Business West December 2010

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THE ART OF NETWORKING WOMEN @ WORK $350M FOOTSCRAY FACELIFT SUNSHINE’S BRIGHT FUTURE

A STAR NEWS GROUP PUBLICATION | $4.95 ISSN 1837-9869

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MERRY

CHRISTMAS FROM THE TEAM AT BUSiNESS WEST AND STAR NEWS GROUP

ISSUE 6 DECEMBER 2010

FROM THE EDITOR

WESTWARD HO!

“

In May this year, Business West was launched and you’re reading the sixth edition.

Our aim was to deliver the first regional magazine for local business in Melbourne’s West. And we have been delighted with the support we’ve received from the business community.

This support encouraged Star News Group to launch Business South East in October.

It’s been a busy and exciting decade for the group’s North West Division, which

You quickly understand why this region has such an exciting future…

Star Wallan Kilmore Broadford, and Star Whittlesea, Mernda Doreen.

The decade of development continued with the purchase of the Geelong Independent, a respected community newspaper with a regional distribution over 90,000 copies each week, and a partnership with North East Newspapers in a stable of community newspapers serving the Yarra Ranges. We also launched the Pakenham News and Star Greater Dandenong. Our mastheads in the South East – the Pakenham Gazette, Berwick News and Cranbourne News – continue to be market leaders.

included moving four times as we expanded and outgrew existing premises. The division now based at Tullamarine today employs about 40 full and part-time staffers.

As the first decade ticks over into 2011 we are already fine-tuning plans for growth – in print and electronic publishing - in the second decade.

Melbourne’s West is an exciting place to be, rich with opportunities for the future.

We hope the new Baillieu Government is smart enough to realise this and is up to the challenge to provide appropriate support to keep pace with the region’s development.

And so to this edition of Business West… in Strategies, that networker par excellence Barbara McLure shares some secrets to help you break the ice with strangers.

Donny Woolford, the founder of the women’s networking and mentoring program Behind Closed Doors, delivers sound advice for employers on the vital role women can play in your business.

Plus when you read and meet the diverse group of people featured in this issue, you quickly understand why this region has such an exciting future.

Which leads me very nicely to thank everyone for their support of Business West and to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and safe journey into the New Year and next decade.

Jim Lawrence jim.lawrence@starnewsgroup.com.au

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They were followed in 2003 by Star Werribee Hoppers Crossing Point Cook, Star Williamstown Altona Laverton and Star Footscray Yarraville Braybrook. Then Star Hume – Craigieburn Roxburgh Park,

We changed our name during the decade from South East Newspapers to Star News Group, and in 2009 celebrated 100 years of continuous publishing and ownership by the Thomas family.

ARE

THE end of the first decade of the new millennium is as good a time as any for reflection. We entered 2000 with a bold plan to launch a real estate publication, North West Property News, into the region. A year later we wrapped a community newspaper around North West Property News and established a beachhead in Melbourne’s West for the first editions of Star – Star St Albans Deer Park Caroline Springs, Star Sunshine Ardeer Albion and Star Keilor Taylors Lakes Sydenham.

ISSUE 3 AUGUST 2010

CONTENTS 4-5

$350 MILLION LANDMARK Facelift for Footscray

6-7

TREASURE IN TRASH Stripped for action

16

SUPER TROLLEY Shopping in the future

18-19 HOME SWEET OFFICE

EDITOR Jim Lawrence jim.lawrence@starnewsgroup.com.au

Fit for print

20

CUPCAKE QUEEN Taste for business

30

WOMEN @ WORK Smashing the barriers

31

NETWORKING Breaking the ice

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“ 18-19 It’s no life for the faint hearted…

EDITORIAL Charlene Gatt charlene.gatt@s charlene.gatt@starnewsgroup.com.au ADVERTISING Cha les Ferraro Fe a o Charles charles.ferraro@starnewsgroup.com.au Mobile: 0421 555 404 DESIGN Mark Dinnie mark.dinnie@starnewsgroup.com.au BUSINESS WEST 17 Assembly Drive, Tullamarine 3043 Phone: 9933 4800 Fax: 9933 4844

Business West is a division of Star News Group Pty. Ltd. Celebrating our 101st year as a family-run business. Proudly Australian-owned and independent.

General Manager/Editor-in-Chief Geelong-North West Division, Jim Lawrence.

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Produced and published

by Paul Thomas for Star News Group Pty. Ltd. ACN 005 848 108.

Star News Group Trading Terms and Conditions can be found on www.starnewsgroup.com.au

BUSINESS WEST

3

$350 MILLION

HEART STARTER

FIVE State Government departments will make Footscray home in a landmark $350 million mixed used development set to make the area the heart of the West. CHARLENE GATT reports‌ CONCEPT designs reveal space for government offices, new housing, student accommodation, a community kitchen, gym and child care facility on a disused 1.3 hectare site on McNab Ave, next to Footscray train station.

which is being overseen by Grocon, will create up to 1200 jobs and 600 homes. Construction will start in the new year.

City West Water, State Trustees, the Department of Justice, the Department of Planning and Community Development and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will move to the site when it opens in 2014.

“McNab Avenue will be a flagship development right in the heart of Footscray, delivering new residential and commercial development, shared community spaces, cafes and facilities in a sophisticated architectural design.

Then Labor Planning Minister Justin Madden said the detailed design work of each building – including building heights – would be determined through the planning application process but that the development included three separate components:

“Melbourne’s inner West is expected to grow significantly over the next 20 to 30 years so it’s vital that we provide the jobs, services, housing and retail choices close to where people live.

â– Office accommodation with retail outlets at ground level;

Victoria University praised the development and inclusion of student accommodation, with VU students identified as the preferred tenants of the dwellings.

■Two hundred and fifty student dwellings, 240 private apartments and 110 affordable housing dwellings; and ■A gym, child care centre, art gallery, artist’s residence and community hub with a community garden.

The five-star green development,

“This development confirms Footscray as Melbourne’s capital of the West,� Mr Madden said.

“This development is a living, breathing example of Melbourne at five million.�

Deputy vice chancellor of capital and management services, Jon Hickman said: “This is a great outcome for our students and the university.�

The new development is a key part of the Footscray Renewal project, which has seen upgrades to Maddern Square, Nicholson St Mall and Leeds St. [BW]

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TALKING BUSINESS MARIBYRNONG City Council wants to improve communication with local business in a bid to expand economic development opportunities in the area.

Mayor Sel Sanli introduced a notice of motion, calling on the council to: ■ Set up a business forum to improve communication between the council and local business; ■ Introduce a regular business newsletter that gives information on key projects, activities and events; and

Pictures courtesy of the State Government.

The City of Maribyrnong boasts over 5300 businesses and employs more than 35,000 people.

Four key industries – education, health, retail and manufacturing – generate 65 per cent of all jobs.

The municipality’s biggest employers include Victoria University, Western Health, Lonely Planet, Highpoint Shopping Centre, Western Bulldogs, Mobil Australia and CSR.

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Artist’s impression of the new $350 million landmark mixed use development that will house five State Government departments.

■ Advocate the State Government for expanded economic development of the West to boost job opportunities.

BUSINESS WEST

5

TRASHiNTO

TREASURE “ DANIEL Mitchell and Bianca Donnelly have turned trash into a winning sustainable business model. CHARLENE GATTS uncovers their secret…

You tend to look at mistakes and they’re just a learning curve, really…

THEIR Laverton North business Clean and Gone specialises in demolition, strip-out and de-fit services in and around Melbourne with one big difference – they recycle around 70 per cent of materials from each job and re-sell quality second-hand products.

a three-day seminar focused on creating your own wealth.

The model has earned the pair a Grow Me The Money sustainability award by the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“Even though I’d always had it (having my own business) in the back of my mind, it happened really quick.

Ms Donnelly was also recently awarded a commendation for her contribution to environmental sustainability from the National Association of Women in Construction.

Mr Mitchell, a qualified carpenter, set up the business three years ago after attending

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BUSINESS WEST

“I walked away from that seminar and set the first goal I’d ever set in my life which was in two weeks I was going to quit my job,” he said.

“In carpentry, we had a company we used to use who claims they’re number one in recycling and they weren’t doing much recycling and they were very expensive and their quality was terrible and you could never get them on the phone and they turned up when they felt like it.

I sort of saw an opening in that industry and thought we could provide a better service.

“Sustainability gets thrown around a lot these days but I’ve always cared about the fact that we tend to cut trees down, turn them into timber, and when we’re done with it throw it out. It gave me an opportunity to not only have a business, but to do something that I cared about.

“Everything’s recyclable. You can split timber, plaster, metal, and then there’s all the second hand things.”

Mr Mitchell bought a truck and started up the business in a friend’s backyard, while his partner of 10 years Ms Donnelly kept her fulltime job to help pay the bills.

He spoke with builders and put out fliers and did letter box drops – all using 100 per cent recycled paper.

Keen to up the standard, he made sure his crew would sweep up and leave sites immaculate when they finished their job.

The business also offers clients an environmental plan of what they reuse and recycle.

Before long, word of mouth grew and Ms Donnelly quit her job to work at Clean and Gone full time.

Then in August last year the pair relocated the business to a 480 square metre factory in Laverton North.

When Business West visited the warehouse in November, it was filled with old pieces of furniture, frames, downlights, doors, pieces of wood and even exit signs.

The pair currently hire six full-time employees and about 10 casuals and plan to make one of their employees a third director in the company.

Recent jobs include the commercial kitchen at the Melbourne Zoo and the Billabong office in South Melbourne.

Mr Donnelly said he wants to ultimately encourage businesses to dump their rubbish with them so that they can sort out what is recyclable and take the rest to landfill.

Does this still work… Bianca and Daniel sort out the latest batch.

