Australia's 3rd Largest Economy

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  • 27-Feb-2015 09:32 | Anonymous

    Deciding how to allocate valuable marketing resources can be hard with many avenues available for promoting your brand.

     

    In challenging economic times it’s imperative that any investment is able to return diverse benefits, not just exposure. It is more important than ever to be able to convert marketing investment into additional business and working with a charitable organisation can help improve this conversion. 

    Westmead Medical Research Foundation is currently offering a strictly limited number of digital advertising opportunities on screens positions in high traffic areas of Westmead Hospital.

    3, 6 and 12 month packages are available for Big Hearted Businesses who would like to support health care in Western Sydney while exposing their brand over 1 million patients, family and friends who visit the hospital annually.

    Raise awareness of your brand amongst the 8,500 staff that service 975 beds and celebrate over 5,500 births.

    For more information please contact Mat Fisher on 0435 009 406.

  • 27-Feb-2015 09:12 | Anonymous

    Mike Conway, leadership specialist and corporate innovator, will create and deliver a world-first in experiential-based leadership for the award-winning MBA program run by Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Australia’s top business school. 

    MGSM today announced the exciting new unit and the appointment of Mr Conway as an Adjunct Professor, who will draw on his outstanding skills and achievements to mentor its next generation of business leaders from April 2015. 

     

    Professor Conway is the CEO and Founder of XVenture, a fast-growing group specialising in creative and innovative solutions for business, leadership, team and experientially based learning programs. His achievements include creating the television series XVenture Corporate Challenge, the XV141 digital business channel, and the extraordinary 100 Leaders program which is presented through Event cinemas.

     

    MGSM has been working with XVenture since its executive, senior staff and students tested a two-day, hands-on XVenture Challenge last year. 

     

    Professor Alex Frino, Dean of MGSM, said: “After undertaking the XVenture Challenge it was obvious that this has to be a key part of future learning. The aim is to take students out of the classroom and into the field to test out traditional management ideas.

     

    “XVenture’s approach is unique, with a blend of challenges reflecting contemporary business as well as an understanding of reflective learning practice – something which is often lacking in MBA studies. This program delivers important management theory in an online program before taking students into the field in a radical new experiential learning experience.

     

    “XVenture has tremendous dedication, commitment and standards in this field. The work they have undertaken with major corporations and the research they continuously gather on how teams and leaders succeed is very powerful.”

     

    The future-proof MBA module consists of 12 mini-lectures and recorded lectures delivered by MGSM’s top academic team, including Prof Frino, and produced jointly by XVenture and MGSM.

     

    This elective unit, a global first titled “Leadership & Teams in Action – XVenture”, will be offered from Term 2. It includes a set of introductory mini-lectures and a two-day, experience-based XVenture Challenge to complete the module. The entire Challenge is filmed and post-produced on site, and the video is used for learning during and after the program.

     

    Prof Conway said: “The Challenge is a big job, but the benefits and impact on an individual’s learning are so significant. To work with MGSM is one of the most exciting projects I have ever been involved with and I can’t wait to see the first MGSM MBA students enrolling.

     

    “This new learning module provides the platform for individuals to explore leadership styles and test assumptions by combining e-learning and real-world experience to give students a rigorous, academic and transformative MBA experience.”

     

    Prof Frino said: “This immersive and integrated, experience-based learning program gives every participant the opportunity to work on their own development in a unique team environment.

     

    “It is a perfect fit for MBA programs, the breeding ground for tomorrow’s leaders. They are the finishing school for middle managers gunning for senior leadership positions, and the place where the national stock of leadership capital is being developed.”

     

    www.XVenture.com.au 
  • 24-Feb-2015 00:34 | Deleted user

    A new report examining a light rail route along the “Olympic Corridor” has encouraged the private sector and government to work together to deliver a precinct that will support more homes and jobs than the Barangaroo, Bays Precinct, Central to Eveleigh and Green Square projects combined. 


