11 August 2008

Chilly greetings, Reader,

I don’t know how the PRIME network managed to organise it, but I’m sure the chilly weather over the weekend helped to ensure record numbers in front of warm fires and TVs for the Olympics opening events. The coverage has been fantastic, and is a real credit to the Australian production team involved. Watching in high definition on a big screen is breathtaking – maybe even better in some ways than being there.

Two of the teams I have particularly enjoyed have been The Opals (women’s basketball) and the Australian Womens Beach Volleyball. What do these two have in common (apart from a lot of gorgeous, fit, tall Aussie women)? Well, the costumes of course. Both supplied by our member business Soft Edges. Out of pure loyalty to Soft Edges I promise to very closely watch every match that these two teams play – all the way to gold ;-)

Having complimented PRIME on the coverage, I will add a plea to cut down on the continuous repetition of the same promotions for upcoming shows. Over and over again… it’s enough to give a bloke the dry racking sobs. Aversion therapy sure has turned me off watching those shows and, if I see a chicken eater slapping someone again, I’m likely to turn postal!

Last week I dropped in a plug for a triathlon costume. I chose to insert the plug as I thought it provided an opportunity for BEC Members and local businesses to increase their exposure a bit. I’ve been advised that all may not be quite as it appeared and, in fact, my note may have unintentionally misled people. The “Michael” mentioned in the insert was assumed by some to be Michael Reid (for obvious reasons, with Mike Reid’s high profile involvement in the triathlon / Ironman scene), but this is NOT the case. I apologise to Mike Reid for any confusion, and to Sue Reid and Discovery Health and Fitness similarly.

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I frequently include in this email links to Australian Bureau of Statistics data. Now you have the opportunity to discover how to make this freely available data work for your business.

Effective Business Planning and Decision Making using ABS data

This 90 minute seminar will show you how to gain advantage for your business from the huge range of data freely available online from Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Presenter: Amanda Biltoft (BA, Dip Soc, MBA, Master Politics Public Policy)
National Account Manager, Private Sector Australian Bureau of Statistics

Location Date& Time Venue Investment
Port Macquarie Wednesday
August 20
3pm to 4.30pm Port Macquarie Community
College
77 Hastings River Drive $25
($15 for HBEC Members)

For the full brochure, download this document: www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/absdatapres.doc

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Port Macquarie Community College

Communicating with Customers
If you have contact with customers and want to explore your own interpersonal communication style and its impact on others, then this is the course for you. The dynamics of communication in the encounter between a customer or team member can be quite complex. This program focuses on customer service and examines the communication skills which help you to establish a relationship with your customer which is conducive to creating a happy and long lasting relationship. Communication processes like non-verbal communication, assertiveness, listening, questioning and feedback skills will be covered in this "hands-on" workshop.
808W002 Wed Aug 13 1 session 9am-4pm $98

Advanced Excel Workshop
This course follows on from the Introduction and Intermediate Excel classes and is for participants who use Excel on a regular basis and need to know the advanced functions for extracting information or customising workbooks. Topics include: macros, templates, lookup tables, merging with word, pivot tables and creation of form controls.
808C006 Tue Aug 26 & Sep 2 2 sessions 6pm-9pm $90

MYOB Advanced Workshop
This short course will enhance your existing skills in MYOB with GST Reports BASlink, jobs, time billing, customising MYOB, forms, useful reports and report batches, designing, filtering, saving reports, to do list, contact log, entering transactions directly in the register, invoicing/sales tips and how to use inventory items creatively. Time is also allowed to cover topics raised by students.
808C008 Tue Aug 19 to Sep 9 4 sessions 6pm-9pm $148

MS Word Essentials
This class is ideal for expanding your skills and knowledge with MS Word. Topics covered will be saving documents, navigation, adjusting margins and layout, shortcuts, copy and move, search and replace, simple tables, autotext, mailmerge, printing and more.
808C003 Fri Aug 1 1 session 9am-3pm $90

NEW Body Language

We base our judgements of people primarily on their non-verbal communications, but it is easy to misjudge people because non-verbal communication is so difficult to 'read'. You will have the opportunity in this course to explore the impact that your own non-verbal messages have on your relationship with others and develop strategies to improve your interpersonal communication.
809W006 Thu Sep 11th 1 session 9am-4pm $98

Colourful Insights into Communication

Here is an opportunity to gain a communication tool which not only achieves results but creates an entertaining, dynamic and unforgettable professional development experience. Based on the research of Carl Yung this workshop introduces an easy to understand communication tool through which to identify and celebrate existing strengths and emerging human potential. At the same time it promotes self awareness. The true colours metaphor demonstrated in this workshop can easily be used to identity learning needs in students and respond, motivate and work collaboratively with the personality styles of managers, colleagues, customers and family.
810W007 Tue Sep 30 1 session 9am-4pm $98

FREE INFORMATION SESSION TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT THIS CLASS IS ABOUT IS ON WEDNESDAY 10 SEPT 9AM TO 10:30AM

Please phone the College to register: 6583 7288

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HBEC Networking Breakfast – This Thursday, 14th August at Panthers Pier One Restaurant

Hosted by J&H Tours, this will be a terrific breakfast.

