Daily Bulletin

Secure your MBA for half the cost and half the time

  • Written by Sarah Fleming


In the last three years, MBA (Master of Business Administration) enrolments have surged 42% showing a desire among Australians to upskill. However, given that 670,000 Australians work more than 60 hours each week, many of us are too time-poor to pursue our professional dreams through education and training. In a recent survey by Get Qualified Australia (GQA), it was found that 25% of Australians would consider undertaking an MBA while only 3% of people currently have an MBA or are undertaking one. The biggest barriers that people noted in completing an MBA were cost and time. As a result, this year GQA has launched its Accelerated MBA program, using recognition of prior learning to cut the cost, time and effort of securing an MBA in half.

The average cost of an MBA is approximately $45,000, although it can range from between $22,000 and $82,000 depending on the provider. It also takes one and a half to two years to complete.

 

Adam Wadi is the Founder and CEO of GQA, Australia’s leading provider of skills recognition and RPL. “Most Australians simply do not know that RPL exists or how it works, and they’re putting their career aspirations on the backburner because of this,” explains Wadi. “RPL is essentially a skills assessment processes that recognises informal processes of learning, such as work experience.”

 

GQA’s fast-tracked MBA is the newest addition to its RPL offering. Wadi chose to partner with the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) to deliver two postgraduate qualifications to his customers. “I call it my signature dish. I worked very hard to develop this product and it’s something I’m very proud of it, because there is simply nothing like it in the market,” says Wadi.

 

Most senior level managers and executives are already competent at the Graduate Diploma level and they don’t even know it. They certainly don’t have the formal certification to prove it, and that’s where we come in. By getting their skills and experience recognised through RPL, they can attain their Graduate Diploma in Strategic Leadership in as little as one month, and then use this qualification to seek a guaranteed exemption of up to 6 units of their 12 unit MBA with AIM. Getting an exemption on half of your units means that you automatically save half the cost and effort of studying your MBA,” says Wadi.

 

The Accelerated MBA program allows Australians to save, at the very least, $15,000 and six units worth of study. It allows professionals to complete the remaining six units in their own time, leaving room for work and personal commitments.

 

My hope is that we can educate Australians about how much easier it is for them to secure a powerful qualification, such as an MBA, than they might realise. It makes no sense to have the skills and knowledge but lack the qualification to prove it – whether that’s to your employer, colleagues, society and indeed, to yourself,” says Wadi.

 

About Get Qualified:

 

Get Qualified Australia (GQA) is Australia’s leading skills recognition and RPL (recognition of prior learning) specialist. Founded in 2010 by Adam Wadi, GQA is the first business of its kind. Engaging Get Qualified is extremely cost-effective, as it can potentially save up to 75% on their course fees, and years of their life that would have been spent in the classroom. Get Qualified Australia has 40 partners and 400 qualifications available to its customers across 29 industries. The business has helped to upskill tens of thousands of professionals, from tradies to executives. GQA’s services are available Australia-wide.

 

 

For more information visit www.gqaustralia.com.au/fast-track-your-mba

Online shopping habits of Australian consumers

  • Written by Lillian Zrim, Associate Director for Nielsen
INFORMATION IS CRUCIAL FOR ONLINE AUSTRALIAN SHOPPERS

Australian shoppers are seeking more information about the products and services they are buying online and are increasingly price savvy. Fortunately, the age of online shopping is well and truly alive and providing a plethora of opportunities to educate, engage and inform the shopper throughout the purchase journey. 

The 18th edition of Nielsen’s annual Australian Connected Consumers Report found nearly all online Australians have used the Internet to do some form of purchasing activity; and around one-in-four purchase items online at least weekly.

Looking at purchasing trends by category, it is evident there are some major shifts in the Australian online retailing landscape. For the first time, consumers are purchasing more clothing, shoes and accessories online than travel related purchases. Entertainment purchases such as concert, movie and event tickets as well as food and grocery (excluding fast food) also experienced growth.


 

TIME OF DAY SHOPPING NOT THE SAME FOR ALL

Despite the growing trend of consumers trying their hand at shopping across more categories online, this has not affected any changes in the time people are logging on. Online shopping in general occurs throughout the day, with a major peak in the evenings between 6pm and 10pm and a smaller peak at the start of the work day – a pattern that has been consistent over the past few years.
 

