Nifnex 16 Sep -15 Oct 2013

www.nifnex.com.au

Specialised Small Business Paper

16 SEP – 15 OCT 2013

TECHNOLOGY

EXPO Friday 1st November - 10 am To 2 pm

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16 SEP – 15 OCT 2013

I am proud to present this edition where once again, you will find high caliber articles written by The Nifnex Writers’ Club. Our Writer’s Club members are business owners who are at the top of their field; backed by years of experience and who love sharing their expertise with other business owners.

Nifnex was recently nominated for the ‘Most Innovative Business of the Year’ awards where the judges deemed us worthy finalists. Whilst a newspaper doesn’t seem particularly innovative, it is our business model; which connects small

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Advertising Enquiries and Media Relations Email: nifnex@nifnex.com.au Tel: 1300 643 639

Address: 45 St Georges Tce, Perth WA 6000 Postal Address: PO Box 1186, Technology Park Bentley DC, WA 6983

business people via networking events, social media and online platforms, smartphone apps, and the newspaper itself, that sets us apart. My thanks to the Stirling Business Association.

I am sure you will enjoy this edition and I look forward to your feedback.

Zeeshan Pasha contact via : Linkedin: http://au.linkedin.com/in/zeeshanpasha Twitter: https://twitter.com/zeeshanpasha

Disclaimer: All articles, advertising, contributions and material supplied to Nifnex are opinions of the advertiser, contributor and author of the article/material. No responsibility is taken by Nifnex.

Opinions published are not necessarily those of the editor.

Distribution: Monthly 10,000 copies distributed to 150 locations around Perth business suburbs. Cafes, Business Centres, Office Lobbies, business associations etc.Online: This edition is also emailed to the entire database and available on social media.Estimated Online and print Readership of over 44,000.

INDEX featured interview: yvonne lim lauren bettridge

who is tinkering with my porsche? richard boyd

the power of collaborative giving rueben taylor

the art of structuring internal meetings stephan jenner 3 tips on how to stop procrastinating and take control of your business! michele alexander

WIN two Hoyts La premier Tickets: Where and when are you reading this paper? (Don't be shy to share) SMS to: 0412 NIFNEX (0412 643 639) or email: Nifnex@nifnex.com.au *Best Answer By 15th October Wins

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what is seo and sem? do i need them? gary hanley

page 04

how valuable is your bookkeeping? sonja pilkington

page 07

4 paths to creating wealth through your business rueben taylor

page 12

page 08

air conditioning in your business

page 12

superannuation is not enough for a comfortable retirement page 09 conrad francis

when does a bad debt become uneconomical to pursue? page 13 natalie walker

page 05

preparing your business for sale wayne mandic

page 09

social eyes: networking event

page 13

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want to increase profits: head for the cloud. dale carter

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perth entrepreneurs with vision richard giannini

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neis graduates creating a buzz in town

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featured suburb: applecross peter taliangis

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personal leadership the key to maximising your effectiveness to make a bigger impact page 06 shannon bush

add a plus to your business with google+ douglas lim

fine art of the handshake andy buchanan-hughes

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digitising your documents the right way adrian kougianos

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5 steps to kickstart your linkedin profile jo saunders

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the death of traditional marketing alicia menkveld

16 SEP – 15 OCT 2013

about 1- 2years. Amazon was also using us for a time, and BHP was one of our original clients. So we cater to the larger business as well.

“Serviced offices are a recession proof industry”

ZP: WHAT DOES TEC OFFER FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND START-UPS SPECIFICALLY? YL: The virtual office solution is perfect for small businesses as it enables people to gain the benefits of business address in their preferred city such as here at 108 St Georges Terrace, while still working from home. For entrepreneurs and start-ups a good address is so important, as are professional reception services which are all covered at TEC.

Lauren Bettridge

Featured Interview: Yvonne Lim Regional Head of Singapore Perth, Brisbane & Sydney Operations The Executive Centre - By Lauren Bettridge We see so many commercial “For Lease” and “For Sale” signs around Perth and it's question a small business is often confronted with: Should I move out of my home office? Sign a long-term lease? Share an office with a friend?

Whilst everyone realizes the benefits of an office, is it viable to sustain the rising outgoing and related costs?

Nifnex CEO Zeeshan Pasha sat down with Yvonne Lim, Regional Head of Singapore, Perth, Brisbane and Sydney Operations at The Executive Centre (TEC), to get an insight into the various options a small business owner has when it comes to office space.

Below is an interview that took place at the TEC office, located at 108 St Georges Terrace in an iconic 52-storey building, in one of the premium fit-out video-conferencing rooms.

ZP: YVONNE, THANK-YOU FOR YOUR TIME. COULD YOU PLEASE TELL US HOW THE SERVICED OFFICE SET-UP WORKS? YL: The serviced office ultimately enables businesses more flexibility. TEC provides serviced workstations from 1 up to 100 for businesses and is attractive to clients because it includes no difficult lease forms, no capital investment in the set-up and no lengthy lawyer meetings. You just need to move in and start working!

With serviced offices the set-up period is just 24 hours. If you were to sign up today, you could start with us tomorrow and we can tailor make the office to the client's requirements – for example, building up a management suite or accommodating an open-plan office by moving walls.

ZP: HOW DOES TEC WORK FOR LARGER COMPANIES? YL: There are many big companies who have used TEC – in Singapore LinkedIn had 16 workstations with us and stayed for

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ZP: WHAT DOES THE VIRTUAL OFFICE SET-UP INCLUDE? YL: The virtual office set-up includes a dedicated phone answering service by a receptionist who answers with the business name and professionally trained secretarial staff dealing with businesscorrespondence. It allows you access to meeting facilities, office utilities and hot-desks with internet and phone capabilities.

For example university students and fresh graduates starting businesses are using the virtual office service so that they have a receptionist at the front-desk who answers with a company name and then transfers it to their mobile phone or take a message for them. So on frontage it seems like they're having an office with us, but they're actually working from home. For start-up businesses it's an affordable option for a professional office setting.

ZP: ONLINE PLATFORMS ALLOW BUSINESSES TO OPERATE INTERNATIONALLY, HOW CAN TEC ASSIST WITH FACILITATING THAT? YL: As TEC is in most of the major Asia Pacific cities; from Hong Kong, China to Singapore and countless more, we offer a service which enables a business to have one of our regional addresses on their business-cards, website, etcetera, which is great business branding. They can also work at one of the hot desks when they visit any of our offices while in the region.

Yvonne Lim recession proof industry, during good times there may be more expansion plans and more projects, and during other times people may downsize, but there will always remain a demand for serviced offices.

ZP: DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR SMALL BUSINESS-OWNERS? YL: In terms of branding; the best address is extremely important, as is professional phone answering and a strong reception and accounts team. TEC works with businesses to build up a strong business brand and reputation.

ABOUT TEC: Founded in 1994, TEC provides serviced and virtual offices, business concierge services, meeting rooms and video conferencing services to businesses in central locations across the Asia Pacific.

With 51 offices across 19 major cities, including Hong Kong, Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenzhen, Tokyo, Singapore, Mumbai, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, TEC has a strong Asia Pacific presence.

ZP: HOW DO YOU PREDICT THE SERVICED AND VIRTUAL TEC believes in working smarter, not harder and is devoted to achieving flexible and dynamic workplace solutions for businesses OFFICE INDUSTRY WILL FARE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS? of all shapes and sizes.

YL: Regardless of the market, I think serviced offices are a

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16 SEP – 15 OCT 2013 “JUST THINK OF YOUR MIND AS A PORSCHE”

Would you let a backyard mechanic loose on your prized Porsche car if you owned one? “Of course not!!” we all shout. When I next say, “Well your mind is surely more important than a Porsche so why do you allow backyarders to tinker with your mind?” I get a blank stare!!

Coaching and counseling in all their forms are unregulated industries.

