B2B Magazine issue 111 December 2015 by B2B magazine

111 DECEMBER 2015

B2BMAGAZINE.COM.AU

SIX FEET UNDER BUT TEN STEPS AHEAD The benefits of forward planning

CHALLENGING TIMES FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT SECTOR RSM's Frank Lo Pilato provides a way forward

LIGHT RAIL OPPORTUNITIES 50,000 jobs predicted to line corridor

Aulich Civil Law recruits high profile lawyer Lisa Barlin and team INCLUDE GOLF IN YOUR 2016 BUSINESS PLAN Cam Sullings from FGC explains how

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MELBOURNE CUP HITS THE MARQUE Local businesses live it up for charity

ISSN 1833-8232

9 771833 823005

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

MERRY CHRISTMAS … How politically incorrect. How dare he wish us a Merry Christmas. He's not even a 'real' Christian. Not baptised and definitely not a regular Church goer. But you know what? I love Christmas. I love it. I love the fact that it is another opportunity for us to think about the relationships that we have with our families, friends and colleagues. I love that is gives us time to do nothing but 'choose' to spend time with friends and family. There seems almost an obligation to connect or reconnect with family. Now there may be many very good reasons to avoid certain members of your family at all cost … but if it's because of pride or jealousy, or they have just given you the 'Tom Tits', then its probably time to bite the bullet and spread a bit of the Christmas spirit. The same goes for business. The period leading up to Christmas is a prosperous time of the year for many industries. Retail, hospitality and travel all go gangbusters – but it is also a boom time for business related services that see, at least, a 10 per cent increase in demand in the lead up to Christmas. I feel that many businesses are more receptive to being approached at this time of the year. It is almost as though they can enter a wormhole that takes them from Christmas to late January/early February and off into 2016. They are looking forward to a break and a holiday and are positive and confident about getting back into it, fresh and energised in 2016. Therefore, whatever your religion, politics or ideology: decorate a tree, raise a glass, spend time with people you care for, and have a happy, safe and Merry Christmas! This month's cover story sees high profile lawyer, Lisa Barlin, and her team, move to Aulich Civil Law. Lisa is a talented lawyer and a treasured member of the Canberra community, having served on many local boards including: Netball ACT, Daramalan College and the Snowy Hydro Rescue Helicopter Fund. Tim Benson, Publisher Send all comments to: editorial@b2bmagazine.com.au

Photos by Andrew Sikorski

11 COVER STORY AULICH CIVIL LAW RECRUITS HIGH PROFILE LAWYER LISA BARLIN AND TEAM

e event up ing ked

to by ests

all the

he were me rns

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FEATURE 06 Marque Canberra Melbourne Cup 2015 by Even Dots 08 A leading voice for industry by OPC IT

Yet there can only be one winner and they took home a $500 voucher from Carla Zampatti and Roger Bartholomew. As the day moved on, and a freshen up was in order, the bathrooms were amply stocked by L’Occitane and Nak, with all the essentials to help keep one looking their best. For the ladies who needed a little more, Autoco sponsored the ‘Touch Up Booth’, with makeup artists on hand to help ensure that they kept their lips coloured, face powdered, cheeks blushed and eyes bright. It was important to look your best on the day as Peroni ran a photo and hash tag competition, to win a $500 gift voucher, so there were lots of selfies taking place. If that wasn’t your thing then you could help support Lifeline Canberra by buying a raffle ticket to win a wine fridge kindly donated by Harvey Norman Commercial and stocked by Jim Murphy Market Cellars. Throughout the day, the guests were amply catered for with tasty food from

09 Six feet under but ten steps ahead: preventing disputes within your family by planning ahead by DDCS Lawyers

around the world. Those wishing for another 10to endure Make golf at the Federal Golf Club part of beverage did not have the dreaded lines so often associated with large events your 2016 Business Plan as the bar staff were well stocked, organised and prepared. by Cam Sullings The event was a huge success thanks to the support of all the partners in Affinity 16 RSM report reveals ‘improvements needed Electrical Technologies, Autoco Group, in Norman business culture globally’ Even Dots Creative, EY, Harvey Commercial Division, Jim Murphy, Morgans bySupplies RSM Group, Popes Electrical & Data and Ray White. COVER STORY The day struck the perfect balance in enjoying oneself in a great venue with a respectable crowd 11 and it is Aulich for that reasonCivil Law recruits high profile lawyer that it is sure to continue to become the Lisa Barlin and team hottest ticket in town on the first Tuesday of November. by Simon Curtis The high spirits continued for some as they made their way to the Duxton for the official after party and discuss how “I almost ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS put money on Prince Of Penzance!”

19 ACCOUNTING Challenging times in the not-for-profit sector by RSM 19 BOOKKEEPING Start-up toolkit: financial tips for success by Tailored Accounts

R E S T O R AT I O N

I N S TA L L A T I O N

ISSN 1833-8232 LEGAL NOTICE

20 BUSINESS LAW Highway to the Danger Zone (Director Liability) by Bradley Allen Love Lawyers

22 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY International protection of your trade marks by Arete Group 24 RECRUITMENT Under pressure: skills in demand by Hays Recruiting 24 SPORT Social media and sport campaigns - do's and don’ts by YABBA.guru 26 STRATA MANAGEMENT Strata meetings: is there a better way? by Vantage Strata 26 WEBSITES I clicked a page & I bounced it… by SYNAPSE Worldwide A2B: ASSOCIATIONS TO BUSINESS 28 CANBERRA BUSINESS CHAMBER Business looks to opportunities in light rail G2B: GOVERNMENT TO BUSINESS 30 CHIEF MINISTER'S MESSAGE Better transport for Canberra

20 BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY Exciting renewable energy developments in the ACT by Actsmart Business recycling. energy. water.

BUSINESS NETWORKING

21 ENTERTAINMENT Looking back at 2015. And wishing you a safe and enjoyable Christmas by Peter Funnell Entertainment

33 B2B@Canberra Business Chamber at Singapore HC

22 FAMILY LAW Financial support for adult “children” by DDCS Lawyers

34 B2B@HorizonOne Christmas function at The Parlour

32 B2B@Canberra Business Chamber at QT Canberra

34 B2B@Hoi Polloi Launch at old Parliament House

EDITOR / PUBLISHER

PUBLISHED BY

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Tim Benson editorial@b2bmagazine.com.au 0402 900 402 02 6112 8175

Man Bites Dog Public Relations ABN 30 932 483 322 PO Box 4106 Ainslie ACT 2602 b2bmagazine.com.au

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Man Bites Dog Public Relations (‘MBD’) owns the copyright in this publication. Except for any fair dealing as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwth), no part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission of MBD. MBD has been careful in preparing this publication, however: it is not able to, and does not warrant that the publication is free from errors and omissions; and it is not able to verify, and has not verified the accuracy of the information and opinions contained or expressed in, or which may be conveyed to readers by any advertisement or other publication content. MBD advises that it accepts all contributed material and advertisements contained in this publication in good faith, and relies on various warranties and permissions provided to it by the persons who contribute material and/or place advertisements. Those warranties and permissions include that neither the material and/or advertisements are misleading, deceptive or defamatory, and that their use, adaptation or publication does not infringe the rights of any third party, or any relevant laws. Further, MBD notifies readers that it does not, nor should it be understood to endorse, adopt, approve or otherwise associate MBD with any representations made in contributions and/or advertisements contained in the publication. MBD makes no representation or warranty as to the qualifications of any contributor or advertiser or persons associated with them, and advises readers that they must rely solely on their own enquiries in relation to such qualifications, and be satisfied from those enquiries that persons with whom they deal as a result of reading any material or advertisement have the necessary licences and professional qualifications relating to the goods and services offered. To the maximum extent permitted by law, MBD excludes all liabilities in contract, tort (including negligence) and/or statute for loss, damage, costs and expenses of any kind to any person arising directly or indirectly from any material or advertisement contained in this publication, whether arising from an error, omission, misrepresentation or any other cause.