    The report by Deloitte and respected urban planner, Rod Simpson, Restarting Sydney’s Heart – Light Rail the Engine of Change examines the opportunities and issues that a light rail line along Sydney’s Olympic Corridor would deliver. The Olympic Corridor begins at Westmead and connects the Greater Parramatta area with Rosehill, Camellia, Olympic Park, Rhodes and Strathfield. 


    The report was commissioned by the WestLine Partnership, comprising of some of Sydney’s leaders in business, government, sport and development, and has been released as the NSW Government considers four proposed light rail options as part of Stage 1 of the Western Sydney Light Rail Network. 


    WestLine spokesperson and Chair of the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, Christopher Brown AM, said that the Deloitte report indicated that the creation of two light rail lines – one from Rosehill to Carlingford and the other from Westmead to Strathfield/Rhodes along the Olympic Corridor, was not only cost-effective, but would also unlock the potential of one of Australia’s fastest growing regions. 


    “The report findings show that there is a strong argument for the route along the Olympic Corridor, which will stimulate the growth of more smart jobs, homes and development,” he said. 


    “This is not a case of one or the other, we feel that the people of Western Sydney deserve both this line and the other line to Carlingford. This report not only reaffirms that view, but also reveals that it could potentially be self-funded by the private sector. 


    “Essentially, this is a two-for-one deal for the NSW Government. A deal which would add thousands of jobs and homes, and provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to totally re-think Sydney.” 


    Under the proposal outlined in the Deloitte report, the light rail line along the Olympic Corridor could be funded through a voluntary contribution model for the private sector. This involves land owners who elect to take up density uplift incentives along the light rail route putting up money for the project. 


    It is a similar approach to the one successfully adopted to fund the recent Homebush Bay Bridge development between Rhodes and Wentworth Point. 


    “The Olympic Corridor is an often over-looked region when it comes to transport infrastructure, but over the next 20 years, with the right support, it is expected to house more than one third of all new jobs and almost 20 per cent of new dwellings,” Mr Brown said. 


    “For this, and many other factors outlined in the report, it can no longer be ignored.” 


    The Deloitte report highlights that by 2036 more than 190,000 people are expected to be living in the Olympic Corridor, putting significant pressure on the existing transport network. 


    It highlights that renewal and revitalisation of the Olympic Corridor catalysed by a light rail link provides the opportunity to connect established knowledge, business, health, recreation and cultural precincts in Parramatta, Strathfield and Sydney Olympic Park. At the same time, creating new housing and employment, attracting new businesses and investment and improving urban productivity. 


    Mr Brown added that the WestLine Partnership had held positive talks with the NSW Government, NSW Opposition and other key stakeholders over the past three months and would continue to engage with these groups and the broader community to research the opportunities and issues that exist along the Olympic Corridor. 



    KEY FINDINGS 


    Restarting Sydney’s Heart –Light Rail the Engine of Change 


    What a light rail line along the Olympic Corridor will deliver: 

    • More potential jobs and new dwellings than the Barangaroo, Bays Precinct, Green Square and Central to Eveleigh projects combined. 
    • Through private sector support, the potential for two Western Sydney Light Rail lines to be built for one cost. 
    • Conservative estimate of $1.1b in project funding for light rail and remediation via voluntary developer levies through the precinct 
    • Almost 20% of required infill and a third of all new jobs in Western Sydney by 2036. 
    • The capacity to move 5000 passengers per hour in both directions through the Corridor. The equivalent to 40 light rail services in place of 200 buses. 
    • Possible relocation of the Sydney Produce Markets at Flemington to a new home at Badgerys Creek to boost outer Western Sydney employment, reduce Parramatta Road congestion and free up the 42 hectare site for residential development 
    • Halve the current travel time between Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park. 
    • Significant and sustainable ‘smart jobs of the future’ to Western Sydney and attract global investment to the region. 

    WestLine Partnership Members: ANZ Stadium, Australian Turf Club, Billbergia, Dexus, Goodman Group, GPT Group, NRMA, Payce Consolidated, Accor, Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Sekisui House, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Olympic Park Business Association, Sydney Business Chamber, City of Canada Bay, Auburn City Council. 