There are no proper laws, standards or regulations in place which prevent any person putting up a shingle and calling themselves a coach, or to practice some form of mind intervention on clients.

In terms of coaching we may find members of the public who are in transition in their life and therefore vulnerable, or who are stressed through a non-performing business or career. What can happen in the hands of a coach untrained in psychology is potentially dangerous and can traumatise the client in the process.

Richard Boyd

I recently had 3 persons each contact me after a weekend “business transformation” course. The course had used both a timeline regression technique and visualisation to “reframe” the past for the clients so they could move forward with a new one. Each of the 3 clients went into forms of trauma triggered by processes in the course.

The course was unsafe as the facilitators could not diagnose the unfolding breakdown in the affected clients, they did not know how to intervene, repair or contain the trauma of the attendees. The 3 were unsafely left on their own to deal with the problem and unwisely made to drive and make their way home alone. There was no follow-up by those who ran the course.

My advice to coaching clients is to challenge anyone who would work with your mind by asking: · What formal training do they have in the mental health field and is it at Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or University level accreditation? Check it out. · What clinical experience and supervision do they have in working with clients at the level of mental or emotional transformation?

Get evidence of this.

Just think of your mind as a Porsche and treat it accordingly. It is one of the few possessions you have that will be with you till you die, and which is the basis for all happiness in this life.

Richard Boyd is the CEO of Conscious Business Australia at cbau.com.au and works extensively with coaching clients on their personal and business psychology and mindset, as well as working extensively with the traditional frameworks of business practice, systems and process for profit and innovation.

Richard also has an extensive background in the field of mental health and trauma, having worked in clinical practice for 10 years and is the CEO of the energetics institute and IBMP. Having published over 60 articles and a book, he uniquely is positioned in the world of business and executive coaching to be able to safely bring together psychology and business for clients.

Richard is actively involved in community contribution projects and charities.

In times when the focus as business owners is on growth and a trim bottom line, possibly the last thing on your mind is allocating your hard earned profits to others in need. But this is exactly what an innovative charitable foundation is calling on your business to do with an exciting approach that can multiply your investment 100 fold.

Australia is a blessed country and we are a generous nation, however you might be surprised to learn that compared to other western nations, relatively few of us commit our time, or money on a regular basis to charitable causes.

Recognising there was a need to educate current and future generations of Australians on the benefits of a more philanthropic society, four business owners decided to take action. While each was individually giving to charities and Meridian Founders Rueben Taylor and Marcus Tan at a recent visit to one ofTransform Cambodia's Learning Centres attending fundraisers they realised that together they could make a much greater impact by At Meridian's upcoming annual event this October, you can CASE STUDY: A recent recipient of a Meridian donation was providing substantial donations to organisations that fit the model of sustainable giving, and thus witness the power of collective giving in action. Meridian donors Opportunity International who provide microfinance loans to help have the chance to vote for their preferred charity to be in the people start their own business ventures and become selfthe Meridian Global Foundation was born. running for a Meridian donation of $10,000, $15,000 or $25,000. supporting. For example, in a village in eastern Indonesia, single Finalists are given a chance to showcase their amazing work and mother Nelci was struggling to support her baby daughter Maria Since 2005, Meridian Global has donated their skills, man-hours and over one hundred the charity receiving the most votes receives the major $25,000 after her husband left. With a small loan from Opportunity International, Nelci started weaving and before long, orders were thousand dollars to charities including the Smith donation. coming in. Today Nelci's income is $720 a month and she has Family, Habitat for Humanity, Transform Cambodia and Oppor tunity International. Meridian Global Chairman and Co-founder Rueben Taylor said, started a second business. Maria is now five and enrolled in her Meridian's generosity has literally changed lives “Our foundation offers a fun way to get involved and make a real first year of school in Australia and throughout the world, helping to difference in the lives of people in desperate need. A generous break the cycle of poverty for good. To ensure donation of $1,000 represents less than the cost of a cup of coffee To get involved with Meridian Global and give a giant boost to that Meridian donations provide a lasting legacy, a day for a year, especially when tax deducted. There is just so your favourite charity, please visit www.meridianglobal.org a portion of every donation is invested into a much we can achieve when we pool our resources.” special fund for future donations.

16 SEP – 15 OCT 2013

Stephan Jenner

A devoted husband and doting father who loves food and travel. A successful business owner with 28 years' experience as an entrepreneur in the IT industry. An Implementer, Consultant and Trainer in New Organisation Operating Systems.

Ambitions of owning his own tropical guest house, running food tours, business retreats and BBQ Breaks. An avid follower of Holacracy, 7 Habits and getting things done.

Owner of IT services firm Future Logic and Organisation Consulting and Training company Telus Partners by day, Stephan Jenner barbeques his heart out by night…and pretty much any other time he can squeeze it in.

Enquiries 08 9471 6500 support@teluspartners.com.au www.teluspartners.com.au

Internal meetings held within an organisation are not about winning friends and influencing people, they are about getting things done. I've attended meetings and found myself in the middle of a power struggle or relationship maelstrom and left questioning the outcome and purpose.

Internal meetings can be frustrating, confusing and a waste of everyone's time. Or they can be satisfying, clear and productive if a structured process is applied where the main focus is on getting work done.

Here's how: · A ruthless meeting process defining exactly how the meeting will be structured by using a strict set of rules everyone is aware of. · Allocate a facilitator to ensure the rules are adhered to and the meeting stays focused. · Document clear outcomes and instantly distribute. · Have a specific purpose for every meeting.

Operations (tactical) and Governance meetings are two types of meeting processes. Tactical Meetings deal with the operational aspects and focus on specific actions and projects. As outlined in the insert, this type of meeting can have the most immediate effect on an organisation when run correctly. A strictly process-driven tactical meeting creates clarity on what work needs to be done while allowing the team to synchronise quickly and effectively. Governance Meetings are directed at power, authority and structure.

Holacracy is a real-world-tested social technology for organisations where Tactical and Governance meetings are just part of the process. It drives agile and purposeful organisations by radically changing the structure, altering how decisions are made and redistributing power.

TACTICAL MEETING PROCESS Check-in Round Goal: Notice what's got your attention, call it out, let it go.

Sacred space: no cross-talk. Get present, here and now; grounds the meeting.

Checklist Review Goal: Bring transparency to recurring actions.

Facilitator reads checklist of recurring actions by role; participants respond "check" or "no check" to each for the preceding period (e.g. the prior week).

Metrics Review Goal: Build a picture of current reality.

Each role assigned a metric reports on it

briefly, highlighting the latest data.

Project Updates Goal: Track updates to key projects of the circle.

The Facilitator reads each project on the circle's project board and asks: “Any updates?”

The project's owner either responds “no updates” or shares what has changed since the last meeting. Questions allowed, but no discussion.

Agenda Building Goal: Build an agenda with placeholder headlines.

Build agenda of tensions to process; one or two words per item, no discussion.

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude”.

Thomas Jefferson

www.localbusinesscoach.com.au

what a great deal on my theater ticket!

where shall I go this weekend?

I need to get out and go pick the children yes, of course I agree!

15 minutes and stay on track and see how good you feel once they are accomplished.

2. Deal with your fear Grab a piece of paper and pen, and brainstorm “why I am procrastinating”. Write down anything that comes into your head.

Have you taken out a gym membership but not actually made it to the gym yet?

·

Fear of not getting it right

·

Fear that I will be judged

Constantly putting off unavoidable and daunting tasks will make you feel more stressed and out of control and impact on everything in your life.

·

Fear of failure

·

Fear of success

So how do we STOP IT? Well let me tell you what works for me. The 15 minute rule.

Now ask yourself – is it true? Go on! Usually the answer is No. So challenge those beliefs.

Let me explain.

Now visualise completing the task and obtaining the outcome you want, and on a scale of 1-10 how you feel? Now do it.

I use the SMART goal setting principle: Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-frame.

