8 September 2008

Sunny Spring greetings, Reader,

Well, the hustling is over and we have a new Federal Member for Lyne. Congratulations to Rob Oakeshott.

Last week’s Great Debate was very successful, with a full house audience appreciating the efforts of our local businesspeople to promote or refute the proposition that “A big salary beats work-life balance hands down”. While the debate was enjoyable, and vigorously conducted, the outcome was never in any doubt. How could it be? We’ve chosen to live and work here in Port Macquarie, where the salaries are down but the quality of life is stratospheric. Anyway, congratulations to the Mid North Coast HR Network, Hastings Business Womens Network and NSW Business Chamber for organising another beaut function.

Next event on the calendar is our HBEC Networking Breakfast this Thursday, 11th September, at Panthers Pier One. After toying with some ideas, I’ve asked 8 of our small business winners from the recent GPM Business Awards to form a panel to discuss “What makes a small business successful?” Questions will be invited from breakfast participants, and we can be assured of an interesting discussion. See item below for your reservation.

We are only one week away from the first major performance organised by The Glasshouse Arts, Conference and Entertainment Centre. Of course, it can’t yet be staged in the Glasshouse, but Panthers have very generously agreed to host Madame Butterfly in their auditorium. This will be a fantastic production and, if you haven’t already reserved your place, there are still some good seats available from the Glasshouse Box Office on 6581 8888. See the item below for details.

Our BEC Members Barb and Laurie Smith are back, after volunteering at yet another Olympics. Congratulations, and well done to Barb and Laurie who are terrific representatives for our community.

Finally, for this week,

Be careful of your emails. There is another rash of fraudulent and, this time, virus-loaded hoax emails circulating. See item below for details.

Now, on with this week’s activities – and there is a lot of them:

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Port Macquarie Community College

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 11 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 ring 6583 7288 to register

Welcome to Work Workshop
Be prepared for the first day at work! Learn the skills and techniques to make starting work a breeze by gaining an insight to how an office is set up, how people work together, the type of work people do, the type of equipment used, workplace etiquette, how to set up a workstation and understand terminology and effective listening skills.
809W005 Mon Sep 22 1 session 9am-5pm $98

Excel Assessment
Do you possess Excel Skills but have no formal recognition for this? If you have done the Introduction and the Intermediate Excel classes with the College, or you have the equivalent skills then this two hour assessment class is for you. Successful participants will receive a Statement of Attainment BSBCMN214A - Create and use simple spreadsheets from Certificate II in Business BSB20101. $95 Call to register your interest Date to be arranged.

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.
809C001 Mon Sep 22 to Oct 20 4 sessions 9am-12pm $148

Your Business Presentations with Powerpoint
Powerpoint is a powerful tool which is widely used in boardrooms, classrooms and meeting rooms. From sales presentations and passive advertising to staff orientation, discover the hidden uses for Powerpoint in your Business. Create professional presentations that make your business stand out from the crowd.
809C004 Tue Sep 16 to Sep 30 3 sessions 6pm-9pm $93

Composition for Digital Photography
This course will look at the elements and principles that make up good composition and some advanced photoshop elements techniques as well as raw file formats. Topics to be studied are the elements of line, direction, shape, size, texture, value and colour and the principles of repetition, alternation, harmony, gradation, contrast dominance, unity and balance.
809C011 Tue Sep 9 to Oct 21 7 sessions 1:30pm-4pm $190

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Hastings BEC Networking Breakfast, Thursday 11th September
Panthers Pier One Restaurant
6.45am for 7.00am start
This will be another big one, so don’t forget to RSVP to admin@hastingsbec.com.au by cob Tuesday, please!

