Welcome to our newsletter!

The IT trauma continues to have an impact on my life. No sooner than getting over the re configuration of our computers following the break in, I have been thrown another "heart tester".

In my last newsletter I strongly reinforced the need to do 'back up'. Obviously I stand by this recommendation . However just be careful where you  back up disks.

Unknown to me and my staff the location where we store our back up disks also had a magnet attached to a takeaway menu from a local café. This somehow attached itself to our back up disk and proceeded to wipe the disk.

The lesson - take back up off site or place in an area free from other objects.

This month's newsletter includes business articles and tips plus information on workshops and seminars for March and April:

Home Based Business - What you need to know about insurances
Women In Business Mentor Program starts 24th March - now seeking mentors!
East's League Club gets behind small business
Business Buddies wins award and acknowledgement from the State Government

Legal Issues of Running a Business
TechTips: What you should know about Wireless LANs
What is Girl$avvy?

Franchise & Business Expo 26th and 28th March
Business Development Seminar Series- John McGrath,Peter Switzer & John Lees
Networking events start to roll out

Project Management for Small Businesses - Workshop 15th April
Looking at starting your own importing or exporting business? Seminar 20th March
Next NEIS course starts 29th March

Swiss Grand continues to support small business - plus a chance to join the Sydney Roosters at their Training and Trivia Night - 20th July at Aussie Stadium

I hope the next month is kinder to me in relation to IT. And if any one has 'bottled good luck', can I place an order for a full crate?

Have a great month!

David Baumgarten, Centre Director, Eastern Suburbs BEC

Home Based Business - What you need to know about insurances

Having trouble identifying the kind of insurance you need for your home based business? The following tips from ABBI may assist:

• It is important to correctly estimate the value of your home and personal contents as well as business contents. If you don't do this you risk being under-insured in the event that you come to make a claim and will not be reimbursed for the full value of your loss. Consider obtaining a professional valuation if you are unsure.
  
  
• Most homeowners' policies have a limit on what they would pay for business equipment, if they in fact provide cover at all. How much of your business equipment would you be able to replace for that amount if it was stolen or destroyed in a fire?
  
  
• You may also want to consider purchasing business interruption insurance, which will cover your lost revenue if you're forced to suspend your business activities because of fire, flood or other insured perils.
  
  
• Does all the business equipment you use stay in your home all the time? If the business equipment is covered under your homeowner's policy it will only be covered while it is on your premises. If you have a laptop or handheld computer that you use outside of your home, you should consider portable and valuable items cover.
  
  
• Another type of insurance that home based businesses should consider is legal liability insurance. If a friend or relative is visiting and falls and breaks their leg due to your negligence, your homeowner's policy will protect you; if a client is visiting and falls and breaks her leg in the same circumstances, it won't. Business legal liability insurance covers injury to third parties in relation to your business, wherever you carry out your business activities.
  
  
• Do you use your vehicle for business purposes? If so, you need to have your vehicle properly insured for business use to cover any damage to your vehicle and to cover your liability to others if you're involved in an accident.
  
  
• Does your home based business involve selling a product? If so, you should consider obtaining products liability insurance to protect your business from being sued as a result of your product causing injury to someone or damaging their property.
  
• If your home based business involves providing services at home or at client's premises, you should consider public liability insurance.
  
  
• Professional indemnity insurance protects both you and your clients. If a client claims to have suffered damages as a result of a breach of your professional duty of care, your professional indemnity insurance will provide protection and pay for your defence against such a claim. Such coverage also ensures that a client who has suffered damages will be adequately compensated. Many types of professionals who work at home require such insurance, including hairdressers, massage therapists, vets and marketing or management consultants.
  
  
• Do a thorough assessment of your home business looking at the likelihood and impact of every risk - both domestic and business.

Want to know more? Visit ABBI at www.abbi.com.au

Women In Business Mentor Program starts 24th March 2004 - now seeking mentors!

Our 2004 program commences on the 24th March. We are currently advertising for mentors.

If you have been in business five years or more and would like to help another business, please give consideration to becoming a business mentor. It is a very rewarding experience plus an opportunity to form some new networks.

I have 22 local businesses that will be on the program and I am looking to match up each with a business mentor.

If you are interested or know someone that may be suitable contact Narelle at narelle@easternsuburbsbec.com.au or Tel: 93692844.

For further details on the program visit our Women in Business Mentor Program web page.

Easts League Club gets behind small business

I have recently had the greatest pleasure of meeting Rob Riddle, the CEO of East's League Club.

Rob was very interested in the activities of the centre and has indicated that the club would assist in our Women in Business Mentor Program. I hope to develop further project partnerships with East's over the next months.

The obvious beneficiary will be the micro-community of Eastern Suburbs. From my discussion with Rob I left with the clear impression that that East's are very interested in supporting our small business community. A big thank you.