Michele Alexander is a compelling, companionate, and extremely dedicated Business Coach. She has encountered her fair share of challenges in life and has used her coaching skills and positive mental attitude to rise about them all. With lessons to be learned and shared, and applied to any business, Michele believes that you CAN achieve the success they want, especially with the right coach by your side!

Triage Issues Goal: Get through all agenda items in the allotted time.

To Resolve Each Agenda Item: 1. Facilitator asks: “What do you need?”

2. Agenda item owner engages others asneeded

How often do you put off doing that dreaded tax return or the task at work that you're not quite sure how to start?

I am not the most organised of people (which may surprise some of you). However with the 15 minute rule, I am able to suspend any muddled thinking while I get on and just do my 15 minutes.

Michele Alexander

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I also use elements of a therapy known as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is used by psychologists to help change how we think (cognitive) and what we do (behaviour). This helps conquer those negative emotions that we all have such as misplaced fear, as well as addressing self-defeating behaviour such as avoidance!

1. Start with the Power of 3 Divide each chore into threes. I often deal with three bits of admin a day, file 3 items off my desk and make 3 phone calls before lunch. Do each of these things within

3. Change your mindset Yes you can! Now thinking of the positive result on completing the “dreaded” task, do it with Enthusiasm (at lease the first 15 minutes). This helps to create energy and this creates momentum.

TREAT THIS LIKE A GAME. MEASURE YOUR RESULTS. REWARD YOUR SUCCESS.

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16 SEP – 15 OCT 2013

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Shannon Bush If you're in business or have worked in an organisation you have likely heard the word leadership bantered around.

When I was researching the ins and outs of leadership for my book, Personal Leadership Style: How To Lead Your Life With Effortless Happiness, Confidence And Purpose, I found that many people I spoke to linked the concept of being a leader to a work environment and it stopped there.

Leadership is a life concept, not just something that happens in the workplace.

effectiveness and make a bigger impact in your business and your life. There are 4 basic principles that I suggest you start with;

Shannon Bush is an international bestselling author and one of Australia's leading authorities on Personal Leadership. Shannon teaches individuals, business owners and teams how to harness their archetypal core strengths to actively boost their personal effectiveness to make a bigger impact in their lives and businesses. www.creativepossibility.com.au

1. Know who you are. You've possibly heard about how important it is to be authentic. Being authentic starts with knowing who you are. When you know who you really are and can accept and rejoice in that, you're more inclined to know your natural strengths and be able to use them effortlessly. That's something I call being in your 'Effortless your thoughts and mindset. Leading your life effectively Leadership is something that starts from within. Your Success Zone' requires you to able to make decisions based on knowing potential to achieve anything in life is directly linked to your 2.

Know and actively use your natural strengths – Your you have choices every step of the way ability to adopt personal leadership principles. Personal leadership is about being the leader in your own life. It is strengths are the innate gifts, attributes and abilities you 4. Take committed action – This is the second part of about leading your life your way. It is about taking control were born with. They are the things you are good at or that 'Personal Leadership Effectiveness Equation'. There isn't over what you stand for and what that means for you. It is come easy for you and that also energise you. Don't settle much point making decisions or choices if you do nothing about making committed choices and taking committed for the hard route. Actively use your strengths and with them. Taking action on those committed choices you everything will feel and be easier action to get the results you want and deserve. make instantly magnifies your personal effectiveness and In my experience adopting the basic principles of personal 3. Make a committed choice – This is the first part of the when you are more effective you can't help but make a leadership is key if you want to maximise your personal 'Personal Leadership Effectiveness Equation' and ties to bigger impact.

TALKING POINT "Which do you find most annoying when meeting someone new?”

This is what you said: 1. No eye contact with greeting - 44% 2. A limp handshake - 32% 3. Over familiarity such as hugging - 14% 4. Too firm a handshake - 5% 5. Not standing to greet - 5% Total Votes: 2,020 ‘Talking Point' survey of more than 2000 people around the world last month, queried your opinions on what you find most annoying when meeting someone new.

- Michael Dalton Johnson Your handshake says a lot about you. It can convey confidence, warmth, and honesty, or it can signal weakness, uncertainty, and disinterest. Either way, it sends a subtle yet powerful message about who you are, that is not lost on everyone you meet. Use these pointers to make sure your handshake sends the right signals, and creates a good impression with colleagues, friends and all business and professional encounters.

Avoid the power grip.

A handshake should be firm, but not overly forceful. Beware of the unconscious tendency to pull the other person toward you as you shake. This can be interpreted as aggressive, and the prospect's resistance to you will go up a notch or two.

Get a grip. your keen interest in the person and what he or she is saying.

Never grasp the other person's fingers. Take their entire hand completely in yours, and gently pump it two or three times.

What's your body language saying?

Posture is important, so stand erect, about three feet (one Turn on the charm. pace) away from the person, with your hands out of your Let's say you've been talking with a customer on the phone pockets. Face people you meet squarely; never approach for several months, and meet them in person for the first from an angle, or when the subject is engaged in time at a trade show. To express your pleasure at finally conversation or otherwise distracted. Wait until you have meeting face to face, you may want to cover his extended their full attention before extending your hand. hand with your left hand briefly during the handshake. This increases the familiarity and warmth of the handshake. Do Your handshake is a powerful business asset that can help not attempt this with someone you don't know. However, it is you build lasting and profitable relationships. The time you often a pleasant gesture when you are shaking hands with spend working on it will be time well spent. someone you've met previously. It simply says, "I'm very glad to see you again."

Andy is the Sales Director for Priority Management WA, part of a global training organisation.

With over 40 years' experience in all areas of Sales and Customer Service, Andy's passion still revolves around connecting people and building relationships. So let's do coffee some time and discuss win-win opportunities. P 08 9315 1044

Nothing wimpy.

It may seem painfully obvious, but it's amazing how many people of all walks of life offer weak, perfunctory handshakes.

This is a major turnoff to many. Firm and friendly always wins the day.

What to say?

No handshake is complete without a spoken greeting. You can't go wrong with, "It's a pleasure to meet you." When meeting someone of high rank, such as the chairman of the board or founder of a company, you may want to up the ante with, "It's a great pleasure to meet you." After the initial greeting, your conversation should begin while you are still Look 'em in the eye. shaking hands, for example, "John tells me you've made As you extend your hand, establish eye contact and smile.

Show some teeth! A warm and sincere greeting can make some significant additions to your product line." Your hand you an instant friend and all things being equal, people prefer should be slowly and somewhat reluctantly withdrawn as the person begins to speak. This slow withdrawal indicates to deal and spend time with friends.

http://www.prioritymanageme nt.com/perth/index.php

Andy Buchanan-Hughes

16 SEP – 15 OCT 2013

Alicia Menkveld In a land far, far away there lived a jolly fellow called Traditional Marketing.

Twenty years ago Mr Traditional Marketing used to have a simple life. His job was to make people aware of products and services on offer. Since Google, Facebook, YouTube, blogs, email newsletters or banner ads didn't exist; his job was fairly simple.

People listened and respected Mr Marketing.

When he told people about a product or service, they took notice and were suitably impressed. They often wanted to know more or simply went and bought the product. Life was good.

Five years later a hairy monster called Internet

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came along. At first people were scared of Internet, but soon they realised that he knew a lot of stuff. He knew people in other countries and could show you holiday photos of friends you have not seen since primary school.

Over the next few years a feud started. Every time Mr Marketing tried to tell someone about a product, they insisted on getting more information from Internet first, or they said: 'Internet already told us'.

This really made Mr Marketing's life very difficult. He was nearing retirement and decided to leave the business to his son, Mr Online Marketing.

Online Marketing was a clever man. He

realised that he could work with Internet to reach more people. He created websites, email newsletters, ads and blogs that reached a worldwide audience.

For a while this worked well. People were suitably impressed and bought Online Marketing's products and services.

