KNOX BUSINESSLIFE - Knox Business Direct

KNOX
BUSINESSLIFE
news from Knox City Council to help build business
ISSUE 33 MARCH 2007
Knox Economic Development Committee
The Economic Development Committee
is a longstanding committee undertaking
a range of activities designed to enhance
and strengthen the local economy.
The Committee assists Council in its
goal of improving the quality of life for
Knox residents. In this role of fostering
development of the local economy it
is particularly concerned to generate
meaningful and rewarding career
opportunities for Knox residents.
Members of the Committee for 2007
comprise Cr Jim Penna (Chairman),
Cr Joe Cossari and Cr Tony Kamitsis.
To facilitate its operations the committee
is provided with support and advice from
Council’s City Development directorate
staff. Brief biographical details of
members are:
Cr Penna (Mayor)
Jim has a wealth of
experience in economic
and regional development
gained from more
than 40 years in the
business world. As well
as heading up a number of mid-sized
companies (300-400 staff), Jim ran his
own management company during which
time he delivered 45 different State
Government-subsidised group programs
to 20 councils throughout Melbourne,
including a very successful Export Program.
Cr Kamitsis
As a senior management
executive, Tony is
currently a Senior
Consultant & Business
Coach providing business,
sales and executive
coaching, strategic consulting, tailored
training programs and events. He has a
broad skill set acquired from working
with national and global high profile
organisations in tourism, hospitality,
financial services and local government
reporting across all levels of the
organisation, including board level.
Cr Cossari
Joe is director of a
number of private
companies ranging from
information technology,
asset maintenance,
residential and
commercial property development and
hospitality. With an education in banking
and finance and working as a broker
for five years, Joe brings considerable
business experience to the Committee.
He understands the economic climate and
the needs and wants of businesses.
Knox is focussing on attracting high quality development.
During 2007, a major project for the
Committee will be to prepare a Knox
City Economic Development Strategy
for the period 2008–2010. This will
be undertaken within the context of
Council documents Vision 2025 and the
Community and Council Plan 2006-2010.
There will also be extensive consultation
with stakeholders and interested parties.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Knox Economic Development Committee 1
Networking is Essential 2
Food Businesses Go for Gold 3
Australian Made Makes Sense 3
Technology Transfer Opportunities 4
Canines Create Crafty Success 4
Earth in Good Hands at Natures Organics 5
Want to Export? 5
Upcoming Events 6
Council & Business: A Partnership For Progress

KNOX BUSINESS LIFE
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Networking – An Essential Marketing Strategy
Numerous books and articles have been
written about networking but for many
business people the term networking
represents something they believe doesn’t
relate to their business or they think it is
too hard, so they don't attempt it.
According to Brenda Thomson, CEO of
Networking World, networking helps
a company to succeed with referrals
generated through networking producing
80 per cent more sales than traditional
marketing activities.
Reduce Business Failures
Networking is an invaluable tool in the
establishment and growth of businesses
by providing new business leads, referrals
and sales; help in solving business
problems; building business confidence,
gaining recognition for the company; and
assisting in finding strategic partners and
investors.
One reason why business owners don't
network is they don't actually know
where to go to find the one or two
organisations that may suit them. The
web portal, www.networkworld.net.au,
is an online resource for small business
showcasing more than 1600 service
providers, including networking groups,
industry and professional associations,
government and council departments,
and training institutions.
The ultimate goal of attending
networking events is to establish mutually
beneficial win-win relationships. That
may be directly with people attending
the event or as a result of introductions
and referrals from people you met
there. However, it must be remembered
that meeting people is just half the
job. Developing and implementing an
effective follow up strategy is the most
important step in establishing those
relationships and guarantees that you will
receive a positive return on the time and
money you invest in networking.
So where do you start?
The first thing to do is to compile a short
list of groups that you wish to visit. Some
things that should be considered when
compiling this shortlist might include:
• Do I want to meet people from a
particular profession-either my own
or one with which I have potential to
develop synergistic relationships?
• Do I only want to meet people from
my local area or do I want to expand
my network geographically?
• Am I eligible to attend? Some groups
are closed and only allow membership
from particular professions.
