Business West March 2011

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WHEN DISASTER STRIKES THE SUN RISES POWERING YOUR BUSINESS 10 TIPS ON FBT

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

9 123456 789013

OH , BROTHER!

ISSUE 8 MARCH 2011

510859-SH12-11

BUSiNESS SERVICES BUSINESS SUPPORT

IT SERVICES

DESIGN, PRINT & WEB SOLUTIONS

HEALTH & MOBILITY

Complete Comfort

Phone 9741 8507 21 Comben Drive, Werribee 3030

510854-SH12-11

510851-SH12-11

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

BATHROOMS

Need Ca$h for Staff Training?

We can help!

Ascet Tafe 96608900 info@ascet.edu.au

C882415-JL5-11

• Adjustable Beds • Hi/Lo Beds • Lift Recliner Chairs • Massage Chairs • Scooters • Mobility Aids • Daily Living Aids • Sports Medical • Orthotics • Incontinence Products • Compression Socks & Stockings John & Marge Head and Staff

Find us online at www.alltasks.com.au Call us on 9312 7444

897137-MD12-11

Keeping organisations healthy – specialising in business process we can work with you to resolve an immediate organisational issue or to assist in forward planning and strategy to add value.

Contact us for a complimentary no-obligation discussion.

Ph 1300 602 880 www.complianceessentials.com.au Essential Compliance and best practice for every business

C510857-SH12-11

alltasksIT providing IT solutions to businesses in the West for over 20 years.

Located in Sunshine West and the Melbourne CBD, we can meet your IT needs, no matter your industry or location.

To advertise your services to the business community phone: 1300 666 808

Manufacturer of Corrugated Packaging S+ORT RUN SPEC,A/,ST ANY S+APE...ANY S,=E NO M,N,MUM QUANT,T,ES CUSTOM,=ED OR OFF T+E S+E/F CONTACT US FOR A QUOTE TODAY!

491335-KS06-11

Phone: 9310 1972 Email: robert@boxestogo.com.au Fax: 9310 2374 www.boxestogo.com.au

BUSINESS WEST

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BUSiNESS SERVICES

Down to earth Internet marketing products for Western suburbs businesses.

Call 1300 639 249 or www.genzmedia.com.au/bw m.au/bw

INTERIOR DESIGN

Domenic Sbaglia t 9318 9200 f 9318 9211 m 0418 346 617 e cpack1@swiftdsl.com.au a 65 Venture Drive, Sunshine West 3020

ERGONOMICS Interior Design Services (commercial & residential)

O’Brien Electrical has been providing electrical services to the Industrial, Commercial and Domestic industry since 1976.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

Keeping Business Safe in the West

SECRETARIAL SERVICES GET YOUR VALUABLE TIME BACK, HIRE A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT (VA)

For all your cleaning products Supplier of: Paper Products and Chemicals

Executive Business Solutions (EBS) provides a wide range of expert Virtual Administration and Personal Assistant Services. We can perform such tasks as general typing, digital transcription, desktop publishing, website design and maintenance and resume writing, just to name a few.

• Toilet paper • Jumbo rolls • Paper hand towels • Hand soaps • Disinfectants • Floor cleaners • And more

EBS are much kinder to your bank balance than hiring a full time or part time staff member. So don't use up your valuable time and money on secretarial and administration tasks... make your life easier with EBS!

Buy bulk and save Servicing hotels, schools, restaurants, nursing homes, cleaning contractors, etc. General public welcome Pick up or delivery 9449 4007 - 0411 588 496 Open 7 days

Ph: (03) 9307 8513 Mob: 0407 882 446 maria@executivebusinesssolutions.com.au www.executivebusinesssolutions.com.au

503910-JF6-11

498513-SH45-10

43 Market Road, Sunshine Vic 3020 Ph: 9312 1000 Fax: 9312 1908

GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRINTING

We are a boutique event management company with over 20 years experience in making events an exceptional experience for you and your attendees.

IMS specialise in organising Conferences, Functions, Trade Shows, Exhibitions, Product Launches & Incentives and Gala Dinners.

We offer continuity and expertise, complete end to end event management ensuring delivery of a landmark event.

For further information please contact: Deanna Zammit - Event Director Level 1, 250 Queen Street, Melbourne Tel: (03) 8643 5952 or mobile: 0418 551 630 www.imsservices.com.au

DEBT RECOVERY

491325-KS06-11

MARKETING

• Fault Finding and Breakdowns • PLC • Test and Tag • Installation & Maintenance

EVENT MANAGEMENT 503911-KS06-11

CLEANING SOLUTIONS

Telephone: 03 9687 5266 Email: brendan@bges.com.au www.bges.com.au

484478-SH45-10

Free consultation.

Fixed fee approach.

Member of the DIA.

ELECTRICAL

brendangrimes ergonomics & safety 401360-KS06-11

unit 8/4-6 commercial crt, tullamarine 3043 krndesign.com.au rose@krndesign.com.au; t: 9338 1640; m: 0411 040 669

• Colour Consultancy • Workplace Design • Reception Fitouts • Renovations • Property Developments • Styling Services

Keep your data safe 24/7 with Alink’s IT managed services For support & sales talk to us today on 1800 225 465 or www.alink.com.au

491324-KS06-11

Confused? We’re not.

IT SERVICES > Contract Packaging > Sorting > Heat Sealing > Shrink Wrapping > Pick and Pack > Assembly > Collating > Labeling > Container Unload > Storage/Distribution

491323-JF5-11

PACKAGING 491328-JF6-11

INTERNET MARKETING

503916-TB06-11

Ph: 1300 858 610 ‘Servicing the local business community’

EVENTS MANAGEMENT

TEMPORARY STAFFING PERMANENT PLACEMENTS • Trades & Construction • Warehousing / Logistics • Clerical / Administration • Manufacturing / Process • Maintenance/Engineering Resources •24 hour service TELEPHONE: 9369 4459 FAX: 9369 2849 12/22-30 Wallace Avenue - Point Cook VICTORIA 3030 info@capturerecruitment.com.au www.capturerecruitment.com.au

MARKETING 491348-SH12-11

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

Email: sales@actionmdr.com.au Website: www.actionmdr.com.au • debt recovery • legal services • receivables management

The Wyndham Events Centre is the perfect venue for your next function or for that special occasion; distinctive in design and versatile in its spaces.

Ph: 03 8742 8304 www.wyndhamlec.com.au

510853-SAH12-11

To advertise your services to the business community phone: 1300 666 808 38

BUSINESS WEST

FFOR OR YOUR DIARY

MARCH Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Developing the Entrepreneurial Mindset workshop. Melton Civic Centre rooms 1 and 2, 232 High St, Melton. 8.30am – 11am. $50 for GMCC and WIBNET members, $65 non-members.

Call 9747 7200 to book.

Brimbank Business Breakfast. Overnewton Castle Receptions, Overnewton Rd, Keilor. 7.15am – 9am.

Call 9249 4630 to book.

Saturday

Sunday

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 The importance of branding to your business.

Moonee Valley City Council, 9 Kellaway Ave, Moonee Ponds. 6pm – 8pm. Free.

Call 9925 4195 to book.

Activity Statement Essentials Seminar.

Wyndham City Civic Centre, 45 Princes Hwy, Werribee.

6pm – 8pm. Free.

Call 1300 661 104 to book.

Mortgage Choice business seminar. Moonee Valley Clocktower Centre, 750 Mount Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds. 6pm.

MARCH/APRIL Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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Rental Properties Seminar.

Wyndham City Civic Centre, 45 Princes Hwy, Werribee.

6pm – 8pm. Free.

Call 1300 661 104 to book.

Basic Food Handling Course. East Keilor RSL, 12-16 Hoffmans Rd, Essendon. 9am – 1pm. $95.

Call 1300 665 633 to book.

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Women in Business Lunch.

Ascot House, 50 Fenton St, Ascot Vale. 12pm – 2.30pm. $40. Call 9243 8866 to book.

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Get your business organised seminar.

Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, 115 Civic Pde, Altona.

6pm – 8pm. $20.

Call 9932 1000 to book.

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11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Basic Food Handling course. West Footscray Neighbourhood House, 539 Barkly St, West Footscray. $95.

Call 1300 665 633 to book.

Wyndham BizNet Monthly Meeting. Point Cook Homestead Café, 1 Point Cook Homestead Rd, Point Cook.

6.30pm – 9pm. $35 for members, $45 for non-members.

Call 0418 533 806 to book.

Responsible Service of Alcohol course. East Keilor RSL, 12-16 Hoffmans Rd, Essendon. 9am – 1pm. $75.

Call 1300 665 633 to book.

25 26 27 28 29 30 Making your business childfriendly workshop. Moonee Valley City Council, 9 Kellaway Ave, Moonee Ponds.

6pm – 7.30pm. Free.

Call 9243 8744 to book.

siness Excellence Melton Business Awards. Witchmount Estate Winery, 5577 Leakes Rd, Plumpton. From 6pm.

Call 9747 7200 to book.

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BW NETWORK COULTER ROACHE LAWYERS Level 1, 235 Ryrie St, Geelong 5273 5273 www.coulterroache.com.au Coulter Roache Lawyers is a leading regional law firm that provides high quality legal advice to corporate, small business and private clients in the Geelong and surrounding areas.

STEREO 974 PO Box 5406, Cairnlea 9318 0930 www.stereo974.com STEREO 974 is a community radio station, broadcasting 24 hours a day. 60 hours per week. We are dedicated to broadcasting in 10 ethnic languages. Staffed by volunteers.

APPRENTICESHIPS GROUP AUSTRALIA 301 Foleys Rd (PO Box 49), Deer Park 0408 531 024 www.agaustralia.com.au AGA offer quality apprenticeships to young people by providing them secure employment and quality training. We also hire our apprentices to employers on short and long term placements.

CLEAN AND GONE PTY LTD 8 Dinsdale St, Albert Park 9077 2508 www.cleanandgone.com.au De-fit and demolition business specialising in commercial strip outs. We recycle or salvage as much of the waste as possible.

LAVERTON OFFICESMART 12-16 Aviation Rd, Laverton 0414 823 230 lavertonofficesmart.com.au Saving you time and money on all your stationery needs - order online, phone or fax.

Great service and free delivery to metro area, goods delivered within 24hours of placing an order.

THE CHEFS TOOLBOX 22 Hannah Pascoe Dve, Gowanbrae 0418 359 221 www.chefstoolbox.com/my/daniellebriggs We sell commercial quality cookware for the domestic market and sell by holding cooking parties in customers homes so they can try before they buy.

ESSENDON HEARING 62 Buckley St, Essendon 9372 9696 www.essendonhearing.com.au Essendon Hearing specialises in hearing assessment, hearing aids and hearing protection. We offer free services for pensioners and veterans. Our audiologists are university-trained and very experienced clinicians.

WERRIBEE FOOTBALL CLUB PO Box 2049, Werribee 9741 6688 www.werribeefc.com.au The Werribee Football Club competes within the VFL against clubs such as, Collingwood, Geelong, Williamstown and more. Playing home games at Avalon Airport Oval @ Chirnside Park, Watton St, Werribee.

BTI LOGISTICS 62-66 Western Ave, Tullamarine 1300 888 327 www.btilogistics.com.au We specialise in international transport for inbound and outbound air and ocean freight, customs brokerage, warehousing and distribution, motorsports logistics and supply chain solutions.