However, Internet was only getting started. With the help of a few friends, he found a way into people's pockets. Soon he was literally everywhere.

People had so many ads, newsletters and blogs to read that to change.they felt totally overwhelmed and stopped reading Online Marketing's posts. Things had to change.

So, Online Marketing had a meeting with his cousin, Business Relationship. Mr Relationship was a great guy, well-connected with many friends. He told Online about his loyal customers, how they bought from him again and again, and how they even told their friends to buy from him.

Online was amazed and decided to join Business Relationship while using Internet to build solid relationships with customers and market his products and services. It was a match made in heaven, business boomed and the future looked bright.

Find out how this fairy tale played out by keeping in touch for the next five to ten years.

The End.

Radical Consulting believes in the power of relationships. Grow your business in a sea of marketing messages by building and nurturing relationships with your customers every day, starting today.

Radical recently joined forces with Designer Life Technologies to provide effective planning and strategy combined with the latest technology and software to implement both online and offline systems that will build, optimise and elevate your business relationships and wow your customers.

Visit www.automateyourprofit.com or contact 0425 177 897.

Conducting business on the web, you need to be visible organically and through advertised links. So SEO and SEM work very well together to provide an online marketing campaign. That is not to say that these are your only choices. There are a number of other online strategies that can work for your business and compliment SEO and SEM campaigns. Things like, social media, blogging and email marketing are just a few.

SEO or Search Engine Optimisation is about growing your organic search results; the clicks are free and are influenced by a number of SEO strategies. It ensures that your site is accessible to the search engines and improves its chance of being found on the web. The goal of an SEO campaign is to obtain a high ranking placement in the search results pages. This approach is a longer term marketing investment for your website.

SEO has been around for a while, but no longer is enough. Since the launch of Google's Panda and Penguin algorithms, search engine crawlers have become more sophisticated. They are no longer looking just at keywords, but evaluate many factors that will ultimately determine your search engine ranking.

SEM (also known as Pay Per Click or Google Adwords) is when search engines allow marketers to 'sponsor links'. As the marketer, you pay only when your ad is clicked, allowing you to set budgets. Ads in a successful SEM campaign will be shown to consumers who are specifically looking for your products and services, so usually have a higher conversion rate. It is important to remember that the ad must direct the consumer to a call to action or page that has been designed to convert this enquiry to a sale. This strategy can have a quicker return on your investment.

can make amendments as necessary. Google Analytics and Google Webmasters Tools are both good resources. These back end tools analyse the performance of a website in the search engines. It can help you measure sales and conversions, insights on how visitors are using your site, how they arrived, key words used etc, allowing you to create a better experience.

SPECIAL OFFER for Nifnex readers – 3 months FREE Google ranking Reports. Ring 1300 WEB SOS and mention you are a reader of the Nifnex newspaper. Hurry, we only have 10 that we will be giving away.

With any marketing campaign, it essential that you monitor what is happening, so you

Gary Hanley

Gary Hanley - Managing Director of Website Rescuers With highly effective websites and various online marketing strategies, Website Rescuers are the superheros you've been waiting for. Gary leads his team with a methodical and clear approach, keeping his clients ahead of the game. Having a website that can perform for you, generate leads, and deliver results will build your brand and help grow your business.

T: 1300 WEB SOS E: sos@websiterescuers.com.au W: www.websiterescuers.com.au

Phone 1300 WEB SOS

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16 SEP – 15 OCT 2013 Sonja has been called the “stress reliever” by many as she reduces the small to medium business owner's stress by providing bookkeeping and accounting services as Asset Financial Accounting. She is a Chartered Accountant with over two decades of experience in auditing, accounting and bookkeeping, risk management and compliance in a wide range of industries.

Many business owners don't see the value of bookkeeping information. Would you continue to do more work for the and see it as a necessary evil that needs to be done once a customer who has not paid his bill for the last two months or quarter to calculate their GST and BAS obligations. Some longer? detest it so much that they leave it for as long as possible If the paperwork side of the business is getting to you – then become stressed about it. Most business owners think delegate it to someone who enjoys doing just that – that they can't afford to engage a bookkeeper because they organising and reorganising someone else's business. If are too costly and the business owner or their partner can do the paperwork is in a mess the business owner will not be in

Sonja Pilkington

Email:sonja@assetfinanciala ccounting.com.au

it. Some business owners think they have to do everything! control. Good bookkeepers can sort out the mess put sales – such as rent.

However they don't take into account the time they are processes in place, have more up to date information readily Using the budget or cash flow tool can show you when to spending doing this stressful job when they could be making available and can add value to the business by producing up expect an increase in sales as a result of the additional money doing what they love doing. to date reports, prepare ratios, budgets and cash flow advertising efforts. This will help the business owner to Chances are that if the bookkeeping isn't done on a regular projections.

prepare and plan to take the business to the next level

basis the business owner will not know some of their crucial Business owners who know their numbers are more in whether is it by employing that next employee (or in many numbers - such as the turnover for the last week, month or control and can make more informed decisions. They cases the first employee) or moving to larger premises or quarter or year to date; their cost of sales, weekly salary understand the impact of larger expenses on their business. investing in new equipment. They need to understand what cost, gross profit, gross profit percentage or net profit – If they are not in control there is also a good chance they the impact will be on their cash flow, and to make sure they some don't even know how much money they have in their don't prepare budgets and probably see budgets like diets – have the cash flow to support those expenses. Having this account or how much their outstanding debtors are. Some restrictive, a list of things they can't have instead of a lifestyle kind of information available makes it easier to approach the of these numbers give an indication of how well the business change. How many times have you heard the saying – financiers for loans. Financiers are more likely to lend money to the business owner who knows his numbers, who is doing or if there are issues than needs to be addressed.

“Sorry it's not in the budget!” Budgets and cash flow has control over his business (and paperwork) and knows If the invoicing is not done on a regular basis, the debtors forecasting are not meant to be restrictive; it should be used how he is going to grow the business. won't pay, which means the business owner cannot pay as a planning tool. In many cases there are expenses that their bills. Not paying their bills in turn leads to increasing directly relate to sales and the sales efforts such as Are you just crunching the numbers to prepare that BAS debt which leads to more stress. To stop this vicious circle advertising, cost of sales and in some cases salaries and statement or are you looking at this with new eyes and is to take control and be more in control by having up to date wages. Other expenses are fixed and have no relation to seeing opportunities?

16 SEP – 15 OCT 2013

In anticipation of a forthcoming major demographic shift towards a greater reliance on age pension payments the 1992 Keating Government introduced a major reform package to address Australia's retirement income policies. Thus the superannuation guarantee (SG) was born.

The SG is a payment made by employers on behalf of their eligible employees to provide a minimum level of superannuation support. The current rate of SG payment is equal to 9.25 per cent of an employee's ordinary time earnings, up to a certain limit.

While the payment rate has increased gradually over the years from the initial 3 per cent at inception to the current 9.25 per cent, it is still deemed to be inadequate. As a result of recently passed legislation, the Government will continue to increase the statutory rate of the SG, over a number of years, from 9.25 per cent to 12 per cent, with the first increase having recently taken effect from the 1 July 2013.

There has been criticism from some groups that the increase will be a greater impost on employers and may be at the expense of future salary increases for employees. The Government argues, however, that the intent is to boost the retirement balances of Australians, especially for those who have received SG contributions throughout their working life.

Did you know…?

Employer's SG payment obligations : On a quarterly basis, employers are required to make SG payments to every eligible employee's superannuation fund. The amount paid will generally be based on the

There is a Tsunami of sorts facing Australia's privately owned businesses. Millions of them are owned and operated by baby boomers with some turning 65 this year. In 2006 the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that there are nearly 2 million registered business in Australia; more than 97% classified as 'small' or 'medium' sized. These have a combined asset value of $4.3 trillion – truly a Tsuanami-sized sector. It is estimated that in 2007 the average age of the business owner was 56 with around 1.6 million expected to change hands in the next 10 years due to retirement. Many of these businesses owners are relying on selling their business to fund their retirement. Yet around 75% of these owners have no formal exit plan in place. This could result in a flood of businesses with a “For Sale” sign on them.

