AFFINITY
NEWSLETTER MAGAZINE
NEW PROVIDERS!!!
Access to this month’s hottest offers Featured in the “ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT" this month:
THE AUSTRALIAN HAND THERAPY ASSOCIATION Fundraiser Program and Charity Events.
AA helping Schools January 2014
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WELCOME TO 2014!!!
The year of AFFINITY!!! Congratulations everyone‌ you made it through yet another silly season and came out a little worse for wear but overall unscathed or at least I hope so. Well we are full on into the year time to increase the intensity supporting our organisations, customer service and getting community.
already and and focus improving involved in
it is on our our
This year Affinity will not only be focusing on assisting organisations and businesses increase their membership base and offering more for bang for their buck. But we will also be assisting charities and schools in their fundraising efforts and offer the Affinity program as an incentive to raise even more valuable funds for schools and charities. Our aim is to spread the word and get the Affinity name out there. To begin with, our Social Media campaigns will be ramped up so expect to see a lot more of us in cyberspace. As you may have noticed, our precious newsletter has been transformed into an EMAG with the aim to become bigger and better with more articles, news and updates from your favourite providers. We have also added in many more popular providers with some great benefits to offer AND our Membership Directory will be transformed into an ONLINE DIRECTORY with a search function to make it even more userfriendly and assist you in finding what you need faster. Therefore saving you money quicker!
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…Our Dining Directory is still a work in progress due to the number of restaurants wanting to take part in the program and we are hoping to have this done and dusted by mid-February for you to start taking advantage. The directory will be inclusive of the online directory and you will be able to search within your local area for your fine dining experience.
February sees our team heading to Melbourne for the AIME Conference, which is always so informative and of course a HOOT! Our monthly webinars will kick off again in March and the webinar schedule will be listed in the February Issue of Affinity Mag for you to pick and choose what takes your fancy. Remember if you miss out on registering for any of the webinars, simply send us a quick email and we will send you the recording or alternatively, visit our site and flick through our back catalogue. We also welcome any suggestions on topics for our webinars and will do our best to source the best speakers. So as you will see, our calendar is already quite full but we will always have room for new ideas, suggestions, feedback etc. so feel free to drop us a line at 1300 793 044 or email the friendly team at admin@affinityalliance.net.au
So with an action packed year ahead, I must stop flapping my gums and get to work. We are really looking forward to seeking out new organisations that need our help and sourcing only the best benefits we can to make your membership matter. If you would like to submit an article or advertisement to our brand new baby magazine, contact Karen in the office on admin@affinityalliance.net.au for further details or call for a chat on 1300 793 044. We can’t wait to make this the best publication it can be and we can only do that with your help and valuable comments. 2014 is the year of Affinity, so let’s get to work! Enjoy your January and see you next month.
Fiona McTaggart
Fiona McTaggart, Editor-in-Chief
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For this month’s
ASSOCIATION SPOLIGHT‌ The Australian Hand Therapy Association (AHTA) is Australia's only professional association representing hand therapists. Hand Therapists are registered Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists who, through further education, clinical experience and independent study have become proficient in the treatment of upper limb conditions resulting from injury, disease or deformity. Hand Therapy involves the evaluation and specialised testing to assess the injured limb, from which a specific treatment program can be implemented. AHTA also acts as a central referral point for doctors and members of the public seeking the services of Hand Therapists in specific geographic locations. AHTA provides support for its members through continuing education, professional development, networking and advocacy at state and national levels.
