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Newsletter October 2006 |
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Welcome to our October 2006 newsletter! In this month's newsletter: News from CEO David Baumgarten
News from CEO David Baumgarten I read the other day that it was 100 days to Christmas. Did I really need to know that? It has been a busy September, with the centre running 16 business events over the past month, and I must say I was very pleased with the big attendances. A big thank you. I hope we have added value to your business. My exciting news is that we have launched the 'Accelerate your Business Growth' initiative, aimed at those service businesses that have made it to that pivotal three year mark only to find themselves confronted by numerous growth challenges. This new program will help you identify and overcome these obstacles, harness your potential to grow, and ultimately become more profitable. To find out more check our Training Calenders. We will be running this program in all areas of Sydney. I am also pleased to announce that we have formed a strategic alliance with the Family Business Association. More on this in the newsletter below. We ran two breakfasts in the Inner West in September. The first was in Newtown in partnership with the Newtown Main Street Program; a big thanks to Toni Fitzgerald (www.purpose.com.au) for the presentation. The other breakfast was our inaugural Canada Bay breakfast. Also a big thanks to Peter Baines. His presentation 'No time, no money, no staff... and no worries?' was outstanding. Our next breakfast is the Burwood Business Breakfast on 10 October 2006. The topic 'At Ease! Introduce the "Ease Factor" into your Business' will be a good one to finish this 2006 series on. On 6 September we held a networking cocktail function at Hughenden Boutique Hotel in Woollahra. These cocktails are an opportunity to catch up with old friends, make some new ones, and have a drink while doing some networking… VERY enjoyable. Our next breakfast in the Eastern Suburbs is with our business partner, the Combined Randwick City Chamber of Commerce on 17 October. The topic is 'Repeat, Repeat, Repeat; you'll be Sweet, Sweet, and Sweet'. On 15 November we have the man behind the Jim's Mowing franchise visiting from Melbourne to tell us the story behind his success. Please check our Community Noticeboard for other events that are on offer. Also check our calendars for updates on our popular Business Thursday, eBay workshops and other business workshops, and do not forget to view the latest listings on our Business Directory. Enjoy David Baumgarten
Who's who at the BEC Following our recent restructure I thought it a good time to give you a staff update.• David Baumgarten , CEO, Eastern Suburbs and Clearly Business Enterprise Centres Currently Vacant - Development Officer (Growth Program and Business Buddies Coordinator) Being a small business, we sub-contract work to bring in a particular expertise. Although we operate under two brands, we are one team working in two locations, at Bondi Junction and in the city. Want referrals? List your business with us today This month we welcome the following businesses to our directory: • Ozshine Cleaners - Commercial cleaners Remember, one of the benefits of being listed on the directory are our referrals. We receive a lot of calls to the city and Bondi Junction offices for referral to a particular industry or professional. As we have an extensive network we find it easier to refer to our online directory. We of course promote the services of our members and sponsors, however non-members are also listed. We will be heavily promoting our Business Directory in all areas of our operation, so now is the time to get listed. Visit the Business Directory for further information. Accelerate your business growth with our new offering Do you own an established business that has made it to the pivotal three year mark? Do you find yourself confronted by numerous growth challenges? 'Accelerate Your Business Growth' can assist you to identify and overcome these obstacles, harness your potential to grow and ultimately become more profitable. Most business workshops tend to be very expensive, too generic or too industry specific. They are also generally geared towards the needs of a start-up business which are very different to those faced by businesses in the next stage of development. 'Accelerate Your Business Growth' addresses broader business development and management issues and provides a cost-effective mechanism to meet the needs of early growth businesses. The initial package comprises: Once you have attended the Growth Planning workshop you can participate in unlimited Growth Issue workshops and Brains Trust sessions. We understand that business owners need flexible pathways. We are offering the program across metropolitan Sydney. For dates, or to download a brochure or application form, visit our website at www.easternsuburbsbec.com.au/esbec/esbecservices/AccelerateYourBusinessGrowth This is an Australian Government funded service under the Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business Program. A strategic alliance with Family Business Association It is with the greatest pleasure that I advise that the BEC