Business Matters Magazine Issue 69

ISSUE

69

Publication date 2 March Next issue 6 April

w w w. busi nessm at t ersm ag az i ne.com .au

2015

The future is digital...

We are excited to share our new ‘Life Matters’ section, everything fitness, food, fun and fashion, see page 51.

2011

2011

editor’s note with VICKIE

editor’snote

Business Matters, But Life Matters Too!

Once again we want to thank you for your support. We are absolutely blown away by the number of emails and phone calls we get from you, telling us just how much you love the magazine. After eight years on the Sunshine Coast, it is fantastic to know that we are still delivering a quality product, and in fact, we are upping the ante with each and every issue!

MAGIC

In the future, your ‘digital footprint’ will carry far more weight than anything you might include on a resume.

Chris Betcher

We are very excited to tell you about our new section in the magazine called ‘Life Matters’, featuring everything Fitness, Food, Fun and Fashion on the Sunshine Coast.

With the new section, comes a new addition, and we’re delighted to welcome Jen Forster to the Business Matters team. Jen, a Sunshine Coast local for over 20 years, brings an awesome amount of knowledge with her. We both know that whilst business is important, life matters too!

We keep on looking outside the square to deliver even more to you. It’s not by accident we continually ask you what you want, what you need, and what would make a difference to you? So, thank you once again for letting us know. Feel free to email us at editor@bmmag.com.au with whatever thoughts you would like to share.

We hope that you enjoyed our ‘Be the change conversations’ stories and videos in our last magazine, and look forward to hearing how you enjoy this issue’s stories.

Don’t forget that if you know someone that is really ‘being the change’ in their industry, we want to know.

Going digital is absolutely paramount for the future of business. We must embrace it and accept it, and look outside the square as to how we can be innovative in our own industries, in a digital way.

Scan here to hear Vickie’s FREE OFFER for your business.

business matters 3

Contents

68

Small Business of the Year: Business Matters Magazine

Published by Matters Magazine ABN: 95 131 837 833 P. 5444 4456 Noel Burns House 18/21 Nicklin Way, Minyama Editor/Advertising Enquiries Vickie Magic, 5444 4456 or 0433 198 868 editor@bmmag.com.au Photographer/Distribution Operations Manager Dranko Magic, 0408 751 863 magic@bmmag.com.au Personal Assistant Jasmine Sharpe admin@bmmag.com.au Business Development Manager Jen Forster, 0403 236 783 jen@bmmag.com.au Design EMS Creative Sub Editor Louise Hickey, 0437 723 220 Louise Hickey Marketing Writers, Columnists and Subeditors this issue: Carmel Fulton, Greg Powers, Isobel Coleman, Jodi Chapman, Jan Watman, Kimberley Lynch, Mark Jamieson, Mandy Napier, Michael Shadforth, Peter Gjersoe, Rod Richards, Ron Hill, Steve Goodman, Ted Fitzgerald, Vickie Magic Online, www.bmmag.com.au Distributed from Beerwah to Noosa.

Readership approximately 34,500.

Proudly printed on the Sunshine Coast by The Ink Spot Commercial Printers, Maroochydore | 5443 5431

6 TOP TEN TIPS TO EFFECTIVE CONTENT MARKETING

by Steve Goodman.

8 ‘BE THE CHANGE CONVERSATION’ WITH TED O’BRIEN – FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF GENERATION INNOVATION. Generation Innovation are focused on empowering young people to pursue their own path towards a positive future by connecting them to the local business community and providing training, mentoring and seed capital to help fund the initial stages of business start-ups.

9 We all know an online presence is paramount, however many of us omit the importance of integrating a digital strategy as part of marketing. LOCAL BUSINESS UPDATE with Michael Shadforth.

10 Ron Hill Auto is more than just Automatic Transmissions. Find out more in VEHICLE MAINTENANCE BUSINESS by Ron Hill Auto.

12 Digital Finger on Technology BUSINESS MENTORING By Rod Richards BEC Sunshine Coast.

14 SHOULD YOU TAKE YOUR BOOKKEEPING TO THE CLOUDS? By John Pickering.

15 Have you got something to share with the Sunshine Coast? SPEND 30 MINUTES WITH A BM TEAM

MEMBER AND RECEIVE A FREE MINI WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE. 16 YOUR COMPETITORS ARE ACTIVE IN SOCIAL MEDIA. WHERE ARE YOU? By Chris Childs.

17 YOUR CREDIT FILE IS GOLD, PROTECT IT! BUSINESS FINANCE TIPS By Jan Watman.

18 Shop Smart. Shop Local. Shop Google by SPONSOREDLINX. 19 Welcome to our new column Carmel’s Car Chat by Carmel Fulton from Pacific Motor Group. Each issue, Carmel will give you tips on everything cars-related. Carmel’s first column is on ‘Wet Weather Warnings’ when driving.

22 Make the right choice or risk a shonky qualification. TAFE QUEENSLAND EAST COAST share how Sunshine Coast employers are pleading with students to make the right study choice or risk a dodgy qualification, with zero employment prospects.

24 DIGITAL STRATEGIES IN 2015 by Paul Barrs.

25 Business confidence the highest in six years. Find out more in MAYORAL BUSINESS By Mayor Mark Jamieson.

29 Kimberley Lynch from CCIQ shares DIGITAL STRATEGIES are KEY FOR SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS in Powering Business Potential.

The New Weber Qs are here!

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30 INSURANCE MATTERS Austwide Insurance Brokers 31 EYEBROW MATTERS Allure Medi Spa and Beauty Lounge 32 HR MATTERS Haycroft Workplace Solutions

48 Content online doesn’t win sales, optimised content does. NUMBERS BUSINESS by Ted FitzGerald.

50 WHERE SHOULD YOU HOLD YOUR NEXT BUSINESS EXPO, CONFERENCE, NETWORKING EVENT, WORKSHOP? Business Matters Magazine chatted recently with Andrew Lang, the Manager at The Institute of Professional Learning.

51 WELCOME TO OUR BRAND NEW SECTION LIFE MATTERS. Everything Fitness, Food, Fun and Fashion!

53 - 60 LIFE MATTERS PAGES

33 Find out what’s happening on the Sunshine Coast in our CALENDAR.

53 TRIATHLON MATTERS NEW Allez Sports

34 - 35 ANYPOINT INTEGRATED DIGITAL PLATFORM LIFT-OUT! Custom-made software developed for your business and cloud accounting software fullyintegrated for your business.

54 ADVENTURE MATTERS NEW MAB Personal Training and Adventures

36 LEGAL MATTERS NEW Griffiths Parry Law + Notary 37 LIFE AND DEATH MATTERS Dying To Understand 38 BROKERAGE MATTERS Savvy Business Sales 39 MEDICAL PRACTICE MATTERS Wealthmed 40 LENDING MATTERS Top Ten Home Loans

55 CHIROPRACTIC MATTERS NEW Hendrey Chiropractic 56 SKIN MATTERS NEW Skin by Jessica Luise 57 MAKEUP MATTERS NEW Aura Makeup 58 FAMILY MATTERS NEW Boughton Legal 59 BODY MATTERS NEW Hypoxi Health and Fitness 60 WELLNESS MATTERS NEW Next Generation Wellness

41 ADVERTISING MATTERS Creative Concepts

44 TRAINING MATTERS Target Training 45 INSOLVENCY MATTERS Debt Relief Hotline 46 WEBSITE MATTERS Web-sta Affordable Web Design

64 If you aren’t an expert in the Digital world, then here’s seven simple steps for you. MINDSET FOR BUSINESS by Mandy Napier.

65 LATIN AMERICA GROUP TOURS share two ways you can discover the magic of Latin America.

66 Can you catch Heart Disease, Chronic Fatigue, Depression or Anxiety like you catch a cold? You bet you can! NATURAL LIFE by Jodi Chapman, Advanced Wellness and Behavioural Centre.

68 ‘BE THE CHANGE CONVERSATION’ WITH SALLY AND PETER HOOKER - AUSTRALIA’S FIRST CERTIFIED FEIJOA FARMERS. Find out how Sally and Peter have cultivated a love for this luscious, tree-ripened fruit from their Sunshine Coast Hinterland home and how they’re being the change in their industry.

71 Were You Snapped At Our Business Matters Launch Of Issue 68?

Check out our SOCIAL PICS. 72 Do you know the duties and responsibilities of a crowd controller?

Find out in SECURITY BUSINESS.

Advertorial ISSUE

Column

42 MONEY MATTERS UAS Financial 43 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MATTERS Ray White North Coast Central

62 BFresh Shares their local produce for LIFE

01

2015

Column Advertorial Editorial Scan here to hear Business Matters Free Write Up Offer

Feature Story Matters

To view all videos in the magazine, download a QR scanner with your smartphone (the app we have found to be the best so far is i-nigma.

Just go to your applications and search for it, then download the free application).

51

w w w.bu si nessm at t er sm ag az i ne.c o m .au

30 - 46 BM MATTERS PAGES – These pages are a fantastic way of getting some great information about many different industries, written by someone from within that specific industry. These pages are not self-promotional, they are intended for inspiration and education.

YOUR SUNSHINE COAST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Hi! I ’m Jen Forster,

WELCOME TO LIFE MATTERS! I am so excited to be bringing to the Sunshine Coast all things fitness, food, fun and fashion in our exciting new section of Business Matters.

One thing I know for sure is that life is for living and doing what lights you up is the key to success in all other areas of your life! So do what you love and love what you do because ‘Life Matters’!

business matters 5

feature

10 tips to effective Content Marketing

By Steve Goodman

So here are 10 tips to

‘Content is King’. help you get your content marketing moving in the You may have heard the right direction. expression but do you really know what it means? 1 Define your Niche At its most basic level, content marketing In a nutshell, it is the recognition of the

is advanced niche marketing. It is

way buying patterns have changed

all about establishing your expertise

in the last decade or so, and a

and giving your audience of potential

reminder that your business had better

customers, real, valuable and usable

have an effective content marketing

information. You want to be the ‘go to’

strategy (CMS) to keep up with those

source for news and trending information

changes in consumer behaviour.

about your industry. That means you need to pick a niche, learn everything

also know what you want them to do once they see your content, where they should go next, and why should any of this matter to them.

3 Graphics and Visuals Content is not only text. Graphics, videos, and other visuals are very important in delivering an engaging message. Blog posts and other written content are always enhanced by imagery. Marketing videos today do not have to be big budget productions - even a creatively edited smart phone video can reach your clients in an

Like it or not, it’s a whole new world, and

you can about the people in that market,

entertaining and engaging way.

many of the tried and tested methods

and stick to it. Then you can create

4 Make your Information Useful

for getting your client’s attention just

content that is both useful and shareable,

do not have the power they used to. Word-of-mouth and traditional

specifically for that group of people.

2 Define your Target

If you want to use content effectively, you must make your information useful and relevant. The days of mere fluff are

advertising still matter but the internet

Related to your niche, you need to

long gone. People are only going to

is now your primary touch point for

know who you are trying to reach

come to your pages and take the time

reaching potential customers, and

with your content. But when it comes

to read your stuff, if they walk away with

your website and your social media

to a successful CMS, hitting your

something more than they had before.

channels are most likely the first place

target means knowing more than

Give your customers and prospects

people will go to get ‘your story’.

who you are trying to reach. You must

something they can learn, or answer a

6 ISSUE 69 67

feature

need, solve a problem for them, and they will likely share it with others.

5 Use the right CMS Tools No matter how good your content and your CMS is, you MUST use the right tools to manage, monitor, and analyze the content for the overall strategy to

10 Use Surveys

Mailchimp, Hubspot, Marketo and

8 Understand the Value of Repurposing

Eloqua, are just a few tools to consider.

The flip side of staying fresh is

your customers, get inside their heads

Which one is right for you will depend on

repurposing. Content can be ‘reused’

and generate quality leads. Consider

be effective. Salesforce, InfusionSoft,

your business and types of campaigns.

without it going ‘stale’. Have you had a

6 Use Your Happy Campers

written? Repurpose it into a series of

long-form article or White Paper report

Surveys are a great way to engage with

incentives for filling out the survey such as a discount, or special gift.

Use your happy customers to your

emails or blog posts. Have hundreds of

These are just a few good tips on

best advantage. Testimonials should

blog posts already written? Turn them

be displayed on your website and also

implementing a CMS. The main thing

into a book. This not only saves time

repurposed into blog posts or external

and effort, it helps with consistency

to keep in mind is quality content.

articles. A ‘refer a friend’ program

of branding and messaging.

should be part of your CMS whereby

Your content must educate and enlighten your customers and potential

9 Hire a Professional

customers. You need to tell them

Good copy requires a good copywriter.

what is right and even wrong about

Not only that, even if you are a good

your business and industry, and how

7 Refresh Constantly

writer yourself sometimes it takes an

your practices avoid the pitfalls.

Having a blog, newsletter or other

outside perspective to get your message

content that hasn’t been updated in a

right. Also, as the owner of your

The goal of content marketing is to feel

while is worse than having no content at

business, you most likely will not have the

their pain, solve their problems and

all. You should have fresh (and relevant)

time to dedicate to writing the volume of

open their eyes to new ways of thinking

content at least every other day or so.

copy necessary for a successful CMS.

about you and your products.

customers are incentivised to refer your goods or services to new leads.

THINK DIFFERENTLY THINK FRESH THINK START FRESH FINANCE Why contact the Start Fresh Finance team?

“From my first phone call to just making enquires was on a Tuesday, by the following Tuesday we picked up a caravan!!

Thanks to Jan from Start Fresh Finance it was the easiest and smoothest way of getting a loan. Jan even came to our house to finalise the paper work. We would definitely use Jan again for any further loans and will definitely recommend Jan to all our family and friends. Thank you so much Jan.” Rob & Vicki - Sunshine Coast

Contact Jan on 0468 371 449 jan@startfreshfinance.com.au www.startfreshfinance.com.au

‘Lease, Chattel Mortgage, Rent To Own, Personal Loan’

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business matters 7

bethechange

Conversations WITH

Ted O’Brien

Congratulations to Ted O’Brien who we believe is being the change when it comes to giving young adults aspiration to be the absolute best they can. We caught up with Ted to find out all about his initiative ‘Generation Innovation’.

What is your background?

Generation Innovation is a new not-for-profit organisation aspiring to ‘unleash the innovation of young people’.

Based on a new concept (the first of its kind anywhere in the world), Generation Innovation will run its first youth entrepreneurship program – called the ‘GI Challenge’ - for 15 to 25 year olds to turn their ideas into commercial reality with a mix of training, mentorship and seed capital from the local community.

By adopting a collaborative business model, we partner with a range of groups from the private sector, the community sector and individual citizens to bring together the old (proven methods of business start-up training and mentoring) with the new (leveraging social media and using techniques from the modern day reality TV programs) to give young people an opportunity to start their own businesses.

It is a high profile and very interactive program that engages two groups of people: young people who either participate in or follow the Challenge and the broader community who similarly follow but also make micro donations that go towards getting new start-ups off the ground.

How do you think you, or it, is being the change for this problem?

No matter how wonderful Australia is, we have problems. For example, over two million Australians live below the poverty line; there are about 40,000 substantiated cases of child abuse annually and up to

8 ISSUE 69

a third of our young people have suffered a mental illness. Here on the Sunshine Coast, we have nearly 800 young people sleeping rough every night; we have a serious problem with suicide; about a third of our young people drink alcohol in amounts that put them at high risk and issues like youth prostitution are on the rise.

Generation Innovation is being the change in our approach. Not only are we dealing with the entrenched problem of youth unemployment in a creative and innovative way, we have adopted a highly collaborative operating model that allows us to work – rather than compete - with existing community organisations to create new opportunities for young people.

I’m really proud that our flagship program, the GI Challenge, is designed to solve a local problem by building up and investing in the local community, with the ideas, funds and moral support of the local community rather than by relying on a big cheque from Canberra.

Tell us how you personally got involved?

Generation Innovation first started to brew when recently I began to see firsthand just how serious the problem of youth unemployment was for our region. The stories of young people having no choice but to leave the region to pursue work resonated as I’d been there, too. But worse was the sense of desolation faced by young people who felt truly helpless about their economic future even though they were in the prime of their lives - it really hit me.

Scan here to watch the full ‘Be the Change Conversation’ with Ted.

The idea of entrepreneurship as a solution to unemployment first came to me while spending time at Kings Beach. I don’t recall a light bulb moment that led to the creation of Generation Innovation. The basic idea of incentivising a positive pathway out of unemployment through commercialising people’s existing passions and skills via small business start-ups just made sense. I started to investigate crowdfunding platforms and thought about mechanisms to encourage micro-financing for youth-led start-ups.

On a personal note, it has been really fulfilling working on this project together with my wife Sophia. While her day job sees her lecture in corporations law, she is on the Board with me and is every bit as dedicated to the project as I am. While it’s time consuming, we’re really energised about getting our program up and running and hopefully make a difference.

Share a little about you?

I bring 20 years of blue-chip commercial experience, including experience as a company director.

I’m the youngest of nine children and come from one of Queensland’s pioneering business families, the O’Briens, who started Defiance Mills and built it into an international flour milling, baking and food manufacturing conglomerate.

I then joined the Australian Ricegrowers’ Cooperative, focused primarily on Japan whose rice market had opened to imports

local

localbusiness

business with MICHAEL SHADFORTH

Is your business

online?

via the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

I then joined Accenture, a $30 billion global technology and consulting company.

I started Barton Deakin Queensland – a government relations firm – and served as Managing Director through a phase of rapid growth, when it was recognised as a BRW Top 100 Growth Company.

I am a former Chairman of the Australian Republican Movement, Chairman of the Advisory Board for Ronald McDonald House Charities SEQ, Chairman of the LNP Futures Committee and a 500 Club Director, and served on an Advisory Board of Queensland Catholic Education. I am a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and have recently (and proudly) added the title Founder and Chairman of Generation Innovation to my resume.

