It’s been a while since our last business chamber drinks, but we’re back!

Join us for a business networking drinks at the Citadel in Murwillumbah, Thursday 1st October 5:30pm – 7:30pm

In partnership with Tweed Shire Council, we invite you to celebrate Small Business Month.

Enjoy casual (COVID Safe) networking and get some tips from a panel financial experts about safeguarding your business from hard times.

Panellists include:

Nick Moran – Accountant at Mayberry Meldrum Andersons

Andrew McAdie – Business banker from SCCU

Phil Hepburn – External CFO, Commercial Business Cents

Susan Nancarrow – Sourdough Group

Panellists will address:

1. The importance of maintaining a relationship with your adviser, in particular why this should be done when times are good to plan for when times are bad

2. Insight and perspective into the recession and economic outlook

3. Other wise words for small businesses

Facing uncertainty with the current COVID situation we will be taking proactive steps to provide a COVID-safe event, including:

• Developing a COVID safety plan and registering as a COVID-safe organisation
• Name and contact details confirmed as guests check-in

Food and drink included in ticket price.

To register: https://events.humanitix.com/mdbc-october-networking-plus-small-business-month-panel

Need to reach your customers quickly? Keen to understand why your digital presence is important and how to build it?
Gain insights from Facebook ANZ’s Director of Small and Medium Business on how to leverage social commerce with Facebook.

Jane’s Pick is On Demand Webinar: Make the Digital Leap with Social Media

The pandemic has shown us that a digital presence is now essential for all small businesses. Businesses have been forced to find alternative ways to operate and develop a digital presence to reach their customers quickly.
Business Australia facilitates this insightful session with Facebook ANZ’s Director of Small and Medium Business, Melinda Petrunoff, exploring how Australians can leverage social commerce with Facebook.

This session aims to help you understand:

• How the Covid-19 landscape has affected consumer behaviour
• What businesses can do to move forward
• How to use some of the free online tools
• How other businesses around Australia have used Facebook/Instagram
• How businesses can get started

Melinda Petrunoff, Director of Small and Medium Business | Facebook ANZ

It’s not too late to claim financial support for your apprentices or trainees.
Learn which is the right subsidy for your business and what financial support may be available to your apprentices and trainees.

Peter Gilchrist, General Manager | Apprenticeship Support Australia

Emily Slaytor, Senior Associate | Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors

Join us – https://www.businessaustralia.com/how-we-help/membership/explore-events/virtual-events/sat-vs-jobkeeper

Discover what the future of business will look like. Hear from one of Australia’s leading strategic forecasters, Steve Tighe.

Steve Tighe is a leading business strategist, author and speaker on the future, strategy and innovation. He will show you the scenarios that you can expect in a post-COVID world and how you can use these to your business advantage.

Learn:
– How the business environment will be different post-COVID
– Implications of these changing scenarios and how you can adapt
– The opportunities that are now available to your business.

This isn’t just an informative session, but also includes an interactive activity to get your business planning on a roll.

Entrepreneurship Facilitator, Natalie Brookes will lead a scenario planning session that you can tailor for your business.

You will leave this webinar with a toolkit of strategic knowledge as well as a roadmap for your business to activate.

Thus 60-minute power session will help you seize opportunities in business. Now is the time to future-proof and plan for success!

Can I ask questions during the webinar? YES!

I can’t attend live, am I able to watch the replay? YES! Register and once the webinar is over you will receive your on-demand recording.

YOUR PRESENTERS

Steve Tighe, Business Strategist and Director, Chasing Sunrises
Steve Tighe is a futurist, strategist and author of Rethinking Strategy. Steve collaborates with clients to design new and distinct strategies that position your business for the future. Steve is the former National Foresight Manager at Foster’s Brewery, and has worked with some of Australia’s leading companies, looking at the future of their industry and the strategic and innovation options for their business. His extensive list of clients includes Holden, Kraft, ClubsNSW, State Library of Victoria, AFL Victoria, Dairy Farmers Milk Co-Operative, Netball Australia, and Knox City Council. Steve has a Masters in Strategic Foresight from Swinburne University, and has completed the Oxford Scenarios Programme at Oxford University.

Natalie Brookes, Entrepreneurship Facilitator, Business Australia
Natalie is the Entrepreneurship Facilitator appointed to service the Richmond – Tweed (Ballina) region – an initiative of the Australian Government. Natalie comes with a wealth of experience in start-ups having established two of her own and understands the freedom and joy that self-employment and business ownership brings, along with the constant challenges it presents. Natalie is a qualified accountant, experienced senior business consultant and analyst. Natalie also holds additional post-graduate qualifications and comes with a range of industry experience.

ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP FACILITATOR SERVICE
Entrepreneurship Facilitators provide free and practical assistance to support and encourage individuals to start a business as a way to create their own job. Ready to get your business idea off the ground?

ABOUT BUSINESS AUSTRALIA
In the business of helping business. For more than 190 years, Business Australia has stood by business owners – untying legal knots, boosting efficiency, advocating for better conditions and helping them grow. Formerly known as the NSW Business Chamber, today Business Australia operates across the country. From major cities to country centres. From the smallest start-up to the largest corporation. Together with advocacy arm, Business NSW, members are also part of a powerful network that stands up to government when business interests are overlooked. It’s free to join as a member.

To Register: https://app.livestorm.co/abc-s/1584920518132498

Tweed Head Chamber members are invited to the Tweed Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast.

Its a great chance to reconnect and catch up with business friends and partners again. Business card draw & prizes.

Guest Speakers

Bradley Nardi, The Tweed Tourism Co – Tourism Opportunities & Update

Peter Taylor, 2020 Business Consulting – Positioning your business for the Post COVID recovery

DCI Brendan Cullen, NSW Police – Police Update

Doors open 6.30am for networking, 7am start, ends approx 8.30am (All times are Day Light Saving times).

$25pp, please purchase your tickets on or before 11 October for COVID registration requirements (Limited to 50 people).

To book https://www.tweedchamber.com.au/event/chamber-networking-breakfast-oct-2020/

A game changing hybrid digital/live Small Business Month event in Lismore helping you take real steps to make your business ‘Futureproof’

Get tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pivot-and-popcorn-futureproof-your-business-with-craig-reucassel-lcci-tickets-120934531439?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

This free online workshop, delivered by a branding professional will show you how to boost visibility to locals and visitors.

Got a local business?

Perhaps 2020 has made you scratch your head a little about how to get more eyes on your business because everything has changed.

In this workshop, Lizzie Moult will be addressing six ways to promote your business to locals but also those that are passing through.

This online workshop will cover:

• Where to show up online and how to use it to your advantage.

• Engagement & building a following (locally + online)

• How to create content that gets people interacting with you

• And more.

You will walk away with a fresh perspective on local advertising and the tools to take action straight away. PLUS we finish up our session creating a piece of content to share online to promote your business.

There will be a Q+A at the end of the workshop where you can get your questions answered too.

Facilitator Lizzie Moult has been working online for over 15 years and has a background in branding.

She has been featured & published in numerous publications around the world and know’s what it takes for a business to get noticed. A country gal a heart she knows how to build a thriving community of loyal followers.

You don’t want to miss this free workshop!

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/boost-the-visibility-of-your-business-a-free-online-workshop-tickets-121477599771

Exercise Physiologist, Nutritionist and Neuroscientist, Paul Taylor will explore 7 key daily evidence-based practices that help to manage stress, build resilience and improve both physical and mental health – including techniques used by elite athletes and special forces soldiers.

A stimulating blend of neuroscience, physiology and psychology, this complimentary webinar gives participants a practical understanding of our stress response system and explores recent research showing the impact of chronic stress on the brain.

This webinar will include a live Q&A.

Register your seat today!

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hg3zz4HVQbeupdxJZM-H6A?utm_source=Master+List&utm_campaign=dd83b8c280-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_octwebinars&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f48c542066-dd83b8c280-205799725&mc_cid=dd83b8c280&mc_eid=e171243d29

The Digital Enterprise Lab at Southern Cross University are pleased to invite you to attend an exciting webinar with the founder and director of VIVO, Salman Nouri. 

Learn Salman’s secrets of success and of course the pitfalls to watch for in the journey of entrepreneurship.

During NSW Small Business Month, join Business NSW and NBN Co to discuss how COVID-19 will change businesses in the future and what’s needed for businesses to reboot, connect and recover.

Date: Monday October 19 2020

Time: 12.00 pm – 1:15 pm

Via: Zoom (link will be sent following registration)

Host:

• Nola Watson, CEO – Business NSW

Panel: 

• The Hon. Damien Tudehope, Minister for Finance and Small Business
• Stephen Rue, Chief Executive Officer – NBN Co
• Charlie Brown, Technology commentator –  2GB
• Jo Palmer, Founder and Managing Director – Pointer Remote

Our specialist panel will explore:

• how government services need to respond to changing business practices
• how telecommunication providers are adapting their strategy and products for future business needs 
• if the new ways of working will be permanent
• how businesses can take advantage of the new working environment.

If you are a new or existing micro or small business owner, this webinar is for you! Get the help and practical tips that you can use to assess your businesses financial health.

