Business West February 2013

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PERFECT PRESENTATIONS ROUNDTABLE BENEFITS ENGAGING EMPLOYEES BUSiNESS OF PARTIES ISSN 1837-9869

9 123456 789013

POINT OF

DIFFERENCE HOW TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

ISSUE 23 FEBRUARY 2013

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CONTENTS 5

NEW IN TOWN Wyndham’s latest suburb

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COVER STORY Standing out

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CENTRE OF HEALTH New medical centre

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STAR TURN FOR KIDS Business of parties

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10

COMPLIANCE IS A MUST Protecting your business

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ALWAYS ON TIME Transport and employees

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KEYS TO SUCCESS Unique business advisors

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PITCH PERFECT Art of the presentation

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JUNE PARKER

20 REGULARS 4 FROM THE EDITOR 19 SMALL TALK 16-17 STRATEGIES Engaging employees Why go it alone

18 20

OUT OF HOURS Q&A

Many managers want to have meaningful conversations with their staff, but some simply don’t know how to start…

16 15

MANAGING EDITOR Stephen Linnell stephen.linnell@starnewsgroup.com.au EDITOR Tim Doutré tim.doutre@starnewsgroup.com.au EDITORIAL Charlene Macaulay charlene.macaulay@starnewsgroup.com.au ADVERTISING Trish Di Vito trish.divito@starnewsgroup.com.au Mobile: 0413 252 395 DESIGN Mark Dinnie mark.dinnie@starnewsgroup.com.au BUSINESS WEST Cnr Keilor Park Dve & Thomsons Rd Keilor Park 3042 Phone: 9933 4800 Fax: 9933 4844 Business West is a division of Star News Group Pty. Ltd. Celebrating our 102nd year as a family-run business. Proudly Australianowned and independent. ow Produced and published by Pro Paul Thomas for Star News Group Pa Pty. Ltd. ACN 005 848 108.

Pty Star News Group Trading Terms Sta and Conditions can be found on an www.starnewsgroup.com.au ww Find an electronic version of Fin Business West online. Keep a copy for Bu yourself or share with your contacts. yo Visit: www.businesswest.com.au Vis

Dr Damira Lopes

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WORD SEARCH WORK BUSiNESS WEST NETWORK

Cover DELUXE BAR’S BLAIR Co McFARLANE Picture KRISTIAN SCOTT Pic

BUSiNESS WEST

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FROM THE EDITOR Promote your business or service in BUSiNESS WEST… BUSiNESS WEST offers your business the opportunity to be seen by your target market; key business decision makers in the West!

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

Advertising for the next edition of BUSiNESS WEST is now open.

To register for BUSiNESS WEST visit: www.businesswest.com.au

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S WYNDHAM BUSiNES OF THE YEAR S PARK ■ MELTON BUSiNES SED ■ KEEPING ORGANI L COUNCI YOUR ■ USING

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ISSN 1837-9869

9 123456 789013

MO RE TH AN A

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THE BUSiNESS OF SPO

WHAT’S KILLING THE WEST? AWARD-WINNING BROKER ■ RIDING IN STYLE ■ WEBSITES AND YOUR BUSiNESS ■

ISSN 1837-9869

20122 ISSUE 21 NOVEMBER 9 123456 789013

SAFE TY

FIRST

iMPORTANCE OF OH&S

I trust that you either enjoyed your break or made it a profitable one by taking advantage of the holiday rush.

In our first edition for the year, we look at how businesses can stand out from the crowd, using the hospitality industry as an example.

Charlene Macaulay’s piece focuses on three businesses in the hospitality industry, all of which have a uniqueness that gives them that all important point of difference from the competition.

The hospitality game is a tough one. It’s not enough anymore just to provide a good service or product (although that certainly helps), you need to be different, have an edge, something that makes people choose you from the countless other options out there.

anyone to bring to my attention a magazine that highlights Melbourne’s West like we do. I take pride in being part of this unique publication – one that focuses on the best the West has to offer.

Every edition we look to bring you stories from our neck of the woods, showcasing the innovative, the successful and the new, finding the untold stories of adversity and triumph in the West’s unique and often daring business world.

Subscribing to our magazine is free and takes only a minute, pass the link on to your friends and keep spreading the good word.

Head over to www.starnewsgroup.com.au/ businesswest and sign up. [BW]

This premise, of course, rings true across other industries as well. Think about your own business for a moment, what do you do that no one else does? What do you have that sets you apart? Those are the things that help to make a good business a great one.

A STAR NEWS GROUP PUBLICATION | $4.95

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GAME

OUT

WELCOME back Business West readers.

Stay tuned for the next edition of BUSiNESS WEST.

N GROUP PUBLICATIO A STAR NEWS

BE A STAND

ISSUE 22 DECEMBER 2012

The main lesson I took away from this edition was: don’t be afraid to stand out, be scared to fit in.

Speaking of standing out, I challenge

Tim Doutré Business West Editor tim.doutre@starnewsgroup.com.au

Madgwicks Lawyers - providing business legal services to the West since 1973 BPW Transpec Managing Director Alfred Unger and Madgwicks Managing Partner and Chairman of BPW Transpec, Peter Kennedy standing in front of BPW truck trailer axles ready to be fitted with brakes at BPW Transpec’s factory in Laverton.

Madgwicks | Level 33, 140 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000 | T: +61 3 9242 4744 www.madgwicks.com.au 1039622-KG29-12

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BUSiNESS WEST

NEWS

NEW iN TOWN

BY CHARLENE MACAULAY THE City of Wyndham is getting a new suburb.

Premier Ted Baillieu, State Planning Minister Matthew Guy and Water Minister Peter Walsh have unveiled a draft master plan for a new employment-focused suburb on the 770 hectare State Research Farm in the East Werribee Employment Precinct.

The new suburb will deliver 50,000 high quality jobs across a range of industries and sectors, crucial transport infrastructure and services, a leading edge demonstration of a water sensitive city, and will provide more than 7000 homes.

The government has also announced a Precinct Structure Plan that will lead to the development of a new community at Point Cook West.

The Precinct Structure Plan will provide more than 2000 homes and transport infrastructure, services, local parks and sports facilities over the next 30 years. The new precinct will be on the doorstep of the new East Werribee suburb.

“The East Werribee Employment Precinct will be the largest integrated business and residential development of government owned land in Victoria since Docklands,” Mr Baillieu said. “(This) includes a new freeway interchange, integrated employment and residential areas, high quality urban design, and the application of world leading practice in sustainable water usage.”

Growth Areas Authority Chief Executive

SME

Officer Peter Seamer said that once complete, the East Werribee master plan would deliver high quality jobs and facilities just minutes from residents’ homes.

“The vision we have for the future is one where people living in our newest suburbs have access to local jobs, town centres and services they need without spending two hours in the car or train each day travelling to where they need to be,” Mr Seamer said.

“East Werribee will deliver this vision and together with the Werribee City Centre will create a vibrant capital of Melbourne’s West.”

Mr Guy said the new suburb would be strategically located close to the Port of Melbourne, Tullamarine Airport and Avalon Airport.

DRiVING THE FUTURE

BY ALESHA CAPONE AN INNOVATIVE factory which manufactures both petrol and hybrid car engines will drive the future of Toyota operations in Altona North.

Toyota held the official opening of their new $330 million plant recently, which will be the first in Australia to make the two types of engines.

The plant is set to produce approximately 108,000 four cylinder 2.5 litre engines per year – equal to 450 per day - for Camry and Camry Hybrid sedans.

