Business West July 2011 by Star News Group

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MANHEIM’S HOT AUCTIONS THE GOOD OIL SAVE YOUR BUSINESS LOUD’S OPEN WIN

A STAR NEWS GROUP PUBLICATION | $4.95

DRUM ROLL

ISSN 1837-9869

9 123456 789013

ISSUE 11 JULY 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 September 2 and featuring Corporate Function Venues. 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 August 10, 2011. To register for BUSiiNESS WEST BUS visit: www.businesswest.com.au

FOR most businesses, asset protection revolves around insurance, minimising taxation liability, protecting the business from litigation and insulating ownership and assets. But there’s one area that is all too often overlooked – until it is too late. And that’s protecting your intellectual property (IP). As Victoria University law lecturer Charles Giacco points out in Strategies, copyright and trademarks are fundamental intellectual property law rights. They are, he writes, important considerations for all businesses, particularly for SMEs. Unfortunately, many SME operators appear oblivious when it comes to the application of IP for their respective businesses. A Sensis Small Business Index as recently as 2009 revealed that about 31pc of small businesses proprietors were unaware of their business’s intellectual property aspects. In the first of a special two-part Strategies series, Charles - who lectures in contracts, commercial law and torts with the university’s Victoria Law School - looks at the main types of intellectual property: copyright, trademarks, designs, patents, confidentiality/ trade secrets, circuit layout rights and plant breeder’s rights. Tanya Lacy makes a welcome return to Business West with some valuable advice for couples working together. Business life, Tanya says, can be a pressure cooker. The heat is turned up even further when you work with your husband, wife or life partner. The emotional charge can be palpable. Tanya takes you through the trick to living – and working – together. Business West continues to unearth great stories about innovative people – people like

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BUSINESS WEST

HIDDEN DANGERS

Keilor man George Panek who at 64 shows no signs of slowing down. George started working for the Smorgon Group at the age of 17, deviated into building, returned to Smorgons to build a steel mill in Laverton before detouring totally to set up his own transport company. It was after he sold that company that George had the light-bulb moment and discovered packaging. Today he has manufacturing plants in Echuca, New Zealand and a soon-to-be opened one in California turning out paper fibre drums from 20 to 1000-litre capacities. Now he’s looking at other plants in Western Australia and North Queensland. It’s an inspiring story. And finally, earlier this month LeadWest organised a meeting between local Federal MPs – Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Health Minister Nicola Roxon and Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten – and mayors and CEOs from the Western Region. Hobsons Bay mayor Michael Raffoul put the case for more integrated and aligned planning across the three levels of government if the cities of the future were to be sustainable. He said there were opportunities for the Federal Government to stimulate a regionbased approach to transport and land use planning. “Urban renewal would also be generated by the provision of new road infrastructure through a West Link type project,” he said. LeadWest would be doing the West a great service if it could also persuade the Baillieu Government to cross the West Gate Bridge for a similar meeting. Jim Lawrence jim.lawrence@starnewsgroup.com.au

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CONTENTS 4-5

OPEN WIN Loud and proud

6-7

DRUMBEAT George on a roll

THANK HEAVEN For little girls

14-15 HOT AUCTION

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

Cars by the mile

16-17 LIFESAVER

4-5

Beating drink-driving

20-21 WOMEN OF THE WEST A special series

STRATEGIES How safe is your business

STRATEGIES Two’s company

“

If I didn’t come back with the right money, dad would give me a clip over the ear…

EDITORIAL Charlene Gatt charlene.gatt@sta charlene.gatt@starnewsgroup.com.au ADVERTISING Charles Ferraro charles ferraro@st 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

Business West is a division of Star News Group Pty. Ltd. Celebrating our 102nd year as a family-run business. Proudly Australian-owned and independent. Produced and published by Paul Thomas for Star News Group Pty. Ltd. ACN 005 848 108.

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14-15

Cover George Panek… growing his business. Picture KRISTIAN SCOTT

BUSINESS WEST

HOW LOUD WON THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

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BUSINESS WEST

GAME, SET CONTRACT!

BY CHARLENE GATT IN 2004, Wm Loud director Robert Keogh mentioned to a high-level Tennis Australia official that it would be terrific to get the contract for the Australian Open. His reply was short and to the point: “It will never happen”. Three years later, it did. So how did the Sunshine-based company achieve such a feat – headed no less by a man who grew up as a shearer and has qualifications in farm management and accounting? According to Mr Keogh, it was a mix of hard work, a unified front and communication. The ball starting rolling when the company met with the new tournament director of the Australian Open at the end of 2006 for an informal chat about tennis surfaces and bases. Then, in early 2007, they were invited to make a submission for a surface review for the tennis courts at Melbourne Park. “The submission document was a very detailed and defined document that gave us specific topics and very tight parameters in which we had to present,” Mr Keogh said. “Our preparation was a truly international event. Our manufacturer/supplier is based in Boston and the phone bill was higher than the plane fare. “Eventually our written submission was sent off and our presentation was scheduled. Our supplier flew in a few days before and

we knuckled down to put the presentation together. Mr Keogh said the presentation wasn’t flash, but emphasised what WM Loud represented. The team also made a conscious decision not to wear suits in the meeting. “We felt that they would be looking for practical people rather than polished performers,” Mr Keogh said. “We deliberately avoided discussing the present surface. Our aim was to promote our product and its strengths rather than denigrating the opposition. “We felt that we had one major advantage over any possible rivals and that was that we could do the entire job from start to finish using our own staff and expertise. “While others could surface courts, they had to subcontract the construction. “This was a key part of our submission, basically if something went wrong, there was no one else to blame. We had to take total responsibility.” Walking out of the meeting, Wm Loud bumped into one of their competitors, who were decked out in suits and laptops and were oozing confidence. Time dragged on and the time frame set by Tennis Australia came and went. Then, completely out of the blue, the company’s managing director John Harding received a covert phone call requesting an urgent meeting with Tennis Australia at the Wm Loud office.

WHAT IS Wm LOUD? THE Wm Loud story started long before the Australian Open came into play. In 1874, young sailor William Loud received his clearance papers and began a new life in Melbourne. He started by excavating the foundations of city buildings and taking the spoil down to the docks, where it was used as ballast for the empty ships sailing to England. From there he grew a small civil construction business which evolved in the 1950s when it branched out into track construction. In 1956, Wm Loud won the contract to construct the cinders warm-up track at Olympic Park for the Melbourne Olympics. Today, civil construction – including car parks, roadways, pavements – remains their bread and butter, but the company also places a strong focus on track resurfacing. Loud’s leaders… John Harding, Robert Keogh and Andrew Morrow.

The Tennis Australia official came at the agreed upon time, but spent the best part of an hour in his car before coming into the office. Once there, he had some incredible news: WM Loud were the preferred party to provide the surface for the Australian Open, with works to start in June. The official also apologised for his tardiness, adding that he wanted to get Roger Federer’s approval before he proceeded.

So it was that on 4 June 2007 Wm Loud started the largest and most challenging project available to their industry – to strip off, rebuild and resurface 40 tennis courts in five months. Needless to say, the company pulled off the challenge seamlessly and are now into their fifth year of resurfacing for the Australian Open. As part of the contract, the company is also the recommended surface by Tennis

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Australia, leading to more projects across the country. Sometime after scoring the deal, Mr Keogh was speaking with one of the review panel members and asked him what prompted Tennis Australia to pick them. The answer is simple: they weren’t arrogant. “It has been a theme of mine with our agents around the country ever since: take nothing for granted and make no assumptions,” Mr Keogh said. [BW]

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BUSINESS WEST

GEORGE ON A BY CHARLENE GATT SOMETIMES, it’s the simplest things that can be the biggest money makers. Keilor resident George Panek, 64, knows this all too well, having taken the humble paper fibre drum and turned it into a successful international business, Multipac Systems. The Tullamarine business, which offers fibre drum packaging between 20 litres and 1000 litres, has manufacturing plants in Echuca, New Zealand, and one soon to open in California. Mr Panek is a former builder who started working for the Smorgon Group at age 17. While there, he started buying land and building houses on the side, and eventually grew so busy he had to quit Smorgon and take on the business full-time, building up to 160 houses a year. Years later, the Smorgon Group invited Mr Panek to build a steel mill in Laverton. Mr Panek took on the challenge, but after eight years and a complete steel mill, found himself at a crossroads in his career. “When I finished the steel mill, I didn’t have any projects on the go,” Mr Panek said. “I knew that Smorgon had to distribute the steel and had to transport it, so I approached them and said ‘if I set up a transport company, would you give me the work?’ and they said yes. “So I ended up carrying all the steel for them. That went on for a number of years

and then, after about seven years, I was approached by another large carrier to sell up, because I became too big and was becoming a bit of a pain for them. “I was bought out by a company in Thornbury, who asked me to join them, and during that process we got involved in bringing rubber into Australia for tyres and so on. “Until then, I didn’t realise how big packaging was. “Everything that you purchase is packaged, and you end up throwing it away. If you look at the likes of VISY, Dick Pratt, the Smorgon family – they’ve made their fortunes on recycling, in using somebody else’s waste. “I saw different concepts of packaging, coming from an engineering background, and I then applied that to a paper fibre drum. “I didn’t know a great deal about it, so I went and sourced my knowledge through other people, and in 1999 I engaged a guy in New Zealand to build me a fibre drum manufacturing plant.” Mr Panek decided to base his manufacturing plant in Echuca because “my manufacturing costs were lower, the Government gave me some incentives to set up the plant in Echuca, plus all the dairy industry, fruit industry, everything is out there”. Through sheer hard work and determination, Multipac soon became the leading supplier of fibre drum packaging, posing a threat to competitors.

“In Australia, there were two other manufacturers doing things that I do, and purely through my level of passion and commitment, I basically took all the work away from them and they shut down and left the country.

“One of those people was still operating in New Zealand, so when they decided to shut down 18 months ago, I saw an opportunity to grow the business (and open a plant there).” Mr Panek was also approached by an American company to build a plant in California, which is currently under construction. He is also looking at opening other manufacturing plants in Western Australia and North Queensland. “To me, the most important part is the Australian market, because I believe I haven’t fully explored it,” Mr Panek said. “I’m growing the business, I’m taking it to the next level. “It’s a sense of satisfaction, of achievement, but also a sense of further opportunity. I don’t live in the past, I learn by my previous experiences and mistakes, but I don’t dwell on them. I’ve got a very broad forward vision. “Retirement is not in my vocabulary at this stage. I’d be lost without my work, I can see myself working until I’m able and capable of doing it. “I’m very structured. It’s not a chore to work.” [BW]

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BUSINESS WEST

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[DRUM[ ROLL

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Decade of growth ahead… managing director Wayne Hoiles. Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

BY CHARLENE GATT AT A time when other oil and lubricant companies are slowing down or shipping out, Fuchs is just getting revved up. The German-founded company recently unveiled its new $2 million Regional Lubricant Laboratory and Technical Centre at its Australian and New Zealand headquarters in Sunshine, positioning itself as a cutting edge company with some of the world’s most advanced equipment. Australasia managing director Wayne Hoiles called the redevelopment an investment in Fuchs’ future. “We are the team of lubricant specialists, and this new laboratory will ensure that we continue to develop new products for our market, and provide an increased level of technical support to our customers,” Mr Hoiles said.

And it’s not just V8s and other race cars that will benefit from the new facilities. “We have extensive customer bases within large portfolios in Australia, including the mining industry, the manufacturing and steel industry, we’re in the aluminium industry and mineral processing. We have an extensive range of very large, high quality customers that we look after,” Mr Hoiles said. Fuchs is the largest independent lubricant company in the world, with Australia comprising its fourth largest market. The company celebrates 100 years in Australia this year. Fuchs executive board member Dr Georg Lingg said the new lab was a major milestone in the global Fuchs research and development strategy.

“We see some of our competition retracting, or withdrawing from Australia, and we’re here to stay and we’re here to invest in the future.

