Success Business Magazine - Issue 2 | Spring 2011

ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2011

YOURS FREE

international

influence PROFESSOR SANDRA HARDING ENCOURAGES TRUE GLOBAL COOPERATION

15 minutes with: DAVID KOCH

on the rise ALL ADDING UP FOR YOUNG ACCOUNTANT

SPECIAL 10 PAGE

TRAINING & EDUCATION HIGHLIGHT

townsville transitions AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER DEMOGRAPHER REPORTS

inside

WHAT’S INSIDE

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the regulars 06 08 09 23 24 27 50 51 55 56

Regional Update News Desk Calendar of Events Franchise Focus Product Review On the Rise Just for Fun Australia’s Best Bits & Gadgets Cheers & Beers

feature IROBOT PRODUCT REVIEW

the contributors 15 Business Structure

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO START OUT?

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19 Healthy Workplace Culture IMPERETIVE TO IMPROVING STAFF MORALE

22 Video Conferencing TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO NEW HEIGHTS

25 Business Succession Planning

feature TOWNSVILLE MCCAFE FIRE – NEW BOARD MEANS BUSINESS

SECURING THE FUTURE OF YOUR BUSINESS AND FAMILY

41 Lost Days PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH FOR BETTER PRODUCTIVITY

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43 Business Events HOW WE CAN GET MORE

49 Sports Entertainment LEVERAGING FROM CORPORATE HOSPITALITY

52 Value Propositions SECRETS TO WINNING NEW CUSTOMERS

54 Communication Consistency

feature FROM HOME HILL TO INDIA

CREATE VALUE IN YOUR BRAND

CHOICE TRAINING AD

successbusinessmag.com.au

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SapientNitro STOW 009 SBM

Located in an affluent and fast growing area with higher than average household incomes, Stockland Townsville is poised for a massive transformation.

As the new epicenter of the region, it will boast a state-of-the-art shopping experience, including: • A brand new Myer (the first in Townsville) • The latest concept Woolworths supermarket • A stylish new contemporary food precinct • An interactive my funland play area for the kids • Five-star parents’ room At Stockland Townsville we are truly redefining shopping. And in addition to the fashion powerhouse of a new Myer and the latest concept Woolworths supermarket, we will also be unveiling 55 additional specialty stores.

Some of Australia’s most exciting food franchise groups have already expressed interest. In fact, the franchisors of the following businesses may have an opportunity for you:

Be a part of shopping redefined.

Stockland Townsville

For more information contact David Phillips 0423574714 or 02 9035 3062

www.stocklandtownsville.com.au

EDITOR’S NOTES

publisher’s panel EDITOR Marissa Candy editor@successbusinessmag.com.au SALES & MARKETING Rebecca Hutton rebecca@successbusinessmag.com.au JOURNALISTS Rachel Licciardello Tracey Lee Gordon DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY Skye Millard Luke Taylor Success Business Magazine Pty Ltd PO Box 5660 Townsville QLD 4810 22 Walker Street, Townsville QLD 4810 ph. 07 4771 2669 fx. 07 4721 1974 www.successbusinessmag.com.au Find us on facebook Follow us on Twitter All information and images are subject to copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the prior permission in writing to the publisher. The views and opinions of authors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of print, the Publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or subsequent consequences including loss or damage from reliance on information in this publication.

Circulation: 10,000 copies quarterly Regions of Distribution: Townsville, Charters Towers, Ingham and Burdekin. © Copyright 2011

from the editor.

What a great journey! And we have only just left the station…

When we embarked on this venture we knew we were fulfilling a need for a quality communication platform of this style in our region, however the overwhelming support from contributors, advertisers, partners, writers and brands has exceeded our wildest expectations.

The team and I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey so far, and I have personally been inspired and motivated by the people we have met and profiled. I am proud to have the team to support me in bringing these stories together and sharing them with you, our valued readers.

We are pleased to bring you even more useful information you can immediately apply to your business. Whether we are with you when you are taking a well-deserved coffee break, on a plane, or during a time when you need some inspiration.

This edition we introduce our training and education highlight. This industry specific section of the magazine showcases the extraordinary offering in our region. The growth of North Queensland will only continue through supporting each other and I ask, if you are considering personal development for your staff or educating our future leaders, please take the time to review the organisations featured in this section.

A special note of thanks must go to all of our supporters featured in our launch edition. As a business owner, I know it takes courage to invest in any new concept and idea. To have faith in us and to be a part of the launch edition is truly special and I sincerely thank you. We will stay committed to promoting the businesses that make up our region and make North Queensland famous for not only a great lifestyle, but continue on our quest to make this magazine a great read. •

- Marissa Candy.

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Contact us today for an inspection.

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Email: reception@sturtbc.com.au Web: www.sturtbc.com.au

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Regional Update David Crisafulli

Glenys Schuntner

Deputy Mayor Townsville City Council

Chief Executive Officer Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland Inc.

When Council embarked on the redevelopment of the CBD we knew it wouldn’t be the panacea to fix decades of neglect. And perhaps worst of all, we knew that many businesses that had hurt for years were going to suffer even further attempting to trade through a construction zone. But after dancing around the redevelopment issue for too long, there was simply no other sensible choice. If Council had not acted, the heart of our city could have reached a point where it would never have been revived.

Response from the community to the opening of the street has been overwhelming however it is early days. Council has been under no illusions that this a catalytic project in which the results will bear fruit in years rather than weeks and months.

Many small businesses operating in the former mall provide a point of difference to other offerings across the city. However the success of the CBD and these businesses lie largely in the hands of other players. One essential factor is the need for Government to commit to a greater presence in our city. While the announcement of the relocation of state public servants from various offices throughout our city to our CBD is an excellent step forward, it is still only the first of a series of important initiatives needed.

Others include a dedicated headquarters for Ergon Energy and the need for an entire government department to be relocated from the south east to Townsville. Not only will this provide an immediate and long term economic injection but it will also ensure we have North Queenslanders making decisions for North Queenslanders.

There are however some success stories we can sell immediately. The finish of Flinders Street is world class and the opening of Flinders Square in the middle of August will provide an instant wow factor. The square boasts a unique licensed café, a big screen TV, a low impact water feature/play area and free WiFi. It will truly provide a sense of place.

While it will be many years before our city heart reaches its true potential the first pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are starting to take shape. •

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Success can be measured in many ways. For community groups, and especially not-for-profits, funding is often an issue when trying to achieve targeted goals and outcomes. Searching for suitable grants and making successful applications can be a challenge, but here are a few tips to increase your chances of attracting funding.

(1) Do research on suitable grants – and visit www.rdanwq.org.au for links to grant information and talk to the grant program managers who can further assist with advice.

(2) Match your funding need to the application – for example some grants will cover capital and infrastructure while others won’t.

(3) Take care in reading the guidelines so you can fit your project to the needs of the donor and if you are not eligible – don’t waste your time on an application! If in doubt, call the grant program manager.

(4) Use clear and concise language and avoid use of acronyms unless they are explained and make your application attractive within the guidelines of how you can present it.

(5) Focus on the positives about what difference the funding will make to achieving outcomes.

(6) Prepare and present accurate budgets – also indicating where you may be receiving in-kind support from contributors or equipment, land or volunteer labour. Donors like to see leveraging!

(7) Use appropriate supporting materials – not everything you have but just those that support your case as the reviewers don’t like to be swamped with too much material.

(8) Understand the reporting requirements and ensure your application indicates your understanding of these and your ability to meet these requirements. For example, showing what project team you have to lead and implement the project is one way of doing this.

(9) Have someone else proof read your application and give feedback.

(10) Talk to program managers about your application as they may be in a position to give some advice as you develop your application. Also, after you have submitted your application, if you have been unsuccessful, seek feedback on your application so you will learn from the experience to have greater success the next time. Good luck! •

John Carey

John Bearne

President Townsville Chamber of Commerce

Acting Chief Executive Officer Townsville Enterprise

Fifteen years ago, day to day business was done differently. Real time transactions took 20 minutes waiting for that important fax. Email was just starting. A mobile phone had a battery life of one hour, looked like a brick and weighed as much. Now, a mobile is a phone, a note pad, email, the web, a camera, an entertainment unit, and even a flash light.

The next wave of technology is about to hit Townsville. In a few months, Aitkenvale and Mundingburra will be connected to the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Much has been talked about the large infrastructure project NBN is. Indeed it is one of the largest the country has seen, in its proposed form at least.

But much less is understood of the significance the real time transfer of large data files will bring to how we work and do business, how we receive care and services, or how the tyranny of distance will finally loosen its grip.

At a recent Chamber presentation, Professor Ian Atkinson of James Cook University’s e-Centre talked about the shift toward a digital economy the NBN will bring. Townsville, as a first and second release site to be connected to the “fibre to the node” network is given an extraordinary head start. It is anticipated that within a few years, most of Townsville will have peak speed of one gigabit per second. That is ten times faster than the current fastest speed in Australia where Melbourne reaches speed of 100Mbits/sec.

With the ability to transfer large data files in real time, the delivery of goods and services will change and a shift toward a digital economy will occur.

Not the current economic model done at speed, but the creation of a global platform for transactions, communications, and organization.

Professor Atkinson warns that Townsville will soon feel the impact of NBN. “History demonstrates there will be winners and losers in the shift to digital economy”, he says. Speed of innovation and change will accelerate and globalisation will reach another level.

Technologically savvy businesses will stand a better chance to seize the opportunities. Are we ready ? •

A new financial year brings some new directions for Townsville Enterprise.

Perhaps the most notable changes at the organisation are through the election of Tony Ireland as Chair and me as acting CEO while we recruit following the resignation of Trevor Goldstone.

Trevor provided strong leadership for Townsville Enterprise in the two years he was CEO and many of the plans put in place have evolved into projects being undertaken by the Economic Development, Destination Marketing and Development and Convention bureau teams.

It should be pointed out that while Townsville Enterprise has these three distinct functions, they often overlap and the outcomes of work done by each team have huge benefits for our region.

Just recently Townsville Enterprise announced two bid wins for the 2012 National Native Title Conference and the Royal Flying Doctor Service Outback Car Trek finish stage for our city. We can add to that the 2011 Australian Regional Tourism Network Conference in August. That business meeting will bring the who’s who of the tourism industry and some of the highest level decision makers in the industry to North Queensland.

The Townsville Enterprise Economic Development team is working towards a number of goals - enhanced transport capabilities for our region, education about the National Broadband Network rollout and electronic data storage, skills attraction and retention and the development of a business leadership program.

As the financial years fades into the past, new challenges are emerging for businesses and industries of all types and sizes in Townsville and North Queensland.

The term “Global Financial Crisis” has almost become an adjective for any discussion had about how businesses are tracking. While things are tough in Townsville and North Queensland, we are fortunate to have such a strong and broad based economy.

