Business Resource & Lifestyle Magazine Issue #72 - 2015

GWP M a g a z i n e s

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BUS I N E S S

SYDNEY - ISSUE 72 | MARCH - APRIL 2015

M A G A Z I N E

S I N C E

2 0 0 5

Keep Your Skills Local NSW Liberal Party in 2015 Needs Page 14 to Clean

up its Political Whorehouse Page 16 What is Workplace Mental Health Costing How Barangaroo Your Business? is Helping Page 18 to Skill the West Page 22

Master the Acquainted Power Getting ofwith Business Your Business Introductions Page 24 Page 22

PARRAMATTA CHAMBER: 104 YEARS OF OPERATION

B E L L A V I S TA B U S I N E S S A L L I A N C E – E X C L U S I V E G R O U P F O R B U S I N E S S O W N E R S Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

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Editor and Publisher: Dmitry Greku Cover Story: Anthony Smith Contributing Writers: Charlie Lynn Angry Anderson Craig McCallum Bruce Gleeson Melissa Harries Hardeep Girn

Scott Dredge Bailey Compton Daniel Moisyeyev

Art Director: Svetlana Greku Executive Officer: Daniel Moisyeyev Director of Public Relations: Angry Anderson Cover Design and Cover Story Layout Xabier Goñi, XDesigns Printing: Webstar Business Resource & Lifestyle Magazine® is published by GWP Media® and GWP Magazines® ABN: 82 096 352 064 www.gwpmagazine.com.au Office Address: 85-91 Grose Street North Parramatta NSW 2151 International Standard Serial Number ISSN 1837-199X Advertising Enquiries p | 1300 889 132 e | info@gwpmagazine.com.au To Subscribe w | www.gwpmagazine.com.au Cover page: Roman Dechnicz, Parramatta Chamber of Commerce Life Member We Support

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The opinions expressed in this journal do not necessarily reflect and are not to be regarded as the official opinion of the editor, publisher or their agents.

All information contained within this journal is provided for general information purposes only and on the understanding that none of the content herein constitutes professional advice. The editor, publisher or their agents accept no responsibility for any claim, loss or damages arising out of or in connection with any materials contained in this journal. Readers should not rely on the publications in the journal and seek appropriate professional advice in respect of their own circumstances.

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

CONTENTS

28 18 Cover Story

6

Parramatta Chamber: 104 Years of Operation Anthony Smith

30

Regulars

Regulars

BUSINESS ADVICE

REAL ESTATE

24 What Documents You Need

16 Directors and Personal

Liability for Company Tax Debts – Are You Exposing the Family Home?

Regulars

Bruce Gleeson

EDITOR’S LETTER

Health Costing Your Business?

Melissa Harries

4

Unique Business Opportunity Dmitry Greku

LEADERSHIP

12 Tony Abbott’s Barbeque

Stopper – Horror! Horror!

Horror!

Charlie Lynn

Previous Boss?

Bailey Compton

22 Master the Power of Business

Introductions

Hardeep Girn

30 The Web: Form and Function

To Apply for a Loan

Bill Elmer

SOCIETY & LIFE

18 What is Workplace Mental 20 What do You Owe Your

32 Educating Our Young

Angry Anderson

Features

26 “Back to the Future” Scott Dredge M.AIRAH

28 Bartercard Abolishes Joining

Fees, Guarantees Extra Sales and Customers

Daniel Moisyeyev

WORKFORCE

14 Keep Your Skills Local in 2015

Craig McCallum

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

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EDITOR’S LETTER

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

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PROUDLY PRESENTED BY

Parramatta Advertiser newspaper article Betty Barrie elected First Female President in April 1993

First President Ald Walter Francis Jago (who was also Mayor at the time!)

PARRAMATTA CHAMBER: 104 YEARS OF OPERATION

by Anthony Smith

T

he venerable saying, ‘a thousand paths lead men to Rome’ was never thought to imply that the ancient city was the centre of the universe. Yet, paradoxically from almost any point of access to or from Sydney, Parramatta beckons the curious traveller to see.

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March -2015 April 2015

GREAT AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS PEOPLE

Live Members: Paula Roden and Roman Dechnicz with current President Roger Byrne

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue| 72 | March - April 2015 Business Resource & Lifestyle Issue 72 | March

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PROUDLY PRESENTED BY

Whenever something of significance was to occur, the Chamber of Commerce swung into action. In 1928, it organised a reception for Bert Hinkler to commemorate the first solo flight from England to Australia and in 1929, the chamber was instrumental in having Parramatta proclaimed a city.

In 1930 it arranged buses to bring people to town from outlying districts. Some old-timers even cheekily claim that Parramatta carnival events were the forerunners of the Mardi-Gras. In 1933 the chamber hosted a ‘back to Parra’ week being a procession with floats observed by thousands and described in the Sydney Morning Herald as an occasion where everyone had a, ‘gay old time.’

The Chamber was incorporated in 1947. In the 1950’s it actively campaigned for the construction of an Olympic Pool in Parramatta Park and it successfully lobbied to have the Lord Mayoralty bestowed on the city. Ultimately this was done by the Queen in 1988. Alan Hyam was the first Lord Mayor with that honour.

Awards Chairman, Paul Ogilvy; Parramatta Lord Mayor, Paula Barber; Gary Harvey and Brian Morris, Suncorp Naming Rights Sponsor, President Roman Dechnicz at Launch of 2008 Suncorp Parramatta Regional Awards for Business Excellence held at Parramatta Park to celebrate 150th anniversary of the Park (see GWP magazine July/Aug 2008)

But the real meaning of the proverb, being, different paths can take one to the same goal, might be said to have guided the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce in its 104 years of operation.

It

Whoever has not heard of Parramatta certainly must surely not live in Sydney or more likely, on the Eastern Seaboard. The famous Parramatta Eels four premierships and six times runners-up, as recently as 2009, give us a break!

Juxtaposed just thirty five minutes by train from Central and one and a half hours by ferry, along the Parramatta River from Circular Quay, it could be a world away for all its autonomy and unique disposition.

And the Chamber of Commerce is rightly proud of its stewardship in making Parra the cornerstone of Greater Western Sydney even if not quite ‘the hub of the universe’ a phrase coined for Parramatta in the early twentieth century when the river was its commercial lifeline to and from Australia’s largest city.

Conceptualised in 1911, the inaugural meeting of the Chamber was in February 1912 and its first President was Walter Jago, who then held office as the Mayor of Parramatta.

Fundamentally the Chamber of Commerce strives to preserve free enterprise protecting the interests of business people in the community and encouraging its members to do business with each other.

But throughout the years it has expanded its subsidiary roles in a community sense. Over a twenty year period in more recent times, it has raised nearly half a million dollars, $20,000 to $30, 000 per annum for the “President’s Fund”, out of which are grants made to worthy charities.

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March -2015 April 2015

2009 Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence Gala, “Putting on the Ritz” at Rosehill Gardens - Peta Roden (Mckenzie), Paula Roden, Premier Nathan Rees, Roman Dechnicz, Oksana Wasylyk

Even after he retired in 1992 former Secretary, Bernie Doyle, enjoyed the networking at Business After Five, often acting as business card collector!

has never depended on government grants or funding, a matter of great pride to its members and of course has kept the Chamber on its toes knowing that each buck starts and continues with their enterprise in raising it.

Many businesses have had a long association with the chamber. For example, Jackson Optical came on board in 1965.

The Chamber’s history involves a fascinating exegesis. Just think of it for a moment. It arranged the first shopping week in Parramatta in 1912. That was not accomplished by a Town Crier walking down Church Street ringing a bell to summon anyone who happened by, or even the President of the Chamber acting in that role.

No, this was social media early twentieth century style as in face-to-face persuasion rather than Facebook chatter and, as in major papers when people feasted on local news. It was the forerunner of many such successful ventures attended by thousands.

The first paid employee joined the chamber in 1992 and its first female President Betty Barrie, was elected in 1993.

