Business E-News Design.pub - Narrabri Shire Council

NARRABRI SHIRE BUSINESS
Think Business, Think Narrabri Shire
Heart of the North West!
Local Business E-Newsletter
Welcome to the first edition of the Narrabri Shire Council Local Business E-Newsletter. This
Newsletter has been designed by Council’s Economic Development Section and will be distributed
four times per year to businesses and companies within Narrabri Shire as-well-as appropriate
organisations and departments external to the Shire.
The aim of the Business E-Newsletter is to provide information to organisations on the work being
undertaken across the Shire to benefit the entire business community. This will include updates on the
work Council’s Economic Development Section is undertaking as well as general business tips and
ideas. Appropriate State and Commonwealth Government Department information will be included aswell-as
any legislative changes that can either positively or negatively effect company decisions and
operations.
An emphasis of this initiative is to engender business networking and increase the flow and
distribution of information from Council to the business community as-well-as company to company
peer information.
It is an exciting time for the business community and Council as a whole and we look forward to
working along side and promoting the economy of Narrabri Shire to greater prosperity and success.
Economic Development Section Update
In 2006, Council engaged a consultant to
undertake a mining position paper. Council has
received an interim presentation of the initial
findings with the final report projected to be
delivered in April 2007. Council is also
undertaking a Tourism Development Strategic
Plan for the Shire with the proposed delivery
date being June 2007.
Council will be attending Country Week in
2007. The Economic Development Section is
currently working on ideas and a theme to
promote Narrabri Shire as a strong businesses
community that provides a vibrant and
attractive lifestyle.
Work is being undertaken to upgrade and
refresh Council’s website, with work soon to
start on the creation of a Tourism website for
the Shire.
Cr George Sevil
Narrabri Shire Mayor
A word from the Mayor
Welcome to the first Business
E-Newsletter from the Economic
Development Section of Narrabri
Shire Council.
This newsletter will help to bridge
the gap between Council and the
business community and will be
a great source of information.
The diversity of industry which is
appearing in Narrabri Shire is
very interesting for Council to
witness. It is an exciting time to
be part of promoting enterprise
and new ventures in Narrabri
Shire.
Council looks forward to working closer with the business
community to promote Narrabri Shire as a great place to
reside.

SAFETY FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Narrabri Shire Council has recently been
working on a Crime Prevention Plan for our
Shire. Although we are lucky enough to live in
an area with a relatively low crime rate, it is
important to be aware there are some steps
you can take to look after your business. The
following tips have been taken from the NSW
Police website.
• Display your street number and business
name in a visible position to assist
emergency services;
• Post warning signs around the business
to warn intruders about the security
features of your business;
• If possible, install security lighting
around the perimeter of your business;
• The doors, walls, floor and ceilings of
your building should be of solid
construction. Limit the number of exit
and entry points to restrict outsiders
access;
• Doors should be fitted with quality single
cylinder dead locks to comply with
Australian Building Code fire regulations;
• Glass within doors and windows can be
reinforced with either shatter resistant
film or laminated glass;
• Record descriptions, models/serial
numbers of property owned by your
business;
• If your business deals with cash,
consider installing a safe for added
security. The safe should be
manufactured and installed to Australian
and New Zealand standards and should
be anchored to restrict removal;
• Limit the amount of money held in the
cash drawer and advise staff not to
count the money in public view;
• If possible, have a monitored intruder
alarm system installed to enhance the
physical security of your business;
• All ATM’s should be placed away from
entry points of your shop. ATM’s should
be anchored to the ground and covered
with CCTV if possible.
ACC - Small Business Field Officers
This program is an Australian Government initiative and is run through
the New England / North West Area Consultative Committee. It
provides the following resources to the business community;
• Access to specialised Australian Government technical
information and services for small business as well as funding
information.
• Provides feedback to the Australian Government on small
business issues in our area.
• Facilitates appropriate training for small businesses in the
region.
• Provides small business mentoring and networks to assist in
developing and diversifying regional business and industry.
• Facilitates opportunities for clustering and cooperative
arrangements, and
• Facilitates in investment in regional business.
The Small Business Field Officer for Narrabri Shire is located in Moree
and makes regular trips to our area. For further information regarding
this program you can visit their website http://www.nenwacc.com.au or
contact the Moree Office on (02) 6752 6378.
The Importance of your Business Card
The humble business card can be one of the most
underestimated promotional tools for small
businesses. The small size of a business card
may fool people into dismissing its effectiveness.
Business cards can be the most cost-effective and
efficient method of marketing. The smaller size
actually benefits you, allowing mini-billboards to
be carried around in your pocket! If maintained and handed out
regularly they can be an extremely effective marketing tool. Business
Cards can be easily produced at home or in your office using regular
Microsoft Word and Apple programs.
To ensure your business cards are effective, keep all the information
relevant and up to date. Having incorrect information on your card
may mean you miss out on important business as contacts won’t be
able to reach you.
As well as having up to date information on your business card, you
should ensure that you purchase a small holder to hold your cards.
Handing out a crumpled card to potential business contacts is not a
good first impression. You should also store other peoples cards in a
similar way showing your respect and interest in their business.
It is extremely important to keep your business cards with you at all
times. You never know when the situation may arise to meet potential
future clients. Your business may be quickly forgotten if this client
does not have a reminder of your and your business through the form
of a business card. Cards do not work for you if they are in the drawer
of you desk.
I may also be a good idea to give several of your cards to friends and
good clients to pass on to potential clients they deal with.
The importance of a business card cannot be underestimated. They
are easy and inexpensive to produce and if used correctly, may result
in positive developments for your business in the future.