The opening was attended by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu, Altona MP Jill Hennessy, AttorneyGeneral Nicola Roxon, Hobsons Bay City Council Mayor Angela Altair and Western Metropolitan Region MPs Bernie Finn and Andrew Elsbury. [BW]

“The development will close the gap between demand and supply of professional employment opportunities in the Wyndham growth area and in Melbourne’s West,” Mr Guy said.

“The precinct will also build on the 2000 jobs that already exist at the site, which already includes an innovative health and learning precinct.”

“East Werribee is in the heart of one of Australia’s fastest growing urban areas and is a prime location for increased residential and commercial activity.”

Mr Guy has called on the community to help name the new suburb. [BW]

Business Breakfast Briefing Hear from experts on how to reduce your exposure in a low-carbon economy, saving money and resources. Manage the risks and reap the benefits.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry An experienced sustainability consultant will equip participants with an understanding of the business case for energy efficiency and carbon reduction.

Toyota Motor Corporation (Ltd) Find out about environment programs at Toyota Australia’s manufacturing plant. There is also an opportunity to book a tour of the manufacturing plant.

Toyota Australia CEO Max Yasuda, Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Premier Ted Baillieu and Toyota managing officer Seiichi Sudo.

Understand how energy efficiency and carbon reduction initiatives can benefit your business

Date: Time:

Thursday, 14th February 2013 7.00am to 9.00am Followed by an optional plant tour showcasing Toyota’s environmental initiatives from 9.30am.

Where: The Auditorium, Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (Ltd).

Gate 3, 494 Grieve Parade, Altona.

Cost: $20 per person. Breakfast will be provided.

To book your place visit www.businessbreakfastbriefing.eventbrite.com.au To secure a place on Toyota’s plant tour contact 8369 7270 or email toni.randall@toyota.com.au RSVPs essential by 11th February. For more information, please contact 9932 1000 or email jmcqueeney@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

This event is part of the Sustainable Living Festival, facilitated by Hobsons Bay City Council and Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI). Hosted by Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (Ltd).

1060328-SL04-13

BUSiNESS WEST

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COVER STORY

STANDING OUT

BY CHARLENE MACAULAY

THE GASTRO PUB

WHETHER it’s a pub, a club, a hotel or a motel – Victoria’s got it all.

PARK HOTEL, WERRIBEE

Boasting the second largest hospitality industry in Australia, Victoria is widely regarded for its foodie culture, not to mention our fondness for a tipple.

Approximately 115,000 employees - about 4.4 per cent of the Victorian workforce - were employed in Victoria’s hospitality industry in 2008.

It’s a booming industry in Victoria, and the West mirrors the trend. As the area continues to expand and more and more venues set up shop, the challenge to get people through the doors comes to the fore.

So how does a pub, hotel or club find its point of difference? Business West spoke to three venues in the West to see what they do to stand out from the crowd.

IF YOU’RE after a VB, you’ve come to the wrong place. There are no VBs, Crownies or Coronas in sight at Werribee’s Park Hotel.

The gastro pub, which opened in August last year, serves more than 200 craft beers – in a nod to Victoria’s micro-brewery trade, not one of them comes from a commercial company.

The Park Hotel also boasts a working keg room where patrons can see the beers being pumped to the taps.

“In the past, people have had to take taxis into Melbourne for a night out. We’ve put it in their backyard.”

The owners have also placed a strong focus on security, installing 30 security cameras in and around the venue and creating a strict set of rules of entry.

“We wanted to create a place where people can come and have a drink or a meal and feel comfortable and safe,” Mr Zietek said.

Mr Christou added: “It’s about having a good, safe time. Most people respect that.”

Then there’s the beer garden, which has already proved popular with the locals, plus a 200-people function space that is slated to open after Easter.

The menu, which was developed by executive chef Matija Stafancic, combines local produce and seasonal flavours to produce a gastro pub food experience with a twist.

The upmarket venue is the brainchild of Isaac Zietek and Nick Christou, who spent millions renovating the former Tudor Inn on the corner of Watton St and Station Place.

WestWater’s Eddie Gauci.

Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI Park Hotel’s Isaac Zietek.

Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT

THE ALL-ROUNDER

Mr Zietek said the pair wanted the Park Hotel to provide something different to what was already on offer in the area.

Mr Christou added: “It’s been really well received.

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BUSiNESS WEST

WESTWATERS HOTEL AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX, CAROLINE SPRINGS YOU don’t have to travel in to the city to lap up luxury.

WestWaters Hotel and Entertainment Complex, is a city-style venue located in the heart of Caroline Springs.

“When I saw the space, I wanted to use its natural attributes – such as the brick – to give it a bit of an industrial feel.

Overlooking Lake Caroline, the venue boasts a bistro, cafe and lounge bar, sports bar and TAB, free on-site undercover parking, function spaces for corporate events and weddings, a kids’ play area and bottle shop.

“We’re just trying to be a bit different without straying too far from the field.

There is also a hotel under the Accor Group, with 58 rooms, a pool, spa and gym.

COVER STORY

Deluxe Bar and Lounge.

The business, which has just celebrated its second birthday, employs 85.

With a focus on food, accommodation and entertainment – the WestWaters Hotel stands out in the West for all the right reasons.

The bistro, headed by executive chef David Carnovale, took out the 2011 Australian Hotels Association state award for excellence and was a finalist in the 2012 National AHA Awards.

WestWaters also received the Highly Commended Mayoral Achievement Award at the 2011 Powercor Melton Business Awards.

“We’re very much a family-type venue,” owner Eddie Gauci said.

“We’re very community based, and we sponsor a lot of the clubs in the area, up to 90 per cent of the people we employ come from that community themselves, so obviously word of mouth is a big factor in drawing people into the venue.

“We’ve also got a very large community grant that we give out to the community.

“We offer a very safe environment. The venue has become a meeting place for people to catch up.”

WestWaters Hotel and Entertainment Complex.

RAISING THE ROOF DELUXE BAR AND LOUNGE, MOONEE PONDS THEIR dress code is simple: if it’s on Jersey Shore, it’s not getting through the door.

It’s that kind of relaxed vibe, combined with two-levels for clubbing, events and functions, which make Deluxe Bar, Lounge and Rooftop Beer Garden a popular choice among Moonee Ponds locals.

Identification is scanned on arrival as a security measure.

The bar, which has been operating for the past four-and-a-half years, is open four nights a week and caters to a wide range of ages and tastes.

But what sets this place apart from the rest of the pack is its rooftop beer garden which opened a year ago.

The beer garden, which is licensed for 158, saw a major turning point for the business, which used the opportunity to put its full kitchen to work and start serving meals.

Owner Blair McFarlane said the rooftop beer garden – which is one of the only suburban beer gardens on this side of town – has proved a main attraction.

“We saw a need for one in this area. There weren’t many around that we thought were catering to that crowd, that age group, that style of activity,” he said.

“We’re pretty diverse. People come here because it’s well-known, and more friendly (than venues in the city).

“People come here and they all know each other and during footy season there’s a lot of local football clubs that spend time here – we

sponsor a few of them. It’s almost like a club environment, in that people do know each other.

“It’s got a friendly local feel to it.

“I think with the city clubs, a lot of them are a lot bigger, so they have to try and gain more numbers and get a more diverse crowd, because their crowds turn over pretty quickly.” [BW]

Deluxe Bar’s Blair McFarlane.

Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT

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BY CHARLENE MACAULAY PATIENTS in the City of Wyndham can breathe a little easier after the opening of a new medical centre.

