August 2016 Edition

Published on 01 August 2016

August 2016

Welcome to the August edition of Hobsons Bay Business e-Works

In this edition, we have a number of exciting events and workshops taking place across Hobsons Bay, including the Small Business Festival and an exciting program of events for Melbourne Tourism Week, which is taking place in September.

We are pleased to announce that registrations are open for Digital Marketing for Business a one day conference aimed at supporting local business in utilising social media and Search Engine Optimisation to grow their business. Tickets are now on sale but places are limited, so book today to avoid disappointment.

Also coming up is the launch of the Newport Community Hub, a great new addition to the business landscape around Mason Street, which is celebrating its opening with a community open day on 3 September, the arrival of Tenacious, the world's largest operating wooden hulled ship into Williamstown and the launch of the inaugural Art and Industry Festival.

If you have any questions about doing business in Hobsons Bay or how Council can assist in helping your business grow, please contact us on 03 9932 1285 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Good Access is Good Business Workshop

Monday 5 September

Join us for 'Good Access is Good Business' an exciting and interactive workshop which aims to support local businesses to improve their accessibility and learn how we can work together to make Hobsons Bay an accessible destination for visitors and the local community.

With the Jubilee Sailing Trust Australia’s Tenacious calling Hobsons Bay home while she is in the southern hemisphere, what a great time to think about and advocate for access for all. Tenacious is purpose built to enable people of all abilities to experience the challenge of sailing.

One in five Australians has a disability and business owners are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of removing physical, communicational and attitudinal accessibility barriers and the impact that inaccessibility has on the local economy.

This session will be presented by Institute of Access Training Australia Director Joe Manton, who has more than 21 years experience working to maximise the benefits and opportunities of providing access for all. She has assisted many businesses to increase profits and expand customer bases by using a variety of simple tips that she will share during this practical session.

Event details
Date: Monday 5 September
Time: 6.30pm - 8pm
Location: Altona Life Saving Club,127 Esplanade Street, Altona
Cost: Free
Bookings: Click here to register

Social Media Conference

Thursday 8 September

Earlier this year, Council partnered with the Nelson Place Working Group to develop an action plan to improve trade and boost visitation to Nelson Place.

Whilst many of the actions within this plan relate to specific precinct improvement initiatives, the opportunity to deliver online and social media marketing training for all Hobsons Bay businesses was identified. As a result of this work, we are pleased to announce Digital Marketing for Business - a Social Media and SEO Conference.

The conference will feature four social media seminars throughout the day and attendees can register separately for each session or come along for the full day. Topics include:

> Getting Started with Social Media - 8.30am to 10.30am
> Search Engine Optimisation for Small Business - 11am to 1pm
> Introduction to Facebook for Business - 1.30pm to 3.30pm
> Building Relationships with LinkedIn and Twitter - 4pm to 6pm

Morning and afternoon tea and a light lunch will be provided, or take the opportunity to explore the many attractions in and around Williamstown as you dine from a number of restaurants, bars and cafes.

Join other local business operators and learn how to build and maintain an online presence for your business.

For more information on each session, click here.


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Small Business Bus

Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 September

The Small Business Bus is returning to Hobsons Bay in September, offering local business owners free advice from an experienced mentor.Upcoming dates and locations include:

Tuesday 6 September - Spotswood
Wednesday 7 September - Altona
Thursday 8 September - Newport

Whether you're planning, starting or growing your business, the Victorian Government's Small Business Bus can help you to develop your business ideas and capabilities.


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Small Business Festival

The Small Business Festival is running throughout the month of August and there are a number of exciting business events coming up in Hobsons Bay. If you're looking to learn new skills or network with other local business owners, come along to one of the many events taking place.

> Women in Business: Business Skills and Networking for Growth - Friday 19 August
> Social Media for Business - Wednesday 31 August

For more information on the Small Business Festival and other events taking place across the state, visit www.business.vic.gov.au

Live Like a Local - An Airbnb Forum for Melbourne's West

Wednesday 31 August

Airbnb is emerging as a key element of our visitor economy and there is a rapidly growing network of Airbnb hosts across Melbourne’s west. The network offers excellent partnership opportunities for all types of tourism businesses.

Western Melbourne Tourism in collaboration with Airbnb is hosting a forum to enable you to learn more about Airbnb and meet hosts in the region.

Event details
Date: Wednesday 31 August
Time: 6pm to 8pm
Venue: Williamstown Town Hall, 104 Ferguson St, Williamstown
Cost: $25 per person (inclusive of GST and booking fee). This cost includes the forum, networking drinks and finger food.
Bookings: For more information or to register, click here

Upcoming Business Workshop

Thank God it's Monday Engaging Talent in Your Enterprise - 1 September

What does it take for a workforce to look forward to Monday? And what difference does high employee engagement make to a business – particularly so for those businesses seeking to grow?

This session is designed for leaders, managers and business owners who are planning growth and sustainability and who see people - focused, committed and fully engaged - as mission critical to success.