NARRABRI SHIRE BUSINESS
Think Business, Think Narrabri Shire
Heart of the North West!
The NSW Governments Drought
Assistance Program provides a range
of measures to help established
regional non-farm businesses to
survive drought.
This program is administered by the
Department of State & Regional
Development. Payroll tax relief is
available to help with businesses with
Up to 200 employees. Businesses
Business Drought Assistance Program
involved in the production and sale of
farm machinery and supplies, transport,
or those dependent on farm produce
may be eligible for assistance.
Assistance is available through a
Financial Position Assessment and
Mini Diagnostic, a service that
diagnoses the health of a business and
provides financial guidance.
Help is also available for small and
medium enterprises affected by
drought to implement business
improvement or recovery strategies or
diversify their operations.
For more information visit
www.business.nsw.gov.au or contact
Councils Economic Development
Section on (02) 6799 6887.
FOCUS ON LOCAL BUSINESS
Every issue of the Business E-Newsletter will feature information on local companies. You can feature your organisation in
following issues so that the Narrabri Shire business community is more aware of your operation and what services you can
provide. If you are interested in featuring, please contact Council’s Community Development Officer, Miss Alice Cole on
alicec@narrabri.nsw.gov.au or on (02) 6799 6887.
GET A WEEL STEAL DEAL
Business Name:
WEEL Australia Pty Ltd
Principals of Business:
Wayne & Maree Wheeler
Location of Business:
40 Francis Street, Narrabri.
Number of years in Business:
Moved into premises in June 2006
Owner, Wayne
Wheeler at the
front of his new
premises in Francis
Street with
E c o n o m i c
Development
Manager, Bill Birch.
Type of Business:
There are many facets to our business and we keep
growing. Our main function is a Steel Yard.
Primary Products & Services:
Steel yard, Gate Hardware, Sheds Garages and Carports, Lattice, Light Manufacturing, MTD Sales & Service agency for
Mowers and Brush cutters, Pruning products & gardening equipment, Briggs & Stratton Sales & Service agency, Genquip
Engines & Generators, Grudge motors, welding equipment, grinding & cutting disks, Quad & Dirt bikes, Liquid Engineering
products, Gulf Western Oil distributors, U-Haul trailer hire, Origin gas delivery & pick-up and refiller of BBQ bottles.
Areas of Specialisation:
Steel Sales, Oil Sales & Recommendations, Sheds Quotes, Spare Parts for all Briggs & Stratton and MTD Products and
Domestic Gas sales & Delivery.
Contact Details:
40 Francis Street
Phone: (02) 6792 4687
Fax: (02) 6792 4413
Email: weel@bigpond.com.au
VOIP: 02 8002 1229

