BusinEssentials Issue 13
February 2013
A roadmap for employment and industry growth
Council’s Economic Development Policy and Strategy Key point • Priority actions highlighted in Council’s 10-year economic development strategy are driving innovative projects in the region.
Health has been identified as a
The Economic Development Policy and Strategy, unanimously endorsed by Council in August 2012, provides a clear roadmap for future projects and initiatives that will generate economic growth, employment and industry support.
Future Today’ explored how technology
Promoting greater opportunities for technology adoption that capitalise on the NBN rollout, competitiveness and new forms of business-to-business are priority areas identified in the Strategy. Targeted especially to home-based and small business, these priorities have inspired active projects such as a feasibility study into a co-working space for local professionals, a project driven by industry with support from Council that has resonated with over 30 businesses.
strategic sector and influencing its future growth will require working with agencies such as Medicare Local. The recent seminar ‘Imagine Tomorrow’s will drive productivity, innovation and better service delivery across the sector (see page 5 for more details). Attracting investment, promoting the business case for innovative infrastructure and facilitating new business growth in the region are other Strategy priorities. Recent actions taken by the Economic Development Unit in line with the Strategy have included better coordination of wireless telecommunications and utility investment, sharing case studies on housing innovations and working regionally to coordinate business training.
During 2013, there will be further initiatives promoting innovation across manufacturing, retail, social enterprise, low carbon economic growth and placemaking. For more details on the Economic Development Strategy or to obtain a copy contact the Economic Development Unit, T: 9294 6426.
INTHISISSUE
Welcome to the new-look BusinEssentials With the New Year comes a fresh new look for BusinEssentials, one that aims to improve the appearance of our business journal online. We hope you enjoy the publication. You can also visit our Facebook page ‘Yarra Ranges Business’ for updates.
A roadmap for employment and industry growth – Council’s Economic Development Policy and Strategy Welcome to the new-look Businessentials
Good data for good decisions in all languages
Good data for good decisions in all languages Securing the Yarra Valley Education Precinct Green hills, valleys and holes in the ground – investment opportunities for all in Yarra Ranges Tomorrow’s health and community services future on show in Yarra Ranges Leasing land and water – another way to grow a farm business Visitor Guides on the go thanks to technology Sweet start for Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery Riccis Bikkies of Healesville positions for growth Technology know-how to revitalise retail in 2013 ECOSS community enterprises in full swing Changing faces of Chirnside Park Building business resilience and bouncing back from adversity Start 2013 with the right advice – small business mentoring and subsidised training 60 seconds with Cecile Riddle
Key point
The tool is freely available at www.
• Translation to Mandarin and update
economicprofile.com.au/yarraranges.
of 2011 Census data ensures the
The extensive reports and statistics it can
economic profile data tool remains
generate will assist informed decision
highly innovative. The Yarra Ranges interactive economic profile data tool, launched in 2012, continues
Cool apps for small business
to grow in status as an essential resource for Celebrating five years of Women on the Go WinHort Yarra Ranges International Women’s Day Dinner – with Ann Creber, Whispers from Provence organic gourmet products Business Workshops and Events: February to June 2013
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undertaking analysis to support investment decisions and market research. In fact, the
making on existing and proposed developments and business. New releases of ABS Census data, especially the highly important local jobs data, will be added to this tool as they become available, watch out for more
tool was recently translated to Mandarin.
information and updates in our e-bulletin.
As the ‘Asian Century’ dawns it’s very
For more information contact Luigi Zarro,
important to ensure that local data is
T: 9294 6271.
available to all potential investors, especially those from China and beyond.
Yarra Ranges Council | BusinEssentials | Issue 13 | February 2013
Key point • Yarra Ranges Council is progressing well on securing the former Swinburne Lilydale site for an education, community and cultural precinct. Following the announcement that Swinburne will leave its Lilydale campus as of 30 June, Council has been playing an integral leadership role in ensuring an appropriate outcome for the site. The cornerstone of the plan is retention of an education precinct that continues to support TAFE and university education. The widely supported goal – a ‘multiversity’ model based on the competitive strengths of the Yarra Valley – will see a regional campus for the outer east that has strong community support and recognition within the marketplace. The campus was compulsorily acquired by the Victorian Government for approximately $3 million in 1993 and gifted to Swinburne for tertiary education in the outer east. The vast majority of the buildings on the site were paid for by state and federal governments. Key to Council’s leverage on this issue is that, under the conditions of the compulsory acquisition, a sizeable component of land will be returned to Council possession when the site ceases to be used for higher education.