The Wyndham Private Medical Centre, which opened in May, incorporates General Practice, Pathology Service, Radiology and Imaging, Dental and Oral Care, Medical Specialists, Allied Health, Endocrinology, Orthopaedic Surgery, a Diabetes and Disease Management clinic, GMHBA Health Insurance, Medicare local, the Committee for Wyndham and a café.

Next door, a 33-bed psychiatric facility that will also include a day surgery, IVF treatment and sleep centre, is currently under construction and slated to open in mid-2013.

General manager Peter Bailey said the Wyndham Private Medical Centre was based on a poly-clinic model used in the UK that involved general practice, allied health specialties and specialists all in one centre.

Mr Bailey said the majority of the services offered were bulk-billed under Medicare.

Wyndham Private Medical Centre’s Peter Bailey.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

“

The Wyndham Private Medical Centre was based on a poly-clinic model used in the UK…

“We’re trying to build a one-stop shop for patients,” he said.

“It was made pretty obvious to us that there was a real need for some additional health support here.

“It provides better access to health to the local community – in the event that they make an appointment with a GP, they can be referred to the supporting health people in the same centre.

“We’ve done a study that looked at the separations of patients having to leave their own municipality to see specialist health care and patients in this municipality in particular

had to travel to the city. If locals are able to be referred to a specialist in their area, they are more likely to quickly receive follow-up treatment.”

When full, the medical centre will employ more than 150 people – but for now, there is still space.

Mr Bailey told Business West that the centre has continued to grow in the past seven months by adding other buildings and services to the site, according to the needs of the Werribee Mercy Hospital across the road and local GPs. “We consult with them every fortnight, and when they identify that there is a deficiency in the services, or a lack of access to a service they’re providing, then we will go away and actively seek out what they need,” he said.

“One of the things they originally said they needed was access to a maternal foetal medicine unit, because there was only one or two in the state, and a fortnight later we’d secured our own maternal foetal medicine unit and now have the ability to see patients with high-risk pregnancies.

“Once we speak with the hospital and the local GP network about what specialties they’re trying to refer patients to that aren’t very well serviced in the western suburbs, we actively go out to seek those specialties.” [BW]

business news west

What’s new in the business community?

New Business Directory launched!

local issues that may affect your business and the region.

Why not join one today? For more information visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/business

Hobsons Bay City Council has launched its new online business directory and is encouraging all businesses registered in Hobsons Bay to sign up today!

Workshops Free to register, the directory is the one-stop-shop for The Council has an exciting line up of business workshops customers looking to find a business in Hobsons Bay. scheduled for 2013. Topics include online marketing, social Visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/directories to register. media, retail, business planning and customer service to name but a few.

To view the complete list, or to register for a workshop, visit Become involved www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/business If you want to stay across current issues and network with fellow business colleagues, join a local business group. There are four recognised traders’ associations in Newsletters Hobsons Bay – Altona, Laverton, Newport and Williamstown, And don’t forget the Council publishes a free business with many business networks also operating in the area. newsletter titled Business Works and a regular electronic These groups represent like-minded business people newsletter e-Works, subscribing is easy, simply send an whose focus is on marketing their area and addressing email to the address below.

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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

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BUSiNESS PROFiLE

ST R TURN FOR KIDS THE past-time of ‘playing dress-ups’ is one that all kids enjoy, but one Keilor East business has found a way to turn playtime into a business.

During this time the children also get to choose glitzy outfits and costumes, while the birthday girl gets her very own wardrobe to choose from.

Kelli Elbob first came up with the idea for her girl’s glamour party business, Dare2bDazzled, when she was planning her daughter Layla’s eighth birthday party.

Once everybody is looking like a star the disco begins, complete with karaoke.

“She was at an age where she’d outgrown fairies and whatnot, but there was nothing else for girls,” Ms Elbob said.

At the end of the party, attendees receive a party bag with girly treats like lip gloss and nail files.

“Boys get to this age and have indoor sports centres and go-karting.”

The Keilor East business, which opened in March last year, offers girls aged four to 14 a tailor made birthday party.

Upon arrival children are guided upstairs while parents kick back in their own designated area, which later turns into the audience area.

Parents soon become a cheering audience as the kids take part in a dazzling catwalk fashion parade.

Upstairs, kids have their hair, make up and nails done in a glamorous dressing room, decked out with diamond decorated mirrors and chandeliers.

Then it’s time to turn on the spotlights and light up the stage for a runway show.

“Mothers say to me ‘thank God we’ve got something like this around here’,” Ms Elbob, a qualified hairdresser, said.

The business, which employs four, will look into tapping into the bigger girls market in 2013 with hen’s night and kitchen tea themed parties.

Ms Elbob received lot of interest from adults after hosting a Girls Night In for the Cancer Council, which raised more than $4000 for charity.

She is also considering opening her catwalk to fashion brands, who can show off their labels in a new and fun way. [BW]

Dare2bDazzled’s Kelli Elbob and daughter Layla.

Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT

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BY CHARLENE MACAULAY

BUSiNESS PROFiLE

COMPLiANCE iS A MUST

BY CHARLENE MACAULAY GILLIAN Kinder says any damage to a business’s reputation is unquantifiable.

Luckily, the Compliance Essentials director knows the tools of the trade – and is challenging bosses to give their businesses a health check in the New Year.

“Compliance and risk management is really a form of protection for a business,” Ms Kinder said.

“You can call compliance whatever you want… the main thing is that it’s implemented and it’s definitely a driver for performance and improvement. It goes right down to policies and procedures.

“If an organisation’s got a really good suite of policies and procedures – for example, for OHS, for human resources – they can probably bring down their insurance premiums.

“It might cost in the first place, but they can bring those costs back down, and at the same time, by taking a very, very close look at the way they run their business and the way efficiencies are working, they can actually improve the bottom line.

“It should go hand in glove really with their insurance considerations but it’s also a way of protecting reputation. We all understand that once reputation goes, it’s really hard to recover.”

Ms Kinder started Compliance Essentials from her Werribee home three years ago after identifying a number of businesses weren’t meeting their legal and regulatory compliance obligations.

The business specialises in corporate governance and business processes, with an emphasis on legal and regulatory compliance, risk management, systems and procedures.

Ms Kinder said changes to Fair Work Australia also meant businesses that had previously complied with the law may now fall outside of their responsibilities.

“It’s either a lack of knowledge, or it’s not keeping up to date with current legislation,” she said.

“A client may think they’re compliant because they checked it out five years ago, but then haven’t had the opportunity or the time to follow through and see that it is up to date.”

Ms Kinder said many business owners didn’t realise that they could create greater efficiencies and business performance and increase profitability in the long run by adapting compliance and risk management practices.

She said business owners risk spending four times more fixing up an unwitting breach than implementing compliance that would prevent the breach in the first place.

“I try to get businesses to be proactively compliant. The businesses that come to me sometimes need to be reactively compliant, because they’ve gotten on the wrong side of a regulator.

“I do find that clients on the wrong side of the regulator (commit) an unwitting breach, and it could be misinterpretation, or it could be lack of knowledge. I haven’t come across an example where somebody has been disadvantaged by a client’s activities.

“I like to have face-to-face connection with

Compliance Essentials’ Gillian Kinder.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

“

Compliance and risk management is really a form of protection for a business...

the clients, that way I can get a feel for the culture of their company and the way that they operate.

“I’m very keen on the idea that one size doesn’t fit all – no two companies are the same. I don’t take a model and make a company squeeze into the model, I work the model around the organisation.”

