Australia's 3rd Largest Economy

Member News


  • 22-Apr-2015 08:39 | Anonymous

    Gallop Solutions is a business management training company, over the last 4 years our team have  worked with over 300 companies, from 1 – 150 staff, with turnovers of $100k to $120m across multiple sectors including construction, real estate, childcare, health services, professional services, resources and manufacturing. 


    Some of our clients have expanded nationally and internationally, whilst others have strengthened and stabilised their businesses to become more profitable, giving the business owners more time back for themselves whatever that may mean for them.  For some it is to travel the world, for others it may be to expand their business or property empire and then there are those who wish to create a valuable saleable asset upon which to plan their exit strategy.

     

    Our absolute promise to our clients is that we will educate and support them and their teams to build more profitable, efficient and FUN companies.  Every single one of our 300 clients has done that, we are so proud to have helped them achieve the success and freedom that they deserve.


    As the forerunner to our training suite opening in Western Sydney in the first half if the 2016 financial year, we are running our first Gallop Discovery – Business Tools for Freedom Seminar on Thursday 14th May from 9.15am to 4.00pm at Rydges Rosehilll.  For more information on what to expect please see the review below, this is no sales pitch, it’s a chance to LOOK at and LEARN how you can make a positive difference to your business and your life.


    MEMBER OFFER


    We are delighted to offer members, partners and friends of WSBC a special invitation to attend the inaugural seminar with two complimentary tickets valued at $399 + GST each for themselves and a business colleague or associate where we will work with you to invest some valuable time working ON the business instead on IN it!


    To apply for your tickets simply email or call Caroline Gilroy on 0488 335010 or cgilroy@gallopsolutions.com and quote the WSBC members code WSBCParramatta


     The Business Tools for Freedom Seminar in partnership with ANZ


     The Discovery seminar is designed for business owners and their senior  management teams to spend time looking at their business, where they are now  and where they want to get to.  The day is structured to share some valuable tools  and for participants to have key “lightbulb” moments about how they could view, structure and run their business and their lives more effectively.  We talk about freedom but what does that mean, freedom from anxiety, freedom from stress, freedom to spend more time with their families ultimately this boils down to financial freedom – a core goal of both Gallop Solutions and ANZ for their clients.

     

    A small selection of feedback from previous seminar attendees


    Having been on many seminar and courses, I can safely say the Gallop Discovery Session gets to the heart of the issue that so many companies struggle with.  It may not be rocket science but you still need to know how to apply the tools and today I learnt those.”  Scott Brewster, Forum Group (BRW Fast 100 list 2014)


    “Just when you think your company is doing well, you attend a Gallop workshop and realise it could be 1000 times more profitable.” Peter Geraghty, Sanders Property (Largest independent property agent in Sutherland Shire)


    We look forward to hearing from you and being a bigger part of the Western Sydney Business community.


    All the best, Caroline and the whole Gallop Solutions team


  • 21-Apr-2015 13:17 | Anonymous

    XVenture, creators of Australia’s premier experiential learning program for business teams, today announced an innovative partnership with Event Cinemas to deliver its ground-breaking 100 Leaders program.    

      

    Organisations can now share and learn inspirational lessons in leadership in a unique, moderated cinema experience – for not much more than the price of a movie ticket. 


    The revolutionary cinema experience is the latest advance from XVenture, who started out delivering a special experiential learning challenge program for business teams on free-to-air channel ONE and subscription television channel SKY Business in 2011. 


    Since then, XVenture has delivered challenges and experiences to some of the world’s best organisations, in Australia and overseas.


    This month XVenture announced the launch of the 100 Leaders program digitally, with a unique profit-sharing model that benefits charities via their own digital platform. Now the new venture with Event Cinemas opens up a fully interactive learning experience designed to engage, inspire and motivate the masses.


