Qld Guides | Flagstone - February 2022

MARKETING MATTERS

Marketing has always been extremely important for the success of any business. However, since the many changes our world has encountered during the pandemic, marketing matters now more than ever.

1. Do you have a short term sales increase strategy and long term brand building strategy? Both are important, one is about immediate sales, products and keeping the cashflow going and the other is about longevity and reputation. Find the right budget balance for both strategies.

2. Do you have a relationship, an online and an in print plan for the year? So many channels of marketing and so many choices. Don’t forget to cover all mediums, yes find your best avenues but don’t forget to have a presence in other ways not just one. Don’t just think online or Facebook is the only way to go.

3. Be credible, consistent, and genuine. The average person needs to see the information at least 7 to 8 times before it really sinks in. For example, don’t just do one letterbox drop or one ad and think it didn’t work! Customers need to get the message and the first one will often just go in the bin the 4th might be on the fridge! The 7th they might make the call.

It all takes time and creates that trust. Customers want to know you are there all the time, not just when you want to advertise something. They want to know you are genuinely interested in them so be consistent in your branding messages too.

4. Understand your continual changing customer mindset of values, attitudes and social influences. Your customer is getting over 5000 messages of information every day. Newsfeeds, social media, TV and the list goes on. Just think about the changes Covid has made to our society, every month, in how we think and live our lives. Our world is changing our attitudes to social norms everyday.

5. When times get rough so many pull the marketing budget first. Don’t! Think through how you can make your marketing better and gain more for your Budgeted $. Lack of time and money can spark that innovation and creativity in marketing. Be creative – think fast and be first with innovative marketing. Have confidence in your ideas and go for it. But don’t just stop your marketing.

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door”

Need some help? Contact us and talk things over BUT start today.

Services for Business Growth & Improvement 0418 769 531

Helping you build your knowledge, confidence, performance and profitability with your Small Business Specialist.

HANG ON FOR 5

The problem of the new world of social media lies in the fact that people post all manner of things. People comment on all manner of things. People like, or not like, as may be their preference, on many different social platforms and this is often open to public scrutiny.

And why could this be a problem? As recruiters we have access to many different tools of assessment. Your resume, the interview, reference checks and yes, you guessed it, social media accounts. And dare we say it, it surprises us how many people have few privacy settings around their social media accounts.

Your future employers will search your name and view your public web offerings. They will look at your language, how you interact and

what pictures you post and what you comment on and how. It gives a great insight into their possible future employees.

So it’s not just at Christmas that you need to be conscious of what your social media profiles are telling the world, it’s every day.

I personally have a little 5 second rule – Take 5 seconds to stop, reflect and think of the children! If my children were to see it, or read it, or my future grandchildren stumble across it, would I make them proud? Or would I be embarrassed or ashamed? And not just because I got snapped with parsley in my teeth!

So do a ‘comfort test’ that works for you. You can always request to have a post taken down, or edit a comment but sometimes better not to have it posted in the first place.

Connecting local businesses with ‘Local Talents’.

TALENTIFY

IT’S TIME FOR TEA

he KBF Cultural Precinct will be a place where people will come together and connect” stated Devon Pixies owner, Arwen. Located previously in Logan Village, Arwen has now ventured her business across to Kingston, the heart of Logan City. The historic caretaker's cottage at the recently redeveloped cultural precinct is where Devon Pixies now reside.

This is why we’ve chosen Devon Pixies as the starting location for our new community networking initiative,

Here is how it works. Each week a business fills the plate with their gift then takes the plate to another destination. They then introduce themselves to another business that they’ve always wanted to know. Photos of the swap will be taken and posted to the Logan City Guides social media page with the hashtag

#whereistheplatelcg to track the plate’s journey. The process is then repeated so on and so forth.

The goal is to bring people together, and drive action aimed at strengthening the Logan community. Moreover, we encourage you to bring your own contribution. It doesn’t have to be something huge - just a quick like or follow to the participating businesses or give them a visit if you haven’t yet. We invite you to get involved!

