Coffee Time Minutes - 10th June 2009

Apologises:

Donna Llige, Toni Oliver

Attendees:

Kate Morris, Simon Cook, Mark McCosker, Rae Phillips, Alan Jones, Dean Brown, Tarnia Gurney, Craig Giles, Lyn Thompson, Tony Bourke, Ted O’Shannessy, John Mann, Ann Thomas, Deb Rayner, Christie Jones, Kelly Booth, April Izzard,

Who we are? What is coffee time? Small Businesses getting out and building relationships with others. When & Where?

Tuggerah’s Zenith Centre. At 10.30am on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month. Arrival 10.20am for 10.30am start. (Runs for about 1 hour)

Golden Rules :

Can we show each other respect by only person to speak at a time. And hold all conversations, recommendations, till the end.

Update on:

11th and 12th July is the Central Coast 2GO Parenting Expo, if anyone is interested, speak to Tarnia who will forward you the invite and information. Need to book in now.

BEC (Business Enterprise Centre) Tuggerah are having a Business Women’s Course over 5 weeks. Contact Lynne, Kim or Debbie for more info.

28th May – Sydney Women’s Luncheon – was really nice, lots of new faces. Next one in August.

Sorry for cancelling the last Coffee Time, on the 27th May – Business Women’s Connect – Central Coast Biggest Morning Tea which some of us attended.

Networking:

18th June – B2B @ Newcastle – speak to Lynne today if you want to go

Wins:

Mark - Supa Centre – has new leasing going ahead. Looking to be full for Christmas Trading.

David and Alan – have the website up and running http://www.activeassist.com.au/

Ted – Sendoutcards.com has been able to set up training sessions in Burwood and Mingara for SOC members. Bi-monthly seminar and training session. First session had 40 people turn up.

Lyn – B2B event on the 18th if you would like to go along. Please see her ASAP. New Book out this week to go to 20000 businesses on the coast and hunter. Lyn thanked Craig for printing the B2B booklet

Rae – Rae has picked up Prostrate Cancer Australia as a client. She will be their HR manager Australia wide.

Tony – Launched http://www.tonybourke.com.au/. Also if you would like to preorder his new book can do at the website. Launch of Book “In Service” 5 weeks away. It will be $22, with $2 per book going to the cancer council.

Items of Discussion:

Each person to say hi and who they are, what they do – 30 second spill.

John Mann: JM Netwerx:
Bookkeeping and accounting, business coaching and planning, project management

Mark McCrosker: Supa Centre – Tuggerah
Picking up, people looking at leases and should come on by Christmas.

Alan Jones: Active Assist
Business Coaching and specialists, Helping business owner develop and grow,

Dean Brown: Woodview Home Loans & Finance
Assist individuals and families with home loans. Market slowing down a bit with First home buyers (FHB)

Ted O'Shannessy: Send Out Cards – customer care program
Distribution and Networking business – greeting cards, Select your card, type your message, click, they print, pack and post it. Teaching others how to be come senders of cards

Tarnia Gurney: Gurney Financial Services
Assisting Families and Small Business in consolidation of Superannuation and setting up adequate insurance

Lyn Thompson: LBH Promotions – letterbox distribution & B2B - booklet for businesses and networking nights
B2B has gone to A4. Gone to Central Coast, Newcastle and Regional. Launch of new book is the 18/6/09. Lyn is also going to be doing events management and hosting of events.

Craig Giles: Centrum Printing
Printing jobs large or small. DL flyers, Catalogues, books, brought a selection to show all. Get what you want, customize for the customer, and service for you.

Ann Thomas: Coffee News
Coffee News is a small flyer that goes to all coffee shops on the coast. You can advertise in there for a small fee. Tuggerah, Toukley, Wyong, Terrigal, The Entrance, etc.

Deb Rayner: Endota Spa
Beauty and relaxation day spa. Endota is up for sale at the moment. 2 interested parties if you know anyone interested in buying Endota Kooindah Waters, please ask them to contact

Rae Phillips: Inspire Success
Human Resources – building relationships with staff, and building productivity.

Tony Bourke: AIIB Insurance
Clients in Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast. Business insurance – PI, PL, Workers Comp, protects businesses.

Christie Jones: Wiggle & Giggle
Music classes for children and pre natal as well. And a birth coach.