Securing the Yarra Valley Education Precinct • funding of Box Hill TAFE by the Victorian
• In 2012 education and skills attainment
Government to undertake a detailed
in Yarra Ranges is still the lowest in the
Achievements to date include:
assessment of training needs in the
Melbourne East region.
•A detailed Council submission to the state
outer east.
TAFE Reform Panel, outlining a blueprint for the future of the site •e stablishment of the Yarra Valley Education Precinct Group as a platform for advocacy •a Public Forum on the issue that attracted more than 300 people •a public advocacy campaign, targeting the Victorian Government and Swinburne, to ensure an appropriate legacy for education on the site •p reparation of a new site masterplan that would see it being used for educational, community and cultural purposes. The masterplan has gained in-principle support from Swinburne, the Victorian Government and Council
“The Lilydale campus has provided
There is evidence of a real need for
opportunities for a large number of students
tertiary education in the outer east.
who might have otherwise missed out
The establishment of TAFE and higher
on further education,” said Yarra Valley
education in Yarra Ranges was the result
Education Precinct Chairman Bernard
of a sustained campaign by residents
Dobson at the recent public forum.
and business in the 1980s and 1990s,
“Loss of TAFE and higher education in the
responding to low levels of tertiary
region would see a drop in the number of
education participation in the region and the
local graduates with appropriate training,
needs of local industry.
impacting detrimentally on local industry.”
• In 1990 a Victorian Post-Secondary
Over coming months Council will continue
Education Commission report named the
to advocate for the former Swinburne
outer east as a ‘priority for resources’.
site to be retained as an educational,
• In 1991 the Future Provision of Higher
community and cultural precinct.
Education in the Outer East of Melbourne
To receive updates on the campaign,
report recommended Lilydale as the site
E: yvep@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or visit
for a higher education campus.
www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/yvep.
Yarra Ranges Council | BusinEssentials | Issue 13 | February 2013
3
Green hills, valleys and holes in the ground
investment opportunities for all in Yarra Ranges Key points •W orld-class tourism development is underway in the Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs. • I mminent closure of the Sibelco quarry offers an unprecedented opportunity for new residential development in Lilydale. A diverse municipal economy drives a wide
produce truffles), bakery, café, hotel and
for investors and developers to create a
fine dining facilities – all with significant
new neighbourhood of excellence and
A great example is the Yarra Valley
sustainability credentials. The development
adaptability.
Chocolaterie in Yarra Glen, which has
will be a bonus in the Dandenongs for
significantly boosted local employment and
dedicated foodies that will complement the
created a new family-friendly destination.
local environment, restore part of its history
Opened in December, the investment has
and showcase local produce and skills.
range of investment opportunities.
created over 50 full time and part time jobs
To promote ideas and concepts of future housing adaptability, Council recently hosted Peter Mares of the Grattan Institute, Australia’s leading think-tank
Major urban residential development
on housing issues. In an engaging and
opportunities are also on the horizon.
thought-provoking address, Peter shared
In Sherbrooke, major project planning by
The imminent closing of the Sibelco
the challenges and opportunities that new
the consortium behind the rebirth of the
quarry in Lilydale has the potential to
residential housing needs to embrace.
National Trust-listed Burnham Beeches,
bring thousands of new residents to the
With over 50 builders, investors and
involving renowned chef Shannon Bennett
municipality. The site, which covers
property specialists attending, the event was
of Vue Du Monde, is underway. The vision
around 160 hectares, is close to major
an excellent way to showcase the quarry
for the site includes a farm (already in
transport, schools and infrastructure.
site and other investment opportunities in
production), truffiere (an oak grove to
With the right vision it offers an opportunity
Yarra Ranges.
(see page 6 for more details).
