23 June 2008

Bright Blue-sky Greetings, Reader,

After a glorious weekend in the sun, it’s good to be alive. And the pleasure is doubled this week, with an opportunity to write about a really good guy.

Last week I reported on the Customer Care Awards, and I carefully avoided mentioning another award made the same night (because I wanted to feature it separately). Frank and David Deguara, from Macquarie Business Centre and Port Macquarie Labour Hire (Sponsor Members of HBEC) have very generously provided a perpetual trophy to be awarded annually to recognise a person who has made an outstanding contribution to business in Port Macquarie.

This year, the trophy has been awarded to Kellon Beard, Regional Manager for NSW Business Chamber. Reporting the award to Kellon is particularly pleasing for me, as Kellon was my predecessor at Hastings BEC, and I still work closely with Kellon on a great number of activities around the town. I strongly endorse the citation that was read at the presentation, to the effect that Kellon is a great guy who has for many years put his heart and soul – and considerable ability – into supporting business in this region. So congratulations Kellon!

Last year Janette Hyde, Community Relations Manager for Panthers Port Macquarie was recognised for her contribution to the business community. Frank and David have generously included retrospective recognition for Janette on the perpetual trophy.

So, what a great start to a week, to be able to report on two people I enjoy working with, both being recognised for their enduring contributions.

An excellent follow-up is my pleasure in being able to welcome Cassegrain Wines Pty Limited on board as a Sponsor Member of Hastings BEC. Great to have “a taste of tradition” with us, and thanks to recently appointed Cassegrain Marketing Officer, Liz Giles for facilitating the membership. The breadth and diversity of membership of Hastings BEC continues to grow, and that is great for all members. Our networking events take on extra significance with such a variety of businesses represented.

Finally, for this week, some changes to report with one of our Members, East Coast Holidays. Kathy and Peter Balodis have sold Ki-ea Apartments and are busy exploring new business opportunities. Kathy will continue on the Board of Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association and retain her role with regional tourism. The delightful Ms Alison Innes has been appointed General Manager of Macquarie Waters.

Well done, Kathy and Peter, and congratulations Alison.

Now, on to our events news:

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Port Macquarie Community College

Responsible Service of Alcohol
Provider No. 90886 LAB Approved. Participants will receive a Statement of Attainment THHBFB09B Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol from Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations) and a Certificate from the Liquor Advisory Board. The LAB Certificate is required for employment in the industry.
807W003 Wednesday July 2nd 1 session 9am - 4pm, $90

Quality Customer Relations
Learn about customer service strategies that work/don't work, techniques for telephone and face to face communication, techniques for dealing with awkward and difficult customers and situations and strategies to build customer loyalty. Book a workshop for yourself or your entire team.
807W007 Thursday July 17th 1 session 9am - 4pm, $98

Introduction to Computers & Microsoft Word
Having skills in Word is your gateway to creating and editing smarter, more efficient documents.
For beginners, this course will take you from the start to expanding your skills and knowledge. This is an accredited course consisting of 2 modules from BSB20101 Cert II in Business. BSBCMN107A - Operate a Personal Computer and BSBCMN213A - Produce Simple Word Processed Documents.
806C022 Monday June 30th to August 4th 6 sessions 6pm - 9pm, $220

A Simple Introduction to Microsoft Access
This course will introduce participants to the concepts of Access. The course will cover creating and using simple databases, creating forms and reports and creating queries which extract information from the databases.
807C011 Tuesday July 8th & July 15th 2 sessions 6pm - 9pm, $90

Website Design and Maintenance
In these introductory lessons you will learn the basics of Website design and construction, and how to maintain content in a website that has been built by professionals.
806C014 Thursdays July 3rd to July 17th 3 sessions 9am - 12noon, $85

(Gregg’s comment – I like to plug the Website D&M course, because it is one I present, and I really enjoy it.)

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Hastings BEC Networking Breakfast – July 10th

Our next BEC Networking Breakfast will be held at Rydges Port Macquarie on Thursday morning July 10th. Following a couple of jam-packed breakfasts that have left little time for mixing and networking, I’ll keep the formal content down this time to allow you more “free time”.
We will, however, have time for a quick look at Team Membership Roles, to supplement the personality types we touched on last breakfast.