Most importantly though, I’m husband to Sophia, and Daddy to Alexandra, who turns three in June. We do everything together – from political campaigns to running our business, to our community work. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

How could our readers help or become involved?

Your readers could get involved by spreading the word, making a $50 donation, sponsoring us or encouraging young people between 15 and 25 years of age to apply for the GI Challenge.

Details are on our website: www.generationinnovation.com.au

Someone once said to me “If you’re not online, you’re not in business”. We know an online presence is paramount and effective utilisation of social media and tools imperative to increase brand and generate leads.

However, many omit the importance of integrating a digital strategy as part of marketing, needing implementation on an ongoing basis, rather than ad hoc.

A marketing funnel is crucial, and social media only promotional offers, free downloads, eBooks, subscriptions and content-driven mechanics have become habitual for many businesses. Loyalty marketing programs are increasingly becoming the focus for those looking to retain and improve the life cycle of a customer, in particular those in the retail industry.

KPIs need to monitor client interactions, likes, impressions, shares, return on investments, profit and strategy outcomes. Essentially, the extraction of online transactions data captured needs to form part of the digital strategy to determine a customer avatar, and assist with the future deployment of this information.

E-commerce is important, yet there is still a need to retain a blend of digital and traditional platforms to appeal to a customers buying disposition. Customers will sway between visiting a store, engaging online or buying online.

Companies like BCF and Super Cheap Autos have capitalised on ‘Click and Collect’ and prove that while customers will initially browse and purchase a product online, on collection, they will also browse and purchase in store.

Studio Republic is a local business which implements a digital strategy effectively, while maintaining a shop front. The business promotes Facebook-only offers to their growing fan base of 15,124 likers. Metrics include number of people reached, number of engagements, number of impressions and essentially, the number of photo shoots, and sales.

While many of their clients are local, most are from Brisbane, Gold Coast and northern New South Wales, with many repeat or referred clients.

Michael Shadforth is President of the Sunshine Coast Chamber of Commerce and Innovation Queensland (CCIQ), President of the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce and Managing Director of Ray White Commercial North Coast Central.

business matters 9

vehicle maintenance business with RON HILL AUTO

vehiclemaintenancebusiness

Ron Hill Auto is more than just

Automatic Transmissions save you thousands from replacing an engine to an automatic transmission rebuild or being aware of the running temperature of the vehicle. Warning lights on the dash give an insight to the running performance of your vehicle and this information highlights a few...

There was a day that our workshop specialised only in servicing, repairing and reconditioning Automatic Transmissions, but not anymore.

Customers began to ask if we could also look after the general servicing and maintenance side of their vehicles to give the convenience of vehicle reliability.

We diversified many years ago, providing an array of services in the mechanical field giving more than just expertise to the automatic transmission.

And in this modern digital age vehicles are run by many computers with indicative warning lights on the dash. Be aware to acknowledge these warning lights, this can

Oil pressure light - the oil pressure warning light is the drip off the spout icon on the dash of your vehicle. Its function is to monitor the oil pressure within the engine; if the oil pressure drops too low the light will come on. While the engine is running, oil is circulated through the engine under pressure so it reaches all the moving parts inside the engine. If you are driving along and you notice the oil pressure light flickering or it stays on, something is wrong. Do not ignore the warning light and continue to drive if the engine has lost oil pressure as you will seize and destroy the engine within a very short time. It is also possible that the light came on due to an electrical issue in which case you can continue to drive without causing damage to the engine.

Best idea is to have the vehicle checked with regular vehicle scheduled servicing to avoid future problems.

Battery warning light - this is the red light that looks like a car battery. It is an indicator

of the vehicle charging system and this light will come on if the alternator stops recharging the battery. When the battery light is on, the only power supply for the vehicle is the voltage stored in the battery. Modern vehicles have a high power demand so the length of time your vehicle will keep running will depend on the size and condition of the battery, generally you only have a few hours. Once the voltage in the battery drops below a certain threshold the computer systems in your vehicle will not be able to function and the car will stop. If your battery light comes on, get it seen to as soon as possible.

Engine temperature gauge – this monitors the engine temperature if the temperature gauge rises up to hot when you are driving then you will more than likely have a mechanical issue, you need to pull off the road and get the fault inspected.

If you would like further advice and technical help relating to your vehicle please feel free to give us a call. Ron Hill Auto is a family-owned business centrally located in Maroochydore since 1975 and are proudly celebrating 40 years in the Mechanical Industry. Remember good maintenance doesn’t cost, it saves!!

For more information: Please contact Ron Hill Auto on 5443 4444

We are the perfect venue to hold your next event The Institute of Professional Learning Centre at the Sunshine Coast University is perfect for small groups of 10, workshops for 20 or even conferences for 150.

See video here of our facilities, choose from small to large rooms with everything you need for your next event.

Scan here to watch video

IPL Centre, Level 3, Building J, The University of the Sunshine Coast

Phone: (07) 5459 4590 www.ipl.eq.edu.au Conferences - Workshops - Seminars - Mini Expos - Planning Days - Strategy Sessions • audio visual equipment • screens • flipcharts • internet access • video conferencing • use of up to 70 computers • whiteboards • projectors • anything you could need • all included in the price 10 ISSUE 69

65-73 Maroochy Boulevard, Maroochydore. Phone: 5409 0100. www.mbsunshinecoast.com.au

CMB0153

www.mbsunshinecoast.com.au

business mentoring with ROD RICHARDS

Future careers and business success will be dependant and determined by the use of technology.

In society and in business, the expectation of continuing and unending growth may not be sustainable. On various fronts, the mantra is loud and clear - the age of entitlement is over.

Better said, the era of ‘average’ is over.

Businesses we run and society in which we live continuing with an ‘okay’ standard will become more and more challenged. ‘Average is Over’ by economist Tyler Cowen suggests that change is here and that only 15 per cent of society in the near future will live well - the rest will be left behind fending for themselves. The greatest driver of change to end ‘average’ is technology.

Aside from world wars, plagues and economic depressions, the greatest cause of change for mankind now, is technology. Everyday life is more pervaded, influenced or redefined by digital and technological innovations.

Communication, entertainment and

12 ISSUE 69

businessmentoring

Digital finger on Technology managing business have become digitally and technology-dependant.

Kitchen appliances are digitally web enabled. Home invasion deepens with smart television’s capability of recording your conversations as meta data.

Future careers and business success will be dependant and determined by the use of technology. How your career or business either creates or controls technology, how your work compliments technology or how technology will make you and businesses redundant, will determine which side of the 15 per cent line you are on.

Doing business with today’s customer demands a high level of digital engagement and digital enablement.

Being accessible and connected is customer service. Marketing requires multiple digital platform presence.

Business operations and administration demand integrated internal and external capability. Be tech savvy and great, or be gone.

Reviewing at least four elements of your business model will ensure being up to speed with relevant technology-digital strategy, engagement and enablement.

Financial – management is easy with cloud-based programs like Xero.

Tradies can be digitally enabled using smart apps to write invoices while on

site. Customer payment systems should give customers flexibility and choice as part of good customer service.

Marketing – is everything you do!

A digital marketing strategy starts with a great value proposition, understanding the target audience and using customers’ preferred platforms to engage, inform and sell. Authentic and relevant digital presence is paramount.

Customers – databases and good CRM is the new goodwill in businesses come time to sell. Base and ACT are example of multipurpose customer management, sales, stock control and client history program tools. Managing customer insights influences marketing success.

Operations – Check out Office Box from local company Cloud DC. Business must innovate or risk stagnation. Administration is no longer office-bound. Functionality of IT programs, multiple devices sharing, and remote access to data determines efficiency and competency.

Rod has 27 years’ experience as a company owner, director and entrepreneur, and 10 years as a Business Mentor and educator. He is a founding Director of the Business Enterprise Centre Sunshine Coast and Queensland Director of BEC Australia (non-profit Network).

Free resources: www.BusinessEnterprise CentreSunshineCoast.org.au

feature

By John Pickering

When considering moving your accounting software to the Cloud, there are a number of differences to consider in relation to its usability, as well as its functionality. For a start, you will need a reliable internet connection.

Instead of buying the software outright, you can rent it, which is usually invoiced monthly. Most of the traditional desktopbased software, were payable once a year and updates received annually, however, if you didn’t pay the fees, you could still use the software. Any changes or adjustments needed to be made manually for example, payroll or tax rates.

Many cloud-based accounting software platforms are regularly updated with system improvements to provide enhancements, for example, Xero, and these are available throughout the year - the best part is they are installed for you as part of the rental agreement.

Instead of having the operating software installed on a desktop computer, or on your network, it resides in the ‘clouds’ and this allows for ease of upgrades.

Another advantage, is a greater number of users can have access. Some cloudbased software limits the number of users, however this can easily be increased by purchasing extra licenses.

Besides your bookkeeper, it allows your accountant access to the financials at any time providing you with current, up-to-date information, data and services, in addition to your quarterly or annual meeting.

Instead of having to use different versions of the software i.e. MAC or PC friendly, it is indifferent to the computer brand you use. The common thread between PC or 14 ISSUE 69

network-based software and cloud-based, is you get what you pay for.

There is a ‘Do you want fries with that?’ upsell approach to all cloud software.

Different features require different levels of the software’s functionality and the type of accounting file you need, which is reflected in the monthly rental fees.

The beauty of cloud software is that it allows the user to work anywhere there is an internet connection. For example, a business owner resides in the Philippines, with an office manager based in England and bookwork completed by an Australianbased company - all with access to Cloud, at any time. A number of the cloud-based products enable foreign exchange transactions to be done on the fly using real exchange rate data that is incorporated in the software.

Traditional desktop backups are exposed to a number of potential problems, and unless you have some form of offline backup solution, information lost in a computer crash may be irretrievable unless the hard drive can be restored.

Most cloud software solutions don’t require a backup as they are managed externally, and any errors can easily be identified and corrected, without losing the file. Traditional desktop backups are exposed to a number

of potential problems, and unless you have some form of offline backup solution, information lost in a computer crash may be irretrievable unless the hard drive can be restored.

A common question is how safe is the data? Unfortunately in the world of hackers it is only as safe as your system. Accounting software that downloads bank files is required by the banks to have approved procedures in place, and are put through testing to ensure they are compliant.

Accounting programs can access the bank transaction files like a statement, however all payment type transactions require the user to log on to their bank and upload the transaction.

While spreadsheeting has been an input/ exporting option for most accounting software, and to a degree still is, the advances in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software has added some great advantages in data input, with a number of products in the marketplace that will interface with your software. This software allows you to attach an actual copy of the invoice to your auto-filled accounts payable document and send it to your software.

So instead of taking all your files to your accountant at tax time, they can actually see the ones they wish to query by clicking on the attachment.

Xero Accounting software has a number of add on partners which offer platforms like CRM, Inventory, OCR, Reporting, Point of Sale and Time Tracking cloudbased solutions to integrate with Xero, and these are usually rented on a monthly basis. There are specialists that can customise a solution to integrate your industry specific front end software to your accounting software. Xero also has add on partners that have industry specific add ons for a number of different industries which is very helpful to a small business owner with these add ons not being too cost prohibited. www.pickeringbookkeeping.com

Would you like a free mini write up just like this for your business?

Name: Company:

Just spend 30 minutes with us to claim yours!

I am The Removalist Concierge who provides a moving experience that’s stress-free with peace of mind during one of the most stressful times in a person’s life……

Moving House. Moving Made Easy’s point of difference is that we provide the woman’s touch and understanding, in a male-dominated industry. If you are time poor and don’t like moving then contact me.

CALL: 0417 229 224

Name: Company:

Ben Riches & Jessica Sanderson Access Admin Access Admin is a Sunshine Coast-based business that specialises in the support and success of Australian start-ups and small-medium business. With services ranging from social media management, website development and management, logo design and company branding, as well as lead generation, marketing and promotion, Access Admin is an essential tool for businesses across all industries.

CALL: Ben 0450 603 836

Amanda Makuru Dream Travel Income Amanda is the Owner of Dream Travel Income – a Luxury Travel Club and Work from Home opportunity. Being passionate about travel and work/life balance, I am able to share with people how they can make MASSIVE savings on Luxury 4 and 5 star Resorts and Cruises worldwide, and how to make a significant income working from home. Have the freedom to live your life on your terms.

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Name: Company:

Peter Hinton ThermaDoor Garage Door Insulation Considered an expert in the field of Expanded Polystyrene with over 15 years’ experience, Peter has spent the past few years developing his unique garage door insulation panel, ThermaDoor. Specifically designed to fit most new and existing sectional garage doors; ThermaDoor reduces heat exchange and provides a barrier against Australia’s harsh weather conditions. Talk to Peter today about how your garage can become part of your home.

VISIT: www.thermadoor.com.au

business matters 15

A recent report from Yellow Pages* tells us that the percentage of businesses with a social media presence is rising rapidly.

In 2015, more than one third of small businesses and one half of all medium-sized businesses will be active with a social media presence. Why? Today, 99 per cent of all Australians access the Internet. Surprised? I was. Particularly when I learned that Internet access amongst people over the age of 65 was now at 96 per cent. Social media access is right up there, too. Some 69 per cent of Internet users use social networking sites with the three largest being Facebook (way out in front on 95 per cent), LinkedIn and Twitter.

Why have a digital and social media strategy?

My personal business philosophy has always been grounded on building strong, and often personal relationships with my clients.

In most part, this has been achieved with face-to-face interaction.

I can now ‘talk’ to many more of my clients, much more regularly, and importantly engage with them at a very personal level.

Call it ‘old school’ but it has just been my preference to be that way. So whilst I have actively engaged in online marketing through establishing an Internet presence for my businesses, I have often viewed this as primarily a way of attracting new clients, in essence for lead generation. In 2014 however, I ventured much more actively into the area of social media marketing, primarily through Facebook. In fact today, across my businesses we have seven different Facebook pages. To illustrate how important I now believe this area of marketing to be - my marketing business has doubled in staff numbers, with all of the new staff joining our online and digital marketing teams.

So why have I embraced digital? I obviously still strongly believe in print media and I find digital marketing adds strength to the message I send. Not only does it continue to provide a source of new business lead generation for me, its impact on strengthening my clients existing relationships has been phenomenal. I now use social media to communicate and connect on a daily basis. I can now ‘talk’ to many more of my clients, much more regularly, and importantly engage with them at a very personal level. In fact rather than just engage with them in my office, I can now talk to them whilst they are on holidays, or in their home in their lounge room, their bathroom, and even their bedroom. In summary, a digital presence has now improved my client ‘personal relationship’ philosophy more than I could possibly achieve by purely operating face-to-face.

16 ISSUE 69

Nine reasons why I now love social media marketing: 1. Social media nurtures brand loyalty 2. Social media nurtures brand loyalty (no, that is not a typo, I meant it to be point number 1 and 2) 3. Social media is good for customer service 4. Social media creates interaction with clients (no surprise that my top four reasons are all about the client!)

5. Social media gives further credibility to print media and marketing messages 6. Social media lets me communicate to a bigger audience, more often 7. Social media is fast and relatively low cost 8. Social media is easily adaptable 9. Over 69 per cent of people now use social media daily!

So even if the first eight reasons don’t convince you, number nine should. Why would you not want to be where your clients are?

Of course it is not just about being there, it is also the way you communicate and the type of relationship you can create. So let me add just three important points about this.

Three ways to interact with clients using social media.

1. Make it fun 2. Make it inspiring 3. Make it relevant to their lives Often what stops us from doing something new is fear of how to do it well, when in fact the secret is just to start somewhere. So if you are unsure of how to deliver your Social Media strategies seek out those who are doing it well. Be curious, ask questions and learn. You don’t know, what you don’t know.

See you on Facebook! * Yellow Social Media Report, May 2014.

Chris Childs – 0419 744 193, www.chrischilds.com.au

business

businessfinancetips

finance tips

Your Credit File is Gold

with JAN WATMAN

- Protect It!

More than one in five Australians have experienced some form of identity crime.

such as your full name, date of birth,

(Source: Veda Australian Debt

Your credit file is updated by credit

can have a positive impact on

Study March 2012).

providers when you apply for credit,

your credit report. On the other

whether you proceed with the loan

hand, if you don’t make your

or utility company or not, for example

repayments on time, this may

mobile phone or electricity supply

have a negative impact

drivers licence, gender, residential addresses, employer information, loan enquiries and any defaults.

Identity theft can happen in many ways, from someone else using your credit card details to make purchases,

companies.

or even using your name to open bank accounts or take out loans.

Here are some tips to help you manage and protect your credit file:

The reality is that identity theft can be a stressful, time-consuming and costly experience that many people don’t realise has occurred until it’s too late.

So, how can you protect your credit file?

Firstly, let me explain what your credit

1. Avoid applying for credit when

file contains. It contains information

you don’t need it

WINNERS

2. Your credit file is impacted even if you are applying online 3. Paying your credit card or loan repayments on time each month

4. Protect your identity. You can sign up to receive alerts to allow you to monitor any changes on your credit file or fraudulent enquiries by visiting www.mycreditfile.com.au Jan who has 25+ years in the finance industry, helps high net worth clients and businesses to obtain finance. Her passion is educating, planning and working with her clients to achieve their dreams.

For more information on finance visit: www.startfreshfinance.com.au/

Queensland Training Awards Small Training Provider of the Year

Certificate IV Small Business Management Executive Business Manager’s and Entrepreneur’s Program Look Now Training is proud to announce the appointment of Executive trainer Tony Curl as facilitator for the program. Tony is an Internationally recognised business coach and speaker.

Tony has significant experience in assisting Business owners in enhancing their operations, backed by a successful Business Career and connections.

The program will commence in March and subsidy funding is available. Contact Look Now Training to secure your position today.

Contact your training advisor now on 07 5334 9922, or email training@looknowtraining.com.au and Look Now to your future business matters 17

Shop Smart.

Shop Local.

Shop Google.

By Lauren O’Connor

Who doesn’t love shopping?

We are all consumers at the end of the day, regardless of what type of business you own. It’s an important part of our lives, too.