“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals”, Jean Vanier.

With the historic cottage now transformed into a charming tea room and the museums close to completion, Devon Pixie is a must do destination.

“With so many great attractions in such close proximity, it’s the perfect place for people to stop by to relax and unwind after a busy day or catching up with friends and family” says Arwen.

“We celebrate many things - birthdays, new babies, weddings, engagements, new jobs, and even the end of a lifetime. At Devon Pixies, I want to give you and your family and friends the experience of a traditional high tea in this beautiful cottage”.

The historic caretaker's cottage is not the only thing that has had a facelift in the recently redeveloped cultural precinct. Scheduled to

open in early 2022, the Kingston Butter Factory is a vibrant cultural heritage and performing arts hub.

Originally, the Kingston Butter Factory began life in 1907, at the height of Kingston's dairy farming days and as a timber structure. Now, it has been transformed into a place where the City of Logan’s rich cultural heritage and diversity is celebrated. The precinct features the Living Museum of Logan, the Logan City Historical Museum and the brand new Butterbox Theatre in the re-imagined Kingston Butter Factory building, as well as the city’s largest outdoor events space, which will host indoor and outdoor performances and events.

The pièce de resistance is, of course, the City of Logan’s largest purpose-built outdoor events space, which will have a capacity for up to 5,000 people and will attract national and international acts and host major festivals, weekend, farmer and night markets as well as community events including the upcoming Milky Way Markets on the 18th February and Eats and Beats on the 25th February.

For more information about the Kingston Butter Factory and any upcoming events, visit their website https://www.loganarts.com.au/ venue/kingston-butter-factory-precinct/.

For more information about Devon Pixies or to book your high tea or special event (all high teas and events must be booked in advance), head to https://devonpixies.com.au/ or call Arwen on 0449 285 277.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR FLOWERS

LAST LONGER

Where there is great love, there are always wishes ... and flowers”.

The tradition of sending flowers on Valentine’s Day flowers comes from the 18th century custom of sending floral bouquets to pass on non-verbal messages. Each flower had a specific meaning attached to it, with the rose signifying romantic love.

According to IBISWorld, today, Australian’s spend over $90 million on flowers for Valentine’s Day, accounting for 10% of a florist’s annual sale.

So, with Valentine’s Day approaching – we’ve taken a look at how to keep flowers fresh in a vase for longer.

Tips For Keeping Cut Flowers Fresh

• Make sure your vase and cutting utensils are clean, to stop fungus and bacteria-killing your flowers.

• Keep your pruners sharp so you don’t squash the stems when you cut them.

• Use clean water and change regularly.

• Remove all the foliage that sits below the waterline.

• Cut the stems on a 45-degree angle, and re-cut each time you change the water.

• Give the flowers a light mist of water each day to keep the petals hydrated.

• Keep ‘em cool. Place arrangements in cool spots, away from heating ducts and vents.

• Don’t place ethylene producing fruit, such as bananas, apples and kiwi fruit, with or next to your flowers. Ethylene accelerates aging.

We have a new range of freedoms that we haven’t known for the last two years. But what exactly are these freedoms and what should you know regarding travel in 2022? To be honest, I don’t really know as it’s constantly changing and no one can predict how this year will end but for those of you that really need to ‘get out’ here’s a checklist to ensure you travel goes as smoothly as possible:

1: DO RESEARCH

Most countries require you to undergo a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR, or RT-PCR) test anytime between 72 hours

and 24hours prior to your departure. Other requirements include incoming passenger declarations and a variety of other ‘hoops’ before you are permitted to enter. You will also need to take into consideration the cities that you are transiting enroute to your destination. Remember that this information is very fluid and does change regularly. If you cannot provide all the requirements of your destination you will not be able to check in and board the aircraft.