Pictures: DAMJAN JANEVSKI The pair is keen to find a new premises next year with yard space where they can have the rubbish dropped off and sorted out.

They also hope to set up the rubbish removal into a franchise model by March next year and eventually want to take the company nationally.

“If we can take responsibility of what is recyclable, we can meet our targets. The money will come later on, when people know what we’re doing,” he said.

The couple has since employed a business coach to help them build the business further.

“It was definitely old-school, the way we started out,” Mr Mitchell admitted.

“You tend to look at mistakes and they’re just a learning curve, really.

“If any one of our employees do something wrong we’re not the sort of people that go ‘what are you doing?’, we’re the sort of people that go ‘that’s okay, it’s part of being a new business’.

“It’s made it easier in a sense because we’re all in the same boat.”

Mr Mitchell said cashflow had been a big challenge in setting up the company, with the couple racking up credit cards to buy equipment.

One thing that wasn’t a challenge was working together, or Ms Donnelly being the only woman on-site.

“We don’t really have any issues, we never really have. I’ve had girlfriends who I definitely wouldn’t start a business with, but businesswise, we’re both really driven towards this one goal now and we’ve both good work ethic,” Mr Mitchell said.

“I believe we need more females in this industry because you get less ego, you get less of the macho.”

Ms Donnelly said she was “surprised by how much I enjoy it”.

“There’s just so much variety. I do do the office side of things but I also helping out with the second-hand things and the sales side of things and marketing,” she said. [BW]

BUSINESS WEST

7

BY CHARLENE GATT WILLIAMSTOWN’S Lantern Ghost Tours have been inducing fear into the hearts of countless locals and tourists since opening nearly two years ago.

Owner Jacqui Travaglia took an interest in the paranormal from an early age because of stories that her own family home was haunted.

“We used to hear footsteps and walking around the house and see little balls of light flashing around and it was just a very peculiar place,” she said.

“There was one bedroom that none of us were ever allowed to sleep in, my parents couldn’t sleep in it either.”

Jacqui Travaglia... listening out for footsteps.

Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT

Ms Travaglia has been on ghost tours all over the world and ran her own on and off for a decade before deciding to make the most of Hobsons Bay’s haunted history.

She now runs at least two tours a week, plus fortnightly haunted weekends away in ghost towns across Victoria and

a paranormal investigation once a month at the Altona Homestead.

She has up to eight full time and casual staff.

The venture earned her the New/Start Up Business Award at the Hobson’s Bay Business Awards earlier this year.

“A lot of the locals have really embraced what I’m doing, the hotel owners especially really like it, because people generally have a meal or a drink before or after the tour,” she said.

“I’m really surprised by how many ghost stories there are.”

Common sightings include that of a woman’s face in the town hall tower and what looks like the outline of a girl in the old Williamstown morgue.

Meanwhile, an old lane off Nelsons Place that used to be frequented by two ladies of the night is often said to smell of lavender.

“It’s a good mix of history, entertainment and ghost stories.” [BW]

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SAFE

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BY CHARLENE GATT

MOST people wouldn’t associate CCTV and other forms of surveillance with nurse call.

But as far as Robert Portelli is concerned, the two have plenty in common, so much so that his Hoppers Crossing business Teknocorp handles both electronic security and electronic health care systems.

“They hand in glove complement each other,” he said.

Mr Portelli was one of five directors who merged a group of small businesses working in the security industry to create Teknocorp 23 years ago.

Now only he and his partner Tony Loriggio, who runs Chip Developments in the same building, oversee the running of the company.

Both men have ownership in both businesses, but Mr Portelli deals with the day to day running for Teknocorp while Mr Loriggio handles Chip Developments.

“It’s about being open and transparent, it’s trust. Without trust, you can’t operate in a business,” Mr Portelli said.

“

Without trust, you can’t operate in a business…

“Partnership is hard enough without anything else coming over the top of it, but the combination we have now allows us to put our own flair on what we do. I don’t interfere with what Tony does, and he doesn’t interfere with what I do, and that seems to be the ingredient to success.

“We have clear direction, clear control, and good, strong outcomes.”

The Teknocorp brand, which started in Footscray and has run out of Hoppers Crossing for the last seven years, has upgraded all the controlled access points for CitiPower employees through Access Card technology and has provided all the security requirements for the MCG’s Great Southern Stand, plus CCTV and access control to the redevelopment of the Northern Stand.

Most recently Teknocorp has provided surveillance and control for AAMI Park Stadium and rigged an electric fence for a Tasmanian prison to prevent contraband coming in.

But one of its biggest jobs was providing the CCTV system for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

“It was an amazing project, you don’t get opportunities like that very often. We rode on that wave as long as we could,” Mr Portelli said.

The business is predominantly based in Victoria, but has done some interstate work.

“Working with medium to small businesses like ourselves, they’re getting the attention they really need rather than working with multi-national companies, so business for us has really been working within our state.

“There’s someone at the end of the line they can talk to all the time. Normally it’s the same person.”

The company’s foray into health care systems – including nurse call, pagers and hospital software – occurred about five years ago when Mr Portelli was contacted by a Western Australian manufacturer.

“We were familiar with the product, we did a business case study on it to see if it would fit in with our business, and it did, so we got ourselves involved.

“For some areas it was easy because we had clients like Northern Health, where we were looking after their hospitals from a security perspective, we were able to provide them with an added service. For them it’s a great story, because they have one provider that can do multiple jobs.”

Teknocorp recently fitted out the new 72bed Florence Aged Care Facility in Altona North, and works with a lot of hospitals in the West.

Mr Portelli, who employs 12 people plus a number of sub-contractors, said it was a constant challenge to stay innovative.

“You need to reinvest in that all the time.

Training is pretty important for us, being an integration company you have to sometimes deal with different products. Keeping up with technology is something that is really at the forefront for us at the moment.” [BW]

BUSINESS WEST

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REBUILDING

LETTING THE SUN SHINE IN SUNSHINE INE is growing, and it’s t’s Le Lea Leanne eaan anne Dean D De Deans’ eans’ s’ jo job to make sure it all goes according to plan.

Leanne Deans… passionate about local government.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

BY CHARLENE GATT BRIMBANK City Council’s new Sunshine Place Manager is keen to rebuild Sunshine Town Centre and will work across the different council departments to ensure that initiatives in the area have a coordinated approach.

“The council’s already very active in the Sunshine Town Centre, there’s lots and lots of projects on the go, so this particular role will be aimed at coordinating the delivery of some of those projects, making sure that the many people on those projects are talking to each other and working together as an organisation,” she said.

Current projects for the area include helping to regenerate the Sunshine Business Association, street cleaning and maintenance and business development in the area.

Ms Deans is also keen to build up the northern end of Hampshire Rd and improve linkages with Sunshine Plaza, which has just taken on JB HiFi as a tenant.

“There’s been a lot of investment into the plaza and I think that’s really starting to pay off.

It’s trading well, it’s looking great and I think it’s a really good sign for the future,” she said.

“The people are so passionate about Sunshine Town Centre, particularly the business community, I’ve just been really taken back by their enthusiasm.”

Ms Deans has worked in economic development roles at the former City of Essendon and at the Darebin Council.

She started up with Brimbank just over a month ago.

“I’m passionate about local government, I have been since I entered local government in the early 90s. Local government’s a place where you can work with a community and get things done.

“I think it’s the ability to work with the community and be able to have results, see your results. You can leave a bit of a trail.”

She is the latest employee in a Brimbank City Council campaign to revitalize economic development in the area.

The council has also advertised for a project facilitator to work alongside Ms Deans.

Earlier this year the council appointed Stephen Sully as the new General Manager of City Development to restructure Brimbank’s statutory and strategic planning.

The council has a three-year plan to attract new business and increase employment opportunities across the municipality, especially in town centres and other strategic sites.

The area has enjoyed a business boom recently, with major international printing group Vistaprint, juice company Preshafruit, Sleepyhead, Jakmax and Apprenticeships Victoria all making Brimbank home in the past year.

To top it off, the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development for the North West Region has just opened a dedicated office at the old Harvester building in Sunshine. [BW]

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COUPFORORBIS RAVENHALL’S new industrial based Orbis Business park has scored a major coup, selling 1.4 hectares of land to Independent Tube Mills for new corporate offices and a manufacturing facility.

From the left: Melton Shire Chief Operating Officer David Hall, Deputy Mayor Kathy Majdlik, Independent Tube Mills Director of Operations Peter Wilson and MAB Managing Director Andrew Buxton.

BY CHARLENE GATT THE $6.6 million facility was completed in July and is made up of a 6600 square metre warehouse and accompanying office.

ITM is a privately owned Australian company that was incorporated in April last year and specializes in the manufacturing of tubular steel products.

Clients include BlueScope Steel, GAM Steel, Vulcan Steel and Steelforce.

ITM director of operations Peter Wilson said the business park suited the company’s vision.

“It suits logistically; it suited our requirements into the future. There is plenty

of infrastructure nearby, we’re close to the highway network, the ports, and it’s easy access in and out,” Mr Wilson said.

project and the subsequent strong investment result,” MAB commercial and industrial general manager Richard Johnston said.

Orbis Business Park is the brainchild of MAB Corporation and Pellicano Group, with MAB controlling 34 hectares of land. The business park also boasts the 20,000 square metre Salmat facility.

MAB Corporation is currently marketing Orbis and the Meridian business park in Thomastown.

The ITM sale has prompted MAB to release Stage 1, Business 3 zoned land to the market, ranging from 1755 square metres to 1.5 hectares for office and industrial users.

“MAB’s confidence in the industrial market and its investment in the project have been recognised in the commitment of ITM to the

In September MAB sold the final block to a private developer in Stage 5 of its $300 million Translink Business Park in Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, signaling the completion of the project.

