BarterMag issue 4 by Bartercard Australia

For businesses who connect

Barter Mag Gillian Skeer Master Coach NLP

3 steps to a more positive life

IP Wealth

Protecting ideas globally

Food and wine lovers guide to the Margaret River

On Trend:

Puppuccino, the new coffee for dogs

Ticking off the travel list with Bartercard

Gillian Skeer, Creative Coaching Solutions

Issue 4

Whether you go for business or pleasure...

Bartercard is with you. Bartercard offers hundreds of accommodation package options world-wide without the cash cost. One of the many ways to conserve cash and improve your lifestyle. Visit bartercard.com.au/bartercardtourism

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Hello from the new CEO of Bartercard Australia It is with great pleasure that I join the Bartercard Australia team - what an exciting time to be part of this thriving international company! At the time of finalising this issue, our parent company BPS Technology announced the sale of the Bartercard licence in China that will see a roll out across 21 provinces. With entry into the Johannesburg market confirmed late last year, China will be the 9th region where we trade and we are marked to break new ground with our loyalty app bucqi. The app which will let consumers earn dollar for dollar rewards from Bartercard merchants, has recently been taken up by one of the largest travel reward companies in Australia. This deal will place bucqi in front of more than 200,000 consumers and is a significant step for us into the broader business to consumer market. On a local level, 2015 will see us continue to give back to the regions in which we operate. This year we’ve committed to more than $1.6 million in sponsorships within the business, sporting, community and not-for-profit sectors locally and nationally across our franchise footprint. Our revamped trading portal MYBC has well and truly replaced the old platform, providing members with a more convenient way of trading. 2015 promises to be a big year for Bartercard, and as we cut a cake for our 24th birthday, I would like to thank members for your continued support that underpins our success. I hope you enjoy our latest issue of BarterMag, where you can read what some of our members are doing – from new ways of capturing audiences through to protecting IP and innovation across industries. Best regards,

Clive van Deventer CEO Bartercard Australia

Contents Puppuccino, the new coffee for dogs

3 steps to a more positive life

What is Bartercard?

Camerons Blinds and Awnings 7 Ayurveda - the art of wellbeing 8 Protecting ideas globally

Ticking off the travel list

Food and wine-lover’s guide to the Margaret River

Local clubs and communities get a kick out of Bartercard

Bartercard Foundation joins the “Farmy Army”

Wrek-King roadblocks

Creating sustainable partnerships with Bartercard

Reaching new peaks with Adventure Climb

Business start-up

Puppuccino,

the new coffee for dogs

There are countless styles, varieties, and ways for people to drink coffee. Now a local Gold Coast establishment is serving a petfriendly alternative to the caffeinated drink.

he Black Sheep Espresso Baa is dishing out ‘Puppuccinos’ to dogs - a tongue-in-cheek variation of the cappuccino trending amongst pet owners. It’s lactose-free milk frothed, dusted with carob, topped with a dog biscuit and served in a pet bowl. Owner of The Black Sheep Espresso Baa’s Dinesh Nair, opened the doors to his establishment early last year in the new Coolangatta precinct. He used Bartercard’s $25,000 interest-free line of credit to help start his business. Dinesh said people can expect to see more dog owners treating their pets when they pick up their coffee fix. “It’s more popular in Europe than Australia right now but we are seeing more pet owners ordering puppuccinos,” he said. “People like to treat their pets to a cup.” Another drink trending is latte bowls. “We see more customers drinking their coffee out of a bowl; again it’s a style more common in Europe that’s picking up with Gold Coasters.” A smart alternative to a business loan Dinesh, who recently moved to Australia from New Zealand, said Bartercard helped him kick-start his business as a smart alternative to taking out a business loan. “One of the biggest challenges of establishing a business is having enough equity,” he said. “Bartercard helped me get my dream up and running.” After looking at different options, Dinesh joined Bartercard’s cashless network and used the $25,000 interest-free line of credit to secure the bar’s beachfront location and set his business up. He sourced the architectural design and plans, painting, electrical work, materials, fit out and builders clean all on Bartercard. He also used it to pay for his brand design, some kitchen equipment, billboard and magazine 4

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On trend: Puppuccino is the pet-friendly alternative to coffee – so now your pet won’t feel left out.

advertising, business cards and flyers, and interior furnishings, conserving cash on all of these expenses.

The beachside bar offers restaurant quality food and precision when it comes to coffee making, with specially trained baristas onsite. To go with their certified organic blend, they do á la carte breakfast and lunch, where all ingredients are locally sourced. Dinesh said he offers a location and an approach to coffee and food that’s synonymous with what locals love. “It’s why we place emphasis on quality and taste, and the option to grab something healthy on the go.” The Black Sheep Espresso Baa has also recently introduced lunchbox drops to local businesses, pre-ordered and delivered daily. Next time you’re on the Gold Coast, pick up your cappuccino, latte, espresso or macchiato, at The Black Sheep Espresso Baa, 72 – 80 Marine Parade Coolangatta, and treat your pet too.

Positive thinking

3 steps

to a more positive life Being positive can be a challenge under trying circumstances and there is no doubt there are times when non-positive emotions, like grief for example, are perfectly appropriate for the situation. But in day to day life, how can we move from a negative state to a positive state?