Des Kennedy at 91 is probably the oldest surviving past President. His son-in-law, Norm Owens, was a Vice President and through his initiative, and the Chamber’s support, he developed a multi award winning program called, “Australian Business Week” a 100 per cent Parramatta concept.

This was not the only ‘family dynasty’ with which the Chamber has been blessed. Paula Roden has stepped down after eighteen committed years as secretary and executive officer. A very popular

GREAT AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS PEOPLE

Guests at 1992 Awards Gala at Rosehill Gardens

1998 Awards Gala at Gazebo Hotel Lord Mayor Paul Garrard being presented with Major Sponsor plaque

by Chamber Executive Office Paula Roden

After her children grew older, Paula began working in her father’s practice in 1982. A dedicated chamber telephone line was set up within the accountancy office and all the calls came to her. She organised the first Business After Fives in 1983.

“Eventually, I got hold of this old Commodore computer using a program called, “Doodle” to do up name tags and letters to make them look nicer.”

Her father sold the accountancy business as computerised tax returns came in but kept working for the chamber while helping the new owner to transition into the business.

At about this time Roman Dechnicz became President and someone was needed to take over from Bernie Doyle who was getting on in years.

After being approached, Paula was a reluctant starter being somewhat apprehensive of working with Roman.

figure in chamber culture and its more recent history, Paula was the instantly recognisable face of the organisation.

Her memories of it stretch back to her childhood.

Her father was Bernie Doyle who owned and operated an accountancy practice in Parramatta as well as acting as Honorary Secretary to the Chamber from 1963.

Paula has fond recollections of the early years of her father’s involvement when she was a young girl.

“There we would be at home after dinner while I was still at school, slipping chamber newsletters into the old addressograph for mailing out. And that wasn’t all. My sister Julie and I would walk around Parramatta handing out promotional leaflets for Foundation Day.”

“I was shaking like jelly when I spoke to him on the phone. I thought he was like a big, grizzly bear, but after I while I mustered the courage to speak to him. I said ‘yes’ to the position on offer. Once I got to know him, it was patently evident that he was more like a teddy bear than anything else.”

This association became a great success over many years propelling the Chamber into significant prominence at all levels of government, Federal, State and Local. Within a year Paula was

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue| 72 | March - April 2015 Business Resource & Lifestyle Issue 72 | March

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PROUDLY PRESENTED BY working full time for the Chamber. She strove hard to establish a good rapport with the various businesses who were encouraged to witness the influence the Chamber could exert.

The development was a welcome change, after a period where there was a perception that the Chamber was anti-council. Ultimately, this led to an improved relationship with the Council, greater cooperation and a better scope for improving services for members.

“I saw my role in fostering the chamber’s prominence so as to encourage small enterprises to stay in Parramatta rather than drifting off to the city. There were real benefits to members doing their business in Parramatta,” says Paula firmly.

Echoing these sentiments Roman says laconically, “We were doing what we did and what we believed was needed to get people interested in Parramatta.”

Paula and Allan Roden at 2004 Colonial Ball at Old Government House Parramatta

There have been many challenges over the years especially at times when government action has impinged on the costs of doing business. One notable issue was the parking levy introduced by the State government in Sydney and extended beyond the CBD. The Chamber fought the levy tooth and nail because of the costs imposed on its members with the levy flowing through from the Council, into the rental agreements and down to the lessees. Ultimately this issue was lost in principle although the Chamber strived for and secured a reduced rate.

On the local political front the chamber has lobbied for the election by popular vote of the Lord Mayor and the extension of his term beyond one year which it is at present.

Along the journey, there have been many significant initiatives of the Chamber, all calculated to inspire confidence in its members, provide opportunities to ‘meet and greet’ and to be informed.

The Awards for Business Excellence is another project that has played a significant role in allowing the Chamber to take on other projects and provide extended services.

2010

Awards Gala Roman Dechnicz and Paula Roden dressed for the

Venetian Masked Ball celebration Roman Dechnicz, Lord Mayor Tony Issa Barry O’Farrell, Judith McDonald April 2009 discussing impact of Parking Levy on business in Parramatta

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72 | January March 2015 Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 71 2015

GREAT AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS PEOPLE Business After Fives was established and remains to this day one of the most popular events in the Chamber’s calendar. Now there is talk of reviving the President’s lunches where key people were brought together for the quarterly event.

as well. And I always took the view that in business as in life, united we stand, divided we fall.” he says.

Paula recalls with a wry smile many of the things she has done over the years promoting the Chamber and its activities.

Another very important event fostered by the Chamber bringing the business community and the council together is the annual Lord Mayor’s “State of the City”, address. Last year this function was attended by over 300 business people keen to hear of what had been achieved and future plans at Local and State level for the city of Parramatta.

Roman chuckles as he describes some of his experiences hosting these functions.

“I’ve been a Spanish Senora, German beer hall madam, gangster’s moll and even posed on a tank in Lancer Barracks. Once I dressed up as a newspaper for the re-opening of Marsden Street, being tattooed with bruises banging my shins on the big heavy costume.”

“I would make a point of going up to new members for whom such a function was a first when they were in some corner of the room, say ‘Hello,is this your first time here ’ and then he would take them up to introduce them to the Lord Mayor, often much to their astonishment and, ultimately, great satisfaction.”

He relates in the manner of a man not seeking praise but a humble sense of accomplishment the period of his lengthy involvement with the chamber and why he stayed on for so long.

“I ran a business and beyond wanting it to be successful, I also desired to give back not only to the business community but the wider community

“For a long time after that, we turned our back on the river but thankfully in the eighties, we realised what a great asset we had and, after all, it is a river city.”

She concedes that more needs to be done to promote the tourism potential that having a city like Parramatta nestled on a river can engender.

The first female president of the chamber Betty

Current President Roger Byrne reflects on the last five years as a Board member and two years since taking on the role as President “Our attitude has been to position the Chamber as the ‘go to’ place for businesses thinking of coming to Parramatta and keeping those that are here. We advocate and lobby on their behalf to all levels of government.”

He cited Business After Fives as still one of the most popular events on the calendar, the last such function attracting 185 attendees.

Paula is especially proud of the renewed attention towards the river and all it had to offer, after seeming to lose prominence in the life of the city as its relevance to commerce and use by barges and punts all but vanished.

Peta Roden, Mark Taylor Former Australian Cricket Captain, Paula Roden at Fundraising Dinner for Parramatta Mission ( Paula did get to meet some AMAZING people during her time at the Chamber!)

Barrie was strongly behind the return of focus to the river as was the previous Lord Mayor Councillor John Chedid. Echoing this as a real strength for the city, Roman observes, “We have some of the best restaurants in Sydney and many of them are within close proximity of the river, a fantastic spot for multi-cultural cuisines. We should do more to bring the river back to greater prominence, have a Lord Mayor’s cup Regatta using some of the old punts and involving the GPS and other schools.”

Parramatta is a very different place these days to what it was in the sixties and seventies. Now a very cosmopolitan place Paula exudes a natural tinge of regret when looking back at all things that of necessity keep changing.

Winners 2007 Awards

“Once, Parra was like a big country town where everybody knew everybody else. Sometimes I think we need to remember that business and Parramatta go together and can work together for its betterment rather than the two tending towards being disconnected.”

The Chamber’s website has been a tremendous initiative providing members with instant access and a veritable wealth of information at their disposal.

At Circular Quay there is the Parramatta Ferry, a rich source of tourism potential there and on hand for anyone visiting Parramatta, yet strangely, an observer might say that it seems a little underutilised in that respect.

erside iv R s r e n in W d r a Aw Theatre stage

Keeping Parramatta buzzing was and remains the theme running through every activity of the chamber and its worthy servants of many years. That is the challenge for the Parramatta of the future, one that the Chamber of Commerce recognises and is happy to work harder to address. G

BusinessResource Resource&&Lifestyle Lifestyle | | Issue Issue71 72 | |January March 2015 Business

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LEADERSHIP

Tony Abbott’s Barbeque Stopper – Horror! Horror!

Horror!