Translink is home to businesses such as Porsche, Ferguson Plarre Bakehouse, DHL Express, Porter Davis Homes and Lombard the Paper People. [BW]

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UPER TROLLEY “It’s an opportunity for us to trial the hardware and for shoppers to trial the h d system and for us to get feedback around the product. It’s also an opportunity for retailers to get their head around what it means for their store and their shoppers.

BY B YC CHARLENE HARLENE E GATT IT’S the technology that’s set to revolutionise the way we shop.

And Morgan’s Supa IGA in Delahey is front and centre of all the action.

The store is the first supermarket in Melbourne and the second in Australia to introduce VIP Trolley technology, a computer screen attached to each shopping trolley that can communicate one on one with the shopper.

It can add up the cost of items in a supermarket trolley, show how much you’ve saved, show specials as you walk down the aisles, help you find an item in the supermarket, help you with recipe ideas and meal suggestions and allow you to preload a shopping list and then display it when you shop.

The concept was originally devised in the US nearly 10 years ago but has not gone beyond trials.

Morgan’s Supa IGA in Delahey took on the new technology at the end of September as part of a trial by VIP Retail, which has the rights for the VIP Trolley in Australia and New Zealand.

“It really adds value to the shopping trolley experience,” VIP Retail general manager Nathan Dunn said.

Supermarket owner Neal Morgan… a new shopping experience.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

“The shopper feedback has been phenomenal and I think the biggest thing that we’ve noted is that some shoppers may have been reluctant to put their hands on one of these trolleys but when they have, they found it very simple to use and very beneficial and are coming back to use them.”

VIP Retail is only trialling a few of the benefits of the technology, with more included as the VIP Trolleys become more mainstream.

Mr Dunn said the technology could be adapted to any store that uses trolleys, like Bunnings or Kmart.

VIP Retail plans to roll out the technology across the larger independent supermarkets at the end of the trial.

Morgan’s Supa IGA Delahey owner Neal Morgan said VIP Trolleys were an innovative way to improve the supermarket shopping experience.

“We are always looking to provide our loyal shoppers with a great shopping experience,” Mr Morgan said.

“The VIP Trolley offers shoppers some fantastic benefits, like the ability to scan products on the trolley as they shop.” [BW]

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BETTiNG ON A WiNNER Ronan Leonard... show us the funny money.

Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT

The events cater for up to 500 people.

BY CHARLENE GATT RONAN Leonard’s business is all about horsing around.

The Tottenham man is director of events company Horse Racing Nights, which hosts corporate racing nights and fundraisers across Victoria, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.

“The concept is huge in the UK, but it’s not particularly well known in Australia. It’s their number one way of raising money at school fundraisers,” Mr Leonard said.

“Most people here tend to do low-end scale trivia nights, but I get a lot of people now calling and looking for something different.”

“I took a lot of the fun and positive side of casinos. Real casinos tend to have people bet real money they can’t afford, and we actually do away with all that because nobody uses any money, and if they win anything they get all the excitement of a casino win without having lost any money.

“The beauty of that is that normally only one person pays for it, which means the rest of the people are getting a free night.”

The premise is simple: they supply the props, and the party organisers need to select a race manager and bookies for the night.

Mr Leonard started the company three years ago off the back of his other events company BlackJack Nights, which runs casino nights in a similar fashion.

Fun money is distributed to the guests and they are then invited to place bets with the bookies.

After starting out the business in his West Footscray home, he upsized to a warehouse in Yarraville and again expanded with another move to Tottenham.

“I was banging my head against the wall for the first 12 months or so and then slowly got a few corporate events and from there word of mouth grew.”

Mr Leonard said the nights concentrated on the fun side of taking a punt, without actually losing any money.

Mr Leonard has since done events for the four big banks, BHP Billton and the Pratt family. [BW]

The race manager runs the race on the DVD, announces the results and winning punters collect their ‘winnings’ from the bookie.

Despite its popularity overseas, getting both BlackJack Knights and Horse Racing Nights off the ground was a hard slog.

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BUSINESS WEST

17

[TYPECAST] TOM and Ally Dickson’s Caroline Springs garage gives new meaning to the term home office. CHARLENE GATT reports…

THE husband and wife team have been running their printing business Get Printed from the garage – which has been transformed into the production house – for over two years, building up a strong 300-plus client base along the way.

It might sound like a quaint way of running a business, but don’t be fooled.

The Dicksons and their home office can do anything, from business cards to stationery, cards and invites, posters, flyers, catalogues, magnets, banners and swing tags.

time was not what I really wanted to do…and then Tom decided that he wanted to leave the corporate life,” Ally said.

with Ally a member of Women in Business Network, and Tom on the committee of the Greater Melton Chamber of Commerce.

“I’d always wanted to do something for myself, and we were coming back to Melbourne from Sydney and we thought there was an opportunity to try and make the switch,” Tom added.

“Our growth has been phenomenal since the start. It’s been tight, because as with any new business that needs to be equipped we had a lot of expenses to start and we weren’t making any money. Baked beans on toast and a DVD was a good night in. But we’re growing,” Tom said.

The pair tried to set up their own printing business in 2005 while working full-time with little success.

After leaving the corporate life, the Dicksons invested in $250,000 worth of digital printing equipment and started searching for a business premises when the Global Financial Crisis hit.

It was then they decided to convert their garage into their office.

“There’s lots of pros and cons,” Tom said.

“One of the biggest challenges for us is switching off. With the business so close and our objectives set high, even when we are not working in the business, we are generally working on it.

“It’s no life for the faint hearted.”

Ally said another challenge was getting clients to respect their opening hours.

“Even some of our clients in the city don’t see the boundaries now. They see that we can turn around pretty much just as quick as a bigger supplier in the city,” Tom said.

“There’s not much we can’t do.”

In an ironic twist, their previous careers in the corporate sector had them moving across the country constantly.

Tom had been working with multi-national companies in business building and putting them into a profitable position, while Ally used her business and marketing degree to do freelance work so she could follow Tom around.

“I was finding that changing jobs all the

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“When we first started, customers would say ‘we’d drop in when we come back from dinner’ and we needed to train clients that this is the business and this is also our home, and while we are professional and here to help wherever we can, we do need to set those limits.”

The pair now employs two part-timers and a number of casuals to keep up with the demands, with the Caroline Springs Mercure Hotel and CAT Logistics among their clients.

The business is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, but Ally and Tom’s hours can be anything from 5.30am to 1am.

However, they now make a point of having every Sunday off to spend time with their twoyear-old son Lachlan.

“We’re not about having a business that’s just going to keep us employed; we want to grow the business to be self-sustaining,” Ally said.

As the business has grown, so has its presence in the house.

Tom and Ally have added a design room inside the house and storing printing equipment in another section, but they plan to move the business out of home in the next 12 to 18 months.

Their roles have changed from an allhands-on-deck situation to specialised tasks.

The pair worked seven days a week to get Get Printed off the ground, utilising cold calling, Search Engine Optimisation, letterbox drops, council listings and business directories to get their names out there.

Tom predominantly handles sales and production, while Ally deals with the design, marketing and logistics.

Ally said they now found a good proportion of their business comes from word of mouth.

“We both have the same objectives, and we’re working as a team to get to those objectives,” Ally said. [BW]

The Dicksons are also keen networkers,

Tom describes their working relationship as 80 per cent fabulous, 20 per cent not so.

“

It’s no life for the faint hearted…

Tom andDecAlly Dickson…

2010.pdf 1 26/11/10working 1:36:03 PM as a team.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

In business there is nothing more important than connecting with customers, and today there are more ways to connect than ever before. Yet so many businesses allow their phone system to become out of date.

You can upgrade to a new Commander phone system for as little as $20# per week and have the latest technology including Auto Attendant Music on hold Voice over IP (VOIP) Instant Messaging Voicemail Plus, if you sign up for a new system before December 31, 2010 you could win back the cost of your purchase. Up to $10,000!

# 60 month rental contract required subject to finance approval from Commander Finance Solutions. *Sign a contract to purchase or rent a new telephone system from Commander within the promotional period to be entered in to the competition. The competition commences on 15 November 2010 and concludes on 31 December 2010 at 11.59pm (AEST). Entry is only open to Australian residents aged 18 years or over. Single entry by a person or a person representing an Australian business is permitted. Employees of Commander and their immediate families, associated companies, including Commander Centres, their employees and immediate families, fulfilment partners and their employees are not eligible for entry. The winner will win the value of the phone system, excluding install and maintenance, which forms their entry, up to a maximum of $10.000 inc GST. Prize winners will be determined by a computer generated draw of all valid entries. The draw will take place at Level 9, 76 Berry St, North Sydney, NSW, 2060 on Thursday the 20th of January 2011 at 11:00am AEDST. The prize winner will be contacted in writing and their details will be published on the Commander website and published in The Australian on the 27th of January 2011. 8. The Promoter is M2 Commander Pty Limited, PO Box 2014 NSW 2060 (ABN 85 136 950 082) NSW LTPS/10/11048, VIC 10/4131, SA T10/2774 For full Terms & Conditions visit www.commander.com/win

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Her cupcake runneth over… Monique Milenkovic with a new batch.

Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT

CUPCAKE QUEEN

BY CHARLENE GATT MONIQUE Milenkovic is Williamstown royalty.

Her flagship store The Cupcake Queens has taken the suburb – and the whole of Melbourne – by storm, despite only trading in the area for the past seven months.

Ms Milenkovic, 32, started the business as an online store with a commercial bakery in Collingwood five years ago after struggling to find a cake store that would make cupcakes for her wedding.

“We had a small wedding, but all the cakes we saw were very big and very grand and very over the top. It was not what I wanted,” she said.