2: BE FLEXIBLE

Travelling in 2022 requires you to be flexible and understanding. Travel is still quite hard and you will need a lot of patience. There are a variety of reasons this is required but here are the top 3.

COVID: There is a strong possibility that throughout the course of your travel you may contract COVID and need to extend your stay. It is an Australian government requirement that all inbound passengers must provide a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR, or RT-PCR) test. If this information is not provided, you will not be able to check in and board the aircraft. You are then required to either wait 14 days, provide a negative PCR test or provide a medical certificate from a medical practitioner before being permitted to return.

Airline Flights Cancellations: An airline can (and will) cancel your flight for any number of reasons. This may mean a longer stay in your destination or having to find an alternative flight home (at an additional expense). Please ensure you have a list of the contact details of your airline to contact should you need to rebook or rearrange your travel due to schedule changes or cancellations.

Border Closures: Most countries and cities are changing their incoming requirements and your travel could be cancelled due to ongoing border closures.

2: TRAVEL INSURANCE

As with travel before COVID, Travel Insurance is a very important component of your travel. Each policy has different inclusions and it’s recommended you educate yourself on the inclusions and benefits of the policy by reading the Product Disclosure Statement prior to purchasing a policy. To assist you in the scenarios above, please ensure you have a comprehensive policy with the best cover you can find.

2: USE A TRAVEL AGENT

It might be obvious me writing this but… USE A TRAVEL AGENT! If reading the above doesn’t make using a Travel Agent obvious you’re a braver (and far more patient!) person than I. Your travel agent is your first point of call and wouldn’t you rather send a quick email/phone call/WhatsApp message with HELP than spend hours on the phone in a foreign country with a foreign call centre? Please remember that travel agents are here to assist YOU, our clients, so even when the situation is upsetting please go easy and treat us with respect. We don’t make the rules, we don’t hold your money (this is immediately forwarded to the suppliers) and we don’t have control of airlines or governments (although we wish we did!)

”Travel is full of many ups and downs, but I think the greatest reward was that I found myself again, after feeling lost for a very long time” – Ashleigh Page.

Pizzoni,

Tina

Helloworld Travel

Helloworld Travel Rochedale, Locally owned and operated

Don’t fritter away your time with a person who isn’t going to change his or her mind about something. You may end up wasting your time and everyone else’s by continuing to insist that things be done a certain way.

Use this day in the most productive way possible. You have the potential to be extremely successful with whatever you pursue. Take advantage of the certainty you have today because it may not be there tomorrow.

Make sure you show your support to people in all situations. Don’t be just a fairweather friend. Your loyalty to others may be tested today when conflict arises and tempers get high.

Tension connected with work continues to build and there seems to be no end in sight. Take time out for yourself in order to preserve your sanity. Getting too caught up in the drama of your job is dangerous right now.

You will run into some tough opposition today. Don’t let uneducated perspectives tarnish your idea of the truth. Listen to what other people have to say but remember that the final judge is your little voice from within.

Unfortunately, you aren’t able to make the connections you want to today. People you call are unavailable or your unable to attend the virtual meeting you scheduled. Accept this and trust that these things have happened for the best.

Beware of unexpected circumstances today. The good news is that your flexible attitude is perfectly suited to deal with the twists and turns that this day is likely to offer. You’ll find that you can surf the waves easily and turn any situation into a positive one.

Come out of your shell today. You will never find the exact path you want to be on until you explore the different options. You should be feeling quite strong emotionally, giving you the confidence to approach people with authority.

Skirting around the issues today will not get you where you want to go. You are better off facing the music. When you do so, you will actually find that they are playing your tune. Opportunities in the business world are picking up for you. Keep it up!

You may try violently to stand your ground today, but why bother? It is worth it to actually take the opposing argument into account. You have an incredible opportunity in front of you in which you can grow and learn a great deal. Embrace it.