Townsville Enterprise will continue to work with its members and stakeholders to lobby governments for the infrastructure and the programs needed to ensure sustainable and stable growth in the region’s economy. •

successbusinessmag.com.au

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NEWS

new staff appointments

WHK is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Andrejic as a Principal of the firm. Mark specialises in external and internal audits and special investigations and together with Roger Dunstan will manage WHK’s Audit and Assurance division. WHK is also pleased to announce the appointment of Lawrence Poletto and Debbie West as Associates of the firm. Lawrence has over 15 years of practical experience providing taxation services, business structure reviews and business improvement advice. Debbie holds a Master of Taxation and CPA Specialist designation. Debbie works closely with clients to provide proactive, industry specific solutions.

news

desk.

Sunferries has announced the appointment of Jeff Davey as their new General Manager.

Jeff has been with Sunferries since June 2010, previously holding the role of Operations Manager since August 2010. Jeff’s continued commitment to providing excellent customer service combined with a high level of vessel maintenance and the support he has from the staff of Sunferries were key drivers to his appointment to this role.

YOUR LOCAL NEWS FEED

Local Businessman Go’s Global

Jelly Baby Gala Ball

After organising a number of successful Chamber of Commerce breakfasts and workshops on social media with Karli Furmage from Go Global, Michael Kopittke (formerly Brumbys Master Franchisee North Queensland) has joined the Go Global team as Chief Catalyst. Michael’s role with Go Global is to extend their platform of innovative operational training and social media solutions for business into new markets, including regional Queensland/Australia/Overseas.

Australian television personality Rob Palmer, a presenter on Better Homes and Gardens and a recent winner of Dancing with the Stars, will headline the inaugural Harcourts Foundation North Queensland Jelly Baby Gala Ball at Jupiters Hotel and Casino on October 29, raising money and awareness for Type 1 Diabetes. Tickets and sponsorships can be arranged through Cynthia Di Bartolo on 0407 739 656 or Kirsty Keyes on 0407 960 743, or by emailing jellybabygalaball@westnet.com.au.

Motoco Welcomes Peugot

GJ Gardner Homes Townsville Turns 10!

Peugeot has arrived at Motoco Euro Townsville.

Moving from strength to strength, the business has added Peugeot to their already impressive range which includes Alfa Romeo, Citroen and Fiat. Some exciting new models are arriving for the first time in Townsville, including the new Peugeot 308 and 508 ranges. Motoco Euro Townsville has all your Peugeot needs covered with a fully accredited service department and spare parts centre located at 17 Bowen Road, Mundingburra.

GJ Gardner Homes Townsville turns 10 years old and Business Manager, Melissa Coulter also celebrates 10 years of service with owners Graham & Jean Ruddell.

Jupiters Townsville Hotel Casino would like to welcome Meredith Elley to the Sales Team; taking on a maternity leave contract from Fiona Montgomerie, Meredith will look after Hotel Sales for the property. In addition Jeff Webster will step up in the role of Conference and Event Sales Executive, taking on the rapidly growing conference, meeting and events market for the hotel.

The firm of wilson/ryan/grose is pleased to announce the appointment of Michele Falconieri as Partner and Travis Schmitt as Associate.

Michele will oversee the Commercial and Corporate Litigation Department that has been established to respond to the growing needs of our clients requiring assistance with commercial disputes. Travis will add a senior level to our Planning and Environment Department and will continue to assist our clients with town planning appeals, compensation claims for land resumptions and development projects.

Archers Body Corporate Management is excited to announce the appointment of Maureen Pilgrim as Townsville’s branch manager. Maureen joins Archers after being involved with the Body Corporate Management industry in Townsville since 2005. Her extensive experience in the industry has seen her build up a solid reputation for providing her clients with sound technical advice in a friendly and professional manner.

Submit your business news, achievements, staff movements in 75 words or fewer to info@successbusinessmag.com.au

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august

6 8 10 11 12 12

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september

Volunteering North Queensland Training Course - Budgeting for Grant Writers Location: VNQ Training Room

Townsville Careers Expo Location: RSL Stadium, Murray Sporting Complex

Townsville Chamber of Commerce Lunch with NAB Chief Economist, Spiros Papadopoulos Location: Jupiters Ballroom 1

Townsville Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Day Location: Rowes Bay Golf Club CBD Celebrates (Official Opening Event) Location: Townsville CBD

20 Townsville Amateurs Location: Cluden Race Course

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Queensland Derby Dinner Location: Townsville Entertainment Centre Townsville Enterprise 20th Anniversary Cocktail Party Location: Townsville Civic Theatre

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Volunteering North Queensland Training Course - Social Networking Without a Computer Location: VNQ Training Room

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Sunwater Burdekin Water Festival Street Parade & Mardi Gras Location: Ayr CBD

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Townsville Enterprise 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner Location: Rydges Southbank Townsville

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Townsville Management Excellence Awards Final Location: Jupiters Townsville

Sporting Advantage Corporate Games Location: JCU Sporting Fields

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Townsville Event Industry Networking Evening Location: Dance North

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calendar of events Information correct at time of printing and subject to change.

october

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Volunteering North Queensland Training Course - Partnerships & Collaborations for Grant Writers Location: VNQ Training Room

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TP Human Capital Corporate Triathlon Location: The Strand, Townsville Queensland Nickel Networking Function supported by Townsville Enterprise Location: TBC

Townsville Enterprise Annual General Meeting Location: Rydges Southbank, Townsville

Townsville Chamber of Commerce Breakfast with journalist Paul Clithero, in partnership with JCU Location: Jupiters Townsville

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Jelly Baby Gala Ball Location: Jupiters Townsville

If you have any business related events coming up that you would like included on our calendar, email the details to info@successbusinessmag.com.au successbusinessmag.com.au

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PAGE NAME

INTERNATIONAL

INFLUENCE

By RACHEL LICCIARDELLO Photography by Skye Millard

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COVER FEATURE

Professor Sandra Harding, Vice Chancellor and President at James Cook University and one of the most powerful women in Australasia, reveals to us exactly how she hopes to change the way we think about our world.

P

olite and polished, accomplished and highly regarded in academic circles across the globe, James Cook University’s (JCU) Vice Chancellor and President Sandra Harding is both an advocate for and an asset to Townsville.

Since taking her post at JCU in 2007, Sandra has been a catalyst in helping our community, and Australia, discover and celebrate JCU’s history. Most recently though, Sandra has taken to the international stage to rally support for what could be a history-shaping report that aims to expose life in the tropics, and change the world’s future.

Interestingly, Sandra’s quest started with the ideas of a Greek philosopher 2000 years ago.

“It wasn’t long after I first started at JCU that I came across a quote

by Aristotle,” explains Sandra. “He wrote that there were three zones to the world; frigid, temperate and torrid. And he claimed that the only zone in which civilised human beings could live was the temperate zone,” she pauses, “Yet here we are, in the torrid zone – the tropics – along with 40% of the world’s population, 80% of the world’s biodiversity and some of the most critical issues of our time playing out in this very zone.”

Sandra kept Aristotle’s quote at her desk; initially unsure of what to do with it, until eventually it came to her. “We think of our modern world as north and south, east and west, developed and developing, or by breaking it down into different regions; but what we have lost is that fundamental, joined-up, lateral conception of the world,” she continues. “What I want to do is nothing less than change the way the world views itself.”

To do this, Sandra says we must look at those issues central to the torrid zone. “Climate change, for example, is expected to have a much more severe impact in the torrid zone because our plants and animals are ‘thermal specialists’, which means our plants and animals are much more particular with temperate tolerance than other zones’ plants and animals, so even slight changes in climate conditions could have devastating effects on the tropics.”

Other issues shared by those areas within the torrid zone, which covers 122 nations, are those surrounding health (tropical diseases account for almost half of the world’s sickness), growing cities and urban design (10 of the world’s 25 biggest mega cities are within the torrid zone), child mortality rates and what will happen to the wider world as the tropics continue to expand.

Ultimately, Sandra’s goal is to encourage true global cooperation to create a sustainable world for those living in every zone. To do

this, she has approached the world’s academics and created the inaugural leadership group of the State of the Tropics Report. With more than one dozen universities and organisations from every continent represented, the group met for the first time in Singapore early July and work has already begun on this groundbreaking report into the tropics.

It would have been easy enough for JCU to keep this project to itself, to try and claim the glory of a global paradigm-shifting investigation, but Sandra wanted a world approach to the issues of the tropics.

“This report will be so much more powerful with people from all over the world – those who live in, and those who care for, the tropics – collaborating on the outcome.”

We can expect a teaser of the results later this year, but the full report is due for release late 2012. “This study is something I consider to be extremely important,” offers Sandra. “I have spoken about this idea to many people – one of President Obama’s former advisors and another involved in the Gates Foundation, among others – and each one of them has supported this idea as being very important to the world.”

With such big ideas in progress, it’s difficult to imagine Sandra in a less impactful role, but her position as an academic manager and leader is a wide stride from her childhood ambitions of becoming an airhostess.

Always an exceptional student from even her earliest school years, Sandra graduated high school one year early and completed a Bachelor of Science with honours at just 21 years of age. By 40, Sandra was the first woman in Queensland and second woman in Australia to ever reach the rank of Dean of the Faculty of Business (at QUT). “I knew I would become an academic because I love enquiry,” shares Sandra, who abandoned her airhostess dreams when she realised women could not become pilots, “I love being able to work on puzzles that are of interest to me.”

Recently, Sandra accepted a second term in the Vice-Chancellor’s chair at JCU. Her renewed term will run until 2017, allowing her to oversee at least the first two volumes of the State of the Tropics Report.

“This university has a powerful place in the world; my job is to set it up for the next era,” tells Sandra. “I’m sure in centuries to come this university will be focusing even more keenly on that tropical agenda.”

And, if Sandra’s plans succeed, the world will be too. successbusinessmag.com.au

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COVER PAGE NAME FEATURE

DID YOU KNOW?

A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY RECLAIMED

James Cook University began in 1960 as a university college of the University of Queensland, and officially became its own university in 1970. The official proceedings took place on 20 April 1970; exactly 200 years after James Cook first sighted the east coast of Australia. Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II opened the threebuilding university, signing the declaration herself.

One of Sandra’s most significant recommendations during her tenure so far has been the renaming of JCU’s library to the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library in 2008.

Sandra considers JCU to have been Australia’s birthday present to itself.

The University, Queensland’s second ever, was originally intended for Toowoomba but was instead promised to Townsville so that it may be Australia’s University for the Tropics.

In 2007, on her first day at JCU, Sandra was walking through the university’s grounds and came across Eddie Mabo’s tombstone. She, like most Australians, was familiar with the landmark Mabo case of the ‘90s; a Aboriginal land rights case that led to parliament passing the Native Title Act in 1993.

