The next meeting of the Wollongong Small Business Club will see David Burroughs, Managing Director from Communicorp Group speaking on beating the psychological recession and strategies for keeping positive and productive in turbulent times.

With mounting ‘doom and gloom’, increasingly pessimistic economic forecasts and the shadow of a deep economic recession being cast upon us, it is little wonder that business owners and their employees are nervous.
 
There is always a ‘psychological recession’ that accompanies and deepens the actual recession as people deal with increasing uncertainty about their future. It is a potent mix of fear, nervous exhaustion and feelings of vulnerability. It is not all doom and gloom, but surviving and thriving in recessions requires a realistically positive mindset to stay positive and innovative when times are tough.  

This talk will give you the fundamentals of positive psychology and practical tips to build strength of mind, keep stress in balance, lift your morale and focus on appropriate strategies for your business to successfully navigate these turbulent times.

Time  :  5.15pm for 6.00pm to 7.30pm   
Date  :  Tuesday 3 June 2009 
Venue :  Rydges Hotel Burelli Street Wollongong
Cost   :  FREE 
RSVP :  Lee at Illawarra RDA on 4227 4500

Intro to Business Planning Workshop   

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   :  Monday 15 June 2009
Cost   :  $33.00 – light lunch included  

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 two-and-a-half hour workshop will help you understand the different aspects of marketing, how your product / service fit 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 Ps of Marketing
• SWOT Analysis
• Requirements of Developing a Marketing Plan

Time  :  9.30am to 12noon  
Date   : Thursday 2 July     
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 17 June 2009  
Cost   :  $45.00 per person – light refreshments provided

Small Business Workshops  

Illawarra ITeC regularly runs a suite of small business workshops to help you grow your business and improve your business skills. Workshops run include:

• Small Business Basics – for new start-up businesses
• Marketing
• Business Planning
• Basic Bookkeeping
• Are you Charging the Right Price to Make a Profit
• Improving Customer Service
• Understanding Your Financial Statements

Please ring Illawarra ITeC if you would like to book in for any of the above workshops or would like to discuss any aspect of your business with one of our business advisers.

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 Advisers. 

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 established 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