Ms Milenkovic seized on the gap in the market and quit her human resources job to build up The Cupcake Queens, a name that came about after her friends nicknamed her the Cupcake Queen.

The business steadily gained momentum over the next few years, prompting Ms Milenkovic to open up her first store in Douglas Parade in May this year.

“Since starting this business we’ve been inundated with wedding orders every weekend.

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“Also, I had lots of people asking if they could buy just one or two cupcakes, so we just thought the timing was right.

“There were no cupcake shops outside of the CBD so we were the first ones to open a cupcake shop in the suburbs.”

She took on four employees and opened her doors, working long hours to bake hundreds of cupcakes daily on premises.

The business caters for birthdays, weddings and corporate events, even making cupcakes with edible company logos.

“When it’s your own business, it’s different.

It doesn’t feel like going to work,” she said.

Ironically, Ms Milenkovic had only baked the odd cupcake before starting up the business. Now she is constantly trying out different flavours to add to her collection.

The most popular cupcakes are Vanilla Vanilla and Cookies and Cream.

Ms Milenkovic has recently introduced two new flavours – Peanut Butter and Marshmellow – to the mix.

It didn’t take long for the masses to come, as well as an Australian icon.

Her most famous client is Dannii Minogue, who has even gone as far as posting photos of Ms Milenkovic’s cupcakes on her Twitter account.

Meanwhile, the business has featured in a range of newspapers and magazines, and was on Postcards earlier this year.

“You can’t buy that kind of publicity,” she said.

Ms Milenkovic was looking into opening a second store but has put plans on hold because she has a ‘bun in the oven’. The baby is due in March next year.

“I think the business will continue as normal because the staff are trained to do everything, so that I don’t have to be here every moment,” she said. [BW]

SMELL THAT

COFFEE IT’S a little slice of Italy in the heart of Moonee Ponds. CHARLENE GATT smells a story brewing…

Tony Giacobbe ... a toast to the roast.

Picture: SARAH MATRAY

AMORE Coffee has gone from strength to strength since opening 13 years ago, with the smell of roasting coffee beans attracting customers from all over Melbourne.

Husband and wife team Tony and Theresa Giacobbe took over the business from original owner Ian Jones six years ago, fulfilling a longheld ambition.

The store roasts coffee beans on-site and sells an ever-expanding variety, plus a range of percolators, teapots, mugs and chocolates to both a retail and wholesale market.

Theresa had been working at the store part-time when Mr Jones offered her and her husband the chance to buy the business.

Tony, who came into the business with no

experience, said it took a good couple of years to perfect his roasting technique.

“It took so long to learn,” he said. “It’s something that you’re taught, but it’s got to come naturally.”

The hard work has paid off, with Amore taking out numerous awards, including gold at last year’s Tasmania Agricultural Show. [BW]

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MARRIAGE ON HIS MIND

Ted Logan… celebrating 5430 weddings.

BECOMING a celebrant was a novel career choice when Ted Logan was appointed 33 years ago. CHARLENE GATT discovers why…

MR Logan, who was president of the Victorian chapter of Parents without Partners in the 1970s, fell into the role when he realised divorced parents were having difficulty remarrying.

“A lot of the people complained that they wanted to remarry, but the church wouldn’t let them,” he said.

The then deputy principal and primary school teacher started performing wedding ceremonies on the weekends, later taking on the role full-time and also doing funerals and naming ceremonies.

Mr Logan said the last-minute nature of organising funerals meant he had to keep his schedule as open as possible during the week.

He has performed over 5430 weddings and more than 700 funerals across the West, Melbourne and country Victoria.

The bulk of weddings have been at reception centres, parks and homes, including Mr Logan’s, but he has also officiated weddings on hot air balloons, boats, on horseback, and at an ice skating rink.

“It has to be an intense love between the bride and groom,” he said.

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Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT “The surroundings and everything else won’t matter in the long run. I try to keep the service as cheerful and bright and happy as I can.”

The two most memorable weddings were when he married his daughter Pauline and son Robert.

Pauline’s wedding in particular was extra special because Mr Logan was Mayor of the City of Footscray at the time and used his mayoral robes and car for the service.

Although business was booming for Mr Logan in the 80s and 90s, he said there had been a plateau in business in the past decade, with many more people becoming celebrants.

The cost of performing a wedding has also skyrocketed from $25 in the 70s to around $800 - $1000 for a ceremony today.

“There’s so many more marriage celebrants now than there used to be… the industry is overloaded now,” he said.

“I made it my own profession. You couldn’t make a living doing it now.” [BW]

Rose Calandra… there’s no safety net when you’re working for yourself.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

DESiGNS ON WORK AS A little girl, Rose Calandra liked to decorate.

business, she worked with a commercial firm while still studying “to get a taste of what it’s like in a practical setting”.

“As I was growing up, I was re-arranging my bedroom, creating ambience, putting on lamps, dressing up little side tables, making it all cosy,” Ms Calandra said.

After completing her course, she found office and warehouse space in Tullamarine to set up krn, an acronym of her name and her two children, Kristen and Nicholas.

“I was always conscious of an environment and how you feel in a space.”

The premises was conveniently next door to her husband’s long-running publishing company, Createl Publishing.

BY CHARLENE GATT

Now, her childhood fascination has become a successful business, with Ms Calandra starting up interior design company krn in 2007. The business has completed a variety of office fit outs, workplace design, display homes for developers and also new and renovated homes.

“It started there, but I didn’t really think of it (as a career) when I was studying,” she said.

“You always think about doing a job that’s more mainstream, but as I got older and more confident in my choices, I felt I could make a change and there’s nothing to stop me.

“I have a strong interest in workplace design because we spend a lot of time in the workplace, lots of hours. Employers are becoming savvy to the fact that a good workplace enables their employees to get the best out of their time at work and facilitates productivity, well-being and retention rates.”

The Avondale Heights resident had been working in administration at Victoria University’s faculty of Business and Law for years when she decided to start studying design part-time.

With a vision to eventually start up her own

“He’s been a good mentor. He understands what it’s like to be in business, and all the nuts and bolts of it… and in light of all that, he’s a normal family guy.”

Unlike many other business people who branch out to their own business with a client base of their own, Ms Calandra had to start from scratch.

She cold-called companies to get her name out there, and worked for very little to begin with to build up a portfolio.

“I think what people don’t realise is that you’ve got to sometimes do things at a loss to get yourself recognised and develop your credibility, and I was prepared to do that.

“I was in the red that first year. That was fine, because you’re going backwards. I think you need to accept the fact that that’s the reality of it and not be too fazed by that.

“It’s part of the growth and you need to go through that so you’re learning, you’re coming face to face with a recognition of areas that you know you need to work on to make it a success. There’s no safety net. When you’re working for someone else, there’s a safety net, you’ve got a good job, you’ve got a

steady income coming in. I had to make it work – there was no ifs and buts.”

Ms Calandra was also keen to prove that good design did not necessarily come with a hefty price tag.

In fact, she considers the most important element of interior design as one of the most simple: colour.

“You can always fix an average look to an office with excellent use of colour. On the flip side, you can do a fit out with expensive stuff, fabulous materials, but it may not be quite optimised by virtue of poor colour selection.

Colour impacts on one’s psychology, how you feel in a space,” Ms Calandra said.

“We’re all familiar with going into a place and feeling it’s a bit clinical.

“People react to an environment not just by what they see aesthetically or the materials, but how it feels to them, and colour is a significant thing that can make them feel like it’s a welcoming place, or it’s a cold place, or a joyful place.

“It can be a less expensive way to think about design.”

Today, Ms Calandra employs an office manager and two other employees.

She contributes regularly to design magazines and is getting better at taking time out to spend time with her two kids.

“You really have to grow both as an individual and professionally. You have to address any reliance you may have had on working with other people – now they don’t exist any longer and the success has to come from within you.” [BW]

BUSINESS WEST

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DiAMOND

DOG

THE newest thing in this store is the owner. Williamstown resident Sally Sutton has just taken over The Diamond Dog, Seddon’s long-running vintage clothing store.

BY CHARLENE GATT MS SUTTON, who had been a longtime customer, said she felt a calling to run the store because of her strong family ties to the area.

Men, but her favourite era is that of the 1920s art deco period.

“The finery was very pretty and elaborate and so much time was taken to make clothes that flattered,” she said.

Her great-grandmother was the local midwife, her grandfather worked on the roads, and her great aunt and other family lived on Bayview Road.

“The purity of that fabric at that time was gorgeous.”

The store, which is a treasure trove of preloved retro outfits, shoes and other accessories from as far back as the 1930s, is a perfect fit for Ms Sutton, who firmly believes in the philosophy of reusing.

Her favourite instore item is a large picture of the 1935 Yarraville Mothers Club, which takes pride of place in the store.

Ms Sutton said the 50s was making a comeback because of popular TV show Mad

She sources her stock from a range of places, including estate sales and auctions.

Ms Sutton bought the items years ago and would love to find out more about the ladies.

“It’s a great mystery,” she said.

“Nobody knows anything about it.” [BW]

Sally Sutton... love that fabric. Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT

Beverley Johnson... right time to branch out.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

SLOW and steady is the way most entrepreneurs like to build their business. Not so for Beverley Johnson.

THE fashion-conscious Brighton resident opened her first store, Sybilla, along Blessington St in St Kilda, in February this year and has already expanded with a second store in Seddon, which opened two months ago.

Ms Johnson has spent over 15 years in

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SYBiLLA

the fashion industry, holding down executive roles at Jeans West, JAG and Warehouse in London before taking the plunge and opening her own boutique.

off between do I want to go somewhere with a very high traffic flow and huge rent, or go somewhere that’s a bit more exclusive and I can take time to build?

