Storytelling is the best way to promote your business. People are hardwired to like stories. Stories connect emotionally human to human; they build trust; they build memory and they drive action.

But what stories should you tell?

Four essential stories are key to forming the brand message of any business. They are your personal story, your business story, your product or service story and your customer story.

The customer story is the most important of all. It should focus on the main problems that your target market face and how you can solve them. The trick to engagement is to weave the problems and solutions into the digital content.

The classic place for the business story is the About Us page. It’s not about you though… A business story must focus on the customer. It must explain why your business solves your customer’s problems and begin to introduce how you do that.

Story three is the service or product story. The messaging at the top of the page introduces the problems your customer faces day in and day out which deepens the emotional connection. And then you can go into detail of exactly how you deliver your service or process further down the page.

And finally personal stories. These fit perfectly into something that will never change – people do business with people. Show the ‘why’ – the personal journey that took you to the place of starting your business. Or show the passion behind the key members of your team. People will start to connect with the team and your business as people they want to do business with.

The trick to successful digital storytelling is to weave those 4 stories together into a consistent brand message you can repeat and share over and over again. That’s how people start to understand and connect with your great business and your great brand.

Learn more about the four stories every business should tell here

The countdown is on to Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney’s two biggest events of the year, the annual Charity Golf Classic and the annual Spring Carnival Race Day!

This August, bring a team of clients or colleagues to the pristine Lynwood Country Club for 18 holes of golf, a leisurely lunch, and more. Or why not book a table for the Golden Rose Race Day at Rosehill Gardens?

Thanks to the generosity of the major events partner, Dyldam, all the proceeds from Race Day and Golf Day will go towards #KeepingFamiliesClose.

The 20th Annual RMHW Charity Golf Classic

Date: Tuesday, 14 August

Location: Lynwood Country Club, Pitt Town

Registration: 7am

Shotgun Start: 8am

Lunch and Presentation: From approximately 1.30pm

Team of 4: $800 per team

Individual Players: $200pp

Don't miss one of Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney’s favourite days of the year at one of NSW's premier links courses! From breakfast through to your sit-down catered lunch and presentations, host your friends, team or clients at a picture-perfect day of golf.

Lynwood golf course is set on 230 acres, perfect for a relaxed, enjoyable day of Ambrose-style play, and the annual Golf Day has become one of the most-loved events on the Ronald McDonald House calendar.

Click here to book tickets

Spring Carnival Race Day at Rosehill Gardens

Date: Saturday, 22 September

Location: In the Grand Pavilion Rosehill Racecourse

Time: 12.00pm-5.30pm

Includes: Buffet Lunch and Beverage Package

Table of 10: $2200

Individual ticket: $220pp

Enjoy the best of Spring Carnival racing, as you take in the Golden Rose and Golden Pendant in style from Rosehill Gardens' Grand Pavilion.

Overlook the winning post at our exclusive VIP function, complete with networking opportunities, guest speakers and private bookmaking facilities. No guarantee you'll back a winner, but there is no better location anywhere in the course to enjoy the day.

Click here to book tickets

Also on the calendar for 2018

Laugh for the House 

Stand-Up Comedy Night starring Akmal and the Stevenson Experience

This is absolutely a social night of nights, and set to be another hilarious evening in 2018! This year, Laugh for the House is headlined by Akmal's funniest show ever, and introduces you to The Stevenson Experience, a unique musical duo of bickering identical twins. Please note: due to the unpredictable nature of comedy, this is an 18+ event.

Date: Saturday, 20 October

Location: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta

Time: 7.30pm-10pm

Tickets: $49.90pp*

*Booking fee applies

Click here to book tickets

Christmas Carnival at the House

Save the Date to ring in the festive season at our Christmas Carnival, with family fun zone activities, performances and more! Each year, Christmas at the House is a time for families and the community to come together for an evening of music and entertainment, before the switch to turn on the Christmas lights is officially flicked.

