Aussie Painting Contractor October 2015

Breaking news‌

Mandatory Drug Testing Onsite Now The Tough Questions Asked of NSW Deregulation Paint Product Stewardship Scheme Will we be paying a new levy?

The Painting Industry

In China

Worldskills Regionals Congrats to our apprentices!

www.aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

From the Editor Hi Everyone, Well what a month! I would like to start by congratulating all apprentices around the country who have competed in the Worldskills regional events throughout August. A special congratulations goes to the four apprentices that our own Justin has been training. Three of the four have earned medals with 1 Gold and 2 Silver! You can read about them inside.

We introduce James Thompson, our new Qld trainer. As a 3rd generation painter, his knowledge and experience is brilliant when it comes to training the future leaders of the industry.

For those in NSW, you will see more inside about the great work done

by NIPD in raising the issue of Painters’ Licensing in NSW Parliament.

All credit to Daniel Wurm on driving this issue; I know a huge amount of work has gone into this. We also look forward to hearing progress in Victoria as well. Keep up the great work.

Good signs from the industry with many Members and other employers contacting Aussie Painters Network seeking staff; we’ve had several calls a week recently, from SA, Vic, NSW and Qld, including some regional areas. In Qld, we are finding that a large number of companies are also putting on new apprentices and training their staff internally and we’ve received enquiries from many others across the country seeking apprentices as well as apprentices seeking placement. Let us know if you are looking for staff or if you are looking for a job, as we are having a good success rate at matching many of these up!

Lastly, with the amount of work around at the moment, don’t forget to review your prices to make sure you are making the most of the good times.

Happy Painting,

Nigel Gorman

nigel@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

07 3555 8010

EDITOR Nigel Gorman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Caroline Miall CONTRIBUTORS • Anne-Maree Russell • Caroline Miall • Daniel Wurm • Jack Josephsen • Jim Baker • Justin Barlow • Leo Babauta • Monroe Porter • Nigel Gorman • Robert Bauman

GRAPHIC DESIGNER J. Anne Delgado

Contents James Thompson

6

World Skills

8

High Standards of Apprentices

Quick Tips for Business On Notice

10 13

Epoxy Application

20

Selling & Negotiating ACCC Proposes to

25

Authorise Levy for National Paint Product Stewardship Scheme

How to keep your home

Questions put to the NSW government over licensing deregulation

Too much to do, not enough time

So what are you really

26

Inspection Ready

29

Queensland Regulator

FWBC to monitor compliance with new

DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING POLICY Spam or Scam

39

Painting In China

43

Industry Idiot

44

Important Contacts

45

Threatens Shoddy Illegal Builders

16

Is your Business

30

33

Future Proof?

19

Are you a painter or a flooring applicator?

Opinions and viewpoints expressed in the Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor, staff or publisher or any Aussie Painters Network’s staff or related parties. The publisher, Aussie Painters Network and Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine personnel are not liable for any mistake, misprint or omission. Information contained in the 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 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.

Just-In Hi Good People, This month, I’d like to take the opportunity to talk a bit about School Based Apprenticeships. These are a great option for lots of kids who want to get a head start in their trade, and can provide career pathway opportunities for young high school students. Students can engage into a school based apprenticeship whilst attending year 10, 11 or 12 subject to the approval of their school.

A minimum of 7.5 hours per week, averaged out over 3 months is worked by a school based apprentice. They may be able to work additional hours during holidays for experience and income.

Employer incentives and other benefits make it an attractive option for many businesses also. Subject to eligibility criteria, the following Federal Government incentives may apply. (Australian apprenticeship centres can advise on eligibility and funding).

For Certificate III level Apprenticeships Employer Incentives: • School-Based Commencement - $750 payable at 6 months • Standard Commencement $1500 payable at 6 months • Standard Completion $2500 • A School Based Retention Bonus of $750 is payable subject to retention guidelines being met For National Skill Shortage Apprenticeships.

• With additional Regional Skill Shortage incentive the above applies, plus $1000 payable at 6 months.

Perhaps that will give you some food for thought…

On a lighter note, Grand final fever is gripping the country as we go live with this edition. I hope your team plays for glory. If not, let’s hope we at least get to watch a great AFL and NRL Grand final! And if your team loses, well there is always Oktoberfest in a couple of weeks.

Justin Barlow 07 3555 8010 / 0433 724 794 justin@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

James Thompson In recent weeks Aussie Painters Network has welcomed James Thompson to the team as Trainer/Assessor. Originally from Roma, James moved to Collinsville North Queensland, and then later to Brisbane.

Dulux Accredited and a Dulux registered roof renovator for the last two years, James has been running his own business specialising in exterior repaints, roof restorations and concrete resurfacing. He comes from generations of painters, with both his Father and Grandfather being in the trade. Coming from an industrial painting background means he has experience with fabricated steel, as well as shop fit-outs, repaints and houses.

James has decided to take a fresh path in the industry joining our team, for the opportunity to work closely with apprentices and employers and to have a hand in training the next generation of painters. Welcome James, we’re pleased you’re here to help!

0477 108 176 |

james@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

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2015 October Issue | 6

Do you like working outside? Wouldn’t it be good to be out in an office or not on the same site 48 weeks of the year?!

With today’s apprenticeships you can even do your theory without going into a classroom situation by enrolling in the E-Learning course so you do all your theory part of an apprenticeship in front of a computer.

The videos show how the new method of online learning for the theory component of Painting and Decorating Trade can give employers more flexibility when it comes to training.

How to Apply Suede Decorative Finish

Getting a Quote from a Painter

2015 October Issue | 7

8 | Aussie Painters Network

High Standards

of Apprentices WOWS Worldskills

Worldskills Australia regional competitions are being finalised around the country for 2015. I would like to acknowledge the hard work and support by numerous volunteers, Registered Training Organisations, industry organisations, trainers, and most importantly the employers. Without these people, the opportunity for our young apprentices and trainees to have their respective skills recognised would not exist. Thank you to all those involved.

Aussie Painters Network is a huge supporter of Worldskills Australia and the work they do for our apprentices and trainees. On September 10th at Master Painters Qld training centre, Brisbane held the regional competition for Painting and Decorating where Aussie Painters Network in partnership with Australian Consolidated Training, entering three apprentices, Blayd Farrugia, Shaun Buckley and Corey Riddett.

The standard of skill demonstrated by the apprentices who competed was extraordinarily high. In fact, so outstanding that all competitors would have won a medal of some description if they had competed in any competition in Brisbane over the last 10 years!

These results are very pleasing to say the least for all involved. Congratulations to all the competitors.