Tomorrow’s health and community services future on show in Yarra Ranges Key point •P romotion of innovation in the health and community services industry gets underway. The importance of innovation and technology in health, aged care and community services was showcased in a seminar held in Yarra Ranges on 27 November 2012. Guest speakers from Siemens and the University of Melbourne‘s Institute for BroadbandEnabled Society set the scene on the future of health care. Local health and community services professionals demonstrated how technology like Skype and social media can provide for better use of services like Auslan interpreting, advocacy and support of diabetes, and better engagement with aged care service providers.
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This event is part of a series of engagements planned for 2013 on better access to health and community services through technology. Promoting innovative collaboration between providers, authorities and practitioners will help the sector to take advantage of substantial opportunities offered by the rollout of the NBN. Key partner advocates for heath innovation include the Eastern Melbourne Medicare Local, Inspiro Community Health Service (formerly Ranges Community Health) and Yarra Valley Community Health. An event was also held in January on service delivery parameters and client/resident needs and project opportunities For more information contact the Economic Development Unit, T: 9294 6426.
Yarra Ranges Council | BusinEssentials | Issue 13 | February 2013
Key point •U nused land and water in the municipality could offer affordable opportunities for new farming investments. One of the constraints of commercial
Leasing land and water – another way to grow a farm business
farming in an urban fringe area such as Yarra Ranges is the high price of land. Farmers compete with rural lifestylers for small to medium sized blocks. It is a real constraint to business growth when purchasing more land is not possible because the price of land means a reasonable return cannot be obtained. Some farmers have chosen to expand their business by buying land elsewhere in Victoria, which helps manage their climate and hail risk and extend the time at which
to lease at least some of their land and
and financial information that will make
their crops are ready for market.
water for periods of 10 to 15 years. Current
negotiating leases as easy as possible.
indications are that the water being offered
Leasing land and water could also provide a
totals around 1000 ML and the land 650 ha.
way for new people to enter farming without
One way for farmers to grow within the region is to lease land on a long term basis
requiring the initial (and usually prohibitive)
that has unused water entitlements.
The next steps in this project are to find a
A recent survey of all water licence holders
suitable way to bring potential lessors and
who have not used their water over the last
lessees together (possibly a website) while
For more information contact Ian Ada,
few years found that about 40 were willing
maintaining privacy, and providing legal
T: 9294 6171.
capital costs of buying land.
Visitor Guides on the go thanks to technology Visitors to the region can now access the
Yarra Ranges
Official Visitor Guide online.
Regional Marketing
Official Visitor Guides play an important role in the economy by encouraging visitors to explore towns and villages, shop local, experience culture and heritage, and stay overnight. They also promote repeat visits. Keeping dollars spent in the local economy means increased employment opportunities and business development.
Ltd, the peak tourism marketing body for the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, produces the Official Visitor Guides, which are distributed throughout Melbourne, other regions of Victoria and interstate. To have copies available at your business, contact :
The guides provide travellers with information on what to see and do, where to eat, and where to stay. They are available at key tourism hotspots in the region and other areas like Melbourne Airport, city hotels and Federation Square. And to
•Y arra Valley Visitor Information Centre, The Old Courthouse, Harker Street, Healesville, T: 5962 2600 E: info@experienceyarravalley.com.au •D andenong Ranges Tourism Visitor
• Warburton Visitor Information Centre, Warburton Waterwheel, 3400 Warburton Highway, Warburton, T: 5966 9600 E: info@experienceyarravalley.com.au
broaden accessibility, the new Yarra Valley
Information Centre, 1211 Burwood Hwy,
guide is now available online at
Upper Ferntree Gully, T: 9758 7522
To be part of the next Official Visitor Guide
www.experienceyarravalley.com.au and
E: info@experiencethedandenongs.com.au
contact Yarra Ranges Regional Marketing,
www.experiencethedandenongs.com.au.
T: 8739 8000 or E: info@yrrml.com.au
Yarra Ranges Council | BusinEssentials | Issue 13 | February 2013
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Sweet start for Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery A vision to build a premier tourist
recruiting has also been local. We hired
The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice
destination in the Yarra Ranges celebrating
local builders Skate, Diamond Valley for civil
Creamery is open every day – 9am to 5pm
artisan chocolate and ice cream, local
works and neighbours Alowyn Gardens to
for free tastings, watching chocolatiers at
produce and family fun has been realised
complete our landscaped grounds.”
work, a café and landscaped grounds for
by Ian and Leanne Neeland.