F E AT U R E

he weather was glorious for the second running of the Marque event at Albert Hall on Melbourne Cup Day. The women looked stunning and the men looked dapper as they walked the red carpet and were snapped by the photographer from Even Dots Creative. Champagne awaited upon entry and the guests mingled as the venue started to fill. The finger food was expertly served by the staff and all were in good spirits. Guests could relax in one of two outdoor areas, in the beer garden or the lounge area, or socialise inside where they could watch all the races from Flemington. There was many a familiar face from the Canberra business community and there were lots of great conversations happening; some of them even focussed on achieving returns from their planned equine investments. Fashions on the field, always a hotly contested and widely debated activity, attracted some great entries and they paraded on the grand stage for all to see.

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around the world. Those wishing for another beverage did not have to endure the dreaded lines so often associated with large events as the bar staff were well stocked, organised and prepared. The event was a huge success thanks to the support of all the partners in Affinity Electrical Technologies, Autoco Group, Even Dots Creative, EY, Harvey Norman Commercial Division, Jim Murphy, Morgans Group, Popes Electrical & Data Supplies and Ray White. The day struck the perfect balance in enjoying oneself in a great venue with a respectable crowd and it is for that reason that it is sure to continue to become the hottest ticket in town on the first Tuesday of November. The high spirits continued for some as they made their way to the Duxton for the official after party and discuss how “I almost put money on Prince Of Penzance!”

F E AT U R E

A leading

voice for industry

Brett Norton, Managing Director, OPC IT Steve Dobbie, Business Manager, APGA

Photo by Andrew Finch

he Australian Pipelines and Gas Association Ltd (APGA) is the peak body representing Australasia’s pipeline infrastructure with a focus on gas transmission, but also including transportation of other products, such as oil, water, slurry and CO2. APGA has been based in Canberra since January 1998 and has developed a strong presence and profile. APGA’s members include constructors, owners, operators, advisers, engineering companies and suppliers of pipeline products and services. Its overarching mission is to provide support services to members and to ensure the broader community, including government, industry and community groups, understand the benefits that a dynamic, market-driven Australian pipeline industry can deliver to the national economy and to regional development. The organisation is heavily involved in industry research programs and engages with the government on a range of issues from climate change related matters to those resulting from the privatisation and deregulation of the industry. APGA Business Manager Steve Dobbie observes 8

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‘the industry has been severely affected by the falling oil prices and resulting retraction of infrastructure construction, but we are confident that 2016 will see a marked improvement’. Strong communication and a robust IT infrastructure are key to delivering APGA’s services to its members. OPC first began working with APGA in 1998 when we delivered a new server solution to their Canberra office. We have been strong partners ever since, introducing the benefits of our full Managed Services Solution in 2006, and transitioning the organisation to a Dell platform in 2011. Many of OPC’s clients are in a similar position to APGA and have taken advantage of outsourcing their IT support. An OPC managed IT infrastructure provides:

“OPC first began working with APGA in 1998 when we delivered a new server solution to their Canberra office.” methodologies and continual service improvement models ‘The team at the OPC service desk are great to deal with and always respond to our IT issues in a timely and positive fashion. The OPC support system still works extremely well for APGA…it has been greatly appreciated by the team here’ says Steve.

• Predictive and proactive systems management

• Practical support tailored to each business’ unique requirements • Access to, and strategic guidance from, qualified experts across multiple technologies • Fixed prices that are easier to manage and budget • Reduced costs, reduced risks, greater accountability and greater reliability through standards based

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Level 1, Unit 15/26 Ipswich Street, Fyshwick ACT 2609 PO Box 655, Fyshwick ACT 2609 P: 1300 788 616 www.opc.com.au

F E AT U R E

Six feet under but ten steps ahead: preventing disputes within your family by planning ahead By Rebecca Tetlow

From December 2015, Canberrans now have greater choice about how they are buried or where their ashes are placed. A Natural Burial Site has opened at Gungahlin Cemetery and new rules have been introduced to facilitate green burials. Attitudes towards funeral and burial arrangements are increasingly diverse within our community. A person’s views regarding the disposal of their body may be informed by their religious or cultural background, family traditions and personal philosophy. The recent developments reflect a desire by the ACT Government to accommodate an individual’s wishes for how their body is dealt with after death. While many Australians have strong views regarding their burial or cremation, only a small percentage have taken steps to plan for their funeral or to communicate their instructions. Sadly, a lack of clarity regarding a person’s wishes can cause stress and disharmony within their family after their death. Disagreements regarding funeral arrangements are especially prevalent within blended families and cross-cultural relationships. From a legal perspective, the executor named in the deceased person’s Will has the responsibility to arrange the funeral and ultimately has the final say regarding burial arrangements. If there is no Will, the deceased person’s next of kin is entitled to make decisions regarding burial or cremation. The next of

kin is usually the person with the highest claim to administer the estate according to the rules of intestacy. It can be difficult for funeral directors to determine the appropriate next of kin, especially if there are questions as to whether the deceased person was in a de facto relationship, or if there is a disagreement between the deceased person’s children or parents. Making a Will is a good way to prevent disputes regarding how your body is dealt with after your death. A Will allows you to appoint an executor who will have the power to arrange the funeral, to make decisions regarding the disposal of your body and to decide any disputes that may arise in your family. While your executor should take into account the wishes expressed by your family, your executor has ultimate authority. You should therefore nominate an executor who you trust to carry out your wishes. The other benefit of making a Will is that it is a place where you can set out your preferences for your funeral, including whether you wish to be buried or cremated and where you wish your remains to be interred. If you set out instructions for your funeral within your Will, then it is important that your nominated executor is aware of those instructions or has a copy of your Will to ensure that your wishes are carried out. If you have pre-paid your funeral or purchased a burial plot, you should make sure that your executor knows the details, otherwise they may inadvertently make other arrangements (and incur a

“While many Australians have strong views regarding their burial or cremation, only a small percentage have taken steps to plan for their funeral or to communicate their instructions.” second set of expenses). In any event, it is a good idea to discuss your wishes for your funeral or burial arrangements with your family ahead of time so that you have the opportunity to explain your reasons and prevent potential disputes in the future.

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Rebecca Tetlow is an Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates Law (NSW) and a Senior Associate at Dobinson Davey Clifford Simpson phone (02) 6212 7600 mail@ddcslawyers.com.au, www.ddcslawyers.com.au

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F E AT U R E

Make golf at the Federal Golf Club part of your 2016 Business Plan By Cam Sullings

t was my wife Allison who got me back into golf. At least twice a year, for many years I hacked my way around the golf course. I played in plenty of corporate events and was carried by others in the group. Golf was never a priority and I never considered it a forum to build networks and relationships. Between 2008 and 2012 my life was consumed with balancing the demands of presenting Breakfast Radio and bringing up my two young daughters. My wife organised a voucher that had me fully kitted out and signed up for lessons and Membership. Her thought was to get me away from everything for at least a few hours a week. Many would say – best wife ever. Along with the many wonderful elements the game has to offer, I soon learned the power of putting my name on the competition time sheet as a single player. On many occasions, as three other Members randomly joined me, I found myself playing with high level decision makers in both the government and private sectors. As we played our round it was interesting to observe the personality traits of my playing partners. More interesting was the manner in which adverse situations were approached and dealt with on the course. Of course the notion of learning more about an individual’s personality in one round of golf as opposed to 10 years in the boardroom has been around for long time. No truer words have been spoken. It’s an element of the game that is often overlooked. 10

