Business West May 2011 by Star News Group

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WOW

WOMEN OF THE WEST A SPECIAL 3-PART SERIES ■ ■

BULLYING CAN HURT YOU MANAGING EXPORT RISKS

SO ROSY

ISSN 1837-9869

9 123456 789013

ISSUE 9 MAY 2011

FROM THE EDITOR Promote your business or service in BUSiNESS WEST… Business West offers your business the opportunity to be seen by your target market; key business decision makers in the West! Stay tuned for the next edition of Business West: coming out on the 10th of June with a special feature on Lending. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to promote your business or service to the business world of the West, call Charles Ferraro now on 9933 4800 to reserve your space. For advertising opportunities booking deadline is 18 May, 2011. To register for BUSiNESS WEST visit: www.businesswest.com.au

WOW… A YEAR OLD! A WEEK might be a long time in politics, but a year can flash by without even realising it. BUSiNESS WEST this edition celebrates our first birthday with the launch of a fascinating three-part series on Women of the West. The West has an outstanding record of women in leadership roles – from Prime Minister Julia Gillard down – and Charlene Gatt has spoken with some to find out what makes them tick. They are a diverse group of women who have either made or are making their mark in the highly-competitive worlds of commerce and politics. We posed the same questions, including should legislation be introduced to force quotas giving women more access to senior roles and boards, to each woman. Their responses make for terrific reading and we will run them over the next two editions as well. The series kicks off in this issue with former Premier Joan Kirner, transport and logistics magnate Christina MacGregor and the Managing Director of City West Water Anne Barker. Our cover story features WAFEX, an amazing story of two companies in one. WAFEX, Australia’s leading flower exporter, is the brainchild of Adrian Parsons and Craig Musson and is run from Sunshine and Perth. Like the left and right side of the brain, the two have divided the flower world between them: Adrian Parson’s Sunshine operation looks after the U.S., Canada and South-East Asia while Craig Musson takes care of Europe and Japan from Perth.

Their early days were far from easy, and as Craig Musson says: With no business experience, capital or business plan, we would have made a great case study in how not to start a business. But they did and today business is, if you’ll pardon the pun, blooming. We set out a year ago to produce Melbourne’s first regional business magazine, focussing on local people and local companies. And along the way we have discovered some amazing people running amazing businesses, many of them pace-setting world leaders in their field. It is no wonder that the West is the place to do business. I want to thank our readers and the many people who have registered to receive Business West. It is, after all, a free magazine and registration also gives your business a free one-time listing in the Business West Network. I particularly want to thank the advertisers who have provided terrific support for a new publication. But there’s nothing quite like a mea culpa to bring you back to earth… we suffered a ‘near-death’ IT nightmare in producing the last edition which impacted on advertisements from Melton and Brimbank Councils, Vaughan Constructions and Commander Centre. We apologise to them and have taken steps to ensure the back-up system does exactly that in future. It’s all about learning from your mistakes. Jim Lawrence jim.lawrence@starnewsgroup.com.au

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CONTENTS 4-5

COVER STORY Flower power

6-7

FINE LINE Trading the world

20-22 WOMEN OF THE WEST A special new series

STRATEGIES

EDITOR Jim Lawrence jim.lawrence@starnewsgroup.com.au

Minimising risk

STRATEGIES Brodie’s Law and you

EDITORIAL Charlene Gatt charlene.gatt@starnewsgroup.com.au

14-15

“

A lot of your life is tied up in your business…

ADVERTISING Charles Ferraro charles.ferraro@starnewsgroup.com.au Mobile: 0421 555 404 DESIGN Mark Dinnie mark.dinnie@starnewsgroup.com.au BUSINESS WEST 17 Assembly Drive, Tullamarine 3043 Phone: 9933 4800 Fax: 9933 4844

division of Star News Business West is a div our 102nd Group Pty. Ltd. Celebrating Celebr business. Proudly year as a family-run bu Australian-owned and independent. published Produced and publishe Star News Group by Paul Thomas for St Pty. Ltd. ACN 005 848 108. Trading Terms Star News Group Trad and Conditions can be found on www.starnewsgroup.com.au www.starnewsgroup

Parsons Cover Adrian Parson JANEVSKI Picture DAMJAN JAN

4-5

Christina Women of the West C Kirner MacGregor, Joan Ki and Anne Barker SCOTT Picture KRISTIAN SC

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BY CHARLENE GATT BUSINESS is blooming for Australia’s leading flower exporter WAFEX. The company has notched up more than 20 years in business and is boasting a new subsidiary operation that is already making waves. WAFEX is the brainchild of business partners Adrian Parsons and Craig Musson, who have successfully run the business from their respective offices in Sunshine and Perth. Mr Parsons got into the horticulture industry as a part-time employee at Peter McGain’s Chadstone stone in 1981. He was in charge of the store by the time he was 18 years old and after a two year stint working in the flower markets of Holland, the US, the UK and Israel, he came back to few job opportunities. So he did the next best thing and became his own boss, starting up Man of Flowers from his brother’s garage in Glenhuntly. Meanwhile, Mr Musson migrated to Australia in1989 having previously established and managed a large chrysanthemum flower farm in Zimbabwe and started up his first company, Indian Ocean Commodities. The business focused on importing fresh flowers from Zimbabwe to the major Australian flower markets. After establishing Indian Ocean Commodities as a major cut flower import operation, Mr Musson and business partner Alan Cumming then started to develop domestic markets for a range of Western Australian native flowers and foliages. Mr Musson’s father Jeremy – who had previously managed a large Western Australian cut flower export company – then joined the business, and the company changed names to Westralian Flora Exports. Before long Mr Parsons was providing an export packing and distribution service for Westralian Flora Exports, and the two companies also worked together on developing sales of Victorian-grown daffodils to interstate supermarkets. At the same time, Westralian Flora Exports took on the Western Australia and New South

Wales agencies for a range of Man of Flowers products. Between 1991 and 1994, the trading relationship between Westralian Flora Exports and Man of Flowers grew to the point where the two companies merged in May 1994. WAFEX was born. In the early days the business made a concerted push to develop export markets in America, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. There was no time for Mr Parsons or Mr Musson to stop and smell the roses. The operation was run on a shoe string budget, poor handling facilities, small capacity delivery vehicles and meant long hours for all. “With no business experience, capital or business plan we would have made a great case study in how not to start a business,” Mr Musson said. “However, what we lacked in one area was more than made up for in sheer hard work and determination.” Mr Parsons added: “It was not uncommon for me to start work at 1am, go to the airport to collect flowers and then go to the market to sell and distribute flowers, return to my warehouse, continue packing, deliveries all day, then find time to stay on top of paperwork, often crawling home at 6pm, asleep at 7pm.” In 1997, Alan Cumming left as a WAFEX director and the following year, Jeremy Musson passed away. Mr Musson and Mr Parsons then divided up the world – with Mr Musson focusing his sales efforts on Europe and Japan, and Mr Parsons taking over all export sales to the U.S., Canada and South-East Asia. “It’s almost two companies in one,” Mr Parsons said. “The Perth operation, in terms of export, looks after certain markets, likewise with Melbourne because of different time zones. It’s the same with suppliers – the Perth guys service all the Western Australia growers, and then we look after all the Eastern states growers.” Additional sales staff were recruited at

COVER STORY both offices to maintain and grow WAFEX sales on the domestic market in native and imported flowers. Before long both the Perth and Melbourne operations were outgrowing their premises. Today, WAFEX Melbourne runs out of a 1000 square metre warehouse in Grace St, Sunshine, while WAFEX Perth purchased 10 acres in the Swan Valley in 2001 to commission the company’s first owned and dedicated flower packing facility. “Logistically, it’s a better outcome for the business. We’re at the airports daily, we’re at the wholesale markets in Footscray three days a week selling and picking up, lots of trucks depots and drop off points are down this way,” Mr Parsons said. “We’re actually quite a long way from the hub of the Melbourne flower industry, which is in the Dandenongs. To service that, we do delivery runs three times a week, but for our core business – which is the airport, the markets – this is a good spot to be. “We’re on our own a bit out here, which I kind of like.” In 2008, Mr Parsons and Mr Musson identified a need to grow their own product. WAFEX subsequently leased a flower farm north of Perth where existing crops including Banksias and Scholtizia were already planted. The company structured this farm and has since carried out extensive re-planting programmes to expand it. This was replicated in Melbourne last year with the purchase of a 70-acre flower farm called Longford Flowers, which included a crop mix or Serruria, Banksia, Leucadendron, Protea and Leucospermum.

“Historically, we buy off growers and repackage, which we will continue to do, but we were a bit concerned at our longterm supply. Growers were not expanding or investing or their kids weren’t coming onto the farm,” Mr Parsons said. The next big venture was into flower breeding. “Flowers are like fashion trends; everybody wants the latest and the greatest,” Mr Parsons said. “There’s constantly new breeds coming onto the market, so we’ve set up a new company, called Helix Australia, and we will buy exclusive rights to new breeds and grow them, or contract-grow them and sell them through Wafex.

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Adrian Parsons… no time to smell the roses. Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

“That’s a global move, because with those new varieties we can license growers all around the world, we’re not tied to Australia.” Mr Parsons and Mr Musson have also recently appointed general managers at both branches as part of a succession plan for WAFEX. “We’re trying to step back from the day to day,” Mr Parsons said. [BW]

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BY CHARLENE GATT TEN years ago, Gavin Armstong, Murray Bowden and Alex Standfield joined forces to start their own freight forwarding business. Unlike many, they had an Antwerp-based global franchise backing them. The trio set up the Australian headquarters of ECU Line in Tullamarine and Sydney, with Mr Armstong becoming Managing Director, Mr Bowden Chief Financial Officer and Mr Standfield Chief Executive Officer. The men knew of each other through the freight forwarding industry, and had been friends for years before taking the plunge and becoming business partners. ECU Line specialises in LCL Consolidation for the wholesale market. “Larger freight forwarders ship full containers, but when they’ve got three crates and two boxes, it’s too little cargo to fill a container and too expensive to send by air freight, so they give it to us and we put it in containers with another 20 customers,” Mr Armstrong explains. “From day one when we opened the door, we had significant imports, but we had zero exports, so we had to built that export product up from scratch and we’re fortunate enough that after 10 years we have a reasonable market share of the freight forwarding community. “It was difficult in those first couple of years.

“The exchange rate was 65 cents to the US dollar, which affects us a lot, so it was a difficult time to start, but we’ve managed to come through. “We were competing against our old companies, it was quite interesting in the early days.” The trio employed an active sales team and started to turn a profit within 18 months. Now the company also has an office in Auckland that Mr Standfield runs and the business imports and exports to around 500 destinations around the world. Singapore, Hong Kong and Europe are three of their biggest markets, with a yearly spike in imports around Christmas and a strong export period over March and April. “Strong Australian dollar means weaker export, but it helps the imports,” Mr Armstong said. “You can never really win. A high Aussie dollar means less exports, more imports. We’re probably 50/50 volume-wise. “We’re happy where we are at the moment and are busy consolidating our position in Sydney and Auckland. “Sydney has been harder to make a foothold. I think that our competition are more firmly entrenched, it was harder to get established there.” Clients include DHL, Schenker, Expeditors and CEVA.