“My father was in the rag trade as well so I’ve always grown up with it. It’s always been my dream to have my own business and everything was aligned and I felt it was the right time to branch out and do what I wanted to do,” she said.

“I knew that Seddon was a really high growth area, and particularly because Seddonia was there, it in many ways meant some of the work had been done in attracting that kind of customer.

“The biggest challenge in retail was to find somewhere where you’re not paying exhorbitant rent, so I guess it was a trade

“I think coming from a very large corporate background I found just having the one store probably wasn’t challenging enough.”

- CHARLENE GATT [BW]

SMALL TALK TOOLERN

WOMEN IN BUSINESS NETWORK

JOBS

THE master plan for the new suburb of Toolern has been unveiled.

ANNA Hancox is the new president of the Women in Business Network.

The development is located on 2300 hectares of land and is set to house about 55,000 people in 22,000 homes.

Ms Hancox, who is co-director of business building company Business Bootique, was voted in at the recent Women in Business AGM at Caroline Springs’ Mercure Hotel.

THE Werribee Keep Australia Working Jobs and Skills Expo helped 620 people find job opportunities, apprenticeships and training.

The new suburb will include a range of housing options for families, couples, sole occupants and empty-nesters.

There will also be at least eight government schools (six primary and two secondary schools), along with kindergartens and community care facilities; four neighbourhood shopping centres featuring supermarkets and local services as well as a number of smaller shopping centres to be located within residential areas; a major activity centre combining a future train station and bus interchange with a range of retail, civic, employment, residential and educational uses to provide Toolern with a commercial and civic heart; pit and pipe to each residence in anticipation of the National Broadband Network; an extensive network of landscaped parks and recreation areas, shared paths, sporting facilities and playgrounds and a new regional park.

The new executive team also includes vice president Lavisha Kapoor (Australia and New Zealand Insurance and Finance Association), secretary Maria Cox (YouthNow and The Chef’s Toolbox), and treasurer Sheila Grixti (Westpac).

More than 5100 people attended the expo last month, with 1475 job opportunities available on the day and visitors submitting 2440 resumes to the 102 exhibitors.

The expo forms part of the Government’s Keep Australia working strategy with more than $1 billion allocated to fund more than 2100 projects in the North West Melbourne region.

VEOLIA VEOLIA Environmental Services has been chosen as the preferred green waste collection service for the West and North.

The 15-year contract will see the company build and operate two new best practice composting facilities at Bulla and Werribee.

The service will run in 10 municipalities through the North and West regions of Melbourne.

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SMALL TALK RAY WHITE

BIZ DIRECTORY

REAL estate and property group Ray White has opened a new office at Hoppers Crossing.

SHIRE of Melton businesses are being urged to take advantage of Melton Shire Council’s free online business directory and list their business.

Experienced local real estate agents Surinder Sarain and KD Ahuja are the co-principals of the new Ray White franchise along Old Geelong Road.

“

Hoppers Crossing is a big market with a number of residential developments in progress…

The new agency includes a residential sales team, a commercial agent and a property manager.

“Hoppers Crossing is a big market with a number of residential developments in progress such as the Williams Landing project,” said Mr Sarain, who was formerly with Ray White Laverton.

“Ray White has been looking to secure an office at Hoppers Crossing for some time and KD and myself believe this business has fantastic potential.”

Mr Ahuja joins Ray White from John Kontek Real Estate Werribee, and said Hoppers Crossing was a key suburb for both first home buyers and investors.

“This is a popular area that is 24km from the Melbourne CBD and close to the beach,” he said.

The directory lists businesses based in the municipality in a searchable database, which can be accessed via the council’s website.

The directory provides residents with a quick and easy to use database that lists businesses in a range of categories including accommodation, eating out and transport.

Listings in Council’s online business directory include a description of the business, business contact details, business location and hours of operation.

To access the directory or to update your details visit www.melton.vic.gov. au/directories. Further information is also available from Council’s Economic Development Unit on 9747 7200.

TOURISM SCIENCEWORKS and the Melbourne Museum have both been recognised for their significant contribution to Victorian tourism at the RACV 2010 Victorian Tourism Awards.

Scienceworks received the Herald Sun Award for Tourist Attraction, while Melbourne Museum won the Melbourne Airport Award for Major Tourist Attraction.

Both will now represent Victoria in the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in March next year.

“The last financial year has been one of landmark achievements for Melbourne Museum and Scienceworks, and these awards have been very well deserved,” said Dr Patrick Greene, CEO, Museum Victoria.

Scienceworks enjoyed its highest visitation figures on record over the 2009-10 financial year, with over 538,000 people going through the doors.

The Victorian Tourism Awards recognises and rewards organisations that contribute excellence, innovation and commitment to the Victorian tourism industry.

Surinder Sarain and KD Ahuja, co-principals of the new Ray White franchise in Hoppers Crossing, with Ray White Chief Executive Brian White.

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SMALL TALK LIAISON OFFICER

PAY

RECYCLING

GENEVIEVE Waters is the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce’s new liaison officer.

A LIST of Australia’s top paid CEOs and senior executives highlights the scarcity of women in highly paid leadership roles.

CITY West Water has welcomed more than $11 million of Federal Government funding to provide underground storage of recycled water in naturally occurring aquifers that lie underneath the metropolitan area.

Ms Waters moved to Williamstown in 2001 and said she “immediately fell in love with the picturesque town that I now call home”.

“Not until a few years back did I really fully start to appreciate Williamstown’s immense history and community spirit,” she said.

Just five of the top 250 of Australia’s highest paid CEOs and executive chairmen are women, according to the Australian Financial Review’s 12th annual survey of executive salaries in 2010.

Ms Waters has had many years experience in retail, hospitality and events management in Williamstown and surrounding suburbs.

Only two women, Gail Kelly at Westpac, and Chua Kong at Singtel, make salaries of more than $3 million per year.

City West Water Managing Director Anne Barker said the funding would be used to develop storage solutions for recycled water in Melbourne’s outer west as part of the West Werribee Recycled Water Project.

“We will ensure recycled water availability will always remain ahead of demand,” Ms Barker said.

“When the West Werribee Recycled Water Project becomes operational, demand for recycled water will be highly seasonal – a higher proportion of the recycled water will be used during the warmer months for the watering parks and gardens.”

Aquifers are underground layers of rock or sand which can hold water in the spaces between sand particles or pores in the rock.

Most aquifers already hold water in these spaces, and if the conditions are suitable, aquifers can be used to store additional water in large volumes.

Current estimates suggest that close to 3.1 billion litres of recycled water per year can be delivered as part of the Werribee Formation aquifer.

TALKING BUSINESS MARIBYRNONG City Council wants to improve communication with local business in a bid to expand economic development opportunities in the area.

Mayor Sel Sanli introduced a notice of motion, calling on the council to: ■ Set up a business forum to improve communication between the council and local business; ■ Introduce a regular business newsletter that gives information on key projects, activities and events; and ■ Advocate the State Government for expanded economic development of the West to boost job opportunities.

The City of Maribyrnong boasts over 5300 businesses and employs more than 35,000 people.

Four key industries – education, health, retail and manufacturing – generate 65 per cent of all jobs.

Sue Morphett at Pacific Brands, Nicole Hollows at Macarthur Coal and Katie Page of Harvey Norman are the only other women on the list of top paid CEOs. Claire Braund, Executive Director of Women on Boards, said the survey brought into stark relief the gender inequalities in the Australian workplace around payment and promotion.

“

The fact that just two per cent of our highest paid CEOs are women is frightening…

“The fact that just two per cent of our highest paid CEOs are women is frightening when you think about what this means in terms of the trickle-down effects,” she said.

“It is not hard to see why we have an 18 per cent gender pay gap and a looming crisis with women’s retirement income in this country when you look at these figures.”

The municipality’s biggest employers include Victoria University, Western Health, Lonely Planet, Highpoint Shopping Centre, Western Bulldogs, Mobil Australia and CSR.

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Business Travel

A BUSiNESS WEST PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

QUEST WILLIAMSTOWN UNIQUELY located on the shores of Port Phillip Bay and the Jawbone Nature Reserve, Quest Williamstown North offers easy access to the city of Melbourne.

Surrounded by extensive landscaped gardens, barbecue and pool, the one, two and three bedroom apartments offer a broad range of facilities and choices, featuring fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities, separate living and dining areas and wireless broadband access.

Located close by and easily accessible are; Melbourne’s CBD, Avalon and Tullamarine Airports, the thriving Western Business Precinct, Werribee Park Equestrian Centre, Altona and Laverton sporting centres, Werribee Open Range Zoo, Scienceworks Museum and Williamstown’s renowned restaurant promenade.

Quest Williamstown North

Quest Williamstown North also has a number of on-site services and facilities to improve guests experiences, such as DVD hire, Foxtel TV, solar heated swimming pool, spa, barbecue area, meeting room, breakfast packs, restaurant charge back and valet dry cleaning along with plenty of onsite complimentary car parking.

Whether you require accommodation for business, relocation, sporting groups or leisure in Melbourne’s West Quest Williamstown North is ideal.

Corporate and Group rates are also available, please contact Quest on 9393 9700 to discuss or email: questwilliamstownnorth@questapartments.com.au.

Visit the website at: www.questwn.com.au

Property Features ● 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom townhouse apartments ● BBQ ● On site car parking ● Landscaped gardens ● Outdoor Swimming Pool ● Spa ● Meeting facilities

Apartment Features ● Air conditioning / heating ● Workdesk ● Foxtel ● Private balconies ● Broadband internet access ● DVD hire ● Direct dial phones

Quest Williamstown North 115 Kororoit Creek Road Williamstown VIC 3016 Ph: 03 9393 9700 Fax: 03 9393 9800 Email: questwilliamstownnorth@questapartments.com.au Website: www.questwn.com.au

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491307-KC50-10

Exceed expectations with your perfect travel companion, Quest Williamstown North

Q&A MARY TODOROV PRESIDENT GREATER MELTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I grew up in the West (in good old St Albans) with my family, migrants from a non-English speaking background.