As business conditions improve, there are going to be more businesses coming onto the market so the competition for selling businesses is going to be greater. It is clear that a vast number of business owners will end up making decisions at the last minute, with the likely outcome to be a poor result not only for the business owner, but the clients, suppliers and staff also. The consequences on family wealth are daunting.

Business life cycle: time to sell What works for a start-up is often inappropriate for a mature business. Many will fail to adapt to where they are at when reaching a mature stage in the business lifecycle. The reason? Many are so focused on the day-to-day operational challenges that they do not look at the market and customer trends and patterns, and how to prepare their businesses for sale. Past maturity, a business can reach a point where revenues slow down. This is where the understanding and appreciation of the value that planning or preparing a business for sale, can be critical.

At the mature stage, the greatest concerns facing

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employee's salary (their ordinary time earnings).

Payment eligibility : Certain employees are 'exempt employees' when it comes to the superannuation guarantee and SG is not required to be paid on their behalf. For example: › those who receive less than $450 a month, and Nb. Those aged 70 and over used to be in this category however due to recently passed legislation the upper age limit has been removed effective from 1 July 2013.

Maximum salary : There is a maximum salary, over which SG is not compulsorily payable. For 2013/14, this limit is $192,160.

Award and agreement payments : Employer contributions that are made under an award or other agreement count towards satisfying the SG obligation. For example, salary sacrifice amounts are deemed to be employer contributions under the law and will count towards an employer's SG obligations.

Penalties apply if SG not paid in appropriate time frame : Employers are penalised by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) if SG contributions are not paid within the appropriate time frame. If the employer has an SG shortfall, they must pay the SG charge. This penalty is designed to discourage employers from failing to satisfy their obligations.

Please call Inspired Money to find out how you can make the most of your super TODAY!

Conrad Francis With nothing more certain than the continual change in the world of finance, partnering with Conrad and the team at Inspired Money will ensure peace of mind for you and your family for any financial decisions now and in the future, we will inspire you to take action!

Inspired Money ABN 98 354 038 802 is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Char ter Financial Planning Limited Australian Financial Services Licensee, Licence Number 234665 www.inspiredmoney.com.au Ph: 08 9301 2631

a business owner are, first, to consolidate and control the financial gains brought on by growth in the previous years; and, second, to ensure that systems are adequate to enable a smooth transition to new controlling interests and management.

The exit plan Most business owners go into business not only to earn an income, but to build the value of the business and to sell at a profit. For many, the value locked-up within their business is their second largest asset behind the family home, and in some cases it is even more valuable than the family home. Most too begin with a grand vision; a vague notion of a trade sale, a management buyout or even an IPO. Few ever achieve any of these.

For most, the exit plan is analogous to the making of a last will and testament. The risks of staying too long are high as mature businesses go into decline.

We believe that the exit strategy should be considered at least two years before any planned exit. A well thought out exit strategy can help a business owner get the most value from the business, while ensuring that there is little disruption to the business and customers. A carefully planned exit allows for an exit at the chosen time, when the business is doing well and conditions are optimal.

In effect, an exit plan can trigger implementation and refining of systems and processes to the point that the business can run just as well without the owner as it did with them at the helm, and is completely in accord with best practice principles and indeed, lie at the core of the work of renowned business expert Michael Gerber, author of E-Myth Revisited who has trained millions of business owners on how to maximise the value of the business.

Wayne Mandic

Wayne Mandic is an Accredited Business Consultant who finds it truly rewarding to advise business owners on how to increase profits, cash flow, efficiency and valuation - all while freeing up their time to live happier personal and professional lives.

Wayne has a passion for shaping the growth and development of the business community and is a regular presenter and speaker at seminars and business forums.

P: 1300 665473 68 South Tce; South Perth WA 6151 W: successionplus.com.au

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Are your business systems and workflow a Hodge-Podge of Excel spread sheets, Google docs, Dropbox folders, and desktop software packages spread across your organisation?

If so, then it's likely costing you both in profits and work life balance. Now is the time to look at integrated Cloud solutions to run and manage your business entirely on the Internet.

Increasing profits is about generating more sales in less time, delivering a quality service efficiently, reducing operating costs and eliminating wastage in time and resources. The cloud can help you do this better and faster than traditional desktop and office network solutions.

Dale Carter

Local Perth HR Consulting firm Edward George with 8 Staff was tracking billable time using 8 desktop based timers. Staff time records were dumped into excel and sorted, filtered and tagged fortnightly to extract

client billing. The process of billing would take 8 hours each month to sort through. “The monthly billing process was a real headache” explained Finance Director Mel Stibbs.

“By changing to cloud time tracking, billable reports can be generated with a click and all staff time records immediately appear against client projects. I am able to see the total billable work that has been generated on a daily basis and see if we are hitting our targets” explained Mrs. Stibbs.

Here's a hit list of what you can do to instantly leverage the efficiencies of the Cloud Computing . Swap POP email to Hosted Exchange or GMAIL or an email platform within a CRM solution. Your email will then synchronise across all devices which immediately saves time.

Migrate from excel to a centralised, cloud based, customer relationship management (CRM) software where all staff can access and update client information.

Make sure your CRM talks to an online accounting package like XERO and can push and pull invoice and billing information between them.

Find a web based project management, task tracking, time tracking module that also talks to your CRM and online accounting.

Implement a company knowledge base online with systems, checklist and workflow plans. Tie this together with cloud storage that synchronises as needed on desktops, laptops and portable devices, or is embedded as part of the CRM platform. The key to success is ensuring you have integration across your cloud based solutions and that the solution can be adapted to your unique business processes.

Otherwise you'll end up with a hodge-podge of disconnected cloud solutions. A plus for cloud software is that integration in the cloud is far easier than that offered by desktop software providers. Many have documented integration procedures that a programmer

can use to create a custom solution for you.

Finally, you'll still need to choose your cloud solutions wisely based on your unique requirements but most software that was restricted to a desktop or office server is now available in the cloud which means it is more accessible geographically, has lower cost of entry and can be shared amongst your team easier.

Good Luck!

Dale Car ter is a web development veteran of 17 years and has been involved in over 1000 web development projects. His Dream is to build an affordable and totally integrated, cloud based, business management software solution that streamlines business operations for hardworking entrepreneurs. His journey can be discovered at gtphub.com

For business owners in today's connected world, there has been a real mystery surrounding Google's own social media platform called Google+. Some businesses know they have to be on it but don't know why while others are still unsure as to how it can benefit their business.

Well the first thing I will say is that as a business owner Google+ is essential for your business for a multitude of reasons. First of all, anything owned by Google already is worth joining. Secondly, Google+ is heavily integrated into Google's own search results so if you would like higher search rankings, then Google+ is essential. For example, for certain locality-based searches where people may type a service followed by a location, Google places is displayed where the information is taken from your Google+ business page.

Google+ business pages allow you to enter and update information about your business such as images of your business, descriptions and services offered, hours of operation and contact information. It allows users to enter reviews about your business which is a ranking signal used by Google and to also follow your company updates, similar to fan pages on Facebook. Note that if you entered your business information via the older system of Google Places for business, Google will automatically upgrade you to a Google+ business page. They are slowly moving everything onto its new social media platform.

Another great advantage of Google+ is authorship. Authorship is Google's initiative in crediting and linking content to authors. You might have noticed that more and more search results in Google are now displaying image profiles such as below:

I have simply linked my own Google+ personal profile (not my Google+ business page which is a separate profile) to my blog. This ensures that all content on my blog certifies myself as the author. Research has shown that websites with profile images next to their website as per above, have a higher click through rate of people actually clicking onto your website in the search results. You can also link your website to your Google+ business page which creates a verified connection from your website to your Google+ page.

