Author: Steve Slisar

Steve Slisar has been training people how to use computers since 1994, opened a training centre in 1999 in Dee Why and by 2005 had 3 training centres and created over 35 individual courses that include Screen videos with audio commentary, training workbooks for those who prefer to read to learn, and exercise files that are used with the tasks in the workbooks so you get practical experience in the software you are trying to learn. Now the creator of 5 of the most popular online MYOB training courses in Australia.

Posted on July 19, 2023July 19, 2023 by Steve Slisar

New! Microsoft Forms Course – Pre Launch Discount

Microsoft Forms Training course - Online Form Builder Templates for selling your property in Morisset & Bonnells Bay NSW - EzyLearn Pty Ltd

When I operated training centres in Sydney most of the sales were made by phone. We’d advertise our course in the local paper, highlighting our phone number and encouraging students to call and enrol into a course. It was labour intensive and not that secure when you think that we were taking down students credit card details over the phone.

Then we introduced learning on demand where students could learn any topic they wanted during our opening hours and we introduced our first online form to take enrolments – the results were miraculous. We’ve subsequently made many changes to that form since then.

We didn’t have to be in the office to take enrolments, students could enrol whenever they were ready and we had a central database of all our students and the courses they enrolled into. Best still, this information was all emailed automatically into our Customer Service software system. You can now learn these skills in the Microsoft Forms Course.

Posted on July 17, 2023July 17, 2023 by Steve Slisar

NoCert, saves money

Yes, its true get a NoCERT discount on MYOB, Xero, Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) Courses - EzyLearn

Business owners can now get a discount on our MYOB & Xero and Microsoft Office COMPLETE courses if they don’t need a Certificate of Completion.

I recently wrote about the value of Certificates and who really needs one and we’ve discovered that most business owners prefer to focus on getting the knowledge to use their software better AND saving money – that’s why we introduced NoCert discounts.

Posted on July 14, 2023July 14, 2023 by Steve Slisar

I think I found the perfect job for you

Remote workers can roster support staff for NDIS care workers - NDIS Bookkeeping Courses using Xero and MYOB - EzyLearn

The perfect job is working from home doing office admin one day a week, yes? Most bookkeeping course graduates would agree that this is the perfect client. It means you have up to 4 days available where you can get other ideal clients and it means you work online with no need to travel (or dress up!).

This job is also involved in the growing NDIS sector so you’ll learn some great skills if you haven’t worked in the sector before. You must have experience working as an admin support person and be setup to work effectively from home.

Posted on July 12, 2023July 17, 2023 by Steve Slisar

Who really cares?

Who cares if you have an Advanced Certificate in MYOB and Xero - Online Xero & MYOB courses with practical tasks - EzyLearn

Our courses all come with a Certificate upon completion but do you really think employers want to see the certificate? Don’t get me wrong a certificate is evidence that you have completed your studies not evidence that you’re the best person for any job you apply for.

I was speaking with someone recently who asked how our certificate compares to another training companies certificate. Their course was cheaper but our team could not even find detailed information about what was included in their course!

In the end an employer will be making a decision about you as a whole of a lot of little compartments and you’re better off speaking about your confidence using Xero or Excel rather than the certificate you got.

Posted on July 7, 2023July 14, 2023 by Steve Slisar

Is NDIS Bookkeeping & Care the Next Major Employment Opportunity?

NDIS Bookkeeping and starting a Disability Care Business - Xero, Splose & Hnry vying for NDIS Healthcare business owners - Pricing arrangements & Limits

With $41.9 Billion budgeted to be spend on the NDIS there is little wonder everyone is exploring disability care as either a job opportunity or a business opportunity. It’s not just individuals who are exploring this industry but accounting software and technology firms too.

I wrote about HNRY, the full service accounting software, accountant and bank account for small business owners that only charges a small percentage to cover ALL of these costs but other firms are also appearing to help everyone in the NDIS ecosystem, including Splose.

