Aussie Painting Contractor October 2016

Painters Expo and Paint to Prosperity Conference Miss it? Members can see it all here!

WorldSkills Australia

Melbourne 2016 Tradies Olympics!

What does business success look like...to you?

Home-Office Sophistication www.aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

EDITOR Nigel Gorman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Caroline Miall CONTRIBUTORS • Anne-Marie Russell • Caroline Miall • Jim Baker • Leo Babauta • Monroe Porter • Nigel Gorman • Robert Bauman • Sandra Price • Selina Zwolsman

GRAPHIC DESIGNER J. Anne Delgado

From the Editor Hi Everyone, You’ll no doubt be aware we held the inaugural Painters Expo and the Paint to Prosperity Conference a month ago now. It was a massive undertaking, a steep learning curve and by all accounts of those who attended, a really worthwhile experience.

We would like to thank all the companies that got behind us and supported us in these first ever events. We understand that the first of anything is always the toughest. Now we’ve put our toes in the water there’s been many successes gained and lots to learn about the industry as it responds to a rapidly changing world. We were chuffed to hear how much attendees got out of both days, with so much to learn from some esteemed colleagues, it shouldn’t be surprising. Congratulations to all the lucky prize winners, and a massive thank you to the stall holders that donated some incredibly generous loot.

Now it’s October, which means next week we are attending National WorldSkills Australia competition supporting one of our own apprentices, Blayd Farrugia, who won the Brisbane Regional event. Worldskills is regarded as the Olympics for Apprentices. The top 13 painting apprentices will come from all over the country and the winner will represent Australia at the international competition in Dubai 2017.

We wish Blayd and all the others competing in the competition all the best. I know all will have trained tirelessly for the competition.

Join our Facebook page to keep updated on the event. Even better, get on down to the event and support our next industry leaders.

We welcome Taubmans back as the Painters Training Wheels paint supplier and Rokset as the accessories supplier.

See you again next month.

Happy painting, Nigel Gorman

nigel@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

07 3555 8010

Contents Costing your way to PROFITS KEEPING Good Records Painters Expo WINNERS The Right White

6 9 10 13

19

Solution to FINANCIAL EFFICIENCY Australian Standards UPDATE BUSINESS SUCCESS What does it mean to you?

Achieving Your Dreams WORLDSKILLS Competition 2016

30

20

GOING FOR GOLD

22

The weird sh*t my kid does!

33

25

Overcoming TRAINING EGO

34

26

HOME OFFICE SOPHISTICATION

Watch the videos

16 Not doing all the things we want to do Paint to Prosperity & Painters Trade Show WRAP UP

Painters Expo 2016

36

A touch on the masculine side

29

Industry Idiots

42

Important Contacts

43

Opinions and viewpoints expressed in the Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor, staff or publisher or any Aussie Painters Network’s staff or related parties. The publisher, Aussie Painters Network and Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine personnel are not liable for any mistake, misprint or omission.

Information contained in the Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine is intended to inform and illustrate and should not be taken as financial, legal or accounting advice. You should seek professional advice before making business related decisions. We are not liable for any losses you may incur directly or indirectly as a result of reading Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine. Reproduction of any material or contents of the magazine without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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1800 355 344 07 3555 8010 info@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au www.aussiepaintingcontractor.com

Costing your way to

PROFITS

The job or service you deliver to your customer is generally the most important part of the business that you focus on, and rightly so. Yet, if you don’t pay attention to the other parts of your business you could find yourself in financial trouble fast. In my life as an accountant I hear tradies and contractors say to me all the time that they don’t really understand their financial statements and that they can’t relate the accounting figures back to their job quotes.

To make money on a job and run a profitable business you’ll need to factor in a whole lot more than just your time when doing job quotes.

Running a business costs money as you have to pay for overheads, materials and other types of expenses that are required to just turn up at

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the job. The good news is that you can set up your Profit & Loss statement format in a way that it logically dovetails with your quoting and estimating system. Doing that will give your business numbers so much more meaning.

What costs to factor into a job and how So let’s have a look at what type of costs there are in business and how you factor them into jobs.

INDIRECT COSTS: Generally there are two types of indirect costs that a business has to factor into their job estimates. They are your fixed and variable overheads.

• Fixed Overheads: These are costs that you have to pay no matter what job or how many you do. They include rent of workshop or office space, insurance premiums, administrative salaries and others costs that don’t vary. A percentage of your fixed overheads should be included in all job estimates so that the money you make on each job contributes to paying your overheads.

• Variable Overheads: These are costs that vary in amount and can’t be tied to a particular job estimate.

For example, some jobs may incur more fuel costs as they are further away from your base. Bigger jobs may require more tools for the volume of work that is required. Be sure to include variable overheads in your job costings so that they don’t impact on your profits.