Don’t let another person’s small, thoughtless comment ruin your entire day. The more you tell someone else that they’re wrong, the more that person is going to reject your advice. In general, this is a good time to simply stay out of other people’s way.

Don’t make mountains out of molehills today. Someone’s off-the-cuff comment made this morning could cripple you for the rest of the day if you are not careful. Your sensitive nature is easily hurt. Protect it with a suit of armor.

Best Grilled Chicken with Herb Corn Salsa

This juicy chicken dinner packs a ton of flavor with fresh herbs, sweet corn, spicy garlic and lots of lemon juice

Ingredients

1kg Skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs

Salt & Pepper

2 large ears corn, shucked

1 cup fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup fresh mint leaves

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

1 clove garlic

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

Season chicken thighs with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Leave to marinate for 15 minutes plus.

Grill chicken on medium, covered, 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked, turning over once.

Grill corn on medium 10 minutes, turning occasionally.

In food processor, pulse basil, mint, Parmesan, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until finely chopped. Add lemon juice and olive oil; pulse until just combined. Cut kernels off cobs; stir into herb sauce. Serve chicken with corn mixture.

Bhutanese Dumplings

7/18 Fitzgerald Ave, Springwood 3892 2788

Dining Guide

COFFEE & DUMPLINGS

Coffee & Dumplings is a locally-owned community gathering place located in Springwood. Providing the community with an exciting fusion of East meets West flavoursome food at an affordable price for all to enjoy. People can expect generous portions, heavenly coffee, healthy smoothies and thoughtful service. Come along and let us provide you with an experience beyond your expectations.

Big Buns

American Shop 5A/111-121 Grand Plaza

Dr, Browns Plains

Fb: @bigbunsqld

Big Buns in Browns Plains is a game-changing burger joint slinging gourmet burgers and fingerlickin’ ribs. A collaboration between four mates, the American-style eatery was conceived in the midst of COVID-19. The mouth-watering menu has something for everyone, boasting 7 beef burgers, 5 chicken burgers, 5 plant-based burgers and 1 fish burger. So come along and try them for yourself!

MONTE ALE HOUSE

Bistro/Bar

Mexican

What a little gem this place is! This is secret craft beer bar and eatery tucked away in the industrial backstreets of Slacks Creek. With an indoor and outside seating area, this place is perfect all year round for social gatherings, functions, Friday afternoons and simply catching up with friends. If it’s the classics you’re after, they have got that sorted.

SERRANOS MEXICAN CANTINA

Old fashioned home cooking using premium cuts of meat prepared and cooked in the traditional way with the freshest ingredients. Serranos Mexican Cantina knows it’s not all about the chilli, it’s about those beautiful Mexican flavours and smells. So if you love your Mexican, give Serranos a call or message and book a table.

MAZRI

While only relatively small in size, the eatery is not short on character. The walls are adorned with traditional Japanese clothing and posters, plus a handcrafted wooden wave motif. The extensive menu is laden with traditional Japanese favourites, and is renowned for serving one of the best bento boxes in the Logan/Brisbane area.

JIMBOOMBA HOUSE BAR & RESTAURANT

Jimboomba House is believed to be the second oldest building in South East Queensland, constructed in 1845. Open for lunch and dinner, the menu features a dazzling array of delicious dishes. Lunch options range from gourmet pizzas and sumptuous salads. They are also renowned for their delectable desserts.

CAFE ON CUSACK

Café on Cusack is a rustic gem of a café nestled within Jimboomba’s quaint colonial village that makes the perfect whistle stop for visitors to the township and passers-by. There’s an extensive menu of all day breakfast and lunch to choose from, as well as delicious range of fresh baked goodies.

THAI CUISINE

Get ready to feast your eyes and fill your belly at Thai Cuisine. The substantial menu has all the usual Thai favourites with a specials that is well worth a look, featuring delicious dishes such as Roasted Duck Red Curry and Salt and Pepper Soft Shell Crab.