Business Programs 2010

1)  Financial Workshop

Say goodbye to financial flabbiness! Presented by Michelle Hamer

Michelle has over 20 years' experience in business and is a sought-after trainer delivering individualized service to clients in Australia and overseas.  The Go Figure workshops, these are designed for you using your information to build knowledge and gain confidence in:

- reading the financial statements
- using financial ratios to check the fitness of your business
- developing a cash flow statement for the business and yourself
- practical options for making and saving $'s

This is an all day workshop running from 8:30am to 4:30pm and is planned for the following date:

Wednesday April 14, 2010 at Gelee's Function Room, 5 Innovation Parkway, Birtinya

The value of this workshop is $500.  SCE brings this workshop to you at a subsidised cost of $40 per person or $20 per person for members of Chambers of Commerce and business associations.

2) Marketing Workshop

If you are a small business, this 1/2 day workshop will help you address challenges you encounter in raising the profile of your business.  Key areas covered will help enable you to develop your marketing and communication action plans.    

Workshop runs from 8:30am to 12:30pm and is planned for the following date:

Wednesday April 28, 2010 at Gelee's Function Room, 5 Innovation Parkway, Birtinya

The value of this workshop is $350.  SCE brings this workshop to you at a subsidised cost of $40 per person or $20 per person for members of Chambers of Commerce and business associations.

3) Resources Workshop

This 1/2 day workshop is designed to help you manage your team.  As small business this is often made up of family, friends, casual and/or permanent staff as well as contracted support - how do you manage this mix in planning to grow your business?

Workshop runs from 8:30am to 12:30pm and is planned for the following date:

Tuesday May 4, 2010 at Gelee's Function Room, 5 Innovation Parkway, Birtinya

The value of this workshop is $350.  SCE brings this workshop to you at a subsidised cost of $40 per person or $20 per person for members of Chambers of Commerce and business association

4) Strategies Workshop

This 1/2 day workshop is designed to cover all the key business fundamentals within your small business.  It will also provide an opportunity for participants who have attended other workshops within this program to consolidate all the various workshop material and provide a direction forward.

Workshop runs from 8:30am to 12:30pm and is planned for the following date:

Wednesday May 12, 2010 at Gelee's Function Room, 5 Innovation Parkway, Birtinya

The value of this workshop is $350.  SCE brings this workshop to you at a subsidised cost of $40 per person or $20 per person for members of Chambers of Commerce and business associations.
*This workshop is FREE to participants who have attended the complete series of workshops under this program.

Contact us for more information and registration:
Tel: 07 5493 6211 Email: ask@scenterprise.com.au

Business Clinics Injecting Health

Sunshine Coast Enterprises (SCE) has been offering small businesses the chance to get a 'health check' on their operations by professional accountants and solicitors for just over eight months.  It seems that small businesses are queuing up for the program, but access to professionals is proving a little more difficult. It's all part of the demand versus supply that attaches to many professional services according to Chief Executive Officer of SCE, Gerrie Carr-MacFie.

"It is a bit ironic that we have waiting lists for our 2010 Business Clinics program. That sort of problem is generally attached to the health sector.  The businesses that are typically using our free consultations are higher in number than the pro-bono specialists we currently have available. So we are prioritising cases on a 'waiting list' and looking to recruit more professionals willing to donate two or three hours once every three or four month.," Ms Carr-MacFie said.

The Business Clinics program was instigated by SCE in 2009 as a response to the tougher financial times experienced by small businesses weathering the Global Financial Crisis. The aim was to give businesses a chance to get primary advice or a second opinion on financial or legal issues without cost.  In 2010 the process is oversighted by a co-ordinator to ensure the right advisor is matched to the business, and that prior notice of the matters for discussion is relayed to the professional, making best use of time and giving best value.  An indication that tougher times may be diminishing has been seen in the up-swing in positive growth and employment issues under consultation in the latest rounds of the Business Clinics.  Generally only one or two visits per business are allowed.

Ms Carr-MacFie advised that the SCE project co-ordinator follows up on the professional's 'prescription' to assist the business move forward. Information and referral to government assistance programs and business training through TAFE or other training providers forms part of the help on offer, and from the feedback provided, businesses are welcoming the injection of help.

"This program does not replace the relationship between a business and their accountant or solicitor. The reality is many small businesses don't have a relationship and are unsure about assessing when advice is critical. Our Clinics open the door for the client, and assist understanding that professional advice is a necessary and key element in business practice.  The professionals who provide our free service are not expecting an on-going relationship with the client. They donate their time because they understand the importance of showing business that good and timely advice is essential." said Ms Carr-MacFie.

SCE advises that the Business Clinics program injects $500 to $700 of direct value into participating businesses.

Ms Carr-MacFie also added "Our pro bono professionals have been marvellous in making a practical and real contribution to the health of Sunshine Coast businesses. It's interesting to see businesses lining up to receive an' injection'- but then again it is a proven strategy- prevention is better than a cure."

Businesses wishing to participate or professionals willing to help in this initiative can contact SCE on Ph. 5493 6211 or email: ask@scenterprises.com.au