“After a brief investigation I discovered this landmark legal decision came about after a conversation between a gardener and two historians here at JCU in the 1970s,” reveals Sandra. Eddie Kokoi Mabo was a gardener at JCU in the ‘70s, and while talking with two JCU staff, Henry Reynolds and Noel Loos, about ‘his land’ on Murray Island, Eddie was horrified to learn that under Australian law ‘his land’ was not actually his land. Eddie could not get his head around this idea of terra nullius, and so began reading up on law and anthropology. The JCU Student Association held the first land rights conference, and barristers and solicitors from southern Australia attended. The group decided that Eddie’s would be the land rights case to be put forward. In 1992, the Mabo decision was made.

“It all started right here; much of the initial work for the early court cases was done in our library,” spruiks Sandra. “Libraries are the heart of a university, and they’re the depository of western knowledge. But western knowledge, Australian history, was changed by virtue of something that happened on this very campus. It’s quite remarkable.”

As well as her duty as Vice-Chancellor and President at JCU, Sandra is also an active member on numerous local, state, national and international boards and organisations. Below are just some of her involvements.

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board m eeting deputy co nference queenslan d

• • • • • • • • • •

Council member, Australian Institute of Marine Sciences Board member, Australian Learning and Teaching Council Director, Townsville Enterprise Limited Director, Advance Cairns Board member, Skills Queensland Director, North Queensland Cowboys NRL club Member, Queensland Premier’s Smart State Council Australian representative, University Grants Commission for the University of the South Pacific Deputy Chair, Universities Australia Member, Ministerial Advisory Council for Regional Council working to Minister the Hon Simon Crean

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successbusinessmag.com.au

WHK

what is the best business structure to start out in business?

DEREK CAMPBELL / CEO / WHK I’m afraid there is no one right answer, it really all depends on your circumstances. It may be that you require a number of structures such as a company and a trust. In making a decision as to which structure best suits you, your adviser needs to take into account a whole raft of issues and even after all is said and done, sometimes it just comes down to what you are comfortable with.

A partnership allows you to share the profits and losses with the other partner, but it also makes each partner liable for the actions of the other partner. Yes you have a simple structure but you pay tax personally on your share of the income and creditors can pursue you personally for debt.

The information provided is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. You should not act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of your particular situation. WHK Pty Ltd ABN 84 006 466 351 Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation other than for the acts or omissions of financial services licensees.

A trust allows some asset protection and for taxation purposes a discretionary trust allows you maximum flexibility to distribute the income to it’s beneficiaries, ie: family members, other companies, trusts etc. For this reason trusts are normally recommended in simple family businesses. But they are not ideal for introducing new investors and, as the trust needs to distribute all of it’s taxable income each year, quite often a company beneficiary is required to ensure some of the tax is capped at 30%.

A company provides effective asset protection with creditors generally limited to the assets of the company.

New investors can be added by issuing further shares and the company can continue to exist even after your death.

To overcome only shareholders getting dividends you can set up a trust to hold the shares.

Companies only pay tax at 30% (soon to be 28%) as compared to an individual who is taxed at marginal rates which could be as high as 46.5%. When you receive a dividend from the company you are taxed at your marginal rate, but get a franking credit so that you only pay the additional tax above the company tax rate. If a company sells an asset and makes a capital gain, the company cannot obtain the 50% discount that is available to individuals.

Comparing the different structures solely for tax purposes, the real difference is companies have a lower tax rate and therefore allow you to defer further tax until the company pays you a dividend. Some of the problems with capital gains tax can be overcome if the company is eligible for the small business capital gains tax concessions.

So spend the time to discuss your intentions, dreams, aspirations and family situation with your adviser before making the decision to set up your business structure that best suits you. •

successbusinessmag.com.au

15

15 MINUTES

15 MINUTES WITH...

DAVID

KOCH

By RACHEL LICCIARDELLO Photography by Luke Taylor at Castletown Shoppingworld

Finance journalist, TV personality and all-round nice guy David Koch shares his thoughts on small business and the year ahead.

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15 MINUTES

YOUR BUSINESS, PINSTRIPE MEDIA, FOCUSES ON EDUCATING SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH SEMINARS, BOOTCAMPS, AND EVEN A TV PROGRAM. WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN TO FOCUS ON SMALL BUSINESS? Small business owners are so creative, so entrepreneurial, and they drive the economy, but they’re still all living breathing human beings.

The reason I want to help small business owners in particular is that I know they need it. A lot of business and finance media write and give info to CEOs of companies. These CEOs have their own advisors, they’ve got resources, and they often know more than the journos do. Small business people are those who truly need the information, but they need it in a way that helps them, and it has to be very personal.

YOUR WIFE LIBBY IS A DIRECTOR OF PINSTRIPE MEDIA, DO YOU THINK IT’S IMPORTANT FOR ALL COUPLES TO BE INVOLVED IN OWNER-OPERATED BUSINESSES? Lib has always been a director in all of our companies. My view is that if you’ve got a partner, married or defacto, it’s their house on the line as well as yours, and so they must be up to date on the business.

I think one of the highest risk issues for females in particular is to be married to a business owner and have not have any information about the business, or to sign a personal guarantee. It leaves them extremely vulnerable.

WE’VE NOW MOVED INTO THE 2011-12 FINANCIAL YEAR, HOW DO YOU SEE THE MONTHS AHEAD FOR SMALL BUSINESS? Honestly, I’m a bit nervous, on a number of fronts. Overseas, I think there’s still a good chance we could go into another global financial crisis because of what’s happened in the European market. Having said that, this is the best country to be operating in, because economically we’re just so solid.

This government, and the previous government as well, have set this economy up where we have low government debt, are a trading nation which is currently a quarry and a farm for China, and that’s keeping us going.

However, we do face other challenges such as the commodities boom not being spread across all business. Our retail industry is doing it really tough at the moment, the building industry is doing it tough, and property’s on the way down. So while everybody’s talking about a commodities boom, no-one’s feeling it outside of Western Australia.

KOCHIE’S TIPS

FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS INVITE AN OUTSIDER IN I’ve always run my private businesses like listed companies; I’ve always had a board, and an outside director, and monthly board meetings. This has been the case whether the business has had four or 70 staff.

My number one tip for small businesses is to have an outside director. You don’t need to pay them often; you just need them. It could be a local person in business whom you admire, they could be from a different industry, a different type of business, it doesn’t matter; what you need them for is their external point of view. They ask all of those common sense questions that you ignore because you’re too close to the business.

THE BIG PICTURE – WORKING TOGETHER Small businesses don’t have to take on the world individually; you can take it on as a group. You can inspire each other, suggest things to each other, and work together to get your town’s mix of businesses right so that you attract people to your business and grow together. You have to think about your town in a broader aspect. There is great opportunity to work with your chamber of commerce to do this.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS STRUGGLING IN THIS MARKET?

LAUNCH YOUR RENT-FREE STORE

For the next 12 months I think you need to be cautious, really focus on your strengths, and if you’re going to take a chance and expand into a new area, make sure you’ve researched it well, planned it well, and be careful to keep your debt down. Keeping debt under control is a really big issue for both businesses and individuals.

Selling online is like having another store that’s open 24 hours, seven days a week, but doesn’t cost you rent. It transforms your bricks and mortar store into a virtual store, and anything you make from online is like cream on top. If you’re in retail and not online, you need to build your strategy today.

HOW CAN BUSINESSES TRY TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE DURING THIS ROUGH PATCH?

BUILD YOUR TRIBE

I think every industry can do well, and every business can do well. But it’s going to be down to the individual, on how you drive your business. You can talk about economies, you can talk about different industries, but it often boils down to the individual who runs the business. And if you think outside the square, you’re aggressive, you’re entrepreneurial and you know your customers, you’ll always do well – no matter what environment you’re working in. •

Social media isn’t only for free advertising, it helps you build a tribe, and build a following for your business. It builds loyalty and a bond, and that’s not only valuable, it’s priceless.

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TOWNSVILLE PODIATRY CENTRE

creating a healthy culture in the workplace

By DAINA CLARK / PODIATRIST / TOWNSVILLE PODIATRY CENTRE

It’s a fact, Australia’s health is on the decline and the evidence is stacking up against us. Lifestyle related diseases such as Type II Diabetes, obesity and Metabolic Syndrome are all on the rise. Over 60% of the Australian population is classified as overweight or obese, over 270 Australians are diagnosed with diabetes each day and heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Australia.

For the majority, lifestyle diseases like those mentioned above are preventable, if we can maintain a healthy lifestyle. Most of us are aware of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, such as performing regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and reducing our alcohol and cigarette consumption. The problem can be finding the time to fit all of this into our busy schedules.

That’s where the workplace can be a great place to promote and encourage healthy behaviours. Australians can spend an average of up to 64 hours per week in the workplace and are one of the hardest working nations in the world. Creating a healthy culture in the workplace can be as simple as providing healthy eating options at lunch

meetings, adding a bowl of fresh fruit to the tea room and encouraging participation in local sporting events such as the Townsville Running Festival, Townsville Tri Festival or one of the many cycling and mountain biking events held throughout the year.

Corporate events provide an opportunity to participate in team events at a variety of levels from beginner through to elite. They encourage team building and build workplace morale and most importantly provide an opportunity to increase physical activity in a supportive environment.

If you are concerned about any existing ailments you have prior to commencing a new activity, you can be assessed by a sports podiatrist. These assessments are designed to prevent the development of injuries related to poor technique on your bike or on your feet. For more information contact a podiatrist who has experience dealing with athlete’s.

References: www.diabetesaustralia.com.au; www. heartfoundation.org.au ; Australia’s Health 2008, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; www.aihw.gov.au. •

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TOWNSVILLE FIRE

Keeping the ball bouncing New Townsville Fire board means business

By SHANE RUSSELL

Local business leaders are behind a push to help the Townsville Fire reclaim its status as a powerhouse club in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL).

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The Fire, which is the only national women’s sporting team north of Brisbane, has emerged from a major off-season restructure with a new board featuring several prominent business identities.

the Fire will enter the 2011 / 2012 season as an independent entity under the leadership of the new board and head coach, while sporting a new playing strip on their new home court – the 2000seat RSL Stadium at Murray.

New chair and Townsville Podiatry Centre director Jayne Arlett is joined by property developer Peter Honeycombe; Queensland Nickel general manager Trefor Flood; Wilson Ryan Grose Lawyers partner Michelle Morton; Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland Inc. CEO Glenys Schuntner; and former Fire captain and Olympian Claudia Brassard.

Ms Arlett said the Fire would not have made it through the off-season if it wasn’t for the tireless work of the steering committee.

The club appointed the new board after a successful ‘Save the Fire’ community campaign in which sponsors and fans rallied behind the team.

An interim steering committee that formed during the off-season fought to keep the club alive and was responsible for appointing new head coach Chris Lucas, recruiting players and securing board members.

“Since 2001 the Fire program has played an important role in the community, providing pathways and inspiration for women all around North Queensland,” Ms Arlett said.

“Community and corporate support for the club has always been strong, yet after a full review and countless hours of hard work by the steering committee, it was clear that some major changes were needed in order pursue a new direction for the club.