Ms Kinder has also started writing compliance software that focuses on general legislation – such as consumer law and corporate governance – and has just released an e-book that examines successful debtor control. [BW]

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11

BUSiNESS PROFiLE

ALWAYS

The OnTime Group’s Walter Scremin.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

N TIME

BY CHARLENE MACAULAY GOOD employees are vital to the success of a business.

So when a business is considered one of the best employers in Australia, you can be sure their employees are top-notch.

That’s the case for transport services company, the OnTime Group, which was named a finalist in the Best Employee category of this year’s SME Association of Australia My Business Awards.

OnTime, which provides outsourced transport and logistics solutions to a range of businesses – from SMEs to larger listed companies – allows their clients greater flexibility, scalability and cost savings.

The business started in 1983 by Terry Kernan under the banner TKT Transport and has grown to employ around 22 permanent staff and 400 contractors nationwide.

“Most businesses are great at doing what they do,” general manager Walter Scremin said from their head office in West Melbourne.

“If you’re a widget company, you know how to do widgets – but they’re not necessarily

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BUSiNESS WEST

BUSiNESS PROFiLE logistics experts that know the most efficient, cost-effective manner of delivering those widgets.

“It’s important that you have the innovation to provide people with the tools to do things online.”

“We know nothing about making widgets, but we can tell you the most cost-effective and efficient manner of delivering.

OnTime, which has offices across Australia, will open an Adelaide office in the New Year.

“We work hand-in-hand with our clients so they get the benefits of a logistics company that provides them with information and management tools.”

OnTime has also developed one of the most efficient and cost-competitive GPS vehicle tracking systems on the market – Ontime Earth, an in-house GPS that clients can use to monitor the progress of their fleet.

The business also provides an online costanalysis tool so that clients can compare different quotes.

“The transport industry in general is not a trendy sort of industry… but there is no doubt that online is becoming a bigger and bigger part of the transport industry,” Mr Scremin said.

“As clients are changing their processes, they’re looking at doing things more efficiently, and I think as we get more people that are technologically-minded, they’re keener to put a job in via an online method than they are to pick up the phone.

Mr Scremin estimates that the company’s growth has historically been 50 per cent from its existing client base, and 50 per cent from new business.

“Our expansion has been on the back of clients. Our clients will commence an operation interstate and they very kindly ask us to join them, and that’s how we start.

“I think the greatest promoters we have for this business are our own existing clients.

For a national business, we only have one or two salespeople, but the business has always grown year on year – by word of mouth.”

“The most gratifying thing for both Terry and I, is that we still work to the same values that we had then – it’s still a family business, we care about everyone that we come in contact with, whether it’s our staff, or our suppliers, or of clients, or drivers.

“It’s a fairly relaxed atmosphere here.

People come to work because they enjoy coming to work.”

One of those reasons is the company’s cross-cultural training program, which is

“

Good employees are vital to the success of a business…

offered to any employees for whom English is a second language.

The program includes a series of workshops to help break down cultural communication barriers.

“What we found was a deficiency in communication going both ways,” Mr Scremin said.

“The people we have are absolutely wonderful, but we could be having lunch together and someone will crack a joke which, in Australian parlance we’re all laughing, but because of our satire, people from other countries don’t get it.

“We worked really hard in finding people that could assist us in bridging that gap, and that’s been terrific for us, as well as our employees. [BW]

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BUSiNESS WEST

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BUSiNESS PROFiLE

KEYS TO SUCCESS

BY CHARLENE MACAULAY KEY Business Advisors takes a business from good to great.

The Essendon-based company offers customised sales training programs in business to business, consumer, telesales, retail as well as coaching and mentoring.

It also provides a human resources system that covers performance reviews, induction, recruitment and termination, and ensures businesses are compliant with Fair Work obligations.

It’s this unique mix of services that saw the company named as a finalist in the Telstra Business Award’s Small Business category earlier this year.

“We were selected as finalists, I believe, because of the innovation of bringing two industries – human resources and sales training – together,” director Colin Wilson said.

“HR is an interesting thing. A lot of people think HR is about organising phones and laptops and getting people organised. In a sense it is, but it’s also about making sure that businesses are compliant with Fair Work Australia.

“

People say how lucky we are, but there’s no luck – you create your own luck.…

COLIN WILSON

“The health check (for the Telstra Business Awards) was amazing. It’s something I’d recommend every business to do.

“We train a lot of small business and when we were given the health check, the more I entered the data in, the more I realised that we were a great company and the more it confirmed to me that we practice what we preach.

“We’re a very result-driven business, and to be a finalist in the Telstra Business Awards is about financial results, your marketing strategy, people management, business plan – it’s about the vision.”

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Mr Wilson and his wife Lorraine set up Key Business Advisors five years ago with a vision to help grow small and medium-sized businesses through a solid sales process.

Mr Wilson has taken the reins of the business, while Mrs Wilson prefers to keep a lower profile, focusing on the marketing side of things.

“Any training is fantastic, but a small business needs a training program that is customised for their business,” Mr Wilson explained.

“Anyone in a business that talks to a customer needs to have some form of salesmanship in them, and definitely has to have customer service.

“How do you drive that behaviour in business if you’ve got staff members that are disruptive? With a lot of small businesses we go into starting out, they’re so busy chasing dollars and they have their business and marketing plan, but there’s never, ever a staff plan.

“Staff are normally one of your biggest costs in your business. So, if you haven’t got your people management right, then you’re in trouble.

“Some people think that going into business is easy: it’s not.

“It’s all about getting the foundations right.

If the foundations are right – the right people, going in the same direction – then it can grow.”

Today the business manages more than 300 clients across Australia, including a range of Telstra licensed stores and ANZ Bank mobile lenders.

Key Business Advisors boasts a high referral rate, while their client retention rate is 95 per cent.

The business employs 16 people, boasts an office in Queensland, has appointed workers to cover South Australia and Western Australia, and is looking to open a Sydney office in the New Year.

Most recently Key Business Advisors partnered up with the FCB Group to start up a sister company, Enable HR, which enhances the delivery of their legal and HR consulting services to clients through new internet based technologies.

The Wilsons are also scouting locations for a new Melbourne premises, having outgrown their existing Buckley St office.

Mr Wilson told Business West that Key Business Advisors had enjoyed an 80 per cent

growth in turnover and staff numbers every year since opening.

He attributes the growth to practising what he preaches and nurturing his employees.

He has promoted four managers from within the business to oversee four different departments: finance and administration, marketing, human resources and sales training.

“People say how lucky we are, but there’s no luck – you create your own luck.

“When there’s an opportunity, you’ve got to roll the dice and take the risk and go for it.

This is where a lot of business owners sometimes fail, because they’ve got the opportunity there, but they don’t take it because they’re scared. Having that business confidence and vision (is paramount).

“We’re no different to any small business, we’ve had issues with employees, we’ve had people that we’ve thought would work out, but didn’t work out, (now) we’ve got some fantastic employees.

“The day you stop trying to grow your business is the day that competitors come and take over.

“You’ve always got to continue growth.

As much as we celebrate success with our clientele, they also celebrate our success.

It’s a two-way street.” [BW]

Key Business Advisors’ Colin Wilson.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

BUSiNESS PROFiLE

PITCH PERFECT

BY CHARLENE MACAULAY

verbal cues the speaker is projecting.

AROUND 23,000 business presentations are done every day – and most of them are done badly.

Latest research has shown people retain between three and four points of information from a speech or lecture, while 93 per cent of all communication is non-verbal – so it takes more than some clever writing to deliver a killer business presentation.