Members of the AHTA specialise in diagnosis of hand, wrist and arm conditions and injuries, and the rehabilitation that follows. COMMON INJURIES THAT THEY TREAT INCLUDE:
Fractures of the Hand & Wrist Carpal Tunnel & Other Nerve Compressions Tennis and Golfers Elbow Tendonitis Rheumatoid & Osteoarthritis Sprains & Strains Amputations & Replantations Tendon and Nerve Injuries and Repair Compression & Crush Injuries Wounds & Complex Surgical Repairs Burns & Soft Tissue Injuries Tumours, Ganglions and Cysts Swelling Pins and Needles / Numbness Pain with Unknown Cause & Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
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Getting the Upper Hand with Arthritis: Hand Care Tips Arthritis is the major cause of disability and chronic pain in Australia, with 3.85million Australians affected at a cost to our economy of more than $23.9 billion each year in medical care and indirect costs such as loss of earnings and lost production. As the population ages, the number of people with arthritis is growing. According to leading researcher Access Economics, current trends suggest that, by 2050, 7 million Australians will suffer from some form of arthritis. There is a widely held belief that arthritis is simply a consequence of age, the pain of growing old. But it is not a natural part of ageing. In fact 2.4 million of all people suffering from the disease are of working age. Research suggests that early intervention can delay the onset of the disease and may reduce the number of cases of osteoarthritis by about 500,000 within 15 years. The majority of Australians with arthritis aren’t aware of options that are now available to help alleviate their symptoms. The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition in which the joint cartilage deteriorates resulting in pain and loss of movement when bone begins rubbing against bone. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease in which the joint lining becomes inflamed as part of the body’s immune system response. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most serious and disabling types and affects mostly women. Arthritis can affect all joints, including the small joints of the hand. Your hands are constantly on the go. Everyday activities such as preparing a meal, woodworking, carrying grocery bags or using your computer, can damage your joints over time. Joint protection techniques can help reduce pain, stress and inflammation of your joints. These techniques can also help prevent further deformities and increase your independence in daily activities. There are many easy and inexpensive ways to protect your hands. Here are a few tips to keep your hands healthy: Give your Hands a Break If you have pain during an activity, stop the activity. Pain is one of the best ways your body has of letting you know that you are causing tissue damage, so listen to and respect your pain. Protect the small joints of your hands and avoid carrying several plastic grocery bags at once to save time. Use paper bags, carry them one at a time and hold them at the bottom instead of using the handles. If writing is painful, try using a thick, rubber grip pen with a gel tip or roller ball to decrease the amount of pressure used. Remember to stretch and take breaks every 15 minutes during repetitive or prolonged activities such as needlework, painting, sewing, knitting and crocheting, hammering and filing. Figure out which activities aggravate your symptoms and avoid or modify them. Don’t be afraid to ask others for help.
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Use pump shampoos, conditioners and toothpaste. Use the palm of your hand to pump instead of squeezing the container. Use enlarged grips on every day equipment or tools to reduce strain on your joints, e.g potato peelers, gardening tools, tooth brushes, hair brushes or build up the handle with foam. Keep scissors and knives sharp to minimize your own effort. Always use two hands when lifting heavy objects. A gallon of milk weighs about 8 pounds, and lifting it with only your fingertips places excessive stress on your joints. Don’t Use your Hand as a Tool Don’t tear your mail open – use a letter opener to open mail. Use utility scissors in the kitchen – do not rip open bags. Always use the right tool for the job – use pliers for tight pinch and a small hammer for pounding. Use a staple remover instead of your fingers and thumb. Get rid of your manual can opener – go electric! Manual can openers place excessive strain on your fingers and thumb. Instead of holding open books or magazines with one hand, use a book stand or holder to bring the book to eye level and a book clip or “chip” clip to avoid prolonged gripping. Use Adaptive Equipment to Decrease Stress on your Joints Use devices to hold objects so that you don't have to, e.g. a vice, cutting board with picks to hold food, etc. Use foam to enlarge small diameter objects such as paring knives, cutlery, toothbrushes, paint brushes, pens and pencils Purchase lightweight kitchen, gardening and workshop tools with built-up handles. Opening jars places undue stress on your joints – use a non-slip jar opener. If you have pain when using keys to open doors, consider adding a key extender to your keys. If you have difficulty opening door knobs or faucets, purchase door knob or water faucet handle extenders. Consider a card holder if you play cards for extended periods of time. Perform a search on the Internet for “adaptive equipment” to see what products are available. When Symptoms Become Severe If you have already tried these techniques but you are still experiencing symptoms, it might be time to consider other treatment options, such as hand therapy. Members of the Australian Hand Therapy Association are either occupational or physical therapists with specialized training in the treatment of hand and upper extremity conditions. Hand therapy can play an important role in the management of arthritis; long term benefits include reducing pain, increasing motion and strength and improving overall function.
No matter what you’re doing, take a moment to think about your hands; you'll be rewarded with happier and healthier hands. Your hands work hard for you, so treat them with love.