My work and life experience has included: working for high profile businesses and not-for-profits in Australia and overseas, achieving outcomes in: building and managing strategic relationships with decision makers to working with refugees; recruitment; business development; and high level customer final resolution skills. My Masters in Communications and Certificate 4 in Business Management; complements my communication and relationship management expertise.

I wear many hats in the West, I run MT Communications Australia; I’m a Greenhome Leader for the Australian Conservation Foundation (focus is on transport solutions especially in schools via Road Safety programs); and recently, appointed President of the Greater Melton Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) - helping me fuel my passion in building social and business capital in the Shire of Melton.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, AND WHAT SKILLS DID IT GIVE YOU TO GET YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? My first full time job was with Telstra in the early 90s, just when Optus was introduced in the Australian marketplace. Telstra was forced to work hard to win customer loyalty and I was lucky enough to gain extensive professional development in end to end customer service and sales training (from cold contacting, customer complaints handling to staff training). Giving me great foundations and strategies in how to raise the bar in customer service and maintain customer relationships.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER SUCCESS TO DATE? I have had two this year, 1. being nominated for the President’s position for the GMCC in October this year. I now have a platform (in-conjunction with the Executive Committee) to help businesses be more successful and sustainable through better connections; marketplace knowledge, advocacy and training. 2. Buying a restaurant with my sister (I’m a silent partner) where I get to support my other passions: family and food.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER FAILURE AND HOW DID THAT HELP YOU GROW AS A BUSINESS WOMAN? There was a period after the birth of my son, where I wasn’t part of the ‘business hub’ which I had grown accustomed to.

Returning to full-time studies was the best thing for me (but not for everyone), and I made a commitment to always take advantage of any professional development courses, training, and networking opportunities that enhances my business knowledge and connections.

WHAT WAS THE LIGHT BULB MOMENT BEHIND MT COMMUNICATIONS AUSTRALIA?

Mary Todorov.

After reading an article in a BRW magazine called ‘A More Potent Philanthropy’, inspired me to believe that if I could lead by example and help other businesses consider a ‘triple bottom line’ approach in their business (people, planet and profit in that order), they too can become the organisation of choice for consumers and employees.

Such business practices can help businesses (from home based to large organisations) for the long term.

HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? Where possible, I spend time with my family, cooking meals together, playing basketball with my son (which I’m hopeless in), and the outdoors – I love being out in the sun!

I have been a member of a Chamber before, while working for a business that provided networking solutions for major decision makers in the Gold Coast, and saw the benefits. Earlier this year, I saw a need to help a client to make better connections and increase his business knowledge. Consequently, I met the former GMCC President who suggested I could duplicate this more effectively as an Executive Committee Member.

IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO AN ENTREPRENEUR STARTING UP A BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Learn to leverage your business associations and be flexible in changing conditions. Start by becoming a member of your local Chamber of Commerce, and access help from a Growth and Sustainability representative from your local Council. From here, you can access the latest marketplace information in your area; build better business contacts and gain support; and enhance your business and people skills.

HOW WOULD YOU SELL THE WEST TO A PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS INVESTOR? As one of the last affordable living areas in Melbourne, (especially with the Toolern development project underway) a prospective business investor can access: ■ A flexible workforce (blue and white collar) and an emerging ‘green’ one.

■ We are located less than 20 km from the CBD area; close to two Airports (Tullamarine and Avalon); the Port of Melbourne and are linked to a variety of road transport links that support movement to the CBD and regional areas.

■ Businesses can also access or develop great partnerships with local business and government. There are now more than ever, community and business programs that aim to retain and attract: a flexible workforce in age and skill sets; encourage businesses to buy locally; and provide professional development training and resources for business.

IF YOU HAD TO INVITE FIVE PEOPLE TO A BUSINESS LUNCHEON, WHO WOULD IT BE? Richard Branson (for his sense of daring and resilience in business); Napoleon Hill (in spirit, for helping thousands of people to get out of poverty and into wealth creation); two former employers Glenn Campbell and Ken Fountain (men who practiced what they preached and were great mentors) and my sister Ana (a great example of leadership and living proof that with tenacity and heart, you can move mountains in business).

WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS MANTRA? Make a difference - help businesses thrive more successfully and sustainably in a changing marketplace and foster social responsibility in business and community.

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STRATEGIES

@

DON’T UNDERVALUE

women

WORK

TALENTED BUSINESSWOMEN IN OUR SIGHTS IN THE past year we have seen some encouraging growth in the number of women on boards and in executive positions. However, despite this the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) has recognised that too many of our business leaders continue to undervalue the contribution women can make to the performance of a company.

We now have the highest percentage of women on ASX 200 boards in our history but it is still under 10 per cent and only six of those companies have a woman as chief executive.

Westpac CEO Gail Kelly has moved to do something about this lack of balance and has set gender targets in the next four years that will double the proportions of women in the upper echelons of the bank to 40 per cent. The Commonwealth Bank has set similar targets.

Next year new stock exchange guidelines will require listed companies to have gender diversity targets for their workforce and report annually on their progress.

While I understand quotas will help to tackle the under representation of women in leadership positions, I believe there is a faster and more powerful way to get women to the top.

In my opinion, the AICD is on the right track because it has established a mentoring program where chairmen and senior directors of major companies are working with highly-talented and qualified women to further develop their skills through mentoring relationships.

This initiative comes from those who do understand the value of having women in leadership roles who approach a problem, a challenge or a strategy differently to men, resulting in a more robust and often more considered debate.

Women also can be valued for having an emotional intelligence antenna that helps blend people leadership and organisational leadership in a

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BUSINESS WEST

nsitive way and they are not afraid to have fun in sensitive e workplace. Many have it as a core value that can the take some of the stress out of running a business.

It is not about achieving a certain quota of women for the sake of it as that misses the point. It is about bringing diversity to a company and a way to invigorate it with different ways of thinking and operating.

Organisations of all sizes can benefit from assessing the talented women in their workforce and then making a commitment to fast tracking programs, including coaching and mentoring that provide support and leadership training.

The rest is up to the businesswomen and I continually say to those I mentor ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t get’. Women need to take responsibility for their own development, believe in themselves and put themselves forward for promotions.

Women can support and encourage each other to attain senior roles faster and they can do this through mentoring networks that provide some ‘professional relationships’ with those also striving to achieve in leadership.

Businesswomen will have a different conversation in a women’s forum than a mixed forum. A professional women’s network is a very challenging environment where you will be made accountable which means having the tough conversations that can be uncomfortable but are necessary to remove the limits we place on ourselves.

Very often you will find the women in a company have a thirst for knowledge and a desire to achieve that outstrips the drive of a male employee.

Male or female, I believe our current leaders have a responsibility to provide coaching for those who will succeed them in life and business and one day, hopefully sooner rather than later, it will be the best person for the job regardless of gender.

DONNY WALFORD founded the women’s networking and mentoring program Behind Closed Doors after 30 years in banking, human resources, business associations and Government.

The businesswomen’s program is designed to further the professional development of its members in an intimate and confidential environment.

The program now operates in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

STRATEGIES

HOW TO MASTER THE ART OF

networking

NETW TW WORK KIING K NG has be ee en a key word in business circless fo or a lo long ng tim ime bu but how many of us feel exxci cite cite ted ab abo ouut walking innto a business function kno kn owing g th thaatt the that h re may not be anyone you know ow o w?

There are some basic things to understand about networking.

■ Networking doesn’t have to be intentional.

Itt doesn’t always start because of a busines siness function. Think of the (networking) world ass your you oyster. The other parts of our lives provide vide plenty of opportunities to explore how other her people p may fit into our business lives. Thinkk of the people we meet at sporting events or in interest groups; the other parents at school, fellow train travellers. Everyone has a story which may or may not fit into your future.

■ Networking is a long term investment. Don’t think that meeting someone once will mean that they will be eternally grateful… or even remember you the next day – much less the next week. Let’s be truthful – doesn’t one dark suit looks just like all the other dark suits in a room full of dark suits?

■ A what’s in it for me (WIIFM) attitude does not get you too far with most people.

Think about becoming a giver rather than a taker. What have you got to give the person you’re networking with – contacts or introductions, knowledge, access to great products or service.

Recently I was introduced to a young woman in the line at the coffee shop by a mutual colleague. When it was explained what I did, she turned to me and said ‘how can I use you’. I patiently explained that we might be able to work together if her approach was somewhat more conciliatory.

■ Business cards are the networker’s most important tool. Your business card will give you an image, creates a link back to you, explains your business, your position, gives your contact details and will be the thing that someone will take away with them for future reference.

Likewise for you receiving someone else’s card. It will be your memory prompter and the basis for building your contact list.

I would strongly encourage you to build your own database to file your contacts rather than throwing the cards you collect into a drawer. I recently started a new project and for each person I meet or have been put in contact with, I have recorded their details into a simple spreadsheet.

I regularly refer to this database for

telephone numbers orr email address.

■ Develop the art of ssmall talk. This is not difficult for us in Me Melbourne. The weather and the football are ar topics we can readily relate to. If you are at a business event such as a confer erence, seminar or luncheon good topics of conversation maybe about the speaker,, the venue or why you are attending the he event.

Remember er to ask those questions which people hhave to answer – start your question ons with who, what, when, where, why orr how.

■ Be a good listener. Listen to what people are telling t you and be prepared to prompt them with another question. Be aware of looking distracted or disinterested. You may miss that important gem that leads to your next sale or business opportunity.

