The insurer said although levels have remained relatively steady over recent years, vandalism and theft remain one of the biggest drivers of insurance claims for businesses. Service stations and liquor outlets experience the highest percentage of crimes against small business, followed by general stores, newsagents and pharmacies.***

NRMA Head of Retail Business Insurance Llewellyn Jones said business crime not only affects businesses owners, but the whole community.

“It is concerning that claims involving vandalism and theft are consistently high,” said Mr Jones. “We are encouraging businesses to take steps to protect their premises. After all, a safer community is beneficial for everyone.”

Mr Jones said some common types of malicious damage included graffiti and smashed windows. Theft was also a concern with break-ins regularly resulting in claims worth tens of thousands of dollars. 

“Businesses should consider the risk of their own premises and install alarms, grills, tags, security lighting and camera surveillance. These could make a difference in your business becoming a target.

“Alarms in particular are a basic yet effective form of business security. And although there is no one alarm that suits all businesses, it is important that owners seek as much information as possible to determine which alarm suits the size and type of their premises.

“Members of the public can also play a part by calling triple zero if they witness suspicious behaviour,” Mr Jones added.

To help keep businesses safe, NRMA Insurance recommends they should:

• Install deadlocks and where possible, window locks
• Consider fitting physical barriers such as grilles and bars to windows and bollards to prevent a vehicle entering the business’ driveway
• Install an alarm, preferably one that can be monitored offsite
• Install perimeter lighting in vulnerable areas
• Keep safes and valuables out of view
• Keep an updated record of assets and receipts
• Back up computer records regularly and keep a copy offsite, and
• Security mark computers and other valuable equipment.

NRMA Insurance holds regular BizSafe seminars in NSW, to provide important safety tips on how to prevent crime at a business. The program is all about increasing awareness of effective crime prevention principles and fostering good working relationships between local businesses and police. For more information, visit www.nrma.com.au/bizsafe

* NRMA Insurance claims data, 2007/8. Figure extrapolated for a community cost.
** Omnibus Small Business survey of 161 retailers conducted in February 2007.
*** Australian Institute of Criminology.

Illawarra Innovation Advisor Services

Do you have a new product that you want to commercialise but don’t know where to start? Do you need legal advice on Trade Marks, Patents or Design Registration?
 
Book in for a free assessment interview with Virginia Wren from the Innovation Advisory Service.

FREE Interview with IP (Patent / Trade Mark) Attorney

Book in now for your free half-hour interview with our IP Attorney. 
Next appointments for the IP Attorney on Friday 7th October. 

Nuturing customer relationships for success

Southern Habitat is one of the Illawarra’s leading environmental contracting companies, specialising in the management of natural areas and the restoration of degraded environments. In 2007, the company was the proud winner of the Small Business category in the Integral Energy Business Awards.

Jay Windsor, Managing Director, Southern Habitat (NSW) Pty Ltd will talk to members about the company’s adoption of five core enterprise values and how it goes about developing and nurturing customer relationships as part of its customer centric approach to conducting business.

Additional program feature 
Su Bowing, Accredited Program Co-ordinator, Kiama Community College, will also be speaking on Innovative Ways to Boost Business Communications and Reduce Phone Bills using VOIP and Skype.

Time  :   5.15pm for 6.00pm finish at 8.00pm  
Date   :   Tuesday 11 November (a week later due to Melbourne Cup)
Cost   :   FREE to attend but must register for catering purposes
Venue  :    Rydges Hotel, Burelli Street, Wollongong
RSVP :      Call lee at RDA on 42274500 or email lee@iacc.org.au 

Kiama Small Business forum

Kiama Municipal Council, the Kiama Community College and the Department of State and Regional Development invite you to join us for an exciting seminar.

This is a half-day package presented by Bob Johnson. You may not have the biggest store or the biggest range, a big advertising budget or the ideal location, but you can out-sell the ‘big guys’ if you know how!

And having a professional sales team will add valuable dollars to your bottom line profits – we’ll show you how you and your sales team can do it. 

Following on from this workshop will be a one-on-one coaching session with local businesses to master the art of professional selling – free of charge, on           
12 November. Your own ‘in-house’ business consultant.

Time  :  8.45am for 9.00am to 12noon 
Date   :   Tuesday 11 November 2008 
Cost   :   FREE to attend
RSVP  :     Call Elise at Kiama Council on 4232 0414
Venue  :   Kiama Community College – under Kiama Library

Basic book keeping 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 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   :     Friday 14 November  
Cost   :     $45.00 per person – light refreshments provided
Venue  :   Illawarra ITeC Wollongong

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