A very special congratulations to Blayd Farrugia for taking the gold medal just edging out Corey Riddett in a photo finish by .25 of one mark to take the silver medal. Both Blayd and Corey would have won a Gold at any given Brisbane regional competition over the last 10 years; Well done for an awesome effort.

High standards are predominately fostered by the employers, so I would like to thank Jim Baker from James W Decorating (Blayd Farrugia) Andrew Wilson from Pro-Dec QLD (Corey Riddett) Kevin and Matthew Cook from Kevin Cook Painters (Shaun Buckley). The high quality of workmanship in your businesses is evident in these young apprentices.

Employers, Aussie Painters Network, Australian Consolidated Training, family and friends are all incredibly proud of their efforts.

If you would like to share a Worldskills story from your region, email me.

Justin Barlow

07 3555 8010 / 0433 724 794

justin@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au 2015 October Issue | 9

Quick Tips for BUSINESS We all know it can be tough going into business for yourself, so I’ve put together this list as a business basics reference. These are the key bases to cover and the solutions I’ve found to make the difference in my painting business, to help ensure greater productivity and ensure profitability.

(Except for tip number 1, these are not in any order of preference).

1. Personality: As I feel personality rates the highest in my opinion, I wrote a full article in last months’ edition. Please check it out by following THE LINK. Please check it out if you haven’t read it already.

2. Website: When a client is searching for a contractor they want to know as much as possible about that business.

Unless someone has recommended and given you a high approval rating, they have to source you in some other way. Once found, having a website can provide abundant information about your business. A client needs to know things like company information, customer testimonials, picture gallery, guarantees, what products you use, contact numbers, etc.

All this information will help ease their mind that they are choosing a reputable company.

3. Answering service: A second party that can answer your phone professionally in your company name if you are unavailable, is far

10 | Aussie Painters Network

more personal than an automated recording. A client is more likely to leave a message to someone that is actually conversing with them than having to talk to a machine. There is only a small cost to this service but it far out-ways the possibility of losing a prospective client.

details after 5 years or more so a friendly reminder that you are still in business is great PR work.

6. Know your break even rate: This is where many businesses have absolutely no idea what their hourly 4. Letter drop: rate should be to cover their outgoThis is a great way to promote your ing expenses. You cannot go by what business around the areas you are someone else is charging because working in; and the best part is, it’s every business is different and has free to do. I have two introductory different costs. When you are desletters that you can use. Just email perate for a job, you need to know me on info@mytools4business.com how low you can charge. If you go and I will send them to you. below your ‘break even’ cost, then you are losing money. To check out 5. Database: what you should be charging, follow It takes a lot of time and effort to the link to ‘My Hourly Rate Calculator’ gain a client from an advertising at www.mytools4business.com source. So keeping a record of all your clients is one of the most im- 7. Don’t argue with the client: portant factors of a successful busi- Even though you may not agree ness. You need to know everything with a client, in your best interest about your client, not just their con- it is best to listen and accept what tact details. If that client is happy they have to say and fix the probwith the work you have produced, lem. Arguing only causes friction bethere is a 50-80% chance that in the tween both parties and hence, lead future they will recommend you to to slow or non-payment. So what if a friend, relative or neighbour. Be- it takes you an extra four or eight cause these referrals are coming hours in time! Look at the time, cost to you by word of mouth, it means and stress of using a debt collecyou won’t have to spend as much tor. It is simply not worth it. Swalon advertising or, you can keep your low your pride, do what they want advertising going at the same rate and you will find they will appreciand expand your business at no ex- ate the effort and recommend you tra cost. Also by keeping a record, to others. Sue them and your name it means after a certain period you will travel quickly as a painter to not can make contact with them again recommend. to see if they require any more work done. Many people forget your

8. Keep on top of what is owing to you: Constant cash flow is the key to all successful companies. As soon as a job is finished, send an invoice, otherwise you may find you have run the bank account dry and need to go into an overdraft. If the job is large, then have a clause in your Contract Agreement that you require progress payments.

They may have gone to a great deal business has been mentored or have of trouble to stay home especially, taken advice from a peer at some stage in their life. so don’t disappoint them.

11. Save marketing numbers in your phone: I really get fed up with marketing calls as I know most of you do. 99% are a complete waste of time. Every time I receive one which shows a number, I add them to my Contact List in my phone under the heading Marketing. If they call again, I know 9. Vehicle signage: If you spend $1000 on signage for to reject it. your vehicle, it will work for you for at least seven years. That’s a small 12. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. investment of $142 a year. It acts Every business person wants to like a moving billboard. It goes with achieve success, but when there are you to every job or trip you do and problems, most are too proud to will be seen by tens of thousands of seek help. Asking for advice or guidance is not a sign of weakness, but people. a sign of intelligence. Sometimes you have to come to terms that you 10. Be on time: The easiest way to upset a customer can’t do everything yourself. No one is to be late. If you can’t make an is going to laugh or think you are appointment, have the decency to incapable of running a business. I call them and arrange a new time. can guarantee that every successful

Listen and learn from others as I have done.

Many years ago a Business Coach told me I should write a book and share what I had learnt in the 35 years of painting. Over 2600 copies of ‘How To Become A Really Successful Painter’ have been sold, something I would never have dreamed of but only came about because I listened to someone.

Most people are willing to give advice and share their success, so don’t hold back and don’t be afraid.

Jim Baker www.mytools4business.com info@mytools4business.com

www.mytools4business.com/myhourlyratecalculator 2015 October Issue | 11

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www.aussieappstore.com.au 12 | Aussie Painters Network

On Notice!

Questions put to the NSW government over licensing deregulation The National Institute for Painting and Decorating (NIPD) continues to advocate to government on behalf of painters in NSW with the support of Aussie Painters Network. The Painters Institute is pursuing the NSW parliament to investigate the NSW Fair Trading painters licensing issues, following the removal of licensing requirements. Working together with the Shadow Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation we are standing up for our industry!

2. What are the health risks of lead paint and asbestos exposure faced by New South Wales residents having paintwork done in their homes?

Shadow Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Mr Peter Primrose put to the Minister representing the Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, in relation to the Government’s decision to remove the requirement for a licensed painter to undertake standalone internal paintwork:

4. On what basis was the proposal to remove this requirement omitted from NSW Fair Trading’s Public consultation draft—Home Building Regulation 2014, or its Regulatory Impact Statement—Home Building Regulation 2014?

469 INNOVATION AND BETTER REGULATION—REQUIREMENTS OF LICENSED PAINTERS 1. Why is the identification, preparation and painting of deadly asbestos and lead paint surfaces left to unlicensed persons?