“Our Australasian business is of significant importance to the Fuchs group, and the construction and equipping of the new laboratory in Melbourne is part of our global investment program to invest in the future,” Dr Lingg said.

“It’s very important that you back up the product with the quality and technical expertise, and that’s one of the key aspects that we look after in the marketplace – to have expertise and equipment to produce those products and also look after our customers with any needs they may have.

“As the Australasian business plays such an important role in the South East Asian region, the new laboratory will be responsible for providing technical support to the region, and will form part of both the global research and development and the technical support program.”

“These days, the products are continually changing and we have almost 1500 different products that we actually sell in Australia and New Zealand.”

Fuchs Australasian headquarters bring in more than $150 million a year and sell over 40 million litres of lubricants and functional fluids.

BUSINESS WEST

The Sunshine headquarters, which employs about 80 staff, has enjoyed significant growth in the past eight years, with over $5 million invested back into the company over the last three years. It’s a growth Fuchs plan to continue over the next decade. “We still see growth. It’s not a growing market in terms of volume, because new technology is being replaced (constantly),” Mr Hoiles said. “For example, if you bought a car 10 years ago, you might change the oil every 10,000 kilometres – now it’s moving out to 15,000 kilometres or 20,000. “There used to be mineral oils and now there’s synthetic oils. You’re buying products that are lasting much longer, so the volume of the industry itself is actually not growing, it’s the mix of products. “We’re finding globally that the amount of equipment required to keep up to speed is ever increasing and we still only have a portion of what they have in Europe, so we are still gearing the laboratory up over time. “We’ve got several key markets we’re targeting in terms of where we’re putting our resources, in terms of technology and in our sales force…to help us continue to grow in the marketplace.” Mr Hoiles hopes to announce other new developments for Sunshine within the next six to 12 months. “We’re in a good position.” [BW]

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BY CHARLENE GATT MEET the woman who has turned administration into a successful online business. Strathmore mother of two Nina Eason is the virtual and onsite office manager behind Eason Business Services, which offers services and packages for start-up and existing businesses.

dressmaking, but only spent a year in the industry, realising it wasn’t for her. It was then she decided she wanted to run her own business. “I just wanted to work for myself, but I didn’t really know what I wanted to do,” Ms Eason said. “I sat myself down and thought ‘what am I good at?’ and I thought ‘admin’. “I did the research and came up with the virtual online business.” Ms Eason started up the business shortly after having a foot operation, meaning her leg had to be elevated for a month. While some might have seen the operation as a road block, Ms Eason used the month as a golden opportunity to set the business up. “It was actually quite good, because it gave me something to do,” she laughed.

Keen networker… Nina Eason just wanted to work for herself. Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

Ms Eason admits she initially found running Eason Business Services daunting, but soon found her stride. After 18 months, she had enough clientele to make the business a fulltime role. “I think because I’ve never had a business (it was scary), but a lot of my family have had businesses, so I figured if they could do it, I could do it. “I went to any and every networking event there was.”

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Ms Eason has over 20 years experience in small, large, multinational and corporate organisations, including the disability sector, government departments and industries such as clothing, manufacturing and benchmarking. But it wasn’t until she left the sector that she realised where her strengths were. Ms Eason branched out and studied

“For a month, I sat in a chair, and because it’s all online, I built my own website, my database, all my promotional material within that month and then started. It took about two months to get my first client and from then, I never looked back.”

Today, Ms Eason is still a keen networker and has even set up her own group – Melbourne’s Service Business Networkers. More than two-and-a-half years in, Ms Eason is now tailoring the business to offer more specialised services. “I’m veering away a little bit from PA support and now I’m offering packages to support people with their direct mail, e-mail marketing, surveys and business set-up. “If someone has a business idea and they don’t know where to start, they can contact us and we can assist them with promotional materials, business set-up, websites, email marketing and the list goes on. “The business has changed – I also offer printing services, which helps with all those packages. “I think there’s a market there, I have the knowledge and experience to advance that area. I also wanted to specialize in an area. I really feel there’s a need to target one component of my business.” Ms Eason tries to do the bulk of her work during school hours, leaving her quality time with sons Hayden, 13, and Alec, 10. “The reason I work at home is because I have a young family,” she said. “I have children still in school and I like to be there for them and it works well. “I won’t work at 2am, I try to stop at about 3.30pm if I can, and then I pick up at about 8 or 9pm again for a couple of hours. There’s always something to do, whether it’s for a client or to promote the business. “Also, it’s a lot cheaper working from home. While the kids are still at school, I’ll be working at home.” [BW]

BUSINESS WEST

Brooklyn Industrial Precinct â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Part of Brimbankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dynamic future Comprising 262 ha of industrial zoned land and within 12 kms of central Melbourne, the Brooklyn Industrial Precinct has a key role to play as an employment and industry focus for Melbourne.

Large scale investment in new technologies and practices is being undertaken with many of the existing businesses charting a new way forward. A prime example is the proposed investment by Veolia Environmental Services in technology to introduce a new waste treatment practice to further process waste to recover oil and water. The introduction of the new technology, which is a $15 million dollar investment, will significantly reduce waste and

Improving community amenity has also been a focus for Council, business and residents of the municipality. The Friends of the Lower Kororoit Creek recently conducted a clean up day for the creek which was supported by a number of residents and importantly Brooklyn Meat Processors which is keen to see similar improvements to the creek area closer to their facility. The proposed connection of the Kororoit Recreation Trail and the Federation Trail will deliver an improved passive and active recreational area for those workers and residents who enjoy walking and cycling. Brimbank City Council recognises that Brooklyn, and the adjoining industrial areas are a strategically important area, of local, metropolitan and state significance. The Council is committed to pursuing longer term objectives and strategies for the precinct. In response, Council in partnership with Department of Planning and Community Development, Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay councils is undertaking a business profile survey in the Brooklyn/Tottenham area called the Victorian Census of Land Use and Employment (ViCLUE). The survey will find out what types of businesses are currently in Brooklyn/ Tottenham, why they choose to locate there, and what issues are affecting their business. This information is required to address current issues and better plan for the future.

Brimbank City Council is committed to improving the image and amenity of the precinct for businesses, workers and the broader community. One of the challenges for the precinct is to create an attractive and vibrant industrial hub where businesses can collocate and form clusters. Another is to minimise the off-site effects (such as dust and odour) whilst maintaining an industrial and economic focus.

truck movements in the precinct. Brooklyn Meat Processors has relocated from Deniliquin to the precinct over the past three years. The company has established a state of the art premises to process meat for a worldwide export market. The facility employs 350 staff and utilises the latest processing technology and is subject to strict hygiene practices. Fulton Hogan has been in the precinct for 18 months after purchasing the old Pioneer Road Services site. The company recycles asphalt for reuse. Fulton Hogan has enclosed the entire facility, paved the work yard area, installed sprinklers, enclosed their roofing bins and installed suction sweepers to minimise litter and dust.

The supporting studies will identify issues, constraints, opportunities and key directions and will underpin the formulation of a structure plan to guide future development in Brooklyn. Council believes the strategic planning for the Brooklyn Industrial Precinct will provide a path to transforming the area into a vibrant economic industrial and business area. For more information on what is happening in the Brooklyn Industrial Precinct visit www.brooklynip.com.au or contact Brimbank City Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Strategic Sites Officer, Susan Fitton on 9249 4048.

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Brooklyn like many parts of Brimbank has many geographic advantages, including its proximity to the CBD, Western Ring Road, Westgate Freeway, the airport, port and road network. These advantages present a significant opportunity for the area to be transformed into a high quality employment and industrial focus for Melbourne.

Concurrently, Brimbank City Council has engaged Meinhardt Consulting to provide a series of supporting studies for the development of a precinct plan for the next 10-30 years in the Brooklyn Industrial Precinct. The project will look at land use, traffic, contamination, economic development and urban design issues. The ViCLUE business survey will be utilised for the economic part of the study.

Sense of fun… Barbara Duggan and daughter Ava. Picture: SARAH MATRAY

THANK HEAVEN FOR...

LiTTLE GIRLS BY CHARLENE GATT

YARRAVILLE designer Barbara Duggan is relaunching her fashion career with the help of the world wide web and her five-year-old daughter Ava. Ms Duggan has documented all the ups and downs of starting her children’s label, Sunshine and Daydreams, in her blog of the same name.

label Cicciolina between 1997 and 2004 after working with fellow fashionista Jenny Bannister.

Ms Duggan shut the business down when she fell pregnant with twins, which she ended up losing. Shortly after, she fell pregnant with Ava and was instructed by doctors to lie down for nine months.

a shop, launch a children’s label and revive Cicciolina. Then fate intervened and messed up all her plans. Jennie got sick for six months and the investment money got eaten up by medical bills, so Ms Duggan decided to start by opening an online store instead.

Now that Ava, whose middle name is Sunshine, is off to school, Ms Duggan decided to go back to the drawing board.

She plans to open an actual store in Yarraville at a later date and restart the Cicciolina line later this year.

“I want little girls looking like little girls, and not growing up too soon,” Ms Duggan said.

“I always thought I’d go back, but being a mum turned out to be a full-time job. I love it, but I’ve always had the urge to go back,” she said.

“I love Yarraville and I think it’s only going up and up and I’d love to have a studio upstairs as well,” she said.

“I’ve noticed a few children wearing miniskirts and tight t-shirts and I just think little girls should have fun.”

“I didn’t even have a computer when I did Cicciolina… but I just found it addictive. I just love it.”

Ms Duggan launched the label in June at the Yarraville Market.

Her sister and photographer Jennie had money to invest in the business, so to keep herself accountable, Ms Duggan set up the blog and detailed her plans to open

The blog also details Ms Duggan’s love affair with Yarraville. Sunshine and Daydreams is inspired by ballet costumes and a sense of fun.

The designer is no stranger to having her own label, running women’s demi-couture

BUSINESS WEST

“The blog has been about the ups and downs, and there’s been a lot of downs. “But I just have one of those personalities that won’t give up. I’ve got this wave of ambition. “It’s exciting, but there’s sort of a bit more pressure because I have a child as well. I’m much more business-minded now.” [BW]

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Bra

Melton Small Business Professional Development Day

Ladies and gentleman. Please fasten your seatbelts and ensure your mind is returned to the ‘open’ position as we prepare for business growth take--off. Held at the outstanding WestWaters Hotel & Entertainment complex in Caroline Springs, the information packed Melton Small Business Professional Development Day features keynote speaker John D Anderson, founder of vacation juggernaut, Contiki Holidays and offers workshops lead by some of Australia’s best known and loved marketing gurus. Learn more about high impact marketing and branding, delivering outstanding customer service and get your business ready for take off! About John John D Anderson is one of the most inspirational business speakers in Australasia.

FEATURING KEYNOTE SPEAKER

John D Anderson founder of international tourism icon, Contiki Holidays

Yvonne Adele Ms Megabyte Yvonne Adele is one of Australia’s most recognised business speakers and advocate of the need for BIG ideas. As the founder of Ideas Culture, Yvonne teaches the skills that enable anyone to unlock their creative, right brain potential. w: yvonneadele.com.au

At the age of 22 John left his native New Zealand for England for a one-year trip overseas. He returned 20 years later with a wife, four children and the International tourism juggernaut: Contiki Holidays! When John sold the company a few years ago, it was, and remains an international brand-name and one of the world's major tour operators, carrying over around 1.8 million people to date! Don’t miss this opportunity to hear his unique and entertaining story.

Ailsa Page

Smart, strategic and professional, Ailsa will have you inspired and understanding marketing in an instant. Be warned she’s a little bit quirky, highly energetic and is likely to burst into a spontaneous vocal if excited. If you don’t want to be motivated in your marketing then do not attend Ailsa’s workshop.

Lisa Smith

Paul McCarthy

AP Marketing Works

Minds at Work

Flying Solo Paul McCarthy is Australia’s RockStar Marketer. An award winning speaker and author of the acclaimed book ’8 Steps to a Remarkable Business’, Paul has been entertaining and educating audience for nearly a decade.

