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| Happy New Year! | ||
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The Chamber Board and Executive Officer look forward to your engagement during 2010. We encourage all members to share information on issues affecting local business and value your feedback and participation in member surveys. The Chamber voice is only as strong as our contributing members make it! While the Chamber office is not manned on a full-time basis, but we are prompt in returning calls if we miss you and welcome your e-mail messages too. Further, if you have any news to share with other members or would like your business profiled in an upcoming Chamber newsletter you can send up to 200 words and a jpg logo or photo to executive@portchamber.com.au. |
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| A warm welcome to our newest member | ||
| Debbie Moore Real Estate | ||
| Chamber wants a new look – submit your logo design! | ||
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The Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce is after a new look and is asking members to help design and decide on a new Chamber logo. “Chamber has made good use of the current logo, but it’s time to update and find a new logo that will take us into the future”, said Chamber Executive Officer, Liesa Davies. “We’d like members, qualified graphic designers or novices who might like to have a go, to submit their suggested designs”. A guide to the new logo requirements can be found on the Chamber website. Suggested designs (up to three per member) are welcomed by COB Wed 27 Jan to info@portchamber.com.au. A shortlist of those logos best meeting the stated requirements will be prepared and put to members for a vote. The designer of the logo with the most votes will win sponsorship of a Chamber Information and Networking Evening, and the opportunity to launch and promote the new logo design. |
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| Council announces new CBD parking trial - one step forward | ||
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Yesterday, Council announced plans for the trial of an electro-magnetic vehicle overstay detection system for short term parking in parts of Horton and Hay Sts. The system operates via an in-ground unit embedded beneath parking spots which tracks data on parking use and sends data to Council rangers when a vehicle has overstayed established time limits. The trial will commence at the end of January. The Chamber Board flagged this type of parking management system with Council some time ago, as a potential means to improve turnover in high use areas without resorting to pay parking. The recent survey on CBD parking and people movement issues indicated that members are generally supportive of short parking limits in high-use areas to improve turnover and customer access to parking in the CBD. Chamber Executive Officer, Liesa Davies, said of the trial “This technology will not only support the effective turnover of parking in high use CBD areas, but will also contribute solid data to assist Council in managing parking requirements. To date, most of the claims about parking difficulties and requirements is based on anecdotal evidence. So, this is a good first step to better understanding parking requirements and developing a holistic approach to parking that meet the current and future needs for CBD customers, tourists and employees.” Chamber's CBD Parking and People Movement Policy is available on our website. |
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| Save the Date – January Chamber Information and Networking Evening | ||
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Noting Australia Day falls on the 4th Tues of this month, the January Chamber Information and Networking Evening will be held on Thursday 28th January. Book it in your calendar now!
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| Hastings Moonlight Movies | ||
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The Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Peter Besseling MP, Country Energy and Newcastle Permanent Building Society have banded together to present Moonlight Movies in the Wauchope and Port Macquarie CBDs this week. Hastings businesses are encouraged to make the most of increased CBD visitor numbers and be open for business! For more details visit http://www.hastingsmoonlightmovies.com.au/
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| New Workplace Relations System – more education needed | ||
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Feedback on the new workplace relations system which came into effect on 1 Jan is starting to emerge. A recent snap e-mail poll of 85 retailers by the Australian Retailers Association found almost 90 per cent of small businesses are considering cutting staff hours because of the increased wage costs of Fair Work. Another 91.8 per cent said they were less confident their businesses would grow in 2010, while an overwhelming 96.5 per cent said they needed more information about the changes. “Currently, over 54 percent of retailers have made operational changes to comply with the Fair Work Act but over 83 percent of retailers need to do more before they are fully compliant. Almost 72 percent of retailers don’t fully understand their obligations under the Fair Work Act,” ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said. “Of the 40 percent of retailers who expect to see wage and operational cost increases as a result of new IR laws, over 42 percent expect these increases to be between five and 10 percent. However, good retailers understand holding onto staff is the best thing they can do for their business and for the wider economy.” More detail on the survey can be found here. To find out more information on how the new laws effect your business see the Fair Work websiteor see the checklist in Chamber Newsletter issue 67. Chamber would welcome information on your experiences implementing the new laws. E-mail us at executive@portchamber.com.au or call the Chamber office on 02 6583 4412. |
