Phase 2 of NORBEC’s Online Accelerator Program has seen the rollout of two key workshops in Kingscliff, Ballina, Lismore, Grafton and Maclean. These workshops offered practical skills in designing your own simple website, and search engine optimisation. Participants are now progressively being followed up with mentoring by industry specialists, which is proving of great value to those we have contacted thus far.

Our Phase 3 Workshop on Website Content Management Systems commences July 27th and will again be offered in the five above locations. Learn how to gain and maintain preferred ranking on website engines such as Google. One or two places are still available in most locations, but be quick as we expect these to be filled in the next few days. Contact Melissa MacCourt, Project Officer on 02 6622 1933 or email lismore@norbec.com.au.

The Small Business Online Accelerator Program is an Australian Government initiative under the Small Business Online program.

Congratulations to Todd Webster, our newly appointed Tweed Valley Business Advisor. Todd comes to NORBEC’s with valuable experience in business ownership and key small business management positions. He has been instrumental in building superior sales growth and profitability in family businesses within the building industry, with particular strengths in marketing and financial management. In addition Todd has established and operated a growing tourism "adventure" micro business, and completed a Bachelor of Business degree.

Todd can be contacted on 07 5536 6000 or email: todd.webster@norbec.com.au.

Australian Retail Association Executive Director Russell Zimmerman reports the ARA is taking up to 250 calls per day from confused retailers, with many more using the ARA's wage transition tools to get their head around complex changes to the retail award.

"The new retail award is already in operation, so if retailers haven’t already sought advice from their employer association about new hourly rates, casual loadings, penalties and allowances, they need to do so now." With the Fair Work Ombudsman out and about targeting the retail sector with visits to over 1500 randomly selected stores across the country, retailers need to be on the front foot.

"Retailers who need wage assistance and who aren’t already ARA members should call 1300 368 041 or email membership@retail.org.au immediately to avoid potential penalties for non-compliance," Zimmerman said.

Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry has released for public consultation a paper on reforms to the goods and services tax (GST) financial supply provisions. "The changes will apply from 1 July 2012 and I urge interested parties to provide feedback on the design of these financial supply measures," said the Assistant Treasurer.

Northern Rivers small businesses can provide feedback. You can find the consultation paper at www.treasury.gov.au, with consultation closing on August 30th 2010.

Some items include:

• increasing the financial acquisitions threshold (FAT) input tax credit test from $50,000 to $150,000;
• simplifying the treatment of hire purchase agreements by removing the need to apply different GST treatments to different parts of the one supply;
• excluding bank deposit accounts from the current special rules for borrowings;
• expanding the range of expenses qualifying for a reduced input tax credit (RITC);

The Tax Office compliance program is set to crack down on: small businesses that use cash transactions to hide income refund fraud tax secrecy havens
They will data match 500 million transactions including bank accounts, property transactions and investments. Employee share schemes will also come under scrutiny. The tax affairs of more than 26,000 micro businesses will be reviewed and audited this year. An expected 100,000 micro businesses will be contacted as a result of their income falling outside ATO benchmarks.

• Choose well - instead of choosing people "just like you", select those who fill the gaps created by the areas that you find challenging
• Plan and communicate your tasks and goals to your team
• Set a clear direction - be clear about exactly what it is your staff need to achieve, including key KPI’s
• Involve your team - in contributing to their plans and goals
• Regularly communicate both ways
• Publicly praise, privately chastise
• Be willing to make decisions, even if they are tough

NORBEC is a major sponsor of the launch of the My Home Based Business Network in Lismore on Thursday July 22nd at 11:45am at The Lismore Workers Sports Club, Goonellabah.

At this special event, business owners will be able to network, build contacts for future business development & support, and gain valuable insights from Global Networking Specialist, Robyn Henderson on "How to Generate Endless Referrals". This special seminar will present the absolute key concepts to one of the most successful business growth strategies – networking. For more information & bookings go to www.allmajorevents.com.au.

NORBEC has two highly practical and informative management skills workshops coming up in the Clarence Valley this September (Small Business Month). The first "How To Succeed In Your New Business" in Maclean on Thursday September 23rd is specifically targeted at potential and recent new small business owners, and follows on from the successful re-launch of this workshop recently in Grafton. The second "How to Create a Business Plan That Works" in Grafton on Thursday September 30th offers a simple and practical way for small business owners to create a plan they can actually implement. To book or enquire about the workshops simply email to info@lismore.com.au or phone Vicki on 0409 035 433.

If you know anyone who is thinking of establishing or buying a business, please refer them to our services. We do know that business intenders who take up the services offered by NORBEC and other BEC’s or advisory services exhibit a significantly higher survival rate than those who do not.