The company employs 25 employees in Melbourne, 10 in Sydney and 10 in Auckland, with a high female presence. “We have differentiated ourselves I believe by being more community aware,” Mr Armstrong said. “We’ve aligned ourselves with breast cancer campaigns, we’ve done footy tipping fundraising for the Royal Children’s Hospital, we’ve organised with shipping industry balls, we try to get involved with local charities and sporting groups, and I think that’s helped with the morale.” The men hope to open up a Brisbane office in coming years. But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. When the GFC struck, people panicked and import volumes dropped overmight. ECU Line asked staff to take a 10 per cent wage cut and work a nine-day fortnight to maintain staff numbers. The pay cut lasted four months. “You don’t always focus on your bottom line and costs get away from you – it was a real wake-up call to be accountable for every cent,” Mr Armstrong said. “In hindsight, it was okay in that we really changed a lot of our business practices. “We came out of the GFC for the better. It was a little short-term pain for our employees, but it was important that we maintain everyone’s job.” [BW]

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ECU’s owners, from the left, Gavin Armstrong, Murray Bowden and Alex Standfield… came out of the GFC for the better. Picture: SARAH MATRAY

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BY CHARLENE GATT GEOFF Steer has seen more than his fair share of financial cycles. He was around for the 1987 stockmarket crash, the interest rate hikes of the 1990s and, most recently, the Global Financial Crisis.

TOP GUN

“We pick up a lot of clients who have a financial adviser and an accountant and things are falling through the cracks because there’s so much of a crossover. Here, we do both, and it’s comforting to the clients.

So it’s no surprise that the 52-year-old Moonee Ponds resident was recently named one of the top 10 financial advisers in the country by the Australian Financial Review’s Smart Investor Magazine.

“The GFC… did have an impact, in the financial planning space obviously it was a very difficult time for everyone, it was a time when everyone was concerned about their superannuation and what the markets were doing.”

The magazine’s Masterclass attracts hundreds of entrants from around Australia each year, with participants taking part in an exam that tests their technical expertise.

“On the accounting side, business clients really stopped doing anything – they went into their shell and were very nervous, so it was a similar exercise on that side.”

It was the first time Mr Steer had applied. “I was pretty chuffed by it,” he said. “I guess I saw it as a bit of a reflection on the culture Ken (Matthews) and I put in about maintaining standards while keeping up to date, being cutting edge with what’s happening in the industry and technically. “Entering the competition was, in some ways, testing ourselves in that space. I was very confident that we were maintaining those sort of standards, but it was good to have that verified externally.”

“

One of the important things is that younger employees learn by example…

Mr Steer is a fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, plus a member of Tullamarine Rotary and a keen Collingwood supporter.

“There’s not many people that had been through that sort of thing before, but having had that experience meant I knew how to hold things together and get the message across that it wasn’t the end of the world, because that was the way that a lot of people saw it.”

He believes it was his experience in taxation and financial advising that gave him an edge over many other planners.

And after more than 30 years in the business, Mr Steer would know.

It’s a culture Geoff and partner Ken Matthews have instilled in Matthews Steer Chartered Accountants over the past 21 years. Mr Steer said financial advising and accounting was a “very natural fit” that many other advisers fail to appreciate. “Most of my clients, I look after their tax and their financial affairs, we run a holistic service and it’s very valuable.

BUSINESS WEST

After high school, he completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Melbourne University and followed it up with a diploma of financial planning before spending 10 years as a senior tax manager at global firm Arthur Andersen. During this time he struck up a friendship with Ken Matthews, who had started up his own business and frequently sought Mr Steer’s advice on tax issues. After Mr Matthews had been in business a few years, he offered Mr Steers a chance to

Geoff Steer… pretty chuffed by his award. Picture: SARAH MATRAY

take a stake in the business, and Matthews Steer Chartered Accountants was born in 1990. “It was a big change to go from a multinational accounting firm to Ken and I and a couple of others in an office in East Keilor,” Mr Steer admitted. “But it was good, it was where I wanted to go. I wanted to deal with people and individuals and small business and investors rather than multi-national clients. It was really about getting back to that sort of personal level service and clientele. “We really kicked off the partnership at a tough time in terms of what was happening in the world, and interest rates – I think I borrowed some money to take an interest in the business – and interest rates went to 19 per cent at one stage. The business moved to bigger and better premises at Essendon Fields four years ago. Both Mr Steer and Mr Matthews work among their 33 employees in an open-plan office and have since taken on two other partners. “In our previous office, we did have (private) offices but we always had an open door policy,” Mr Steer said. “It’s not quite the same though, and I think it’s good to be with the team and just keeps you closer to what’s happening in your organisation. “One of the important things is that younger employees learn by example, and being out with them and accessible if there’s a question that needs to be addressed quickly, there’s not those barriers, they can just come and get my advice and benefit from the experience.” The pair are unlikely to open another office, for fear it would ruin the office culture. Matthews Steer caters largely for the North-West of Melbourne, with clients like Lord Chemical Products, Snapes Removals and the On Time Group “to give them an alternative to have to go into the city for services and advice”. [BW]

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NEW ROOM SERVICE THE future of Caroline Springs’ Mercure Hotel remains in doubt following a new plan to transform the venue into an apartment block. BELINDA NOLAN reports… BUSINESS West can reveal that discussions are underway to shut down the hotel and turn its rooms into residential apartments to be sold off to the public, capitalising on the suburb’s population boom. The hotel’s owners convened a meeting in March to decide on its future, with a second conference held at the beginning of April. Hotel planning consultants have been in discussions with Melton Shire Council officers over the proposal. Bob Baggio, the council’s Planning Manager, confirmed he expected to receive a formal planning permit application for the development in the near future. “Council officers have had recent discussions with planning consultants for the hotel about its proposal to change the use to residential apartments,” Mr Baggio said. New life for the Mercure Hotel? Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

“We are expecting a formal planning proposal to be lodged with council for consideration in the near future.

“Council proposal.”

has

yet

consider

the

Located on Caroline Springs Boulevard, the hotel has been open for less than two years and boasts 104 rooms, a restaurant and conferencing facilities. It is first of two hotels to open its doors in the suburb, with the nearby WestWaters Hotel – a joint venture between Hawthorn Football Club and the Grand Mercure Hotel – unveiled late last year. Mercure spokesman John Barnett remained tight lipped about the plans, but confirmed that there would be “changes” at the hotel. “There will be some changes,” Mr Barnett told Business West. “We will be reorganised and re-fitted. “We’re currently negotiations.” [BW]

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“The company’s in pretty good hands,” Andrew Gibb said. “It was pretty amazing, the whole setup.” The business has since expanded to include a range of fruit coulis that is being stocked in Coles supermarkets around the country, and the business is trialling new fruit juice flavours for its 250mL bottles. It also contract processes other foods such as salads, meats and ready to eat meals using high pressure processing.

BY CHARLENE GATT

CEO Alistair McLaughlin is also focusing on Preshafoods export market, which includes Dubai, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and new markets in Japan, China and Korea.

IT’S the business that’s growing as fast as the fruit products they produce. Preshafoods in Derrimut is quickly turning into a household name only five years after father and son team Donald and Andrew Gibb set up the business with an innovative way of producing fruit juices that keep their fresh fruit flavour.

The hard work has paid off, with sales tripling in the past 12 months. To top it off, the business took out the 2010 Global Food Industry Award and has been nominated for the 2011 Telstra Small Business Awards.

Preshafruit, a brand of fruit juice using 100 per cent Australian fruit that has a just-picked taste, was crowned the world’s best non-alcoholic drink at the Beverage Innovation Awards in 2009, ahead of beverage giants Coca-Cola and Pepsi. The drink com comes in a range of differen different flavours, including Royal Gala, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Valencia and Apple and Pear.

Mr McLaughlin said the challenge now was to reconfigure the organisation to manage the increasing workload. “It’s going in leaps and bounds,” he said. Alistair McLaughlin… never a dull day. Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

Th The fruit is proce processed on one of on only 140 high pressu pressure processing machin machines in the world that p process products h without heat.

The drink has been on the shelves in Coles, Woolworths and other major chains over the past two years and is now also being stocked across a range of service stations, including Caltex, 7/11 and United.

re The result is a fresh tasting juice with a 210-day shelf life.

Last year the Victoria Smorgon Group and Andrew Fox invested in the business to grow it to the next level.

“I love the challenge of something like this, it’s been the fastest growing business I’ve been involved in. “It’s moving and changing so rapidly, there’s never a dull day. “When you aren’t a large multi-national, you don’t have access to all the fridges across Australia, so we have a sales team on the road. You have to do the hard yards.” Mr McLaughlin said the company, which employs up to 40 people a week depending on production requirements, said the Derrimut site was “overflowing at the seams”. [BW]

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ANETA’S WORLD

MOVE over Alex Perry and Colette Dinnegan. Aneta Pazeski’s bridal and evening wear business Zanet Couture has grown in leaps and bounds since she abandoned the corporate world to chase her passion. Zanét Couture produces unique, hand made gowns and bridal wear for all occasions

and is all about bringing glamour and luxury back to an era where Dior reigned supreme.

everything’s done overseas and it’s cheap and it’s in bulk,” Ms Pazeski said.

The label also imports an exclusive made to order line from American company Impression Bridal and most recently, Ms Pazeski launched her first wholesale range, called the Opulence collection.

“I want to make every woman who works with me look and feel beautiful.”

“The art of hand made is dying because

Her work now is worlds away from her previous career as a corporate high flier. Born to Macedonian immigrants, a studious Ms Pazeski was brought up to chase

business news west

What’s new in the business community? Operate a great business in Hobsons Bay?

Hobsons Bay Business Workshops

If you run a business in Hobsons Bay then why not list your business for free on the Council’s online business directory. Visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/tourismandbusiness to register your business today. If you want to stay across current issues and network with fellow business colleagues, join a local business group. There are four recognised traders’ associations in Hobsons Bay and many business networks in the area. These groups are all like-minded business people whose focus is on improving their business and the region, why not join one today?

Want to know the key inﬂuences on customers’ pricing decisions? Want to determine if your current tourism package is effective? If yes, then this is the workshop for you – Pricing and Packaging. Learn tailored solutions for your business and recognise current opportunities for pricing and packaging to optimise business success and customer satisfaction. It is held at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Williamstown on Tuesday, 10th May from 9.30am to 2.00pm. The Council operates a variety of workshops each month, focusing on a range of business topics. For more information on all the workshops on offer, visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessandtourism

Nominations will soon be open for the Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards 2011. Aiming to recognise and reward the best of local business, the awards are not to be missed. Hear from last years’ winners at the next Hobsons Bay Business Connections Network function on Thursday, 12th May at The Altona Sports Club. Visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessexcellence for more information.

Newsletter/e-Update The Council publishes a free quarterly business newsletter titled Business Works. You can register to receive this and our e-Update by sending an email to the address below, and if you have an idea for an article, we’d also love to hear from you. Subscribe today!

For more information please call Sally Curtis, Business and Tourism Ofﬁcer on 9932 1000 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

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510881-SAH18-11

Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards

the jobs that bring in the money, rather than chasing the jobs you love.

They took a connecting flight to Koh Samui the next day.

of taking baby steps and making that dream come true.

She studied accounting and commercial law at university and climbed the ranks to become a director of CPA Australia.