Kate Morris: Joyful Healing and Wellness
Specialising in Bowen Therapy, Reiki, and Pregnancy Massage.
A new business with Lifewave. A special pad to assist in pain management, weight management, energy and sporting therapy. www.lifewave.com/joyfulhealingandwellness.com.au

Kellie Booth: Booth Learning
Assisting individuals with their learning and development. Based in Ourimbah and Hornsby

April Izzard: Unique Security
April is learning the business at the moment. Mark and Cassie running it. Growing quickly. Central Coast based. Own security guards, not contractors, specialising in Patrols, Alarm Systems, Locksmith Services, Local and Community security.

Simon Cook: Toshiba - Central Coast & World Pacific Telecommunications
Sales Manager for Toshiba – Photocopiers and Multifunction centres. If you want to save money on your phone bill contact Simon


Our Speaker today is Simon Cook on Communications:

Ø Communications:
o Look around, don’t put up with bad service on your phones, mobiles and internet.
o There is always a special. Ask
o Telstra and Optus insist on asking for a contract usually for 12 or 24 months, always negotiate to get what you want.
o There are usually better rates, ask, some times you can talk them down
o Billing on STD and local calls - look around for the best rate and then ring your provider and ask what they can do. Let them know what you have found and see if they will match the rate.
o Usually the telephone companies have high margins, so always ask.
o Be careful with voice over IP – sometimes there are hidden costs, Aswell as no internet speed or coverage. You may even need to upgrade your internet speed to get voice over IP.
o Be careful with who you sign up with – coverage can be limited in some areas.

Ø Back Ups:
o Who has a back up system?
o When do you back up? Daily, Weekly, monthly.
o Where is it located? On site or off.
o Is it on a server or a tape?
o Where do you store all of your documents? How safe is it?
o Maybe think of Network scanning. Toshiba and others can scan all documents and record them on an external server for you.
o Network – scan documents > File > and backup
o There are software solutions out there. Most IT providers can offer something. A couple are shadow protect, refine, Toshiba, carbonite
o You should do regular backups. Whether daily on a tape or to an external sever.
o If having discs or tapes, hold them off site. If you run a business at home, store at a friend or family home, or at with your IT provider.
o Remember that even emails need to be saved for legal purposes.
o Record holding
§ Business email – always
§ Taxation – 5 years
§ Financial – 7 years
§ HR – 25 years
o We should make a contingency plan for if something was to happen “a disaster plan” /risk analysis


Thanks Simon, for your thoughts on Communications and Backs up.


There are some scams going around at the moment, especially through email. Please note – your mortgage broker, financial planner or Bank will never ask for your details through an email. Never provide your private information through email.

Some other problem emails at this stage are – from Pay Pal, ECards, and Banks. Do not open these emails.

On another note: a couple of months ago we had some gentlemen come along from a company called Paperpoort which did advertising on a bag. Some of you may have signed up, or even paid to have some printing done. I have had a few of the group contact me about this matter and how they cannot be contacted now. I have tried to contact them to no avail aswell. I have also been in touch with the ACCC. They have advised me to let my group know that if you did do any business with this company/person’s then you can write to them and give 7 days for them to get in contact with you. If no luck, then you can go through the QLD Small Claims Tribunal to get your money back.

I need to make this statement to cover myself and our group: I will say that Coffee Time is open to all business owners, whether it is a home or small business. Coffee Time is for you to meet others and have a coffee and chat. If people that attend Coffee Time, build friendship or associations and complete business through their contacts that they may meet at Coffee Time, then that is excellent. That business will be between you and that person/s, Coffee Time and Tarnia Gurney, will not be held liable.

On a brighter note: Rae will bring some flyers for Kate from the Prostrate Foundation for her breast cancer function in October. If you would like a flyer on Prostrate Cancer, contact Tarnia as she has some.

Just to let you know that over the past couple of months some people/clients of mine have had to go hardship or bankrupt. This is a big life altering change. If you, or anyone you know that needs assistance there is people in our group that can help. Whether it is sorting out finances, a budget with Tarnia, Dean to assist with remortgaging, or Ted to assist in Debt Elimination planning, we are all here to help others. So remember we can often sit down with someone for a free consultation to have a chat on how we or others can help. I also have received some genetic letters if you need them to send to your creditors, etc, to organise a payment plan or options. Just ask, before it’s too late.

Thank you all for coming along. It was great to see so many people. Feel free to come along next time, bring a friend. Remember this group is for small business owners to help build relationships with other small business owners, and to offer assistance to others if needed.

For those available, please stay around and have a chat or catch up with someone.

Next Meeting: Wednesday 24th June 2009 – 10.20 arrival for 10.30 starts.

Regards Tarnia