    Over an 18-month period, XVenture interviewed and recorded 100 people from all walks of life to create the 100 Leaders program. From LA to London and Hong Kong to Sydney; from small, medium and large organisations, doctors, dancers, designers, educators, entrepreneurs, artists and musicians to business executives, financiers, manufacturers, technologists, charity leaders and sports people – all have participated in this exciting project.


    The project is self-funded by the XVenture team led by founder and CEO Mike Conway, who is also an Adjunct Professor at Macquarie Graduate School of Management.


    XVenture has produced these interviews into short video clips, supported by animation, music and imagery to deliver some of the most inspiring contemporary thoughts and views about leadership ever seen.


    “Whilst we’ve interviewed some very high-profile and amazing people including Steve Waugh, Laura Geitz and Ronni Kahn, every person we’ve met has had an incredible story to tell and wisdom to share,” said Mr Conway.


    Organisations can now share and learn from the leadership interviews and connected themes in a unique cinema experience. 


    “Just imagine your organisation’s people turning up to an Event Cinema first thing in the morning to experience a 100-minute 100 Leaders program,” Mr Conway said. “People get to walk the red carpet, enjoy a breakfast and a moderated cinema experience for not much more than the price of a movie ticket.”


    “In typical XVenture style, each event is exciting, different, and tailored to suit the audience by using voting app technologies where the audience get to choose what and who they see on the big screen. Within hours of the experience, the organisation and all the participants also get a summary of the key lessons and messages.”  


    “We are blending state-of-the-art learning techniques with the content delivered, so the retention of the content is very high.”


    “The 100 Leaders program is inspiring and engaging. Influential and current leaders share philosophies and ideas, which are delivered on the big screen.  The programming is delivered like no other training, its an enjoyable and entertaining experience, meanwhile you’re team is learning, sharing and then reflecting within the session. It really is a special experience and we are thrilled to be working with XVenture on it,” said Luke Mackey, General Manager – Operations at Event Cinemas.


    The first to try this innovative learning concept was global charity Adara Group, founded by Audette Exel. Adara’s global team has already included the 100 Leaders experience as part of their annual conference. 


    “It’s so beautifully done, clever and inspirational. It is such a unique way of sharing knowledge,” said Ms Exel.


    Pepper Group Co-Group CEOs Patrick Tuttle and Mike Culhane have integrated the 100 Leaders forum into their quarterly staff update to ensure as many of their Sydney-based staff as possible could experience it. More than 250 people spent a morning with 100 Leaders and heard messages and insights from people like Steve Waugh, Kristie Buchanan, Mark McCrindle, Ronni Kahn and many more on a range of themes, including “being courageous”, “embracing change” and “decision making”.


    These participants were surprised by 100 Leaders world water ski champion, Leanne Campbell, who shared her thoughts on leaders and themes from the session, as well as taking questions from the audience. For those who couldn’t attend this session (and those from other Australian cities) access to all the content was enabled via XVenture’s digital platform after the event.


    Organisations are now booking in for the Event Cinema sessions in June and July, seeing this as a way to engage and inspire a large portion of their employees in a cost-effective and timely way. It’s also a clever way for organisations to gain an insight about what type of leaders and leadership traits resonate with their employees via the special app voting system.


    The 100 Leaders forum can be customised to suit any type of organisation and delivered around Australia to groups of 36 to 800 people at a time.


    You can see the trailer for 100 Leaders here: www.xventure.com.au/100leaders


  • 20-Apr-2015 08:54 | Anonymous

    Book your next event at Novotel Norwest and RELAX. Win a five night Fijian holiday for two staying at the magnificent Sofitel Fiji.


    To enter simply book and hold your conference at Novotel Norwest between April 8th and September 30th 2015 and you could be relaxing by the pool in beautiful Fiji.


    HOW TO ENTER


    The more you spend on a conference or event the more entries you'll get in the prize draw.