“It was quite horrific to see what was going on around us,” she said.

“For me, the sewing and designing didn’t feel like work, because it’s my creative outlet, there was no extra pressure.”

Despite the trauma, the Pazeskis didn’t realise the magnitude of what they had escaped until they got home and found their house filled with flowers from people who were happy and relieved they weren’t dead.

“I enjoyed being in a position in the small to medium enterprise sector director role at CPA Australia, because it was always an interest for me – small business and particularly supporting women in business.” Ms Pazeski said she had been happy to cruise along in her corporate role, with the good pay and cushy perks to boot, when the world came crashing down around her – literally.

It was a life-changing experience. “What it changed for me was to pursue the things I was truly passionate about, and that was fashion” she said. “To think that your life is at an end is a powerful thing.

It was Boxing Day 2004 and she had been sitting by the pool on holiday at a hotel in Phuket, reading Richard Branson’s autobiography.

“I didn’t want to leave this world saying ‘I should have, I could have, but I didn’t’. And she wasted no time.

She went back into the hotel to wake up her husband. It was a move that saved her life. An undersea earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra had triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most countries bordering the Indian Ocean. The first wave hit the hotel within minutes of Ms Pazeski going inside. Ms Pazeski and her husband waded through the waist-high water to the nearest highest point, where they waited until midnight to be rescued by an army truck.

Ms Pazeski resigned from CPA in February 2009 after having her second child Sienna and was offered a different role due a corporate restructure. From there, Zanet became a full-time role. In March 2009 she opened her own boutique in Cairnlea because she found it too hard to work with her two children buzzing around. Since then, Ms Pazeski was named the Designer of the Year in Professional Evening Wear for the 2007 Australian Masters of Fashion Awards and also won the Women in Business Manufacture Trade and Construction Award in 2009.

The following year was a bumper one. Ms Pazeski fell pregnant with her first child (Jayden, now five), she and her husband travelled around the world and, most importantly, she cut down her job to four days a week and started up Zanet.

Ms Pazeski was also a top 100 finalist in the 2009 auditions for Foxtel’s fashion reality series Project Runway Australia.

“The challenge was trying to manage the business as well as working in the corporate world, because I started off very slowly on a part-time basis.

“That would be an ultimate dream come true,” she said.

“I didn’t push myself to achieve huge things in the initial years, it was just a case

Ms Pazeski hopes to ultimately turn Zanet into a label “in lights in New York, Paris, London, Rome”.

“To be able to design for the likes of Hollywood superstars and the Kylie Minogues of the world and all of those personalities would be absolutely fabulous.” [BW]

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AILSA’S ON THE SAME PAGE

Ailsa Page… honest and clear works in business. Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

BY CHARLENE GATT FOR Ailsa Page, marketing comes naturally. Her love of communicating was evident when a five-year-old Ms Page was repeatedly told to stop talking by her kindergarten teacher. It grew as a member of the Girl Guides, when she relished the opportunity to door knock homes and sell Girl Guide cookies. “Most kids ordered one or two boxes. I would order 10,” she laughed. Today, Ms Page has been running her own marketing business, AP Marketing Works, for the past 12 years. The home-based Sunshine business offers strategy and planning, market research and training and coaching for businesses across Melbourne and regional Victoria. She also has two national clients, Mining Education Australia and Minerals Tertiary Education Council. Ms Page’s career choices were, in hindsight, a natural progression. She studied psychology at university and was a child protection worker for a year, and also held roles at Bicycle Victoria, the Conservation Council of Victoria (now Environment Victoria) and The CEO Institute. Without realising it, she unconsciously took on marketing roles in each job before one day deciding to go out on her own. “I read a book that talks about being content in your life and it was looking at who you spend your time with,” she said. “I took that a step further about where I spend my time, and I was realising I was spending my time in offices I didn’t really like,

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in suburbs I didn’t really like, in conditions I didn’t really like, and I wanted to change that. “I wanted to have good equipment, I wanted to have a nice, funny office, these were things that were really important to me and I felt the only way I could do that would be to create that rather than wait for it to be handed to me on a plate.” Ms Page soon earned a reputation for being a straight shooter in an industry filled with spin. “I don’t like it when people make things more complicated than they need to be,” she said. “If people can’t explain something clearly, or in language that people understand, then I’m a little suspicious about whether or not they know what they’re doing. “There is a lot of waffle out there. If you’re honest and clear, that’s what works in business.” Ms Page has acted as a small business mentor and lecturer at Victoria University and a judge at the Telstra Business Awards between 2007-2009 and the Telstra Women’s Business Awards in 2007. She has, among other publications, written the Shoe String Marketing Kit for Small Business and was also the recipient of the Women in Business 2009 Business and Professional Services award. “Passion acts as a compass for getting to where you need to be in life,” she said. “I think I’ve got a great life. I do what I like to do, I work with people I like to work with, I work in an environment that suits my needs, because I run my own business.” [BW]

St Albans

A Dynamic Mosaic The unique character of St Albans is best seen in the town centre through the diversity of its buildings, cultural influences, colours, textures and events. It is these characteristics, together with its people, that come together – like a mosaic – to make St Albans what it is today – a vibrant and dynamic community hub. Reflecting the diversity of its community, St Albans offers international food and specialty stores from more than 14 countries including Vietnam, India, Serbia, Croatia, the Philippines, Fiji and Sri Lanka. There are more than 18 fresh food grocers, including Asian grocers, who offer a range of vegetables – some of which you will have to be told the name of – as well as fresh meat and piles of glistening seafood. Friendly shop owners are more than happy to explain how to use their exotic herbs and ingredients to cook authentic international dishes. Much-loved European coffee shops, Vietnamese cafes and restaurants, as well as everyday retail and commercial needs complete the mix. With its rich heritage evident in its people and lively streets, St Albans is a community that is open and welcoming to all. The people have worked to create the St Albans of today with its strong Vietnamese influence. Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian, Greek and Italian migrants have contributed to the establishment and development of this energetic neighbourhood and the community seeks to progress through economic revitalisation and growth, community activities and involvement, and physical improvements. A highlight for the retail precinct each year is the St Albans Lunar Festival. This event has continued to draw the community together since it was first held in 1998.

Above: The colourful local markets in St Albans. Lion dancers at the recent St Albans Lunar Festival. 484497-MD6-11

The festival came about as the result of discussions between former trader Daniel Nguyen and the St Albans Business Group Association Inc. Coordinator David Connolly regarding the possibilities of staging an Asian festival in St Albans*. Now 12 years on, the festival has developed into one of the major events on Brimbank’s calendar. *Source: www.lunarnewyear.net

Once a year the St Albans town centre is transformed into a pulsating theatre with activities for the 60,000 people who descend on the area to celebrate the lunar festival. The Lunar Festival is a people‘s festival with the many locals attending, along with people from other parts of Brimbank and broader Melbourne, and in more recent years with people from all over Australia taking the opportunity to be part of the celebrations. Alfrieda Street is transformed with a carnival atmosphere complete with ferris wheels, dodgem cars, children’s rides, stages with various multicultural entertainment and vendors stalls stretched to the limit dispensing everything in Asian foods. The warmth, enjoyment, fun and sense of experience that the Lunar Festival brings, strengthens the view that St Albans is a centre with a unique character reflected in the values and aspirations of its people. St Albans provides a strong foundation and framework that supports diversity and encourages connections at all levels. Just like an ever-expanding mosaic, St Albans allows for flexibility, change and growth and shifts its shape to include and welcome the new. It is a multi-dimensional landscape which has at its core a resilient and energetic community spirit. St Albans is more than the sum of its individual elements because when brought together they create a colourful, interesting and responsive whole that is best described as a ‘Dynamic Mosaic’.

St Albans Connect St Albans Connect is a demonstration project funded through the Victorian State Government Department of Planning and Community Development and Brimbank City Council that integrates community engagement and urban renewal. Respecting the existing vibrancy and diversity within the communities of Kings Park, Kealba and St Albans, St Albans Connect aims to build on the social, spiritual, cultural, economic and environmental values of these communities leading to enhanced community participation, wellbeing and connectedness. A variety of projects are being developed and can be viewed at the project website www.stalbansconnect.com.au 401371-SH12-11

While most locals are well aware of all that St Albans has to offer in terms of shopping, food and character, the retail precinct of St Albans, centred around Alfrieda Street, is still an undiscovered jewel for many in Melbourne’s west.

BUSH TUCKER

WINNER BY CHARLENE GATT IT’S the family-run Altona business that is bringing Indigenous food into the mainstream market through a delicious range of sauces, chutneys and dressings. Outback Spirit Foods has spent the past 25 years creating links with the Aboriginal community to get Australia to stand up and take notice of all the fruit and vegetables growing out of our own backyard in the outback. “We’ve been very bad at recognising our own resources,” owner Juleigh Robins said.

Ms Robins herself wasn’t aware of all the produce available until a daydream set her off on a quest.

Juleigh Robins… whole new taste.

Picture: SARAH MATRAY

Ms Robins and then-husband Ian had been running a patisserie in Toorak, where they would make everything they sold - right down to the jams and chutneys - when a daydream sparked her interest.

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“One night when I was stirring this big pot

BUSINESS WEST

of raspberry jam, I started thinking and every ingredient that we used that I could think of came from somewhere else,” she said. “I said to Ian ‘can you think of anything that’s Australian that we use?’. Every sort of fruit and vegetable that we could think of, we couldn’t identify one single thing as Australian. “Then a girl who worked for us at the time, she was there, and she said, ‘I think you can eat lilly pillys’. I scoffed and laughed and said ‘no you can’t’.” The conversation stayed in Ms Robins’ mind, so she eventually went to the library to find out about native vegetation and came across a pamphlet pointing to Dr Beth Gott from Monash University, who had her own bush food garden on campus. “She had lilly pillys, she had one called a rye berry and she gave me one.” “As a cook, I tasted this thing and my mind just started to explode and I thought it was unbelievable.” “The most exciting things as cooks – as chefs – was that there was no preconceived use for these products. There was no culture attached, that we knew of. When we tried these things, it was like a whole new cornucopia of tastes and it was just liberating. We got very excited and decided we’d try to find out more.” The pair started out Outback Spirit on the side, with Ms Robins ringing around Australia to learn about and find more bush foods. On one memorable occasion, she contacted an Alice Springs cattle station asking for produce and received 20 cartons of different bush foods. “Ian and I were like kids in a toy shop. We kept ringing up the elder and asking what the foods were called and how you cook them,” she remembers.

“Then I found the bush tomatoes, and I wanted to get more. “I asked for whatever they could get, because I thought, how much can they get in the desert in summer? “So we set the price and they called three weeks later and they had two tonnes. “So I had something like a $40,000$50,000 debt for these bush tomatoes that I committed to buy. It happened to be a year where they were very prolific. I didn’t know what to do with it, I’d never used it before. “It took to a year to pay back and we were faced with these two tonnes of tomatoes, and we had to do something. “I said to Ian ‘your mum makes a fantastic tomato relish – get the recipe off her’ and that became our bush tomato chutney, which became our biggest selling product.”

“

My mind started to explode…

The business grew from there, with Outback Spirit now making an extensive range of chutneys, preserves, dry marinades, cooking sauces, sauces, dressings, crushed garlic and herbs.