    Supporters: AECOM, GIS, FDC, University of Western Sydney, Graf International, McCollough Robertson 



  • 23-Feb-2015 23:27 | Deleted user

    Up to 108,000 new jobs could be created as a result of building a light rail route from Parramatta to Sydney Olympic Park and beyond to Rhodes and Strathfield.  This is one of the findings in a new report by Deloitte, commissioned and launched this week by the WestLine Partnership, a consortium of Western Sydney business and government leaders.


    The Deloitte report, Restarting Sydney’s Heart: An Examination of a Proposed Light Rail through the Olympic Corridor, was written in consultation with respected urban designer, Roderick Simpson, to report on the opportunities and issues that exist if a light rail route is built along the Olympic Corridor (the area of Western Sydney extending from Westmead through Camellia and Silverwater to Sydney Olympic Park and beyond to Rhodes and Strathfield).   The route is one of four the NSW Government is considering for future light rail connections.




    The Deloitte report highlights that by 2036 more than 190,000 people are expected to be living in the Olympic Corridor, putting significant pressure on the existing transport network.   It highlights that renewal and revitalisation of the Olympic Corridor catalysed by a light rail link provides the opportunity to connect established knowledge, business, health, recreation and cultural precincts in Parramatta, Strathfield and Sydney Olympic Park.  At the same time as creating new housing, attracting new businesses and investment, creating new employment and improving urban productivity.


    Theo Psychogios from Deloitte says: “We have provided an objective perspective on the urban renewal benefits that would come from improving connectivity in this area if a light rail line was built.  In our view light rail would not only improve accessibility along the Olympic Corridor, but importantly, support and drive future employment, investment and residential growth.”


    The report also proposes a voluntary contribution model for private sector funding to construct a light rail line to Sydney Olympic Park.  This involves land owners who elect to take up density uplift incentives along the light rail route putting up money for the project.  This approach helps to address what is often a key constraint for infrastructure development: lack of government funding.  It also allows the private sector to contribute to urban regeneration and drive future investment in housing and employment. This approach presents an opportunity for the Government to roll out its network faster through private sector funding that offers the Government two lines for the price of one.


    The Deloitte report concludes that construction of a light rail line through the Olympic Corridor presents a unique opportunity for the government and private sector to work collaboratively to deliver infrastructure, jobs and homes for Western Sydney and NSW.  It strongly encourages the Government to consider this model and engage relevant land owners to negotiate a contribution funding deal that can bring the vision of the Olympic Corridor to life.  





  • 23-Feb-2015 23:24 | Deleted user






    Are you a Champion of the West? Nominate using the entry form for your chance to win $10,000 for your business, initiative or innovation.



    THE CATEGORIES ARE:



    GRANT CATEGORY

    CRITERIA

    Champion of Champions – People’s Choice

    Chosen by the public throughout the People’s Choice (15-22 March).

    Start up


    An innovative project that increases productivity and provides better outcomes for Western Sydney

    Young 

    Entrepreneur


    A young Entrepreneur, under 30 years of age who lives and works in Western Sydney, and whose start up is of benefit to the Western Sydney community.

    Small Business (50-100 Employees)

    Excellence in small business located in Western Sydney (50-100 Employees).

    Small Business (under 50 Employees)


    Excellence in small business located in Western Sydney (under 50 employees).

    Community 


    For not for profit organisations running innovative community programs or projects that addresses unmet needs for residents, workers and visitors of the western Sydney community.


    Indigenous Excellence

    Programs that promote the development of relevant skills for Indigenous Australians, including education, life skills and employment prospects.


    The Arts

    For a creative arts organisation or outstanding program that promote engagement with the arts of western Sydney.


    Workplace of the future 

    Innovative workplace initiatives.



    Classroom of the future (secondary)

    Innovative secondary education programs. Excellence in the conduction of teaching and learning programs in addition to the secondary school curriculum through the use of digital innovation.

