Coffee Time Minutes - 13th January 2010

Coffee Time – 13th January 2010

Welcome
Welcome to our new visitors.

Apologises
Rae Phillips and Toni Oliver

Who we are?
Small and Home Business owners meeting to build relationships from other SBO’s.

What is CT?
Relatively casual meeting group, where you can network, talk about business ideas and strategies, and learn from one another. Free, just buy yourself a coffee

Where?
Tuggerah’s Zenith Centre.

When?
At 10.30 am on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month. Arrival 10.25 am for 10.30 am start. (Runs for about 1 hour)

Update on:
PW4U has a special for you. Business Planning CDs – templates and instructions for Business Planning. Special $55 Inc GST. (Will be $395 + GST)

22nd Feb - Brad Sugars – I sent out a free invite to the Brad Sugars event in Newcastle. I am not promoting it. I am going along for my education. If you are going and would like to go together please let me know and we will organize a car pool.

Last year we talked about raising money through our group to support a charity. From today, we will be having a raffle each fortnight. Its will be up to you if you would like to participate and none should feel obliged. Tickets will be $2 each, or three for $5. If you would like to donate a prize to the group for the raffle, please let me know. Other wise I will purchase from the collection of funds and will be worth up to the value of $10 each fortnight. All monies will be donated each quarter to the charity of choice.

B2B with a twist are holding a Central Coast Festival in May. Supporting buy local. Keep an ear out for this event.

Networking:
· Coffee Times 27th Jan; 10th & 24th Feb 10th & 24th March
· B2B with a twist – 17th Feb – Central Coast B2B Networking Night
· Central Coast Women’s Group Luncheon at Mingara – 18th Feb
· Wyong Chamber of Commerce – networking and dinner. 23rd Feb
· International Women’s Day. – Central Coast Women’s Network is supporting the Day on the Central Coast at Iguana Joes.5th Mar.

Education:

BEC courses evening courses (6 – 9pm)
9th Feb – Trade marking your business
16th Feb – Research Business Opportunities – getting into business
24th Feb – Operating a business from home
2nd Mar – Sales and Marketing – Part A
10th Mar – Sales and Marketing – Part b
16TH Mar – Business Planning Part A
23rd Mar – Business Planning Part B

Australian Retail Association is offering a free 3 hr training session at the Zenith Centre on the 19th Feb. if interested please contact me and I will send out link.

Wins:
Tarnia - I have been asked and have accepted as an Ambassador for the Central Coasts Women’s Networking Group. There are three of us – Shelly from Esteem Jewellery, Melissa from the Art of Intimacy. We will be promoting the CCWNG and assisting with functions.

Tarnia - http://www.gurneyfinancialservices.com.au/ has been relaunched.

Robyn - Ventured into Small Business Marketing on line videos

Craig - Centrum Printing – received its Green accreditation

Craig - His daughter is directing her first production in Sydney for the family video production company.

Jenny - George and Jenny opening a Butcher shop at East Toukley in 2 weeks. Called Meat@Georges

Mark - Unique Security putting in CCTV in Toukley.

Paul - Karben received government funding to train the unemployed in hospitality. Also able to provide first aid training courses to all.

Who are you & what do you do: 30 Sec story about you

Lyn Thompson
LBH Promotions - Letter box distribution
http://www.lbhpromotions.com.au/

B2B - Marketing in Business Book & Networking
http://www.b2b.com.au/

Paul Simpson
Karben - Training Solutions for your staff
www.karbentraining.com.au

Sandra Boyd
Kani Consultants - Looking for temporary staff. Located at Wyong and servicing the Central Coast, whether for a day, week or month, Kani Consultants can assist your small business
Website being built – sandi.kani@gmail.com

Rob Buckworth
C4telecom - Central Coast Cabling and Telecommunications for your business
http://www.c4telecom.com.au/

Jenny Abourizk
Job Centre Australia - assisting people with disabilities find employment
http://www.jobcentreaustralia.com.au/