AdWords up and running. You might even have an SEO campaign as well. Couple these with a reliable, easy-to-navigate

The speed in which items can be shipped

website and you deserve congratulations!

will also work in your favour; the item

However, there is more you should be

will be at their doorstep faster as it

doing to optimise your ROI. It’s called

has less distance to travel, and for the

Google Shopping. Google Shopping

same reason it’ll be cheaper as well.

allows you to show your products and

You build and grow your business so

the price of these products in real time,

you can earn money in order to pay

against other businesses selling similar

for things that we need and want. The

items. You know the term, ‘Google it…’,

news channels report on how much we

now imagine that term in association

spend on shopping during the holiday

with a product your business sells.

season, throwing statistics around as to how much more we spent this year compared to the last. It helps to boost the economy and instil a particular sense of positive public opinion; if spending is up, things must be good. People love shopping and online shopping is no exception. A recent article from the Business Insider states that, ‘The 2014 Adobe Digital Index Holiday Shopping

Google is on your side! They even have an app called ‘Google Now’ which will let a consumer know, so long as they have the app on their smartphone, when a local store has a product in-store which they have previously searched

Google Shopping brings all your

for online. A powerful asset and tool

products together in one easy to use

seeing as, ‘87 per cent of shoppers do

platform so users can be exposed to

research online before visiting a store’.

products relevant to their search query.

Google Shopping works so well for SMEs compared to large online retailers because the focus is on the product and price and, due to the statistic that, ‘75 per cent of retail consumers use search

Instead of something to be shunned, online shopping platforms are a new way to engage potential customers.

People now use the Internet to research items before they decide if they want to purchase them or not. If they Google

Prediction, which looks at billions of

engines to research products online’.

transactions around the world, shows

Local businesses can leverage better

Australians’ love of shopping on their

local sales by using Google Shopping

phones is just behind Japan, Ireland

to pitch products. It’s like eBay and

Shopping and your competitors aren’t,

and the US’. In fact, consumers are

Amazon but consumers can find a

the potential customer will see your

shopping online more than ever before

product immediately with one search on

business name, not your competitors’.

and the growth of shopping in this online

Google. This will encourage consumers

It means your business reach for new

medium is not likely to slow down.

to buy locally over opting for international

customers dramatically expands. Now

products. It’s the online shopping

who wouldn’t want a piece of that?!

Customer loyalty can seem a fickle friend at times. You work hard to develop your

answer to the term ‘Shop Local’.

brand and business name, you interact

To encourage local customers to shop

and engage with your customers and,

with you online, you can use external

you work and strive to deliver myriad

factors in your favour as well, such as

deals to keep them shopping with you.

the falling Australian dollar. You can

Foot traffic means everything to you.

encourage local shoppers to shop

Chances are if you’re a savvy small to

local and avoid some of the penalties

medium-sized business owner, you will

consumers face when purchasing items

be aware of, and probably have, Google

from overseas online stores.

18 ISSUE 69

an item your business sells, and if you have Google Shopping, your item will be listed. If you’re using Google

If you want more details on Google Shopping and how you can tap into it to improve your online business potential, email marketing@sponsoredlinx.com or call 1300 859 600 to speak with us.

carmel’s

carmel’scarchat

Wet Weather Warnings

car chat with CARMEL FULTON

want to keep more distance between yourself and the cars ahead of you.

In perfect conditions, it’s ideal to keep a three-second gap between you and other drivers, but in the rain, extend this to six seconds.

Rain can be a major hazard on our roads here in Australia. The streets become slippery, making it difficult to see and it takes longer for you to come to a complete stop. So it’s no surprise there are more accidents when it’s raining.

So what can you do?

First things first, slow down! It sounds obvious but many people don’t slow down while driving in the rain. You also

search results testing

07 54 777 990 www.kook.com.au Suite 202 La Balsa 45 Brisbane Rd Mooloolaba, QLD, 4557

See and be seen. If it’s raining badly and there is fog, put your hazard lights on so other motorists can see you. Use your demister so your windows don’t fog up.

Check your windscreen wipers regularly to ensure they are in good working order.

Be wary of large puddles of water on the road. Water can collect in potholes and if you hit one of these at high speed you could cause damage to your car and lose control. So reduce your speed and tap your brakes lightly to dry out the brake pads once you have moved through it.

google

optimisation

usability results

Accelerate and brake slowly. This will ensure you don’t lose control and skid.

Avoid slamming those brakes on!

Everyone else on the road is in the same situation as you.

Have patience while driving. Everyone else on the road is in the same situation as you and rushing to get home will only increase your chances of having a car accident.

On the Sunshine Coast we are often faced with swollen river crossings, even after only a small amount of rain. Never drive through a flooded river without first checking the depth and speed of the water.

Finally, check your tyre tread regularly.

Carmel Fulton is a Concierge for Pacific Jaguar Land Rover, she is passionate about motoring and understands the importance of meeting her clients’ professional and personal needs when walking into the new Jaguar Land Rover Showroom at Maroochydore. www.pacificmotorgroup.com.au

ROI

+

mobile seo

You don’t have to know web. You just need to know your web team.

Speak to Kook today about our new Web Mastering Service.

Make 2015 the year your website gets a health check.

business matters 19

20 ISSUE 67

business matters 21

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE OR RISK A SHONKY QUALIFICATION

only have one chance to choose a quality education provider.

“Changes to the Queensland Government’s funding framework mean students only get one chance at a Certificate III level qualification under the Certificate III Guarantee program” he said.

“If you choose an unreliable provider that guarantees to get you job ready in six weeks, you’ll be out of pocket,

Sunshine Coast employers are pleading with students to make the right study choice or risk a dodgy qualification, with zero employment prospects.

learn nothing and have no job prospects. Skills are an investment in your future, and like any investment, you must to do your research.”

“Right now there is even a national Senate Inquiry on the operation,

Director of POMO, Stephen Burton said

regulation and funding of private

he only employs people with a TAFE

vocational education and training (VET)

Queensland East Coast education

providers in Australia. Ask the right

because they receive a high quality

questions, talk to friends and employers

education, with practical placements that

about their training experiences and

expose them to real work situations.

do your homework” Mr Wilson said.

“As a small business owner I’m not in

To help prospective students conduct

a position to take risks with employees

their research, TAFE Queensland, the

who aren’t adequately trained,” he said.

State’s largest and most experienced

“There are a lot of ‘quick fix’ training providers out there offering the earth,

training provider of quality education, has created a checklist.

but the reality is that our clients demand

“Before you make a decision, check

quality design outcomes and slapdash

how long the provider has been offering

training just isn’t going to cut it.”

the course, what experience their teachers have, and if the qualification

“The unfortunate consequence is

is nationally recognised,” he said.

they’ve paid for their qualification with time and money, but they won’t

There are a few things you should

necessarily get a job with it.”

keep in mind while you’re making

TAFE Queensland East Coast General

a handy cheat sheet that will

Manager, Paul Wilson said students

help you ask right questions.

22 ISSUE 69

your big decision. We’ve made

Not to blow our own trumpet, but we are pretty good at what we do: 87 per cent of our students go on to work or further study* 96 per cent of Queenslanders** recognise TAFE, many who may be your future boss We offer programs from more than 50 locations across the state as well as online or in the workplace TAFE Queensland is investing $17 million into online learning We are all about getting hands on experience, using the same equipment, materials and systems used in industry. *NCVER 2014 Student Outcomes

**TAFE Queensland Campaign Evaluation research prepared by MCR

ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS – CHECKLIST Does the provider have the industry knowledge to give you the right skills?

• How long has the provider been offering the course?

• Who are the teachers and what experience do they have?

• Are they offering nationally recognised training programs?

Will the program help you get the job you want?

• Do students find work after the course?

• Is the provider recognised by employers as providing quality education and training?

Will you actually learn how to do the job?

• Will you get to experience real life work situations either on campus or part of a work placement?

• Will you get to use the same equipment, tools, materials and systems used on the job?

ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS – CHECKLIST

Use the checklist when you search the web, contact training providers or talk to current students and employers.

Keep this close when you contact colleges, read reviews, and talk to current students and employers.

It’ll help you make the right decision.

Will you be supported during your training?

• Does the provider offer additional services such as access to learning, career or personal support?

• How does the provider support students to successfully complete their training?

Do you know the real cost of your study?

• Does the provider offer government-subsidised training?

• If you are eligible for a government subsidised place, how much will the government contribute to tuition fees, and how much of the tuition fee will you need to pay?

• Have you been given a breakdown of the costs for your program?

• Are there any extra costs you might need to pay such as equipment fees or uniforms?

Are there pathways to further study?

• What links does the provider have with universities?

• Would a university give you credit for your study?

business matters 23

feature

Digital strategies in 2015 The video becomes the audio which becomes the transcript which becomes the slides and I create an infographic.

By Paul Barrs I were to ask a room full of people what they considered the main elements of a solid digital strategy, all but a few would agree that their website, their SEO and their social media were the main things to focus on.

Here’s the thing though, developing a strong digital strategy isn’t about your website. It isn’t about what you do with search engine marketing or what you do with social media, or images or graphics, or whatever. Yes, these things are important, but a good digital marketing strategy is not about them, it is about the one thing that they all have in common how you as a business owner provide your customers with what they are looking for.

What am I talking about?

Simply this, effective content management.

Let’s take a step back for just one moment. I’m going to assume at this point that you have a website which is working well. It looks good, it feels good, and it loads fast. All of the pages are able to be indexed. You are blogging, you are updating on a regular interval; people are coming to your website, and your conversion process yields inquiries and customers - that’s the ideal. For the premise of this article, I assume you are already gaining some wins.

If not, then take heed, for the advice that follows will show you how to!

It comes down to this: content management. That, in the modern world of digital marketing, is your digital strategy. Take, for example, this article... as I record this article, and yes, I am recording it by voice, actually in front of a video camera - I am doing more than one thing at one time. I’m producing the content for a written article. I’m producing the content for an audio file, and also the content for a video file for my YouTube channel and my blog. Here’s the thing 24 ISSUE 69

I could just write an article, sure, no problem with that. Perhaps I could instead just record a video? Sure, that’s easy to do. But, instead, in my own business, I never create content for just one purpose.

Each week in my own business, I publish to my YouTube channel. I publish content that my readers, my viewers and subscribers want to hear about. It’s industry news, its topic specific; it talks about what I do. It builds trust, it builds credibility and authority. These things are vitally important.

This video then becomes an audio file (a podcast). That audio file becomes a transcript, an article for my blog - along with the video - which also goes out to my subscribers through my newsletter.

If I were to take things one step further, which sometimes I do, if the video is based on a slide show presentation, those slides can also be re-purposed into content at a workshop, at a seminar, at a keynote presentation, or even online going to SlideShare or other presentation websites. Should I take things yet one moment further again, I can take the bullet points, the essence of the topic of the day and so the video becomes the audio which becomes the transcript which becomes the slides and I create an infographic.

The point is this. In today’s modern digital world, it’s not just your website. It’s not just your social media. It’s not just your SEO or your newsletter or whatever you’ve been told by the gurus. It is what you deliver to these platforms through multifaceted re-purposed content. It is video. It is audio. It is written material.

It is slides. It is PDFs. It is graphics.

It is ALL of these things.

You see, once upon a time, we would build a website and people would come to us; not anymore. We must go to them.

Where do they hang out? I don’t know.

For your business, where do they hang out? You need to find out and put your content there.

Do you blog to your own website?

Fantastic! You must. And, of course, link it throughout the site appropriately from an SEO point of view. But, why not also take the best, most popular blogs and post them into LinkedIn, into their own content management blogging platform?

Why not? Why not create additional content? Why not take your best articles, your best pages, and re-purpose them into PDFs and send them out onto document sharing websites? Why not?

Not only is that good for you for SEO, but it’s good for you for having a wider reach. It is good for you for providing information, and it is GREAT for your customers for building trust and them seeing you as the authority.

That’s what sums it up. Marketing has nothing to do with reality. Marketing is all about perception, the perception of the customer towards us that kicks the goal. Are we trustworthy? Do we provide the information that they want, that they need, that they seek? If we do, they will come to us, they will stay with us, and our business will grow. Food for thought, don’t you think?

Here’s my goal for you for this week.

Have a look at your own business, your own website. Look at the content that you’re currently producing (or not!), and ask yourself, ‘What could I do, how could I make this better, how could my time be more effective?’ If you need to get help, get it. It’s easy to do. It’s also easy not to do. There lies the problem. You decide success or failure.

Paul Barrs has been helping local businesses online since 2002.

He has spoken locally, nationally and at international seminars as an authority on internet business strategy.

Looking for better results online?

Contact Paul by visiting www.PaulBarrs.com/bm

mayoral business with MARK JAMIESON

mayoralbusiness

Business confidence the highest in six years We need to transform the economy and remove the region from a cycle of boom and bust because of our reliance on the retail, tourism and construction industries.

Those industries are extremely important and we need a diverse economy to complement them.

Increasing the number of high-value jobs to at least 100,000, ensuring 20 per cent of all goods and services are produced for export, progressively raising household income levels to above the State average and almost tripling the regional economy to $33 billion by 2033.

Sounds like a big ask, but Council is on track to deliver those goals thanks to the Regional Economic Development Strategy - a 20-year blue-print which provides a clear agenda for our economy, but with outcomes for our community.

It’s all about shaping our future.

I was elected on a platform of getting the balance right between protecting our wonderful lifestyle and important environmental assets while encouraging new investment and employment options.

To do that, we must convert our economy from one that’s driven by consumption to one that’s been driven by demand. I want people to come here because they can get a job, rather than it’s just a great place to live – and now I need a job to stay here.

Last month, I was pleased to unveil plans which will help support my vision to triple the Sunshine Coast economy to $33 billion by 2033.

I was also pleased and encouraged by the results of a recent survey, which show business confidence on the Sunshine Coast has risen to its highest level since 2009.

More than half the businesses surveyed expect an increase in profitability over the first half of 2015 and 53 per cent reported their business had performed stronger over the past six months compared to the previous survey period.

Now in its sixth year, the Sunshine Coast business confidence survey, supported

by Sunshine Coast Council, regularly attracts hundreds of business respondents to its biannual survey and is regarded as an important barometer for business conditions across the region.

The survey results continue a trend of optimism returning to the local business community and show Council is on track to attaining a sustainable economy, creating jobs – especially for our young people – and encouraging them to stay here.

To put it into perspective, the latest survey figures showed: • 56 per cent of businesses expected an increase in profitability over the first half of 2015 • 33 per cent of businesses expected an increase in staffing levels during the first half of 2015; and • 30 per cent of businesses expected an increase in capital investment in the first half of 2015 These results are especially promising for small to medium businesses which will be able to take advantage of sustained growth.

Building a stronger, more resilient community forms the basis of every decision this council makes.

We are well on our way to becoming Australia’s most sustainable region.

You can check out the results for yourself at www.boardroombusiness.com.au Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson keeps BM readers up-to-date on what’s happening on the Coast.

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business matters 25

26 ISSUE 69

business matters 27

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Bartercard reduces expenses and conserves cash across a great range of services while filling spare capacity. I’ve been trading for more than 15 years, and it can actually be quite fun to earn money you wouldn’t otherwise have, then look at what you can spend it on!

Dr Pat Hannan

- Ocean Orthodontics

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Bartercard helps us to turn empty tables into profits! We’ve saved a great deal of cash with setting up and running our restaurants and we’ve attracted new customers. Bartercard has given us an edge in the marketplace.

Luke and Katrina Bartlett - Forty-five 51 Restaurant

powering

poweringbusinesspotential

business potential

Digital strategies key for small business success

with KIMBERLEY LYNCH

strategy will ensure Queensland’s economy remains competitive.

The digital world is an integral part of Queensland’s economy; one that needs to be embraced by all Queenslanders in order to advance our economy, create jobs, attract investment and build our prosperity.

There might be different people in different seats in Parliament, but there is no question about the need to support and enable small businesses to play a bigger role in Queensland’s digital revolution.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) applauded the last State Government when it launched the Queensland Digital Economy Strategy and Action Plan, aimed at boosting productivity and connectivity.

The three year plan of action and transformation was also designed to assist Queenslanders to start or grow a business. It may or may not see the light of day in 2015, but it certainly contained many good ideas that must be embraced by small business.

It is vitally important that Queensland businesses have the capability to trade online and participate in global supply chains; to confidently adopt digital technologies to innovate and successfully exploit the global digital economy.

CCIQ’s most recent Digital Readiness Study revealed more Queensland businesses are using social media to connect with customers but are leaving money on the table when it comes to e-commerce.

Almost 75 per cent of businesses indicated they were using social media to increase brand exposure, which was a 10 per cent jump from a previous study.

Businesses are starting to realise the opportunities social media presents as a way of connecting with customers, promoting their brand

CCIQ is strongly supportive of the new government developing its own or following through with the digital economy strategy. Such a

新年快乐

We need to build stronger links between small business and the digital sector in order to lift productivity and create new jobs.

and engaging in discussion about issues specific to their industry.

This shows just how important a strong social media profile is becoming for Queensland businesses and how they are adapting to rapid advancements in technology.

Most businesses that do not use social media blame time and resources constraints, while many also feel it is not relevant to their customers.

It is critical for a business to have a well-rounded approach to the digital economy in place or else they risk missing the boat of opportunities it presents.

As with any facet of business, if you miss the boat, there is a fair chance your competitors will be on it and you will be left behind.

Kimberley Lynch is the Regional Manager for the Sunshine Coast & Wide Bay Area for CCIQ, the peak industry body for businesses in Queensland. We exist to provide a powerful voice for small business and to power our members’ potential through providing access to essential tools, services, information & advice. www.cciq.com.au; klynch@cciq.com.au.

Not a member?

Join now.

www.ems.com.au Xīnnián kuàilè (Happy New Year!)

We have just welcomed in the Chinese year of the Goat. Chinese consider the goat to be gentle, serene and charming, yet resilient and determined, with an iron will and enterprising spirit. Wood, fire, metal and earth elements dominate 2015, which means real estate, technology, and education industries will prosper.