Date: Thursday 10th July (starting at 7.00 am)
Venue: Rydges Port Macquarie
Members and Guests (and visitors) welcome. Members $20, Guests and Visitors $25
RSVP to admin@hastingsbec.com.au

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Port Macquarie –Hastings Life Education Support Group
Invites you to join us for a special breakfast!
DATE: Tuesday 24th June 2008 ( that’s tomorrow morning, so don’t miss it! )
TIME: 7am – 8:30 am
VENUE: Port Macquarie Panthers ‘ Auditorium’
COST: $30 per person or $300 for a table of ten
Bookings and pre payment are essential from Port Panthers - Phone: 65 802 300
PART OF THE PROCEEDS OF THIS EVENT WILL GO TO LIFE EDUCATION
“for drug and health education for Hastings children”
For further information contact Maggie Barnewall on 0409 457 405
THIS IS A ‘DRUG ACTION WEEK’ ACTIVITY

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Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce Member Information and Networking Night
Tuesday 24th June 2008 – 6.00pm for 6.30pm

Sponsored by Settlement City Shopping Centre

Program for the evening will be:

Rob Turner – President – Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce
Update of Chamber Activities

SPECIAL GUESTS

Ian Moore from the Department of Immigration will address members on the advantages of considering and employing skilled workers from overseas. There are 300,000 skilled migrants expected to come to Australia giving businesses the opportunity to recruit, enthusiastic and capable staff. Also discussion will be the opportunities for the region to attract and service the this employment opportunity. The Chamber is approved by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to assess the capability of a business to employ and retain the employee for the duration of the specific visa.

Neal Godbolt one of Port Macqaurie’s leading thoroughbred horse trainers will speak on how his business has recruited from overseas and how the immigration department has assisted. The experience Neil has obtained will certainly highlight the advantages of exploring this service.

Date: Tuesday 24th June 2008 Time: 6.00pm for 6.30pm
Venue: Quality Resort Sails, Port Macquarie
Cost: $10.00 for members $20.00 for non-members
Drinks and savouries will be provided on the night
Non-members and guests are most welcome

For catering purposes please RSVP (02) 6583 4412 or Email: info@portchamber.com.au

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I don’t believe it… it’s charity golf time again, already!

Charity Golf & Bowls Day, in support of Starlight Children’s Foundation, Australia

Date: Sunday 20 July 2008
Venue: Wauchope Country Club
Event: 9 Hole 3 Person Ambrose
Cost: $22.00 includes Green Fees and a light lunch
Start time 9.30am
Contact - Michelle McDonald on 0417 204 850
PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING A SPONSOR!

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NSW TAFE – North Coast Institute

THH21802 Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations) - Cafe Skills
This exciting 10 week course commences on 23 July 2008 and will be offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9.00am to 2.00pm.
Learn the practical Service Skills required for working in the cafe industry including- Preparation and Service of Espresso Coffee, Non alcoholic Beverage Service, Customer Service Skills, Cash Handling Procedures, Hygiene and Cleaning Practices, Gourmet Sandwich Preparation, Organise and Prepare Food, Fast Food Service.
Recognition for units in THH31502 Certificate III Commercial Cookery course will be offered.

Enrolling now! Contact Port Macquarie Campus on 6581 6200 to secure your place.
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Film night to raise funds for North Coast Worldskills competitors

WORLDSKILLS competitors will ‘Get Smart’ in the lead-up to the national trade skills competition - with a fundraising movie night in Port Macquarie.
A combined team of 14 competitors, including five from the Port Macquarie region, will compete in the upcoming national WorldSkills competition to be held in Sydney in July. Several fundraising activities are being held to support the team, the first of which will be a screening of the blockbuster film “Get Smart” on July 2, at 7pm at Port Macquarie’s Majestic Cinema.
The cost of the ticket for this event is $15 including light refreshments.
Special tickets can be purchased from the cinema, from Mid Coast Group Training or from Port Macquarie TAFE Administration.
For more information please contact Matthew Giles from Mid Coast Group Training on 6583 5355 or 0408 620 890.

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Final word, thanks to Beth Flynn, http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu

You Matter.

“Whatever your role in life may be, you make a difference.

There is a 100 percent chance that you can be a role model for leadership.
There is a 100 percent chance that you can influence someone else’s performance.
There is a 100 percent chance that you can affect what someone else thinks, says, and does.
There is a 100 percent chance that you will make a difference in other people’s lives.”

(Reference: Kouzes, J.M., & Posner, B.Z., (2006). “A leader’s legacy.”)

Have a good week,

16 June 2008

Windswept greetings, Reader,

All us recreational pilots had to find other things to do this gale-force weekend. Even the pelicans were flying backwards around Port Macquarie.

The inclement weather couldn’t dampen spirits at the 2nd Annual Customer Care Awards last Friday night. Around 200 people attended, to enjoy a lovely meal, a blood-curdling little bit of theatre featuring ghosts of local residents from 1848 and, of course, the glittering awards.

Hastings BEC Members were highly successful, with Holiday Coast Credit Union, Compass Financial Management, Rydges Port Macquarie, Panthers and Sunrise Health Consultancy each taking out first place in their respective categories. Congratulations to the winners, and to all the businesses that competed and gained finalist places. The Customer Care program is a credit to PM-H Council, and especially to the energetic duo – Trevor Sargeant and Rachel Ross – who drive the program, and the Task Force members who provide the ongoing support.

