25 Mar 2008

Rushed Greetings, Reader,

The reason for the rush will become apparent when I tell you that this will be the shortest HBEC Update email on record. I’m flat out (like a lizard drinking) distributing “Adopt An Athlete” packs to businesses all over Port Macquarie.

The Adopt An Athlete program was established to help develop the business links to our major sporting event, and to help make athletes feel at home in Port. Well, it’s worked almost too well. We have had more than 340 athletes register for “adoption” this year. The athletes LOVE the program, and the word has spread amongst them. That’s great for the athletes, great for Port businesses, and great for consolidating the future of the event in Port Macquarie.

Anyway, you can see why I’m rushing. Over the weekend we allocated well over 200 athletes to businesses, and handed out posters etc. but we have to get the rest out in the next couple of days because the athletes are pouring into town.

We still have some athletes without “adopters”, so if you can spare a couple of hours to make a visiting athlete feel more at home, please drop an email to admin@portchamber.com.au . Chamber is finding adopters for the last 70 or so athletes.

Many thanks to the businesses that are taking part. It always amazes me to experience the generosity and kindness exhibited by many business people, even if times are not the greatest for them. And yet others – some of whom I might add are making a bleeding motza from this event - are not prepared to do a thing to help with a bit of promotion and PR. I really do hope the principle of karma is valid.

Particular thanks to Restaurant Splash. Vivien has generously “adopted” the whole O’Neill family from Wendouree in Victoria. There are 6 members of the family competing in Ironman. Mother, Susie, is also founder and CEO of the Kids Foundation, a very worthwhile organisation.

Also many thanks to Westport Club who are “adopting” a team of nine athletes from the Northern Territory. Now that’s a brave move!

On with this week’s activities:

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Port Macquarie Community College

Intermediate Excel Workshop - 803C010 – Wednesday 2^nd and 9^th April. 6 – 9 pm, 2 sessions $90

Learn about E-Bay - 803C012 - Thursday 3^rd and 10^th April. 6 – 8 pm, 2 sessions $50

MYOB Advanced Workshop - 803C005 - Mar 31^st - Apr 21^st, 4 sessions, 9 am – 12 noon $148

Accredited Internet & Email Essentials - 804C004 Tuesday Apr 8^th to Apr 29^th 4 sessions 9 am – 12 noon $150

Upon successful completion students will be issued with a Statement of Attainment from Certificate I in Information Technology

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Next Hastings BEC Networking Breakfast is Thursday 10^th April, at Panthers Pier One.

Sponsor will be Paul McCarthy Advertising, so look forward to an entertaining and interesting start to your day.

Put it into your diary now!

RSVP to admin@hastingsbec.com.au

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Direction Accounting is presenting a 2 1/2 hour event called Business Growth and Success. We have now presented this seminar to over 300 local businesses teaching them ...

- The secrets of Growing ANY business
- How to create time away from their business
- How small changes to a number of key areas can literally turn the business into a success story

I bet you are thinking... "Yeah... but I don't want to listen to a whole heap of financial mumbo jumbo"

Well forget the financial Mumbo JUMBO. The night has very little to do with numbers.

BUT it has everything to do with how to improve business profits – And who doesn't want more profit?

I have put a registration form online for you to download NOW so that you can secure your tickets for this event. It really is a must attend night.

Download Registration Form NOW!

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Peter Bastable provided the following advice:

The members of Port Macquarie Athletics Club http://www.portmacquarieathletics.org/ are assisting the Iron Man competition on Sunday 6 April but are also hosting the 5K Fun Run on Saturday 5 April,

Briefing at 7:20am, Ironman Village Westport Park.

This weekend opener is for all age groups and a great success in previous years. It runs along the sea wall and back to the Ironman village, even prizes for all age groups.

Download an information and entry form from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/asics5k.pdf

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The SEGRA (Sustainable Economic Growth in regional Australia) 2008 Planning Committee is seeking out submissions from dynamic regions from across Australia to showcase their own regional achievements and know how at the SEGRA 2008 conference being conducted in Albury, NSW 18-20 August. Special attention will be given to regions who can demonstrate creativity, collaboration, connections and commercialisation in their policy and management strategies and programs to generate sustainable regional economic growth. To download the Call for Papers Brochure, please click here.

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NSW Business Chamber’s N@N March is proudly sponsered by Rayner Sunset Gallery & Framing.

Date	>	Thursday 27 March 2008
Location	>	Sunset Gallery and Framing 15-17 Sunset Parade Port Macquarie
Parking	>	Free parking on Sunset Parade and Murray Street
Time	>	5.30pm – 7.30pm
Cost	>	FREE
RSVP	>	Tuesday 25th March 2008

The Gallery’s first Exhibition for 2008 is from 19th to 30th March, showcasing the work of Howard Ireland and his wife Nada O’Loughlin. The exhibition shows their diverse range of styles and subject matter and is sure to be popular with Art lovers.

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Kellon Beard provided some tips:

Tips to help you engage and keep your valuable mature workers

• Make sure that your older employees want to stay on. Don’t let them feel that they are fast approaching their ‘use by’ date.
• Encourage a workplace culture where having a longer career with your business than 55 or 60 years of age is encouraged and valued.
• Promote opportunities for them to update their skills, both in and out of their areas of expertise.
• Keep them up-to-date with the latest technologies.
• Seek their input and use it.
• Give them recognition, support and praise whenever appropriate.

And that’s a rushed summary of this week in Port Macquarie.