While I was at East's I had a sneak look at the new facilities. WOW. Go down and have a look. The perfect venue for a seminar, meetings or social gatherings. If you want a guided tour I sure we can arrange it!

Business Buddies wins award and acknowledgement from the State Government

Like all businesses, I get really excited when your achievements are acknowledged in the wider community.

Waverley Council contacted me prior to Christmas advising that they would like to nominate Business Buddies for an Award as part of Seniors' Week. The category nominated was 'Business Mentoring'.

I am very pleased to advise that on the 15th March 2004, the Hon Carmel Tebbutt MLC (Minister for Aging, Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Community Services, Minister for Youth) announced that Business Buddies had won an achievement award.

 In accepting any award, it is timely to thank those that have contributed to the success of Business Buddies. There are the buddies themselves, who without we would not have the first ingredient in the process. The other is the clients who have allowed us to be part of their business activities and make a difference.

We have just put some case studies on the ESBEC website, with more to follow.

Business Buddies is focused on business issues in a business which has been in operation 2 years or more. The Business Buddy and the business owner work through the issue with the owner making all decisions. The interaction is time bound to approximately 3 months with an agreed project interaction.

If you need help email info@businessbuddies.com.au and we will contact you. More information can be found on our web site www.businessbuddies.com.au. 

A very special thank you to our coordinator Bill Muskyn and also to Waverley Council for nominating us and supporting the activities of the BEC.

Legal Issues of Running a Business

I met Peter Townsend for coffee recently and he gave me an insight into his website called 'Business Law Brief'. This is an e-zine on business law issues which I believe will be a valuable resource for many small operators.

For more information about Peter's services and for more resources aimed at helping you run your business, please visit his website at www.petertownsend.com.au

A must on your 'favourites' for any small business

TechTips: What you should know about Wireless LANs

This article aims to give you more of an awareness of Wireless LAN Technology. You will start seeing or be offered wireless - as opposed to having to plug in your computer - without the need for cables.

I have just updated the computers in my office. I have installed wireless (at a low cost) so that I can use my laptop anywhere in the office. Last week I was driving out at Parramatta & I saw a pub that offered free wireless. Guess where I will be going to check my emails if I am out that way!

Wireless continues to grow in popularity as more businesses take advantage of decreasing hardware costs, greater awareness and the growing number of public access points (hotspots) in cafes, airports and other public locations. However, which standard should you adopt and what are the dangers to look out for?

Wireless technology enables anyone with an 802.11a/b/g device to connect to their private network or the Internet without the need for network cables. Wireless is useful when dealing with mobile devices such as notebook computers or personal data assistants (PDA) where mobility is a key advantage. It is also useful in situations where offices are frequently rearranged, to reduce the cost or clutter of cabling or where cable can not be run, such as in heritage listed buildings.

It is not a good idea in areas with high levels of radio frequency (RF) interference or where radio transmissions are not permitted, such as hospitals. Wireless works "out of the box" and is, unfortunately, often set up this default way. This approach is not recommended as the signal can be broadcast for up to 100 metres. If proper precautions are not followed, you may be opening your computer system and Internet connection to any casual passer-by with a wireless equipped device.

 Always ensure that you use 128 bit WEP encryption for your system and consider the implications of linking highly confidential systems and data to a wireless network. There are currently three ratified standards for 802.11 wireless.

These are "a", "b" and "g". The "b" standard is rated at 11Mbs per second (usually achieving 6 to 8 Mbs) and is the current basis for Intel's Centrino systems. The "g" standard is more recent and is rated at 54Mbs (usually achieving around 25-35 Mbs). The "g" systems will support "b" equipped computers.

The "a" standard operates at a different frequency and is not compatible with the other two. It is generally considered obsolete. Distance from the access point or other computers will affect the speed and quality of the radio signal. Cheap equipment often results in inferior wireless service.

Minimum Requirements

Always ensure that, as a minimum, you do the following:

• Prevent broadcast of your SSID. This will "hide" the network from casual intruders
• Always use active WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
• Always use the maximum length encryption key. In most cases this is 128/104 bits although some access points support 256 bit keys
• Use the access point security to restrict which computers can associate with your wireless system.

Craig Colman, Blue Fly Business Systems.

Need more help? Contact Craig or Tony on (02) 9340-7375

What is Girl$avvy?

Girl$avvy is an innovative one day workshop for young women which aims to inspire, motivate and educate participants on the importance of being economically empowered and financially independent.

Mentors are generally local businesswomen, professional women and women in non-traditional occupations/roles who are required to work with a small group of girls as they undertake a range of activities broadly aimed at boosting self esteem, providing information about the diversity of job options available, inspiration about the possibility of being entrepreneurial and owning a business, and focusing on the benefits of good financial planning.