We are very fortunate in having two excellent media production businesses in this area. Gillespie Media did a fantastic job in putting together a lot of quality video material to support the Customer Care Awards. Well done Gillespie’s. And In Phase Productions demonstrated, yet again, their expertise in sound and lighting with a wonderful effort. Thanks for a great result In Phase Productions.

Last Thursday morning’s BEC Networking Breakfast was a great success. Seventy-seven participants heard an amazing illustrated story from Melinda and Steve Robinson about life in rural Uganda. Mel and Steve are about to leave for 12 months working in Uganda with a British-based charity, building and repairing schools and basic village infrastructure.

The enormous generosity of our business community was demonstrated (yet again) when an impromptu auction of the donated “door prizes” quickly raised $480 for the charity – Softpower Education In Africa. Well done! And thanks to our co-opted auctioneer, Rob Hamilton.

Steve and Melinda are hosting a fundraising Trivia Night next Saturday night, 21st June, at Bonny Hills Surf Life Saving Club. You are invited to attend and join in the trivia, karaoke (I promise I won’t!), and auctions, all for a very good cause. Only $15 a ticket (tables of 10 available). Contact Mel on 0434 025 433, or Steve on 0427 654 567 to make your reservations.

At last Thursday’s breakfast, we also had a very quick look at the idea of personality types, and how some understanding of these characteristics can help in communicating and interacting with other people. I plan to run some more activities on this theme, and for those who attended last Thursday, the document I mentioned can be downloaded from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/mbtisummary.doc .

Finally, I would like to very warmly welcome Wauchope Chamber of Commerce into HBEC Membership. To President, Marlene Hawkins, Secretary Sue Carson, and all executive and members, welcome aboard.

On to this week’s news:

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Port Macquarie Community College

MYOB Advanced Workshop
This short course will enhance your existing skills in MYOB with GST Reports BASlink, Jobs, Time billing, Customising MYOB, Customising forms, Useful reports and report batches, Customising, designing, filtering, saving reports, To Do List, Contact Log, Entering transactions directly in the register, Invoicing/Sales tips, using inventory items creatively.
806C002 Mon Jun 23 to Jul 21 4 sessions 9am-12noon $148

Espresso Coffee including Food Hygiene & Safety
Provider No. 90886 Participants receive a Statement of Attainment for the following units - THHBFB12B Prepare and Serve Espresso Coffee and THHGHS01B - Follow Workplace Hygiene Procedures from Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations). Participants must collect and complete a workbook prior to attending this course.
807W002 Thu Jul 10 1 session 9am-4:30pm $110

Food Hygiene & Safety
This course covers safe food handling and safe storage, effective use of detergents and sanitisers, waste and pest control. Includes an overview of how the new food safety legislation will affect you. Meets Food Safety Program requirements. Successful participants will gain Statement of Attainment THHGHS01B – Follow Workplace Hygiene Procedures from Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations).
807W009 Fri Jul 18 1 session 9am-3pm $95

MS Word & Excel for Business
The skills acquired in this course will provide a solid foundation for an individual to be an effective computer user. Learn how to format letters and other word processing documents including working with Tables and functions like copy and paste. This course will also explain the how's and whys of formulas in Excel giving you an understanding of how to utilise the power of Excel to create effective spreadsheets.
It will provide an excellent grounding in essential skills for the office. Two units of competency BSBCMN213A Produce simple word processed documents and BSBCMN214A Create and use simple spreadsheets from Certificate II in Business BSB20101.
806C001 Mon Jul 7 to Oct 13 11 sessions 6:30pm-9:30pm $420

Introduction to Computers & MS Word
Having skills in Word is your gateway to creating and editing smarter, more efficient documents. For beginners, this course will take you from the start to expanding your skills and knowledge. This is an accredited course consisting of 2 modules from BSB20101 Cert II in Business. BSBCMN102A - Operate a Personal Computer and BSBCMN213A - Produce Simple Word Processed Documents.
806C022 Mon Jun 30 to Aug 4 6 sessions 6pm-9pm $220

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Trivia Night Fundraiser – Saturday 21st June - Support Softpower Education In Africa

Softpower puts 100% of donations into the local projects (admin overheads are paid by corporate benefactors), so your dollars go where they are sorely needed

Venue: Wauchope-Bonny Hills SLSC
Time: Start at 7.00pm
Cost: $15 per person (includes nibblies)
Bookings: Melinda 0434 025 433, or Steve on 0427 654 567

Note: Donations of goods or services to raffle/auction would be greatly appreciated.

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Hastings BEC Membership Opportunity

This weekly Update goes out to more than 1,400 email addresses, and is read by an estimated 2,000 people (give or take a couple). Many of you are principals of a business that would benefit from Hastings BEC membership. The networking and promotional opportunities flowing from membership far outweigh the small annual subscription.

There is no better time than now to join. Half-price subscription is now available for the remainder of 2008.

Only $87.50 will buy you Business Membership of this growing network of local businesses.