“The previous administration and committee members have done a tremendous job to keep this club running and the community has also shown that it still wants a women’s national sporting team in this city.

As a result of the steering committee’s efforts,

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“It is now up to the members of this new board to lay strong foundations for the team to do what it does best on the court.”

Already the club’s renewed vigour and strategic approach is proving successful, with coach Lucas announcing the signing of two American imports and a list of quality local talent, including the signature of Australian Opals guard Rachael Flanagan.

Ms Arlett said the Fire’s aspirations were firmly set on reaching the WNBL finals in the 2011/2012 season which tips off in October.

“With such a quality mix of players, coaching staff and administrators, we believe the right pieces are in place to make a good push for a finals berth and ultimately, bring home the first national championship for Townsville,” she said.

The Fire is now ramping up its efforts to secure sponsors ahead of the season launch, offering various levels of sponsorship and access to the world-class corporate facilities at RSL Stadium.

Any businesses interested in sponsoring the Fire should call 0418 716 728. •

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NQAV

video conferencing for success

By KEVIN BOOTH / MANAGING DIRECTOR / NORTH QUEENSLAND AUDIO VISUAL In today’s day in age, face to face business meetings are so crucial, not only to secure new works or clients, but to communicate with existing customers as well.

Being in regional Queensland, it makes it especially tough where business drivers are requiring as much efficiency as possible. Companies today need to operate with maximum efficiency in a distributed economy and seamlessly connect their geographically dispersed workforce, customers and partners. To remain competitive, organisations want to leverage top talent, no matter their location, to collaborate and develop the best new products and services to bring to market rapidly. However, that collaboration shouldn’t cost the company excess dollars in travel costs, or the environment in long-term damage from carbon emissions.

Video Conferencing allows the sharing of information at a level of quality that makes everyone feel like they are in the same room – and with a level of simplicity that allows everyone to join in. Whether your goal is to go to market faster, respond more swiftly to competitive pressure, improve your overall ROI or simply to increase employee morale, Video Conferencing offers the following benefits: •

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Global collaboration and content sharing

• • • • • •

wheneverbusy schedules permit Increased access to information and executives for all employees Easier onboarding of new employees and dispersion of HR information Shared presentations and training between offices in time zones all over the world Better collaboration with partner companies throughout your aggregated business network Special access for those who cannot make it to a business offsite or are out sick that day Reduced carbon emissions and wasted time for travel to meetings

With the NBN almost at our doorsteps, now is the time to get in on the ground floor with Video Conferencing.

Over the next 3 years as more bandwidth is accessible within small to medium enterprises, it will be easier to work with large multi-million dollar companies with the assistance of video conferencing. Regional SME’s will be closing the gap with capital city businesses as more and more companies will acquire video conferencing systems and using its full potential to do business not only in Queensland, but across the world. •

FRANCHISE FOCUS

franchise f cus Name Linda Daniels Current position Owner Company Matchbox

What are some achievements/accolades you have attained?

We have worked very hard to build a reputation of having great service, not just selling. We try to engage with our customers, have an interest in their purchase, and if they want it, help with advice. We have pride in seeing our customers leave our store with smile, that means they will come back.

Do you regularly meet with other franchisee’s/head office for discussions on the brand going forward, etc?

How many years have you been a part of this franchise?

1 ½ years

What attracted you to this particular franchise?

I have always had a passion for cooking and entertaining, it made sense to turn this passion into a business venture.

What would you say the advantages are of joining a franchise as opposed to starting a business outright?

If you join a successful Franchise, the hard work is done, there is a marketing plan in place, group buyers have and continue to, work with suppliers on buying deals, product research etc, when you start up, you can focus on running the business, and use the experience and knowledge of the Franchisor and the other Franchisees

Is there flexibility in the operations of the business?

For the big things, no, but that is why the Franchise is so good, obviously, because your running your own business, ordering stock etc there is a small variance. We do try to have all the stores looking similar, particularly the windows, to be honest, when you have something going well, you don’t want to fix it. We have had our moments, where we have wanted to stray from the norm, but in the end, we learn that the Franchisors have been in this business longer than we have, we generally see their way in the end.

Our nearest other Franchisee is in Brisbane, we have an annual conference, and monthly dial in meetings, and we have a couple of telephone relationships with a couple of other Franchisees. .

What is something interesting about the brand that not many people would know?

In 2010 Matchbox was named the BRW fourth fastest growing Franchise in Australia, in 2011 it improved to second place in both outlet and revenue growth.

Do you find it difficult to translate metropolitan designed strategies in a regional area?

There is a level of difference, our biggest issue was Brand recognition when we first opened, as most people didn’t associate Matchbox with kitchen and dinnerware.

What was the process for franchisee application like?

Funnily enough, quite easy, the hardest part was looking for the Franchise that had the right fit for us, once we found it, our passion and excitement sold it.

What advice would you give someone considering purchasing into a franchise??

Don’t do it if all you are doing is buying yourself a job, choose a Franchise that fits your interests, and be prepared to work very hard. •

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PRODUCT REVIEW

iRobot Roomba Series

577- Programmable

530 – Entry level

The iRobot Roomba is designed to vacuum around the house or office automatically without much intervention on your behalf. It is perfect for those who hate doing chores or don’t have time and want to keep on top of things nonetheless.

You might wonder if the Roomba is worth it. The answer is YES and for many reasons. The best reason though is whatever it cleans; you don’t have to, giving you that extra time to get the important things done!

The Roomba will clean the house or office effectively with its low profile for easily getting under the tables, chairs and desks. And with dirt detection sensors built in, the Roomba will concentrate on a specific spot that is dirtier than the rest until it has collected all the dirt, grit and dust before moving on to the remainder of the area, moving from carpet to mat to tiles to polished timber floors without a hitch, due to the large strong wheels and suspension system.

Roomba has two strong brushes for collecting dirt, dust and fluff and a rotating side brush that while Roomba is closely hugging the walls will flick hair, dust and other bits and pieces into it path for collection.

Roomba’s bumpers and sensors allow it to ‘see’ where it is going and what it is doing. Roomba will slow down as it approaches a wall, door, or object and gently bump it with its bumper sensor, reducing impact and noise. There are also a series of cliff sensors that tell Roomba when it has come to an edge, like a flight of stairs, so it won’t go over.

Roomba can clean for about 2 hours on a single charge. With the self charging station, Roomba will return and connect to the charger all by itself when the battery power is low. And with the virtual wall you can restrict Roomba to a specific area of the house or office.

Roomba is quick to clean and easy to maintain.

Roomba is a must have item. It does the cleaning so you don’t have to! •

385 – Scooba mopping system To find out more about the Roomba IROBOT series, check out www.thegoodguys.com.au or give the team at Troy Williams The Good Guys a call on 07 4755 0300.

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MAGNITUDE FINANCIAL PLANNING

secure your family by protecting your businesses future

By DENNIS DI BARTOLO / DIRECTOR / MAGNITUDE FINANCIAL PLANNING You have put in a lot of effort and personal sacrifice to build and run your business. Delivering goods or services, watching the costs, getting the right connections and the right people in place are keys to success. Your wealth is generated and often locked up in your business.

business ownership can be transferred effectively to the right party at the right price with the funding provided.

Business Succession Planning minimises disruption and avoids the necessity for additional borrowing or asset depletion in already adverse circumstances.

Should one of the partners in your business suddenly die, suffer a traumatic illness or become totally and permanently disabled what do you think would happen to his or her share in the business? Without Business Succession Planning and without a formalised Buy/Sell agreement one of the following outcomes may occur:

What is a Buy/Sell agreement? A Buy/Sell agreement is the formal agreement that ensures that if a trigger event occurs, the intended owner buys the business and the beneficiary sells the business at a price predetermined and agreed by all.

Outcome 1. The deceased’s estate may demand a payout of a size that will force your business to be sold.

Outcome 2. The heirs may insist on direct involvement in your businesses operations even though they may lack the necessary skills.

This information is current as at April 2011. Magnitude Financial Planners are authorised representatives of Magnitude.

This information was prepared by Magnitude Group Pty Ltd ABN 54 086 266 202 AFSL 221557. This information does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and so you should consider its appropriateness having regard to these factors before acting on it.

Business Insurance is a simple concept that aims to remove the worry and financial hardship these unplanned events can cause. There are three areas of business insurance: Business Succession Planning; Key Person Insurance; Business Loan Protection.

What is Business Succession Planning? Business Succession Planning is an arrangement which ensures

Where does the funding come from? Generally speaking, an insurance policy will provide the cash required by the buyer and seller alike when a trigger event, such as death occurs.

Take Control - know the outcome Outcome 1 is prevented from occurring if a Business Succession plan and Buy/Sell agreement are in place.

The remaining business partners can pay the ‘estate’ the agreed amount required without having to sell the business they worked so hard to create.

Outcome 2 is avoided because the legally binding contract prohibits the heirs from entering into the business arrangements. The heirs are protected as the remaining partners have the funds to ‘buy out’ the remaining share •

You never know who you might end up working with… or for!

Are you a business owner or in a business partnership?

How would your business be impacted by the death, disability or critical illness of a business partner?

How will you fund the buyout of the exiting business partner?

The value of a well constructed business succession plan addresses all of these concerns. To find out more, call us to arrange an appointment to discuss your business needs today.

Magnitude Financial Planning 263 Charters Towers Road Hermit Park QLD Phone Email Web

07 4753 5777 ddibartolo@magnitudefp.com.au smorris@magnitudefp.com.au www.altitude.magnitudefp.com.au

Dennis Di Bartolo MFinPlan, DipFP, MAICD

Sonia Morris DFS (FP)

Dennis Di Bartolo and Sonia Morris are authorised representatives of Magnitude Group ABN 54 086 266 202 AFSL 221557 trading as Magnitude Financial Planning. This information does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. It’s important for you to consider these matters before making any financial decision and we recommend you seek help from a financial adviser. M12621-0711sd

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ON THE RISE

rise

on the

Name Dan Horan Current position Executive Place of work Moore Stephens (QLD) – Burdekin Office

When did you join the company and in what capacity?

What are your business/professional goals?

I joined the company in 1997, back when we were Pickard Associates. I started as a trainee accountant in our Townsville office.

Wherever I end up, feeling like you are part of something and creating that feeling amongst the people you work with is the ultimate goal.

Describe a typical day for you.

If you weren’t doing what you are doing now, what line of work do you think you would be in?

Most of my time these days involves working directly with clients. Finding out what they need, working with my staff to produce the desired outcome and then delivering it to the client.

What business-related values do you operate by?

I find that an honest, up-front approach is always best in business and in life.

If you have a genuine care and respect for the people that you work with and for and a passion for what you do, then I don’t think you can go too far wrong.

How does working in North Queensland advantage someone in your line of work?

That’s easy, the FISHING, ha ha. No seriously, we are lucky at Moore Stephens in that we can work right at the coal face with our agricultural and mining related clients up here in the north and still have the strength and support of a second tier firm. These industries are the backbone of our state’s economy and we are right in the heart of it. The fishing is just an added bonus!!

