PS Business Magazine

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Eat Street Dishing up success

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contents Parramatters

05

Parramatta Chamber of Commerce president Stephanie Dale, Parramatta Lord Mayor John Chedid and Parramatta Community College president Paul Dillon talk business.

Eat street takes off

10

Dishing up success

Homemade label hits right note

12

The business of music

The experts

14

Q&A and events

16

Connect with the Asia Business Council and a strategic networker

Meet Michael Mekhitarian of ATB Partners and find out what’s on

Cover photo: Billu Singh photographed by Luke Fuda

05

12

14 Contact Editor: Pat Stringa Phone: 8867 2937 pstringa@fairfaxmedia.com.au Advertising sales: Joanne Barr Phone: 8867 2904 jbarr@fairfaxmedia.com.au Creative services manager: Ruth Biehler Designers: Priscilla Almeida, Karen Etherington and Amanda Neloska, AdDesigns Distribution: circulating monthly in the Parramatta CBD A Fairfax Community Newspapers publication, 1 Worth St, Chullora, NSW 2190 Find us on the web at psmag.com.au

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• 74-76 Pyrmont Bridge Rd (200m fr Parramatta Rd) CAMPERDOWN/GLEBE • 9 Barney St (off Church St) NORTH PARRAMATTA

businessparramatters

Stephanie Dale President Parramatta Chamber of Commerce The year ahead Each new calendar year brings with it a plethora of predictions, many of which are little more than hopeful wish lists. Some are bold headline grabbers with the authors secure in the knowledge that few if any will recall the errors.

The Parramatta Chamber however can make some quite accurate predictions for this year, as we continue our second century of service.

We will continue take a bi-partisan approach to politics at all levels, most especially in this critical election year, and will judge policies by the one measuring stick we use; will it be beneficial to commerce in Parramatta.

We will welcome new members as we did in record numbers last year. We will continue to work closely with our local police for a safer community.

After the resounding success of the 2012 Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence (WSABE) preparations are already underway for the 2013 edition of what is now Western Sydney’s premier business event. We can also be confident that the annual Charity

Golf Day will continue its long history of raising money for designated charities and likewise the annual Christmas BBQ for the Parramatta Mission. Sponsor hosts for the popular monthly Business After Five events are in place through to October. The key ingredient for the Chamber’s successful activities is our sponsors and it is very gratifying to welcome so many of them back year after year.

It is a good feeling for all concerned to know that we can plan for the Chamber’s future with such confidence, a confidence built on success; that success can be attributed to a great many people and businesses, most particularly our members whose support enables us to be active and to put these events in place. The Chamber is a member driven organisation; we work for them and we give them a voice. In a federal election year that voice will be heard and heeded.

Two greats of sport come face to face at

Parramatta Chamber’s first

2013 Breakfast Series Parramatta Chamber invites Ricky Stuart and Channel Nine’s Ken Sutcliffe to breakfast Book Now to attend the Ricky Stuart Breakfast Presented by Putting these two veterans of the sport together will reveal enlightening tales, and indepth stories. Hear first hand Ricky’s insightful and direct approach to coaching the Eels to success with his “Buy into what I’m doing” attitude.

Where: When: Time: Cost:

Parramatta Leagues Club, 1 Eels Pl, Parramatta Thursday, 21 February 2013 7.15am to 9am $50 Parramatta Chamber Members and guests (incl GST) $60 Non members (incl GST)

RSVP: Friday 16th February 2013 call 9683 6655 or email louise@parramattachamber.com.au or book online at www.parramattachamber.com.au

Bookings essential.

No refunds for cancellations within 48 hours of event parramatta sunmagazine business

february 2013

5

businessparramatters

Overseeing

Polished personal presentations pay

the park

By Parrammata Chamber of Commerce

With Paul Dillon Parramatta Park’s wide open spaces are utilised by many local residents and visitors to the city. Its mainly flat topography entices bicycle riders and walkers, with marked lanes and motor vehicle speed restrictions for their safety.

Families picnic in the shade, all types of ball games are played and parking is plentiful and free; especially near the café and function centre by the river. Under the guardianship of the Park Trust it is a lovely place, used but not exploited.

the park to maintain its relevance and to improve its attraction. A passive approach of negative reactions simply won’t be able to properly protect the park; the Park Trust will be right to create an active agenda.