Mandy Miller, from J&H Tours will be whetting your appetite for travel, with an illustrated presentation.

Glen Kolpak has now taken over the running of the annual Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Golf Day from Kylie Eakin.
This year WRHS have been asked to bring the date forward to September to suit one of their sponsors. The date will be Monday 15th September and Glen will be promoting the day at breakfast.

We anticipate a large attendance, so RSVP by cob Tuesday 12th to admin@hastingsbec.com.au

As usual, Members $20. Guests and Visitors welcome at $25.

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Business of the Year Final Vote

Thanks to everyone for participating in the Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards 2008. It’s been a great success so far!

We have all the finalists for the 23 business categories, and for “Most Nominated”, "Disability Friendly" and "Environmental".
Voting for the “Peoples’ Choice” award through the Port Macquarie News will continue until close of business on Wednesday, August 20.

All we need now is your vote on the "Port Macquarie Business of the Year" and the overall winner, “Business of the Year” categories.
It’s a lot easier than the last vote – you only need to vote for your top three (3) from the finalists in both categories and submit it to us.

Let’s make sure the best business wins!

To vote, click here ( address: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=BkpkV45VNe5ezryCbrUVbw_3d_3d ).

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A few years ago, when a young family friend was dying of leukaemia. I saw the enormous support provided to his family by Ronald McDonald House, so I am delighted to support the
Ronald McDonald House In The Hunter - Gala Charity Dinner & Show.

The Dinner and Show will be held at Tommy’s By The Beach at 6.30pm on Wednesday 3rd September 2008.
Tickets are only $60 and include “Tommy’s Punch”, canapes and two-course dinner and, of course, the show.
There will also be a charity auction and lucky door prizes.

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

Tickets and information from: Mandy Miller 6583 1788 or Email mmiller@rossgroup.com.au

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The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge is a National competition for Government, Catholic and Independent schools. It is a non-profit initiative of Global Rock Challenge. The purpose of it is to give young people the opportunity to stage a major performance and access facilities and light and sound production that they would normally never be able to afford. The standards are astonishingly high. Schools compete in heats all around Australia and then finalists are selected for Grand Finals.

St Columba Anglican School has achieved the remarkable, and is one of 8 schools to compete in the Sydney Grand Final on Friday 05 September.

They need financial help to enable their travel and incidental costs. Business sponsorship is urgently requested. If your business can help, please download this information: www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/ColumbaRock.doc for details of how you can help.

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Chrissy Jones is promoting a Camden Haven Cruise feature for the September issue of Holiday Coast Pictorial.

Closing date for booking and copy is 25th August.
See this document for details of the promotion: www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/CHCruise.pdf

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Port Golf Day – all proceeds to Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

Date: Monday 15th September 2008, rego from 11am, 12 noon shotgun start.
Price: $50 per player including green fees, bbq lunch and nibblies at the presentation.
Teams of 4. 18 hole ambrose at Port Macquarie Golf Club.
Great team and individual prizes. Hole sponsorships are still available.

For info: Glen on 1800 155 155 or email glen.kolpak@rescuehelicopter.com.au

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How to win more tenders...Upcoming Workshops

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council E-Tendering System

Hello artists and creatives, this is your chance to tell the people who run our e-tendering services how difficult it was for you guys to use the system or maybe learn their secrets. More and more council services will go through tendering processes e.g. for graphic design, etc.

One day workshop in Sydney (16 or 17 September ) Brisbane and Melbourne
Ring Annette Eassie 9270 2502 from Regional Arts NSW for the possibility of a Quick Turnaround Grant towards the $324-50 workshop fee

Download full details from: www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/etender.doc

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Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Dinner and Ceremony 2008

Friday 29 August is the big night, when Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards 2008 will be presented.

Tickets are now on sale through Panthers Port Macquarie for $75 per head or $750 per table.

The evening will start at 6.30 pm. Cricket commentator and comedian Kerry O’Keeffe will be master of ceremonies for the evening. If you’ve ever listened to ABC test cricket commentary, you will have an idea what to expect. Lubricate your laughing gear!

It will be a fun evening and an opportunity for all businesses to gain maximum exposure.

Don’t miss out!

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Women In Business Mentor Program

The Women in Business Mentor Program is a six-month agenda that helps women business owners (mentorees) grow their business by linking them with experienced business people (mentors). Using a combination of mentoring, practical business workshops and networking events, the Program lends a hand to women to improve their business skills and successfully manage business growth.

Results from past Programs show a significant increase in business income, business employment levels and networking opportunities.

Many women who are mentorees return later to become mentors. This underlines the commitment to, and success of, the Program.

For more information about this program, or to take part, please contact Gale Oxenford ( gale.oxenford@priority1.com.au )

The 2008 program is about to start, but late applicants may still be accepted.

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Vale Isaac Hayes. The theme to Shaft was formative music for many “boomers” and “X’s”, and one could only admire his ‘bling’.

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OK. Back to the beach volleyball… er, to admire the Seabird Swimwear!