• Does the membership of the group
match my networking goals: if you
need to meet decision makers from
large corporations there is not much
point joining a home based business
network.
• Is membership of the group realistic
in terms of your marketing budget?
Remember networking is a serious
business activity; you need to be able
to generate a positive return on your
investment.
• Can I meet the membership
commitment? Some groups require
that you attend every week for
breakfast so make sure you can
realistically make this commitment.
Your shortlist may include other criteria
specific to your goals and circumstances.
So check websites and directories, talk
to their contact person and perhaps even
attend one of their events. Different
networking groups and opportunities
will suit different people depending on
your networking goals, your business,
the relationships and synergies between
the members of the group and your own
personality.
Successful networkers suggest that if
networking is a key part of your marketing
strategy then you should join at least
two quality networking groups and should
When networking, meeting people is just half the job.
attend at least one new networking
opportunity every month.
Periodically, you need to critically
evaluate the return on investment you
receive from each group. Review your
memberships annually and drop off the
groups that have not been working for
you and add new groups to replace them.
Networking should be regarded as an
important business development strategy
with a calculated return on investment
that can be applied in any business
environment.
More information is available at
www.networkingworld.net.au
Why Network?
• Learn dynamics within your
industry
• Establish your business
contacts
• Get "plugged in" to your
community
• Seek new career opportunities
• Facilitate win-win relationships
• Create your referral networks
• Accelerate your professional
development
• Develop knowledge resources
www.strategicbusinessnetwork.com
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Knox Food
Businesses
Go for Gold
The 2006 annual Knox Going for Gold
Food Safety Awards Program saw 27 food
businesses being awarded gold silver or
bronze status.
The Awards are open to all food
businesses in the municipality,
including restaurants, bakeries, cafes,
delicatessens and take away food
outlets.
Knox Councillor David Cooper said the
Going for Gold Program is an assessment
of the practices being conducted in food
businesses within the Knox municipality.
“The program required applicants to
demonstrate excellence in compliance
with food safety standards, healthy eating
options on the menu and environmentally
friendly practices demonstrated within
the business," he said.
Going for Gold Award recipients following an official function at the Civic Centre where they
were presented with their Awards by the Mayor of Knox.
“The assessment is based on their food
handling practices through to general
business operations." Cr Cooper said.
Gold Award winners:
• Heavenly Pies and Cakes,
749 Mountain Highway, Bayswater
• The Knox Tavern – Knox Ozone, 509
Burwood Highway, Wantirna South
• The Coffee Club, Shop 2226 Knox Ozone
509 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South
• Subway Wantirna, 452 Burwood
Highway, Wantirna South
• Classy Café # , 1/159 Boronia Rd, Boronia
• Chocolate Dragon Butterfly Café # ,
1317 Mountain Highway, The Basin
• The Cheesecake Shop Boronia,
2/89 Boronia Road, Boronia
• Sueflay’s Café and Take Away Food,
1/18 Thomas Street, Ferntree Gully
#
also won a Gold Award in 2005
Australian Made Makes Business Sense
New research from
Roy Morgan shows that
Australian consumers want
to buy Australian and a rapid
growth in support from
retailers and manufacturers indicates that
Australian made products make sense to
both consumers and businesses.
"Australia is home to some of the
world's leading manufacturers and both
consumers and retailers are increasingly
aware of the many benefits these highquality
products offer. The benefits
of promoting products as Australian
are enormous," said Australian Made
Campaign's Chief Executive, Ian Harrison.
"Consumers want to buy Australian made
products and they understand that when
they do so, they will not only create
and maintain Australian jobs, but they
will also get innovative and great value
quality products," he said.
"Research conducted by the Roy Morgan
group in November 2006 shows that
49 percent of all Australians over
the age of 14 buy Australian made
whenever possible. Another 18 per
cent do so often. We work closely
rowville
with businesses from a wide
range of manufacturing
industries to assist
them in promoting
their products as
Australian made and
by doing so help
consumers in more
easily identifying truly
Australian made goods,"
Mr Harrison said.