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Date:

Thursday 11 August 2011

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Venue:

WestWaters Hotel & Entertainment Complex 20 Lake Street, Caroline Springs VIC 3023

RSVP:

5 August 2011 Rose Romeo 9747 7157 or rosar@melton.vic.gov.au

232 High Street, Melton – 193-201 Caroline Springs Blvd, Caroline Springs – T: (03) 9747 7200 www.melton.vic.gov.au/business

401379-JF18-11

MELBOURNE’S BIGGEST VEHICLE SALEYARD!

Wheels everywhere… Managing Director Wayne Thompson.

Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT

business news west

What’s new in the business community?

Nominate Now for the Hobsons Bay Business exceptional service and quality. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Williamstown Town Hall on Friday, Excellence Awards 2011

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Do you know of a business in Hobsons Bay that deserves to be recognised? Are you one of them? Nominations are now open for the 2011 Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards. The awards are a great way to promote business excellence in Hobsons Bay and are a catalyst to promote local achievements in business. Businesses can be nominated in 10 categories, including: new/start-up; retail; hospitality; tourism; transport and logistics; manufacturing and industrial; professional services; not for proﬁt/community; franchise and, home based business. In addition to these categories, the judges will be awarding three winners from all entries to win the Environment and Sustainable Business award, Good Access/Good Business award and the coveted Business of the Year award. The Mayor’s Encouragement awards will focus on corporate citizenship and innovation. Nominated businesses will be critiqued by a panel of highly qualiﬁed and experienced judges, who will be looking for

21st October. So, whether you’re a ﬁrst time entrant or defending your crown now is the time to register your interest for the awards, grab an information pack and sign up for an awards application workshop. What a great opportunity to put your business on the radar, don’t miss out! Nominations close on Wednesday, 31st August. 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. Keep up-to-date with the latest business news in your community. Subscribe today!

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

BUSINESS WEST

BY CHARLENE GATT IN BUSINESS, branding is everything. So when Manheim took an equity stake in Altona car auctioneer group Fowles in 1999 and then bought out the business in 2006, they took the slowly, slowly approach to rebranding the company. Starting out with a merger of the names to ManheimFowles to maintain consistency with the previous name, the company took the plunge five years later to once again rebrand the company on 1 January 2011, this time to Manheim. It was a strategic move. “We felt the time was right to rebrand the company and adopt the Manheim name,” Manheim CEO Rich Curtis said. Head of Marketing Bree Sharman added: “The rebrand is more than aligning our visual identity with our international operations – we need to ensure our brand positioning is suited to our Australian and New Zealand operations and markets.

communications and public relations Mathew McAuley told Business West. “The business has been very well known by trade, it’s been like a best kept secret for consumers, so probably over the last two years (we’ve worked hard to raise the profile). “Nationally, we want to raise the profile of Manheim and part of the rebrand involved giving us a stronger brand, a stronger presence in the marketplace, so you may notice some more advertising on TV and radio. We’re very much trying to raise awareness among the general public.” The company is an institution in the West, with its prime positioning along the Princes Freeway the best free advertising a company can have for the past 50 years. The 180-acre Altona site, which is also the Australian and New Zealand headquarters, hosts auctions three days a week, and boast a 60-65 per cent clearance rate, higher with ex-Government and luxury vehicles.

“Developing the brand strategy to cover the depth of our offering and diversity of audience meant we looked at all aspects of the business to ensure a clearly defined positioning and a strong future for brand Manheim.”

In keeping with the times, the business introduced online bidding in 2004 and has gradually expanded it’s services to provide a one-stop shop for buyers and sellers, including a body shop that can do repairs and give roadworthys.

In Australia, Manheim sells over 180,000 cars, 4WDs, light commercial vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, boats, caravans, machinery and equipment a year, with gross sales of over $1.8 billion.

“It’s been a gradual growth and it’s probably been within the last 10 to 15 years that it’s been a real national expansion, including setting up facilities in New Zealand,” managing director Wayne Thompson said.

Clients include governments, finance companies, banks, insurance companies, corporates and rental companies.

“We’ve got a fantastic relationship with manufacturers and all the different segments – financiers, fleet, corporates – and it’s grown tremendously in terms of the public as well.”

As the world’s largest remarketing company, Manheim facilitates more than 10 million vehicle transactions across the globe each year. “From a branding position, we’ve been raising our public profile,” head of

“Like any business, we’re always trying to build the service capabilities and make it a really comfortable environment for the public to be here as well. “We recently introduced an introductory

half-hour discussion on a Wednesday morning for the public so we run them through the process so that they’re really comfortable about what the auction’s all about and what services we have and it breaks down some of those preconceived ideas they had about auctions. “We’re the only consignment-only auctioneers, so the benefits of that are the transparency of services and the fact that we’re acting in the seller and the buyers interests, so we’re all about maximizing value for both parties. “That’s quite unique in the industry. Also, the variety of services – whether you’re a buyer or a seller, Manheim can offer all the services required and the one-stop shop gives us a real strength and advantage in the marketplace. “Every day, we’re always looking for the ease of purchase and for our sellers, we are creating a really dynamic marketplace, so we talk about connecting buyers and sellers – everything is designed to make it as easy as possible to come here and purchase cars.” Mr Thompson said one of the company’s biggest assets was it’s employees, with 400 working from Altona and a further 500 staff across Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart, Newcastle and Townsville. “We’re great believers in holding on to staff for a long time and we have some fantastic succession plans in place. We have a good number of very experienced people that have been in the business for a long while, but also a great bunch of young guys coming through the business as well. “A lot of staff started out on the sales floor and expressed an interest in auctioneering and there’s a really comprehensive training program that we provide to anyone within the company to become a licensed auctioneer.” [BW]

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BUSINESS WEST

Playing safe… Des Malcolm and his Breathometer

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

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NONE FOR THE ROAD

BUSINESS WEST

BY CHARLENE GATT IT’S the technology that aims to save lives by getting people to test whether they’re really under the limit to get behind the wheel. The Breathometer gets drinkers to blow into a straw and uses the traffic light system to tell them whether they should be driving. Breathometer director Des Malcolm first came across the technology in the 80s and has since put out six different models to help bring down drink driving. “We had a small vending machine operation and we were approached by an organisation in Sydney to market their product, which was a breath testing machine – the first one made in Australia,” he told Business West. “Technically, it was very good, but in a marketing form, it was of a poor standard. “Its appearance didn’t engage the public and we had difficulty trying to find a way to promote the thing, because it didn’t look good, which led us to thinking that we had to change the whole focus. “It’s all well to hang a machine on the wall and hope that it works, but we have to invite audience participation and we have to encourage people to use them and we have to encourage government interest in them, and we couldn’t do it with that instrument, so we thought we’d try to do it ourselves, which we’ve done.” Mr Malcolm’s models have all features

screens for static or television advertising, so that anti-drink driving messages could reinforce the message behind the breathometer. Machines have to be recalibrated every 30 days to keep them accurate. The business runs on a user pays system – Mr Malcolm will supply a licensed venue with a machine free of charge and keeps the royalties from the machine. About 300 machines have been installed in licensed venues across the country, including Rotary clubs, restaurants and pubs. The driving force behind the breathometer, Mr Malcolm said, is that no drinker can accurately discern what their blood alcohol level is just by counting drinks. “In Sale, there was a woman who had two glasses of wine before she jumped in the car and drove down the street to pick up the kids from school,” he said. “We asked her to duplicate her drinking pattern at a training session, so she did and when she blew into the instrument her reading was .08. “She had no idea that those two glasses of wine would elevate her to such a high BAC. “She thought two drinks were fine, because the system of counting your drinks tells her its okay.” Mr Malcolm once received a call from a distraught pub owner to immediately install a

breathometer after four youths the previous night wrapped their car around a tree. He wanted to control everybody leaving the pub. He made them breath test themselves and if they were marginal, he would sit them down with a coffee until they got under .05, if they were too far gone, somebody else was to drive them home. Research by the Monash University Accident Research Centre discovered there would be a 16 per cent reduction in drink driving if more breathometer machines were made more widely available. Mr Malcolm works closely with police and road safety organisations to aid the effectiveness of the machine, but is not gaining much traction with governments or inner-city nightclubs. “It’s a pity, because we do have a solution in that we are putting something out there that helps the public comply with the law,” he said. “Our principal thrust is to assist the public to comply with the law and to develop a philosophy with the liquor industry so that they can be more involved to help their patrons.” Mr Malcolm and his team of six employees are currently rewriting the breathometer software from their Tullamarine headquarters to make it smaller and more venuefriendly. [BW]

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BUSINESS WEST

Vision for the future… managing director David Hart. Picture: contributed

SOLAR SOARS BY CHARLENE GATT

MEET one of the West’s newest kids on the block. Fronius International GmbH has recently opened a new solar electronics sales subsidiary in Tullamarine in response to the marked growth in the Australian solar market. The new 1700 square metre subsidiary, which includes its own service centre, sales and storage areas, has started out with 12 employees, with a vision to double the workforce over the next two years. Fronius International GmbH has been active in the Australian market since 2002 and commands a strong presence worldwide, earning more than $440.8 million in 2009. The international technology company, which boasts three divisions – battery charging systems, welding technology and solar electronics – is one of Australia’s top three providers of solar inverters. In Australia, the photovoltaics market has recorded steady growth since 2006 thanks to assistance by government development programs.

This year, the feed-in tariff for solar energy has changed, making it more attractive for households to invest in larger systems from 2.5 to five kilowatt.

“Our objective is to work with photovoltaic organisations and associations to shape the market and help it achieve gentle and healthy growth.”

The market in the commercial area is also growing, prompting Fronius to capitalise on the changes with growth of their own.

To do this, Fronius will work to raise awareness of the relevance and importance of renewable energies, particularly photovoltaics.

“Fronius will continue to extend its market position in the coming years,” Fronius Australia managing director David Hart said. “The exceptional isolation levels in Australia and the growing environmental awareness across the country provide the photovoltaic sector with very favourable conditions. “We are also working on the assumption that we’ll achieve grid parity in Australia by 2015, which is another incentive to invest in photovoltaic systems “We’re anticipating that our workforce will double in size in the next two years, and we expect our sales figures to show a two-digit growth rate. “Our new sales subsidiary brings us closer to the customer.

“It is important for us to be the quality leader in every way,” Mr Hart said. The company also places a strong focus on introducing innovative products to the market, with Fronius currently owning 737 active patents. “It is extremely important to have a creative research and development department so that we can maintain and extend our technological lead,” research and development manager Heinz Hackl said. “We want to continue to surprise our customers with new and unexpected product ideas. This is how Fronius achieves its economic success.” [BW]

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BUSINESS WEST

LUCKY PUP! BY CHARLENE GATT THEY’RE the treats for dogs who think they’re human. Yarraville entrepreneur Yvonne Sclater has turned her canine affections into a gourmet dog food brand and online business, Mucky Pup. The biscuits are made from real meat, fresh fruit and no preservatives and come in six different flavours, including Kangaroo Dogs, Banana Bones, Raspberry Carob Bears, Chicken Liver Chicks, Peanut Butter Apple Hearts and their number-one seller, Roast Chicken Stars. The business was born when Ms Sclater was trying out different foods on her dog Roxy. “It started as a creative outlet,” she said. “My partner and I like cooking, and we noticed a big difference with Roxy when she was eating preservative-free food, because she was manic when we first got her from the RSPCA, so we started making her her own dog food.

Delicious… Yvonne and her senior taster, Roxy.

Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT

“From that came the treats, and I got a bit crazy one day and made way too many, so I took them into the office to share with everyone else who had dogs and they really loved them, so I thought I’d see what else I could do with it.

and supplies the treats all over Australia through a burgeoning internet trade.

“I’ve always been a bit entrepreneurial and trying different things.”

“(The West) is a very dog-friendly area, people are very much young couples with pets. This is great for us, they have greater disposable incomes. It’s a great place to set up a business.”

