When I speak with leaders about what they find most difficult about their roles they instantly answer ‘the people aspect’.

The ability to connect with a wide range of people, communicate effectively, to promote change in such a way that you win people’s hearts and can therefore implement it successfully, are vital to being a successful leader.

Hard skills require IQ application, an ability to solve problems. It is mostly about your own ability.

Success in soft skills is much more complex.

It requires the science of inspiring conversations, honest conversations, being present, delegating and coaching. It also requires the art of how to complete these successfully with each team member.

They are neither soft nor easy, yet they are crucial to learn if you want to succeed as a leader.

Leading business thinker Simon Sinek goes even further saying “I really reject the idea of soft skills. There is nothing soft about them. We have hard skills & we have human skills. We need more human skills in business today”.

Developing human skills is at the heart of our GREENLINE program. This program will develop your human skills and enable you to have the conversations you know you should have, but have been avoiding.

To get your GREENLINE journey off to a running start, request a copy of our FREE report “Taking the GREENLINE to Skyrocket Your Business: The Top 5 Red Cards to Avoid”.

In this report you will learn:

• GOOGLE’s research that unlocked the secret to high-performing teams
• The top 5 Red Card behaviours to STOP doing, that are wasting significant time and resources in your business
• How to build you own world class, high-performing team

CLICK HERE to get your copy.

A landmark bridge for pedestrians and cyclists will soon traverse Delhi Road and the Hills M2 motorway at North Ryde, with the first sod being turned today to mark the start of work on Landcom’s $40 million project. 

The revolutionary steel bridge is being constructed to provide safe and easy access to Landcom’s Lachlan’s Line development, North Ryde Railway Station and Macquarie Park.

Click here to read more.

Book your spot trackside today to enjoy live racing action with a decadent food and beverage package!

Celebrate the end of year in style with entertainment and hospitality like no other.

Spaces won’t last, book now!

hospitality@theATC.com.au  I  1300 729 668

https://www.australianturfclub.com.au/christmas-atc-2018/

October is ‘National Safe Work Month’ with this year’s theme being “A moment is all it takes.” Indeed, a moment is all it takes for an incident to occur within the workplace, however equally, a commitment to taking a moment to address hazards and risks could prevent an injury from causing harm within your workplace.

For those businesses operating within an office and desk-based environment, managing ergonomic risk should be a key focus for this month!

Through targeted behavioural awareness and prevention strategies your business can achieve a healthy ergonomic and safe workplace.

Why focus on ergonomic risk?

How to manage ergonomic risk – Engage the experts!

Prudence Rehab are the experts in occupational risk and we understand the effects that a workplace injury can have on both the personal welfare of an employee and financial impact to employer. This is why we created Reboot — a wellness and prevention program for your organisation, designed to deliver cost effective and outcome focused health solutions for your employees.

Our Reboot: Ergonomic Wellness Coaching initiative has been designed to effectively identify and mitigate ergonomic risk behaviours within your organisation through delivery and execution of the following services:

• Reviewing and identifying workplace environment and personnel risk
• Onsite coaching and/or shadowing of your workforce
• Development and delivery of collaborative health and wellness solutions
• Overseeing the implementation of the solution and reinforcing healthy ergonomic practices
• Driving Return to Work initiatives
• Facilitating behavioural awareness education and improvement strategies
• Leading health and well-being cultural change.

Why not take advantage of our ‘National Safe Work Month’ promotion?

For the month of October Prudence Rehab are offering a complimentary review of your workplace and two (2) ergonomic assessments*

FREE ergonomic assessments - Want to know more?

For expert advice please contact us on (02) 9283 5552 or submit your online enquiry to support@prudencerehab.com.au

* Note: Performed by one of our ergonomic experts this offer is limited to the first 10 businesses. WSBC members are also eligible for an ongoing 10% discount until the end of 2018 with Prudence Rehab for ergonomic services.

Prudence Rehabilitation is an iCare approved provider based in Harris Park with one of the most experienced Consultant teams in NSW. We are committed to providing Western Sydney with industry leading injury prevention & RTW services, supporting employers to return their valued employees to the workplace, and remain at the workplace in good health.

Four ways to lead the change 

In a time of unprecedented market change, what does it take to stay ahead? Opening Macquarie’s Perspective event, Head of Business Banking Dean Firth told the audience of over 400 business leaders, “being ahead of the curve is what keeps you awake at night. But it’s also what gets you up in the morning.” And that demands a focused culture of innovation.

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Aisling Osborne at our Parramatta office on 0410 310 716 and be connected with one of our banking specialists.

This information has been prepared by Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 237502 (“Macquarie”) for general information purposes only. This information does not constitute advice. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. No member of Macquarie accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect, consequential or other loss arising from any use of this information.