Another organisation
with a "buy Australian"
mantra is AusBuy, which
is represented by a
green and gold logo
with a large A and the
Southern Cross. AusBuy
is a non-profit, nonpolitical
organisation that
encourages Australians to
support Australian owned
and made products
and services. The
organisation also aims to
create awareness about
the sell-off of Australian
icons and brands to
overseas interests.
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Bayswater-based
Animal & Odd-Bod Creators, an
Australian Made member, has
constructed these and other Aussie
Thong Family characters.
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According to AusBuy, with all the flags,
koalas and kangaroos that appear on the
packaging of foreign owned products
on Australian supermarket shelves, it
isn't any wonder that patriotic
Australians are cynical.
"The AusBuy logo is
used by our members
as a symbol that can
be trusted and which
differentiates the products
sold by Australian owned
companies.
"If every Australian
redirected just $50 per
week from foreign owned
and made to Australian
owned and made we would
save 20 billion dollars a
year off our current account
deficit and create an
additional 500,000 new full
time jobs," AusBuy says.
More information can
be found at www.
australianmade.com.
au and www.ausbuy.
com.au
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Participating at Crufts, the largest
dog show in the world, is just another
step on the export ladder for Warren
Townsend, founder of Black Dog Wear.
The company started in 1997 when
Warren couldn't find quality training
equipment for a new dog that had just
joined the family. So he decided to
make some of his own. It then became a
business and is now a worldwide success.
Black Dog specialises in the design and
manufacture of high quality canine
training equipment. The attractive
products are designed for trainers, vet
clinics and dog owners and work well
over a long life.
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Technology Transfer Opportunities for SMEs
Small to medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) have access to a Commonwealth
and State Governments funded program
called TechFast®. The program works
with companies to identify, assess, pursue
and deliver collaborative innovation
projects to solve business problems and
create new opportunities.
Specifically, TechFast ® helps
companies:
Ñ Identify new partners that can
provide access to useful technologies,
processes, knowledge and distribution
channels to improve business
performance and productivity.
Ñ Assess the potential value of projects,
develop project plans, formalise
partnerships, project manage
collaborative endeavours.
Ñ Through the provision of funding
support of up to $50,000 per company.
Although companies have considerable
experience and knowledge within
their industry, TechFast ® is able to find
solutions from external organisations
such as research organisations or other
businesses both in Australia and overseas.
The program is run by the Australian
Institute for Commercialisation (AIC),
a national, not-for-profit company
activity promoting commercialisation
and collaboration by assisting industry
and research organisations with practical
initiatives.
To remain competitive and to expand
into new markets, SMEs must adopt or
develop new technologies at a faster
rate, something they are well positioned
to achieve. Many SMEs also have the
advantage of meeting market demands
faster than larger organisations.
TechFast ® aims to assist Australian SMEs
capitalise on this advantage.
Canines Create Crafty Success
How to Qualify
KNOX BUSINESS LIFE
Potential candidates are assessed and
selected according to specific criteria.
They must:
Ñ Have innovative projects in mind that will
require external expertise to complete.
Ñ Possess strong growth and export
potential.
Ñ Have turnovers between $3m and
$100m per annum.
Ñ Be willing to explore collaborative
partnerships.
Ñ Have good business stability with a
healthy balance sheet.
For further information visit www.
techfast.com.au or call the AIC on
1300 364 739.
"For eight years the business ran from
our home," said Warren, "but with ten
part-time staff and quite a lot of stock, it
became necessary to move to commercial
premises. We now have double the space
and no longer feel like sardines."
Warren chose The Basin for his
new facility based on lifestyle
considerations: he can walk to work
with the dogs; there's little travel
time to and from work; and a pleasant
village atmosphere.
Annual growth of 20 per cent
The past few years have seen the
business grow at around 20 per cent,
helped by a web presence at www.
blackdog.net.au, which brings in new
business enquiries from all around the
world. Currently Black Dog's export
market is around ten per cent of sales.
"Showing our products for the first
time at the Crufts Dog Show in England
should substantially increase market
awareness for our products among the
UK dog community. We also supply
to businesses in New Zealand, the US
and a range of European and Asian
countries.
A contented Tyler with Black Dog master Warren Townsend.
Energy Audit
Black Dog is about to embark on an
energy audit to assess what impact its
manufacturing has on the environment.