This agenda should also include advice and possible projects for the park’s perimeter, which already has entertainment and recreational facilities; there are some vulnerable areas and it would be better for the Park if these were not exploited.

Parramatta’s built space is also in the process of being put to use, however in a more proactive manner; a city’s built space cannot be passive, as the natural spaces are. Parramatta Council has a number of exciting development projects that will change both the skyline and the nature of the Parramatta CBD.

President of Parramatta Community College.

Vice-president Parramatta Chamber of Commerce A potential customer is only in the marketplace for a brief period of time and only receptive to an offer for an even briefer period. It is absolutely essential to engage the customer before putting the proposition and that proposition has to be put in a polished professional manner; customers expect it.

Our marketplace is a sophisticated one where the skills to attract customer interest are common and likewise composing engaging messages. We are a welleducated merchant class and buyers’ education levels have never been higher.

As buyers were are by nature impatient and demanding; we not only expect to hear what

It is inevitable that these and other developments by private operators will produce towers that overlook Parramatta Park. It is just as inevitable that there will be resistance to structures that impinge on the Park’s horizon views. There shouldn’t be. Park views in London and New York and indeed Sydney not only fetch a premium for sales and rent, they help to define their cities. It will be no different in Parramatta.

we want to hear but we demand that the message is put in a manner that shows us respect. That is to say, carefully crafted and very well presented.

As sellers we are not in a position to leave such impressions to chance or to rely on being well meaning “amateurs”. It is rather pointless to be professional at all levels of product package development and then to fall at the last hurdle by being unprofessional at the moment of a client’s decision making.

The amount of work put in to a presentation that shows respect for the client and gets the key message(s) across is evidenced only by the professionalism of the personal presentation.

Certainly the park must be protected and not reduced, but it is not sacrosanct. As Parramatta continues to develop and accept a rapidly increasing population all aspects of the city precinct need to keep pace and the park custodians will need to be proactive in seeking ways for

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february 2013

new signs of confidence in 2013

By Anthony Mylott, Colliers International Director of Valuations In what are arguably still some of the toughest economic and investment conditions witnessed in recent memory, the Parramatta office market finished the second half of 2012 with some inspiring transactions, which has highlighted the increasing levels of confidence shown in some Western Sydney property sectors.

In the Parramatta office investment sector alone, there were six major office transactions over $10million, totalling in excess of $300million.

The most high profile of these was the successful sale of the recently completed Eclipse Tower to an established Australian superannuation fund for $167.5million.

The investment metrics on this transaction are impressive, comparable to some A-grade Sydney CBD office sectors, and provide the purchaser with a strong, low risk income stream from a building secured by blue chip national tenants.

This transaction alone illustrates the strength of the Parramatta office sector, as seen through the eyes of traditionally low risk buyers such as superannuation trusts.

Other transactions of note were 18 Smith Street ($47.45million), 75 George Street ($32.55million), and 132 Marsden Street ($25.425million). To round off the success of 2012, 16-18 Wentworth Street and 90 Phillip Street collectively grossed $28.6million in separate sales.

Colliers International is proud to have been involved in each of the major transactions in the second half of 2012, in either an Agency or Advisory capacity.

2013 is already showing early signs of a strong year in the property investment sector.

New University brings opportunities to city workers

By Parramatta Lord Mayor John Chedid Parramatta’s workers will soon have more opportunities for professional development when the University of New England opens its new Church Street campus.

The launch of the University’s campus, the first university to be located in our CBD, has been scheduled for April this year.

When it opens, it will bring a new market to our city’s businesses and much-needed activation to that section of Church Street, between Eat Street and Church Street Mall.

Whilst this facility is intended to be a virtual campus, we expect that the University’s 2000 students in the Western Sydney region will be using this campus regularly.

The University is also planning to hold graduation ceremonies and maybe even courses in our Mall.

I think this is a great indication of the University’s focus on engaging with our community and making education available to everyone.

Parramatta is very fortunate to have two universities in the area, educating our young people and developing our professional workforce

Announcing the launch of the Gloss Impact Press exclusive to MBE Parramatta.