The products were stocked at David Jones and Myer as boutique product. Then in 2000, the Robins decided to turn Outback Spirit into a full-time job, and focused on establishing a more formal and consistent supply chain, expanding their range and selling it into the UK. The following year the Robins got Outback Spirit products in 100 Coles stores across

Australia and helped create the Coles Indigenous Food Fund, where 20 cents from the sale of their range went back into Indigenous communities. The fund has raised more than $500,000 in the last decade. By 2003, they expanded their reach into Coles and stocked the product in all stores, plus an ever-growing range of delis and greengrocers. To top it off, the pair managed to get Olympian Cathy Freeman to front Outback Spirit advertising campaigns. In 2006 Wards McKenzie bought into the business to help its expansion. The Robins’ success is all the more surprising considering that the pair split 16 years ago and have continued working as business partners. Their son Anton also works for the business as a production manager. Ms Robins said she maintained a fantastic working relationship with Ian. “Working and living together was very hard… it became all work,” she said. Outback has recently joined forces with Yarraville’s Living Colour Studio in a unique marketing strategy. The company has signed on to the DunnARTS Environment Road Show, an arts, music, environmental science and culinary portable exhibition. The road show will go out to Brimbank, Werribee, Hamilton, Warrnambool, Portland and Mount Gambier and is partnering with a range of stakeholders to raise money to preserve and maintain the endangered grasslands of Victoria’s western volcanic plains and eastern South Australia. Outback will use their food at the exhibition for food tasting, food demonstrations and sales. [BW]

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was named Wyndham’s Citizen of the Year. What problems have you encountered as a woman in business?

CHRISTINA MacGREGOR CHRISTINA MacGregor left high school as a 15-year-old to work in the note issue branch at the Reserve Bank of Australia. Following that she held jobs as a waitress and a Playboy bunny at the Playboy Club, and then looked after the promotions division for Rothmans. It was there she met her future husband Bill Featherstone, and the pair joined forces to set up their freight logistics company more than 35 years ago, combining their surnames to call it MacFeather Transport Management Ltd, or MTM. When Bill suffered a series of strokes in 1990 and could no longer work, Ms MacGregor took the reins and changed the company name to Chris McGregor Freight Services. Her contribution to the transport industry was recognised in September 2006 when she was named the Australian Freight and Logistics Industry Personality of the Year. In 2007, the Werribee resident

As a business person, I encountered the usual problems that any person faces on a daily basis; finding and motivating the right people to work with to form a formidable team in a very competitive industry. As a woman in business, my biggest problem was raising my young son and making suitable arrangements for my severally disabled husband that would allow us to remain a somewhat functional family.

“

Over the years, I have learnt so much from so many men and I love working with them…

Many people will say it is tough being a woman in business. On the business side, I found it challenging however, I do believe that the vast majority of our clients and our staff were chuffed that our company was headed by a woman. In the very

early days, many blokes in the industry stated that I had no hope of success and it has been wonderful to prove them wrong. I do not need to know it all; we have many wonderful blokes that are very happy to share their technical knowledge with us. Over the years, I have learnt so much from so many men and I love working with them. Should the Federal Government legislate to have a quota of females in senior business positions? Why/why not? Definitely not. Women are smart. But different women have different aspirations. It was never my dream to be a successful business woman. I just had no choice in the matter. Women hopefully do have many choices available to them and they have the right to exercise their choice. I have always believed in having the best person for the job. If you desire to be Chairman of BHP, then work smarter, harder than the rest. What is your advice to women climbing the career ladder? To be successful requires many skills but my belief is that all successful people have great people skills. The ability to inspire people, to motivate and to set clear directions. To give people the choice of coming on board and making a difference and, if they are not prepared for the adventure, replacing them with people who do have the

Western Region Business Club

Rob Keogh – 'How we won the Australian Open' Robert Keogh, Director of Wm. Loud, will speak about the success of the 137 year old civil engineering and synthetic surfacing company. Founded in 1874, Wm. Loud began specialising in excavation work of city buildings before diversifying into earthworks and pavements. Wm. Loud’s proﬁle skyrocketed after introducing the Plexipave/Plexicushion synthetic surfacing system to Victoria, redeﬁning the surfaces of sports courts, playgrounds and running tracks, including that of the warm up track at the 1956 Olympic Games.

desire and the need to become part of an exciting journey. Honesty and integrity are givens. Without that you have no hope. What woman in business do you admire the most, and why? There are many women I admire enormously and for different reasons; ■ Jeanne Pratt is a woman I admire enormously. Strength of character, resilient, loyal, funny, determined, talented and with great empathy. ■ Jane Kennedy of Working Dog Productions. She has five young children (she is successful enough to have a nanny), a great marriage, wonderful extended family and she also has all the attributes; great with people, funny, sensitive, hard working, determined. She is truly an amazing person. ■ There are also many women of the West I could name. Heather Marcus, a former Mayor of Wyndham for the work she does with young people, including starting and running most successfully, the Victorian Fashion Awards. Barbara McLure, who was widowed at a very early age with two young children who has built a wonderful career but is a terrific parent and still makes time to work and assist many people. Marilyn Duncan, the former CEO of Brimbank who continues to devote time and effort to the Visy Hub.

INVITES YOU TO OUR NEXT NETWORKING EVENT

When

Tuesday 7th June

Time

6pm – 8pm

Where The Meddings Room @ The Yarraville Club 135 Stephen Street, Yarraville RSVP

Friday 20th May to nr@collinsco.com.au

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In 2007 Wm. Loud were appointed as the Ofﬁcial surface supplier to the Australian Open, reconstructing and resurfacing the courts at Melbourne Park. Attend to hear how Robert’s Western Suburbs business won the Australian Open contract and the challenges he faced in the career deﬁning project. 510879-SAH18-11

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GREEN LIGHT FOR THE

RED TENT have that community where they can have Friday night drinks. It sort of has that feel of going to a girlfriend’s house.” Members also have access to the complete Red Tent online business centre, which includes video tutorials, articles and audio interviews with other business women. It’s a huge leap from the Red Tent Woman’s beginnings as a one-on-one business coach. Now, Ms Dautovic shares her information and knowledge on a broader scale. “A lot of these women can’t afford to hire a business coach one-on-one, here they get access to the information. I often joke it’s like downloading my brain,” Ms Dautovic said. “It’s about more than business. It’s about creating an environment – we call it the tribe – where women can feel that they belong to something bigger than themselves.” Ms Dautovic dropped out of high school at the age of 15 and ran her own TV and video production business, In Focus Productions, while home-schooling her two kids. The business was going swimmingly until one day in her mid-30s, Ms Dautovic wanted to change her career path. An online careers survey advised her to become a coach, psychiatrist or counsellor, and the Red Tent Woman was born. She now has more than 2500 women on her database and recently launched Red Tent Radio, which can be accessed from her website or on iTunes. Last year she had 34 public speaking gigs

Ludwina Dautovic… all about nurturing and creating. Picture contributed. around the country, but will slow down this year to focus on having events in every capital city in Australia and internationally. The business runs from a Newport house that neighbours her home. The walls are painted in red to symbolise the red tent. “When you can find what you’re passionate about, it doesn’t feel like work,” Ms Dautovic said. “If you can find that thing that you love, you will make money from it. What we do with the women is support them in following what they’re passionate about, but then showing them how to monetise that” The theory is a good one, as evident from the slew of awards to come Ms Dautovic’s way. She was listed in Who’s Who of Australian Women for 2010 and 2011; last year, was one of five finalists for Australian Coach of the Year award; and the year before was Australian Home-Based Business of the Year winner. [BW]

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BY CHARLENE GATT IN ANCIENT times women were sent to the red tent for “women’s business”. Although intended as a separation strategy to keep the women away from men and daily life during their monthly cycle, the red tent became a place of story telling, laughter and support. It was here the younger women learnt from their elders of the challenges and strength of being a woman. Today, there is no red tent, but there is the Red Tent Woman. Ludwina Dautovic has spent the past five years creating a nation-wide women’s network to respond to their business needs and career aspirations. The Newport business runs home-based business networking events for women in small, micro and home-based business. “I wasn’t very fond of the existing networking events,” Ms Dautovic said. “I found them quite cold and clinical, so I thought instead of complaining about it, I’d start one of my own. “It’s really about nurturing and creating a connective environment where women could feel really comfortable about being there. “We find the women can be themselves and we’re attracting a lot of women who don’t normally go to networking events, because they find them intimidating. “People that are self-employed or in small retail or in home-based business, they don’t

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JULIE DEFIES THE

AGE BARRIER BY CHARLENE GATT THERE are a million things to consider when starting your own business – finding the right premises, finance, building a brand. But for Julie Laurie, her biggest problem was her age. The trained beauty therapist, who had held jobs at the Werribee Mansion and Hilton Hotels, had always wanted to run her own business, but baulked when her son Stevie said he’d found the perfect place to make that dream a reality. “When you get to a certain age in your life, you’re not sure if you’re up for running your own business,” Ms Laurie, now 54, said. Luckily it was a hurdle Ms Laurie was willing to overcome. She purchased the Altona Meadows shopfront her son recommended about seven years ago and launched Julie and Stevie’s Beauty Sanctuary, which does waxing, massages, facials, and other beauty treatments. It didn’t take long for Ms Laurie to realise she had made the right decision, even if she wasn’t as business-minded as some. “I would’ve hated not running my own business,” she said. “When I was in beauty working for other people, I always hated the way therapists were treated, they’ve got to make sales and all sorts of things. For me, it’s about doing a treatment for a client, not trying to get the money out.

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“If you’ve got a passion, you should do it. I didn’t even have a business plan for my bank manager. I went to a friend and said ‘I need you to do me a business plan, and I need it by tomorrow’ and he was like ‘what? Do you know how long that takes?’ “I was oblivious to that, my passion was beauty, there was nothing structured in my thinking at all. “If I had the insight and the foresight, I probably would do it again, but I’d make it better. It’s very hard to even try to build the clientele up.”

“

A lot of your life is tied up in your business…

After three years at the Altona Meadows site, Ms Laurie moved the business to a residential home situated across the road from the Point Cook Town Centre. She renovated the house to open up four treatment rooms. The new premises had excellent exposure and access, and provided a quiet sanctuary for clients. “The good thing was, everyone from the shop followed us. Then you get new clients

telling people how it’s nice and quiet and there are two rooms shut off so mums can come and get a wax, and the kids can play a bit and nobody is going to get upset.” The business works largely on word of mouth, and it’s easy to see why. Ms Laurie said it’s not uncommon for her to work after hours to cater for a client Ms Laurie is also passionate about community, and recently raised $2300 through the day spa for Challenge doing the City2Bay 10 kilometre fun run – making her the highest individual fundraiser for the event. She now employs four staff, including a person to set up a website and do the marketing for the business – an area of the business she is still coming to terms with. “I don’t spend enough time working on the business, I spend more time being with the clients and as an owner, that’s bad,” she said. “I should be trying to promote the business, which I don’t do. I try my best, but I’m not very good at it. “There’s so many successful people that do no beauty, just the marketing, and they have a successful business.” Ms Laurie recently joined the Werribee BNI group to enhance her networking skills. “A lot of your life is tied up in your business if you want it to succeed,” she said. Ms Laurie said the best about her long hours was that her husband made dinner more often. [BW]

Q&A BOB TREGEAR WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE CEO WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, AND WHAT SKILLS DID IT GIVE YOU TO GET YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? I began as a trainee technician in telecommunications with the former PMG. Key skills learnt were problem solving and confidence to tackle any task. I also learnt a range of trade skills that have been useful throughout life. WHAT WAS THE LIGHT BULB MOMENT BEHIND THOMSON TREGEAR PTY LTD? I had been working for 13 years as manager of Croydon Leisure Centre. I had started in that role in the late 1970s at a time when the leisure services industry was in its infancy and therefore “grew” with it. Of necessity, I had to develop many of the business systems, governance arrangements and facility development skills from first principles. I was approached by a South Australian management organisation in 1987 to assist in their venture into the Victorian market. This led to a full-time consulting role and the eventual formation of Thompson Tregear Pty Ltd.