The William Inglis Hotel is excited to announce two great events they will be hosting in November and December 2018. Gather your friends and colleagues and book your tickets now.

Melbourne Cup Lunch

Bring your team along to watch the Melbourne Cup live on multiple large screens. Feast on the delicious buffet lunch and a glass of champagne on arrival. Take part in the many competitions hosted throughout the day to win a race day prize. Tickets are $75.00 per person or book a table of 10 to receive a 10% discount.

Click here for more information or to book your seats. 

Locals Christmas Party

Looking for the ideal location to take your colleagues for an early Christmas celebration? The William Inglis hotel have the perfect function for you. Pile up your plate with the scrumptious Christmas buffet and relax while watching live entertainment. Get to know people from other local businesses and enjoy the Christmas festivities. Tickets are $95.00 per person. 

Click here to book.

Typically following separation, parents need to work together to come up with a routine that allows their child to spend meaningful time with both parents. In these circumstances, it can be tricky for a parent to take their child overseas particularly when this means the other parent does not get to spend time during that period. However separation does not mean that parents will miss out on being able to go overseas with their child.

Travelling Overseas

Even though parents can take their child overseas when there is a valid passport and visa, it is a good idea to obtain the other parent’s consent and provide travel information such as the intended destination, itinerary and basic contact details for the child while they are away. This should prevent the other parent from making any unnecessary applications to locate and recover the child. If there are already orders in place or parenting proceedings on foot, then there are other specific procedures that may need to be followed before travel can occur.

Moving Overseas

When a parent is intending to relocate with their child overseas following separation and the other parent does not consent, it is important to first seek Family Court Orders that permit this relocation. Adhering to this procedure will likely prevent future unnecessary disruptions such as a Court Order being made for the return of a child to their original place of residence despite being settled in a new location.

If there is a risk of a child not being returned to Australia or the other parent is considering permanently relocating overseas with the child without consent, then circumstances can be much more urgent and require prompt action. It is important to get legal advice from a family lawyer as soon as these circumstances arise.

When there is a risk of permanent removal of a child outside of Australia, it may be necessary to place the child’s name on the Australian Federal Police Watch List. This will prevent the child from leaving any airport or seaport in Australia.

In instances where a child has already been removed overseas, there may be ways that the child can be located and recovered depending on which country the child is in. Australia is a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. If the country that the child is located in is also a party to this Convention, steps can be taken to return a child to their residence depending on the circumstances.

It is an offence to remove a child from Australia if parenting court orders are in place and the other parent’s consent or a Court Order authorising such travel has not been obtained. Such offence can be punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years.

For more information on taking a child overseas, contact Matthews Folbigg Lawyers in Parramatta on 1800 300 170 or email familylaw@matthewsfolbigg.com.au. Our team of family lawyers consists of Accredited Family Law Specialists who can provide any required assistance.

Authors: Jacqui Barrett and Paul Simons, Hall & Wilcox

Disclosure documents

Yes, it is that time of the year again! If you have entered into a franchise agreement in the past financial year and/or intend to enter into any new franchise agreements in the coming financial year, it is time to make sure your disclosure document is current.

Under the Franchising Code of Conduct (Code), you have until 31 October 2018 to issue an updated disclosure document to franchisees.

You must therefore ensure that all information in your disclosure document is current.

Some key items that you may be required to update include:

• your list of officers and their business experience for the past 10 years;
• your list of ‘associates’;
• your list of existing franchised businesses, including details of any franchises that have been transferred, ceased operating, bought back or acquired, or any franchise agreements that have been terminated or not extended;
• your intellectual property; and
• any incidences of unilateral variations that have been made to existing agreements.

You will also need to provide:

• updated financial records for your business reflecting your performance in the past financial year (or an independent auditor’s report);
• updated financial records for any marketing cooperatives funds; and
• a statement of solvency for the past financial year given by a director.

Franchise agreements

In addition to updates to your disclosure documents, we remind you that:

1. Franchise agreements can be subject to the unfair contracts regime.

If any of your franchisees fall within the definition of ‘small business’ in the Australian Consumer Law, you should ensure that terms in your franchise agreements do not constitute ‘unfair terms’.

Particular attention should be paid to those clauses that are not necessary or appropriate to protect your interests, including restraints, liquidated damages clauses, and requirements to purchase supplies from specific (more expensive) suppliers.

2. Amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) came into effect earlier this year.

These amendments introduced an obligation to notify individuals whose personal information is involved in a data breach that is likely to result in serious harm.

While your franchisees may not be required to comply with such amendments, any breaches pertaining to any data that you own (including customer databases) may need to be disclosed.

You should review your privacy policy and operating manuals to ensure that these changes are properly addressed.