“We’re also commissioning local artists to
children to play.
Opened on 15 December, their premises
create sculptures and are working with the
35 Old Healesville Road
combines striking architecture and a setting
Wurundjeri people to develop a bush tucker
(cnr Melba Highway),
with breathtaking views of Dixon Creek
chocolate range. We look forward to many
Yarra Glen
vineyards and the Great Dividing Range.
more collaborations with local businesses
T: 9730 2777
Their quality handmade product range has
to ensure our business becomes another
www.yvci.com.au
been a hit with visitors of all ages, and early
tourist icon for the region.”
visitation numbers are strong.
Investment in this new tourism venture
“The initial response has been very
will bring positive business benefits for
promising with around 1800 visitors a
many in the region, with a strong focus
day since opening, which means we’re
on supporting and collaborating with local
on track to achieving our goal of 600,000
businesses and the community already
visitors each year,” said Ian. “Our range of
part of the Chocolaterie’s ethos. As one
chocolate products and ice creams has
enthusiastic Lilydale customer stated
been a hit with customers and our café
“I hadn’t been to Yarra Glen in years.
has become a great meeting place for both
Since the Chocolaterie’s opening I have
locals and visitors.”
visited the town three times in a month
“Sourcing local products and services is key for us. This goes for our produce on the menu in the café and in our 150 different
and extended our trip by going to the playground, local shops and refuelled at the service station.”
chocolate products,” added Ian. “Our
Ricci’s Bikkies of Healesville positions for growth The journey from home-based sweet biscuit producer to successful boutique manufacturer of baked savoury products and sauces – with national distribution – has been a swift one for Healesville’s Ricci’s Bikkies.
premises opened in 2012. The Hunter Road site allows for better packaging and storage facilities, bringing down costs and improving space for machinery and staff amenities.
Ricci’s Bikkies products are available from selected Coles stores, quality delicatessens and many Yarra Valley product specialists. Factory sales are available 7am to 3pm Monday to Friday.
Business co-founder Ross McAuliffe described how a capacity to innovate into new products has been key to the firm’s success.
“Over the next 12 months, especially as we service more trade clients with privatelabel products like croutons, we’re going to be investing in further automation,” Ross added. “Already our new site is bursting at the seams.”
Ricci’s Bikkies, Factory 1/29 Hunter Road, Healesville T: 5962 1294
“We now have 15 product lines across flavoured pita chips and Asian flavoured dipping sauces,” said Ross. “The sauces especially have been a hit with clients. In fact Coles is looking at increasing our presence from 90 to 200 stores and we’re picking up contracts with major brands like Qantas, which is really exciting.” Recent growth for Ricci’s Bikkies has been aided by a new manufacturing
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Ross also explained how the staff at Ricci’s Bikkies has been a key part of their success. “Our staff – who are all local – are a big part of our growth. They are completely engaged in the business and this allows us to concentrate on production and clients.”
Yarra Ranges Council | BusinEssentials | Issue 13 | February 2013
Technology know-how to revitalise retail in 2013 According to the 2011 Census data, retail is the largest local employment sector in the municipality, with 4807 jobs. This sector is also facing change, as introduction of the NBN will create new opportunities for retailers through e-commerce and enhanced communication with clients via social media. Across Yarra Ranges, social media savvy retailers like Moskito Blue are already offering on-the-spot discounts to customers who ‘check-in’ using Facebook when they walk into the store. Moskito Blue also operates a successful online shop. Boosting links between digital marketing, IT, social media and the storefront are some of the themes that an upcoming ‘Grow your Business Using Technology’ seminar will showcase. Hosted by the Victorian Government, the event will cover topics such as coupons, effective use of Facebook and social media to understand consumer behaviour, managing cyber security, realtime inventory, mobile payments, optimising web traffic and more. The free event will be held on Wednesday 6 March (6.00pm for a 6.30pm start) at the Manningham City Council Function Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster. For more information contact Donna Donovan, T: 9294 6426. (Numbers are limited so hurry!)