It will also look at ways the company
can reduce or offset this environmental
impact and possibly reduce some costs in
the process.
"Part of our reason for living and working
in The Basin is our enjoyment of the
local area and community. We feel it is
important to add to that amenity rather
than detract from it,” said Warren.
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KNOX BUSINESS LIFE
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Earth in Good Hands at
Natures Organics
Ferntree Gully-based Natures Organics
designs and manufactures a range of
personal care and household products
that have generous exposure on the
supermarket shelves - not just in Australia,
but increasingly in export markets.
produce naturally enriched products that
are pure, gentle and effective.
"All the products are stringently controlled
to reduce unnecessary waste of nonrenewable
resources, offering sustainable
development through responsible
environmental management," said Justin.
"Currently, the majority of our
containers are supplied in 100 per cent
recycled plastic but we are moving to
develop packaging that is 100 per cent
biodegradable — using polystarch — that
can simply be thrown into a compost bin."
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Want to Export,
but Don’t Know
Where to Start?
Justin Dowell in Natures Organics showroom
with Earths Choice laundry liquid.
Earth's Choice, Blast, Blitz, Swish, Purity,
Australian Pure, FRUITS, Turning Point,
Organic Care and Natures Organics are
brand names of cleaners, fabric softeners,
shampoos and conditioners that use plantderived
ingredients as much as possible
rather than petroleum-based components.
Natures Organics evolved from a business
that began in the late 1950s and was the
first company in Australia to process and
stabilise aloe vera gel.
Justin Dowell, Managing Director, said
the company is proud of its extremely
efficient, biodegradable formulas that
A modern production line at
Natures Organics.
A turnover of $10 million around ten years
ago is expected to grow to $65 million in
2007, helped by a product range that has
expanded to more than 60 items.
The natural formulations and innovation
in R&D coupled with good packaging
and competitive pricing is seeing the
products exported to the UK, New
Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai.
They are now planning to enter the North
American markets.
From Ferntree Gully, ready to be shipped
throughout Australia and overseas.
Natures Organics, with 130 employees at
its Ferntree Gully facility and additional
sales staff in every state, is looking to
more than double its current capacity
over the coming years.
Adhering to its trademark statement,
"Products that don't cost the earth", the
company is commissioning a new plant
that enables greater water savings and
the capture of steam and washdown
water from machinery.
More details and eco tips are available
at www.naturesorganics.com.au
David Higginbottom of Competitive
Edge is presenting the four-week
Group Training Program on Export
Market Planning that starts on
4 April. David has more than 30
years export experience and
believes that with a strong webbased
strategy, most companies in
Australia, including SMEs, have a
great opportunity to export globally,
especially into Asia.
David will conduct the program in
an interactive way, dealing with the
actual participants' strategies and
concerns under a well-thought out
course structure. There are also
comprehensive notes provided to
guide participants and a diagnostic,
which allows participants to assess
their export readiness, and improve
their approach and ultimate success
rate.
The program will cover all areas
of export interest for new and
emerging exporters, as well as
current exporters who want to hone
their skills and approaches. Use
of communication material, ideas
about negotiation and selling, use of
trade events, and ways of stretching
budgets including the use of Export
Market Development Grants and
advisors such as Austrade, State
Governments, etc. are all covered in
detail with a focus on the needs of
the ten participating companies.
See booking details on the back page.

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Upcoming Events... Upcoming Events... Upcoming Events...
All events listed below are held at Knox City Council offices, 511 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna South. All costs shown include GST.
Refer to www.knoxbusinessdirect.com.au for booking details.
Export Market Planning (Group
Training Program)
$550*
Tel: 9298 8108
4, 11 & 18 April & 2 May, 6 pm — 9 pm
This program is limited to 10 businesses with
two employees able to attend per business.
A path to the world. At this four-week
program, you will learn “how to” skills and
will understand how to approach the export
market, which markets to choose, what skills
and processes your business needs and how
to plan a market visit. You will create your
own realistic and practical Export Market
Plan.
Exporting from Australia offers unique
opportunities and benefits. Although
resource companies are currently in the
export limelight, there are thousands of
small to medium manufacturing and service
companies forming the basis of our current
export success.