3. a. Is it still a requirement that New South Wales licensed painters receive training in lead paint and asbestos management as part of their training to receive their licence? b. If so, on what basis is this justified?

5. What consultation was undertaken, and what feedback was received by NSW Fair Trading from industry bodies including Master Painters Australia NSW Association Inc., the National Institute of Painting and Decorating and Aussie Painters Network, prior to the implementation of this measure?

2015 October Issue | 13

470 INNOVATION AND BETTER REGULATION— STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS —Mr Primrose to ask the Minister for Ageing the Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Multiculturalism representing the Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation— In relation to stakeholder consultations on the recent expansion of work exempted from the Home Building Act 1989 from work under $1000 to work under $5000: 1. On what basis was the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and the Australian Government Commonwealth Department of Industry included as two of only four ‘stakeholders’ who supported the proposal, while five opposing industry bodies were ignored?

2. Why was a Queensland government agency considered a ‘stakeholder’ in the New South Wales building industry for the purpose of the consultations?

2. What action has been taken to provide checklists or guidance for consumers that step them though how to determine if a painter has the requisite skills and knowledge to undertake the work?

3. What action has been taken to develop a competency guide?

4. What action has been taken to identify training courses or units of competency that could be used by painters and industry in terms of minimum acceptable training qualifications in lieu of a licence?

472 INNOVATION AND BETTER REGULATION— CONSUMER REMEDIES FOR ACTIVITIES DEREGULATED —Mr Primrose to ask the Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Multiculturalism representing the Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation—

471 INNOVATION AND BETTER REGULATION— DEREGULATION OF NEW SOUTH WALES PAINTING INDUSTRY —Mr Primrose to ask the Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Multiculturalism representing the Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation— Following the recent deregulation of the New South Wales painting industry, and recommendations made by WorkCover NSW to Fair Trading in an email of 10 February 2015:

1. Has the Government received legal advice on the adequacy of the Australian Consumer Law to provide consumer remedies for activities deregulated under the Home Building Act 1989 as a consequence of the Home Building Regulation 2014?

1. What action has been taken to publish and broadly distribute practical guidance materials of what a competent, non-licensed, painter should be able to demonstrate?

The Government has 30 days to respond, so look for our follow up article next month!

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2015 October Issue | 15

Too Much to Do, Not Enough Time One of the biggest frustrations many of us feel is having too much to do, and not feeling like we have enough time to do it. We are overwhelmed.

Of course, having “not enough time” is just a feeling — we all have the same amount of time, but we often fill up the container of our days with too much stuff.

The problem is having too much stuff to fit into a small container (24 hours). If we look at task management and time management as simply a container organization problem, it becomes simpler.

How do we fit all of the stuff we have to do into our small container?

By simplifying.

And letting go.

I promise, with this two-step process, you’ll be able to deal with the problem of “too much to do, not enough time.”

Simplifying Our Tasks

When we realize we’re trying to fit too much stuff (tasks, errands, obligations) into a small container (24 hours), it becomes obvious that we can’t get a bigger container … so we have to get rid of some stuff. It just won’t all fit.

We do that by simplifying what we have to do.

Mindfulness is a helpful too here: pay attention to all the things you do today and tomorrow, and try to notice all the things you’re fitting into the container of your day. What websites are you going to in the morning? In the evening? What games are you playing on

16 | Aussie Painters Network

your phone? What are you reading? What busy-work are you doing? How much time are you spending in email, on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram? How much time on blogs, online shopping sites, Youtube?

How much TV are you watching? How much time do you spend cleaning, maintaining your personal hygiene, taking care of other people? How much time driving around or commuting? What are you spending the valuable commodity of your attention on?

What you might realize is that you’re fitting a lot of junk into the container. Toss some of that out. Ban yourself from certain sites or apps until you’ve done a few really important tasks.

Notice also that you’re committed to a lot of things.

Those commitments are filling up your life. Start getting out of some of them, and saying “no” to new ones.

Now look at your task list: how many of those things can you reasonably do today? I say three.

If you could only do three things today, which would be the most important? If you’ve ever played baseball, and swung a bat, you know that what matters is not so much how hard you swing, but hitting the ball with the sweet spot of the bat. What you need to do with your task list is hit it with the sweet spot of the bat — find the tasks that have the most impact, that matter most to your life. Choose carefully, because you only have so much room in your life.

Now ask yourself this: which task would you do if you could only do one task today? That should be what you put your focus on next. Just that one task. You can’t do your entire list today, and you can’t do your top three tasks right now. So just focus on one important task.

Clear everything else away, and focus on that.

By picking your tasks carefully, you’re taking care with the container of your time. You can pick important tasks or joyful ones, but you’re being conscious about the choices. You’re treating it like the precious gift that it is: limited, valuable, to be filled with the best things, and not overstuffed.

The Art of Letting Go

What about all the other stuff you want to do (or feel you need to do)? What if it doesn’t fit into the container?

This is where the joyful art of letting go becomes useful.

You have too many things to fit into your container, and you’ve decided to only put the important and beautiful things into the container. That means a bunch of things you think you “should” do are not going to fit.

You can get to those later. Or you can not do them. Either way, they won’t fit into today’s container.

This in itself is not a problem, but it only becomes a problem when you are frustrated that you can’t fit it all in. Your frustration comes from an ideal that you

should be able to do it all, that you should be able to do everything on your list. Plus more: you want to travel, workout, meditate, learn a new skill, read more, be the perfect spouse (or find a spouse), be the perfect parent/friend/sibling, draw or create music, and so on.

Your ideals don’t match with reality — the reality is that you can’t do this all today, or even this week. You can choose to do some of them, but the others will have to wait, or not get done at all.

Since you can’t get a bigger container, you need to adjust your ideals. The ideal you choose to have can be this: that this moment be exactly as it is. The old ideal is one that you can toss into the ocean, as it was harming you (causing frustration). Let it go with joy and relief.

The new ideal is that this moment is perfect, and it deserves to be in your container.

Leo Babauta, a successful ‘simplicity’ blogger

& author from California, is the creator of top 25 Blog, Zen Habits, chronicling his insights from acting significant changes in his personal and working life.

2015 October Issue | 17

18 | Aussie Painters Network

Epoxy Application Are you a painter or a flooring applicator?

Lots of people think floor coatings are just like standard house paint and ask their painters to do the flooring for them as well.

Is this a good idea? Do you really need a flooring applicator or can a painter do the job just as well?

Of course they appear to be very similar trades in that they both use brushes, rollers etc., but there are actually several key differences between them and I think you need to be very careful when choosing one over the other.