Lastly there is a thriving community of active people on Google+ that are interconnecting with each other through communities that your business can tap into. In addition, Google+ also offers what is known as hangouts, which are online webinars where you can interact with potential customers and stream this directly to YouTube for more cross promotion between your social media channels!

Douglas Lim

Douglas Lim is a social media marketing and search engine optimisation evangelist. He is the director and co-founder of a digital agency called Alyka that provides clients with services such as online marketing and web design. You may find him living on the following social media channels and websites: Alyka:http://www.alyka.com.auD oug’s marketing blog: http://www.douglaslim.org Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/109 632516913184988570/ YouTube http://www.youtube.com/duggil Twitter https://twitter.com/duggielLinke In http://www.linkedin.com/in/doug laslim

16 SEP – 15 OCT 2013 Most organisations have a physical document archive that has grown over many years. This archive can include filing cabinets, bookshelves, archive boxes or Compactus shelving that store a litany of different business documents.

Older document archives aren't always a high priority for office managers and document control teams. If you've put off the decision to digitise it's understandable.

Whilst the decision to process a physical archive can be delayed they must ultimately choose to either destroy, store for the long term or digitise these documents.

There's usually a clear business case to get at least some of these physical records imported into a document management systems but before you launch into digitising your entire archive there are a great many questions you need to ask yourself. It's not as straightforward as buying a scanner and just bunging your documents through it.

As a minimum, you should consider the following three steps: Make a Business Case : First start with making a business case for digitising. What do you expect to get out of the process? Do you want to reduce storage & retrieval costs? Are you scanning to survive a business interruption event? Do you need to future proof your data for legal or historical reasons? Start with describing what the digitising process is supposed to achieve.

Plan the Project : Digitising any archive can take anywhere from a month to a year so you need to create a solid project plan. Start by converting your business case into clear objectives, get

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Define the Process : Now you know why you're digitising your documents, and you've got the outline of a plan, it's time to get into the fine detail.

You need to answer questions like do we presort the archive, how do we disassemble and reassemble originals, what sort of software is required, how do we check for errors and consistency, what settings will we need to process the digital files and how do we index and store the huge volumes of data created?

If you can answer these questions, you're ready to digitise your documents.

Extra Information – The Clockwork Whitepaper : Clockwork has prepared a free white paper that deals with all questions and issues surrounding digitising a large quantity of documents. It details the basic steps required to plan, resource & procure a large archive scanning project in an objective way.

To receive a copy of the white paper visit http://www.clockworkprint.com.au/products_ services/document_scanning/archive_scann ing/archive_scanning.html or email Adrian at adrian@clockworkprint.com.au for a copy.

Adrian Kougianos

Adrian Kougianos has been Clockwork's Marketing Manager since 2009. Together with Clockwork's reliable print production team, Adrian has regularly produced unique, novel and most importantly effective direct mail & large format campaigns and a huge array of marketing collateral that has helped Clockwork grow its business. You can rely on Adrian to provide answers to your print, scan, copy or design questions and to provide a unique perspective on how digital print technology can help you squeeze more out of your next marketing project. Website: http://www.clockworkprint.com.au

Having an up to date, complete LinkedIn Profile is an essential part of any professions marketing kit and is a key part of positioning yourself as an expert in your field. Increase your visibility online and in Google, to boost your credibility and profitability.

Take time to get set up on LinkedIn or seek help from a specialist. Here are some insider tips to get started; 1. Create your Profile in a Word document(for back up and spell check features) 2. Copy and paste each section into your Profile 3. Update as required 4. Schedule time to interact 5. Build your network.

You don't need to do this in one sitting; create in chunks. As you update each section of your Profile, you will save which updates your Profile live. If you make a mistake, simply change it! It doesn't have to be perfect.

When you initially create or update your Profile, you will be making lots of changes, which will be shared with your network. Turn off the Activity Broadcast in settings so you don't continually blast your network with your updates.

Here are some Profile tips; · Include your name as just your name (no credentials, special characters or phone numbers). · Use your Headline as your online elevator pitch – this is the most important part of your profile as it shows up with your name and photo in the search results. · Use keywords throughout your Profile to optimise and take advantage of search results. Know what your target marketing are looking for in order to find you. · Complete your Contact Info with your preferred phone number, business email address, mailing or business address and include 3 websites with a call to action on the label (select 'other' as the type).

·

Use the Summary to craft your professional story in first person. Talk about who you are, what you do and for whom. End with a call to action – spell it out. Add personality and be yourself here – this is the opening conversation with a prospective connection or lead. · Complete your Experience and Education. Include as much as is relevant to share your journey. Use keywords and keep older roles brief to include what the company does for whom, and what your role was.

What next?

More tips next time… If you are unsure or need a little help check out our workshops.

Jo Saunders

Jo Saunders is the Director of Wildfire Social Marketing, a marketing consultancy specialising in online marketing strategy, LinkedIn training and Profile creation. She works with small to medium business owners as a marketing partner and provides consulting, coaching, training and support. Jo has a background in events and marketing in the corporate sector and has always had a passion to help people connect and position themselves. If you are overwhelmed and unsure how to leverage the online revolution, call Jo. Connect with Jo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josaunders www.wildfiresocialmarketing.com

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16 SEP – 15 OCT 2013

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Rueben Taylor One of the first questions I ask when I sit down with a new client is “What does your business look like when it's finished?” The surprising thing is I usually get a blank look. You see, most business owners have never taken the time to work this out.

It all starts with a plan … and there are four main paths you can go down to create wealth through your business: 1) Build to Sell : For many business owners the biggest sale they will ever make is the business itself. Businesses generally sell on multiples of profits. If you are following this path the keys are to remove risks (such as reliance on key people or contracts) and to ensure sustainability of future profits.

Often they started their business to be in control of their destiny and for more freedom but as the years have gone on they have lost sight of this. In many cases, they have only created a job for themselves and if they don't turn up the business 2) Build to replicate : This is where you plan to won't will be able to run without them. replicate eg. Through franchising or multiple You see, business is a powerful wealth creator – locations. The key here is building your first you have more control over it than shares or prototype and having strong systems so that you property as you can take direct action to improve get consistency across locations. Your focus its value (and your personal wealth). then becomes to find great people to manage

Improving energy efficiency is a central element of the Australian Federal Government's Clean Energy Future package because it can help businesses save money on their operating costs while also lowering Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.

As a result of the Federal Government's Commitment, the TCF Australia ONLINE ENERGY EFFICIENCY Training & Mentoring Project is able to offer an extensive range of specialist energy efficiency services to small businesses in the fashion, textile, clothing, footwear, leather (TCF) creative, and associated industries across Australia.

TCF Australia ONLINE ENERGY EFFICIENCY Training & Mentoring Project manager Carol Hanlon said, “Small businesses can register for FREE Online Training Webinars, ONLINE Energy Efficiency FREE 'ASK AN EXPERT' Forums and FREE mentoring to learn how they can save money via energy savings. For example, a lot of small businesses can implement energy efficiency opportunities in the area of air conditioning, just by understanding how air conditioning works.”

Air Conditioning accounts for about 40% of the energy consumption in most businesses, accounts for about 70% of building owner's (common area) energy bills, and is the key contributor to peak demand charges (Source: Depar tment of Resources, Energy and Tourism www.ee.ret.gov.au).

How air conditioning works: 1. A refrigerant gas is pumped through a heat exchanger outside. This allows heat to escape and the refrigerant to cool down and turn into a liquid.

2. The refrigerant then flows through an expansion valve that lowers its pressure and temperature.

3. A fan draws indoor air over the cold refrigerant, which cools the air.

4 The now warmed refrigerant evaporates and flows into a compressor, which compresses it into a highpressure, high temperature gas.

