INVITATION

The global economic downturn is having an impact on small businesses across Australia. The NSW Department of State and Regional Development, in conjunction with local councils, is presenting a series of workshops called Managing through Turbulent Times designed to provide businesses with the advice and skills to work through the downturn and stay abreast of the challenges. This seminar series will help you to revise your finance and cashflow strategy and consider how to retain your customers and develop more effective long term relationships.

THE PROGRAM

The Economic Outlook – Maureen Jordan from Switzer Group – delivers the keynote address on the economic outlook analysing what has happened and the impact on small business.

Financial and Cashflow Strategy – Matthew Nolan from Provident Cashflow - outlines how to redefine a financial strategy and plan ahead for continued economic success.

Customer Retention – Louise Kelly from Hearts & Minds - shows how to keep customers and businesses on track by ensuring effective customer service.

FREE Seminar

Nowra – Monday, 4 May 2009
Shoalhaven City Council, Bridge Rd, Nowra

Wollongong – Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Wollongong City Council, Burelli Street, Wollongong

Kiama – Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Kiama Pavilion, Kiama Showground

Moss Vale – Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Moss Vale Civic Centre, Elizabeth St, Moss Vale

Numbers are limited for this event. Please register your attendance by emailing: kimella.batkin@business.nsw.gov.au or fax the registration form to 4423 7957. 

Download the registration form here.

For further details please contact Kimella on 4421 1000 or 4225 9055.

Tourism Development Workshops

The NSW Department of State and Regional Development, in conjunction with Tourism Wollongong, Tourism Shellharbour, Tourism Kiama, Tourism Shoalhaven, Tourism Southern Highlands and Eurobodalla Coast Tourism, invite you to attend the latest FREE Tourism Development Workshops, presented by Todd Wright of Threesides Pty Ltd.

Workshop Topic: Practical Marketing for Small Business
The aim of this workshop is to provide you with some practical, simple and cost effective ways to plan, design and implement marketing activities that get results. The workshop will explore how you can turn a good business idea into a great marketing idea and will demystify the concept of marketing for small business owners. You will be engaged in activities that will help develop an understanding of the marketing process from the planning stages through to seeing results, while learning about the tools that are most suitable for your small business.

Workshop Topic: Packaging Tourism Products
The aim of this workshop is to debunk the myths that packaging is a scientific process that only big business and hotel chains can leverage. The workshop will educate participants on the tourism product packaging process, provide research and insight into the value of developing packaging and give participants take home tools to aid them in packaging their own tourism products.

Workshop Topic: Introduction to Online Tourism Marketing
and E-Tourism
The aim of this workshop is to introduce participants to online marketing for small business and help them understand the tangled web that is the internet. The presentation will introduce and educate participants on the online marketing process, provide research and insight into the value of getting online and how to get and stay in touch with consumers.

Workshop Topic: Using the ‘new net’ in your business - taking the next steps online in your business
Everyone is talking about the new internet – social networking, peer-to-peer, blogging, RSS, podcasts, review websites and the list goes on. How has the net changed the ways that consumers find your business and what can you do to make sure you get found. This session provides applied and practical ways to use the internet and online marketing tools in your business.

Cost: The workshops are free to attend. Please book early to secure a place, places limited.
Register Now: Registrations close Tuesday 12 May 2009. Please phone Kimella on (02) 4421 1000, Email to kimella.batkin@business.nsw.gov.au

Small Business Marketing Workshop 

It is not enough to just have a fantastic product or service - you also need to be able to understand how to market your product or service to potential customers and clients. 

This is even more important in this current economic climate. How do you differentiate from your competitors? What is unique about your business?

This two-hour workshop will help you understand the different aspects of marketing, help you understand how your product / service fits into the whole market and how you can market your business more effectively? 

We will discuss:

• Conducting Market Research
• Who is Your Target Market / Competitors
• The Four P’s of Marketing
• SWOT Analysis
• Requirements of Developing a Marketing Plan

Time  :  9.30am to 12noon  
Date   : Friday 1 May 2009   
Cost   : $40.00 – light Refreshments included

Basic Bookkeeping Workshop    

It is very important for any small business owner to know how to keep sound financial records but more importantly understand how to use those financial reports to make informed decisions. 

This workshop will provide an overview of record keeping responsibilities and provides practical exercises in the tasks required to manage a business through record keeping. You will develop an understanding of financial control and the importance of cash flow and how to complete petty cash, cash payments, cash receipts, daily bank balances and bank reconciliations.

Time  :  9.00am to 12 noon  
Date   :  Thursday 7thMay
Cost   :  $45.00 per person – light refreshments provided

Free Business Advisory Services   

If this current economic situation is really getting you down and you find that you are struggling and really need some business advice – call Illawarra ITeC and make an appointment to see one of our Business Advisors. 

Illawarra ITeC has five Small Business Programs to either :

- help you get started in your business venture; or
- further develop your business skills and improve your business.

All programs provide free and confidential business advice. We have offices based in Wollongong, Nowra and Mittagong - but we are also a mobile service and can come to you.: 

• 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

Call Illawarra ITeC today on 1300 065 058.

Serviced offices available    

Are you looking for serviced offices in the CBD of Wollongong for a reasonable cost?

Illawarra ITeC has fully serviced office space available now
No LEASE – Monthly Rental Agreement only.

Run your business from establish offices in a prime location or utilise Illawarra ITeC’s virtual office facility.

Benefits include:

• Short term / Long term availability
• FULLY services offices
• Reception/Mailing/Cleaning
• Your phone answered in your business name
• Business name signage

Additional services available:

• Broadband Internet Access
• Undercover Parking available
• Training/Casual Interview Rooms for hire

Premises located at:  
1/336 Keira Street (Cnr Keira and West Streets) Wollongong NSW 2500. 
Contact Sarah on (02) 4223 3100 to arrange an inspection and discuss rates.

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 4223 3100 or check out our website at www.illawarraitec.com.au