Painter v floor coating applicator

As a general summary, painters – • Are used to applying low-viscosity paint, with up to 60% solvent or water content, in thin films and solid colours.

• Use products with long working times.

• Are used to applying onto walls and roofs with simple hardware (including low-pressure spray equipment).

• Have a clear idea on preparation of metal, plasterboard and cement sheeting, but not so much concrete.

• Tackle floors as well, but treat it like an extension of a painting project.

In contrast, flooring applicators –

• Are used to higher viscosity materials, i.e. high solids or solvent-less, applied in thicker films and often with colour blending techniques.

• Use products with shorter working

times and have skills to combat this.

• Are more focused on preparation because flooring is their “bread and butter” and they understand these surfaces get abused.

• Own their preparation equipment, e.g. diamond grinders, shot blasters.

Painters and floor coatings

With the observations above, you can see why painters might have a tough time getting the best results with a floor coating. Having worked with paints for so long, I’ve found the biggest hurdles they face with floor coatings are the shorter pot life, relative “stickiness” to apply, and expense per litre/gallon. Because of these three things they almost always have a desire to thin the product down with solvent, which in itself can lead to a host of issues an inexperienced floor coating user might not be aware of.

I know there will be people out there who don’t feel there is a big difference and will correctly argue that painters put down thousands of square metres of flooring. While that’s true, the question I have is how many of these floors stand the test of time? With the failures I’ve seen over the years, I feel the chances of incorrect product selection, solvent entrapment and delamination through poor preparation only increase when the client has asked their painter to do the flooring as a convenient add-on.

Painter v applicator suitability

It’s obviously important to choose the right trade for your flooring project and, in my opinion, I’d stick with floor coating applicators. Asking a painter to apply the floor, or an applicator to paint the house, simply isn’t the best use of the skills these trades have. This isn’t to say that one can’t make the transition successfully to the other, but it takes time and only works if they’re committed to learning the right way. In fact, with the right training and the right habits under their belt there’s absolutely no reason why painters can’t become great flooring applicators!

Finally, I certainly don’t mean to be critical of one trade or the other.

They each have their own set of skills that are orientated around their bread and butter products. As a manufacturer of solvent-less twopack floor coatings, the majority of users I work with are classified as applicators and I think it’s important to understand that distinction.

Jack Josephsen epoxyschool.com 0408 877 256 2015 October Issue | 19

So What Are You Really

Selling & Negotiating?

Selling means different things to different people. Some folks think of the tin man, aluminum siding kind of salesperson. Others think of pushy fast talkers who talk potential customers into something they do not want or may not need. Many people are prejudiced against selling because they do not fully understand what selling really involves.

Good sales and negotiation practices focus on sound communication skills.

A sales definition I communicate with contractors goes something like this: Selling is your ability to communicate your craft or trade to solve customer problems and fulfill customer needs.

Nowhere in this definition do you see the words coerce, pressure or push.

Good selling is nothing more than good communication. But what are you really communicating?

Business sales, unlike consumer sales focuses more on the buying process and less on the actual product being sold. For many subcontractors, this is a difficult concept to fully grasp and practice. Many confuse technical expertise and socializing with their ability to fit within

20 | Aussie Painters Network

the customers buying practices and close the deal.

Ask most people what makes a good salesperson, and they describe a talker and social extrovert. Their personality of choice tends to be a person who has the gift of gab who is a shoot-the-bull kind of guy.

Unfortunately, this type of person can fail miserably at all sales but results can be particularly bad with business to business sales. While business sales are built on relationships and communication, success involves detective work and an ability to fit within the customer’s buying process. Business to business sales are built on three specific types of relationships. Unfortunately, business/career relationships do not naturally develop and are frequently built on the wrong foundation.

Social: Social interaction revolves around likability, common personal interests, perceived friendship, social outings, etc. It is important for people to like you but few people are willing to risk their job in order to maintain a social relationship.

Social relationships also tend to naturally happen as people are chit chatting and being nice to one another. At times, social relationships may actually hurt salespeople when negotiating work because they can lose objectivity. Some large companies even prohibit socialising with vendors.

Operational/Service: Operational relationships are built around job and product activities such as schedule, craft quality, specifications, etc.

Such conversations naturally happen and are needed to calculate an estimate and project manage a job.

Frequently, subcontractors fall into the trap of believing that just because they are better at a technical process, they will win the job. Rarely is this the case. In fact, when dealing with today’s construction managers, many have a college degree in construction management but little or no actual craft experience. Another complexity is that in many cases, the person who is “buying” the job may have little to do with actually constructing the job.

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It collects the basic information like their contact details, job description and client notes but the beauty of this program is that it also tracks

• Where the referral came from • The quote success and failure rates • Suburb comparisons • The different advertising campaigns (what works and what doesn’t)

• First projects vs repeat business • New vs existing revenue and projects • Yearly and overall client revenue • Growth analysis • Projects, who referred them, and the referrals they subsequently provided

This is a brand new online product and like my other programmes, it is accessible on any computer or smart phone just by using your email address and password.

I am offering this to you on a 30 day ‘Trial Before You Commit’ price of $1.00. After the trial period and you like the product, the cost on a monthly subscription will only be $14.50.

So for the low cost of $14.50 a month, you will be able to access all your clients and where they found you, monitor what advertising campaigns are working and what are not, but best of all, have these records available to a new purchaser when you want to sell your business.

www.mytools4business.com/tracemybusiness 2015 October Issue | 21

Business/Career: Business relationships are built on your ability to help customers with long term career and business issues. These relationships are built on your ability to understand the customer’s buying methods and forging a strategy to fit within those processes. The relationship goes beyond one job or order and is more in tune to what is trending within the customer’s business. Are they outsourcing more?

Are they in a growth cycle? What are the internal politics within the organization? What are your contact’s career goals and how can you help that person achieve success?

Few subcontractors ask the right questions or appreciate the value of understanding this information.

Such conversations also do not naturally happen. You have to ask the appropriate questions and make the conversation happen. Having your contact complain about how his or her job has changed and then asking how you can help them with that issue can build a much stronger relationship than merely sharing a beer together.

The larger the company, the more complicated the buying practices.

Two kinds of people dance with elephants, quick and dead. It is all a matter of trying to figure out where the elephant is headed and tag along rather than conflict with procedures and get squished.