Girl$avvy mentoring is not an ongoing commitment. The NSW Department for Women will be conducting two separate workshops in Maroubra. The dates are:

• Thursday 18 March 2004 (with young women from Randwick Girls High School and JJ Cahill Memorial High School)
• Friday 26 March 2004 (with young women from South Sydney High School, Matraville Sports High School and Alexandria Park Community School)

Girl$avvy mentors are viewed as a vital component to the success of the workshop. Girls need role models, and we want to ensure that they have access to successful women - women of influence - from their local community. The girls find it valuable to have an opportunity to speak to mentors on their knowledge and experience.

Anyone interested in participating as a mentor can contact Anna Szanto on (02) 9287 1902 for details on the workshop.

Franchise & Business Expo 26th and 28th March

The above seminar will take place at the Sydney Convention Centre on the 26th and 28th March 2004.

The BEC NSW network will have a booth. Attend this expo and experience a day of information, free seminars & meet some interesting people.

For more information visit http://www.franchisingexpo.com.au/sydney/seminars.html

Business Development Seminar Series - John McGrath, Peter Switzer & John Lees

Our own Peter Switzer is one of the presenters for the above series of workshops. He is joined by John McGrath, CEO McGrath Estate Agents and John Lees, CEO John Lees Business Group. The three topics are:

• Building a World Class Business- Peter Switzer
• Branding and Marketing Your Business - John McGrath
• Sales Skills Workshop - Customers do as they are 'Sold".

The first of these is scheduled for Wednesday 24th March. For more information or to book your seat, register online at www.businessconnect.com.au/seminars

Networking events start to roll out

Following our slow start to the year due to our 'computer issues' we are now getting back into the networking.

We start with an opportunity to meet some of our sponsors and the people with whom I am building strategic alliances.

Coming soon: June Members workshop, July Cocktail launch and Australia Post Small Business Awards.

For more details see our Networking Calendar

Project Management for Small Businesses - Workshop 15th April

Small businesses today carry out a range of projects ranging from planning to implementation and delivery of services. Managing a project is a skillset that is in high demand, especially in small business environments.

This workshop aims to give small business operators an insight into the skills of project management. Topics covered include:

• Project basics
• Defining project management
• The project manager's roles
• Tools of the trade
• Timelines and deliverables
• Project control management
• Small business success and managing projects

For more details and to book online visit our Workshop Calendar
or send an email to reception@easternsuburbsbec.com.au

Looking at starting your own importing or exporting business? Seminar 20th March

This one day seminar will provide the information you need about procedures, practices and paperwork. We cover a range of topics including:

• starting your business
• essential equipment
• business planning
• basics of marketing
• international marketing
• transport by sea and air
• terms of trade
• documentation
• methods of payment
• administration

Trainer Bob Ronai has over 37 years experience in importing and exporting. He is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Export and a professional member of the Australian Institute of Management.

The next seminar is on 20th March at Bondi Junction. For more details and to book online visit our Workshop Calendar or send an email to reception@easternsuburbsbec.com.au

Next NEIS course starts 29th March

The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) is a small business program funded by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations that enables unemployed people to put their business ideas into practice.

Our next course is scheduled to start on 29th March at Artarmon. If you know of anyone that may be interested direct them to this office on (02) 9369 2844 or visit http://www.neisdirectory.com/

Swiss Grand continues to support small business - plus a chance to join the Sydney Roosters at their Training and Trivia Night - 20th July at Aussie Stadium

I am pleased to advise that our long term sponsor The Swiss-Grand Resort & Spa Bondi Beach have agreed to continue their commitment to the small business sector by allowing ESBEC to run a number of networking functions at the resort over the next twelve months. A big thank you to Do Absalom from the Swiss Grand.

I know that a large percentage of our network are Roosters supporters. I thought you would like to know of a chance for you and seven of your friends to join the Sydney Roosters at their Training and Trivia Night to be held on 20th July 2004 at Aussie Stadium.

This is an opportunity to view an open training session before listening to guest speakers, then sit with Roosters players and staff and participate in a trivia challenge.

To take advantage of this offer all you have to dine at the Epic Brasserie located at the Swiss-Grand and spend $50.00 or more and go into the draw to win this fabulous prize. Each time you dine and spend $50.00 or more you will go into the draw. Guess where I am dining next!

The competition runs from 1 March to 30 June 2004 and winners will be contacted and announced in the Wentworth Courier in the first week in July.

Located on famous Bondi Beach, this 203 room deluxe All Suite hotel offers full resort facilities. The suites are superbly decorated and spacious with a separate lounge area. Guests enjoy two restaurants and two bars. The outdoor rooftop pool, indoor lap pool and full gymnasium facilities are all complimentary to guests. At Samsara Day Spa located rooftop you can enjoy the ancient art of Indonesian Balinese massage. Undercover parking is complimentary to guests.