Saturday, May 22, 2010

Coffee Time Minutes - 12th May 2010

Welcome

Welcome to our new visitors.


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?

The raffle is going around. This will go together with today’s collection to the Iris Foundation. For April so far we have raised $70 ($25 for May).

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 month to the charity of choice.


Networking:
· Coffee Times: May 26th, June 9th & 23rd
· B2B Networking night – 13th May (Wyong Race Course)
· Central Coast Women’s Luncheon – April 22nd –(Mingara)

Expos:
· B2B Buy Local Festival on tomorrow the 13th May at the Wyong Race Club for more details please contact Lyn Thompson – there is over 200 businesses/exhibitors booked in, with expected crowds of a couple of thousand people. Pop along and show your support.
· BEC & DSDR Small Business Month in May – keep an eye out for what’s on.
· Central Coast Extravaganza Business Expo – 23rd June at Mingara – 67 exhibitors booked out of 75 exhibitors. If you would like to go along please contact Cindy at Central Coast Women’s Networking


Education:

BEC courses evening courses - For more info contact the BEC on 4355 4885 or info@ccbec.org.au


Wins:

Tarnia
Nominated for the Telstra Business Awards
And the Telstra Women in Business Awards
Jut came back from a week’s holiday – first in a year
Had my first seminar last night – went well

Tony
His insurance book is in book shops.
Bought another insurance brokers business – based in Newcastle and North Coast

Ted
Promoted to State Manager for Active Money
Set up a networking group in Parramatta called Tomato Patch


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

Dean Brown:
Woodview Home Loans & Finance www.homeloansandfinance.com.au

Natalie Pye:
C & N Freight. www.cnfreight.com

Ted O’Shannessy:
Financial Freeway www.financialfreeway.com.au

Toni Fountain:
Insight Health – Chiropractor Website still being built - toni_fountain@rslcom.net.au

Moria Bayliss:
Herbalist Moirabayliss@yahoo.com.au

Dayasagar Saraswati:
Craniosacral Therapy, Yoga & Meditation dsaraswa@bigpond.net.au

Tony Bourke:
AIIB Insurance – Director of AIIB http://www.aiib.com.au

Karen Teunissen:
CRS Australia http://www.crsaustralia.gov.au

Sandra Boyd:
Kani Consultants - Website still being built -sandi.kani@gmail.com


Challenges in Business and Open forum:

Has anyone ever done lumpy mail?

What is lumpy mail? Well it when you send out a letter or flyer with something attached, whether that be a coffee or tea bag, a sample of moisturiser or CD included

Ideas:
· Tea bag or coffee bag
· Makeup or skin care product
· Key or padlock
· A pen
· A calendar or diary
· A magnet

Surviving in Business – for the holistic health professionals
· Suggestions for working alliances
Yoga classes
Try advertising in a gym, doctors surgery,
Make some flyers at put in businesses around your area
Make some flyers and delivery them around your local area in residential homes
Do some school advertising
Advertise at the beach, shopping centre
Community colleges
Highlight flyers for certain areas so you know what area the customer has come from.
Do a special launch or price for new customers
Give a freebie or a sample




Reading Recommendation:

A good book to read is Eckhart Tolle – A new earth.
http://www.eckharttolle.com/home

A good book to read is Tony Bourke – Risk your business, Risk you life
www.tonybourke.com.au


Raffle Drawn:

Prize donated from: Dean Brown
Amount collected this fortnight: $25
Today’s Winner – Sandi
That is a total of $95 for the Iris Foundation. ( I will be taking $2 to buy the raffle ticket booklets)


Christmas Party for end of Year:

We have booked in to have our end of year Coffee Time Christmas party at the Zenith Centre. Lunch will be $39 per head plus drinks. Book in 22nd of December and we will hold our meeting prior for those who can make it, or come along to the luncheon afterwards. Payment is due by the 30th November 2010.

Don’t forget the Business Festival Tomorrow.

Have a wonderful fortnight.

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

Our Next Meeting is on the 26th May. We will start at 10.30am sharp.

Our Next Presentation will be by Wyong Council about business in Wyong Shire.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Coffee Time Minutes - 28th April 2010

Welcome - Welcome to our new visitors.