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It’s an element though that I love and love to talk about. After my full time radio career I find myself marketing the Federal Golf Club. In Federal’s friendly environment I’ve found it to be the perfect venue to learn about people in the ACT, establish relationships and climb onto the business web of corporate Canberra. In a piece published in the PGA Australian Course Guide I wrote, ‘Federal is one of Canberra’s premier golf venues and presents one of Australia’s best inland golfing experiences. The course is set in beautiful bushland surrounds with grand views of the Brindabella Ranges making the Federal Golf Club a very special place’. Federal also offers the opportunity to show colleagues from outside Canberra another aspect of our beautiful city. To talk about Federal Golf Club as a place to build relationships and business networks is an easy sell. By including the Federal Golf Club in your 2016 Business Plan, you can access: • Business and networking opportunities through golf • A value for money venue to hold events • All inclusive Corporate Golf Days • Membership categories to suit busy lifestyles • Sponsorship and brand exposure • Messaging to Members via traditional and social media platforms Corporate golf at Federal presents a solid platform to achieve wide ranging objectives including the opportunity to: • Provide an unforgettable experience to valued clients | customers

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• Speak to your clients | customers as a group • Give your clients | customers the opportunity to mix with other organisations that are in business with you • Run a fund raising event for your chosen charity • Create excitement about your organisation I invite you to make a time to come to the Federal Golf Club and talk about the opportunities Federal has to offer. Why not also make a time to have a hit and take in the surrounds. You won’t be disappointed. As for my persona while we’re out there, well most times as I walk off the Green you’ll hear a faint grumble, usually to the tune of, ‘not another bloody 3 putt’. Cam Sullings Assistant General Manager Federal Golf Club Canberra T: 02 6281 1888 E: operations@fgc.com.au W: www.fgc.com.au PO Box 3039 Manuka ACT 2603 | Gowrie Drive, Red Hill ACT 2603

COVER STORY

Aulich Civil Law recruits high proﬁle lawyer Lisa Barlin and team

In November leading Canberra law firm, Aulich Civil Law, added another high calibre member to its already impressive team with the addition of new partner, Lisa Barlin, and her team.

words by Simon Curtis photos by Andrew Sikorski

ulich Civil Law has been actively strengthening its team of legal professionals throughout 2015 in response to the demands of its rapidly growing client base. The addition of Lisa and her key staff will allow Aulich Civil Law to expand its legal services offering an increased capacity to handle more legal matters without compromising its client focused approach. Lisa and the new recruits bring a wealth of experience and expertise to

Aulich Civil Law in the areas of commercial law and litigation, employment law, estate planning, disputes and probate. Lisa is one of Canberra’s prominent lawyers with over 15 years’ experience in the Canberra legal industry and joins Aulich Civil Law after leaving a law firm she founded and owned for the past 6 years. It’s a huge move for both Aulich Civil Law and the Canberra legal community. Aulich Civil Law Partner, Ben Aulich, is thrilled to

have Lisa on board and says that the strategic partnership between Lisa and Aulich Civil Law will see the firm move confidently into a new era. “Lisa has already proven to be such an asset to the firm, she brings with her an amazing amount of experience and corporate knowledge, which is incredibly valuable for us and our clients.” Lisa has worked with a number of high profile clients including government

Photos by Andrew Sikorski

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COVER STORY

departments and agencies, not-for-profit organisations, local and interstate businesses and a number of private clients. Lisa says the move to Aulich Civil Law was a natural progression for her that would provide new challenges and opportunities. “Aulich Civil Law is a legal practice with a dynamic and constantly expanding client base. I am very much looking forward to the challenges and opportunities my new role at Aulich Civil Law will bring. My talented and hard-working team members have also joined Aulich Civil Law so I am certain we are in for some big cases and hard work!” “It is also fantastic to be involved in a firm that really values their staff and clients, we have a mentality of always putting people first at Aulich Civil Law. I really identify with this 12

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“Lisa is one of Canberra’s prominent lawyers with over 15 years’ experience in the Canberra legal industry and joins Aulich Civil Law after leaving a law firm she founded and owned for the past 6 years.”

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focus and it’s one of the major attractions for me to the role.” Lisa is a true Canberra local, having attended school at Daramalan College and studied a Bachelor of Arts/Laws and Graduate Diploma in Law at the Australian National University. “I love that I have the opportunity to practise law at such a high standard without having to leave Canberra. I love the Canberra lifestyle with its changing seasons, easy commute and vast array of restaurants.” Lisa’s work in the Canberra community extends beyond the courtroom. She has past directorships with a number of notfor-profits such as Netball ACT, Gungahlin Jets Australian Football Club and Daramalan College. Previously she was the company

COVER STORY

secretary for the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education which is a not-forprofit organisation working to stop the harm caused by alcohol. Since 2010 Lisa has served as a director of the Snowy Hydro Rescue Helicopter Fund and has recently been appointed as Deputy Chair, a position she says she is honoured to have. “I enjoy that my experience and legal expertise allow me to give back to the community. Working with local not-for-profits is one way I can do that.” “The chopper often flies over my house and I receive text message updates about where it’s going. I’m struck by the range of situations they respond to – from motor vehicle or farm accidents, to search and rescues or transfers of critically ill patients. With more than 6,300

missions now completed it’s clear this service plays a vital role in our community. To be able to contribute to Snowy Hydro SouthCare through membership on the Board gives me an enormous sense of pride.” Along with her not-for-profit work, Lisa’s membership with the AFL Giants Territorians coterie group keeps her very busy. While it may sound like Lisa hasn’t got much time on her hands, she says she will always find time to play netball, and travel from Canberra regularly to waterski or snowski with friends. “I can’t wait to take a break over the Christmas holidays, it is something I look forward to all year! It will be great to recharge the batteries and get ready for a big year at Aulich Civil Law.” B2B M AGA Z I N E.CO M . AU

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COVER STORY Despite only being with the firm for a short period, Lisa and her team have hit the ground running and fallen into the swing of things at Aulich Civil Law very quickly. “My team and I have slotted in so easily and our experience neatly fits in and complements the suite of expertise at Aulich Civil Law. We are moving towards a truly full service law firm – except for family law… for now.” “I love the energy at Aulich Civil Law. It’s certainly a unique place to work – a place for everyone from staff to clients to thrive.” But it won’t be all work and no play, with Lisa as a staunch Hawthorn supporter and Ben a Geelong fan, you can bet there will be plenty of office heckling between the two during the forthcoming AFL season but given Hawthorn has gone ‘back-to back-to back’ there may not be much heckling happening.

