Summer Greetings, Reader,
Apologies for the late delivery this week. That holiday followed by a technical glitch slowed us a bit. Back up to speed now!
I hope you enjoyed a true blue, bewdy mate, strewth Ocka, kind of Oztrylia Day weekend. Port
A couple of times, people have suggested that I have included an increased amount of tourism-related material in my newsletters since I took on my part-time role with the Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association. That’s unarguably true, but actually the horse pulls the cart. My interest in tourism flows from my concerns for business in this region. There is a strong synergy between business in Greater Port Macquarie and regional tourism. Any business person in this region who thinks their business doesn’t rely on tourism is Jatz crackers!
I know there is a school of thought that tourism equals hospitality and accommodation businesses – and, yes, we count quite a few of those among our members. But tourists also buy petrol, bread, fruit and vegetables, massages, clothes, publications, movie tickets, haberdashery, souvenirs, banking services, spare parts, cosmetics, medicines, hardware, sporting goods, houses, land, apartments, businesses, even professional services like financial advice, accounting and legal services… Enough said!
There are (at least) two important aspects to tourism. First is to get the tourists here. This is primarily the role of the Tourism Association, with its focus on “Destination Marketing” – selling Greater Port Macquarie as the place to be.
Second, and this is where local businesses come in, is to provide tourists with an enjoyable and memorable experience while they’re here – and, along the way, relieve them of some of their excess cash. All Greater Port Macquarie businesses must work to become more inviting to tourists. They are not unwelcome hordes who clog our streets and take up all the parking spots. They are the people who put food on our plates. A lot of businesses in this region could better consider the needs of their tourist customers, especially in regard to opening hours and presentation.
There are still too many “old style” businesses here that operate 9.00 to 5.00 and expect that an open door will automatically invite customers. In the 21st Century that is not enough. Customers are becoming more discerning and they expect more from businesses. Increasingly, tourists and locals alike will expect businesses to be open in the evening – and why not in our glorious climate. Updated liquor licensing laws will soon permit more European style relaxed socialising in restaurants and cafes, and evening strolling around the CBD is likely to become more usual. Authorities are keen to encourage more social night-time use of CBDs, as more activity and light reduces antisocial behaviour. This provides opportunities for entrepreneurs. It also raises the question of what kinds of businesses should be located in the main pedestrian areas of our towns.
We live in a time of rapid change, and to many people this is unsettling, and something to be resisted. But change is inevitable. By embracing change, and working with it, opportunities can be identified, businesses expanded and profits increased.
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Welcome to new members:
Gary Owen, from Mortgage Choice, in
Julie Muller, from
John “The WOW Man” Hynes has rejoined us. Welcome back John! John puts the WOW factor into a property, for sale or just for greater enjoyment.
Michael Huxley, from GIO Business Insurance in Port Central Shopping Centre joined us late in 2007. Welcome Michael!
Glenn Cleary, from Health Protect International – setting new standards in cleanliness and allergen freedom for accommodation providers. Health Protect International aims to standardise cleanliness and hygiene levels in the accommodation industry through their Healthy Hotels Program. Welcome to the Sponsor Membership ranks Glenn!
Rex Pead, from Stacks Finance has also joined our Sponsor Members. Stacks offers a full range of financial advice and investment services in a friendly professional environment. Welcome Rex!
Reg McGlashan, from Wizard Home Loans, joined our Sponsor Membership last October so it’s about time I got around to welcoming him. As for his business offerings, I guess the name says it all! A warm welcome Reg!
And…
Congratulations to Kenneth Hunt, from Foam Alone, who was the first member to renew for this year. A little token of appreciation awaits you.
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Please note that
Hastings BEC is funded principally from Member subscriptions, so we are reliant upon your subscription renewal (or new subscription!).
If you have not yet completed your 2008 subscription, please try to do so asap.
Please contact me ( admin@hastingsbec.com.au ) if you would like a new Membership Application / Renewal form.
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Do you have staff members new to, or returning to the workforce? The Certificate II in Information Technology provides a strong foundation for general computing and office technology skills across a wide range of industries. Tues 12th Feb to 24th June (20 sessions) 9.00 am till 3.30 pm. $1,300
Word and Excel for Business, two units from the Cert II in Business. Tues 5th Feb to 15th April (11 sessions) 6.30 pm till 9.30 pm. $420
Website Design and Maintenance. Understand, and be able to maintain your own website. Thur 7th Feb to 21st Feb (3 sessions) 6.00 – 9.00 pm $85
Introduction to MYOB. Your business can benefit from use of this great finance package. Mon 4th Feb to 17th Mar (7 sessions) 9.00am – noon. $250
Manual Bookkeeping – For those who prefer an abacus. Starts Tues Feb 12th 8 sessions 6pm - 8pm $175
Introduction to Payroll – Starts Thurs Feb 28th 5 sessions 6pm - 9pm $175
Leadership Development - Tuesday Feb 19th 1 session 9am - 4pm $98
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Business Training Workshops, presented by David Ledgerwood (Mid North Coast Business Advisory Service)
Smart Marketing – marketing and sales. 9.30 am to 12.30 pm Tuesday 19th February. $45
Keeping Track – managing business through record keeping. 9.00 am to 12 noon Tuesday 18th march. $45
Show Me The Money – financial statements talking business. 12.30 pm to 3.00 pm Tuesday 18th March. $45
Introduction to Business Planning. 9.30 am to 12.30 pm Tuesday 15th April. $45
Or: all 4 workshops for $150
Contact businessinfo@etcltd.com.au or phone 1300 650 058 or 02 6648 5488 to register.
