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,