Apologises - Tarnia

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? The raffle is going around. This will go together with today’s collection to the Iris Foundation. For April so far we have raised $70 ($41 last fortnight & $29 from this week).

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 month to the charity of choice.

Networking:
· Coffee Times: May the 12th and 26th
· Wyong Chamber of Commerce Networking after dark - May the 11th
· B2B Networking night – 13th May (Wyong Race Course)
· Central Coast Women’s Luncheon – April 22nd –(Mingara)

Expos:
* B2B Buy Local Festival on tomorrow the 13th May at the Wyong Race Club for more details please contact Lyn Thompson – there is over 150 businesses/exhibitors booked in, with expected crowds of a couple of thousand people. Pop along and show your support.
* BEC & DSDR Small Business Month in May – keep an eye out for what’s on.
* Central Coast Extravaganza Business Expo – 23rd June at Mingara – 67 exhibitors booked out of 75 exhibitors. If you would like to go along please contact Cindy at Central Coast Women’s Networking

Education:

BEC courses evening courses - For more info contact the BEC on 4355 4885 or info@ccbec.org.au

Wins:

Warren – picked up a new client he had spoken to many years ago.
Ted – Tomato patch networking, meetup.com

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

Dean Brown:
Woodview Home Loans & Finance
www.homeloansandfinance.com.au

Natalie Pye:
C & N Freight.
www.cnfreight.com

Ted O’Shannessy:
Financial Freeway
www.financialfreeway.com.au

Moria Bayliss: Herbalist Moirabayliss@yahoo.com.au

Kathy Bree:
Coffee News Central Coast
www.coffeenewscc.com.au

Dayasagar Saraswati:
Craniosacral Therapy, Yoga & Meditation
dsaraswa@bigpond.net.au

Warren Garth:
Cats accounting
www.catax.com.au

Toni Oliver:
Toni Oliver Conveyancing
www.tonioliverconveyancing.com.au

Challenges in Business:
This week we didn’t discuss any challenges in our businesses. Next time

Presentation:

Today’s presentation is by Warren Garth from Cats Accounting.

* Diagnosing the health of your business
* Provide innovative and proactive tools for business
* Routine health checks required for all businesses, his software can help in this regard.
* Cats Accounting – is a family business. Warren has 30 years experience in Accounting, and he is the managing director

Open Forum – discussions were had on cashflow & problems with cash flow.

Thanks everyone for sharing ideas, solutions and recommendations with everyone. Thank you Warren for sharing your knowledge with us all. I look forward to next time.

Raffle Drawn:

Prize donated from: Tarnia Gurney
Amount collected this fortnight: $29
Today’s Winner – ?Ted
That is a total of $300 donated to the Iris Foundation.

Have a wonderful fortnight.

Thank you Dean for running the meeting.

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

Our Next Meeting is on the 12th May. We will start at 10.30am sharp.

Our Next Presentation will be by Open Forum about business

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Coffee Time Minutes - 14th April 2010

Coffee Time – 14th April 2010

Welcome - Welcome to our new visitors.

Apologises - Karen, Tony, Rae, Kathy, Lynne, Dean, John D, Toni and John M

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?

The raffle is going around. This will go together with today’s collection to the Iris Foundation. So far this year we have raised $230.

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 month to the charity of choice.

Networking:
· Coffee Times: April the 14th and 28th.
· Coffee Times: May the 12th and 26th
· Wyong Chamber of Commerce Dinner Meeting – 27th
· Wyong Chamber of Commerce Networking after dark - May the 11th
· B2B Networking night – 13th May (Wyong Race Course)
· Central Coast Women’s Luncheon – April 22nd –(Mingara)

Expos:
· B2B Buy Local Festival on the 13th May at the Wyong Race Club for more details please contact Lyn Thompson
· BEC & DSDR Small Business Month in May – keep an eye out for what’s on.
· Central Coast Extravaganza Business Expo – 23rd June at Mingara

Education:

BEC courses evening courses
· Business Planning Part B – 24th March
· Networking – Bridging the Gap – 21st April
· Decision Making for Profit – 28th April
· Research Business Opportunities – 4th May

For more info contact the BEC on 4355 4885 or info@ccbec.org.au

Wins:

Christina – Played her first game of soccer in 13 years and got lady of the match
Toni – Son, Reece has just come back from the Academy of Sport for Golf
Rob – Brother has just successfully completed a double front flip on a bike; only 2 people in the world can do it. And he has got 13 shows in Australia for the Nitro Circus.