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| Business optimism – vast divide between employers and employees | ||
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The NSW Business Chamber’s latest business conditions survey and numerous other authorities are indicating that post-global financial crisis, employers are increasingly optimistic about sales, business conditions, exports, profits and employment. On the other hand, a recent post global financial crisis study by the Chandler Macleod Group indicates that employees are feeling unappreciated and disillusioned in their current roles, and businesses need to do all they can in order to retain critical talent. Of the survey participants who are currently employed, almost two thirds were actively looking for new employment, over one third were passively looking (7% are actively looking in some fields and passively watching others, and 7% are not currently looking). David Reynolds, CMG executive general manager, says businesses have spent the last 12 months putting more responsibility on their employees and subjecting them to pay cuts or freezes, and many are feeling undervalued. "Don't assume because workers aren't complaining that they are happy. My recommendation is to spend time with your staff and make sure you do understand what motivates them, and make sure they are in an environment where they can provide feedback on what's working or not working." Reynolds says small businesses need to ensure they are thinking not only about survival, but how to ensure their talent stays with the company during the down times. Reynolds suggests a number of different techniques for improving employee satisfaction, including communicating the company's mission, identifying talent gaps and filling them, developing strategies to attract talent, update succession planning strategies and be open about staffing needs and career development paths. Detail of the survey can be found here. |
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| But consumers are optimistic too ... | ||
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The latest survey conducted by credit card giant MasterCard shows that Australians are amongst the most optimistic consumers globally over their prospects for the next six months. According to the MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence, Australian consumer confidence has surged dramatically, with its index rating rebounding to 69.5 compared with 24.1 just six months ago. A zero score indicates that consumers are the most pessimistic possible, whilst a score of 100 indicates that consumers are as optimistic as is possible, whilst a score of 50 suggests that consumers are neutral. The survey calculates the level of consumer confidence based on: the economy, employment, the equity market, regular income and quality of life. Andrew Cartwright, country manager, Australia, MasterCard Worldwide, said "These results reflect the relative resilience of the local economy by global comparison, and a confidence by Australians that the year ahead will be better." |
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| Retailers usher in continuing growth for the New Year | ||
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According to the Australian Retailers Association, retailers were boosted by healthy levels of trading during the first week of post-Christmas sales, with 67 percent of retailers surveyed reporting trading to be the same or better when compared to the same time in 2008/2009. According to ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman, the 2009/2010 post-Christmas retail sales projections of $6.77 billion, not including food, restaurants and cafes, is a continuation of growth instigated during the last-minute Christmas rush. “In the week before Christmas, 62 percent of retailers reported trading to be the same or better when compared to the same time in 2008 and this growth has followed through to post-Christmas sales which is encouraging,” Zimmerman said. |
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| Port Macquarie Jazz and Blues Festival | ||
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Local not-for profit group ‘Break-A-Leg’ are looking for business and broader community support in their planning for the ‘Port Macquarie Jazz and Blues Festival’ to be held 16-24th October 2010. The festival will commence with the “Wauchope Long Lunch" with Jazz , and include evening jazz on Town Green, at the Westport Club, by the Hastings River and during the “Tastings of the Hastings". If you would like contribute to the success of this event, please show your support. To discuss sponsorship opportunities or other contributions please contact Wilma Ritchie (tel:65822-0320, e-mail:wilmaritchie@lizzy.com.au or Gay Daniel (tel:65841884 e-mail:flairessence@hotmail.com. |
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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. |