Ms Sclater, who bakes the biscuits from a commercial kitchen in Wheelers Hill, started selling them at the Flemington and Williamstown markets, and picked up a few retailers from there. She now boasts over a dozen stockists

“I wanted to create something that looks good in your handbag that you could take out to social occasions as much as you could feed your dog in the park.

Ms Sclater is currently working on a new range and hopes to one day own her own factory in the West. [BW] 523200-JF30-11

BUSINESS WEST

Part 3 of a special Business West series

GAYE HAMILTON AFTER a career as a secondary science teacher and then as a Director of Zoos and Museums, Gaye Hamilton now undertakes a range of contract and Board work and is a Director of the: Western Bulldogs Football Club, State Sports Centres Trust, Zoos Victoria, Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Trust, Seaworks Foundation and the People and Parks Foundation. What problems have you encountered as a woman in business? Fortunately, not many. However, the biggest issue has been to have my voice heard in executive teams where I have been the only female. It seems that there is something about the timbre of the female voice that does not seem to cut through in a conversation and be heard. I have been in numerous situations where I have made a suggestion for a business solution or strategy, only to have my comments ignored, then some time later - often in the same meeting - one of my male colleagues will put forward the very same idea and it is heralded as fantastic. At times, there is still the issue of being taken seriously as a female. It takes time for some male members of business to realise that gender is not indicative of a lesser intelligence or ability to contribute and make a positive difference.

BUSINESS WEST

WOMEN of I have also been made aware in the past that I have intimidated my male colleagues as I have been more efficient (and probably more conscientious re time lines and deadlines) than them and have inadvertently shown them up. Should the Federal Government legislate to have a quota of females in senior business positions? Why/why not? This is difficult. I would like to at least have “aspirational” targets for boards and senior executive positions. The danger with quotas is the tag of tokenism - that you may only be seen to be there because of the quota requirement, rather than on merit. However, the Australian Labor Party have proven that with a target very competent women do take up and are successful in politics, so it can work. I think setting targets as I said at least “aspirational” would be a move forward and at least start the ball rolling in the right direction. What is your advice to women climbing the career ladder? Be true to yourself and be brave. Yes, you need to work hard and some days it will seem as though you do more than your male counterparts just to stay “even”, but it is worth it. Be true to your values rather than sell yourself out in order to succeed - I don’t think I could ever have worked anywhere where I did not share the values of the organisation. You don’t have to “be a bloke” to succeed, you just have to do your job well. Unfortunately, with the competing demands of running a home, often bringing up children as well as being a successful business woman, may women opt out as it all gets too hard - it would be good if lots of these women could have a “wife” at home to look after

them! Supportive and helpful partners are really important in assisting women to be their best in senior business roles. What woman in business do you admire the most, and why? Many… Joan Kirner - very strong woman who has been consistent in her values and beliefs and made a huge difference to society. Judith Slocombe - manages very high level business success with a large and happy family, whilst being a very approachable and relaxed individual- amazing woman! Aisha Poon - young, very capable woman of Chinese descent taking on a global role with an engineering firm - very brave and hard-working in order to survive in that environment.

GENEVIEVE FAHEY GENEVIEVE Fahey’s job is all about serious fun. The Scienceworks general manager has been with the interactive museum since it opened 18 years ago, and was also part of the project group that set up the popular tourist attraction. Before Scienceworks, the trained geologist was mapping remote parts of the Northern territory for the NT Geological Survey. She then moved to Victoria and worked as an education officer at Melbourne Museum before taking on Scienceworks. What problems have you encountered as a woman in business?

Very early in my career I worked as a geologist in the Northern Territory. Both the place and the role had typically been dominated by men. I was fortunate to have followed a women who was a real trail blazer for female geologists; at the time, companies were happy to say they could not consider a female applicant because they did not have appropriate facilities in their remote camps for women, or that the rest of the team were men and therefore the environment would be unsuitable for a young woman to work in. However, as more and more female graduates came through and there was a need for more geologists, these ridiculous reasons disappeared. I have been fortunate to work for most of my career in the Arts sector and this is has a very high proportion of females at all levels. When I first started some 25 years ago there was a bias of males in the upper level roles - in fact there were no senior women- but we now have women in just under 50% of the senior management roles. The most challenging problem for women is juggling the needs of family and career. I have 3 children and there is no doubt that in my experience women do carry the lion’s share of responsibility for looking after matters to do with the children. Should the Federal Government legislate to have a quota of females in senior business positions? Why/why not? I am not convinced that legislation or quotas are the way to go here - I believe that the person with the best skills and attributes is the person who should be appointed for any position. Of course I acknowledge that there are still concerns around the appointment of women, and that

the WEST in some cases the ‘old boy’s’ networks are still in existence. However there are now more networks that promote women and provide opportunities specifically for them. This is needed because there is still an imbalance of gender representation at the upper levels of many organisations. Change will happen over time, but I do not believe there will be a straight line graph indicating a continuous increase in the proportion of women in executive roles; it will be lumpy. There are some wonderful examples of very successful women who have become well known in the general community, for example Gail Kelly at Westpac, Gina Rinehart, Therese Rein as well as those in Government - Julia Gillard, Penny Wong, Nicola Roxon. Is it necessary for it to take a long time and should we be patient? No we shouldn’t. However I would not like to see haste result in poor choice of people which would probably have a negative impact and see the progress that has been made eroded. Women are perfectly able to compete with their male colleagues on any level in business. I feel confident that in the next 10 years the graph will show an increase of women in senior executives roles and this proportion will be on an upward trend. What is your advice to women climbing the career ladder? Be the best you can be. Going back to my previous answer, that the best person for a role is the one best qualified, then women need to make sure that they strive to work to build their own capabilities. I do believe that a positive attitude and flexibility is vital for climbing the career ladder. Don’t expect that things will always go your way. When things don’t go to plan learn from the experience

and build on these lessons to move on. What woman in business do you admire the most, and why? I admire any woman who runs their own business where they employ others; in fact this admiration extends to men in this role too. Being the one person accountable for the successful operation and profitability of a business is a huge responsibility. Your employees, whilst key to the success of your business, rely on you for their livelihood.

KERRY THOMPSON Kerry Thompson is CEO of Wyndham City Council, moving over last year after seven years at the helm of Maribyrnong. In March 2009, Ms Thompson was seconded to advise the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority following the Black Saturday Bushfires, at the request of the VBRRA and the Municipal Association of Victoria. Ms Thompson is the current chair and founding member of the Western Transport Alliance and board member of LeadWest Ltd and the Institute of Public Administration. She is also a member of the Community Support Fund Advisory Committee and Victorian Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council, both by Ministerial appointment. What problems have you encountered as a woman in local government?

When I had my interview for my first job in local government at the tail end of the 70s I was actually asked why I wanted the job and was continuing with my tertiary study given that I would get married and have kids. My response was - “yes, I might do that as well”. I got the job so times were obviously changing. I moved into my first management (2nd Level) role in my late 20s - I was young and the only female so it was tough. I faced resistance to change and new ideas. I always felt that the hurdles were set higher for me than my male counterparts. However, this experience was great for my career - it improved my skills in developing business cases, service models, budgets and the art of negotiation. This experience made me determined to lead in a different way and also built resilience. I was fortunate to have some wonderful (male) leaders and mentors that supported me and the glass ceiling opened very early in my career. Juggling family commitments especially when my children were young and I was returning from maternity leave into senior executive roles was certainly a challenge. The nature of local government requires evening work and the juggle was/is difficult. The hardest lesson for me during this time was looking after myself - exercise, eating well and finding some ‘time out’. Should the Federal Government legislate to have a quota of females in senior business positions? Why/why not? I think a quota approach should be the last resort – maybe when we are at the point when there is no increase in numbers. I think there are other options that need to be explored, prior to imposing quotas. We need the peak bodies such at the AICD (Australian Institute of Company Directors) to continue in its

endeavours to support potential new directors (especially women) to be encouraged to apply for directors’ roles. The Federal Government now requires businesses to report on the number of women in senior roles and on boards - again they should be promoting the businesses that are growing the number of women in these roles. What is your advice to women climbing the career ladder? Keep checking that the ladder is on the right wall and it’s going where you want to go. The ladder may need to be able to move horizontally to another building before ascending again. Wear the right “attitude” and only look down to appreciate the view and reflect on the climb, not in fear - the limitations are usually in your own head. Have a support team around you (coach, mentors, family and friends) that can hold the ladder if it gets wobbly or you slip on a step or two or you decide to miss a rung or two on the way up. What woman in business do you admire the most, and why? Female business leaders that have started from “an idea” and built their business from the kitchen table while kids are asleep or those who have taken a business to new heights have to be admired. Some that come to mind are Meg Whitman, CEO of EBay, Janine Allis - Boost Juice and Diana Williams of Fernwood. One new leader that also comes to mind is Dr Emma Cassar, CEO of Open Family. Another important inclusion in this group of inspirational business women is my mum – in her 70s she is still continuing to run her own successful business in the western suburbs. Anyone who has run their own small business knows just how tough it can be, so I am incredibly proud of her.

BUSINESS WEST

Q&A GRANT MILES president of the Footscray Traders’ Association, worked in various part time jobs as a teenager, mostly food/cafe related. He began working on the shop floor at Not Quite Right discount groceries’ first store in West Melbourne in 1988 – and resigned as General Manager of six stores in 1996 to start Cheaper Buy Miles. He now has three retail stores: Footscray, St Albans and Ascot Vale and a wholesale warehouse in Tottenham. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, AND WHAT SKILLS DID IT GIVE YOU TO GET YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? My first work of any kind was as an eight-year-old. My father lived in Rosebud and we would collect mussels off Rosebud and Rye piers. Dad would cook and bottle them, then he would drive me around all the pubs of the area and I would walk through the bar selling them for 50c a jar. It taught me maths pretty quickly because if I didn’t come back with the right money dad would give me a clip over the ear. Among other paper rounds and chemist runs, I stood on the corner of Clarendon St and City Rd South Melbourne for a few years selling the Herald after school, but I guess my first formal job of sorts was at Coles Variety Store in Chapel St Prahran on Friday nights. Coles would close at 9 o’clock, and even though I was only 15, we would go across the road to the Court Jester Hotel, and all my pay would be gone by 11. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RUNNING CHEAPER BUY MILES, AND WHAT HAS IT TAUGHT YOU? 15 years, I think the most important thing I have learnt is the importance of having good staff, if you find a good employee, you should do everything possible to hold on to them. AS PRESIDENT OF THE FOOTSCRAY TRADERS’ ASSOCIATION, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FOOTSCRAY’S CBD TO HELP BOOST BUSINESS? Public safety should be the highest priority, although I think Footscray’s reputation is much worse then the reality. A constant, visible police presence is required to change people’s perceptions. Footscray is also severely lacking in parking spaces, I believe a multi-level car park is needed urgently. HOW WOULD YOU SELL THE WEST TO A PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS INVESTOR? Footscray has a wonderfully diverse culture, with access to a large cross section of people from different backgrounds. It is home to a large university, (VU), it’s the world headquarters of Lonely Planet Travel Guides, and home to an AFL team. Footscray is well serviced by public transport, and only 10 minutes from the city, the beach, and Flemington Racecourse. It is more recently attracting larger investors, and the opportunity to get in on the ground floor won’t last much longer.