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

Lyn Thompson: LBH Promotions - Letter box distribution www.lbhpromotions.com.au
B2B - Marketing in Business Book & Networking www.b2b.com.au

Sue Liptrott: LBH Promotions & B2B with a twist

Moria Bayliss: Herbalist Moirabayliss@yahoo.com.au

Rob Buckworth: C4telecom Communications www.c4telecom.com.au

Christina Jones: Wiggle n Giggle www.wiggleandgigglemusic.com.au

Dayasagar Saraswati: Craniosacral Therapy, Yoga & Meditation dsaraswa@bigpond.net.au

John Bogiatzis: Universal Seminars www.universalseminars.com.au

Warren Garth: Cats accounting www.catax.com.au

Toni Oliver: Toni Oliver Conveyancing www.tonioliverconveyancing.com.au

Brija Mira: Sarah Bevan Family Lawyers www.sbfamilylawyers.com.au

Donna Llige: Ultra Print lakehaven@colourcopy.com.au

Michelle Allen Webstuff www.webstuff.com.au


Challenges in Business: This week we didn’t discuss any challenges in our businesses. Next time

Presentation: Today’s discussion is on Websites by Michelle Allen from Webstuff

Make sure your website is professional
Create a website that will hit your target market
Look at the colours you use, backgrounds and fonts
Make your website easy to move around
Your website needs to work 24hrs a day and 7 days a week. There are many people who look at websites in the early hours of the morning
Deliver information – make sure it is what you are promoting or selling
Online quotes and inquires
Have a contact form on your website so people can contact you
Have good copy – have your work checked and proof read – more and more people are looking for correct spelling and grammar in websites.
Have good type – font, words, sentences, and paragraphs
No mistakes – spell check everything
Get someone to check your website information fro mistakes and correct grammar
Point form is good for websites
People want easy to read and access information – can your website be easier to read and understand
People are looking for answers – put their solutions on your website
People want information easy and fast
Using pictures – use quality pictures, don’t upload your photos from your mobile phone – they are not professional and do not have good pixel or quality
It takes 5 seconds to convert someone who has clicked onto your website – capture them in the first 5 seconds
Look at your front page is it easy to read, enticing, do you have an offer or a link
Make it work for you and your business
Offers –
Free information
Online quote
Online information
Subscribe to our newsletter
Problem solving – ask a question? Do you need to update your…..
Offer something for free

Open Forum discussion:
· Look at who is managing your website
· Who owns your website
· Investigate in a copy reader/writer
· Look into search engine enhancers
· Google searches – make sure you have the correct words and codes
· If your website refers you to a phone number to call, make sure the person at the other end knows your business and what you are calling about. If it goes to a message bank, make sure you leave enough details so the person knows who they are calling and why.


Thanks everyone for sharing ideas, solutions and recommendations with everyone.

Thank you Michelle for sharing your knowledge with us all. I look forward to next time.

Raffle Drawn:

Prize donated from: Lyn Thompson – premier listing in the next B2B book
Amount collected this fortnight: $41
Today’s Winner – Daya
That is a total of $230 to be donated to the Iris Foundation the first quarter.

Have a wonderful fortnight. I am away next meeting but Dean will be running the meeting for me.

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

Our Next Meeting is on the 28th April. We will start at 10.30am sharp.

Our Next Presentation will be by Warren Garth.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Coffee Time Minutes 24th March 2010

Welcome

Welcome to our new visitors.

Apologises

Dean, John, Toni

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)

Raffle?

The raffle is going around. This will go together with today’s collection to the Iris Foundation. So far this year we have raised $230.

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 month to the charity of choice.

Update:

Steel Magnolias Luncheon – 250 people at Iguana Joes. It was a lovely day.

Youth Connections are looking for employers to have placements for teenagers to do their work experience. If you are interested in having a student comes out to your work for a week. Let me know and I will put you in touch with Sandra. Looking for support for May, June, August, October and November.

Iris foundation is having an event on Friday the 26th if you would like to go along, please contact Bev and Dawn.


