Home>Newsletter>Archive>2007 03 26

NEWSLETTER

Monday 26th March 2007.

Please alter your records of our contact details accordingly:

SBC address:

81 North Street. Nowra.

Mailing address:

PO Box 361Nowra 2541.

Telephone:44233582. Fax: 44215152.

Shoalhaven Business Chamber has a new email address; sbc@shoalhaven.net.au

EVENTS:

SBC Executive meeting: Tuesday 27th March 2007.

Business after Hours: April will be hosted by P.O.S.M Point of

Sale

Material on Tuesday 3rd April at Mc Intyre Way Bomaderry.

SBC April Members Meeting: Tuesday 17th April 2007. Your meeting notice will be forwarded separately.

"Spotlight on Business" sessions.

Booking are currently being taken for members to Spotlight their business at the General members meetings. Only one session is available per general meeting, and @ $50 per session members have 10 minutes to promote their business and distribute promotional literature. Some dates have already been booked so if you would like to take advantage of this promotional opportunity contact Celeste by email sbc@shoalhaven.net.au.

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Shoalhaven Area Consultative Committee:

Where would you look to find the next available first aid training course?

Are you aware of what training is provided in our local region, and how to access it?

www.shoalhaventraining.com.au is to be launched at a function at Shoalhaven City Council on 3 April, and you are invited to join us! Your invitation is attached!

This website is designed to provide a single point of contact when sourcing training in the Shoalhaven.

We hope you are able to join us at this importantevent!

Please note: The website will not be active until the launch date.

Two small business events are being held on Friday 30 March.

Nowra (entry via lane off 7.30-9.00am - rear 81 North St,

This month we will be having a discussion about keeping your debtors under control to ensure that you are paid for your work! I have some suggestions that may be of help, and thought a discussion of these and your own techniques might be useful. This group is designed for businesses up to 2 years old, but any small business people are welcome. Please contact Lyn Eckersley 44225402 if you will be attending, as a free breakfast will be provided.

Ulladulla Business Lunch Network

12.30-2.00pm - Harbourside Restaurant,

The purpose of this Network is to bring together business people in the southern Shoalhaven for an informal "meeting" with other business people, to discuss local business issues and happenings. Anyone in business is welcome, including those new to business. The cost this month is $18 per head, payable on the day. Please contact Lyn Eckersley 44225402 so the restaurant can cater accordingly.

Free OH&S Awareness Courses for Small Business (esp. roofing & constructionindustries)

On Wednesday 28 March, the Master Roof Tilers & Slaters Assoc is holding a training course in Nowra, from 1.00-5.15pm covering:

What is a safety committee/representative communication skills Recognising and identifying suitable duties Risk assessments and SWMS Policies & procedures Reducing violence in the workplace

The course entitles attendees to 4 CDP points per hour (i.e. 24 points),and will be held at Nowra Bowling & Recreation Club,

Making E-Biz Work for You

AusTrade is presenting a full-day workshop on 4 Aprilto update exporters on the use of electronic selling, including website development. The seminar will be held in

Wollongong

on 4 April. Please CONTACT Lyn Eckersley Ph: 4422 5402 to receive a flyer if you are interested.

Department of Workplace Relations;

New laws for independent contractors. People who work as independent contractors now have greater flexibility in how they run their business under new laws which came into effect on 1 March 2007.

The independent contractors' laws:

stop state laws from treating independent contractors as if they were employees provide a national system for dealing with unfair contracts make it illegal for an employer to disguise an employment relationship as anindependentcontracting arrangement, make it illegal for employers to threaten or mislead employees to get them to change their status to independent contractors, maintain protection for outworkers in the textile, clothing and footwear outworkers maintain

New South Wales

and Victorian laws for owner-drivers pending a review

Under the new laws, independent contractors will be able to conduct their business in accordance with the terms of their own commercial arrangements.

There will also be a nationally consistent jurisdiction to deal with disputes about independent contracting arrangements.

Workers will have increased protections against employers who might change their working conditions by setting up 'sham' contracting arrangements.

There is a three-year transitional period in place for some workers and businesses to adjust to the new arrangements.

