Tag: business groups

June BizConnect Business Breakfast

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The BizConnect Business Breakfast is a Maroondah City Council initiative designed to connect local businesses and to share knowledge and skills. This morning’s speaker was from Destination Melbourne who discussed the growing $2.6 billion market generated through tourism opportunities from visiting friends and relatives.

The friends and relatives tourism market is the largest segment of visitors into Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and provides economic benefits for local businesses. While Maroondah may not be seen as a traditional tourist destination, it does have a strong component of tourism generated through friends and relatives and the speaker outlined the need for businesses to target this growing segment.

As the Mayor of Maroondah I had the pleasure of introducing the June BizConnect Business Breakfast and the speech I delivered is included within this post:

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Maroondah Business Association – June 2010 Meeting

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The Maroondah Business Association is a not-for-profit business network that aims to foster the growth of businesses within Maroondah. The Association meets on a monthly basis and features guest speakers that discuss various aspects of growing and operating a business.

Tonight’s speaker discussed marketing strategies aimed at business growth through effective marketing that clearly identifies the target market for the business. A business needs to clearly identify the characteristics of its target market to determine the best approach for marketing and reaching these potential customers.

It is encouraging to see growing interest in the Maroondah Business Association, with a large number of businesses attending tonight’s meeting. The Maroondah Business Association meets on the first Wednesday of each month, for details please visit www.homebiz.org.au

Maroondah Business Association – AGM and Social Networking

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The Maroondah Business Association, which was formerly known as Maroondah HomeBiz, provides a supportive and nurturing environment for businesses within Maroondah. The Association has an emphasis on networking, business knowledge, workshops and practical support through providing monthly guest speakers and other events.

While Maroondah HomeBiz had an exclusive emphasis on home-based businesses, the Maroondah Business Association encompasses businesses of all sizes, to ensure that the organisation is able to continue to facilitate growth and development of a business.

Tonight’s guest speaker discussed social networking providing an overview of the various social networking sites and their relevance to an increasing demographic. The speaker offered insight into the various social media tools and some background in regard to search engine optimisation.

The Maroondah Business Association meets on the first Wednesday of each month, for further information please visit www.maroondahbusiness.org.au.

April BizConnect Business Breakfast – Assessing Australia’s Economic Conditions

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The BizConnect Maroondah Breakfast Series provides an opportunity to hear from prominent business speakers, with the aim of assisting businesses within the municipality.

The guest speaker this morning was a specialist on foreign exchange and international Economics who discussed Australia’s current economic situation relative to the global economy.

Topics included Australia’s relatively stable economic activity, relative to major global economies and the increasing importance of China as a major trading partner to Australia.

The BizConnect Breakfast Series is one of several events, including networking and training sessions which are designed to assist businesses within Maroondah.

For further details please visit the BizMaroondah website: www.bizmaroondah.com.au.

Please continue reading to view the speech delivered as the opening address for the morning:

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February BizConnect Business Breakfast

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The BizConnect Maroondah Business Breakfast Series provides networking opportunities for businesses within the municipality and features prominent speakers, who discuss the experiences they have had within their business.

This morning’s speaker was Kristina Karlsson, who formed stationery label kikki.K after identifying a gap in the market for stylish but practical stationery products. Kristina now has 25 retail boutiques within Australia and New Zealand, as well as a prominent online store and web presence.

As the Mayor, I had the pleasure of launching the BizConnect Maroondah Business Breakfast Series, as well as introducing new businesses into Maroondah. Please continue reading to view a copy of the speech delivered during the breakfast:

Continue reading “February BizConnect Business Breakfast”

Eastern Volunteers – Business Breakfast

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Eastern Volunteers is a not-for-profit community based organisation that provides volunteer recruitment and transport services for the frail aged and people with disabilities.

Over the course of this year the organisation aims to strengthen the involvement of businesses within our local community. Eastern Volunteers in planning a business breakfast to bring together the business community to begin working towards this vision.

As a board member of Eastern Volunteers I have been chairing the working group for this event, which will be held at Club Ringwood on the 15th of September.

For further information please visit www.easternvolunteers.org.au.