It is also very important to leverage the estimating process. Customers need your number. Evaluate your bid process and also track the winning and losing bids by type of work, customers, estimator and other pertinent facts. Estimates are free to the customer but they are not free to subcontractor. Use your customer list to separate the prospects from the suspects. If people

22 | Aussie Painters Network

keep using your numbers and you never get a job, you must be willing to have a tough conversation about the reality of the situation. If they are unwilling to throw you a bone or figure out a way to get the job, it is a waste of time to keep bidding them. Treat each estimator and customer as a profit center.

negotiations or don’t enjoy it, you must be able to recognize the process and know when tactics are being used against you. Negotiations also is much easier when you have gathered information upfront and tried to fit within the customer’s buying process. Simply asking for the price and asking for the order makes negotiations much harder as you have no information to counter with and no way of knowing real value is to the customer.

Take a moment and reflect on the following statement. Is it true or false? “When negotiating it is better to concede a little and give some small points in order to win in larger areas down the road.”

Much is said about closing a sale and what to say and do. In order to close the sales process, you have to talk about commitment. Too many sales people are reluctant to do this. Some are afraid of the rejection. Others want to hold on to that faint hope that they still might get the job. Some don’t want to appear pushy. Others are afraid their price will be questioned. The best close is to simply say, “Would you like for me to pencil you into our schedule?” Such a question should never seem pushy and if you feel that way, the problem is in your head as the seller. When you go into a restaurant and the server asks would like to order food, you don’t see that as pushy. When the hotel desk clerk asks if you want a room it is a natural and expected question. Asking can you do the job is just a logical progression of the estimating process and frankly, is expected.

Let’s move forward to negotiations.

Negotiations is part of the buying process. Even if you are not good at

False. Concede denotes giving in.

What if you are dealing with a ruthless negotiator or nibbler? They will just take your money and run.

Negotiations is about trading, not giving in. It should not be a win lose situation.

Negotiations is a skills based discussion and decision making process where two or more parties complete a transaction or agreement.

There are standard ploys that many negotiating parties use as part of the process. These processes have been around for years and I am going to cover a few. You may or may not use them but at least understand when they are being used against you.

First, don’t get hung up with the price flinch or initial price rejection.

It is the customer’s job to flinch and say your price is too high. If you bid a job and the customer replied that your price was perfect, it would worry you to death. You would be lying in bed tonight wondering what you left out of your quote.

Good guy/bad guy is a common negotiation ploy. This is where one person appears to be on your side and the other is the bad guy. Car salespeople practice this ploy when they say they are trying to get you the best price on your trade in but the used car manager will only do so much. You’d love to trade your car at a lower price but your wife won’t let you. How do you deal with this?

Play good guy/bad guy back. For business, use things like you’d love to do it but the owner won’t let you, the bank says you must retain this amount of margin, etc.

Play the game until a situation develops where both of you can win.

price is too high, they’ll simply show you a Camaro.

Don’t make it your problem that the customer is cheap or does not have enough money. Start by saying, “I can understand why you might think this is a lot” and then offer an alternative. “I can understand why you might think this is a lot, we could use a sub crew or cut back on the materials but would you be happy with that?”

Use Mother Hubbard, there is nothing in the cupboard.

Simply insist there is no more money to give. It is just not there and you would love to do better but can’t.

Yes, I know this all is easier to say and many construction projects are price driven. Ok but what do construction managers really build. Most do not employ craftspeople but rather they make a living negotiating on the owner’s behalf, buying out the job and coordinating the job. They are professional negotiators. Understand this and play the game. Don’t take a knife to a gun fight and wonder why you lost.

What would you do if you were me? Insist that you would rather be upfront and be straight with them.

“What would you do if you were me, agree to that price and then nail you on change orders later? We don’t do business that way and I would rather be upfront with you now.”

Monroe Porter is president of a PROOF Management Consultants.

For consulting or a seminar, just call 804 267-1688 or email him at monroe@proofman.com

Agree and offer an alternative. If you walk into a Chevrolet dealership to buy a Corvette and tell them the

www.proofman.com

2015 October Issue | 23

24 | Aussie Painters Network

ACCC Proposes to Authorise Levy for National Paint Product Stewardship Scheme On 10 September 2015, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released its draft determination which proposes to authorise the Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation, Paint Stewardship Limited and certain paint manufacturers to introduce a 15 cents per litre levy (plus GST) to support a National Paint Product Stewardship Scheme.

The Federation represents paint manufacturers responsible for over 90 per cent (by volume) of paint sold in Australia. The Paint Stewardship Scheme will be a national program intended to promote the safe disposal of all waste architectural and decorative paint by both domestic and trade consumers.

“Unused, leftover or waste architectural and decorative paint often contains hazardous chemicals which can pose a risk to the environment if disposed of improperly,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.

“There will be better use of resources in our society because the price of disposing paint will more accurately reflect its real cost to society. The ACCC considers that the levy will result in environmental benefits by reducing the improper disposal of waste paint.”

The Paint Stewardship Scheme will see a significant expansion in waste paint disposal schemes. It will replace the household hazardous chemical disposal programs currently run by State and Territory

governments and will also expand collection services to new fixed and mobile sites.

Mr Richard Phillips, Executive Director of the Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation further explains.

“The primary consumers of paint in Australia can be divided between trade and domestic consumers.

There are currently, to varying degrees, State, Territory and Local Government funded programs which can collect domestic waste A&D paint. Most of these programs do not accept trade waste A&D paint.

Where trade waste A&D paint is accepted under these schemes, a fee is usually charged which creates a disincentive for trade users, resulting in significant, unsafe, stockpiles of trade A&D paint with intermittent disposals to landfill.”

By the end of the authorisation period, the Paint Stewardship Scheme aims to provide a collection point for waste architectural and decorative paint within a reasonable distance of 85 per cent of Australia’s population.

By introducing a levy, on their sales of architectural and decorative paint, paint manufacturers’ will be able to fund the Paint Stewardship Scheme.

The ACCC proposes to grant authorisation until 1 June 2021 and will seek submissions from interested parties before making a final decision.

Authorisation provides statutory protection from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Broadly, the ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment.

Further information about the application for authorisation is available on the ACCC website, at: The Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation Inc. & Ors - Authorisation - A91504 and www.apmf.asn.au/media.

www.apmf.asn.au 2015 October Issue | 25

How to keep your home

‘INSPECTION READY’ at all times

After we’ve styled up a storm, the beautiful photos have been taken, and your home has shone like a jewel for it’s magical evening photoshoot, reality will kick in and the first thing that will often come to mind is … ‘how on earth do I keep my home looking this nice while it is on the market’?

It’s much easier, and less stressful, than you think … … if you stick to a few firm rules … and follow them every day.

1. Firstly, always make the beds!

It only takes a minute or two … and if you have another spare minute, after making the bed, cast your eyes over the room and ask yourself, ‘what else can I quickly do to tidy this space’? It takes less than a few minutes per room … and then that room is ready for it’s close up at any time!