Bob Tregear, CEO of the WRFL

WHAT DID RUNNING THE BUSINESS TEACH YOU? Time management is the key to success. I can’t claim to have learnt to manage my time all that well, but I have certainly developed respect for those who do. The consulting business took me to most parts of Australia, giving me a great opportunity to observe and study the demographic shifts in metropolitan and regional centres around the country over a 20 year span. That experience will be valuable in my role with WRFL. HOW DID YOUR INTEREST IN FOOTBALL BEGIN AND WHEN DID YOU REALISE IT COULD BE A VIABLE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY? My football interest developed from playing suburban football, and later from coaching juniors. Like most who become involved in football clubs, I was drawn into service on the club committee, which later led to service on the Eastern Districts Football League Board and ultimately with Football Victoria/AFL Victoria. Until the last 12 months I had never viewed football as a “business opportunity”. All of my involvement to that time had been on a voluntary basis.

WHAT MADE YOU JOIN THE WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE? After 20 years as a self-employed consultant, I had reached the point where I needed to decide what to do with what was left of my working life. In March 2009, I retired as Chairman of AFL Victoria after 16 years of continuous involvement at State League level and started to look for a suitable role in community football. Later that year, a couple of CEO roles in major metropolitan leagues became vacant. I chose to pursue the WRFL role because of the challenges presented by the rapid population growth in the region and the urgent need to develop the commercial base of the league to support its clubs. The quality of the league’s Executive Board members was also a key factor in that choice. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING THE LEAGUE? There are several major challenges for the WRFL. The most obvious is to plan for and accommodate the rapid growth in the population of the western region. That will require close collaboration with our five major regional councils (Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay, Brimbank, Melton and Wyndham), the State Government, our member clubs and the AFL/VFL clubs in the region (Western Bulldogs, Williamstown and Werribee). Another key challenge is to lift participation in the game across our region. The western metropolitan region has a history of the lowest participation rate of any of the state’s 12 development regions. Our aim is to lift participation to at least the average of metropolitan regions. A major challenge in itself is development of the commercial base of our business. Achievement of the growth and participation targets will only be possible if we have a viable and sustainable financial base that does not rely too heavily on administration levies charged to clubs. To that end, we are aggressively pursuing partnerships with community-minded businesses whose ongoing sponsorship will make our challenges achievable and drive down the costs to clubs. IF YOU HAD TO INVITE FIVE PEOPLE TO A BUSINESS LUNCHEON, WHO WOULD IT BE? ■ John Kennedy snr (former Hawthorn coach and 1st Chairman of AFL Commission) ■ Graeme Samuel (Chairman ACCC and former AFL Commissioner) ■ Lindsay Fox (Transport magnate/st Kilda tragic) ■ Ian Dicker (former President of Hawthorn Football Club) ■ Ross Oakley (former AFL Chief Executive Officer) WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TWO NETWORKING TIPS? 1. Communicate – always keep in touch with the people who are important to your business. 2. Use football as the network vehicle. Everyone is interested in footy at some level – it’s a great door opener. IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO AN ENTREPRENEUR STARTING UP A BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Remain true to your own values. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE OUT OF WORK HOBBY AND WHY? Repairing and restoring old “valve” radios. This was an interest that started around age 12 and I have taken it up again in the past couple of years. I have joined the Historical Radio Society of Australia.

BUSINESS WEST

STRATEGIES

EXPORTER

BEWARE IN everything we do, both from a personal and business sense, there is an element of risk we are prepared to undertake. To ensure our own safety/sustainability we identify the risk and then take steps to minimise the risk as much as possible. This is no different to when we are considering exporting to overseas countries. We first must identify the risks that are inherent in exporting. These can vary depending on the commodity, product or service but the major risks are: ■ Buyer risk – will the buyer of your goods/ services be able to pay ■ Shipping risk – can you deliver the goods safely ■ Country risk – is the buyer’s country safe from political unrest ■ Bank risk – are the banks that will be involved in this transaction credible and financially viable. ■ Currency risk – what is the likely volatility of the currency of the transaction ■ Documentation risk - can you meet the requirements of the contract There are other risks involved but these can relate to general business, for example, if providing payment terms in order to compete in the market, will I be able to absorb these funding costs in my cash flows? Once you have identified the risks you must then analyse each in relation to your business and decide a strategy to minimise their impact or mitigate the potential risk impact. An insurance company can assist with the mitigation of shipping risk through marine or air insurance. Insurance companies can also assist in mitigating buyer risk by providing credit insurance. One of the most important institutions will be your bank. A good bank and a relationship manager who understands how to use the trade cycle can not only help to protect your business but also help make better use of your capital and security.

BUSINESS WEST

This in turn will enable you to sustainably grow your business in the knowledge that you have mitigated key risks. Documentary letters of credit (documentary credits) minimises risks for both the buyer and seller. Documentary credits require that the issuing bank undertakes to make payment, provided the terms and conditions of the documentary credit are met. By requiring a documentary credit, sellers can reduce their risk by shifting payment risk from the buyer to the buyer’s bank. If a country or unfamiliar issuing bank poses added risk to exporters then a documentary credit confirmation from a reputable bank may be the solution. Documentary credit confirmation reduces the bank and country risk effectively by enjoying the security of payment commitments from both the issuing bank and the confirming bank. If your documents comply with the terms and conditions of the documentary credit, payment from the confirming bank is guaranteed. Hence a relationship with a trade focused bank is highly recommended. Utilising an electronic documentation system may reduce documentation risk. A system that enables you to import data directly from the documentary credit will minimise manual keying and assist in speeding up the document preparation process. Companies are often unaware of the high risks associated with foreign currency exposure. Even a relatively small movement in exchange rates can have a serious impact on profitability. For many businesses, the impact of exchange rate volatility can be significant. Foreign exchange contracts and other mechanisms can be used to cover currency risk. Your financial institution may be able to provide cash flow solutions through discounting of documentation. This would be a preferred method to the use of expensive overdrafts. In addition, export debtor finance

HOW TO MANAGE

can address fundamental risks associated with overseas open account sales by credit checking your buyers and providing an assurance for the payment of your shipment. Discuss all options with your relationship manager and concentrate on developing a risk mitigation strategy that is best for your business. Where possible use of a bank that specialises in international trade and can handle transactions for both the seller and the buyer can also assist in mitigating g g potential p problems.

ANDREW SKINNER Andrew Skinner is the Head of Trade and Supply Chain in Australia for global bank HSBC, which has an extensive network of over 8000 offices in 87 countries and territories allowing the bank to seamlessly combine local service excellence with global reach. In Australia, Andrew is responsible for trade customer service, product development and the sales aspects of the HSBC Group’s trade operations in Australia. Andrew specialises in structured trade finance such as limited recourse discounting structures and integrated trade, working capital, treasury and corporate financing packages for large private companies, public companies and multi-nationals. With a banking career of over 19 years, Andrew joined the HSBC Group in July 2002 as a corporate relationship manager. Before joining HSBC, Andrew held several management positions in corporate banking with various banks such as Westpac, St George Bank and State Street Bank and Trust Co. in Sydney.

STRATEGIES

law BRODIE’S

THE CHALLENGES OF ‘BRODIE’S S LAW’ FOR EMPLOYERS…

THE recent case of Brodie Panlock, the 19-yearold waitress who committed suicide as a result of serious ongoing bullying while working in a Hawthorn café, is again provoking further discussion. Not just about the duties of employers to provide a safe workplace but also about the kinds of measures and sanctions that should be available to prosecute serious bullies. This case continues to serve as a reminder that occupational health and safety in the workplace is a complex matter – and one that is constructed across both common law and legislative duties. Managing these duties requires substantive and sustainable measures by a business. This can extend to ongoing training; the review of and education about workplace policy procedures and protocols; and ensuring that consistent messages are sent regarding the standard of conduct expected and required in the workplace, from both employees and employers. In some cases, this may require managing – and in the worst case scenario, terminating – an employee who breaches their OH&S obligations or engages in conduct that is endangering to other workers. Proposed amendments to the Victorian Crimes Act – described as “Brodie’s law” – will introduce much harsher penalties for convicted bullies, and in turn, broaden the scope of the regulatory framework in which employers respond to, and manage, harassment and bullying in the workplace. Commentary on the case brought by WorkSafe Victoria against the bullies in the Panlock case suggested that the available penalties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 – the piece of legislation that governs OHS in Victoria – had proven inadequate. The proposed amendments to the Crimes Act will mean that workplace bullying is criminalised; the amendments redefine stalking in such a way that workplace behaviours can now be picked up by the definition of ‘stalking’. In extreme cases, bullies could face jail terms of up to 10 years.

The amendments to the Crimes Act, however, are directed not to the responsibility of employers but to the capacity of an employee to make a complaint against another employee. The amendments are intended to deliver another mechanism for an employee to take action against a bully beyond the usual framework of workplace regulation. This is enabled by the re-definition and broadening of the concept of ‘stalking’, which will include: ■ Making threats to the victim; ■ Using abusive or offensive words to, or in the presence of, the victim; ■ Performing abusive or offensive acts in the presence of the victim; ■ Directing abusive or offensive acts towards the victim; ■ Acting in any other way that could reasonably be expected to cause a victim to engage in selfharm. The most effective approach employers can take to the proposed amendments to the Crimes Act is to ensure that workplace bullying is taken very seriously. The amendments might even help in explaining to the employees against whom complaints are made the very seriousness of such allegations; however, employers should be aware that this is action that can only be pursued by the complainant. The most likely implication for employers – although one that many employers may have already had to contemplate – is the management of a circumstance where an employee complaint is successfully brought against a bully under the Crimes Act, and an intervention order is won by a complainant. Employers with effective policies and procedures directed to the management of harassment and bullying in the workplace, along with a positive and transparent workplace culture that ensures such behaviours are not tolerated, are in a better position to adapt to legislative reforms that raise the bar of employer obligations in respect of workplace safety higher.

ALEX MARRIOTT Alexandra is the Manager – Workplace Relations Policy at VECCI. Alexandra’s principal responsibilities are to develop and shape the workplace relations policies pursued by VECCI, and to advocate for and represent the interests and concerns of VECCI members. Alexandra is currently closely engaged with the effect of the implementation of the Fair Work Act 2009 upon business. Alexandra has a distinguished background in industrial relations, and previously worked in government, and for employer associations. Having originally trained as a political scientist, Alex has an holistic understanding of many of the issues facing employers today.