BUSINESS PLANNING ESSENTIALS
A business plan is a document which describes the business, identifies its objectives and outlines a considered strategy for
attaining those objectives.
A business plan although written when first entering into a new venture, should also be updated regularly by existing companies
as it is a live document. By doing this it will help you spot potential pitfalls before they happen and act as a focus to drive the
business forward. If you are an existing organisation, it is not too late to undertake a business plan which will give structure and
direction for your future business success.
A business plan has two primary roles. One is to provide owners a structure to run their business and two if required will assist in
requests for funding. A business plan should also include the following but not be limited to an:
Executive Summary
Description of business opportunity (Business Overview)
Competition
Target Market
Products or Services provided
Marketing and Sales Strategy
Personnel
Financial Budget
A recent study by the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants found that there was a direct correlation between business
failure and a not well thought out business plan. A good idea to consider when undertaking a business plan is to do a best-case
and worse-case scenario.
Remember that most small business owners don’t plan to fail they fail to plan.
Keep an eye out in future issues of this newsletter for further information about the components of a business plan.
FOCUS ON LOCAL BUSINESS - Ramec Pty Ltd
Business Name:
Ramec Pty Ltd
Principals of Business:
Roger Hamilton & Ashley Carolan
Contact Details for Business:
Office Phone: (02) 6790 3114
Fax : (02) 6790 3113
Roger Hamilton: 0427 700 715
Ashley Carolan: 0429 600 038
Location of Business:
Pilliga Road, Wee Waa, NSW 2388
Number of years Business has been established:
3 years
Type of Business:
Mechanical Repairs, Fabrication, Heavy Haulage and
Earthworks.
Primary Product & Services:
• Mechanical repairs to light and heavy vehicles and
mobile plant.
• Metal Fabrication & machining.
• Grading & Earthworks.
• Heavy Haulage.
Areas of Specialisation
Mechanical repairs to a wide range of equipment. Metal
fabrication and engineering. Grading and Earthworks.
Economic Development Manager, Bill Birch with
Ashley Carolan from Ramec, Wee Waa.

NARRABRI SHIRE BUSINESS
Think Business, Think Narrabri Shire
Heart of the North West!
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
To ensure that we provide the community an effective service that will help to enhance the economy of Narrabri
Shire, we would like to hear how Council could support your ideas.
We also want to know what information you would like to see in future Business E-Newsletters.
Please contact the Economic Development Section on the details below if anything in this Newsletter has
sparked your imagination.
You can also contact us if your business needs assistance in anyway - if we can’t help you, we will put you in
touch with someone who can.
We are interested in you ideas and endeavours and look forward to hearing you from.
Receiving the
Business
E-Newsletter
If you would like to
receive the Business E-
Newsletters please
forward your email
a d d r e s s t o
alicec@narrabri.nsw.gov.
au
Please state your
business name, contact
details and your position
within the business.
Alternatively, if you would
like to unsubscribe
please email the same
address stating this and
you will be taken off the
email list.
Greencorps Project
Greencorps is an Australian Government
Youth Development and Environmental
Training Program for people aged between
17 and 20. This program gives young
volunteers the chance to work on exciting
environmental and cultural heritage projects
across Australia.
A group involving Council, Newtrain
Reconnect and the Narrabri Lands Council
have joined forces to apply for funding to
start a Greencorps project in Narrabri. The
project will give job opportunities to youth of
the Shire and provide training to extend
these opportunities past the 26 week
program.
When the program goes ahead, the group
will be introduced to the community via
media and meeting with interested groups.
Meetings will be held with local job
agencies and industry groups to foster
further career growth with Youth after the
completion on the Greencorps project.
SCAMWATCH
SCAMWatch is a website run by the
Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission (ACCC). The aim of the website
is to provide consumers and small business
owners with information on how to recognise,
avoid and report scams. Scams that are
reported to SCAMWatch are investigated
through the ACCC.
Scams often originate overseas and are
therefore difficult to track down and
prosecute. People who are affected by scams
rarely get their money back. SCAMWatch
plays a part in prevention of scams.
SCAMWatch is run through a website which
gives information on current scams. There is
a section on scams which affect Small
Business. It is a good website to peruse so
that you are familiar with the schemes that
scam artists use to fool people and learn how
to protect you and your business. The
website for SCAMWatch is
www.scamwatch.com.au.
This Newsletter has been produced by;
Narrabri Shire Council
Economic Development Section
Bill Birch
Economic Development Manager
billb@narrabri.nsw.gov.au
Alice Cole
Community Development Officer
alicec@narrabri.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 6799 6887