2. Leave the kitchen spotless, every night after dinner

Put the dishwasher on, clean the floors, wipe over the benches and take the rubbish out, so smells can’t escalate and permeate over night!

Starting with an immaculate kitchen each morning makes it so much easier to pack away a few dishes in the dishwasher, and do a quick wipe over of the benches, before you walk out the door.

26 | Aussie Painters Network

3. While on the subject of odours, fling open windows and doors whilst you are at home, so that natural living smells can always disperse.

That way, if your home has to be locked up during the day and then opened by your agent, for an impromptu inspection, last night’s dinner smells have long gone!

6. Always clean as you go!

If you are waiting at the coffee machine, for your coffee to percolate, and you see that the stove splashback needs a wipe over, clean it there and then. While the cloth is in your hand, ask yourself, ‘what else can I clean while I have a few minutes?’.

4. Always put things away

Get it out, use it, put it straight back. Put away your clothes as soon as you take them off. Pack away sports bags when training has finished. Have a designated place for shoes, sports shoes and school paraphernalia (laundry cupboards are always a great hiding space).

Deal with paperwork as soon as you can and file it away. If things are always put back in their assigned places, your home will always be uncluttered and tidy.

Having assigned places for things is another blog post in itself!

5. Wipe over the shower glass after every shower

Use a window wiper to clean your shower after each shower use, so the glass is streak free and ready for any last minute inspections.

Keep a cloth under the bathroom sink too, to wipe over your sink each morning before you head out. And put bathroom things away after use. Hairspray? … back in the cupboard. Toothbrush? … get it out of sight.

Always be on the lookout for chores that could be done when you are idle, waiting for the coffee or the toast to toast or the pot to boil.

Does anyone else clean out their fridge as they pack away their ‘just purchased’ groceries? Best time to really clean out a fridge – at it’s most emptiest!

I swear by the ‘clean as you go’ method, working full time and weekends, as I don’t have the option of setting aside a full cleaning day in my working week. And I have trained my boys in this ‘clean as you go’ routine too. They know that if they see something that needs to be done … a pile of washing … dishes in the sink … things that need to be put away …. it needs to be done ‘now’.

Their future wives will thank me! …. and we get to enjoy living in a clean and tidy and uncluttered space.

Follow these golden rules routinely and your home will be always ready for ‘unexpected visitors’ (your buyers) … and even ‘real’ visitors!

Anne-Maree Russell is the Principal/Owner of Cape Cod Residential - a bespoke approach to presentation & marketing of premium properties throughout Brisbane, as well as author of popular home design blog

www.thehousethatambuilt.com

2015 October Issue | 27

4 /1311 Ipswich Rd, Rocklea, Queensland, Australia 4106 1800 355 344 info@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

28 | Aussie Painters Network

Queensland Regulator Threatens Shoddy Illegal Builders with Jail • QBCC sends warning to unlicensed builders – get licence or go to jail.

• This marks the first time commission has sought an injunction from the court since ability was granted in December 2014.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) has issues a stern warning last Monday after using new powers intended to stop unregulated builders form working in construction. QBCC interim commissioner Kellie Lows has endorsed the Supreme Court’s decision granting an injunction on any builder from carrying out further without a proper licence or go to jail.

According to Ms Lowe this the first time QBCC has sought an injunction from the court since it was given

the right to do so late last year. If the shoddy builder owes more than $11,000 and breaches the injunction he could face jail time.

As unlicensed contractors and poor workmanship can lead to serious health and safety risks and create widespread distrust and suspicion among home owners and contractors within the industry, this is a necessary and important step towards maintaining “the livelihoods of licensed contractors who do the right thing and the peace of mind of home owners contracting in the industry” as stated early last week by Ms Lowe.

www.aubis.com.au 2015 October Issue | 29

Is your business

FUTURE PROOF?

Competition in business is always going to be there, no matter what economic climate you’re facing in any given era. What’s different these days is that technology is offering you so many more tools that you can use to get a competitive edge. You’ve got two choices: Ignore them at your peril, or future proof your business.

Do you know people who complain about the fact that everything’s online these days? I know a few people like that and I say to them “It’s like a rocket ship and you can’t stop it after lift off.” The whole process of lodging tax returns or BAS statements via online technology is just one example.

Most businesses these days use the Internet or Apps for mobile devices to deliver information or build their presence in the market place. What I’m talking about here though are the business systems you use for job management, to record your financial transactions, make and take payments, create job costings, quotations or estimates, structure your service delivery appointments, and communicate with your customers.

There are mobile Apps available today that help you streamline your activities to do things on the

30 | Aussie Painters Network

go, rather than having to wait until you get home to put in time in the office… and maybe missing out on the family dinner or reading a good night story to your kids.

If you haven’t reviewed your systems for a while, I highly recommend that you do. The benefits are well worth it and will enable you to future proof your business.

I have included some examples of cloud-based software systems, mobile Apps and online tools for you below, that could be interesting for tradies and many other types of service-based businesses.

Bookkeeping and Financial Administration

You can structure your financial business administration seamlessly by using cloud-based bookkeeping software to collect money from clients, reconcile your bank statements, track your spending and pay money to your providers. You can do this very easily and “on the go” from anywhere you can connect to the internet.

XERO, MYOB, Sasus, Reckon, Quickbooks, and Simpro are just some examples of bookkeeping programs that can even provide integration with your business bank accounts

in real-time. The major advantage of using such technology is that it will avoid double handling of your administration tasks. You enter a transaction online and your business figures will update throughout, so you can see the net figures immediately, and the program does the rest for you.

Job Management There are also plenty of new programs that you can use for managing jobs, projects, purchase orders, timesheets, invoicing, scheduling, inventory, assets, client communications and more.

Quoting, scheduling and invoicing has never been this easy and are often seamlessly integrated with cloud based bookkeeping programs. The advantages include real time sharing of job information from field workers with your office, eliminating double entry and time spent completing job sheets after the job is done. It saves time for both the field and office worker, increases your profitability and makes for happy customers who get a superior service. Examples of this type of programs are GeeOP, i-man (or AroFlo), Tradify, Freshbooks, and Invoice2Go, just to name a few.

If you need to conduct safety & quality inspections then mobile Apps like iAuditor can make life really easy for you and save you an incredible amount of time. Using the power of images, you can easily add arrows, diagrams and drawings to clearly spell out your findings.

Gone are the days of report writing in the office. With this App your report writing is done there and then and can be sent right after your inspection.