ECOSS community enterprises in full swing The hard work to become a fully sustainable community and social enterprise network has reached a milestone for the staff and supporters of ECOSS at Wesburn. With new greenhouses now completed, the successful ECOSS Community Nursery - which produces organic plants and vegetable seedlings to local farmers, the public and other retailers – can enter a new phase of growth. As Grant Eastwood, Operations Manager shared, “With the greenhouses now fully operational we can really ramp up our business-to-business operations and market organic seedlings to farmer across the region and help develop the capacity of our local food networks.” Complementing the commercial success of the nursery is ECOSS’ new initiative in community food. Using fresh fruit and vegetables and herbs sourced from the fully productive market garden, they have commenced a pilot to trial a ‘Food Box’ delivery of fresh produce to residents in the Upper Yarra. “The aim in time is to create a conduit for local hobby farmers and other farmers who engage sustainable agriculture practices to supply fresh produce to the local community.” ECOSS welcomes enquiries from farmers wishing to support their nursery through purchase of seedlings and looking for local markets for their produce. They also welcome enquiries from local schools and service providers looking to enhance their training and employment pathways. Yarra Valley ECOSS, Ecological & Social Sustainability www.ecoss.org.au
Yarra Ranges Council | BusinEssentials | Issue 13 | February 2013
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Changing faces of Chirnside Park
Key point
surrounding suburbs of the Urban Triangle
•C ouncil allocates $2.075 million to
(Lilydale and Mooroolbark).
redevelop the existing Chirnside Park Community Centre into an Integrated Children’s Centre.
Centre was identified in the comprehensive community infrastructure assessment that
Chirnside Park Multi Purpose Facility with a
was undertaken in 2011. The projected
focus on early childhood has been boosted
demand for children’s services arising
with an announcement in early November
from the redevelopment of key sites in
2012 by the Member for Evelyn Christine
Chirnside Park supports this important
Fyffe, together with Minister for Children and
Stage one project.
Early Childhood Development, Wendy Lovell,
Maroondah Highway, locally known as the
A feasibility analysis is also currently being
“hole in the ground”. A permit for stage
undertaken by Council to determine
one of the development has also been
whether a Stage two project should be
granted for 46 one and two bedroom units
In addition to the grant of $1.38 million
considered in addition to the Integrated
with ground floor retail space. Hopefully
from the State government, Council has
Children’s Centre, and the financial
construction will start in early 2013.
allocated $2.075 million of its Capital
implications of this. The Stage two project
Works Budget towards the redevelopment
could comprise a further extension of the
of the existing Chirnside Park Community
facility to accommodate a wider range of
Centre into an Integrated Children’s Centre.
community based activities and services
The existing community centre is located
in a multi-purpose format. Community
on Kimberley Drive within the grounds of
consultation is currently being undertaken
Kimberley Reserve.
with Chirnside Park residents to help inform
that the Chirnside Park Centre was among 93 services state-wide to receive grants.
Stage one of the multi purpose facility will
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The need for an Integrated Children’s
the feasibility analysis.
Progress has also been made on other key redevelopment sites in Chirnside Park, such as the subdivision of the former Chirnside Park Golf Course for new residential development (Cloverlea Chirnside Park, marketed by Oliver Hume). The Urban Triangle Placemaker is available to talk about prospective investment attraction
involve renovating the existing building and
There has been positive progress on one
constructing an extension to the facility
of the key redevelopment sites in Chirnside
to accommodate an expanded range
Park, which should see some change to
of services and programs as part of the
the urban landscape along the Maroondah
Integrated Children’s Centre. The identified
Highway over the next 12 months. On
For more information contact
catchment for the facility will be families
3 October 2012, Council approved the
Tania Asper, T: 9294 6237 or
and children in Chirnside Park and the
Development Plan for the Lacola site on
E: t.asper@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
and urban renewal opportunities in Chirnside Park and other areas within the Urban Triangle of Lilydale, Mooroolbark and Kilsyth.
Yarra Ranges Council | BusinEssentials | Issue 13 | February 2013
Building business resilience and bouncing back from adversity Key point
The Crisis Communications Handbook for Regional and Local
• Small businesses can build the resilience they need to
Tourism, developed by Tourism Victoria, is an excellent resource
recover from disaster and adversity through resources,
to assist local and regional bodies to plan for, respond to and
engaged staff and community support.
recover from crisis events.