More information on Aulich Civil Law can be found online at www.aulichcivillaw.com.au, by calling 02 6279 4200 or emailing info@aulichcivillaw.com.au

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F E AT U R E

RSM report reveals ‘improvements needed in business culture globally’

report published on 25 November 2015 by RSM International, the seventh largest network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms found that business culture can improve across countries globally. The second RSM “Business Resilience Survey” is based on the responses of 410 members of the RSM network and 291 entrepreneurs across nine European and several other countries. It took place in July and August 2015, in which respondents were asked to evaluate companies’ strategy choices, the mentality of business leaders, and their country’s business culture, alongside key macroeconomic data. The greatest improvement in business culture was found in Spain, which was previously found to be in a poor position. The survey attributes this rise to the availability

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of qualified employees, and an increased willingness to employ foreign workers. Norway leads the business culture ranking, followed by the Netherlands, UK, and Australia. Norway’s surplus in its sovereign wealth fund has led to notable organisational investment in employees, such as training, and flexible and part−time working. Only Belgium was found by the RSM experts not to require improvements in business culture. The survey found that the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Spain were expected by the RSM experts to be the most economically progressing countries. Spain, as a turnaround country moving away from its economic crisis, is predicted in the survey to have the highest GDP growth rate of all countries surveyed and for growth to accelerate from 2015 to 2016. The UK and the Netherlands follow in the rankings of GDP growth rate predictions, although RSM’s experts were pessimistic on GDP growth in these countries in comparison to the most recent OECD growth forecast. The report attributes high and accelerating growth predictions in the UK and Netherlands to the pronounced entrepreneurialism observed in the survey in these countries. While these countries see accelerating growth to 2016, RSM experts expect GDP growth rates to decelerate in Australia and Germany, although growth in Australia will remain above two percent in both 2015 and 2016, in spite a mining slowdown. Germany, Belgium, France and Portugal, are found to be economically stable or stabilised. Countries in this group see expected growth rates

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“RSM experts expect GDP growth rates to decelerate in Australia and Germany, although growth in Australia will remain above two percent in both 2015 and 2016, in spite a mining slowdown.” between 1.4 percent to 1.7 percent, with the RSM experts predicting a slight improvement of the sentiment indices. Austria, Brazil and Norway are categorized as apprehensive, according to the RSM experts survey. While Brazil is almost in a recession, RSM experts predict some recovery in 2016. As with Australia, Norway’s economy remains vulnerable to the global commodity slowdown, although there is reason to expect modest GDP growth. One reason given in the report for this growth might be the mentalities of business leaders. More proactive leaders are riskfriendly and proactive in introducing new services, products or processes. The survey found that business leaders in the UK show the highest degree of proactivity across all countries and they are more risk-friendly in comparison to the country average. Andrew Sykes, Director of RSM in Canberra, says “Companies which expect an improvement of their business situation

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Highlights of the RSM International Business Resilience Survey 2015 With regard to sentiment and growth expectations of RSM experts, three groups of countries could be identiﬁed:  Economically progressing countries: UK, Netherlands, Spain

 Stable or stabilised countries: Belgium, France, Germany and Portugal

 Apprehensive recessive countries: Austria, Brazil and Norway. Norway fears a further decrease of oil prices although GDP growth might be modest

 In terms of business culture, Norway is the leading country, followed by the Netherlands, UK and Australia

are characterised by a greater willingness to delegate authority within the company, greater willingness to foster the innovation and creativity of employees, more intense use of social media (Facebook, Twitter etc.) for customer loyalty and managers‘ higher risk appetite in at least 90% of the countries surveyed.’ Andrew says, ‘A Manager’s individual resilience can sometimes be a linchpin for organisational success.’ RSM experts evaluated entrepreneurialism in their countries. The UK was judged to lead on entrepreneurial spirit, where entrepreneurship is highly regarded and the number of entrepreneurs is expected to rise in 2016. The Netherlands, Australia, Belgium and Spain were also judged to have a positive entrepreneurial spirit, although RSM experts expect to see a decrease in entrepreneur numbers in Norway and Germany.

“Norway leads the business culture ranking, followed by the Netherlands, UK, and Australia. Norway’s surplus in its sovereign wealth fund has led to notable organisational investment in employees ...” The survey also shows the characteristics of companies, which are expected to be successful. Entrepreneurs judged that the use of social media for customer loyalty was found in companies which expect their business situation to improve next year. Entrepreneurs in China highly emphasised the challenges of digitisation, expecting “technology shocks to the industry”. Successful companies were generally found to have managers with a higher risk appetite. The survey also tackles countries’ trust culture as an important enhancer of overall business culture. Analysing trust in banks, other businesses, political parties and the justice system, Norway, Australia, Germany, and the UK were found to have the most positive trust culture on average. A relative mistrust in political parties can be seen in all countries surveyed.

For advice on how to improve business resilience in your business, speak to RSM. Experience the power of being understood. Experience RSM Andrew Sykes Director, RSM 02 6217 0300 Andrew.sykes@rsm.com.au www.rsm.com.au

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ADVICE

ACCOUNTING

Challenging times in the not-for-profit sector

BOOKKEEPING

Start-up toolkit: financial tips for success

BUSINESS LAW

Highway to the Danger Zone (Director Liability)

by Frank Lo Pilato, RSM

By Harry Hoang, Tailored Accounts

by Mark Love, Bradley Allen Love Lawyers

BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY 20

Exciting renewable energy developments in the ACT

ENTERTAINMENT

Looking back at 2015. And wishing you a safe and enjoyable Christmas

FAMILY LAW

Financial support for adult “children”

By Lachlan James, Actsmart business recycling. energy. water

by Peter Funnell, Peter Funnell Entertainment

by Jacquelyn Curtis, Dobinson Davey Clifford Simpson Lawyers

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 22

International protection of your trade marks

RECRUITMENT

Under pressure: skills in demand

SPORT

Social media and sport campaigns - do's and don’ts

STRATA MANAGEMENT

Strata meetings: is there a better way?

WEBSITES

I clicked a page & I bounced it…

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by Shaun Creighton, Arete Group

by Jim Roy, Hays Recruitment experts worldwide

by Paul Smith, YABBA.guru

by Chris Miller, Vantage Strata

by Sam Gupta, Synapse Worldwide

ACCOUNTING by Frank Lo Pilato

Challenging times in the not-for-profit sector Increased costs of compliance, changing government priorities, high administration costs are just some of the challenges which are being faced by the not-for-profit sector. The fallout has seen an increasing number of voluntary liquidations and mergers over the past several years in these organisations. Many organisations which relied largely on government funding had grants suspended or funds were held pending determination of new government priorities following the last election. This resulted in enormous uncertainty for boards, many of which had limited surplus reserves. There can be advantages Not-for-profit boards, many of which are unpaid and voluntary positions, of mergers in the not-formust take enormous care in these circumstances. As a minimum any financial profit arena, however it reporting to boards of not-for-profit is essential to ensure that organisations should always consider a wind-up outcome to ensure that any nonthe objects of the merging balance sheet items such as redundancy and lease payouts are provided for, not organisations can continue just the current balance sheet position. In the event that future funding is not to be met, and accordingly forthcoming, and the organisation needs finding the right partner is to close, if reserves are not sufficient to meet the non-balance sheet items, essential. it could leave those board members personally exposed. Many of the very small not-for-profit organisations in the disability support sector have faced the additional impost of trying to gear for the implementation of the NDIS. Smaller providers tend to focus largely on front-line service provision and with limited administration resources, the challenge of implementing and adapting to an entirely new charging methodology have been huge. Similar challenges have been met in the child care and aged care sectors around their reporting obligations. There can be advantages of mergers in the not-for-profit arena, however it is essential to ensure that the objects of the merging organisations can continue to be met, and accordingly finding the right partner is essential. The advantages can include reduction in administration and compliance costs, and leveraging from the combined reserves available can be advantageous to the newly merged entity in the provision of front-line services for client and increased security of employment for staff. Obtaining professional advice is essential to ensure a smooth transition. RSM can assist organisations to identify the issues they need to consider in any merger or voluntary liquidation. It can be tough going, particularly where the merging organisations have a long history or for financial reasons are somewhat reluctantly taking the merger or liquidation path. RSM has many years experience and understanding of voluntary (solvent) liquidations in the not-for-profit area, and are available for an obligationfree discussion.

For further information, please contact Frank Lo Pilato, Director of RSM’s Restructuring & Recovery division in Canberra, on 6217 0300 or frank.lopilato@rsm.com.au.