Expos/Events:

· B2B Festival – Buy Local – Wyong Race Club, 13th May
· May 2010 – Home and Small Business Month
· CCWN Business Expo Extravaganza – Mingara 23rd June

Up Coming Networking:

· Coffee Times 14th And 28th April
· BNI is having an open day – for more info please see Hugh.

Education:

BEC courses evening courses
· Business Planning Part B – 24th March
· Networking – Bridging the Gap – 21st April
· Decision Making for Profit – 28th April
· Research Business Opportunities – 4th May

For more info contact the BEC on 4355 4885 or info@ccbec.org.au

Wins:

Christina and Darren have started Kindy Hire – Puppets and Music to preschools on the coast

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

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

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

Dianne: LBH Promotions

Natalie Pye: C & N Freight. www.cnfreight.com

Jenny Abourizk: Job Centre Australia www.jobcentreaustralia.com.au

Ted O’Shannessy: Financial Freeway www.financialfreeway.com.au

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

Cheryl Greenwald: Marriage Celebrant, Email - cellie001@gmail.com

John Dosanjh: Coast Consulting www.cconsulting.com.au

Moria Bayliss: Herbalist Moirabayliss@yahoo.com.au

Toni Fountain: Insight Health – Chiropractor , Website still being built - toni_fountain@rslcom.net.au

Brian Maggs: Management Assistance Australia, Website still to be built – bmaggs@maagroup.com.au

Megan Roberts: Bell Bird Web Solutions www.bellbirdwebsolutions.com.au

Rob Buckworth: C4telecom Communications www.c4telecom.com.au

Christina Jones: Wiggle n Giggle www.wiggleandgigglemusic.com.au

Karen Teunissen: CRS Australia http://www.crsaustralia.gov.au

Kathy Bree: Coffee News Central Coast www.coffeenewscc.com.au

Tony Bourke: AIIB Insurance – Director of AIIB www.aiib.com.au

Melissa Cooper: Art of Intimacy, www.melcooper.com.au

Johanna Baker- Dowdell: Strawberry Communications www.strawberrycommunications.com.au

Dayasagar Saraswati: Craniosacral Therapy, Yoga & Meditation dsaraswa@bigpond.net.au

June Turner: Feng Shui – Designs & Lifestyles www.juneturner.com.au

Sue Wells: First Aid Express Aid expressfirstaid@yahoo.com.au

Daniel Greenwald: Dan Productions

Don: Strategic Planner and Business Planning

Challenges in Business:

This week we had:

Christina - had a challenge in relation to delivery and pick up of items for their business. Suggestions were made on:
Having set days for drop offs and pickups
Set areas
Look for casual drivers – maybe a home maker looking for some work in between school hrs
Make sure they have their own car, insurance

Lyn – to get more people involved in the buy local festival in May.
She asked us all to put out to our data bases and contacts.
Suggestions for promotion were to contact
Youth connections
University
BEC & DSRD
Both Wyong and Gosford Councils
Local Members

New work place laws
· Challenges on confidentiality agreements
· Awards
· 10 days personal leave now – includes sick, compassionate & family leave
· Insurance to protect businesses
· New rates for employees – hourly rates altered
· 4300 agreements/awards prior now approximately 150



Presentation:

Today’s discussion is an open forum on Computers, Back ups, Servers.

Back ups of computers should be done daily and weekly, holding records offsite
Some referrals for assistance were to Mick & Julie Goodwin in Gosford or Sam at I Com IT at Tuggerah
You can get an external hard drive from most computer stores. Have a look at getting a 1T back system
Insurance – you can insure your business and computers for theft, storm, and fire.
Insurance – put in place an insurance plan for if something happens. Where will you work form, how will you get your files or computer back or replaced.
Make sure you do regular backups from MYOB – each month to your back up system
Test your back ups – try and recover a file you have backed up
Telstra are bringing out a TSuite – back system
Google Docs has a back system
Make sure you defrag your computer weekly
Make sure you scan for viruses and clean out web browsers
Suggestions for back up on your computer to a USB or disc. Go to
Windows
Start
Accessories
Systems Tools
Back up
Set schedule
Back up to external drive – USB
Change each week
Keep back ups off site and should keep
1 month
2 months
3 months

Thanks everyone for sharing ideas, solutions and recommendations with everyone. I look forward to next time.