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** NEW SECTION – BUSINESS TIPS **
5 simple tips to help make you a more attractive employer
1. Build a strong employer brand
Build an image in the minds of current and potential employees that your business is a great place to work. This is the most powerful tool you have for attracting, engaging and retaining the right ‘talent culture fit’.
2. Make the workplace an enjoyable place to be
Make your business a fun place to work, where laughter, fun and a social atmosphere is encouraged. This will cost you nothing. A happy employee is a productive and engaged employee who enjoys coming to work and is more likely to stay.
3. Offer both financial and non-financial staff incentives
Implement incentive initiatives. These can be powerful staff motivational tools and even the financially based ones don’t have to be expensive to be effective. There are a wide variety of both financial and non-financial incentives and many are quite simple to implement.
4. Never underestimate the power of recognition and praise
Showing appreciation and praise to your valuable employees sends out a positive signal to all your staff that you value and appreciate your talented and loyal employees. Simple but important gestures provide positive reinforcement and makes employees feel valued.
5. Implement reward and recognition programs
Recognise and reward excellence in staff performance through an employee reward and recognition program, designed around your employees’ needs and recognise both individual and team effort.
(Thanks to Kellon Beard, NSW Business Chamber, for submitting these tips)
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Valentine’s Day, Thursday 14th February 2008 will be memorable for….
Our big Valentines Day BEC Networking Breakfast.
I shall be announcing a very special new member, and a very appropriate one, on Valentine’s Day.
We have several interesting speakers, some BIG surprises, and a few lovely door prizes organised.
Guest speaker will be Belinda Novicky, Marketing Manager for Mid North Coast Regional Tourism Organisation. Belinda will speak about the new directions for MNCRTO, the recently released Regional Food and Wine Campaign, and the coming nature-based campaign.
Reserve your place because this will be a BIG event. Email your RSVP to admin@hastingsbec.com.au
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Don’t forget the Wisborough Positive and Powerful Leadership Program
“We create a peaceful, reflective environment that encourages an easy and informal approach for an intense programme. We have a maximum of only 8 clients on each programme to allow us to meet individual needs, and to finely tune the work in a way that would not be possible with larger groups.”
Where & When? At Sails Resort on 12th, 13th & 26th February
The Cost? $950 + gst to include all materials, refreshments & lunches
What next? If you are interested and would like to know more e-mail wisborough@hdl.com.au or phone Richard on 0408291136
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Paul Riley, from BEC Member business Coast 4WD Centre, has recently also taken on the Port Macquarie agency for Europcar. This is the rental car partner with Virgin Blue airline. No prizes for figuring that lots of people arriving on VB and QANTASLink will require rental vehicles for their time in Port.
We wish Paul well in this new venture, and hope that it contributes to significant growth in business and tourism in the region.
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With more businesses considering the “triple bottom line”, Mel Gray-Thompson submitted the following:
Residents Action Network Forum to focus on Climate Change
Local Kendall resident Ian Oxenford was one of 162 selected from 2,000 applicants to the Al Gore Climate Project Leadership program held in
Ian will let us have his version of former US Vice President Al Gore’s now famous slide show on Climate Change which was the basis of the hit movie An Inconvenient Truth.
By profession Ian is an agricultural scientist & economist with thirty years experience in rural development throughout Asia-Pacific,
Ian’s slide presentation comprises:
· what is climate change;
· how is it caused;
· the impacts of climate change;
· solutions to this problem.
RAN hopes that this presentation will inform and inspire more people to take action.
The RAN Forum is open to all interested residents and President Sandy McClimont will deliver her usual informative and amusing report as well as inviting questions from the floor. There will be time to raise other issues of current interest to RAN members and the general community of the Port Macquarie-Hastings area.
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Nominations for the Hastings Business Women’s Network awards are now being accepted. The awards are designed to highlight and recognise the achievements and successes of women who have made an outstanding contribution in the
The range of categories include: Woman in Business, Unsung Hero, Young Achiever, Cultural and Creative. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on March 8, 2008 which coincides with International Women’s Day.
Nomination forms are available from:
HBWN website: www.hbwn.com.au
Port Macquarie - NBN, Port News, Snap Printing, Discovery Health and Fitness, Healthy Inspirations, Port Panthers and ANZ Bank-
Wauchope - Bennett’s Steel and GWM Conveyancers.
Laurieton - Commonwealth Bank and The Sandbar Restaurant.
Nominations close 1 February 2008.
For further information contact, Gale Oxenford, President, Hastings Business Women’s Network on 0432 304 714.
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Final word. Sad news from Australian Bureau of Statistics for those of us fond of a wee drop…
1329.0 Wine production down, sales up: ABS (Media Release), 2007
Cheers,
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