Being aware of the opportunities, risks and
solutions is a key to successful exporting.
This program will:
• Tell you how to plan successfully for
export activities.
• Tell you where your business is now,
where it needs to be, how it can get
there, and … keep it there.
• Assist you to extend your market through
analysis of realistic export opportunities
and how to access them.
*This program is valued at $2,200. However,
eligible participants are subsidised by the
Victorian Government so that the total
outlay is only $550 per business. This
includes four workshops, refreshments,
templates and eight hours face-to-face
project work with your business.
Business Building
$45
Tel: 9298 8108
12 April, 6 pm — 8 pm
At this workshop, presenter Paul McCarthy will
share the secrets to marketing your business
more successfully; increasing sales, improving
profitability and building business systems that
set you free. Paul’s easy to implement, relevant
advice is guaranteed to deliver proven results
to businesses of all sizes. Paul’s workshops have
received outstanding responses from participants
all over Australia and are guaranteed to provide
your business with loads of great ideas on how to
create a remarkable business.
Getting Started in Small Business
no charge
Tel: 9298 8108
10 May, 10 am — 12 pm
These regular business start-up information
sessions provide information to help get a
business underway: they cover licensing,
planning, marketing, training and taxation.
Colin Crotty from the Victorian Business
Centre talks about starting a small business.
Australian Workplace
Agreements: Employee Relations
Law and Regulations
$44
Bookings: cravenco@bigpond.net.au
10 May, 9 am — 11 am
This seminar is presented by Neil Craven, a
Director of Craven & Associates Consulting
Services, who has more than 20 years
experience as an advocate with the Australian
Chamber of Manufactures (now AIG) and with
furnishing and related industries as Industrial
Relations Manager, providing members with
detailed advice relating to Award conditions,
industry representation and conducting
information workshops.
Tax Basics
no charge
Tel: 9298 8108
24 May, 9 am — 12 pm
Presented by specialists from the Australian
Taxation Office, this seminar is part of a two
series program. The first seminar will focus
on:
How do I get started in business?
How does income tax work?
What can I claim? What can't I claim?
What are the rules for income tax?
What is a goods and services tax (GST)?
This is a great opportunity to question and
learn from the experts about how to meet
your tax obligations and maximise your
business's deductions.
Business Breakfast
$45
Tel: 9298 8108
7 June, 7 am — 9 am
Put the date in your diary now and check the
website at www.knoxbusinessdirect.com.
au for speaker details closer to the date.
Details of all events planned during
2007 can be viewed online at www.
knoxbusinessdirect.com.au.
In summary they are:
25 June:
Self Managed Super Funds and Changes to
Super (presented by the ATO). Free.
19 July:
Getting Started in Small Business. Free.
26 July:
Record Keeping. (presented by the ATO).
Free.
16 August:
Taxation for Home Based Businesses.
(presented by the ATO). Free.
12 September:
Practical Sales Skills to Increase Your Sales
and Distribution. Presented by Alan Marion.
$66.
11 October:
Stand Out From the Crowd. Presented by
Paul McCarthy. $45.
KNOX COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTACT DETAILS PUBLICATION
• provides a first point of contact for businesses
• provides information and advice
• promotes the City’s features to attract new investment
• helps businesses become internationally competitive
• promotes www.knoxbusinessdirect.com.au
• works with business, government and regional
organisations
• assists with site selection
• facilitates training for businesses
Knox Civic Centre
511 Burwood Hwy
Wantirna South 3152
Ph: 9298 8511
Fax: 9800 4643
www.knoxbusinessdirect.com.au
www.knox.vic.gov.au
randal.harkin@knox.vic.gov.au
justin.o’meara@knox.vic.gov.au
Knox Business
Life is published
three times a year.
Suggestions and
contributions are
welcome and should
be forwarded to
Knox Economic
Development.
Knox Business Life is produced by WMC Public Relations.
Tel: 9803 2588
Knox City Council denies any liability for any loss, damage or injury resulting from any person relying on information obtained by or through this newsletter.
Knox City Council is in no way responsible for any information which may appear in this newsletter. Such information is made available in good faith as a community service.