Coffee Time Minutes for 26th September 2012

Welcome
Welcome to our new visitors

Apologies
Dawn and Bev, Leanna and Kellie Targett

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.

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 our Raffle?
Today we raised $15 bringing the total this year raised $456.50 (including this week’s total) for this year for the Iris Foundation in 2012.

This year we will continue with our Raffles and donation to Iris Foundation. This year we will do a raffle again for the Iris Foundation. We will be looking for prizes/donations up to the value of $10. 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.

Updated Members
You can come when you are free, never feel obligated and always feel welcome. I have a list with everyone who has come along to Coffee Time; I am updating the distribution list. If you would like to be included, please check your details are correct, update where necessary and add if not on there.

I have bought a card box for everyone’s cards and the folders were ripped. Please utilise the card holder box, please pass around each meeting, and feel free to support each other and utilize their services.

Recap of last meeting
Who was here last meeting? Who remembers what we talked about? Did we put into practice? How did we go?

Workcover

Don’t forget Jay can come out to your workplace and do a free assessment; you can then get a $500 voucher/credit towards purchasing safe office things (chair, etc). Jay also has workshops, one on one meeting and assessments currently available. If you wish to have a free appointment with Jay please contact him on jay.lewis@workcover.nsw.gov.au


Upcoming Networking:
• Coffee Time 10th October – Open Forum – Solutions for home and small business
• Coffee Time 24th October – Open Forum – how to build your business
• Coffee Time 14th November – Open Forum – Preparing for 2013
• Coffee Time 28th November – Security in your business – Mark Izzard
• Coffee Time 13th December – Christmas Party – Morning coffee meeting and luncheon
• Fridays round the coast SBNG – 3rd Friday here at Zenith
• BWC lunches on each month – for more info contact Kym Williams

Education:
2012 – Visit BEC upstairs or log on to www.ccbec.org.au

BEC has Memberships available:
- Business Basics Membership - $249.
- Business plus Membership - $748.
For more information, please speak to Darren or Debbie at the BEC – 02 4355 4885

Update
Melbourne Cup - $79 per ticket at Gosford Races 6th November. Coffee Time has 1 table if you would like to come along. Numbers and Money required by the 19th of October.

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

Tarnia Gurney
Gurney Financial Services www.gurneyfinancialservices.com.au
Planningwerx4U www.planningwerx4u.com.au


Rachel Dillon
Promo Creative promocreative1@gmail.com
Elite Embroidery www.eliteembroidery.com.au

Julie Watson
Ezipix www.ezipix.com.au

Kate Morris
Events with Pizazz www.eventswithpizazz.com.au

Lyn Thompson
Buy Local online/ LBH Promotions/ B2B www.b2bwithatwist.com.au

Daniel Farmer
NSW Business Chamber www.nswbusinesschamber.com.au

Jahne Peart
Exploring Names jahne@hotcollections.com.au

Wins
Rachel – completed her first order
Kate signed up 9 more in her team

Congratulations everyone


Presentation today
Daniel Farmer – NSW Business Chamber


• NSW Business Chamber is the biggest chamber in Australia
• It now owns – NSW, VIC, QLD and ACT Business Chambers
• One Stop for all the chambers and brings them all into alignment around Australia
• Services provided – legal, networking, and advice, support, HR, fleet, and payroll, financial.
• Local chambers to support local business
• NSW chamber to support the local chambers and those local businesses
• Member benefits – discount’s, support and advice
• NSW Business Chamber is a growing business an has a strong back office which supports the chambers around Australia
• You can join direct or through an alliance through your local chamber
• NSW Business Chamber lobby government for support of businesses.
• Example – differences in wages and awards now to 20 yrs. ago. Different penalty rates, different hrs. And days, small business in hospitality is hurting as the costs are rising, NSW Business Chamber is working with Government in relation to the awards and how to work with small business.
• Assisting business through services – international trade business, products and advice with HR and legislation changes
• NSW Business Chamber can also assist small business with –
• Energy
• Sustainability
• Buying power for office supplies
• Insurances for business
• This is due to negotiations with energy groups to provide a good rate for energy. Tips and tools around saving energy, and investing in energy saving initiatives
• Sustainability through green ability – safe practices for business
• Corporate Express – discounted rates for stationary or big ticket items – office supplies
• Legal info – Lawyers for advice on legal matters
• HR – Human Resources specialist
• NSW Business Chamber negotiated with brokers for insurance. And got discounted insurances – Alliance has come on board and will provide a discount for small business packages. They do workers compensation, public indemnity, public liability, etc.
• NSW Business Chamber won the tender for the apprenticeship centre. Providing training and support to apprenticeships and trainees. 50% of kids today do not finish their trade or apprenticeships. Government wants to work with businesses and trainees to find out why and get them finishing their trades.
• Kids and apprentices need basic courses and need education
• Mentor program will be set up for business owners to mentor Gen Ys.
• Seminars coming up
• For more information please go to www.nswbusinesschamber.com.au  or contact Daniel Farmer for an appointment on how the chamber can assist your business.

Thanks everyone for your participation, hope everyone got something out of it.