STATE TRUSTEES 168 Exhibition St, Melbourne 9667 2856 www.statetrustees.com.au State Trustees has been helping Victorians with their financial needs for over 70 years so they can make the most of their opportunities.

HOCKING STUART YARRAVILLE/ALTONA/ KENSINGTON 130 Gamon St, Yarraville 8387 0555 hockingstuart.com.au We are a local real estate eagency experienced in residential and commercial leasing and sales.

We network with our Kensington and Altona branches to achieve greater client results.

GEELONG CONFERENCE CENTRE PO Box 280, Geelong 5226 2121 www.gcc.net.au Located in the heart of Eastern Park Gardens, the Geelong Conference Centre provides a tranquil environment that is conducive to hosting residential conferences and day meetings.

WHITE CARD FOOD & EVENTS 2 Booker St, Spotswood 9392 4868 www.whitecardevents.com Exclusive caterers at Scienceworks Museum and the Immigration Museum. Delivering exceptional catering and event management in amazing spaces for corporate functions, family days and weddings.

Register to get your FREE copy of BUSiNESS WEST now!

Go to www.businesswest.com.au 36

BUSINESS WEST

BW NETWORK WILLIAMSTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PO Box 365, Williamstown 0400 442 530 www.visitwilliamstown.com.au A not-for-profit organisation lobbying needs of businesses in the Williamstown and Hobsons Bay Council area.

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SERVICES PTY LTD PO Box 844, Moonee Ponds 8643 5952 www.imsservices.com.au A boutique event and conference management company with 20 years experience. We can organise small to large events tailored to your specifications with absolute professionalism.

STRAND PROPERTY PO Box 589, Altona 0425 771 060 www.strandproperty.com.au Strand provides consulting services to property investors and developers. Specialising in urban planning and design, we have extensive experience in Melbourne’s rapidly growing Western Region.

RECREATION HEALTH CLUB Shop 35 ,13-15 Lake St, Caroline Springs 8361 7722 www.recreationcarolinesprings.com.au Re-Creation Health Club which is situated in Caroline Springs provides health and fitness for local and surrounding areas. The club’s facilities include gym, Cardio, group ftness and much more.

NOTES MUSIC SCHOOL Level 1, 21 Station Place, Werribee 9749 8300 www.notesmusic.com.au A private music school specialising in guitar, piano, bass, drums, singing, flute, theory, VCE. Group and solo performance. Exams arranged with AMEB or ANZCA. Established in Werribee in 1995.

ANDREA HENRICKSON ENTERPRISES 25A Ramsay St, Aberfeldie 0423 777 137 www.ahenterprises.com.au Working with small-medium sized business owners to clear the clutter of the mind and external pressures, bring focus and specificity to business objectives and working to elevate business performance.

ALLPOINTS ELECTRICAL SAFETY TESTING 17 Stretton Place, Wyndham Vale 0411 437108 Testing and tagging of portable electrical appliances and equipment.

GET WET MARINE 353 Kororoit Creek Rd, Altona 0419 644 151 www.getwetmarine.com.au Get Wet Marine specialise in the mechanical repairs and servicing of outboard motors.

We are also Melbourne’s only authorised dealer of Parsun outboard motors and Island Inflatable Boats.

ALLTASKS IT 566 Somerville Rd, Sunshine West 9312 7444 www.alltasks.com.au alltasksIT will monitor your network, servers and computers, rectify problems and conduct daily pro-active maintenance with the minimum of fuss and at one fixed monthly cost.

JAS H STEPHENS REAL ESTATE 104 Somerville Rd, Yarraville 9316 9000 www.jasstephens.com.au Jas H. Stephens is a 4th generation family owned real estate agency in the Inner West.

With an office in Yarraville and Williamstown, we are well known for our market share.

CUT ABOVE BOOKKEEPING 72 Kulin Dve, Tarneit 0412 582 045 I am a sole trader offering bookkeeping services to small and medium sized businesses in the West.

WESTKON PRECAST PTY LTD PO Box 371, Sunshine 9312 3688 www.westkon.com.au Westkon Precast is a well established Australian precast concrete company, which has developed a reputation for providing highly innovative precast concrete structures and quality precast concrete products.

SNAP WERRIBEE 42 Synnot St, Werribee 9741 8899 www.werribee.snap.com.au At Snap, we’re good people to work with. After a century as Australia’s number one choice for business printing, we now offer graphic design, online marketing services and direct marketing.

ASIA PACIFIC SECURITY GROUP Suite 1, 420 Mt Alexander Rd, Ascot Vale 9370 3900 www.apsecurity.com.au Asia Pacific Security Group is a corporate advisory and consulting firm providing business protection services to organisations seeking pro-active strategies to minimise business risks and threats.

HI-MARK PRESS GROUP 2/45 Chelmsford St, Williamstown 9397 1444 www.himarkpress.com.au Artwork plus print plus finish = your ally.

We provide general and commercial printing together with a full range of marketing medium and point of sale material.

SECURENCY INTERNATIONAL 10 Lewis St, Glenroy 0416 242 303 Securency produces polymer banknote substrate technology and markets this worldwide.

AUSTRALIAN BRUSHWARE CORP. 76 George St, Taylors Hill 0428 488 122 www.austbrush.com.au and www.flatpax. com.au DIY Flatpax Resolutions Furniture (kitchen, laundry, wardrobe furniture), and Monarch painting brush and other painting accessories.

Register to get your FREE copy of BUSiNESS WEST now!

Go to www.businesswest.com.au 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.

QUEST SANCTUARY LAKES 9 Greg Norman Dve, Point Cook 9394 2100 www.questsanctuarylakes.com.au Serviced apartments.

SHADDAI GROUP PTY LTD 36 Watton St, Werribee 9741 5500 Chocolate-themed boutique cafe in the Werribee CBD also offering retail giftware as well as a place to indulge in the finest chocolate.

MATCHWORKS 40 Synnot St, Werribee 8742 3444 MatchWorks provides a range of employment related services to people looking for work from 19 sites throughout Victoria including our office in Werribee.

BELMONT FINANCIAL PLANNERS Shop 3/165 High St, Belmont 5241 1555 Maximising your entire financial situation is vital for quality of life. With your finances under control now and for the future, enjoyment of other aspects of your life becomes easier.

ANNECTO 81 Cowper St, Footscray 9687 7066 We are a NFP community organisation committed to enabling inclusion and opportunities for people with disability, older people, families and carers.

EXECUTIVE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PO Box 3084, Caroline Springs 0407 882 446 We offer personal assistant and administrative services virtually, which means by being virtual, we are lucky enough to be able to pass on the savings to our clients.

ALTONA RSL SUB-BRANCH INC. 31 Sargood St, Altona, 9398 2817 www.altonarsl.com Altona RSL is located right in the heart of Altona. Great place to come and relax with friends to enjoy a meal/refreshments and entertainment. Function rooms available.

PALADIN CAPITAL PTY LTD PO Box 5122, Garden City 9863 9699 As specialists in seniors’ housing finance, Paladin Capital understands the unique challenges the industry faces in many ways that traditional financiers may not.

VICTORIAN CONTAINER MANAGEMENT 365 Esplanade, Altona 9314 2244 We offer a wide variety of skills for all types of container repairs plus a large allotment to cater to your storage needs.

LACEY HR CONSULTANCY 22 Pagnoccolo St, Werribee 0414 616 365 Providing HR and employment relations solutions to business; including management of staff relations, recruitment and retention, performance, remuneration, staff discipline investigations, managing personal grievances and development of employment related policies.

LANTERN GHOST TOURS 3a Courtis St, Williamstown 0450 422 296 www.lanternghosttours.com Lantern Ghost Tours runs haunted walking tours, pub crawls and weekends away through Melbourne and Victorian ghost towns.

JMM COMMUNICATIONS 23 Cardigan Place, Albert Park 9696 5060 www.jmm.com.au Communications agency.

F&M HOMEWOOD ELECTRICAL SERVICES 72 Morris St, Williamstown 9397 7831 Electrical work at your home or business.

THINH PHAT CAKES 13 Victoria Cres, St Albans 0435 092 348 Cakes made by order - specialising in birthday cakes, wedding and other special occasion cakes.

SANTINI FAMILY RESTAURANT 102 - 104 Watton St, Werribee 0430 539 797 Santini’s cuisine is Modern Australian with a range covering seafood, steak, chicken, lamb, veal, risottos, pasta, pizza as well as a smattering of Asian and Eastern dishes.

Open 7 evenings from 5 to 10.30 pm.

WILLIAMSTOWN CARPETS PO Box 560, Williamstown 9399 9200 Carpets and rugs of all shapes and sizes to meet your needs.

WILLIAMSTOWN CRANE HIRE 114 Dohertys Rd, Laverton North 1300 555 214 Crane hire.

TRAVEL COUNSELLORS 7 Churchill Crt, Hoppers Crossing 9974 6278 www.travelcounsellors.com.au/natalie. freeman A mobile travel agent who is available whenever and wherever you need for all your personal and business travel.

GIFT GIVERS GALLERY 54 Watton St, Werribee 8742 6642 A store where everyone can buy a gift for anybody. Selling gifts for men, women, children and newborns including original artworks by local talents.

Register to get your FREE copy of BUSiNESS WEST now!

Go to www.businesswest.com.au 34

BUSINESS WEST

AFTER HOURS

NETWORK FOR SUCCESS

Marcia Griffin with Matthews Steer CEO, Ken Matthews.

MARCIA Griffin was the guest speaker at the Matthews Steer ?????????????????????? breakfast at Ascot House in Ascot Vale. Marcia is a former CEO of POLA Cosmetics (Australia and New Zealand), author of HighHeeled Success and winner of Telstra’s Victorian Business Woman of the Year Award (1995). The last two years has seen Marcia co-develop the Griffin+Row natural skincare range and build this into an empire of 160 stores Australiawide and online.

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Maria D’Agostino, senior accountant at Matthews Steer and Susan Cowan, Director at Weaveweb.

Brett McLeod from Channel Nine MC’d the breakfast.

Stephanie Marendy and Bronnie Masefau from Leaf Interiors and Kylie Musone, of Matthews Steer. ?????????

Dana Hlavacek, RSPCA Victoria Director, John Rashleigh, CEO at Navy Health, director Matthews Steer Barbara McLure, Pictures: NICOLE SULTANA and Geoff Steer… the Steer half of Matthews Steer.

BUSINESS WEST

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AFTER HOURS

Simon McCusky and Martine Johnson.

Pictures: KRISTIAN SCOTT

1. Felicity Shanahan and Luke Day from Tracy Replacement) with Lidia Cammarano (Lidia’s wigs).

2. Anna Ciccarelli (Collins and Co), Cameron Jones (ReCar), Robert Jones (CarTrek Sign and Design).

3. Margaret Tormai (Bookkeeper) catches up with Magdalena Njokos and Scott Amberley from Legal Essentials.

4. Paul Kelly (Collins and Co) shares a laugh with Emanuel Tumino (Meerkin and Apel Lawyers). ???????????

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BUSINESS WEST

FOOTSCRAY REVIVAL THE Footscray Renewal team briefed the first Western Region Business Club networking event ?????????????????????? for 2011 at the Yarraville Club. About 90 guests heard and then questioned speakers Simon McCusky and Martine Johnson. The club meets quarterly and is organised by Collins and Co, and supported by Business West and Star News Group.