BOOKKEEPING By Harry Hoang

Start-up toolkit: financial tips for success I started my business in 2009 with little to no capital, and have since gone through a number of roller coaster rides along my entrepreneurial journey. Six years may not be a substantial amount of time for start-up veterans, but it is enough to understand the nature of entrepreneurship. All in all, there have been a fair share of lows and highs in my entrepreneurial pursuit, so I can thoroughly understand some of the challenges that start-ups in Canberra face. As an entrepreneur who is trained in accounting, I would like to take this opportunity to share my golden rules of financial management for start-ups. These are some common mistakes start-ups make: • They fail to realise how important financial management is. Start-ups with poor financial management tend to suffer from poor cash flow and profit margins, ineffective debtor control, and an inability to meet their business’ commitments; • They are unaware of alternative solutions such as hiring an accountant or implementing an accounting system. If crunching the numbers is not your strength, either hire or outsource to an accountant or bookkeeper who will deliver regular and reliable information and advice that you can use to manage your financial position; • While many start-ups are in the field of IT, it is surprising how backward their accounting systems are. Stacks of receipts, manual ledger books, simple Excel sheets, messy financial transactions and reports, and overdue BAS and tax returns are common among start-ups with bad financial management; • Start-ups tend to focus on their products, ideas, and clients, often neglecting the fundamentals of their business. I have never seen a successful business that does not have strong financial management. After years of working with start-ups and other small businesses, I have accumulated a wealth of experience designing a sustainable and affordable accounting system. Here are some tips to avoid making those mistakes above: • A good accounting system is a good return on investment. If you invest $50/month to use online accounting softwares such as Xero or Intuit QBO, it will save you at least $50/month in bookkeeping costs as well as your time. These savings will be crucial for further growth of your business; • Don’t only start raising funds or getting loans when your business is running out of cash. Plan ahead and have good financial controls in place; • Technology is the key driver of a good financial system. If your accountant suggests that you record everything in an Excel spreadsheet, this is no longer sufficient for doing business in the 21st century. The more automation you adopt for your accounting system, the more savings and accuracy you gain; • Start-ups need to start working on the business, not in the business. If you can’t afford to have a giant financial management system with a qualified CFO like Google and Apple, then outsourcing would be the best option. Should you be interested to outsource your accounting and financial system, give us a call at (02) 6169 5196. Tailored Accounts is the accounting department of Canberra and the preferred choice among small businesses.

Harry Hoang is Tailored Accounts Executive Director M3 Building, Level 1, Suite 127, 24 Lonsdale Street, Braddon ACT 2612 Australia T: 02 6169 5196 | M: 0434 196 607 E: info@tailoredaccounts.com.au | www.tailoredaccounts.com.au

BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY

BUSINESS LAW by Mark Love

Exciting renewable energy developments in the ACT

Highway to the Danger Zone (Director Liability) The key benefit of a company structure is the separate legal personality that the company has from its controllers (directors) and its owners (shareholders) and the protection given to those individuals if the worst occurs and the business goes bust; but if you think that a director therefore has no liability, you are mistaken. We often hear about instances of director liability for breaches of directors’ duties (trading whilst insolvent for example). However there are more obvious (although less talked about) instances of personal liability that directors may overlook; consider personal guarantees and incorrectly signed contracts. Where suppliers or financiers are concerned about a company’s ability to repay its debts, they may request personal guarantees. These can expose a director’s personal assets. For multiple directors, the guarantees could be joint and several. So whilst a director may believe she/he is ‘equally liable’ with fellow directors, nothing prevents a creditor pursuing only some (or even one) of the guarantors. In such cases, creditors are inclined to pursue the guarantor with the greatest apparent wealth. There are two particularly dangerous aspects of personal guarantees: • Continuing guarantees, which are not limited in time and thus may make the guarantor liable for past, present and future obligations; and • All money guarantees, where there is no financial limit on the guarantee provided. Ceasing to act as a director may not and typically does not release you from your guarantees. It requires active steps to achieve the release of a guarantee. A guarantee is a separate contractual assurance. Directors should also be wary about signing contracts incorrectly, where the danger of personal liability again looms overhead. In the recent decision of Knight Frank Australia Pty Ltd v Paley Properties Pty Ltd [2014] SASCFC 103, the Court made it clear that an agent incorrectly purporting to have authority to contract on behalf of their principal will be personally liable. If a director executes a contract as “company agent”, rather than signing as the company itself, that director warrants that they have the appropriate authority to enter that contract. The Knight decision highlights that directors could be liable if that authority proves faulty and the company fails to adopt the contract. For directors, the scope of personal liability extends beyond a breach of director’s duties. Signing a personal guarantee or incorrectly signing a contract can be just as dangerous. Ensuring you’re appropriately released from obligations and have proper authority to deal on behalf of the company can help you steer clear of that road to (personal) ruin. If you have concerns as to your personal exposure as a director, seeking professional advice early can help mitigate the risks.

Mark Love, Legal Director, Business Law 9th Floor, Canberra House, 40 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT 2601 E: mark.love@bradleyallenlove.com.au T: 02 6274 0810 | www.bradleyallenlove.com.au

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By Lachlan James

The ACT Government’s renewable energy initiatives are delivering renewable energy to Canberra households at record low prices and creating new commercial opportunities for Territory businesses. As a strong supporter of renewable energy, the ACT Government is committed to positioning Canberra as an export-oriented hub for renewable energy innovation and investment. Through our solar and wind energy auctions, the Territory is on track to achieve 90% renewables by 2020, targeting 100% by 2025 and zero emissions/carbon-neutrality by 2060 – making the ACT a recognised national and global leader in renewable energy and emissions reductions. Together with the Renewable Energy Industry Development Strategy and Local Investment Framework, we are attracting renewable energy businesses to the Territory and creating new training programs, research and business opportunities and jobs in the ACT. By 2017, our existing solar and wind energy auctions will produce enough renewable energy to power over 100,000 homes. In addition to delivering clean energy to Canberra households at record low prices, the renewable energy auctions are driving $1.5 billion in infrastructure development and $300 million in direct local industry development. Renewable energy companies, such as France-based Neoen, are establishing their Asia-Pacific headquarters in the ACT, while new initiatives are expanding the commercial opportunities of local renewable energy companies such as Windlab and RepositPower. Over the past five years, renewable energy jobs alone have grown by over 400% in the ACT from 33 to 163 jobs per 100,000 of population—the highest growth rate of any Australian jurisdiction. Commitments by successful auction proponents to engage with ACTbased businesses are creating new opportunities for the broader commercial sector in the Territory, particularly in environmental and renewable energy consulting, construction, and legal, accounting and insurance services. The Renewable Energy Innovation Fund will drive opportunities for innovative and emerging Territory-based businesses to capitalise upon the tremendous opportunities that renewable energy and energy storage technologies represent. Looking ahead Our Next Generation initiative, which combines renewable energy generation with energy storage, together with the second 200 megawatt wind auction and future renewable energy auctions will further help the Government reach the ambitious renewable energy targets. They will drive the development of new commercial opportunities and jobs in the region, growing a more robust, diverse and vibrant ACT economy for the people of Canberra. For further information on these exciting initiatives, or to find out what opportunities are available for the ACT business community, please visit www.environment.act.gov.au/energy.

For more information contact Actsmart on Phone: 13 22 81 or Email: actsmart@act.gov.au www.actsmart.act.gov.au Level 2 North, Dame Pattie Menzies House, 16 Challis Street Dickson ACT 2602

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ENTERTAINMENT by Peter Funnell

Looking back at 2015. And wishing you a safe and enjoyable Christmas Here are just a few of the Speakers and performers facilitated by Peter Funnell for clients as far away as Barcelona. Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller - Director General of MI5, the British internal Security Service, from October 2002 until her retirement on 20 April 2007.

Raffaello D’Andrea - Raffaello D’Andrea is a professor and inventor who explores the capabilities of autonomous systems. He is cofounder of Kiva Systems.