Anchor in for positivity

Break up with your thoughts

Turn your attitude on its head

Have you ever heard a song on the radio that takes you back to a sad place in your life and you feel an emotional response to it? This is an example of an anchor at work. An anchor is any stimulus that is associated with a specific response and can occur both consciously or unconsciously. You might describe an anchor as a trigger or something that sets us off on a particular emotional path. In a positive scenario, you might find comfort when someone puts their arm around you, because at some time in the past you experienced a positive emotional response to that physical connection. So wouldn’t it be good to be able to anchor in lots of positive states like calm, relaxation, motivation and confidence so that you can access them when the need arises?

Your thinking determines your outcomes, so it’s a good idea to take stock of what your inner voice is telling you. Do you find that you put yourself down with your self-talk? Do you give yourself a multitude of reasons for not going after what you want? Do you tell yourself that you’re not good enough? Negative self-talk and limiting beliefs might keep you nicely tucked into your comfort zone, but they are not going to give you what you want. Imagine how well-formed those limiting beliefs might be after years of practice! You see, the more you run those patterns of thinking, the more embedded they will become. They’re just the same as habits. They’ll ultimately determine your behaviour, and your results.

How you look at a situation will determine your experience of it. You have the choice to look at any situation in the positive or the negative. Reframing is a great technique you can use when you are faced with a situation that brings about a negative emotional response in you or makes you feel disempowered. By putting the situation in a different frame, you can change its meaning, enabling you to think about it in a more positive and empowering way. So, for example, a missed opportunity which you might normally see as a loss or a failure can be viewed more positively say, as one that opens up alternative possibilities for you. We can all choose to change our perception about anything. If you put a positive spin on it you’ll notice that your state and behaviour will also change.

When you understand how anchors work, you can set up resourceful anchors for yourself and purposefully use them as a powerful tool to positively manage your emotional state. With practice you can control your own state instead of allowing your state to control you.

Once you start to become aware that your self-talk may well be sabotaging your happiness, you can do something about it. Notice your negative thoughts and negative language and actively break the pattern. The effect of reframing your thinking could have a profound affect your business.

Gillian Skeer - Bartercard member and Master Coach NLP at Creative Coaching Solutions, offers professional Life and Success Coaching and Training to clients on Bartercard nationally and internationally. She is based in Perth, Western Australia. Premiumlevel in-person, Skype and phone coaching is available. Connect with Gillian Skeer, Master Coach NLP at 0417 908 925 or www.creativecoach.co

Gillian Skeer, Master Coach NLP at Creative Coaching Solutions Issue 4, 2015

What is Bartercard? And how does it work…

Bartercard is a business network made up of 55,000 cardholders around the world. It is designed to assist businesses to improve cash flow and reduce cash expenses through the use of modern bartering.

6 benefits for business...

Gone are the days of swapping a cow for a pig or a chicken for a goat. The power of modern bartering is that you can conserve cash and reduce expenses by using our digital currency, known as a trade dollar, to swap your goods or services indirectly with any business within the Bartercard network.

1. More customers

4. Sell slow-moving stock

Most businesses employ sales people, advertise, reduce prices or offer incentives to gain more customers. By using Bartercard you gain more customers by promoting your business directly to the membership base through the many sales channels and by building relationships at the networking events. It’s like having an extra marketing arm in your business which directly results in increasing your sales opportunities and creating cash referral business.

For many businesses selling slow-moving stock means discounting, running dealer promotions or sadly writing off the stock. The benefit with Bartercard is you sell slow-moving or discontinued stock at the normal selling price avoiding the need to reduce your profit margins. You can promote your slow-moving stock to the members on Bartercard’s online facilities, eNewsletter or at a stand at the many trade shows.

2. The power of Bartercard trade dollars

5. Capture lost revenue

When you barter trade using Bartercard you are ultimately buying with your cost of products or services. Therefore, you are buying at the purchasing discount that is inbuilt into your margin.

Most businesses have a certain amount of downtime, be it on certain days or at certain times of the year with the flux of seasonal trends. Bartercard’s goal is to assist you to gain additional customers to utilise business downtime. For example, hairdressers may fill empty spots in their diaries, restaurateurs may fill empty tables, hotels may fill empty rooms, and professionals may fill empty appointments with additional Bartercard customers. By filling downtime you are effectively gaining revenue that you would otherwise have lost or missed out on.

To put simply, if it costs you 35c in the dollar to provide your product or service, then for every $100 trade you spend it really only costs you $35. So you are in fact buying at a 65% discount! By understanding this benefit you may be starting to grasp the power that Bartercard offers businesses.

3. Reduce cash expenses The way to maximise your purchasing discount is to look at all the current expenses that you have in your business such as advertising, bookkeeping, legal, printing, graphic design, business lunches and so on. By using the services of business members within the Bartercard network you can pay for these expenses with trade dollars instead of cash.

6. Interest free line of credit Bartercard members receive an interest free line of credit ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 trade dollars which allows them to make purchases immediately upon joining the Bartercard network. This interestfree line of credit allows you to continue to grow your business even during times when your cash flow has slowed, without incurring crippling interest rates.

To give you a snapshot Bartercard currently has 500 advertising/media companies like radio and magazines, 188 bookkeepers, 294 printers, 1,570 restaurants and cafes and 216 graphic designers! The spending options for your business are enormous; therefore your cash savings are also enormous.