One of the initiatives that businesses can undertake to save money in terms of their air conditioning usage is keeping system clean and well maintained. At least once per year,

For the last 12 years Rueben Taylor has been helping Perth business owners grow their business sustainably creating strong cashflow and getting it to a stage where it can run smoothly without them being there. He is the recipient of 9 Global and 15 Asia Pacific Franchise Awards and the average bottom line of his clients increased by 120% over the last 12 months. www.ruebentaylor.com.au

these businesses and lead them to success.

3) Practice : This generally suits more specialist businesses. Serve a niche and charge a premium for it. Use this extra cash to invest in assets outside your business such as property or shares. The key with this path is maximising cashflow and ensure it is invested in growth assets outside your main business.

4) Lifestyle : This is where you create a business that will serve your lifestyle.

This may be as simple as choosing to continue working on the tools and appoint a manager to run the business side of things or taking this to a point where you appoint a general manager and just provide direction as the owner.

It is all about you doing the things you love and the business provides you with the time and cashflow to do them.

So choose a path. All of them can create wealth for you and your family - it is just that your focus needs to be different depending on the path you are choosing.

owners should remove and clean the internal air filters, check that the external unit is clean and free of debris, and that there are no gaps and leaks in ducted systems. Air conditioning contractors can be engaged to conduct more involved maintenance work.

It is also important to try and reduce the amount of heat created indoors. That is, all electrical equipment generates heat, which works against air conditioners when they are cooling. For example, leaving a computer on overnight will generate about 1 kWh of heat, causing the air conditioner to run for a little longer in the morning.

TCF Australia ONLINE ENERGY EFFICIENCY Training & Mentoring Project manager Carol Hanlon said, “Switching off any unused equipment will save on cooling costs, as will relocating office equipment, refrigerators, vending machines, water coolers etc to rooms that are naturally cooled.”

Every one-degree change in the air conditioner's set point will affect energy consumption by about 10%. To reduce energy costs the set-point temperature should be increased when cooling (summer) and decreased when heating (winter). Settings should be maintained around 24°C when cooling and around 20°C when heating.

Business owners can also use fans to reduce costs. A fan uses about 50 Watts whereas an air conditioning system for a small shop will use around 5,000 Watts. When the weather is mild, consider ceiling or portable fans instead of the air conditioner. Fans can also be used while the air conditioner is operating. They can help improve circulation of the cooled air, which will allow you to raise the thermostat setting without reducing the comfort levels of staff or customers.

It is recommended that businesses switch off air conditioning systems in low-usage areas or reduce airflow to these areas by installing zone switches or by closing the air vents (if ducted).

Timer switches can also be used to reduce consumption.

For example, an air conditioner could be programmed to switch off at 5pm when people start to leave, rather than 6pm when the last person leaves. Also check if your

business is subject to higher tariffs during certain parts of the day – it makes sense to minimise usage during these periods.

Air leakage is a significant contributing factor to air conditioning usage and running costs. Seal off any air gaps to outside with door seals and weather stripping. Ensure that external or automatic doors are used in such a way to minimise the amount of time they are left open.

TCF Australia ONLINE ENERGY EFFICIENCY Training & Mentoring Project manager Carol Hanlon said, “Every square metre of direct sunlight that enters your building can add up to 1,000 Watts of additional heat load. This can cause internal areas to over heat and air conditioning systems to work much harder than necessary. Businesses can look into installing window tinting or external shading (such as louvers or trees) to block out direct sunlight. Solar tinting film and external shading can reduce heat gain through windows by up to 80%, which will reduce the need for air conditioning”.

Insulation will reduce heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, which will reduce the need for heating and cooling systems. Insulation around ducts will minimise heat leakage. Additionally, the energy star rating system now applies to most air conditioning systems (www.energyrating.gov.au). As a rule of thumb, inverterstyle systems will use less energy as they respond more efficiently to temperature changes than regular models.

Heat recovered from process equipment like oven flues, hot water systems, and exhausts can be re-used to heat offices and work areas where appropriate.

An energy audit can determine which of the ideas outlined above (and others) are suitable for your business. An energy audit report should clearly indicate which actions would be the most profitable for your business.

To find out more about the Energy Efficiency business advisory services offered, or register for services as part of this project please visit www.tcfaustralia.com/greenenergy or email greenenergy@tcfaustralia.com P | 61 8 9479 3777

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Many business owners and accounts professionals often have a difficult time letting go of overdue debts. It can be hard to give up – you've done the hard work and deserve to get paid. However, there comes time when it may become uneconomical to pursue. This article will discuss collecting outstanding debt and when an account may become uneconomical to pursue further.

Firstly, have a documented process for collecting receivables and make sure you follow it. It's easy to spend a year or more sending invoices, statements and making occasional calls. If you feel like it's not worth spending further funds on legal action it may be time to write off the debt.

Natalie Walker Blitz Credit Management provides 'no collection, no commission' debt collection and credit management services to businesses throughout Australia. Blitz Credit Management stands out from its competitors because of its focus on service and investment in technology. For more information, visit www.blitzcredit.com.au or call Natalie Walker, Managing Director on 1300 887 232.

Legal action is another option, however for small amounts or disputed debts, it may not be economical to pursue. You can avoid hefty legal bills by pursuing small amounts yourself. In Western Australia, you can commence some legal proceedings online without going to a lawyer or the court. However, doing it yourself can end up more expensive in the long run and engaging a professional can help you avoid unnecessary costs.

If you are not getting anywhere yourself, it may be advantageous to engage a professional debt collection agency. Often, a debt collector will act on a 'no commission, no fee' basis, so you don't owe anything unless you get paid. You should consider referring a debt in situations such as ·

Hearing the same excuses over and over

·

Debtors ignoring you completely

·

No current contact details

Sometimes, even when you know where your debtor is and they admit the debt; they simply do not have funds or assets to satisfy the debt.

In these situations, it may be worth writing off the debt. You can warn other businesses and credit providers about your client and their outstanding debt. Subscribing to services like CreditorWatch or Veda will allow you to lodge a default and warn other businesses about your client's lack of payment. This may also prompt your debtor to contact you in the future to resolve their default.

Proudly presented by "Old Masters Young Guns", Cancer Support WA and Nifnex, the cinema was packed with over 300 business owners and entrepreneurs who were all there to mingle, network and were one of the first few to watch the brilliant new movie "Jobs" on the Big VMAX screen.

“Jobs is a riviting story of the roller-coaster life and searingly intense personality of a creative entrepreneur whose passion and perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries, Personal Computers, Animated Movies, Music, Phones, Tablet Computing, and Digital Publishing" said John Ross (JR), the event organizer who did it all to raise funds for Cancer Support of WA. Stay tuned for more networking and movie nights on Nifnex and Old Masters Young Guns facebook pages.

Photographed by: Adrian Tan | Square Hippo Photography

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Richard Giannini, Founder Entrepreneurs With Vision

Perth is the Launchpad for a new type of entrepreneurial group. Richard Giannini, Founder and creator of the “Entrepreneurs with Vision Program” is a collaborative group of socially aware young entrepreneurs attuned to the idea of helping each other achieve success. The vision is to create a world-wide collaborative group of entrepreneurs that believe the way to success is to help others.

The group's foundational values are: to be focused on positive impact in the world; having an abundance and sharing mentality; and a belief that the new way to building a business is to demonstrate value by helping people first, rather than “selling” them.

With regular meetings both in Perth and online, the community is rapidly growing with members actively assisting each other.

Richard's background spans 15+years of international business, his last business starting from a single location in Las Vegas, Nevada he expanded into an international franchise, publicly listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Now based back in Perth, his passion is helping young entrepreneurs build success quickly through collaboration and through specialised programs like his “Entrepreneurs with Vision Program.” You can find out more at http://infinity-growth.com.