Raffle Drawn:

Prize donated from: Natalie and Craig Pye (Easter eggs)
Amount collected this fortnight: $38
Today’s Winner – 3 winners
That is a total of $230 to be donated to the Iris Foundation this quarter.

Have a wonderful Easter and Holiday time.

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

Our Next Meeting is on the 14th April. We will start at 10.30am sharp.

Our Next Presentation will be by Michelle Allen on websites.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Coffee Time Minutes - 10th March 2010

Coffee Time – 10th March 2010

Welcome

Welcome to our new visitors.

Apologises

Dean, John, Tony, Sue, Karen

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)

Raffle?

The raffle is going around. This will go together with today’s collection to the Iris Foundation. So far this year we have raised $141.

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 month to the charity of choice.

Update:

Steel Magnolias Luncheon – 250 people at Iguana Joes. It was a lovely day.

Youth Connections are looking for employers to have placements for teenagers to do their work experience. If you are interested in having a student come out to your work for a week. Let me know and I will put you in touch with Sandra. Looking for support for May, June, August, October and November.

Expos/Events:

· B2B Festival – Buy Local – Wyong Race Club, 13th May
· May 2010 – Home and Small Business Month
· CCWN Business Expo Extravaganza – Mingara 23rd June

Up Coming Networking:

· Coffee Times 24th March
· Tonight - 10th of March B2B in Newcastle – Maritime Centre – if going along, ring and book in this morning

Education:

BEC courses evening courses (6 – 9pm)
· 10th Mar – Sales and Marketing – Part b
· 16TH Mar – Business Planning Part A
· 23rd Mar – Business Planning Part B

Wins:

Toni – learnt a new technique for helping people, and has picked up some new clients
Simon – business is going well
Iris Foundation – 4th Birthday coming up. Big prizes donated
Rae – has some new staff

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

John Dosanjh:
Coast Consulting
www.cconsulting.com.au

Natalie Pye:
C & N Freight
www.cnfreight.com

Cheryl Greenwald:
Marriage Celebrant
Email - cellie001@gmail.com

Bev & Dawn:
Iris Foundation
admin@irisfoundation.org.au

Rae Phillips:
Inspire Success
www.inspiresuccess.com.au

Angela Anthony:
Angela Anthony Solicitors
www.angelaanthony.com.au

Simon Cook:
Toshiba and World Pacific Telecommunications
www.toshiba-web.com

Maria:
Herbalist

Anthony Green:
Psoriasis & Skin Clinic
www.psoriasis.com.au

Toni Fountain:
Insight Health – Chiropractor
Website still being built - toni_fountain@rslcom.net.au

Natalie Rodriquez:
Unique Photography
www.uniquephotography.com.au

Brian Maggs:
Management Assistance Australia
Website still to be built – bmaggs@maagroup.com.au

Brija Mira:
Sarah Bevan Family Lawyers
www.sbfamilylawyers.com.au

Toni Oliver:
Toni Oliver Conveyancing
www.tonioliverconveyancing.com.au

Ted O’Shannessy:
Financial Freeway
www.financialfreeway.com.au


Presentation:

Today’s presentation is from Angela Anthony from Angela Anthony Solicitors’ on Estate Planning.

Estate planning is the process of planning for after death.
Planning of your estates future
Will - where your affairs go
Power of Attorney – Act on your decisions
Guardianship – act for you medically
Wills – are where you put can request certain items to go to family.
Need to review your will and estate, especially if blended families, divorced, second and third marriages and children – including adopted, step and half siblings.
If you have a business – you need to state what is to happen
Understand and know of anyone you may think they can challenge your estate
Executor – some one who distributes your estate – make sure it is someone you can trust
Make decisions sooner than later. When older health and mental status can change or decline
Testamentary Trusts – for children so that funds can be managed for them – whether under 18, disabled, addictions, etc.
Wills are set and forget
Change your will when getting married, having children, divorce.
Make sure the right funds go to the right people
Update your beneficiaries on your bank accounts, Superannuation and insurance policies.
If you have no will, the husbands estate passes to the wife
If both pass and no will, then you die “instate” and then the government steps in and sets an executor who will distribute the estate.
Involve your financial planner, and accountant
Discuss with your family
Make sure you do binding nominations with your superannuation and update every 3 years.

Open Discussion on Estate Planning

Hand out from Tarnia of Gurney Financial Services


It is time to get your estate planning in order! Have a look at this checklist, and if you have any questions please contact us.