Date: Saturday, 1 December

Location: "The Oval", Ronald McDonald House Westmead, 1 Labyrinth Way, Westmead

Time: To be confirmed

Save the Date

Supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney is as simple as buying a ticket and coming along to the events.

For further information on the events or for any events sponsorship opportunities please contact Ana on 02 9806 7111 or supportingGWS@rmhc.org.au

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has recently fined South Coast Plant Hire Pty Ltd (South Coast), a resource recovery facility in Bomaderry, $30,000 for allegedly breaching its licence conditions and discharging waste water from the site.

In December 2017, the EPA carried out a site inspection and found that a containment system holding polluted water had overflowed.

The EPA issued a clean-up notice directing South Coast to clean-up the area where the discharge occurred and implement measures to prevent further pollution. Two penalty notices were issued totalling $30,000.

EPA uses tools such as clean up notices, prevention notices and penalty notices to achieve environmental compliance.

Clean-up notices

Pursuant to s 92 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act), the EPA can issue a clean-up notice when it reasonably suspects that a pollution incident has occurred or is occurring or when the release of a pollutant is likely or imminent. The notices may direct that action is taken to prevent, minimise, remove, disperse, destroy or mitigate pollution resulting from or likely to occur from an incident. The notice details the clean-up action required and a time frame for completion.

Prevention notices

A prevention notice can be issued under s 96 the POEO Act when the EPA reasonably suspects that an activity has been or is being carried out in an ‘environmentally unsatisfactory manner’. Notices specify preventive actions that must be taken to improve environmental performance. Section 96(3) provides a non-exhaustive list of actions that may need to be carried out by a prevention notice. A prevention notice may order that equipment is not operated until appropriate controls to prevent or minimise pollution or waste are in place.

Penalty Notices

Penalty notices are issued under a wide range of legislation administered by the EPA including the following and their associated Regulations:

• Contaminated Land Management Act 1997
• Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Act 2008
• Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act 1985
• Environmental Trust Act 1998
• National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974
• Native Vegetation Act 2003
• Pesticides Act 1999
• Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991
• Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997
• Radiation Control Act 1990
• Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995
• Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001

The EPA may issue penalty notices:

• for minor breaches when the facts appear obvious and a penalty notice is likely to be a viable deterrent
• to allow the person served with the notice to pay a fine rather than have the alleged offence dealt with in court

Penalty notices are designed to deal with one-off breaches that can be remedied easily. The EPA does not generally issue simultaneous or successive penalty notices for multiple or ongoing breaches of the legislation. Instances where there is a continuing environmental or compliance problem are dealt with by issuing other appropriate notices or through court proceedings.

For more information about the EPA’s regulatory tools, see the EPA Compliance Policy and EPA Prosecution Guidelines at www.epa.nsw.gov.au/legislation/prosguid.htm

Campbelltown City Council have been working with a number of different training providers to develop a varied program of workshops, development programs and networking opportunities as part of the small business development program for 2018/19.

The diverse program targets a number of different industry sectors, and this year has a particular focus on supporting leadership development for women in business/microbusiness.

Additional workshops and development opportunities will be continually added to the program throughout the year to ensure as much engagement and support as possible is offered to our existing and potential business community.

Click here to find out more about Campbelltown City Council's Business Event Program.

With business changing faster than ever before, what will it take to thrive in the future?

That’s the question posed by Macquarie Business Banking’s Perspective event – and while it saw over 400 real estate leaders gather in Sydney, the insights shared are relevant across every business sector.

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 or Melissa Chung 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.

Marketingheads is a multi-awarded market research and strategy business that celebrated its 20th anniversary on July 2nd. John Wakeling and Kaye McIntyre are both accomplished marketers and strategists who relish the challenges faced by business. Their methodology has identified game changing strategies and achieved exceptional results for many clients across a diverse range of industries for more than 20 years.