Alastair MacGibbon – Children's eSafety Commissioner (designate) from April 2015. ... Previously General Manager (Security) for Dimension Data Australia, Director of the Centre for Internet Safety at the University of Canberra and Managing Partner at Surete Group. Dave Fishwick - Dave Fishwick is the Burnley businessman who made policy-makers, industry regulators and multinational banks sit up and take notice.

Russel Howcroft - Executive General Manager of Network TEN. He is responsible for TEN’s operations in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Russel is best known as a panellist on the ABC television program The Gruen Transfer. Raymond Crowe The Unusualist - Dazzling original amalgam of comedy, magician and shadow artistry. Royal Command Performance before Her Majesty the Queen.

Boys in the Band – Featuring iconic songs from The Jersey Boys, The Beatles, The Jackson 5 and The Bee Gee’s.

Tripod - Tripod are an Australian musical comedy trio founded in 1997. They provide original songs and harmonies, strung together by comic banter.

Peter Funnell’s knowledge and experience in servicing the Canberra region has no peer. Corporate and government events, conventions, seminars, outdoor festivals, private functions, and entertainment to meet your requirements perfectly. Go to www.funnellentertainment.com.au | Email: peter@funnellentertainment.com.au or Phone: 02 6251 5452 | Mobile: 0412 620 310

FAMILY LAW

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY by Jacquelyn Curtis

Financial support for adult “children”

International protection of your trade marks

You might remember ‘Failure to Launch’ as a bad romantic comedy film. If you haven’t seen the film, all you need to know is it that it is about a thirty-something guy who lives with his parents and relies financially on them. Regardless of the quality of the film, the subject matter is not too remote from the reality of many families today. Increasing numbers of adult children are remaining in the family home, well into their adulthood. Many are undertaking tertiary study and the costs of “moving out” are insurmountable. For young adults with disabilities, living independently of their carer may not be possible. If your adult child is still financially dependent on you, and you are separated from your adult child’s parent, chances are your requests from the other parent to ‘pitch in’ may have been met with resistance. While a parent’s obligation to pay child support ends when a child turns 18 or finishes secondary schooling, adult child maintenance orders can be made where financial support is necessary for a child to complete education or because they have a mental or physical disability. Education may include TAFE, university courses, apprenticeships and vocational education. Medical evidence will be required to establish the need for financial support for a child with special needs. Either the child, or the parent caring for them, can apply to the Court for periodic adult child maintenance. If an order is made, it is enforceable by the Child Support Agency. When considering an application for child maintenance, the Court must take into account: • The objects of the Act in ensuring that children have their needs met through assistance from both parents and that parents equitably share supporting their children; • The capacity of each parent to provide support, by examining each parent’s income, expenses, financial resources and income earning capacity; • The proper needs of the child. This may include consideration of the child’s age, the manner in which both parties expected that the child would be educated or trained and any special needs of the child; • The necessary expenses for the child. This may include living costs and items such as textbooks or equipment. For children with special needs this may include costs of equipment, treatment or other costs associated with their disability; • The income, earning capacity and financial resources of the child. The child’s ability to earn or derive income will be considered but their entitlement to government allowances or benefits disregarded. If you are a young adult or a parent experiencing “failure to launch” syndrome and you do not feel the other parent is providing adequate support, obtain legal advice about whether adult child maintenance orders may be an option for you.

Jacquelyn Curtis is an Associate of the firm 18 Kendall Lane, New Acton Canberra City ACT 2601 T: (02) 6212 7600 E: mail@ddcslawyers.com.au www.ddcslawyers.com.au

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by Shaun Creighton

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We often meet with clients who are surprised to learn that their registered trade mark provides no protection in other countries. Like other forms of IP, trade marks are registered on a per country basis. If wishing to extend protection of your Australian trade mark rights to other countries, do you need to engage lawyers or trade mark attorneys in those specific countries? The answer, like the answer to many legal questions, is “it depends”. International Applications which we can file from Australia: Australia is a signatory to an international convention called the Madrid Protocol. A single International Application may be filed (from Australia) under the Madrid Protocol nominating any country that is also a signatory to that international instrument. Such applications act as a bundle of applications filed in the designated countries and, if accepted, International Registration is issued by the International Bureau at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). International applications using the Madrid Protocol would be based on the Australian trade mark application(s). Under a different international convention (the Paris Convention), if an international application is filed in a country which also a signatory to that convention within 6 months of the Australian filing date, the international application will benefit from the Australian filing date (ie it will be deemed as filed on the Australian trade mark filing date, and if it proceeds to registration, be registered from the Australian filing date). Most countries are signatories to the Paris Convention, but only about half the countries in the world are signatories to the Madrid Protocol. The following are examples of countries that are signatories to the Madrid Protocol: the USA, the European Union (including the UK), China, Japan, New Zealand. International Applications where an International Agent is required: If wishing to file a trade mark application in a country that is not a signatory to the Madrid Protocol, then a local lawyer / trade mark attorney will usually need to be instructed. We have a network of international agents we can use to assist in such circumstances. Avoiding infringement: pre-filing and pre-use searches Finally, since your Australian trade mark does not provide rights in other jurisdictions, before using a trade mark in another country, it is prudent to first have searches conducted to ensure you can protect your brand in those jurisdictions and that use won’t infringe the rights of other parties in those jurisdictions. ARETE Group has a team of IP lawyers and Trade Mark Attorneys. We can assist with all of your Australian and international trade mark requirements (including, if necessary, instructing agents in specific countries).

For further information or if we can assist, visit our website at www.aretegroup.com.au or email Shaun.Creighton@aretegroup.com.au for an obligation free assessment of your legal issues.

SE A S ON 2016 Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Nicholas Milton celebrating his tenth year with the CSO. The ActewAGL Llewellyn Series exemplifies the breadth of human emotion and experience, while the Saturday Series features diverse programs with popular appeal.

ACTEWAGL LLEWELLYN SERIES

11 & 12 May

6 & 7 April

NIGEL WESTLAKE: Cudmirrah Fanfare SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 7 in B minor—Unfinished BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 9 in D minor

/01 MOZART Benjamin Northey Conductor Virginia Taylor Flute

MOZART: Symphony No. 31 in D major—Paris JONATHAN DOVE: The Magic Flute Dances—Concerto for Flute and Orchestra NIGEL WESTLAKE: Out of the Blue TCHAIKOVSKY: Suite No. 4 in G major—Mozartiana

/04 TCHAIKOVSKY

Stephen Mould Conductor Soloists from Opera Australia

Nicholas Milton Conductor

17 & 18 August

/03 DVOŘÁK

Nicholas Milton Conductor Artistic patronage ActewAGL

Indira Koch Violin Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt Cello WEBER Der Freischütz—Overture BRAHMS Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 7 in D minor

cso.org.au

2 & 3 November

/02 BEETHOVEN

CSO Direct (ticketing) 6262 6772

Artistic patronage ActewAGL

Kristian Chong Piano

NIGEL WESTLAKE Shimmering Blue RACHMANINOV Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4 in F minor

SATURDAY SERIES Saturday 20 February

/01 SHELL PROM PICNIC CONCERT

Saturday 2 July

/02 ICON WATER OPERA GALA In collaboration with Opera Australia 7.30pm, Llewellyn Hall, ANU Stanley Dodds Conductor Soloists from Opera Australia Saturday 8 October

/03 CANBERRA WEEKLY MATINEE MAGIC BEATLES IN SYMPHONY Saturday 8 October 2.00pm, Llewellyn Hall, ANU Guy Noble Conductor

With support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands 5.00pm, Grounds of Government House. Gates open at 3.45pm Marc Taddei Conductor Alan Vivian Clarinet