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AFFINITY ALLIANCE
VALUED PARTNERS: FINANCE & INSURANCE:
AMEX AUTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND (ANZ) BILL OWENS INSURANCE BROKERS CAIRNS PENNY CITIBANK COVERMORE TRAVEL INSURANCE JOE VELLA INSURANCE BROKERS KIB INSURANCE BROKERS NATIONAL AUTRALIA BANK OPTIMUS 1 INSURANCE BROKERS OZFOREX SD LOANS & LEASING YELLOW BRICK ROAD YOUR RISK ADVISER INSURANCE
LEGAL & HR / IR SERVICES:
ADVANCED PERSONNEL MGT CBC STAFF SELECTION HR DYNAMICS JOHN HARTIGAN & ASSOCIATES LEAPFROG RECRUITMENT MACDONNELLS LAW MILLER HARRIS LAWYERS OMEGA LAWYERS OUTSOURCE MANAGEMENT PTY LTD SAFTEY IN THE WORKPLACE SKILL 360 AUSTRALIA WORKLIFE HOME COMMUNICATION & TECHNOLOGY: MG PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS NEXT TELECOM PRONTO SOFTWARE TELEQUIP TELSTRA THINK OFFICE TECHNOLOGY TJ MICROSYSTEMS TRUE NORTH TECHNOLOGY
TRAINING & EDUCATION:
CAIRNS COLLEGE OF ENGLISH CAIRNS LANGUAGE CENTRE COLLEGE OF AUSTRALIAN TRAINING IGNITE PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS MCLEOD TRAINING ORGANISATION QUEENSLAND TRAINING SERVICES SEJUMI INSTITUTE OF FURTHER EDUCATION TROPICAL NQ INSTITUTE OF TAFE
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: A UNIFORM CHOICE ACTIVE MINERALS AUTRALIA AFFINITY CONFERENCE & EVENT MANAGEMENT ARCHERS BLOCKEY CONSULTING BUSINESS INTERVIEW CHANNEL BUSINESS MAPPING SOLUTIONS CAIRNS CONVENTION CENTRE CAIRNSLIFE MAGAZINE CAROL SHIPWAY MIGRATION SERVICES CI IMAGES DIRECT EMPLOYMENT SERVICES EUTILITY EVOLUTION BITES FAR NORTH TRAINING & CONSULTANCY FLEXIBLE TRAINING FUJI XEROX BUSINESS CENTRE G.K. CONSULTING HASTINGS DEERING INDIPENDENT CAPITAL ADVISERS JCURVE SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS JIM’S BOOKKEEPING JULIE’S HOME SERVICES KONEKT MEMBERSHIP GROWTH MOORE STEPHENS QLD NEATO EMPLOYMENT NICHE DESIGNS NO WORRIES AUSTRALIA NQ EXHIBITIONS OMEGA GREENPOWER PATHWAYS TO THE FUTURE Q.I.T.E RAATSICC SAM HARROP BUSINESS COACH SELECT CARBON BIOCHAR PTY LTD SIGNATURE STAFF SOUTHERN CROSS SAFETY & WORKWEAR STAFFING SOLUTIONS NQ THE ENTERTAINERS THE HOTEL NETWORK TheSPACE CAIRNS TOTALLY WORKWEAR TRANSFORMATIONAL PATHWAYS TRINITY ACCOUNTANTS WORKLINK
MARKETING & ADVERTISING: 99.5 SEA FM & 103.5 HOT FM GRANT BROADCASTERS DESTINATION CAIRNS MARKETING EBEYONDS INFUSION MARKETING INSPIRED BY MARKETING LIKED BY DESIGN REALVIEW DIGITAL RPS INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY SEVEN NETWORK SIGN-UP.TO SIMPSON MARKETING SOUTHERN CROSS TEN SUZANNE ASHMOORE GRAPHIC DESIGN TRADE SHOW ORGANISERS PRINTING & PROMOTIONAL: ALL SIGNS PRINT & DESIGN LOTSA PRINTING INFLIGHT PUBLISHING NEWART OFFICE CHOICE AUTO: AUDI CENTRE CAIRNS AUTO ONE CAIRNS AVBS – VEHICLE BUYING SERVICE BATTERY WORLD BMW AUDI ALFA ROMEO JEEP PEUGOT RENAULT CAIRNS ACCIDENT REPAIR CENTRE CAIRNS BATTERY FACTORY CAIRNS LUXURY COACHES KAT VEHICLE SHELVING KMART TYRE & AUTO MARK DODGE AUTO REPAIRS NQ CRASH & 4WD SPARES PACIFIC TOYOTA PORTS NORTH PRIVATE FLEET–VEHICLE BUYING SERVICE SCENIC MOTORS BEAUDESERT SEA SWIFT PTY LTD WESTCO MOTORS