    Spend $2,000 - $4,999 = 2 entries in the draw


    Spend $5,000 - $9,999 = 4 entries in the draw


    Spend $10,000 - $14,999 = 6 entries in the draw


    Spend $15,000 - $19,999 = 8 entries in the draw


    Spend $20,000 -or more = 10 entries in the draw

     

    Simply call (02) 9634 9634 or email MEETINGS@novotelnorwest.com.au 


    *Terms and conditions apply.  Valid for new conferences booked and held between 8th April to 30th September  2015.


  • 16-Apr-2015 11:45 | Anonymous

    On Thursday 12 March 2015, the award winning Rosehill Gardens welcomed close to 1,400 guests to the NSW Premier’s Harmony Dinner, hosted in the superb Grand Pavilion. It was a spectacular evening of multicultural food, fashion and performance.  


    Being the largest gala event of its kind that the venue has hosted, it was definitely a welcomed challenge. Rosehill Gardens is not unfamiliar with large scale events; in fact that is exactly what it is set up for, playing host to some of Sydney’s largest events including the Golden Slipper Carnival and the NSW Caravan, Camping and Holiday Supershow, attracting crowds of over 40,000 and 80,000 respectably.


    While the Grand Pavilion is set up to accommodate large scale functions, an event of this size still required additional planning and resource. The event was originally planned for 800 people; however within the final weeks leading up to the night the numbers grew to close to 1,400 guests. Previous to this, the largest Gala Dinner held in this space was for 1,200 guests; therefore it was still somewhat unknown how well the number of guests could be accommodated. 


    With two kitchens already on site, an additional kitchen was also bumped in to service the extensive catering requirements. Being a multicultural event, there was also an impact from a catering perspective, having a large amount of Halal and Kosher dietary requirements. A total of 17 Kosher meals were served on the night, with additional requests received just hours prior to service, whilst the remaining meals were all Halal certified.  A whopping 168 kilograms of Lamb Rump Tenderloin was served during the night, with 20 chefs all spending an enormous 30 hours on food preparation.


    The Harmony Dinner was all about celebrating various cultures, involving a smoking ceremony and various multicultural performances throughout the night, presenting operational considerations.  Smoke detectors were required to be disabled for the smoking ceremony, in addition to a regular presentation stage at the front of the room, three satellite stages were bumped in around the room to accommodate the performances. Four large projection screens were also installed at the front of the room to ensure guests did not miss a single bit of the entertainment throughout the night.   


    Being a multi function event space comes with its challenges. A large function was hosted in the Grand Pavilion the night prior to the Harmony Dinner; meaning bump in could only take place on the day of the event. Exceptional communication and planning was critical to ensure the success of this.


    In addition, being the home of the famous Golden Slipper Carnival running over three Saturdays in March, Rosehill Gardens was in full preparation for the Carnival during this time. With Carnival bump in starting approximately one week out, any work surrounding the function space itself could not happen until after the Harmony Dinner, leaving only one day for bump in. This also meant the Harmony Dinner had to be bumped out the same night. All events over this time were successfully executed, highlighting the scale and flexibility of Rosehill Gardens as a multi function event space.



    In summary flexibility, impeccable planning, and being well equip to handle large scale events, was the key to the success of the Premier’s Harmony Dinner. We look forward to hosting this again in 2016.  


    Rosehill Gardens offers a wide selection of versatile indoor and outdoor areas which can be designed to meet any request. Offering award winning catering and a contemporary suite of spaces, Sydney’s prestigious racecourse has the ability to cater a diverse range of events from intimate meetings to large scale lifestyle exhibitions, product launches, corporate events and outdoor festivals.


    Click here for more information about Events at Rosehill Gardens.


    For all corporate and special event enquires contact:


    Terri-Ann Mikulic
    Group Business Development Manager
    Australian Turf Club
    Ph: (02) 9663 8518


    Natalie Young
    Business Development Manager - Corporate
    Australian Turf Club
    Ph: (02) 9663 8478


  • 16-Apr-2015 10:42 | Anonymous

    How do you think you fare when it comes to comparing your company to your competitors?