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businesscover

Eat street takes off Words: Callan Lawrence Pictures: Luke Fuda, Mike Szabath

“I saw something in Harris Park.

Because I had been in the inner city before I came here, I knew a lot of those customers came from the western suburbs — Harris Park was in the middle.’’

Billu Singh

10

parramatta sunmagazine business

february 2013

‘‘The community in Parramatta is really into dining out, it’s part of the culture. A lot of people are from Europe and the Middle East and other parts of Asia; they all enjoy the outdoor dining experience and for us, we wanted to be a part of that culture.’’

of new restaurants opening up which is good. ‘‘With all the restaurants, people think it might be a negative for business but actually it brings more people here. ‘‘More businesses keeps you on your toes: we keep adding new things to the menu, and it challenges you to create a better restaurant environment for customers.’’

Pierre Sande

There is a

modest family-run restaurant in a Parramatta suburb that personalities of international fame go out of their way to dine at when in Australia.

West Indies and Sydney Thunder cricket superstar Chris Gayle eats there.

Steve Waugh dined there recently with friends, as the Indian cricket team does — Tendulkar, Sehwag, Dhoni, included — whenever in the country.

Cricketers are not the only ones who know to eat at Billu’s in Harris Park.

The Indian restaurant is a regular haunt for actors and musicians from the sub-continent.

Bollywood stars Mika Singh, Sonu Nigan and Gurdas Mann, have all had the house specialty tawa sauce with chicken, lamb or goat. ‘‘In India, on the street level, anybody you ask, they know these people,’’ the restaurant’s owner and founder Billu Singh boasts. ‘‘When they come from India they know to come here because I do a lot of catering for Indian films when they come to Australia and they pass on the good word.’’

Aside from the personalities, Mr Singh says between 8000 and 10,000 people dine at his restaurant each week.

Weekends are the busiest but on average that is almost 1500 people a day, in and out of his single-storey, 300-seat restaurant and new 100-seat function centre.

It’s a destination for foodies in the know and its proprietor says customers come from the northern beaches, eastern suburbs, the Hunter Valley and Wollongong.

After moving to Australia from India’s Punjab region in 1989, Mr Singh worked in an Italian restaurant in Sydney.

In 2002 he began to pour money into an old wooden home in run-down Harris Park. ‘‘When I started renovating people said somebody must be crazy man, because I put a lot of money in here,’’ Mr Singh said. ‘‘But I saw something in Harris Park. Because I had been in the inner city before I came here, I knew a lot of those customers came from the western suburbs — Harris Park was in the middle.’’

More than a decade on and the suburb has visibly changed around Billu’s, as other restaurateurs and business people have followed his lead.

There are 18 Indian restaurants as well as Italian, Lebanese and Greek, specialty grocery stores and clothes boutiques.

Mr Singh takes pride from knowing his business has helped rejuvenate the suburb. ‘‘Yes I feel happy I did something for the Harris Park community,’’ he said. ‘‘The property market has gone so high. Before I opened, the properties I can say were around $350400,000. ‘‘Now the same properties go close to $800,000 to $1 million.’’

In the same period that Billu’s and Harris Park have developed, Church Street in Parramatta has grown from a tired shopping strip to a vibrant Eat Street.

After starting out as a nine-seat cafe eight years ago, Restaurant 317 has grown its footprint along the street to now accommodate about 220 diners.

Mr Sande was an architect before venturing into the food game and his only experience with the industry was as a regular patron of Sydney restaurants.

After finding a foothold in the market as Parramatta’s dining culture began to take off, Restaurant 317 has based its business on the pillars of ‘‘customer experience’’, and ‘‘affordable, nice food’’, its owner said.

In the past year more restaurants and several food and beverage chains have opened in Parramatta.

With several years experience as the owner of Coco Cubano at Darlinghurst and Crows Nest, Tony Melhem opened another cafe by the same name in Parramatta in 2010.

