17 November 2008

Fascinating times, Reader,

Last Thursday’s HBEC Networking Breakfast was given over entirely to the subject of the future of the HBEC.

Mr John Davies, President of the Board of Port Macquarie Community College explained to the assembly a little of the history of HBEC, and especially the College’s role in providing the BEC a lifeline about 4 years ago, when government funding was withdrawn. There is no question that without the support of PM Community College, Hastings BEC would have gone the way of many others, and ceased operations at that time.

Four years on, HBEC is strong and growing steadily – with the College’s support. The College Board has decided – quite correctly in my opinion – that the BEC is not core business for the future of the College, and the time has come to find a new home for HBEC. The Board has invited expressions of interest from organizations capable of providing ongoing support for the HBEC. The opportunity to lodge expressions of interest closes this week, and assessments by the College Board will follow.

At last Thursday’s breakfast, a number of members expressed a strong desire to participate in determining the future of the HBEC. John expressed his view that the decision was ultimately one for the College Board.

Members present expressed a strong desire for the HBEC to continue its current functions. Several mentioned the possibility of the HBEC incorporating in some form as a free-standing entity. The viability of such a move would require close analysis. The EOI criterion is that the HBEC will continue in its present form. Wherever the HBEC continues, it will be up to the new owners to make their assessment of the HBEC objectives and operations and for members to actively involve themselves with support and feedback during this process.

My own contract position as HBEC Coordinator will terminate effective 19 December. I welcome the opportunity for the HBEC to review its governance and operational model. I will provide whatever interim support I am able, and prepare the administration of HBEC for transfer pending further developments. Discussions will continue, and I will keep members and associates of HBEC informed, both directly (for Members) and through this newsletter.

Now, on with this week’s notices:

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Port Macquarie Community College

Responsible Service of Alcohol
RSA training is mandatory in NSW for anyone involved with the sale, supply or promotion of alcohol and security staff at licensed venues. Successful participants will receive a Statement of Attainment for SITHFAB009A - Provide responsible service of alcohol from SIT20207 Certificate II in Hospitality and a Certificate from the Liquor Administration Board. The LAB Certificate is required for employment in the industry. Training delivered and Statement of Attainment issued by ATAC RTO 90886 and LAB Approved.
811W005 Tue Nov 25 1 session 9am-4pm $90

Responsible Gambling Services
Legislation requires all people working in gaming areas of hotels and registered clubs to complete an accredited course. Successful participants will receive a Statement of Attainment for SITHGAM006A - Provide responsible gambling services from SIT20207 Certificate II in Hospitality. Training delivered and Statement of Attainment issued by ATAC RTO 90886 and LAB Approved.
811W006 Wed Nov 26 1 session 9am-4pm $90

Prepare and Serve Espresso Coffee
Learn to extract and serve espresso coffee using a commercial espresso machine, including cleaning, care and maintenance. Successful participants will receive a Statement of Attainment for SITHFAB012A - Prepare and serve espresso coffee from SIT20207 Certificate II in Hospitality. Training delivered and Statement of Attainment issued by ATAC RTO 90886.
811W007 Thu Nov 27 1 session 9am-4pm $100

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.
811W008 Thu Nov 27 1 session 9am-4pm $98

Internet & Email
This course is for beginners to the internet and email. Learn how to access and search the internet, download images, create favourites and print information as well as send, receive and reply to emails and organise messages. Pre-requisite of basic computer skills.
811C005 Mon Nov 24 to Dec 15 3 sessions 6pm-9pm $95

Computers for the Absolute Beginner
This course is for you if you have never used a computer before and need to start at the very beginning. We provide one computer per participant and our patient friendly tutor will guide you through the basics of the keyboard, mouse, parts of a window, startup, shutdown and basic word processing. This is a course with no pressure, You can do it!
811C006 Tue Nov 25 & Dec 2 & Thu Nov 27 & Dec 4 4 sessions 12noon-3pm $132

Hand & Foot Massage
Hand and foot massage therapy aids joint flexibility, improves circulation, warms the joints and addresses fluid build-up. The course will cover the musculo-skeletal region, contraindications and skin conditions.
811H009 Fri Nov 28 1 session 9am-3pm $70

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How to minimise the impact of the world-wide recession on local business – a FREE “Brown Bag Seminar”

The world wide recession is already impacting on some of our local businesses. In response to that, the MNC Business Advisory Service is holding a one and a half hour workshop at the Port Macquarie Library from 12 noon to 1.30 pm on Tuesday November 18 to discuss ways of minimizing the impact on local businesses.

Business leader David Ledgerwood will be the key presenter, supported by other experienced business people. Speakers will contribute their ideas of what can be done to recession proof the local economy.

The cost is $15 and covers tea and coffee. Those attending should bring their own lunch.