The challenges of rebuilding after a disaster – natural, man-made
Local small business advisor and mentor Anthony Turner, together
or personal adversity – are substantial. Yet often they are the
with Sandra Slatter, recently authored a book titled Are U Ready.
sparks that drive initiative and lead businesses to exciting new
This book is a simple but comprehensive ‘how-to’ guide on recovering
directions of growth and development.
from the three disaster types – natural, man-made, and accident
During 2012, accidental fire destroyed prominent local businesses The Snooty Fox in Olinda and French’s Laundry in Healesville. For French’s Laundry, this major crisis offered the opportunity to rebuild bigger and better than before. ‘We really need to thank the Healesville community and our loyal clients for their support,” said David Nguyen, Managing Director. “Through this period almost all of our 300 clients stayed with us. After a day we were able to receive laundry in the local scout hall,
and illness. Based on Anthony’s and Sandra’s work with thousands of small businesses after adversity hits, it is a highly informative resource that all small businesses should look at obtaining. “One of the most revealing things we discovered when researching our book was that, of the 1200+ businesses we’ve supported after disasters, not one had a disaster recovery plan in place before the event,” noted Anthony. To obtain a copy of the book visit www.areuready.com.au
then the football club. Even our local cafe gave us a temporary space for meetings and an office. Now we’re planning a new industrial laundry in the outer east to complement our new Healesville customer centre.” French’s Laundry has 27 employees, and David explained how important they were in the successful rebuilding of the business, as a key supply chain partner of the local tourism Industry. “My staff has been fantastic over the last few months. They did things like stay in contact with clients from their home phones and they worked around the clock to help the business rebuild. They’ve been an amazing support.”
Yarra Ranges Council | BusinEssentials | Issue 13 | February 2013
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Start 2013 with the right advice – small business mentoring and subsidised training Online bookings are now open for free
• 1 February at Yarra Junction and Healesville
small business mentoring sessions offered
• 1 March at Healesville and Monbulk
by Council to small businesses across Yarra Ranges. Over 300 businesses have been assisted since a partnership
• 5 April at Yarra Junction and Healesville • 3 May at Monbulk and Healesville
was established with the Small Business
• 7 June at Yarra Junction and Healesville.
Mentoring Service in early 2009.
To book a session visit
Sessions are held during business hours
www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/sbms or
and dates currently available include:
contact Donna Donovan, T: 9294 6426.
6O seconds Cecile Riddle has been advising businesses for over 20 years on the opportunities that better relationships between employers and employees bring to the workplace. Here we talk to her about Strategic Leadership and the program she will soon be hosting in Yarra Ranges on this topic. Q: Cecile, in today’s world of rapid change that increases
and Gen Y managers are being pushed through the ranks to fill the leadership void. Many lack the people skills and self-confidence to keep and engage their key talent. They need to acknowledge the importance of these skills and make developing them a priority. Q: What are the top three lessons that businesses will learn from participating in your Strategic Leadership Program?
risk and opportunity for business owners, how should
1. When you allow yourself to ‘get off your viewpoint and
employers and employees define Strategic Leadership?
establish a viewing point’, you gain more self-awareness and a
In these challenging times it’s important that business owners maintain their strategic vision for the organisation and motivate their employees to acquire and pursue that vision. Strategic Leadership can be defined as building and safeguarding resources (including attracting and retaining talent), and
better understanding of ‘other’. This enables Strategic Leaders to create a culture of trust. 2. Opening yourself to learning how to foster effective interpersonal relationships is empowering and consolidates your credibility with your people.
developing capability to gain appropriate, sustained advantages
3. In these times, the biggest challenge is to keep your key people
in the long term. Strategic Leaders will invest in their talent to
engaged, so that you can retain talent for the upturn in the economy.
drive innovations in their business. They see building a culture of
The Yarra Ranges Strategic Leadership Program commences
trust and credibility as pivotal in engaging employees to share and achieve the vision of the organisation. Q: When it comes to working with different generations
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with Cecile Riddle
in March 2013. It will offer specialist one-to-one and group learning on leadership and strategies for better management of professional relationships in business.
and age groups, is there a special formula for aspiring
For more information and to register contact Donna Donovan,
Strategic Leaders?