Here are just a few of the members already participating in the program: Douglas Lim, Founder of Alyka is a Perth based business with a passion for helping businesses succeed online. They assist both corporate and governments succeed online and they also donate their time to not for profits, working with local high schools and training centres. http://www.alyka.com.au/ Douglas Lim

Aaron Clements is the Co-Founder of Jumpstartz. It's an online focal point for collaboration that allows people with great entrepreneurial ideas, rally together to make great things happen, in a way that wouldn't have happened individually. http://www.jumpstartz.com/ Aaron Clements

Samith Pich, Director of SEO Dojo is passionate about helping small and local businesses get more customers and make more sales.

They help you rank fast on Google and attract your ideal clients and provides free internet marketing training and traffic consultations. http://seodojo.com.au/ Samith Pich

Julien Goalabré's PREthical, which means “Public Relation for Ethical benefits”, focuses on giving exposure to organizations that are positively benefiting humanity.

Julien Goalabré

Sarah Howe's “Fit4Life” will help you lead a healthier, fitter, stronger lifestyle. Fit4Life's mission is to be the one stop shop for building community awareness in relation to their health and fitness. http://www.perthfitness.net.au

Dave Socorro, Partner of Nature Physiques is focused on inspiring people to build their dreams based on what they truly desire. The mission is simple: Making dreams physical realities. http://www.naturephysiques.com Dave Socorro

Sarah Howe Kim Barrett's KBoss Fitness aims to supply Perth's health and fitness community with what they have been missing; honest advice and fitness supplements that work! http://www.kbossfitness.com.au/

Calvin Coyles, Founder of The Bright Lights Group is a youth-run non-profit organisation that offers consulting services to small businesses focusing on practical hands on opportunities to make a difference. http://www.thebrightlightsgroup.org/ Calvin Coyles

Kim Barrett

If you wish to find out more about the “Entrepreneurs with Vision Program” and to become a part of this growing, collaborative community, you can join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/entrepreneurswithvision/ or http://infinity-growth.com

We had an opportunity to speak to some dynamic NEIS graduates to find out a little about them and their business Natalie Budd-Doyle, NEIS Trainer Business Foundations with her class.

Ross Vegas : Presenting workshops in hip-hop music for events and schools, with a particular focus on remote and indigenous communities, to help participants develop self-expression, self-esteem, and literacy. His particular take on music is accapella, incorporating human beatbox, rap, and singing.

Karl Van Zwol : Offering peace of mind and security for small businesses, through safety management services and training. My plan is to set up a member based system that would provide a Safety Management System along with ongoing support in return for a monthly fee. I will have the ability to tailor my system to any small business regardless of its industry.

Cherie Green – Shoji Light : Cherie Green of Shoji Light creates custom-made lampshades using Japanese Shoji Paper. Inspired by Biophilic design, her creations are motivated by the philosophy of 'reconnecting people with nature through design'.

Seza Santos – Fremantle Hand Car Wash :

Fremantle Hand Car Wash offering busy people a luxury vehicle pampering service, in a relaxing environment that allows you to work whilst you wait via free wifi and an exceptionally wicked cup of coffee Kelly Lowndes – FIFO Lifestyle Services: I sell stress reduction, and more time for the important things in life to the FIFO community, via a range of convenient services such as property management, child care services and airport transfers. As a FIFO wife and mother for years, I understand how precious time can be for FIFO families, and why I am so passionate about my new business; FIFO Lifestyle Management.

Alicia Hodgson – Alicia Hodgson Freelance Films : If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video is worth a million. In 2012 456.6 million people watched online video content. It is the most powerful marketing tool for any business whether it be corporate, creative or community-based. Alicia Hodgson Freelance Films will provide you a film to suit your specific

needs and wants. So far I have already created a number of films, some clients including The Film and Television Institute of Perth and Buzz Marketing. My films are creative, cool and professional. They will add they "extra something" your business needs.

Tina van Leuven – Inner Delight : Inner Delight emerged from Tina van Leuven's passion for transformation and experiencing the joy of supporting others to shine and thrive. She works with holistic coaches and conscious solopreneurs to transform the lone ranger mentality of having to do everything alone. This has had many keeping up appearances and pretending everything was going well, while on the inside their doubts and insecurities kept them awake at night. The 40 Day Money Miracles Experiment transforms wealth consciousness. Shifting the money mind set from starving artist to thriving change agent is an inner game which transforms your life and positively impacts the lives of all you come in contact with.

Jody Fiannaca – Blow on the Go : Introducing our eclectic little Blowdry bar 'Blow on the Go', which is essentially an unconventional style hairdressing salon. Sharing street space with an array of funky cafes, fashion and retail shops and some of WA's leading restaurants and music venues. We're staying true to our original mission with plans to construct this place to resemble more of a trendy wine bar than a hairdressing salon. My vision is to create an organic, energising but natural environment where our clients can be blow-dried, styled, cut and coloured for any occasion, with confidence. We have a variety of funky blowouts on the menu including my favourites, 'Boho Babe' and 'Sitting Pretty'. Offering beverages from Bloody Mary's to Champagne, Latte's to herbal tea and with none of the fuss of a conventional hairdressing Salon, were excited to offer a new innovative twist to your beauty regime. With firm roots in Perth's fashion and photographic industry we ensure that whether at the height of fashion or simply classic, a hair style is done well and perfectly suited to the individual. www.jodyfiannaca.com

16 SEP – 15 OCT 2013

Read online www.nifnexreview.com.au

Peter Taliangis is the owner of Professionals Ultimate Real Estate Services.

Peter can be contacted on 0431 417 345 or peter@professionalsultimate.com.au Peter's aim is to “Using my years of real estate & marketing experience to allow my customers to feel the joy of realising their property dreams.”

Ask Peter about his generous referral scheme!

Peter Taliangis Applecross is a riverside suburb of Perth, which is known for the stunning river views and the Jacaranda Trees.

Located in the City of Melville, it has a residential population of under 7000 people, with approximately 3,000 houses/units etc With changes to the R Codes and Zoning Applecross is likely to have a lot more high-rise apartments and businesses come into the area.

Applecross already has a “business hub” in Kishorn Road/Canning Highway precinct & a more “community shopping hub on Ardross Street.

Landmarks and facilities in Applecross include: The Raffles Hotel & the Raffles Residential Tower South of Perth Yacht Club Heathcote Residential property values in the Applecross have been relatively steady over the last 3-4 years, blips in the median prices in recent years have been more reflective of the changing density and smaller houses, rather than a “real” change in the price.

The 10 year growth figure is 6%. The Median House price is currently $1,245,000.

Average weekly rent is $400, which again is more reflective of the smaller apartment than the houses in the area.

Local Schools: Applecross P.S., Applecross S.H.S., Saint Benedict's School, Conon Road Kindergarten, Nearby Schools: Santa Maria College (Attadale) , Mel Maria Catholic P.S. (Attadale) Shops: Garden City, Canning Highway & Ardross Street Train Stations: Canning Bridge Bus Services: Bus Service to rail stations or Esplanade Bus Port Applecross is a great suburb to live in given the opportunity – there are fantastic facilities and schools.

Currently from a business perspective – buying into commercial property is difficult at the moment with only 1 property listed on commercial real estate websites. There are however 9 properties available for lease, these are within the confines of the Kishorn, Canning Highway area mentioned previously.

From a commercial outlook Applecross provides a lot of advantages to business – being close to the freeway enables great access to the city without the rents of the CBD. For people in retail Applecross residents bring home a median figure of approx $2,000 per week, so they have the spending power retailers are looking for. With the increase in density that will come in coming years it should allow businesses to talk to more potential customers.

BUSINESS CLIENT INCREASED NET PROFIT BY 71.6% IN THREE MONTHS. Contact Lloyd Richardson FCPA to find out how

Ph: 1300 422 526 Email: lloyd@ibalance.com.au www.ibalance.com.au ibalance© “Creating Businesses That Really Work” 7 Kintail Road Applecross

to advertise your business

call 1300 643 639 nifnex@nifnex.com.au

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