He has since franchised his brand to cafes in Rouse Hill, Melbourne and at the University of NSW. The coffee entrepreneur said the Parramatta business was one of the most consistent. ‘‘Parramatta: it’s really an exciting place,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a great cultural hub and a cultural melting pot. ‘‘The community in Parramatta is really into dining out, it’s part of the culture. A lot of people are from Europe and the Middle East and other parts of Asia; they all enjoy the outdoor dining experience and for us, we wanted to be a part of that culture.’’

A Bondi Pizza has opened in Church Street as has the gourmet burger shop Grill’D.

Mr Melhem said once the culture was established, success in the hospitality industry was based on a simple principle.

The El-Bayeh brothers, who own the El Phoenician, have opened Rockfish Seafood Restaurant on the strip.

‘‘It’s all about the guests and their experience,’’ he said, ‘‘that is the most important thing.’’

Then there is the Crave Sydney International Food Festival, which has targeted Parramatta as a pilot location for its events.

‘‘Everything else works out.’’

The Stats • The accommodation and food services industry in Parramatta had a sales output of $530.4m in 2011.

• Revenue increased by $26.2m from 2010.

• The industry accounts for 1.9 per cent of Parramatta’s regional economy.

• In Sydney the industry accounts for 2.9 per cent of the economy.

• There were 3137 Parramatta residents employed in cafes, restaurants and take-away food shops at the time of the 2006 Census.

• The industry was the biggest employer of Parramatta residents, at 4.2 per cent of total jobs.

Just three weeks ago it re-launched after a $1m fit-out that included the redevelopment of Oyster Lane to add outdoor seating. ‘‘This strip has grown so much,’’ owner of the restaurant Pierre Sande said. ‘‘There are a lot

parramatta sunmagazine business

february 2013

11

businessfeature

Homemade label hits right note Words: Callan Lawrence

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parramatta sunmagazine business

february 2013

Pictures: Mike Sea

They say necessity is the mother

of invention and for Mike Solo the proverb is descriptive of why he started a music label from his home in Holroyd. ‘‘Basically I was playing in a band when we were just out of high school, playing experimental sort of stuff,’’ he said. ‘‘But we found it really hard to find shows or venues that would book the sort of stuff we were playing. ‘‘We found a couple of other bands who were playing psychedelic and progressive rock around Sydney and started playing our own shows together. ‘‘We started organising shows with all these weird bands in them.’’

In that gap in Sydney’s music scene, Solo grew the label The Birds Robe Collective while still working a full-time job.

There are no ‘‘slacker’’ musician stereotypes here, the 26-year-old studied economics, marketing, history and psychology at The University of NSW. In the five years since then, he has worked as an economist for the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal. ‘‘That’s how a lot of managers and bands start out,’’ Solo said, ‘‘until you can move away from full-time work — and sometimes you never can — it makes sense to have a day job.’’

The label, his side project, was born in 2008 and now works for about 25 artists and bands in some capacity.

At the Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards, the ARIAs, one of those bands, sleepmakeswaves, was nominated for the Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album.

The category stretched a little to fit the band within it, and the four-piece was ultimately unsuccessful.

But nevertheless, it was recognition from the music industry for the hard work done in a home on the fringes of Parramatta.

Solo has branched into tour promotion and management and is now thinking internationally.

Late last year he brought UK underground legends 65daysofstatic to Australia for their first tour here.

writing a really cool album. ‘‘Bands would have that same idea as well.

He also released the group’s back catalogue in Australia and has organised a tour of the country for US band This Will Destroy You.

‘‘So it’s more important to me for people to just enjoy their lives and do things that they have a passion for than it is to get rich off them.

Solo reiterated that the music industry was a hard way to earn a living and that money wasn’t his driving force.

‘‘If you can make pursuit of those goals financially viable then that’s a bonus.’’

‘‘The economics of music has probably been a big thing forever but now that there has been that whole issue of illegal downloading and it’s easier than ever to get your music up on to the internet for people to start downloading it,’’ he said. ‘‘The viability of major labels and having a whole series of middle men doing distribution, marketing and promotions is being reviewed. ‘‘My approach is to call it bucket-list fulfilment. A bucket list is a list of things you want to do before you die and I’ve ticked everything from touring around the world to

Using some of the skills fundamental to his day job in economics, Solo created a business model that made that pursuit possible for himself as well as the artists he works with. ‘‘Doing the kind of work that I do at IPART, some of it’s a bit technical, and you also have to have a high-level view in planning out strategies from getting from where we are now to a more efficient solution. ‘‘So when you look at music and you’re trying to plan out a six-to-12-month plan for a band or a label, or a tour, you just apply those same critical thinking skills and forward planning.’’