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HOUSE & GARDEN: ALPHACOOL ANTENNAS CAIRNS CUMMINGS LOCKSMITH DJARRAGUN ENTERPRISES FINLAY HOMES JACKSON & JACKSON LASPINA HOMES PETER & PAULS CARPET CLEANING & PEST CONTROL DESIGN, ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION: ALLARO HOMES BLUESCOPE DISTRIBUTION CA ARCHITECTS CAIRNS REGIONAL COUNCIL CAIRNS STEEL FABRICATORS CAPE ALUMINA CFP HYDRAULICS DIXON HOMES DRAKE INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING TESTING SERVICES FGF DEVELOPMENTS FNQ COASTAL CONCRETE GENESIS ENGINEERING GLOBAL WELDING SUPPLIES GO COMMERCIAL HANSON CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS JOHN MAC ISAAC & ASSOCIATES MMP ARCHITECTS NEATER CONSTRUCTIONS NORWELD ENGINEERING PEDAL THORPE ARCHITECTS PROFORM TOPS & LAMINATE NORTH PROPERTY4YOU QUAID REAL ESTATE & QUAID AUCTIONEERS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA ROCLA PIPELINE PRODUCTS SAIL STRUCTURES STUBER CONSTRUCTIONS TAURUS FABRIC BUILD THIRKELL CONSULTING, ENGINEERS, BUILDING THOMSON ADSETT ARCHITECTS TUTT BRYANT HIRE CONFERENCE VENUES: CAIRNS CIVIC THEATRE JUTE THEATRE COMPANY SEVILLE MERCY CONFERENCE CENTRE STAGING CONNECTIONS STRICTLY BUSINESS EVENTS
AFFINITY SHOPPER: ADVANTAGE SPORTS AMANTE JEWELLERY AUSSIE FARMERS DIRECT BEACON IMPORTS BIOGUARD AUSTRALIA BJ BRADY FUNERALS BLUSH PHOTOGRAPHY CAIRNS HARDWARE CO. CAIRNS ONE PHOTOGRAPHY CAIRNS WHOLESALE PAINT DIRECT FACTORY OUTLET ENJO EREADERS R US ESSENTIAL BRANDS GROUP QLD FUEL FOR LESS HARVEY NORMAN HIRE FOR BABY HOPPENS CARPETS ISUBSCRIBE JENKINS RUBBER SHOP JUST JEWELLERY LAKE BARRINE NURSERY LOST GOLF BALLS LOVEGREEN PHOTOGRAPHY MOTORPASS PETALS FLORAL NETWORK PHARMACY ONLINE POWERBUY IT REGENCY JEWELLERS RONALDS JEWELLERS ROYALTAG SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED SIMPLY HAMPERS SPENDLESS SHOPPING SWIMART POOLS THE AUSTRALIAN BUSHSTORE THE RACK’ N STACK WAREHOUSE WHITE LADY FUNERALS WOOLWORTHS WISH GIFT CARDS ZANUI HOME WARES HEALTH & WELLBEING: ANGSANA RESORT & SPA ASPEN MEDICAL BALANCE! HEALTHCARE BAY AUDIO HEARING SPECIALIST CAIRNS FERTILITY CENTRE CAIRNS ORTHODONTICS CALANNA PHARMACY CARE CHIROPRACTIC CHIROPRACTIC WORKS ENDOTA DAY SPAS GOODPRICE PHARMACY HEALTH MANAGEMENT CAIRNS HOLY SPIRIT CARE SERVICES JADE COSMETIC & WELLNESS CLINIC JOHN GRIFFITHS DENTAL REHAB MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA STEP INTO LIFE VISION DIRECT WAY TO WELLNESS
TRAVEL–ACCOM-ENTERTAINMENT: ACCOR PACIFIC AVIS CAR & TRUCK RENTAL BIG CAT GREEN ISLAND REEF CRUISES BOUTIQUE COLLECTION APARTMENTS BUDGET CAR & TRUCK RENTAL CAIRNS SHERIDAN HOTEL ENTERTAINMENT BOOK FLIGHT CENTRE CORPORATE TRAVEL HALFMOON BAY GOLF CLUB HILTON CAIRNS HOTELS.COM KEWARRA BEACH RESORT MANTRA GROUP MAREEBA LODGE MERCURE HOTEL CAIRNS MOVIE TICKETS NOVOTEL OASIS CAIRNS OCEANS HOTELS & TOURISM PULLMAN REEF HOTEL CASINO QANTAS CLUB QANTASLINK QUICKBEDS RAIL EUROPE RED BALLOON SHANGRI-LA HOTEL SHOWBIZ ATTRACTIONS TICKETMATES-EXPERIENCE OZ-GIFT IT NOW VIRGIN LOUNGE DINING & WINING: AFFINITY DINING BALLANDEAN ESTATE WINES CAFÉ CHINA CORAL COAST CATERING DUNDEES ON THE WATERFRONT KANIS WATERFRONT ROLF BINDER WINES – BAROSSA VALLEY STRATFORD DELI & CATERING UNION JACK HOTEL
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AFFINITY ALLIANCE IS CONSTANTLY UPDATING AND ADDING NEW PROVIDERS SO MEMBERS CAN ENJOY THE NEWEST AND HOTTEST OFFERS EVERY MONTH.