The Hon. Charlie Lynn

Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s knighting of Prince Philip on Australia Day was a barbeque stopper on the day most Australians have a barbeque. And didn’t the commentariat wind them up!

Most of the flame came from the inner-city patio set shrieking hysterically over their grilled tofu and mung bean salads. If ever there was a catalyst for Australia to become a republic this had to be it they tweeted.

There is no doubt that it was a Prime Ministerial clanger at a crucial time of his leadership. But was it really a barbeque stopper?

One old timer from Western Sydney put it in perspective when he said the main topic of backyard barbeques over the last couple of years has been the flow of illegal immigrants into Australia and the desire of many of the new arrivals to blow us up once they had settled in.

Women preparing salads for their menfolk around the barbie used to worry about the number of young families drowning as they tried to get here. They were certainly not appeased by Sarah Hanson-Young’s ‘shit happens’ brushoff.

Another bloke said his mates used to discuss the billions of dollars wasted on madcap schemes like the home insulation disaster, green energy and the education revolution. He said it was finally good to have a bit of a laugh about Phil the Greek getting a gong. His mates didn’t care as long as it didn’t cost them anything and nobody got hurt.

An RSL digger recently sent me a copy of ‘Lest We Forget – the History of the RSL’ published almost 30 years ago. The forward was written by a ‘Philip’ from Buckingham Palace. He wrote: ‘I went to sea as a Midshipman early in 1940.

After joining my first ship, the First World War battleship HMS “Ramillies” in Colombo, I found myself on the way to Australia. We all had a splendid time thanks to the exceptionally generous hospitality of our hosts.

‘Midshipmen are not usually taken into the confidence of the more senior officers, so it was only by degrees that we discovered that the purpose of the visit was to act as the naval escort to the first contingent of Australians on their way

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

to the Middle East.

‘About six months later I was appointed to a ship in the Mediterranean where several HMA Ships were already serving and, of course, we were all very conscious of the feats of arms of the Australian Army in the western desert.

lacking in certain key areas, and they resolved to create a program that would be a ‘do-it-yourself kit in the art of civilised living’. The program now operates in 12 countries and is the premier personal development program for young Australians – an outstanding legacy that will live long after HRH Prince Philip.

One old timer from Western Sydney put it in perspective when he said the main topic of backyard barbeques over the last couple of years has been the flow of illegal immigrants into Australia and the desire of many of the new arrivals to blow us up once they had settled in.

‘I have, therefore, a rather special respect for the Australian fighting man and a particular admiration for the Returned Services League.

This was strengthened during the Queen’s visit in 1954 when I was honoured to become a Life Member of the League. My contribution grew even stronger when I succeeded my uncle, Lord Mountbatten, as Grand President of the British Commonwealth Ex-Services Clubs.

Most people, if they were aware of the facts, would reckon that war service and such a powerful vision for the development of young people would be worthy of a gong.

‘For all these reasons it gives me particular pleasure in writing this forward. I know something about the character and activities of the Returned Services League and of Legacy and I am delighted that this history of one of Australia’s great institutions has been written. It is a remarkable story of single-minded dedication to two objectives. To perpetuate the memory of those who lost their lives on active service and to ensure the welfare of the wounded and aged “mates” and the support of dependents and orphans...

He is also a Rhodes Scholar, a boxing champion, a volunteer firefighter, a volunteer surf life guard, a volunteer indigenous teacher in remote communities, an ironman triathlete, a loving husband and doting father of three beautiful daughters, and to those who know him, an allround good bloke with a great sense of humour.

It seems that Tony Abbott’s mistake was not to explain what he was going to do before he did it - no leeway was given for the fact that he is an avowed monarchist.

‘The R.S.L. has helped to shape modern Australia and I commend this book to all Australians who are interested in their history and in the development of their national identity. Philip.’

He is also Labor’s worst nightmare and that is why they have committed every resource they have in the union movement, the media and academia to smear and denigrate his character.

But if we were to go to war the safest place would be a weapon pit with Tony Abbott beside you the most dangerous place would be one with Bill Shorten behind you. A great topic for our next national barbeque day! G

Almost 60 years ago the same Philip established The Duke of Edinburgh International Awards program in conjunction with Kurt Hahn, the German educationalist. Both Phil and Kurt were concerned that young people’s development was

For more topics and to contact Charlie Lynn, please visit www.charlielynn.com.au/blog.

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1300 889 132 Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

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WORKFORCE

Keep Your Skills Local in 2015 Craig McCallum - Director Marketing & Media, TAFE Western Sydney

Welcome to the changing face of Western Sydney.

It’s becoming the place of choice for buying a brand new home, it’s experiencing a boom in transport infrastructure, retail developments and outdoor facilities and it is fast becoming an employment hothouse.

Western Sydney may well become the flavour of the month as well, with the Daily Telegraph heating up its ‘Fair Go for the West’ campaign in March, and politicians realising the collective power of the people in Western Sydney in the overall scheme of the state election.

But where does the region stand for keeping its residents in local work?

As the popularity of the Jobs Available – Western Sydney Facebook page shows, western Sydney residents want to gain employment close to home. In just over a year and a half, more than 18,000 are following this page so that they can keep abreast of jobs that come up close to home.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011), around 30% of western Sydneysiders travel outside of the region to their work.

Commuting into Sydney can represent significant time loss for western Sydney residents, with an average trip from door-to-door including a train commute from Penrith into the CBD taking around an hour and a half each way. It is not much quicker taking the car during peak hour, and as anyone who has experienced driving to work blinded by the rising sun and then the setting sun day after day will attest, it can be very tiring.

As well as commuters losing valuable time for healthy activities like exercise, pursuing personal interests and being with family and friends, their ability to contribute to their local community is also diminished.

We would like to see more Western Sydney residents having the opportunity to use their skills within the local community.

The opportunities for skilled employment in Western Sydney are growing, particularly in relation to the health care/medical spheres, ICT and of course the construction industry which is quite literally building itself into the Western Sydney topography.

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

However, in the case of the construction industry, what we are frequently seeing is larger scale companies, often without local investment, taking on local projects. The NSW Government has earmarked $30 billion to be invested in transport, roads, health and schools infrastructure projects over the next decade in western Sydney. We’d like to see more Western Sydney based companies

completing studies show employers that you are willing to adapt and learn – two qualities which are most useful in a world where technologies are constantly changing.

I mentioned earlier the growth in health sector jobs in western Sydney. This is a sector which will continue to grow with the improvement of

We would like to see more Western Sydney residents having the opportunity to use their skills within the local community. compete successfully for these projects, which is one reason we are working with various Western Sydney business networks and Local Government Authorities to boost the ability of local businesses to win and perform on local projects.

The opposite of this is happening on an individual level. Highly skilled western Sydney residents are taking their skills with them out of the region to where they can find suitable work.

But conversely, having a high level of skills can also make local employment more tenable. For years industry groups have been talking about a skills shortage where the supply for skilled workers was not keeping up with employer demands. More recently employment agencies are talking about employers on the lookout for ‘super skills’ or ‘niche skills’. These are skills which are focused on particular job functions rather than the industry or sector-based shortages of the resources boom. Ranging from Early Childhood Teachers to Developers with iOS and Android skills to Production Supervisors, these ‘super skills’ are bargaining chips for employees, with it reported that employers are competing to get them on their payroll.

technologies and health outcomes. Western Sydney has seen significant investment in planned health facilities which will boost employment in this sector in the region. The development of the Penrith Health and Education Precinct is now underway. One of the new buildings for this is located at the Kingswood campus of the TAFE Western Sydney Nepean College. It is projected that the precinct, which will stretch between Nepean Hospital and the UWS Werrington Campus, will add 12,000 jobs to the local health and community services industry. G If you are looking at ways that you can keep your skills local, whether as an individual or a business, I encourage you to speak to us. Our Learning Consultants at our Penrith Service Centre ph.