Delegates’ Report: End of Year Functions for 2009

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This time of year is synonymous with end of year functions and I’ve attended several over the past month, including:

Despite us rapidly approaching the end of the year, it is still business as usual. On the 10th of December I had the pleasure of attending the graduation of the Maroondah FReeZA Group, Stuff Your Stereo Productions, along with Cr. Natalie Thomas, Rob Steane and Peter Gurr.

FReeZA is a program for young people who organise music gigs, through EVs Youth Centre in Croydon. This year’s group was particularly innovative in forming partnerships with other organisations and introducing gigs covering a range of musical genres and tastes. The Youth Services Team who oversee the group, are already busy at work planning for next year’s group and I commend the Team at EVs for organising yet another successful event.

Lastly, on the 13th I had the pleasure of opening the Maroondah Carols by Candlelight.

While there were patches of light rain during the morning, we were fortunate to have pleasant weather for the evening. The large crowd enjoyed the carols immensely and I would like to congratulate the many people and community organisations that worked together to host such a fantastic event.

Media Release: Business Week registration now open

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Online registration and bookings are now open for all Maroondah Business Week activities and functions. There’s a great range of events to get involved in including breakfast, lunch and evening events with guest speakers, training sessions and workshops.

Councillor Alex Makin said the annual Business Week offered local businesses an opportunity to network and update their skills.

“The week runs from 5 to 9 October and is a great opportunity to learn from the experts and share your experiences with other local business people,” Cr Makin said.

“This is a chance to raise your business profile and spend the week reflecting on where your business is currently and where you see it heading in the future,” Cr Makin said.

“The range of guest speakers is fantastic so come along and hear their own personal stories and share in their triumphs,” Cr Makin said.

“So you don’t miss out at any of the events, get online and book your place. Spaces are limited so it’s best to get in early for all the events and workshops,” Cr Makin said.

The week begins with the Eastland Women in Business Lunch with Maggie Beer, who will talk about her passion for food and her success in the business world. Maggie will be appearing on Monday 5 October at the Karralyka Centre, so book your tickets now to enjoy a two course meal while listening to her inspirational story.

Another one of the week’s highlights will come when Steve Moneghetti speaks on Wednesday 7 October at the NAB Business Breakfast. Steve’s success as a marathon runner is legendary. A Commonwealth Games participant, he is one of Australia’s greatest ever long distance runners.

There are also two guided bus tours available through the Ringwood Central Activities District. As places are limited it is best to book in early. Booking forms are available online.

For a full listing of all the events being offered during Business Week, or to book your place, go to www.bizmaroondah.com.au.

Copies of the 2009 program are also available at Council’s service centres or by phoning 9298 4320.

The Footmen Club – July Luncheon with Eastern Volunteers

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The Footmen Club is a local community service club that raises money to support those in need in the local community. The club holds bi-monthly luncheons, as well as an annual Golf Day fundraising event.

This afternoon’s speaker was the General Manager of Eastern Volunteers, who spoke about the ongoing growth of the organisation and the campaign to purchase its own premises to ensure ongoing service delivery.

Eastern Volunteers were founded in 1976, the same year as the Footmen Club and has seen ongoing growth since its inception. Today, Eastern Volunteers has almost 20 staff and over 100 volunteers who assist in service delivery and administration.

Eastern Volunteers fulfils two roles within the community, the first being transport services for the frail aged and people with disabilities and the second being volunteer recruitment and training.

One of the distinguishing features of Eastern Volunteers is its emphasis on governance and it certainly is one of the most professional organisations that I have been involved with. This emphasis on good governance assists in service delivery and performance monitoring, ensuring that clients receive the best service possible from the organisation.

Maroondah Homebiz – manage your stress in business

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Maroondah Homebiz is one of several business groups within Maroondah and aims to provide networking and the sharing of knowledge and experiences for the growing small and home-based businesses within our community.

Tonight’s meeting featured Lynne McCall, the organisation’s President who as a qualified Kinesiologist spoke about techniques to manage stress, particularly in regard to running a business.

Lynne discussed some common attributes of stress and the importance of ensuring that stress does not spiral out of control. As a kinesiologist, Lynne also provided some examples of her work, which focuses on how the body moves and functions and how kinesiology can identify and mitigate stress.

Maroondah Homebiz provides monthly meetings to assist Maroondah’s small and home-based business communities, for further information please visit www.homebiz.org.au.