■ Networking is about meeting people so at a function move around and meet different people. Don’t monopolise someone or be monopolised. It is okay to move on and don’t feel someone is bored with you if they move on. That is what networking is all about. You will not do your next big deal at an event. That is why a business card and follow-up is so important.

I am often asked how you can move on without appearing rude. Excuse yourself to get another drink or something to eat, move closer to the speaker, go to the toilet. All good reasons to move on and to meet someone new.

■ If you say you are going to follow-up after a meeting – do it. If you think you might forget, write a note on the back of your contact’s business card (this is why a blank rear of a card is a good idea). This will build your credibility with your new contact and make you stand out as most people do not follow-up.

■ Look for opportunities to connect again with your contact. Follow-up with a letter or business brochure if appropriate, a note on the email or in the following weeks you might see a magazine or newspaper article that may interest them. Doing this is an opportunity to keep your name in front of them and show them that you haven’t forgotten them.

And finally, treat people as you would like to be treated. It is amazing how often you will bump into someone you’ve met previously, maybe in a totally different role that you can reconnect with.

BARBARA McLURE runs her own consultancy business and works across a range of areas.

She is employed (part-time) as Industry Engagement Co-ordinator at Victoria University and holds a number of board and committee positions.

She publishes four weekly electronic newsletters – e~EAST, e~NORTH, e~SOUTH and e~WEST which focus on news and events for key people and decision makers in each of these Melbourne regions.

Barbara maintains a strong focus on two intangibles - networks leading to relationships and information and data leading to knowledge.

Having trained as an accountant and been a bank manager, Barbara has a strong background in finance and management.

She served as a member of the Industry Taskforce on Leadership and Management Skills (Karpin Committee) in the mid 1990s and has edited four editions of The Small Business Handbook.

The board and committee positions are: ■ Director, Matthews Steer Chartered Accountants ■ Member, The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust ■ Member, Victoria Police Audit Committee ■ Member, Independent Assessment Panel, Smart Water Fund She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

BUSINESS WEST

31

The Class of 2010… students of the Pollard Institute celebrate graduation night with director Robyn Pollard, fourth from the right, at Overnewton Castle in Keilor.

AFTER HOURS

POLLARD’S NiGHTOFNiGHTS 1

2

1. Glenn Oliver with Pollard director Robyn Pollard, rd, Kathryn Farag and Matthew Pollard.

2. Graduate Jeff Mullenger receives his diploma from Robyn Pollard. eft, 3. Enjoying the graduation ceremony, from the left, d Michael Dietrich, Mac Healey, Matthew Pollard and Robyn Pollard.

Pictures: JOE MASTROIANNI

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3

AFTER HOURS

BRiMBANK BREAKFAST

SALES and marketing specialist Paul McCarthy fires up the crowd at Brimbank City Council’s business breakfast at the Ultima Function Centre in Keilor.

1

Brimbank’s General Manager lopment of City Development ly outlines Stephen Sully some of the council’s ategies. business strategies.

2 1. Ken Smith of Morton Hire with Scott Amberley from Legal Essentials.

2. Sharing a quick chat before the breakfast, from the left: Tracy’s Georgia Tainton and Marlene Cassar, Tania Sacco from Youth Now, Lorraine Bell (Tracy) and Brimbank Council’s Leanne Deans.

Pictures: KRISTIAN SCOTT

BUSINESS WEST

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AFTER HOURS

Business guru Alan Miltz shares his experience in improving cashflow with guests at the Collins & Co. breakfast seminar at the Yarraville Club.

COLLINS 1. David Strangward and Kathy McBrien from Living Electrics share a laugh with Anna Ciccarilli of Collins & Co. 2. David and Melissa Wells from Hypersonic Industries take a break during the seminar 3. Jacqueline Cutajar from Navigate Coaching catches up with Collins’ Mark Ducret Pictures: NICOLE SUNTANA

1

3

2

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BUSINESS WEST

AFTER HOURS

COMMiTTEE FOR WYNDHAM

CHRISTMAS PARTY NEW Wyndham CEO Kerry Thompson was guest speaker at the recent Committee for Wyndham Festive Dinner at Sanctuary Lakes Resort.

Wyndham’s new CEO Kerry Thompson n with Councillors John Menegazzo, left, and Bob Fairclough.

1

2

3 1. And Andrew Elsbury (Liberal Part Party), Peter Mayall (WHK), Jeff Garfield (WHK).

2. Pam Garfield (WHK), Maxine Hud Hudson, Committee President Pete Peter Hudson and Margret Purc Purcell.

3. Ama Amanda Newton (Negotiis), Bria Brian Wepper (Bendigo Ban Bank), Colin Twigg (Hardwood And Andrews) Jessica Valencia (Eld (Elders Real Estate) 4 Step 4.

Stephen Cornelissen (Mercy Hea Health) and Glen Smith (Pow (Powercor)

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BUSINESS WEST

35

BW NETWORK Business West Network – a growing directory of local businesses ready to do business with you.

You can join the Business West Network by registering online at www.businesswest.com.au to make sure you receive your personal copy of Business West AND receive a free onetime 30-word listing for your business in a future edition.

ENCORE TISSUE 37-41 Gilbertson Rd, Laverton North 9931 1433 Manufacturer of toilet tissue and paper towel.

DANCEMAX Cnr Heaths & Derrimut Rds, Werribee Plaza Library Complex Level 1, Werribee 0407 252 799 DanceMax IS the fun and friendly experience!

Classes for students from 2years to adults in jazz, tap, classical ballet, acrobatics and hip hop. Specialist beginners’ classes, boys’ classes and adult classes available.

DEXUS PROPERTY GROUP 1/180 Flinders Street, Melbourne 8611 2960 Own and develop industrial land in the Truganina precinct. Own and manage numerous blue chip facilities in the West.

RIO’S TASTY CHICKS Shop 7, 110-116 Fitzgerald Rd, Laverton Nth 8360 9408 Charcoal chicken, fried chicken, hamburgers, chicken burgers, fish and chips, souvlaki, homemade schnitzel, garlic cream potatoes, All day breakfast. Eat in or take away. Friendly atmosphere. Open 6am to 3pm.

MELTON CHINESE MEDICINE Shop 4, 264 High St, Melton 9743 5801 In Melton Chinese Medicine we give our clients the opportunity to focus on their wellness rather than sickness by providing unlimited number of natural and gentle treatments for one year.

HOBAN RECRUITMENT 32 Little Boundary Rd, Laverton North 9325 3200 Entirely Australian-owned recruitment services provider, specialising in temporary and permanent recruitment for industrial and commercial sectors. HOBAN services government, large corporations through to SMEs.

KENNYS CARDIOLOGY POINT COOK 8 John Phelps Court, Seabrook 9395 7514 Kennys sells cards and gifts that are normally hard to get elsewhere. Our motto is “Cards and Gifts from the Heart”.

SOUTHERN AURORA SHEDS PO Box 238, Mortlake 9746 6255 Southern Aurora Sheds specialises in the supply of quality sheds and water tanks for a diverse range of needs ranging from small suburban backyards to lifestyle, farming, and commercial applications.

WOODS REAL ESTATE PO Box 83, Melton, Victoria 9743 6866 At Woods Real Estate our philosophy is to work hard and be available when our clients have time and need to see us. We are open 7 days a week until 7pm.

THE YARRAVILLE CLUB 135 Stephen St, Yarraville 9689 6033 The Yarraville Club is a not-for-profit community club providing dining, entertainment and bar facilities to members and visitors. Function rooms are available for hire. The club supports local community groups.

GARY CLOUGH ELECTRICAL 21 Berry St, Yarraville 9687 3052 Domestic and industrial electrical work.

KWIK KOPY MOONEE PONDS 10 Pascoe Vale Rd, Moonee Ponds 9326 0599 www.mooneeponds.kwikkopy.com.au Print and copy business including graphic design servicing North West Melbourne and beyond. Personal service from experts.

JORDAN CONSULTING SERVICES PO Box 1057, Werribee Plaza, Werribee 0437 723 590 I look after OH&S and WorkCover RTW for companies.

FILIGREE JEWELLERY 12 Douglas Parade, Williamstown 9397 8968 Jewellery sales, cleaning, creation, watches and repairs.

CLARK & TOOP LAWYERS 104 Douglas Parade, Williamstown 9397 5700 Compensation and personal injury experts.

WILLIAMSTOWN NEWS & LOTTO 16 Douglas Parade, Williamstown 9397 6020 Newspapers and Lotto FITZGERALD OPTOMETRISTS 48 Douglas Parade, Williamstown, Victoria 9397 6031 Eye testing and prescription glasses.

STEAM PACKET HOTEL 13 Cole St, Williamstown 9399 9600 Provides counter meals in a trendy bar area, with all season beer gardens.

T.O.P. BRICKLAYING 39 Upton St, Altona 9315 0552 Bricklaying and building expertise.

HOLLYWOOD PLUMBING SERVICE 17 Quinn Drive, Keilor Park 9331 7564 Specialises in domestic, industrial and commercial plumbing along with drainage and sewers.

Register to get your FREE copy of BUSiNESS WEST now!

Go to www.businesswest.com.au 36

BUSINESS WEST

BW NETWORK ACP SECURITY GROUP 287 Princes Highway, Werribee 9625 2588 Established 2000 with business partners Helmut and Budimir, both worked in the industry more than 15 years. Commercial and industrial applications offering monitoring, patrols and guards servicing Werribee, Melton, Malvern.

AMES EDUCATION WERRIBEE Level 1, 75-79 Watton St, Werribee 8744 0011 www.ames.net.au AMES (Education) provides English language tuition to adult refugees and migrants facilitating smoother settlement for new arrivals to Australia. Most classes are free to eligible visa holders.