Ted O’Shannessy
Financial Freeway - Debt Management classes to help the local community get out of debt quicker.
http://www.financialfreeway.com.au/

Hugh Bowman
Bookkeeping Specialist
hugh.bowman@iinet.net.au

Craig Giles
Centrum Printing - You think it, we print it
http://www.centrumprinting.com.au/

John Mann
Small Business Assistant
http://www.jmnetwerx.com.au/

Mark Izzard
Unique Security - Specialising in back to base for business and homes on the Central Coast and greater NSW
http://www.uniquesecurity.com.au/

Angela Anthony
Angela Anthony Solicitors - Specialising in Estate Planning
http://www.angelaanthony.com.au/

Cheryl Greenwald
Marriage Celebrant
Email - cellie001@gmail.com

Robyn Marsden
Small Business Video Online - Marketing your business online
www.marketingrealestateonline.com/video_properties

Dean Brown
Woodview Home Loans & Finance - Assisting the local community with finance and home loans.
http://www.homeloansandfinance.com.au/

Tarnia Gurney
Gurney Financial Services - Looking after you and your family
http://www.gurneyfinancialservices.com.au/

Planningwerx4U - Assisting Small Business
http://www.planningwerx4u.com.au/


Presentations: Today’s presentation is about planning for 2010

Business planning for success:

Did you know? There was a study complete at Harvard Business School. The study was done over a twenty-five year period with 1,600 businesses. These were the results:

– 70% of the businesses in the study had no written or verbal plan
– 27% of the businesses in the study had verbal plans/goals only
– 3% of the businesses in the study had them written down

– 98% of the wealth was held by those 3% of the businesses in the study

. Building your Business Plan for 2010
You should spend about 2 hours in the next week or so to prepare and plan your 2010 and your future
Your plan must be logical and viable
It must be a Living document
It will help you be organised

. What is your competitive advantage?
Who will use your services
What do you do better
What is your advantage
Who’s your market

. Market Research?
Have you completed your research
What are others doing?
This can be time consuming but it is worth it

. What evidence have you got
Go to Planningwerx4, Google, DSDR, BEC for assistance

. How much money can you make?
What amount of money do you need to earn to cover your expenses
Per month
Per week
Per day
Per client

. Cashflow and Expenses
Work out expenses – leases, licensing costs, stationary, superannuation, taxes, phones, wages, etc..

Business Background
• Where are you located – home, office, shop front.
• What do you have to run a business – do your have the training, education, knowledge thru experience
• Know your products
• Know you industry
• Why do you want to be in business
• Who works the business
• Are you a sole trader, a company or a partnership – and how does it all work.

Your team
• Who is your team?
• Who are your mentors?
• Are there other small businesses that can work with you and support you.

Customers?
. Who are they
. Where do they come from
. What type of client – age
. Why would they come to you

Competitors
Know who they are
And where they are

Outside Influences:
Technology
Environment
Legislation
Regulations

Issues and Opportunities
o Know your Strengths
o Know your Weaknesses
o Be honest with yourself as you will be able to build your strengths

Business Systems
o Have office manuals
o Have procedures in place
o Have your systems up to date and in place

Mission Statement
o What is it
o Does it define you and your business


Open Discussion:

Advertising and Branding – be careful
Trade marking your branding to save you
Follow up leads, but know when to back off
Do a mind map – get some post it notes, write your points./ideas down then put to your plan under the relevant sections
SWOT – be honest

Raffle Drawn –

Prize donated from - Planningwerx4u.
Amount raised this fortnight - $34
Winner - Lyn Thompson
Money will be donated to the Iris Foundation at the end of the month.

Thank you for coming along today. Feel free to network with your peers.

Our Next Meeting is on the 27th of January 2010. We will start at 10.30am sharp.

Our Presentation will be by Warwick Ryan from Central Coast Business Lawyers on the new laws, HR, Dismissal laws etc.