131 870 are able to offer sound, individual advice based on a broad knowledge of employer and industry skill demands as well as information on the Government Smart & Skilled entitlements, individual Pay as you Study instalment plans and VET FEE HELP to get you started. Our Business Unit Training Consultants have access to experts who can also provide both large and small scale training solutions for your business.

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

15

BUSINESS ADVICE

Directors and Personal Liability for Company Tax Debts – Are You Exposing the Family Home?

Bruce Gleeson, FCA – Principal, Jones Partners Insolvency & Business Recovery

All too often I see directors particularly those operating in Small to Medium Enterprises (“SMEs”) who are not aware that they could be personally liable for the company’s tax debts in certain circumstances. This lack of awareness unnecessarily exposes assets outside of the company that are owned by the director, including the family home.

It is vital that directors familiarise themselves with the legislative framework so they are broadly aware of the dangers of not reporting or paying certain taxes. This article will highlight critical aspects, identify some useful resources and also discuss a recent case which supports that the ATO will take action to recover amounts personally against directors.

A Quick History Lesson • The Director Penalty Notice (“DPN”) legislation was first introduced in 1993 when the Australian Taxation Office (“ATO”) gave up its statutory priority for the then Group Tax (now Pay-As-You-Go [“PAYG”].

• When DPNs were introduced the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (“SGC”) was only 3%. It is now 9.50%. The view is that an employer should not use employee funds as working capital for the company. This is becoming more evident in the recovering actions the ATO is commencing.

• DPNs have always imposed a personal liability against directors for unpaid PAYG. However, such exposure could not commence to be recovered (or enforced) against the director unless the ATO had issued a DPN to them. Such DPNs gave directors 21 days to effectively avoid personal liability if either: o They appointed a Voluntary Administrator; or o They appointed a Voluntary Liquidator; or o Otherwise arranged for payment of the liability.

• The ATO has been and continues to be concerned about the level of phoenix activity, as well as employers not complying with their SGC obligations. As a result on 29 June 2012 changes were made to the DPN legislation. Some changes are still not well understood by professionals and directors, including the fact that certain changes operate retrospectively.

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Summary of the Present DPN legislation and ATO Guide • The ATO can issue a DPN in respect of either unpaid PAYG or SGC (for SGC amounts after 30 June 2012).

• The ATO must still issue a DPN and wait until the expiration of 21 days from the issue date in order to be able to commence proceeds. Personal liability will not occur if within 21 days of the issue date (not the date of receipt), the directors: o They appointed a Voluntary Administrator; or o They appointed a Voluntary Liquidator; or o Otherwise arranged for payment of the liability.

• However, where 3 months or more have elapsed since the due date and the PAYG or SGC liability remains both unreported and unpaid, then there is no relief from personal liability by subsequently placing the company into Voluntary Administration or Voluntary Liquidation. This is known as the “lockdown rule” and has been put in place to ensure that directors are at least reporting their obligations so the ATO knows how the debt is accumulating. It is now more critical than ever that company’s report their obligations on time, even if they may not be in a position to necessarily pay the liability.

• Recently the ATO has released a guide called Director Penalty Regime - guide for directors. It is available at http://www.ato.gov.au/Business/ Starting-and-running-your-small-business/Indetail/Getting-started/Director-penalty-regime/. It goes through several examples so directors can see the circumstances in which they may become personally liable.

• Importantly new directors being appointed to an SME should be aware that they can become liable under a DPN for unpaid liabilities which were due prior to their date of appointment. New directors only have 30 from their appointment before they become liable. So make sure you understand what you are getting yourself into!!!

Will the ATO commence formal recovery action for PAYG and SGC liabilities?

Absolutely. As far as SGC is concerned we are finding the ATO is taking a much more active interest in this aspect given the legislative change.

The ATO is also using the retrospectivity element to recover for unpaid PAYG amounts.

The recent District Court of Queensland Case, DCT

vs Keane is support for the ATO’s vigilance in this area. The ATO claimed an amount of approximately $280,000 for unpaid PAYG liabilities. Such amount was not in dispute. However, Mr Kean believed as a result of his resignation as a director and the subsequent appointment of his wife in his place that he was not liable for the above amount. There was another argument also raised by Mr Kean, however the Court rejected same as well.

As to his resignation and the appointment of his wife, the Court noted: i. Mrs Keane replaced Mr Keane as a director on 13 January 2012; ii. On 25 January 2012 the company first notified the ATO of the various PAYG amounts withheld from employee’s salaries for the relevant dates; iii. On 28 August 2012, Administrators were appointed to the company; iv. Mr Keane was a director at the end of relevant due days [or dates] when the liabilities were payable; v. Mrs Keane acted within the 30 days notice provided to new directors by notifying the ATO per ii. above. Mrs Keane’s liability was remitted and therefore no further recovery action taken. vi. The Court found that Mr Keane was liable to the new “lockdown rule” as the appointment of Administrators occurred after the legislative changes which operate retrospectively for PAYG amounts.

This case may seem harsh, but it demonstrates the danger of not only putting new and related parties in as directors [even though here it turned out ok], but more importantly a lack of attention to lodging BAS’s on time even if the liability is not able to be paid. Don’t ignore the Tax Man just because they are not someone you need to deal with on a day to day basis!! If you would like to discuss DPNs and your specific circumstances, my Firm has an initial free consultation. G Jones Partners p | 61 2 9251 5222 e | kwall@jonespartners.net.au w | www.jonespartners.net.au

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17

BUSINESS ADVICE

What is Workplace Mental Health Costing Your Business?

Melissa Harries - Principal Psychologist, Mindset Abilities

Almost 45% of Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime and one in five in the last 12 months.1 Because a mental disorder like anxiety or depression is not as visible as physical ailments like a broken leg, you might not have been aware that 20% of the people in your team may have been suffering in the last year.

But chances are you have noticed the impact of this issue.

The most visible impact of mental health in the workplace tends to be absenteeism; employees not coming to work as well as coming in late. An employee who has depression that is untreated takes on average 3-4 sick days per month.

You may have even noticed presenteeism; employees being at work but “out of it”.

Presenteeism is much harder to measure however experts believe that the cost to Australian businesses is four times that of the cost of absenteeism and is in the vicinity of $6.1 billion per year.2 Beyond Blue estimate that when untreated, a worker with depression can cost an organisation almost $10,000 per year from absenteeism and presenteeism combined.

Lets not talk about the cost of a Workers Compensation claim for a psychological injury (around $200K). Or other less tangible costs such as the impact on morale, work relationships, physical health and emotional wellbeing.

A Mentally Healthy Workplace Reduces Costs The good news is that for every dollar you spend on mental health in the workplace, there is at least $2.30 ROI.3 Small to medium sized businesses stand to gain a lot more, with up to $15 ROI.

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The most common and effective way to invest in mental health is by employing an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider to provide support to staff. Traditionally this is in the form of counseling where an employer pays for employees to receive a pre-determined number of counselling sessions per year (typically 3-6 sessions). Other services include preventative mental health strategies for staff such as mental health awareness and resilience training as well as support to managers (e.g. training and advice in managing employee mental illness).

Does EAP Work?

PriceWaterhouseCooper last year found that businesses who utilised an EAP saved on average $4040.93 for every employee who accessed the service through reducing absenteeism, increasing productivity and improving wellbeing.

There are also less tangible benefits such as improving employee loyalty, reducing managerial burden resulting from problem employees and reducing turnover. The average saving does not include the reduction in Workers Compensation claims, which can be successfully managed “upstream” as indicators of problems are often identifiable as early as 6 months prior to a claim being lodged.

Choosing an EAP An effective EAP provides a confidential, evidenced-based service by registered health professionals (psychologists primarily).

Counselling services should be solution-focused and encourage the employee to be proactive about managing their mental health because ultimately an individual is responsible for their own mental health.

WHS legislation is clear that the organisation shares part of the responsibility for employee mental health and so your EAP should also provide services and advice on how to prevent

mental health concerns. Small businesses in particular may not feel they have the skills or resources to create a mentally healthy workplace however a local EAP can work closely with you to create an action plan that addresses priority issues.

