Tag: homebiz

Maroondah Business Association – AGM and Social Networking

Posted on by alex

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.

Maroondah Homebiz – manage your stress in business

Posted on by alex

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.

Maroondah Homebiz – the Art of Networking

Posted on by alex

Maroondah Homebiz is an organisation that aims to assist small and home-based businesses within Maroondah.

Tonight’s meeting featured Jen Harwood, a business coach and the author of the Art of Networking. Jen discussed the importance of networking in attracting new clients and the need to cultivate ongoing business relationships.

Jen spoke about a number of techniques to network effectively, including finding events targeted by prospective clients and promptly following up discussions.

Maroondah Homebiz, through grant funding received from the Maroondah Business Grants, will be holding regular sessions with speakers designed to educate and inform.

For more information on Maroondah Homebiz please visit www.homebiz.org.au.

Delegates' Report: advocacy, fundraising and annual general meetings

Posted on by alex

Firstly, I would like to report that the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee has been reconvened for this year and held its first meeting on the 17th of February.

The primary objective for this year is to oversee the development of Council’s new Wellbeing Plan, which will guide Maroondah’s approach to health, safety and wellbeing initiatives within the municipality. The committee involves a broad cross section of organisations and is well positioned to provide this input.

On the 19th of February I attended a forum on bus services, convened as part of the State Government’s review into bus routes across Metropolitan Melbourne. It is encouraging that the Government is investigating bus routes within Maroondah as there is a need for more frequent bus services and better connectivity across the network. The government has called for public submissions and has extended the deadline for submissions until the 3rd of April. A second workshop will be scheduled for later this year.

I attended two annual general meetings over the past month, including Maroondah Homebiz on the 3rd of March where it is encouraging to see the organisation continuing to strongly represent the growing numbers of small and homebusiness owners within Maroondah. I also attended the Croydon Conservation’s Society AGM on the 12th of March. The organisation is enthusiastically entering its 45th year and maintained a budget surplus over the past twelve months.

Lastly, I participated in a fundraiser for the bushfire appeal through the Rotary Club of Ringwood on the 20th of February, collecting coin donations at the Maroondah Highway and Mount Dandenong Road intersection. I am pleased to say that Rotary raised in excess of $10,000 and would like to thank our community for giving so generously.

Maroondah Homebiz 2009 AGM

Posted on by alex

Maroondah Homebiz is a business networking group for Maroondah’s expanding small and home-based business sector. The group meets on a monthly basis to provide networking opportunities for members and to hear guest speakers covering issues relevant to business and the local community.

Tonight’s Annual General Meeting elected the officebearers for the next twelve months and it is great to see Homebiz continuing so strongly, with there being several new faces on the committee.

The presentation this evening was from the City of Maroondah to discuss the strategic direction of Ringwood and Croydon as designated activity centres under State and Council planning policies. Details were provided on recently completed projects, such as the recent construction of footpaths within the residential areas of central Ringwood and the transformation of Ringwood Street. In addition upcoming projects were also discussed, including the redevelopment of the Ringwood Town Centre and the need for a commitment towards Ringwood Station to ensure an accessible and safe transport interchange.

Maroondah Homebiz meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Coach and Horses Hotel in Ringwood, for further details please visit www.homebiz.org.au.

2009 Maroondah City Council meeting schedule

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Council meetings commence at 7.30 pm and are held in the Council Chambers, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood.

The public is welcome to attend and there is an opportunity to submit a question to be answered at council meetings or to speak directly to councillors and council staff after the meeting.

If you wish to submit a formal question at a council meeting, please download the form for Public Question Time from the Maroondah City Council Website.

Maroondah Homebiz End of Year Cocktail Party

Posted on by alex

Maroondah Homebiz, an organisation that aims to assist small and home-based businesses, held its end of year function this evening at the Karralyka Centre.

The function provided an opportunity for home based businesses to participate in Christmas festivities and network with other businesses within an informal and festive atmosphere.

Maroondah Homebiz meets on a monthly basis at the Coach and Horses Hotel and includes innovative speakers who aim to assist home based businesses. For more details please visit www.homebiz.org.au.

Maroondah HomeBiz: Sell your service, not your soul

Posted on by alex

Maroondah HomeBiz is a business network representing small and home based businesses. The association meets on a monthly basis to provide a range of speakers for its members.

Tonight’s topic was called ‘sell your service, not your soul and was led by Peter Watts, a consultant for service based businesses and a teacher in Small Business Management at Swinburne University. Peter spoke about the unique challenges facing service based businesses and the importance of undertaking a marketing plan that reflects the current and desired attributes of the business.

Peter highlighted the importance of market research in understanding the marketplace, potential customers and competitors. Peter also discussed each aspect of the marketing mix and the need for complementary marketing objectives. The marketing mix comprises of elements such as the price, the processes involved in undertaking the service, the premises, the people involved and the promotional strategies. These elements comprise a marketing strategy and allow a business to differentiate itself from competitors.

Maroondah HomeBiz provides an opportunity to foster the development of small and home based businesses. Maroondah HomeBiz meets at the Coach and Horses Hotel in Ringwood on the first Tuesday of each month.

Maroondah HomeBiz: Build Your Brand, Build Your Business

Posted on by alex

Maroondah HomeBiz is a non-profit association representing small and home-based businesses within Maroondah and the eastern suburbs.

This evening’s HomeBiz meeting featured a presentation from the Brandsurgeon Paul Harmer who spoke about the importance of effective branding that speaks to both the heart and mind. Innovation, relationships and differentiation are critical to creating an effective brand, which in turn creates value for both existing and prospective customers.

Paul Harmer will also be leading a HomeBiz workshop entitled Build Your Brand, Build Your Business! which will be held on the 15th and 22nd of May.

For more information on Maroondah HomeBiz or the upcoming workshops please visit www.homebiz.org.au.

Maroondah HomeBiz April 2008 Meeting

Posted on by alex

Maroondah HomeBiz is a non-profit organisation which aims to foster the development and growth of home-based businesses. The number of home and small businesses continues to increase and networks like Maroondah HomeBiz provide a supportive environment for these business owners by providing regular meetings and networking opportunities.

This evening’s meeting included a presentation from Dr. Louise Mahler from the Art of Business. Louise spoke about the importance of voice and expression during face-to-face meetings and telephone conversations with the aim of assisting participants in recognising the importance of posture and vocal tones.

Louise led an informative and entertaining session that provided useful advice for when conversing either on the telephone or in person. Maroondah HomeBiz meets on a monthly basis and has an array of interesting and entertaining speakers.

For more information please visit www.homebiz.org.au.