This month’s breakfast will feature a panel discussion of “What makes a small business successful?”.
Eight of our best and brightest young entrepreneurs will field your questions and provide insights into their own success.
Panelists will be:
- Kylie Little, from The Little Brewing Company – winner of every award under the sun
- Chris Denny, from The Observatory – winner of every accommodation award ever invented (and now Hall of Fame inductee!)
- Daniel Jordan, from Joyer “Intergalactic Enterprises” (OK, I made that bit up!), a highly successful, award winning IT marketing and media business
- Chris Harris, from Luxe Café and Fine Foods – the home of yummy tucker! and hospitality award winner.
- Leasa Harris, who also wears a hat for Elders Real Estate Port Macquarie – Business Awards winner.
- Sue Reid, from Discovery Health & Fitness – Multi Award winner and synonymous with fitness and health in Port Macquarie, and
- Michael Reid, wearing his hat for Jeffrey, Reid, Flanagan Valuations – award winning financial services business.

Again, thanks to the generosity of our members we have a couple of fantastic major door prizes this month.
Adam Roberts from Digital Design & Poster Studio, has provided a $250 open order voucher, and
Daniel Jordan from Joyer is providing a 10.4 inch digital photo frame (RRP around $300). I love those things!
You have to be there to be in the draw.

As usual, Members $20 and Guests are welcome at $25
RSVP to admin@hastingsbec.com.au by cob Tuesday, please.

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The Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce’s next member information and networking night will be on
Tuesday, 16 September at Quality Sails Resort at 6.30pm following the AGM.

Date: Tuesday 16 September 2008
Time: 6.30pm (following the AGM starting at 6.15pm)
Venue: Quality Resort Sails, Port Macquarie
Cost: $10.00 for members $20.00 for non-members
Drinks and savouries will be provided on the night
Non-members and guests are most welcome
For catering purposes please RSVP by 3:00pm 15 September 2008 to (02) 6583 4412 or info@portchamber.com.au

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The Glasshouse Arts, Conference & Entertainment Centre presents
MADAME BUTTERFLY
at Panthers Port Macquarie
Tuesday 16 Sept and Wednesday 17 Sept 2008 at 8pm

Single Tickets Now On Sale
A Reserve
Adult $45 | Concession $40 | Student & U18 $25

Premium
Adult $65 | Concession $60 | Student & U18 $55

GROUP BOOKINGS of 10+ people qualify for the concession rate on tickets.
If you are booking with friends, please let the Glasshouse Box Office know to ensure that your seats are allocated beside each other.

There are 2 simple ways to purchase a ticket – Telephone the Glasshouse Box Office on 6581 8888 or book online via the Glasshouse website www.glasshouse.org.au

Download this flyer www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/madameb.pdf for full details of Cast, Production and Storyline.

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Pine O’Queen

HBEC Member and Macquarie Southern Cross Media Account Manager Kathleen Norman will be representing the Combined Rotary Clubs of the Port Macquarie Hastings for the coming Carnival of the Pines.

Kathleen will be raising funds by way of a Dinner at The Stunned Mullet on Thursday 18th September at 6:30pm.
Tickets are only $75 per head and include a two course meal (main & dessert) plus wine.
Kathleen is organising lucky door prizes and a raffle with vouchers for Restaurant meals; petrol; supermarket just to name a few.

CONTACT: Kathleen Norman 6583 8088 / 0438 006 566
Or EMAIL kathleen.norman@macsc.com.au

Hope you can make it along and help in raising funds for a very worthwhile cause!
Download a PowerPoint extravaganza with details, from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/Pines.ppt

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Mid Coast Care is presenting a 3-part breakfast series “A Woman’s Heart”, in support of the Women’s Refuge in Port Macquarie.
Sponsored by Rydges Port Macquarie and Focus Magazine, this series of breakfasts also celebrates the 6th anniversary of the charity Mid Coast care.

Breakfasts will be held at Rydges Port Macquarie on Wed 24th September, Fri 17th October, and Fri 14th November 2008.

Women of Port Macquarie come along… be moved and support those women and children in our community who are fleeing domestic violence.

Full details by downloading the brochure www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/mccawh.pdf
Phone Liz (Mon, Tue) 0427 085 801 or Jo (Wed, Thu, Fri) 6581 3303

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Congratulations to HBEC Patron Member BCU for earning top marks in business banking, third year in a row.