The new year is also about embracing new beginnings, so if you’re thinking about taking your business into China, ems creative can help you with our multicultural marketing & translation services.

Call 07 5479 5179 to discuss your new beginnings with us!

business matters 29

insurance

SARAH FISHER

matters

Austwide Insurance Brokers

Cyber Insurance Does your business rely heavily on technology?

Do you run a website? Do you store documents in the Cloud? Are you prepared for a cyber-attack?

Small business has always assumed that big business will be the target of a cyber-attack from hackers.

WRONG! Over 70 per cent of Australian and New Zealand small business have been attacked in the past 12 months, and it is believed that this is costing the economy around $1.8 billion, and is rising daily.

What is a cyber-attack? It can be an unauthorised person gaining access to your system or the theft, or corruption of your data, viruses or malware infections on your system. It could also be a denial of service leaving your system usable. It can even be when your suppliers or services you use to run your business, sustain a cyber-attack, resulting in an inability for you to use their services.

Some cyber insurance will cover you for public relations cost, in the event your reputation is tarnished as a result of a cyber-attack.

Penalties for breaches are quite significant with individuals facing fines of up to $300,000, and companies up to $1.7 million.

Cyber insurance is a necessary Insurance for all small business.

It can be tailored to your requirements. If your business relies on technology you should consider cyber risk as an important part of your insurance portfolio.

In March 2014, new privacy legislation came into force in Australia.

Breach of privacy is another form of cyber-attack. Penalties for breaches are quite significant with individuals facing fines of up to $300,000, and companies up to $1.7 million.

Business insurance covers the property and assets of your business.

Cyber Insurance offers protection for you against tech-related business interruptions, for example, not being able to connect to the internet; inability to connect to your emails; viruses; or even having your website hacked. Cyber insurance will even cover you in cases where you outsource your tech requirements, such as cloud-based programs which go out of business, or are themselves a victim of a cyber-attack.

It will cover you against the downtime your business suffers.

Cyber insurance also covers you against infringement of intellectual property, online identity fraud, system suspension, theft of data, privacy protection and breach of cost, cyber liability and cyber extortion.

Please be aware that any advice offered is General Advice only and has been prepared without taking into consideration your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before deciding to acquire a financial product please consider the Product Disclosure Statement and whether the product is appropriate for your individual objectives, financial situation and needs.

about the author Sarah Fisher has over 21 years’ experience in General Insurance brokering. Sarah enjoys assisting small business owners with their business insurance portfolios to ensure that they have the most appropriate cover available to cover their business assets.

Her business is based in Tewantin, but able to assist clients all over Australia.

LET US COVER THE RISK! Your Business Insurance Brokers • Business • Tradesman • Public Liability • Professional Indemnity • Commercial Motor • Landlords & Strata

Ph 07 5474 3040 Suite 9, The Atrium, 91 Poinciana Ave, Tewantin

www.austwideinsurancebrokers.com.au

Suite 9, The Atrium, 91 Poinciana Ave, Tewantin www.austwideinsurancebrokers.com.au Austwide IBS Pty Ltd T/as Austwide Insurance Brokers | ABN 65 237 964 223 | Authorised Representative No. 343827 | Authorised Representative of Ausure Pty Ltd T/as Ausure Insurance Brokers | ABN 94 096 971 854 | Licence No. 238433

30 ISSUE 69

eyebrow

Sarah CHAPMAN

matters

Allure Medi Spa & Beauty Lounge

Cosmetic tattooing - the new trend Feather touch brow tattooing has taken the beauty world by storm, with clients paying anywhere from $400 to $1,200 to solve their eyebrow misery.

Hygiene Fresh needles are used for every treatment, along with sterile water and dressing packs. At the end of the treatment, any leftover pigment, anaesthetics, as well as all equipment used, are disposed of. Throughout the treatment you will notice your technician will have on gloves, possibly a face mask and all equipment and supplies will be kept neat and tidy. If all health and hygiene standards are adhered to, the risk of infection is very minimal.

It’s a great solution to reshape poorly arched, or uneven brows, and create hair for those with hair loss or even scars through the brows.

But how do you choose someone trustworthy? After all, with lasting power between two years and 20 years, they need to be perfect.

A consultation is the most important part of your cosmetic tattooing experience.

Consultation A consultation is the most important part of your cosmetic tattooing experience. A great technician will offer a full consultation in which they will set aside time to physically look at your brows, explain the procedure, show some before and after photos of their work, and gain your confidence in shaping and colour consultation.

After treatment you can expect to leave the clinic with minimal redness!

Most clients find they have redness comparable to waxing. This is due to the use of anaesthetics and pain management products.

Procedure On the day of your procedure you will need to allow up to two hours for your appointment. Don’t let this put you off! A treatment with an experienced technician will only take between 20 and 40 minutes, with the rest of the two hours dedicated to a colour and shape consultation, medical information and indemnity forms, pain management/ application, and photo reviews.

Ingredients It’s important during your consultation to ask your technician about ingredients and pigment sourcing. Many issues can occur with inferior products and a great pigment should have minimal ingredients. As an example, a great pigment will include iron oxides to colour, as well as glycerine, saline solution and ethyl alcohol to transport the iron oxide as a liquid, later dehydrating and leaving the soluble matter behind.

about the author Sarah Chapman is the owner of Allure Medi Spa and Beauty Lounge, Sarah is passionate about

Iron oxide can come in an organic and inorganic formula. Although we love organic, it is imperative to check for allergies, as unfortunately most allergic reactions occur in organic rather than inorganic ingredients.

Define your look

In summary, each client will be seeking something different from their tattoo technician and the key is knowledge. Look at before and after images (ensure these are the technicians actual work and not stock images), ask about ingredients and have a thorough consultation.

If you don’t have 100 per cent confidence, take some time to think about your choices. And remember, each person is an individual and when having a permanent or semi-permanent procedure it is best to follow your natural look rather than fashion trends.

the difference that perfect eyebrows can make for both men and women.

Friendly staff and amazing service. They always go above and beyond for you. I travel all the way from Yeppoon to get my eyebrows shaped. They are fantastic!!

Ruth Horell—September 24, 2014 Amazing place. Friendly staff and lovely atmosphere. Anyone after amazing eye brows I would highly recommend. The best place on the coast! - Gemmy Reibelt April 28, 2014 Love this place. And I loveeee my eye brow and lip tattoo - Lorraine Chainey October 29, 2014

Medi Spa & Beauty Lounge

Creating the best brows on the coast...

Business matters readers can receive a complimentary Baieme Organics brow kit when booking an Allure Arch Angel Appointment ($45) before the 31.03.15

www.allurebeauty.com.au

Thank you Sarah for my eye brows! I highly recommend to everyone to try this beauty salon! Very professional, friendly and passionate about their job! -Zsofia Popplewell November 5,2014 Amazing, amazing, amazing!! What a lovely bunch of ladies, all under the one roof! Sarah with her brilliant brow work and Ashley with those magical hands!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for all the beauty needs! Amanda Poole January 16, 2014 Would NEVER go anywhere else for my eyebrow shaping :) Sarah is amazing! - Brooke Tierney September 9, 2014 Friendly and professional service. Fantastic eyebrows. Thank you Sarah!!- Amanda O’Neil September 10, 2014 Sarah does a fantastic job of my eye brows every time!!- Jodie Maree Huitema October 18, 2014.

1/22 Beach Road, Maroochydore

(07) 5443 1011 business matters 31

hr

Tatiana Porter

matters

Haycroft Workplace Solutions

Get Proactive; Go Digital Digital technology permeates nearly every aspect of our lives. Most of us have been using online banking and email for years and now we use the internet to engage socially.

Digital technology is embedded in the daily operations of nearly every business but not always on a regular basis. This is because some businesses struggle to understand where opportunities lie in the digital sphere. Implementing digital strategies can transform business functions. The value of these activities can then be measured accurately online.

Digital strategies enable your business to become proactive instead of reactive.

To execute a digital strategy you need to know which direction to take.

A good starting point is to determine what you want to achieve.

In our business, we wanted to: 1. Develop internal operations and support 2. Improve time management 3. Enhance our customers’ experience

As a business owner in 2015, you are bombarded with messages telling you to use LinkedIn, Twitter or Pinterest to enhance your company’s online presence. It is overwhelming because first you need to learn how to use the various platforms, then create killer content to generate and maintain a loyal following. The idea of using multiple channels may feel like a crushing burden because you’re not sure how to devise a digital marketing strategy; plus, you’re already time-poor.

4. Allow staff to perform their job responsibilities off-site

You may be concerned that digital technology could pose security risks; however the implementation of safeguards makes this manageable.

More importantly, you don’t want to be left behind your competitors; so you can’t afford to ignore these platforms. Digital strategies enable your business to become proactive instead of reactive. The benefits include:

9. Encourage collaboration

• Creating a forum for feedback via social media

5. Remove geographical constraints for business expansion 6. Provide clients with a simpler process 7. Ensure proactive service 8. Streamline decision-making processes 10. Access information instantly via cloud technology Before implementing your strategy, determine what you want your business to achieve. Then select the most appropriate digital channel.

Once you are comfortable with one platform, you can then gradually build upon this digital strategy to extend across other mediums.

• Tracking customer satisfaction using analytics • Saving time • Raising your business profile • Simplifying tasks • Ensuring accurate records and metrics • Encouraging customer interactions • Monitoring employee behaviour • Improving systems and processes • Increasing staff mobility and therefore business flexibility • Swift intervention before small issues become big problems

32 ISSUE 69

about the author As a business owner Tatiana focuses on staying relevant to clients and meeting their expectations in a changing digital world. She also knows that finding time to understand all these changes is a great challenge and believes in finding the right person to assist where possible.

BUSINESS MATTERS MAGAZINE

MAR / APR MONDAY MAR 2

9 U21 National Netball Championships, Caloundra Indoor Stadium, North St, Golden Beach

TUESDAY 3

BUSINESS EVENTS

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 4

5

Business Matters New Issue Launch, BV Pizzeria & Wine Bar, Kawana Island, Bookings @ www.businessmatters magazine.com.au

CCIQ, An Entrepreneur’s Journey From SE QLD To Silicon Valley, Novotel Twin Water Resort, Register @ www.cciq.com.au/events

Le Club Free Networking Event, 5.30 - 7.30pm The Edge Mooloolaba Wharf, RSVP email Vanessa@ WebStarMarketing.com.au

CCIQ, 3 Key Themes Set To Drive Business in 2015, Free Webinar, More Info @ www.cciq.com.au/events

The Creative Collective, Social Media Strategy, For Info www.thecreativecollective. com.au/events

The Creative Collective, Facebook Advertising, For Info www.thecreativecollective. com.au/events

Terri Cooper Networking Breakfast, Alex SLSC, Alex Headlands, For Info www. terricooper.com.au

The Creative Collective, Mailchimp, For Info www. thecreativecollective. com.au/events

10 SCBWN, International Women’s Day Breakfast, The Events Centre, Caloundra, To Book www. scbwn.org.au/events CCIQ, Operations and Business Resilience Free Webinar, More Info @ www.cciq.com.au/events U21 National Netball Championships, Caloundra Indoor Stadium, North St, Golden Beach

16

COMMUNITY EVENTS

17 Top of the Morning, St Patricks Day

11 CCIQ, E-Workshop Practical Sustainability, Finding Opportunities On Site, Free Webinar, More Info @ www. cciq.com.au/events Eumundi Markets, 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi U21 National Netball Championships, Caloundra Indoor Stadium, North St, Golden Beach

18 Eumundi Markets, 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi The Creative Collective, How To Get Your Website On Google, For Info www. thecreativecollective. com.au/events

CALENDAR Email us any events you have to magic@bmmag.com.au Phone 5444 4456 www.businessmattersmagazine.com.au

FRIDAY 6 Roy Orbison & The Everly Brothers In Concert, The Events Centre, Caloundra, Ph: 5491 4240

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

7

8

Vance Joy, Nambour Civic Centre, Nambour, Ph: 5475 7777 Eumundi Markets, 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi Noosa Festival of Surfing, Noosa Main beach

Cooroy Market, RSL Memorial Hall, Maple Street, Cooroy

12

13

U21 National Netball Championships, Caloundra Indoor Stadium, North St, Golden Beach

Reboot Your Business Digital Office Event Day 2, Innovation Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast

Cooroy Market, RSL Memorial Hall, Maple Street, Cooroy

Business Book In a Day, Planning Your Book Project, Info @ www. authorsupportservices.com/ business-book-in-a-day or Ph: Alex 0434 088 742

Reboot Your Business Digital Office Event Day 1, Innovation Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast

19 CCIQ, Communicating Change, An Employer’s Guide To Managing Difficult Transitions, Mooloolaba Surf Club, Register @ www. cciq.com.au/events The Creative Collective, Wonders Of Wordpress For Novice, For Info www. thecreativecollective. com.au/events

U21 National Netball Championships, Caloundra Indoor Stadium, North St, Golden Beach

20 Great Women of Country, The Events Centre, Caloundra, Ph: 5491 4240 Queensland Oztag Senior State Cup, Sunshine Coast Stadium, 31 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina

14

24 CCIQ, Australian Free Trade Agreements In Today’s Business, Free Webinar, More Info @ www.cciq.com.au/events Boston Marriage, Nambour Civic Centre, Nambour, Ph: 5475 7777

25 Eumundi Markets, 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi Boston Marriage, Nambour Civic Centre, Nambour, Ph: 5475 7777

26 Cooroy Market, RSL Memorial Hall, Maple Street, Cooroy

U21 National Netball Championships, Caloundra Indoor Stadium, North St, Golden Beach

Self Publishing, No Hype No upsell, A practical How to- Day, www. authorsupportservices. com/self-publishing/ or Ph: Alex 0434 088 742

The Creative Collective, Advance Facebook, For Info www. thecreativecollective. com.au/events

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31

APR 1 Eumundi Markets, 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi

2 The Fabulous Singlettes, Nambour Civic Centre, Nambour, Ph: 5475 7777 Cooroy Market, RSL Memorial Hall, Maple Street, Cooroy

3 Easter Friday

Peregian Beach Markets, Peregian Park, Peregian Beach

Caloundra Street Fair, Bulcock Street, Caloundra U21 National Netball Championships, Caloundra Indoor Stadium, North St, Golden Beach Fishermans Road Sunday Markets, Maroochydore

Eumundi Markets, 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi

21

22

Queensland Oztag Senior State Cup, Sunshine Coast Stadium, 31 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina Elvis In Concert, The Events Centre, Caloundra, Ph: 5491 4240 Eumundi Markets, 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi

27

Caloundra Street Fair, Bulcock Street, Caloundra

15

The Johnny Cash Show Presented by Dave Reynolds, The Events Centre, Caloundra, Ph: 5491 4240

Cooroy Market, RSL Memorial Hall, Maple Street, Cooroy

23

Kings of the Coast, Kings Beach, Caloundra, for More Info Ph: 0449 253 173

28

Eumundi Summer-All Over Long Lunch, Location: Original Eumundi Markets, Eumundi, Ph: 5479 0881 Leo Sayer, The Events Centre, Caloundra, Ph: 5491 4240 Queensland Oztag Senior State Cup, Sunshine Coast Stadium, 31 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina

29

Pomona Country Markets, Stan Topper Park, Pomona

Caloundra Street Fair, Bulcock St Caloundra

Eumundi Markets, 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi

Fishermans Road Sunday Markets, Maroochydore

Queensland Dragon Boat Federation State Titles, Lake Kawana 31 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina

Queensland Dragon Boat Federation State Titles, Lake Kawana 31 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina

4

5

Eumundi Markets, 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi

Caloundra Street Fair, Bulcock St Caloundra

Ross Noble – Tangentleman, The Events Centre, Caloundra, Ph: 5491 4240

Peregian Beach Markets, Peregian Beach Fishermans Road Sunday Markets, Maroochydore

business matters 33

34 ISSUE 69

business matters 35

legal

TIM McClymont

matters

Griffith Parry Lawyers + Notary

The Digital Age, Social Media & Legal Implications The growth in social media platforms has been a phenomenon, helping people to communicate with a wider audience and advertise business. More recently, politicians have embraced social media.

Many people struggle to keep up with the rate of change in the digital age and I am one of those people. Perhaps for good reason, I have tried to distance myself from some forms of social media. Not because of any dislike for it but because it is mostly unregulated and can create traps and pitfalls.

Those of the Polaroid or photo developing era knew a bad photograph only existed should the person holding the negative decide to have the film processed. Any hard copy of the photo could be ‘ripped up’.

Although a simple story it has an important message for social media users - If it is posted on social media it is there forever!

It is quite common in legal matters, especially in the field of personal injury law, for insurers and legal advisors to troll social media for evidence about the daily activities of personal injury claimants.

Some of the material, although posted innocently enough, can have significant consequences for the client. The impact of social media has also been felt in the workplace and if we are to believe what we see in the news, it may have played a part in the recent demise of an Australian rugby coach.

Here are just two examples of the impact in the workplace of social media misuse.

Mr. Stutsel was dismissed by his employer (Linfox Australia Pty. Ltd.) for posting racial and sexual harassment remarks on Facebook about two of his managers. One of the targets of Mr Stutsel’s remarks was a female manager who became aware of the posted comments through a personal friend of hers, who was also a Facebook ‘friend’ of Mr. Stutsel.

Mr. Stutsel won. It was held the account was set up by his family, had the maximum privacy settings (he believed comments posted would be private), he was not actually responsible for some of the posts and the page was not considered to be a ‘public forum’. Importantly, the employer had no workplace policy regarding this type of behaviour in place: Stutsel v Linfox Australia P/L.

If it is posted on social media it is there forever!

While Mr Stutsel was successful in defending an unfair dismissal claim, the decision highlights the care that needs to be taken when using social media.