Who inspires you?

Kurt Fearnley – He is the paralympian who crawled the Kokoda Track a few years ago. This guy has never let anything hold him back from achieving his goals and I think he is amazing. He makes you have a good look at yourself and think “if I have half the ticker this guy has what could I achieve”.

Probably something in a sporting or coaching role. When I was younger I always thought that being a physiotherapist would be cool and I do love my sport.

Do you think our economy will look different in coming years with the rise in generation Y’s becoming business owners/ operators?

I think the economy will always have its ups and downs but Gen Y will certainly do things differently. The way we do business is already changing and Gen Y’s attitudes and ideas are different with a capital “D” so it stands to reason that things are going to change.

What are the challenges of being a young person in business?

Obviously lack of experience. A young person entering the business world in ten years time is likely to think that a GFC is some kind of fast food chain.

There are just some things you have to live through.

What gives you the most satisfaction in your job role?

Getting genuine positive feedback from my clients. Nothing feels better than knowing that your client really appreciates what you have done for them. •

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TRAINING & EDUCATION HIGHLIGHT

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. “ ~ Mark Twain

Your workplace and education are two of the most important things in life. With education comes knowledge, with knowledge comes power and the ability to control your life direction.

Within the primary and secondary school systems, there are an extensive range of opportunities both within Townsville and the surrounding regions. With its strong regional presence and high standard of facilities, North Queensland attracts a large percentage of rural boarders who can be based in Townsville, Charters Towers and Ingham.

The North Queensland region has an extensive network of both public and privately funded primary and secondary schools with tertiary education offered through the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE (BRIT) and James Cook University (JCU). JCU is ranked within the top 5 percent of world universities (based on the 2009 assessment by the Institute of Higher Education of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University).

Enjoy the Success Business Magazine highlight on ways to engage in training programs, or educate the future leaders of our region.

TRAINING & EDUCATION HIGHLIGHT

V8 SUPERCARS INSPIRE CORPORATE CHALLENGE

A

Townsville recruitment and training firm is drawing on the fundamentals of the highly-competitive V8 Supercars series to rev-up the corporate world.

TP Human Capital, in partnership with V8 Supercars team Vodafone Racing, launched a high-octane corporate training program that placed employees through a series of real pit crew challenges.

The Pit Crew Challenge: High Performance Teams program is designed to build teamwork, management development, leadership and motivation using Townsville’s Reid Park pit lane facilities and hands-on exercises with a Team Vodafone V8 Supercar.

Nine graduate engineers from Sucrogen’s North Queensland sugar mills were the first to experience the innovative training.

Sucrogen Cane Products will launch an exciting new Graduate Development Program (GDP) in 2011 and plans to incorporate the Pit Crew Challenge into its annual calendar.

TP Human Capital managing director Clayton

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Cook said there were clear synergies between V8 Supercars teams and the corporate sector.

“We’ve developed many exciting training programs over the years but this is by far the most challenging and relevant,” Mr Cook said.

“The pit crew environment teaches a very powerful message that if everyone works together, the team will achieve some incredible results.

A team is only as successful as its weakest link so we hope to explore situations where team members need to find solutions quickly and under pressure.”

“The Reid Park facilities combined with the support of Team Vodafone will provide a unique learning and training experience.”

Cane Products executive general manager Mark Day said Sucrogen was very committed to its graduate program.

“We see our graduates as the future of our business and have spent a great deal of time developing the GDP to ensure it will help us to attract the best possible candidates,” he said.

“Activities like the Pit Crew Challenge are a fun and practical way to help reinforce the importance of teamwork to get a good outcome.”

The GDP builds on Sucrogen’s existing graduate program, which has seen several past participants move into more senior roles in the business.

“Our graduates are exposed to all areas of the business to help them gain a broad understanding of our operations,” he said.

“They are given mentors to support them in the workplace and are provided with personal and professional development opportunities to help build the leadership capability of our organisation.”

Sucrogen is Australia’s largest sugar and renewable energy business.

The company was both the naming rights sponsor of the Townsville 400 and fuel sponsor for the V8 Supercars series, with all Supercars powered

by Sucrogen BioEthanol’s E85 ethanol-blended fuel. •

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TRAINING & EDUCATION HIGHLIGHT

EMPLOYEES

OUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET

By KATHRYN CHAPMAN / CHOICE TRAINING We all know that employees are our most valuable asset, and are a vital component of overall business growth and success.

So what can you do to demonstrate that you appreciate your asset? The answer is easier than you might think!

Whether you are a small business or large corporation, you can improve workforce capability by developing the skills of your employees.

By building internal capacity through training and development, your business will be more readily equipped to service your clients’ needs, and will reap the rewards that are affiliated with a high performing, people centred, productive work team.

There are many ways to develop your employees, and Choice Training offers customised, developmental training solutions that match your business needs.

Workplace training is all about developing the skills your employees need to grow your business, and this can range from improving customer service skills, to undertaking a formalised qualification to develop

leadership behaviours.

Choice Training takes the time to listen to your needs and develop the workplace training your company needs. From workplace specific customised training to accredited training in retail, business, business administration, leadership and business sales, the solution to your training needs is at hand.

As literacy and numeracy specialists, our workforce development strategies ensure that your employees are provided with every opportunity to develop their skills, whilst completing their qualification with us.

Choice Training’s extensive training network means that we can assist our clients to access funding opportunities, and will work within your budget to develop a targetted training program that is focused on achieving real outcomes for your business.

Join existing clients of Choice Training, some of which include Ergon Energy, QR, Incitec Pivot, Think Office Technology, Queensland Magnesia and Townsville City Council and invest in your biggest asset; your people. •

TEACHING AND LEARNING DEVELOPMENT JCU provides professional development for its teaching staff, with workshops provided by the Teaching and Learning Development Directorate across a wide variety of topics designed to improve the quality of the teaching and learning.

More than 500 attendances at seminars occurred in 2010. The introductory Academic Program for AusAid students was successfully run again for 27 postgraduate and undergraduate students.

The Unistart program was delivered to 61 students. Some 80 mentor leaders were trained.

More than 1900 attendances were recorded for orientation week learning skills sessions and more than 2500 individual consultations were conducted to assist students in their studies.

The Unit was reviewed in 2010. The TLD Unit Director and staff members were commended for their high levels of commitment and responsiveness in providing a wide range of services and initiatives with a relatively small team. An early warning system and a set of checklists for students and staff have been key developments. The JCU Teaching and Learning Academy held its inaugural events in November 2010. The Academy is a joint initiative of the Teaching and Learning Development Unit and the Senior DVC’s office. •

Source: JCU Annual Report 2010

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ST ANTHONY’S TAKES THE STAGE Families in the northern beaches suburbs of Townsville are looking forward to the St Anthony’s Catholic College Theatre Restaurant production of Phantom of the Music Hall. Featuring the best acting and musical talents of the College, the Theatre Restaurant is also being catered by Hospitality students. College Principal Mr Paul Ould describes the production as “a fantastic opportunity for students to live out the motto of the

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school, which is ‘Let your Light Shine’. The Arts are a key feature of our curriculum at St Anthony’s and our goal is to assist students in reaching their potential and sharing their talents with others.”

The production Phantom of the Music Hall is set in London at the White Chapel Music Hall. The chairman of the music hall Eric has called for auditions for the melodrama Cinderella and as the cast are rehearsing, they are visited by the

Phantom. He is not happy that they are trying to produce a pantomime under the guise of a melodrama in his theatre! With a mix of musical numbers and quirky one-liners, the Phantom of the Music Hall is a hilarious show and sure to entertain. The show will run over two nights, the 8th – 9th September. Tickets are available from the College Office on 47 517 300 •

TRAINING & EDUCATION HIGHLIGHT

YEAR 7 MOVE TO SECONDARY Queensland Catholic Education Commission has welcomed the State Government’s announcement that Year 7 will move to secondary in 2015.

“This will be educationally beneficial and needs to be made if Queensland is to maintain a world class education system,” said Mr Mike Byrne, Executive Director, Queensland Catholic Education Commission.

“This will more closely align Queensland school structures with the Australian curriculum and better enable teachers to deliver specialist programs required by students of this age.

Since the introduction of the Prep year in Queensland, students moving into Year 7 will be a year older and ready to be

challenged by the options and specialist teachers that the secondary setting provides.”

Mr Byrne said he was pleased the Premier had indicated she would set up a task force to look at the implications for boarding schools.

He said negotiations with the government around funding were continuing in good faith and being conducted within the same framework of needs calculations as for State schools.

“I am confident that, as with the roll-out of the Prep year, the Catholic sector can work in partnership with the government to successfully deliver this significant reform to our education system,” Mike Byrne said. •

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

By SUE HUBBARD / LEARNING PARTNERSHIPS

The professional, highly qualified and experienced team at Learning Partnerships work with government and private organisations throughout Queensland to deliver customised training and development.

As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), Learning Partnerships use their expertise and experience in the Vocational Education Training industry to help businesses access funding for training and development.

They are happy to come to you to explore ways to partner with you for the successful development of your employees and your organisation.

The team is passionate about fostering long term partnerships where training and development evolves with each partner business.

Professional development is designed and developed for specific organisational and team needs. They work with you to facilitate strategic and operational improvements through process mapping, problem solving, communication, planning and strategic direction.

Learning Partnerships are dedicated to providing valuable and meaningful training, working collaboratively with your business to design training and development that meets your organisational needs. •

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TRAINING & EDUCATION HIGHLIGHT

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MOTORING Graduate School of Motoring is Townsville’s oldest driver training school. They also provide professional corporate driving courses tailored to meet the need of your organisation. Their corporate services include driving skills refresher training and defensive driving courses. Heath Ward the director and his team of driver trainers is committed to raising awareness for road safety and safe driving behaviours. •

NORTH QUEENSLAND THERAPY SERVICES North Queensland Therapy Services offer training services to employers who are looking to manage the health of their workers. Their health professionals work in a wide range of industries to prevent and manage musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace. They offer a full complement of workplace services including pre-employment functional assessments, training for employees, rehabilitation support and medical termination and post placement services as required. •

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House for Fausts

lights camera action With the newly-claimed title of Townsville Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Young Business Person of the Year, Peter Jepson is proof of what passion, dedication and lots of creativity can accomplish.

By RACHEL LICCIARDELLO Photography by Luke Taylor

A

t just 33 years old, Peter Jepson is emerging as one of Townsville’s business leaders for tomorrow. If you were to say this directly to Peter’s face, he would probably blush and modestly correct you that he is only doing what he is passionate about.

It was two years ago, in May 2009, when Peter first launched his own production company, Jepson Media. “We were in the middle of the financial crisis, my wife, Jen, and I had just built a new house complete with new mortgage, and our daughters [Grace, 6, and Lucy, 3] were one and three years old; you might say it was a risky move,” Peter laughs.