That’s the verdict from Williamstown pitch consultant Jennifer Burrows, who has dedicated her career to making sure those presentation skills are not only up to scratch, but will guarantee the speaker gets their message across.

The Value For Life business owner says everything, from the tone of your voice, to the clothes that you wear, to the time of day, can affect the success of a presentation.

She is also aware that while many businesses and corporations use pitch consultants, not many will admit to it.

“Most people that hire pitch consultants don’t advertise it. That’s why we’re not well known; it’s an undercover thing,” she said.

“I work on a specific presentation that an organisation is putting together to make sure the key points all stand out and then I work with them on the actual rehearsal of it.

“If there’s more than one speaker, we will discuss how to transition them so that it’s very smooth. It should be seamless. I also listen to the tone of voice they’re using.

“In Australia especially, and when people have nerves, they get squeaky at the top end of a sentence, and their voice rises, and it sounds like a question, rather than a statement.

“You want to be sitting in a command tonality, which is very strong, very directed, where the tonality actually drops on the last syllable, because that’s more powerful and authoritative.”

Ms Burrows also focuses on the key messages of the presentation and the non-

It’s a problem Ms Burrows is all too familiar with.

Starting out in the recruitment industry, Ms Burrows was always well prepared for board presentations, but a paralysing fear of speaking in front of more than one person meant the execution was less than flawless.

Ms Burrows said one CEO told her that her unpolished presentations were career limiting.

Ms Burrows also works within organisations to coach staff in presenting and persuading with confidence, credibility and impact.

“Presentation skills may be soft skills, but the capability to clearly and concisely communicate the business is what creates change in individual and organisational performance.” [BW]

Then, in 2005, she went to a conference and listened to a woman who coached the CEOs of major corporations on their presentation skills.

She was so intrigued by the lecture that within three months, Ms Burrows had joined another company to focus on delivering presentation skills, and later started Value For Life.

Her biggest pitch to date was working on the $750 million relocation of the ANZ to the Docklands.

Ms Burrows worked with the Global Head of Property and the Program Director to perfect the argument, wording and delivery of a presentation for 150 of ANZs top executives, who were flying in from around the world.

“We were rehearsing every move, every nuance of speech as well as the prepared wording,” she said.

“I lost count of how many times I heard that pitch. What I do remember is that I sat in every one of those 150 chairs, sound checking and viewing the delivery from every angle.”

Value For Life’s Jennifer Burrows.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

Authorised by Brendan O’Connor MP, Level 2, 13-15 Lake Street, Caroline Springs VIC 3023

Twitter: @BO

O

We have moved Address: Level 2, 13-15 Lake Street, Caroline Spring VIC 3023 Phone: (03) 8390 6166 Fax: (03) 8358 4245 Email: brendan.oconnor.mp@aph.gov.au Website: www.brendanoconnor.com.au Twitter: @BOConnorMP

Look for Brendan O’Connor MP on Twitter BUSiNESS WEST

1056932-SH06-13

BRENDAN O’CONNOR MP Federal Labor Member for Gorton

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I n my job

STRATEGY

ENGAGING EMPLOYEES MANAGING staff can be very satisfying or an annoying distraction. How you think about your staff influences how you feel about them.

My personal belief is that people do the best they can with the resources available to them. I also take it as a given that we all want to work in or manage organisations where employees are performing at a high level and are happy and engaged. This is my belief; it’s neither right nor wrong, however I believe it is a manager’s responsibility to strive to create an engaged workforce.

It’s important to recognise that the beliefs we hold about employees will influence our attitude and behaviour towards them.

One of the starting points for a high performing organisation is staff engagement.

Research confirms that an engaged employee is a productive employee and a productive employee is a more profitable employee.

The findings of an Australian survey compiled by Gallup are terrifying. The survey, found that only 18 per cent of the Australian workforce are actively engaged: motivated and contributing. On the flip-side they suggest, 61 per cent of the Australian workforce are actually not engaged. They go to work, but they are not contributing as much as they could. Whilst that fact is hard to digest, the terrifying factor is that it is suggested that 21 per cent of the Australian workforce is actively disengaged: undermining and working against their employer.

Disengaged staff add to your employee turnover and add to your costs. The estimated cost to Australian business is in the order of $33.5-$42.1 billion (AUD) per annum.

Motivating your staff need not be costly; but not motivating them can come at a hefty price!

WHAT CAN WE DO? There is no quick fix and strategies need to be tailored for each organisation. There is, however, one simple process that can be used to start understanding if your employees are engaged or not. This technique is particularly important for those employees you seriously value and that if they resigned would negatively impact on your organisations profit and performance.

Having worked in Human Resources and recruitment for many years, I have heard many reasons why people have felt unmotivated and wanted to leave their employers. Many of these reasons I believe could have been avoided if their direct manager followed the technique below and took action.

The technique is simple – spend time talking to your staff and teams!!! Have a conversation with your staff to find out ‘how they are going?’ in HR speak, this is called an ‘engagement review’.

ENGAGEMENT REVIEWS ENABLE YOU TO: ■ Learn/confirm your employee’s point of view on job satisfaction and personal success.

■ Answer questions and provide clarity on what maximum contribution looks like, what they could do more of.

■ Demonstrate your support of them.

■ Begin a regular, ongoing engagement dialogue.

Engagement reviews are not the time to provide performance feedback, conduct a career coaching conversation, or share your thoughts on what the employee should do better. If necessary those conversations can come after the engagement review.

TIPS FOR A MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION: Many managers want to have meaningful conversations with their staff, but some simply don’t know how to start the dialogue or what to stay once it’s started. Here are some tips.

■ Set a positive tone for the conversation, create rapport and be relaxed.

■ Talk about the importance of the employee’s job and how it fits with the organisation’s larger goals.

■ Discuss your employee’s top priorities.

Many managers aren’t fully aware of this which can have a negative impact on engagement.

■ Ask “What support do you need from me?” and “What kind of feedback is most useful to you?”

■ Talk about ways to use the employee’s talents (the ones that the person enjoys using).

■ Ask about job conditions — what gets in the way of great accomplishments? What gets in the way of a great day at work?

■ Discuss how you work together. It’s not enough to agree you should meet “regularly.” Clarify what that term means to you both.

■ Agree to meet again. You can’t have one discussion and check off the box that you’ve addressed your employee’s engagement successfully.

This conversation lays a foundation for specific discussions about performance, development, or career management.

It also establishes a forum you can use to check-in quickly – and regularly – about engagement issues.

People want to know their managers care about them and their career aspirations.

Spending time with your employees is a great way to deliver on this. Given that engaged employees add more to the bottom line, if you are a manager, it makes sense to spend time to demonstrate you truly value your employees.

JUNE PARKER is the Director of an HR consulting firm called Selection Partners. June and her team work with SME’s and larger organisations in the West and Northern suburbs helping organisations to maximise their employees’ potential, through recruitment, development, coaching or training.

Email: June@selectionpartners.com.au

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STRATEGIES

WHY GO iT ALONE? THE BENEFITS OF A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

BUSINESS leader roundtables have been around in different formats for some time now.

They offer the opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and support.

So why introduce a new format?

Well, business model innovation when applied to the Roundtable model itself opens up exciting opportunities for companies as they focus on renewal beyond recovery from the GFC. Companies are looking to access new value streams and to appropriate value by thinking differently as invariably this brings new energy to their businesses. Roundtable discussions can focus on issues of innovation, leadership, collaboration and strategy rather than day-to-day issues of the firm.