/canberrasymphonyorchestra

@cbr_symphony

RECRUITMENT

SPORT by Jim Roy

Under pressure: skills in demand

by Paul Smith

Social media and sport campaigns - do's and don’ts

The Christmas season is fast approaching, so before you take a wellearned break to recharge your batteries, make sure you are informed about the recruitment market you will return to in early 2016. Our latest Hays Global Skills Index has been published, highlighting employers’ challenge to keep pace with demand for highly-skilled talent. The report, published in collaboration with Oxford Economics, assesses skilled labour markets in 31 countries. Here in Australia it shows that the labour market is tightening, particularly for professionals working in accountancy support, accountancy firms, sales, IT, engineering and healthcare. What does this mean for you in 2016? With demand outpacing supply in many areas, it suggests that wages in high-skill industries are increasing much quicker than those in low-skill industries relative to the past. So if you operate in a high-skill industry and need to recruit in early 2016, start thinking now about how you will compete for top talent. In terms of the specific skills in high demand, our latest Hays Quarterly Report shows a continuing severe shortage of accountancy support professionals. High-volume Payroll Officers with specific systems experience, skilled Accounts Payable professionals with SAP, Accounts Clerks, Credit Controllers, Accounts Receivable candidates and Bookkeepers are all needed. Australia’s professional practice market also remains incredibly short of experienced accountants, especially seniors and managers in financial advisory, audit, tax and business services. Within IT the mass shift from traditional MS SQL databases to Oracle in the public sector has resulted in a major demand for Oracle resources. Demand is also spreading to Exadata, Goldengate and RAC. Australia’s growing aged care sector is creating ever increasing demand for healthcare professionals, while new qualification requirements in Australia’s financial planning industry have led to an influx of roles and demand for Financial Planners with their CFP or degree. Within engineering there is a major candidate shortage, and we’re seeing increased needs for building services engineers. Hydraulic Drafters, Hydraulic Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Civil Infrastructure Engineers and Civil Drafters are needed. The biggest trend within the marketing sector is the ever increasing demand for online experts with HTML, web, CSS, CMS and systems experience as key departments work on intranet and internet redevelopments. APS6 communications generalists are needed too, as are candidates with both policy and communications experience. Legal firms face a major candidate shortage, especially in transactional areas such as corporate and banking & finance. Security cleared Executive Assistants are another area of demand, while proven and experienced sales candidates are also sought. Given talent demand, if you’d like to get ahead of the curve and plan your New Year hires before your summer break, please contact us.

Last month we discussed ‘why’ social media and sport are a winning mix. This month we suggest ‘how’ to use sport and social media effectively. Three definite ‘dos’ in any social media campaign are: 1. Creativity 2. A clear message 3. Timing Creativity is important because if your branded content is sufficiently engaging, people will share with their friends. Nirvana is your message zooming around the Internet, being discussed and admired by more and more people with little further marketing administration or cost. Great social media campaigns think ‘fresh’, use humour or create a topic of interest raising questions people want answered. Think of the movie, the ‘Blair Witch Project’. The surrounding social media campaign is regarded as most successful because people just had to know whether the story about young documentary makers lost in the woods was true or false. Does this all sound too hard? It need not be. In a sporting context it just needs to be something that creates interest. It can be as simple as polling fans on the best goal for the year, perhaps with a prize attached. Better still, done in real time, they keep on returning to see the results. Now put this into a business context. In the above example your company could be providing an attractive prize, but taking the additional step of publishing results on your Facebook page exposes entrants to other messages and product information on your company. Generic messages should be avoided. Social media campaigns need to be subtle, personal and targeted. A great example of this is the campaign by motor cycle helmet maker, Biltwell. They encourage fans to send in photos showing how they have painted their helmets. This creates a feeling of belonging around the brand and fans keep coming back to see new and innovative designs. Finally, great social marketing seizes the day. This allows brands to piggyback on a special real-life moment and embed themselves into the memory of that event. Red Bull is amongst the word’s best in attaching the brand to thrill seeking activities from Formula One through to individual dare devil attempts on world records. The company has carefully carved out a niche amongst fans of these activities. Not all social media campaigns are successful, even those run by the conglomerates. Skittles confectionery, a product of the giant worldwide Mars corporation, commenced a Twitter campaign six years ago, only to have it hijacked and turned into a forum for lewd, crude comments. It was quickly abandoned. Any invitation for personal interaction whether by social media or otherwise has an element of danger but it can also reap great rewards.

Jim Roy, Regional Director 5th Floor, 54 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra T 02 6112 7663 | F 02 6257 6377 E canberra@hays.com.au

For more information, contact Paul Smith, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of Yabba.Guru on 0401 400 779 or go to www.yabba.guru

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STRATA MANAGEMENT By Chris Miller

Strata meetings: is there a better way?

For further information, please contact Chris Miller, General Manager M 0400 376 208 F 02 6239 5711 The Griffin, Corner Giles & Jardine Streets, Kingston PO Box 5044, Kingston ACT 2604.

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by Sam Gupta

I clicked a page & I bounced it…

When I started my career in the strata industry ten or so years ago, I was told in no uncertain terms that part of the job would require me to conduct strata meetings outside of business hours on site at peoples units or townhouses. Since that day, it has been abundantly clear to me that this is a steadfast rule that owners within strata developments are unwilling to let go of. Trying to change this status quo has become somewhat of a “third rail” among strata businesses and professionals – deep down I believe we would all like a shake up in this regard, however ultimately the fear of upsetting the apple cart seems to have won out each time it has come up for discussion. I recently read an article about a strata As an owner, it is next manager who refused to hold meetings to impossible to ensure on site at a complex because it was common knowledge that the place was the protection of your haunted! This young lady was terrified of walking through the building alone in investment or home if one the evening, and simply refused to do so. Superstition aside, this story did raise the does not take an active spectre (no pun intended) of employee role, not just at the AGM, safety within the strata industry. Is it really safe to be sending our managers out to but also during the year. other peoples homes, often well into the evening, to face a sometimes-hostile audience? I would contend that there are some genuine issues with the situation as it currently stands, and at the risk of going it alone, it is well worth closer consideration. When it comes to strata meetings, the other major problem faced by the strata industry is lack of attendance. As a manager, it is very difficult to fulfil the needs of the broader group of owners, if they are apathetic and do not participate. As an owner, it is next to impossible to ensure the protection of your investment or home if one does not take an active role, not just at the AGM, but also during the year. The manager who solves these two difficulties will be well ahead of the pack in terms of service delivery for their clients, and providing rewarding and safe careers, capable of attracting skilled professionals in a competitive employment market. It would be arrogant to suggest that our business has solved these issues in one fell swoop, however we have taken some steps that we think will improve matters to a significant extent. Among other initiatives, we have undertaken to hold multiple meetings on a Saturday, wherever possible and under certain conditions. Our meetings will also involve more than just the strata manager on most occasions, providing a higher level of service to our clients, while ensuring OH & S is maintained at all times. While we hope to see some immediate benefits from these policies, we are continuing to consider other improved ways of doing business, particularly as it relates to meetings. At this point, nothing is off the agenda – so to speak.

