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| Monthly Chamber Evening happenings | ||
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At our January Chamber information and networking evening, we spoke of matters of interest to Chamber and local business in 2010. These included the Fair Work Act changes, the results of the Australia's Future Tax System Review, Foreshore plans, the new draft standard Local Environmental Plan and the continuation of core Chamber events and activities (albeit with plans for a new look logo and website). The Chamber Board's key three priorities have been identified as:
Walter Kullen, Coles Property Group, outlined plans for reinvigorating their presence in Port Macquarie with the acquisition of the Hayward Street land by March 2010, construction of the new bus interchange within a year, and the new Coles supermarket by the end of 2011. He noted that Coles Group has an on-going lease on their existing site and are considering options for its future use. We heard from Rachel Ross about the Customer Care Program – its success, plans for the future and the upcoming Customer Care Week and Customer Care Awards (see further information below). Peter Besseling also provided his views and took questions on State Government matters of interest to the business community and noted that he expects to see information on the draft foreshore plan released within a month. Our next Chamber Information and Networking Evening will be held on Tues 23rd February at the University of New South Wales Rural Clinical School. Further information on this special event will be provided shortly! Guest speakers include Mr Tony Leahy, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Director Corporate and Business Services on Council’s Opportunities and Futures Boards. |
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| Plans for new Chamber website | ||
| Before Christmas, Chamber invited proposals from a range of local and national businesses to design and develop a new website. Conscious of the need to fully test the market and select an optimal solution for our current and future needs, the Board invited additional proposals in early January. All project proposals were assessed by a Chamber Board Sub-Committee, who will also manage the project in the future. The committee is made up of Anthony Wilson, Chamber Vice-President; Stuart Goodfellow, Board Member; Scott Leis, Board Member; and Liesa Davies, Chamber Executive Officer. After a competitive process, local business Joyer has been selected as our preferred website developer. The Sub-Committee is looking forward to working with the Joyer team on a new, interactive and engaging Chamber website. | ||
| New Chamber logo designs | ||
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You’ll shortly receive an e-mail from Chamber asking your business to have its say on a new logo to represent the Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce. 15 proposed logo designs were received by Chamber last week. Chamber Executive Officer, Liesa Davies, noted “I was thrilled with the level of response and the quality of the suggested designs. Thank you to all who took the time to contribute!”.
A shortlist of five logos best meeting the stated requirements has been prepared and we want your views. The designer of the chosen logo will win sponsorship of a Chamber Information and Networking Evening, and the opportunity to launch and promote the new logo design. Only one vote is allowed per business and you must enter your business name, your name and e-mail address for your vote to be verified and counted. |
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| 2010 Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards | ||
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2010 is off and running and so too is Chamber planning for this year's Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards! Now in its 4th year, the awards will again celebrate our region's business success with a range of judged and popularly voted categories.
Sponsors play a critical role in the success of the awards and we would love to speak with businesses who are interested in contributing in 2010. A range of sponsorship packages are available to suit your budget and marketing needs. What better way to demonstrate your support for local business? Sponsors of the awards have the opportunity to receive recognition through television, radio and print media, as well as via the Port Chamber of Commerce and Awards websites. Following the launch in Jun 2010, the awards will have an intense 10 week promotional, nomination and voting campaign across the Greater Port Macquarie region. Further information on sponsorship options can be found at www.portchamber.com.au or, contact Liesa Davies on executive@portchamber.com.au or 0412 661 641. |
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| Customer Care Week | ||
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Next week is Customer Care Week, promoting the benefits of exceptional and consistent customer service and showcasing some of the outstanding efforts by the 300-plus members of the Customer Care Program. Customer Care Week will be launched at a Mix and Mingle Night to be held on Monday 8 February at Pier One, Panthers at 6.30pm. The week-long promotional campaign aims to encourage new members to the program and focus on the benefits of being a part of a customer service-driven network of businesses. It will also be an opportunity for existing members to reward their own staff for their commitment to great customer service. Nominations for the 2010 Customer Care Awards will also be open, and this year's entrants will be given helpful advice on preparing their award nomination. The Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce and Hastings BEC is proud to support Council's Customer Care Program and we encourage all members to get involved and reap the benefits of customer service excellence. For more information, contact Rachel Ross on 6581 8036 or email rachel.ross@pmhc.nsw.gov.au . |
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| Building and Construction - Stimulus Cushioning the Downturn | ||
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Builders' own activity and expectations for industry activity both fell back in the December quarter but Government stimulus spending continues to cushion the downturn, according to the results of Master Builders Australia's National Survey of Building and Construction. Master Builders Australia Chief Economist, Peter Jones, said: "Despite twin challenges of reduced credit availability and weaker economic conditions, the Government's stimulus spending and low interest rates are preventing a collapse in construction activity." Mr Jones said, "Thanks to the Government's well-targeted stimulus measures, the building and construction industry has stabilised after threatening to nose-dive early in 2009." "To ensure the building and construction industry continues to help insulate the economy from the effects of the global financial crisis, it is crucial that fiscal and monetary policy settings encourage productive investment and job creation." The full report is available at www.masterbuilders.com.au. |
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| Further Your Education, Training and Skills in 2010 | ||
To support Hastings business owners (and their employees and families), North Coast TAFE is still taking applications and enrolments for a wide range of short courses and nationally recognised certificate and diploma courses, but enquire now as popular course are filling up quickly! Courses will start in early February at Port Macquarie and Wauchope Campuses and/or by flexible, distance or online delivery. Some courses have a mid-year intake, and for many online and short courses, traineeships and apprenticeships enrolments may be taken at any time. For more information go to www.nci.tafensw.edu.au. or contact North Coast TAFE on 131601 (ph 6586 2249 from mobiles). Those attracted to uni study – but not attracted to the option of moving away or doing a full degree by distance – are encouraged to explore TAFE diploma and advanced diploma programs. These may provide 12 - 24 months advanced standing in degrees at some universities (for more information click here. |
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| News from All Recruiting Services | ||
The team at All Recruiting services wish you a rewarding and prosperous 2010, and look forward helping accomplish your recruitment needs in what will be an interesting but successful year! Many companies and small business have been consolidating lately and tightening their belts on staff training and recruitment after the GFC, but is this the right strategy? Our advice is to make sure you have the right staff, the right amount of staff and staff who are trained up and led by a fearless leader. Contact Phil, Sarah or Erin at All Recruiting Services on 02 6583 6658, or sign up to our monthly 'candidate alert watch' including the talent pool of skilled candidates in your industry by e-mailing: portmacquarie@all-recruiting.com.au |
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| Chamber Board | ||
| Robert Turner (President) | Kellon Beard | Peter Buckland | Bob Gillroy | Stuart Goodfellow | Mike Graver | Janette Hyde | Daniel Jordan | Scott Leis | Bill Linney | Hadyn Oriti | Anthony Wilson | ||
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executive@portchamber.com.au
Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce Suite 5, Level 1 Garrison Building Cnr Hay & Clarence Streets, Port Macquarie 2444 Ph: (02) 6583 4412 F: (02) 6583 2766 Email: executive@portchamber.com.au Web: www.portchamber.com.au DISCLAIMER: the views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. All contents are protected by copyright and cannot be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. |