Free Seminars To explain the new independent contracting laws to independent contractors, businesses and workers. Two seminars will be held in

Wollongong

on 15th May and a further seminar will be held in Nowra on 16th May. People interested in attending must book at www.workplace.gov.au/contractors to receive venue details. Alternatively call 1300 667 850 from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday to make a booking.

For more information on independent contracting, call the Independent Contractors Hotline 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday on 1300 667 850 or visit www.workplace.gov.au/contractors

Department of State and Regional Development:

Home Based Business Seminar (HBB) Create Locally, Sell Globally - Live at Home, Work at Home, Sell to the World. If you are a home-based craft artist or designer, why not take the next step and sell to the world. We'll provide you with tips and tricks on internet marketing and show you how to sell your products globally. Plus we'll teach you the fine art of writing for the web to make sure your internet marketing sells your message. Our experts Linda Hailey and Libby Varcoe designed this workshop specifically for craft and design professionals like you.Date: Tuesday April 3Time: 9.45am for 10.00am start – to 1.00pmVenue: Nowra Showground Pavilion. Cnr. Junction and West Streets, NowraCost: Free Don't miss this free workshop for home-based craft and design business operators. For further information email linda.sekulovski@business.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 4225 9055.

Workshop on Lean Manufacturing, which may interest some of you.

Lean Manufacturing is an approach pioneered by

Toyota

which has become the modern standard for creating value while eliminating waste. Implementing a Lean strategy will contribute to your bottom line whether you are a small or large business.

Afree 3.5 hour afternoonsession, to be held at Shoalhaven City Council on 30 March will cover:

An introduction to Lean Manufacturing Tools used to assess where you are 5s simulation Questions.

For those interested in implementing a Lean Manufacturing strategy, the NSW Dept of State & Regional Development has a subsidy for eligible businesses. Please contact Lyn Eckersley Ph: 4422 5402

NSW Department of Education and Training: Business Management – Wine Industry - Partial Certificate IV in Business - South Coast & Highlands a Nationally Accredited Program that includes excellent resource materials and ongoing coaching from a Business Trainer. Modules include: ¥ Risk & Legal Management for Business ¥ Managing Safety ¥ Operational Planning ¥ Managing a small team. An enrolment fee of $164 must be paid. Course is valued at more than $1000. Formal study commences March 2007 and must be complete by September 2007. Course is run by distance education. Phone 1800 111 700for an enrolment form or more information. PLACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED.

Australian

College

of Commerce and Management: The

Australian

College

of Commerce and Management will be offering a Financial Management course for Small Business which is part of Certificate IV in Business (Small Business Management) in the Shoalhaven region. It is a nationally accredited program funded by the Government. An enrolment fee of $164 will apply to businesses, with the course valued at over $1000 and the balance being paid by the Dept. of Education and Training. Formal study will commence in March and the college will be running workshops in the evenings once a month in Nowra to assist the course completion. Telephone the college on 1800 111 700 for further information and to obtain an enrolment form.

Tourism - Destination Development Workshops:

Tourism

New South Wales

in conjunction with Regional Tourism Organisations will be holding a Destination Development workshop in the Shoalhaven on Tuesday 22nd May, 2007, at the Nowra Golf Club, commencing at 8.30 am. Some objectives of the program are:

¥ Increase industry understanding of consumer needs. ¥ Provide industry understanding of tourism planning and partnership opportunities. ¥ Expand Tourism

New South Wales

destination knowledge of key experiences and products on offer. If you are interested in attending this workshop please register your interest with Mrs. Carolyn Haigh Telephone: 4429 3248.

EVENTS AND MEMBERS NEWS:

Welcome to new member: Breakers on Ocean – Mollymook.

Student Workplace Learning Program – Exhibitors registration is attached.

The Shoalhaven Careers Expo will take place on Wednesday 27th June 2007 and caters to over 1000 students from all Shoalhaven secondary and special schools. Students need to make decisions regarding their future based on current industry information. This is a great opportunity to meet with and advise keen young local students, as well as parents and teachers, and to network with other organisations. There is no cost for exhibitors. For more information please ring Evelyn O'Neile on 44 22 0988

Shoalhaven Campus –

University

of

Wollongong

.