Planningwerx4u has Business Planning CD’s for $50 (+ GST) each, if you would like one please let Tarnia know.

Winner of today’s raffle – Julie, thanks to Kate from Your Inspiration at Home who donated a basket.

Today we raised $15 for Iris Foundation.

Thanks and see you next time

NEXT MEETING: 10th October - arrive 10.25am for 10.30 start – sharp

Presentation – Open Forum.

Coffee Time Minutes - 12th September 2012

Welcome
Welcome to our new visitors


Apologies
Dawn and Bev, Kate Morris and Kellie Targett


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.


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 our Raffle?
Today we raised $23 bringing the total this year raised $441.50 (including this week’s total) for this year for the Iris Foundation in 2012.

This year we will continue with our Raffles and donation to Iris Foundation. This year we will do a raffle again for the Iris Foundation. We will be looking for prizes/donations up to the value of $10. 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.


Updated Members
We have over 120 members for Coffee Time. You can come when you are free, never feel obligated and always feel welcome. I have a list with everyone who has come along to Coffee Time; I am updating the distribution list. If you would like to be included, please check your details are correct, update where necessary and add if not on there.

I have bought a card box for everyone’s cards and the folders were ripped. Please utilise the card holder box, please pass around each meeting, and feel free to support each other and utilize their services.


Recap of last meeting
Who was here last meeting? Who remembers what we talked about? Did we put into practice? How did we go?


Workcover
Don’t forget Jay can come out to your workplace and do a free assessment; you can then get a $500 voucher/credit towards purchasing safe office things (chair, etc). Jay also has workshops, one on one meeting and assessments currently available. If you wish to have a free appointment with Jay please contact him on jay.lewis@workcover.nsw.gov.au


Upcoming Networking:
• Coffee Time 26 September – NSW Business Chamber - Daniel Farmer
• Coffee Time 10th October – TBA
• Coffee Time 24th October – TBA
• Coffee Time 14th November – Open Forum – Preparing for 2013
• Coffee Time 28th November – Security in your business – Mark Izzard
• Coffee Time 13th December – Christmas Party – Morning coffee meeting and luncheon
• Fridays round the coast SBNG – 3rd Friday here at Zenith
• BWC lunches on each month – for more info contact Kym Williams
• Success Women’s Networking business expo – 19th September


Education:
2012 – Visit BEC upstairs or log on to www.ccbec.org.au

BEC has Memberships available:
- Business Basics Membership - $249.
- Business plus Membership - $748.

For more information, please speak to Darren or Debbie at the BEC – 02 4355 4885

Update:
• Business Expo – 19th September at Mingara


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

Tarnia Gurney
Gurney Financial Services www.gurneyfinancialservices.com.au
Planningwerx4U www.planningwerx4u.com.au

Rachel Dillon
Promo Creative promocreative1@gmail.com
Elite Embroidery www.eliteembroidery.com.au

Julie Watson
Ezipix www.ezipix.com.au

Lyn Sammut
Baskets Galore www.basketsgalore.com.au

Selma Sancar
Voice Concepts www.voiceconcepts.com.au

Christina Jones
Wiggle n Giggle www.wigglengiggle.com.au

Kathy Bree
Coffee News www.coffeenews.com.au

Nicolette Gregory
Artistique Photography www.artistiquephotographybynicolette.com.au

Paul McCarthy
Lakes Mail pmccarthy@lakesmail.com.au


Wins

Nicolette – 5th place in Australia Wide Bridal photography competition

Nicolette – 2nd place in Central Coast Landscapes

Rachel – has all the new equipment for the new business

Selma – Daughter got into the grand final for soccer

Paul – soccer team won the grand final

Christina – has secure funding for free classes in San Remo through learning index

Christina – starting classes with Little Diggers – the Entrance

Selma – a new contract for a hospital in Sydney for phone system with 100 handsets.

Congratulations everyone





Presentation today  Sales – open forum

What is Sales?

• The exchange of a commodity for money; the action of selling something; a quantity or amount sold.
• A sale is the act of selling a product or service in return for money or other compensation. It is an act of completion of a commercial activity

So what is it we do, why and how?
• Need to be honest
• Offer a product or service that people require or want
• A call to action
• With websites – use key words, have your home page as your website, gets to the front by number of views
• Facebook, Twitter and Linked in to advertise and let people know what you are selling
• 20% Promotional and 80% information – sales offers (websites)
• Share information with people
• Word of mouth
• Support each other
• Support local small business
• Referrals – give them only if you know them or have used them. No use referring someone if you don’t know what they do or how they work.
• Send out price lists
• Value for money
• Email your contacts – need and value
• You sell yourself – you have to be professional, friendly, honest, reliable.

Thanks everyone for your participation, hope everyone got something out of it.

Planningwerx4u has Business Planning CD’s for $50 (+ GST) each, if you would like one please let Tarnia know.

Winner of today’s raffle – Christina , thanks to Lyn from Baskets Galore who donated a voucher.

Today we raised $23 for Iris Foundation.

Thanks and see you next time

NEXT MEETING: 26th September - arrive 10.25am for 10.30 start – sharp

Presentation – Daniel Farmer and the NSW Business Chamber.