and the Family Business Association have formed a strategic alliance. BEC members will gain an introduction into a complimentary network, the opportunity to participate in FBA's networking and educational events, and news on the latest issues and initiatives that relate to family businesses. The Business Enterprise Centre can add value to the FBA members by extending the invitation to our events. Family Business Association members are businesses of all sizes from all industry sectors, ranging from first generation start-ups to sixth generation businesses. Annual turnovers range from $100,000 to in excess of $500 million. FBA helps family businesses understand and resolve their issues in order to reach their goals by offering opportunities to: For more information about the FBA, visit their website at www.fambiz.com.au. Over the next 6 months we will be forming similar alliance with organisation that we believe that can add value to our network. Christie Law - Our latest serviced office tenants
The mix of businesses taking advantage of our serviced offices is really coming together. We have marketing, wholesaling, finance, and now legal. Our latest tenant is Richard Christie, principal of the legal firm Christie Law. If you are looking for some advice I am sure that Richard can assist you. (02) 92120555. Business Agreements - Be meticulous or else! Lessons learned from two recent cases
I was looking at the Peter Townsend Business Lawyers website and I came across this article. I cannot over stress the importance of Business Agreements. Please read on and learn. Townsends Business and Corporate Lawyers recently dealt with two comparable cases concerning termination of business relationships, but with two very different outcomes. Our happier story ended with a five-minute gathering, the breaking-up partners signing two documents and one of them handing over a cheque for the value of half the business, calculated by a neutral third party. There was still emotion attached to the transaction but both sides of the break-up walked out ready to move on with their lives. The outcome for our client might not have been as successful, had a legally-binding separation agreement not been in place including the consequences of inaction on either side. As it turned out, one of the parties tried to renege on the settlement but was prevented from stalling by the watertight contract. In the second case, our client is more disgruntled with his situation. There are numerous issues in dispute over the failed business arrangement, particularly concerning the other party's initial intentions and disagreements about money. The courts are now involved to settle the differences. In this instance, our client did not have a clear agreement. A contract written at the start of the business relationship was a draft copy only. It was not signed, dated, and had incorrect names of the parties concerned. It is difficult to determine whether this was the final agreement, which parties were involved, date from when the agreement should have been effective, or even whether the parties are legally bound by this document. Both sides are involved in energy-sapping litigation. It will be a long time before either party can move on. Unravelling the two different business arrangements has hinged on the different contracts made. The lessons are apparent: • Have a clear agreement. If nothing else, at least the partners have to think about the issues in the agreement and decide together what will happen in the business. Partnerships, shareholder agreements, and joint ventures require carefully-prepared contracts that detail how the relationship will dissolve if this is desired at some point in the future. • Be sure both parties sign. This helps prove there was discussion and there was a "meeting of minds"... agreement was reached at the time. • Date the agreement. This is important to identify the agreement and also to give dates if court proceedings eventuate. There is a limited period during which a party is able to bring court actions to bear. It also gives a start date which can be vital later on to determine what happened before and after the date of the agreement. • Be sure both sides get a copy of the agreement signed by the other one for their records. Establishing clarity in agreements facilitates the making of informed decisions along the way in business relationships and limits the fall-out should either party wish to terminate. Please contact Peter Townsend, Gareth Johnson, or Julie Cox at Townsends Business and Corporate Lawyers for advice on contracts or any other business challenge you may be facing. They are there to help. info@townsendslaw.com.au Article provide by Peter Townsend, Solicitors www.townsendslaw.com.au Business Luncheon: Relay for Life - Canada Bay In the past four years, the people of Canada Bay has raised $165,000 by participating in the Cancer Council's Relay for Life event. BEC member Nancy Tear is a cancer survivor and a committee member of Relay for Life. Nancy is organising a fundraising luncheon at Parliament House on Friday 13 October. This will be a great opportunity to network, meet new people and renew old friendships while raising much needed funds for cancer education, support programs and clinical trials.