DIRECT COSTS: They are usually related to a specific job. Direct costs include field labour, subcontractors, material and special job costs.

• Field Labour: This is the work you or your staff do on the job site.

When costing or doing estimates you also need to factor in payroll taxes and workers comp into your quote for the staff that are going to be doing the work on site.

• Subcontractors: Subcontractors merely take the place of field labour.

• Material: This is the material the customer bought as part of the job that’s left on the jobsite, such as paint, shingles and timber.

• Special Job Costs: These are one-time expenses such as equipment rental or travel pay which

should be charged to that job. If you didn’t have the particular job, you wouldn’t have the expense.

They also include fees you have to pay just to be on the job site, eg the Queensland Building & Construction Commission certificate fee.

If you have someone helping you with your bookkeeping, it is important that you give clear guidance to your bookkeeper or admin staff on how to record costs. When costs are accounted for and allocated in a way that clearly shows how much profit you’ve made on each job, Profit & Loss statement will give you so much more meaningful information. The more you systematise your financial

administration and integrate your direct and indirect costs in your job estimate figures, the more reliable your bottom line figures will be.

As an accountant I absolutely know the benefits of understanding business numbers and Profit & Loss Statements. That’s why I am always trying to find ways to make it easier for my clients to understand their business financials better.

Visit our new website at www.straighttalkat.com.au and complete your details on our Home page to request fir an appointment.

Robert Bauman

Call Us: (07) 3399 8844

Contact us today!

2016 October Issue | 7

Do you have an apprentice?

What does your apprentice do on rained out days, or down-time between jobs when you’re paying them?

8 | Aussie Painters Network

KEEPING

Good Records Let’s face it, keeping good records makes good business sense. Everything you read about small business is spruiking how important it is to keep good records.

With so many programs to help a small business keep on top of their records, there really is no reason to let it lapse. If you have a skilled bookkeeper at your disposal, the cost of that service is returned tenfold in the pain and stress prevented.

While record keeping is not the most glamourous of tasks, keeping on top of it will make running your business much easier.

And...the Australian Tax Office (ATO) requires you by law to keep good records.

Why should you keep records?

No, it is not so the ATO can make your life more challenging!

Here are four great reasons to keep records: 1. To provide written evidence of your income and expenses.

2. To help you or your tax agent prepare your tax return.

3. To ensure that you are able to claim all your entitlements.

4. In case the ATO asks you to prove the information you provided in your tax return.

What should you keep?

There are a number of categories you have to keep records for (now we are in the age of “the cloud” all these items can be stored online) : Income tax and GST: Sales records sales invoices, including tax invoices, sales vouchers or receipts, cash register tapes, credit card statements, bank deposit books and account statements.

Purchase/expense records: purchase/ expense invoices, including tax invoices, purchase/expense receipts, which include an ABN, cheque butts and bank account statements, credit card statements, records showing how you worked out any private use of something you purchased.

Year-end income tax records: motor vehicle expenses, debtors/creditors lists, stocktake sheets, depreciation schedules, capital gains tax records.

Payments to employees - tax file number declarations and withholding declarations, withholding variation notices, worker payment records, PAYG payment summaries, annual reports, super records, records of any fringe benefits provided.

PAYG withholding for business payments - records of amounts withheld from payments where no ABN was quoted, copy of any PAYG withholding voluntary agreements, records of voluntary agreement payments all PAYG payment summaries, including PAYG payment summary, employment termination payments.

PAYG payment summary – employment termination payments, annual reports.

Fuel tax credits - records of fuel acquired, records of eligible and ineligible fuel use, records of claim calculations, records of any loss, sale or disposal of fuel.

How long to keep records?

For most records, you have to keep them for five years from the date you lodge your return.

Don’t be caught out. Be prepared.

Sandra Price

www.pbks.com.au 2016 October Issue | 9

PAINTERS EXPO

WINNERS

Visitors to the Painters Expo On the 2nd September entered into a draw for some great prizes, generously provided by some of our stall holders. We posted our drawing of the competition on facebook live with Tas Moulis picking the lucky winners.

A special thanks to all the companies that donated to the prize draw.

Also thanks to Tas for coming in and doing the draw with us.

NAME

PRIZE

NAME

PRIZE

Blayd Farrugia

Taubmans: Clothing Pack

Michael Murphy

Wattyl: Gift Voucher

Sebastian Ferreni

Taubmans: Clothing Pack

Corneliu Pop

Wattyl: Gift Voucher

Steve McCarthy

Taubmans: Paint pack

David McCallum

Wattyl: Gift Voucher

Kim Rowlands

Uni Pro: Painters Pack

Darryl Steele

NIPD: Gutter Bracket

Brad Longford

Graco: Spray Unit

David Rogers

Haymes: Sherrin Ball

Alastar Hart

Rokset: Roller Pack

Arturo Flores

Tradies Advantage: Bookkeeping Voucher

Corey Brechney

Rokset: Roller Pack

Patrick Josiah

Resene: Gift Voucher

Tony Raymond

Rokset: Roller Pack

Viki Morgan

Express Rollers: Roller Pack

Viki Morgan

Optus Business Centre East Brisbane: Microsoft 950 phone

10 | Aussie Painters Network

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The Right White ‘I just want to keep it simple. I just want white.’