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AFTER HOURS

THE first Women in Business ?????????????????????? event for 2011 was a successful evening when members and nonmembers took to the croquet field at Williamstown Croquet club.

The event was supported by Williamstown Croquet Club, Hobson’s Bay City Council, Star News Group and Williamstown Chamber of Commerce.

anyone for CROQUET?

BiZNET

Front (L-R): Tania Sacco, Client Services Manager at Youth Now; Josie Campese, Group Leader at The Chef’s Toolbox; Sally Curtis, Business Tourism Officer from Hobson’s Bay City Council; Maria Cox, Education and Training Manager at Youth Now; Lavisha Kapoor, Vice President of Women in Business Network; Anna Hancox President of Women in Business Network; ?????????

Gemma Critelli, Accountant and Tax Agent for Your Accounts are my Business; Daisy Riitano Financial Adviser for Retireinvest.

Pictures: NICOLE SULTANA Back row: Adrian MastermanSmith President of Williamstown Croquet Club.

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BiZNET 1. Lauren Elliott (formerly Lauren Stanley), 2010 Star Business Woman of the year, shares her success story at the first Wyndham BizNet Meeting for 2011. ?????????

Pictures: NICOLE SULTANA Pictures: NICOLE SULTANA

2. Simon Webster (left), Business Manager Trades and Construction at Flexi Personnel, with Warren Welburn, Business Manager at Industrial West, and Stephen Gately, Business Partnership Broker at Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN).

3. Matthew Luttrell, Site Manager and Vonni Vaughan, Recruitment Consultant at The Placement People.

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BUSINESS WEST

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Q&A GLEN SMITH IS POWERCOR AUSTRALIA’S REGIONAL ASSET MANAGER IN THE WESTERN METRO REGION Glen Smith’s working career commenced in Victoria’s Western District has an apprentice electrician. He later moved into the construction industry for a number of years, working across many construction sites in Victoria. At the completion of the construction of the Alcoa smelter in Portland in the late 1980s he decided to put down his roots for a while and subsequently established a service company, primarily directed at supplying skilled labour resources to the Alcoa smelter.

This company grew rapidly winning many electrical construction contracts in Melbourne’s West and the Geelong region.

He moved his family to Geelong in 1990, and took up full time employment in Melbourne’s West, where he has worked for the past 21 years.

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 as an apprentice electrician for an electrical contractor within rural Victoria. These years spent in the apprenticeship taught me excellent time management skills and the importance of taking pride in everything you do; a happy customer is the best form of advertising a business can have.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER SUCCESS TO DATE? There have been many highlights in my career but I would hold my involvement in the establishment of a new multidimensional service company at the age of 27 as perhaps my most rewarding.

This company grew rapidly from its inception with one employee to 25 within 12 months and with branches in two major Victorian cities. While I moved on from my directorship of this company it has successfully traded on for over two decades.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL WORKING DAY. A normal day would see me leave Geelong at 6.30am and arrive in Melbourne at 7.30. With a cup of tea in hand, I address emails and create a ‘must do’ list for the day.

A normal day would see a variety of activities from dealing with customer issues, landlord issues for the assets that I manage to meeting with major customers or councils. My role also involves many meetings both internal and external to the business.

A normal day would see me home at about 6pm however my role also necessitates attendance and involvement in frequent pre and after hour functions sometimes requiring an overnight absence from home.

POWERCOR SPONSORS MANY BUSINESS EVENTS IN THE WEST. WHAT IS THE APPEAL OF THE WEST TO A COMPANY LIKE POWERCOR? Powercor believe in the importance of having a presence and involvement in the areas that they service and as such support and sponsor many community based activities. Powercor also support communities by being involved in such things like taking the MSO to rural Victoria and the sponsorship of about 20-plus local Business Excellence Awards.

HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? Having both a rural and trade background, I find that I need to have a balance of hands on work to unwind from what is primarily an office based job. Over the years I have run several part time businesses, built numerous extensions as an owner builder and even the odd home. I hold a pilot’s licence (although I have not flown for some time) and enjoy all forms of aviation. I also have an amateur interest in photography.

Glen Smith

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER FAILURE TO DATE? Not sure as I know I have benefited from every job I have taken on. I do not believe that anything is ever a failure but rather an opportunity to learn and grow. I understand that most people encounter setbacks within their careers but it is what individuals take and learn from these times that make the difference. I have a strong belief that everything happens for a reason.

HOW DID THAT HELP YOU GROW AS A BUSINESS MAN? Life experiences are the best teacher as long as you do not continue to make the same mistakes. The people I have met and worked with along the way, the varied roles I have undertaken, the skills, the knowledge, the setbacks – all have helped grow wisdom, experience, insight and a clear understanding that I will never stop learning.

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BUSINESS WEST

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TWO NETWORKING TIPS? Network with positive like minded people. Get involved with committees that genuinely have the community’s best interest at heart.

IF YOU HAD TO INVITE FIVE PEOPLE TO A BUSINESS LUNCHEON, WHO WOULD IT BE? Tim Costello, Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Richard Branson, Gerry Harvey WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS MANTRA? I have always believed that it is important to be involved in the communities where you work and live and as such I have sat on many committees in the western suburbs. My current role with Powercor Australia has enabled me to become involved with lobby groups such as LeadWest (of which Powercor is a member) and the Committee of Wyndham (where I currently sit on the executive committee).

SMALL TALK VICURBAN ANOTHER piece of prime Footscray real estate has gone under the hammer.

State Government development agency VicUrban is believed to be paying about $21 million for the outgoing Le Mans Toyota car dealership, a 1.3 hectare site overlooking the Maribyrnong River and at the suburb border of Footscray and West Melbourne.

The land is within the Joseph’s Road precinct and is under a Priority Development Zone, which aims to fast-track high density development next to the Footscray train line and the Maribyrnong River.

VicUrban purchased the site with a 24-month settlement period.

“This site is a critical gateway to Footscray and is in the heart of the Joseph Rd precinct, which is currently an industrial area and has been earmarked for future residential and mixed-use development,” acting CEO Sam Sangster said.

“In considering the plans for this site VicUrban will examine opportunities for partnerships across the site with a number of private developers.”

The agency is also in charge of the Maribyrnong Defence Site redevelopment, which has been earmarked for 3000 homes, blue collar business and small business.

LINCRAFT FABRIC retailer Lincraft has forked out $6.5 million for an office-warehouse at Derrimut’s Gilbertson Industrial Estate.

The 2.53-hectare Fulton Drive site includes a 9114-square metre office-warehouse and was sold with a short-term lease to distribution company Axima.

LONELY PLANET

BINKS

FOOTSCRAY’S Lonely Planet building is on the market.

CAR dealership Binks Ford has paid $1.35 million for an industrial unit along Geelong Road’s commercial strip.

The 7293-square metre office along Maribyrnong St has a price tag of $17 million and comes with a new six-year lease to Lonely Planet, which pays a $1.53 million yearly rent to current owners Trilogy Funds Management.

Maribyrnong City Council recently identified the site as having potential for high-density residential development, especially because of its views of the Maribyrnong River and Melbourne’s CBD.

A Colliers International agent said the Lincraft deal was the tenth major owneroccupier purchase in the western suburbs in the past year.

Meanwhile, another Gilbertson Estate development site went under the hammer recently, with the Swann Street property selling for $2.2 million.

“

This site is a critical gateway to Footscray and is in the heart of the Joseph Road precinct...

Bink Ford purchased the 1000 square metre showroom-warehouse, which has a broad street frontage on Geelong Rd, after auction.

Agent Nick Saunders from Colliers International said the company will use the site to for servicing and to retain Ford’s franchise rights in Footscray.

The purchase will compliment Binks Ford’s new sales and showroom along Ballarat Rd in Deer Park.

Binks Ford was awarded 2009 Ford Dealer of the Year.

Mr Saunders said the sale followed the recent trend of big industry moving out of West Footscray, and residential developments and commercial entities moving in.

“There’s really been a push from residential developers trying to secure inner-West infill sites and redeveloping it to a higher use, similar to what Cedar Woods is doing with the old South Pacific Tyres building in Barkly St,” he said.

“Companies in those older buildings have been relocating further West where there’s better road infrastructure and newer buildings.”

Mr Saunders said most of the companies were moving out to Altona, Laverton and Brooklyn.

BUSINESS WEST

29

SMALL TALK BRIMBANK BREAKFAST

BUNNINGS

DAIRY

THE next Brimbank business breakfast is on 25 March.

BUNNINGS Warehouse Highpoint took out the corporate award at the recent Footscray Rotary John H Kerr Awards.

DERRIMUT manufacturer Bulla Dairy Foods has milked the competition at the recent Australian Grand Dairy Awards.

The warehouse franchise received the award for its contribution to a range of not-for-profit community and sporting groups within the City of Maribyrnong.

Bulla’s Premium Sour Cream took out the Champion Cream award alongside 18 other award winners in varying categories.

Business owners can network with other likeminded people and spruik their business during the “mad minute”, where people have 60 seconds to promote what they do.

Guest speaker is Rachael Robertson, who in 2005 was seconded to lead the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition to Davis Station from her job as a senior manager at Parks Victoria, where she had managed Brimbank Park for three years.

Ms Robertson spent nine months in total isolation with 18 people she hardly knew.

She was the second female to ever lead a team at the station.

Ms Robertson will discuss ways to adapt to changing environments, the importance of great communication and performing under pressure.

The Brimbank business breakfast will start at 7.15am at Overnewton Castle Receptions.

Call Brian O’Dwyer on 9249 4630 to reserve your place.

The store allows groups to host sausage sizzles over the weekend to raise money; runs workshops for kids and aged care residents; provides in-store entertainment; and does about four makeovers in the community a year.

Bunnings Highpoint has also put $19,500 worth of community support this financial year to date.

The awards, which have been held since 1976, honour former Footscray Rotary Club president John H Kerr.

Footscray Rotary gave out nearly $45,000 in donations to various community groups in the West.

LOSCAM Limited is growing.

The company is building a manufacturing and storage facility in Laverton North that when completed will provide up to 70 jobs.

Bulla was founded nearly 101 years ago by cheese maker Thomas Sloan, who started up the business from his Moonee Ponds backyard.

“

WYNDHAM WYNDHAM City Council has appointed a new director of advocacy to liaise with the State and Federal governments.

Bill Forrest, the former chief executive of Nillumbik Council, joins Wyndham from his current position of CEO at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.

Sizzling... Bunnings Highpoint manager Jason Menzel with the Footscray Rotary’s J.H. Kerr corporate award.

Picture: NICOLE SULTANA

BUSINESS WEST

“We received an impressive calibre of the finest dairy entrants who have all received statebased dairy awards across Australia before entering into this competition,” Mr Halliday said.

The company employs around 550 employees, with 38 of them belonging to the 25plus year club.

Primarily known for their wooden pallets, Loscam Limited have been providing equipment hire solutions to the Australian market for over 60 years and are present in eight Asian countries; including Thailand, Vietnam, China, Indonesia and Malaysia.

28

Dairy Australia Managing Director Ian Halliday said this year’s awards unveiled the best in Australian dairy.

It is now the second fastest growing brand in Australia, the 34th largest brand in Australian supermarkets, and the market leader for bottled cream, ice cream, frozen yoghurt cottage cheese and drinking yoghurt.