BUSINESS WEST

Tax Planning

ACT NOW…

TAX PLANNING FOR MAXIMUM RESULTS

BUSINESSES and investors should discuss tax planning issues with their accountant to achieve maximum results and minimise tax prior to the end of the financial year.

Peter Mayall, Principal, Accounting & Business Advisory.

HERE ARE SOME STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER: ■ Any bad debts should be written off prior to 30 June and minutes prepared approving the write-off. This will also enable an adjustment for any GST charged on the original invoice. ■ Shares must generally be held “at risk” for at least 45 days for entitlement to franking credits. Individuals and superannuation funds can receive a refund of excess imputation credits. Unutilised excess franking credits in a company are able to be carried forward as a revenue loss. ■ Non-commercial loss provisions restrict the ability of an individual who carries on a ‘non-commercial’ business activity to offset that loss against other income earned in that income year. The provisions will not apply if certain tests are satisfied. There are exceptions for primary producers and artists. ■ PAYG payment summaries must be provided to employees by 14 July 2011 and lodged with the ATO by 14 August 2011.

■ There are special rules about the tax treatment of Personal Services Income (PSI). The rules can apply to individuals, contractors and contracting entities by either: limiting the deductions available; or attributing personal services income derived by an entity to the individual. ■ Maximising Allowable Deductions: Expenses that are incurred before year end can reduce taxable income. Consider up and coming liabilities and the value in incurring them before year end. Allowable deductions can include: paying directors’ fees or bonuses; minor repairs on property and machinery; pooling depreciating assets; scrapping of obsolete or broken depreciating assets; and depreciation claim on your investment property. There is potential to increase by obtaining a quantity surveyor report. WHK has Tax Planning Checklists for Businesses & Investors, Personal and Primary producers. To obtain a copy call our Werribee office on 9742 8444. Peter Mayall, Principal, Accounting & Business Advisory (Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation other than for the acts or omissions of financial services licensees. WHK Pty Ltd ABN 84 006 466 351)

Incorporating Garfield Mayall

Start Tax Planning now to make a difference to your business To achieve a tax effective 2011/2012 financial year you need to start planning before 30 June 2011. Call Peter Mayall or Jeff Garfield now to discuss business restructures, tax minimisation strategies, deductible superannuation contributions and more.

18 Synnot Street Werribee Vic 3030 T: 9742 8444 werribee@whk.com.au

www.whk.com.au

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation other than for the acts or omissions of financial services licensees. WHK Pty Ltd ABN 84 006 466 351 401377-JF18-11

BUSINESS WEST

A BUSiNESS WEST PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

LOCAL, FLEXIBLE AND KNOWLEDGEABLE IF you’re tired of an accountant who is reactive, not proactive, it may be time to make the switch and talk to Platinum Accounting and Taxation.

Corinne Cole, Platinum Accounting & Taxation Director.

Principal Corinne Cole says the Platinum difference is they’re local, flexible and knowledgeable.

Platinum services include, preparation of business financials and tax returns for all entity types and individuals, business tax planning, business advisory and restructure, investment property tax advice, selfmanaged super funds, SMSF auditing, GST, BAS and bookkeeping.

Registered Tax Agent Corinne brings a Bachelor of Accounting (with a Master of Tax underway), and professional affiliations including membership of CPA Australia and the National Institute of Accountants.

The website www.platinumaccounting. com.au is comprehensive and informative and it also provides downloadable tax checklists to make preparation for tax time easier .

The local Melton business has been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2011 Powercor Melton Business Excellence Awards.

The business has been offering accounting, taxation and business advisory services to individuals and small to medium business since January 2006. While it was originally based in Camberwell, as a lifelong resident of Melton, Corinne moved the business back home.

“Competitive pricing is as important to us as it is to our clients. Our rates are listed on our website for full transparency and consumer confidence. It is possible to offer great service and keep rates competitive!” she said.

Platinum Accounting & Taxation Pty Ltd is located at 9 Sheepfold Court, Melton. Phone 9746 6479 or nationally, 1300 794 940 for more information. Available by appointment Monday Friday, with appointments available after hours and on Saturday.

SMALL BUSINESS SPECIALIST What’s the Platinum difference? Confidence and peace of mind. We offer availability, flexibility, high level advice at affordable rates, and a pro-active service. We are small business specialists. Talk to us about all business financials and tax returns; investment and property portfolios; business start-up and restructure; self-managed super funds; GST & BAS bookkeeping; and tax-effective strategies. 510884-SH18-11

CONTACT US ON: (03) 9746 6479 or EMAIL: info@platinumaccounting.com.au VISIT: www.platinumaccounting.com.au BUSINESS WEST

SMALL TALK RRL STAKEHOLDERS have rejoiced at the news the Regional Rail Link will go ahead in it original form, albeit a two-year delay. Transport Minister Terry Mulder has confirmed the $5 billion Regional Rail Link project would go ahead, but would take an extra two years to complete due to a funding blowout and delays in Federal Government funding. LeadWest CEO Anton Mayer welcomed the decision. “Now it’s just a matter of keep plugging away to make sure that the project is delivered in as timely a matter as possible,” he said.

CASKET WEST Footscray entrepreneur Asha Martin has opened Australia’s first retail coffin and urn shop in her home suburb. Ms Martin officially opened the new Caskets Direct store along Barkly St in March because of strong demand by her clients. Ms Martin has been running the online business from home for the past two years.

MELTON

TOYOTA

IT’S official: Melton is Australia’s secondfastest growing Local Government Area, according to new figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

HOBSONS Bay workers have been left reeling after Toyota’s shock announcement that it would halve production at its Altona plant because of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

The figures show that the Shire recorded the second fastest annual growth rate in population of 7.1%. Melton’s total population was 114,000 at the beginning of April.

Workers pays have been slashed by 25 per cent as Toyota “adjust vehicle production” at the plant by reducing manufacturing and cutting staff hours. But the car company maintains they will continue to provide employment to their 3,300 Altona-based employees but will cut their hours in half. When asked if managerial hours and pay would also be cut a spokesperson for Toyota said: “In the first instance, production employees will be affected from 9 May as they will work half day shifts. Other areas may be impacted, to what extent is still being assessed.” The Minister for Employment, Industrial Relations, Manufacturing, Exports and Trade Richard Dalla – Riva said the announcement by Toyota was distressing news for workers and families. Toyota maintains this drop in production is only temporary and hopes to be operating at 100 per cent by July. Approximately 9,600 Camry, Hybrid Camry and V6 Aurion vehicles will be produced during May and June for domestic and export markets.

BUSINESS WEST

“I’ve been getting lots of families that want to come and look at the coffins and the urns and it’s just been by public demand,” she said. “There’s a real need to have that one-on-one meeting with the family and they can come in and see the quality of the products.” The showroom is currently open by appointment. Ms Martin has also developed an environmentally friendly line of coffins made from eco wool and is developing a range of biodegradable cremation urns that has already got a distributor in the United States.

BRADMILL THE State Government will fast-track Yarraville’s Bradmill residential development. Planning Minister Matthew Guy has approved the development of approximately 1000 new homes and associated retail and community infrastructure in the Bradmill Precinct. The new housing estate will include a range single storey houses and high density living, plus a neighbourhood activity centre that will include a supermarket, specialty shops, a library and a medical centre. “This site offers a huge new opportunity for inner city urban renewal,” Mr Guy said. The Bradmill site currently hosts the Bradmills Textile Factory, a dyehouse, a conveyer and boil hopper and a boiler house and chimney.

SMALL TALK FOOTSCRAY PLAZA

DELIZIA

DIRECTORY

FOOTSCRAY Plaza could soon house more than 200 apartments under a $45 million proposed redevelopment of the site.

SEDDON’S Delizia Cucina has a new owner and a name change to match.

WYNDHAM City Council has introduced a local business directory on its website.

Owners Richenda Pritchard and Deborah Cole sold up shop in February after five years and have handed the reins to Zac Potier.

The directory, which is free for businesses to register, features the promotion of business products and services; a search engine for local businesses by category and location and links to business websites and email contacts.

The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) is considering a planning application by The Banco Group that includes 219 one and two bedroom apartments over five new levels. Under the proposal, the Paisley St frontage would have a new residential lobby, with a second lobby on Albert St, while a piazza area will open up on the corner of Paisley and Albert Sts.

“I don’t want to cook full-time anymore, I just want to have a bit of a rest and maybe get into some food writing or something like that, I’m not really too sure yet. I’ve got a few ideas, but I don’t want to rush into anything. I’m happy to see what happens,” Ms Pritchard said.

Car parking will be reduced from 600 spots to 530 spots, with each of the 80 two-bedroom apartments allocated one car park, while there will be no car parking for the single bedroom units because of “high transport accessibility and affordability requirements”, the application reads.

Mr Posier relaunched the premises as modern aperitivo and woodfire pizza bar Tin Pan Alley in March.

The applicant also proposes to refurbish the existing retail floor and office space and increase the size of Coles from 2794 square metres to 3582 square metres.

James Wilkinson from the Baba Levantine Trading Company will join Mr Posier in the early stages of the project to lend his expertise to the menu design and operation of the kitchen.

The proposal would make the Footscray Plaza a 10-storey building. The Banco Group, headed by Mario LoGiudice, bought the 13,968 square metre plaza for a rumoured $20 million last year. It currently features a Kmart and Coles, both which have leases until August 2013, 12 specialty stores and two office tenancies.

Mr Posier comes fresh from a break following the sale of his successful Collingwood cocktail venue Caz Rietop’s Dirty Secrets in June last year.

The pair plans to continue the tradition of Mediterranean-inspired food, with a menu built around seasonally available produce, while the restaurant fit-out will remain largely unchanged.

Visit www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/business to register.

QENOS QENOS is working with AGL to improve the energy efficiency of its production facilities at Altona. One of the plant’s steam boilers will be replaced with a 21MW Cogeneration (combined heat and power) plant. The project will result in a reduction of approximately 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year. At the heart of the cogeneration unit will be a “state of the art” gas turbine, the first of its kind in Australia. The cogeneration unit is expected to begin operations in late 2012.

