28 July 2008

Wallaby greetings, Reader,

When all else is going to pot, at least the glorious Wallabies can still put one over that mob from the other side of “the dutch”.

Well, as a financial analyst I’ve turned out to be a promising gardener. No sooner had I predicted recovery than the Australian market took another tumble. All right, I’ll stick to my day job and try not to think about my super savings. Hmmm, is the word “savings” still appropriate?

Now, to add an extra dose of vinegar to the stew, there is a nationwide trucking stoppage looming. While I have some sympathy for the truckies’ plight, it seems to me that getting the rest of the population off-side is not a great way to further the owner/drivers’ cause. One positive side-light could be to focus public attention on the huge distances that our produce is carried, from farm to point of sale.

There is definitely a lot to be said for regional farmers’ markets, and consumption of local produce. Here in Greater Port Macquarie, we have great opportunities to source a lot of our produce locally. Do we? If not, why not? At the Wauchope market last Saturday morning I was able to buy a great range of excellent produce at very competitive prices. The quality is very good, and boy, are they fresh! You really can taste the difference.

Speaking of freshness and quality… Congratulations to the Hastings Business Women’s Network (and no, I’m not going to use the “t” word) who held a great event last Friday night at Mercure Centro Hotel to celebrate their 200th Member.

To President Gale, VP Margaret, the Committee and members, Well Done! I’m going to refrain from any comment about a certain party game involving pinning parts on a man (especially as I understand that a female HBEC Member played A Not Zo minor part in organising it). It’s great for the BEC to have a close working relationship with HBWN. We are fortunate in having several strong business networking groups in this area and, through close cooperation and mutual support, everyone benefits.

On with this week’s activities:

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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

MS Publisher Essentials Let your imagination soar! Desktop publishing is fun and has scope for many different applications including brochures, flyers, greeting and business cards, advertisements, newsletters and letterheads. In this one day workshop you will learn how to create, edit and manipulate pictures and text using wizards and drawing tools.808C005 Sat Aug 16 1 session 9am-4pm $75

Introduction to Excel Workshop An ideal course for small business owners or householders who want to keep track of their budgets, or set up a simple spreadsheet. Learn creating worksheets, formatting, formulas, functions, printing, sorting & filtering, copying, moving, fill-in feature and conditional formatting.808C013 Wed Aug 27 1 session 9am-3pm $90

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 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

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Low cost business computing

For people operating small businesses, where every dollar counts, there are excellent alternatives to those very expensive Microsoft products. Bill has gone. There is no reason to make him any richer. Yes, the alternatives have now reached “business standard”. I am testing the waters to see who might be interested in a couple of workshops to be held at the PM Community College to introduce the much cheaper (even free) alternatives.

Please email me admin@hastingsbec.com.au to express your interest.

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Hastings BEC Networking Breakfast, Thursday 14th August 2008

This is the one we’ve been waiting for. Sponsored by J&H Tours. Helen and John Ross will introduce their sensational tour and travel offerings.You can be sure this will be a memorable breakfast.

Venue: Panthers Pier One Restaurant7.00 am start (and being a few minutes early will do no harm as we anticipate a big attendance).As usual, $20 for HBEC Members, and $25 for guests
RSVP (so we can cater for numbers), to admin@hastingsbec.com.au by cob Tuesday 12th August.
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Online business is smart business.

In ever-increasing numbers, small businesses are stepping into the global marketplace and taking their goods and services far beyond the traditional reach of the phone book. Using the internet to communicate and do business can help you reach a much wider market both locally and overseas, as well as saving you time and money.

Along with the many benefits e-marketplaces can offer are more than a few virtual traps for businesses to navigate. For example, how can you guarantee the security of your customers’ credit card details, or protect your own information? How can you protect your intellectual property – your logos, ideas, products – from illegal use? What about privacy, consumer protection, licensing?

Once you've got all the legal requirements considered, you can turn your attention to acquiring the electronic equipment and software you need to run your business. The next step then is to plan, design, build and market your website. Remember, a well planned and designed website will make it easier for you to do business - not only with your customers but also with your suppliers. To set up a website you can employ the services of your internet service provider (ISP), a specialist web designer (and we have a couple of excellent members in this field) or develop the site yourself by choosing to invest in web skills.

Once you have established your website, it is important to ensure that it is properly protected, to prevent sensitive data being stolen, corrupted or destroyed. In particular, any pages within your website where you accept customer information and credit card details must be secure. For planning guides, information on getting a website name, and help with setting up your website, visit the E-business topic at http://www.business.gov.au/ .

There are also a range of grants and assistance to get online, including IT training, technical support and skills development. For a list of grants, visit the E-business topic at http://www.business.gov.au/ .

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Masquerade Charity Ball

Friday 1st August 2008, from 6.45 pm. Cost $85 per person.To benefit Mid Coast Care and Hastings Women & Children’s Refuge Inc.

Elly Franchimont cabaret band, drinks on arrival, canapes main and dessert, fabulous door and raffle prizes.

For bookings, contact kate_woodfoye@rydges.com or 6589 2811

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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.

2005 was the 10th anniversary of the Program which is based on a proven approach to co-operative learning between business people. More than 1,800 women have participated in the Mentor Program since its inception.

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

The women who join the Mentor Program come from a diverse range of backgrounds, which reflects the multi-faceted character of small business in NSW. For example, a recent Program included a light and furniture designer, a doctor turned apothecarist, a baby behavioural management specialist, a farm holiday service, a free trade coffee importer, an award-winning kitchen designer and a manufacturer of stormwater treatment devices.

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 )

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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 starts at 6.30 pm. Cricket commentator and comedian Kerry O’Keeffe will be master of ceremonies.

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

Download your invitation flyer here: www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/busawardssingle.pdf
Don’t miss out!

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Now, for a taste of something a little different this week.

Do you think electronic voting is a good idea? Have a look at this site, and then see whether you still think the same…
http://nightweed.com/printableusavotefacts.html

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New bumper sticker: “Don’t blame me, I voted informal. But I didn’t think my guy would get in!”

See you next week,