THE BUSINESS CONNECTION

EVENTS

Resources

Message from CEO

Hello Members.

Three weeks in a row with Public Holidays included in them certainly make life interesting if you are a Monday to Friday styled business – if there ever really is such a thing!

However, this week has seen good news with both Victoria and NSW Governments finally making sensible decisions about the further easing of COVID restrictions. It is about time and we have been advocating on your behalf for these over the past few weeks. It is so good to see these restrictions, which have been anywhere from severe (Lockdowns) to moderate and impacting your ability to function and even survive in your businesses.

Well done on your resilience, but as COVID rules slowly disappear in our rear view mirrors, we still need to acknowledge that not every business survived, many will carry a financial burden for years to come and others will still struggle in the short-term and all will need the support of their local business community going forward.

Support Local, Shop Local. We want that from our customers, as businesses we need to set the example and do that ourselves and buy from and support each other.

With staffing the greatest challenge facing most of business recently, the new sensible isolation rules coming into play at midnight for close contacts, should go some way to easing this problem, but will not be the sole answer. Government needs to find ways to be able to present more workers and as employers we need to adapt and find new ways of interacting with employees. The ways of old are no longer the ways of now.

Finally for this week, I encourage you to attend and make the most of our upcoming events, including those that are free to attend, courtesy of Victorian Government funding. If you only learn one new thing at each event that helps you in your business and/or personal life, then that event was worthwhile. Register via the Events Tab on our website.

Enjoy your long weekend, should you have the opportunity of taking it.

-Graham

Change in Focus

Change Sponsor: Inspiring and empowering through servant leadership that honours people.

Regional businesses have experienced their fair share of disruptive change over the past 2 years. In a series of profiles, Albury Wodonga business owners reflect on some of the impacts they faced and what they did to steer their businesses through disruptive change. In this profile, we meet local building entrepreneur and change sponsor, Rick Leeworthy from Hadar in Wodonga.

Footy Tipping

Spot Prize

Being a Business Wodonga Member entitles you to enrol in our footy tipping.

Being part of our Footy Tipping can bring you good fortune.

This weeks spot prize is sponsored by the awesome people at

You will win a weekend away in one of the camper trailers. Now how cool is that?! I know I would like to win this.

So, if you haven't joined, hurry and do so .... then you can be in the running to win.

https://www.footytips.com.au/comps/Business_Wodonga_Members_Only

Password to join is StrongerWodonga

Changes to Covid-19 Restrictions

The Victorian Government has announced that most COVID-19 restrictions will be removed from 11:59pm, Friday 22 April 2022.

Changes will include:

Patrons will no longer be required to have two doses or show their vaccination status before entering any venue. Check-in using the Service Victoria app will also end.
Face masks will no longer be required in hospitality and retail settings, or at events of any size.
Close contacts will no longer have to quarantine – provided they wear a face mask indoors and avoid sensitive settings. They will also need to undertake at least five rapid tests that produce a negative result over the seven days.
Individuals will be required to notify their workplace contacts, in addition to informing their social contacts. Workplaces won’t have to individually identify and notify each potentially exposed worker.
Events with more than 30,000 people will no longer require public health pre-approval.

COVIDSafe Plans are still required in all workplaces.

Information & Events

Join us for our April Meet & Mingle at one of Wodonga’s most popular venues!

Meet, mingle and catch up with local like-minded young professionals in a fun and relaxed environment.

Your ticket includes entry, canapes and the chance to win a lucky door prize! Drinks available at bar prices.

RSVP’s close 26th April 2022

Thursday 28 April 2022 11 am – 1.30 pm

ONLINE

Startup Shakeup’s Online Bootcamp helps you take your idea to the next level…

How can innovation thinking and tech help you take your idea to the next level?

You don’t need to know tech, to use tech.