GAVAN BLACK SOLICITORS 27 Ferguson St, Williamstown 9397 2200 We are a local legal firm who have been in Williamstown for over 45 years. We offer friendly and personal service to individuals, companies and businesses.

FOOTSCRAY RENEWAL 92 Nicholson St, Footscray 0411 149 053 At the Footscray Renewal office, a combination of local and state government employees provide information about what’s happening in Footscray and provide development assistance to anyone looking to invest in the area.

FAMILY BUSINESS AUSTRALIA Level 3, 450 St Kilda Rd , Melbourne 9867 5322 www.fambiz.org.au As the peak body in Australia for family business, Family Business Australia is here to provide support, and offer solutions to suit families in business, ensuring family business success from generation to generation.

CHALLENGE PACKAGING AND WAREHOUSING SOLUTIONS 65 Venture Drive, Sunshine West 9318 9200 Contract packaging and warehousing; assembly/pick and pack; reworks/storage; labeling /distribution; sorting /container unload; shrinkwrap; value adding.

ECMS 7 Zara Court , Albanvale 0413 020 601 www.ecms.org.au Overseeing three child care centres in the West managed by ECMS. JUNCTION TOOL SUPPLIES 608 Barkly St, West Footscray 9689 8777 www.junctiontools.com.au JTS specialises in the supply of engineering tools and equipment. We keep a huge product range on site and employ staff with extensive trade knowledge to offer advice.

IRONFISH GROUP 7 Kalorama St, Tarneit 0403 698 867 My company specialises in property investing, land sales and building construction, especially in the West.

QUO VADIS CONSULTING 5 Bennett Close, Hoppers Crossing 9749 4321 www.quovadisconsulting.com.au Business consultancy specialising in SME; corporate health checks; strategic planning; cashflow and working capital optimisation; profitability analysis; supply chain and logistics; coaching and mentoring; business process re-engineering; inventory planning and lifecycle management; change management.

REDEFINE STUDIO 10 Barnes place, Werribee 9741 5541 www.redefinestudio.com.au This new way to tone and strengthen your muscles, while helping you to lose centimetres.

FURNITURE AT BEDS ON COLLINS 1 Gratz St, St Albans 9310 8266 www.bedsoncollins.com Our business was started 15 years ago in St Albans. We retail bedding bedroom furniture as well as general furniture, lounge, dining and so on.

COMPU-STOR PO Box 560, Altona 1300 559 778 www.compu-stor.com.au Compu-Stor is a quality-endorsed, 100pc Australian owned and operated family company providing a complete range of records storage and management services.

ETIEN ENGINEERING PO Box 159, South Melbourne 86858372 www.etienegineering.com Innovative technology relating to electrical generator design and electricity distribution cable. The company is able to provide cost effective solutions to many of the renewable energy and grid issues.

CONCEPT FASTENERS PTY LTD 8 Flight Drive, Tullamarine 93386633 www.conceptfasteners.com.au Sales and distribution of industrial and specialised fasteners, security seals and associated hardware items to the sheet metal, automotive, transport, industrial and aerospace industries.

GEN Z MEDIA 0419 927 244 www.GenZMedia.com Gen Z Media manage internet marketing campaigns for their clients on a performance basis, which means you only pay for leads received. Contact them today for a no obligation chat.

ACI ELECTRICS 10 Bethanga Ct, Taylors Lakes 9390 2888 Electrical contractors including commercial industrial and domestic installations, supply and install split system air conditioners, data cabling, security systems supplied and installed servicing all suburbs.

Register to get your FREE copy of BUSiNESS WEST now!

Go to www.businesswest.com.au BUSINESS WEST

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BW NETWORK KNOT NEW 4 Brimpton Grove, Wyndham Vale 0414 607 313 We are a picture framing business. We frame anything that doesn’t move and specialise in hand finished frames for the artist and photography markets.

JOLT FITNESS 5/32 Clifton St, Aberfeldie 0414 437 796 www.joltfitness.com.au Mobile personal training company serving Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley. Specialising in bootcamps and small group training.

EMRACK INTERNATIONAL PO Box 677, Williamstown 9311 2822 www.emrackinternational.com.au Specialising in the design and manufacture of innovative industrial and retail storage solutions. Emrack has built a reputation for strength, quality and client support throughout the country.

E PLASTICS 5 Muirhead Gardens, Caroline Springs 0421 218 905 e plastics specialises in working with companies to offer complete waste management solutions. We specialise in the recycling of plastics including pallet wrap, packaging, wheelie bins and drums.

FIRST CLASS ACCOUNTS - CRAIGIEBURN PO Box 29, Craigieburn 0411 062 775 www.firstclassaccounts.com/craigieburn More than just a bookkeeper providing high quality, professional bookkeeping services.

Offering services from data logistics to training and BAS lodgement. Reward your business and go First Class.

DOCUVAN PTY LTD Unit 3, 216 Blackshaws Rd, Altona North 1300 855 839 www.docuvan.com.au Docuvan provide secure, convenient document scanning services anywhere in Australia and NZ. We process accounts payable documents, provide mailroom services as well as helping you with your document backlog.

TELSTRA BUSINESS CENTRE OUTER WEST MELBOURNE Level 2, 445 Keilor Road, Niddrie 1300 548 700 www.telstrabusiness.com We are passionate about helping local businesses with their communications and have worked in the local area since 2005.

Drop in or call us and we’ll come to you.

INSIDE EDGE SPORT AND LEISURE PLANNING 32 Palmerston St, West Footscray 0413 985 285 We are an innovative planning consultancy specialising in business and strategic planning, community facility development and operational improvement projects for local and regional sporting clubs, local government and education institutions.

MATTHEWS STEER CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Level 2, 7 English St, Essendon Fields 9325 6306 www.matthewssteer.com.au The Matthews Steer team of highly skilled accountants and financial planners provides: comprehensive packages of strategic and business planning, tax, business development, systems solutions, finance sourcing and wealth creation services.

WHK 175 Bromfield St, Colac 0428 241 921 www.whk.com.au National accounting, financial planning, lending, insurance (personal and asset) business with 100 offices throughout Australia. Local offices situated in Synott St, Werribee, Malop St, Geelong, Armstrong St, Ballarat.

BANKWEST 60-70 Mahoneys Rd, Thomastown 9474 4919 www.bankwest.com.au Bankwest provides commercial banking facilities in the North West Region.

CAREERSADVICE 0413 412 617 www.careersadvice.com.au CAREERSAdvice provides personal careers advice and life coaching to students, job seekers or job changers through an affordable range of online and face to face packages.

MANDEVILLE NOMINEES PTY LTD PO Box 223, Taylors Lakes 1300 139 740 www.viclimos.com.au Using a chauffeur car is not about being pretentious; it is about your safe alternative to taxis. We assist everyone from young families to the elderly. Your safety is paramount.

Register to get your FREE copy of BUSiNESS WEST now!

Go to www.businesswest.com.au 38

BUSINESS WEST

ECONOMY

CEOs OPTIMISTIC ABOUT BUSiNESS AUSTRALIAN chief executives have a robust’ outlook on business conditions after Christmas, according to the first national The CEO Institute Business Confidence Index taken last month.

The index is a commissioned quarterly survey of The CEO Institute’s members - CEOs and leaders of large private and public companies, SMEs and professional firms from a diverse range of industries around the country - tracking their expectations of business and economic outlook.

FIGURE 1: THE CEO INSTITUTE BUSINESS CONFIDENCE INDEX, SEPTEMBER QUARTER 2010 The CEO Institute Business Confidence Index 60

53

41

30

“The mood of CEOs is of cautious optimism - but there’s evidence some businesses are experiencing margin pressure, with a number expecting an increase in turnover but not in profit,” Mr Davies said.

10

BUSINESS CONFIDENCE BY STATE: Respondents in Victoria had a positive rating of 47, compared with the national average of 45. Western Australia was the most positive with a rating of 58. Business confidence in South Australia was 22.

Queensland came in at 45 and New South Wales 43.

CEOs indicated the biggest impact on their business in the next three months would be interest rates (14% of respondents) and the exchange rate (12%).

Seasonal factors were cited by 11pc, with 10pc suggesting consumer confidence and 9pc the labour market.

42

45

38

40

The institute’s national spokesperson, Evan Davies, said the poll shows CEOs’ strongest positive sentiment is confidence in the economy. They are less confident about improved profitability.

“Confidence is reasonably high, reflecting an expectation that sales will increase, but our CEOs are flagging only moderate intentions for employment and investment, and significantly lower expectations of profit growth.”

48

50

20

0

Direction of economy

Employment

Investment

Profit

Sales

CEO Business Confidence Index

n=273

The graph above shows that CEOs are most confident about the direction of the economy (a positive rating of 53), followed by sales (48), investment (42), employment (41) and profit (38).

Mr Davies said it was significant that respondents view the direction of the economy slightly more positively than their own businesses.

He said this may be due to factors beyond their control, including exchange rates and interest rates.

“Members agree the Australian economy is strong, but when they give close scrutiny to their own business performance they are not yet as positive about this as they are on the economy.

“One of the CEOs in our survey commented that ‘people are holding onto what they’ve got – jobs, houses, cash, people’ and this comment is representative of how our members seem to be tracking at the moment.”

ABOUT THE CEO INSTITUTE Established in 1992 as a peer-to-peer membership organisation for chief executives, with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Its members meet regularly in small groups to share ideas, experiences and challenges to be exposed to leading edge business thinking. Barry Westhorpe is the institute’s Chief Executive – Victoria and he can be contacted at:The CEO Institute, Level 2, Suite 5, 1632 1638 High St, Glen Iris VIC 3146. Phone 9885 5122

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