    Being better* comprises of effective strategic direction, being organised, and delivering a great service to your clients.
    *better – we mean this in a healthy, competitive way.


    So how good is your current service to your clients? And how can you make it better?


    The first thing you need to remember is that when you deliver above and beyond, your clients become advocates for your brand and refer your business to their friends and associates. You could almost measure how well you are servicing your clients on that point alone – how many referrals were given this month? This is, more often than not, directly proportional to your standard of service.


    Here are some tips on how you may be able to better serve your clients and set yourself apart from your competitors:


    SPEED


    Speed of service is actually not generally looked at that much. Not many businesses focus on the speed of their service; usually their focus is on the quality. And whilst this is still to be taken note of, people appreciate being serviced and delivered to and dealt with quickly.


    This can also include the way you walk and the way you go about getting things done. If you walk slowly, talk slowly, and take a long time to complete things, what kind of image does that give? You want to be known for your quality work, yes, but also for the impressive speed in which you get it done.


    KEEPING YOUR WORD


    Put simply: ALWAYS DELIVER WHAT YOU PROMISE.


    It is common to not always receive exactly what was promised and this has almost become expected in some industries. Being known as the business or company who always delivers what was promised could send you a long way up the line of success.


    Always deliver what you promise.


    THE LITTLE THINGS


    Usually it is the little things that keep life interesting and also it is these little things that we tend to share with our friends or family. Here are some examples of doing little things for your clients:

    • Retail. Put a small card with an inspirational quote on it in the bag of your customer’s purchase. Place sweet, interesting items on the shelves of the store. Spray the bags that you give your clients with a little bit of perfume. Place fresh flowers in the store. Retail can be one of the most fun industries to better your service – there is plenty of room to be creative.
    • Service based industries. The key to success in a service based industry comes down to how well you care about the client and how well they feel like you have taken care of them. It is easier to have bad experiences in a service based company than it is in a product or retail environment because the client is not receiving a tangible product.

    The client needs to remember you. Bend over backwards to help them out – even if it is doing something small for them that wasn’t originally agreed upon. Make sure you’re looking, smelling and feeling your best when you deal with you clients – these basics are essential to servicing your clients. Remember their birthdays, their names, their spouse’s names – this is great service.


    Introduce them to a contact that you know will be of benefit to them whether as a service provider or a referral source/connector for them.

    • Product based industries. Product based industries are a little bit difficult to maximise service, especially if there isn’t a physical store and the products are delivered to the client’s door, like wholesale.

    There are obvious things like having easy to use websites, neat and clean packaging that is easy to open, great service over the phone, completing jobs on time, and using delivery trucks or companies that are professional and neat and known for effectiveness.


    A great opportunity in the product based industry is to give the client a follow up call after they have received the product. Ask them if they are satisfied and even ask about the little things like (if applicable) ‘was the delivery person polite?’ This will surely get you remembered as the company who cares for their customers.


    An interesting note: you may find that even if you do make mistakes or not deliver perfect service every time, if you have the intention to help your customer/client and they know that is your intention, small downfalls will be ignored. Customers tend to ignore the small shortcomings if they find their needs are truly being taken care of. 


    Also, if you have called the client and asked for feedback, it lets them know you care about constant improvement and that you are changing those things.

    Also, you must ensure you are getting return for the service you give. There are companies who deliver and deliver and deliver above and beyond the client expectations, but don’t make the client exchange back. This loses the company money and also makes it unfair to you. You cannot achieve your goals without appropriate exchange.


    How you handle complaints also sets you apart, positively or negatively! Don’t get defensive, train your team to listen, hear what the clients are saying and help them to own the issue and acknowledge where they may have gone wrong, too.  Most people just want to be heard and acknowledged.  You could do a little bit extra by giving your staff the ability to gift them a discount or free service or send them an apology gift.


    GET CREATIVE


    It is your company, your business, your clients. You know it better than anyone. You need to portray the image you want and the culture you want. Take the time to sit down and get creative and come up with awesome ideas of how you can impress your clients.