Don’t delay. Download a BEC Membership Application form from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/memberapplication.doc

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Camden Haven Promotion - Holiday Coast Pictorial

“I am in the process of setting up a promotion for the Camden Haven area in the Holiday Coast Pictorial. We have a huge distribution, some 36000 copies are printed and delivered FREE to homes from Harrington to South West Rocks, into Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Wauchope, Telegraph Point to Crescent Head.

The $110 ads are 5 cm x 5cm, but are offered only on a 3 month contract. The other bigger ads are priced as shown on a one off basis, or can be negotiated on a 3 month basis as well. Our talented design team can work with you to design an eye catching advert for your business, with all costs included in the upfront price. Deadline for copy is 21st June for the July edition.”

Contact: Chrissy Jones, Sales & Marketing Consultant, The Pictorial, Ph: 0412 137 621. or chrissy@thepictorial.com

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Greater Port Macquarie - Sun Herald travel features

With 43% of our tourists coming from regional NSW and 37% visiting from Sydney, finding a cost effective way to promote the destination to these markets, whilst providing an opportunity for industry partners to participate, has been a priority for the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Tourism Section. For as little as $590 you can advertise your business in our regular Greater Port Macquarie - Sun Herald travel features. The features include adventure based editorial, complementary images, an events calendar and an online consumer competition.

Why Participate?
1. By pooling resources, your advertisement can be placed in higher impact mediums more cost effectively.
2. Your advertisement can help make the destination more appealing by working together, promoting a range of tourism product and experiences along with our regional brand
3. 1.3 million readership of the Sun Herald
4. 93% of readers rate the 'Travel' section as an important source ahead of TV shows such as 'Getaway' and 'The Great Outdoors' and 70% have used ads in 'Travel' Sunday to help them plan their weekend break.

For further information please contact: Hayley McGrath, Ph: 02 6581 8014, Mobile: 0423 840045

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BECs Australia, Business Innovation & Incubation Australia, and National NEIS Association Inc, present

Small Business Development Conference

12th – 15th October 2008
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Victoria

Call for Speakers and Presenters

The Conference Committee invites persons who wish to present at the Small Business Development Conference 2008 to submit abstracts for consideration.
Please download and refer to the following file for further information. www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/SBDC2008.pdf

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NSW TAFE North Coast Institute has an exciting course commencing:

THH21802 Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations) - Cafe Skills

This exciting 10 week course commences on 23 July 2008 and will be offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9.00am to 2.00pm.

Learn the practical Service Skills required for working in the cafe industry including- Preparation and Service of Espresso Coffee, Non alcoholic Beverage Service, Customer Service Skills, Cash Handling Procedures, Hygiene and Cleaning Practices, Gourmet Sandwich Preparation, Organise and Prepare Food, Fast Food Service.
Recognition for units in THH31502 Certificate III Commercial Cookery course will be offered.

Enrolling now!

Contact Port Macquarie Campus on 6581 6200 to secure your place.

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That’s about it for this week in Greater Port Macquarie

I was particularly moved by Melinda and Steve’s presentation at last Thursday’s breakfast. We tend to get all stressed out over things like the cost of petrol, and an occasional minor failure in our complex technical society. We forget that there are people living in earthen huts, without utilities of any kind – no power, no water, no sewerage – for whom a $2 mosquito net can literally mean life or death. Donation of a trivial share of our wealth can make such a massive difference for these people.

Don’t forget that this newsletter, along with this year’s back-issues is available on our blog – where you are invited to comment and provide feedback. Have a look at http://hbec.blogspot.com

Extra Item:

A media release arrived immediately after I sent today’s Update, and it was too good to keep on ice until next week.


PORT MACQUARIE’S “THE OBSERVATORY” HOTEL (and Hastings BEC Member) TOPS THE STATE

Port Macquarie's The Observatory hotel has been voted NSW and ACT Operator of the Year for 2008, the top award presented by the peak body for the Australian accommodation industry, the Hotels Motels and Accommodation Association (HMAA).

The Observatory was also announced winner of the Serviced Apartments category in the HMAA's 2008 Accommodation Industry Awards for Excellence presented on Friday night.

The Observatory took out the prestigious Operator of the Year title over a strong field of prominent Sydney and other regional accommodation providers. The HMAA represents properties including five-star resorts and hotels and a range of other leading establishments across Australia.

The Observatory's directors Chris and Trish Denny and Margaret Chant opened the property in mid-2004 and have garnered a range of excellence awards from industry groups every year since. Chris Denny is also president of Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association.

"We were absolutely thrilled to win the state's overall top award, as well as the top award in our category," Mr Denny said yesterday. "We got tremendous acclaim from our peers and industry colleagues when it was announced we'd won, and Port Macquarie got enormous recognition at the awards ceremony, which was terrific in acknowledging this region overall as a tourist destination of excellence."

The Executive Officer of Mid-North Coast Tourism, Belinda Novicky, congratulated The Observatory on its wins.