BUSINESS WEST

APART FROM CHEAPER BUY MILES, WHAT’S FOOTSCRAY’S BEST KEPT SECRET AND WHY? Cheap and fast restaurants selling great food, but I’m not so sure it’s still a secret. Also, Footscray Park has to be one of the best and most under utilised gardens in Melbourne. IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO AN ENTREPRENEUR STARTING UP A BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD IT BE? My advice would be to go ahead and do it and don’t hesitate, although planning is important, very few businesses are successful from the outset, and it’s impossible to cover every possible concern. I think it’s also important to realize that your business is not your whole life, and you shouldn’t think that success or failure makes a judgment on yourself as a person. Most importantly, make sure you have one day off per week, completely away from your business. YOU STOOD AS A CANDIDATE IN THE 2008 MARIBYRNONG CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND HAVE VOICED YOUR INTENTION TO DO THE SAME IN 2012. WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A COUNCILLOR, AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ELECTED? I live, work in, and am passionate about Footscray. I believe we need councillors who are actively involved in our community on a daily basis, and I enjoy this type of work. Footscray has recently attracted money for larger projects, which is great of course, but I feel there is still a need to focus on the basic issues, such as cleanliness, more greenery, and, as mentioned earlier, safety. IF YOU HAD TO INVITE FIVE PEOPLE TO A BUSINESS LUNCHEON, WHO WOULD IT BE? Fletcher Jones, Robert Manne, Sydney Myer, David Stratton and Akio Morita. WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS MANTRA? Stack ‘em high and watch ’em fly. HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? We have a property in the Pyrenees Hills, near Avoca, which we visit every second or third weekend on average, where we enjoy reading, gardening, and pretty much doing nothing.

CERTIFICATE IV IN FRONTLINE MANAGEMENT & CUSTOMER CONTACT Program Objectives This training program is a double qualification which will provide you with the latest education & knowledge to further develop your leadership skills whilst improving your abilities to set & monitor goals & objectives, work in a team & make informed decisions. You will also be up skilled in the essentials of leading & managing a team towards providing exceptional customer service to both internal & external customers. Education Institute has identified & addressed the following key topics to ensure upon completion you will confidently be able to apply the skills & knowledge to oversee the performance of a team, day-to-day operations & customer service delivery within any range of business environments.

Session Objectives 1

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Develop Teams, Individuals, Coaching & Mentoring

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Operational Planning & Customer Service Strategies

Workplace Safety & Operational Risk Management

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Delivery Location & Duration

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Classes will be conducted at one of our many professional training facilities at a location close to your workplace and will be advised upon enrolment. You’ll attend one scheduled classroom training session between 9:30am and 4:30pm per month over six months whilst applying the knowledge and skills gained from the learning directly to the workplace and completing workplace projects. You will also be required to attend a seventh session for two hours only which is dedicated to completing off all training and assessment delivered over the past six sessions.

SMALL TALK TRUGANINA

BRANDED

THE State Government has approved a new precinct structure plan for Truganina South.

CONTIKI Holidays founder John D Anderson will front an upcoming small business professional development day hosted by Melton Shire Council this August. Held at the WestWaters Hotel and Entertainment complex in Caroline Springs, the information packed day features Mr Anderson plus workshops lead by some of Australia’s best known and loved marketing gurus. Learn more about high impact marketing and branding, delivering outstanding customer service at the event, which will run on 11 August. Tickets are $65 for the keynote speaker and morning tea, or $95 for the full day, which runs between 9am and 5pm. RSVP by 5 August to Rosa Romeo 9747 7157 or rosar@melton.vic.gov.au

The plan allows for 2500 dwellings which could accommodate up to 7000 people on a 250 hectare site bounded by Leakes Rd and Palmers Rd. It also provides for community facilities, open space, sporting facilities, a local town centre, a business centre and two schools. A developer contributions plan has been laid out that will collect $48 million for community infrastructure, including the construction of the surrounding arterial road network.

ViCLUE THREE councils in the West have joined forces with the Department of Planning and Community Development for a business profile survey on the Brooklyn and Tottenham industrial precinct. ViCLUE will find out what types of businesses are currently in Brooklyn/Tottenham, why they choose to locate there, and what issues are affecting their business. Sam Aparo from FPS.

FPS DERRIMUT company Famous Pacific Shipping has secured a new $4 million, two-year tender for Huyck Wangner Australia to handle all import and export for the Australasia region. Huyck, a Geelong-based company worth $60 million, is part of the Xerium group, which is on the US stock exchange. FPS is an overseas-based freight forwarding company and has been running in Australia for the past 17 years, with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle. FPS imports and exports worldwide, with Asia its largest market.

The project – which covers the Brimbank, Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay municipalities – will look at land use, traffic, contamination, economic development and urban design issues. Brimbank Council has engaged Meinhardt Consulting to provide a series of supporting studies for the development of a precinct plan for the next 10-30 years in the Brooklyn Industrial Precinct. The ViCLUE business survey will be utilised for the economic part of the study. The supporting studies will identify issues, constraints, opportunities and key directions and will underpin the formulation of a structure/precinct plan to guide future development in Brooklyn.

ORICA ORICA Australia has been fined nearly $6000 for breaching the terms of its EPA licence by creating a risk of chemicals leaking into stormwater. In September last year, EPA officers undertook an inspection of the company’s Laverton site and found a number of chemicals and wastes inappropriately stored, creating a risk of containers spilling and leaking into stormwater drains and into the ground. On the day officers were on site they observed seepage of waste chemicals from a 1000 litre container along with a number of other containers that had unidentified chemicals stored in a way that had potential to impact directly to ground or stormwater. As a result of the inspection, the company was served with a pollution abatement notice placing further requirements on the management of chemicals. The notice was complied with and subsequently revoked.

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visit www.westernbulldogs.com.au for further details 523185-TB30-11

BUSINESS WEST

SMALL TALK TAX

SHADOWFAX

AUSTRALIAN small business owners are bewildered by the complexity of tax reporting and stressed by the amount of paperwork involved, according to the latest American Express Tax Time Survey.

SHADOWFAX Wines has had a minirenovartion of its cellar door and appointed a new head chef.

New small business owners are more prone to worry, with 91 per cent revealing they do not have a thorough understanding of their annual tax obligations and 84 per cent admitting they are unsure about what can be claimed as a business expense. Two thirds of small business owners would have liked more advice when starting their business, with most identifying advice on tax and BAS reporting (30 per cent). American Express suggests some timesaving tips to get ahead: ■ Keep on top of receipts and records by entering them into the company’s reporting system regularly; ■ Always keep business and personal expenses separate – using a dedicated business card is an ideal way to do this;

PROPERTY A PRIVATE investor has forked out $6 million for Laverton North office and warehouse. The Boundary Rd property comprises three office/warehouse facilities on one title, featuring modern offices and high-bay warehouses/factories totalling 7020 square metres, truck marshalling areas and parking on a 20,000 square metre site. The property was sold on an eight per cent yield and the deal was handled by Savills Australia.

“

The winery now has a new bar, indoor wood fire pizza oven and casual lounge area while in the kitchen, Chau Doan is the new head chef. Mr Chau comes to Shadowfax with experience in the kitchens of some of Melbourne’s most renowned gastro-pubs including The Grand Hotel in Richmond and O’Connell’s in South Melbourne. Established in 1999, Shadowfax Wines, at the Werribee Mansion, is regarded as one of Victoria’s leading boutique wineries.

UGG THE Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign has applauded the penalties imposed on online ugg-boot trader, Marksun Australia, for falsely claiming its Ugg Boots were made in Australia.

■ Familiarise yourself with the various tax concessions and small business reporting obligations for small businesses by attending the ATO’s free national seminar program for people who are new to business; and

The Federal Court fined Marksun $430,000 for engaging in false and misleading conduct – including $100,000 for unauthorised use of the Australian Made logo – after action taken by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission uncovered that the products were made in China.

■ Speak to an accountant for their advice on the best solutions for your individual business as well as the latest regulatory and legislative changes.

“Justice Gilmour’s decision is a win for shoppers and the more than 1700 businesses registered to use the logo,” AMAG Chief Executive Ian Harrison says.

More importantly, shoppers have the right to know where the products they buy come from...

“The Australian Made logo is in fact a certification trademark which means businesses must follow strict rules when using it. “More importantly, shoppers have the right to know where the products they buy come from. “Marksun showed complete disregard for both these points.”

Attention business people of Hobsons Bay! The next Hobsons Bay Business Connections event will be held on Thursday the 25th of August. Don’t miss out on a fantastic opportunity to network and learn from key business speakers. RSVP: Vicki Lauder 0437 887 720 Email office.sos@bigpond.com.au Location: The Substation, 1 Market Place Newport Time: 6-9pm 523195-TB28-11 BUSINESS WEST

STRATEGIES

HOW SAFE IS YOUR

BUSiNESS? COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARKS AND SMEs IN the first of a special two-part series, CHARLES CIACCO discusses the importance of intellectual property to business. Copyright and trademarks are fundamental intellectual property law rights – they are important considerations for all businesses, particularly for SMEs. Despite our ever increasing knowledgedriven economy, for many small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in Australia, intellectual property (IP) considerations are often overlooked. Unfortunately, the importance of IP protection is often realised when it is too late, such as after the sale/ purchase of a business, or when an exemployee is employed or sets up business elsewhere. IP law is basically concerned with protecting intellectual creativity through legally recognised and enforceable proprietary knowledge rights. The main types of IP are: COPYRIGHT: protection for original material in literary, artistic, dramatic/musical works, films, broadcasts, multimedia/computer programs; TRADEMARKS: protection for letters/ words/phrases/logos/pictures/packaging aspects (single or combined) which distinguish goods/services of one business from another; DESIGNS: protection for shape/appearance of manufactured goods; PATENTS: protection for new or improved

products/services;

CONFIDENTIALITY/TRADE SECRETS: protection for confidential/know-how/ proprietary information;

CIRCUIT LAYOUT RIGHTS: protection for 3-dimensionally configured electronic circuits in integrated products/layout designs; and PLANT BREEDER’S RIGHTS: protection for new plant varieties.

At the outset, one could be forgiven for assuming that most people would (or at least ought to) be aware of some of the abovementioned types of IP. For example, confidentiality/trade secrets obligations are almost standard clauses in many employment contracts. Also, anyone who has been involved in a business franchise operation would be aware of the importance placed by franchisors on trademark and copyright protection. Further, anyone who has retained the services of an architect or engineer, or anyone who has been involved in manufacturing or in the fashion industry, would be aware of the protection placed upon designs by their creators.

Even at a basic consumer level, it would be impossible not to notice the constant themed marketing and advertising campaigns by large and/or multinational businesses, devoted to protecting and preserving an established business brand and reputation. Countless examples in recent times surely come to mind, with products as diverse as fast foods; confectionary; soft

drinks; wines and footwear, just to mention a few. And what about references to a patent identification number (or “patent pending”) on unique equipment and tools? (In my back yard shed I have some old tools from my late father with the manufacturer’s “patent pending” reference etched thereon). Despite such apparent widespread usage of IP, many SME operators appear to be oblivious when it comes to the application of IP for their respective businesses. In fact, according to the Sensis Small Business Index conducted as recent as 2009, around 31pc of small business proprietors were unaware of their business’ intellectual property aspects. When it comes a business’s overall IP branding (ie: its marketing identification/ image) a combination of trademark, copyright and designs considerations would need to be taken into account. A registered State/Territory business name (including a company name) does not afford any IP branding protection to the holder. A considerable number of SME operators unfortunately still wrongly assume that a relatively inexpensive registered business name (or a name of a registered company) is sufficient to prevent any competitor, nationally or abroad, from using similar branding. Expensive legal correspondence and court action from the real holder of the relevant IP rights will quickly prove the contrary. NEXT ISSUE: IP is not just for the big end of town.

CHARLES GIACCO Lecturer Law, Faculty of Business and Law Victoria University Charles Giacco is Lecturer in Contracts, Commercial Law and Torts with Victoria Law School, Victoria University, and a legal practitioner admitted to practice in Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory. He holds degrees in Law and Arts (Monash), together with a Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (VicMelb). Charles’ professional memberships include the Law Institute of Victoria and the Law Council of Australia. 1.07 LTO City-Queen Campus Phone 9919 6178 Fax 9919 1840 Email charles.giacco@vu.edu.au Web www.vu.edu.au/buslaw

BUSINESS WEST

STRATEGIES

THE TRICK TO LIVING… AND WORKING TOGETHER

TWO’S COMPANY

Business life can be a pressure cooker. Now add your partner to the scenario. The heat is up even further when you work with your husband, wife or life partner. Emotional charge can be palpable and if not handled or well managed can be a significant success or failure factor. CORPORATE REFUGEE INFLUX

DO YOU ACCEPT YOUR DIFFERENCES?