As painters, we’ve all heard this before – many, many times! White is a popular colour (or reflection of light, to be technical), and it’s the ‘fall guy’ more often than not for an indecisive client.

Of course ‘white’ doesn’t need to be ‘pure white’ when it comes to paint. A pure white (Dulux Vivid White and Resene White are as close as you’ll get) can often be too stark for large areas in a home, and can present a number of issues: a large, north-facing wall, for example, will reflect an extraordinary amount of light at particular times of the day, causing an uncomfortable glare which won’t be appreciated when the home owner is trying to enjoy their morning coffee!

An ‘off-white’ is often more practical; when the right off-white is selected, your client will still get the ‘simple white feel’ they’re after, without the headache!

The following steps will help you narrow down the enormous range of off-whites available today, and find ‘the right white’ for your client:

Step One: Look for Clues and Starting Points It’s important to consider other finishes in the home when selecting a paint colour. If the client has in-

stalled a new kitchen (or planning to), or if they’re keeping the existing cabinetry, make sure you find out the cabinet colour your paintwork will be up against. Check out the flooring, too – is it a warm timber floor or a cool coloured tile? Look at existing furnishings (if the client is planning to keep them) – are they more beige than grey or vice versa?

Ask the client if there is a particular bedspread/artwork etc that needs to look great in the room you’re painting.

Step Two: Determine the Undertone When you’ve picked up your ‘clues’, you can start narrowing down the range of whites by finding the relevant undertone. All colours are made up of a ‘mass tone’ and an ‘undertone’. A mass tone is the colour that you see right away, while an ‘undertone’ is the characteristic of a colour that is often not so obvious when a colour is viewed in isolation. A true blue, for example, will have a mass colour of blue and an undertone very similar in hue.

A turquoise, on the other hand, will have a mass colour of blue and an undertone of green. The same theory applies to off whites – while the mass tone is white, the undertone may be red, orange, yellow or brown (warm), green (cool/warm), blue (cool) or black/grey (neutral).

When looking at a colour on its own, it may certainly appear to be white. Put the same colour

alongside another, however, and the effect could be vastly different. If the undertone of the white clashes with the undertones of hues around it, a ‘safe white’ colour scheme can turn ugly! The easiest way to determine the undertone is to place the selected colour alongside a ‘real’ white (try your brightest copy paper). The original colour will immediately show a faint yellow, pink, blue or other colour, and you’ll have your undertone.

When the undertone has been established, you can determine which of the following categories the proposed selection fits in to, and which will best suit your client’s overall scheme.

2016 October Issue | 13

Step Three: Pick your Range – Warm, Cool, Neutral or Chameleon?

Warm Whites

Red, orange, yellow and brown based whites are best for rooms that need ‘warming up’ (with a southern orientation, for example).

Warm whites sit well with earthy, natural hues, and as they are more inclined to ‘come forward’ in a room (remember warm colours come forward, cool colours recede), they help to create a cozy feel.

Try: Dulux Antique White USA, Resene Pearl Lusta

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Cool Whites

Blue undertones will make a white icy and cold – perfect for rooms that need ‘cooling down’. They are generally described as ‘crisp and clean’, and suit contemporary styling and minimalistic schemes.

Try: Dulux Lexicon, Wattyl Winter Sky

Neutral Whites

Grey-based whites are popular for their cool architectural qualities. When the undertone leans between grey and beige, a warmer effect is created.

Try: Resene Black White, Resene Barely There

Warm/Cool – Chameleons

Green-based whites will often morph with their surroundings.

The green undertone is made up of blue (cool) and yellow (warm), and the colours will change depending on light quality and/or surrounding furnishings. Of course a very yellow-green undertone will appear warmer, and a bluish-green undertone will appear cooler, but somewhere in the middle will prove popular for many.

Try: Resene Rice Cake, Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream

Selina Zwolsman

www.teamgreenpainting.com.au

2016 October Issue | 15

Not doing all the things

I think we’ve all been there: we’ve signed up for the gym, signed up for a class, bought an ebook … and then not used it.

We’ve had hopes of learning to draw, to program, to play a musical instrument … and then promptly failed to do so.

We’ve had the best intentions for a project (maybe starting a blog or writing a book). We’ve had the best intentions for our day, to be productive and kick some butt.

And then our plans fall apart. We fail to live up to our hopes.

Why is this? What’s wrong with us?