Posted on July 3, 2023November 28, 2023 by Steve Slisar

Mentor Education: Company Wound Up, but… Too Big to Fail? EzyLearn’s OFFER

Mentor Education ASIC notification of Special Resolution to Wind Up a Company - Learn MYOB and Xero Training Courses

If you’ve been following what has happened with Mentor Education you probably also have a strong interest in the integrity of Australia’s accredited training industry.

We’ve had a lot of Mentor Education students make contact just to learn more about what they can do about their courses because they hadn’t heard from Mentor Education, nor the receivers. Some students were counting on their qualifications to find work, others were promised a wage increase with a qualification and others have been through several different training providers while they juggle work, family and study.

There appears to be some good news though you wouldn’t know it by any official announcements

Posted on July 2, 2023July 3, 2023 by Steve Slisar

Mail Merging for Water Filter Replacement Reminders using Microsoft Word Advanced Course

Freshflow water filter replacement cartridges for home water filter systems and office water coolers display - Microsoft Office Training Course Case Study

Ever since I have been in business I have been told about the power of “personalised” marketing messages. Back then it was about sending a personalised letter to customers about something they’re interested in or have purchased in the past. I was running a water filter and cooler business and we had retail customers as well as business customers. That’s when I realised the power of a database.

If you are new to any industry people don’t know you and it’s your job to get to know people and build up a database. The most common way to do this is to advertise, get leads and speak to people – but only 3% of people are ready to buy right now so it’s important to stay in touch with them and most people do that with an email marketing system like MailChimp.

If you an existing business with lots of customers but times are quiet you can also use the customer data from your MYOB and Xero accounting file to connect with people.

Posted on June 29, 2023June 30, 2023 by Steve Slisar

Hairdressing Salon Case Study for Payroll Course using Xero and MYOB

Start a hairdressing business as a hair stylist by renting a chair per day at a salon - Dee at Arndell Blacktown can help - Online Xero Courses for Payroll

Hairdressing salons are all about people, scheduling and gossip. They are located all over the world and are a fascinating place to watch. I had my hair cut the other day by a recently graduated hair dresser and she did a fantastic job with the cut and the conversation.

Hair dressing salons are a simple business insofar as renting a shop, putting in comfy chairs and mirrors and washing bays and then matching a customer with a hair dresser. The biggest issue is scheduling the right number of hair dressers to match the demand from customers, particularly if there are lots of drop ins.

Trim and Styles Hairdressing was using an Excel spreadsheet to manage their staff but now they’re using Xero and here’s why.

Posted on June 24, 2023June 24, 2023 by Steve Slisar

Kids Financial Education Begins at Roblox

Buy-Robux-virtual-currency-to-buy-things-on-Roblox-Financial-Education-for-Kids-and-Learn-about-Xero-Marketplace-of-App-Integrations-with-Online-Training-Courses

Roblox is hugely popular amongst young kids and my little girl loves playing it because she gets to interact online with her friends. She also gets to interact with a whole bunch of strangers who can dress up and choose how they want to be seen through their Avatars.

It’s a lot of fun and millions of kids are playing this game every day but the company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are a “for profit” company that needs to pay the wages of it’s 2,100+ workforce (as of Dec 2022).

It was interesting to discover some of the court cases that have involved Roblox but my biggest issue was figuring out how to approach buying their Robux virtual currently so my daughter could buy some cute girl faces, blonde hair and bling!

Posted on June 18, 2023June 22, 2023 by Steve Slisar

Are Google Ads “sponsored” Listings Better Than Organic Search Results?

Did you know that Google earns between $1.50 and $7.00 for EVERY click that you make on a paid ad for Bookkeeping Courses ads? Per Click.

But you can’t just keep clicking on ads because Google limits the number of clicks from the same person/computer/ip address device etc.

Did you also know that some companies can work the Google Ads system and have more than one sponsored ad on a Google Results page? Is it fair? Are they the best solution? Do they end up costing more money?

Posted on June 16, 2023June 16, 2023 by Steve Slisar

US Xero Competitor Missed $40M in Pay Cheques

US Xero payroll competitor Patriot Offers Advanced Payroll Features - Online Bookkeeping Courses - EzyLearn

This is a tough time for accounting software firms because they’re competing head-to head for new clients at the end of the financial year. Some are offering $1/month for 6 months (like BillCue), 50% discounts, 12 month low monthly rates etc.