Client Relationship Management Last but not least, if you haven’t got a good Client Relationship Management (CRM) system I suggest you look into getting one. There are inexpensive solutions out there that offer all you need, Salesforce, FreshNet and

Norada are some examples. It depends on your particular needs, as to which system you want to choose, but any system is better than none.

Business software systems have moved from being a program on your PC to being a program in “the cloud” or an App on your mobile or tablet. You can login from anywhere to do work or upload data on the go. I want to encourage you to embrace new technology and move your business systems online. In the long run it will future proof your business because you are staying in lockstep with how things evolve over time. Don’t become a digital dinosaur, the real ones became extinct too, because they couldn’t adapt to a changing environment.

For further information and other handy tips visit the Resource Centre at www.adhamilton.com.au where you’ll find our free eBook downloads on how to make more money & save on tax, debt collection systems and much more.

A D Hamilton & Associates www.adhamilton.com.au

Copyright © 2015 Robert Bauman

• • • • • • • for more details, visit our website!

www.paintershrpolicies.com

2015 October Issue | 31

32 | Aussie Painters Network

FWBC to monitor compliance with new

DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING POLICY

On the 29th September, changes were made to the Building Code 2013 (Building Code) which make drug and alcohol testing mandatory on Federal Government funded projects. Fair Work Building and Construction will be responsible for monitoring compliance with these changes, which come into effect on 16 October, 2015. Under the changes to the Building Code, head contractors must have a comprehensive policy for managing drug and alcohol issues in the workplace, including mandatory testing and a zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol.

As a minimum, frequent and periodic drug and alcohol testing of both construction and site office workers should be conducted: • Where there are less than 30 workers on site – at least 10% of the workforce per month; • Where there are between 30 and 100 workers on site – a minimum of five workers per month; and

• Where there are more than 100 workers on site – at least 10 workers per month

These changes apply to both new and existing Federal Government projects that meet the financial threshold. Whilst drug and alcohol testing is not required on private sites, all building contractors covered by the Building Code must ensure that the management of drugs and alcohol is reflected in their WHS&R management system. This will help to ensure that no person attending the site to perform building work does so under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

The Building Code encourages productivity and lawful workplace relations on building sites. It sets out the Australian Government’s expected standards for building contractors or building industry participants involved in Commonwealth funded construction projects.

Code can be sanctioned. The sanction may include being banned from working on Commonwealth funded projects. In the first instance, FWBC will be educating building industry participants on the requirements and seeking rectification measures where non-compliance is found. FWBC will continue to monitor all other aspects of the Building Code.

As Employment Minister Eric Abetz’ term on the federal cabinet is likely coming to an end, he introduced mandatory drug and alcohol testing on building sites as part of the amendments to the Building Code to improve workplace safety standards on construction sites. The new code for alcohol and drug testing is modelled on the ones that were previously applied under the former Victorian Construction Code, but were removed by the Andrews Labor government.

Companies or subcontractors found to be in serious breach of the Building

2015 October Issue | 33

Senator Abetz stated, “It is essential that workers on construction sites do not present risk to themselves, their co-workers, and the public by having drugs and alcohol in their systems.” The construction industry is a high risk industry where the risks associated with the use of heavy machinery, mobile equipment, working in congested areas and working from heights, accentuated by the effects of alcohol and drug use. Accordingly, the Fair Work Building and Construction will be responsible for auditing contractors to ensure those subject to the Code are compliant.

Senator Abetz has also used in what are his likely last days on the cabinet to make a series of conservative appointments to the Fair Work Commission, counterbalancing the former Gillard government’s union appointment to the tribunal. The new appointees include, industrial relations lawyer Tanya Cirkovic, former legal partner of Liberal party identity Michael Kroger, and former Australian Mines and Metals Association worker Christopher Platt.

34 | Aussie Painters Network

Opposition workplace relations spokesman Brendan O’Connor expressed his concern over Senator Abetz’ recent last-minute appointments along with the amendments to the code, citing that at the moment Abetz can do all he wants in terms of amendments to the Building Code since it isn’t law until it goes through Parliament but that the moves are creating uncertainty in the construction industry.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is expected to make his announcement to relieve Abetz’ duties on the federal cabinet next week. (source: www.aubis.com.au & http://www.fwbc.gov. au/fwbc-monitor-compliance-new-drug-and-alcoholtesting-policy) For all the details on the testing under the new code, see: http://www.fwbc.gov.au/drug-and-alcohol-testing-under-building-code-2013/

www.aubis.com.au

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www.mytools4business.com/mycostingguide 2015 October Issue | 35

www.consolidatedi .com.au Phone: +61 7 3292 1100 | Fax: +61 7 3292 1110 Email: contactus@consolidatedi.com.au I just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU for referring me to Consolidated Insurance Pty Ltd. I spoke to Scott about our Business Insurance and with little time, Scott emailed me back a comprehensive package for our Business and we saved over $1,000.00. Thanks again Aussie Painters Network for the great referral and all your ongoing help.

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from $45.00 37 | Aussie Painters Network

Spam and Scam…

Just what is Spam? and how to spot Scam emails This article is all about an email I received recently and when looking into it more closely, I was a bit suspicious.

I’ll tell you about it shortly as I want to share something of interest about the origin of ‘Spam’ We all know ‘Spam’ as being junk email but how did it arrive at that name? I grew up knowing Spam was ‘precooked meat in a can’ (it didn’t taste all that bad either).

It was first introduced by an American company called the Hormel Foods Corporation in 1937. The difficulty of delivering fresh meat to the front during World War II saw Spam become a major part of a soldier’s diet.

It gained popularity worldwide after its use during this period.

The belief is that the name derived from an abbreviation of ‘spiced ham’ or ‘shoulders of pork and ham’. Another popular explanation is that Spam is an acronym standing for ‘Specially Processed American Meat’.

So how did ‘Spam’ the food become ‘Spam’ as in junk email?

It originated from a three and a half minute Monty Python sketch which was first televised in 1970. In the sketch, two customers are lowered into a café by wires and try to order a breakfast from a menu that includes ‘Spam’ in almost every dish.

It is set in the fictional Green Midget Café in a suburb of London. An argument develops between the waitress, who recites a menu in which nearly every item contains ‘Spam’, and Mrs Bun, who does not like ‘Spam’.

She asks for an item with the ‘Spam’ removed, much to the amazement of her ‘Spam’-loving husband. The waitress responds to this request with disgust.

At several points, a group of Vikings in the restaurant interrupt the conversation by loudly singing ‘Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Spammity Spam, Wonderful Spam’.