LOSCAM

Mr Forrest will be responsible for the development and implementation of a three to five year advocacy strategy.

Themed a ‘salute to migrant Australia’, the awards celebrated the contribution and dedication of Australian immigrants to the dairy industry.

We received an impressive calibre of the finest dairy entrants...

Telecommunications BUSINESS CLASS SERVICE AVAILABLE IN MELBOURNE’S WEST Businesses in Melbourne’s West have access to Business Class service with Telstra’s specialised small business solutions centre.

The Telstra Business Centre provides small business in Outer West Melbourne with access to a range of market-leading technologies and services specifically designed to cater to business customers.

Telstra Small Business Sales and Service Executive Director, Charles Agee, said the Centres provided specialised staff to cater specifically to the needs of Telstra’s SME customers in their local area.

“It’s obvious that our small business customers need dedicated business centres in their local area. We’ve designed a range of centres and a way to communicate with the individual needs of each of our SMEs,” Mr Agee said.

“We’ve launched centres around the country to find solutions for each of our business customers. Whether we talk over the phone, visit our customers at their businesses or meet at the centre — it’s all about providing the best possible solution.

“Each business centre is accredited and

A BUSiNESS WEST PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Owner-operator John Rovas with the team at Outer West Melbourne Telstra Business Centre. staffed with Telstra Business Certified Solutions Professionals who offer a range of tailor-made solutions with live demonstrations to take the complexity out of buying communications technology,” he said.

John Rovas, the owner and operator of the Telstra Business Centre, said the Outer West Melbourne Telstra Business Centre could demonstrate a complete range of business technology solutions to customers — from mobile phones to more complex office phone systems.

The Business Centre is set up to help and service Telstra’s business customer’s accounts.

“The Outer West Melbourne Telstra Business Centre creates a business-class experience for our business customers to access a range of specialised business solutions, now and into the future,” he said.

The address of the Outer West Melbourne Telstra Business Centre is: Level 2, 445 Keilor Road Niddrie.

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BUSINESS WEST

27

Business Health

A BUSiNESS WEST PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

THE last two years have proved challenging for many small businesses and some are still struggling to bounce back into growth and profit.

The budget should give a clear indication of the breakeven point of the business so owners/managers know what level of revenue is required to maintain costs.

Many businesses avoid taking action and ‘hope’ things will improve.

Any cash-flow or budget should be carefully prepared, realistic and constantly reviewed.

Alternatively you can take a proactive approach and identify key issues that need to be addressed and work through one at a time to create a positive impact on the business.

SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

WHK conducts health checks for businesses to identify areas for improvement to achieve growth, improved profitability, and good decision making.

There are usually some obvious performance issues that you should watch out for including:

Implement systems that accurately calculate the profitability of your products and/or services.

For unprofitable products, raise prices or consider dropping them altogether.

Ensure you have systems in place that give you current and accurate details on items such bank balance, sales history, debtors, creditors, stock and work in progress.

STOCK CONTROL & MANAGEMENT

■ Poor cash-flow

Identify slow moving or obsolete stock and be prepared to cull products or discount them so you convert the stock into cash.

■ Outstanding tax and superannuation commitments

Be ruthless; if the products are not moving then customers don’t want them.

■ No access to finance and poor banking relationships

Monitor your stock turns on a weekly basis and analyse your purchases to ensure you don’t have too many small orders with high freight costs, too many suppliers so you don’t get quantity discounts and you take advantage of settlement discounts.

■ A history of losses

■ Supplier and creditor issues ■ Poor financial records In general terms, there are issues you can address to create business improvement or to ensure that your business continues to be robust and competitive: BUDGET AND CASH-FLOW ANALYSIS Put in place a robust three-month rolling cash-flow so you can truly understand your cash-flows and identify key flash points when they arise.

BUSINESS PLAN

It should also include a strategy on how to communicate with your major stakeholders (bank, key suppliers, key customers, shareholders and employees).

A detailed business plan together with updated budgets can be used to demonstrate to your financiers that you are working to a plan.

This will increase or maintain their confidence which is crucial at present when it is harder to raise new finance.

PROCESS REVIEW Conduct a review of your processes to identify any areas of labour or time wastage.

Are you really getting your products and services to market as efficiently as possible?

Have you got in place systems that can measure wastage or poor performance?

Perform a review of your capital assets and staffing numbers.

If you suspect your business is in financial difficulty, get proper accounting and legal advice as early as possible, to increase the likelihood of your business surviving.

WHK also assist businesses with critical financial analysis, tax minimisation, projections, benchmarking, goal seeking analysis and more.

Peter Mayall and Jeff Garfield, Business Advisory & Accounting, WHK Werribee

Update or put in place a detailed and wellprepared business plan.

The business plan must be realistic and based on accurate, current information and educated projections for the future.

Incorporating Garfield Mayall

How healthy is your business?

Our business advisers can conduct a health check on your business to identify areas of risk, issues impacting on profitability and financial management.

www.whk.com.au

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation other than for the acts or omissions of financial services licensees. WHK Pty Ltd ABN 84 006 466 351

26

BUSINESS WEST

401369-SH12-11

Call Peter Mayall or Jeff Garfield for a confidential discussion about your business goals.

18 Synnot Street Werribee Vic 3030 T: 9742 8444 werribee@whk.com.au

10

STRATEGIES

tips to help with FBT

IT IS FBT time again with the FBT year ending on 31 March. Whether you are an employer who provides benefits to employees or a tax professional attempting to help out a client, PETER MAYALL provides 10 tips you can’t ignore before lodging this year’s FBT return.

1. Check last year’s FBT return The good news is that there are no significant legislative developments that impact upon the 2011 FBT return compared to the 2010 return. This means that the 2010 FBT return should be used as a guide. Remember that there are still court and ATO decisions you need to be mindful of.

2. Cross reference the company tax return There is nothing the ATO likes better than a company tax return that contradicts the FBT return. If, in the company tax return the employer has claimed car expenses at item 6 label Y, the employer must be providing car related fringe benefits and the FBT return should reflect this. Also, item 6 label I in the company tax return is for fringe benefit employee contributions. If there is a difference between this and item 22(b) of the 2010 FBT return, the ATO is likely to send out a “please explain” letter.

3. No need to lodge The ATO now accepts that employers who have no FBT liability do not need to lodge a FBT return – even if they provide fringe benefits to their employees. Remember if you choose not to lodge you may need to have evidence that supports your “nil” FBT payable position in the event of ATO audit.

4. Beware changes to other taxes If company assets are used by employees who are either shareholders or associates of shareholders, the provision of these assets can be deemed dividends under changes to income tax rules. It is critically important not to fall foul of these provisions as this will often result in a big tax bill for the employee/ shareholder.

5.

Car receipts Many employees who salary sacrifice cars make after tax contributions in order to reduce

or eliminate FBT. Often this will be in the form of a cash payment and unreimbursed petrol costs. A trap is to ignore the noncar expenses on receipts. Often people can’t resist nibblies such as chocolate and crisps when filling up, it is important to reverse these amounts as they do not count as employee contributions.

6. Cost of car The ATO has finally released its long awaited Draft Ruling on how certain arrangements affect the “cost” of a car. The Draft deals with issues such as employee tradeins and fleet discounts and as such is essential reading for employers who provide car benefits.

7. Car odometer readings When using the km method for calculating the taxable value of a car it is very important to have both opening and closing odometer readings. You may substantiate these readings with sales or repair invoices or charge card records. However, where no information is available regarding opening and closing readings the ATO has indicated it will impose the maximum 26pc statutory fraction in working out the taxable value of the car.

8. Utes Many “tradie” style businesses believe they can provide a ute to their employees and because it is a work style vehicle it is FBT free.

Remember it is only FBT free if it is used for business purposes, home to work travel and any other private use is minor and infrequent.

The ATO is notorious for selecting audits based on the rego numbers of utes found parked at the footy.

9. GST If employees are making after tax contributions in respect of their car benefits, don’t forget that GST is payable on cash contributions and this must be remitted by employer to the ATO. There is no GST payable on unreimbursed petrol costs.

10. Distinguish “meal entertainment” and “recreation” It is vital to correctly distinguish “meal entertainment” and “recreation” because meal entertainment is subject to different valuation methods (such as 50/50 split) while “recreation” is not.

In addition, “recreation” may need to be reported on the individual’s payment summary while entertainment is not reportable. *The views in this article are the views of the author and not necessarily those of WHK Group.

This article is general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances.

PETER MAYALL Principal, Business Advisory & Accounting, WKH Werribee office.

Peter Mayall has over 30 years accounting experience and assists business clients with growth and profitability advice. Previously a partner with Werribee based Garfield Mayall, his prarctice joined the national firm WHK in June 2010.

BUSINESS WEST

25

STRATEGIES

WHAT’S POWERING YOUR BUSiNESS LET ME START BY ASKING YOU A QUESTION… …what do you believe is the secret to your business success?

PERHAPS your answer is sales ability, or having an effective marketing system, or maybe you believe it’s all about customer service and adding massive value. Clearly the ability to sell, market and deliver a quality service are all vital components of business success.

But there is an even more important and influential factor to business success… in fact, some of the most successful entrepreneurs in history regard it as the key to their success.

So what is this secret?

It’s the Power of Association.

For nearly a century the world’s most successful business owners have known about, used and benefited tremendously from the power of association.

What these incredibly successful entrepreneurs knew, which most business owners fail to recognise, is that the greatest determiner of your success is the company you keep.

In other words, the secret to your success is based primarily on who you associate with.

Dating back to the 30’s, business leaders like Carnegie, Emerson and Ford all recognised and credited the power of association with being the ‘Driving Force’ of their success as it was described in Napoleon Hill’s best seller, “Think and Grow Rich”.

Modern psychologists suggest that your success depends largely on the five primary people you wrap yourself around. The question is, are you investing your time with people who believe in you, stretch you and challenge to be all they know you are capable of being, or are you surrounded by people who doubt you, mock you and try to hold you where you are?

The most powerful form of association comes in the form of a mastermind group.

These groups consist of 10 to 16 like-minded, savvy business owners who share ideas, encourage each other and provide meaningful support for one another.

Other forms of association include mentors, coaches, and people who have already achieved the success you aspire to.

The key power of association is about positive influence. When you hang out with big thinkers, your thinking gets stretched, possibilities grow and you expand. However when you hang around with the small thinkers, people who are constantly negative and like to waste their time making excuses or laying blame, your thinking and world shrinks.

mentor or join a professionally run mastermind group. The biggest mistake you can make is underestimating the power of associations in determining exactly how successful you will be.

As a boy who grew up in a poor neighbourhood surrounded by people with scarcity thinking, it took me a long time to climb out from under the blanket of doubt that was wrapped around me. Today I have no doubt that my success is in large part because I surrounded myself with great mentors, teachers and people who really inspire me.

Business is too hard to go it alone. So make sure you connect yourself with positive, success minded people who believe in you.

Only then will you be able deliver the innovation, improvement and growth necessary to truly succeed. © Paul McCarthy 2010. All rights reserved.

No matter where you are in your businesses development, choose wisely the people you share your dreams with. It is no accident that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer; it is all a matter of association.The power of association can begin simply. You can start by reading great books, listening to CDs that motivate and inspire you to grow. Then you can graduate to workshops and seminars.

From there you can find yourself a

PAUL McCARTHY Australia’s R RockStar Marketer is a leading expert in small business sales & marketing.