It’s clear those skills have been of benefit not only to Solo but to the artists he works with. ‘‘Now touring overseas has become a reality for some of these bands whereas only a year and a half ago that was a pipedream,’’ he said.

For anyone else with a burning desire to follow their dream, start their own business, Solo had some words of experience. ‘‘Just talk to people you look up to or who are doing what you want to achieve and ask their advice,’’ he said. ‘‘The worst thing they are going to say to you is no I don’t have time, the best thing that’s going to happen is they’re going to tell you something in 30 seconds that’s going to change your whole outlook. ‘‘The number of 30 second conversations I’ve had with people in the past year that have just completely changed the whole way I think about things is incredible.’’

“That’s how a lot of managers and bands start out, until you can move away from full-time work — and sometimes you never can — it makes sense to have a day job.’’

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Connecting with Asia The Asia Business Connection, established in 1992, is a Parramatta-based business-to-business networking and development organisation that regularly brings executives, academics, media, and government officials from the Asian region into western Sydney.

Events are generally country-specific and provide local and international speakers on financial, cultural, legal and logistical information.

For example, on February 21, the organisation will host a yet to be announced politician at its annual Lunar New Year event at the ParkRoyal Parramatta.

“It’s a party event really but [our guest] will be in a perfect position to discuss Australia’s role in the Asian Pacific,” Asia Business Connection president Michael Hilliard promised.

“We will also have eight consuls in attendance, who will be in a position to influence investment into western Sydney. Normally there would be Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, China.

“There is still a lot of work to be done with the small businesses in western Sydney to develop and increase their engagement withAsia.”

Asia Business Connection also has a manufacturing arm, called Manufacturers Connection, developed in 2010 to address interests in the manufacturing industry.

Traditionally the largest industry sector in western Sydney, with 78,163 people, it was also the only industry to lose jobs between May 2006 and May 2012, according to a briefing paper published by Daniel Montoya in August 2012.

The paper, entitled Western Sydney: An Economic Profile, revealed manufacturing had lost 1132 jobs in the six-year period across 12 local government areas: Auburn, Blacktown, Blue Mountains,Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Holroyd, Liverpool,Parramatta, Penrith and Wollondilly.

“I think that’s a problem,” Mr Hilliard said. “We will always be beaten by countries who produce in huge volumes. We’re going to have to look at how we are going to get our businesses involved in Asia, in particular, because that’s where the growth is going to happen. It may be by outsourcing or linking with other companies they link their resources to. There is no one answer.”

Mr Hilliard has expressed his disappointment over western Sydney business owners’ lack of interest in a planned trade mission to India.

“We’ve been invited by the finance minister of the Punjab [Parminder Singh Dhindsa] to specifically visit the Punjab in October-November,” Mr Hilliard said.

“We are seeking 10 to 15 businesses to participate but the level of interest has been quite low and I’m still struggling to find out why that is.

Looking forward: Michael Hilliard, president of the western Sydney-based business-tobusiness networking and development organisation Asia Business Connection.

Picture: Michael Szabath “They think India is too hard to deal with perhaps but, theoretically, it should be quite easy [as] there’s a similar legal system. Plus there is the longevity of our relationship and the number [of Indians] in our population.”

According to the last Census, in Parramatta alone 17,186 people had listed their country of birth as India.

Mr Hilliard said the mission had been arranged to introduce western Sydney businesses to other businesses in India looking for complimentary services.

“They’re interested in agriculture, mining, computers, food, water technologies,” he said.

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parramatta sunmagazine business

february 2013

Replace random meet ’n’ greet with strategy

Words: By Amanda Rose, strategic connector and radio host of The Business Woman Strategic connecting involves a skill set required for building successful business relationships but I stress strategic connecting is not the same as networking. For example, anyone can talk to another person and exchange cards.

But it takes a special skill set to be strategic enough to connect to the right person at the right time or event for the right reason.