"A lot of effort goes in to promoting the Mid-North Coast as a tourism destination of choice," Ms Novicky said. "When operators such as The Observatory are awarded in this way, it plays an important part in our state and national profile and creates wider recognition of our region overall among tourists and travellers from right around the country."

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's Economic Development Manager Trevor Sargeant also commended the winning trio.

"Chris, Trish and Margaret are very proactive and committed to promoting not only The Observatory but also Greater Port Macquarie as a whole. They deserve great credit for their work and also for the training and employment opportunities The Observatory offers local residents in the hospitality industry.

"Coincidentally with the state awards they took out on Friday night, they were recognised locally on the same night as top service providers, honoured as one of three finalists in the Hospitality - Accommodation category of Port Macquarie's second annual Customer Care awards. This achievement also reflects their commitment to customer care in Port Macquarie.

"The Observatory was among the first group of accredited supporters of the scheme, which promotes excellence in quality of service among local businesses."

Among a string of other acknowledgements, The Observatory has also won the North Coast Tourism Award for Business Excellence in the deluxe accommodation category every year since it opened. It has also represented the region as a finalist for the three years running in the same category in Tourism NSW's Business Excellence Awards.

10 June 2008

Tuesday greetings, Reader,

After the obligatory lie-in in celebration of the birth of our beloved monarch I’m refreshed and ready for a very hectic week. “Quality” and “Service” are the key words this week. We’ll start with service, and of the most uplifting kind.

Guest speakers at this Thursday’s BEC Networking Breakfast will be Melinda and Steve Robinson. You may have seen them recently on the front page of the Port News, in the context of concern for their Bonny Hills Surf Club. But at our breakfast we will be hearing about a very different part of the lives of these two young people. Without giving too much away, let me just say that they are about to embark on a year of hard work, adventure and sacrifice that will hugely improve life for a great many people. I’m sure you will be inspired by their story.

To meet Melinda and Steve, and to hear (and see) their fantastic story, come along to our breakfast on Thursday morning, 7.00 am at Port Panthers. But, please, RSVP by lunch time Wednesday by email to admin@hastingsbec.com.au .

The “Quality” part of our week is also connected with service. Friday night 13th June is the time for our Second Annual Customer Care Awards. We will be recognising and applauding the businesses judged to be the best examples of customer service in our area. There are still some seats available for the Awards, and it will be a very enjoyable night. As well as the awards themselves, we will enjoy a wonderful dinner and a slightly scary floor show (well, it will be Friday 13th, after all). You can obtain tickets from Port Panthers or from Council Offices, but don’t delay!

Finally, by way of introduction this week, a huge welcome to our newest Sponsor Member – Port Central Shopping Centre. Marketing Manager Vickii Byram has been sussing us out for a while, and I’m delighted that Port Central has chosen to join the BEC. Port Central is innovative and community conscious in its marketing and promotions, and we welcome their membership.

I’m also delighted to welcome the return of Star FM and 2MC under their new mantle of Macquarie Southern Cross Media. The dynamic Kathleen Norman has joined the team and will be representing MSCM at our events (and we’ll try to drag Manager Matt Howarth in occasionally).

Finally, today, while I’m recognising excellent businesses, I must make a special mention of Gillespie Media who have done a fantastic job in putting together a lot of quality video material to support the Customer Care Awards. Well done Gillespie’s, and I hope all our members and readers will think of you when they need some quality media production.

Now, on with this week’s news:

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Port Macquarie Community College

Introduction to Excel Workshop
Creating Worksheets, Formatting, Formulas, Functions, Printing, Sorting & Filtering, Copying, Moving, Fill-in Feature and Conditional Formatting.
806C009 Thu Jun 12 & Jun 19 2 sessions 6pm-9pm $90

OH & S for Construction Sites
WorkCover Accredited. This course provides training and certification for people working, or hoping to work, in the construction industry, including building, landscaping, plastering, road construction and associated areas.
806W004 Fri Jun 20 1 session 9am-4pm $120

Food Hygiene & Safety
This course covers safe food handling and safe storage, effective use of detergents and sanitisers, waste and pest control. Includes an overview of how the new food safety legislation will affect you. Meets Food Safety Program requirements. Successful participants will gain Statement of Attainment
THHGHS01B – Follow Workplace Hygiene Procedures from Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations).
806W003 Thu Jun 12 1 session 9am-3pm $95

Quality Customer Relations
Learn about customer service strategies that work/don't work, techniques for telephone and face to face communication, techniques for dealing with awkward and difficult customers and situations and strategies to build customer loyalty. Book a workshop for your entire team.
807W007 Thu Jul 17 1 session 9am-4pm $98

Responsible Service of Alcohol
Provider No. 90886 LAB Approved. Participants will receive a Statement of Attainment THHBFB09B Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol from Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations) and a Certificate from the Liquor Advisory Board. The LAB Certificate is required for employment in the industry.
807W003 Wed Jul 2 1 session 9am-4pm $90