Paul is an aw award winning speaker and the acclaimed author of ‘8 Steps To a Remarkable Business.

For further details or to contact Paul, you can visit his website at: www.bizsupport.com.au

24

BUSINESS WEST

TAXI

GUV!

BY CHARLENE GATT SEVENTEEN years ago Brian Hickey and Steven Olsen were looking to buy a coinoperated laundry business.

They ended up with a London taxi and an instant business to boot, London Taxi Wedding Services.

The impulse buy was spurred by Mr Hickey, who had spent 18 months working in London and was a fan of all things British.

The then Spotswood pair bought a fax machine and answering machine, advertised in local papers and drove the London taxi around Melbourne, handing out business cards.

It paid off in spades. The pair did 25 weddings from the moment they got the taxi in mid-October to the end of that year.

They also received calls from people wanting the taxi for formals, debutante balls, anniversaries and other special occasions.

It didn’t take long for Mr Hickey and Mr Olsen to realise they had tapped into a niche market.

Best of British… Steven Olsen at the wheel.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

“We found a diamond-encrusted golden needle in a haystack,” Mr Olsen said.

Soon they needed more taxis to cope with the increasing demand, and have since bought another seven from across Australia.

One of the taxis is a 1963 model – the oldest London taxi in Australia.

It’s clear the business has also become a major hobby for Mr Hickey and Mr Olsen, with the pair boasting a “London room” in their Wyndham Vale home, which is ironically on Windsor Drive.

Mr Olsen is one of six drivers for the company, while Mr Hickey promotes the business.

Mr Olsen, a true romantic, remembers each and every one of the 1246 weddings he has been part of.

The taxis have also been used for a range of TV, movie and promotional purposes, with some of the taxis featuring in Hotel Sorrento, the upcoming Robert De Niro flick The Killer Elite, the opening night of Mary Poppins the

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Musical, and a promotion for British Airways.

It’s a lucrative business, but also lucratively expensive. Mr Olsen and Mr Hickey have spent around $250,000 buying, restoring and maintaining their fleet.

“Steven insists that everything anyone sees is authentic and original and just to buy an indicator switch from London was 100 pounds plus 40 pound postage,” Mr Hickey said.

“Anything under the bonnet now, we’ve learnt to install automatic engines, but anything that is seen be the customer must be authentic.”

The pair have also gone to London four times to visit London taxi suppliers and repairers.

The hard work has paid off, with London Taxi Wedding Services named as a finalist in the 2010 Australian Bridal Industry Academy awards for the wedding transport division.

Mr Olsen’s next ambition is to buy another London taxi – this time, from London. [BW]

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BUSINESS WEST

23

Hair today... Natalie Valla with a selection of her wigs.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

HAIR RAISING

BY CHARLENE GATT

who just want to try something new.

SHE’S 23 and runs a successful business with an enviable main road frontage.

It’s also packed with a range of accessories, including fake eyebrows and eyelashes, hair extensions and hair pieces.

Hairdresser Natalie Valla has been running Chiquel Salon Beauty and Fine Wigs along Mount Alexander Rd in Moonee Ponds for the past two years.

The salon and store has a wide range of synthetic and human hair wigs in every imaginable shade and a wide store frontage to match, providing ample advertising to the main thoroughfare.

She also gives medical patients who purchase wigs a free cut and style.

“There was a niche market for wigs,” Ms Valla explained.

“It’s not just a hair salon; hair loss is a big deal for women, sometimes it can be worse than the cancer.

“You need to be sensitive to that. They

On the other side of the business, the salon caters does cuts, colours, styles, male and female waxing, spray tans and make-up.

Ms Valla is no stranger to business, with her parents running their own restaurants and helping to finance her venture when she decided to start a business of her own.

She currently employs three people and hopes to franchise the business out within the next year.

“It’s good, it has its down times, but you just have to keep going,” she said. [BW] 510865-SH12-11

The store is a one-stop shop for cancer patients, women suffering from alopecia (unexplainable and sudden hair loss) or those

Ms Valla offers a 10 per cent discount on all wigs and hairpieces for medical customers.

come here and tell me their story and a wall breaks down.”

22

BUSINESS WEST

“At the end of the day, somebody has to be the boss, and there has to be an agreement about who that’s going to be.

“In the early days it was always Maurie and then it was agreed that I would take over, so I think if you had three of us that thought they were entitled to be the boss then you’d really have problems.

“My role’s made easier by them – if I had another brother who was constantly opposing me, I think the business wouldn’t work as well as it has.

491350-SH12-11

“When we have our family functions, inevitably there’s a bit of work talk that our wives often pull us up on. We also have other interests – like sporting, and football and horse racing and golf – so we try to keep our

conversation about work outside of a family function, but it is hard to turn off.

“We tend to all get along, and we all have similar goals.

“The obvious point of difference (with Secon) is that there’s five of us that own it and work it and breathe it and as such we’ve been able to have one of us in charge of each area of the business.

“I think, as some of our clients have said, they can call up and speak to me or they can talk to a Considine, whereas if they call Toll, they not going to talk to Paul Little.”

Mr Considine told Business West that Secon would be expanding in the near future, but is keeping plans firmly under wraps.

Driving force… Terry Considine and his brothers, from the left, Matt, Brendon, Vin and Paul.

Picture: SARAH MATRAY “It’s grow or die, particularly in this industry. The margins are constantly getting squeezed, it’s a tough game, so you need volume if you’re going to survive,” he said.

“We can see that the freight task is going to double by 2030, so we hope Secon’s position can take a share of that.” [BW]

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BUSINESS WEST

21

COVER STORY

SECON TO NONE

BY CHARLENE GATT THERE’S an old business adage that says too many cooks spoil the broth.

That’s not the case for the Considine family.

Brothers Terry, Brendon, Vin, Paul and Matthew have been working together for nearly 25 years to build on their dad Maurie’s ever-expanding freight and logistics company, Secon.

The company has gone from moving sheepskins to working with a much wider range of clients, including Nufarm, Sims Metal, Fosters and Oriental Merchants as their customers.

Secon also runs Australian Customs and AQIS approved warehouses and depots.

The business, which has a fleet of 29 trucks, runs from a 4.1 hectare site in Altona and a depot in Brooklyn and employs about 85 staff.

It’s a big leap for a company that started with humble beginnings.

Maurie was managing a sheepskin export business in North Laverton and set up Secon in 1969 with friend Jim Seide because he was having a lot of trouble finding a reliable transport company that would deliver the skins between the warehouse and the wharf.

The pair purchased two tray trucks which were to be delivered to the sheepskin store, but on the same day fires swept through the area and burnt down the store and all its surroundings.

“They were all lucky to get out of it alive,” son Terry remembers.

“I will always remember that day because Maurie came home black from head to foot in a pair of overalls.”

As containerisation came in, Maurie – who was assistant coach at Hawthorn Football Club between 1966 and 1971 – saw the opportunity to lease a small store and start containerising the sheepskins for different companies who didn’t know how to do it.

“

We tend to all get along, and we all have similar goals…

Maurie’s son Vin joined the business in 1977 after losing his job as an apprentice motor mechanic and now is director of fleet management.

while Terry took over from Jim and started organising and running the trucks and general office duties.

Brendon is now director of transport operations, while Terry is CEO/director of Secon.

Paul, a qualified fitter and turner, came into the business when the company he was working for put all their workers on a threeday week to help combat the economic downturn in 1984.

Paul soon learned how to drive a truck and a forklift and joined the boys working in the store. He has worked his way up to director of warehouse operations.

Matt had his own plumbing business and in 1987 was the last brother to join Secon because he got sick of the rest of the family nagging him to work for them. He is now director of sales.

To top it off, Vin’s wife Brenda works parttime to take care of all office and incidental purchases, while Paul’s wife Anne looks after all the training.

Vin’s son Simon is also involved in the business and works at the Brooklyn site.

Brendon and Terry started in 1979 as Secon was starting to grow.

Maurie, who still has a financial interest in the business and sits on the board, still comes in once or twice a week and acts as a mentor for senior staff.

Brendon had been working in insurance and joined the warehouse to load containers for the sheepskin and hide importers,

“It has been a great journey and we are very fortunate that it has worked with minimal disputes,” Terry said.

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BUSINESS WEST

504145-SH12-11

action

MAN

BY CHARLENE GATT IT TAKES hard work and nd detter ermi mina mi n tition on tto o achieve your fitness go oals oa ls.

Brad Hodgetts is quiick ckkly c klyy lle earn ea earn r ing inng thhe ssaame me applies for business.

The former Armyy m maan se set up his mob mobilile e personal training busi sinne si ess Jol oltt Fi Fitn tnes tn esss in 200 es 009 09 and has been busyy form ffo orm min ing g a sttrro o ong ng cli clien entt base around the M Maari ribyrn rib byrn rnon ong on g an and d Mo Moon onnee e Valley areas.

Mr Hodgetts starrtte ed wo work rkkin rkin i g in in a gym ym after leaving the Armyy b but ut ssoo oonn be beca came me disillusioned with the g gym ym ind ndus dustr usstr tryy an a d wa want nted ed to make a mark of his own.

“I always wanted to work in the health and fitness industry, even1 when inPM the army,” Feb 2011.ai 20/01/11I was 3:34:40 he said.

Ms Hod Ms odge dge gett ttts inncrrea tts easse ed his ffiittnnes e s quaallif qu lifific ficat ic cat atitio ions annd d soug ouugh o ght ht ad dvviice fro rom a numb nu mber e of pe peopl ople op le, in le, incl clud cl uud din i g Fit for fo or Pr Pro offitit, t, be b effo o ore rre e ta tak aking aki ing th in the he pl plun unge ung ge.

He H e re ettai ainne ed ed a sm smaalll cl client base fr fro om m hiss gyym da g days y tto o sttaarrt uup p Jolt Fiitne tne esss, and nd hass ssiinc nce g grrow ownn to o do a range off persso onal tr trai aini ning ni ning ng a d gr an g ou o p ffiitn tne esss classes, s witithh mo mostt sessi sion onns o held he l along ld long g the banks of th the M Maariby byrno y ong g Riive v r..

Mrr Ho M od dgetts also so ref effe errs cl clie ient ntss to a qual aliififie ified d nutritionist/nat atur urop ur opat a h to at o dis discu cuuss heal he allth thy hy eating.

“It’s not just the fitness – while that’s a big part of it, nutrition and the mind set is massive as well.”

He recently worked with the Muscular

Dyst Dy strro ophy phhy As p Asso socia iaattio ion, traain ion, inin ing both bothh the he prres p esid iden ent aannd hhiis so son inn pre repa p ra ratition ion o for tthe he eir ir re ec ce e ent nt chhaari nt rity ity ty tre tre ek to to Nep pal. all.

Mr Ho Mr od dg ge etttts al also so rai so aise s s fu fund nds ds an and d awaarren awa aw enes nes ess ffo or ca canc ncer err ffor or tthe he R Roy oyyall C Chi hild hi ld ldre dren’ ns Hosp Ho Hos spititaal al.

He is cu He currren entltlyy lo look okin ok ing in g to hhiire e anot othe ther he t ai tr aine er so that at he he can an ope ope en up ano noth ther th her b boo oott caamp sitite e inn Sep epte epte temb mber mb er and er d is is ke keen en to op o en multltip mu iple sitte ess wit withh mu multlttip iple le tra tra rain iner in erss in com er omin ing g year ye arrs. s.

