30 June 2008

End of FY greetings, Reader,
A beautiful sunny 22C day makes it hard to realise we are nearing mid-winter as we wrap up another Financial Year. Hopefully you and your business have done OK, despite increased interest rates and fuel costs heading the way of gold and diamonds.
The completion of another year is a timely reminder of the need for all of us to consider our decision-making processes. Do you make business and financial decisions logically or emotionally? Find out what “Behavioural Decision Making” is all about. COMPASS financial management have kindly arranged a very useful presentation for our July 10th BEC Breakfast. See the full details below, and don’t miss out on this one. It will be interesting and fun!
Last Saturday night at Tommies By The Beach, a celebration dinner was held for supporters of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. I enjoyed meeting a lot of people from all over northern NSW who support this wonderful service. I wouldn’t hazard a guess as to how many lives have been saved by the Westpac RHS who do some of the hairiest flying imaginable in order to save other people.
To give you an idea of the service Westpac RHS provides, During the 3 months from 1 Dec 2007 to 26 Feb 2008, the Hunter – Mid North Coast unit performed: 177 primary missions (typically rescuing casualties from car accidents and other life-threatening situations) 69 inter-hospital transfers, and 17 search and rescue missionsA full list of missions can be found at www.rescuehelicopter.com.au
I vividly recall television footage of a helicopter from sister service, SouthCare, operating out of Canberra during the Sydney to Hobart race a number of years ago. In 70 knot (120 km/h) winds and rain, the helicopter crew hovered above stricken yachts while the (absolutely insane!) rescue crewman (and woman!) was repeatedly winched down into the sea to retrieve shipwreck survivors. The image of the helicopter “hovering” – actually continually rising and falling to match the massive sea swell underneath – in those horrendous conditions is indelibly etched in my mind. Amazing flying skills, and incredible guts all round.
A very similar scene was enacted by a Westpac RHS crew above the Pasha Bulker in Newcastle last year. A fantastic effort.
It’s a great service that we should be very proud of, and it deserves our strong support. You’ll hear more on the subject later, when we will take part in a fund-raising exercise for the service.
Welcome to new Community Relations Officer for Sponsor Member Country Energy, Ms Sandra Hollins. Sandra will be coming along to our breakfasts to suss us out. Sandra is also keen for Country Energy to introduce us to ways in which we can save on our power consumption (and therefore costs), and that has to be a good thing. We will explore opportunities during future BEC events.
Finally, for this week, goodbye WorkDirections and hello Jobfind Centres. Our very supportive Sponsor Member WorkDirections has just been rebranded Following the successful acquisition and integration of WorkDirections Australia with Jobfind Centres Australia, all WorkDirections Australia sites have now changed their business name to Jobfind Centre Workforce Development (Jobfind). Congratulations to Port Macquarie Manager, Pam Foye and her team, and we look forward to continuing our great relationship under their new banner.
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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 Thu Jul 17 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 Thu Jul 3 1 session 9am-1pm $55
Starting up a Coffee Shop/Restaurant Everything you need to know before purchasing or starting a coffee shop, tearoom or small restaurant. Useful information for all aspiring owners or managers. Learn the importance of market research, market research surveys and answers to questions such as, should we start a new business or buy an existing one? Topics covered include; leases (not legal advice), insurances, staff, pricing, menu planning, design & presentation as well as the kitchen and food safety.807LR004 Thu Jul 3 1 session 1:30pm-4:30pm $40 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
Intermediate Excel Workshop Take the next step with Excel. You will learn about absolute references, charts, more functions, linking and protecting worksheets.807C004 Thu Jul 10 to Jul 17 2 sessions 6:15pm-9:15pm $90807C008 Fri Jul 25 1 session 9am-3pm $90 Computer Skills for the Office If you are seeking employment or returning to the workforce this course will provide an excellent grounding in essential skills for office administration. It will include a keyboarding speed test to Australian Standard AS2708-2001. Five units of competency: BSBCMN107A Operate a personal computer, BSBCMN108A Develop keyboard skills, BSBCMN213A Produce simple word processed documents, BSBCMN214A Create and use simple spreadsheets and ICAU1133A Send and Receive Information using web browsers and email. Statement of Attainment from Certificate II in Business BSB20101.807C020 Tue Jul 22 to Nov 11 15 sessions 9:30am-12:30pm $520
A usual, contact the College on 6583 7288 or online at www.portace.com.au
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HBEC Networking Breakfast, Thursday 10th July at Rydges Port Macquarie.
This will be a memorable breakfast. Thanks to COMPASS financial management, and their close connection with AXA Australia, we are able to introduce AXA Business Development Manager, Mr Andrew McCormack to speak on “Behavioural decision making”. Following on from our ongoing discussions of personality issues relating to business, this talk is right on the button.