Testament to Marketingheads exceptional achievements was them being awarded winner of the prestigious “Excellence in Marketing” award in 2017 at the 27th annual Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence.

John says that “whilst Marketingheads has been recognised with many awards over the years and achieved this impressive 20 year milestone it’s the success of client’s businesses that is more important at Marketingheads. It’s our client’s challenges and their success that makes our job so rewarding”.

Northcott is a not-for-profit disability service provider that works with customers to realise their potential. Proceeds raised at the Northcott Charity Golf Day will help fund their Recreation Service which creates fun and social opportunities for children and adults with disability.  

Join Northcott at the beautiful Oatlands Golf Club for a day of golfing fun. Your ticket price includes:

• A bacon and egg roll for breakfast
  
• Five drink vouchers
  
• Buffet lunch
  
• 18 holes of golf
  

Event Details

Date: 

Friday 10 August 2018

Time: 

7am arrival for an 8am start. Event will finish at 3pm.

Venue: 

Oatlands Golf Club
94 Bettington Road,
Oatlands 2117 NSW

Cost (includes GST): 

Individual player: $175 pp
Team of four (4): $700    
Hole sponsor: $1500
Hottest drive sponsor: $1500

For more information or to book your tickets/sponsorship package now, contact:

The NSW Government is leading a delegation to Mumbai and Delhi from 23 to 30 September 2018 to provide opportunities for NSW food and beverage producers in India.

In 2016-17, NSW exported $760 million worth of agricultural produce to India, an increase of 200%. With NSW’s global reputation for ‘clean and safe’ agricultural products there is substantial potential for further export growth.

The purpose of the delegation is to promote NSW food and beverage capabilities and producers and create government-backed networking and business matching opportunities with potential Indian buyers.

Proposed activities

The week long program will cover:

• In-market briefings
• Participation in the Annapurna World of Food
• visits to supermarkets/retailers
• B2B and group meetings
• NSW events to promote NSW food and beverage capabilities

How you will benefit from participating

• Participate in business-to-business matching sessions facilitated by Austrade and the NSW Government.
• Meet local distributors and importers.
• Meet potential in-market partners.
• Develop skills and experience within international markets
• Enhance your international profile
• Gain a better understanding of the cultural and regulatory requirements in India.

What it will cost

All travel and accommodation expenses are to be covered by participating businesses, as well as shipment of samples and collateral to the markets.

The NSW Government will cover the costs of the scheduled business program and related on-ground expenses.

Draft travel program

• 23-24 September: Travel to Delhi
• 24-26 September: Delhi | In-market briefing | NSW Wine masterclass | Site visits to retailers/outlets in New Delhi | Interaction with key importers
• 26-29 September: Mumbai | NSW Wine Masterclass | Annapoorna Trade Show | B2B meetings | Site visits to retailers/outlets | Taste of NSW Event
• 30 September: Travel home or continue on own program

Eligibility and registration

To be eligible applicants should:

• be a NSW-based business with an ABN
• have been in business for a minimum of two years
• have a minimum annual turnover of $150,000
• be currently exporting to at least one other country
• ideally have products or services in the food and beverage industries or related technologies.

Register your interest in joining the food export delegation to India by completing our online application form.

Applications close 5pm, Friday 10 August 2018. Click here to register your interest.

With the commencement of a new financial year, it brings with it important changes and new rates which will apply from 1 July 2018.

NEW! High Income Threshold (HIT)

With the HIT:

• it increases on 1 July 2018 to $145,400
• it impacts:

(a) who can make a claim for unfair dismissal (for those not covered by a Modern Award or to whom an enterprise agreement does not apply)

(b) the maximum amount of compensation payable in an unfair dismissal claim

(c) those on a 'guarantee of annual earnings' (a Modern Award does not apply to an employee whenever this guarantee is in place provided it continues to meet the relevant legislative requirements)

NEW! Modern Award Increases

With Modern Awards (including enterprise awards):

