering an impressive range of solutions. Whether you are in the earthmoving or agricultural sectors, you can be sure of industry top products.</p>
<p>These include <a href="/products/wheel-loader-power-rake-bucket" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">wheel loader power rakes</a>, and incredible <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">attachments</a> for equipment such as excavators, mini loaders, ag loaders, and telehandlers, wheel loaders, and skid steers. All these guarantee affordability, performance, and reliability.</p>",
"created_at": "2021-05-15 07:27:08 +0800",
"excerpt": "If you own or manage an earthmoving business, you know that the industry is complicated. To help avoid common pitfalls, we've put together a list of mistakes to avoid.",
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"content": "<p>Small construction businesses continue to face various issues which can prevent them from advancing. Here in Australia, the construction industry is extremely competitive, which makes this type of work even more challenging.</p>
<p>Here are six of the biggest challenges confronting small Australian construction businesses, along with some considerations and warnings.</p>
<h4 class="hr-2">1) Labour shortages</h4>
<p>One of the main issues facing small construction businesses in Australia is a lack of skilled construction workers. Because of an ageing workforce, it’s hard to find enough skilled construction workers to meet the increased demands in this growing industry. In fact, <a href="https://www.insideconstruction.com.au/index.php/2019/04/08/top-trends-and-challenges-facing-the-construction-industry/" target="”_blank”" rel="”" noreferrer="">eight out of nine</a> construction companies, surveyed in 2018, were experiencing a shortage in workers.</p>
<p>What’s more, since many millennials fail to find constructions jobs that are well-paid, they’re going into other industries. Therefore, it’s critical to find ways for improving employee benefits, besides make the construction trade more appealing to young Australians.</p>
<h4>2) Rising material costs</h4>
<p>Another one of the top challenges concerning small Australian construction businesses is an increase in the cost of materials. As the costs for raw building materials and land can quickly change, there’s not as much leverage for small construction firms. This can significantly impact changes in cost from the moment a building project starts to the date that it’s completed.</p>
<h4>3) High insurance premiums</h4>
<p>Contractors are typically paying high insurance premiums for different kinds of insurance. For instance, there’s general liability for construction defects and delays in construction as well as insurance for accidents at a worksite. As a result, the continual increase in insurance has been financially overwhelming for many smaller construction businesses.</p>
<h4>4) Poor planning</h4>
<p>Inadequate planning is a huge problem in the construction industry. It’s important to map out an all-inclusive business plan that includes items such as operations and finances, along with a marketing strategy for your business. By doing this, you have a better idea of your manpower and what you can afford. Also, to be able to stay on track, you need to include all of the details for each stage of a project.</p>
<h4>5) Worker safety</h4>
<p>The construction industry in Australia continues to suffer from inadequate safety training. This problem has been a major concern for several years, with the construction industry having the most number of employee deaths. Too often, construction companies try to save money by cutting corners so that they can get as much profit as possible. But as a result, their workers’ lives are at risk.</p>
<h4>6) Lack of technology adoption</h4>
<p>Just like any other industry, technology has changed the construction business. Hence, if you fail to keep up with the latest technology, your construction business will suffer. In addition to playing a large part in daily operations, technology is also needed when you compete for new projects. However, many small construction businesses have found it difficult to come up with the needed finances for investing in the most advanced technology.</p>
<h4 class="hr-2">Other considerations and warnings</h4>
<ul>
<li>Inferior invoicing systems is another growing problem for small construction companies.</li>
<li>Cash flow can be affected when there are no regular progress payments, which help in outlining what’s expected at various stages of a project and deciding the time that each phase is considered to be complete.</li>
<li>When too many resources and workers are involved in a single job, it can impact cash flow.</li>
<li>Building non-compliance can lead to hefty litigation costs for small construction companies.</li>
<li>Many small construction businesses make the mistake of doing estimates by hand. Even using Excel spreadsheets is not as efficient as some of the most comprehensive, streamlined options available today.</li>
</ul>
<h4>The bottom line</h4>
<ul>
<li>The right equipment and technology can solve many problems facing small construction businesses.</li>
<li>Young people entering the construction industry need to have the right tools, such as AI and 4G / 5G / Wi-Fi connectivity for performing work on complicated projects.</li>