    Energy Smart Business

    Excellence in making a difference with sustainable business operations and energy efficiency

    Sport in Education

    Excellence in primary, secondary or grass roots sporting programs that promote health, exercise and wellbeing for the youth of western Sydney.

    Classroom of the future (primary)

    Innovative primary education programs. Excellence in the conduction of teaching and learning programs in addition to the primary school curriculum through the use of digital innovation.

    Apprentice Employer

    Excellence in training and providing above and beyond career advancement opportunities for an Apprentice(s) within their business.

    Tomorrow’s Leaders Today


    A business that invests in the development and implementation of accredited Vocational Training programs to continually upskill their employees, meeting future business growth and future career prospects of their staff.


  • 23-Feb-2015 22:55 | Deleted user

    A BOLD plan to create an ­innovation corridor throughout Western Sydney could generate up to 80,000 jobs over the next decade and see the region become the nation’s own Silicon Valley.


    The independent economic development strategy, which has the backing of three tiers of government and the business community, proposes the creation of innovation hubs — suburbs that specialise in different industries.


    The blueprint, developed by the University of Western Sydney, plans for medical, science, technology, aviation and agribusiness hubs, each dotted along the outer Sydney orbital corridor and centred around the long-awaited Badgery's Creek airport.


    The widely backed plan also includes a proposal to build a $20 million Western Sydney Science Centre, similar to the renowned Questacon science and technology facility in Canberra, to be built at the UWS’s Penrith campus.



    Western Sydney Innovation Arc


    At the core of the UWS strategy are key hubs.


    It proposes a large health and medical research hub be created in Macarthur, connected directly to the new population within the South-West Growth Centre (Oran Park, Leppington, Austral).


    In conjunction with a private sector plan to build a Sydney Science Park, a centre of science, development and ­research would be created around Luddenham. This hub would focus on becoming a leading international centre for research and development in food, energy and health.


    Further north, the blueprint proposes a hi-tech business hub at Werrington Park “that focuses on activating and growing technology and innovation-orientated businesses’’.


    It has already been dubbed Sydney IQ and has the backing of Federal Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

    “By creating a whole innovation corridor, there will be more jobs, opportunities and people living here,’’ Ms Bishop told The Daily Telegraph. “This part of Western Sydney then becomes a hub for a smart economy … this is how Silicon Valley started.’’


    At the core of the arc is Badgerys Creek airport which, according to the blueprint must be surrounded by an aerotropolis business hub.




  • 21-Feb-2015 12:06 | Anonymous

    Exclusive raceday hospitality offer for Western Sydney Business Connection Members

     

     

     

     

    Book any raceday hospitality on Cellarbrations Ladies Day - 14 March or Western Sydney Legends Day - 28 March & receive 15% off your booking. 

    The Australian Turf Club invites you to join us for The Golden Slipper Carnival. Promising three unsurpassable weeks of racing within the 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing program, the Golden Slipper Carnival includes Cellarbrations Ladies Day on 14 March, Sydney’s premier race day the Tooheys New Golden Slipper Day on 21 March and Western Sydney Legends Day on 28 March. 

    We would like to offer an exclusive 15% off any raceday hospitality booked for Cellarbrations Ladies Day, 14 March, or Western Sydney Legends Day, 28 March. If you’re a lady who likes to lunch, experience our Ladies Long Luncheon from the top floor of the JR Fleming Stand on our premier Cellarbrations Ladies Day. Or for the men you have the chance to meet cricketing star Mark Waugh, NRL commentator and former player Peter Sterling, and former soccer player and presenter Andy Paschalidis, at our Lunching with Legends event. Or perhaps you would like to experience a first class raceday from your own private box. At Rosehill Gardens, this Golden Slipper Carnival, we have a range of hospitality options to suit your needs. 

    With the glamour, live music, fashion, entertainment, hospitality and heart racing action of the track that we all love – this is a carnival not to be missed! We hope to see you there.

    To book in your raceday hospitality, please contact:


    Anthony Nicolaou

    E: anicolaou@australianturfclub.com.au          

    P: (02) 9760 6215


    or click here for further information.