Relay for Life: Register today!!

Shoalhaven

Campus

University

of

Wollongong

Tel: 02 4448 0878

Once more Shoalhaven Campus is inviting everyone in TAFE, University and Business who would care to be involved in Relay for Life ( and hasn't already organized another team ) to join us in a community collaboration from education and business to raise funds for Relay for Life. For the past two years students, staff and business people have raised around $3000 per annum for this Cancer Council event. If you are interested in joining us then either join our Town and Campus Team on the web or email Robbie. Business are welcome to display their logos around the Town and Campus Relay for Life site and we already know that we have more students interested than ever before. Of course we have more students on campus than ever before. So let's make 2007 our best Relay for Life yet!!

Great Business

Opportunity

!

Would you like to get your business'message out to 250 local women, primarily business women? Women who are enthusiastic and keen to learn?

Then you should consider becoming a sponsor of the second Shoalhaven women's conference is to be held in September this year. Last year's conference was a huge success and this year's promises to be even better! A range of sponsorship packages are available, so call Lyn Eckersley, Small Business Field Officer, for more information. Ph: 4422 5402 or 0409 715 929.

Skilling Shoalhaven for the future: Event lead by Dr Peter Ellyard

This event will be lead by Dr Peter Ellyard who will bring together multiple perspectives on these critical questions. The objective is to build relationships between education and industry sectors and to share knowledge on what we know, and don't know, about assisting people prepare for the future through education. The Workshop is designed to produce a clear vision for the education and training sector in the Shoalhaven. A vision that is shared between the education, business and government sectors. Please find your invitation attached.

The event is proudly sponsored by:

Student Workplace Learning Program

Shoalhaven Area Consultative Committee

Shoalhaven City Council

The event is proudly supported by:

Blueprint Shoalhaven Committee

St John the

Evangelist

High School

Shoalhaven Business Chamber

Shoalhaven Tourism Board:

South

Coast

Tourism Awards

The

South

Coast

Tourism Awards for Excellence in Tourism 2007. The Awards are the premier Tourism Event for Tourism on the South Coast of New South Wales and are organised to recognise excellence in Tourism carried out by South Coast Tourism businesses and organisations.

The closing date for the entries is 5pm on Friday 27th April 2007.

The cost for entering the awards for all categories other than accommodation is $165 incl.GST.

For accommodation entries the entry fee is $250 plus $25 GST ($275). However if you have a greater than one night minimum stay or the cost of your one night stay exceeds $275 than there are variations

All businesses entering the awards will be inspected on a "mystery shopper" basis. The awards are judged on the basis of how you present yourself to the most important person in tourism – the customer. Please contact Tom Phillips on 4429 3248 or via email phillips@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au. For the entry forms which can be e-mailed to you.

WorkCover and Small Business:

Three-year $12.5 million Small Business Safety Program announced by NSW Minister for Commerce, John Della Bosca. For your information a summary of this program' key elements is attached.

Ministers Announcement Wednesday 21st March 2007

NSW Minister for Commerce John Della Bosca announced a further 5% reduction in workers compensation premiums. This is a total reduction of 25% since June 2005. This means a small employer, such as a printing shop on the NSW mid north coast, with a wages bill of $110,000 will save $141 on top of the $357 saved from the previous rate cuts. This is good news for small business in your area. Please see the website www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/safebusiness or telephone Noeleen Musson, Business Advisory Officer, Business Assistance Unit Tel: 4428 6704 Mobile: 0428 114 334.

WorkChoices: Record Keeping Obligations – Compliance Deadline 27th March 2007. Summary of your obligations is attached.

"Getting what you go after is success; but liking it while you are getting it is happiness!!"

All Shoalhaven Business

Chamber

members who would like to include information about events and activities in their business for 2007 in the weekly newsletter please contact: Celeste Duffy. Shoalhaven Business

Chamber

Inc. Tel: 44233582. Or email sbc@shoalhaven.net.au

40 Junction St. There is no need to register - please just turn up if you are interested! More information can be obtained from Mandy or Rick on 02 9674 7474. 84 Princes Hwy, Ulladulla Graham St).