In the last 12–18 months global and financial conditions have created an opportunity for many business folk to rethink their values and how they generate their income. The number of couples working together is on the increase as the magnet of a better lifestyle with the appearance of less pressure attracts them and they jump ship from corporate life (or in some cases are pushed).

Respecting difference is key. It can also be hard to do. For instance, you may speak at a different pace to your partner or one of you may be more ‘technical’ and the other more ‘people’ oriented. Try harder to embrace this difference - then work with it. When you argue or disagree forgive each other to make moving on easier.

YES DEAR

Who is specifically responsible for what in your business? While you know you need boundaries –are they clear? Who is expert in what area? Where there’s overlap – are your people confused about who to come to for decisions? If so, spend some time cleaning up the boundaries.

If you start to look, you’ll find couples (just like you) working together in many settings. For example franchises and or cafes are very often owned and run by couples. Another place is medium sized family business where members bring in their spouses as business grows. If you ever feel you’re in a pressure cooker here are some questions to ask yourself that may offer relief. HOW CLEAR’S THE VISION? Are you crystal clear on what you’re aiming for together? What does success mean to each of you? What does a good relationship mean to each of you? What do you really want from this arrangement? Are your plans clear, simple and discussed? HOW’S THE MOTIVATION? Rate your energy levels for your work on a scale of 1–10. Anything below a 7 and you’ll be reluctant to apply consistent energy and enthusiasm to the activity. Inspect how you got there. Re-model things so you’re investing time and energy in what you’re good at and enjoy. Being willing to stop and evaluate what you’re doing with honesty; then re-aligning your will to skill is key to motivation!

WHO DOES WHAT?

SCHEDULING TIME OUT Is time for you in the schedule? Is couple time scheduled? When is the next off-site planned to work on the business? Is there a family break planned? (Even a mini one?) Feedback from our ‘Couples’ and ‘Same Page’ retreats is that the simple idea of ‘scheduling time away’ is powerful and that off-sites open up a whole new world of clarity, alignment and harmony. ARE WE HAVING FUN YET? Do you plan to? Whether it’s a date night, a trip to Vanuatu, taking in some local art, salsa dancing, doing a soup kitchen run together or having friends around for a laugh and a bite. Whatever you enjoy doing, plan to do it more often. Life is too short and at the end of the day, if you can’t have fun together anymore, and you got into the business together for lifestyle reasons - it’s time to retreat and review.

TANYA LACY shares valuable insight from the Intercept Experience. The Intercept Couples Experience - ‘love working with those you love’ - is an efficient, confidential and affordable program for willing and open couples to quickly develop a new level of personal best for themselves, their business model and lifestyle. Tanya grew up and lives in the West. Twitter.com/intercept www.interceptexperience. com tlacy@ interceptexperience.com Phone 9397 4697

BUSINESS WEST

Cash Flow Management

A BUSiNESS WEST PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

CASH IN THE BANK LIKE the blood that runs through our veins, cash to a business plays a similar critical role.

Until you receive payment, your client is benefiting from your product or services interest free.

How does a successful small to medium enterprise (SME) avoid the pitfalls of ambitious growth?

The longer it takes to collect, the more cash resources your business requires to run without the offsetting inflow.

Many successful, growing businesses have come undone, not because of poor products, services and market placement but due to a shortfall in cash resources.

Minimise that free loan you provide your clients by lowering your average debtor days.

There are many techniques to improve your cash at bank, below are just two to consider for your business.

Christopher Catto – Director of Putney Breeze Business Advisors 1 QUICK WINS Quick wins can be gained through the active management of trade receivables. Think of your trade debtor’s balance as a loan to your clients.

How you manage your payments to suppliers will also have a significant impact on your cash position. Negotiating suitable payment terms and discounts from your suppliers large and small is a must. Clever engineering of your payables and receivables can greatly improve your cash at bank. 2 INVENTORY, WORK IN PROGRESS AND STAFF UTILISATION When analysing a set of accounts and comparing year on year performance, the percentage of stock, raw material inventory and work in progress held in your business compared to sales turnover provides a great indication of your business health. Think of stock, raw material inventory and working progress as cash on your shop floor, that you need to convert into sales. Each business has an optimal level that must be maintained to service the market needs. However, be aware that the higher your level of stock, raw material inventory and work in

progress, the more cash that is required to run your business and the higher your risk of loss. How you remedy this is to identify slow moving stock, and ensure that you cater for your sales forecast as efficiently as possible. Service based businesses whether it is electrical services or architecture, need to understand the effective utilisation rates of their staff. How utilisation compares back to the charge out rates will determine your effective margin. All too often fast growing services based businesses increase their fixed costs disproportionately to the actual growth of their business. Don’t fall into the trap of managing your business from your bank statement. You need to understand which products and services are making you money, and which are absorbing cash resources unnecessarily. The information on your product and service margins becomes even more valuable if and when the economy slows down. This product information can be the difference between good and bad decisions and the long term viability of your business. Information supplied by Putney Breeze. Give Putney Breeze a call on 9395 1118 or email contact@putneybreeze.com.au

Putney Breeze is here to improve your cash at bank by implementing techniques refined in leading global organisations. Get clarity on your cost structures and increase the profitability of your products, projects or service contracts through Putney Breeze. Let Putney Breeze help you take the business in the direction you want; whether that is growth, consolidation or preparation for sale.

focused on financial performance. Tel. 03 9395 1118

Email. contact@putneybreeze.com.au

www.putneybreeze.com.au

523198-MD30-11

BUSINESS WEST

Tax Returns

A BUSiNESS WEST PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

GETTING THE BEST TAX RESULT steer you down a path that will provide you with the most tax effective outcome without exposing you to any unacceptable risk. Sometimes a path taken previously with no perceived risk, is now affected by new laws or the ATOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new stance.

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S that time of year again. In preparing documents for 2011 Tax Returns, businesses and investors should consider a number of issues if they wish to maximise tax refunds or minimise their tax payable. What can appear to be relatively straightforward tax issue, can hide a complex situation that requires the interpretation and application of legislation to your particular facts.

â&#x2013; Prepayments (eg Workers compensation) â&#x2013; Shareholder Loans â&#x2013; Small Business Entities (SBE) â&#x2013; Small Business Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Concessions â&#x2013; Superannuation â&#x2013; Trading stock

So whether a sole trader, partnership, company or trust, you will need to provide and the following (where relevant):

â&#x2013; Timing of Income

â&#x2013; Documentation

TAX AUDITS

â&#x2013; Bank reconciliations

The ATO is continuing to devote more and more resources to Tax Audits.

â&#x2013; Ledger (can be sent electronically for convenience) â&#x2013; Bank statement showing 30 June balance â&#x2013; Debtors and creditors listings â&#x2013; Inventory list â&#x2013; Loan statements

WHK has a checklist outlining all of the above issues as they may impact on your business so call to obtain a copy.

This highlights the importance of keeping all relevant documentation to substantiate claims. If these documents are not available, claims will be disallowed and penalty tax and interest may be imposed.

â&#x2013; Motor vehicle expenditure (including log books) In preparing your tax return tax our experts will consider such issues as:

Recent law changes and court cases have changed the accepted interpretation of the tax legislation and further complicated the situation.

â&#x2013; Bad debts

As Accountants, the challenge for us is to

â&#x2013; Personal Services Income (PSI)

â&#x2013; Shares â&#x2013; Non-commercial loss provisions

Peter Mayall, Principal, Accounting & Business Advisory, WHK Werribee office 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

better advice for a better life Expert tax advice for the best result

L1, 18 Synnot Street Werribee Vic 3030 T: 9742 8444 werribee@whk.com.au

www.whk.com.au

Our expert advisers can help you to maximise your tax refund and minimise your tax payments. So prepare your paperwork and make an appointment to have your tax return prepared by our local experts. Personal Income and Business & Investor Tax Checklists are available upon request.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation other than for the acts !"# 418031-SH28-11

BUSINESS WEST

Commercial Real Estate SUNSHINE

A BUSiNESS WEST PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

For Sale - 30 Spencer Street, Sunshine ■ Partitioned air conditioned offices: 250m² (approx.) ■ Clearspan warehouse: 2,059m² (approx.) ■ Dual roller shutter doors

523193-MD30-11

MODERN HIGH CLEARANCE WAREHOUSE – 2,309m2

■ 2 street frontages ■ Ample onsite carparking

Contact: David Norman 0418 545 511/dnorman@savills.com.au Level 25, 140 William Street, Melbourne

BROOKLYN

LARGE CONTAINER RATED HARDSTAND – DON’T MISS THIS ■ Ideal transport facility with total building area of 3,355m² (approx.) ■ Total site area of 23,900m² (approx.) ■ Container rated hardstand ■ Canopy and drive round access

523183-MD30-11

For Sale - 525 Geelong Road, Brooklyn

■ Ideal inner western location within 8km (approx.) of the Port Contact: Greg Jensz 0418 568 109/gjensz@savills.com.au Level 25, 140 William Street, Melbourne

BUSINESS WEST The Commercial Real Estate page is designed to bring you commercial properties available for lease or buy throughout the Western Region of Melbourne.

201130003-MC30-11

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to advertise your commercial property to the business world of the West, call Charles now on 9933 4800.

BUSINESS WEST

OUT OF HOURS

Guest speaker Robert Keogh tells the Western Region Business Club function at the Yarraville Club how Sunshine firm William Loud won the contract to resurface the Australia open courts. The WRBC is sponsored by Collins&Co, NAB and Business West.

WESTERN REGION BUSINESS CLUB 4

1. Bradley Debt Management principal Peter Bradley, left, Foresite Client Services manager George Tsetinis, centre, and Collins&Co’s Mark Ducret. 2. Alison Herbst, owner of Gourmet on Gamon, and Maribyrnong Makers’ Group treasurer Carmel Kozolup. 3. Josephine Maloney, from NAB West Footscray, with Jimmy Tan, chief financial officer HRANZ. 4. Collins&Co partner Steve White and Minuteman Press director Ed McDonnell.

Pictures: NICOLE SULTANA

BUSINESS WEST

OUT OF HOURS 1

COMMITTEE FOR WYNDHAM LUNCH 1. From left: Deputy chair Committee for Wyndham John Nicol, Commonwealth Bank senior economist Michael Workman, CfW executive director Nik Tsardakis, and the Commonwealth’s regional manager Richard Nightingale. 2. Who’s zoo… From the Werrribee Open Range Zoo Nola Hudson, left, director Sally Lewis, centre, and Robyn Mullin. 3. From the left, Wyndham Council’s Bruce Hunter, Bill Forrest and Steve Lambert. 4. Westpac’s Karl McWilliam with Wyndham Harbour duo Sudha Pon, centre, and Rhonda Hirst. Pictures: NICOLE SULTANA

MELBOURNE’S SERVICE BUSINESS NETWORKERS EVENT

1. General manager Legal Essentials Scott Amberly with Sophie Trpcevski, director of the G Spot, centre, and Doreen Schwegler, founder and practitioner at All Degrees of Health 2. Health Quest Wellbeing’s Cathryn Murdoch, left, Rodger Morgan from Currency Communications, and Josephine Rullo, from Extraordinary Receptionist Training 3. MSBN host Nina Eason, from Eason Business Services, welcomes guests to the networking event. Pictures: NICOLE SULTANA

BUSINESS WEST

OUT OF HOURS BRIMBANK COUNCIL BUSINESS USINESS BREAKFAST Marathon man Tristan Miller 1

FANCY running 52 marathons in 52 weeks? That’s exactly what Tristan Miller did and he told guests at the Brimbank Council Business Breakfast about his ordeal – and triumphs. 5

1. Denis O’Brien, managing director O’Brien Electrical Services, and CaS Personnel director Sarah Porter. 2. From left, Nicole Meister of Meister Graphics, Yanina Dutka and Vesna Micevski from Adhoma Business Solutions, and Linda Tran, Westgate Community Initiatives Group’s marketing co-ordinator. 3. Stephen Sully, Brimbank Council’s director of development catches up with Sebastian Agricola from the St Albans Traders’ Association. 4. Brimbank administrator Meredith Sussex welcomes breakfast guests. 5. Jacqueline Cutajar from Mavigate Coaching, left, with Tracy the Placement People’s Marlene Cassar and Mario Vella. Pictures: JOE MASTROIANNI

BUSINESS WEST

BW NETWORK Business West Network â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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. THE MELBOURNE METHOD PO Box 12141, Melbourne 9398 8745 www.melbournemethod.com.au The Melbourne Method is a provider of high quality writing, editing and job application services. I take great pride in the speed and professionalism of my work.