The presentation is based around “behavioural concepts” and in particular, behavioural finance. Why people make various decisions, sometimes irrational ones.Importantly, these same issues relate to your business, and how your customers relate to you and, perhaps, how you relate to them. An understanding of behavioural decision making may give you a greater insight on the behavioural decision making of your customers, and the way your behaviour may impact on your customers. Any methods that helps you better understand your customers, positions you well to assist them to satisfy their needs. A positive outcome for you both.
As usual breakfast will commence at 7.00am (sharp) and finish by 8.30am.
This will be a very interesting breakfast, so book your place now. RSVP to admin@hastingsbec.com.au Members and Guests welcome$20 for Members, $25 for Guests
Remember: This breakfast is at Rydges Port Macquarie
+ = + TrustDefender and BCU join forces to announce an ‘Australian first’ in the fight against online crimeLeading regional credit union, BCU has announced that it will provide the TrustDefender online security solution to all its customers, free of charge and thereby herald in a new era in transacting online!Sydney Australia – Thursday 26 June, 2008 - TrustDefender, a leading provider of ‘On Demand’ Security Technologies, announced today it will partner with leading regional credit union, BCU (Bananacoast Community Credit Union) to provide all BCU customers with the TrustDefender security solution in order to help protect them when they do their online banking with BCU. This ‘Australian first’ means that BCU is providing its customers with a level of security protection notoffered by any other bank or financial institution in Australia.For more information on this innovative move, please download the full media release www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/TrustDefender.pdf With the recent flood of “phishing” expeditions and online security breaches, this is a very timely initiative. Well done BCU!
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New Business Member, IT West is presenting a seminar called “The 5 biggest mistakes small business computer owners make with their computers”.
I know the biggest ones I make (and they usually start with “M”), but you can find out more: Where: Mercure Centro Hotel103 William Street, Port MacquarieDate: Tuesday 8 JulyTime: 5.00pm—6.15pmRSVP to Brooke via phone or email by Friday 4 JulyPhone: 6884 3188 - Email: admin@itwest.biz
Download the full brochure from: www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/itwest.pdf
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Because too many awards is never enough…
WorkCover NSW 2008 SafeWork Awards
Have you developed or implemented a solution to a workplace safety issue?Then be recognised for your commitment to safety by entering the WorkCover NSW 2008 SafeWork Awards.The SafeWork Awards is an annual event designed to recognise and promote innovative businesses dedicated in promoting health and safety in the workplace.
The awards are open to any NSW registered business, organisation or individual. You can nominate yourself or someone can nominate on your behalf.Entries to the 2008 Awards close at 5pm Friday 11 July. For more information please visit www.safeworkawards.com.au
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Don’t forget the Charity Golf & Bowls Day, in support of Starlight Children’s Foundation, Australia
Date: Sunday 20 July 2008Venue: Wauchope Country ClubEvent: 9 Hole 3 Person AmbroseCost: $22.00 includes Green Fees and a light lunchStart time 9.30amContact - Michelle McDonald on 0417 204 850PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING A SPONSOR!
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HURRY – LAST DAYS TO BECOME A SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION!
The Australian Small Business Champion Awards is the only national comprehensive awards program of its type to acknowledge and support the hard work and achievements of small businesses across Australia whilst providing state and national recognition.
The Awards are open to all eligible small businesses within the retail or service sectors with no more than 40 full-time employees and the manufacturing industry with no more than 100 full-time employees.
From now until entries close on TUESDAY 15 JULY 2008, Australian small businesses are invited to enter one of the 34 industry categories and in addition, may choose to enter one Entrepreneur Award category.
The Awards program is proudly presented by Precedent Productions and supported by the Major Sponsor, Commonwealth Bank Local Business Banking; Associate Sponsors, Reckon, the Australian developers of QuickBooks, CPA Australia and Fairfax Community Newspapers; Champions Supporters, NT Department of Business, Economic and Regional Development, NSW Department of State and Regional Development and the Council of Small Business of Australia.
For further details and to download and entry form visit: www.businesschampions.com.au
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At EOFY it’s timely to mention a workshop the fun-loving people at the ATO have coming up…
The Record Keeping Workshop provided free by the Australian Taxation Office is great for those new in business.
The free workshop will be held at Westport Club, Buller Street, Port Macquarie on Wednesday 3rd September 2008, from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm.To register please email nsw.taxbasics@ato.gov.au or call 1300 661 104 Or, you could contact Tracey Corbin-Matchett, Marketing and Education, ATO – Hurstville on (02) 9374 1771 or tracey.corbin-matchett@ato.gov.au
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Finally, the fungis at ABS have just released the following couple of datasets:
1350.0 Australian Economic Indicators, Jul 2008http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/1350.0?OpenDocument
8635.0 Tourist Accommodation, Australia, Mar 2008http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/8635.0?OpenDocument looks interesting!
And that’s it for another week in the jewel of the nation.
Dwell on this: the correct collective noun is a tok of capercaillies. So, the next time you see a whole “herd” of capercaillies dallying around your vicinity, you will know how to address them correctly – as a tok.