In this way, roundtables engage business leaders in strategic thinking rather than merely picking up good ideas from each other and trying to apply them in their business without knowing why or where that idea arose from in the first place.

In modern business, there is no way one company or team within a company can go it alone, so building opportunities for collaboration within firms, between companies and between domains within companies is important.

As business leaders imagine if you were to receive integrated thinking from different domains within your business, from each of your C-suite personnel (CIO, CFO, COO etc); you’d not be left being the only one doing the integration and alignment to the strategy as a holistic process.

Our roundtables are focused on the business of business, namely growth in a highly turbulent and transitional economy.

Quality roundtable discussions should involve business leaders who have advised what themes they want to discuss. These themes then become the texture for the roundtable discussions.

For example, one of the Roundtables we’ll be discussing is “what’s happening in Europe?” whereas the real discussion will be about “how do I keep my business model flexible and adaptive to these massive financial fluctuations and global risks?”

Business leaders are looking to engage in meaningful, confidential knowledge transfer with peers and so you need qualified facilitators capable of mentoring peer-to-peer learning between business leaders.

In return, our business leaders state that they benefit from the open discussion, challenging facilitation of contemporary business and economic issues, the growth their businesses have attained due to thinking through their business models and the ability to benchmark themselves with business leaders from different industry sectors whilst positioning themselves in global value chains.

Normally personal problems should not be discussed at roundtables; where these arise they might be aired for sharing experiences and then referred to specialist services rather than dealt with in the roundtable forum.

FRANK WYATT is Managing Director of Executive Accelerators. Frank Wyatt has forged four highly successful ful business enterprises and one outstanding disaster over the past twenty years. His latest, Executive Accelerators, whilst spanning nationally has a strong focus on building value for companies in the Melbourne’s West through Business Leaderr Roundtables, business coaching and assisting companies to extract knowledge from public research organisations enabling them to do business in complex high-cost environments.

Website: www.executiveaccelerators.com.au or call 1300 30 22 80.

BUSiNESS WEST

17

OUT OF HOURS MOONEE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MOONEE Valley City Council hosted the Get Connected Home Based Business Breakfast at Ascot House recently. The event presented the perfect opportunity for home-based business owners, sole traders and micro business owners to meet and network with like-minded business people. Rachel Pickworth, pictured, was the guest speaker.

Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

THE Women in Business Network hosted a pre-Christmas function at Victoria University’s VenU teaching and training restaurant in Footscray. Newly-elected president Dr Damira Lopes introduced guest speaker Hayley Armstrong, pictured, from the Hoppers Crossing DanceMax School of Dance.

1. South Western Melbourne Medicare Local’s Samantha Mernell.

Pictures: JOE MASTROIANNI

1

COMMITTEE FOR WYNDHAM 1

THE Committee for Wyndham hosted its annual festive dinner recently at Sanctuary Lakes Resort.

Guests enjoyed a two-course dinner as they listened to guest speaker Professor Bruce Rasmussen, the director of Strategic Economic Studies at Victoria University.

1. WHK’s Maureen Puopolo, Harwood Andrews’ Rosemaree Bourke and Megan Puszkar.

2

2. Parks Victoria’s Rocky Barca, Victoria University’s Bruce Rasmussen, WHK’s Shane Hilton and Powercorp’s Glenn Smith.

Pictures: MATHEW LYNN

An artist’s impression of the proposed Woodgrove Shopping Centre development.

Picture: CONTRIBUTED

WOODGROVE EXPANSION WOODGROVE Shopping Centre will more than double in size this year after a $150 million expansion is completed.

QIC Global Real Estate has commenced construction on the much-anticipated development, which will introduce Big W, Woolworths and around 80 new specialty retailers to Melton, as well as a new 550-seat food court and dining and entertainment precinct.

The expansion will also deliver a new fresh food area and the existing centre will undergo a significant refurbishment to integrate with the extension. Parking will be increased to 2400 spaces.

It’s estimated that the development will generate 650 local jobs during construction and a further 800 retail jobs on completion.

QIC GRE Managing Director Steven Leigh said the expansion was the next logical step in the development of Woodgrove and would keep up with the rapid growth of the area.

Mr Leigh said currently residents were being forced to leave the municipality to purchase products and services that should be provided locally and the expansion would meet future demand.

This is QIC GRE’s third extension of the complex since 1997.

FINE FOR OIL SPILL FCL Interstate Transport Services Pty Ltd has been found guilty and ordered to pay $75,000 towards an environmental project for contravention of the Environment Protection Act (1970) after an oil spill to the Maribyrnong River in 2009.

The company pleaded guilty to a water pollution charge brought by EPA Victoria at the Melbourne Magistrates Court in November 2012.

The court heard that the discharge was caused when drilling works at FCL’s West Melbourne premises led to the rupture of an underground water main, causing an underground waste oil tank to overflow with water and oil.

SMALL TALK NEW LEASE MONTGOMERY Construction and Rail has agreed terms on a new office and warehouse lease at Ravenhall.

Located at 51 Eucumbene Drive on the corner of Walhalla Way, the property comprises a 930 square metre office and warehouse facility, including an office component, dual street frontages, multiple roller doors, and 2175 square metres of secure yard space on the 3645 square metre site. The tenant would pay an annual rental of about $100,000 net on a three year term with three year options. Savills Australia acted on behalf of a Melbourne based private investor.

The oily water mix flowed across FCL’s yard and into stormwater drains and the river.

While the exact amount of oil that escaped the premises is unknown, 2250 litres of oily water had to be vacuumed from the river during clean-up.

FCL Interstate Transport Pty Ltd was also ordered to pay the EPA’s legal costs of $14,895.

TICK FOR TAX THE Australian Tax Office (ATO) have released a series of YouTube videos presented by TV personality and experienced small business owner Scott Cam explaining what business owners need to do to start lodging your Business Activity Statements (BAS) online.

In the videos, Mr Cam shows how easy it is to register for an AUSkey, go online and lodge your BAS through the ATO’s Business Portal, and use Standard Business Reporting (SBR) enabled software to report directly to the ATO and other government agencies.

You can watch the videos by visiting www.youtube.com/AusTaxOffice SAFER YEAR VICTORIA’S workplaces had the safest year on record in 2012, according to new WorkCover figures.

Last year 18 people died in Victorian workplaces – seven fewer than the 25 fatalities which occurred in 2011 and equal to the previous record low of 18 workplace deaths set in 2005.

Of the 18 deaths, 12 were in Melbourne and six were in regional Victoria. Sixteen of the fatalities were men, one was an elderly woman and one was a four-year-old. Half of the deaths involved men aged 50 and over.

The number of Victorians injured at work also fell to a new low. Last year, 7.77 people were injured for every million hours worked, compared to 7.9 people per million hours worked in 2011.

STEER’S NEW DIVISION ESSENDON Fields accountants Matthews Steer is to create a new wealth management division.

The Private Wealth and Tax Management division will headed up by Geoff Steer, a Matthews Steer director and qualified tax advisor. The move follows recent debate about blending accountancy with financial planning services, and the recent changes to Australian Financial Services Licenses.

The firm will merge its financial planning group with its private client accounting service to form the core of the new division.

Mr Steer said the wealth management division was partly inspired by the continued growth in self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs).

WYNDHAM DIRECTOR THE Committee for Wyndham has appointed Chris Potaris as its new executive director.

He has held a number of senior management roles including CEO in the not-for-profit sector.

Mr Potaris is replacing Nik Tsardakis who has been in the role for the past two years.

MANUFACTURING AWARDS WESTERN Metropolitan MP Andrew Elsbury has called on companies and individuals in the West to nominate for the 2013 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame awards.