RSVP to admin@hastingsbec.com.au or call David Ledgerwood on 0419 827 709

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Kylie Morris, from Hot Graphics, would like to inform you of their Hot November Offer. – CLOSES TONIGHT!

Please download our 'Hot November Offer' from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/HotNovemberOffer.pdf .
Stocks are limited so if you want one, two or more of our special banners, please get your order in asap.

Hot Graphics offers all visual communication. Everything from Logo development, stationery, in-house digital printing, promotional material and signage.

See Hot Graphics to get the Chilli Factor!
Ph: 6583 9629 E: info@hotgraphics.com.au W: www.hotgraphics.com.au

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Key Business Development Program

Council is currently preparing for next year’s intake into the Key Business Development Program. The group is kept small - about 15 businesses. To be considered you should have a strong desire to grow, a product or service with the potential to sell outside of this area and be prepared to work on strategy.

'Export' (that is, export out of this region) type businesses are considered to be an important contributor to this area's future economic prospects and, accordingly Council heavily subsidises the cost of participation so as to provide every opportunity for our best businesses to participate. Please use the link to the website in the attached Information Paper (download from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/kbdppaper.doc ) and read about the return other participants are getting from their involvement.

Should you be interested in being considered, please contact Trevor Sargeant on 6581 8660

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Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce Information and Networking Night

Date: Tuesday 25th November 2008
Time: 6.00pm for 6.30pm
Venue: Quality Resort Sails, Port Macquarie

Cost: $10.00 for Chamber 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 18 August 2008 to (02) 6583 4412 or Email: info@portchamber.com.au

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Thanks to Susie Boswell – Port P.R. – for another bit of good news about a HBEC Member:

The Observatory resort hotel Port Macquarie has been placed second overall, highly commended, in Australia-wide awards for hospitality excellence, pipped for the top honour only by a prominent Sydney restaurant.

Judging was by on-site audits carried out by the Customer Service Institute of Australia. This is a terrific accolade for a regional business employing a small staff in comparison to some of the national giants, including Virgin Blue, who were also acknowledged.

It also fits with PMHC's Economic Development division's strategy to make Port a notable centre of customer service best practice.

The Observatory's directors Chris Denny, also president of Greater Port Macquarie Tourism, Trish Denny and Margaret Chant attended the awards presentation in Melbourne.

For further info: Chris Denny - 0411 17 24 71

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Our Annual Combined Networks Christmas Party

BCU are again kindly sponsoring the combined Christmas Party for 2008 along with the support from Hastings Business Enterprise Centre, Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce, Hastings Business Women’s Network and NSW Business Chamber.

BCU was started in 1970 by small business owners just like you and is today an industry leader* in business lending. Whether you are a sole trader, partnership, family business, an SME or primary producer BCU has a wide range of business finance options and the specialist advice to make banking hassle-free.

BCU’s Betty Hartnett can tailor the right business finance package to suit your particular business circumstances from award winning# short-term overdrafts to long-term loans and leasing. Visit them at the 5 Star Complex in Gordon Street or phone 6583 9555.
*Credit Union Industry # CANNEX business star ratings

Tuesday 16th December 2008
5.30 pm – 8.00 pm
At Roto House, off Lord Street (next to the Koala Hospital) Port Macquarie

Parking
Free on Little Owen, Flynn & Lord Streets & Roto House Entrance

Cost: FREE

RSVP By 8th December. Note that numbers are limited, so RSVP early
Fax your acceptances to 6584 0930 or email maree.mcentyre@nswbc.com.au

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Hastings Cancer Trust Golf Day

Yes, it’s that time of year again, when charity golf days ensure the physical well-being of Hastings business people. Nothing like a leisurely stroll around a long paddock, occasionally taking a casual swipe at a dimpled spere to get the creative juices flowing for the rest of the work week.

If you can do a worthy charity a bit of good at the same time, well that has to be a good thing.

This time the charity is particularly worthy – Hastings Cancer Trust. The event will be held at Emerald Downs Golf Course on Saturday 22nd November 2008. (Saturday, so you don’t even need a “sickie” to take part)

Competition will be a 9-hole 4 person Ambrose, with loads of prizes including 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings, nearest the pin, straightest drive (the trip home doesn’t count) and a putting competition. All proceeds benefit cancer patients in the Hastings/Macleay Region.

It’s a good cause, so contact Emerald Downs Golf Clubhouse to register. Ph: 6582 6120 or fax 6582 2213, or call Betty on 0427 846 947.

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W A R N I N G

Yet another insidious set of emails is circulating, with damaging payloads.

If you receive an email like the following message, with an attachment, DO NOT OPEN the attachment.