Join us online for an interactive workshop on how these can help. The worlds of innovation and tech are full of opportunity. But it can feel overwhelming looking into how they can enhance your new idea … so we will be showing you to create an innovation and tech enabled business, even when you’re not startup or tech-minded.

Learn about:

Designing a business model and value proposition using the Business Model Canvas;
Simple ways to use tech in your business to improve find-ability, customer service, productivity, and reliable tech platforms for you;
The wide range of local programs Startup Shakeup have to support you in growing or pivoting your business idea.

This Startup Shakeup Bootcamp has been made possible with funding from LaunchVic and is facilitated in partnership with GHD Digital.

Book Here

Cash flow is the life blood of every small business. Not enough cash flow and things start to go wrong. Without it, no business can survive. If you’re spending more time juggling cash than running your business, making a profit but still struggling to pay the bills, then this essential small business workshop will ensure you’re never caught short again.

Details

Even a profitable business can have issues with cash flow. In fact, running out of money is a sure way for a profitable business to fail. Don't let that happen to you! Learn to identify what’s driving your own cash flow and what you can do to keep cash pumping into the parts of your business that need it most. Get on top of the fundamentals, including the difference between profit and cash, the role of marketing and how the working capital cycle can impact your business. Learn how to manage stock, suppliers and debtors and how to prepare a cash flow forecast so you can avoid a crisis before it hits.
This workshop is delivered by a small business financial expert and is packed with practical tips and techniques you can apply straight away.

Ensure the life blood of your business never stops pumping at this essential Small Business Victoria workshop, one of many that have helped businesses in Victoria get started for more than 10 years.

Learn how to:
• Tell the difference between profit and cash
• Understand the working capital cycle
• Improve customer collections
• Manage stock
• Manage suppliers
• Manage debtors
• Avoid a cash flow crisis
• Prepare a cash flow forecast
• Access tools, templates, support and resources in future.

PLEASE NOTE: This workshop is only available for Victorian small businesses and residents.

Session times
Wed 4th May, 2022
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Book your Free Spot here

Does thinking about what you’re going to wear each become a tiresome task?

Come and learn how to bring clarity back into your wardrobe and discover all the professional hints & tips from a personal stylist on illusion dressing techniques to help you begin to celebrate your body shape just as you are!

Becky (Oh My Style) is a certified Personal Stylist, holding a Master’s Certificate in Personal Styling. She is passionate about providing others with the education and skills to discover their own personal style that is authentic and a reflection of who they really are, uncovering confidence that comes when they are able to feel comfortable in their own skin by learning how to dress for their body shape and lifestyle.

If you want to discover the power of stepping out of the house confident every single day then join BWAW for a fun evening of styling, cocktails & canapes!

Saturday 7^th May 2022
6pm - 8pm
2640 Restuarant & Bar, Albury

Your ticket includes this fabulous session, cocktail on arrival & canapes!

Members $75
Non-Members $80
(Inc $2 ticketing fee)

Be quick, this is going to sell FAST!

Book your ticket here

A Time To Grow

As a business owner for over a decade, Tash understands the challenges that small businesses face when every role displayed on an ‘org chart’ is often the responsibility of that small business owner. Tash first started to understand how she could share the journey of the business owner when she was asked to contribute to a publication called ‘Know the Game’ a book
for 1st time business owners & entrepreneurs. Over the course of Tash’s career she has won multiple awards from Outstanding Manager in Small Business to the coveted National Franchisee of the Year for Quest
Apartment Hotels, Tash has also come close to going into administration. When Tash picked up her whole life & moved to the regional twin city of Albury Wodonga she had a monkey on her back that she knew she needed to shake so she backed herself Tash brings a wealth of knowledge to share with your audience her successes & her failures have helped shape who she is & how she approaches business & life.

As the owner of Quest Wodonga, when the pandemic hit, Tash and her business, including her team, were decimated. How Tash navigated this uncharted territory and kept her business trading is testament to her skills, resolve and determination. You don’t want to miss her story.