Could any of these benefits help your business? We would love the opportunity to help you to achieve your business and lifestyle goals. Contact our friendly team on 1300 BARTER (1300 227 837) or visit www.bartercard.com.au 6

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Reducing expenses

Camerons Blinds and Awnings

Celebrates 30 years of success Raising a glass for its 30th birthday, Camerons Blinds and Awnings is toasting more than just three decades of keeping homes cool – saving approximately $10,000 a year in cash with Bartercard has been the icing on the cake.

he Carrum Downs manufacturer and retailer said Bartercard has put them on the front foot with customers and ahead with business, attracting new sales and reducing expenses every time. “We keep more cash in our pockets each time we spend on Bartercard, which we put back into creating a better customer experience through improvements to our showroom and our shop-at-home service,” Brand Manager Lisa Lees said. She said their success and longevity in the market has been sweet, but hasn’t come without continuous work and fine-tuning their services to meet their customers’ needs. “When people ask what the biggest challenge has been along the way, I always say it’s being one-step ahead of our customers and having the foresight to know what they will want before they want it,” she said. “Nothing comes without hard work but seeing our business become a household name around Melbourne and Mornington in the last 6 years has really been the icing on the cake.” From humble beginnings, the family-

owned company started out of a garage in 1985, growing its reputation and quality to a two-factory facility quickly. Five and a half years ago, Lisa and her partner bought the business from her father and have put a heavy focus on expansion since. “Over thirty years we’ve evolved with times, but some things have always stayed the same” Lisa said. “Service has always been ingrained in the fabric of our business, and we’ve put a lot of effort into creating a flawless experience for our customers from start to finish.” “We’ve always stayed with local suppliers – all of our fabrics and components are made in Australia and assembled in our Carrum Downs factory. “What’s changed is the materials and the fabrics we use for our blinds and awnings, which all contain UV and solar qualities to not only block out but also reflect the sun.” “This not only makes it more efficient in keeping our customers’ homes shaded and cool, but also protects furniture and carpet from UV damage and cuts electricity costs.”

More success with Bartercard Camerons Blinds and Awnings joined Bartercard 15 years ago and has been attracting new customers and conserving cash on a range of expenses since. “We use it to cover the cost of stationery, uniforms, office cleaning, car servicing, wine and office equipment, and I also have my eye on a couple of accommodation packages in Fiji,” Lisa said. “It’s a fantastic asset we would recommend to any business owner looking to conserve cash and attract new customers.” Visit cameronsblinds.com.au for more information.

Issue 4, 2015

Wellbeing

Ayurveda the art of wellbeing

yurveda is a 5,000 year old system of Hindu traditional medicine considered to be the oldest healing science in the world. Consisting of a number of disciplines that embrace aromatherapy, diet, herbal medicine, acupuncture, yoga, massage and meditation it was first inspired by the wisdom of early Indian sages and continues to make an impact on the western world today. When I traveled to Goa, India just over a year ago, the first I heard of the ancient practice was when I came across a house, of a woman who practiced Ayurveda massage. She invited me into her modest home that was filled with bare essentials, but situated next to a stunning Goan

beach - making up with location where it lacked in decor. Her practice, consisting of a wooden carved table, her skills, and little else, was a far cry from the prim and proper salons and medical sanctuaries we visit at home in Australia. But coming back home I realised how much Ayurveda has influenced the Western world, from luxury beauty brands built on the concept to a myriad of yoga centres, herbal medicine clinics, massage and meditation all offering conventional Ayurvedic treatments to relieve stress and create wellness in our busy Western world. So, what’s in the practice?

Ayurveda 10 tips to stay healthy and live a longer life

Klara Vida Communications Executive at Bartercard

2. Wake with the sun

Shanti Gowans is a practitioner, consultant, yoga and meditation teacher who operates out of her own beautiful studio, Shanti Yoga™ on the Gold Coast, where she offers a wide range of Ayurvedic treatments, classes and teacher training courses. In this issue she shares some of the fundamentals of Ayurveda, and how we can all benefit from them.

Healing found in nature At its core Ayurveda prescribes a holistic way of living that incorporates body, mind and spirit. “Treatments are found in the natural world, and most are simply diet and lifestyle,” said Shanti. “Because we are part of nature, so are the treatments that correct our weaknesses. Plantbased herbs in Ayurvedic medicine balance the body and let it mend itself.”

Ayurveda – a holistic way of living It’s little wonder that in our busy lives, we fall out of balance. From long work days and commitments, to stress and pressure of every kind, struggling to find time to relax and reset isn’t a new concept. So we fall out of balance. We make poor food choices, we don’t find the time to exercise and rest, and we sleep less. According to traditional Ayurveda, certain conditions like stress, poor diet and fatigue create an environment more hospitable to disease. Shanti said it may sound simple, but over the years as she has studied and practiced Ayurveda, she came to realise it’s a wonderful health care package for a long and vital life.

Ayurveda proponents believe that earth, water, fire, air and space make up the universe and are also found in the human body, where they are called doshas. These forces can rise or fall beyond their natural balance with certain conditions like stress, causing susceptibility to poor health and illness.

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Ayurveda works to reduce one or more doshas which are out of balance. “Too much fire in their body, for example, which could show as heat or redness, requires a combination of cooling herbs to reduce or pacify it,” said Shanti. “Ayurveda also prescribes massage, aromatherapy and acupuncture, and encourages yoga and meditation as a way keep this equilibrium.”

1. Find your balance. An effective Ayurveda practitioner can provide you with the right diet, herbal supplements and treatments to do so

3. Practice yoga and meditation daily. These are the best medicines to keep you stress free 4. Avoid stress 5. Cook with fresh ingredients and prepare your own meals 6. Spend time in nature 7. Only undertake light, restful activity at night time 8. Set a curfew on technology and find a balance for work and rest 9. Sleep when you are tired 10. Reduce toxicity in your diet and lifestyle

“We are able to help so many more people with Bartercard. We live to help others and this has become so much more achievable since we joined Bartercard.”