A significant benefit of choosing a local EAP is its ability to build up the knowledge of your organisational culture, specific hot spots, functioning and procedures so that both preventative and reactive strategies are the best fit for your organisation, not a one-size-fitsall approach that off-the-shelf services might provide. In addition to this, a local EAP already works with employees from your area and so have an intimate understanding of the broader cultural and socioeconomic issues that are likely to be impacting on your staff. G

What can you do about workplace mental health?

To discuss the current status of mental health in your workplace and what practical strategies you can implement right now call Mindset Abilities and speak to one of our registered psychologists on (02) 9687 9776.

1. ABS (2009) National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2. Econtech (2007) “Economic Modelling of the Cost of Presenteeism in Australia”, commissioned by Medibank Private.

3. PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia (2014) Creating a mentally healthy workplace: Return on investment analysis.

Mindset Abilities p | 02 9687 9776 w | www.mindsetabilities.com.au

02 9687 9776

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MINDSET ABILITIES is a multidisciplinary Employee Assistance Program (EAP) who has been providing psychological services to Western Sydney businesses since 2012.

Our mission is to help organisations and their employees to improve performance and well being through the delivery of skills-based training, coaching and counselling.

WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: • Employee Counselling and Coaching • Mental Health Training • Critical Incident Support • Mediation • Manager Support

To discuss the current status of mental health in your workplace and what practical strategies you can implement right now call MINDSET ABILITIES and speak to one of our registered psychologists.

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

19

BUSINESS ADVICE

What do You Owe Your Previous Boss?

Bailey Compton, Director & Senior Trainer – Leverage Group

We’ve heard the same story too many times. A principal of a real estate agency rings our office in a rage and says, “One of our ex-employees is stealing our clients and we are losing money. What can we do about it?”

Real estate is a competitive game and it seems vendors and landlords are only too happy to play along in pitting agents against one another.

However, as an employee of a real estate agency you may not be aware of what duties you owe to your boss. When you leave a place of employment to pursue the next stage of your real estate career you are generally entitled to continue to earn a living, but you are not entitled to do that to the detriment of your previous employer.

duty to not cause your employer financial harm. If you act in a way that breaches that fiduciary duty, you could find yourself in front of a Judge who orders you to stop and/or pay compensation. This is often called an “account of profits”. In other words, if you have made a profit from your breach you could be asked to account to your previous employer for the amount of that profit.

4. Take action against those who breach. If the information taken is of value, take legal action. It may not just be beneficial in the case of the naughty employee, but it will act as a deterrent to other employees.

This industry is always criticised for its underhanded practices. The best place to start when trying to

When you leave a place of employment to pursue the next stage of your real estate career you are generally entitled to continue to earn a living, but you are not entitled to do that to the detriment of your previous employer.

There are three essential legal issues: restraint of trade, confidentiality and fiduciary duty.

As noted above, any restraint of trade cannot prevent an employee from working. A “non-solicitation” clause is in all good employment contracts. This means that an employee is restrained from soliciting clients of their former employer.

Most employment contracts also contain a “confidentiality” provision. This is the stronger of the two contract clauses. It restrains an employee from stealing information databases or taking any records.

Finally, an employee can owe a fiduciary duty to their employer. That is the employee cannot do anything that will adversely affect the former employer. This doesn’t mean the employee cannot compete, but it does mean the employee cannot use the resources of the former employer to gain a competitive advantage.

Previous cases in the Supreme and Federal Courts indicate that employees who are part of top management, such as a director or licensee in charge of a real estate agency, will be held to owe fiduciary duties to their employers. These duties relate to things like the requirement to act honestly, the requirement to not misuse confidential information or disclose confidential information to competitors or other persons outside the business.

Nevertheless, even if you are not part of top management you could still be bound by a fiduciary

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Without boring you with the details of legal arguments, let’s set out the major ground rules for both employees and employers: If you are an employee: 1. Do not act dishonestly with your boss when it comes to sales, listings or managements. You will not look good in the eyes of a Court if you do.

2. Do not steal, unlawfully disclose or misuse for your own benefit confidential information belonging to your boss. This includes client databases and information.

alter this perception is at home. If you have worked for somebody who has paid you, you shouldn’t steal what they have paid for. It should be remembered the cases will usually go against the employee where business sensitive material is stolen.

Leverage Group – Solicitors & Academy Sydney CBD Office: Suite 1, Level 9 50 Margaret Street, SYDNEY NSW 2000

If you are an employer: 1. Install measures to protect your client database. In other words, use whatever encryption or password protections are available to you and ensure that you have the system capabilities to track everything an employee does with their work computer.

2. Have an employment agreement that includes a firm restraint of trade and confidentiality clauses.

The agreement should spell out that the agency owns all the data including databases, diaries, pipe lines, open house lists, etc.

3. Have an effective exit procedure so that you can collect all material that is important to the agency business.

Norwest Business Park Office “ATLAS” Building Level 1, Suite 105, 2-8 Brookhollow Ave, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 p | 1300 GetLeverage (1300 438 538) p | 02 9659 4025 e | enquiries@leveragegroup.com.au

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

21

BUSINESS ADVICE

Master the Power of Business Introductions Hardeep Girn - Managing Director, Know My Business

We live in world where we can quickly build our networks at the click of a button in LinkedIn and Facebook or follow someone on Twitter. The information superhighway (a.k.a. the Internet) has changed our lives to give us all as consumers and businesses access to information we never had. Even our Federal Government Department of Communications, in which Malcolm Turnball is Minister for Communications, has a substantial focus on the Digital Economy and how we should be adapting our businesses.

However, an execution strategy that suddenly becomes highly effective in the ever-growing Ocean of Online is mastering the power of business introductions. Remember this from the on set; it’s not about selling but understanding what’s relevant and of value to your business prospects. In marketing it’s referred as the Value Proposition and this article will give you pointers in putting it together and using it to lead to effective and meaningful business introductions.

So let’s list the steps to meet prospects that are more likely to convert to customers: 1. Define the Value Proposition 2. Do your Research/Know Your Target 3. Make the Introduction 4. Meet Face to Face

1. Define the Value Proposition* Take time to consider your background, and that of your company. A short story, tells others the journey you took. It doesn’t matter if you’re a startup or been in business 30 years. List out what makes your business unique and what would be of value to others. This may be providing better service, your reputation or being more available than the competition. Think about the relevance of what you are offering by way of a product or service to the other party. No one ever needs everything you can sell, so consider what your prospect typically needs to deliver his or her own product or service. *If you’d like a free Value Proposition Template

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please submit the form referenced at the end of this article.

2. Do Your Research/Know Your Target Check that there is a demand within a particular type of client – your ideal client. An easy way to do this is consider who are your best customers and talk to them on why they do business with you. Alternatively you can identify prospects that are similar by doing your own research on the Internet. A number of resources are available

4. Meet Face to Face Again this is not an opportunity to sell, but more so to know the other business’s value proposition. We are all in business so get to know their business and operation. Get to know their story. Talk to them about their current challenges and opportunities. If you see you can deliver to their goals, only then make reference to what you do. Don’t force the solution to them, but let them figure it out themselves on how it could work. If you’re talking to true decision makers and good leaders, they will take action. G

We are all in business so get to know their business and operation. Get to know their story.

Talk to them about their current challenges and opportunities. depending on your level of investigation, however most companies have a website or are listed in various directories (e.g. Truelocal, Google etc). Take time to understand how your product or service fits the delivery of their own capabilities. A key term to remember at this stage is relevance. Relevance can relate to uniqueness, but is primarily around how important your organisation, as well as your product or service, can be to them. Save yourself time, if you can’t define this with your targeted businesses, go back and review your value proposition.

Hardeep Girn is Managing Director for Know My Business, a company that organises business introductions on behalf of businesses seeking prospects, referral partners and suppliers. To contact Know My Business, complete the form http://www.knowmybusiness.com.au/contactus/ or call 13000 INTRO (1300 046 876) to request a meeting.