In my experience, there are a few key obstacles: 1. We are overly optimistic. We think we’re going to be able to do about 2-5 times what we can actually do. We only have so much capacity, only so much energy, only so much time in the day. But we are not very good at estimating any of those, and we also think the things we want to do are going to take way less time than they’ll actually take.

Optimism beats us every time.

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WE WANT TO DO 2. We don’t account for the little things. This goes hand-in-hand with the optimism, but when we’re thinking about our plans, we don’t think about all the tiny things, like maintenance tasks, that need to be done in order to accomplish our plans … or even just to live. We don’t think about showering, brushing our teeth, getting dressed, cooking, eating, cleaning up, doing laundry, driving, getting gas, answering a thousand and two emails, taking phone calls, using the bathroom, and so on and so on. We just aren’t wired to be able to calculate all of that.

3. We fail in the face of resistance.

When we have the choice to focus on what we hoped to focus on, or do some busywork or go to one of our comfortable distractions … resistance comes up. And our habitual, conditioned response is to shy away from the resistance. Sometimes we have the motivation to overcome it, but most times we put things off, because beating the resistance isn’t easy.

4. We don’t have the right environment. A big part of whether we succeed at overcoming the resistance is whether we have an environ-

ment that’s conducive to keeping us on task or holding us accountable. For example, if we are a part of a team, and they are counting on us to get a project done by the end of the day … we will be more motivated to overcome resistance because we don’t want to let them down. But let’s say no one will know if we procrastinate for an entire day … and there are lots of tempting distractions staring at us from the browser … we’re less likely to get things done. And if people in our lives are actively against us taking a class or learning an instrument, we’re less likely to do it. Accountability, supportive people, the presence of distractions … these are some key parts of whatever environment we’re in.

These are things we all do. There isn’t a person among us who is immune to these problems — certainly not me, nor anyone I know.

So what can we do? It turns out there are a few key habits we can form to help with these problems, and some of them are going to seem obvious now that we’ve identified the causes.

Solutions to Key Obstacles If you want to actually put that class or gym pass to use, if you want to get that personal project done or read that ebook you bought … here are some suggestions that I’ve found to be powerful in actually doing what I hope to do: • Know that you probably only have 3-4 hours a day of productive time to get projects done, get important work done, read books, learn stuff. The rest of the time is spent on sleeping, eating, personal maintenance, transportation, meetings, calls, email, distractions, shopping, cooking, errands, taking care of kids or hanging with friends, and so on.

• Block out what you can do in that time. Exercise, writing, reading, learning, a few important tasks.

• Now cut out half of those. The things you want to do are going to take twice as long as you hope. If you have some time left over, bonus! Use that time not on distractions but on the tasks you cut out.

• If you want more productive time, cut out some distractions, TV, online reading. But you’ll probably only be able to add another hour a day.

• Set up a good environment for each project you want to complete — if you want to learn guitar, have some accountability and someone who will be supportive, even if that means finding someone online. Set deadlines and have people who count on you to get your project done. Go somewhere for 30 minutes where you won’t have any distractions.

• When you’re ready to focus on the thing you hoped to get done … face the resistance instead of running from it. Stare it in the face. See that it’s not that bad. Know your deeper reason for wanting to get this done, and remember that this reason is worth facing the resistance and pushing on despite that discomfort.

I hope you find these useful. I’ve used them to learn things, to get projects done, to stick to exercise programs, to do things with my kids. I’m far from perfect, I forget these things all the time, but when I remember to do them, I am much better at living up to my hopes and dreams.

Leo Babauta, a successful ‘simplicity’ blogger and

author from California, the creator of top 25 Blog, Zen Habits

www.zenhabits.net

2016 October Issue | 17

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Paint to Prosperity & Painters Trade Show

WRAP UP It’s been a couple of weeks since the industry events we hosted recently.

Reflecting on what was a whirlwind couple of days that came together organisationally like a charm… a hectic and challenging charm, but nonetheless.. It was a trade show of substance and quality in both the businesses represented and the visitors who attended. Our stall hosts made some valuable connections with top painters from Queensland and beyond with some motivated individuals coming from as far as WA. To take a peek at how the day went, click here.

The Paint to Prosperity Conference commenced with QPaint’s, Tas Moulis, opening the eyes of those in the room with his approach to running his successful painting business. Our local lad was a favourite speaker of many on the day, relating to what

he does so well, and benefitting from how frank and generous he was with his own trade secrets. Following Tas, Andy and Angela Smith of Lifestyle Tradies presented some great insights. Hearing the knowledge they’ve gained from their multi award winning Dr Drip, it was easy to see how they help trade businesses of all kinds, fast-track financial and lifestyle success. Our final speaker of the day was Monroe Porter with his straight shooting no frills approach of how it works; this was a real eye opener for all in the room and made most think about how they look at running their businesses.