38 | Aussie Painters Network

(If you would like to watch the Utube video, click on the link, it is hilarious). www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE Because of the repetition of the word ‘Spam’ in this sketch and how ‘Spam’ emails are sent to a multitude of email addresses, it seemed appropriate to use it in our computer language today as ‘unsolicited, undesired or illegal email messages’.

As I have products that I sell online which goes through PayPal, an email I received from PayPal seemed and looked very legitimate. It was requiring me to update some information by a certain date otherwise transactions may not occur. Again this seemed very legit as I was told by PayPal earlier that there actually were some updates to be done. As I am slightly computer dumb, instead of clicking on the link that was asked, I thought I would contact PayPal direct instead to confirm how to go about it, and to my surprise, they told me it was a con (Spam) email. I only became slightly suspicious because of the email address it came from. If it is not exactly the same as your institution (Bank, Google, Internet Security, etc) then be suspicious. An added dot or dash means be aware. The safest way is to actually type the address into the toolbar to get their website.

The person I spoke to was kind enough to send this email below to verify what is a ‘hoax’ email. Although this is PayPal specific it will be relevant to any institutions you may deal with.

Dear James Baker, Thank you for contacting PayPal. You’ll know an email is from PayPal when: • We always address you by your full name or your business name as registered on your PayPal account. We’ll never use generic greetings like “Dear user” or “Hello PayPal member” in our email.

• We’ll never ask you to reveal your financial information, your password, or the answer to your PayPal security questions.

• We’ll never attach any software updates in our emails and ask you to install it to your devices.

• We’ll never ask you to ship the items and provide the tracking information to the buyers before you receive the payment in your PayPal account.

can find all your transactions in your History page. For any cases such as buyer complaints or limitations, you can find them in the Resolution Centre.

Fake emails, also known as phishing emails, attempt to collect your personal and financial information. These fake emails often link to fake websites that encourage you to enter personal information (for example, credit card numbers, passport number, and account passwords).

If you think you’ve received a suspicious email, please forward the original email to us at phishing@paypal. com.au without editing the contents or subject line.

Don’t click on any link in the email and delete it from your inbox immediately.

I hope this has clarified a few concerns about ‘Spam’ and ‘Hoax’ emails.

Jim Baker www.mytools4business.com To protect yourself, always log in to your PayPal account info@mytools4business.com to confirm the information you received in an email. You

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2015 October Issue | 40

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2015 October Issue | 42

PAINTING in China

Australia’s economy is increasingly becoming integrated with the world’s largest economic powerhouse, and this includes the painting industry.

With Australia recently signing a freetrade agreement with China, it’s time to explore how this will affect the future of our industry.

ishes, which include gilding, complex stencilling and high quality lacquering. Beautiful silk wall-papers have been manufactured in China for hundreds of years, and were sought out by European monarchs in the 19th century for their high quality and distinctly Asian designs.

Anyone who works in the painting industry in Sydney cannot fail to notice the multi-cultural diversity of workers and businesses. There are now paint stores in Sydney that cater almost exclusively to this market, and Taubmans have translated some of their product information into Chinese. There are thousands of painters from the immigrant Chinese community working in the industry, and this has had a huge impact on existing businesses and the workforce. Many of these painters have had no formal training, and have low literacy and numeracy skills, leading to poor standards of workmanship.

Although many people do not equate Chinese workmanship with quality, this has not always been the case.

Examples of traditional Chinese workmanship can even be found in Australia. A visit to the Chinese temple garden in Bendigo, Victoria showcases some of the best Chinese decorative effects.

I recently had an opportunity to visit the Construction Industry Council’s Trade Testing facility in Hong Kong, where I was able to engage with my industry counterparts to discuss closer collaboration. I was surprised to learn that there already exists an established apprenticeship system in Hong Kong, and a rigorous training and testing program. Indeed, painters from China competed at the highest level at the Worldskills Competition this year in Brazil.

education and workmanship. Painters in Hong Kong learn stencilling, texture coating, wallpapering, lacquering and many of the same skills we do in Australia. The Construction Industry Council is even interested in adapting and trialing the on-line apprenticeship system developed in Australia by the National Institute of Painting and Decorating.

With the signing of the free trade agreement Chinese construction companies will be able to import labor from China to work on large projects in Australia. The National Institute of Painting and Decorating is working with Austrade and the Department of Immigration to ensure that adequate skills assessment is conducted for any short term visa applicants.

By forming closer ties with the painting industry in China we hope to not only improve the quality of training in China, but also use this as a catalyst to help the thousands of Chinese speaking painters in Australia receive proper training and meet the Australian standards for quality and safety.

China has a rich history and appreciation of painting and decorating.

Anyone visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing cannot fail to be impressed with the magnificent decorative fin-

Apprenticeships in China take 3 years, and licensing will be introduced into the Hong Kong construction industry in 2017. All painters will be required to be tested and qualified, and this will raise the standard of

Daniel Wurm VIBER: +61 402312234 SKYPE: daniel-wurm

www.painters.edu.au 2015 October Issue | 43

The Industry

Idiots

44 | Aussie Painters Network

Important Contacts Aussie Painters Network www.aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au Ph. 0430 399 800 National Institute for Painting and Decorating www.painters.edu.au Ph. 1300 319 790 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

Beyondblue www.beyondblue.org.au

Ph. 1300 224 636

Workplace Health and Safety Contacts Comcare WorkSafe ACT Workplace Health and Safety QLD Victorian WorkCover Authority WorkCover NSW SafeWork SA WorkSafe WA NT WorkSafe WorkSafe Tasmania

www.comcare.gov.au www.worksafe.act.gov.au www.worksafe.qld.gov.au www.vwa.vic.gov.au www.workcover.nsw.gov.au www.safework.sa.gov.au www.commerce.wa.gov.au/WorkSafe/ www.worksafe.nt.gov.au www.worksafe.tas.gov.au

1300 366 979 02 6207 3000 1300 362 128 1800 136 089 13 10 50 1300 365 255 1300 307 877 1800 019 115 1300 366 322

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

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

Cancer Council Australia ACT NSW NT QLD SA VIC WA

2015 October Issue | 45

OUR MEMBERSHIP Standard Membership • Five postcode listings in our online directory • Work, Health and Safety Plan • Risk Assessment and Safe Work Method Statements • Incident Investigation Forms and Incident Investigation Form Register • Instant access to our pricing and estimating guides • Quotation guide to assist you when quoting • Personal service and phone advice • Web Listing for prospective customers to find you easily • Free targeted online marketing & advertising • Back-links to assist you in SEO rankings • Assistance with Debt Collection and Discounted Terms of Trade • Discounts on Courses • Painter Help section if you are looking for work or looking for painters to help