The awards highlight successful manufacturers who have innovated, diversified and embraced excellence.

Nominations will close on Friday, 15 February. The awards will be announced at a gala presentation ceremony on Tuesday, 7 May, at the Palladium Ballroom, Crown Entertainment Centre. Nomination forms can be downloaded from: www.business.vic.gov. au/industries/manufacturing/awards

BUSiNESS WEST

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Q&A

THE DOCTOR iS IN DR DAMIRA LOPES is Associate Dean of Enterprise and Commercial Development at Victoria University. Dr Lopes has a strong background in management in the recruitment and training sector, including senior roles within business development, strategic planning, human resources and company leadership.

She has served as General Manager for a not-for-profit organisation and was a committee member of Apprenticeship Melbourne.

She has also managed New Enterprise Incentive Scheme and mentored a number of successful small businesses. In her current role, Dr Lopes is focused on expanding and strengthening educational and workforce development services to business and enterprise. Dr Lopes is a former committee member of the Greater Western Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Footscray Reference Group, Braybrook Enterprise and Training Shed, and Business Enterprise Centres Association.

She was also a member of the judging panel for the Wyndham and Melton Council’s Business Excellence Awards in 2005 and 2006.

At the end of 2012 Dr Lopes added another feather to her cap when she was elected president of the Women in Business Network.

1. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL WORKING DAY. I strive to make every day at work as productive as possible by building more business for the university, working with industry clients, researching what’s happening in the industry, communicating with VU staff and external people, checking progress on VU industry clients.

2. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, AND WHAT SKILLS DID IT GIVE YOU TO GET YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? My first job was teaching. Teaching is a very interesting and fulfilling occupation. It gives you a sense of doing something worthwhile.

The skills I’ve learnt and using today include effective communication, understanding self and others, positive attitude.

3. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER SUCCESS TO DATE? Achieving significant results for VU in industry work.

4. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER FAILURE TO DATE? The type of work I do has its challenges for example: You may not win every tender or the external economic situation affects viability of the projects with industry.

5. HOW DID THAT HELP YOU GROW AS A BUSINESS WOMAN? You learn from every negative experience and you look at failure as an opportunity to do things better, make wiser choices, become more focused and more driven to succeed next time.

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6. WHY DID YOU JOIN THE WOMEN IN BUSINESS NETWORK? I’m very passionate about the role women play in society and women’s contributions to the economic growth of the community and the network presents a great opportunity to interact with women that participate in business either as business owners or working for other businesses. I find networking with Women in Business inspiring and educational.

7. HOW WOULD YOU SELL THE WEST TO A POTENTIAL INVESTOR? Communities in the West have a great history of networking and community supporting each other. It is also an area of huge growth which presents opportunities to be part of the rapid development of the western region.

8. IF YOU HAD TO INVITE FIVE PEOPLE TO A BUSINESS LUNCHEON, WHO WOULD IT BE? I would love to have lunch with the mayors of the major councils in the western region among which there are five extraordinary women.

9. WHO INSPIRES YOU, AND WHY? I’m inspired by people that I work with within the university and people in the industry and communities. I’m inspired by the belief and passion to what we collectively could do to secure a prosperous future for the West.

10. HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? I love gardening and fishing.

Cloud Accounting

A BUSiNESS WEST PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

ACCOUNTING FOR YOUR FUTURE UNTIL the recent introduction of Cloud Accounting it was a rare thing to hear the words ‘Dynamic’ and ‘Innovative’ in the same sentence as ‘Accounting’.

Now, they go hand in hand.

The future of small business accounting and advisory is here; are you on board?

WHAT IS CLOUD ACCOUNTING? Since the 1990s, accounting software has been sold off the shelf in boxes and loaded onto a single computer via CD-ROM. Transferring data to another computer was a timely exercise, requiring a separate media device.

Like dial-up modems, non-smart phones and Buddha Hocking’s mullet, some things are best left in the 90s.

Cloud Accounting allows multiple users to access accounting data in a risk-free environment through an internet browser in real time.

It can be accessed by you and your Accountant from any location at any time.

A dynamic new software company called ‘Xero’ is leading the charge, while the accounting software veterans MYOB and Quicken (Quickbooks) have also recently released Cloud versions.

WHK has been monitoring and evaluating all available applications and can objectively advise you on which software is best for your specific needs.

With accredited staff, we have already assisted hundreds of clients to gain a

competitive advantage by implementing the software. Why would you change?

IMPROVED EFFICIENCY Cloud accounting software integrates directly with your bank, importing transactions on a daily basis.

Through the correct implementation of data matching and transaction memorisation, the software can do the work for you!

ACCESS On-site and want to review your profit and loss as of today? Just log in.

At the beach and want to know if a debtor has paid? No worries.

Cloud Accounting allows you to access and edit your financial data from anywhere at any time on any device with an internet connection.

REAL TIME DATA Business is all about timing. Opportunities do not wait for your accounting software.

Cloud Accounting improves information quality through timeliness.

REAL TIME ADVICE At everyone’s favourite time of year - tax time, Cloud Accounting allows you and your advisor to view the exact same data at the exact same time.

Any bookkeeping issues you have can be solved in minutes over the phone.

No travelling between locations. No hit and miss USBs. No unanswered questions. No delays. No more excuses for your Accountant!

EASY IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE There is no installation of software, IT maintenance or upgrades required. Transitions to Cloud Accounting can take place anytime you please. But is the data secure?

This is the number one question we are asked. Of course, we can’t guarantee your information. However, do you trust internet banking? If so, cloud accounting is no different.

At a recent seminar I asked a Xero Executive what their stance is on security; his answer was simple ‘Our brand is built around security. If one user’s data was deemed unsecured, our company, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, would be out of business overnight. Believe me, we take security very seriously’.

As with many Cloud applications, users have found that data is actually safer in the Cloud than sitting on a single hard drive!

HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT MORE? Have a good look through Xero, Quicken Online and MYOB Online’s websites as they are jam packed with videos showing demonstrations of how the software works and how people are using it to improve their business. Feel free to call me on 9742 8444 for a no obligation meeting to discuss your business needs or to register to attend a FREE Cloud Accounting Information Workshop.

Jack Ruan Accounting and Business Advisory, WHK

Cloud $FFRXQWLQJ The future of small & medium business accounting is here: are you on board?

Cloud Accounting allows multiple users to access accounting data in a risk free environment through an internet browser in real time.

It can be accessed by you, your business partners, and your accountant from any location, DW DQ\ WLPH SURYLGLQJ EXVLQHVVHV RZQHUV ZLWK LQFUHDVHG HIoFLHQFLHV E\ VSHQGLQJ OHVV WLPH on their accounts and more time running their business.

FREE WORKSHOP WERRIBEE OFFICE: Thursday 28 February 2013 at 10am :+. %RDUGURRP 5HJLVWHU or werribee@whk.com.au

18 Synnot St, Werribee 3030 T: 9742 8444 E: werribee@whk.com.au

Advice islimited provided licenceapproved of WHK Financial Pty Ltd ABN 51 060 092 631 AFSL 238than 244. for the acts or omissions Liability byunder a scheme under Planning Professional Standards Legislation other Lending advice is provided under WHK Pty Ltd Australian Credit Licence number 389 054.

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www.whk.com.au 1059882-SL04-13

BUSiNESS WEST

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WORD SEARCH Avalon ANZ Cafe Terroni Commerce Compustor Kangan Kmart Madgwicks Matchworks Moonee Valley Outplacement Sales Scienceworks Sunshine Taxation Werribee WorkSafe WHK Vic Uni Quality Hotel

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BUSiNESS B BU BUS USiNES SS SW WEST ES E ST

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.