Sticking to the KISS principal -- Keep It Simple, Sweetheart -- we’re better off choosing an event that attracts our target audience; strategically selecting one or two people with whom we wish to connect, and focusing on building that interaction. It is more worthwhile to leave a function with one positive connection than to have “networked” with 100 people and leave exhausted and empty-handed.

Strategic connecting is one of the best things you can do for your business – as long as you do it correctly. Here are three tips: 1. Know your place You need to read the room. Focus your sights on the people you had planned to meet. Find where you are most comfortable and start there. When making contact with a VIP connection, get in and out quickly. Don’t attempt to have a long conversation with them at a function; that can come later. Impress them with a short and sharp version of yourself and leave them interested. If there is someone more senior than you, offer your help.

If there is someone more junior than you, be an example of what to do.

2. Ask the right questions At a function you have a limited window of opportunity to build a bond. When you meet someone new, simply introduce yourself.

Maybe ask them how they know the organiser of the function, or the classic “So what brings you here?” That’s the quickest way to connect on something mutual and it works particularly well with events based on a passion, for example on charity, sport or politics.

3. Understand the hierarchy of businesscard exchange The rules on how and why you exchange and/ or ask for a business card are very important.

If you’re not asked for a card, then don’t offer one.

The only situations you should reach in for your card would be if asked or if you’d like to offer free help to someone and they don’t have their card.

There is an exception though: you may choose to offer your business card to someone below you in the hierarchy (business food chain) if you see potential in that relationship.

Details: Amanda Rose is a strategic connector and teacher at TheAmandaRoseTV. For your five exclusive strategic connecting tips, visit amandarose.com.au.

Spend over $500 with Snap and receive a complimentary double pass at Event Cinemas.

Pop into Snap Phillip St. Parramatta and place your order to receive your free tickets.

But you’d better be quick, we can’t hold these seats for long!

Offer ends 28 February 2013. Conditions apply.

Snap Parramatta 69 Phillip Street Parramatta NSW 2150 P: (02) 9633 4808 F: (02) 9633 9764 www.parraphillip.snap.com.au parramatta sunmagazine business

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february 2013 5

Q&A Michael Mekhitarian ATB Partners Michael Mekhitarian from ATB Partners explains why he set up his own business.

What moved you to start your own business?

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Eighteen years ago we started ATB Partners from scratch because the employment market for accountants at that time was not good, opportunities were very limited and salaries quite low compared to other professionals. We also identified a gap in the marketplace in the provision of quality service and advice.

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Squeeze: A networking event where you can meet like minded business preofessionals. IT expert Edward Wright will share the latest trends in the PC industry. Details: 7pm PJ’s Irish Pub 74 Church Street, Parramatta 4networking.com.au

Engage and connect with your clients through social media. Presented by Nick Psaila.

Cost: $25 10am – 12pm 121 Main St Level 1, Blacktown enterprisehub.com

What is the best business advice you have received, from whom and why?

Before I started my own business I worked with a businessman who owned a substantial national business. When I told him that I was going into business for myself he gave me some sage advice.

“Make sure you have enough cash flow, get good quality people working with you, pay and treat them well, be loyal and honest with all people you deal with”.

Although he did not verbalise it he also taught me do all the things that you say you are going to do.

What is the smartest thing you have done in business?

A number of years ago we started working with a group of high performance coaches and mentors servicing accountancy firms. In doing this we are practicing what we preach. Our clients’ success comes from us working closely with them on the metrics that drive their business. Same applies to us.

Chamber Contacts President: Stephanie Dale DMC Advertising Group Mobile: 0418 460 658 sdale@dmcadvertisinggroup.com.au Vice President: Roger Byrne Interface Financial Group Mobile: 0414 892 854 rbyrne@interfacefinancial.com Vice President: Paul Dillon The Parramatta College Mobile: 0409 385 484 pauldillon@optushome.com.au Treasurer: Michael Mekhitarian ATB Partners Mobile: 0411 749 389 mike@atb.net.au

Network coaching Learn the skills that will allow you to maximise your ability to network.