The next case example was that of O’Keefe v Williams Pty (t/as Troy Williams the Good Guys). Mr. O’Keefe posted comments which contained commonly used expletives directed at his employer regarding his pay. His employer terminated his employment. Mr. O’Keefe had set his Facebook security to the maximum possible privacy but he didn’t count on some of his ‘friends’ bringing the comments to the notice of his employer. Mr. O’Keefe failed in his unfair dismissal claim and his employer was justified in terminating his employment. He admitted the posts and the employer held a policy prohibiting that type of conduct.

about the author Tim has seven years’ experience across a broad range of civil litigation matters including contract and leasing disputes, bankruptcy and corporate insolvency, trade practices, debt recovery and personal injury.

Tim is a committee member with the Sunshine Coast Community Legal Service and sits on the Judiciary for the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League.

What we do: We can expertly guide you in the following areas of law:

1 hour

EatioEn to R F lt s consu er M read

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Your partners in success since 1974.

A Griffiths Parry Lawyers + Notary Level 2, 12 Innovation Parkway, Birtinya, QLD 4575 | PO Box 1515, Buddina QLD 4575 P 07 5390 1400 F 07 5390 1499 W www.gplaw.com.au

36 ISSUE 69

life & death

colin dickS

matters

Dying to Understand

Please don’t look for the delete button I love the digital age but not always.

When emotions are out of control, digital does not work - there

Perhaps you remember the pre-digital days where things happened

and if necessary, begin again.

is no delete function. Sometimes the only option is to press on

slowly and deliberately with great care. Errors were ill afforded.

A photo required precision and perfection before the shutter clicked away, capturing the image. Letters were written using paper and ink and a draft was created, before a final version was penned.

Mistakes were costly and time-consuming.

Contrast this to the digital age where every mistake is readily adjusted using the delete button. Gone, erased forever! The magnificent edit

Problems don’t go away because we wish them away; they go away with expertise and skill.

function allows one draft to be created after another, without the

One of life’s most distressing times is at the end of life, when

painful, ‘let’s start all over from scratch’ experience. Digital works

death approaches. This requires a non-digital strategy.

for me. Digital offers powerful strategies to eventually get it just right because there are no consequences of getting it wrong.

If you or someone you know is struggling with end of life issues please don’t look for the delete button. Don’t do it tough on your

But there is a catch. Not all things are digital. Some things are not

own. My best advice is to get help. Problems don’t go away because

merely deleted or easily edited when we get it wrong. In some ways,

we wish them away; they go away with expertise and skill. Find

a digital strategy approach is a recipe for disaster. The most obvious

someone with this expertise to make your life a whole lot easier.

place a digital mindset fails is in relationships.

Relationships are not digital. They require care and consideration.

A misplaced word is difficult to retrieve or delete. A thoughtless act remains an inkblot on the page of our life. Whereas ‘digital’ has no consequences, in real life many things do have lasting consequences.

It is easy to see the consequences of a digital strategy versus a non-digital problem. Relationships suffer when careless or thoughtless words and actions are presented during stressful times.

about the author Doctor Colin has worked with cancer patients for more than 20 years.

He encourages an open discussion about death in order to get on with life. He has created Dying to Understand to facilitate this goal.

YOU CAN’T DELETE RELATIONSHIPS Doctor Colin runs workshops designed to facilitate patients, carers, family and friends to have an open discussion about how death and dying is affecting their relationships and feelings.

You can read more on how to achieve a fresh perspective on the normality of death through Doctor Colin’s book “About Dying”.

It will shed light on how people can be inspired to get on with living when they are aware they are dying.

Dying to Understand is a growing community of people who are embracing how to learn to live when confronted with terminal illness.

IF YOU ARE FACING A TERMINAL ILLNESS OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS, PLEASE VISIT:

WWW.DYINGTOUNDERSTAND.COM

business matters 37

brokerage

Rod Russell

matters

Savvy Business Sales

What Do Buyers Expect?

The key to a fantastic result when selling is to understand what buyers are looking for.

Buyers are a fussy lot; they have huge expectations and are often spoilt for choice. They get to choose from retail, wholesale, trade-based, foodrelated, health and fitness, service or tourism-related businesses. Or they may be tempted to buy a franchise or home-based business, or an online, managed or a five day a week opportunity.

When investing in businesses, buyers are generally well researched; they do not want to make a mistake and will employ professional advisors to ensure they don’t. So, how do you meet their expectations and ensure you receive the rewards that you rightly deserve?

The key to a fantastic result when selling is to understand what buyers are looking for. Your business must stand out and be attractive enough for buyers to proceed. This takes time, clever marketing and careful planning, however, by fine tuning your business the chances are you will achieve your goals.

It is unlikely the buyer will come from within your industry, so systemise and structure the business to be more attractive. A documented procedures manual covering all operations can prove invaluable.

Appointing key staff can reduce the reliance of the buyer and increase

the chances of a seamless transition after settlement. Ensure your financials are perfect and reduce excess stock levels where possible.

Buyers do not like businesses that require refurbishments, relocation, equipment upgrades and lease renegotiations. They don’t have the confidence or desire to do this, so it’s imperative to take care of these issues, prior to going to market.

Most of us live on the Sunshine Coast for the amazing lifestyle on offer, so businesses that offer owners flexibility and time with family are always in demand.

With a clever marketing strategy and a good understanding of buyers’ expectations, you will be well rewarded when it comes time to sell.

about the author Rod’s unrivalled professionalism and years of experience have earned him the reputation as the Sunshine Coast’s most successful business broker. He continues to raise the standards in business sales.

BABY BOOMERS

Want this?

or that?

...I think we need to talk

BUSINESS SAVVY. YES WE ARE!

T 5444 3300 www.savvybusiness.com.au

38 ISSUE 69

medical practice

ALBERT BORZILLO

matters

Wealthmed Australia

A solid finance structure is critical to good tax outcomes!

A finance and ownership restructure is something that is done to help you maximise your tax benefits when you’re undertaking financial planning and looking at your overall tax position with regards to your wealth management.

When borrowing to purchase a home, investment property or business, having the correct structure is as important as the finance itself.

Many people buy their first home (typically in joint names) and then down the track, look to upgrade their home and rent the existing property out.

When that occurs, there is usually one person earning a much higher income than the other, often the case of medical professionals. Therefore lost tax benefits, lost interest deductions and lost depreciation will occur without a restructure of the ownership of the asset.

In other states in Australia, changing the ownership of a property can be done for a nominal fee but in Queensland, stamp duty will be applied to the market value of the proportion of the family home that’s being transferred.

This is commonly referred to as a spousal transfer and it is important to calculate what the likely ongoing tax benefits will be versus the cost to do the restructure.

You should seek out a finance professional for advice every time there is change to your personal circumstances. There are some great tools and calculators available to help you make these decisions before you either purchase or restructure to rent a property.

about the author Albert has over 30 years’ experience as a practising accountant and is dedicated to achieving excellent outcomes for Wealthmed clients. He is a member of CPA Australia and has wide experience in both industry and public practice. If you’re reading this, pick up the phone and say hi!

Thinking of doing any of these things?

We are specialists in financial solutions for medical practitioners and in most cases, we can save you thousands.

check out our NEW video to see how! (youtu.be/autBwoevsqc)

Wealthmed is a Corporate Authorised Representative No 444018 of Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL & ACL No 320404 ABN 15 771 186 421. business matters 39

lending

richard west

matters

Top Ten Home Loans

Digital Banking Lends Itself To Stringent Security My thumb now permits access to my bank account via my mobile phone. Biometric authentication is yet another innovation enhancing the customer experience. My alternative is a simple four-digit code.

The speed of digital channels is staggering. Many banks offer mobile digital applications allowing customers to manage their financial needs wherever, and whenever, they want. The list of products and services are endless.

Mobile analytics allow business customers to extract information about cash flow and sales. Super, property, investments and insurance can be managed under one umbrella at the command of a fingertip. Dependent on the customer, the choice of bank may now depend on the digital services available. While digital innovation offers customers greater convenience and control, customer security and privacy is paramount.

Bank security systems may include encryption, firewalls, timeout locks, secure digital sessions, login/logout informatics as well as detection controls to identify security breaches and fraud. Additional layers of security may also be provided through single use SMS passwords or security tokens, a small device that generates new codes every minute.

While digital innovation offers customers greater convenience and control, customer security and privacy is paramount.

40 ISSUE 69

So what’s the message?

The digital convenience and flexibility of these mobile digital services are awesome. But check with your bank to ensure you are satisfied with their security and understand their expectations of you. A few tips: keep PINs, passwords and security information secret, protect personal information and destroy sensitive data securely, maintain up-to-date computer security software and browsers, only use trusted sites for purchases, don’t open questionable emails, immediately advise your bank of anything suspicious and report the loss of key documents such as driving licence, passport or credit cards.

Oh, and if a ‘Mission Impossible’ type operation steals my thumbprint my bank says they’ll cover the losses. I just need to prove I didn’t do it!

about the author Richard West is the owner of Top Ten Home Loans, mortgage brokers on the Sunshine Coast. He has over 25 years’ experience in the domestic and international banking and finance industry. Richard is a graduate of the University of the Sunshine Coast and holds a Diploma in finance/ mortgage broking management.

advertising

andrew WATERS

matters

Creative Concepts Advertising & Marketing

Research Key To Identifying Best Online Platforms Developing a solid digital advertising strategy for your business can seem a bit daunting to the uninitiated.

How involved in social media should you get? Is there really a magic formula for SEO? Can those people who constantly send me junk mail really get me on the first page of the Google search results?

The answer to all of the above is, it depends. Yes, I know you were hoping for a simple answer but the reality is, what might work for others, may not work for you. Take social media for example. If you are selling cookbooks, then Facebook and Pinterest are the perfect way to promote your product.

Sharing recipes with beautiful photography is going to get you lots of engagement. Consumers are going to try them out and may even share the results with their friends.

The bottom line is to explore all options and see what works for you.

However, if your business is septic tank waste management, then people aren’t going to want to talk about their ‘Crap’ on Facebook. (Well I’m sure

we all have friends who figuratively do but you know what I mean.) On the other hand though, as there is little competition for waste management services in Google AdWords you can use that to your advantage and get top spot in the paid results for a tiny monthly spend. The bottom line (no pun intended), is to explore all options and see what works for you.

The beauty of a digital campaign is that it is very accountable, you can track all interaction and work out, to the cent, how effective it is at advertising your business. Find a company that has the experience you need and let them develop a strategy that works for you. Spoiler Alert: that company will not be spamming you from a gmail account.

about the author Andrew “Muddie” Waters is a Creative Director who has more than 23 years’ experience in the advertising industry. Andrew recently won national and international awards for his design work.

Brighter ideas for your budget …it’s not what you spend, it’s how you spend it Spending wisely now can save you a lot in the future.

Advertising your product or service effectively is a difficult thing in today’s diverse market. It’s hard to know where your precious budget is best spent. Should you spread it across a range of traditional media or target new media exclusively? Which outlets or publications are going to be best for your target market? There are so many options that it is very hard to know what to do.

That is where Creative Concepts can help.

We examine all the options and develop an effective plan to help you move forward.

Talk to us now about how we can make your marketing budget go further and burn brighter…

07 5493 3366

your success is our business

Level 2, 12 Innovation Parkway Birtinya Q 4575 info@creativeconcepts.com.au | www.creativeconcepts.com.au

graphic design | web design & construction | corporate branding | media planning & placement | radio/tv commercials | printing | electronic media business matters 41

money

Michele Purvis

matters

UAS Financial

Exciting Life … Boring Money “There are costs and risks to a program of action, but they are far less than the long range costs of comfortable inaction,” said John F. Kennedy.

lives, that is an extra $78,000 in super - not a huge amount but more than they would have had otherwise.

A household with a $300,000 mortgage over 25 years will save about $43 a month if the interest rate comes down by 25 basis points.

With the drop in fuel prices over the past month and expectation that they will stay low in the first half of 2015, the typical family using 40 litres of fuel per week will save $60 per month.

About half of Australians have mortgages and the latest cut in interest rates means cheaper mortgages, which will also leave households better off. According to the latest ABS data, Australians spend $1,800 a month on mortgage repayments.

A household with a $300,000 mortgage over 25 years will save about $43 a month if the interest rate comes down by 25 basis points.

Now consider, instead of letting these savings go back into general family revenue and disappear, we put these savings straight into the home loan, and pay the home fortnightly. On a $300,000 mortgage, you will pay your home off five years earlier.

Another income item that often disappears into general family revenue is a pay rise. Why not look at putting 50 per cent of your pay rise into super. For a couple earning incomes of $85,000 and $35,000, and assuming this couple will get inflationary increases for the rest of their

These strategies are not rocket science but as part of an overall plan encompassing these plus several other strategies, and a commitment to financial success, you will be on the way to financial freedom.

about the author As a Financial Planner and CPA, Michele recognises that effective financial advice is holistic and incorporates a plan to create and protect wealth, in the context of an individual’s tax structure. Michele has an in-depth knowledge of complex including SMSFs, Family Trusts, Business Structures, Bare Trusts and Asset Protection.

uas financial

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www.uasfinancial.com.au

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commercial real estate

MICHAEL SHADFORTH

matters

Ray White Commercial North Coast Central

Confidence At A High The decision by the Reserve Bank to lower property interest rates, coupled with the banks’ willingness to pass on the savings means that for lots of business operators on the Sunshine Coast currently leasing, it is a great time to purchase their own premises.

And there is no better time to do so, than now.

Depending on the set up of your lending criteria and how your loan is structured with your bank, it can mean in some instances, paying off the mortgage on your business premises, will save money, in comparison to current rental rates.

The residential market has seen big improvements with Brightwater, Peregian, Parklands and Pelican Waters housing estates contributing to growth. As construction continues to drive the employment market, demand for housing maintains steady momentum.

Increased activity and focus on diversifying and driving the creation of employment and job opportunities will continue to benefit the region as it grows.

It is a great time to purchase premises.

Lower fuel prices, a lower Australian dollar and a slowing of wages growth continue to be topical, and in conjunction with lower interest rates, will continue to instil business confidence. The combination of lower cost of entry into the market, and the positive forecasts of growth due to demand increasing over the next few years across the region, are positive reinforcers that now is the perfect time to invest in commercial property whether it is as an occupier, or as an investor.

Additionally, the Sunshine Coast Public Hospital and other infrastructure improvements are impacting the region’s growth. Although this hasn’t translated across the board in commercial product, there are signs of improvement. We are realistic in expectations and are forecasting prices will start to improve closer to the time of the hospital’s completion mid-2016, when it is at full operation, and supply and services businesses in the medical precinct, are up and running.

about the author Michael Shadforth, Managing Director of Ray White Commercial North Coast Central, has a proven history in sales, leasing, commercial projects and developments, offering strategic marketing solutions to ensure clients success.

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Ray White Commercial North Coast Central

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Auction Chris Massie 0412 490 840 chris.massie@raywhite.com Property ID 1157045

Ray White Commercial North Coast Central Please note this property is in conjunction with Mark Poole 0417 731 453 from Morayfield Commercial.

business matters 43

training

TONI mEEHAN

matters

Target Training

Is your team part of your digital strategy?

At the heart of any strategy are your people - your team, those who will work alongside you to achieve the short and long-term business goals outlined in your strategy. For a digital strategy to be effective, businesses must have an appreciation of the level of digital literacy of their people.

Wikipedia defines digital literacy as ‘the knowledge, skills and behaviours used in a broad range of digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop PCs, all of which are seen as network’.

Given the diversity we see in today’s business with digital natives working alongside digital immigrants and considering how quickly the technology landscape changes, it is critical that businesses offer support to their team.

Here are a few simple steps that business owners can take to improve and leverage their team’s digital literacy, thereby engaging them in the strategy: 1. Review Current Digital Literacy An audit is a good way of determining a team’s level of competency.

A simple questionnaire or informal interview can help conduct a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis as you embark on your digital strategy. Making sure that your frontline staff are comfortable with, and understand Facebook, is important if you are rolling out a Facebook offer that those same staff will be fulfilling.

2. Make the Connection To avoid digital literacy and new strategies being ‘yet another job’ for the team to fit into an already busy day, make the connection between how these skills and initiatives will benefit them with their existing workload. This might include time that can be saved or new opportunities.

3. Get Excited A new or revitalised digital strategy will result in new opportunities for the team to get involved. Engaging them with internal incentive schemes around technology usage, getting them blogging, posting,

tweeting and encouraging their ideas on how to engage the digital customer are just a few ways to get the whole team excited about the strategy.

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn” 4. Establish e-Pioneers An e-Pioneer can be thought of as someone who explores new technologies with a view to discovering how they can enhance business. By encouraging team members to become our e-Pioneers, we create a steady stream of ideas to continue developing our strategy and improving our digital approach.

5. Support The Change Ensuring the team have the opportunity to understand new digital tools, ask questions, test the technology and learn more about the initiatives in your strategy will lead to less stress and angst from those who are feeling out of the digital loop. Fortunately, there are myriad websites, coaches and training courses available that enable the improvement of digital literacy within your team.

Alvin Toffler says “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn”. Supporting our teams with the skills and knowledge they need to be an active part of our digital strategy is key to its success.

about the author Toni has been delivering training and professional development for over 10 years to both groups and individuals.

With broad experience working within the corporate and small business arenas, Toni is Target training’s senior trainer and works in the areas of training and development, sales and marketing strategy, contact centre management, product development and project management .

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NATIONALLY RECOGNISED COURSES AVAILABLE 44 ISSUE 69

insolvency

RILEY JACKSON

matters

Debt Relief Hotline

Savings Can Be Made Online The digital age has brought a world of knowledge, convenience and entertainment to our fingertips and technology is making it even easier for us to spend money. With a single click, swipe or wave we can transfer, access or spend money without ever seeing a single coin.

While this surge in technology can be dangerous to the unsuspecting consumer, the Internet could help us save money too. Here is a fivepoint digital strategy for saving money online.

