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BGL Update

Working remotely? How to nail it!

By BGL Update, Homepage, Industry, WellnessNo Comments

In a matter of weeks, we adapted our software to meet our clients’ changing needs and improve their experience; implemented innovative ways to keep our teams connected and productive; and sought out ways to help the community. Now, we want to share what we’ve learned so far in hopes that it might help you during this transition. Here are some tips from the BGL team to help you nail WFH:

Plan the day and week ahead – set goals and keep track of them

Everyone has their own way of planning their time, however, one great tip is to get into the habit of writing your to-do list for the day and week ahead. Also, consider your most difficult tasks and try to get them out of the way as early as possible to avoid procrastination. Using Project Management platforms such as Jira, Asana, Monday.com can be quite helpful.

Communicate with other team members – Implement regular meetings

Since you’re no longer close to your co-workers or manager, it’s good to schedule 1:1 check-in meetings with them on a weekly basis to chat about your goals, upcoming projects and daily tasks. Use this time to clarify any concerns or questions you might have, plus inform about achievements and future tasks. Using communication, video conferencing platforms such as Slack, Skype, Zoom or GoTo can be quite helpful.

Get dressed properly and set up a workstation

Your morning prep routine – People often joke that they would love to work in their pyjamas but, in reality, getting dressed as if you are heading to the office can help put you in ‘work mode’. It also ensures you look professional in all video meetings. The same mindset applies for a proper workstation set up, it can help you stay focused on activities while WFH, so make sure you have one!

Stay connected, lean on community

To feel supported and stay connected to the “real world”, become part of a remote community. We’ve found that being surrounded by others who are successfully working remotely inspires us to remain productive while embracing the flexibility. Plus, human interaction can make all the difference in your productivity as well as your mental and emotional well-being. Participate in Facebook Groups, Slack Channels, attend online events and other community initiatives 🙂

Make the most of your cloud-apps

Automate processes as much as you can. Take advantage of the perks of using cloud-based apps for greater collaboration when working remotely: Cloud computing has made it incredibly easy for workers in a company to collaborate and being able to keep providing the same service level to clients! At BGL, we use a number of cloud applications and that is allowing us to keep providing next level service to clients and collaboration between teams. Make sure you and your team have the right resources in place and are making the most out of it.

Plus, keep positive, enjoy a nice coffee, play with your pets, and celebrate your family!

Working from home can be a big transition. You might feel any combination of lonely, isolated, stressed, frustrated, anxious, unmotivated, or — on the other hand — relieved, relaxed, energised, or productive. It’s all OK and normal. Take it easy on yourself and make sure you remain positive!

If you want to find out more about BGL’s updates, click here.

April 8, 2020
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BGL announces new features in Simple Fund 360

By BGL Update, Homepage, Simple Fund 360No Comments

BGL is proud to announce another major release of Simple Fund 360 which includes changes for the government’s Stage 1 response to COVID-19, integration with Cointree, a cryptocurrency exchange platform, and much much more.

“I am really proud of the BGL Team” said BGL’s Managing Director Ron Lesh. “Through this really tough period and with the whole Team working from home, they have continued to provide our clients with first class customer service and responded to legislative announcements in a timely manner. Being able to pivot within a sprint to handle the pension and other changes shows exactly how agile development processes should work”.

Yesterday, BGL released Stage 1 the COVID-19 SMSF changes, enabling users to perform reviews of Account-Based, TRIS and TRIS retirement phase pensions for the 50% minimums. At the same time, we released integration with Cointree, a cryptocurrency exchange platform, allowing users to download transaction files from Cointree and import directly into Simple Fund 360 and an update to the Investment Income Comparison Report for the 45-day holding period rule and much more.

“In just 3 months, the Simple Fund 360 and API teams have delivered 4 releases, including an accounting workpapers update, property dashboard, mobile app Engage by BGL for Android users and more! No other industry player has delivered so many new features to their clients over the past 3 months” noted Lesh.

“The ability of the BGL Team to operate “as normal” through these difficult times is a tribute to the quality of our people” added Lesh. “This is why both CAS 360 and Simple Fund 360 are clear market leaders in the corporate compliance and SMSF admin space with over 7,000 firms maintaining 650,000 entities subscribed to our software solutions”.

For a full list of new features, check out the BGL Community.

April 3, 2020
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It is disappointing to see some software providers price gouging

By BGL Update, CAS 360, Homepage, Simple Fund 360No Comments

I was contacted today by a client who advised me one of their software providers saw the current crisis as an opportunity to price gouge. The firm had been using this other software for a while and was certainly not wrapped with the software or the service but had stuck it out for a while. We all know what that is like. The fear of changing is worse than the fear of staying!

But then this software provider decided to increase the price of their software right in the middle of these difficult times. What chutzpah!

I am appalled – and so was the client.

At BGL, we want to help clients (and potential clients) not to screw them over.

So, we are offering our desktop clients, cloud clients and new clients a buy now, don’t pay until 1 July 2020 investment opportunity.

SO

If you are a current CAS 360 client, increase your number of companies today and you will not pay for the new companies until 1 July 2020.

