focusbusiness.
with the Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce merce
DAVID BAILEY EAGLE INSURANCE BROKERS minding your “One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is to go direct to insurers… at claim time brokers really add value”
David Bailey is Managing Director of Eagle Insurance Brokers which has three main locations over the Mid and Far North Coasts of NSW employing around 20 staff, together with representatives in Sydney and Coffs Harbour. David Bailey has worked in the insurance industry for 25 years and over that time has understandably gathered a wealth of knowledge about all types of insurances. As a company, Eagle Insurance Brokers has more than 120 companies to approach to seek the best policy coverage and price for you. Dave says that for many businesses insurance is a major expense for the year, yet many people are prepared to spend the
money without taking the time to sit down and really understand what they are buying. “One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is to go direct to insurers which might seem like a good idea when purchasing, but it’s at claim time when brokers really add value. We spend a great deal of time and have a lot of experience at helping our clients when an insurer ‘closes shop’ on them.” Married to Nikki and with four children, Dave is happy to have found home in Port Macquarie which he says has a great community feel as well as abundant natural beauty. David is a keen surfer and active member of the Port Boardriders, and a supporter of The Pirates Rugby Union Club.
WHEN YOU NEED TO GET INSURANCE… MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF AND TALK TO A REAL PERSON. Talk to David Bailey, Managing Director of Eagle Insurance Brokers. These days we can find love on the internet, do our shopping, see our old home in a different country…but some things are best done in person. With insurance, particularly business insurance, the risks vary significantly from business to business. An online form or an insurance comparison website can not identify these differences or provide a subjective explanation of your insurance requirements… but David can! Industries Accommodation Allied Health Architects Construction Hospitality – Cafés and Restaurants Information Technology & Communications Manufacturing Marine Dealers Property Valuers Real Estate Agents
Retail Trades Transport Strata Title Managers Products Business property and liability Commercial Motor Vehicles Commercial Property Owners Directors and Officer Liability
PHONE 02 6580 0123
www.eagleinsurance.com.au
76 greater port macquarie focus.
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Hi everyone. Welcome to the Port Chamber column umn e for August. I have been the Chamber’s Executive hamber Officer for more than 3 months now, and the Chamber Board has finally given me permission to take off my training wheels and put in my first column! s the winter season comes to a close, it is time to ready ourselves to embrace new opportunities. One of the most important of these is the upcoming Council elections. Although there is a bit of uncertainty, it is nevertheless comforting to know that very soon our town will once again be in the hands of the people we will have elected to run it for us. Let’s hope we get the people we deserve. So if Chamber was giving any advice to the prospective Councillors, what would it be? First and foremost, like all businesses and not-for-profit organisations like the Chamber, the Council needs to be run properly. Last month Rob spoke about the triple bottom line as the best way to measure the success of a business. Well, the same goes for Council. In reality, Council is a large business which has the job of providing services and infrastructure for the community. The financial transparency, the organisational culture and the environmental sustainability that combine to be the measure of success are readily applicable to the operations of the Council. That all sounds good, but how does Council achieve this? What steps need to be put into place to ensure the Councillors cover all the relevant aspects of this sprawling organisation to deliver successful outcomes? The short answer is by good governance. The benefits of good governance apply equally to ASX listed public companies as they do to successful small businesses and other organisations. When we’re talking about an organisation such as Council where public money is being spent, good governance is critical. But governance sounds like it’s all about getting bogged down in rules and regulations, policies and procedures. How does it help an organisation actually get things done? A world renowned guru on corporate governance is an Englishman by the name of Robert Tricker. His model, which explains how corporate governance should work, has become a recognised standard amongst experts. Tricker Model of Corporate Governance
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Source: Robert I. Tricker, International Corporate Governance
His model explains that part of the role of running an organisation should be focused on
what has happened in the past. Accountability (or compliance) and supervising executive activities (monitoring performance) are the two ways that this happens. The critical point is that this is only half the job. The other half involves looking at where the organisation is headed in the future. Strategy formulation and the subsequent development of internal policies is how the future direction of the organisation is managed. So from Chamber’s perspective, Councillors need to have a good understanding of how best to manage and run the organisation. What about strategy? Which are the key areas Chamber would like to see addressed in the future direction of the Council? Council recently wound up the Administrator’s Regional Development Panel in preparation for the new Council. This panel was given the charter to advise and assist Council to advance the economic, social and cultural development of the Local Government Area and promote it as a major regional centre. As part of its final recommendations, the Panel came up with the 'Four Pillars' – these being four initiatives which were seen as being highly visible key drivers into an economic revival. They were: A successful outcome of the review into delivery of Economic Development and Tourism within the LGA; Ensuring the federally-funded upgrade to the airport and surrounding precinct is carried out successfully. A new Airport Project Delivery Committee has been given the task of delivering this and this should be supported; A resurgence in Town Centre Master Plan works to give the impression that Port is 'going places'; Retention of significant Essential Energy head office staff and executive capability under the new merged electricity entity. So if anyone wants to ask Chamber what’s on its wish list is for the new Council, it’s all here. But if you really want to get involved, as part of our role in enabling Council candidates to present themselves to the business community, Chamber is hosting a 'Meet the Candidates' forum on Tues 28 August. Members and nonmembers alike will be welcome ... watch out for the details, and make sure you’re there! Kind regards, Lisa McPherson, Executive Officer, Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce. Manager, Hastings Business Enterprise Network.