CHANGES NEEDED FOR SMALL BUSINESS

From Peter Strong, CEO of the Council of Small Business of Australia. Over 96% of businesses are small. Over 60% of workplaces employ less than 5 people. Over 7 million people earn a living from small businesses. Yet the workplace relations systems have been designed for the 4% of businesses who have pay clerks and experts. If we want improvements in productivity and innovation we must change the way we approach workplace relations. All sides of politics need to agree on a simple system for the small workplace. We need a system that isn't based on philosophy and vested interests - we need a system that is based on reality and people. WorkChoices and FairWork Australia are and were systems based on outmoded beliefs about the way the workplace should operate and behave. One system was designed by big business to suit their belief in what a workplace should look like and the other system is designed by the union movement with the support of big business, to reflect their needs. In the end these systems, their development and implementation (and their eventual dismantling and reconstruction into another system) has failed everyone except the vested interests. We should accept the reality of our working world and have two systems: one for big business and its experts and one for small business. We firstly need a small business award that is easy to understand and can provide certainty to all people in the small workplace.

FEAR OF HISTORICAL SITE DECIMATION

A sector of the Castlemaine (in Victoria) community believes developers will decimate a historical site in Castlemaine. The Old Goal in Castlemaine is up for sale and a number of community members are campaigning to keep the Old Goal in not-for-profit hands. The Castlemaine Shire is currently the custodians of the Old Goal after a not-for-profit organisation passed up renewing their usage contract over two years ago. The Old Goal is in need of restoration which the Shire estimates will cost over $500,000. The Shire cannot justify using rate payer’s money for the upkeep and the ongoing maintenance of the historical site and have placed the property for public sale. The Castlemaine community needs to look at how the sale of the Daylesford Convent into public hands was a match made in heaven. The building and gardens had declined into dereliction when Tina Banitska, a well-known local artist and ceramicist, found the courage and foresight to buy the property in 1988. Now in its 15th year of business, The Convent has undergone several stages of renovation to the building and grounds, far exceeding its original grandeur. Today, the building houses seven individual galleries, a large retail area, a café, a lounge bar, a penthouse and two function rooms. The Convent is an historical icon known for its celebration of art, history and culture. It is possible for business to partner with community and help drive financial surety, but still in keeping with community integrity.

Top 10 Signs Coworking is Growing Up

La Concierge is about to embark on a new venture opening a Business Support Centre incorporating CoWorx a coworking space for professional entrepreneurs. This new business sector is fairly new to Australia but is well established in the US and Europe.

Top 10 Signs Coworking is Growing Up

If you would like more information about CoWorx email us on info@laconcierge.com.au

Gippsland Women in Business go to Timor Leste

In October 10 women from Gippsland Women in Business will head to Timor Leste to start discussions with local Timor Leste women about assisting them to start their own business to assist their communities. One product that has been identified that would be beneficial to the Timor Leste communities is the mandarin solar light which would replace the kero lights. These products could be sold by the local women to their communities.http://www.illuminationsolar.com/

Can we save the planet and improve the region?

I would like to invite you to:

Meetup with Worldchanging's Alex Steffen

Tuesday January 10, 6:30 PM EST to 8:00 PM

Village Roadshow Theatrette at State Library Victoria (La Trobe St entrance)

How to change absolutely everything without leaving town, with Alex Steffen

Join us for this FREE event next Tuesday night in partnership with State Library Victoria and Hub Melbourne - Alex's only public presentation while he's in Melbourne.

Register on this website:

http://alexsteffencollab.eventbrite.com/

“Alex Steffen, a designing optimist, lays out the blueprint for a successful century.” -The New York Times

See what he has to say at http://youtu.be/mjDjbJJlqZ0

What does a sustainable future look like for the world's most liveable city? The latest climate science tells us we need to achieve carbon neutrality in the very near term - and for that we need bold leadership.

But how is this possible? And how does it relate to Melbourne's other central goals - like growing prosperity, delivering equity, increasing democracy and promoting health and happiness?

Can we save the planet and improve the region?

Please join us for a special night with Worldchanging's Alex Steffen, one of the world’s leading voices on sustainability, social innovation and planetary futurism. Hosted by founder of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership, Jason Clarke, be part of a unique experience to explore how we can build better (carbon neutral) futures for all, together.

Cheers Teresa
Founder of LaConcierge incorporating YBM and JobLink
www.laconcierge.com.au

Workplace flexibility

With the introduction of the Fair Work Act and amendments to Equal Opportunity Legislation, every employer needs to be prepared for requests for flexibility from eligible staff.

A practical and realistic guide has been developed to assist employers in implementing this strategy into your workplace.

This guide is unique in that it covers issues at the enterprise level such as policies and procedures right down to the individual request and specific role arrangements. All content has been legally verified and the content can be simply adapted to your business needs.

This guide will save your organisation many hours of internal policy development and procedural wrangling. Simply adapt the templates in this guide to suit your company's situation.

Available in hard or soft copy, this guide is suitable for companies of all sizes and industries and is completely customisable to accommodate your brand and internal processes.

For more information contact Teresa on 0407092966 or email info@laconcierge.com.au for a quote - price dependable on employee numbers.

Your Business Matters

A new section of LaConcierge is coming soon. The new site, Your Business Matters will be launched soon.

Are you confused with the new FairWork Act?
Are you paying your team members their correct payments?
Is your brand trade marked?

Then Your Business Matters can assist you in:
• Human Resource management resources
• Branding and Intellectual Property assistance

Your Business Matters is a service provider assisting business operators with resources, information, workshops and forums.