Be Part Of Our Team!
Join our ever growing list of new providers.
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On this month’s
AFFINITY LEGAL NETWORK The Organisational Cost of Conflict When there are so many challenges in the day-to-day management of businesses, the cost of conflict can be alarming. In the context of human resources alone, the statistics around the cost of conflict demonstrate why it is critical to have an effective and responsive dispute resolution plan:
65 per cent of performance problems result from strained relationships between employees, rather than deficits in skill or motivation 42 per cent of practicing managers' time is spent reaching agreement with others when conflicts occur As much as 30 per cent of a typical manager's time is spent dealing with conflict Chronic, unresolved conflict is a decisive factor in at least 50 per cent of all voluntary departures from organisations The cost of losing an employee is 70 to 200 per cent of his/her annual salary There is a direct correlation between the prevalence of employee conflict and the amount of damage and theft of inventory and equipment There is a proven correlation between absenteeism and job stress associated with anger towards co-workers 80 per cent of turnover is related to unsatisfactory relationships with the boss Source: Australian Mediation Association
When management or organisational responses to conflict have not resolved the issues, various studies suggest that the on-going cost is also significant. One study revealed that the median time between the time a legal proceeding is commenced, until it is actually determined at a hearing, can be as great as 2.5 years (Busch, R II "The Conundrum: Conflict- The Solution: Designing Effective Conflict Management Systems," 16 Preventative L. Rep. Note 4 at 13) Once a dispute is litigated, evidence shows that the time spent by senior executives or company directors, can also be significant (and this is in addition to the time spent by managers prior to the dispute escalating). In the late 1990’s, senior executives in Fortune 500 Companies were spending as much as 20% of their time involved in litigation activities.
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Organisational responses to workplace conflict A survey conducted by Price Waterhouse and Cornell's PERC Institute on Conflict Resolution of over 530 corporations in the Fortune 1000 category revealed the following trends: 90% of respondents view Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a critical cost-control technique. 54% of respondents indicate that cost pressures directly affected their decision to use ADR. 88% of respondents reported using mediation in the last three years. From: Lipsky, D and Seeber, R "The use of ADR in U.S. Corporations: Executive Summary", 1997
Corporations that have embraced alternative dispute resolution (including mediation) as part of an overall conflict management process, have reported significant litigation cost savings (such as Brown and Root – an 80% reduction in outside litigation costs and Motorola – a 75% reduction over a period of six years). From: Slaikeu, K. and Hasson, R (1998) "Controlling the Costs of Conflict: How to design a system for your Organization," Jossey Bass, at p14 and 15.
The sheer size of these numbers demands that business give greater consideration to resolving conflict at an early stage. As we have shown in previous articles, mediation is one such effective way of resolving a large range of conflict – organisational and personal. In the past 12 months alone, we have assisted many businesses, associations and individuals, successfully resolve disputes that in many cases, were threatening to cause significant disruption to the organisation. In one case, the small but important association was facing closure over a single dispute between the Board and its CEO. That matter resolved successfully and the organisation is going from strength to strength. Affinity Alliance has secured our services for the benefit of its members and as always, at a special members-only rate.