  • 21-Feb-2015 11:45 | Anonymous

    This free eBook is full of strategies, tips and tools to take your business to the next level of growth.

     

    It explains how to focus your resources on increasing profit, which in turn will increase shareholder value; how to predict financial trends and understand customer needs; and identifies areas for improvement and growth.

    The advice takes two forms:

    • hints, tips and advice on how to address growth opportunities and poor business trends 
    • information about two sophisticated but simple to use interactive tools (KPI Dashboard and Revenue Cube) that will help you to monitor your business’ performance and identify ways to improve it

    and

     

    it includes a FREE review of your business.

    Click here to access the full version of our eBook, Beyond the P&L: increasing value and profit the smart way.

     

     

                   

  • 18-Feb-2015 15:14 | Anonymous

    Australia’s leading Skills Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Specialist, Get Qualified Australia, is pleased to announce its formation with Staffing Solutions Australia – a Global Talent Acquisition Company.

     

    By utilising a relatively new and unknown government initiative, businesses working with Staffing Solutions Australia gain access to recruit from a global pool of talent at cost very close to zero. Furthermore, these staff members stay with businesses for up to two years, helping to ensure staffing consistency and payroll stability.

    Get Qualified Australia has already been working in the B2B space by introducing businesses to the concept of training with RPL. This method aims to reduce training costs by ensuring staff are training on areas where they lack skills & knowledge, and not being trained on areas they are already competent in. Thanks to training with RPL, employees realise boosted morale by receiving a Nationally Recognised Qualification, while employers are able to streamline and standardise skills across the organisation.

    RPL, introduced by the Australian Government in the late 1990’s, helps to provide Nationally Recognised Qualifications to individuals who maintain solid work experience that can be proved. By providing work evidence, individuals can achieve a qualification through Get Qualified Australia’s Registered Training Organisation (RTO) partners within weeks, and without stepping foot into a classroom.

    For more information on RPL, or training with RPL, visit www.gqaustralia.com.au or call 133 775. For more information on Global Talent Acquisition with Staffing Solutions Australia, visit www.staffingsolutionsaustralia.com.auor call 1300 00 45 44.

  • 18-Feb-2015 14:52 | Anonymous

    Being self-employed involves some uncertainty and risk taking. While it can be tempting to ignore the possible downfalls, it is important that you prepare yourself for the potential hardships.  By understanding all the advantages, disadvantages, and potential risks to your business and finding ways to minimise their impacts, you will be giving your business the best chance of success.


    Some of the advantages of being self employed include:

    • The opportunity to choose your own hours;
    • Independence and freedom to try out new ideas;
    • Increased job satisfaction.

    The disadvantages of being self-employed as a sole trader or through freelance or consultancy work include:

    • Pressure from setting up the business and ensuring it succeeds
    • Adhering to legal responsibilities such as tax compliance and National Insurance;
    • A lack of free time. You may find yourself working every day as you are not only responsible for selling your product or service you are also in charge of all administration tasks too;
    • Money worries. You may have to go a few months without having any earnings as you build up your business. This could even result in needing to take on a part-time job to keep up with your living expenses;
    • A lack of holidays, sick pay and company benefits. You won't be covered if you take time off work for any reason as you are solely responsible for earning your living and you will need to pay all of your contributions to a private pension.

    Here it is evident that the cons for becoming a business owner outweigh the pros. However, there is a way to turn those negatives into positives. If you contact a management company such as Pendragon, you can alleviate some of the responsibilities associated with owning your own business.  You and the management company can negotiate the tasks in which you would like to outsource. Your company can outsource a variety of administration hassles such as; set up of employee contracts, payroll, banking, accounting, accounts receivable and payable, etc. Relieving yourself of these additional responsibilities will free up time and allow you to find more potential clients, expand your business and become more prominent in your field specialty. 


    For more information on how Pendragon can assist your business contact us at info@pendragon.net.au or on 02 9407 8700.

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