1. Sell, sell, sell!

Do you find you aren’t using that old treadmill as much as you used to? Why not sell it online? Gumtree and eBay will let you list your items for free if they are under a certain price. For localised interest, search Facebook for a ‘Buy, Swap and Sell’ page in your area. Just be careful using these pages, as they are hard to regulate and you may get some time-wasters. Always exercise caution and never give your personal details out online.

2. Save on your Phone Bill Skype and Google Hangouts are free, easy to set up and allow you to speak to your loved ones face-to-face, no matter how far away they are. You can also use Viber, WhatsApp and even Snapchat to message your friends for free. By using these free online tools, you can reduce the usage of your phone bill and drop down to a cheaper plan.

3. Entertainment at your fingertips Stop paying for expensive television subscriptions, movies and music immediately. There are free and legal ways you can enjoy these things online. You can stream movies and television shows from sites like Hulu, Google Video and Crackle. You may have to sit through a few ads, but that’s how it is available to you free of charge. You can also stream live radio from sites like Spotify and Pandora. You can even tailor your playlists to suit your musical tastes and skip songs you don’t like.

4. Facebook Fans The digital marketplace is the way of the future and businesses are jumping on board. Many big brands are offering specials exclusively on their social media sites like Facebook to track their popularity.

This means you can often get great bargains and deals by following their pages. Give your favourite shops a ‘like’ on Facebook and be sure to check your pages stream regularly, as they won’t always show up in your news stream.

5. Bargain Hunter With secure payment services like Paypal, buying things online is cheap, easy and much safer than you think. We already know we can sell things online, but you can grab a great bargain from sites like eBay and Gumtree. You can get quality second-hand furniture, sporting equipment, clothes, baby items and just about anything you can think of on Gumtree. eBay allows people from around the world to sell goods so you can often buy directly from China and save hundreds of dollars.

Just keep an eye on shipping or postage charges.

With secure payment services like Paypal, buying things online is cheap, easy and much safer than you think. about the author Riley Jackson has over 20 years’ experience in assisting and developing strategies for individuals and small businesses on ways to improve their financial circumstances.

Based locally with Affiliates located across Australia, we are able to assist clients all over the nation.

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business matters 45

website

karen AHL

matters

Web-Sta Affordable Web Design

Falling in love with your brand It takes hard work to get potential customers to fall in love with our brand. How do we get potential customers to even like us, let alone love us?

By being seen often, potential customers feel more comfortable dealing with you. It is a matter of repetitively popping up in front of your ideal customers. E.g. social media, email, TV, radio, Blogs... This is why so many ‘one-off’ advertisements and promotions rarely work.

Once a customer has dealt with you, you have an opportunity to maintain and grow this relationship. When they LOVE your brand, they will refer you, provide you with feedback and, you are a lot more likely to keep them as customers.

Getting your branding consistent is important. The way your logo appears on cards, stationary, signs, flyers, ads and uniforms leads to your website. Do they match? Is your colour scheme consistent throughout? Imagine that each time your advertising is seen, your potential customers have a hard time realising they have already ‘seen’ you because your logo/colours are different each time.

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You are effectively watering-down the strength of your brand therefore miss out on brand recognition.

TIP: Communicate these types of relationships on your website to build credibility via an image gallery, testimonial or folio page.

And finally, get clear with any suppliers that have anything to do with your brand. Ensure they all match in with your consistent look and that each of them isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. By keeping everything consistent can attract new customers as well as help strengthen the bonds with existing customers.

Take responsibility and control of your brand!

about the author Owner of Web-Sta Affordable Web Design, Karen Ahl blends her passion for local business and creative flair.

The result is unique website designs that work for her customers. She has over a decade’s experience in Marketing, Advertising and Branding.

business matters 47

numbers business

Content online doesn’t win sales, optimised content DOES!

with TED FITZGERALD Sunshine Coast’s Numbers Expert

In just 10-15 years, the Internet has gone from a technical wonder to a business must.

It not just challenges but has already killed many traditional ways of doing business, both retail and B2B. Just as print media is now almost irrelevant and yields revenue to online services, the old style of newspaper advertising is losing cost/ effectiveness. Compare the eight year cash flow trends of print media giant Fairfax Press with digital upstart Realestate.com in the chart. It is a compelling picture!

But surprisingly, although 95 per cent of SMEs use the Internet, few have a digital business strategy for online business i.e.

Yes

Internet, website and mobile sites.

As the chart illustrates (Source: Sensis® e-Business Report 2014) of all SMEs on the Internet, only 19 per cent have a digital business strategy.

Not sure what a digital business strategy is

4

And importantly for most Coast businesses,

19

%

only 18 per cent of ‘small businesses’ have

77

a digital strategy compared to 35 per cent of medium-sized businesses.

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No

Cash Flow Fairfax Press RealEstate.com

With the increasing emphasis on mobile/ digital strategies, it was revealing that only seven per cent of SMEs had developed an ‘app’ compared to 16 per cent of medium businesses. For Coast businesses, the stark reality is 99 per cent of Australians now use the Internet, with over 75 per cent making purchases online, spending on average $2,600. So if YOUR website is designed to act like a loud speaker (e.g. like a traditional newspaper), trying to catch the attention of

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everyone passing by, experience suggests you are heading towards trouble.

With business to business (B2B), 85 per cent of firms now look online for information about products and services, with 78 per cent of firms placing B2B orders over the Internet and 81 per cent using the Internet to make payments.

In putting together a digital strategy it is important to see how online video content is overtaking print and still photos. Online video is predicted to account for more than one-third of marketing spend within five

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Cash flow trends - Fairfax Press vs RealEstate.com * 2007-2014!

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Another surprise is, although two-thirds of SMEs have a website, only 26 per cent are mobile optimised. 76 per cent of Australians now own a smartphone and use other devices, including phones, tablets and television to access the Internet AND use them as the preferred way to look for, or compare products and services. So having your website ‘optimised’ to cater these devices is no longer an option. It is a necessity!

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RealEstate.com

years. Research shows a link to a video in an email subject line means ‘open’ rates double.

The dramatic changes underway can be summarised thus. ‘You can buy attention (advertising). You can beg for attention from the media (PR). You can bug people one at a time to get attention (sales). Or you can earn attention by creating something interesting and valuable and then publishing it online for free’.

Visit www.sensis.com.au/about/our-reports to read full Sensis® e-Business Report 2014.

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www.visa.net.au business matters 49

WHERE SHOULD YOU HOLD YOUR NEXT BUSINESS EXPO, CONFERENCE, NETWORKING EVENT, WORKSHOP? Business Matters Magazine chatted recently with Andrew Lang, Manager at ‘The Institute of Professional Learning’ The Institute of Professional Learning Centre is based on the University of the Sunshine Coast Campus and inspires a relaxed learning environment. The Institute rents these rooms to local and interstate businesses. They have eight rooms that can be configured to host small groups of 10, or even a large conference of 250. At the front, there is a large networking space that is perfect to begin the day, enjoy morning tea or lunch, or network after an event.

They boast the most advanced and comprehensive event facilities on the Sunshine Coast so you can focus on making your event successful for your team. Need equipment? That’s their strength. Everything that you could need is included in the pricing, so that you can walk in and start on time with confidence. Audio visual equipment, screens, whiteboards, flipcharts, video conferencing - they have it all.

If you are looking to do some technology training and want to be ready to go rather than spending the morning helping setup everyone’s personal laptop, they have over 70 laptops that can be set to your requirements, so you are off and running from the start. If you need internet access, they can facilitate this too.

The Institute hosts training workshops, conferences, business planning meetings, plus offer full catering, making the day more memorable. Working with you, they’ll create a menu which can cater for special dietary requirements including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. About 10 per cent of people need special diets which is all taken care of, at no extra charge or fuss. You can choose from a number of pre-set packages or create your own custom made menu.

The Institute of Professional Learning offer three choices: Bronze Gold Platinum

If you are on a budget or just want a simple choice.

The most popular choice with enough food for any hungry tummy and an impressive layout.

Many corporate clients choose this package because they want to provide something extra for their team.

The Institute of Professional Learning Centre is perfect for small business expos. They can host a number of trade displays in the networking area so people can meet and discuss. The smaller rooms are ideal for product presentations or business information.

There are also capabilities to have revolving video displays with information and ideas.

The best advice for organising expos of this nature is to get their team involved in the early stages of planning. They can then advise and help in numerous ways from the venue layout to all the registration and setup.

Phone Andrew on 5459 4590 for more information. www.ipl.eq.edu.au

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w w w.bus i nessmat t ersm ag az i ne.com .au

2015

YOUR SUNSHINE COAST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Hi! I’m Jen Forster,

WELCOME TO LIFE MATTERS! I am so excited to be bringing to the Sunshine Coast all things fitness, food, fun and fashion in our exciting new section of Business Matters.

One thing I know for sure is that life is for living and doing what lights you up is the key to success in all other areas of your life! So do what you love and love what you do because ‘Life Matters’!

52 ISSUE 69

matters

triathlon Matters by david chick, allez sport mooloolaba

Staying consistent in your training is the key The key with training for a triathlon is consistency and to a lesser extent, intensity.

Everyone is different when it comes to their approach to their training. I know people who can go super hard in training for a few weeks and then they fall in a hole, having overdone it.

I also know those who I believe, if they were just able to stick to a full training program for a full training block, would see extraordinary gains in fitness and performance.

It is challenging to stay consistent. For most people, there are a variety of external influences and competing demands that make us have to choose how we can fit everything into our busy lives.

There are also times when perhaps we are losing a bit of focus, feeling a bit fatigued or have other things going on that are preoccupying our minds.

It’s easy to train when you are motivated or feeling good so we need to have a way of getting to, and then through, the sessions at these other times. Here are a few suggestions for doing this.

1. Have a program and treat it as non-negotiable. That way there is no room for negotiation, you just do what the coach, or your program sets out for that day.

2. Organise to train with some friends. Knowing you have organised to meet at 5 am for a ride will get you out of bed if you know you will let your friends down if you don’t turn up.

3. Tweak the way you do the activity. If road riding is getting a bit tiresome, pull the mountain bike out and hit the trails.

Sick of the pool? Head out and do an open water swim at Noosa or Ewan Maddock Dam - you complete the session in a different setting.

4. Have a session in mind you want to do and just head out the door. Yesterday, while I was on the bike, I felt sluggish and wondered how I would complete four hours on the bike yet once I got to the second hour, I came good and finished the session feeling great. It is very satisfying to get through these training sessions, and makes it easier next time you are facing similar circumstances.

5. Similar to above, adapt your mindset or perception on your training. For example, you have to run a one hour session, choose an ‘out and back’ course rather than a loop run. Run out for 30 minutes, then turn and run back. It sounds simple but you have no choice but to run back and it takes the option of cutting your run short.

Keep consistent and see you at a race. about the author David Chick, the founder/operator of Allez Sport Mooloolaba, has been involved in triathlon and endurance sport for over 25 years and raced the Hawaii Ironman amongst 10 other ironman distance triathlons throughout the world.

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Life matters 53

matters

It’s so much more than a Bootcamp!

adventure Matters by melinda bingley, mab personal training & adventures

Changes and Challenges The running season is upon us here on the Sunshine Coast and I am reminded of a challenge I set myself last year - to beat my previous half marathon time of 1 hour 44 minutes. I love running and along with my training buddy, we put in the training leading up to our goal event.

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Race day came and although my preparation had been great, I was confronted with the first kilometre feeling heavy and not feeling any better by the 5km mark either. I didn’t understand it?

I felt shattered, and although we were on track with our time, physically I wanted to quit.

The power of the mind is an awesome thing but not if the ‘ego’ takes over.

I used every tool in my life tool box; focusing, mantras, energy and light but it just went downhill from there, including a fall and many stops and starts. I ran with my heart and my ego wouldn’t let me stop. I collapsed across the finish line 15 minutes outside my personal best. That night, I ended up in hospital with liver and kidney issues.

The reason I share this is because as a trainer, we are supposed to be strong, fit and healthy. I personally have always believed in the power of the mind. What I learnt that day was that the power of the mind is an awesome thing but not if the ‘ego’ takes over. The fact was, my body wasn’t 100 per cent that day. My body communicated that and my ego took over, and I didn’t listen. I know better now.

What adventures will you have in 2015?

Join MAB and get ready to tick a few of these off your list!  MAB ‘Pink’ Charity, 19 April 2015  MAB Mt Warning Weekend Adventure, 15 May 2015  MAB ‘Happy Day’, 24 May 2015  MAB Skydive Adventure Weekend, 30 May 2015  MAB Adventure Weekend, 5 June 2015

How can this help you?

INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURES!

There is a fine line between listening to your body and taking the easy way out, and only you will know the answer to this.

Sometimes in life we don’t know where our limit is but finding this out for yourself, from your heart, that you’re not your ego, is important. So, check in with yourself, let go of your ego and go for your goals with your heart.

 MAB ‘Mt Kilimanjaro’ Adventure Trek, August/Sept 2015

Let go of fear of judgement of others and do what’s right for you.

about the author Mel Bingley is a qualified personal trainer, wellness coach and fitness professional who walks her talk. She has created her successful fitness business from her passion for adventure. Mel has personally trekked Camino De Santiago, Kokoda Trail, Route Burn NZ, Cass Saddle/Lagoon Saddle NZ and has just completed Everest Base Camp late 2014 and has her sights set on the summit of Kilimanjaro in 2015.

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 MAB New Zealand, 5 November 2015

d 2 weeks OFFER 1: 2 x PT an MP $50 CA OT BO UNLIMITED CK! One month OFFER 2: INTRO PA MP for $99!

CA OT BO D UNLIMITE

www.mabpersonaltraining.com.au LIKE us on

MABPT MABPTADVENTURES

to get updates on upcoming adventures

Ph 0401 286 200 / Email melindabingley@gmail.com Private Studio located at Golden Beach

matters

chiropractic Matters by dr david hendrey, hendrey chiropractic

Are you performing at your best?

Whether you are at home, work or enjoying our hobbies or sport, we all want to have no restrictions or limitations.

Being able to do what you want, when you want and with whom you want is the ultimate freedom and quality of life.

The quality of your nerve supply is directly proportional to your quality of life. For you to move freely and perform at your best you need to have a balanced spine, free of tension. This gives your nerves the best chance to power your body properly.

Achieve your personal best with Chiropractic Spinal Adjustments have been shown to improve  Strength  Balance  Endurance  Co-ordination  Agility  Flexibility

Your nerves conduct electrical messages to and from the brain at 300 km/h: the speed of life. When the messages are in synchronisation, we are at our best. When we play sport or at work, we are in the zone and magic happens.

Knocks, bumps, falls, poor posture or even stress creates tension and irritation in our body. We simply can’t function and perform as we want. Sadly many people instead of addressing the cause of the problem and get on with life, they stop doing certain things.

They reduce their activities to meet their new lowered capacity. Often telling themselves that ‘it’s OK, I’m just getting older’.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Chiropractic is focused on uncovering the cause of any restrictions and helping you perform at your best. Chiropractors study at University for over 6000 hours. The first task for any Chiropractor is to ensure it is safe to perform the treatment and that there is a good chance for a successful clinical result. That is why Chiropractors conduct a physical examination and study your x-rays before treatment. Chiropractors are safe, effective and well trained.

about the author Dr David Hendrey is a full-time chiropractor, author and speaker in Kawana with 20 years’ experience.

He is passionate about helping people live a vibrant healthy lifestyle.

HALF PRICE OFFER FOR BusInEss And LIFE MAttERs REAdERs… Book a full spine and nerve exam today for OnLy

$45!

normally $90 BOOkIngs EssEntIAL! *specific, low dose x-rays performed in the building, bulk billed and ready in 5 minutes!

Ph: 5437 7222 | www.hendreychiropractic.com.au life matters 55

matters

Skin Matters

by Jessica Luise Bollington, Skin by Jessica Luise

Caring On A Cellular Level

Each cell has a cellular membrane referred to as the bilayers.

The first injury to a cell is loss of water called oxidative stress - without water, nutrition can’t get into a cell. The second level of cell death is a lack of lipids or lipid peroxidation. This occurs when the cell hasn’t been nourished or fed, with the cell wall becoming like cement. Third in line to cell death is a loss of cell energy, mitochondria. And fourth, is mitochondrial death or no fuel, no brains and the cell forgets what it is doing!

To encourage a change in skin we have to start with feeding the skin cells.

WE WELCOME DR ZAC TO SKIN.

Providing in depth consultations, injectables and skin treatment advice. Aesthetically Dr Zac feels that a natural look is best and believes in a less is more approach.

Dr Zac is at the top of his field and is sort after to train other doctors in his industry. To arrange an appointment call the clinic today 5452 7121. Limited consultations available and bookings are essential.

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1. Only purchase from a trained skin professional.

2. Have a program tailored to your skin with the right amount of hydration and lipid content to treat your skin condition.

3. Use vitamin C topically every single morning! Vitamin C is a super antioxidant. It helps mitigate the effect from UV in the skin and helps reduce the appearance of abnormal pigmentation. It also helps to produce collagen production and ward of free radicals. Every single person needs to be on this. Look for it in a powdered form or lipid form, to best maintain its potency.

4. Use Vitamin A every single night at least! Vitamin A is an amazing vitamin to apply which can work with the DNA within our skin cells. As environmental factors play a huge part in the aging and deterioration of our cells and DNA strands, and our cells are easily destroyed by heat, light and air, replenishing Vitamin A topically is crucial. Vitamin A helps to stabilise, normalise and ultimately strengthen our skin’s cellular function - it’s one of the best anti agers available. Vitamin A helps encourage healing, collagen production, and skin cell function, and is useful for reducing scarring and pigmentation, and normalising oil flow!

YOUR SKIN MATTERS

When it comes to non-surgical face lifts and skin firming, radio

ABOUT THE AUTHORfrequency is giving results in the areas of fine lines, wrinkles, sagging contours, acne scarring and post-baby belly tightening.