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YBR CAR is car buying and financing without the hassle and the haggle of dealing with a dealership. We have created a virtual dealership environment and our point of difference is to deliver corporate discounts to consumers and small business owners. YBR CAR will source locally and interstate to get the best deal for any customer. For example a dealership in Melbourne may have stock that needs to move. The Melbourne based dealership could pay for transportation to Townsville and still deliver a lower price to a Townsville based consumer. This is what YBR CAR is all about – delivering consumers and small business owners corporate discounts on expensive car purchases that the consumer would otherwise not be able to access. With one phone call to Yellow Brick Road, Ian on 0731333257 or 0402174995, YBR CAR is able to: o BUY IT - Save 5-20% off the regular list price with our national buying power o TRADE IT – Buy the car that you are replacing Take the hassle out of privately selling your old car o LEASE IT - Private and business use funding options available
o NOVATE IT – For salary earners we are able to save you tax with our “Salary Saver” lease o INSURE IT - Guarantee your vehicle pay out and protect your monthly payments Substantial savings are being achieved for over 30 different manufacturer brands sourced from over 300 dealerships Australia wide.
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Some examples of satisfied customers are: o Carlos is a self-employed plumber based in suburban Eagleby, QLD and was looking to replace his 4 year old ute. Carlos was very interested in the Isuzu D-Max range that was awarded ute of the year by 4WD Action Magazine in 2013. YBR CAR was able to negotiate an $8,000 discount on a list price of $37,545 i.e. a huge 21% discount plus insurance and a chattel mortgage loan to finance the purchase. o Kerry and Chris have never owned or operated a business before and decided to start a home cleaning business in their local Melbourne suburb of Rowville, VIC. Their start up business required a small, practical vehicle and YBR CAR was able to source a new Hyundai GD i30 at a discount of $3,765 on list price of $21,100 i.e. 18% discount plus arranged finance to a start-up business over a 5 year term. o Geoff owns a growing waterproofing business in Greenacre, Sydney and a true blue Holden man. He has bought Holdens from the same local dealership for many years and as a loyal customer was able to negotiate great deals on two V8 Holdens, including a HSV GTS worth almost $100,000. Geoff had never borrowed to pay for cars before and YBR CAR was able to source first time finance for the 2 vehicles with a minimum of fuss and on terms more competitive than what the dealership could offer. YBR CAR is able to provide car buying or financing on a stand-alone basis – we don’t impose an all or nothing offering as we recognise many clients require flexibility in special circumstances like Geoff.
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Advertising For a Media Kit and further information on our advertising rates and specs in our E-News and website banners, please contact head office on 1300 793 044 or visit our website.
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Employment Tool Kits: 7 Reasons Procedures
why
you
should
have
Policies
and
Every business in Australia, no matter what industry they are in or how many employees they have, should have well-documented and comprehensive workplace policies and procedures. There are many reasons for having well-developed policies and procedures in place. Policies are critical documents to rely on when a dispute arises between an employer and an employee. For an employer to refer to a policy in a legal matter, which is being disputed, puts the employer in a much better position to defend themselves in a court or tribunal.
Here are the top 7 reasons why you should have workplace policies in place: 1. To outline your company’s Code of Conduct to ensure employees understand what is expected of them regarding standards of behaviour and performance. 2. To meet employment related laws, which require a policy eg. Workplace, Health and Safety and Rehabilitation. 3. To demonstrate good faith that employees will be treated fairly and equally. 4. To communicate an accepted method for dealing with complaints and misunderstandings to help avoid favouritism. 5. To protect the company from breaches of employment legislation, such as equal opportunity and workplace bullying laws. 6. To cover off on Employee Entitlements including annual leave, long service leave, compassionate leave, parental leave, personal/carer’s leave, jury service, special leave, overtime, shiftwork etc.
7. To ensure employees and managers are aware of the consequences of failure to comply with company policy and what actions will be taken. Don’t get caught out by not managing your legal risks which can arise from common workplace issues, including unfair dismissal, general protections, workplace health and safety, discrimination and equal opportunity, privacy, internet and email usage and performance management and discipline. Employment Toolkits has done all the work for you and for just $97 you can instantly download a Policy Toolkit today. Go to www.employmenttoolkits.com.au or call 1300 123 678 Go to the website to download your FREE e-book on the ‘7 Costly HR Mistakes’ businesses make.