About Shanti

Ayurveda advises that everyone should follow a seasonal routine to preserve balance as the seasons change. You can read more about this in Shanti’s books: • Ayurveda Health and Wellbeing • Ayurvedic Cooking • Food for Life available at her studio at 126 Scarborough Street, Southport, or through her website shantiyoga.com.au.

Shanti Gowans is a globally recognised author and founder of Shanti Yoga™, Meditation and Ayurveda on the Gold Coast. She has brought the concepts and practices of a healthy body and a still mind to thousands of Australians through her yoga and meditation programs, and runs regular tours in India and Nepal.

So, maybe we should all take the time to incorporate some of the practices that the ancient Indians pioneered. Ayurveda is a safe and healing practice which we can all can benefit from.

Shanti’s studio situated on the beautiful Gold Coast offers yoga and meditation, Ayurvedic treatments, teacher training, cooking classes, Bollywood dancing and more. She accepts a range of services on Bartercard benefiting members locally and Australia-wide.

Enhancing wellness with Bartercard Shanti has been a Bartercard member for the past two and a half years and uses it across a number of areas in her business.

Additionally, Shanti Yoga™ has a 70 acre ecological farm property which provides Ayurvedic and meditation retreats inclusive of residential accommodation. Nirvana Wellness Retreat is situated 40 minutes from Surfers Paradise in the beautiful hinterland mountains at Beechmont.

“My team and I are thrilled because we are able to help so many more people with Bartercard,” she said. Meditation, yoga and Ayurveda are our life. We live to help others and this has become so much more achievable since we joined Bartercard.” Shanti said that ideologically, the concept of barter sits well with her for this reason. “The win-win situation is that we’ve been able to develop our residential retreat centre with the services available from other Bartercard members. It feels just like a family. The wooden flooring in the yoga studio is from a Bartercard provider, as is our signwriting and printing. We were delighted to source

window coverings and blinds at our wellness retreat on barter and have our lawns mowed regularly by a Bartercard member. We’ve also taken our business to the next level with six months worth of business coaching sessions on barter.

Visit 126 Scarborough St, Southport, shantiyoga.com.au or call 07 5531 0511.

Issue 4, 2015

Brand protection

IP Wealth

Protecting ideas globally If you have a business, intellectual property is undeniably the most valuable asset in it. So protecting it with the best shield should be the first thing you do. But surprisingly many business owners unwittingly fail to take ownership of their intellectual property and the results can be catastrophic. IP, or intellectual property, is ‘the application of the mind to develop something new or original’ (ipaustralia.gov.au). It’s the idea behind a brand, invention, design or any artistic creation and is protected with trademarks. Paul Holzberger and Michael Beverly from IP Wealth have made their specialty into just this – trademarking brands, and all the hard work poured into them. If not done correctly, or even worse, at all, trademarking or lack-there-of it could mean the end of your business – this is where IP Wealth steps in. What can happen if you don’t trademark? Paul said you can spend years building a business but if you don’t have the trademark, another company can register one in your name and stop you from trading with it. “They can take your company name and web domain, and issue a cease and desist letter to close you down – and the chances of this happening are high,” he said. “You will be forced to rebrand and trade under a different name, and all of your hard work will go to your competitor. Trademarking is like having an insurance policy.” Paul explains that the biggest problem he sees for start-ups is that 80 per cent of Australians don’t know what a trademark is. “People don’t know that having a brand which is not trademarked is only a temporary right until someone comes along and trademarks it.” With many companies registering trademarks on the sideline, mostly general practice law firms, Gold Coast-based IP Wealth is solely focused on intellectual property. “While these companies might do up to 30 trademarks in a year we can do up to 30 in a day – it’s what we specialise in,” says Paul. “We work with clients who have businesses in Australia and overseas where trademarking laws vary.”

IP Wealth is a Bartercard member that specialises in the areas of trademarks, designs, IP Audits and Diagnostics and IP Education. They work with clients internationally and Australia-wide to reach the best intellectual property solutions for their business in a strategic, timely and cost effective manner making them the preferred intellectual property partner to hundreds of CEOs across Australia and internationally. 10

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Three steps to protecting your intellectual property Are you thinking of starting a business or haven’t yet registered a trademark? Read these three steps to protecting your intellectual property.

1. Be proactive Searching your company name before your decide to use a brand and registering a trademark should be the first step before you start your business, whether in Australia or overseas. Seek expertise such as IP Wealth, who has access to extensive databases, to carry out a comprehensive search for you.

2. Seek professional advice Seek professional advice when lodging your trademark. Many trademarks are lodged without the advice of a professional and have so many holes they leave the brand exposed.

3. Search If you have been in business for several years and haven’t registered a trademark, complete a search to see if you can actually own your brand. If you can, trademark it. If you want to sell the business down the track, this will increase the selling price because every buyer will want to know they can own the intellectual property with the company.

Visit ipwealth.com.au or call 1800 85 7070.

Travel

Ticking off the travel list

ulti-award winning hair, makeup and special effects artist Suzi Dent, recently swapped sunshine and beaches for tea-sipping and cobbled streets when she ticked off her travel list of places to visit with Bartercard in the UK.

“It was so easy to organise everything. All the arrangements were done by email, and my travel consultant looked after everything,” she said. “She recommended everything I should see while we were there.”

The internationally published Gold Coast artist travelled to England with a friend in May last year to explore some of its iconic destinations. They used Bartercard to cover the cost of accommodation and other travel expenses and as a result saved thousands of dollars.

“We stayed three or four nights at a time in each hotel we booked on Bartercard. Beautiful breakfasts and dinners were included, and all had big, comfortable rooms.”

Suzi and her friend started in Salisbury where their hotel was within sight of the famous Cathedral. They visited Stonehenge near Glastonbury, enlisted the prowess of a spiritual healer, saw the Roman ruins of Bath, next setting off to York and exploring the cobbled streets of the Shambles. Suzi told Bartercard the sunrise tour of Stonehenge was something she had wanted to do for a long time. “My cousin used to live in Glastonbury and introduced me to a healer who took us inside the circle at sunrise,” she said. “We were really lucky to get a spot because only a few visitors get to go inside at a time – most people only see the stones from a distance so walking in and around them was something really special.” Suzi said she got in touch with Bartercard’s UK Travel office where a consultant arranged her accommodation on trade in Salisbury and York, as well as some local attractions which she also snapped up with Bartercard.

with Bartercard

Travel isn’t complete without the culinary experience of local cuisine, and Suzi and her friend enjoyed traditional delicacies and authentic fare served in old pubs and local inns (eating Yorkshire Pudding in York was another experience she ticked off her travel list).

Exploring the cobbled streets of the shambles

Back home, the Gold Coast’s modern high-rises and beach culture is a world away from the undulating laneways and thatched-roofed houses of York. Suzi’s 31 years of experience in makeup, hair and special effects artistry has seen her working with Australia’s entertainment elite, in television and fashion magazines, creating beautiful faces for weddings, and terrifying effects for special events like Fright Night at Movie World. Having been with Bartercard for 10 years starting with her first cosmetics business, Suzi said there are no limits to the way she spends. “We love Bartercard and we love to spend,” she said. “Whenever I need something, I always see if I can find it on Bartercard first. I’ve saved a lot of money and I’ve stayed in some beautiful places along the way.”

It’s not all business with Bartercard If you like the idea of travel without the hefty price tag of accommodation, Bartercard serves up the perfect solution for its members; 1,000 accommodation options in idyllic settings world-wide at no cash cost.

Suzi inside Glastonbury Tor with a local just after visiting Stonehenge

Visit bartercard.com.au/bartercardtourism for more information. Issue 1, 4,2014 2015

Feature

Food and Wine-lover’s Guide to the Margaret River M

argaret River is Western Australia’s premier tourism region, where forests, vineyards and surf combine to create a visitors’ mecca that’s world-famous for local beauty and gourmet produce. Artisan flavours and local tastes have left a mark on the many food and wine loving travellers who flock to the region each year. This scenic spot is filled with beautiful venues, local markets, attractions, night life and entertainment. You won’t be short of things to do or places to see when you visit the Margaret River, and there are plenty of options to save cash when you’re with Bartercard.

Our picks

Venture out to the wineries, indulge in the local cuisine and rest in quality surrounds when you stay in this beautiful part of the world. Here’s a list of wineries, accommodation and experiences on Bartercard we’ve handpicked for your enjoyment.

The Equinox Restaurant

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Cellar Door Accommodation Restaurant

usselton eatery The Equinox has been dishing up beautiful cuisine in-house and for locals on the go for more than 14 years. Overlooking the main swimming beach and Busselton Jetty, the establishment is well situated for lazy breakfasts and relaxing lunches. It fills out at sunset, and beach-lovers have the option to pick up a hearty burger or a seafood basket to go. The Equinox is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or drop in any time for tapas and a drink, or one of their fabulous house-baked cakes with coffee.

Contact: 343 Queen Street, Busselton W: theequinox.com.au Ph: 08 9752 4641

Key

Island Brook Estate

est known by its iconic old red truck, Island Brook Estate offers wine made with the finest quality ingredients that keeps devotees coming back. 30 year old, dry grown vines and natural jarrah forest surround the meandering Island Brook. Backed with a list of awards, the cellar door serves a relaxed and easy introduction to local flavours. Three quality self-contained spa chalets are nestled at the back of the property, where native flora and wildlife add to the local appeal.

Bonking Frog Wines & Vineyard Cottage

onking frog (a.k.a. Western banjo frog) is the common name for the noisy fellows who can be heard croaking around the vineyard at this boutique winery situated just 10 minutes from Bunbury. The estate specialises in Merlot with depth and complexity, rejoicing in velvety tannins and rich berry flavours. They also produce a delightful Summer Merlot which brings something fresh to the market.

If you are looking for a peaceful getaway, this estate is the pick for you. 7388 Bussell Highway, Metricup W: islandbrook.com.au Ph: (08) 9755 7501

Stay in their lovely vineyard cottage where you can kick back and enjoy the view with a bottle of their signature drop. 7 Dardanup West Road, North Boyanup W: bonkingfrog.com.au Ph: (08) 9731 5137

Prideau’s of Margaret River

Chevrolet Limousines South–West

ffordable accommodation with stylish and contemporary decor and spacious rooms, Prideau’s is conveniently located in central Margaret River. A short walk from boutiques, gift stores and a variety of restaurants and eateries, it’s ideal for food and shopping lovers. From Prideau’s, it’s easy to take a scenic drive through Boranup Forest and explore the area’s spectacular caves and gorgeous beaches. A trip to the South West isn’tcomplete without spoiling yourself at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory (chocolatefactory.com.au), a short 20 minute drive from Prideau’s. The tasting centre is open every day from 9 – 5pm and entry is free! Winner of tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for 2013 and 2014. 31 Fearn Avenue, Margaret River W: prideaus.com.au Ph: (08) 9757 2170

f you want something special for your next wine tasting experience, and don’t want the hassle of driving or navigating, Chevrolet Limousines South-West takes wine tours to the next level. Sit back and enjoy the beautiful countryside and coastline of the iconic Margaret River Wine Region in a chauffeur driven limousine or sedan, whilst indulging in wine tasting and local treats along the way. The family-owned business offers full tour itineraries or you can customise your own. Chevrolet Limousines South-West operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round. E: chevlimo@bigpond.net.au W: chevlimos.com Ph: 0427 243 856

Community

Local clubs and communities get a kick out of Bartercard Success at Bartercard has always been underpinned by our local communities, which is why we continue to support the regions that support us. Over the next 12 months we are putting $1.6 million into the business, sporting, community and not-for-profit sectors. We’ve renewed key national sponsorships on the field with Queensland Reds and Gold Coast Titans, and we are mid-way through sponsorships with the Brumbies and Cricket Victoria. Regionally, Bartercard will strengthen local initiatives to the sum of approximately $600,000, continuing our relationship with the Business Marketplace, the Young Achievers Awards, and many others.

The Brumbies are up for some tough competition in their 20th season of Super Rugby.

5 minutes with Simon Chester, General Manager Commercial Operations at the Brumbies

The Brumbies are mustering up for a strong season in 2015, and have been training relentlessly to prepare for some tough competition in their 20th season of Super Rugby. We spent five minutes chatting to their General Manager Commercial Operations, Simon Chester, about how they’ve used trade dollars to benefit the club in their third year of sponsorship with Bartercard. Q. What’s new this season? “We’re putting a big focus on the fans with more entertainment and more excitement.” Q. How does the club use Bartercard? “We receive trade dollars as part of our sponsorship. There are three main ways we spend; the first is looking at where we can cut back on cash expenses in the club by using Bartercard. This includes paying for signage, equipment, furniture, Christmas parties, sponsorship dinners and staff incentives with Bartercard to conserve our cash. The second is a membership drive where we run competitions to win holidays in Fiji or Thailand, and we buy all of the accommodation packages on barter. The third way we spend is on our State of the Union Lunch. This annual fundraiser has been held for over a decade to raise money for the club and for the development of rugby in the ACT and Southern NSW.

BarterMag

Each year the funds raised from this lunch help us pay for essential costs like training programs, infrastructure and equipment. It’s our biggest event off the field, and a major cash conversion for the club. Last year we spent $50,000 in trade and turned it into $60,000 cash by sourcing everything for the auctions on Bartercard. We bought frames for jerseys and team photos, jewellery, shares in horses, spa treatments and accommodation packages on barter and auctioned them off for cash.” Q. How much do you trade in Bartercard each year? “We love Bartercard because it works for the club. To give you an idea we trade approximately $260,000 each year, and it’s a proven way of supporting our players and growing our membership.” Bartercard’s General Manager Andrew Barker said Bartercard is excited about another big year of competition and entering into its third year of sponsorship with the Brumbies. “We’ve found the (Brumbies) to be a wonderful rights holder to work with, and we’ve gained many new clients and fantastic brand exposure through a proactive commercial team. We’re certainly looking to continue our partnership with the Brumbies at the end of this season’s contract.” For Brumbies merchandise visit Bartercard Canberra at Suite 201/Level 2, Center Cinema Building 29 Bunda Street, Canberra, or call 02 6257 2009.

Not-for-profit

Farm Rescue created the ‘Farmy Army’, a band of 60 volunteers and trades people to help rebuild some of the farming infrastructure of Australia

Bartercard Foundation Joins The “Farmy Army”

Our farmers play an important role in our communities providing us with locally-grown nutritional food, natural materials, and contributing significantly to our economy.

hey are in a sense our local heroes, because we would quickly be facing a food crisis without them. But as most of us know, the life of a farmer is not easy, and on an everyday basis they could be facing many challenges including bad weather, stricter regulations or injury from the physically demanding work, all of which can affect their wellbeing and their pockets. Farm Rescue, in association with Buy a Bale, NRMA and Outback Links, is a campaign that supports our local farmers and a concept similar to a reality TV show that fixes up houses. It helps farmers around Australia by sending out a team of trades people and volunteers to fix their equipment and houses in bad need of repair, and make a positive impact on their lives. Organiser Charles Alder, said Farm Rescue created the ‘Farmy Army’, a band of 60 volunteers and trades people to help rebuild some of the farming infrastructure of Australia. The program kicked off with two big farm rescues last November, where the Bartercard Charity Foundation committed T$25,000. “Some of the equipment we worked on included bulldozers and motor bikes that

farmers couldn’t afford to fix,” said Charles. “It’s about helping our farmers with the tools they need to get to get the job done”. With the support of Bartercard, volunteers were transported to the Goodooga Region in NSW (22nd – 28th November), one hour north of Lighting Ridge, which is into its third year without any substantial rainfall, and the Mitchell/Dunkeld Region in Queensland (29th November – 6th December), eight and a half hours west of Brisbane, facing similar conditions. The Farm Rescue 65 seater coach departed from Martin Place in Sydney on Saturday 22nd November and was televised on Weekend Sunrise. The Buy a Bale Farm Rescue team contracted two video and sound technicians to film both farm rescues over the two week period. Negotiations are now currently underway to develop this footage into a television show for release early in 2015 on the 7 Network. Stay tuned for further details.

Get involved For more information and/or to donate to the Foundation please visit: www.bartercardfoundation.com To apply for a grant please visit www.bartercardfoundation.com/view-available-grants

THE FOUNDATION’S LATEST PROJECT The Bartercard Foundation is currently working with a local charity, the Gold Coast Project for Homeless Youth, to break the cycle of homelessness for young people. The Foundation’s General Manager Richard Norris said the aim of the project is to encourage young people to reach their full potential by providing quality services in a safe and supportive environment. “They currently do this by providing 19 beds at 3 different locations on the Gold Coast,” he said. “The charity is also planning to build another residential crisis centre in Labrador where there is sadly demand for affected youths.” The house will be constructed by local builder Villaworld and the Bartercard Charity Foundation is currently raising funds to assist with the furniture fitout.

Issue 4, 2015

Conserving cash

Wrek-King roadblocks with Bartercard Running a successful business is no easy feat, but local towing and wrecking operators Michael and Louise Lamberti, have removed the roadblocks with Bartercard which has helped them save approximately $20,000 a month.

Queensland and Adelaide. “With a strong focus on recycling we ensure as many components of the vehicles can be recycled and reused.”

Louise said their savings have been a huge accomplishment, and if they can do it, so can others. “We joined Bartercard with the idea of growing our customer base and improving our cash flow, which I think are top priorities for most business owners out there,” she said. “Now with so many opportunities to conserve cash and attract new customers at our fingertips, we really don’t see any limits.”

Louise said attracting extra customers through Bartercard has also translated to referrals in the cash economy. “Anyone who receives great service is likely to talk about it and recommend it to people they know,” she said. “That’s the beauty of joining a business network like Bartercard – just take a look at our books!”

ith cash flow being a tough area for even some of the most experienced business owners, the couple has been attracting new customers to their Busselton and Bunbury towing businesses, as well as their Bunbury-based wrecking company Wrek-King, watching their savings stack up since joining Bartercard in July last year.

She and her husband have pocketed the full cash cost of contracting electricians, renovating their workplace, advertising in local publications, creating flyers and other marketing materials and putting drivers up in accommodation; even hiring a business coach by using Bartercard. The couple has been running Bunbury and Busselton Towing since acquisition more than a decade ago where they’ve recently added a dual winch Supertilt to their fleet of 14 trucks for towing heavy machinery, trucks and buses. Towing up to 22 tonne and 20 metres in length, the Super Tilt has carried out extensive recovery work across the Southwest to Perth, and is ideal for 44ft sea containers, buses, larger caravans and campers, site huts, excavators, loaders, boom lifts, large horse floats and trucks. The company transports more than 15,000 vehicles a year and pride themselves on the efficient and professional service they provide to the southwest of Western Australia (WA).

Louise and Michael are planning to use their trade dollars to cover the cost of accommodation when they travel to Queensland. “The fact that we don’t have to pay for accommodation when we go on holidays is the icing on the cake,” she said.

Wrek-King, the other half of their business pair, has been servicing automotive needs with recycled parts all across Australia since 2010. “We largely supply trade mechanical and panel shops but the general public can also buy from us – whether they need to fix a broken tail light or mirror, source a new gear box or replace their engine,” Louise said. “We work with 90 other wreckers across Australia so if we don’t have a part on hand we can source it quickly and freight it anywhere in Australia.” Louise added they regularly send parts to Albany and Esperance in the south of WA, Exmouth, Karratha and beyond in the north, and throughout 16

For any towing or wrecking needs contact Louise Reid-Lamberti from Wrek King on 08 9725 7588; alternatively visit bunburytowing.com.au or wrekking.com.au.

Conserving cash

Creating sustainable partnerships with Bartercard When Ian McKay, CEO of humanitarian group Noble Endeavours, wanted funding for his organisation’s latest community project, he knew a little creativity was needed. So he turned to Bartercard to commission a cutting-edge grant proposal.

oble Endeavours has, since 2008, assisted impoverished communities in Mindanao, a region of the Philippines. Working in the ancestral lands of the island, they deliver sustainable agriculture, education, community and health services to villages recognised as amongst the most marginalised and poorest in the region. Poverty levels in this remote part of the Philippines are double the national average and access to training and simple education is limited. “Some of the major humanitarian issues faced in Mindanao are water quality, poor access to education facilities, malnutrition, illiteracy, maternal mortality and child deaths under five years of age,” said Ian. “Our work with the local community has been successful in reducing these poverty markers significantly.” At its heart is a partnership with communities, and it was this aspect that Ian was looking to convey in a $1.25 million government grant proposal to fund the continuation of vital work in the region.

Tim Entwisle from Madrigal Communications said understanding the target audience is centric to a successful grant proposal. “You need to know what the government is looking for and usually its value for money and low risk,” he said. He added that a coherent strategy for working with local communities which is replicable across most developing countries is essential. Ian said the experience of working with the people of Mindanao has given his team strategy and insight into creating successful partnerships with local communities, and has shown the value of working collectively when resources are lean. “Villagers are faced with poverty and uncertainty each day, yet they work closely as a community to spread their resources and support each other in many ways. “We hope to continue working with them to setup small, sustainable businesses and give them access to education, essential resources, training and health facilities.”

He used Bartercard to cover the cost of contracting communications experts Madrigal to write the proposal. “We knew the government was looking for specific ways we could provide economic diplomacy (where training and education in communities is made sustainable through partnerships), and we knew we had to articulate it well. “This is where Bartercard was advantageous - it allowed us to offset the cash cost of creating a professional and strategic grant proposal which we anticipate will take us to the next level of our partnership with Mindanao.”

Tips for writing an effective grant proposal

• Understand what your target audience wants • Write around this concept • Emphasise low risk and value for money • Be creative

Donate a Goat or Farm Package Noble Endeavours is selling Goat and Farm Packages on Bartercard that provide families in Mindanao with food security and a sustainable income. A Goat Package includes one pregnant milking goat and seeds for feeding, while a Farm Package comes with one pregnant milking goat, a goat house, chickens, seeds and fruit trees for planting on one hectare of land. These packages also come with training in crop production and animal raising. Noble Endeavours is selling Goat and Farm Packages for T$500 and T$2,400 respectively. If you would like to donate a Goat or Farm Package to help the work of Noble Endeavours, contact Bartercard Sydney Central on (02) 8568 2100.

Issue 4, 2015

Building a client base Story Bridge Adventure Climb offers creative packages and climbs on Bartercard

Reaching new peaks with Adventure Climb Story Bridge Adventure Climb (SBAC) will be cutting a cake for its 10th birthday on the 30th September this year - and joining more than 850 tourism operators in Australia trading with Bartercard!

artercard is extremely excited to welcome the attraction, only one of three bridge climbs in the world, to its network. “It’s a completely new experience for most people,” said SBAC General Manager, Luke Edwards. “We offer a two and a half hour climb where participants are fitted with special equipment and taken up the bridge with a qualified guide reaching 80m above sea level at the top, and 360 degree views of Brisbane.” “They receive full commentary of the bridge’s history and quirky facts along the way, as well as the chance to take photos.”

He said the climb, which follows the design of Sydney is something that many corporate clients are taking up. “Business owners and HR managers are looking for new team building activities, something different to do outside the office for a particular occasion, or a new way to reward their staff,” explained Luke. He added that Bartercard will expand the attraction’s corporate client base, adding to its mix of business and leisure tourism. Luke said he’s excited about joining Bartercard’s cashless network and expanding his trading times from Wednesday to Sunday, to seven days a week with the extra business.

Creative packages Story Bridge Adventure Climb has attracted the attention of adventure seekers with some creative packages not for the faint hearted. These dare-devil options incorporate absailing and engagement proposals. “Clients looking for a bigger kick can absail from one of the pylons across the Brisbane River to the top of the cliffs at Kangaroo Point.” said SBAC General Manager Luke Edwards. “Our proposal package is for climbers who want a creative way to pop the question. They get to enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne on one of the pylons at sunset.” He added a steady uptake of the engagement package suggests more ‘Brisbanites’ and visitors are looking for creative ways to pop the question.

Contact Story Bridge Adventure Climb 07 3514 6919 or visit sbac.net.au Bookings essential.

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What our members are saying... W

e recently moved our bookkeeping to a company that was recommended to us by another Bartercard member, whose real estate company we now do all the electrical work for! Not only are they about 50% cheaper than the bookkeeper we currently use, but it’s on full trade. This has put almost $3,000 cash back into our business. If you add that to the accountant and mechanical services – that’s a total of over $15,000 in cash flow back to the bottom line.

e use Bartercard to pay for part of our developments and our membership is helping us to close property deals. On a recent contract, people bought five townhouses which were worth around $300,000 each. For each unit we received about T$100,000. What this means for me in terms of monetary value is by taking T$100,000 on Bartercard I’m actually receiving 100 cents in the dollar. So I am maintaining my margins and gaining new business.

Sharyn Watson

Dan Gorman

Watmar Property Maintenance Electrical Contractors

Owner - Gorman Property Group

e use Bartercard to keep more cash in our pockets each time we spend, which we put back into creating a better customer experience through improvements to our showroom and shop-at-home service. Lisa Lees Camerons Blinds and Awnings

tarting with my first business 10 years ago, I still use Bartercard whenever I need printing or photography, something done to my website, and accommodation when I’ve travelled in Australia and overseas. I love Bartercard and I love to spend - whenever I need something, I always see if I can find it on Bartercard first.

artercard saves me approximately $100,000 on business costs each year which frees up cash flow and lets me keep more profits in the bank. We use trade dollars instead of cash to cover the cost of essential services, such as outsourcing auditors to clients’ self-managed super funds (SMSFs), which we provide to both Bartercard and cash paying clients. Craig Toyne Toyne Business Consultants

Suzi Dent

n my opinion, there’s probably nowhere easier to make money on Earth than Bartercard! We’ve been a member for two years and within that time we’ve done an additional $80,000 in sales.

Gold Coast hair, makeup and SFX artist

Adrian Parkin

Look at Me Embroidery

ith Bartercard we offset the cost of accommodation whenever we travel, cover the cost of corporate massages, treat our staff to gourmet lunches, Ferrari drive days and helicopter rides, and we’ve gained entry into international markets by using Bartercard to build a customer base. James Eling Marketing 4 Restaurants

connecting business connecting people “Our Mission is to enhance the lives of people by creating value and opportunity from the unrealised potential in the business of each member around the world.”

Clive van Deventer CEO Bartercard Australia

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