Jessica Luise Bollington is an extremely passionate treatment course, the results are observed six beauty therapist, whoAfter hasaover a decade ofbest experience once collagen has fully matured. Further in the beauty industry.months Over post-treatment, the years Jessica has improvements can be made by incorporating skin treatment successfully managedpeels, an award-winning and microdermabrasion medi or laserspa, technology. has trained and worked alongside of therapists both nationally and internationally. Skin is one of her greatest WEtheWELCOME passions and she loves challenge of Skin Analysis, DR ZAC SKIN.her in salon treatment program writing TO and advising Providing in depth injectables clients of how they can change theirconsultations, skin at home.

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and skin treatment advice. Aesthetically Dr Zac feels that a natural look is best and believes in a less is more approach.

Dr Zac is at the top of his field and is sort after to train

Break the routine!

INDIO DELIGHT: INDIO INDULGENCE INDULGENCE DELIGHT:

antioxidant indulgent facial JUST Indio Eyebrow sculpture, eyebrow tint

JUST

• •

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TREATMENT • Collagen hands or feet mask and massage THE FRACTIONAL NEW Completely non-invasive, and one of • Neck, FACEshoulder LIFTand scalpthemassage most exciting new treatments on the

BEFORE

Sunshine Coast. The fractional facelift will make your skin lift, improving sagging contours of the face and neck, fine lines, THE FRACTIONAL FACE LIFT wrinkles and scarring.

Free consultation – results can last 5 years!

Face $250* or Face and Neck $285* AFTER Normally priced from $550

Services Include: Laser Tech Super Hair Removal, Laser Tech Skin Rejuvenation, Rf Non-Surgical Face Lift, Ultrasonic Liposuction, Paramedical AFTERPeels, Facials, Waxing, BEFORE Microdermabrasion, Treatment Spray Tanning, Manicures and Pedicures, Shellac and Massage.

THE FRACTIONAL FACE LIFT NEW TREATMENT Completely non-invasive, and one of the most exciting new NOW OPEN ATSunshine 21 Ocean Street, Maroochydore. treatments on the Coast. The fractional facelift will make your skin lift, Phone improving5452 sagging 7121. contours of the face and neck, fine lines, wrinkles and scarring.

E. info@skinbyjessicaluise.com.au Free consultation – results can last 5 years! visit Face $250* www.skinbyjessicaluise.com.au or Face and Neck $285*

Normally priced from $550.

Services Include: Laser Tech Super Hair Removal,

matters

makeup Matters

by Dee McMahon, Aura Makeup

∙

Autumn Makeup S.O.S. Autumn is here girls and with the changing of the seasons comes new makeup tips! After all, you can’t wear all of the same warm tones and colours you had for Summer for the Autumn months, right?

Berry or rose-stained lips teamed with soft, peachy cheeks will complement this look.

During the summer, you may have felt like rocking a smoky eye with a sundress was a little too much! Once the sun goes down and the temperature gets cooler, anything goes. Autumn is the perfect time to experiment with colours and textures.

Nothing beats a healthy glow - no matter what the season.

Barely-there beauty looks, accentuated with luminosity, are perfect for Sunshine Coast days and nights.

Prepare your complexion - a water-based primer acts as a barrier so your skin doesn’t soak up your base and adds an extra layer of moisture to your skin. We dub this first choice for ‘Autumn dewiness’.

Foundations should provide a flawless, natural finish with a good level of coverage. A hydrated formula means you can achieve flawlessness in a matter of minutes.

Yes, the bronzer you loved last Summer can still work for you in Autumn. Just keep in mind to choose a formula that’s one or two shades lighter than what you used during Summer, for a more realistic, seasonal look.

Chic yet natural are the key to achieving the Autumnal effect!

Berry or rose-stained lips teamed with soft, peachy cheeks will complement this look. Burgundy, gold or silver eyeshadows are smudged onto eyelids creating a smoky, chic effect, with brown eyeliner or shadow applied to both upper and lower lids for definition.

Lashings of mascara on both lower and upper lashes open up the eyes and are a retro nod to the chicness and coolness of the Sixties and Seventies, this season’s hottest trend.

n m u t u A Makeup S o S

“AURA MAKEUP COMBINES THE ENERGY FROM MINERALS WITH PLANT-DERVIVED INGREDIENTS THAT ARE BENEFICIAL AND GENTLE ON THE SKIN.” 100% VEGAN NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED BUSINESS BASED ON THE SUNSHINE COAST

about the author Founder, creator and co-owner of Aura Makeup, Dee McMahon has been specialising in makeup for over seven years. She has been behind the scenes of Fashion Weeks around the world and knows exactly what is expected from a cosmetics product. The creation of Aura Makeup, which is 100 per cent Vegan and Cruelty Free, came from a strong passion to consciously create a makeup brand that could cater for the everyday woman, beauty enthusiast and professional makeup artist, as well as being gentle on the skin.

AUSTRALIAN MADE & OWNED

www.auramakeup.net PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY Surie Studios S urie S tud ios w w w.suriestud ios.com www.suriestudios.com

MAKE UP U PUp AuraMAKE Make Aura M a ke Up w w w.a ura ma keup .net www.auramakeup.net

HAIR HAIRin the Cloud Heads H ea d s i n the C l o ud w w w.h ea d si nthecl o ud . co m . a u www.headsinthecloud.com.au

life matters 57

matters

FAMILY Matters

by Joanne Boughton, Boughton Legal

YOUR FAMILY Family Planning For Unforeseen Events

matters!

Families come in all forms these days. Single parent families; ‘traditional’ families consisting of mum, dad and child or children; blended families including children from one or more prior relationships; double income no kid families, and single adults without a partner or children but who are still part of a family of origin, including their parents and siblings (if any).

Our family, however that is made up, often forms our closest circle of security and belonging. There are things we can do to help us weather the storm if our family and sense of security unravels due to physical or mental ill health, separation and/or divorce, or death of a loved one.

My first recommendation to anyone in such a situation is to look after yourself. We cannot help or nurture others, especially children, if we do not give our minds and bodies the rest, nourishment and rejuvenation that they need. That could be something as simple as a round of golf, a quiet walk alone or seeking professional help such as counselling, or consultation with a medical or other health practitioner.

There should be no shame in seeking the help that your body and mind needs and I always applaud clients who have sought, and then followed, the advice of medical or other health practitioners.

Take the time to think ahead and consider what we would do if we were faced with physical or mental ill health ourselves Secondly, I recommend that each of us take the time to think ahead and consider what we would do if we were faced with physical or mental ill health ourselves; or of a family member, death of a loved one or a breakdown of a relationship. Making an enduring Power of Attorney enables us to appoint a person (or persons) to act on our behalf, and make decisions for us in relation to personal health matters and financial matters. We can place limits on the exercise of that power, for example, an attorney is only able to act in the event that we lose the physical or mental capacity to do things for ourselves.

A Power of Attorney document becomes null and void on our death. Making a Will enables us to appoint a person or persons to manage our affairs after our death, and to determine the recipient/s of our estate (real estate, money, investments, personal chattels etcetera) in the event of our death. Making a binding financial agreement enables us to reach a clear and binding agreement with our partner (before, during or after entering into a de facto relationship, or marriage) as to the way in which our assets, including real estate, superannuation, investments, money, personal chattels et cetera will be divided upon a separation and permanent breakdown of the relationship.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is of a general nature only and all readers should seek individual and particular advice suited to their circumstances. about the author Joanne Boughton is a family lawyer with over 21 years of experience assisting clients in family law matters, she is passionate about assisting clients through the difficult process of separation so that they can move on with the rest of their life.

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Boughton Legal provide expert advice in all Family Law matters including: • Divorce • Property Settlements • Binding Financial Agreements • Dispute Resolution • Parenting Arrangements • Powers of Attorney • Mediation Boughton Legal are offering a free initial (no obligation) consultation in all Family Law matters.

Phone: 5313 4999 Email: mail@boughtonlegal.com.au www.boughtonlegal.com.au

matters

body Matters by belle mcdonald, hypoxi health and fitness

Post Workout Pain?

WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER WITH HYPOXI!

Anyone who exercises, works out, is a sportsperson or has competed in an athletic event, would be familiar with the common post discomfort your body can experience.

Let’s look at exercise and energy expenditure generally as an example.

When you exercise - your body relies on oxygen.

The body requires converting energy sources to sustain longevity High intensity exercise or activity where the body becomes quickly fatigued, and breathing becomes more rapid in order to intake greater amounts of oxygen, can be classified as anaerobic energy expenditure.

In this state of high exertion, the body requires converting energy sources (carbohydrates) to sustain longevity.

During this chemical process of breaking down carbohydrates, in basic terms Pyruvate (the molecule that is left over when a cell breaks down glucose for energy) forms lactate concentration, which accumulates faster than the body can remove it. This build-up results in the burning sensation and pain.

Another form of pain or discomfort can be generally related to DOMS (Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness).

This predominately results with muscle lengthening activities, (eccentric exercise such as weight lifting or muscle rehabilitation) where micro-traumas to the muscles occur. This triggers pain receptors in the connective tissue of the muscles to also stimulate the sensation of pain, which can last for up to 72 hours.

The supply of oxygen and nutrient enriched blood to the damaged tissues increases cell activity, which ultimately results in muscle and tissue regeneration. This can be achieved with various treatments, such as applying ice, heat, massage, and stretching. But commonly low impact passive aerobic exercise which promotes blood flow to the affected areas, can be the most effective. In addition, new technology in specialised exercise equipment which artificially promotes blood flow can greatly assist & benefit Cross fit members, Triathletes, cyclist, footballers and sportspersons alike requiring fast recovery for repetitive training regimes. about the author Belle McDonald discovered Hypoxi when she was looking for a career that helped people to not only look great, but feel good from the inside out. Now she assists people in reaching their ultimate health, weight loss and peak performance goals. She is passionate about health, clean eating and inspiring people to live the very best life they can live.

 Cellulite wont’ budge?  Cant shift that stubborn last 5 kilos?  Just not happy with your bum, tum hips or thighs?  You train hard, eat well with no results?

HOW CAN HYPOXI HELP ME? Hypoxi Health and Fitness can tailor a workout program in an advanced machine that uses vacuum and compression while you exercise to help target fat in those stubborn areas.

Every hypoxi session boosts the effects of a regular workout, so that clients get slimmer and smoother in those problem areas faster than regular exercise.

If you’re finding it difficult to lose weight, banish cellulite or need help with injuries, contact the team at Hypoxi Health & Fitness and book a consultation today.

Try It Out! 3 Hypoxi Sessions for only

$99

That’s 50% off!

16, 23 Cotton Tree Parade, Cotton Tree (behind Coffee Club)

Phone 5479 2697

www.hypoxicottontree.com.au

life matters 59

matters

wellness Matters

by ERIN BARNES, NEXT GENERATION WELLNESS

FOLLOW US ON

Where are we leading our children?

When we become a parent, we become a leader.

Every conscious and unconscious act shapes the future makeup of our children physically, mentally and emotionally.

When we develop a greater self-awareness and face our personal fears, our children will be less likely to adopt our conditioned doubts and anxieties, and achieve a positive self-esteem.

When we foster our own ambitions, we train our children to aspire, progress and achieve. In not giving our children everything within our limits, we confirm a more realistic sense of entitlement and greater responsibility. By conceding to risk and reducing cautioning, we create fearless and independent children. By prioritising time to make wholesome food and to exercise, we authenticate the importance of health.

As guardians of young minds, we need to constantly improve ourselves and accept that change is never easy or complete.

Change is a battle against our conditioned beliefs and is a continuous journey. When a change is met and sustained, we have a duty to ask; where to next? How can I enlarge?

What can I aspire to? How else can I transform emotionally, physically, mentally and intuitively?

We can make a start by becoming more present and checking internally before acting. We can begin to journal and unearth our personal truths, fears and limiting beliefs. We can then envision our best self; eating behaviours, exercise habits, self-esteem, mindset, and relationships. When resistance arises, we can reflect on what we have to lose if we don’t change, and compare with what is to gain. We can accept that we have our challenges, but recognise that we have the ability to expand our lives and experiences, regardless of circumstance.

Healthy Parent Healthy Child

e-course Your 6 week guided e-course combining mindset, strategy, education and tools to enable sustainable, life changing health.

Real food. Real life. Real behaviours.

Say goodbye to dieting, health, energy and weight issues.

Make the safe choices for your family. Lead your children to healthy habits. Reduce packaged foods. Develop and maintain motivation for positive choices. Discover eating well need not be expensive. AND maintain the healthy choices with a busy life, socialising and still enjoying your favourite treats!

Become a healthy parent and create a healthy child.

Visit website for full course outline.

60 ISSUE 69

HEALTHY PARENT

Call today: 0409 809 418 erin@nextgenerationwellness.com.au

www.nextgenerationwellness.com.au

Wellness

By leading intentionally, controlling our thoughts and creating healthier life practices, our children will be grateful that we taught them what they needed to be healthy and happy.

Appreciative that we instilled in them, the basic skills of eating nutritious foods and being active, the importance of positive relationships, the significance of achievement over winning, responsibility rather than blame, and a higher purpose than greed and opposition.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Erin Barnes BScAPP. HMS and certified wellness coach with 17 years’ industry experience, is a wife, mother of 2, and founder of Next Generation Wellness. Erin facilitates sustainable change in health and well-being within individuals, enabling them to support a life that is fulfilling and vibrant. Erin educates and equips individuals with the necessary knowledge and tools to lead our next generation to healthy and well-rounded futures.

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Are you prepared to elevate your life?

Find out more about the 12 week Wellness Elevation Program online @ www.nextgenerationwellness.com.au

FEAR NO MIRROR ™

BEFORE

16 WEEKS AFTER

COOLSCULPTING TREATMENT

Photos by Eric Bachelor, MB FACS (Single side treatment, no weight change)

BEFORE

When it comes to your reflection, you can be your own toughest critic. Even that favourite outfit can feel off-limits because of stubborn fat that resists diet and exercise. But the CoolSculpting® treatment effectively shapes what you see without surgery or downtime, so you’ll look great.

Clothes fit better, feel better, look better.

8 WEEKS AFTER

COOLSCULPTING TREATMENT Photos by Eric Bachelor, MB FACS

Call now for your complimentary consultation.

COZmedics Maroochydore

5409 4400

49 The Esplanade Maroochydore www.cozmedics.com.au

Family!

BFresh is passionate about sourcing and supporting specialty products and produce from boutique Australian businesses.

DELI House made Dips

FRUIT & VEG Queen Garnet Plums

GROCERY

Exciting times in the Deli where we have been listening to customer requests and have expanded our house made collection to include two new dips.

Both being gluten free, Paleo, vegan friendly and super yummy to boot. Roasted beetroot, amazing colour with a clean flavour, could also be used as a spread on a crusty sourdough. Plus an old favourite with a BFresh spin, the roasted capsicum walnut, is so good you just have to try it. Keep a look out for other new house made lines in our deli.

Queen Garnet plums are grown in Queensland and are becoming known as ’The Antioxidant Plum’.

Anthocyanin’s are the red, blue and purple colours found naturally in certain fruits and vegetables and these pigmented compounds are powerful antioxidants. With ten times the levels of regular plums, the deep red of the Inglewood-grown Queen Garnet also contains more than four times the antioxidant content of blueberries. So not only are they deliciously sweet, they help combat lifestyle related diseases too, so why not try some this season!

Amazonia understand that raw, whole nutrition is the foundation for health and vitality, and have developed a range of nutrient-rich supplements to reflect that. To satisfy the evergrowing movement of health conscious customers, Amazonia’s Raw Protein range encompasses concentrated superfoods and living pre-probiotics.

They also have products using the Amazon rainforest-grown Acai berry, with a focus on quality, taste and sustainability. You can whip something up at home using their recipe ideas, or pop into the cafe and order an Acai Bowl or smoothie.

Amazonia Raw Protein and Acai

Meet our Family…

Penelope Boyle, Café Tell us your BFresh story? I began working at BFresh Market and Deli about 18 months ago. I always come into work happy and whilst it’s always busy, the environment is really positive day in, day out What is it you love about being a part of the BFresh family?

The thing that makes BFresh unique is the fact it’s a big business but remains to keep its family feel. I work beside my bosses every day and they take us in as their own family and everyone is made to feel a part of the team. The senior employees are included in business decisions and everyone is made to feel a part of the team. We all work together to achieve our goals.

What is your favourite product? At the moment I am completely obsessed with the Naked Paleo Cacao and Almond Bars and the chicken and avocado bagels too.

239 Nicklin Way, Warana P. 5493 2839

OFFICE FOR RENT

RESTAURANT Absolute Waterfront dining Under the Tower at the Mooloolaba Wharf

We have an office available RIGHT NOW inside the Business Matters Office.

Everything is included: Internet, Cleaning, Electricity, Coffee, a friendly fun working environment and a fabulous view of the Kawana Waters Marina. Rent from just $210 per week, but wait there’s more – rent from us and we will give you: • One FREE half page ad in Business Matters Magazine (valued at $1250 + gst) • Plus FREE tickets to our launches.

Contact Vickie on 0433 198 868

Come and try our famous Seafood Platter and the best modern Australian/ Chilian cuisine

Lunch special with dessert & a glass of wine from $29.50 123 Parkyn Pde “The Wharf” Mooloolaba Tuesday to Saturday from 10 til late Sundays 10 til 5

QBCC 1188120

Residential & Commercial Specialising in Repaints INTERIOR & EXTERIOR Best Quote - Prompt Ser vice Body Corp Testimonial from Michelle Williamson at Lifestyle Strata I highly recommend Katrina and her team in the full confidence that they look after all of their clients to the highest level of professionalism and care.

I look forward to working with Katrina on future projects.

Jan/Feb offer: Free upgrade to Dulux Wash and Wear Plus (anti mould/ low VOC Paint) for Internal Wall Painting Only

PH 0410 514 823 ALL AREAS SUNSHINE COAST & HINTERLAND

www.katrinaclarkepainting.com.au

Ph: 07 5444 5044 www.seerestaurant.com.au business matters 63

mindset

mindsetforbusiness

for business with MANDY NAPIER

Did you know...