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BUSINESS COACHING
with Pam Stellema Top 10 Tips for A Better Year Ahead Well next year is looming bright on the horizon and if you are like most small business owners, you are still getting over all the trials and tribulations that came your way this year. I will also go as far as to say that most small business owners that I have worked with, generally fail pretty spectacularly to plan for their successes in the coming year. “plan for success!”, I can hear the groans now “who has time for that?”. Well, if you are planning to have a spectacular year next year, it is absolutely vital to plan for the twelve months ahead. I am sure you have heard the business saying ” Failure to plan means planning to fail!” So true and yet so often ignored with tragic consequences. If this is starting to sound a lot like you, I have a nice surprise in store. I have prepared a simple checklist that will help you do a fast review of your business so that you can decide what direction you are going to take in the coming year that will help to bring you more profit with less stress attached. Here goes: 1. Set realistic goals. Too many times we set unachievable goals for ourselves both personally and professionally, and then what usually happens is we get disillusioned and give up our goals entirely. Instead, try looking for small improvements across a range of areas in your business and decide on how you are going to not only implement them but most importantly, measure them! You can leverage incredible improvements buy simply making small but positive changes across the various parts of your business. Just think what a meager five percent increase in customers +pricing + repeat business could end up generating in real profits for you. 2. Stop hogging all the responsibility! Yes – learn the art of delegation and get good at it. Why is it that small business owners think that they are the only ones who can tackle every job and do it successfully? Look for the strengths in your team and delegate work to those people who are capable of doing the job well. Remember, don’t just throw anyone into the role because that is surely a recipe for disaster. Choose carefully, train well and communicate clearly what you want the to outcome to be. By doing this, you will not only free up your valuable time, but you will be giving your team the opportunity to grow professionally and personally. 3. Let potential customers know who you are and what you do. All business needs to be marketed. Customers won’t just magically appear on your doorstep, so now is the time to think about how you are going to market your business to gain new clients. This doesn’t need to be outrageously expensive either. Why not try an in house referral program or a cross promotion with another business who has the kind of clients you would like to attract to your business? Put your thinking caps on and come up with innovative ways to get new people in your door. Oh, and don’t forget to make sure you keep the ones you already have!
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4. Spend more time working on your business and less time working in your business. This is often the biggest mistake I see small business owners making in their business. If you want to correct your business direction, you need to do it before you get too far off course. If you have a great team, get them involved in a weekly brainstorming session and ask them to bring along their ideas to improve the business. Also, keep tracking your financials. It’s too late at the end of the year to find out your expenses outstripped your turnover and you have made a loss instead of a profit. 5. Add something new and innovative to your business. Find out what your clients really want from you and what your competitors are offering and you’re not. Customers want to do business with people they believe are up to date with knowledge and technology. The coming year is the time to upgrade both your business and the professional development of your staff. 6. Try networking. Get out and meet new people. There are plenty of opportunities to network either at professional gatherings or socially. Don’t be afraid to sing the praises of your business to others and always, always, always carry a good supply of business cards to hand out when you meet someone new. 7. Plan your next holiday. Yes that’s right, I want you to plan a holiday and even better, to plan the one after that as well. So often I see major burnout because small business owners fail to look after themselves, fearing the total collapse of their businesses if they were to take a few days off. If your business really can’t manage without you for more than a few days at a time, then open your diary and plan four small breaks with your family over the next 12 months. Try and get away for at least four or five days at a time. You will be amazed at how much clearer you can think when you have had a rest and time away from the business. If you don’t think this is possible, refer back to point 2! 8. Stop making do. If it’s broken or inferior, get rid of it. How can you expect yourself or your team to deliver first class service or products if you are working with run down equipment, crappy product or out of date procedures. Now is the time to do a total review of your equipment, products and procedures and decide what needs to be repaired or replaced. 9. Stop doing what isn’t working. Now is the time to review what products or services you are offering to your customers. If they are duds, get rid of them (this might also include some underperforming staff members). Everyone is entitled to make a mistake, but only fools keep repeating the same things and expect different outcomes. Streamline what you are offering and get rid of the things that don’t make you money, or worse still, don’t make you look professional. and last but not least…… 10. Invest in professional help. If you have a great accountant, go to see them more than once a year to find our how things are going. Of course, you always have the option to bring in a great business coach who will work beside you to help you achieve the goals that you have set for yourself. Believe me, the small investment that you make in getting outside help will be returned many times over by the end of the year.
Pam Stellema is a Specialist Coach for small business and franchisees. Her area of expertise lies in coaching and motivating small business owners, managers and their key staff towards maximising productivity and profits, excellence in customer service and client retention, and recruiting and retaining key staff. Pam can be contacted on 0431 975515, 0755 296 426 or to send her a message click here.