If you are a current Simple Fund 360 client, increase your number of funds today and you will not pay for the new funds until 1 July 2020 (this included bank data and share data services).

If you are a CAS Desktop client, migrate your companies to CAS 360 today and you will not pay anything until 1 July 2020.

If you are a Simple Fund Desktop client, migrate your funds to Simple Fund 360 today and you will not pay anything until 1 July 2020.

If you are a not a BGL client, talk to us about moving to CAS 360 and / or Simple Fund 360. Sign up today and you will not pay anything until 1 July 2020.

And to all our clients

Thank you for your support over the past few weeks.

We have 150 team members working from home all doing their very best to service you through these difficult times.

March 30, 2020
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Support your local businesses

By BGL Update, Homepage, IndustryNo Comments

Those who know me know I am passionate about small business.

And this is the time we ALL need to be passionate about small businesses.

So I want each and every one of you to support your local businesses.

I have always supported my local coffee shops, restaurants, greengrocers, bakery, butcher, supermarkets, chemist, etc, etc. But now is the time these businesses REALLY need your help and support.

So please buy local whenever you can. Support your local businesses.

Order takeaway every day or so – and don’t use the delivery services – go and pick up the food so these businesses don’t need to pay 30-35% of your order to a delivery company.

Shop at your local supermarket.

Buy coffee.

Do everything you can to help your local community thrive.

We will come out of this. It will not be too long (I hope).

Don’t listen to the CNNs – the Crisis News Networks (like 2, 7, 9 and 10) and all those clowns from the overseas media. They are in the spin business – not the news business. They forgot what sensible reporting was a long time.

Don’t read all the crap on social media (you can read mine –  I hope you do not think it is  crap).

I know BGL clients are hurting. And I know my client’s clients’ are hurting. Let’s do all we can to support them.

And if you are working from home, check in with your team and your extended family. And be safe.

But most of all BE POSITIVE. BE UPBEAT. Positivity is infectious! Be positively infectious on the people in your lives.

 

March 25, 2020
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BGL update as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

By BGL Update, Homepage, In the MediaNo Comments

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is becoming a difficult challenge for many Australian businesses.

At BGL, we’re closely monitoring the impact of the virus and following the Australian government recommendations to support our people, customers and community during this difficult time. We encourage you to check out our update, stay connected and put in place a strategy to get you, your team and your clients through this difficult time.

BGL People – Working from Home

Commencing Tuesday, 24 March 2020, all BGL team members will be working from home.
Our systems enable us to continue to deliver the highest level of support and service to you. Your ability to continue to use your BGL products and access the online help and resources will not change.

BGL Software Support

We would like to encourage you to:

  • Log your support queries through your BGL software. This is available in both our cloud and desktop solutions.
  • Make use of Live Chat in CAS 360 and Simple Fund 360.
  • Email your support queries to us at [email protected].

BGL Incoming/Outgoing Calls

Incoming calls – Our phone lines are still open for general enquiries and will be answered by our administration team.
Outgoing calls – If you are expecting a call from a BGL team member, please be aware that all calls from BGL will display as a “Private Number”.

Software Updates regarding the Economic Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Simple Fund 360 team has been working through the recent Coronavirus Economic Response Package. We are conscious that you may be receiving queries from trustees wishing to review their pension payments and also firms looking to implement possible strategies before the TBAR Lodgement dates. We have therefore broken the changes down into two stages. With Stage 1 and Stage 2 now complete.

For more information, visit: https://sf360.zendesk.com/hc/en-au/articles/360040874312

Investment Opportunity

After receiving many calls about migration to cloud-based apps and understanding this is a tough time for all businesses, BGL is offering an investment opportunity to get you up and running – Buy now, pay nothing until 1 July 2020 (offer available to new clients, desktop clients migrating and cloud clients upgrading subscriptions).  Click here to find out more >>>

Classroom Training

All BGL product training will now be held online indefinitely. So, you can learn from the comfort of your home office! The content provided in our virtual classes will be exactly the same as our classroom training – only the delivery format will change to be via Zoom.

Here is our online training schedule for March – April:

Week 1

  • 31/03 – CAS 360 Essentials – 1pm – 5pm AEDT
  • 01/04 – SF360 Level 1 – 1pm – 4pm AEDT
  • 02/04 – SF360 Level 2 – 1pm – 4pm AEDT
  • 03/04 – SF360 Level 3 – 1pm – 4pm AEDT

Week 2

  • 21/04 – CAS 360 Essentials – 1pm – 5pm AEST
  • 22/04 – SF360 Level 1 – 1pm – 4pm AEST
  • 23/04 – SF360 Level 2 – 1pm – 4pm AEST
  • 24/04 – SF360 Level 3 – 1pm – 4pm AEST

Course Fees: $150.00 + GST per person, per course

For more information, visit: www.bglcorp.com/hub/training

We will continue to work within government guidelines and recommendations, placing the well-being of the BGL team at the core of our actions. We are also committed to you as our clients and we will do all we can to support you during this difficult time.

Feel free to contact your Account Manager on 1300 654 401 if you have any concerns or queries.

March 23, 2020
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