• minimum wages increase by 3.5% (starting on the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2018)
• absorption of wage increases into over-award payments is permissible (subject to the terms of the relevant employment agreement and what other amounts are being absorbed into any annualised salary)
• increases to the minimum wages of junior workers, apprentices, trainees, piece workers and employees on the supported wage system will occur
• expense-related allowances in Modern Awards will increase as set out in the Modern Award (eg, by the applicable CPI index figure)
• annualised salaries will need to be checked to ensure they can still properly absorb/include all relevant minimum Modern Award amounts and that they continue to meet the technical requirements of the relevant Modern Award

NEW! National Minimum Wage (NMW)

With the NMW:

• this is applicable to employees to whom neither a Modern Award or enterprise agreement applies
• the NMW increases by 3.5% to become $719.20 per week or $18.93 per hour
• in addition:

(a) special NMW rates apply to employees with disabilities, junior employees, apprentices, and those on training arrangements

(b) the minimum casual loading remains unchanged at 25%

NEW! Impact on Enterprise Agreements

With enterprise agreements:

• they must always meet or exceed the minimum wage of:

(a) the relevant Modern Award (ie, the Modern Award that would have applied had the enterprise agreement not been in existence)

(b) the NMW (ie, where a Modern Award would not apply even if the enterprise agreement was not in existence)

• thus, pay rates in enterprise agreements may need to be increased (even if the enterprise agreement has its own wage increase regime)

NEW! The Sting

Be mindful that wage increases may have flow-on effects such as increasing:

• the value of leave loading, penalty rates, overtime and superannuation contributions
• the value of accrued leave entitlements
• the cost of wage related expenses such as payroll tax and workers compensation premiums

NEW! Redundancy

The tax-free component of a genuine redundancy payment increases to be:

• a base amount of $10,339
• an additional amount of $5,200 for each completed year of service

NEW! Superannuation Contributions Base

With superannuation:

• the maximum superannuation contribution base increases to $54,030 per quarter ($216,120 per annum)
• an employer is not required to make superannuation contributions on behalf of employees on earnings in excess of that maximum contribution base

Questions/Assistance

If you have any questions in respect of the above or would like any employment related assistance, please contact a member of our Matthews Folbigg Workplace Solutions employment law team on (02) 9635 7966 or julianac@matthewsfolbigg.com.au

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided to clients and readers for their general information and on a complimentary basis. It contains a brief summary only and should not be relied upon or used as definitive or complete statement of the relevant law.

At The William Inglis Hotel there are many unique onsite activities that can be utilised throughout the week to spice up your pre and post conference stay. 

Monday

Kickstart your busy week with one of Heroic Café's famous coffees and head to your conference room with a skip in your step.

Tuesday

Enjoy a workout with a view on Tuesday morning with the Gymnasium boasting views of the property through the perfectly positioned large windows. 

Wednesday

Continue your conference with day three of your meeting located in one of the hotel's many unique function rooms. Then join your colleagues for post conference drinks at the Warwick Farm races in the afternoon, located next door to the hotel. Get your fanciest suits and fascinators out to watch the horses race to the finish line.

Thursday

Indulge in a 3 course meal from Newmarket Restaurant's newest winter menu serving delicious fare aimed at satisfying your winter cravings.

Friday

End your week on a high with a relaxing evening spent in Talisa Spa Wellness where you will enjoy a massage and facial package.

Saturday

Glide through the warm water in the luxurious heated pool located on the rooftop of the hotel with views over looking the property, racecourse and surrounding areas. Top your day off with a well-deserved beverage in the 1867 Lounge bar. Sit by the fire whilst watching live musicians entertain every Friday and Saturday evening from 6pm to 9pm.

Sunday

Spend your day exploring the gardens and stables scattered around the property before heading to the 1867 Lounge Bar for Sunday afternoon High Tea featuring miniature cakes, sweets and warm scones with the perfect accompaniment of Tea and Coffee.

Click here find out more about the The William Inglis Hotel.