BUSINESS WEST

AFTER FTER ER HOURS

FORUM

LAUNCH PETER Hudson, chairman of Hudsons Dry Cleaning and president of the Committee for Wyndham, was the guest speaker at the launch of the Westgate Calder Business Forum at the Medway Golf Club in Maidstone. 1

1. Peter Hudson catches up with Gary Stewart, owner of Lean Design Australia, and Mark Doyle, of D&K Office Supplies. 2. Greg Michener, business development manager at HSBC, with Frank Rizzo, account manager at Europcar. 3. Helen Xendis, from Workforce and Development at Victoria University and Varvara Ioannou , Swinburne University MBA lecturer in Managing Diversity and Culture. 4. HSBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s State Manager David Katiforis with the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chief economist Paul Bloxham and Glen Smith, regional assets manager for Powercor. Pictures: NICOLE SULTANA 3

BUSINESS WEST

AFTER HOURS

ANDREW WOWS

WIB

ANDREW Morello, winner of the Apprentice television series and entrepreneur, motivates the audience at the Women in Business networking event. Andrew’s mantra: “Every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day I do my best to reach my full potential and not waste my precious life.” 1. Moonee Valley Councillors - Jan Chantry, Jim Cusack, Mary Gillis and Ange Kenos enjoy some networking at the Women in Business event. 2. Michael Segrave, a consultant at Kangan Institute networks with Terri Mitchell, an executive consultant at The Profit Frog. 3. Zina Miceli, regional careers Ddevelopment officer from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Marlene Cassar, site manager from Tracy The Placement People and Belinda Porter, Intimo consultant browse through the Intimo catalogue range. 4. Lorraine Craig, operations manager at Softlytes Natural Candles and Lorraine Bell, recruitment consultant from Tracy The Placement People. 1

Monica Davies, team leader of Events & Sponsorship from the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance with Lavisha Kapoor, Vice President of Women in Business. Pictures: NICOLE SULTANA

BUSINESS WEST

BW NETWORK Business West Network – a growing directory of local businesses ready to do business with you. You can join the Business West Network by registering online at www.businesswest.com.au to make sure you receive your personal copy of Business West AND receive a free onetime 30-word listing for your business in a future edition. KIDS PARTIES ORGANISED 7 Livingstone Square, Point Cook 0421 353 271 We can tailor any party theme for you, and take the time, effort, and expense out of these stressful events. GROUNDTRUTH MAPPING SYSTEMS 8 Sassafras Close, Point Cook 9017 6850 We help municipalities, catchment management authorities, valuers and other organisations to work more efficiently and make better decisions by using geospatial information in their business processes. FIRST NATIONAL WESTWOOD 1 Synnot St, Werribee 0400 638 629 Long standing member of Wyndham’s business community. 30-plus years of experience in all aspects of Wyndhams real estate needs including: sales, rentals and commercial properties.

WYNBAY LLEN INC. Building C5, Level 1, 2 Main St, Point Cook 9394 6330 Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) are a grouping or network of organizations and individuals interested and involved in education, training and employment, and in particular how these relate to young people in the age range 10-19 years. WynBay LLEN covers the regions of Wyndham and Hobsons Bay. CAROLINE SPRINGS ANIMAL WELFARE NETWORK PO Box 3682, Caroline Springs 0410 315 808 We are a community group passionate about animal rights and welfare. Our aim is to educate the local community about pressing animal welfare issues locally and globally. We offer talks in schools and businesses about how to be an ethical shopper, responsible pet ownership and lots more.

DRAGONFLY SCRAPBOOKING 12 Galilee Boulevard, Melton 9743 6439 Small home-based scrapbooking business. Fortnightly workshops, monthly garage sales and twice-yearly retreats.

HOSANNA CLEANING 11 Hughes Ave, Caroline Springs 0433 976 568 www.hosannacleaning.com.au Commercial cleaning experts with 15-plus years commercial cleaning experience. Servicing all over Melbourne. Specialists in aged care facilities, distribution centres, offices, schools, medical facilities, retail stores, supermarkets, banks and more.

SEALED ENCLOSURES PTY LTD Factory 4, 43-47 Riverside Ave, Werribee 8742 3525 Our products include a pressure resistant enclosure that can be used to house equipment underwater or in flood zones. The experience we have available is in developing new mechanical products.

PAUL MURRAY BOOKKEEPING 14 Torquata Court, Hoppers Crossing 0419 335 779 Contract bookeeping service.

SHOWCASE DIGITAL MEDIA Unit 1, 29 Westwood Drive, Ravenhall 9361 2100 World first digital centre piece for advertising, sponsor recognition, marketing, promotions, etc.

FRIENDS OF TOOLERN CREEK 56 Westlake Drive, Melton 0412 321 848 Friends of Toolern Creek, a not for profit group, work very closely with Melbourne Water, Melton Shire and Western Water and receive grants from these organisations for our annual Platypus Festival held in Melton and to regenerate the Toolern Creek,

LONELY PETS CLUB WESTERN MELBOURNE 11 Wimmera Court, Werribee 0417 274 434 www.lonelypetsclub.com.au A mobile pet care and dog walking service. We care for people’s pets in their homes when they are not there. COMMERCIAL REALITY INSURANCE PO Box 106, Williamstown 9397 4788 Business or commercial insurance. REMEMBERILIA 48 Canonbury Circle, Seabrook 0414 998 710 Provides a wide range of sporting and entertainment memorabilia. WESTGATE PARTY HIRE 136 Ferguson St, Williamstown 9397 6122 Catering for all sorts of functions and party equipment hire. BEST OF THE BEST PO Box 1174, Altona Gate 8677 2289 Best of the Best is a new concept to hit Melbourne and has been developed to help charitable organisations large or small raise funds. PGA LINKS 600 Thompson Rd, Sandhurst 0418 396 944 www.sanctuarylakes.com.au To communicate the benefits of the Sanctuary Lakes golfing, corporate and private entertainment facilities. KAMMILAH 15 Margaret Place, Taylors Hill 0430 030 470 Kammilah is design house targeted to the Muslim women living in the West.

BUSINESS WEST

BW NETWORK COMMITTEE FOR WYNDHAM INC. PO Box 2296, WERRIBEE 0411 252 686 Wyndham’s peak community and business organisation representing the social, environmental, economic and cultural wellbeing and interests of the broader Wyndham community. To robustly represent the relevant interests of the community and business to make sure the tremendous potential of Wyndham being the preferred place to work, live and recreate is realised. HEATH KIRBY-MILLER Unit 2/8 Don Ave, Hoppers Crossing 0416 972 948 Consulting service saving businesses 15-30pc on their entire telecommunications. One bill, direct account management. FINELIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY PO Box 498, Sunshine 0432 680 962 Photography-advertising/commercial, portraiture, fine art. WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO 63 Stephen St, Yarraville, Victoria 0408 030 643 www.zoo.org.au Werribee Open Range Zoo is a large open range African-themed zoo located on K Rd, Werribee. It is part of Zoos Victoria. AUSTRALIAN KEYBOARD ACADEMY 17A Hume Drive, Delahey 9310 9532 www.auskeyboardacademy.com.au Piano, keyboard, guitar music school. AUTOTRACKING.COM.AU 3 St Leonards Rd, Healesville 1300 147 567 www.autotracking.com.au Autotracking provides low cost vehicle and personal tracking devices designed to save you money by increases in productivity and OHS. SAMSARA FAIR TRADE 10 Barklya Court, Hoppers Crossing 0414 880 687 www.samsarafairtrade.com.au We are an importer and retailer of fair trade products sourced from exotic locations such as India and South Africa. Products include handcrafted jewellery, wooden jewellery boxes and leather products.

JIM’S PRESSURE CLEANING (POINT COOK) PO BOX 6016, Point Cook 0410 343 315 www.jims.net High pressure cleaning of outdoor surfaces and structures including house washdowns, patios, driveways, pathways, decking. Also sealing/ re-sealing, decking rejuvenation/staining. Oil stains/grease/animal mess removed from various surfaces. High and low pressure used. WESTERN MELBOURNE TOURISM PO Box 21, Altona 9932 1117 The regional tourism organisation for the West, chartered with marketing the region, increasing visitation and enhancing industry professionalism. Coordinates marketing campaigns, official visitor publications and online content for the West. REDCORALWEDDINGS PO Box 196, Niddrie, Victoria 0404 028 817 www.redcoralweddings.com.au redcoralweddings provides brides with access to exclusive savings on their wedding purchases. Sourcing Victoria’s highest quality suppliers, our mission is to save brides time, money and sanity. INSPIRED BY GRAPHICS 15 Tucker Place, Caroline Springs 8390 7009 www.inspiredbygraphics.com.au We are your design and printing solution. From logo design, business stationery, brochures, catalogues, newsletters, invoice books, wedding invitations, menus, banners and even fridge magnets.

YOUTHNOW Suite 9/2 Devonshire Rd, Sunshine 0409 169 531 www.youthnow.org.au Aa not for profit organisation supporting youth. We deliver a variety of pathway support services to schools, local councils, businesses and community organisations. INTEGRITY BUSINESS COLLEGE AUSTRALASIA PTY LTD Suite 2 902 Mt Alexander Rd, Essendon 0418 527 789 www.integritybusinesscollege.com We provide innovative, high quality, value for money training; accomplishing this while building quality relationships with our clients. Our capabilities include content specific short business courses, nationally accredited training,and retail services THINK TELECOM Level 1, 2 Main St, Point Cook 0412 838 086 www.thinktelecom.com.au Total solution telecommunications service provider focused on bringing exceptional value to our customers through customised plans for fixed wire, mobile, Internet, web-hosting, and wireless broadband all with exceptional customer care. FLUFFYS CLEANING SERVICES 1/92 Rail Way South, Atona North 8307 3253 www.fluffys.com.au fluffys prides itself on delivering on its promises to raise the bar in the commercial cleaning high standards.

VINE CREATIONS 23 Watton St, Werribee 8742 3733 www.vinecreations.com.au Vine Creations is an established supplier of quality beads, handmade fashion and high-end designer jewellery. We pride ourselves on our quality, competitive pricing and excellent service. RIGHT PEOPLE RIGHT NOW 111 The Strand, Point Cook 0423 188 888 Providing consulting and professional services to both private enterprises and government entities.

BW NETWORK AURA NATURAL SKIN CARE 14 Sladen St, Wyndham Vale 0413 131 920 www.auraskincare.com.au Established in September 1996, Aura offers skin, body and hair care, mother and baby care, and natural mineral make-up. Using 100pc natural ingredients, including certified organic quality botanical ingredients.

NEXT LEVEL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 18 Stewart St, Yarraville 8060 1730 www.nlfinancialmanagement.com.au Next Level provides accountancy, tax and business management services to the SME market. Providing specialised services to help businesses maximise their financial performance in the $250K - $2.5m market.

JULIE & STEVIE’S BEAUTY & FITNESS SANCTUARY 13 Sarsparilla Drive, Point Cook 9395 7031 www.jsbeautysanctuary.com.au Julie & Stevie’s Beauty Sanctuary is the perfect destination for pampering and relaxation. Offering a wide range of beauty and wellness services in a relaxing day spa environment.

ARROW TRAINING SERVICES Ground Floor, 371 Spencer St, Melbourne 1300 737 977 www.atsarrow.com.au ATS Arrow Training Services (Arrow) is a national training development company with a reputation for delivering innovative and progressive training solutions.

ASCEND PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS PO Box 389, Daylesford 0408 218 954 www.ascendpr.com.au Our commitment is to providing a high quality public relations and communications service. Strategies are aligned with your vision and mission, are achievable, realistic and affordable. EVENTS ON PAPER 18 Nullarbor Pl, Caroline Springs 0414 566 476 www.eventsonpaper.com.au Events on Paper create custom made invitations for all occasions. We specialise in weddings and have over 1,000 papers to choose from to create the invitation of your dreams.

MELBOURNE MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS PO Box 976, Moonee Ponds 9317 3351 MMS has 7.5 years experience in providing finance for residential and commercial properties for salary and wage earners as well as self-employed sole traders. companies and trusts. CAMBRIDGE BEAUTY & WELLNESS CENTRE 18 Langs Rd, Ascot Vale 9370 1813 www.beautyandwellnesscentre.com.au Our beauty services range from Brazilians to Botox, laser hair removal to specialised facials. We also specialise in weight loss programs and naturopathy. Real people, real support, real results. COMPUTER TROUBLESHOOTERS WERRIBEE 20 Lindeman St, Tarneit 1300 28 28 78 www.ctwerribee.com.au IT professionals of a worldwide Computer Troubleshooters network. We believe in keeping your IT devices healthy, not just fixing their problems.