3. Make The Introduction

p | 1300 046876 e | connect@knowmybusiness.com.au w | www.knowmybusiness.com.au/

Pick up the phone and within 1-2 minutes talk about the relevance of the call. This applies whether you got straight through to the CEO or the front desk receptionist. Consider your tone of voice as the receptionist doesn’t need to know how well you’re suited to deliver a capability, but a CEO would. No matter what, don’t sell, but offer up an opportunity to discuss further at another more convenient time. If you did your research well and spoke effectively, they will respond.

© Copyright 2015 Girn & Associates Pty Ltd t/a Know My Business

Know My Business

Member

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

23

REAL ESTATE

What Documents You Need To Apply for a Loan Bill Elmer, Director - Choice Home Loans

Applying for a loan is a very big step, and it’s not always straightforward. To help make it simple, here is a handy list of the documents you are likely to need when you meet with your credit adviser.

You are ready to buy a home, you just need a mortgage. Before you go rushing off to meet with your local credit adviser, be sure that you have a few documents on hand to prove your identity, income, assets and liabilities.

Identity You will need two of the following three: Passport, driver’s licence; and photo identification, such as a university identification card or proof of age card. If you don’t have two of these, you can also provide one, plus a birth certificate, Medicare card, citizenship certificate or similar documentation.

Income If you are employed on a full-time basis, this is a fairly easy part. You will need to prove your income by providing your most recent PAYG payslip, including YTD income of at least three months. If your payslips don’t list your YTD income, you will need to provide previous payslips, your employment contract, an ATO tax assessment, a PAYG summary or a professionally prepared tax return.

Assets

Are you refinancing?

You will need to prove your savings with bank statements, as well as be able to provide details and values of any other assets, such as cars, stock, term deposits and property.

If you are refinancing a loan, you will need the past three months’ loan statements and the current payout figure including any exit fees. Of course, depending on your personal circumstances and the requirements of your individual lender, the documentation you need will differ. Luckily, your local MFAA Approved Credit Adviser can tell you exactly what to provide and take the confusion out of applying for a home loan. G

Liabilities By the time you are applying, you should have paid down your debts and reduced the limits on credit cards to give you the best chance of approval and improve your borrowing capacity, as lenders assess your ability to make repayments on your credit limits, not just the amount you owe. You will need current statements for your credit cards, store cards and loans.

Bill Elmer is a Credit Representative (Credit Representative No. 461798) of BLSSA Pty Ltd (Australian Credit License No. 391237). Bill Elmer is also a member of MFAA No. 156307.

Can I help finance your dream home?

Found the home of your dreams, want to extend your existing home, buy an investment property or simply refinance.

I can help with a loan that best suits your needs.

If you are self-employed, you’ll need to provide your individual tax return and ATO assessment notices for a year, as well as your business’s financial documents: one year’s tax return, profit and loss statement, and balance sheet. You may need BAS statements or other documents from your accountant, too.

Whether you are self-employed or not, any other income you receive will also need to be documented. For example, if you own an investment property, provide a current lease, tax return listing the rental income or a letter from the leasing agent; if you own shares, bring a statement, investment record or tax return; and if you receive any government benefits, bring a statement from Centrelink.

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Let’s talk.

Bill Elmer

0466 210 941 bill.elmer@choicehomeloans.com.au

www.choicehomeloans.com.au Bill Elmer is a Credit Representative (Credit Representative No. 461798) of BLSSA Pty Ltd (Australian Credit License No. 391237)

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www.hillscommercial.com.au “We have not verified whether or not the information is accurate and do not have any belief one way or the other in its accuracy. We do not accept responsibility to any person for its accuracy & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015 and do no more than pass it on. All interested parties should make and rely on their own enquiries in order to determine whether or Business not this Resource information is in fact accurate”.

25

FEATURE

“Back to the Future”

Scott Dredge M.AIRAH - Business Development Officer, Innovative Air Solutions

In the 1920s a brilliant physicist, Albert Einstein was getting extremely frustrated with the amount of German families that were being killed by a new technology that was entering the family home!

The refrigerator had been a god sent for families in the 1920s, for the first time in history of man fresh meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables have been able to be keep for extended periods in the family home with out the need of ice being brought o the home every couple of days.

However, this modern invention had a very nasty draw back that was killing families. The refrigerators use NH3, ammonia, yes ammonia as the refrigerant, it would leaked through the seals and the toxic gas would kill the family, so I’m sure you could see Albert’s frustration.

So Albert put his mind to work to come up with a solution. In the mean time Thomas Midgley Jr, an American engineer and chemist, was employed

by General Motors to work as part of a team in their Frigidaire Division, the manufacturer of absorption refrigerator, to come up with an alternative solution to using these toxic, flammable and explosive refrigerants. The team eventually developed the first chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) dichlorodifluoromethane and trademarked it ”Freon 12” or more commonly known as R12.

A non-toxic, non-flammable substance that was to take the modern world by storm. Soon all refrigerators were using this marvellous refrigerant and Einstein mothballed his refrigerator.

R12 was quickly followed by R11, R500 and many other Freons and finally with R22 a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, these refrigerants transformed our world. Their uses included propellant for aerosol cans, flux removal for electronics, the foaming agent for polystyrene cups and cushions, dry cleaning and the list went on and on. These refrigerants allowed buildings to grow taller, food to be transported across the world and for the average worker to live in comfort in their own home.

However, all good things come to an end. During the 1980s the term “hole in the ozone layer” first appeared. The stability of this remarkable compound was to be its own undoing. Due to

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

the longevity of CFCs, up to 100 years in the environment, the compound although much heavier than air has sufficient time to float up to the upper atmosphere where the chlorine reacts with the ozone and in the process the ozone is destroyed and hence the hole in the ozone!

So with the 1989 Montreal Protocol all CFCs would phased out by 1996 and HCFCs by 2030. The supreme wisdom of the Australian Government has brought the phase out of R22 forward by ten years to 2020, only five years away.So where’s the problem you ask, well in 1989 the scientist of the world started working on the solution to these nasty ozone killing refrigerants and came up with HFCs hydroflorocardons (none of those nasty chlorine atoms that eat ozone) R134a and R410a to mention a couple.

P.S. did you know that ultraviolet light makes ozone? So therefore if the hole in the ozone gets bigger more ultraviolet light comes in and therefore makes more ozone, any way I digress.

HFCs, like R410a work extremely well in new systems designed for R410a but can not be retro fitted to old R22 units, so by 2020 if a unit is using R22 you better start budgeting to remove it! There are some alternatives to R22 but the expense in retrofitting to a new refrigerant should be treated with some apprehension. Anyway, I digress again, when the Montreal Protocol was implemented in 1989 the scientist in 1991 came up with these alternative HFCs, so what you ask, that’s great, well in 1989 we didn’t know about global warming or changing or the impact of carbon on our environment and neither did the scientist working on the replacement of CFCs. So, here’s the funny part the new HCFs have a much high Global Warming Potential (GWP) than the old CFCs and in fact R410a has a GWP of 1725 times greater than carbon!

So here we are in 2015, without refrigeration and air conditioning our modern society can not function and with the impact of carbon and climate change the new HFCs are now a short term solution and a long term solution must be found.

Back to the future, remember the beginning, Albert Einstein was getting frustrated with families being killed and started working on a solution.

Well, he did have a solution and on November 11 1930 he patented the Einstein Refrigerator

with the help of Leo Szilard!! Yes the Einstein Refrigerator! At the heart of the system was a flame to pressurise the system and the modern absorption refrigerator was born. However, he had another refrigerator that at the heart was a magnetic pump that pumps a magnetic fluid using a force they called Ponderomotive and this is where it gets interesting.

The pump was noisy and the cost effective Freon caused them to loose interest and the design was never patented. However, Leo Szilard in 1942 needed a pump to transfer the heat generated by nuclear power stations. Szilard remembered the noisy pump and with a few a changes made the pump silent and more efficient! To this day many nuclear powers stations still use the Einstein/ Szilard magnetic pump to silently pump sodium around the reactor.