LEADING EDGE ACCOUNTING Suite 16A - 82 Keilor Rd, Essendon North 9379 6459 Accounting advice in language you will understand. Servicing small to medium businesses. Specialising in accounting for trades, retail and service industries, starting or buying a business and investment properties.

THE WEIGHT WORKS 25 Fastnet Drive, Taylors Lakes 9449 7047 www.theweightworks.com.au The Weight Works provides one on one support, education and motivation for men and women in their quest for weight reduction using real foods!

PROMINENS PTY LTD PO Box 457, Yarraville 8618 6820 www.prominens.com.au Prominens provides part time and at call financial controller services to small and mid size businesses.

VAUGHAN CONSTRUCTIONS 103 Pelham St, Carlton South 9347 2611 www.vaughans.com.au Vaughan Constructions have over 55-years history in construction and development of industrial, retail and commercial facilities. Recognised industry leaders in cost effective design and construction solutions.

XANGO AUSTRALIA PO Box 471, Altona 9315 9118 www.thequeenofthefruits.com Looking for a way to make extra income? Want to start an exciting new career? Do you have a desire to help others? Start a XanGo business today.

INSYNC RESEARCH PO Box 235, Melton 9746 9317 insyncresearch.com.au Insync research is a boutique social and market research consultancy. Founded by Benjamin Ognjanov, an experienced market and social researcher, Insync research provides clients with insightful affordable market research services. MEDINA FINANCIAL & PARA-LEGAL SERVICES 23 The Circle, Altona North 9327 3997 www.medinafinancial.com.au Medina Financial & Para-Legal Services provides professional services for all your home loans and conveyancing needs. Whether you are selling-buying or borrowing-refinancing we can help.

MW2 CONSULTING AND TRAINING PTY LTD PO Box 540, Newport 9399 8399 www.yourhomeaway.com.au Operating a B&B and a self contained apartment. Have been operating in Williamstown for the past 10 years. Four star property with reasonable clientele and repeat business. BRIMBANK REAL ESTATE 1 Grackle Cres, Williams Landing 9931 1881 www.brimbankrealestate.net.au Licensed estate agency dealing with sales and rentals of residential, commercial, industrial and rural properties. Contact Domenic Cichello for specialist services in englobo land marketing and sales. SGW VIRTUAL SOLUTIONS PO box 2265, Taylors Lakes 0439 388 842 www.sgwvirtualsolutions.hopout.com.au SGW Virtual Solutions provide complete virtual assistance to meet your business and individual needs, allowing you to free up your workload.

RI ADVICE/RETIREINVEST 85 Unitt St, Melton 9746 7643 A local financial planning company specialising in: Retirement planning/pensions, redundancy advice, superannuation/rollovers, wealth creation, risk insurance, helping you to achieve your financial and lifestyle goals. TRACY THE PLACEMENT PEOPLE Suite 2 & 5, 399 Melton Hwy, Watergardens 9217 9800 www.tracys.com.au We are a one-stop-shop for all your recruitment needs. We are a Job Service Australia Provider; registered training organisation and fee for service (Private recruitment). JUNGLE JIM DOCUMENTARY PICTURES Level 1, 142 Victoria St, Seddon 0414 833 012 www.junglejim.com.au We provides professional photography services including corporate, commercial and events. Operating across Melbourne and located in a studio at Seddon. Founding company of the Free Photography Project, reframing lives.

NEED BOXES? CALL TODAY 9310 1972 34

BUSINESS WEST

531553-MD30-11

JOINED FORCES HR COACHING & CONSULTING Suite 3/233 Cardigan St, Carlton 0448 104 172 www.joined.forces@com.au Joined Forces HR Coaching & Consulting works with owners to help them achieve their business goals by connecting their systems and their people to the business strategy.

BW NETWORK CMP FINANCIAL PLANNING Office 2, 21 Gladstone St, Moonee Ponds 9372 7955 www.cmpfinancialplanning.com.au I provide my clients with a financial road map that prepares them for the future and creates substantially more wealth for them in the long term.

EFTA PTY LTD/ XQUISITE DESIGN FURNITURE Unit 3/11 Elgar Rd, Derrimut 8348 5688 www.xquisitedesignfurniture.com.au Our business started in 2004, All our product is imported. We supply wholesale and we do retail as well. Our range of products varies from lounge suite, bedding, dining set, outdoor, etc.

AUSTRALASIAN CONSULTING PHILOSOPHERS 101 Power St, Williamstown 0438 356 145 www.australasianconsultingphilosophers. com.au Australasian Consulting Philosophers provide personal counselling and life-coaching services. We are also general consultants for logical, grounded and ethical problem solving to business, government departments, governments and organisations.

WEB.D3 PO Box 6167, Point Cook 9012 7566 www.webd3.com.au Web.d3 is a website development and design agency that specialises in helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) maximise their online presence and generate real results for their business. VECCI 20 Little Ryrie St, Geelong 5227 7990 www.vecci.org.au VECCI is Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most influential voice for business. We support business by providing first-class business services including training courses, briefings and events, industrial relations support and assistance. PGA LINKS 600 Thompson Rd, Sandhurst 0418 396 944 www.sanctuarylakesclub.com.au A fantastic facility for golf, corporate and private events as well as general dining and family outings. MORTGAGE CHOICE 78 Pier St, Altona 9398 1390 www.mortgagechoice.com.au/ vincent.camilleri Mortgage Choice organises home loans, car and equipment finance, loan protection insurance and general insurance.

CRS AUSTRALIA Level 49 The Tower 360 Elizabeth St, Melbourne 8206 0803 www.crsaustralia.gov.au CRS Australia is the leading provider of candidates for job vacancies - with no placement fees!. Injury prevention and injury management services. 170 offices Australia wide. INSURANCE ADVISERNET AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 290 High St, Melton, Victoria 8746 5860 Professional general insurance brokers providing a wide range of insurance products including liability, strata, business, professional indemnity, trades, landlords, commercial motor, marine, farm, etc. through leading insurers. INTOIMAGES PO Box 264, Pascoe Vale South 8300 6454 www.intoimages.com.au Intoimages is interested in making a difference to your business through effective design and communication.

YTELCO PTY LTD Unit 3, 43 Cathcart St, Maidstone 1300 853 472 www.ytel.com.au Full service telecommunications provider offering tailored packages to the SME sector. Services include, fixed wire, mobile, internet, VOIP and inbound call services. Complimentary audit of your existing services available. LANDINGEAR PTY LTD 1/241 Kororoit Creek Rd, Williamstown 9397 7191 www.landingear.com.au Landingear promotional clothing and casual work wear. In-house embroidery, screen and digital printing for business. Friendly and prompt service. THEMESKI BUILDING DESIGN & DRAFTING SERVICES 9 Gossamer St, Werribee 0411 200 694 Themeski provides design, town planning and building permit drawings for residential and commercial properties. All areas from the coast to the city. LASCARIS DESIGNS PTY LTD Fty 19 86-90 Pipe Rd, Laverton North 8360 9333 www.lascarisdesigns.com.au Small to medium size building company that has been in the West for 25 years. We are currently designing houses, units, apartments, offices and warehousing projects all over Melbourne. BARESKIN BODY BAR Level 3, 13-15 Lake St, Caroline Springs 8361 7829/0416 006 056 Dermal Skin Clinic offering paramedical skin treatments using medical grade equipment. We specialise in skin health and power treatments. WM LOUD (AUST) PTY LTD 15-17 Second Ave , Sunshine 9364 9199 www.wmloud.com.au Specialists in civil construction and synthetic sports surfacing. Asphalt carparks, sports courts etc. Plexipave tennis/netball surfaces and Polyflex softfall rubber safety surfaces. Official surface supplier for the Australian Open Tennis.

NEED BOXES? EMAIL: SALES@BOXESTOGO.COM.AU BUSINESS WEST

531552-MD30-11

WYNDHAM LEISURE & EVENTS CENTRE 80 Derrimut Rd, Hoppers Crossing 0402 433 628 www.wyndhamlec.com.au WEC is a quality venue that can cater to all your needs. It is the perfect venue for your next meeting, conference or function. Distinctive in design and and versatile in its spaces.

BW NETWORK

MORTGAGE CHOICE 1/58 Old Geelong Rd, Hoppers Crossing 97487999 www.mortgagechoice.com.au/ hopperscrossing2 Mortgage Choice in Hoppers Crossing will assist you in securing a suitable home or investment loan which will be simple and stress free. SMALL BUSINESS MENTORING SERVICE (SBMS) INC 5/303 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood 9879 4476 www.sbms.org.au SBMS is an independent NFP supported by Small Business Victoria to deliver low cost high quality mentoring services to the micro and small business sector. BASE 11 BUILDING DESIGNS 9 Gossamer St, Werribee 9734 1918 www.base11bd.com.au Base 11 Building Designs specialise in building design, town planning, working drawings, drafting services, commercial/retail, residential, multi-unit development and extensions/ renovations. ECLIPSE TAX ACCOUNTANTS 127 Penrose Promenade, Tarneit 0421 111 759 We prepare individual tax return, company tax returns, partnership tax returns and trusts tax returns. GALLIVAN, MAGEE & ASSOCIATES PTY LTD 66 Stevedore St, Williamstown 9397 3200 www.gallivanmagee.com.au/ We are a Williamstown based insurance broking firm that has been established for 17 years. We specialise in the commercial and corporate sector and make a real difference.

LEGO GROCERY 5 Robinia Grove, Werribee 0433 990 882 We sell all kinds of Asian food. CALEDONIA KILT HIRE PO Box 426, Melton 9743 0607 www.caledoniakilthire.com Home-based business specialising in Scottish kilt rental targetting weddings. Able to have kilts made to measure. Bagpiper also available. STORAGE KING MELTON Cnr High Street & Reserve Rd, Melton 9746 7788 www.meltonselfstorage.com.au/ Storage King Melton offers a safe and secure environment for all your belongings. Experienced staff offering expert storage advice. Merchandise of boxes and bubble wrap available. FLEXIBLE DRIVE AGENCIES PTY LTD 86 Stubbs St, Kensington 9381 9200 www.fdrive.com.au Manufacturer and distributor of slim line water tanks, control cables, instruments, wiper systems and vibration control, and load restraint products for auto, marine and industrial. Branches in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth. MAGNITUDE ELECTRO-TECH SERVICES 4/289 Francis St, Yarraville 0423 534 923 www.magnitudeservices.com.au PC repairs,upgrades, data backup and recovery, virus protection and removal. Electrical appliance safety testing and tagging for OH&S compliance. SADLER LANDSCAPING PTY LTD & SADLERS NURSERY 376-378 Kororoit Creek Rd, Tarneit 9397 3339 www.sadlerlandscaping.com.au Andrew and Michelle Sadler provide domestic and commercial landscaping, decking, paving and gardens. We now also have a beautiful retail nursery in Williamstown which we have completely refurbished.