Presenter: Altus Q
Date: Thursday 1 September
Venue: Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, 115 Civic Parade, Altona
Time: 6pm to 8pm
Cost: Free
Bookings: Book online

New Opportunities for Business

Eat Drink Westside 2017
For the last two years, Hobsons Bay City Council has partnered with City of Maribyrnong and surrounding Councils to showcase the cultural and culinary diversity of Melbourne’s west through the Eat Drink Westside program, aligned with Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (which will be held 31 March to 9 April 2017). If you are based in Hobsons Bay and are planning on participating in the 2017 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival or have a great plan for an epicurean event, or would like to know more about Eat Drink Westside, please contact Council's Cultural and Economic Development department at Hobsons Bay City Council on 9932 2001 or events@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

International Readiness Indicator
Austrade's International Readiness Indicator is an online tool for new exporters and has been designed to help Australian businesses determine whether their business is ready for exporting. The Indicator draws on Austrade’s experience in assisting Australian firms enter international markets. It focuses on the key aspects of what it takes to be ready for export and compete successfully in overseas markets. For more information or to access the readiness indicator, visit www.austrade.gov.au

Australian Trusted Trader Program
Australian Trusted Trader is a voluntary trade facilitation initiative. It recognises businesses with a secure supply chain and compliant trade practices, rewarding accredited businesses with a range of trade facilitation benefits. For more information on becoming a trusted trader, visit www.border.gov.au

Going Mainstream on Mainstreet Webinar
This one hour webinar for local retailers and businesses will discuss the benefits of promoting brand recognition for your mainstreet. It will look at funding options available for your Mainstreet Traders’ Association, and talk about the resources and assistance that Mainstreet Australia can offer. For more information or to register, click here.

Your Say - City West Water
City West Water have recently launched an online customer forum, Your Say - City West Water to encourage feedback and input from customers and stakeholder on a range of projects and strategies. To participate, visit www.yoursaycww.com.au and register to become a participant. For more information, click here.

Tax Incentives to Boost Start-ups
On 1 July 2016, two new tax incentives came into effect to make investing in Australian startups more attractive to investors. For more information, visit www.business.gov.au

Upcoming Events

Family Business Australia National Conference - 17 August
This year's FBA National Family Business Conference from 17 to 19 August focuses on creating a sustainable family business through maintaining an entrepreneurial approach and a culture of innovation in this generation and the next. It will be an exciting and insightful event not to be missed. For more information or to register, click here.

Destination Melbourne Visitability Forum: Transport Networks - 22 August
As the backbone of our tourism industry, transport networks create a safe and seamless way for visitors to get around and explore the city as well as creating visitor dispersal to surrounding regions. This Visitability forum will enable you to address any concerns about operations, accessibility or the visitor experience in relation to our transport networks, as well as offer suggestions for improved services and connect with key contacts. For more information or to register, visit www.destination.melbourne

BEC@Kangan Small Business Consultations - Tuesday 23 August
The Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) at Kangan is returning to Hobsons Bay this month with free one-on-one business consultations available to business owners. These free, confidential sessions are a great opportunity to discuss any issues or questions you have in regards to your new or established business. Bookings are essential as places are limited. For more information or to register, click here or call 03 9094 3008.

Retail Industry Roundtable - Tuesday 23 August
Small retailers, including cafe owners and restaurateurs, are encouraged to attend industry roundtables being held in Melbourne and regional Victoria, to tell us how red tape is affecting your business and help shape the future of your industry. For more information or to register, click here.

Current Funding Programs

> Accelerating Commercialisation
> Certain Inputs to Manufacture (CIM)
> Entrepreneurs Programme
> Future Industries Manufacturing Program
> Future Industries Sector Growth Program
> Emissions Reduction Fund
> Industry Skills Fund
> Local Industry Fund for Transition (LIFT)
> R & D Tax Incentive
> Sustainability Victoria Resource Assessment Grants
> Trade Mission Assistance Program
> Wage Subsidies

Community Connection

Tenacious and the Jubilee Sailing Trust arrive into Williamstown

Tenacious, the world's largest operating wooden hulled ship, purpose built to enable people of all physical abilities to experience the challenge of sailing, will be arriving into Williamstown on Sunday 14 August 2016 and will offer public open days and day sails from its base at Seaworks Maritime Precinct.

The arrival of Tenacious is a great opportunity for local business. It is perfectly positioned for corporate bookings, whether showcasing an experience to your customers or taking your staff on a leadership training day they are unlikely to forget.

It’s visit will also be useful for local businesses to tap into a market of highly engaged visitors, from the voyaging passengers and crew to visitors from across Melbourne who will be travelling to Williamstown to visit the ship, and to showcase all that Williamstown has to offer.

Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) is a globally-unique United Nations accredited charity which utilises the adventure of tall ship sailing to unlock potential and break down barriers between people of different circumstances. To find out more about JST and Tenacious, visit www.jst.org.au

Newport Community Hub Open Day - Saturday 3 September

As part of the celebrations for the new Newport Community Hub, Hobsons Bay City Council are planning a Community Open Day on Saturday 3 September and local businesses are invited to get involved with the celebrations and engage with the local community. For more information or to discuss your potential involvement, please contact Jodie Flood, Coordinator Community Engagement and Partnerships at jflood@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or 9932 4190.