With the need of a refrigerant that is ozone friendly and carbon neutral, interest in the magnetic pump has resurrected. Cheap environmentally friendly magnetic fluids are being developed and in the coming year we will see the release of home refrigerators that are not only silent, have no moving parts, carbon neutral and best of all cheap to run with up to 20-60% reduction in electricity use.

If the pump can be used to transfer the heat from a nuclear reactor to boil water to produce steam to make electricity. It is only a matter of time before the technology is used to produce chillers and air conditioners that will cool our homes and buildings in the near future.

Einstein and Szilard never made any money from their invention but 85 years on. Albert’s desire to save families may finally come to fruition. G Regardless of future changes of air conditioning, be rest assured that Innovative Air Solutions are at the forefront of all air conditioning designs, installations and solutions.

Innovative Air Solutions p | 1300 366 707 e | s.dredge@iairs.com.au w | www.iairs.com.au

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Offer something unique – make it compelling and apparent.

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Sight, touch, taste, smell and sound – uniquely, direct mail can maximise brand recognition, ROI and campaign with an appealing sensory experience.

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Test and track – try variations of offers, designs, product promotions, colours and copy.

Make note of what works.

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Be clever with visuals - don’t overwhelm the reader with too much copy or confusing imagery.

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

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FEATURE

Bartercard Abolishes Joining Fees, Guarantees Extra Sales and Customers CEO Brian Hall said that Bartercard has stamped out joining fees for the first time in 24 years to make joining Bartercard even easier and more affordable for business owners.

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The grass is greener for business owners joining Bartercard, with the world’s largest trade exchange abolishing joining fees. Coupled with no lock-in contracts and a 100% money back guarantee, it’s now even easier for small to medium-sized business owners looking to grow their business and improve their cash flow.

He added that Bartercard works with members to remedy the setbacks typically faced by small to medium-sized business owners including more competition, prudent spending and tighter budgets.

CEO Brian Hall said that Bartercard has stamped out joining fees for the first time in 24 years in a drive to boost membership and make joining even easier and more affordable.

Business owners generate extra business and referrals with Bartercard to earn trade dollars which they use to offset cash expenses across almost every type of industry.

“We see it across many industries – upfront membership fees can cause friction, so we’ve removed them to make it easier for businesses.

We are so confident that Bartercard will add value to a business that we are offering a 100% money back sale guarantee to remove any perceived risk for business owners who join.”

Brian added that Bartercard also assists startups with the capital to fund their business with an interest free-line of credit of up to $25,000 available when they join.

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

“Members improve their cash flow by keeping more money in the bank each time they spend within our network of 20,000 members, attract new customers and gain access to a unique market of buyers and sellers,” he said.

Bartercard is offering three packages tailored to business owners’ needs and the size of their business: $99 per month, $149 per month or

$199 per month + GST. Each includes an interestfree line of credit of up to $25,000 and full service support.

Affordable monthly fees replace all upfront costs making it more cost effective and convenient for business to join Bartercard. G Visit www.bartercard.com.au/pricing for more information or call 1300 BARTER (1300 227 837).

Bartercard Australia p | 1300 BARTER (1300 227 837) e | info@au.bartercard.com w | www.bartercard.com.au

Attract new customers using Bartercard

No joining fee No lock in contracts 100% sales guarantee

To gain more customers in your business contact us today for this limited time offer.

1300 BARTER bartercard.com.au

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

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BUSINESS ADVICE

The Web: Form and Function Daniel Moisyeyev, B. IT

The web design and development process went a long way to evolve from a nerdy hobby that had trouble to be taken seriously to a skilled professional service that obeys rigid standards and frameworks.

Throughout this gradual evolution oodles of technologies and ideas were invented, developed and perpetuated by various vendors. These innovations influenced both form and function of everything you see and utilise online.

In addition, they all underwent their own cycle of growth and for many, demise.

Do you remember these?

It’s our common flaw that we become obcessed with the latest and the greatest “thing”, and at the same time refuse to take a page from the lessons of history. Perhaps if we take time to familiarise ourselves with the history of the innovations that allowed the World Wide Web to take leaps forward, we can learn to identify the things that matter most and ignore the fads that will be soon gone. And perhaps this education process can enable us to invest our hard earned dollars with more diligence and thus succeed in the digital world.

Ask yourself, do you remember the ideas listed below? At some point, they were the cream of the crop - some were actually quite important milestones, some warranted endless seminars and some spawned armies of self proclaimed experts.

This list is in no particular order, and there is much more. They are split these into “early” and “late” developments - the former refers to technologies that were grown prior to the Internet becoming mainstream. The latter has more to do with technology that became popular after the aforementioned point.

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

Early Developments • HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). HTML is the language invented to describe and present content online. Every single web page that you can see is only possible due to this language and a couple of related technologies that spawned from it. It deserves a special mention as it was the starting point in the growth of the World Wide Web and is the core technology that is hidden in the toolbox of a professional known today as a “Web designer” or “Web developer”. HTML was a far more groundbreaking invention that the concepts of social media or “mobile web apps”. Early HTML standard offered rudimentary features at best and improvements soon followed - the latest version is called HTML5.

• Web browsers. The software known as the web browser is often taken for granted. The widely known Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox have had countless hours of development poured into them in order to allow the kind of web browsing experience we can have today.

• Early web design standards (late 90s - early 2000s period): splash pages, .GIF animations, hit counters and scrolling texts. At some point it was considered absolutely critical to have an annoying web page that would greet the website visitor and redirect them into the primary website page (homepage). Web pages were plagued with animation oddities such as smiling and jumping characters. For some reason every website had to have a hit counter that would proudly display the total number of visitors. Customers did pay for these extra features and they were considered an industry-accepted practice. This period could be regarded as the “growing up” stage, where the World Wide Web was still establishing itself.

• Personal web pages. Have you met anybody lately with their very own, dedicated personal web

page? Before you could post up your profile on social media networks and create your own blogs with the snap of your fingers, you had to make do with custom building a website for yourself.

This quickly paved the way for development of technology such as easy-to-use WYSIWYG web design applications (e.g. Microsoft Frontpage) and even DIY web hosting software (e.g. Microsoft Personal Web Server (PWS)) orientated for the consumer market. That’s correct - back then there were provisions for people that chose to run web server software on their own computer to allow others to access their web pages. Something like this is simply unheard of today.

• Online business directories. At some point, online business directories were all the rage and competition was massive. We (GWP Media) previously ran an online Sydney business directory called “Great Western Pages” - and we had paying clients. This whole concept is no longer functional today as a profitable business model, however it was extremely popular and relevant at some point.

This sector is now a relic of the past due to advances in online search engine algorithms - however some online business directories refuse to give up and are still hanging on.

• Embedded ActiveX controls and Java applets.

Early HTML standards for web publishing had only rudimentary features. Many websites attempted to circumvent the limitations and stand out by incorporating custom ActiveX controls (a proprietary technology by Microsoft) and Java applets that offered additional functionality. These were regarded with suspicion by users due to a myriad of security issues associated with them. Only early Internet users had the pleasure of experiencing these technologies in terms of proper integration with websites. This was merely a stop-gap solution for attempts at interactive online applications and eventually paved the way for…

BUSINESS ADVICE

• Macromedia (yes, Macromedia – Flash technology was not originally an Adobe product!) Flash. The advent of Flash was a bit of a major turning point for web design. Virtually everybody that was looking to engage a web developer suddenly demanded an interactive Flash application for their website. A Flash developer became a full time job. Flash came a little before its time in terms of computer processing requirements and many websites ended up being so interactive that they were unusable and simply bogged down.

Some horrid practices came about, such as entire websites designed using Flash – this is a terrible approach that you would never see today from any professional web designer. Additionally, Flash has to be given credit to the fact that it allowed websites to include interactive games. It is likely that if it wasn’t for Flash, your choice of games and applications available for your Smartphone today would be quite a bit less interesting.

The Later Developments...

• Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Search Engine PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Marketing (SEM) These two services became popular after websites became an accepted marketing tool in the business community. The appeal to have your website display in front of your competitors for relevant search results and gain an advantage appeals to a lot of businesspeople, however only one website can be displayed first and a lot of false promises have been made by people that work in these industry. The terms SEO and SEM refer to completely different services, yet many have been mixing them around and the definitions were blurred. When you get into the technical bits of these services, SEO refers to real website optimisation that improves organic search engine rankings - this can only be properly done by your web developer at the time your website is designed. There is no such shortcuts as putting magic “keywords” into your website and gaining huge improvements. The other side is SEM, where a service provider is in charge of your PPC

account (i.e. Google AdWords) and your monthly budget allocated for paid listings. Take note that a lot of companies that offer SEM services disguise themselves as SEO specialists.

• Content Management Systems (CMS) Content Management Systems were an excellent idea. The days of building a website from scratch using professional web design software eventually ended - developers needed new platforms that could provide out-of-the-box functionality for blogging, online shopping and general website production. This gave the rise to both proprietary and open source Content Management Systems that can be obtained by web developers and used as a platform to develop a website for your business. Some web developers have written their own proprietary Content Management Systems that they use specifically for their customers (me included). An interesting factor is that the rise of this technology has complicated web development for the DIY crowd - web development software is generally much more straightforward and easier to use than Content Management Systems for those with no experience.

• QR Codes QR Codes are a way to encode a message in a picture (specifically, a barcode). Generally, these barcodes were placed in print and are scanned using a smartphone to obtain a link to a product or service. During the peak few months of their popularity, QR Codes were printed on t-shirts and some astute businesspeople were even including them in email signatures! The QR Codes were a concept that can be truly defined as a fad.

• Social Media The concept of social media is not clearly defined yet it attracts by far the most hype and publicity. It mostly refers to the use of platforms built specifically for social interaction - common examples of recent products include Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. These platforms were developed as a way to post

personal profiles and communicate with friends.

However, why are Internet Forums not considered a form of social media? Dedicated Internet Forums would logically seem like a much better marketing opportunity for business owners as they are highly selective by their nature and only attract users that are focused on a specific area of interest. A key factor to consider is that there is still no accepted uniform system to advertise your products and services on channels regarded as social media and internet forums. Out of all the concepts that have been listed, social media is easily the least deserving in regards to the attention it receives.

Social media platforms are a great way to communicate with friends and perhaps to subscribe to pages dedicated to products and services that you already have an interest in - that’s about it. Do yourself a favor - the next time you come across a social media expert, please do yourself a favor and ask them about their formal qualifications. G

If you are interested in professional Web Design and Development Services, please do not hestiate to get in touch with GWP Media. We offer solutions that range from small company websites to complex projects that include custom shopping carts, live bank transaction systems and Paypal integration.

GWP Media p | 1300 889 132 e | daniel@gwpmagazine.com.au w | www.gwpmedia.com.au

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

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SOCIETY & LIFE

Educating Our Young

Angry Anderson, AM

There can’t be too many parents that would not sacrifice almost anything or everything for their children, that would not, if the situation arose or dictated, even die for their children.

world their kids have to live in. Ask “do our kids have it harder than we did, really?” That they have to ask is a bit of a worry in itself.

said “if our children are not learning with the way we teach maybe we should be teaching them in the way they learn”, or words to that effect.

The only real answer to that question is, yes! They do have it harder than we did, undoubtedly.

In other words maybe teaching is not keeping pace with the rapidly, ever changing world in which our children have to live in.

We have seen in the news where parents have drowned trying to save a child or been badly burnt running into a burning building to save a child whether it be theirs or belonging to someone else. Our inborn instincts to save or protect children are strong within us, most of us.

Once becoming parents biologically, realise that we ‘become’ parents to all children no matter whether they be ours or someone Else’s.

Let’s look at a list of some of the obvious things that they have to deal with.

There can’t be too many parents that would not go to the most extreme measures in order to protect their children from any sort of danger. We have all heard of parents, a father usually, who have even killed for their kids. In those cases where they have found out that someone, some stranger or family member is a paedophile and has been sexually abusing their child they have, in their grief and anger, taken the law into their own hands and killed the offender.

I suspect, from conversations I’ve had with other parents, there would not be too many that would condemn this extreme action or even not too many that would not be prepared to commit similar action themselves, such is our instinctive drive to protect our offspring at all or any costs to ourselves.

So herein lies my dilemma.

Why are we, as a society, standing by while our children fall prey to all manner of danger and predatory behaviour perpetrated by complete strangers against them, our children? Why are we not up in arms against all that puts our kids at risk? I believe part of the answer is simple enough, it’s because the dangers are not presented in an obviously dangerously overt fashion, they are subtle and insidiously acceptable, closer inspection ‘tho reveals them to be the monsters that they so truly are.

I have often heard parents say “I would not be a kid today for all the tea in China, or words to that effect, I’ve listened as parents, sensing that something is wrong, that all is not right with the

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

Domestic violence has risen steadily for years and it has reached epidemic proportions as has child sexual abuse. Couple that with emotional abuse and emotional neglect and you begin to form some idea of what far too many children have to deal with at home before they even step outside to face the dangers of the outside world.

Other problems that mostly start at home.

Obesity is another epidemic leading onto all manner of physical and emotional problems in the immediate and off course manifesting later in life as such diseases as diabetes. Depression is rife. Sometimes it’s resulting, all too sadly, all too often these days in suicide or self harming or addiction to drugs or alcohol. Sloppy or no social graces, IE manners, negative attitude, lousy communication skills, lazy or slovenly personal habits resulting in bad teeth, general bad health and lack of well being.

Whatever happened to the great wisdom of “a healthy body a healthy mind”?

That just covers the obvious home grown problems. School is the other important educational and social experience our children have to contend with. All too often these days our children are struggling at school. Loyal regular readers of my meanderings are familiar with my views on the shortcomings of our education system and my opinions on why.

School: A place of education and or instruction... a place of learning… learning what?

Well, learning to read and write hopefully, learning the basics of maths and other important and beneficial subjects. But then why are so many of our children coming out of their school years only to struggle in coping with the work world? Maybe because they are not being taught the lessons that they need to prepare them for that real work world. I repeated a wisdom some time ago that

Fundamentals: the basic tools for anyone who has to survive in the work world, literacy, being able to read and write properly, spelling words correctly, being able to not only read written words but comprehend their meaning. You know what I mean!

They should be learning nutrition. They should be compelled to work out physically each day, encouraged to participate in healthy sport competition… fundamentals!

Sex and drug education should be supported on every level as sex and drugs are now a huge part of their world. Healthy Harold is one program that I support and work for that goes to schools in an effort to forewarn, therefore forearm kids against the dangers of making the wrong decision at the wrong time.

Our kids are not only having to cope with sophisticated drug distribution but with drugs that are far more exotic and deadly than we had to at their age. Ecstasy, Crack and Ice have now been added to the list of the deadly drugs along with heroin and Speed and off course the deadly old staples of cigarettes and tobacco.

What I am saying is that too many children are leaving school ill equipped to start life successfully in the big wide real world and that needs to be addressed on all levels. It must start at home, it must be continued at school and further support must come from the business sector as well, we all must start working together to give our kids the best possible chance to not only survive but flourish and succeed in the big wide real world.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

As always, I remain your friend. Go peacefully into the world. Angry Anderson AM. G

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

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CLASSIFIEDS AUTOMOTIVE Lander Toyota

IT

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BUSINESS SUPPORT All My Admin

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PC Power Tech 0422 783 529 Onsite computer & Network services, cloud services, workstation, servers mac@pcpowertech.com.au www.pcpowertech.com.au SERVICED OFFICES BREED Business Centre 02 9853 3200 PO Box 147 Quakers Hill NSW 2763 www. breed.org.au

Hills Commercial Real Estate 02 9680 9200

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WEB DESIGN 02 8850 7124

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

GWP Media

1300 889 132

Web Development, Content Management System Integration, Google Optimisation www.gwpmedia.com.au

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 72 | March 2015