He is cuurrrren entltlyy ey eyei eing ing up up si sittes tes in Yar Yarra ravi villlle le and an d Ho Hopp pperrs Cr pp Cros ossi sing ng g and and p pla lans la ns to ev even entu tual ally lyy expand across Melb bourne.

“I want to step away from the business and spend more time working on it,” not in it,” he said.. [BW]]

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19

FLOODS HIT CEO CONFIDENCE AUSTRALIAN CEOs’ confidence on business conditions took a real hit as a result of natural disasters in Queensland and Victoria, according to the second national Business Confidence Index released recently by the CEO Institute.

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

The CEO Institute’s national spokesperson, Mr Evan Davies, said the poll shows CEOs’ strongest positive sentiment is around increased sales and they are least confident about job hires.

“Natural disasters in Queensland, NSW and Victoria are set to play a large part in the economy, with just over a quarter of our respondents very concerned,” he said.

“The biggest drop in confidence is in the direction of the economy (53 down to 41). However it is still in positive territory - suggesting slower growth, but not a contraction.”

NSW is the most positive state (taking over from WA in the last index), with some positive expectations that a change in government

will make a difference to business conditions.

Victoria and WA had a similar level of business confidence with South Australia and Queensland the lowest.

The CEO Institute Business Confidence Index rating on a state basis is: NSW 47 (up from 43), Western Australia 44 (down from 58), Victoria 45 (47), Queensland 19 (a massive drop from 45), and South Australia 20 (22).

CEOs indicated the biggest impact on their business in the next three months would be natural disasters, staff issues and underlying demand.

In October 2010 CEOs had indicated interest rates (14pc of respondents) and the exchange rate (12pc).

CEOs said the biggest impact on their businesses in the past three months had been underlying demand, natural disasters and the exchange rate. In October 2010 their answers were: business-specific issues (19pc), exchange rate (12pc) and the Federal election (10pc).

Putting the flood impact to one side, concerns seemed to have moved away from the prospect of higher interest rates and exchange rate issues to staff shortages and underlying consumer demand.

Mr Davies said two concerns that did not

rate last quarter but were mentioned by CEOs this time were demand and competition, suggesting that they have increased over the last three months.

Some direct comments participants in the survey:

from

CEO

“Unrealistic customer budgets continue to affect us and many others, the Chinese factor continues to the lower price point expectations. Labour and living costs continue to erode buying power” “General infrastructure investment after 2 years of stagnation during the GFC in addition to lower importation costs have led to increased volume and profitability.”

“The strong dollar has had a significant impact on an already struggling manufacturing industry.”

“Impact of the disasters in Queensland on our client base will flow through in the coming months. While many will be adversely affected, some will have positive opportunities, although overall we expect negative impact on cashflow and profitability.

We expect to be spending a lot of time and effort working with our clients to help them through the challenges in their businesses.”

ABOUT THE CEO INSTITUTE

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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

18

BUSINESS WEST

The pair also painstakingly restored the original Sun Theatre sign.

“We started slowly – it was nothing like it is now,” Anne said.

In 2006, the pair opened two more screens – the Davis and La Scala.

The cinemas, except the Davis, are all named after old single-screen cinemas that used to operate in the area.

The Smiths implemented a new concept with La Scala, where the 50-seat theatre was fitted out similar to a Village Gold Class theatre – without the matching price tag.

Another point of difference was a liquor license that allowed movie goers to take in a bottle of beer or glass of wine to a screening.

At the same time, a wave of gentrification swept over Yarraville and cafes, restaurants and boutique stores started popping up left, right and centre.

“When the Sun Theatre was opening, we had restaurants and cafes just starting to open, but when we bought the building, we never dreamt that we’d open it as a cinema,” Michael said.

“There were no restaurants in Yarraville, there was one café, it was fairly esoteric.

“There were a lot of second-hand shops and gambling dens.

“It’s nice to have a family business working with other businesses in Yarraville, which are

nearly all owner-run businesses. Yarraville’s one of the last places where big business and franchises haven’t dominated the landscape.

The theatre is in a unique market of its own, standing somewhere between the big multiplexes and the art house market.

Accordingly, the Smiths found that good quality drama, crime, romantic comedy, family and kids movies are the best genres for the Sun, while horror and gangster movies are a no.

“Making the choice about what films we should show becomes all the more important because for every six we take, there are six we’re not taking,” Anne said.

“You have to remember we have Sunshine with 20 screens, and Highpoint has 18 and Nova has 15, and they’re our direct competitors.

Ahead of the pack… Anne and Michael Smith.

“It’s respecting the past without trying to emulate it.”

Anne added: “I think we’ve preserved some of its original character without it having an old look.”

The pair’s two teenage sons Tim and Jack also lend a hand, working behind the counter on weekends and being part of the movie selection process.

“They’ve got this vast range of films they can show and we’ve got six screens and we’re trying to squeeze the films in.

And despite being steeped in the past, the Sun Theatre has also earned a reputation for being ahead of the pack, becoming Australia’s first cinema to go digital.

“I was keen to pursue the programming flexibility of digital. It allows us to show a movie on multiple screens and on overlapping session times and the picture is infinitely better – it looks as good in the fifth or sixth week as it does on the first day,” Michael said. [BW]

business news west

What’s new in the business community?

Operate a great business in Hobsons Bay? Do you run a business in Hobsons Bay? Then list your business for free on Council’s online business directory.

Visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/tourismandbusiness to register your business today.

Are you part of your local traders’ association? Do you attend a regular business network? There are four recognised traders’ associations in Hobsons Bay and many business networks in the area. These groups are all like minded business people whose focus is on improving their business and the region, why not join one today?

Hobsons Bay Business Workshops Do you never have enough time in your day? Always running from one thing to the next? Then this is the workshop for you – Getting Your Business Organised. Do away with poor time management in your business. During this evening seminar you will learn how to identify and remove distractions, how to prioritise effectively, useful strategies for productivity, and other tips on how to create more time in your day. If you waste time but don’t know why or how, this seminar is for you.

Held at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre on Wednesday, 6th April from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. The Council operates many workshops each month, focusing on a range of business topics.

For more information on all the workshops on offer visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessandtourism

Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards Nominations will soon be open for the Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards 2011. It’s just a great opportunity to put your business on the radar. Aiming to recognise and reward the best of local business, the awards are not to be missed.

Visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessexcellence for more information.

Newsletter/e-Update Want to know what is happening in your business community?

Have you registered for the Council Business Newsletter, Business Works? Do you want to be kept up to date with all the latest news and information around Hobsons Bay? If the answer is yes, then subscribe today. Simply send an email to the address below and you will be signed up instantly.

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For more information please call Sally Curtis, Business and Tourism Officer on 9932 1000 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

BUSINESS WEST

17

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Sunny future… Michael Smith and the Sun’s iconic sign.

Pictures: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

BY CHARLENE GATT WHEN it comes to business, timing is everything.

Luckily for husband and wife team Michael and Anne Smith, theirs was impeccable.

It was 1995 and the pair was running a cinema fit-out business, MGS, which was booming thanks to a Village and Hoyts expansion.

The constant business meant the Smiths also had to expand and they were scouting for new and bigger premises when a friend, Brian Davis, recommended the Sun Theatre in Yarraville.

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16

BUSINESS WEST

The old single screen 1050-seat theatre opened in 1938 and had sat disused for over 20 years after closing down in the 1970s.

Michael went to have a look, and it was love at first sight.

“Most of the roof was missing, and there was graffiti everywhere, and the seats had

been burnt but it really just grabbed me,” he said.

“Anne had building experience, so she knew what a huge task it was going to be, whereas I was the eternal optimist and I thought it could only cost about $90,000 to fix it up and it was more than triple that.

“It was one thing after another, and I hadn’t even considered electrical.”

Anne added: “It was such an impressive, vast space.

“It was so run down, so full of rubbish… but also full of promise.”

After spending two years fixing up the site, Michael, a film society buff, set up his own and started screening movies once a month.

Once a month turned into every weekend and by 2002, they were regularly filling the cinema, so the Smiths decided to go the whole hog and restored the cinema to its former glory, opening four boutique cinemas with original art deco features.

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OPEN FOR BUSINESS 2011 Powercor Melton Business Excellence Awards Nominations for the 2011 Powercor Melton Business Excellence Awards will close on 25 February 2011. Melton Shire based businesses are encouraged to showcase their achievements by nominating for the prestigious awards.

To obtain a copy of the nomination form visit www.melton.vic.gov.au/business or contact Rose Romeo on 9747 7200.

Pictured above: the team from Re-Creation Health Club, winners of the 2010 Powercor Melton Business of the Year, and Ergin Halil (centre) Melton Apprentice of the Year

Key note speakers include: • Nicole Mallalieu (Nicole Mallalieu), • Aneta Pazeski (Zanet Couture) and • Ailsa Paige (AP Marketing Works).

Discover how these amazing women turned their passion into highly successful, creative enterprises.

Tuesday, 8 March 2011,11.30 am - 2pm Melton Shire Community Hall 232 High Street, Melton Cost: $25 Bookings: Rose Romeo 9747 7200 or email rosar@melton.vic.gov.au

Melton: Think local... buy local...

Melton Shire Council is developing an exciting initiative that encourages local residents and businesses to think local... buy local!

The initiative provides businesses with useful marketing and customer service techniques that will increase your businesses ability to attract and retain more customers. The initiative also includes an independent Secret Shopper survey.

Interested businesses can register their interest by contacting Council’s Economic Development Officer, Esther Clark on 9747 7200 or email estherc@melton.vic.gov.au

FREE Online Business Directory Be found! Register your business for free on Council’s online business portal – or search for hundreds of local business listings. Visit www.melton.vic.gov.au/business and click on Business Directory.

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BUSINESS WEST

15

Not-so-simple...

Pieman Dave McNamara.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

MEET THE

PIE man

BY CHARLENE GATT

DAVE McNamara is giving new meaning to the adage that the best meals are homemade.

By day the 56-year-old earns his living as a truck driver, but at night and on weekends he makes pies, pasties and sausage rolls from his Delahey home under the brand True Blue.

Mr McNamara first learned the craft when he bought a milk bar in his 20s and the previous owner showed him the ropes.

The butcher by trade then forgot all about his pie-making skills until his son asked him to make a batch and took some to work with him.

Before he knew it, he was receiving requests from colleagues, neighbours and other family members.

“I went from making 20 a week to 30, 40, 50 and 60 a week,” he said.

Now, if someone wants a hot pie, they have to come to Mr McNamara’s house early on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

“I had one bloke come in his pyjamas to get a hot pie,” he said.

He now makes up to 500 pies a week outside of his trucking job and is fielding requests to supply sporting clubs and takeaway stores.

“I see myself as a wholesaler. It’s probably the smallest pie manufacturer in the world, but I want to build on it.

“

The pies have also received their fair share of acclaim, with Mr McNamara winning silver in the 2008 Melbourne Great Aussie Meat Pie competition and Bronze in the 2009 Sydney equivalent.

If you don’t put in the hours, you don’t get the return…

Mr McNamara then spent $15,000 converting the family garage into a makeshift commercial kitchen and turned True Blue from a hobby to a full-blown business.

Mr McNamara boasts a large local clientele, but also sends pies out to regional Victoria, including Moe, Dandenong and around Nagambie.