Aussie Painters Network would like to thank all of the speakers at both events, for being so open, professional and sharing their knowledge.

It was an excellent opportunity for those truly professional painters

seeking to get more out of their hard work. And kudos to those Painters that made the effort to attend. Thank you for supporting us. We know that you will realise the benefits for a long time to come.

There were plenty of people who wanted to be involved but couldn’t make it, whether distance or schedules prevented them. The good news is that all the audio from the days’ events can be found in Aussie Painters Network Members Area and we are currently adding the videos.

So you need not miss out! If you’re not a member now, you really should be.

Caroline Miall

caroline@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

http://aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au/trade-expo-and-conference/ 2016 October Issue | 19

Painters Expo 2016 If you didn’t make it to the Painters Expo, here is a quick look at what you missed!

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What do Changes to

Australian Standards Mean for You? Here is a video explaining the importance of AS/NZS 2311:2009 Guide to the painting of buildings and its relevance to preparation and substrate assessment:

UPDATE TO AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS 2016 The National Institute of Painting and Decorating, the peak professional body for painting industry, has been advising Standards Australia on the update to AS/NZS 2311:2009 Guide to the painting of buildings and AS 4361.2 Guide to Lead Paint Management; Part 2 Residential and Commercial Buildings.

Here is a summary of the draft changes:

1. Back-rolling of plasterboard: Plasterboard surfaces must have at least the final coat back-rolled if the paint is applied by spray-gun. This

is to ensure that the surface has an even textured appearance. The National Institute of Painting and Decorating recommends using a sealer-undercoat with a high film build to achieve sufficient opacity in 3 coats.

2. Water-based alkaline resistant sealer is now included in the standard as an alternative to pigmented sealer on white set plaster 3. Yellow-staining on plasterboard: Plasterboard which has been exposed to sunlight will often develop yellow-staining after paint has been applied. This may not become apparent until after the paint has dried. Stain-blocking sealer should

be applied to plasterboard which has had exposure to sunlight.

4. Roller specification now provided for sealer application 5. Lead paint testing: now includes environmental testing equipment and analytical testing equipment Lead paint stripping: now includes modern chemical strippers https://painters.edu.au/Business-Development/Training-Resources/SurfacePreparation.htm

2016 October Issue | 25

BUSINESS SUCCESS

What does it mean to you?

People define success differently, so what actually does it mean to you?

Is it how much money you earn?

How many staff you have? The size of the company? The lifestyle? The freedom? The challenge?

Defining success is important, but taking a clear-eyed look at the impact of your definition matters even more. As in most things your intent is important but the results provide the real answers.

About 25 years ago, to me success was always about how many employees I had and how large the contracts were. It was always the case that, ‘bigger is better’. The only trouble was, ‘bigger’ didn’t seem to be ‘better’ as I hoped for.

There were the continual problems of slow payers, staff issues, jobs not being ready (not good when you have multiple employees to find work for), long hours and of course, ‘the stress’. This is the case with a lot of business people. They have the tendency of working 10 or more hours a day and also on weekends as they are focusing their attention

26 | Aussie Painters Network

exclusively on building their career.

Over the years I ‘woke up’ to myself and realised having a large team was not what I really wanted in my business and that a smaller number was more manageable and less stressful. I even found my business was more profitable doing it this way. Working directly with a client and not a builder, was also more pleasurable for me as there was that personal interaction with them. When it came to invoicing there was never the problem of payment as I made sure they were always happy when the job was completed. This gave me a constant cash-flow into my bank account and therefore the ability to pay my bills and wages on time. This in turn, relieved the stress that most business operators encountered.

I am far from being rich but I am very happy in what I am doing and to me, this is how I interpret ‘business success’.

So determining whether you are successful should be based on one question: ‘How happy are you?’

Your level of success is based solely on your answer to this question.

If you’re making serious money but are unhappy on a personal level, you haven’t embraced the fact that incredible business success often takes a heavy toll on a relationship. Other things should be clearly important to you besides making money.

So think about what motivates you.

What do you want to achieve for yourself and your family? What do you value most, spiritually, emotionally, and materially? Those are the things that will make you happy, and if you aren’t doing them, you won’t be happy.

If operating a small business and making a decent living from it is your definition of success, embrace the fact that you may not get rich but you will have more time to enjoy yourself.

If building a large company is your definition of success, embrace the fact that you may not have a rich, engaged family life.

You can be fortunate enough though to have both of the above ‘if’ you are a smart business manager, and to these people I take my hat off to as it is not as easy as it seems. To be amongst this group you must be prepared to ‘let go’ and delegate a lot of your business responsibilities to other employees. This will free up precious time to enjoy life.

So forget traditional definitions of success. Forget what other people think. Ask yourself if you feel happy — not just at work, not just at home, not just in those fleeting moments when you do something just for yourself, but overall.