Note: As this is a Victorian Government funded event, entry is open only to Victorian businesses and their teams.

Book your free ticket here

Mondo's Project EDGE is an exciting opportunity for business owners in the Wodonga region to put your unused renewable energy to work for you, your community and the environment while receiving significant financial benefits on subsidized solar and battery systems, and annual energy bills.

The EDGE marketplace trial brings together both sides of the energy equation, transitioning from current traditional energy solutions to an exciting renewable energy environment. Adding together communities surplus solar and battery then discharging it back to the wholesale energy marketplace.

Join Business Wodonga and Mondo on May 17^th from 12pm for a business specific Project EDGE Lunch where industry experts will share industry insights, product pricing, battery solutions and program benefits.

For further information on the Business Lunch, or to register your attendance please visit our website: Members Lunch Meeting: MONDO Energy – Business Wodonga

Book your tickets here

Course Overview

This 3-hour interactive workshop will see the participant learn about the compliance and legislative requirements to assist with implementing WHS policies, procedures and processes including hazard identification and risk management.

Key Learning Outcomes

Enhance and improve on current WHS knowledge
Objectives and principles of WHS Act and Regulations
WHS Roles and responsibilities
Basic WHS risk management

This course is suited for Managers, supervisors or team leaders who are responsible for managing and monitoring WHS of their employees.

When: Wednesday May 18th
Time: 10am, 3 hour workshop
Venue: Mantra Albury

Tea, coffee and light morning tea provided

Email Rebecca Linehan to find out more. rebecca.linehan@squad.org.au

Enquire Here

Member Shoutout

2022 Master Builders NSW - Riverina - Young Builder of the Year: Matt Gilchrist.

Congratulations to Matt Gilchrist! What an incredible accomplishment and we are so proud to have you as part of our thriving Wodonga Business community.

Have Your Say

Protect Yourself against Ransomware

Ransomware is one of the most significant cyber threats currently facing Australians and Australian organisations - it is a global threat.

Ransomware is malicious software that cybercriminals use to lock or encrypt the victim's files until they make a payment, often in the form of difficult to trace cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

In the 2020-21 financial year, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) received nearly 500 ransomware cybercrime reports, an increase of nearly 15% from the previous financial year.

What can you do?

The best way to protect yourself against a ransomware attack is to be prepared.

The ACSC is encouraging all individuals and businesses to protect themselves against ransomware attacks by taking the following steps:

Installing security software.
Turning on automatic updates.
Using multi-factor authentication.
Regularly making offline backups to an external storage device or the cloud.

Use the ACSC's learning resources

Individuals and businesses can learn how to protect their important information and data against ransomware by using our easy-to-follow guides, including:

More Information Here

Final Tips

Want to be featured in our Business Connection?

We would love to share all the fabulous things your business has to offer. We just need a few things from you.

Description of your business, maximum of 80 words
Corporate logo, Hi-Res JPG or PNG format
Links to social media business page (if applicable) e.g./ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube
An image/s of your workplace or you or your team to use on social media (optional)
Link to appropriate website, phone number and/or email (if desired)

If you have any questions or want to know more, please fill out the form below or email mail@businesswodonga.com.au.

Submission to be in by 12pm on Wednesdays to be included in the same weeks Newsletter.

Submit your content here

Capturing Wodonga.

As it was Easter long weekend, I wanted to just share our beautiful town and surrounds.

I will be back out and about soon.

I really love meeting everyone, so if you would like me to come and see you, please drop me a email

#StrongerWodonga

Please, we would love reviews, so if you could take some time out to write one, we would be very thankful.

Please contact Business Wodonga with your business needs, concerns or questions on 02 6056 8302 or mail@businesswodonga.com.au.

Review our privacy policy here

Special Thanks to All Our Sponsors

If you would like to see your logo on our banners, please email us and we can discuss the options with you.