At the start he sold hot pies and frozen ones to customers, but found there was too much waste that way.

He also has a trailer with pie warmers that he hopes to start using for markets, but has ruled out opening his own store.

14

BUSINESS WEST

“It’s taken together.

awhile,

but

it’s

coming

“I’m a workaholic.

“If I’m not sleeping well, I’ll roll out some pastry or make some meat and I can knock off when I like.”

Mr McNamara hopes to eventually give up his trucking work to take on True Blue fulltime and take on some employees – although when, he cannot say.

“There’s got to be enough security before I give it away,” he said.

“Anything in business isn’t easy. If you don’t put in the hours, you don’t get the return.

“At what point do you know you’ve made it? I don’t know, but it’s still too easy at the moment.” [BW]

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Adding vibrancy to

Deer Park Village Shopping Centre To develop the vibrancy of Brimbank’s town centres and create a sense of belonging and connection with the community, strengthening the role of Brimbank’s street-based shopping centres is now more than ever a focus for Brimbank City Council.

Deer Park Village Shopping Centre is fast establishing itself as a vibrant, inviting neighbourhood shopping destination that provides a broad range of goods and services for the local community.

At the corner of Ballarat and Station roads, Deer Park, the centre is well positioned to attract customers from the growing, surrounding residential developments.

Encompassing 34 retail outlets with an emphasis on food retailing and food catering, and 19 non-retail outlets that include real estate agents, a pharmacist and financial service providers, the centre is valued by the community for its affordability, variety of goods, and compact ‘one-stopshop’ service.

its role as a community meeting place, and build on its strengths as a traditional street-based centre. The UDF recognises the need for the centre to grow and evolve in order to take advantage of its location and to secure a competitive advantage in comparison to the several alternative retail destinations in the local region.

Major opportunities focus on: the centre becoming a “lifestyle hub” for the surrounding community for meeting people, informal working, social gatherings, retail, markets etc.; the centre having a public realm that is welcoming, offers shade and protection and encourages outside trading and activities, and space for community life; and, the provision of a variety of land use, building types, housing styles and activities to create a more diverse and attractive town centre.

The possibility of the shopping centre building on the theme of an arts and cultural hub to tie the character of the centre more directly to its heritage and major open space assets, has also been identified as an opportunity.

To complement the UDF, Brimbank City Council will also undertake coordinated management initiatives including marketing, promotional activities, business networking and environmental improvements. Deer Park will also be included in combined business development programs that service all of Brimbank’s neighbourhood town centres.

Deer Park Traders and Residents Association

Above: Concept drawing of the future Deer Park Village Shopping Centre.

484497-MD6-11

In an aim to further strengthen the role Deer Park Village Shopping Centre has in the community, Brimbank City Council has completed an Urban Design Framework (UDF) to provide a long-term vision for the centre. The UDF is primarily focused on the buildings and landscape, and also takes into account activities, social and cultural needs, and the economic life of the centre.

The vision for Deer Park Village Shopping Centre outlined in the UDF is to enhance

In order to develop stronger ties with the surrounding community and in recognition of the importance of having residents and traders working together, a new association, Deer Park Traders and Residents Association, has been formed.

Having both traders and residents involved in the association acknowledges the shopping precinct as more than just a retail environment.

President of the Deer Park Traders and Residents Association, Chris Lau said: “The shopping precinct is more than just a place where people shop, it is a meeting place for the community, where people meet their friends, socialise and network.

People need to feel involved”.

GOOD SP RT

BY CHARLENE GATT IN BUSINESS and in sport, it helps to have a competitive edge.

Sports enthusiast Michael Bodman, 34, knows that all too well, and has used his love of both to successfully run Inside Edge Sport and Leisure Planning.

The keen cricketer and tennis player set up the planning consultancy business in the spare room of his West Footscray home in 2008 and is now working with some of the world’s leading sporting and community organisations.

The business has recently been involved in a National Facilities Audit with Football Federation Australia in preparation for the 2022 World Cup Bid, a masterplan for tennis facilities across New South Wales and a tennis facility planning guide in conjunction with Tennis Victoria and the State Government.

Mr Bodman has worked in the sport, recreation and leisure industry in Melbourne and London for around 15 years and has done event planning and delivery in Sydney and Manchester for the Olympics, Paralympics and Commonwealth Games.

He decided to become his own boss when he was given the opportunity to do some contract work for Tennis Victoria.

“It was go to another company or take the plunge,” he said.

His wife Amanda does part time consultation and project administration for the business, while Mr Bodman also has another part-timer to help lessen the load.

“I think it’s that recognition that you can’t do it all. You need to get the right people on board to share the load and its amazing how much easier things become.”

Another thing that has made running the business easier is running it away from home, and he is now making a point of taking holidays to spend time with Amanda and their two kids Fletcher, nine months and Amelia, 2.

Retrospectively, Mr Bodman said he would have done a bit more planning business-wise if he had to do it again.

“It was fun at the time (to work from home),” he said.

“I never thought I’d be that disciplined to run it at home, there’s always distractions and washing and dishes and everything else that you can find to do other than work.

Mr Bodman plans to cement Inside Edge’s reputation in the West over the next year, take on a couple of employees and set up a website. [BW]

491345-MD12-11

Picture: SARAH MATRAY

As Inside Edge grew, the business moved from the spare room to the dining room and eventually Mr Bodman upsized and rented out office space along South Road about 15 months ago. The business is walking distance from his home.

“When you work from the outside in and you work for others, it all looks very easy, if I was to go back and start again I would probably have planned a bit more from the start. There were a couple of times where it was a bit crazy and I wondered if I’d done the right thing.”

Mr Bodman used his extensive contracts in the industry to get Inside Edge off the ground and unlike many new businesses, he was turning a profit from day one.

Backing himself… Michael Bodman took the plunge.

“You can actually be your own boss and when you have a young family, your priorities can shift from day to day, so as long as you are good at managing your time, you can get out and do more things, you don’t feel as though you’re on the clock and if there’s a certain direction you want to take the business, you back yourself and do it.”

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BUILDING SUCCESS Award winners…

Ted and Michelle Caruana.

Picture: SARAH MATRAY

BY CHARLENE GATT TED and Michelle Caruana know that building a house can be one of life’s biggest and most daunting challenges, so they’ve made it their job to make it as hassle-free as possible.

The Rockbank husband and wife team set up Exclusive Homes and Development about 15 years ago with a vision to offer good value house and land packages around Melton.

It was quite the departure from their previous business, where they were running convenience stores.

Despite having no trade background, the Caruanas went from building two to four homes a year to now building around 100 houses a year and expanding into the Bacchus Marsh market.

The Caruanas employ around 60 tradesmen

from the Melton area, with many employees working with them from the beginning.

The business caters for first home buyers and investors, and works largely on word of mouth.

Their friendly service is one of many reasons why the business won Best Trade and Construction Business at last year’s Melton Business Excellence awards.

Ted oversees the tradesmen and building sites, while Michelle handles all the paperwork.

Ted believes their point of difference is providing one-on-one service and giving their clients as much input into the design process as possible.

The Caruanas are currently busy building up the Arnold’s Creek Estate in Melton West, where they have purchased big chunks of land and have work for the next three years.

The Star News Group is the 2011 media partner for the Melton Business Excellence Awards. Nominations for the awards have already closed, with awards to be presented at a gala evening at Witchmount Estate on 29 April. [BW]

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An artist’s impression of the new David Jones store to open at Highpoint.

DJs HEADS WEST

BY CHARLENE GATT IT’S official: David Jones will open its flagship store in the West as part of Highpoint’s $300 million expansion.

The luxury department store will make its debut in March 2013 with a 14,000 square metre store after signing a 20year lease with Highpoint last month.

David Jones will go head-to-head with major competitor Myer, who has been a long-term tenant of Highpoint with its 20,000 square metre store.

The new store is part of Highpoint’s multimillion dollar expansion that will build up the northeast corner of the existing Highpoint site and will increase the centre’s floor space from 125,397 square metres to 155,318 square metres.

Plans, as reported in BUSiNESS WEST last year, include the David Jones store, an improved ring road circling the shopping complex, 105 new speciality retail stores and a fresh food market area with a butcher, baker and fruit and vegetable stores.

The extension will span over two floors and will link up with Highpoint’s existing second and third levels.

8

BUSINESS WEST

Two multilevel car parks will add 1005 extra car parking spaces and will bring cars closer to centre entrance poin innts, with the further car park 100 metres aw way.

The expansion will create over 4300 jobs during construction, and abo out 2000 new jobs within the centre once co omplete.

“

“There will be many that are first to the West,” he said.

Highpoint hpoint is joi jointly owned by the Highpoint jointl Property Group (Besen Family), GPT W Wholesale Shopping Centre Fund and The GPT Group. roup “The West of Melbourne is an evolving region and we are pleased to be growing

This is an exciting time to do business here…

Highpoint general mannager Craig Osborne said construction would start this month, with the fresh food area set to open in September 2012 while David Joness and the bulk of new retailers will open by Ma arch 2013.

Highpoint with it,” CEO and Managing Director of GPT Group Michael Cameron said.

“It’s very exciting… … it will really make Highpoint one of Austra ralia’s premier shopping ra destinations and build d on what’s already been impressive credentials ls ls,” he said.

“This is an exciting time to do business here. Western Melbourne is experiencing population growth greater than any other region in Melbourne, highlighting a key commercial opportunity.”

Highpoint cannott confirm other retailers yet, but Mr Osborne said the shopping centre had received a lot of interest from leading Australian and interrnational brands as well as new retailers.

“GPT’s investment in Highpoint fits our strategy to improve our strong, high quality retail portfolio.

The project will deliver a cash yield of at least eight per cent to GPT. [BW]

ARTHUR TSIAVIS, EXPERT CONSTRUCTION FATHER and son business Expert Construction wasn’t so lucky.

The Laverton business was ravaged by the same February storm as Central Pipe, causing about $200,000 damage.

Strong winds ripped the company’s roof off and blew in into a neghbouring factory.

When Business West spoke with owner Arthur Tsiavis at the end of February, Expert Construction was only operating at about 20 per cent and the Tsiavis’ were working with their insurance company.

Mr Tsiavis said it was hard to tell when the business would be fully operational.

“I’ve been financing it (the repairs) myself so far,” he said.

“You just take it as it comes and take it on the chin.”

“It was like a tornado – it ripped out trees and picked up shipping containers at the RAAF base.”

Extreme rain and winds of more than 130 kilometres per hour ravaged much of the State, including Laverton’s RAAF base. [BW]

PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS FROM A NATURAL DISASTER OR FIRE ■ Check your insurance policy: Know what you’re insured for. Does your cover include the business premises and its contents?

■ Get rid of obstructions: Overhanging trees and machinery where it shouldn’t be are accidents waiting to happen ■ Display emergency contact details: Firefighters and SES cannot do their job properly if they can’t get hold of you and can’t get into your premises.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR BUSINESS HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY A NATURAL DISASTER OR FIRE ■ Safety first: Take the advice of any emergency services who have attended your property in terms of reoccupation. If the property is not safe, do not re-enter.

■ Minimise the loss: If it is safe todo so, you should ensure that you take immediate steps to minimise your loss. For example, temporary repairs such as a tarp over a broken roof, or moving undamaged possessions from a damaged part of a property to an undamaged room.