5. Be memorable. If you are blogging or posting, choose topics that you are passionate about or are an expert in.

If you aren’t an expert in this area, then these seven simple steps are for you.

1. Just like any aspect of business, you need to set clear goals for anything you do digitally! Consider what a successful digital strategy could achieve for you and your business. Get excited about the outcome!

According to the updated and popular ‘Did You Know’ YouTube Video, in 2014, human knowledge doubled every 13 months and by 2020 it will double every 12 hours.

What this means is that you will probably never be able to keep up with the latest and newest in online digital developments! So celebrate as you can now give up the need to be perfect, worrying about not knowing enough or whether you are doing it right. As long as you are doing something, that is a good start!

6. Diarise and commit time for your digital strategy. Have a purpose and clear intent of what you want to achieve.

2. Get crystal clear with your WHY. Creating a clear vision for yourself will make it easier to navigate round the inevitable challenges and technical difficulties you will face.

3. Take small, decisive and consistent steps. This is the way to create successful habits and winning strategies.

4. Change your focus from ‘you’ to ‘them’. Think ‘givers gain’.

Remember that business is about building relationships and fulfilling other people’s needs.

7. If you aren’t great at online digital strategies, or don’t enjoy it, find an expert to help you! In today’s busy world it’s not possible to do everything yourself. Give up the guilt or need to be superman or superwoman!

Oh, and of course, remember to test and measure what you do!

Mandy Napier BSC is a Mindset & Performance Coach. She is passionate about helping people harness the power of their minds for optimal performance in business, life and sports. To download your free success resources, click on www.mindsetforsuccess. com.au/getting-things-done/

KAIZEN

YOUR

HEALTH

The only Exercise Physiology Centre on the Sunshine Coast Exercise Training Programs

Find the right exercises unique to you

First Aid Services First Aid Training First Aid Kits and Supplies 12/21 NICKLIN WAY, BUDDINA QLD 4575 PH: 07 5444 4171

www.assistfirstaid.com.au

Health and Lifestyle Plans

Get a holistic plan specific to you

Stress Hormonal Testing

Find the real reasons behind your stress

Food Sensitivity Testing

Pinpoint specific foods that are harming your body

12 Week Programs

Individual, partner and group training

Kaizen Exercise Physiologists Address 2/47 Sixth Ave, Cotton Tree Tel.5641 1132 www.kaizenep.com.au

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let us take care of the food, drinks and service for your next party!

Host a stress free party or function at home or at your venue of choice for clients, friends and family. Save $$$ and the hassle of a night out on the town while still enjoying high end service and beverages.

• Several great price per head options and packages available • All prices include bar staff, bar equipment, glassware, food, beverages, delivery • Cocktails: alcohol/non alcohol option • Mix and match packages to suit your needs and guest numbers

We do all the work, you just relax and enjoy your function/party Call Alison today on (07) 5449 9094 or email sunshinecoast@kubarz.com.au

Two ways to discover the magic of Latin America

1 2

Latin America Group Tours Escorted small group tours with a difference: WE go with you

What time does the sun rise at Machu Picchu? The desire to see the sunrise at Machu Picchu is the ultimate experience for many travellers. The site is very busy during early morning hours, sometimes heavy mist makes the high surrounding mountains obscure however, watching the mountain appear and disappear under the clouds brings a very mystic feeling.

Latin America Destinations – We help you create your itinerary based on your time schedule and preferences

Next fully escorted small group tour available: Wonders of the South departing October 2nd.

– 29 nights visiting Peru – Argentina and Brazil CONTACT US BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

Office: 5492 5274 Mobile: 0400 193 040 Email: latinamericagrouptours@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Latinamericagrouptours www.latinamericagrouptours.com

The vanishing sunlight after 4.00 pm is pure magic, this combined with the surrounding view of the mountains gives an intense experience, with most saying it was everything that they had ever hoped for while planning their trip to Machu Picchu. Those that have been say, “Make sure you walk up high in the site to find yourself a section of grass to spend the last hour before park closure and sunset. That ‘feeling’ creates a memory that will stay with you forever”.

Sick of Feeling Broke?

Take back control with the

MONEY MINDSET WORKSHOP

News Flash!

15 April (half day) 13 June (full day) Book Now Call Mandy on 0408 666 176

NEW MOBILE PHONE TRANSMISSIONS SWITCH ON ACROSS THE COAST, CAUSING DIGITAL TV RECEPTION PROBLEMS AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS GOING TO GET WORSE! New Telstra test transmissions on the old TV frequencies started last week and this has caused numerous interference problems with Digital TV reception across the coast.

Full transmission power from all Telstra mobile phone towers start on 15th January while Optus and Vodaphone follow later this year.

If you experience TV transmission issues from this date then you will need a special filter fitted to your external antenna system.

www.mindsetforsuccess.com.au For more information call Mandy on 0408 666 176

Need Some You Time?

The good news is - we can help!

Please contact us on 5479 1999 so we can arrange a technician to fit the correct filter for you.

Call us today on 5479 1999

LIFE MATTERS

SPECIAL

“We’ll put you in the picture and have you wired for sound” 144 Ensbey Road, Flaxton QLD 4560

Shop 5/25 Fishermans Road, Kuluin Phone: 5479 1999 Email: info@sunshineantenna.com.au

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business matters 65

naturallife

Can you catch Heart Disease, Chronic Fatigue, Depression or Anxiety like you catch a cold?

Bugs, Guts, and how they control your health.

Beneficial bacteria are a major part of the normal ecology of your digestive system. They are incredibly important for your immune system, fighting off infections, and manufacturing nutrients such as B vitamins, and vitamin K from your food. They improve the absorption of all other nutrients, as well as help to break down chemical toxins in your gut for your liver to then dispose of, not to mention keeping your gut inflammation in check. Considering bacteria are so important, it makes no sense that we pay very little attention to them when attempting to improve our health.

On the flip side, harmful bacteria, so prevalent in our community, have gained the ability to produce poisonous substances which cause disease. These pathogenic strains can cause intestinal disease, heart disease, mental health disorders, urinary tract infections, and are also responsible for deadly conditions such as meningitis. Other pathogenic strains cause disease, not

through the use of toxins, but by invading and damaging the walls of the intestines. This process contributes to bowel disease such as irritable bowel syndrome, or autoimmune diseases such as ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease, though also include rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s or Graves thyroid disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and many more.

When you’re young, fit and healthy, you may not give bacteria a second thought. Unaware that as time progresses, with aging, changes in diet, poor lifestyle habits, such as high sugar or alcohol consumption, and with progressively more infections being passed around through the population in terms of cold and flu, we are slowly killing off the beneficial bacteria and breeding a colony of pathogens that are strong enough to kill, and are becoming resistant to antibiotics.

What might you be experiencing?

Initially, in the acute stage, it can be as simple as contracting the common cold or flu, perhaps from travel overseas, you may have been infected with bacteria causing vomiting and diarrhoea, or you may have eaten food containing bacteria causing food poisoning. Each form of contracting these infections can have a different disease outcome or set of symptoms that can remain with you for life, causing chronic symptoms, well after these acute symptoms have passed, and you may never know.

Bacteria such as Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus (also known as school sores or Impetigo), are incredibly infectious, passed on through schools, hospitals or your workplace.

They are very easily picked up in third world countries such as Bali, Fiji, Thailand, or PNG, where Australians are holidaying regularly, simply by drinking the water. If you’ve heard the term ‘Bali Belly’ you’ll know these bacteria cause symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting in the initial stages. When the infection is not completely eradicated, until there is

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absolutely no bacteria remaining, they will quickly grow and colonise to large proportions and chronic symptoms develop. Often people describe that they became chronically unwell within three to six months of a trip overseas.

These types of bacteria are possibly the most harmful, as they release a neuronal toxin converted from the food you eat into lactic acid, which has the potential to produce incredible levels of inflammation in organ tissue, heart, lungs, joints, gut and brain. The symptoms produced affecting your nervous system include insomnia, overwhelming stress, depression, anxiety, palpitations, foggy brain, lack of focus or concentration and distractibility.

They can go on to affect your physical nervous system with symptoms such as pins and needles, or burning nerve pain in hands and feet, vertigo, dizziness, sweating at night, digestive pain, irritable bowel syndrome, wind and bloating,

muscular pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and systemic joint pain.

Generally it is common to see whole families affected, where one person may be suffering with depression so severe they may be medicated with up to three antidepressants, or antipsychotics; blood pressure is raised due to the internal inflammation; they suffer insomnia, so are completely exhausted and suffering adrenal fatigue; causing short temper and lack of tolerance of sounds and light.

Another family member may have the same infection though will suffer with anxiety and lack of concentration, lack motivation, or fatigue. The children, who also may be affected, may suffer with distractibility, behavioural problems, and angry outbursts when they feel anxious or overtired from their own inability to sleep well.

These types of infections have the ability to break down relationships, and then to slowly break down your long-term health. They are incredibly important

naturallife

You bet you can!

Heart disease created by inflammation such as pericarditis, sudden aortic aneurysm, or chronic high blood pressure are a few examples of sudden death risk. However, aging diseases, that we seem to have accepted as the norm, and we believe should be medically managed such as metabolic syndrome, and diabetes; depression, anxiety, and ADHD; allergies, hormonal imbalances, and menopause; and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease, all may have had a start as a bacterial infection, that has grown out of control.

The great news is that in these cases, it is reversible with a little effort and know how.

to have checked, treated and checked again to make sure they are completely removed from your body, and from your family members, so you are not cross infecting each other - as you would when treating intestinal worms for your family.

These types of infections have the ability to break down relationships, and then to slowly break down your long term health.

Clostridium infection is contracted by eating foods that are past their used-by date, have been left out without refrigeration, or meats that are not fresh.

This bacteria has the ability to produce a toxin that causes paralysis of the muscles in the bowel. Symptoms such as constipation, bad breath, gurgling sounds in the gut, nausea, chronic sinus, hayfever, headaches, sneezing and occasionally vertigo can appear.

It also has the ability to affect the ‘fight or flight’ nervous system, so you may also suffer with anxiety or higher levels of stress.

Your gut flora should be checked at least every two years for every member of your family, being that it has the potential to cause such detrimental effects. If bacterial levels are not in your favour, inflammation of

your gut wall becomes chronic, leading to leaky gut, food sensitivities, a compromised immune system, and an inability to eat a normal diet without some kind of fatigue, hormonal or mood disorder developing as a secondary problem.

Do you think it’s time for you to address your quality of health and wellness?

Tired of feeling fatigued and anxious, fed up with knowing something isn’t right but not knowing what’s causing it? You have a choice, make 2015 your year to change the path of your life forever, for you and your family. Contact the centre on (07) 5443 1987 for a free half hour consultation, or view our free webinars at www.advancedwellness.com.au

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jodi Chapman BHSc is a qualified Nutritionist and Naturopath specialising in the field of optimal performance for mental and physical energy, particularly recovery from depression, anxiety and ADHD.

44 Baden Powell St, Maroochydore Phone 5443 1987 info@advancedwellness.com.au www.advancedwellness.com.au

BUSINESS MATTERS 67

bethechange

Conversations WITH

Sally Hooker

You may not even know what a Feijoa is and no one in Australia has had much success before with this crop. But Hinterland Feijoas have certainly been the change in their industry. Not only have they succeeded at growing the crop, but they have exceeded even their own expectations won award after award for their thinking outside the square attitude. Life Matters catches up with Sally Hooker to find out more.

Tell us all about how you got started with Hinterland Feijoas?

We researched several crops and businesses for this property when we moved here in 2006 and settled on feijoas for their untapped market potential, suitability to the local climate and small scale production area. I grew up with feijoas and am addicted to their taste but Pete had never even tasted one, so had to be convinced of this strategy!

We travelled to New Zealand to get some, see the marketing potential and talk to growers there. Luckily Pete was a convert straight away and the feijoa journey started the next year in 2007, when we ordered our first stock.

local chefs. These include jams and chutneys, balsamic glazes, preserved fruit, gelato, chocolate and pulp.

What time of year is ‘in season’?

We are usually in full swing March and into the start of April, with some leeway either end for seasonal changes.

Where do you mainly sell to/export to?

We sell most of our crop (approximately six tonne per annum) direct to the public, either via our farm gate shop or by courier.

We also love supplying local organic retailers if we have enough to share.

What are some of the products you make?

You have been the change within your industry, tell us about that?

Our primary product is fresh certified organic feijoas. We are Australia’s only organic feijoa growers and are the first to market in both Australia and New Zealand, so have quite a market advantage. With all our smaller fruit, we make a wide range of value added products, in collaboration with

We knew when we chose to grow a new crop, that we would have to establish a market as well as an orchard for this fruit.

Everyone said we were mad to try feijoas here, that we would not succeed, and the fruit agents at the markets said straight out that they would not buy our fruit. That’s

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because they didn’t see the market potential. We did and took the risky step of backing ourselves. Now they call us, which is great!

In mentoring sessions we have often heard that the pioneers are not those to profit, that the next line of uptake will profit from the work of the pioneer. To an extent that’s right, as now that we have identified and established a market, it will be easier for other entrants but we know and have great relationships with our customers, and with our focus on quality and a wide range of products, we feel we have set the mark very high!

There is something else that I think you’ll find common to everyone you interview as change catalysts. We thrive on the challenge of mastering new ventures (and adventures) and will probably move onto new ventures with ease! There is massive growth left in our business as it stands, but we have already planted some test crops for the next new taste to come to Australia!

Scan here to watch the full ‘Be the Change Conversation’ with Sally.

Tell us about the awards you have won?

We have been lucky enough to win four Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business awards in the last three years, including Small Business of the Year in 2012, and an inaugural Business Sustainability Award in 2014. In 2014, we were also sponsored

by Slow Food Noosa to attend Slow Food’s International Conference in Italy as Australian delegates. This was an amazing forum for us, being able to talk to hundreds of other like-minded farmers and foodies, and listen to world leaders debate the issues facing food production all around the world.

We travelled with Chef Matt Golinski and cheesemaker Trevor Hart, plus 26 Australian delegates from all around the country.

Share a little about your family?

Peter and I both grew up on farms, Peter on a broadacre farm near Kingaroy, and myself in sheep country near Canberra. My mum is an amazing preserver and baker and a very welltravelled cook, as is my Dad, who often made fresh potato yeast bread rolls for us on Sunday mornings for breakfast using an old southern American recipe. When I was in primary school we lived in New Guinea, where Dad taught law at the university in Port Moresby. I remember growing peanuts and eating all sorts of things, which probably explains the wide range of foods we enjoy and know about today, including feijoas! We were basically self-sustainable other than dairy. Pete’s mum is an awesome country baker, and no trip to Kingaroy is complete without mountains of special treats, including the famous Ginger Fluff cake.

I have two grown-up children off in the world now, and although as teenagers they didn’t really appreciate living out in the sticks and having to help out around the farm, they both really appreciate the quality of life and food they enjoyed, now that they are city folk. I can say they are resourceful and hard-working like most country kids and don’t take anything for granted. They absolutely loved it as young kids being able to race around the paddocks on their horses and motorbikes! Being connected to growing food and the land is the best possible lifestyle for kids.

Tell our readers something they may not know?

Most of our customers are feijoa addicts and crave the taste, but not many know how amazingly good they are for you. They are a South American fruit and are full of vitamin C and antioxidants, fibre, and some unusual vitamins like folate and potassium. The mix of vitamin C, fibre and folates makes them one of the best possible foods for pregnant women, and we do get plenty of requests from ladies with feijoa cravings!

Once, one good husband made a 600 kilometre round trip to get some for his wife. We had to put in a few extra for such a good effort!

You might be feeling overwhelmed with the information available out there and so confused that you just don’t know where to start!

What we know for sure at Bonjour Wellness is that being healthy does NOT mean being on a diet for the rest of your life and having to go to the gym for hours every day!

Carole at Bonjour Wellness will help you to discover a new way of becoming your healthy and authentic self!

Make your wellness your priority today!

Call Carole on 0458 773 385 carolenewton@bonjourwellness.com.au | www.bonjourwellness.com.au

business matters 69

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business matters 71

security business with GREG POWER

IPS provide a range of security services across the sunshine coast including crowd control, shopping centres, static security, mobile patrols, cash in transit, concerts, events and personal protection.

Of these services crowd control is our biggest client.

Crowd controllers can be found across the region providing security services including crowd control, shopping centres, static security, cash in transit, events and concerts, mobile patrols and personal protection.

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securitybusiness

The duties & responsibilities

of a crowd controller Crowd controllers are engaged as required following a thorough assessment about the nature of activity or event planned. This will include expected patron numbers, activities being held at/or in close proximity of the premises, and a range of other factors.

The duties and responsibilities for someone carrying out the service of crowd control may include: • Monitor patrons entering premises.

Particular attention to be given to dress standard/codes and that they are uniformly applied.

•

During times minors are not allowed on premises, they are proactive in completing identification checks on patrons appearing to be under the age of 25.

•

Awareness of acceptable forms of ID for entry e.g. passports, drivers licenses, Australian age cards and Victorian key cards.

•

Monitor and control any queues that form adjacent to the venue and observe patron behaviours and levels of intoxication.

•

Monitor and record numbers of patrons entering the venue to maintain compliance in patron versus crowd controller ratios and avoid overcrowding by exceeding venue capacity.

•

Monitor and control emergency exit points to ensure they do not become obstructed. Extra attention should also be given to these areas to ensure that unpermitted persons do not gain entry via these points e.g. under age persons/ undesirable persons.

•

Constant monitoring of internal patrons for intoxication levels and disorderly behaviour.

•

Knowledge of and use of appropriate methods for dealing with aggressive and or non compliant patrons, in particular the use of force.

•

A comprehensive understanding of legislation governing the completing of incident reports in the crowd control register.

For more information: www.imperialprotectionservices.com.au P: 5444 6222 | M: 0417 862 428

business matters 73

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