Forum

Someone should introduce this in Aussie servos

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:03:00 GMT

Bob this is a fantastic idea, i agree it should be introduced (although it actually states on the website that you can buy fuel anywhere in the world so not sure if this is actually available to us anyway) but you would need to be pretty savvy and pay close attention so as to make money back.

toddedmonds

The People Pill - Lifting Morale

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 11:41:00 GMT

The biggest effect on morale is the mood and behavior of the leader. It is every leader’s role to ensure they set a positive environment and keep their emotions in check. As you develop your people and improve results morale will climb as everyone loves to be part of a winning team.

Let’s look at some ways leaders can dramatically affect morale. Leaders’ words The words used by leaders will have a profound effect on individual and team morale.
Use “we” not “I”
Say “Thank You” often
“You did an excellent job”
“I’d like to hear what you think about…”
“I think that deserves a ta-da!” One of these praise moments can result in days of increased productivity because they feel valued and special.

You do not want your employees thinking sentences beginning with “I don’t…” If they are feeling that way it is only a matter of time before they leave:
“I don’t feel appreciated”
“I don’t get the support I need”
“I don’t like the atmosphere here”
“I don’t feel special”
“I don’t think anybody would care if I left “empathy.

Having empathy is being able to actually feel the pain or joy of another person. Teachers of empathy will tell you that you cannot feel the pain or joy of others unless you are able to feel the same thing in yourself.

Can you feel your own joy, acknowledge your own pain? If not that is the place to start, learn to experience your own feelings. William Ury, in his book “Getting Past No”, makes the point that it is important to see both the factual point and the feelings of another person. He uses this illustration:

Employee says, “I just found out Dale makes two thousand dollars more than I do for the same job”. Trying to explain why Dale makes more money, even if there are valid reasons, will only make the employee angrier. Instead, you must acknowledge the fact and the feelings first:“You think we are taking advantage of you and you’re angry. I can understand that. I’d probably feel the same way.”

An angry person doesn’t expect that response. By acknowledging their feelings you’ve calmed him/her down. His/her next statement might be:“Well, I don’t earn as much as Dale.”That shows he’s ready to hear your explanation.

Showing empathy isn’t about letting go your needs. It simply means you are able to see things from the others person’s perspective and acknowledge their feelings.
From Ken Wright

Council major projects help meet growing region's needs

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 11:32:00 GMT

Planning begins for Sunshine Coast entertainment and exhibition Centre. As chairperson of council’s newly formed Sunshine Coast Entertainment and Exhibition Centre Reference Group,

I am pleased to announce that a Queensland management consortium, Ranbury Management Group, has been selected as the successful tenderer to carry out a feasibility study and business planning for this pre-eminent multi-function cultural centre planned for Maroochydore.

The centre will provide spaces that are able to cater for larger events than those currently serviced in our region and further develop our regional entertainment and convention industries. The project is supported by $1 million funding from the Australian Government and $400,000 in kind support from council.

The $1 million federal funding was allocated following my successful advocacy to the federal government for seed funding under the Better Regions program. Ranbury was selected for its demonstrated superior expertise, skills mix, depth of knowledge and experience as well as sound local knowledge. Ranbury’s financial and economic modeling team also demonstrated experience with the performing arts sector. Ranbury has put together a consortium of companies with sound experience in planning, operating and managing arts and entertainment venues across Australia as well as internationally. I have no doubt this facility will activate and stimulate the redevelopment of Maroochydore following successful completion of the current structure plan process.

The community and stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed facility through further community engagement over the next 12 months. Sunshine Coast airport on track The Sunshine Coast Airport is a key economic driver for the region. As the councillor responsible for the Major. Projects Portfolio, I’m pleased that we are on track in the preparation of materials that will support the delivery of the endorsed master plan.

The new runway has been accepted by the Queensland Government as a priority infrastructure project and consultants have been appointed to develop preliminary design and costing. An initial advice statement on the runway also will be provided to the Coordinator-General, who, after review, will issue terms of reference for an environmental impact statement (to be completed by 2014). Work is scheduled for completion by 2020.The new runway will facilitate and support increased trade, tourism and education.