A risky move? Absolutely; any new business is, especially for someone with financial commitments like a mortgage and a young family.

But Peter saw a gap in the market for premium ad production, and believed 100% in the product he could offer. “While still at school, I put together a film clip for a family celebration and turned the crowd to tears,” he recalls. “I thought, if something I produced can have that emotional effect, then that’s a skill I can use.”

As well as television commercial production, Jepson Media also creates corporate videos, induction videos, web videos and modern wedding videos that are more similar to film clips than documentaries.

Peter is proof that you don’t need a university degree to have business acumen, creativity or ambition. “I was out of school Friday and into Channel 10 on Monday, working as a production assistant and cameraman,” recalls Peter, who stayed at the TV station until 1997, returned in 2003, and explored other elements of local media before creating Jepson Media.

For a long time, there has been an assumption that regional TV has not been able to produce high quality ads – either in creation or execution.

Jepson Media exists as rebuttal to this. “I’m not trying to recreate the industry – I am just trying to represent what the industry is doing now, and not 10 years ago,” comments Peter, who uses high definition equipment and clever, creative concepts.

If the past two years are a glimpse of what’s to come, Jepson Media is on the right path; a path dotted with awards. In 2010, Jepson Media won at the Queensland Multi Media Awards, claiming the Best Special Effects award for the NQ Cowboys game day production. (Peter has co-produced game days since 2001, and continues this contract to this day.) And in June this year, Peter won the coveted Townsville Chamber of Commerce’s Young Business Person of the Year award.

“As I was preparing my submission [for the Young Business Person of the Year award], I said to Jen that whether or not I get the award I’d already won. That process of thoroughly reviewing my business has been invaluable. It helped me see what I’ve accomplished, and clarify where I want to go and how I want to grow.”

For Peter, his award win was a personal validation that the work he has been producing and the business decisions he has been making for his business have been right. “I am still blown away that I am the Young Business Person of Year,” divulges Peter. “If you had have told me two years ago that I would soon be claiming such a prestigious award, I never would have believed you.”

No doubt part of Peter’s success can be attributed to his modesty and his pure determination to “get it right”. “I like to think of Jepson Media being a partner to my clients’ businesses,” he tells. “Jepson Media isn’t like a supermarket – you don’t just walk in and buy an ad off the shelf. We customise a campaign for our clients and keep working at it until everyone is happy.”

Most promising though, is that even with its solid business ethos, an enviable client retention rate, enormous word of mouth promotion and a growing tally of awards, this young company is only in its formative years. Look out Townsville. •

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SECRETS OF SUCCESS

secrets of

success

When I woke up this morning lying in bed, I was asking myself,

“What are some of the secrets of success in life?�

I found the answer right there, in my very room.

The fan said The roof said The window said The clock said The mirror said The calender said The door said

Be cool.

Aim high.

See the world.

Every minute is precious.

Reflect before you act.

Be up-to-date.

Push hard for your goals.

- Author Unknown

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ADVANCE EMPLOYMENT

Lost days in the workplace?

By CATHY O’TOOLE / CEO / ADVANCE EMPLOYMENT Mental health problems currently cost Australia $13 billion per year in 6 million work days lost and 12 million days of reduced productivity, according to the Mental Health Council of Australia. How many days are you losing?

Successfully addressing the issue of a mentally healthy workplace is now paramount for all employers regardless of whether your organisation is small, medium or large in size. Economically this is an investment in the future as these efforts will sustain and increase productivity and reduce costs. Creating a workplace culture that encourages a joint responsibility for mental health is an attainable and a worthwhile goal for everyone.

The stresses and strains placed on everyone in today’s working world, is sending a clear message to employers.

That is, it makes sense for employers to implement policies and strategies that support and protect the mental health of their employees.

The impact of mental ill health in the workplace is becoming more evident daily, according to the Mental Health Council of Australia; one in five people in the community being diagnosed with a mental health condition at some point in the next 12 months. It is most likely that your workplace is a representative cross section of the community, therefore these people will be present in your workplace (or absent!). Central to creating a mentally healthy culture is the development of a knowledgeable and

supportive workplace that values diversity. Achieving this will not only assist in reducing absenteeism (a common symptom of mental ill health) and increase production, but will create an environment that employees value highly and will set your workplace apart as an employer of choice.

Mental ill health is highly stigmatised in our society.

Addressing mental health in the workplace contributes to the creation of an inclusive workplace, which importantly works to dispel misconceptions by promoting an accurate understanding of mental health conditions and causes.

This can be achieved by introducing effective staff education and training programs into the workplace and appropriate occupational health and safety training.

Tips for a healthy workplace: • Facilitate healthy and flexible work conditions that encourage work/life balance, such as flexible working hours or opportunities to work from home where appropriate.

• Promote mental health awareness as an essential part of workplace responsibility.

• Promote the risks of stress, (a major contributor to depression) and how to recognise and reduce it.

• Lead by example; finish work on time where appropriate.

• Engage a mental health professional to assist you take positive steps in your workplace. •

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PARRY NISSAN

Driving Retention Parry Nissan Townsville’s customised training program is a real winner

By TRACEY LEE GORDON Photography by Luke Taylor

J

ohn Doolan is not your typical businessman.

He’s got a team of 54 to manage, commercial targets to meet and he’s accountable to two high profile business owners, yet he’s relaxed and he’s confident.

credited to harnessing the right people and looking after them. John Doolan took on the Sales Management role in ’99 and over time, took things a step further by introducing a structured, internal training program.

When you ask him why he’s so cool, calm and collective, his answer is not what you’d expect “Well I’ve got a great team – the show could easily run without me” he laughs.

“Alan took me under his wing and mentored me for his GM position, so I learnt from him that taking the time to nurture and teach by example develops long term commitment, the best skills and the best knowledge – in return, you get great results and your people can make educated decisions.

As General Manager of local car dealership Parry Nissan, John is quick to make sure it’s understood the success of the business lies with its founders, brothers Alan and John Parry.

“Alan and John were raised in the country, their parents had property and horses; and the business originated with them selling Nissan Patrols and Wagons to the west in the late 70’s.

Alan who is still active in the business as Dealer Principle has always been keen to support and contribute to the community and since 1979, has built a great reputation, an extensive network of sub - agents and franchises across NQ; and Parry Nissan has been acknowledged by industry peers with a long list of awards.”

Clearly the Parry’s weren’t horsing around about establishing a successful business.

Nearly a quarter of the staff have been with the business for over ten years with retention

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Historically, we’ve always competed with the mining industry for good staff so I combined Alan’s mentoring methodology with some really great training tools, to customise a program that would fit with our business culture and nurture young talent.

It made sense to target school leavers with a Cadetship Sales Program to develop them into the business and it’s been a real winner for us.

The younger generation is technologically savvy; they’re open to new ways of doing things and have immense value to add. Candidate selection is important of course, we employ motivated young people that are aligned to fit with our family and community focused culture. Sales is a tough gig and it can be easy to buckle under the pressure, so the program is tiered over three

years and cadets are placed with a mentor. We don’t’ burn them out and we don’t promote a shark mentality, it’s just not our style. That’s a real point of difference for us.

Accountability and hours increase gradually and by year three our guys are fully fledged salespeople. We have a trainer in for one day a month to teach selling skills and provide any specific training; and our Sales staff all become accredited with a Cert III in Automotive Sales.

Matt Shine, our Sales Manager is just one example of how successful the program is. Matt was our first cadet and he started with us in 2004.

I mentored him through the program while I was being groomed for the GM role; and now he runs the sales team.

We mirror this methodology with our administration staff and with apprenticeships in the service area. It’s important that our ethic is maintained from the showroom to the workshop.

Raising younger people up through the ranks, see them achieve and genuinely enjoy their work is pretty rewarding and just a very satisfying thing to do. I know that our people really are equipped to do their jobs and they’ll be with us in the longer term – and that definitely instills confidence for myself and the business owners.” •

JUPITERS TOWNSVILLE

business events; how can we get more?

By TRUDY SEMLER / FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER / JUPITERS TOWNSVILLE There is a growing noise within the business events industry; confidence is emerging, companies and associations are booking again, delegate numbers appear to be increasing and the spend seems to be there. Yet the most significant trait of this changing market is that new destinations are being sought.

No longer content with the capital cities, clients want to journey to the regional areas of Australia. And in doing so, their business event also becomes a retreat, an adventure, an exploration. This is fantastic news for Townsville, which has already laid the foundations to become a key regional player in the business events industry.

So how do we keep growing this industry in our region; how do we as a community make sure we are a competitive, viable and obvious destination?

Basically, we need to spread the word. Townsville has some brilliant selling points that many of the capital cities and rival regional cites don’t have: • •

With 300 days of sunshine, our flourishing city is a sunny lure for many.

Townsville has many great locations; both obvious

•

•

•

and not so obvious. Think outside the square – what about that hall, or that field, or that unique room with its own little history?

Magnetic Island might be only 20 minutes from the mainland, and 25 minutes from the airport, but it feels worlds away, making it an obvious escape for a corporate retreat.

We have a great many reliable and high quality local suppliers who can enhance the success of our events with great style and professionalism.

The people, our community, leave a lasting impression on visitors with our refreshing friendliness and approachability. This is often what makes the difference for visitors deciding whether to return to a city.

So talk to your friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers who are seeking business event destinations, and let them know the benefits of having their next meeting, conference, social event, exhibition or festival in Townsville. The advantages are endless. Business Events contribute greatly to a local economy, not only through tourism but also through the flow on benefits to other sectors such as retail, business and education. And by promoting other industries, you are helping your own. •

JUPITERS

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www.jupiterstownsville.com.au

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ONE DESTINATION. COUNTLESS OPTIONS.

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JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY

The effects of a strong

Australian dollar

By PROFESSOR OF MARKETING AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT PROFESSOR BRUCE PRIDEAUX

A

rising Australian dollar, overseas discounting and cheap international airfares are driving Australians to holiday overseas to the detriment of tourism in North Queensland. At the same time, the rising dollar has discouraged overseas visitors from holidaying in Australia.

The double whammy of lower domestic and international demand has been compounded by the price cutting response of overseas destinations faced with their own fall in demand in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis.

Other factors have affected demand in the region.

The introduction of cheap overseas flights by Jetstar and other low cost carriers such as Asia X to a range of medium-haul destinations including Indonesia, Fiji, New Zealand and Malaysia has made these countries viable alternatives for holidays. The growing popularity of internet hotel booking sites has also put pressure on the hotel

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sector. People are increasingly going online to look for a bargain and can easily compare prices.

Hotels have had to respond with internet rates often well below rack rates.

Collectively these factors have had a major effect on tourism demand in regional such as Cairns and the Whitsundays where we have seen resorts such as the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas sold for discount prices.

Properties have reduced their prices to compete.

As the bottom line fell, the corresponding cut back of staff and services meant minor maintenance issues and cleaning were affected resulting in a decline in service standards.