In this FREE 60-minute webinar, let our Entrepreneurship Facilitator Natalie Brookes and small business expert Linden from the ATO, walk you through what you need to know to assess if your business is financially viable or not.

This webinar will cover topics like:

• Break-even analysis
• Key Financial Ratios
• Financial statements
• Benchmarking
• ATO Business Viability Assessment Tool.

Can I ask questions during the webinar? YES!

I can’t attend live, am I able to watch the replay? YES! Register and once the webinar is over you will receive your on-demand recording.

YOUR PRESENTERS

Natalie Brookes, Entrepreneurship Facilitator, Business Australia

Natalie is the Entrepreneurship Facilitator appointed to service the Richmond – Tweed (Ballina) region – an initiative of the Australian Government. Natalie comes with a wealth of experience in start-ups having established two of her own and understands the freedom and joy that self-employment and business ownership brings, along with the constant challenges it presents. Natalie is a qualified accountant, experienced senior business consultant and analyst. Natalie also holds additional post-graduate qualifications and comes with a range of industry experience.

Linden Regina, Small Business Educator, Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

Linden lives and breathes Small Business! Being raised on a farm, she understands the pressures of running a business, trying to meet all your obligations in a timely fashion, manage cash flow, pay the bills and raise a family. Her ATO portfolio includes a broad knowledge across taxation and superannuation. Linden is committed to improving the small business client experience and building positive engagement by offering tailored and easily accessible educational information that will assist small businesses to understand and interact with the tax and super systems more effectively.

ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP FACILITATOR SERVICE

Entrepreneurship Facilitators provide free and practical assistance to support and encourage individuals to start a business as a way to create their own job. Ready to get your business idea off the ground?

ABOUT BUSINESS AUSTRALIA

In the business of helping business. For more than 190 years, Business Australia has stood by business owners – untying legal knots, boosting efficiency, advocating for better conditions and helping them grow. Formerly known as the NSW Business Chamber, today Business Australia operates across the country. From major cities to country centres. From the smallest start-up to the largest corporation. Together with advocacy arm, Business NSW, members are also part of a powerful network that stands up to government when business interests are overlooked.

Register for the event at: https://app.livestorm.co/abc-s/how-to-assess-your-small-business-viability

A simple step-by-step guide to writing a winning tender

Lismore City Council, in partnership with Clarence Valley, Ballina Shire and Richmond Valley councils, are delivering workshops to help operators write winning tenders that stand out from the crowd.

Lismore City Council Economic Development Manager Tina Irish said: “During Small Business Month we want to support businesses in our community to better understand Council’s procurement processes and know how to write winning tenders.”

Presenter Profile
With 16 years of tendering experience, Steven Vermey the Founder and Principal Trainer of Scarp Vantage Consulting, will deliver this step-by-step workshop.  Steve has worked extensively with SME businesses around Australia, in particular on the NSW Mid Coast and Northern Rivers. Using this experience, he will let you know the latest best practice when developing a tender and how to stand out from the crowd.

Workshop Outline:

• Understanding of why purchasers release EOIs and tenders and where to find them
• Appreciate modern day procurement – how it has changed over time
• Difference between government and private opportunities
• How opportunities are assessed (understand real tender needs)
• Deconstructing the request documentation – making sense of it all
• How to submit a conforming tender
• How to work more efficiently when navigating through procurement documents
• Creating a user-friendly template
• Indigenous Procurement Policy
• Being a local and how to stand out
• The risks of using previous tender responses as a template for a new tender
• Effectively managing the bid process and using task lists
• Understand Microsoft Word features useful for tendering

Due to COVID restrictions, this event is limited to a maximum of 20 participants.

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/a-simple-step-by-step-guide-to-writing-a-winning-tender-tickets-122640034645

Richmond Valley Council are hosting a free workshop for local businesses to assist them in tendering for government contracts.

Scarp Vantage Consulting have been engaged to provide a four hour workshop which will work with small businesses and help them improve their capability – specifically in relation to tendering for government contracts.

The training will include the following types of outcomes:

• tender assessment
• strengthening understanding of tender process
• writing for success
• introduction of new competitive skills for winning new business including; capacity building in decision making and using the go/no go criteria.

2019 and 2020 have been particularly challenging for small business in the Richmond Valley. With the impacts of drought, bushfire and now restrictions to keep the community safe from COVID-19, businesses are being challenged to work harder and smarter to adapt and survive.

One of the key Government strategies to provide stimulus to regional economies is investing in infrastructure projects to ensure they generate jobs. To benefit the local economy they will be encouraging use of local contractors – so now is the time to fine-tune those tender writing skills and Win that Tender!

Register at: https://www.businessmonth.nsw.gov.au/activity/win-that-tender-a-free-workshop/