This month local community credit union, BCU, has been awarded fi ve-star ratings in CANNEX’s Business Banking Star Ratings Report (September 2008).

For the third year running, BCU has been awarded fi ve-star ratings for its business lending products, with CANNEX remarking that ‘There are some very impressive business banking products on offer from credit unions like BCU...As well as the strong product range...its the level of personal service that is most impressive’.

CANNEX is Australia’s leading independent fi nancial services research group, and five stars is the highest possible rating, indicating ‘superior value’.

See the full press release at www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/BCUCANNEX.pdf

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State by-election Meet the Candidates

The Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce intends to hold a ‘meet the candidates’ night at Port Panthers on Tuesday 7 October.
Should you wish to participate you would be most welcome.

Put it in your diary. More details in due course

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Thrive in the current landscape: Cash Flow Management

Special breakfast seminar, co-hosted by NSW Business Chamber and ANZ
In these tight economic times with high interest rates and petrol prices, it is not only essential that you review your cash flow for maintaining your business, but you also find ways of improving your cash flow to take up opportunities for your business to grow.

During tight economic conditions there can be opportunities to grow your business at a lower cost and with less effort than during better economic times, and with a good cash flow plan you can take advantage for longer term business growth.

This seminar is designed to push some buttons for you to use and review the skills you have in controlling your cash flow in areas such as:

> Managing a small business
> Keys to being successful
> Business planning
> Managing cash flow

You will walk away with practical ideas to implement immediately in your business.
$30 for NSW Business Chamber Members, $60 for non-members
Port Macquarie
Tuesday, 23 September 7.00 - 9.00am Register Now


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WARNING

If you receive the following email (or similar – there are several variations doing the rounds)…

Dear Valued Customer:
ID: aqb

As you have requested, we are sending you this abstract of transactions performed with your credit card between 1/1/2008 and 8/1/2008.

The Abstract with your account details is attached to this message. Please download the attached file to view or print the document.

Sincerely,
Brandy Tilley
Manager of Visa / MasterCard
Credit Card Services

Do yourself a favour, and DELETE IT.
DO NOT OPEN the attachment and DO NOT REPLY

The attachment contains a “Trojan” infection that will infect your computer.
All that replying will do is confirm that your email address is “alive” to the spammers.

Use a quality, reputable Anti-virus package and keep it up to date. Daily updates are important!
If you did receive a similar email, and if your anti-virus did not report it as infected, update or change your antivirus package.

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Smoke and mirrors: The truth behind interest rate reductions

BCU have sent a media release discussing the current interest rate issues. Download the media release from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/bcuinterest.pdf

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Useful information

I’m now receiving frequent information from Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research – Thanks Leonie.

The following very useful and informative documents are available for download from HBEC site:
- Greening your business ( download www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/gyb.doc )
- Marketing your business for success Parts 1 and 2 ( download www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/mybfs.doc )
- Create a website for your business ( download www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/caw.doc )
- Employing people ( download www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/ep.doc )
- Exporting – article from Business.Gov.Au ( download www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/exp.doc ).

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Chris Newton, of Marketing Help Online, has made contact with BECs to promote his online business.

“Marketing Help Online’ encapsulates decades of testing what works best to market small businesses, and gives you the answers on a platter. It is a business owner’s dream toolkit, an ideas factory, and even a staff members training tool, all rolled into one. Accessible online, it gives you an abundance of processes that lift your daily success rate.

Renowned author of the system, Chris Newton, has put his money back guarantee in writing. That Marketing Help Online WILL work for you (as long as you work with it).” Find out how to get it at ( www.marketinghelponline.com.au/BEC004 )

Download the brochure with full details from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/BEC004.pdf (warning 2 MB file )

Declaration: If you choose to enrol with Marketing Help Online, Hastings BEC will receive a small referral fee (commission).

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And I think that’s about it for another week in Independence-ville. OK Rob, we’ve elected you, now let’s see some results.

Cheers,