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…