The 10 Second Insurance Checklist!

1. Does your income protection policy still reflect the income you are currently earning?

2. Will your house insurance pay you enough to rebuild your house?

3. Will your life insurance pay off all your debts and be able to support your dependants if you are no longer around?

4. Has your car been modified in any way?

5. Have you recently installed security devices or extra locking systems on your home that could reduce your premium?

6. Have you changed jobs and not informed your insurance adviser that your new occupation is less risk or no more manual work. These changes could reduce your premiums?

7. Assignment of a personally owned insurance policy into a DIY super fund is not allowed, this ‘in specie’ transfer could render your fund ‘non complying’

8. If you have given up smoking for more than 12 months you could change your policies to non-smoking status and save substantial premiums.


More information on Estate Planning please contact Angela Anthony Solicitors or Tarnia from Gurney Financial Services

Estate Planning

Estate Planning is about making sure your family is provided for and that your assets go where you want them to after you die. If you pass away without a Will your assets will be allocated as per the current legislation, this may not be in line with your wishes.

A good estate plan will:
Ensure that the ownership and control of your assets pass to your intended beneficiaries in the correct proportions;
Minimize tax being imposed on the income and capital gains earned on those assets;
Protect those assets should a beneficiary be involved in any legal difficulties, for example, bankruptcy or divorce.

Essentially, a good estate plan can provide you with peace of mind and minimize potential complications for your beneficiaries.

Firstly, have you accumulated sufficient assets to provide for your family and pay off any debts in the event of your death? If you determine there is a short fall, your financial planner will be able to suggest some ways for you to make up the shortfall.

Consider your estate planning needs, have you thought about who will inherit your assets, which assets they’ll inherit and in what proportions?

If you are injured and unable to control your investments, have you chosen someone to manage your affairs for you whilst you are recuperating? This is known as an Enduring Power of Attorney. It gives another person the legal power to act on someone’s behalf in relation to their financial affairs.

You should review your estate planning needs on a regular basis, and particularly when an important event occurs, such as:
Retirement
Marriage
Divorce
The birth of a child
Death of a relative you have provided for
Commencement of change of employment

Each of these events can be a life changing experience for you and your family and should trigger a consideration of your estate planning needs and objectives. At any stage of your life, estate planning is important and it should be considered and reviewed regularly. Estate planning is an important part of your overall financial plan and it shouldn’t be left until it is too late.

The advice contained herein does not take into account any persons particular objectives, needs or financial situation. Before making a decision regarding the acquisition or disposal of a Financial Product persons should assess whether the advice is appropriate to their objectives, needs or financial situation. Persons may wish to make this assessment themselves or seek the help of an adviser. No responsibility is taken for persons acting on the information provided. Persons doing so, do so at their own risk. Before acquiring a financial product a person should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product and consider the contents of the PDS before making a decision about whether to acquire the product

For more information or any questions – please contact Angela or your solicitor

Raffle Drawn:

Prize donated from: Tarnia Gurney
Amount collected this fortnight: $51
Today’s Winner – Angela Anthony
That is a total of $192 to be donated to the Iris Foundation this quarter. One more collection.

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

Our Next Meeting is on the 24th March. We will start at 10.30am sharp.

Our Next Presentation will be by Peter on Back ups and saving data.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Coffee Time Minutes - 24th February 2010

Coffee Time – 24th February 2010

Welcome

Welcome to our new visitors.

Apologises

Dean, John, Tony, Sue, Karen

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)

Raffle?

The raffle is going around. This will go together with today’s collection to the Iris Foundation. So far this year we have raised $105.00

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 month to the charity of choice.

Update:

B2B with a twist was at Villa Sorgenti last week. 250 business people went along, with lots of new people. BEC and NSW Chamber of Commerce Managers crushed grapes. Lots of fun, some great food, launch of the B2B Business Festival.

Central Coast Women’s Network Luncheon was on at Mingara last week. 35 ladies attended and probably 30 who hadn’t been. It was a nice luncheon with Laura from Nutrizone speaking to us all about hormones.