If you can do this, then you’re successful. The happier you are the more successful you are.

If you aren’t happy it’s time to rethink how you define success, and start making changes to your professional and personal life that align with that definition, because what you’re doing now isn’t working for you.

I put the question out on Social Media recently to see how others thought about business success and the answers were very similar.

Besides the ‘Freedom’, ‘Family Life Balance’, ‘Financial Security’ and ‘Making a Difference’, there was the aspect of the clients and keeping them happy. To them, this was success.

Kyle Passeri I’d like to think that I measure success by the success of my clients. If my clients are able to enjoy a happier

life after working with me, then I see myself as being successful.

Warwick King Happy clients, mean the word of mouth referrals continue. I can maintain pricing to reflect quality of work so work perpetuates, money comes in; the result; ‘happy wife, happy life’.

So ask yourself, ‘Are You Happy?’ If not; then think what you can do to rectify the situation.

Life is too short. Don’t waste it on being unhappy. Think about what you really want.

Jim Baker www.mytools4business.com

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2016 October Issue | 27

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28 | Aussie Painters Network

Achieving your Dreams WorldSkills Australia Competition 2016

Blayd is a second generation painter and decorator. Born in Australia and moved with his family to Fiji about 9 years ago. He attended his first WorldSkills Australia Competition as a young lad, he continued to attend them when he could. His dream was to compete in WorldSkills.

In 2015 Blayd took a leap of faith and moved to Australia leaving his family back in Fiji to pursue that dream. Jim

from James W Decorating employed him as an apprentice. Jim understood Blayd’s dream and has bent over backwards to assist him to achieve it.

Blayd’s goals were realised last year when he competed in the WorldSkills Australia Brisbane Regional competition, which he won, sending him to the WorldSkills Australia National Competition being held in Melbourne next week.

Blayd has practiced hard and put in long hours outside work to achieve his dream. Once Blayd completes his apprenticeship he is planning to move back to Fiji and continue working in Pacificpainters and continue to increase the profile of painting in the region.

www.pacificpainters.com

2016 October Issue | 29

GOING FOR

GOLD While the festivities have finished in Rio, Olympians of a new breed are gearing up for their shot at gold at the nation’s largest trades and skills showcase.

Months of hard work and determination are culminating into the opportunity of a lifetime for Australia’s top 11 apprentice painters, who are about to tackle their biggest challenge yet at the 2016 WorldSkills Australia National Competition, Melbourne.

Supported by the Victorian Government, the National Competition will be held from 6-8 October at Melbourne Showgrounds. Over 500 young apprentices, trainees and students will represent 60 different skills with one shared goal: To secure a gold medal and the coveted title of National Champion. The stakes are even higher for those competing in open categories such as Painting & Decorating, as stand-out medallists from the National Competition may have the opportunity to represent Australia as a Skillaroo at the 44th WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi, UAE, next year.

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Painting is more than just a job for these young men and women: It is a labour of love. SA-based Hayley Gladdis discovered the trade when a childhood fascination turned into career inspiration. “Painting my room when I was 14 years old sparked my interest in the trade,” she says. “It was fun to change my room to something that represented me as a person.”

Not only did Hayley single-mindedly pursue an apprenticeship when she finished school, she has tackled every opportunity to benchmark her skills against her peers. She now looks forward to showing what she’s made of at the National Competition.

The three days of competition will be intense, where competitors will work over a combined 18 hours to complete projects designed to emulate modern day workplace conditions. Each competitor will be as-

signed a three-wall cubicle with a flush door and be tested on a range of technical skills including surface preparation, painting with acrylics, application of vinyl lettering, wallpapering, colour matching and decorative finishes. They will also have a chance to show off their creativity by creating their own design on one wall.

“I’m practicing as much as I can to prepare for the competition. I hope to come in first, but I’ll be happy anywhere I place – I’m thrilled just to be competing!”

With 60 skills competitions, an in-house careers expo and a range of fun, interactive Try’aSkill activities on hand to inspire visitors, the National Competition is a can’t miss event. Register for your FREE tickets, visit: achievegreatness2k16.eventbrite. com/?aff=AussiePainters

2016 October Issue | 31

Find out if the things around you are SAFE for humans and pets

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The weird sh*t my kid does!

I had one of those moments that make parenting… you know… actually bearable. My youngest has always made his “Ice-ages” which are a variety of my plastic containers filled with water submerging some kind of plastic toy or toys. They vary in size and there have been occasions where there was little room for the frozen peas. Reasonably harmless though I would feign ‘cross’ when I found an infestation, but it wasn’t a ‘hill I chose to die on” and we would laugh about it.