Responsible Conduct of Gambling
Provider No. 90886 - LAB Approved. Participants will receive a Statement of Attainment THHADG03B - Provide Responsible Gambling Services from Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations).
807W004 Thu Jul 3 1 session 9am-4pm $90

Bar Skills
Gain a basic understanding of the skills needed and tasks to be undertaken to operate a bar. Australian Training and Consulting Provider No. 90886 Participants will receive Statements of Attainment for the units: THHBFB01B - Operate a Bar, THHBFB00B Clean and tidy bar areas, THHGHS01B Follow workplace hygiene procedures and THHGFA01B - Process Financial Transactions from Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations).
Students must be 18 years or over and hold an RSA Certificate. Participants must collect and complete a workbook prior to attending this course.
807W005 Tue Jul 8 & Jul 9 2 sessions 9am-4pm $230

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Hastings BEC Networking Breakfast – Thursday 12th June 2008

At Port Panthers Rushcutter Room (upstairs, for a change)
7.00 am till 8.30 am
It’s going to be a good one!
Hear from Melinda and Steve about Soft Power Education, and find out how personality profiling can help you in business.

Only $20 for Members and $25 for guests and friends. All welcome.
But. please, RSVP to admin@hastingsbec.com.au by midday Wednesday.

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Second Annual Customer Care Awards Dinner – Friday 13th June 2008

At Port Panthers Auditorium, starting at 6.30 pm
Welcoming drinks and nibbles will be followed by a sumptuous dinner, the Awards, and a floor show dramatising a very spooky story from 1848 – very appropriate for Black Friday.

Tickets are still available from Panthers Reception, and from Council Offices.
Don’t miss it!

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Port Macquarie Home Business Forum

The Home Business Forum meets every 6 weeks in Port Macquarie from 9:15 until 12:30.
Our next meeting is on Friday 13 June 2008 at Panthers. The cost to attend is only $15 with morning tea provided. Our Guest speakers are:

• David Ross - Direction Accounting - 4 Ways to Hidden Profits
David Ross is a Chartered Accountant and Business Coach and has presented courses and seminars to over 300 local businesses with extraordinary results. This presentation will show you how to discover the HIDDEN PROFITS in your business and what to do to reap the rewards. A very practical and critical session for any business owner.

• John Carroll - Joyer Consulting – Marketing for Small Business.
John is a specialist in branding, marketing communications, leadership and corporate culture. He has conducted hundreds of workshops and training sessions and has written and produced thousands of advertisements in all media types for some of the world’s and Australia’s leading brands & businesses.

If you are interested in attending or to find out more,
please contact either Renee Bell Photographer Tel:02 65848866 Email: info@reneebell.com.au
OR Lisa Christie Tel: 0438 847 825 Email: lisa@visualedge.com.au

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A Wallaby is coming to town!

Nick Farr-Jones will be guest speaker at a Corporate Benefit Luncheon
being hosted by Wesley Mission on Friday 13th June 2008 at The Westport Club.

You will have the opportunity to bid for some wonderful charity auction items, and to win a great door prize.

All money raised from this event will go directly to Wesley Mission to help establish an integrated local counselling service. Wesley Mission will be working in conjunction with existing services to assist the most marginalised and vulnerable in our community to address the tragedy of suicide.

Tickets are on sale now from The Westport Club, on 6583 1499
A Corporate Table for 8 can be booked for $720, or individual tickets are available for $95 for an afternoon of fine food and beverage, entertainment and motivation, and all for a really worthwhile cause.

Ticket sales close Friday 6th June. Download brochure from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/NickFarrJones2008.pdf

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NSW TAFE North Coast Institute has an exciting course commencing:

THH21802 Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations) - Cafe Skills

This exciting 10 week course commences on 23 July 2008 and will be offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9.00am to 2.00pm.

Learn the practical Service Skills required for working in the cafe industry including- Preparation and Service of Espresso Coffee, Non alcoholic Beverage Service, Customer Service Skills, Cash Handling Procedures, Hygiene and Cleaning Practices, Gourmet Sandwich Preparation, Organise and Prepare Food, Fast Food Service.
Recognition for units in THH31502 Certificate III Commercial Cookery course will be offered.

Enrolling now!

Contact Port Macquarie Campus on 6581 6200 to secure your place.

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BECs Australia, Business Innovation & Incubation Australia, and National NEIS Association Inc, present

Small Business Development Conference

12th – 15th October 2008
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Victoria

Call for Speakers and Presenters

The Conference Committee invites persons who wish to present at the Small Business Development Conference 2008 to submit abstracts for consideration.
Please download and refer to the following file for further information. www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/SBDC2008.pdf

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Last item. Gerry Walsh (Camera88.com) just emailed me to remind me that there is currently another wave of “Bank Security Alert” emails circulating.
If you get an email “from your bank” asking you to click on a Web address to resolve some problem or other… DON’T.