Download a PDF of the booking/payment form, and send with your payment. A receipt will be issued by email.
A number of people have enquired about BEC membership. Our membership benefits and rates can be found on our website.
We offer an extensive service and rely on your support. I am often asked about "member benefits". While we do provide many benefits my standard response is, forget the benefits, we provide information that assists businesses grow healthy, with the end result a stronger economy.
We seek businesses that believe in what we do and show this support by becoming members.
"We provide the events; it is your responsibility to do the networking…" We also encourage small business to belong to their local chambers of commerce and their industry associations.
Sales training at a great price
Phil Lee from the Sandler Institute is using our training room each month for his sales training. In the spirit of the BEC mission he has advised that the BEC network may be able to be accommodated at a good price.
If interested, register at www.sandler-au.com, and make clear that you have seen the offer in this newsletter. Nominate your preferred date and provide your full contact details.
Trading online with eBay - learn how the experts do it
It seems many of you are keen to learn about expanding your business through selling on eBay.
Due to popular demand, we are again offering our eBay Basic and eBay Advanced courses. These courses will be run on a monthly basis - check the training and networking calendars regularly for dates.
To find out more and book online see our Training Calendars:
Would you like training for you and your staff in Microsoft® Office?
Every working day in Australia, businesses are throwing away money by wasting the most non-reusable resource - time.
The average Australian spends on average five hours a day working on a computer. Microsoft® Office is used by 96% of computer users but most people use only 20% of the software's functionality. (It doesn't come as a surprise that the most common software features used are copy, save, cut, paste and undo.)
However, it's all those other features, the more 'complicated' ones like mail merge, macros, or pivot tables, that can make a difference to our efficiency and productivity and ultimately The Bottom Line.
One study shows that with training, productivity can increase by 19%. That's almost one day a week. Wouldn't it be great to have that much extra time?
BEC LearnKey Advantage offers training for as little as $33 a month, and all the training you need for as little as $99*. Visit http://www.learnkey.com.au/advantage/?beca to get started.
*per month based on minimum three month subscription. Terms and conditions apply.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Bondi & Districts Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Buzz - Succession Planning, Tuesday 3 October Entry payable at door: $20 Free for members who join the Chamber on the day.
Burwood Business Breakfast Series - At Ease! Introduce the 'Ease Factor' into your Business, 10 October
Ever noticed that while many grind away and 'do it tough' trying to get results, others seem to achieve amazing heights with a sense of EASE?
Life is getting faster and faster and shows no signs of slowing down. Companies and individuals need to out create, out innovate and out market their competition.
We believe that increased work / life balance is the answer, but how can we get balance in a society where work / life balance is dead?
See our Networking Calendar for more details.
Business Thursday - Effective communication means a healthy business, 12 October
If you answer "yes" to the following then you need to attend this workshop: Non-effective communication can have a big impact on deadlines and your business cash flow.
Come along to this Business Thursday for multimedia, interactive exercises and movie clips.
See our Networking Calendar for more details.
ESBEC - Networking Calendar
Tricks of The Trade export seminar, 12 October
City of Randwick Combined Chambers of Commerce Breakfast, 17 October
"Repeat, Repeat, Repeat; you'll be Sweet, Sweet, and Sweet"
"Amazing Businesses are built by Amazing Customers"
Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, puts it well in his book, Jack: Straight from the gut, when he writes, "Companies can't protect jobs. Only delighted customers can do that."
Presented by marketing expert Jack Frankel. See our Networking Calendar for more details. Business Thursday - Using your intellectual property to increase the value of your brand, 26 October
Intellectual property is an important part of what insulates your business and brand from competitors, whether it is the business' name, inventions, innovative operating systems or website.
Effective intellectual property management can lead to increased profits by:
Newsletter edited by Harvest Communication |
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