10am-12noon Servcorp Level 5, 4 Columbia Crt, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 sydneyhillsbusiness .com.au

Monday

So you want to start a small business? Learn the basics of a business plan that can be used to develop a strong foundation. Cost: $25 9.30 am – 11.30am 121 Main St Level 1, Blacktown enterprisehub.com

Adapting your business for the future: discover how your business can remain relevent.

Cost: $25 10am-12pm 121 Main St Level 1, Blacktown enterprisehub.com

coming up

Business Breakfast: Network with fellow local business owners over breakfast at The Lighthouse Restaurant, Parramatta.

8am – 10am 68-80 George St, Parramatta 4networking.com.au

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Tuesday

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Wednesday

Thursday

March 8 Import/export business workshop: learn how to get your importing or exporting business up and running while avoiding the pitfalls.

Cost: $195 9am - 5pm 121 Main St Level 1, Blacktown

Office Manager: Louise Zajac Phone: 9683 6655 Mobile: 0417 891 145 louise@parramattachamber.com.au

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Network with fellow local business owners over breakfast at The Lighthouse Restaurant, Parramatta.

8am – 10am 68-80 George St, Parramatta 4networking.com.au

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In essence I wanted a better life by being my own boss and being able to earn a reasonable income and better provide for my family.

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Business After 5.

This is your chance to network with like-minded business individuals at Parramatta Chamber.

Cost: $40 5:30pm – 7:30pm 2/8-10 Palmer Street, Parramatta

enterprisehub.com

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Want to network or learn new business skills?

Here’s a list of events in and around Parramatta for February to help you get started.

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The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.” - Confucius

Seminar: Create a 30-second commercial.

Learn how to explain your business and career concisely, and compellingly. Discover how to articulate your “unique selling proposition” so that your audience wants to know more.

Cost: Members $38.50/ Non-members $71.50 February 21st 9:30am - 11:30am Servcorp Level 5, 4 Columbia Crt, Baulkham Hills.

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Special event

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Two greats from the Australian world of sport will come face to face at Parramatta Chamber’s first 2013 breakfast series.

Parramatta Chamber has invited Eels coach Ricky Stuart and Channel Nine’s Ken Sutcliffe to breakfast – and to pass on their tips for success.

Ken Sutcliffe has been a fixture in our lounge rooms for decades as the face of sport on the Nine Network for thirty years. He has presented the sports report on the evening news, been the long-time host of ‘The Wide World of Sport’ and acted as the network’s anchorman at the world’s biggest sporting events, including the summer and winter Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, Wimbledon and the US Masters.

Editor’s Choice Workplace update seminar: 2013 will bring many changes to governance risk and compliance landscape for businesses.

This seminar will show you the updates to keep your business compliant.

February 26, 7:30pm – 9:30pm NSW Business Chamber - Parramatta Level 12, 100 George St

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Ricky Stuart, is a man on a mission. He is NSW’s first full-time Origin coach, one of rugby league’s finest on field performers during a star-studded career that saw him scale the dizzy heights of the game.

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March 27

Financial management: a workshop that will answer all your financial questions about running a small business.

Cost: $75

Chamber information session: If you are thinking of joing the chamber this will an interactive session where you will have the chance to meet other newcomers.

9:30-12:30

4:30pm - 5pm

121 Main St Level 1, Blacktown

Crowne Plaza, 1 Columbia Court, Parramatta

enterprisehub.com

together will reveal enlightening tales, and in-depth stories. Hear first hand Ricky’s insightful and direct approach to coaching the Eels to success with his “Buy into what I’m doing” attitude.

These breakfasts will be a regular event throughout the year held by Parramatta Chamber and will continue to attract high profile, inspiring and informative speakers.

Details: Thursday, February 21, 7am at Parramatta Leagues Club Bookings: parramattachamber.com.au

A star on the field during the 1990s, Stuart created history in 2002 when he took the Sydney Roosters to premiership honours in his first season as a senior NRL coach. For the Bondi Junction club, it was the first time in 27 years it had tasted grand final success. And just to prove his coaching success in 2002 was no flash in the pan, Stuart got the Roosters to the NRL grand final in the next two years as well. Now he’s focused on Parramatta and returning the Eels to their former glory.

Putting these two veterans of the sport

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