Australians regularly provide the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) with information about their working life: how and where they live; family and family structures; what they spend their money on; and their hobbies or recreational activities.  This wealth of information enables them to put together a picture of Australia.

This information can be utilised to help you grow your business by helping you to:

• Understand your market
• Locate potential clients
• Target promotions
• Assess site location
• Support your business case
• Improve your marketing strategy
• Estimate your market share

The ABS has information on….

People – including population and household characteristics; age and population distribution; projections; population size and growth; family and community; housing; labour and personal family and household finances.

Economy – including business characteristics; economic growth; foreign investment; trade and debt; labour productivity; and prices and price indexes.

Environment and Energy – including climate and natural resources; energy; land use and management; natural resources; sustainability and waste.

Industry – including construction; mining manufacturing; land use and management; finance; property and business services; retail; tourism and hospitality; and culture and leisure.

Contact the ABS for more information via their website www.abs.gov.au or phone them on 1300 135 070

FREE SMALL BUSINESS NEIS COURSE STARTING
24th September 2008

Do you have a good business idea?

Would you like to start your own business and become self-employed?

Let Illawarra ITeC help you put that business idea into practice and develop the necessary skills essential for business survival. 

NEIS Provides:

• FREE Nationally recognised and accredited training in Small Business Management
• FREE Advice and support from a mentor for the first 12 months
• Income support for 12 months
• Access to a network of established and successful small businesses.

To be eligible for the NEIS Program you must be in receipt of a Centrelink pension or benefit and your business must not yet be operating on a commercial basis.  For further information and to discuss this program in further detail please call Shannon today on 4223 3100.

BOOKKEEPING FOR SMALL BUSINESS

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 is designed to provide an overview of record keeping responsibilities and provides practical exercises in the tasks required to manage a business through record keeping.

By attending this workshop, you will develop an understanding of financial control and the importance of cash flow.  Practical exercises demonstrate how to treat petty cash, cash payments, cash receipts, daily bank balances and bank reconciliations.

Time  :  9.00am to 12 noon  
Date   :  Monday 8th September Wollongong
Cost   :  $45.00 per person

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 : 

• 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

OTHER SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOPS ON OFFER AT ILLAWARRA ITEC

• Small Business Basics – FREE
• Introduction to Business Planning
• Small Business Marketing
• ATO Record Keeping – Free
• Getting Started in Exporting / Importing – Free
• Are You Charging the Right Price to Make Profit in Your Business

Want further information on the above FREE programs?   Visit our website www.illawarraitec.com.au  or to arrange a personal interview time contact: Phone: 1300 650 058.

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 & West Streets) Wollongong NSW 2500.  Contact Sarah or Rebecca on 4223 3100 to arrange an inspection and discuss rates.  www.illawarraitec.com.au

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 42233100 or check out our website at www.illawarraitec.com.au