It’s been a while since I found a little dinosaur or Super Mario in my freezer, but yesterday I came home to one as I started to make dinner. I smiled and thought about the little dude he is becoming, and appreciating his quirks as one of those small details of life which contribute to its richness.

The other thing I am really bad at is remembering to record the laugh

out loud, brilliant and just absurd things that the kids do and say. So, I thought what better way than to write them here. And invite you all to do the same.

Ok, so I’ll kick off…. My eldest was around 2 when he fell asleep on a car journey, munching on an apple.

I took it from him and he slept for about an hour. When he woke, he casually reached for his big toe and began to bite into it as if it were still his apple in his hands. I so wish I’d got it on video but I did need to step in before he actually ate his own foot.

We all love a ridiculous kid story so give them up! Share your funny story with The weird sh*t my kid does! and we can all have a LOL. (you might win something cool too!)

Caroline Miall

caroline@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

2016 October Issue | 33

Overcoming

TRAINING EGO

Everyone talks about training and what a great thing it is but do you really do it and has your organization adapted to today’s market place. As frustrating as employees may be, you can’t run a contracting organization without them. Yes, there has been lots of changes in the contracting world. The internet, cell phones, better accounting programs, etc. but good work is done by good people.

Apprenticeship has declined over the years but many of the mindsets still exist. A “young people have to pay their dues” attitude still exists.

While it may be fun to send helpers after left handed monkey wrenches and seem like a rite of passage to make them perform menial tasks, we need more craftspeople. We can’t run the risk of boring or running off good people just because of unrealistic practices and trade egos.

What do I mean by trade egos? It takes years to learn a craft. If I am a craftsperson and you ask me to train some rookie, my first inclination is to think about the years it took to learn my craft. In my mind, there is no way I can teach someone in a few weeks or months to do what I do.

What experienced craftspeople for-

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get is that day in day out, contracting can be very repetitive. How long does it take a helper to learn how to set a toilet if we are doing a hotel with 200 rooms? Or how long does it take to learn how to roll a wall with paint or nail a shingle? Not very long. Does setting a toilet make you a plumber or nailing a shingle make you are roofer? Of course not.

But these trade skills do make helpers much more productive. Let’s be honest, if I can’t show a helper how to do one of these tasks in a few days, he or she is never going to be able to learn the trade.

It is important to remember that you pay craftspeople for what they know, not necessarily what they do every day. You have to make this clear to foremen when you ask them to teach someone a trade. A knowledgeable foreman or craftsperson still does many tasks in a given day that can be easily taught but that does not mean the foreman is not valuable. A nurse or intern can perform numerous medical procedures but if something goes wrong, I want an experienced doctor as part of the team.

Start your training process by identifying tasks that are repetitive. This

allows you to get the most bang out of your training and your new recruit. For a painter this might be rolling a wall or basic brush strokes on how to cut in a corner. For a roofer, it might be nailing shingles or rolling out underlayment. Focus on production items that are the norm, not the exception.

Next, schedule some training that focuses on a single task. Consider staying after work for an hour or two and just have the person learn this task over and over. You would be surprised how practice makes perfect. Or as Vince Lombardi, the famous football coach said, “Perfect practice, makes perfect.”

Use technology to help you. Take a smart phone, show someone doing the task correctly and fast. Then as the new recruit is learning, show that person what he or she looks like and coach them through the process.

Tie pay into skill. Try to tier your pay scale so there are different grades of skill and activity. Have a set of skills a person must learn before they will receive a raise. Keep it simple and realistic.

Try reviewing the helper’s progress with the person who is doing the coaching and training. With just a little bit of accountability you can speed the process. Try to instill into the trainer the importance of carrying on his or her legacy.

Work within your company to identify people who make good trainers. Sometimes people who are extremely gifted with natural talent do not make good trainers. My Dad was a very gifted carpenter and I am not particularly mechanically inclined where my brother was. So you can guess which one of us ended up a carpenter versus who the consultant is.

When it comes to recruits, try to find people who will work and teach them the trade. Work ethic is a inherit value your parents, coaches and early life experiences taught you. Trying to teach people work ethic can be very frustrating.

Stop trading drunks and drug addicts from company to company.

Also understand that you may have to pay a higher starting wage to attract people with driver’s licenses and a proven work history. Look for people stuck in non-craft jobs where there is a ceiling on their pay.

you are doing now is not working, stop doing it over and over again.

Take a more calculated and long term approach. Just think, if you had started three years ago, things would be better.

In closing, I am not saying that finding good people is easy but you have to start somewhere. If what

monroe@proofman.com

________________________

Monroe Porter

PROOF Management Consultants

is president of

www.proofman.com

2016 October Issue | 35

HOME OFFICE SOPHISTICATION A touch on the masculine side I am drawn to sophisticated home office spaces … furnished with bold, detailed pieces, antiques, pieces with elegant lines … and topped off with accents of leather, metallics, textured fabrics, cushions and rugs.