Last night was the Wyong Chamber of Commerce – 114 people went along. Good night, speaker included Glen Kirkwood – re Networking and Central Coast Bears” CEO – Mr Greg Florimo & Mr David Fairleigh
Expos/Events:

· B2B Festival – Buy Local – Wyong Race Club, 13th May
· May 2010 – Home and Small Business Month
· CCWN Business Expo Extravaganza – Mingara 23rd June

Up Coming Networking:

· Coffee Times 24th Feb and 10th & 24th March
· International Women’s Day – CCWN is supporting the Day on the Central Coast at Iguana Joes on 5th Mar.
· 10th of March B2B in Newcastle – Maritime Centre

Education:

BEC courses evening courses (6 – 9pm)
· 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

Wins:

Tarnia (Gurney Financial Services) – picked up 5 new clients

Tarnia (Planningwerx4u) – picked up a 10hr/week contract with a local manufacturing company to sort out their business, do their marketing and planning, office management.

Ted – www.photo5o5.com – found this great site for you

Ted – Presented Send out Cards to an Australian Charity

Jenny - Meet at Georges – 3 weeks in and business picking up. Repeat business. Local Butcher

Lyn – Buy Local Festival picked up 76 exhibitioners and 22 sponsors in the first 4 days of the launch.

Mandy – negotiated exhibition space for an artist

Mandy – has been appointed an administrator for NSW Central Coast Face Book Group

Chris – Got a testimonial from a new client “expediential”

Needs:

Ted has a person looking for some part time or casual work. If you know of anyone, please contact Ted. Thanks


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

Natalie Pye: C & N Freight.
www.cnfreight.com

Megan Roberts: Bell Bird Web Solutions
www.bellbirdwebsolutions.com.au

Ted O’Shannessy: Financial Freeway
www.financialfreeway.com.au

Sandra Boyd: Kani Consultants
Website still being built -sandi.kani@gmail.com

Toni Fountain: Insight Health – Chiropractor
Website still being built - toni_fountain@rslcom.net.au

Brian Maggs: Management Assistance Australia
Website still to be built – bmaggs@maagroup.com.au

Brian Plush: Management Assistance Australia
Website still to be built – brian.plush@bigpond.com

Jenny Abourizk: Job Centre Australia
www.jobcentreaustralia.com.au

Lyn Thompson: LBH Promotions
www.lbhpromotions.com.au

B2B
www.b2b.com.au

Toni Oliver: Toni Oliver Conveyancing
www.tonioliverconveyancing.com.au

Kathy Bree: Coffee News Central Coast
www.coffeenewscc.com.au

Heather Nilsen: Perfect Blooms
www.perfectblooms.com.au

Hugh Bowman: Bowman Coastwide Bookkeeping
Email – hugh.bowman@iinet.net.au

Moria Bayliss: Herbalist

Natalie Rodriquez: Unique Photography
www.uniquephotography.com.au

Mandy Apsey–Jones: Art like no other
Contact – mandy_loveslife@hotmail.com

Christopher Eather: Bunnys Computer Repairs & Builds
Contact – chris.eather@gmail.com


Presentations:

Today’s presentation is from Hugh Bowman from Bowman Bookkeeping on Cash Flow in your business.

Money Bucket
· Money comes in
· We have little go out in expenses
· Then we have unexpected bills come out

· Looking at your cashflow you need to plan.

· Invoicing problems – many business owners don’t follow up on their outstanding accounts. Ask for money.
· Change your payment terms to 7 days.
· On day 8 - call and see if they have received the invoice if so can they pay
· On day 14 – if not paid, send a reminder
· On day 28 – if not paid, send a reminder

· Discuss your terms up front for payments with clients.
· If charging a late fee or interest you need to charge up front.
· Always go through to the person who has control of the accounts and payments, speak to them

· Pull all your invoicing in.

· Control your clients and supplier payments

· Reduce outgoings

· Idea – if not comfortable ringing people for outstanding accounts, then have someone ring for you and follow up the debts

· Important to have a cashflow budget – look to 3 months of budgeting

· Know what your income due is what your outgoing expenditure

· Know when your payments are due, if cannot pay on time, organise a payment plan with the business

· Watch your spending. Especially if you have a monthly account. Don’t order in the final few days if cash flow is tight.

· If you owe the ATO, call them and discus your options for payments. If you need help ask them. But make regular payments and stick to the plan

· Registering for GST – watch out for the compliance

· Leasing vehicles –
o Chattel mortgage – tax advantage up front on GST
o Leasing with a residual – claim each month

Look at what you can afford.