“Good day

We have already made ready the contract and we also joined some points you’d asked to add to it.
The lawyers change some points on the last page. Read the contract, please, and if there are no objections from your part we can pay for the first batch on Friday.
You can find the contract in the attached ZIP Archive. (Password is: contract)

We also ready to send it by fax if you need Expecting for your decision”

Many variations of this format are circulating. DON’T EVER OPEN ONE. If you don’t know who an email is from, delete it and its attachment. In the unlikely event that it was genuine, the sender will contact you another way.

This one, by the way, was from MSU Ltd. And titled “Lease Contract”

The appalling English is a hint, but you can’t afford to be trusting on the Internet. (And don’t forget, Email is the Wild West!)

Be careful!

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If you would like a good excuse to spend a Friday afternoon out in the open air…

Mid North Coast Chapter of FPA are holding a Charity Golf Day at Wauchope, on Friday 5th December.

This event, sponsored by the FPA and radio station 2MC FM, will benefit Hastings Rural Fire Service, North Coast Surf Lifesaving, and Future 2 Foundation.

An 18 hole 4 person Ambrose event, with loads of prizes and fun along the way. Registration and BBQ at 11.00am followed by a shotgun start at 12 noon.

Held at Wauchope Country Club, King St Wauchope. A registration form can be downloaded from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/FPAInvitation2008.doc

Enquiries to 0408 664 000 or email fpagolfday@yahoo.com.au

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Chrissy Jones is busy working the special Christmas Feature Pages for the December issue of the Holiday Coast Pictorial.

If you would like to take part, and highlight your business, feel free to contact Chrissy at anytime. The deadline for artwork bookings is 20th November, 2008, so get in touch soon to avoid disappointment.

Chrissy hopes to hear from you, so she can help send your Christmas message to the Pictorial's HUGE readership.
Download the details of this offer from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/Countdown to Christmas.pdf .

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Rayner Sunset Gallery & Framing presents the renowned Australian artist Norman Lindsay and Colleagues

Exhibition and launch of Our Earth and Creative Effort

Wednesday 26 November to Sunday 7 December 2008
Official Opening & Cocktail Evening Friday 28 November, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Entry is free - All welcome
Wine courtesy of Bago Vineyards

For more information about these artists or to enquire about availability of their works, please email us at info@sunsetgallery.com.au.

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Staying Up To Date With Technology

The following is a short extract from an entertaining email newsletter to which I subscribe:

“Right at the end of our forum, as we were running out of time, the panel was asked what IT-related advice we would have for the Australian Government.
Ditching the "Clean Feed" censorship project was the #1 item mentioned, of course.

My suggestion was that the government should kill off the remaining technology commercialisation grants that are still hanging around because all they do is provide a good soundbite ("State Government commits $120M to the local ICT industry!") right before an election, but then most of the funds are soaked up within the bureaucracy and paying "consultants" and very little of it gets into the hands of the innovators who could use it to, you know, actually build the local ICT industry.

Instead it would be better to look at successful schemes overseas in places like Canada, where a percentage of superannuation funds are invested into start-up ventures which are also provided with advice and assistance to get themselves ready for investment. Most ICT-related government initiatives at the moment are about helping us be technology consumers rather than technology producers, which is not a good long-term strategy if we still want to call ourselves "the clever country".”

If the above extract interests you, you can subscribe to Jon Oxer’s eBusiness News newsletter by visiting
http://www.stay-sane.com/register/command/subscribe/ref/wzuyck2060

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Lessons about Leadership, from Beth Flynn at Ohio State University:

• Leaders need to remember the importance of interdependence – that life is not just about the business; an organization is a community of human beings.
• Leaders need to care about interpersonal relationships and be willing to be cared about.
• A leader doesn’t have to be superhuman or have all the answers, no matter how much people may wish it to be so.
• Failing is only a step on the path to success.
• Trouble doesn’t last forever.
• Know what you stand for as a leader before crisis hits; when things are crashing down around you and people are looking for your leadership, it’s too late to figure things out.
• Integrity is the only thing you have that is truly yours (Thomas, 2008, p. 30).

From: Thomas, R. J. (2008). Crucibles of leadership: how to learn from experience to become a great leader. Boston: Harvard Business Press.

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And the statistics to round off for this week:

7111.0 Rice, sheep and lamb numbers drop to lowest levels since 1920s: ABS (Media Release), 2007-08
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/MediaRealesesByCatalogue/9DBD801527947508CA257500001A04C1?OpenDocument

7111.0 Principal Agricultural Commodities, Australia, Preliminary, 2007-08
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/7111.0?OpenDocument

6291.0.55.001 Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery, Oct 2008
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6291.0.55.001?OpenDocument

6302.0 Average Weekly Earnings, Australia, Aug 2008
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6302.0?OpenDocument

8301.0.55.001 Manufacturing Production, Australia, Sep 2008
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/8301.0.55.001?OpenDocument

And there you have it for this week.

Cheers,