VRC PROPERTY PO Box 3083, Waurn Ponds 0413 138 855 www.vrcproperty.com.au VRC Property provides specialist valuation, research and consulting services for all major property types. Experienced in land acquisition and compensation, pre-purchase, pre-sale, family law, rating and land tax and other purposes. AUZONE 25 Rebecca Promenade, Tarneit 9748 5326 We publish a street magazine for Wyndham. FLY ON IT PTY LTD PO Box 6279, Point Cook 9001 4864 www.flyonIT.com.au “Your business on autopilot” - we provide software based automation solutions for your business, including online marketing, website/software development, IT support and consultancy. CITELUM AUSTRALIA 12-16 Parker St, Williamstown 0407 639 110 www.citelum.com.au Citelum is the specialist operator of public lighting globally. It has chosen Victoria as its head office location to provide energy efficient street lighting to local government and state government BARBARA MCLURE 29 Ann St, Williamstown 9397 5856 Business consultancy, non-executive director. 1300AUSTRALIA 13 Campbell St, Yarraville, Victoria www.1300australia.com.au 1300australia sells phonewords nationally.

BUSINESS WEST

FFOR OR YOUR DIARY

MAY Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

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Friday

Saturday Got a business breakfast, workshop, seminar or event coming up in June or July? Make sure it is listed in Business Westâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s For Your Diary feature by emailing www. businesswest.com.au

Introduction to Social Networking for Business. Moonee Valley City Council, 9 Kellaway Avenue, Moonee Ponds. 6pm-8pm. $20. Call 9243 8866 for more info.

Sunday

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Food Safety Level 1 course. East Keilor RSL, 12-16 Hoffmans Rd, Essendon. 9am-1pm. $95. Call 1300 665 633 to book.

10 Commandments of Web Marketing workshop. Moonee Valley City Council, 9 Kellaway Avenue, Moonee Ponds. 6pm-8pm. $20. Call 9243 8866 for more info.

Food Safety Level 1 course. Yarraville Community Centre, 59 Francis St, Yarraville. 9am-1pm. $95. Call 1300 665 633 to book.

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Pricing and Packaging workshop. Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, 120 Nelson Place, Williamstown. 9.30am-2pm. $25. Call 9932 1000 to book. Wyndham BizNet monthly meeting. Italian Sports Club, Heaths Rd, Werribee. 6.30pm9.30pm. $35 members, $45 non-members. Call 0418 533 806 to book.

Extraordinary Receptionist workshop training. Suite 314, 1 Thomas Holmes St, Maribyrnong. Call Josephine on 0418 999 375 for more information.

Hobsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bay Business Connections Panel. Altona Sports Club. 6pm-9pm. $33 pp. Call Vicki Lauder 9397 7780 to book.

Marketing basics seminar. Caroline Springs Civic Centre, 193-201 Caroline Springs Boulevard, Caroline Springs. 6pm-8pm. $20. Call 9747 7157 to book. Responsible Service of Alcohol. East Keilor RSL, 12-16 Hoffmans Rd, Essendon. 9am-1pm. $75. Call 1300 665 633 to book.

Australian Maltese Enterprise Exchange. REMVI by the Bay, 125 Nelson Place, Williamstown. 6.30pm-9.30pm. Call 0412 019 142 for more information.

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 BUSINESS WEST

BUSiNESS SERVICES IT SERVICES

Domenic Sbaglia t 9318 9200 f 9318 9211 m 0418 346 617 e cpack1@swiftdsl.com.au a 65 Venture Drive, Sunshine West 3020

INTERIOR DESIGN

ERGONOMICS

Interior Design Services (commercial & residential)

Keep your data safe 24/7 with Alink’s IT managed services For support & sales talk to us today on 1800 225 465 or www.alink.com.au

unit 8/4-6 commercial crt, tullamarine 3043 krndesign.com.au rose@krndesign.com.au; t: 9338 1640; m: 0411 040 669

ELECTRICAL

484478-SH45-10

43 Market Road, Sunshine Vic 3020 Ph: 9312 1000 Fax: 9312 1908

503910-JF6-11

EBS are much kinder to your bank balance than hiring a full time or part time staff member. So don't use up your valuable time and money on secretarial and administration tasks... make your life easier with EBS! Ph: (03) 9307 8513 Mob: 0407 882 446 maria@executivebusinesssolutions.com.au www.executivebusinesssolutions.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRINTING

We are a boutique event management company with over 20 years experience in making events an exceptional experience for you and your attendees. IMS specialise in organising Conferences, Functions, Trade Shows, Exhibitions, Product Launches & Incentives and Gala Dinners. We offer continuity and expertise, complete end to end event management ensuring delivery of a landmark event.

MARKETING 491325-KS06-11

Executive Business Solutions (EBS) provides a wide range of expert Virtual Administration and Personal Assistant Services. We can perform such tasks as general typing, digital transcription, desktop publishing, website design and maintenance and resume writing, just to name a few.

498513-SH45-10

Buy bulk and save Servicing hotels, schools, restaurants, nursing homes, cleaning contractors, etc. General public welcome Pick up or delivery 9449 4007 - 0411 588 496 Open 7 days

EVENT MANAGEMENT 503911-KS06-11

SECRETARIAL SERVICES GET YOUR VALUABLE TIME BACK, HIRE A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT (VA)

• Toilet paper • Jumbo rolls • Paper hand towels • Hand soaps • Disinfectants • Floor cleaners • And more

• Fault Finding and Breakdowns • PLC • Test and Tag • Installation & Maintenance

For further information please contact: Deanna Zammit - Event Director Level 1, 250 Queen Street, Melbourne Tel: (03) 8643 5952 or mobile: 0418 551 630 www.imsservices.com.au

491324-KS06-11

Telephone: 03 9687 5266 Email: brendan@bges.com.au www.bges.com.au

For all your cleaning products Supplier of: Paper Products and Chemicals

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

Keeping Business Safe in the West

Free consultation. Fixed fee approach. Member of the DIA.

CLEANING SOLUTIONS O’Brien Electrical has been providing electrical services to the Industrial, Commercial and Domestic industry since 1976.

brendangrimes ergonomics & safety

• Colour Consultancy • Workplace Design • Reception Fitouts • Renovations • Property Developments • Styling Services

401360-KS06-11

> Contract Packaging > Sorting > Heat Sealing > Shrink Wrapping > Pick and Pack > Assembly > Collating > Labeling > Container Unload > Storage/Distribution

491323-JF5-11

PACKAGING

DEBT RECOVERY

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TEMPORARY STAFFING PERMANENT PLACEMENTS

TELEPHONE: 9369 4459 FAX: 9369 2849 12/22-30 Wallace Avenue - Point Cook VICTORIA 3030 info@capturerecruitment.com.au www.capturerecruitment.com.au

EVENTS MARKETING

SMART MARKETING

BUSINESS SUPPORT

The Wyndham Events Centre is the perfect venue for your next function or for that special occasion; distinctive in design and versatile in its spaces.

Ph: 03 8742 8304 www.wyndhamlec.com.au

418009-SH18-11

‘Servicing the local business community’

491348-SH12-11

503916-TB06-11

Ph: 1300 858 610 Email: sales@actionmdr.com.au Website: www.actionmdr.com.au • debt recovery • legal services • receivables management

Keeping organisations healthy – specialising in business process we can work with you to resolve an immediate organisational issue or to assist in forward planning and strategy to add value. Contact us for a complimentary no-obligation discussion. Ph 1300 602 880 www.complianceessentials.com.au Essential Compliance and best practice for every business

To advertise your services to the business community phone: 1300 666 808 38

BUSINESS WEST

C510857-SH12-11

• Trades & Construction • Warehousing / Logistics • Clerical / Administration • Manufacturing / Process • Maintenance/Engineering Resources •24 hour service

BUSiNESS SERVICES IT SERVICES

DSIGN, PRINT & WEB SOLUTIONS

HEALTH & MOBILITY

alltasksIT -

• Adjustable Beds • Hi/Lo Beds • Lift Recliner Chairs • Massage Chairs • Scooters • Mobility Aids • Daily Living Aids • Sports Medical • Orthotics • Incontinence Products • Compression Socks & Stockings John & Marge Head and Staff

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Phone 9741 8507 401376-SAH18-11

BATHROOMS

TRAINING The right face for your business

CONFERENCE VENUE

Your receptionist is the most important staff member you have - the face of your business. At ERT Workshops we ensure your ‘face’ is the very best efficient, professional and sparkling with the right attitude. We turn everyday people into extraordinary receptionists. Call 9370 8845 or visit ERTWorkshops.com.au

C882415-JL5-11

Ascet Tafe 96608900 info@ascet.edu.au

897137-MD12-11

Need Ca$h for Staff Training? We can help!

510867-JF18-11

PRINTING

LINE MARKING NE MARK K’S LI I NG C I • Car Parks • Arrows • Safety Lines M

FRQIHUHQFH URRPV 6WDWH RI WKH DUW $ 9 :LUHOHVV EURDGEDQG KRWHO URRPV VXLWHV 2Q VLWH FDWHULQJ )UHH SDUNLQJ 510876-SH18-11

www.gcc.net.au

21 Comben Drive, Werribee 3030

03 5226 2121

PERSONNEL SERVICES

SCREEN & DIGITAL PRINTING | COMPUTER CUT VINYL SIGNAGE | DYE SUBLIMATION IMAGE TRANSFER COMMERCIAL | CORPORATE | PROMOTIONAL PRINT SOLUTIONS www.suddenexposure.com.au • www.b484.com.au •M: 0411 179 847 • T/F: 03 9395 3229

SALES TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Calibre Personnel Solutions Pty Ltd

510873-SH18-11

• For all your recruitment needs in the WEST • Permanent, part time or casual • Trades, warehousing, logistics • Clerical and administration • Resume preparation • Outplacement assistance

Call us, tell us your needs, and let us work for you. Telephone 9369 4930 Facsimile 9369 0486 Office 3, 6 Neville Avenue Laverton Vic 3028

• Numbering • Litter Bins • Computer Cut Lettering • Safety Signs MICK SCOTT 24 HOURS Mob: 0408 999 643 7 DAYS A Ph/Fax: (03) 9318 4942 WEEK ALL AREAS 5 Lawn Cres Braybrook 3019

To advertise your services to the business community phone:

1300 666 808

Don’t keep BUSiNESS WEST a secret… from your friends

A STAR NEWS GROUP PUBLICATION | $4.95

WOW

WOMEN OF THE WEST

A SPECIAL 3-PART SERIES ■ ■

Share the success of the West’s own business magazine with your business colleagues. After all, isn’t that what friends are for?

510890-SAH18-11

Find us online at www.alltasks.com.au Call us on 9312 7444

Complete Comfort 510851-SH12-11

providing IT solutions to businesses in the West for over 20 years. Located in Sunshine West and the Melbourne CBD, we can meet your IT needs, no matter your industry or location.

BULLYING CAN HURT YOU MANAGING EXPORT RISKS

ROSY

ISSN 1837-9869

9 123456 789013

ISSUE 9 MAY 2011

BUSINESS WEST

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GR OU P TRA INI NG AUS TRA LIA

510891-JF18-11