<li>Another perk is that the proper tools can promote more confidence in a worker’s abilities as well as get the job done quicker.</li>
<li>Even more important, the right tools can make construction work safer.</li>
</ul>
<p>To navigate Australian terrain, you need the most robust and efficient machinery attachments available. Our Himac products are of the highest quality and are long-lasting, which allows construction businesses to reduce replacement costs. Please <a href="/pages/contact" target="”_blank”" title="Contact Himac Attachments">contact us</a> and learn more about our wide range of products.</p>",
"created_at": "2021-05-15 06:25:25 +0800",
"excerpt": "Here in Australia, the construction industry is extremely competitive, which makes this type of work even more challenging.",
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"content": "<p>As a small business owner, time management is incredibly important. The more hats you wear for your business, the more important it is to prioritise your tasks and get to everything on your list. There's a careful balance between getting everything done and staying motivated to tackle tomorrow with equal gusto.</p>
<p>The key to optimal time management from dawn to dusk is to start your day right. It's not just a cliche; getting energised and taking control of your morning helps you hit the ground running on your daily checklist of entrepreneurial tasks. So today, we're sharing five morning routine hacks you can put to use that will help optimise your time management all day long.</p>
<h4 class="hr-2">1) Get up early and leap out of bed</h4>
<p>Waking up early is one of the best things you can do to master your schedule. Even an extra half-hour to take control of your day in the morning can help you to feel more empowered and on-the-ball. You have a little extra time to wake up, comb your hair, eat breakfast, read the news... whatever starts the day for you. You give yourself a chance not to feel rushed and behind at the get-go.</p>
<p>Second, don't drag yourself out of bed, or your body is the boss instead of your brain. Leap out of bed. Make yourself leap out of bed. Set the alarm to an annoying ring across the room if you have to, but get yourself moving. Assert energetic control over yourself and you'll have more powerful control over the whole day.</p>
<p>Special Note: Do not check your phone yet. Wait until you've got yourself squared away before tackling work messages. Trust us.</p>
<h4>2) Exercise immediately (no, really)</h4>
<p>Speaking of getting moving, do a little exercise the moment you're on your feet. If you read about the morning routines of highly successful CEOs and entrepreneurs alike, they all (almost invariably) recommend morning exercise. Do a few squats or kicks. Go jogging if you're a jogger. Or just rock out to your favourite music in your pajamas first thing.</p>
<p>The point is to get your blood pumping. A cardio heart-rate gets your brain humming and you'll quickly notice that you are thinking more clearly and quickly in the morning with even a touch of exercise added to your routine. It doesn't have to be difficult, just enough to work up a pounding pulse.</p>
<h4>3) Review your mental checklist in the shower</h4>
<p>Now jump in a steaming hot shower. Let that hot water hit with a wakeful force and feel your muscles relaxing into that powerful shoulders-back posture that makes a strong leader. As you shower, go through your mental checklist for the day. Review your goals, predict your challenges, and plan the steps you'll take to tackle it all in a reasonable and efficient fashion. Square away your thoughts so that they're ready at the start-line before your workday even begins.</p>
<p>As you dress, take a few minutes to pamper yourself. Put a few extra seconds into smoothing your hair, using lotion, and buttoning your shirt just so you look and feel sharp. This little psychological trick will help you accelerate into the day's challenges without hesitation.</p>
<h4>4) Grab a power-packed breakfast</h4>
<p>Don't skip breakfast, and don't call a stale donut snagged from the break room breakfast either. Your stomach is the engine that gives energy to both your body and your brain. So fuel it with the same strategic approach you'd use with your car or business equipment. If you're not ready for breakfast, grab a bran muffin and a bottle of orange juice to eat when you're ready. If you are hungry, take that ten minutes required to scramble an egg or inhale a healthy bowl of cereal. Or, if you have time for breakfast, make sure to load up on whole grains, protein, and fruit instead of carbs and sugar.</p>
<h4>5) Check your messages when you're ready to answer them</h4>
<p>Ideally, you've stayed away from the phone while you get yourself mentally and physically ready for the day. Only check your messages when you are ready to answer them in your squared-away business owner persona. Have your mind clear, your priorities in line, and be prepared to tackle whatever surprises the day has in store. From here, you will make your smartest, fastest decisions and hit the ground running on smart time-management the entire rest of your day.</p>",
"created_at": "2021-05-14 14:56:52 +0800",
"excerpt": "As a small business owner, time management is incredibly important. There's a careful balance between getting everything done and staying motivated.",
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