T: 9294 6426.
Strategic Leaders need to understand that different generations
For further reading on the topic Cecile suggests: Seven
have different motivators, or values. They need to step out of
Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey;
their comfort zone and really get in touch with their people.
ivybusinessjournal.com, management studyguide.com,
On the other hand, with the retirement of baby boomers, Gen X
lifebydesign.com
Yarra Ranges Council | BusinEssentials | Issue 13 | February 2013
Cool apps for small business
their eagerness to hear and learn from
Council is promoting a range of business
successful local women in business. Bendigo
activities on better technology use. Waller of Mobial will be conducting a seminar on productivity and work improvements through better use of tablets (see the training calendar on the back page).
Expensfy
Bank Eastern Region, and Yarra Ranges, Maroondah and Knox Councils were all
This very popular app for managing
hosting individual events for women, so they
expenses allows users to track business
combined their efforts and the first Eastern
expenses and mileage, and scan and
Women on the Go event was born.
upload receipts. They can even file receipts by trip and submit expense reports to
Below are some apps we found that are
employers with the click of a button (check
free or highly affordable for businesses.
out Dimewise as well in this vein).
We encourage you to choose the right
Since then these events have grown from strength to strength. Inspiring women speakers have included flower growers, tourism operators, glass artists, retailers, real estate agents, natural therapists and many more.
apps for your business and to share them
Yarra Ranges is pleased to be hosting the
with us on our Facebook page.
event again in 2013 with guest speaker
Square
Dr Rosemary McCallum.
A major breakthrough in mobile payments,
Don’t miss Women on the Go in 2013: • Maroondah Council – Wednesday 13 March • Yarra Ranges Council – Wednesday 13 June • Knox City Council – Friday 30 August
this app was founded by the creator of
FormMobi
Women on the Go began in 2008, when women in the business community flagged
Throughout 2013, the Yarra Ranges
For example, on 20 February, Simon
Celebrating five years of Women on the Go
Twitter. By using a small plug-in reader,
Like a ‘virtual clipboard’, this app lets fields
Square can empower anyone with a
easily gather and distribute data, especially
smartphone or tablet to easily accept
around filling forms on the go. Features
credit card payments. There are no sign-
include audio, pictures, signatures, and a
up or monthly fees – the service takes
capacity to create CAD-quality sketches.
2.75 per cent of each transaction.
WinHort Yarra Ranges International Women’s Day Dinner – with Ann Creber, Whispers from Provence organic gourmet products Ever wondered whose job it is to get a
Inspired by the markets of France,
For more information contact Donna
shot of the perfectly-curled scoop of vanilla
Ann has now launched her own food line
Donovan, T: 9294 6426.
ice-cream before it melts? Or how on earth
featuring organic gourmet products – the
they get that roast chicken or lamb to look
‘Whispers from Provence’ range – which
shiny and perfect?
includes marinated fetta, marinated olives,
Ann Creber has been a food stylist for 30 years and there’s not much she hasn’t seen or done using food. Not only is Ann a food
preserves, chutneys, relishes (made to her grandmother’s recipes) and jams using organic ingredients from her garden where possible.
stylist, she’s also a writer, journalist, editor
Ann will be the guest speaker at the WinHort
and business owner. She hosts The Good
(Women in Horticulture) Yarra Ranges dinner
Life on local Emerald radio 3MDR, spent
to celebrate International Women’s Day.
many years as a regular on ABC programs
The event will be held on Thursday 7 March
and still has a slot on Radio National.
at Tokar Estate, Coldstream.
Yarra Ranges Council | BusinEssentials | Issue 13 | February 2013
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Business Workshops & Events: February to June 2013 Workshop
Date
Time
Cost
Venue
Small Business Mentoring
Friday
10 am
Do you need some help with your business?
1 March H M
11 am
H=H ealesville Library & Community Link
Do you need someone to talk to and bounce ideas off?