    Why not ask your clients or staff to help get the ideas flowing?


  • 14-Apr-2015 11:11 | Anonymous

    Rub shoulders with some of racing’s elite, along with corporate VIPs, right on the finish line at Rosehill Gardens at the Ronald McDonald House Westmead's 2015 Winter Cup Day.


    Tickets are $220 pp and include a complete food and beverage package, live and silent auction opportunities along with a special guest keynote speaker. 


    This is an event not to be missed!


    Contact michelleb@rmhwestmead.org.au for more details.



  • 09-Apr-2015 12:22 | Anonymous

     

    Hold a conference or cocktail function before 31 July 2015 and receive catering and hospitality for a table of 6 at either the Winning Post Restaurant at Rosehill Gardens or Grandview Restaurant at Royal Randwick (valued at $250 per person).  

     

    Click here to view our conference and cocktail packages for Rosehill Gardens.


    Click here to view our conference and cocktail packages for Royal Randwick.

     

    Day Delegate Packages start at $80 per person

      

    3 hour cocktail functions with beverage package start from $90 per person 

     

    Conditions:

     

    Promotion relates to new bookings only

     

    Conference or cocktail event must be booked and held prior to end of July 2015

     

    Conference - Day Delegate Package must be purchased for a minimum of 150 guests

     

    Cocktail - 3 hours cocktail function must be purchased for a minimum of 150 guests 

     

    Bookings at the Winning Post and Grandview Restaurant is for a non Carnival day and must be held prior to December 31 2015.

    For more information, please contact:

     

    E: info@australianturfclub.com.au


    P: 1300 729 668

     

     

     

     

    Winning Post, Rosehill Gardens

     

     


     

    Grandview Restaurant, Royal Randwick 

     

     

  • 31-Mar-2015 17:10 | Deleted user

    Tuesday, 31 March 2015 marks the end of another Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year.


    Recent reforms mean some items may require your special attention this year.



    Change of FBT & Gross-Up Rates


    From 1 April 2014, the FBT rate increased from 46.5% to 47%, to align with the maximum personal income tax rate inclusive of Medicare Levy.


    From 1 April 2015, the FBT rate will further increase to 49% resulting from the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.


    This means the gross-up rates that apply to different types of benefits are as follows:


    Date fringe benefit provided

    FBT rate

    Gross-Up rate – Type 1 Benefits

    Gross-Up rate – Type 2 Benefits

    1/4/2014 – 31/3/2015

    47%

    2.0802

    1.8868

    1/4/2015 – 31/3/2016

    49%

    2.1463

    1.9608



    The gross-up rates are used to determine the taxable value of fringe benefits provided.


    Type 1 Benefits include those where the employer is entitled to a GST input tax credit for the benefit provided. Type 2 Benefits include those remaining benefits.


    LAFHA Benefits


    Transitional rules that applied to Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) benefits where agreements were entered into prior to 7.30 pm on 8 May 2012, ceased to apply from 1 July 2014.


    If you had any such agreements in place for employees required to live away from their usual place of residence, then you will need to consider the new rules to determine whether the food and accommodation components of the allowance are exempt from FBT for the year ending 31 March 2015 and beyond.


    The new rules only allow the exemption for employees who owned or leased a home in Australia personally, or whose spouse did, throughout the assignment period during which the employee was required to live away from home. The use of that residence must have continued to be available to them during the period of their assignment. That residence must reasonably be expected to remain at their home at the assignment’s conclusion.


    Even where the above conditions are satisfied, the new rules only allow the exemption to apply for a 12-month period, commencing from the start of the assignment.


    For employees subject to the transitional rules, the 12-month period was deemed to have commenced on 1 October 2012.


    In practice, that means no exemption may apply for your employees who had already been on assignment during the transitional period.