However, while most online shopping occurs in the hours between 6pm and 10pm, the important 60+ age group is the opposite, with the majority of online shopping occurring between 9am and 12pm. This age band is also far more likely than any other to purchase wine online (26%). Retailers and manufacturers need to be equipped to understand the differing demographics accessing their products and sites so as to engage the right person with the right message at the right time.




MOBILE DEVICES ARE A KEY TOOL IN ALL STAGES OF SHOPPING

Although the traditional PC still prevails as the key device used for online shopping, it is in sharp decline as mobile usage increases. Use of mobile devices to research products while in-store is also a popular activity to aid in decision making; over half the online population research and compare prices in-store at least sometimes before making a purchase. Huge opportunities exist for retailers and brands that can develop online sales processes and marketing campaigns that are more conducive to mobile devices.
 

AT THE CHECK OUT, IT’S TAP, PAY AND GO!

Two-thirds of online Australians use a form of contactless payment (PayWave or PayPass) with a credit or debit card in shops; an increase of six percentage points vs. 2014. Regular usage of this form of payment has also increased three points to 33% compared to last year, indicating further entrenchment of this convenient payment function. The wider adoption of contactless payments may pave the way for the mobile wallet, (i.e. ‘tapping’ your mobile phone for payments) however security issues are still a concern for half of online Australians regarding this method.


 

THE MORE DETAIL THE BETTER FOR THE FOOD AND GROCERY CATEGORY

Online food and grocery experienced a significant jump in consumer engagement, with almost one-quarter (24%) of online shoppers making a purchase in this category in the past six months (up from 16% in 2014). This was largely driven by steep increases in purchases by males and those aged under 45.
 

More than seven in ten online grocery shoppers say price is most important followed by product details (such as ingredients and nutritional information which is closely investigated by just over half who purchase online.  In fact, there is a growing interest particularly among younger consumers for specific product details and nutritional information highlighting the need for retailers and manufacturers to be very explicit and transparent with their product information online.


 

Adding to the fact that consumers are seeking out more detail about the product and services they are buying online; there is an increasing trend of online Australians seeking out products and information direct from the source. When researching food and groceries, the number of consumers going directly to the retailer’s online destination is still dominant but in decline, whereas visiting the manufacturer’s site or app grew by 11% to a total of 40%.



The continued growth of connected commerce is inevitable and the shopper journey of the Australian connected consumer is becoming more complex and fluid. We are incorporating digital touchpoints along the entire process; from reviewing products online at home, to using smartphones as personal shopping assistants in the store. Nearly six-in-10 consumers will look at an item in-store, but ultimately buy it online instead.
 

With consumers easily shifting between online and offline retail channels and demanding an abundance of information at hand, retailers and manufacturers must understand individuals’ behaviours and provide easily accessible product information and compelling offers in both environments.

Top Tips for Cost-effective Storefront Signage

The retail industry is highly competitive and if you are in the process of setting up a retail store, you have come to the right place, as we offer a few tips to help you create a stunning storefront...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

How Freight Forwarding Simplifies Global Trade Operations

Global trade operations are becoming increasingly complex due to international regulations, customs procedures, and the sheer scale of global logistics. For businesses looking to expand internation...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

How Car Accident Lawyers Protect Your Rights?

In the aftermath of a car accident, the steps you take can significantly impact your financial and legal future. This is where car accident lawyers step into the frame, equipped with expertise to sa...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Solutions Bridging Agriculture and Bulk Liquid Transport

The agricultural industry is heavily reliant on the efficient transport and storage of various liquids, from water and fertilisers to chemicals and pesticides. With farms often situated in rural or ...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

The Power of Expertise: How Car Accident Lawyers Help You Navigate the Legal Process

Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can often be as traumatic as the event itself. The disruption it brings not only affects your physical well-being but also imposes significant legal and bu...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Tips for Hiring the Best Offshore Talent That Best Meets Your Business Needs

Companies across the globe are embracing outsourcing as a driving tool to increase productivity. Businesses especially those that want to realize increased productivity and cost reductions can partn...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin