Aussie Painting Contractor November

Issue 14 November, 2012

Aussie Painting Contractor 2013 Victorian PGA Championship TRIP FOR TWO (2) MEMBERS

‘Break-Even’ Rate Permanent Injuries can be Prevented

System of a Successful Business How One Phone Call WON a $35,000 Job

How to Set YOUR Goals and Make them a Reality

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CONTENTS

Editor

puty Editor aroline Miall

B

Editor Member Consultant

9

Master Painters and Decorators

10 A Chance to WIN a Golf Trip with Aussie Painters Network

igel Gorman

C N

6 7

13 Work Life Balance #7 Review, Revise, React 15 How One Phone Call Won a $35,000 Job

s

16 How to Prepare for Outsourcing

Belinda Ross

18 ‘Break-Even’ Rate

caroline Miall

22 Permanent Injuries can be Prevented

Jennie Gorman

26 Systems of a Successful Business

Jim Baker

29 How do I promote my Website Without spending a fortune

Leanne Staff Mel Holzworth nigel Gorman Stephanie Gadd Tamara Simon

GRAPHIC DESIGN J. nne

elgado

30 Master Painters & Decorators Australia Awards 32 How To Set YOUR Goals And Make them Reality 35 Why Wallpaper Works Well In Old Houses

36 Colours in the Garage 38 Award Winning Week for Mates In Construction

40 Ipswich Jets 42 Industry Idiots 43 Important Contacts

Hello Readers!

November already? At the risk of sounding cliché, where has the year disappeared to? The past few weeks have been on the hectic side for me, traveling across the country. I was pleased to be able to attend the Master Painters and Decorators Australia’s awards night in Western Australia. Congratulations to all the nights’ winners (who you can see on page 30). It was a brilliant event that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

From the Editor

Nigel Gorman nigel@homepaintersinfo.com

0430 399 800

On that note, congratulations to the newly named Master Painters and Decorators Australia! We’re also proud to announce that Aussie Painters Network and Master Painters and Decorators Australia will be two organisations working closely to better serve the painting and decorating industry; delivering great support and the most up to date and relevant information to all of our Members. Exciting times ahead!

For the golfing fanatics among us, don’t forget that this month is the last chance to win the trip to play in the Victorian PGA Championships Pro Am. So join now to go in the draw. Winners will be announced early December.

We’re sure there’s something in this issue to interest everyone, so check it out!

Your Partners in Painting

Opinions and viewpoints expressed in Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor, staff or publisher or any Home Painters Info staff or related parties. The publisher, Home Painters Info and Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine personnel are not liable for any mistake, misprint or omission. All information contained in Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine is intended to inform and illustrate and should not be taken as financial, legal or accounting advice. You should seek professional advice before making any business related decisions. We are not liable for any losses you may incur directly or indirectly as a result of reading Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine. Reproduction of any material or contents of the magazine without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Welcome to our November issue of Aussie Painting Contractor This month has been once again very eventful for us at APN. New members continue to join and show their support and faith in Aussie Painters Network, Thank you.

We would still encourage you to consider giving your Apprentices the gift of membership for only $49.97. With Aussie Painters Network as a learning tool for Christmas, it really will help the young newbies to the industry stay abreast of legislation changes, work place health and safety and get familiar with Quotation and Estimation guides. This in turn may result in them assisting you in your business (or their own) further down the track. For only $49.97 it is a truly beneficial gift that you know they will use!

We truly are the leading force in providing the Painting industry with the most up to date, relevant information to date. By investing your $49.97 for one annual membership with Aussie Painters Network you will be impressed, amazed and thankful that we are here caring for you and your business. We are painters working for you and with your continuing support we will only strengthen and be able to improve our service to you and the industry.

Have an awesome month and good luck with the usual pre-Christmas rush.

Cheers!

Membership Consultant

Stephanie Gadd steph@homepaintersinfo.com

0433 724 794

An important message from our industry friends in Western Australia: The Master Painters Association in Western Australia have experienced a major change in the last few weeks and are now proud to announce that they will be known as Master Painters & Decorators Australia. We hope that you will look out for our new name and logo as we develop and expand our services to benefit all within the painting industry. With the prospect of national licensing, we feel it is extremely important that the industry across Australia is prepared for what this will bring.

Our focus is now on 2013. It is time to get a clear message out to: * The consumer about who we are, who and what we represent, why they need to use a Master Painter & Decorator and where a Master Painter and Decorator can be found. * The industry let it be known we are Master Painters and Decorators’; we represent quality, professionalism and ethics that set us above the rest. That is why we are worth every cent!

These are exciting times and we look forward to working with our members and all who make up the industry to ensure the best possible outcomes for us all.

Murray Thomas | Chief Executive Officer | Master Painters & Decorators Australia Head Office: Level 3, 353 Shepperton Road, East Victoria Park Postal: PO Box 5216, East Victoria Park, WA 6981 Master Painters & Decorators Training Campuses: Maylands Training Campus: 108 Caledonian Avenue, Maylands Bayswater Training Campus: 27-29 Durham Road, Bayswater Jandakot Training Campus: 70 Verde Drive, Jandakot T: (08) 9471 6662 | F: (08) 9471 6663

www.masterpainters.asn.au 2012 November 9

Do you want to Compete

in the

10 Aussie Painters Network

ro Am?

We are offering 2 Members of ussie ainters etwork

hance to WI !

Home of the Victorian

PGA Championship

5 day package OM T in the ro m! a seat at the ha p n h p nne a ticket to the p a e Ma quee and acc da n during the Championship *Conditions Apply

ere’s to another

fantastic tournament in the Forest!

Visit our website : aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au all us at 07 30401234 0430 399 800 Send us an mail info@homepaintersinfo.com

January 16 - ro m January 17-20 - Tournament

J n ussie ainters etwork

grab this once in a life time golfing experience.

2010 November 11

Work Life Balance # 7 Review, Revise, React

10

ussie Painting ontractor

The last instalment in our 7 part series, on seeking that elusive balance between our work and home life, encourages an examination of whatever practices and systems you decide to set up for the success of your work. To continue to run effectively, they really require revisiting over time to ensure everything is still serving you well. Review and revise and react. Whether you do it annually or as the need arises; and especially if your business is growing or evolving in any way, chances are things set up to suit you five to ten years ago may be totally inappropriate for you now. You could be spending more money than you need to, not have the insurance coverage that you should, not attracting the work that you could be, or not spending the time with your friends & family that you might have, if your business were running more optimally.

There are obvious parts of a business up for re-evaluation, including your advertising and marketing (is it working? Should you be trying another avenue?) also good word of mouth (if you’re not getting it, or repeat business is rare, why?). Expenses, staffing, accounting, insurances etc., Assess how these have changed for you, if at all. Review suppliers and service providers for better deals - phones, internet, insurance, paint, tools. Be upfront about what is working and what is not. You could save loads by just changing a few to suit you better.

Particularly focusing on where your time is going, consider these suggestions proposed over the past seven issues and ask yourself where you could do some things differently to help create the balance you want.

• Prioritise – book in the important stuff first, especially your family and friends.

• Use technology wisely – don’t let it be your ball and chain. Ensure it allows you to reduce the time you work, not increase it.

• Delegate and outsource what you can. Monetise your own hours and work out where you’re spending it.

• Set goals for yourself and your company.

• Be conscious of balance in your everyday life and plan for it.

• Facilitate organisation by employing systems; and do it now, delegate, delete or file.

• Review, revise and react. Assess and address what is working and what is not.

Hopefully you’ve gained even one small idea from our series that may help you in succeeding in your day to day; whatever success looks like to you. I’m sure that there’s a great amount of peace and comfort to be found in knowing that you will one day be able to look back on your professional and personal achievements, and be satisfied that you gave priority to the things that are most important, both in work and life.

2010 November 13

Painters are RAVING

about the Rolon Terracotta rollers!!

www.rolon.com.au sales@rolon.com.au

How One Phone Call

wOn a $35,000 Job This short tale demonstrates how some of the smallest, seemingly insignificant good business practices can win you the most valuable work. Going back a couple of years when I was working on the tools the decision to make a quick call is the main reason I won a $25,000 job on the spot.

After finishing painting for the day, I had cleaned up and left a job site, and was rushing around trying to get my quotes done. I’d changed my shirt and sprayed on smelly stuff, so I presented well enough to enter these people’s houses. I had four quotes to get through that afternoon and all I wanted to do was get home and put my feet up.

My usual practice was to phone the customer at about 8 – 8:30am to organise a time to meet them to do the quote. I used to give them about a one hour time frame to expect me. I had done the first two quotes and was running a few minutes later than I had planned. I made a phone call to let the people know I was running a few minutes late but was on my way. The clients seemed grateful for the call and told me they would wait for me.

Upon arriving, it was the same as any other quote I would normally do. I found out the needs of the clients, answered the usual questions asked..What paint, how many coats, etc. It was a large two storey house that had been raised with an extension at the back; so it was a good sized job. My price was about $25,000 for the exterior. I used to supply the clients with the quote on the spot whenever possible and spend a few minutes going through and explaining the scope of work and making sure they were happy with what I would do.

Well, to my surprise after that they said “How soon can you start?” So I did up a contract, dropped it around to them two days later and they paid their 5% deposit right then and there.

2010 November 15

I started the job a couple of weeks later as scheduled.

I arrived early on the first day and was actually sitting in my car in front of the house 6.45am to knock on their door at 7:00am as I had arranged. The wife came out and invited me in for coffee and we all sat down and discussed the final colours. Every morning I arrived at the job there was a coffee waiting for me.

One morning I asked them how my price compared to the other quotes they had. To my surprise I was by far the highest quote! They pulled out the other ones and showed me quotes ranging from $16,000 to $21,000. On asking why I was selected me for the job.

The reply was “You called us to let us know you were running five minutes late, we could see you had been working, and we didn’t have to wait two weeks for the final quote as we had with some of the others”.

This experience crystallised for me that it is the little things that can make a real difference, especially if they display respect for your customer. Next time you are running even a couple of minutes late for an appointment or quote, just call ahead to let them know you understand their time is valuable, and you are on your way.

In the end the client was so pleased with the work on the outside that I ended up spending an extra three weeks there doing some interior work for an extra $10,000.

Doing the smallest of things can make all the difference.

How to Prepare for Outsourcing?

Why would you put on staff here when for a fraction Examples of a test job can include the following: of the cost you could hire a virtual worker from Asia.

• Formatting a document • Doing some research online If putting on staff here is out of you budget then put • Writing an article from a series of websites one on from the Philippines.

• Setting up a database system • Creating a powerpoint or word template Full time staff can cost as little as $130 per week full • Doing an audio dictation time for back office admin skills.

• Editing a document What you need to do to prepare for this is no different to what you have to do to prepare for a local staff Make sure you give each person the same test so member. that you are comparing apples to apples and not apples to oranges. * create a job description * understand the skillset you are looking for What you are testing for is not only competence but * write down an outline of the steps that need to availability online, deadlines and communication. be covered. Be very detailed. * create systems that someone apart from yourself The benefits of going offshore include but are not can access such as checklists and databases. limited to the following: * get your database and documents onto a cloud * Not governed by Australian labor laws based system ie word and xl docs into drop * No super or tax to pay box, set up gdocs, zero accounting and or a cloud * No obligation – performance based based database such as Zoho and Capsule * We are part of Asia – favorable time zones * you can record a Jing video if that is easier – * Philippines 2 hours behind us google Jing to find out about this innovative * India 5 hours behind us video screen recording software * create a test job (in advance) that can be given to a number of applicants to determine their If this is of interest to you and you would like some competency and help you select the best person help getting started.

0414 707741

‘Break-Even’ Rate Do you know your ‘break-even’ rate? How much do you want to earn each year and how would you achieve it? Is it possible that you would you be better off working for wages?

These are some of the most important questions any business person could ask themselves and know the answers to. If you don’t, you are possibly setting up to fail in your business.

All businesses have a break-even rate; it’s easy to work out. If you don’t know how, consider replicating the table below to reflect your own expenses.

What are your real costs? Advertising, Vehicle Expenses, Phones, Insurances, Licencing, Accounting, Bank Fees & Charges, Office Expenses, Membership Fees,

Tool Replacements, Training, and Waste Management just to name a few.

The average painter only works 44 weeks of the year due to external conditions; weather, vacation leave, down time between jobs. Obviously, you are not paid for those hours.

Based on a 40 hour working week, this table outlines an example of basic business costs.

(Keep in mind that these expenses cover only the basics; there may be many more costs (Including, but not limited to other promotion, tools, vehicle leasing, rent, etc…) that we haven’t itemised and so have allowed $ 5,000.00 in the ‘other expenses’ column..Obviously these costs can run a lot higher.)

So, $22+ per hour is required purely to cover the basic running costs of your business. Add your salary at a bare minimum of $60,000 gross, and your rate would need to be at least $50.25 - Just for a salary of 60k, and no profit factored in yet! Profit is the reason you should be in business for yourself. If it’s not profitable, you may be better off working for someone else, without the worries and stresses of a small business. On wages, at a rate of $30 per hour, you could be earning $52,800 plus super etc., over a 44 week year.

Hopefully this will give a better understanding of why a too low hourly rate can crucify your business, and defeat the purpose of running one.

If you run your own show, and you’re struggling to make it profitable, you may need to start thinking more like a business person first and foremost; not a painter trying to run a business. There are successful painters achieving fairer rates who have a constant flow of work. Think like a business person and run your business accordingly.

2010 November 19

Insurance Premium Funding A lending facility for business clients who wish to spread the cost on annual insurance premiums over monthly instalments so that they can smooth out their cash flow.

Unsecured or secured by policies financed: finance is generally available without tying up the business and personal assets. In most instances no additional security is required. Directors’ guarantees are usually required when financing is $250k.

Flexible financing term: terms of 6 – 12 months, smooths out cash flow by breaking one lump sum into a series of payments over the year.

Finance a variety of insurance types: bundle all insurance costs together, such as PI, Workers Compensation, general business insurance, motor vehicle fleet registrations etc.

Budget with certainty: rate & repayment are fixed for the term.

No o go g ees: upfront documentation fee is the only fee applicable, competitive interest rates and fixed monthly instalments.

80% of your debtors in your hands

Within 24 hours

orth thinking about!

Rod and Ian Scanes Phone: (07) 3278 0825 Fax: (07) 3278 0894 2016aussie ussiePainting Paintingcontractor ontractor

Mobile: 0421 383 314 (Rod) 0421 383 315 (Ian)

Email: rscanes@firstcharteredcapital.com.au

434 Anzac Av, Kippa-Ring QLD 4021 PO Box 446 Kippa-Ring QLD 4021 P: (07) 3283 8848 F: (07) 3283 8847 E: admin@austplanfs.com.au

Maintain your family’s living standard

If you have a financially dependent family, you should ensure you have enough Life insurance.

If you have a home loan (or other personal debts), you should consider Life, Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) and Critical Illness insurance.

What are the benefits?

By using this strategy, you could: • Provide a lump sum payment to clear your debts, and • Pass on the full value of your assets to your dependants if you pass away.

How does this strategy work?

If you’re like most people, you’ve used debt to fund a range of purchases, including your home.

However, if you die, become totally and permanently disabled or suffer a critical illness, the loan repayments will still need to be made, even though the salary your family has relied upon is temporarily or permanently unavailable.

In the event of your death, your lender may even require the outstanding loan to be repaid immediately, and sometimes the only way to do this is to sell the family home.

To avoid these potential problems, you should consider Life, TPD and Critical Illness insurance.

These insurances can provide a lump sum payment that could be used to clear your debts.

2010 November 21

Permanent njuries can be

even ed

It has the consistency of a banana, is the width of a ‘pinkie’ fingerand once it’s damaged it cannot be repaired.

Your spinal cord is fragile and currently there is no cure for a spinal cord injury.

This month marks pinal Injuries Awareness Week (11-17 November), an important awareness raising and injury prevention period for the Spinal Injuries Association.

The organisation’s Chief Executive Officer Bruce Milligan said every year in Australia around 400 people sustained a spinal cord injury.

“This means at least one person every day somewhere in our country will sustain this permanent injury,” Bruce said.

“Currently there are more than 10,000 Australians living with either quadriplegia or paraplegia sustained through trauma or disease.”

The most common causes of spinal cord injuries are road trauma; falls and crushes; and water-related accidents.

“A lot of spinal cord injuries could easily be prevented with just a bit more forethought,” Bruce said.

“Simple precautions like ensuring there’s no gaps in the perimeter protection and making sure your ladder is set up for your height can prevent a life-long injury.

“For many people, safety is a priority in their workplace but then they’ll go home on the weekend and do some home renovations with no safety gear on.”

As the peak body for people with spinal cord injuries, post polio, and Transverse Myelitis, the Spinal Injuries Association has supported and empowered Queenslanders since 1960.

For more information, please visit www.spinal.com.au

2010 November 23

Systems for a Successful Business Ten tips for a simpler and more profitable business If I had a dollar for every time a business owner or staff member said to me, “I wish things were simpler”, I would be a multi-millionaire.

2. Track and compare jobs – you should track actual hours on every job and compare budget hours versus actual hours to ensure each job makes a profit.

3. evelop a ‘what if’ strategy – prepare a ‘what if’ strategy to determine who will do the work, answer Unfortunately I’m not, but it amazes me how many the phones, respond to emails, process the staff pays, businesses are so complicated these days with policies and meet clients and prepare quotes if you get sick or go procedures that are pages long, using very few on holidays (yes, business owners also need four flowcharts, and letters to clients with so many weeks holiday per year to recharge); or there’s no unnecessary and complicated words and phrases. staff or no clients for x amount of weeks or no work.

And we wonder why clients and staff are so During this process, assess the sustainability of your confused, interpret things differently, aren’t sure business. Example, what if your best employee left, of their roles and responsibilities, and, in the end, you got sick, administration/payroll officer resigned or you lost your best client? Prepare for the worst! may even choose to go with a competitor.

So why is this? When all we want is to do things simply and quickly. And by simple I don’t mean ‘dumbing it down’, because it actually takes a lot of time and effort to write instructions or information for clients and staff that can be quickly and easily understood.

Usually businesses don’t spend the time or effort developing a simple, yet profitable business. Why? The most common excuses are: “I don’t have time”, “We’re doing fine without all that stuff”, or “Why spend time training staff… they only leave.” So do you really want a more profitable business? Because to get it, you have to invest time, money, effort and be willing to make some changes. If you don’t want to do this, stop reading now.

For the few people still reading, here are ten tips for an even better business.

1. Check your hourly rates – make sure they cover all business costs, professional indemnity (including run-off) and profit! If you’re not sure, go to www.feepro.com.au and look at the Feepro for Service Businesses information.

4. Put your policies and procedures in writing – if you don’t already have your policies and procedures in writing, take the time to write them – if the knowledge is all in your head, then your business is at risk and will be very difficult to sell when and if the need arises.

Write them simply using flowcharts, and develop forms and checklists to minimise rework and maintain quality standards. Once your policies and procedures are written down, you should review them regularly to ensure they are up-to-date and correct.

5. Communicate with your clients – develop a ‘what happens now’ letter or brochure so your clients know what to expect at each stage of the project and write it in clear, concise language with little or no building jargon or acronyms.

6. Improve your time management – block out time in your diary each week for meetings with clients, meetings with staff, marketing, finances, business improvement and innovation, and quotes and gaining new clients. If you make yourself available 24/7, then everyone except you is running your business!

7. Improve your cash flow – invoice clients as soon as the work is completed, don’t work for clients with outstanding accounts, and develop and enforce an overdue account procedure.

8. Plan regular training for you and your staff – and support the training with written manuals/notes.

9. Review your physical files – review and shred old/ unnecessary info, scan paperwork instead of keeping it (unless required by legislation) and archive old files in plastic containers and store securely.

10. Clean out your electronic files – delete old emails and documents, and archive previous client information and store back-ups off site.

So will you follow The Procrastinator’s Creed? Or will you implement the above tips, and clear your clutter and deadwood for a simpler and more profitable business?

For more information or help simplifying your business,

call Tamara Simon

from Take Another Look on 0438 262 727, email info@takeanotherlook.com.au or go to www.takeanotherlook.com.au

A E ANOTHER AN HER LOOK TAKE Procrastinator’s Creed 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

I believe that if anything is worth doing, it would have been done already.

I shall never move quickly, except to avoid more work or find excuses.

I will never rush into a job without a lifetime of consideration.

I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect from missing them.

I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my obligations.

I truly believe that all deadlines are unreasonable regardless of the amount of time given.

I shall never forget that the probability of a miracle, though infinitesimally small, is not exactly zero.

If at first I don’t succeed, there is always next year.

I shall always decide not to decide, unless of course I decide to change my mind.

I shall always begin, start, initiate, take the first step, and/or write the first word, when I get around to it.

I obey the law of inverse excuses which demands that the greater the task to be done, the more insignificant the work that must be done prior to beginning the greater task.

I know that the work cycle is not plan/start/finish, but is wait/plan/plan.

I will never put off tomorrow, what I can forget about forever.

I will become a member of the ancient Order of Two-Headed Turtles (The Procrastinator’s Society) if they ever get it organized.

2010 November 27

info@zebraweb.com.au

24 Aussie Painting Contractor

How do I promote my website

without spending a fortune!

Initially a great way to promote your business and your new website would be the good old fashioned way … place an ad or editorial piece in your local paper. Often, with an editorial piece, the local papers are happy to put something in for FREE as long as it isn’t a hard lined advertising piece. Put a bit of a personal spin on it. Make sure you include your web address and contact details.

Create a free listing for your business on Google Places for Business, Yahoo local and Bing local listing centre.

Your business will then show up on the map when people do a local business search.

Ask for feedback! Get good reviews from happy clients. Ask them to do an online review on either your facebook page, Google+ local etc. It all adds up. Often on these you include you web address Secondly any other promotional material that you plus facebook or twitter pages. It’s a great cross produce should ALWAYS have your web address. promotional tool. Use it, it’s FREE. Any business items, business cards, invoices, quotes to promotional items such as T-shirts, caps or stub- You may find other more relevant business directories by holders. Sometimes the most obvious tactics are that it’s free to advertise on, or some only ask a minimal overlooked. Have signs made with your logo, phone fee to advertise directly to your potential clients. number and website address. If potential clients Spend a few free moments investigating these want to find out more about you and your services possibilities and you might create a few new ideas they can look up your website. yourself!

Establish good working relationships with bigger, more established companies. Your suppliers and companies that you network with. Swap logo’s on your websites, make sure your logo is placed on their website with a direct link back to your own website. Then make the most of this connection by highlighting this relationship on any other promotional material.

When you are creating your website make sure you promote the location of your business on the site.

These days people search for local businesses on the internet. To make sure they find you, include your street address and contact details on every page. Plus include the other locations or suburbs that you service as well.

2012 November 25

How To Set YOUR Goals and Make Them a Reality Setting a goal and then making it a reality are two different things. It is easy to set the goals, as most people who have ever made a new year’s resolutions will know. Making them happen is another thing.

Goal setting is all about firstly setting goals that are attainable, realistic, achievable and measureable.

I find that if you have a mastermind group supporting you, then you are more than likely to achieve your goals as the group will keep you motivated and supported so that you can achieve what you set out to do.

Accountability is the main aim of the group.

Learning these skills yourself or being part of a Mastermind group will help you be accountable for your goal setting. This is where the correct group for you will be life and business changing. Being able to share your goals and dreams with others, will keep you on track to achievement. No one likes to appear a failure, so a group will encourage and support you to achieving if you let them.

By knowing your life and business Vision and Mission will help you to vocalise it to your Mastermind group. This is the first important step to take. Then document this so you can keep yourself on track.

I then suggest an Action Plan that is broken up into 3 month cycles. All the steps that any goal will have need to be broken into bite sizable bits. It can be quite overwhelming to visualise a goal in its entirety, but broken down into easy steps helps make it a reality and more easily accomplishable.

Then you need to set the goals that you want to achieve to reach both the vision and mission. Your vision is the picture you see in your head that you want to create in your world with the mission being the work you need to do to create that vision.

The goals you need to achieve must be set in their individual areas ‌ next 6 months, 12 months, 3 years and 5 years. As the world is changing so fast, ten year goals are a long way out, but it is good to have them in place too.

It is important that you have a start and finish date for each part of your goal. This way you become obliged to achieve what you set out to do.

Brainstorming and discussion around each goal will be effective in helping you gain the information, resources, suppliers and maybe the money you need. It is easier and quicker to do this with a group than wasting time trying things out that may in the long term take you much longer to achieve. Use your mastermind group to short circuit and create what you want quicker.

It is important at each mastermind group session that you review your action plan so that you all keep on track. Your achievements are important to your group and if each participant is achieving, it means that your group is flowing and a success.

For a workshop or one-on-one on ‘Creating YOUR Goals to Reality’ or more information on e d , contact me on jennie@connexionsunlimited.com.au

www.connexionsunlimited.com.au Copyright © 2012 Jennie Gorman

2010 November 33

How To Become A Really Successful Painter My name is Jim Baker. I have been a painter for 42 years My book has been thoroughly approved by Dulux, Master and have run my own successful painting business in Brisbane Painters, Be Constructive Qld. and TAFE teachers from various colleges around Australia. 1200 books are being for 27 years under the name of James W. Decorating. given out by Dulux to every final stage painting apprentice At the Dulux National Conference in 2004 and 2006, I won the and Post Trade graduates in Australia each year. It title of Dulux Accredited Painter of the Year for Queensland. is also being used as a reference book by Dulux in New I have also been a finalist in the Action Coach My Business Zealand and a TAFE College in Fiji.

Awards for Best Small Business in 2008, the Dulux Accredited Business Professional finalist in 2011 and the Micro Business If you are looking for improvements in your business, then “How To Become AReally Successful Painter” can Queensland Telstra Business Awards finalist also in 2011. really help you.

When I was first in business, my main concern was to be cheaper than my competitors’ price. Experience has taught me A copy of my book is available by emailing your name that this is not what a client is looking for, which is the reason I and address to jimbaker@notjustapainter.com.au wrote a book, “How To Become A Really Successful Painter”.

If you are in business, or one day want to start up a business, then my book can help you. I can show you how, using a www.housepainteradvice.com.au series of 8 easy steps, your business will be one jump ahead of Regular retail price: your competitors and more profitable. It doesn’t matter if you $25.50 (inclusive of GST and postage). want to be a one man operator or have 50 people working for you. The outcome is the same. Success for your business!

What I have learnt through trial and error, attending seminars, observing how others run their business and being in the trade myself for 42 years, will be of huge benefit to you.

I will show you how to: • Advertise efficiently without spending a fortune.

• Get more exposure.

• Increase the number of your potential clients.

• Win the job even though you are the highest quote.

• Improve quote acceptances.

• Be more of a business person rather than ‘just a painter’.

• Make your quotes more appealing.

• Design graphs to help keep track of calls and clients.

• Get and keep that competitive edge over other painters.

Just one small detail could mean either a Yes or a No on a job acceptance. By following even a few of my proven ideas, I assure you that you will have more success in winning a job over your competition. This is not done by lowering your prices.

From feedback I receive from my clients, I am often the most expensive and I am usually booked 3 to 4 months in advance.

Grab a Copy Today!

Why Wallpaper Works Well in Older Houses

It’s interesting to see that wallpaper is so popular in Europe – many believe it’s because of their cultural heritage, but perhaps there is a simpler reason. Wallpapers cover up old, badly damaged walls.

We used the Moore & Moore Flannel Flower Damask in an old Sydney terrace with badly marked walls. The walls were repaired, but as they were probably at least 100 years old, there was still evidence of many years of patching, water damage and movement. On the advice of one of our wallpaper hangers, we decided to choose a decorative pattern for the stairway, which tends to cover damage better.

The owner was originally considering the Ticking Stripes pattern, but the hanger felt that stripes can be a challenge in a wall that is not very straight and had as many bumps as this one.

We decided against using lining paper – although that is always a good option for older walls as it can give a smoother base – and we laid the paper in a striking Black on White colour way (see image) straight on the wall. The difference was remarkable. What was previously an unsightly wall is now a strong decorative feature, and the damage is not visible at all. The owner was thrilled.

If you have a challenging older house – and older houses often look really great with wallpaper – consider Moore & Moore. We can also offer you expert advice on the right design to suit.

Lynne Testoni, Managing director.

www.moorewallpaper.com 2010 November 35

olours

and the Garage Ok, so call it the garage, the storage shed, the “Blokie” shed, the rumpus room whatever you like but let’s face it, the garage is possibly the most abused room in the house, right!

Why on earth would you paint the garage white just because the rest of the house is white?

Let’s be practical here, this is the space in every house where practicality has to come to the fore, make sense of it, and colour it accordingly.

So here goes, the tires on the bikes – Oops!

The rubber from the soles of the shoes, thrown against the wall!

-because someone was too lazy to place them by the door.

The mower and its grass on the floor and walls.

Oops! Again… there’s that oil spill, damn.

So we are getting a very clear picture here that the garage is not really part of a house but really the stop off or drop off point before reaching the house.

I’m sure you have other examples of situations where your garage has been abused…

It’s also a space where storage is short and function is high, let’s sort that out too. There are organisations around who provide awesome storage solutions for garages, just go on line and take a look. But guess what, so much of it is white!!! WHY? I happened to be at IKEA the other weekend and found a great range of storage cupboards in various shades including black/brown, how clever is that… it got me thinking…

Why would someone put black/brown cupboards on a white wall? By the way, they are black/brown inside and out, genious!

So I painted the back wall in good old Colourbond Jasper. Now we have dark cupboards on a dark wall.

So what to do with the rest of them?

Most of our house is a shade of white, but I can’t possibly do that in the garage. So, I think for practical reasons I will head into the Colour Atlas and choose a shade of beige that works with CB Jasper and go from there, most likely Dulux Russian Toffee or similar. It’s still light enough to make it look like a double garage, but dark enough to hide a lot of the scuffs and scratches and wear and tear a garage has to deal with.

Righto! Now what are we going to do with the floors?

Garage floors are notoriously grubby and gets worse as time goes by. Yes, I am writing from experience here. I was going to paint our garage floor soon after we moved in but sadly it became the junk room and is only now seeing the light of day.