Don’t Waste Marketing Dollars.

Get Expert Advice Before You Spend!

Call 0419 546 159 now apmarketingworks.com.au

1034769-SH24-12

ANZ Units 19 & 20, 47-51 Little Boundary Rd, Laverton North, Victoria 9316 7142 www.anz.com Getting involved with businesses in the West is what we do. We take time to listen and understand your business. When opportunity knocks on your door, knock on ours.

BAFFSKY BIZZ 4 Sieben Crt, Truganina, Victoria 0414 853 933 www.iframeuhang.com Using a combination of mirror glass and genuine marble glass and lead light, I create a variety of sensational pieces, with mirrors, prints and chalkboards.

EDDIE THE BUTCHER 29 Mason St, Newport, Victoria 9391 3365 Traditional meats, homemade sausages, gourmet delights, free home delivery and spit roast hire.

EVEX CONSULTING PO Box 3, Seddon West, Victoria 0404 854 779 www.evex.com.au evEX Consulting helps your business be the best it can.

We save money. We address issues and solve problems at the source. We specialise in LEAN Manufacturing and continuous improvement.

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY & EVENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES 7 Rose Ave, Niddrie, Victoria 0438 465 998 www.executivesecretary.com.au ESEMS is a boutique administration and event management company offering expert advice and competitive prices. ESEMS will undertake all of the daily administration and event organisation that businesses do not have the time to complete. Allowing more time to concentrate doing the things you love and focusing on making your business financially secure.

FIT FAMILY 34 Jeffrey St, East Keilor, Victoria 0402 466 348 www.fitfamily.com.au Fit Family provides group fitness for the whole family.

Kids and Adults sessions run simultaneously so the whole family can workout - same time, same place, separate sessions.

FORESITE TRAINING PTY LTD 1 Banfield Crt, Truganina, Victoria 1300 366 015 www.foresitetraining.com.au A locally owned and operated Registered Training Organisation for training and licensing in the earthmoving and civil construction, transport and logistics and warehousing and storage industries.

GARFIELD MAYALL PTY LTD PO Box 2030, Werribee, Victoria 9742 8444 As a Werribee based accounting firm for over 35 years, Garfield Mayall provides their clients with various services through our qualified CPA team of accountants and financial planners.

GO COLLECTIONS Level 2/10 Queens Rd, Melbourne, Victoria 8199 8381 www.gocollections.com.au GO Collections specialises in debt recovery.

We act immediately on all work referred by utilising all available communication tools. Demands and legal action. Call GO today 1300 851 267.

HRNET 20 Junction St, Newport, Victoria 0438 779 925 www.hrnet.com.au HRnet provides small to medium business with flexible and affordable HR and recruitment services with a difference. We access the best candidate sourcing tools and support you to find the best people fast.

INTERMIZZI PTY LTD PO Box 98, Harcourt, Victoria 0409 229 331 Sales People/Sales Tools/Sales Leadership. InterMizzi specialises in coaching and mentoring sales people and sales managers in business to business sales.

KATHY BUTLER PO Box 4334, Hoppers Crossing, Victoria 0418 489 480 Reiki Master/Teacher. A Reiki session can help ease tension and stress and can help support the body to facilitate healing on all levels - physical, mental, and emotional. A treatment restores balance and harmony to the whole person, bringing about a sense of wellness.

M WORSLEY 6 Ruby Pl, Werribee, Victoria 8742 1400 www.mworsley.com.au Established in Australia in 1967 as Business Consultants, Tax Agents and Chartered Accountants we offer local business custom support to help develop their business as required - 24/7 Hotline support at $5.50 per minute on 0428 414 400 against a credit card PAPILLON LEARNING 102 Arbour Bvd, Burnside Heights, Victoria 0417 056 819 www.papillonlearning.com Papillon Learning inspires leaders to overcome their personal challenges and create the life and results they aspire to. Our clients discover success in life, business, health, relationships and parenting.

PRD HOMES PTY LTD 85 Orange Street, Bentleigh East, Victoria 9570 2866 www.prdhomes.com.au All Building needs, new homes, extensions and much more.

RMD INDUSTRIES PTY LTD 10 Market Rd, Sunshine, Victoria 9300 5154 www.rmdindustries.com.au Manufacturing and distribution of products aligned to the fencing and gate industry, agribusiness, door and window and HVAC industries.

STARTRACK 45-55 Annandale Rd, Tullamarine, Victoria 9250 6518 www.startrack.com.au StarTrack is Australia’s leading freight and logistic provider. StarTrack has ability to tackle logistics challenges by implementing innovative logistics solutions, industry leading technology, and commitment to service excellence.

THE MIXING BOWL - GRAPHIC DESIGN PO Box 669, Werribee, Victoria 9012 6090 www.mixing-bowl.com.au Success is not accidental… it is designed. Graphic design is the key to your business’ first impression.

Understanding your passion and goals is the key.

TRACY GROUP Level 1, Suite 2 & 5 - 399 Melton Hwy, Watergardens, Victoria 9217 9800 Tracy the Placement People are committed to building a strong partnership with all our stakeholders by finding the most suitable and reliable staff for your business.

TURNING POINT BUSINESS CONSULTING PO Box 3338, Caroline Springs, Victoria 0416 127 009 www.TurningPointBC.com Teaching low cost / no cost sales and marketing strategies that help small business owners take their businesses to a new level of success and profitability and profitability they never thought possible.

TWEDDLE CHILD AND FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE 53 Adelaide St, Footscray, Victoria 0412 145 070 www.tweddle.org.au For 90 years Tweddle has assisted parents with young children confidently manage the challenges of early parenting. A not-for-profit organization covering Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs.

VALUE FOR LIFE PTY LTD 181A Nelson Pl, Williamstown, Victoria 9017 1843 www.valueforlife.com.au A communications business based solely around maximising our clients abilities to successfully deliver persuasive, informative and compelling pitches and presentations, transforming their business communications from lack-lustre to remarkable.

VERSA ROBES 13/22-30 Wallace Ave, Point Cook, Victoria 9360 0123 www.versarobes.com.au We are a Melbourne based family business, established in 2006. We offer stylish and affordable built in wardrobes, designer splashbacks and shower screens and custom built furniture to the discerning buyer.

We offer a high level of service unmatched by most in the marketplace.

WE SERVE U RIGHT 21/22 Canterbury St, Flemington, Victoria 0414 337 133 www.winningoptions.com.au I am contracted to We Serve U Right. I would be available for proof read and committee agenda and minute development - at a rate to be negotiated.

WYNDHAM PRIVATE Wyndham Private Medical Centre, Level 1, 242 Hoppers Lane, Werribee, Victoria 0438 451722 www.wyndhamprivate.com.au Medical Super Clinic and Private Hospital including: GP Super Clinic, pathology, radiology, general and specialist dental, specialist consulting suites, allied health, day surgery, psych.

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Collins & Co 127 Paisley Street, Footscray VIC 3011 T 03 9680 1000 F 03 9689 6605 E fc@collinsco.com.au

www.collinsco.com.au Tax Advice | Superannuation | Business Advisory | Audit | Succession Planning Business Valuations | Estate Planning | Wealth Creation

1059795-SL04-13

Terry Considine, owner Secon and Fabio Cammarano, partner of Collins & Co

Accountants & Advisors to the Transport & Logistics Industry