For more information or any questions – please contact Hugh


Raffle Drawn:

Prize donated from: Tarnia Gurney
Amount collected this fortnight: $36
Today’s Winner – Mandy
That is a total of $141 to be donated to the Iris Foundation this quarter.

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

Our Next Meeting is on the 10th March. We will start at 10.30am sharp.

Our Next Presentation will be by Angela Anthony on Estate Planning.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Coffee Time Minutes - 10th February 2010

Welcome

Welcome to our new visitors.

Apologises

Dean Brown, John Mann, Rae Phillips, Karen Teunissen, Hugh Bowman

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:

The raffle is going around. Last meeting we raised $34. This will go together with today’s collection to the Iris Foundation. So far this year we have raised $78.00

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 month to the charity of choice.

Expos/Events:

· B2B Festival – Buy Local – Wyong Race Club, 13th May
· May 2010 – Home and Small Business Month
· CCWN Business Expo Extravaganza – Mingara 23rd June

Networking:

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

Education:

BEC courses evening courses (6 – 9pm)
· 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:

Tony Bourke – Distribution of his book Australia Wide.

Ted O’Shannessy – Send out Cards Events organised in Sydney

Christina & Darren – Wiggles n Giggles have a new class at Mardi – free trial

Megan – Bellbird Business has picked up


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

Natalie Pye:
C & N Freight.
cnfreight@bigpond.com

Megan Roberts:
Bell Bird Web Solutions
www.bellbirdwebsolutions.com.au

Ted O’Shannessy:
Financial Freeway
www.financialfreeway.com.au

Rob Buckworth:
C4telecom Communications
www.c4telecom.com.au

Christina & Darren Jones:
Wiggle n Giggle
www.wiggleandgigglemusic.com.au

Sandra Boyd:
Kani Consultants
Website still being built -sandi.kani@gmail.com

Anthony Green:
Psoriasis & Skin Clinic
www.psoriasis.com.au

Simon Cook:
Toshiba and World Pacific Telecommunications
www.toshiba-web.com

Tony Bourke:
AIIB Insurance – Director of AIIB
http://www.aiib.com.au

Craig Giles
Centrum Printing.
www.centrumprinting.com.au

Toni Fountain:
Insight Health – Chiropractor
Website still being built - toni_fountain@rslcom.net.au

Brian Maggs:
Management Assistance Australia
Website still to be built – bmaggs@maagroup.com.au

Brian Plush:
Management Assistance Australia
Website still to be built – brian.plush@bigpond.com

Wayne Gates:
BEC – Business Enterprise Centre
www.centralcoastsmallbiz.com.au

Discussion on Challenges in Business:

Today we discussed opportunities and marketing ideas. Suggestions were:
Networking events
News papers
Medical journals
Buses
Radio
Website – own website – not others
Flyers
Mail outs in local area
Reoccurring -letter box drop in specific areas: 4 - 6 times over the year
Letters to other practitioners that can refer people to the business
BNI
Have a blog
Referral system with doctors
Referral system with clients
Send personal cards to clients – Christmas, birthdays, hi how are you?
Work out who is your target market? Where is your target market?
Advertise in community centres,
True local, yellow pages, www.gumtree.com.au www.flyingsolo.com.au
Twitter, face book, linked in and my space

Presentations:

Today’s presentation is from Wayne from the BEC:
BEC provides a mentoring service for home and small businesses
Mentors – all volunteer – have previously owned or run businesses.
Assist in business plan
Provides workshops on sales, marketing, cashflow, business planning, etc for small business owners
Small business start up business – support from NAB
Bringing business online – workshops in 2010
Looking at virtual offices.

For more information or any questions – please contact Wayne at BEC – Business Enterprise Centre on www.centralcoastsmallbiz.com.au or 4355 4885

Raffle Drawn:

Prize donated from: Tarnia Gurney
Amount collected this fortnight: $27
Today’s Winner – Christina Jones
That is a total of $105 to be donated to the Iris Foundation this quarter.

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

Our Next Meeting is on the 24th February. We will start at 10.30am sharp.

Our Next Presentation will be by Hugh Bowman from Bowman Bookkeeping on Cashflow in your business.