WEBSITES

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Alright, don’t let that song get stuck in your head. Let’s talk about bounce rate this month. Bounce rate is one of the biggest thieves of your online dollars and you may not even know the amount of damage it might be doing to your business. I recently came across a website where the owner is spending thousands of dollars in advertisements and the bounce rate is nearly 80%. Imagine 80% of your hard earn money going in the drain! Can you imagine the cost they must be paying out of their pockets for each online lead? What if you were to half that rate? Wouldn’t that be great? I always say, a dollar saved is TEN dollars earned! So, why do some websites have such a high bounce rate? There are many factors that affect a website’s bounce rate. Firstly, most businesses fail to identify and profile the users that are visiting their website. Secondly, most websites fail to take their users by hand and walk them through the website, all the way to the action you want them to take. It is really that simple. One of the best way to reduce the bounce rate is to have a gripping headline and introduction. That should be followed by an intuitive call to action. Choose your call to action carefully. Make it as natural as possible. When I first take over a project, I spend a lot of my time understanding the business, its products, the website visitors and most importantly the customers. It is Most websites fail to critical to research and profile the different types of users to your website. After that, take their users by create a matrix about the physiological state each user group. Different users in different hand and walk them of states will act differently. through the website, all Well, talking about states, I am in a great state of mind right now. I recently attended the way to the action the Unleash the Power Within seminar by Robbins, for the second time. Over the you want them to take. Tony period of four days, he kind of pulls you apart and puts you back together; makes you feel like a new and improved YOU. It’s amazing! He talks about your mental state as a key to success. Anyway, back to the topic. The point is that same user will react differently in a different state of mind. Try to profile each possible state your users could be in when visiting your website. You can’t please everyone, but the idea is to engage as many qualified users as possible. Log in to your Google Analytics and check the bounce rate for last three months. Generally speaking, around 30-40% is average. If it is anything over 60%, your alarm bells should be ringing.

Sam Gupta is the managing director of Synapse Worldwide. Sam would love to hear your thoughts on this advice column. Tel: 1300 785 230 Email: admin@synapseworldwide.com Web: www.synapseworldwide.com.

A2B

A S S O C I AT I O N S T O B U S I N E S S

Business looks to opportunities in light rail ROBYN HENDRY

CEO CANBERRA BUSINESS CHAMBER

arge infrastructure projects - be they new housing developments, major roads, construction of essential facilities such as hospitals and schools, or indeed light rail – tend to be greeted with mixed sentiments from the community. However, the one indisputable fact is that these projects provide opportunities for local businesses, local employment and growth. One of the most significant infrastructure projects on the horizon for the ACT is commencement of the Capital Metro Light Rail Network Phase 1. The Canberra Business Chamber (CBC) will now work closely with ACT Government and the business community towards that vision. This formal partnership was announced recently with the release of the Capital Metro Business Link program. Together we will prepare for the possibilities and challenges the Capital Metro Light Rail project will bring to the city, the economy and the community. The Chamber will encourage businesses to be forward looking and to take advantage of the opportunities that may arise from changing community activity, employment, and the consumption of goods and services. An Ernst and Young analysis has predicted that the development along the corridor of Phase 1 for Capital Metro could see around 50 000 jobs remaining along the corridor. These figures don’t include the 3500 jobs that will be created for the construction phase. So the potential benefits for local business are significant. The Chamber sees itself having a number of roles in terms of optimising local business involvement and success. For example, it can connect members from different sectors of business to provide services such as accounting, legal, financial and planning services. The Chamber will have dedicated staff who will engage and work with business 28

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stakeholders along the proposed Capital Metro route during the construction phase to identify opportunities and minimise adverse impacts on business. In addition, the Chamber plans to connect with business chambers in locations where a light rail has recently been built to learn from their experiences. The Chamber has gained insights from comparable jurisdictions, like the Northern Territory, where SME are effectively offered business services, and specific training as required, to support the scaling up for large projects, which results in both legacy capacity building and preventing investment leakage. The Chamber will also act as a conduit between business and the ACT Government. It will be able to keep businesses informed on the project, hear from businesses about issues, and report back concerns to Capital Metro. For more information about Capital Metro Business Link visit www.canberrabusiness.com A number of other partnerships between the ACT Government and the Chamber were recently announced. CBC will serve as a central consultation and engagement point between the ACT Government and the business community in relation to the following projects: Brand Canberra – This project will develop the next stage of Brand Canberra. Guided by the Brand Strategic Advisory Board, the project will facilitate further community and private sector adoption of the Brand. Trade and Export Programs – this project will deliver programs that aim to grow the value of exports to the ACT economy including: trade mission ready programs, export readiness programs and industry-led trade missions to priority markets. Healthy Weight Initiative – CBC will engage with the ACT business community to carry out a range of activities, including

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“An Ernst and Young analysis has predicted that the development along the corridor of Phase 1 for Capital Metro could see around 50 000 jobs remaining along the corridor.” arranging pilots for five businesses to trial voluntary actions to reduce the marketing of unhealthy food and drinks and where possible increase the marketing of healthy food and drinks particularly targeted at children.

Canberra Business Chamber wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and looks forward to working with you in 2016. Contact the Canberra Business Chamber Team: Phone: 02 6247 4199 Email: info@canberrabusiness.com Web: www.canberrabusiness.com

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CHIEF MINISTER’S MESSAGE

ANDREW BARR

CHIEF MINISTER TREASURER MINISTER FOR URBAN RENEWAL MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND EVENTS

Photo Kasra Yousefi

Better transport for Canberra

ydney’s busy George Street was recently closed to cars as the construction of the city’s light rail network began. This followed an announcement by the Queensland Government that Stage 2 of their light rail project will be completed in time for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Next year, work will start on Canberra’s light rail and will mark the start of the next stage of our public transport network. We are also forging ahead with our vision of an integrated public transport system that will merge ACTION and Capital Metro into a single agency – Transport Canberra – from July 2016. Canberra needs a smart, integrated public transport system that is easy to use, there when you need it and gets you to your destination on time. It’s important that Canberrans can move around easily, with bus routes and timetables connecting with light rail. It’s critical that Canberrans can easily plan their journey, have a single timetable; enjoy positive experiences across bus and light rail, and access a single approach to ticketing. ACTION provides a good service for many Canberrans. However, ACTION’s growth in customer numbers has not kept pace with population growth. We can do better than this. Transport Canberra will be designed to be customer focused and win new public transport users, and will harness new technologies and ways of doing business. In particular, the sophisticated use of data will become increasingly important. We introduced MyWay in 2010, and this system has allowed the provision of real time 30

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information to commuters on when their bus will be arriving and departing. The data has also allowed for better network planning. So you can stay connected throughout your journey, all light rail vehicles will have WiFi and ACTION will start a trial of bus Wi-Fi before the end of the year. We will also trial a new on-demand pick-up system to complement weekend suburban services in the first half of 2016. Passengers will be able to arrange to be picked up from their nearest suburban bus stop and taken to the bus interchange to join major routes and more convenient suburban services. New park and ride facilities will allow people to switch from driving to public transport, and reduce parking costs for travellers as well as congestion in the city centre. To compliment this, all ACTION buses will be fitted with bike racks. Transport Canberra will support strong public transport for all areas of Canberra particularly for those demographics and groups that rely heavily on public transport. The successful delivery of light rail will of course be a key task for Transport Canberra. Light rail will transform the City to Gungahlin corridor and will support economic development in our city. Light rail will free up 1.2 million bus kilometres per year. It makes commercial sense to reallocate the freed up kilometres for the benefit of the broader community. Transport Canberra will be responsible for designing future bus networks to take advantage of the freed up kilometres. There is also a longer term horizon for public transport in Canberra. Effective city planning depends on the capacity to think and plan in terms of

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“The Light Rail Network Plan will be an exercise in listening to the community, and hearing about the type of city that they would like to leave to future generations.” decades and even generations. That is why my government recently released the Light Rail Network Plan. This plan is not just an exercise in thinking about how light rail could eventually be extended across Canberra, it’s a chance to influence the shape of our city over time for the better. The Light Rail Network Plan will be an exercise in listening to the community, and hearing about the type of city that they would like to leave to future generations. I encourage you all to have your say and get involved in the Light Rail Network consultation by visiting http://haveyoursay.planning.act.gov.au.

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