The domestic industry has to rethink its marketing and service strategies if it wants to compete on price alone with overseas destinations. In Australia it still costs the same to do business as it has done in the past, so trying to compete on

price will see a decline in the quality of hotels and the standard of service they offer which will leave dissatisfied customers.

The hotel sector, and to some degree the destinations, need to fundamentally rethink their strategies for dealing with these issues. The industry can either continue along the price cutting road or focus on the quality of its products and services. If the quality approach is adopted, careful attention will need to be given to branding and brand value.

It is also about the destination. What is the appeal and quality of a destination, why do people come here instead of going to one of our competitors such as Bali?

These are the issues that need to be considered by the tourism industry in the North Queensland region if it is to successfully meet the challenge of a strong Australian dollar. •

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SCORPION JACKS

How jack got up the hill From Home Hill to India, we learn how Graeme Haller took an idea and sold it to the international mining industry from a NQ country town

By TRACEY LEE GORDON It’s hard not to feel instant rapport when you talk to Graeme Haller from Scorpion Jacks - and it’s hard not to be inspired by him. He’s been hugely successful designing and selling hydraulic jacks to the international market from the Burdekin; but he’s not about to take on the title of inventor.

“I’m not an inventor - no good product is ever invented. It starts with an idea and takes years of hard work, heartache and stress to develop a good product.”

These days his son runs the business, but even in semi-retirement, Graeme is pushing a 40 hour working week, travelling overseas and maintaining a quarter acre rainforest in the Burdekin of which he’s very proud. It’s not characteristic to see a rainforest in the dry tropics, but when you listen to Graeme, you realise straight away that he’s

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SCORPION JACKS not one to shy away from a challenge.

Starting out as a motor mechanic back in the 1960’s, Graeme left the trade to work on his father’s cane farm.

He bought one of the first cane harvesters with two partners in 1967, to find that the harvester didn’t really cut the cane – it took a bit of mucking around to get it to work and in 1969 he lost his right hand in it.

It was a life changing event and spurred a real drive and survival instinct. With a wife and young family to support, he wasn’t about to be defeated and subsequently bought his partners out, determined to make the harvester operate properly.

Back on the field only seven days after the accident, he developed the engineering skills to get the harvester working and was so successful he soon had neighbors calling on him to help them out with theirs. This started a sideline business for him and after 8 years, Graeme branched into the field of hydraulics.

He almost lost his other hand in 1975, in an industrial accident and required intense surgery.

The incident also ruined his site in one eye; but it didn’t stop him. “Nope, I’m certainly no quitter”

The hydraulics workshop was constantly filled with lift equipment in need of repair and it didn’t take long for Graeme to realise there was nothing reliable on the market. So, he set about designing a robust hydraulic jack that could be sold into the international mining industry. “It took lots of hard work, trials and customisation to produce a jack that no one could fault, but I got there eventually.”

The concept took 3 years, 3 prototypes and over $100,000 to develop; and during the development stage, he encountered his third unfortunate incident, smashing a leg in a car accident.

“I am lucky; my wife Robyn has been an amazing support. In our 45 years of marriage, she’s had to take on a lot of responsibility when I’ve been out of action. As well as raising our three children she’s always worked in the business. My family have always supported and motivated me” Not surprisingly, Graeme doesn’t have much time for people that sit around complaining. ” You’re allowed to say it was hard, but get over it and get on with it.”

And the secret to marketing a product internationally? “Well, you’ve got to make sure you have a good product.”

Our range of jacks have unique characteristics, so it wouldn’t matter if I lived in the Burdekin, Bali or the Bahamas. When you have a good product, you’ll find word of mouth is your best marketing tool. People move from mine to mine, so if they’ve used your equipment, then they’ll recommend it. Our website works best for the international market and being able to deliver is mandatory.

My very first jack went to Blair Athol Coal in 1994 as a result of developing and demonstrating the prototypes. MIM took the first model designed specifically for the hard rock, underground mines after I presented an initial concept and a quote.

Well I got the order in a few days and I hadn’t even designed the jack! So I jumped in the car, drove all night and spent half of the next day underground on Level 19, measuring for specs.

They had their jack within a month.

That sort of service builds your reputation and has helped make Scorpion Jacks the international supplier that it is today. We supply to mines in Canada, the US, India, Oman, Philippines, Indonesia (West Papua) Laos, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and right around Australia and we’re working on new products all the time.”

Graeme’s off to India again shortly, so I suspect he’s not looking to put his feet up anytime soon. •

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TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES

sports entertainment

By IAN SMYTHE / CEO / TOWNSVILLE McDONALDS CROCODILES As CEO for the Townsville McDonalds Crocodiles, Ian Smythe celebrates his 20th year of involvement with the club in their 20th Anniversary Season. The Crocs (as recognised by fans) was the first sporting team in Townsville to establish a national league team and have provided North Queensland with great entertainment that is highly celebrated.

T

he nature of the sports entertainment industry in the current economic environment has made sales and engagement of new sponsors a challenging task. Very few businesses wake up one morning and decide “today is the day I will invest in the sports industry.” Businesses are focusing on their own profitability and retention of employees and in most cases the last thing on their mind is corporate hospitality and sports advertising.

Investments in sports entertainment however do not always have to be just about corporate hospitality. An exciting night out at the basketball with clients surrounded by nonstop action does create a conducive environment for discussion.

It gives you a great point of reference to start future conversations and it helps develop the relationship that assists loyalty into the future but it does not have to be the only way you look at it.

design brochures or signs but we can introduce you to some great businesses that do.”

for granted and above all remember the price of loyalty.

It is actually during these difficult economic times that you need to be getting your brand out there more, and aligning your brand with a strong community brand like the Crocs or the Cowboys does gives you the chance to open doors that may not have been there before.

Over the years a variety of great events and fantastic attractions have evolved and developed here in Townsville. All of them showcase what a great place Townsville is and what a great place it is to live in.

Whenever I engage or meet with new businesses I always take the time to learn about their business and what might be possible in the relationship if we were to move forward. Turning up on their door step with a big glossy proposal might make you feel good but does little for your understanding of their business.

“Who else is there and how might I get the opportunity to catch up with them?”

Some key areas I look at when talking to businesses are: • Who is their target audience?

• What is the message they are trying to send to customers or clients?

• What are they hoping to achieve from the relationship?

• What is their organisational capacity to create and deliver in advertising and marketing?

• What is their likely available budget to invest and leverage the relationship?

We have focused extensively on this networking over the past two years. As we often say when talking with sponsors, “we don’t sell cars, or

Remember this is a long term relationship that you are chasing. Make sure you understand your partner, you talk regularly, never take them

It also provides you with the opportunity to connect with a variety of businesses and business identities in an enjoyable family friendly environment that may not have been able to in the past.

As a result of this rapid expansion of entertainment some businesses now argue that there are now too many opportunities and activities to support them all and that we need to rationalise what we support.

I however would argue now more than ever we need to find a way to keep them all here.

The investment in, the development of, and the maintenance of the social capital we have created collectively is priceless. Our home games and these other events give people the opportunity to come together and support their community and it gives them a sense of pride in a city that was for so long the forgotten centre of the north.

We all add to a profile that is the “new Townsville.”

It makes people feel great about being here, it makes them want to stay here and more importantly it makes them want to invest back in their own community. I think this is something that all of us involved in business want to occur.

Go Crocs Go. successbusinessmag.com.au

49

FUN

word play See if you can find the correct meaning for each of our unique words and challenge yourself to use them in your next business meeting.

just for fun 50

1. ACRAISAL

5. MARITURIENT

a. Practice used in accounting to calculate interest of investments

a. Lacking in Vitamin D

b. Ill-tempered

b. Eagar to marry

c. Acting review

c. Official term for a Godparent

d. Type of old fashioned skirt worn by women of status

d. Shade of pink/purple

2. COPULA

6. PTOCHOLOGY

a. When a woman conceives twins

a. Alternative natural therapy thought to cure babies crying

b. Something that connects or links together

b. Study of beggars and unemployment

c. A weapon carried by French police

c. Medical procedure to remove freckles

d. A type of carpet made from Goat’s wool

d. Scientific research of stamps

3. FILICOLOGY

7. ROGITATE

a. Study of ferns

a. Dizziness after turning in circles for an extended period of time

b. Occupation in film restoration

b. To ask frequently

c. Drug used to treat sufferers of hyperactivity

c. To irritate/annoy

d. Instrument used to measure bacteria in horticulture

d. Indecisiveness

4. JOBLER

8. YARMULKE

a. Someone who is always jovial/joking

a. Type of hay usually given to camels

b. Old-fashioned occupation in entertaining, particularly of royalty

b. A type of growth often found under the foot

c. Small township in South-western Queensland

c. Medical term for the skin between your index finger and thumb

d. One who does small jobs

d. A cap worn by Jewish males

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Please turn to page 57 for answers.

AUSTRALIA’S BEST

Audi Centre Townsville Showcasing excellence with award winning style

By TRACEY LEE GORDON Photography by Skye Millard The iconic Audi brand dates back to 1910 when the very first Audi automobile was produced in Germany.

One hundred years later and on the other side of the world, our very own Audi Dealership has won the Prestigious Audi Dealer of the Year Award - not just once but twice. Townsville’s Audi Centre took out the award in the Provincial Rural Category, consecutively for 2009 and 2010.

An Absolute Honour Jason Collins is one of two partners in the business and a very modest recipient. “Getting up on the podium to receive the award was very humbling. The brand is synonymous with style, class and cutting edge technology so receiving this award has just been an absolute honour for us.

The award itself is keenly contested with stringent judging criteria such as sales volume, market share, service and overall growth in business.”

A Lot of Hard Work “It’s been exciting to be acknowledged at this level, because we really did come from very small beginnings.

When we started out 11 years ago, we had just one Audi. At that time it was just myself and

Darryl Forno; and we knew we had a massive task ahead of us to develop the brand in the market.

know, our very first customer is still a customer today.”

It’s been a lot of hard work, but we’ve rolled our sleeves up and made a very determined effort.

We’ve worked to really make sure our customers are provided with a level of service that matches the quality of their purchase.”

Keep it personalised

Service Sells “Audi is not just a car, it’s an experience so it’s integral that it’s backed by amazing after sales service.

We are a multi franchise dealership for ten auto brands, but Audi now ranks as our flagship – it’s the number one selling premium brand in our market area.

Our single biggest input to growth is our customers. They’re out in the market and they’re talking about the enjoyment they get out of the vehicle. So they really are ambassadors for the Audi brand and our service. “

Once a client, always a client “You’ll find that purchasers of a premium vehicle are conservative in how they spend their money – they expect the best, but when they get the best they become your biggest advocates and they’ll stay with the brand when they upgrade. You

“It’s very important to stay close to your customers so our marketing strategy is very personalised.

We keep in regular contact with our clients, provide drive experiences and if we’re involved in anything that may be of personal interest to them, such as golf days, we’ll bring them along.”