It IS a scam, designed to capture your account details. If you are in doubt, phone your bank and check.

Be especially suspicious when you are invited to sort out problems with a bank you don’t use. This is generally a fairly useful hint!!!

Now, just as a final “cheer you up”, here is an interesting little tidbit from ABS:

4818.0.55.001 Household Preparedness for Emergencies: NSW, Vic., Qld and ACT, Oct 2007
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4818.0.55.001?OpenDocument

Hope to see you Thursday morning and Friday evening,

02 June 2008

Slightly bemused Winter greetings, Reader,

While the HBEC has a policy of not taking a political stance, some issues defy neutrality. How, in our current global climate of fuel resource depletion, skyrocketing fuel prices and environmental concern could any being more sentient than a lowland iguana propose a new diesel-powered electricity plant?

Regardless of location, aesthetic impact or any of a million other considerations, I think it has to be the wrong answer. What do you think?

Unfortunately, the massive public outcry over the proposed power plant threatens to become confused with a quite separate, and apparently worthy, proposal for an industrial development in a nearby area at Heron’s Creek. Please be careful to recognise these as separate and, I believe, unrelated development proposals.

OK, having got that off my chest, I’ll now focus on our local business scene. And the next fortnight will be pretty hectic, with all kinds of things happening in Port. Not the least will be the Second Annual Customer Care Awards, to be held on Friday evening 13th June. Now, Friday the 13th might not usually be everyone’s favourite night, but for a number of Greater Port Macquarie businesses, this one will be memorable.

The Customer Care program is an initiative of PM-H Council, driven by the untiring efforts of the lovely Rachel Ross and her only slightly less attractive boss Trevor Sargeant. It’s a program designed to promote GPM as a centre of excellence in customer service, with the objective of building “brand awareness” for our region. An obvious spin-off is the increasing number of very happy locals receiving great service at our local businesses.

This year I’ve been a member of the team assessing entries for the CC Awards, and I’m really pleased to report an incredibly high standard of entries. We’ve had a really difficult task in ranking the entrants – and a lot of fun carrying out “mystery shopper” visits without giving the game away. Unfortunately not everyone can be a winner, but I’m sure you will be pleasantly satisfied with the results.

All will be revealed at Panthers Auditorium on Friday evening 13th June. The Awards ceremony will include welcome drinks, a splendid dinner, and an unforgettable floorshow (on an appropriate theme for Friday 13th). Tickets are still available from Panthers reception or from Council offices, so don’t miss out.

A few Customer Care businesses around Port Macquarie do it so well that to miss the opportunity to learn from them would be a sin. So I’m hoping to start including a few thoughts from the operators of CCA finalist businesses in future Updates.

And finally, for today, I’m pleased to report that the Federal Labor Government has announced funding of 36 BECs across Australia for the next four years. Unfortunately this region has missed out at this stage, but I’ll be working through BEC Australia to encourage Minister Emerson to expand the funding to enable us to provide a much broader range of business support services. BEC Australia Chairman, Peter Murray’s media release is available for download at www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/Murray1.doc

Now, on with the show:

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Port Macquarie Community College

Quality Customer Relations
Learn about customer service strategies that work/don't work, techniques for telephone and face to face communication, techniques for dealing with awkward and difficult customers and situations and strategies to build customer loyalty. Book a workshop for your entire team.
807W007 Thursday July 17th 1 session 9am-4pm $98

Starting up a Bed & Breakfast
Learn about the daily issues that confront Bed and Breakfast operators. This enables you to understand why B & B is a trend, not a fad and outlines how to be efficient and successful. Stewart is a research lecturer and internationally published author of several books including Getting into Bed & Breakfast in Australia.
807LR003 Thursday July 3rd 1 session 9am-1pm $55

Introduction to Excel Workshop
Creating Worksheets, Formatting, Formulas, Functions, Printing, Sorting & Filtering, Copying, Moving, Fill-in Feature and Conditional Formatting.
806C009 Thursday June 12th & June 19th 2 sessions 6pm-9pm $90

Introduction to Computers & MS Word
Having skills in Word is your gateway to creating and editing smarter, more efficient documents.
For beginners, this course will take you from the start to expanding your skills and knowledge. This is an accredited course consisting of 2 modules from BSB20101 Cert II in Business. BSBCMN102A - Operate a Personal Computer and BSBCMN213A - Produce Simple Word Processed Documents.
806C022 Monday June 30th to Aug 4th 6 sessions 6pm-9pm $220

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Hastings BEC Networking Breakfast

Our next Networking Breakfast will be held on Thursday 12th June, in the Rushcutter Room at Panthers.
If you can drag yourself out of a warm be near the shortest day of the year, you’ll be adequately rewarded.
As usual, members and guests are very welcome.
The theme for this month is a little exercise in understanding personality types. It should be fun!

RSVP to admin@hastingsbec.com.au and, as usual, Members $20 and Guests $25 payable at the door.