When styling up a desk, start with a decor piece that you love; something special from your travels, a motivational quote in a frame that inspires you …

Greige Design … or a quirky piece from the past, like this old typewriter!

Centre stage! To add interest, experiment with different shaped pieces of differing heights.

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Restoration Hardware

Old maps and prints always add a touch of worldliness to a study space …

Interiors By Studio M

Charlotte Moss

… and so does a beautiful art collection …

Traditional Home

Elegance personified … with monochromatic bookcase styling, stunning buttoned chair and orchid accent piece.

2016 October Issue | 37

We are Painters working with Painters to improve the industry. You receive information designed to assist in advancing your business practices and maintaining a high degree of professionalism. We keep painting businesses up to date on the latest government legislative changes whilst assisting you in running your business with tips and tricks to

SAVE YOU MONEY!

38 | Aussie Painters Network

Traditional Home

Reflective pieces also add a touch of sophistication … here, the mirrored tray, mercury vase, glass decor pieces and glass fronted cabinet add extra glamour to a lush space.

Restoration Hardware I also am drawn to spaces that are creative with desk furniture. This beautiful console serves it’s purpose beautifully.

Luxe Magazine

The rug in this striking room adds texture … and the patterned curtains soften this rather masculine space.

Atlanta Homes

This dark Deco desk is lifted by the smooth cream chair and lampshades.

Dramatic drapes, ornate rug, velvet, leather, oversized mirror and pops of black.

Total sophistication.

2016 October Issue | 39

Atmosphere Interior Design Smooth everything here! High shine.

Pure sophistication!

New England Home

Dark walls, lush carpet, leather, metal, art and a strong nip!

Gentleman’s club! Love it!

I can definitely say I am drawn to a more traditional masculine office space; dark walls, dim lighting, rich colours, lush textures.

If you too, prefer a more masculine aesthetic, here’s a few tips: 1. Think late 19th century gentleman’s club!

2. Go bold with dark colours – walls and furnishings.

3. Think lush, with textures and fabrics … timber, leather, textured rugs and cushions.

4. Add beautiful art to the walls – install it up to the ceiling for extra dramatic effect …

5. And lamps for mood lighting.

6. Add comfort with gorgeous seating, deep plush sofas or leather chairs.

7. And add a little shine with metallic accents.

Anne-Maree Russell

the Principal/Owner of Cape Cod Residential

www.thehousethatambuilt.com

40 | Aussie Painters Network

My Hourly Rate Calculator

www.mytools4business.com2016 October Issue | 41

The Industry

Idiots

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Important Contacts Aussie Painters Network www.aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

Ph. 0430 399 800

National Institute for Painting and Decorating www.painters.edu.au

Ph. 1300 319 790

Australian Tax Office www.ato.gov.au

Ph. 13 72 26 / Ph. 13 28 65

Award Rates www.fairwork.gov.au

Ph. 13 13 94

Fair Work Building & Construction www.fwbc.gov.au

Ph. 1800 003 338

Mates In Construction www.matesinconstruction.com.au

Ph. 1300 642 111

Workplace Health and Safety Contacts Comcare WorkSafe ACT Workplace Health and Safety QLD Victorian WorkCover Authority WorkCover NSW SafeWork SA WorkSafe WA NT WorkSafe WorkSafe Tasmania

www.comcare.gov.au www.worksafe.act.gov.au www.worksafe.qld.gov.au www.vwa.vic.gov.au www.workcover.nsw.gov.au www.safework.sa.gov.au www.commerce.wa.gov.au/WorkSafe/ www.worksafe.nt.gov.au www.worksafe.tas.gov.au

1300 366 979 02 6207 3000 1300 362 128 1800 136 089 13 10 50 1300 365 255 1300 307 877 1800 019 115 1300 366 322

www.actcancer.org www.cancercouncil.com.au www.cancercouncilnt.com.au www.cancerqld.org.au www.cancersa.org.au www.cancervic.org.au www.cancerwa.asn.au

(02) 6257 9999 (02) 9334 1900 (08) 8927 4888 (07) 3634 5100 (08) 8291 4111 (03) 9635 5000 (08) 9212 4333

Cancer Council Australia ACT NSW NT QLD SA VIC WA

2016 October Issue | 43

Standard Membership • Five postcode listings in our online directory • Work, Health and Safety Plan • Risk Assessment and Safe Work Method Statements • Incident Investigation Forms and Incident Investigation Form Register • Instant access to our pricing and estimating guides • Quotation guide to assist you when quoting • Personal service and phone advice • Web Listing for prospective customers to find you easily • Free targeted online marketing & advertising • Conference Audio and Video • Assistance with Debt Collection and Discounted Terms of Trade • Discounts on Courses • Painter Help section if you are looking for work or looking for painters to help