AMAWIND APARTMENTS PO Box 642, Williamstown 9397 4147 www.amawind.com Amawind Apartments operating in Williamstown for eight years with a differing product in the accommodation market place; offering choice/ variety to local business and leisure travelling clientele in self contained accommodation. GEEKS ON CALL 28 Commercial Rd, Footscray 0403 777 701 www.geeksoncall.com.au If you need help with computer repairs or troubleshooting with a quick response rate, excellent service, friendly advice and value for money, Geeks on Call is the perfect choice. GREEN HIP 2 Romawi St, Altona 0424 292 920 Green hip is comfy, stylish and affordable workwear designed for women working outdoors. Designed by a woman to fit women! Now there’s no need to wear men’s workwear anymore. ADD VALUE AUSTRALIA PO Box 4013, Hoppers Crossing 9731 0688 Advice guaranteed to get results, or it’s free! Not just an accounting firm, but financial and business strategists for higher income families. When you’re ready to succeed. HARWOOD ANDREWS LAWYERS PO Box 101, Geelong 5226 8580 Harwood Andrews Lawyers is one of Victoria’s leading law firms, with a long standing record of providing specialised legal services to businesses, statutory authorities, successful family groups and individuals. WISE EMPLOYMENT - ST ALBANS BRANCH 329 Main Rd West, St Albans 8329 8881 WISE Employment is one of Australia’s most successful employment services. We support job seekers into employment and offer cost free recruitment services to local businesses.

NEED BOXES? CALL TODAY 9310 1972 36

BUSINESS WEST

531551-MD30-11

EXTRAORDINARY RECEPTIONIST TRAINING PO Box 279, Niddrie 0418 999 375 www.ertworkshops.com.au We are about giving the trainee the tools to develop traditional receptionist skills required by employers. Our training develops confidence, enthusiasm and a positive attitude.

FFOR OR YOUR DIARY

AUGUST Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

10 11 12 13 14

Tax basics seminar Melton Shire Council, 232 High Street, Melton. 9.30am-12.30pm. Free. Call 13 22 15 to book.

Victoria’s Small Business Festival – Joined Forces, seminar 1 The Brook, 215 Sneydes Rd, Point Cook. 6pm7.30pm. Call Viriginia 0448 104 172 to book.

Melton Small Business Professional Development Day Westwaters Hotel And Ent Complex, 20 Lake St, Caroline Springs. 9am5pm. $65 half day, $95 full day. Call Rosa Romeo 9747 7157 to book.

Victoria’s Small Business Festival – Joined Forces, seminar 2 The Brook, 215 Sneydes Rd, Point Cook. 6pm7.30pm. Call Viriginia 0448 104 172 to book.

Record Keeping Workshop Council Chamber, Wyndham City Civic Centre, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee. 5pm8.30pm. Free. Call 1300 661 104 to book.

Business Deductions Essentials Seminar Council Chamber, Wyndham City Civic Centre, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee. 6pm-8pm. Free. Call 1300 661 104 to book.

Hobsons Bay Business Connections networking event 6pm-9pm. Call Luke Day 0407 167 226 to book.

Sunday

Westgate Calder Business Forum Medway Golf Club, 57 Omar St, Maidstone. 6pm-8pm. Call 0403 074 713 to book.

Saturday

Tax basics seminar Function Room 1, Wyndham City Civic Centre, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee. 5pm-8pm. Free. Call 1300 661 104 to book. Wyndham BizNet monthly meeting Werribee Football Club Rooms, Chirnside Park, Watton St, Werribee. 6.30pm-9.30pm. $35 members, $45 nonmembers. Call 0418 533 806 to book. Basics to profitability, cashflow and financial statements Function Room 1, Wyndham City Civic Centre, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee. 6pm-8pm. Free. Call Catherine Johnston on 0459 069 162 to book.

Friday

Star Women in Business Awards Overnewton Castle, Overnewton Rd, Keilor. 6.30pm-10pm. WIB members $60, nonmembers $75. RSVP: www.womeninbusiness. org.au by 5 August.

Wyndham Business Awards Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre, 80 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing. 7pm-midnight. $85. Call Cris Dimovska on 9742 0901 to book.

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Record keeping for business workshop Caroline Springs Library, 193-201 Caroline Springs Blvd, Caroline Springs. 1pm-4.30pm. Free. Call 13 22 15 to book.

Business growth and profitability Function Room 4, 5 & 6, Wyndham City Civic Centre, 45 Princes Hwy, Werribee. 6pm-8pm. Free. Call Catherine Johnston on 0459 069 162 to book. Business Planning seminar Function Room 4,5 & 6, Wyndham City Civic Centre, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee. 6pm-9pm. Free. Call Catherine Johnston on 0459 069 162 to book.

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JULY

26th: QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE WORKSHOP. Function Room 1,2&3, Wyndham City Civic Centre, 45 Princes Highway Highway, Werribee Werribee. 6pm 6pm-9pm. 9pm Free. Free Call Catherine Johnston on 0459 069 162 to book. 27th: WOMEN IN BUSINESS SPEED NETWORKING. Pound Café, Whitten Oval, Barkly St, West Footscray. 7pm-8.30pm. $20 WiB members, $30 non-members. Visit the Women in Business website to register your attendance and purchase your tickets.

www.leadwest.com.au

The Calendar is brought to you by... info@leadwest.com.au 523181-MD30-11

BUSINESS WEST

BUSiNESS SERVICES IT SERVICES

CLEANING SOLUTIONS

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

SECRETARIAL SERVICES

For all your cleaning products Supplier of: Paper Products and Chemicals • Toilet paper • Jumbo rolls • Paper hand towels • Hand soaps • Disinfectants • Floor cleaners • And more 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

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

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.

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

DEBT RECOVERY

491325-KS06-11

MARKETING

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

EVENT MANAGEMENT

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!

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

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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

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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

491324-KS06-11

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

491323-JF5-11

PACKAGING

503916-TB06-11

Ph: 1300 858 610 ‘Servicing the local business community’

EVENTS MANAGEMENT

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

BUSINESS SUPPORT

418009-SH18-11

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

SMART MARKETING 491348-SH12-11

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

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

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

IT SERVICES

DESIGN, PRINT & WEB SOLUTIONS

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

BUSINESS WEST

418013-MD24-11

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

510851-SH12-11

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

C510857-SH12-11

alltasksIT 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.

BUSiNESS SERVICES HEALTH & MOBILITY

TRAINING

CONFERENCE VENUE

The right face for your business

Complete Comfort • 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

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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

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Phone 9741 8507

www.gcc.net.au

21 Comben Drive, Werribee 3030

LINE MARKING NE MARK K’S LI I C I • Car Parks • Arrows • Safety Lines NG M • Numbering • Bollards 24 HOURS 7 DAYS A WEEK

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

ALL AREAS 5 Lawn Cres Braybrook 3019

BUSINESS ADVISOR

What’s the Platinum difference? 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.

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

CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING VENUE

LEGAL

BATHROOMS

897137-MD12-11

523182-MD30-11

523189-MD30-11

Business Wills | Wills & Probate Estate Adminstration | Home Visits www.legalessentials.com.au 9326 2627

C882415-JL5-11

Ascet Tafe 96608900 info@ascet.edu.au

FERTILITY CONCERNS? Natural Fertility Specialist Doreen Schwegler and the team at All Degrees of Health have been helping couples have healthy babies for over 20 years. We can help with: *Miscarriage *IVF support *Pre-conception and Pregnancy care *Sex selection *Natural Contraception We offer: Acupuncture, Naturopathy, Nutrition & Weight loss, Osteopathy, Therapeutic Massage, Personal Training, Yoga and Meditation classes! For free info pack call 93310951 or email admin@alldegreesofhealth.com.au All Degrees of Health 294 Buckley St Essendon

For a reliable, professional and flexible part time Financial Controller service that adds value to your business call Peter McLean at Prominens on Ph 8618 6820

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

Telephone 9369 4930 Facsimile 9369 0486 Office 3, 6 Neville Avenue Laverton Vic 3028

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER SERVICES

Melbourne’s Raw Materials – The Studio is a state of the art demonstration kitchen studio and events space that can be used for corporate functions, team building, filming, cooking classes, product launches or intimate special events for up to 120 people.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Call us, tell us your needs, and let us work for you.

HEALTH & FITNESS 510885-SH24-11

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

523175-SH24-11

• Computer Cut Lettering • Safety Signs MICK SCOTT Mob: 0408 999 643 Ph/Fax: (03) 9318 4942

SCREEN & DIGITAL PRINTING | COMPUTER CUT VINYL SIGNAGE | DYE SUBLIMATION IMAGE TRANSFER

PERSONNEL SERVICES

418012-SH22-11

PRINTING

For more details, please see the website on www.studiorawmaterials.com.au or contact the studio manager Robert Monteau on 0410 618 165

03 5226 2121

510867-JF18-11

“In 26 years this is the most detailed reporting we have had and it has helped improve our business” – Bruce Robertson, Kingfisher International

PROMINENS www.prominens.com.au

Don’t keep BUSiNESS WEST a secret… from your friends Share the success of the West’s own business magazine with your business colleagues.

After all, isn’t that what friends are for?

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

Business West August 2011 back page.ai 1 10/07/11 9:33:22 PM

Slim. Fast. Smart. Samsung Galaxy SII

3 MONTHS

FREE1

3 Months Free1 of Mobile Access Fees

OF ACCESS FEES!

on any new mobile* connection. Plus combine your Mobile and Ofﬁce Phones and enjoy an additional 1 Month Free1 of mobile access fees.

Upfront on the $69 Smart Biz Mobile Cap plan. $7002 worth of Monthly Included Value, 1.5GB3 of GPRS (Mobile) Data.

24 month agreement. Total minimum cost $14497.

AVAILABLE AUGUST 1 PRE-ORDER NOW

3 MONTHS

LG Optimus ME

FREE1 OF ACCESS FEES!

3 MONTHS

FREE1 OF ACCESS FEES!

Upfrontt

Upfront on the $49 Smart Biz Mobile Cap plan. $5002 worth of Monthly Included Value, 1GB3 of GPRS (Mobile) Data.

on the $29 Smart BIZ Mobile Cap plan. lan. $1502 worth of Monthly Included ncluded Value, V 3 200MB of GPRS (Mobile) e) Data.

24 month agreement. Total minimum cost $10297.

24 month agreement. Total minimum cost $6097.

Call 9217 6000 today! Want a guarantee on your mobile coverage? At Commander we are proud of our supplier mobile network coverage, that’s why we are happy to offer you a guarantee on your Commander mobile service. Conditions apply, for full details visit www.commander.com/coverage-guarantee.

customers. *Excludes Mobile Fleet plans. 1. Enjoy three (3) months free of Mobile access fees when signing a new 24-month agreement. Enjoy an additional one (1) month free Mobile access when combining your Mobile and Fixed Line on the same account. Once off offer credits will be applied from your 2nd invoice. Offer applies to eligible mobile plans including a) Business First Classic plans b) Smart Biz Mobile Cap plans or c) Smart Biz BlackBerry Cap plans. Offer applies to eligible Fixed Line plans including a) Smart Biz plans or b) Business First Ofﬁce plans. For plan details including call rates visit www.commander.com/3-months-free. 2. Calls included in the Monthly Included Value are standard voice calls within Australia to Fixed and GSM/3G mobiles, video calls, Voicemail retrievals, standard national SMS and MMS (picture & video) within Australia. Excludes calls to 13/1300 & 1800 numbers, calls forwarded and call diversions, international calls and other call and usage types not listed as Monthly Included Value. 3. Mobile data in excess to the Monthly Included GPRS Data allowance is charged at 75c per MB. 4. All plans are available on 24-month contract only. 5. This offer is valid until withdrawn. 6. Early termination fees (ETF) apply. The ETF is the Monthly Access Fee x 50% x months remaining in contract. 7. Total minimum costs shown are based on a 24 month agreement minus credit for 3 months free of access fee. 8. Handsets available while stocks last. For more information or full terms and conditions call 132 777. M2 Commander Pty Ltd. 85 136 950 082.

Systems Network ADSL Data Rental Solutions Video Conferencing e: sales@ccmw.com.au

523196-JF30-11

HTC Incredible S