■ Contact your insurer: To make an insurance claim immediately call your insurance company or your insurance broker.

■ Make an inventory of the losses: Many policies operate on the basis of re-establishing your property and/ or contents to a state as close as possible to pre-event, usually within the constraints of the insured value you have nominated.

■ Quotes and scope of works: As part of the assessment process, or following it, trades will usually be despatched to measure and quote for the repair work. In some instances you may be asked to secure your own quotes from tradesmen for the insurer to consider.

Source: Insurance Council of Australia and Footscray SES.

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7

WHEN DISASTER STRiKES THERE are some things in business you can never prepare for. Fires… Storms… Floods…

They rip through your carefully built-up business and leave a trail of destruction. And then there’s the aftermath, including insurance companies and the fine print. CHARLENE GATT talks to three business owners who have been left to pick up the pieces after their business fell victim to the elements.

PETER GELMAN, PIONEER TEXTILES PIONEER Textiles owner Peter Gelman was holidaying along the Victorian coast in January this year when a television crew called and informed him his Footscray factory was in flames.

The Cowper St fire had started in the second storey of the premises and spread throughout the building.

Mr Gelman rushed home to see the damage, but nothing could prepare him to see the family business in flames.

“I don’t think you could really describe it,” he said.

“I suppose grief would be the word to describe it. It was truly horrific to see the fire and smoke.”

The company had been closed over the summer break and was not due to re-open until 25 January.

Wild wind…

Chris Tsiavis, who operates Expert Construction with son Arthur, assesses the damage to his upstairs office.

His roof ended up in a neighbouring factory.

Heartbreak…

Peter Gelman with what remained of his business after fire struck.

Pictues: SARAH MATRAY

6

BUSINESS WEST

Instead, Mr Gelman’s holidays were cut short and he was left with a pile of rubble and a damage bill as high as $3 million.

Pioneer Textiles is a third generation textile waste merchant and processor that has been operating since 1923.

Mr Gelman had insured the premises, but not the stock, and had to fork out $200,000 to clean up the debris.

He is currently leasing out another premises in Maidstone on a monthly basis and is buying old pieces of machinery, plus a truck and forklift to try and get the company back on track.

“We’re just starting from scratch,” he said.

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen with Cowper St, in time that will be re-built, but it’s going to take a lot of time with insurance and council hassles. We’ll either move back there or move somewhere else.

“In this type of industry, you can’t just go and buy new machinery or find new stock, it’s specialised stuff and difficult to come by.

It’s taken quite a few weeks to get what I can together.”

STEPHEN TENNYSON, CENTRAL PIPE FABRICATION STEPHEN Tennyson and his employees have been operating out of their lunch room after a freak storm, which he describes as a mini-tornado, swept through their offices in February.

Both of Central Pipe’s offices along Strezlecki Drive in Laverton were damaged by the storm, with the upstairs office ceiling decimated, windows blown out, computers and other electrical appliances destroyed, and corrugated iron roofing and insulation flying in from a neighbouring business.

Their only saving grace was that their main factory was left untouched.

“We’ve been very, very fortunate in that we can continue to manufacture and that that has not slowed us down,” Mr Tennyson said.

“It’s just an uncomfortable set of circumstances right now, because we’re working on top of each other.

“I’m just thankful that no one was there, because they would have suffered serious injuries.”

The plastics manufacturing business has been running for the past 15 years.

Mr Tennyson is currently liaising with his insurance company and buying replacement furniture.

“It’s just one of those things you can’t prepare for and don’t expect,” he said.

“But we’ll get over it.”

CONTENTS 6-7

FIRE… STORMS… FLOODS Coping when disaster strikes

8

RETAIL GROWTH DJs heads West

16-17 RISING SUN Stars of the silver screen

24

STRATEGIES

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

Paul McCarthy’s question to you

25

23

STRATEGIES 10 tips on FBT

EDITORIAL Charlene Gatt charlene.gatt@starnewsgroup.com.au

38-39 BUSINESS SERVICES Find a helping hand

19

“

It is a big leap for a company that started with humble beginnings…

20-21

ADVERTISING Charles Ferraro 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.

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

12

Cover The Considine brothers Picture SARAH MATRAY

BUSINESS WEST

5

FROM THE EDITOR Promote your business or service in BUSiNESS WEST… More and more people are registering to get their hands on a copy of Business West.

Business West offers your business the opportunity to be seen by your target market; key business decision makers in the West!

Stay tuned for the next edition of Business West: coming out on the 29th of April and featuring Tax Planning and Franchise Opportunities.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to promote your business or service to the business world of the West, call Charles Ferraro now on 9933 4800 to reserve your space.

Booking g deadline for pril edition is the April ril, 2011.

1 April,

BLOODIED BUT UNBOWED FIRES, storms, floods… not forgetting a plague of locusts. This seems to have been Australia’s fate these past few months.

Much of the focus has been on Country Australia – but disaster can hit local business just as swiftly and just as deadly.

Charlene Gatt has spoken to three business operators who have had to pick themselves, and their businesses, up after disaster struck.

Third generation textile waste merchant Peter Gelman was hit with a $3 million damage bill after fire swept through his Footscray factory in January this year.

He’s now leasing other premises in nearby Maidstone on a month-to-month basis and is buying old bits of machinery to keep his business operating.

We wish Peter and the other disaster victims good luck for the future.

Charlene, with the help of the Insurance Council of Australia and the Footscray SES, has compiled a valuable guide on what to do if your business has been affected by a natural disaster or fire. You’ll find her report and the guide on Pages 6 and 7.

On a cheerier note, department store David Jones has officially announced it will open its flagship store in the West as part of Highpoint’s $300 million expansion.

DJs will go head-to-head in March 2013 with major competitor and Highpoint’s longterm tenant, Myer.

CEO Michael Cameron from Highpoint’s joint owner GPT Group told Business West

this is an exciting time to do business in Melbourne’s West.

“Western Melbourne is experiencing population growth greater than any other region in Melbourne, highlighting a key commercial opportunity,” Mr Cameron said.

DJs’ move and Highpoint’s expansion is further proof of the prediction by Australia’s foremost demographer Bernard Salt that much of the story of Melbourne’s growth in the 21st century will be told in the West.

And this makes it more urgent for the new State Government to make clear its intentions and attitude towards projects favoured by the former Brumby Labor Government such as WestLink and the Regional Rail Link.

One business that has more than a passing interest in the future direction of road transport is freight and logistics company, Secon.

With a fleet of 29 trucks operating out of Altona and Brooklyn, Secon is a familyoperated business. But it’s not your average family business. It’s run by five Considine brothers – Terry, Brendon, Vin, Paul and Matthews. Dad Maurie, who started the business in 1969, still sits on the board.

And how do the brothers get on… really well, according to Terry, the CEO and head brother. “If I had another brother who was constantly opposing me, I think the business wouldn’t work as it has.”

Charlene Gatt’s cover story on the Considine brothers is on Pages 20 and 21.

Jim Lawrence jim.lawrence@starnewsgroup.com.au

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RAIL LINK PROJECT Mr Peter Lewinsky, Brimbank City Council’s Chair of Administrators, says that like many stations in the West, Sunshine Railway Station is run down and crying out for refurbishment.

“Under the Regional Rail Link project, it stands to benefit from a much needed footbridge and plaza entries to the station, a new platform and, most importantly, safety improvements, creating direct paths for pedestrians between the station and the bus interchange,” he said.

“The Regional Rail Link would also unlock 10 hectares of underdeveloped government-owned land surrounding Sunshine Station that could be used for development. It would create major opportunities for urban renewal and a brighter future for Sunshine.”

What is also at stake is a one-off opportunity to build rail infrastructure in developing suburbs, including new stations at Tarneit and Wyndham Vale, before most of the houses are built. As residents of Footscray know only too well, it is much better to build rail services when a suburb is developing instead of waiting until residential areas are long established.

Land releases in Tarneit and Wyndham Vale were resisted for years because of the lack of transport, but went ahead on the basis of planned rail services. Today residents in Tarneit and Wyndham Vale are still up to 8km from a train station, and it take about half an hour to get a bus from Tarneit to Hoppers Crossing Station.

As it looks to fund the recovery of flood damaged areas, the Federal Government is adjusting the timing of payments for work on the Regional Rail Link. The new Victorian Government has questioned the project costings and opened the prospect of change in the project scope.

Peter Lewinsky says that if the Regional Rail Link doesn’t go ahead, this would stunt growth and development in the West.

“The Regional Rail Link is critical to managing growth in Brimbank, Wyndham and Geelong, as well as in Bendigo and Ballarat. If we don’t have the essential infrastructure, we can’t manage the growth. It’s as simple as that”.

If growth in Melbourne’s West continues at current rates and the rail infrastructure isn’t up to scratch, it could stunt Melbourne’s productivity, hamper its sustainability and drag down its liveability.

Any big changes to the proposed Regional Rail Link would impact on commuters and businesses in the western suburbs and well beyond the west. It’s a big project offering a big opportunity to improve Melbourne’s productivity, sustainability and liveability. LeadWest and its member councils are ready to work with the state government to ensure that the opportunity offered by the Regional Rail Link is not lost forever.

THE WEST’S REGIONAL The new state government may have put the brakes on the Regional Rail Link while it reviews costs, but it can’t fix the Met if it doesn’t fix trains in the West.

To lift Victoria’s productivity, we need to reduce the congestion choking Melbourne. To deal with clogged roads, we need to fix the rail services. To fix those, we need to untangle the city and country lines in Melbourne’s West and improve rail capacity.

This is the view of LeadWest, which works to foster sustainable growth and development in the West, through its membership of representatives from Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley and Wyndham councils.

The problems have been obvious to commuters for years. On weekdays, station car parks overflow before the sun rises. Train services are full and demand keeps growing.

Metropolitan train patronage grew by more than 85% between 199899 and 2009-10. It’s no better for V/Line customers: in October 2010, V/ Line reported a fifth straight year of record growth in patronage.

These trends are set to continue with rocketing population growth in the western suburbs, especially in Tarneit, where today’s population of around 19,000 is expected to grow to more than 50,000 in 2026 and more than 60,000 by 2031. In nearby Wyndham Vale there are about 16,000 residents, which will rise to more than 44,000 by 2031.

The Mayor of the City of Wyndham, John Menegazzo, argues that all levels of government need to work together to respond to this growth.

“While Wyndham City is working hard to meet the demands of a rapidly growing community by building infrastructure such as Wyndham Vale Community Learning Centre, Point Cook Road Reserve and the duplication of Sayers Road, the state and federal Governments also need to play a part”, he says.

“Projects such as the Regional Rail Link will provide the necessary infrastructure for our increasing population, which is the fastest growing municipality in Victoria.”

The Regional Rail Link will also help to deliver improved services on the Met. With trains now constantly forced to wait outside stations for a vacant platform, what is needed to move more people on the Met is V/ Line trains on separate and dedicated lines and station platforms. This will support local population growth and add greater capacity to the Met over all.

Dedicated tracks for Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat trains between Sunshine and Southern Cross are part of the Regional Rail Link. On their arrival at Southern Cross Station, these lines would pull in to new platforms 15 and 16, which would not be shared with Met services. These platforms are currently under construction.

The Regional Rail Link also includes removing the two level crossings in Anderson Street near Sunshine Station, to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion, and upgrading the stations at Footscray, West Footscray and Sunshine, and developing the business areas that surround them.