The airport already makes a significant contribution to the Sunshine Coast. At present it contributes more than $450 million to the regional economy and supports more than 600 on-airport jobs. By the time this project is completed it will have created 5300 jobs, with an additional 2900 jobs created after final construction. By 2020 it will have added $1.6 billion to the economy, with forward estimates indicating that for every one dollar invested, $3.52 will be returned.

It should be stressed that these returns are not just returned to the council-owned airport, but are spread more generally throughout the community. Everyone will benefit.The new runway will open access to a wide range of new domestic and international markets for the Sunshine Coast, especially in the burgeoning economies of South-East Asia and India. With the new runway, we will be able to promote the Coast as a direct destination to a much wider tourism market and also increase valuable belly-hold freight capacity to the benefit of local industries such as fresh seafood and other perishable goods. It would be a mistake to value all the benefits only in direct dollar terms as there are also social and environmental benefits to be derived from this development.

As well as providing better connection to the world for business and leisure, the altered alignment of the new runway greatly reduces the number of residents affected by airport noise. Environmentally, construction of the new runway will give us an opportunity to address land issues surrounding the airport, with the potential to link the coastal dune land from the airport to the Maroochy River and to build upon existing council programs protecting and revegetating parts of the Maroochy River precinct. The design team also is exploring ways in which the future airport infrastructure can be energy and water- efficient in design and operation.

Cr Debbie Blumel, Division 8, Major Projects Portfolio Customer Service Tel: 5475 7272 Debbie.Blumel@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

New hospital to boost health, jobs and region’s economy

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:51:00 GMT

Division 1 Councillor Anna Grosskreutz has welcomed the public release of the master planning document and recommitment of funding from the State Government for the Sunshine Coast University Hospital planned for Kawana.

“Council and Queensland Health have been working in partnership to ensure the hospital and the wider Kawana town centre will evolve in a well planned and managed way,” Cr Grosskreutz said.

“This includes public transport to the town centre and hospital.

“The opportunities generated by this $1.9 billion dollar investment include 3,000 new jobs for Sunshine Coast residents.”

Cr Grosskreutz said the $1.9 billion investment in the Sunshine Coast by the State Government includes a timeframe for the private hospital to open its doors by the end of 2013. The government will fund 70 beds for the public component in the first year of opening, with a further 110 beds the following year.

“The master plan includes an important Academic and Research Centre located between the public and private hospital buildings, with a central plaza,” Cr Grosskreutz said.

“This is a fantastic outcome and unprecedented level of cooperation between the State and council.”

The new hospital precinct includes an Innovation Park to provide allied health services to support the hospital.

“There is also land set aside for future growth so that we don’t relive the inadequate planning of the past,” Cr Grosskreutz said.

Maleny Community Precinct Master Plan complete

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:47:00 GMT

The final plan was presented to the council for consideration at the General Meeting on Monday, June 7, 2010.

Sunshine Coast Community Policy and Programs portfolio holder and division five councillor Jenny McKay said that the Maleny Community Precinct will be a place for the whole community to enjoy.

The Maleny Community Precinct Master Plan includes:

The conservation of the Heritage Listed Pattemore House.
A quality 18-hole golf course with a putting practice area and future shared club house/function centre.
Three to four full-size sports fields and a multi-purpose sports amenity building.
An aquatic centre with an eight lane 25m pool, hydrotherapy pool, learn to swim pool and toddler pool, with an amenity building including a 250sqm gym.
Community facility land.
A large ecological-style parkland (notionally called Obi Obi Park) incorporating rehabilitated wetlands, viewing areas, sculpture trail, children’s play area, picnicking facilities and walking trails.
Three residential areas incorporating approximately 4 x 1900sqm lots, 39 x 600– 800sqm lots and 6 x 525sqm lots - providing a range of product, including some affordable living options in the form of the smaller size lots.
An attractive tree-lined boulevard-style road access from Porter’s Lane, with future link to Landsborough-Maleny Road.
The protection of significant environmental areas (such as the Southern Wetland indicated on the Regional Ecosystem mapping as “of concern”).
The substantial riparian rehabilitation along the Obi Obi Creek corridor that provides key habitat core areas that will contribute greatly to increased biodiversity of the region.
A widespread network of pedestrian and cycle trails, noting in particular the link from Maleny Township to Gardener’s Falls. Provision for a future horse trail from North Maleny Road to Obi Obi Creek to link with future Obi Obi Creek bridge crossing.