5 April Y H
1 pm
Sessions are Free. Bookings essential. Book online
Does your business cover its day to day costs? Are you working in your business rather than on your business?
3 May M H
2 pm
www.sbms.org.au/ events
7 June Y H
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you could benefit from meeting with an independent business Mentor. Marketing on a Shoe String with Ailsa Paige – Event #10042
Y = Upper Yarra Family Centre, Yarra Junction M = Monbulk Living & Learning Centre
Wed 13 Feb
6pm to 8.45pm
$30
Monbulk Living and Learning Centre 21 Main Road Monbulk
Wed 20 Feb
1.45 – 4pm
$35
York on Lilydale Montrose Room Cnr Swansea & York Roads Mt Evelyn Vic 3796
Wednesday 6 March
6pm – 8pm
FREE
Manningham City Council 699 Doncaster Road Doncaster 3108
Eastern Women on the Go
Wednesday
8am – 11am
$35
Maroondah Council
Yarra Ranges Guest Speakers:
13 March
Yarra Ranges Council
Dr Rosemary McCallum, Abundant Life Solutions
13 June
Knox Council
In this workshop you will learn easy to understand marketing ideas and tips to give you greater understanding of the science of marketing and learn how to adjust your marketing to suit your budget and goals. Tablets In Business – Be More Effective – Event # 10043 Tablets such as the iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab are becoming increasingly common in the business environment but many users struggle to understand how their iPad or tablet fits into their daily workflows. As a result many iPads sit idle on peoples desks or are used for low value asks such as checking email or surfing the web. This workshop provides participants with the information they need to start using their tablets as an effective business tool. Grow Your Business Using Technology How to combat decreasing sales and turnover, online competitors and the challenges of using new technology to reach and retain customers. This event is co-sponsored by the following organisations:Victorian Government, Yarra Ranges Council, Australian Retailers Association, Australian Information Industry Association, Manningham City Council, City of Monash, Whitehorse City Council, Boroondara City Council, Knox City Council, Maroondah City Council,
30 August Starting Your Business - Event # 9631
19 March
6.30-10pm
$30
Belgrave South Community House
SBV – Go Online: A Start-up Guide for Business Seminar Event # 9914
Wednesday 20 March
6-8pm
$20
Morrisons Mt Evelyn
WinHort International Women’s Day Dinner
Thursday 7 March
7pm
$50
Tokar Estate, Coldstream
Investor Forum
Thursday 18 April
5.30pm
FREE
To be confirmed
SBV – Budgeting and Forecasting - Event # 9915
Tuesday 23 April
6pm – 8pm
$20
Olinda Community House
SBV – Starting a business - Event # 9916
Wednesday 15 May
6pm – 9.30pm
$30
Burrinja, Cnr Glenfern Road and Matson Drive, Upwey Vic 3158
Each year WinHort (Women In Horticulture) Yarra Ranges celebrates International Women’s Day. WinHort Yarra Ranges are delighted to have local business woman and hills identity Ann Creber as guest speaker.
Note: Workshops and seminars include light refreshments. More details can be found at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/business, www.business.vic.gov.au/workshops search ‘Event no’ or e-mail business@yarraranges.vic.gov.au Also visit the neighbouring councils of Maroondah, Knox, and Whitehorse for business information and workshops www.bizmaroondah.com.au www.knox.vic.gov.au www.wbiz.com.au
Simon O’Callaghan | Executive Officer Economic Development Ph: 9294 6187 Email: s.ocallaghan@yarraranges.vic.gov.au
Yarra Ranges Council: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/business For general enquiries 1300 368 333 PO Box 105, Lilydale 3140
Ian Ada | Agribusiness Officer Ph: 9294 6171 Email: i.ada@yarraranges.vic.gov.au
BusinEssentials is a bi-annual publication. News and contributions are welcome and should be submitted to business@yarraranges.vic.gov.au
Tania Asper | Urban Triangle Placemaker Ph: 9294 6237 Email: t.asper@yarraranges.vic.gov.au Luigi Zarro | Economic Development Officer Ph: 9294 6271 Email: l.zarro@yarraranges.vic.gov.au Donna Donovan | Business Development Officer Ph: 9294 6426 Email: d.donovan@yarraranges.vic.gov.au
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