    Car benefits


    For employers using the statutory formula method to calculate car benefits, the taxable value of the benefit will be 20% of the base value of the car for benefits provided from 1 April 2014, regardless of the number of kilometres travelled. (Less any contribution the recipient made.)


    The only exception applies to cars provided under a pre-existing commitment entered into prior to 7.30 pm, 10 May 2011. The old statutory fractions may continue to be applied in those circumstances, meaning your employees should take odometer readings at 31 March.


    The base value of the car should exclude fleet discounts and manufacturer rebates. It is reduced by one-third if the car was held by the employer for more than four years as at the start of the FBT year.


    For employers using the operating cost method to calculate car benefits, remember that employees need to keep a log-book to record business vs private usage during a twelve week period. An updated log book is required where usage substantially changes or every five years.


    Note that the business use status of cars reported to state/territory government registration authorities is now shared with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). You should check whether benefits have been provided for those vehicles registered, as the ATO may investigate where no benefits are reported.


    Car parking benefits


    If you provide parking for your employees on your premises or in the vicinity, remember to obtain details of the lowest daily rate at commercial parking facilities located within one kilometre.


    In-house benefits


    Transitional rules applying to salary packaging arrangements entered into before 22 October 2012 ceased to apply after 1 April 2014. All in-house benefits provided under salary packaging arrangements are now valued at their notional value.


    Due Dates


    FBT returns for the year ending 31 March 2015 are generally due for lodgement on 21 May 2015 with any tax payable by 28 May 2015. A lodgement extension to 25 June 2015 may be available, so contact your Moore Stephens representative for more details.



  • 31-Mar-2015 16:58 | Deleted user

    Last week the Minister for Industry and Science, the Hon Ian Macfarlane MP, announced the remaining two Chairs for the five the Industry Growth Centres, which will strengthen industry-led collaboration and drive opportunities for growth.


    The $188.5 million Industry Growth Centres Initiative will establish five Growth Centres, led by eminent industry experienced Chairs, in key growth sectors. Chairs will use their expertise to work with business, researchers and government on practical ways to grow these sectors, boost productivity and create jobs.


    The Chairs of the five Industry Growth Centres are:

    • Mr Andrew Stevens, Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre
    • Mr Peter Schutz, Chair of the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre
    • Dr Bronwyn Evans,Chair of the Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Growth Centre
    • Ms Elizabeth Lewis-Gray, Chair of the Mining Equipment, Technology and Services Growth Centre
    • Mr Reg Nelson, Chair of the Oil,Gas and Energy Resources Growth Centre

    These Chairs, in consultation with their sectors, will lead the development of a Growth Centre proposal for the government’s consideration. During this phase, Chairs will focus on the strategic intent of the Growth Centre, initial activities, the expected governance arrangements and locations of the Growth Centre, and generating momentum.


    Growth Centres are expected to be up and running by the middle of the year. The Advanced Manufacturing; Food and Agribusiness; and Mining Equipment, Technology and Services Growth Centres are expected to be operational first.


    More information on the Industry Growth Centres is available at www.business.gov.au/IndustryGrowthCentres.


  • 31-Mar-2015 16:53 | Deleted user

    A new pilot programme is now open for applications under the Youth Stream of the Industry Skills Fund to help businesses hire young employees.

    The Training for Employment Scholarships programme aims to help deliver skilled young employees to businesses in regions where unemployment is high.

    If you have a business in one of the selected regions, have less than 200 staff and hire an unemployed person aged 18-24 years after 1 March 2015, then you may be eligible for funding of up to $7,500 to help your young employee gain new skills or qualifications.
    Businesses and community service organisations in the selected regions have until 29 February 2016 to apply through the online application form.

    The Industry Skills Fund was launched on 1 January 2015 and forms a key part of the Australian Government’s ambitious VET reform that will lift the quality of training providers and courses to improve the employment prospects of students and the competitiveness of Australia’s economy.

    Visit the Industry Skills - Youth Stream page today to find out whether your business is eligible or call 13 28 46.


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software