The competition is so fierce between accounting software companies that most of them promote what they see as the biggest difference and reason to change.

I was surprised to discover the Xero even compared themselves to Hnry (the full service accounting software, accountant and payment service) at their own website. The more research I do the more comparisons I find at most software company websites.

Some of these software companies are startups with nowhere near the cash of market leaders like Xero & QuickBooks and one of the US based accounting software companies wasn’t able to process $40M in payroll payments in March 2023.

Posted on June 13, 2023June 16, 2023 by Steve Slisar — 1 Comment

1$ per month alternative to Xero just for invoices and daily transactions

If you are looking for computerised, online accounting software now is a great time. Just doing a Google search for comparisons between MYOB and Xero will reveal a flurry of ads to capture your attention.

Many micro businesses with one main worker/contractor etc just want to keep track of quotes, invoices, purchases and payments and there are some pretty cheap options available – cue… BillCue.

Posted on June 5, 2023June 5, 2023 by Steve Slisar — 1 Comment

Xero’s financial report reveals BIG loss but share price pop.

Understanding Financial Reports Training Course - Xero 2023 Write down for Planday but pop in XRO share price - QuickBooks Online, MYOB & Xero Training Courses from EzyLearn

It’s the end the of the financial year and for small businesses that means getting your affairs in order and buying things if you need them so you can claim the business expense this financial year.

Public companies that are listed on the ASX and other stock exchanges around the world report quarterly or half yearly and if you are a business owner or a share investor it’s important to understand how to read financial reports.

An interesting and relevant example is how Xero recently announced a big loss in their recent financial report but their share price sky-rocketed.

Posted on May 29, 2023October 24, 2023 by Steve Slisar — 1 Comment

Mentor Education Liquidation: Students or Creditors, Who’s More Important?

ASQA-How-to-get-a-refund-from-a-Registered-Training-Organisation-like-Mentor-Education-or-Open-Colleges-if-they-go-out-of-business-EzyLearn-MYOB-Xero-Courses

I broke the news about Mentor Education going into administration in March and mentioned some of the implications for existing students who have paid their course fees.

We’ve been contacted by some concerned Mentor Education students to see if we can help them continue their studies and get the qualifications they enrolled for. Students do have options but it looks bleak unless the new buyer lets current students continue their studies, assesses them and provide them with evidence of their competency.

Sadly for Mentor students the big question is WHO is going to help them?

Posted on May 22, 2023July 14, 2023 by Steve Slisar — 1 Comment

Xero vs HNRY + Thriday + Rounded + Parpera

Unlike HNRY Xero doesn't offer bank accounts that deducted Tax and GST payments for you - Online Xero Training Courses & Support

Would you sign up to a Xero controlled back account? Would you let Xero become your accountant or tax agent to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)?

Does that sound strange? Imagine if Xero managed your bank account for you and made sure that all your taxes were paid for automatically BEFORE allowing you to receive your pay.

Doesn’t that “sort of” happen already with Single Touch Payroll?

If Xero had their own accountants would you go with a Xero accountant for your own business?

Posted on May 20, 2023October 24, 2023 by Steve Slisar

Poof! – and Mentor Education is gone – Oops, page not found, then Inspire Education Type Message

Only 404 errors for Xero & MYOB Courses from the Career Academy at Mentor Education website before shut down - EzyLearn Online Bookkeeping Courses

If you’ve been following what is going on with Mentor Education and my article about what happens when a company goes through voluntary administration you’ll know that Mentor was spending a lot of money on advertising courses which they hadn’t normally promoted in the past – short courses in MYOB & Xero & Payroll.

Mentor Education was a big success and quite a large RTO (Registered Training Organisation) that offered many different Cert IV and higher qualifications on their “scope”. This included the Cert IV in Bookkeeping and Accounting.

As soon as they went into administration I noticed a couple big changes.