Do you need assistance with how to register a patent, trade mark, design, or need information about copyright?  Then make an appointment to see one of our business advisers to discuss the above through the Illawarra Innovation Advisory Service. The Innovation Advisory Service is a FREE Program and is supported through funding from the NSW Department of State and Regional Development.

We also have the services of an Intellectual Property Attorney who provides free advice at our offices once a month.  Appointments are now being made for:

Time :  Half hour appointments
Date :  Friday 6 March 2009  Illawarra ITeC Wollongong
Cost :  FREE
RSVP :  Call 1300 650 058 to make an appointment

Innovation in Small Business 

Would you like to learn about long tail marketing, online presence, and business fundamentals that can’t be ignored?  Craig Doyle, Manager of the Sutherland Shire Hub for Economic Development (SSHED) will be the next speaker at the Wollongong Small Business Club meeting.  

This will be a great opportunity to hear Craig speak about Sutherland Shire Council’s successful strategy of stimulating economic growth and creating local jobs. The SSHED is an exciting concept that has followed successful overseas experience.  As a business accelerator it is designed to nurture small businesses planning to develop and grow. The aim is to create a supportive and dynamic environment where entrepreneurs can meet, network and share ideas. In this way the SSHED can help fast track the pace of business growth and increase the possibility of success through workshops, networking, mentoring and coaching.   Participating businesses operate out of rented offices at the SSHED and currently almost half the businesses are run by women.  

Time :  5.15pm to 7.30pm
Date :  Tuesday 3 March at City Diggers Club, Wollongong
Cost :  FREE to attend – light refreshments served 
RSVP :  Please call Lee at RDA Illawarra on 4227 4500

Intro to Business Planning    

Do you have a business plan?  Are you guilty of working in your business but not on your business?

A good business plan will increase your chances of business success. It will help you identify your customers, market area, pricing strategies, financial and operational goals.

By completing a business plan you will better understand your competitive advantages, new opportunities, current weaknesses and longer-term objectives for the business.  Having a business plan is also an important requirement for gaining finance from financial institutions.

The aim of this workshop is to provide an overview of the business planning process and increase the skills of participants to enable them to complete a business plan for their business.  Business plan templates will be provided. 

Time :   12 noon to 1.30pm 
Date :   Friday 20 March 2009
Cost :   $33.00 – light lunch included  
RSVP :  Ring 4223 3100 or email itec@illawarraitec.com.au

TCF Industry Workshops    

Do you belong to the TCF Industry?

Would you like to know how to grow and expand your business?

The Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Business Growth Project based in Western Australia will be running the following workshops in both Wollongong and Nowra. Topics include:

- Growing Your Fashion Business – Working in or on your business, developing a checklist.

- Pricing and Costing – have you priced your products correctly?

- Debt Collection and Credit Management – Collecting debts, providing credit to retailers, getting the cash back into your business.

- TCF Global – Sourcing off-shore manufactures – TCF Global Sourcing raw materials and manufactures, Hong Long, China, Bali, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Fiji. Information on TECFWA Buying Missions to Hong Kong Fashion Week July 2009.

- TCF NSW and Design edge Online Shops and Networking Groups

The TCF Industry includes the design and manufacturing process and would be relevant to the following industry sectors:

- Bridal Wear, Baby Wear, Boy’s Wear, Blinds, Awnings, Beading, Automotive
- Children’s Wear, Caps, Curtains, Carpets, Corporate Wear, Canvas Active Wear.
- Designer Fashion, Designers, Collars, Cushions, Belts Books, Banners
- Footwear, Equestrian, Furnishings, Evening Wear, Embroidery, Cloth Rags
- Intimate Apparel, Interior Textiles, Health, Grading, Girl’s wear, Dance Ware.
- Leather, Luggage, Handbags, Felts, Knitwear, Home wares, Hats, Flags
- Millinery, Maternity, Lifejackets, Lace, Industrial Textiles, Insulation
- Menswear, Manufacturers CMT, Marine, Mattresses, Paper Machine Clothing.
- Rugs, Ropes, pet accessories, Pattern making, Tanneries, Non Woven Textiles.
- Sporting Wear, Socks, Skins, Seat Belts, School Wear, Ski Wear, Saddlery
- Swimwear, Surf wear, Soft Toys, Safety, Sails, Sandals, Tablecloths, Sleepwear.
- Textiles, Fibres, Towels, Tens, Sport wear, Tourist Souvenirs, Textile Artists
- Women’s Wear, Wallets, Wool, Wetsuits, Work wear, Uniforms, Underwear, Yarns.

Time :  9.00am to 1.00pm - then networking and lunch between 1.00pm and 2.00pm
Date :  Tuesday 10 March at Shoalhaven City Council; Wednesday 11 March at Illawarra IteC, Wollongong
Cost :  $40.00 – includes light lunch 
RSVP :  Please call 1300 650 058 to register your details   

Hurry as spaces are filling fast – this is your chance to increase your business potential and network with others from the TCF Industry.

Free Business Advisory Services  

The Illawarra ITeC has five Small Business Programs to help you get started and further develop your established business. All programs provide free and confidential business advice and are available free of charge in the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven areas: 

• Illawarra Business Advisory Service (IBAS)
• Business Enterprise Centre (BEC)
• New Enterprise Development Scheme  (NEIS)
• Illawarra Innovation Advisory Service (IIAS)
• Aboriginal Enterprise Development Officer (ADEO) Program

If you require further information please don’t hesitate to contact me on 4223 3100 or 1300 650 058.

Do you receive our weekly Illawarra ITeC Small Business News Newsletter?   If not, email Virginia today on ibec@illawarraitec.com.au and we will automatically send you a copy.  

This is only a brief outline of the types of small business advice and assistance that we can offer.  Want to know more?  Remember I am a FREE service and can assist you in developing your business in many ways. Call me today on 42233 100 or check out our website at www.illawarraitec.com.au