A Passionate Team “We’re a small team here at Audi, but we’re a specialist team and our secret to being a great team is that we’re passionate about what we do.

We feel privileged that our customers choose this brand and that they choose to buy through us.

It doesn’t matter how busy I am, I still personally take the time to meet and thank every new owner.

I take pride in doing this because I genuinely appreciate their custom.”

Great Brand “Everyone here believes in the brand and we enjoy seeing our clients get such pleasure from their purchase. We don’t experience much staff turnover, because our people love their jobs.

Promoting a world class automotive brand that’s constantly at the forefront of its field definately inspires passion, it’s always exciting.” •

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SOUTHERN CROSS AUSTEREO

Creating a winning value proposition

By CLINT CORBETT / GENERAL MANAGER / SOUTHERN CROSS AUSTEREO

As General Manager, Clint is responsible for the following television and radio stations; 4TOFM, HOTFM, Southern Cross Ten, Eleven and ONEHD.

C

reating a value proposition is part of

most businesses strategy and a way to put your message into clear and simple terms that appeals to your prospective customers.

A value proposition is basically a short statement that communicates the benefits your potential clients receive by using your product, service or idea. Actually, it’s a fancy term for your sales pitch, something your clients can easily understand and remember.

Every value proposition needs to be quite specific and to simply describe the features or capabilities of your offer is not enough. Your value proposition must focus closely on what your customer really want and value. Your customer wants to find the answer, to improve something they currently have, to have a more fulfilling life, to have an easier life, to build a better business, to be a better person etc.

When your potential customer asks “Why should I buy this specific product or service?” your value proposition must answer this, in a convincing way.

To develop a winning value proposition, first think about why customers buy. These reasons typically fall into three sections - we call these the

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three legs of the value proposition stool; resonate; differentiate and substantiate. Here are their meanings; 1. Resonate: Resonance is all about cutting through the never-ending chatter of the marketplace and speaking to prospect needs and wants. A buyer must quickly understand how to fit you into the “how can they help me” bucket or they move on. You have but one chance to capture someone’s attention, so avoid describing what you do or the tasks you perform.

To resonate, make it all about them, and speak to the needs of the marketplace. Be straightforward, clear, and concise. It’s not time to get cute with clever language as you want to be quickly understood.

2. Differentiate: You want buyers to see you as the best possible option in your space. Your area of distinction may be many things: your products and services, customer experiences, operations, point of view, or even the way you are structured.

As you work to distinguish yourself, be sure to position yourself as the best possible resource for solving the prospect’s need. This may lead to different areas of distinction for different prospects, so don’t think in terms of just one differentiator. Think of the prospect first and how what you do and how you do it benefits them.

3. Substantiate: You made the claim; now it’s time to show your cards and prove you’re not bluffing. Prospects are inherently skeptical, so walk them through a case study, show them research you’ve published, schedule a demonstration, or discuss likely results based on work you’ve done with similar customers. Proof mitigates risk and erases skepticism, two major obstacles in any sale.

Creating a value proposition is a useful marketing technique that is attention grabbing. Value propositions assist the business in various ways that enable your prospective customers understand your offering a lot faster and convert your marketing efforts into sales.

In creating a good value proposition, here are a few tips; • Understand the needs of your prospective customers– who is he or she and what do they want?

• Know your product or service well • Be aware of your competitors and their offerings • Put yourself in your customer’s shoes to find the answers So, what is your business value proposition and would you be a client of your own offering? •

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THE MARKETING FACTORY

Communication Consistency

By BREE DWYER / BRAND MANAGER / THE MARKETING FACTORY

As Brand Manager for The Marketing Factory, Bree is responsible for developing campaigns for small business to large enterprise including Catholic Education Office, Jewellery By Design and Knight Frank among others.

I

n business, we communicate our brand to our existing and potential clients every day without even thinking about it, through tax invoices, building signage, websites, flyers and emails among others. Amid all this communication you are sending out to the wider audience, is your business projecting a common message about your brand?

No matter where you display your brand - it should always be consistent, as this will make every marketing campaign worth so much more.

The branding of your business is not just about the look of your logo alone or whether it is used correctly and with the right colours, but more about ensuring the messages across all communication platforms are pulling in the same direction.

Branding provides the opportunity to give a business personality. Imagine your brand as a person – what does it look like, what tone of voice does it have and how does it behave. Understanding this will help create a long lasting relationship with your current and potential customers, by communicating with them in a way that they are receptive to.

Once you ensure your communication is consistent, people will start thinking they saw your brand in more places than you actually have it.

Are you a victim of diluting your own message by changing your brand look or message on each application?

Simple errors can be made that can potentially affect how your brand is seen in the market and ultimately

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influence the response of your customers due to lack of recognition. With recognition comes familiarity; with familiarity comes trust and confidence. If your look or message is inconsistent then it may lead consumers to lose trust in your brand and the power your brand holds. To uphold your brand image, you need to deliver a consistent brand and back this up with great customer experience.

Remember: The visual look of a business often evolves slowly over time, but the core message of any successful brand never changes. Ensure you always communicate messages that don’t detract from your core brand proposition. Never assume that the consumer will automatically understand your message.

We only need to mention the below descriptions of brands to show you the power of a consistent message; “the tick” “the golden arches” Over the years the likes of Nike and McDonalds have changed their product to suit the demand of their target market but their core message has never changed. These brands are now internationally recognised.

So no matter what size budget you have, the most important thing to consider with your branding is to think long term. Yes it may take many years to build a strong and widely recognised brand, so there’s no better time than today to get started! Speak to a professional that represents strong brand consistency on their own brand when deciding on who to employ as your brand guardian.

Here are a few tips to keep your brand on a consistent path;

• Ensure exact colours and fonts are always used.

• Ensure the same version of your logo is used on all your marketing materials.

• Ensure your logo is never stretched or manipulated to fit into a space.

• Have a style guide or set of rules that anyone touching your brand can easily follow.

• Use consistent terms when referring to your business and its offerings.

• Create a balance between your brand image and trying to be too creative or quirky with your marketing.

• Ensure every member of your team is saying the right things to reflect your business.

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Visit us online at www.thegoodguys.com.au or phone 07 4755 0300

PRESENTED BY TROY WILLIAMS - THE GOOD GUYS

iRobot Roomba 530 - from $385 iRobot Roomba 530 returns to its Home Base to recharge between cleanings, so it’s always charged and ready to go. Includes one Virtual Wall that tells Roomba where to clean by restricting off-limit areas. Roomba efficiently cleans the whole floor, under and around furniture and along walls, and automatically adjusts from carpets to hard floors.

This product is perfect for use at home or at the office. Let the Roomba do the work and you reap the rewards. Also available in the iRobot family is the Roomba 577 – fully programmable version and the Scooba 385 – floor washing robot

Lenoxx ICW851 Wireless Docking Station - $149 No need for messy cables and expensive wiring. The Lenoxx wireless docking station allows you to make music happen in any area or room. The wireless technology enables you to be able to plug the base station into your PC and transmit your music library through the speakers up to 30 metres away. Or be completely mobile and dock your iPod whenever and wherever you choose. Operating on a 2.4Ghz frequency complete with remote control, this is sure to give you a great sound at a great price.

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BUSINESS EVENTS

DAVID LEONARDI & JOSH RAWNSLEY

JASMIN WINTERS, MELISA BOWDEN, LEANDA DAVISON & MYLA CORDEIRO

PETER MCKENZIE, TRAVIS ALLAN & DONNA DAWBER

JAN KIRSTEN & BEVEN WEIRER

Business & Finance Expo

LEIA SHELDRICK, DEB BOX, RAMONA LAZZARONI & DARRYL DEARDEN

CASTLETOWN SHOPPINGWORLD

cheers & beers 56

KELLIE LEAVY & SARAH STANDEN

MECURE INN

ry vent Indust Townsville E

Networking Evening

BRETT PRICE & MADONNA SIMMONS

SHARON POZZEBON & BEVAN HILL

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RUTH PRIDEAUX, GLENN MINTERN & MANDY JOHNSTONE

NATALIE FLECKER, MARK BRINE & CASSANDRA CAZZULINO

CR DALE LAST & LISA BATHE

RHONDA BARNES, PAIGE BARNES & GEORGIA CONROY

NEW BUSINESS LAUNCH

BUSINESS EVENTS

A TOUCH OF SALT

Sam Faust Foundation Luncheon BARRY PETERS, AARON PAYNE & PETER PARR

SHANE RUSSELL & CLAYTON COOK

CLINT CORBETT, LAURENCE LANCINI & JOE KELLY

STEVE PRICE, GLEN GILMORE, PETER BRINE & GLENN MINTERN

ISIS SYMES, ROCKY SMIT & SHALON LAWLER

DEREK CAMPBELL, TONY MISKIEWICZ & ROSS GREATREX

VINE 21

Success Busi ness Magaz ine

Launch Part y

WORD PLAY PLAY ANSWERS ANSWERS -- 1.

1. bb 2.

2. ab 3.3.ca 4.4.b d WORD

5. b 6. MATCH b 7. b - Reese 8. d Witherspoon - AVON BRAND

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MARKET RESEARCH

Townsville Transitions Australia’s premier demographer and social commentator Bernard Salt recently unveiled the key findings of his new report, A Demographic Analyses of Townsville.

Photography by Luke Taylor Bernard Salt made comment on Townsville’s transformation from a regional to a metropolitan centre, with a particular emphasis on the future of the CBD. Success Business Magazine joined Bernard Salt, Deputy Mayor David Crisafulli, prominent Townsville developer Peter Honeycombe and Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Townsville branch president Pat Brady to launch the key findings at a media conference.

Here are some key findings from the report: •

No other city of comparable size has the connection into the future prosperity of Australia than Townsville does.

•

Anchored by the military and manufacturing, and with Sun Metals Zinc Refinery, JCU, agriculture and proximity to the Reef – these deliver the city and community with an assured future.

• • • •

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•

Townsville’s next phase of growth is likely to see it accrue the critical mass in population to transform from a regional centre to metropolitan centre.

Townville’s CBD-based population is set to more than double over the next 15 years. This is going to create a critical mass of population that is likely to demand more specific precincts for shopping, dining and entertainment.

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What Townsville requires as it transitions from a city of 180,000 to that of 230,000 within the next 20 years, is ‘lifestyle diversity’.

Townsville’s inner city residents are becoming increasingly more educated with higher incomes than the metropolitan average.

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Townsville’s population is currently in a high growth phase that is projected to continue for the next 16 years at least.

Townsville boasts the highest average disposable household income among Australia’s 20 largest urban centres outside of a capital city.

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Luxury vehicle ownership in Townsville would suggest that Townsville has an increasing capacity to purchase high-end products.

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House prices in Townsville have increased at an average rate of between 7.4% and 13.3% pa over the last 10 years.

As the city expands, and as the scale of the city increases and diversifies, there is sufficient critical mass to accommodate specialty precincts – this calls for a greater demand for diversity of housing styles and lifestyles.

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