Superannuation & The Cooper review

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:48:00 GMT

The Cooper review submissions are now closed. The 3 phases of the review are complete- Governance, Operation & Efficiency and finally Structure (including Self Managed Super Funds).
Will there be many changes to super funds as a result of the review?
Australia's superannuation system is considered one of the best in the world, does it need to be changed?
Given the efficiency of the Self Managed Super Funds, should the rest of the superannuation industry be looking to be more aligned with this sector?

The report is supposed to be released in June, as to whether it is entirely political....

Indecipherable Buzzwords - inevitable or annoying in business?

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 07:29:00 GMT

Ah yes, there is always:

customer focused
(was there ever any other kind?)

brainstorming
(coming up with ideas)

facilitate
(help?)

game plan
(plan)

transition
(an excuse to use when you are planning to change but haven't quite done that yet!)

All the best with your (ad)ventures!

Krishna Everson (aka HealthBizMentor) http://www.healthpracticesuccess.com
Coolum Beach

Indecipherable Buzzwords - inevitable or annoying in business?

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 07:24:00 GMT

Krishna Everson (aka HealthBizMentor) http://www.healthpracticesuccess.com Coolum Beach

Indecipherable Buzzwords - inevitable or annoying in business?

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:03:00 GMT

Business Matters' Office Chat 'checked in' with its 'team players' to schedule a 'braindump' to 'get a handle on' the 'best of breed' in the most frustrating 'buzzwords' out there. We opened a 'can of worms' and really 'pushed the envelope'. These words would have Samuel Johnson turning in his grave.

Start has become 'get go', commitment has become 'buy in', teach has become 'upskill' and a 100% commitment is no longer enough with at least 150% being required.

Some of our personal favourites:

"Let's touch base about that offline"
AKA lets talk about this another time

"Pre-prepared"
Is there any other kind of prepared?

"Trim the fat"
AKA removing unproductive staff or resources

Share with us the best 'buzzwords' you've heard...

BM Team

What is happening at Caloundra Aerodrome?

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:50:00 GMT

Sunshine Coasters have been kept guessing about the closure of Caloundra Aerodrome. Read the full story on the news section of this site.

Are you a business affected by the closure of the aerodrome?
Where are you moving to?
Is the Sunshine Coast Airport complex at Maroochydore the solution?
Is the Maroochydore Airport growing fast enough for the Coast?

Lifting the drinking age???

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:18:00 GMT

Not sure Neil - surely it just means that instead of 15-18 year olds hanging out drunk on our streets, parks and beaches there will be 15-21 year olds doing the same! I'm not sure that making it illegal would make the blindest bit of difference to their consumption? Didn't we all love the forbidden fruits at that age??

Hugo

Lifting the drinking age???

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:30:00 GMT

In light of recent media attention to alcohol-fuelled violence and crime, the State Governments impending ban on venues serving drinks in plastic containers and the banning of full strength alcohol at major events. Is it not the time to think about lifting the legal drinking age to 21 years of age.

What is eligible in the small business tax break legislation?

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:23:00 GMT

Thanks Hugo. I've done a bit more digging.

Apparently because signage is so tax deductible it is not considered capital asset. Computers are though so they are part of the scheme.

AD

What is eligible in the small business tax break legislation?

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:14:00 GMT

I found this website fairly helpful...

http://www.treasurer.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=pressreleases/2009/061.htm&pageID=003&min=wms&Year=&DocType=0

I guess signage would count as a tangible asset? I'm pretty sure computers would.

Hugo

Someone should introduce this in Aussie servos

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:54:00 GMT

Check this site out.. http://www.mygallons.com/index.html... in the US you can pay for fuel at todays prices so even if it goes up in price you don't get caught out. Could this be introduced here? So long as you follow the prices and are smart about when you buy maybe it could work:??

What is eligible in the small business tax break legislation?

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:27:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

I am trying to find out more information about the govt tax break stuff before I look at investing in new computers and new signage for my business.

How do I find out if they are eligible assets?

Thanx
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