3. The ipso facto law reforms came into effect on 1 July 2018.

Under these reforms, you will not be able to rely on any ipso facto clauses in your franchise agreements where a franchisee has gone into administration, if those agreements were entered into after 1 July 2018. If you intend to enter into new franchise agreements this financial year, we recommend reviewing your termination rights under those agreements.

If you would like to discuss any of the above, please feel free to contact our franchising team.

Jacqui Barrett

Partner

T: +61 2 8267 3201

Jacqui.barrett@hallandwilcox.com.au

Paul Simos

Lawyer

T: +61 2 8267 3257

paul.simos@hallandwilcox.com.au

Creating digital content is not a low-cost exercise. Writing, editing, uploading, optimising, linking, sourcing images and producing video all take time. That’s time you’re paying for.

Every piece of content or collateral you create for your website must be part of a strategic plan. Each piece forms a building block in the digital home of your business.

At Brilliant Digital everything we do is hinged around a strategic framework so we don’t waste time … we get the full value of every piece of content and the best ROI for our clients.

Homepage - a great first impression

The most visited page on any website is the Homepage and it is the gateway to all your other relevant information. It should convey a very clear message about what you do for who and why. It should create an instant, strong brand awareness and present your UVP upfront.

About Page - who and why?

The About page is the place for your business story – shown through its relevance to the customer and their problems. It should include the ‘why’ behind your business – the reason the team works so hard.

Case studies - show and tell

Your Case Studies are a fantastic way to show your customer’s story and how your product or service has transformed their business. They will include plenty of relevant, relatable detail. And they show prospects your UVP in action.

Team - time to get personal

The personal stories behind your key people are a great way to build trust and that’s where your Team page comes in. Foster connection and engagement with your prospects. Tell them what your favourite customer outcomes are. And demonstrate your expertise.

Product/service - problem solved

A strong product or service page with high-quality information is where you can expect to generate significant enquiry. It’s important that you show how your product solves a customer’s problem here.

Blog and newsletters - edutainment!

The purpose of blogs and newsletters is to inform, entertain and create a buzz around your brand. They have SEO value and are a great way to drive people to your website. The content must be of high quality, ‘on brand’ and relevant at all times.

Drive them home, every time

With every news article and blog that you put into the digital space, focus on the ultimate goal … driving people back to your website to get enquiries.

Keep focussed and clear about what you will use every piece of valuable content for before you waste time and money on something that isn’t going to play its part.

Read the full article and download the Brilliant Digital Strategic Storytelling Framework pdf here.

An Australian-first peptide synthesis research facility has opened at Children’s Medical Research Institute in Westmead, thanks to a State Government grant which was made possible by the Cancer Institute of NSW.

Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, recently announced that cancer patients would benefit from a $3.1 million NSW Government boost for research.

The Health Minister said the funding will support six projects, including the NSW Cancer Research Peptide Synthesis Facility at CMRI, which will receive $700,000 out of the $3.1 m for its work in developing new diagnostic tests and cancer treatments.

“The NSW Government is investing in significantly boosting state-of-the-art cancer research capability,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Sadly, there are few people whose lives have not been touched by cancer. Keeping NSW at the forefront of cutting edge research will lead to new drugs and better-targeted treatment options.”

Professor David Currow, Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, said the funding will foster collaboration among researchers and clinicians and make a difference to cancer outcomes around the world.

“This investment means our brightest research minds have access to the latest technologies that will accelerate their research into new treatments and therapies for people with cancer,” Professor Currow said.

Professor Roger Reddel, Director of Children’s Medical Research Institute and Chief Investigator of the NSW Cancer Research Peptide Synthesis Facility, said the equipment will help many important cancer research projects across NSW, now and in future.

“Peptides have a wide range of research uses, including obtaining new insights into how cancers grow, devising new diagnostic tests for early detection of cancer, and developing new anti-cancer treatments,” Professor Reddel said.

The NSW Cancer Research Peptide Synthesis Facility will provide a complete workflow for the synthesis of peptides to support a broad range of cancer projects in NSW and beyond.

The new equipment made possible by the grant, includes two Biotage Syro II Peptide Synthesizers, Biotage Isolera™ Dalton and a Biotage V-10 Touch.

The instruments at CMRI are two of only five in the world with tip synthesis functionality. This new technology, which has only become available recently, allows researchers to make hundreds of peptides at once (576 per instrument) in small amounts.

Placing this equipment in one location together means that this facility, which is the first of its kind in Australia, provides a complete world-class workflow for peptide synthesis to support local research projects with an international impact.

The University of Sydney has also funded a different instrument in the laboratory of Professor Richard Payne that can make large amounts of small numbers of peptides. This group will work in concert with the scientists at Children’s Medical Research Institute to provide cancer researchers across the state with these cutting-edge research materials.

The collaboration between CMRI and the University of Sydney takes advantage of both locations’ expertise and encourages researchers to work together to push forward their work on cancer.