Don’t forget, this Update, together with back-issues since the start of 2008, is now hosted on our Blog at http://hbec.blogspot.com , where you are invited to catch up on activities and leave your comments and suggestions. I also invite you to comment on blog postings. What do you think of issues raised in this issue? Have your say on our Blog.

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Port Macquarie – Hastings Life Education Support Group
Invites you to join us for a special breakfast

DATE: Tuesday 24th June 2008
TIME: 7am – 8:30 am
VENUE: Port Macquarie Panthers ‘ Auditorium’

Special Guest Speaker, Peter Catt will take us through his family’s heart breaking experience of when his precious daughter, Annabel, made a fatal error of judgement.
"What makes this story so poignant is that Annabel did not fit the mould of an “at risk” young person. A talented dancer and teacher, Annabel was a popular girl, brought up in a close loving family. Her enthusiasm for life was infectious, and she made an instant impact on all those who met her.”

COST: $30 per person or $300 for a table of ten
Bookings and pre payment are essential from Port Panthers Phone: 65 802 300
For Further information contact Maggie Barnewall on 0409 457 405

This is a ‘Drug Action Week’ activity. Part of the proceeds of this event will go to Life Education

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Port Macquarie Home Business Forum

The Home Business Forum meets every 6 weeks in Port Macquarie from 9:15 until 12:30.
Our next meeting is on Friday 13 June 2008 at Panthers. The cost to attend is only $15 with morning tea provided. Our Guest speakers are:

• David Ross - Direction Accounting - 4 Ways to Hidden Profits
David Ross is a Chartered Accountant and Business Coach and has presented courses and seminars to over 300 local businesses with extraordinary results. This presentation will show you how to discover the HIDDEN PROFITS in your business and what to do to reap the rewards. A very practical and critical session for any business owner.

• John Carroll - Joyer Consulting – Marketing for Small Business.
John is a specialist in branding, marketing communications, leadership and corporate culture. He has conducted hundreds of workshops and training sessions and has written and produced thousands of advertisements in all media types for some of the world’s and Australia’s leading brands & businesses.

If you are interested in attending or to find out more,
please contact either Renee Bell Photographer Tel:02 65848866 Email: info@reneebell.com.au
OR Lisa Christie Tel: 0438 847 825 Email: lisa@visualedge.com.au

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Become A Small Business Champion!

Be a part of the 2008 Australian Small Business Champion Awards – sponsored by Commonwealth Bank
and get the recognition your business deserves.
It’s time to share and celebrate your achievements!

For further information visit www.businesschampions.com.au

Due to popular demand the closing deadline has been extended!!
Entries close Tuesday 15 July 2008. To download an entry form click here http://www.precedent.net/champions/assets/pdfs/champions_entry_form_2008.pdf .

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A Wallaby is coming to town!

Nick Farr-Jones will be guest speaker at a Corporate Benefit Luncheon
being hosted by Wesley Mission on Friday 13th June 2008 at The Westport Club.

You will have the opportunity to bid for some wonderful charity auction items, and to win a great door prize.

All money raised from this event will go directly to Wesley Mission to help establish an integrated local counselling service. Wesley Mission will be working in conjunction with existing services to assist the most marginalised and vulnerable in our community to address the tragedy of suicide.

Tickets are on sale now from The Westport Club, on 6583 1499
A Corporate Table for 8 can be booked for $720, or individual tickets are available for $95 for an afternoon of fine food and beverage, entertainment and motivation, and all for a really worthwhile cause.

Ticket sales close Friday 6th June. Download brochure from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/NickFarrJones2008.pdf

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Invitation to the 2008 School and Industry Leaders’ Forum

Wauchope Country Club, Thursday 26 June 2008

Industry Focus: Hospitality and Aged Care Sectors

Through the Australian Government’s Career Advice Australia initiative, Mid Coast Youth Career Services and NSW Business Chamber are again hosting a School and Industry Leaders’ Forum. The forum will provide information on regional skills shortages and employment opportunities for young
people in the hospitality and aged care sectors.

Download the brochure from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/SILF2008.pdf

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Rydges Friday Business Lunch

Don’t forget Rydges’ innovative Friday $20 Business Lunch.

A waterfront location, fine wine, fabulous food, great music, be in and out within the hour, and all for only $20. Sounds too good to be true, but Rydges Compass Restaurant is providing exactly that. Friday $20 Business Lunch includes a main course and a glass of wine or draught beer, from 12 noon Fridays.
Reserve your place on 6589 2822

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And, finally, those bespectacled mushrooms (well, they told me they were fun guys!!!!) at the Australian Bureau of Statistics have just released the following datasets:

5676.0 Business Indicators, Australia, Mar 2008
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/5676.0?OpenDocument

8501.0 Retail Trade, Australia, Apr 2008
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/8501.0?OpenDocument

Don’t have too much fun with them…