The hardest thing about painting the garage floor is the prep – YUK! all that acid wash and cleaning down.

Amazingly though choosing a colour is not so hard.

Choose a colour that is not going to show obvious marks when you drive onto it or a spill gets out of control.

I especially like the ones that have flecks of colour (like confetti) you can sprinkle on when the paint is still wet. They can be a little harder to clean, but you can see nothing on them, no marks, no spots, spills, nothing, it’s like magic.

o here’s the short story on the Garage: • Paint the walls a mid to dark colour of choice, grey/charcoal are a good option.

• Paint the floors something hard and a mid to dark colour once again.

• Off white on the ceilings is best because they seem to attract those mud wasp nests and other bugs.

• Use a really durable paint on all surfaces, because they will be tested to the max!

Don’t forget to increase your market share by calling on your local Colour Consultant to help your customers make their buying decision.

Belinda Ross November 2012 ©

CALL 0413 464 289 07 3886 4488

Till next time… Happy painting 2010 November 37

AWARD WINNING WEEK FOR MATES IN CONSTRUCTION! Huge congratulations this month go out to the unique and effective MATES in Construction’s suicide prevention and mental health program, recognized last month through the receipt of three prestigious National awards.

Twenty-six outstanding finalists were selected at the National Safety Council of Australia’s Awards presentation ceremony held on 11 October 2012 at Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney. Mates in Construction walked home with Best Workplace Health and Wellbeing Program for 2012 and the Pinnacle Award for Excellence in Occupational Health and Safety.

In the same week, Mates in Construction was awarded Suicide Prevention Australia’s LIFE Award at the Annual National Suicide Prevention Conference, in the “Healthy Communities (Organization)” Category.

Speaking at the MATES in Construction Charity Lunch, CEO Jorgen Gullestrup, said how delighted he was to be able to announce the Awards and for the organization to be recognized in this way by their peers.

Outstanding achievements, fantastic effort MIC - Well done!

For more information on the awards and organisations involved, go to:

National Safety Council of Australia Ltd. Suicide Prevention Australia

Even low levels of lead are harmful Paint Contractors, Parents, Renovators, Child-care Centre Operators, Teachers, Landlords, Agents, Pet-owners: Find out if paint, dust, Soil, drinking water, toy paint, Plastics, ceramics,

Buy a DIY-sampling / lab analysis lead kit The LEAD Group’s lead test kits are the only ones available in Australia for testing a wide variety of samples at a lab (which charges us a charity rate so you pay less).

Order online • print form • fax/call : 1800 626 086 Click here for videos on how to use the sampling kits The LEAD Group is a charity (ABN 25819463114 )

donate NOW

*The water test kit requires less lab work and a lot less interpretation that is why it costs less Prices include postage within Australia, handling, lab charge, results, interpretation & GST.

You take the samples, and send them to Sydney Analytical Labs.

The lab analyses the samples, and we explain the results.

www.lead.org.au

The Industry Idiots

34 Aussie Painting Contractor

Important Contacts

Aussie Painters Network www.aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

Ph. 0430 399 800

Master Painters & Decorators Australia www.masterpainters.asn.au

Ph. 08 9471 6662

Australian Tax Office www.ato.gov.au

Ph. 13 72 26 / Ph. 13 28 65

Award Rates www.fairwork.gov.au

Ph. 13 13 94

Fair Work Building & Construction www.fwbc.gov.au

Ph. 1800 003 338

Mates In Construction www.matesinconstruction.com.au

Ph. 1300 642 111

Workplace Health and afety Contacts TATE ACT NSW NT QLD SA VIC WA

Website www.worksafe.act.gov.au www.workcover.nsw.gov.au www.worksafe.nt.gov.au www.deir.qld.gov.au www.safework.sa.gov.au www.worksafe.vic.gov.au www.safetyline.wa.gov.au

Phone (02)62073000 13 10 50 1800 019 115 1300 369 915 1300 365 255 1800 136 089 1300 307 877

Cancer Council Australia TATE ACT NSW NT QLD SA VIC WA

Website www.actcancer.org www.cancercouncil.com.au www.cancercouncilnt.com.au www.cancerqld.org.au www.cancersa.org.au www.cancervic.org.au www.cancerwa.asn.au

Phone (02) 6257 9999 (02) 9334 1900 (08) 8927 4888 (07) 3634 5100 (08) 8291 4111 (03) 9635 5000 (08) 9212 4333

2012 ovember 35

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