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AFFINITY ALLIANCE Be a part of the team and join our long list of providers. Call our dedicated team on 1300 793 044 or email us www.affinityalliance.net.au
AFFINITY MAGAZINE 19
coming soon…
Affinity Alliance Dinning Directory
“Our custom built loyalty solution helps you build meaningful relationships with your customers…”
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AFFINITY ALLIANCE
Member Announcement-2014 We have recently commenced a relationship with OzForex, a global foreign exchange specialist. They offer extremely competitive rates of exchange and lower fees than you would see with banks and other providers, so your money goes further. They can also provide you with general advice and a wide range of risk management tools.
By using OzForex you will enjoy;
No receiving bank fees in most countries Extremely competitive foreign exchange rates across 50 currencies Online access 24/7 Access to a dedicated Dealer by phone 24-hours a day, 5 days a week Complete exchange rate transparency No transaction fees (under $10,000AUD) Risk management tools through Limit Orders and Forward Exchange Contracts Exchange rate alerts via email Access to their highly regarded daily and weekly “Market Commentary”
Many of our investors have already used OzForex for: - Paying international invoices; - Paying for loans, investments, school fees abroad; - Purchasing property internationally; - Transferring money to family members; - Transferring pensions. To speak to one of their accredited dealers about your foreign exchange requirements call +612 8667 8000 (1300 300 424 in Australia; 0845 686 1950 in the UK; 1800 680 0750 in Canada or 0800 161 868 in NZ) or register online. Registering with them is FREE and you can view their live dealing rates immediately. Alternatively you can contact Jonathan Sermon directly on +61 2 8667 9106 or jonathansermon@ozforex.com.au OzForex has been operating since 1998 and currently has more than 80,000 dealing clients globally. In the 2013 financial year the OzForex Group completed over 460,000 international payment transactions with over $9.1 billion in transaction turnover. OzForex has an Australian Financial Services License, issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, ASIC, Licence Number 226 484. Register now to claim your FEE FREE transfers over $2,000AUD as an Affinity Alliance member! https://www.ozforex.com.au/
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Advertising For a Media Kit and further information on our advertising rates and specs in our E-News and website banners, please contact head office on 1300 793 044 or visit our website www.affinityalliance.net.au
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Valentine’s Day?
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TECH AUDITORS
-Julian Field Do you know how your computer system works? If you own a business, you probably engage a professional service agent of some kind to manage your IT infrastructure. Whether they are a small local operation, a large multinational or an in-house employee, they represent a trusted link in the chain of your business. They are an integral part of operations, decision making and financial control. They shoulder the responsibility of day to day operations for all of the employees production, and daily interaction with your clients. IT security is now arguably more important than locking the front door of a night before you leave the office to go home. But how these professionals go about this is often a “black box.� An unfortunate barrier exists between management and IT staff made up in equal parts education and culture. Management often feels pandered to, or patronised by the computer people. There are a lot of buzz words discussed within a closed group, and as soon as they require an explanation, the manager making the inquiry has lost credibility. Alternately, the IT profession as a whole considers management to be short sighted with respect to what new hardware, software or skills can deliver. Funding is often considered to be substandard, or the first thing on the chopping block for cutbacks. What is often required, but put off by a reluctance to sometimes face hard choices, is an audit. An audit in the IT world is more like a health check than anything else. Every year, sometimes more than once, any business with stock will perform a stock take. It is a simple accounting procedure whereby items are designated as being present or missing. This is then compared to a register for accuracy. A business would consider the department that requires 24/7 uptime to schedule regular audits. But a self auditing section is open to developing inaccuracies and complacency. Tech Auditors solves this problem by being the bridge that fills that gap. In a non-adversarial and respectful way, Tech Auditors can engage with management and IT staff in a way that may not have been previously possible. Our staff have many years of experience in almost every facet of the IT hardware and software industry, dealing with vendors, distributors, suppliers and service personnel. Tech Auditors staff are trained in the best practice use of these products, and even contribute to the betterment of some of these products as active testers and engineers. They have over the course of their careers been involved in management of IT departments, running IT companies large and small, and involvement in the legal ramifications of IT use and misuse. Tech Auditors staff have access to the broadest range of knowledge both in house, and via the array of professional subcontractors available to us.
Tech Auditors will arrange a meeting to discuss the individual nature of your company's specific circumstances, and then arrange our auditing procedure to suit your needs. For further information, call Julian Fields from Techauditors on 0402 907 500.
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Phone: 1300 793 044
Email: admin@affinityalliance.net.au www.affinityalliance.net.au