This month the emphasis was on new and existing members of the Chamber. 50 operators passed the microphone around the room and introduced themselves and their business to fellow members. Networking is not everyones strong point and with over 60 members at each function it can be hard at times to know who is in the room with you and what benefit you may get from forming a relationship. Members said this was a great way to target people they specifically want to network with at future functions.

Again we had over 60 members at our monthly Breakfast before Business meeting.Mike Svikis, Principle Planner for GHD gave a presentation on the draft Masterplan proposal for public foreshore land fronting the Richmond River in Ballina between North Creek and Burns Point Ferry Road and outlined the significance for the Ballina community and the Northern Rivers Region.

Following our guest speakers presentation, recent BCCI Activities and Board Reports were also discussed. Leaving plenty of time for coffee and some much needed networking amongst our members and guests.

The workshop offered our CBD retailers the opportunity to engage in a professional development seminar that allowed them to take a moment to ‘work on their business, not in their business’. The evening workshop was certainly enjoyed by everyone who attended and all participants seemed to embrace the ideas and strategies presented by Ben.

The Economic Development Unit and Chamber of Commerce looks forward to providing more opportunities for professional development for the cluster groups. You can find more information on Ben Fewtrell from his web site www.actioncoach.com/benfewtrell/contact.php and more information about the cluster groups from Jane Laverty at the councils Economic Development Unit on 66 861419 or Nadia at the Chamber on 66 815049.

This project has been created to help advise and grow business and employment across Ballina Shire. The key to the BOOST project is the Business Retention and Expansion Survey, which will provide key decision making data to create a dynamic and prosperous economy for Ballina.

Well known keynote speaker Ben Fewtrell, business coach and mentor gave a well recieved speech on 6 steps to success in your business. Ben has owned several businesses and over the last 6 years has worked with over 100 different businesses in 38 diferent industries. He is also a regular contributor for several national business publications and is to be featured in ‘The Secrets of Top Business Builders Exposed’ book.

Also Sandra Jackson from Rivafest gave a brief outline on the Rivafest format for this year.

So to be in the know, come along to the next Breakfast Before Business, you never know what you might learn. For more information about this or any other chamber run events, please call Nadia Eliott-Burgess on 66815049.

QA Business has been involved with over 25,000 business’s nationally and it was an excellent opportunity for our Home Based Business Network members to come along and chat with Clayton about how their own business’s can become more succesful with the use of good business systems.

If you have a home based business and would like to come along to our next event, just call Nadia Eliott-Burgess at the chamber on 66815049 or call Jane Laverty at Ballina’s Economic Development Unit on 66861419.

The evening was hosted by AusIndustry, the Northern Rivers Business and Advisory Service and the Northern Rivers Area Consultative Committee.

The evening was enjoyed by all participants, and the lucky door prize winner was Dave Heggie from Digital and Virtual Environments.

If you would like to attend or would like some more information on the chambers great networking events just contact Nadia Eliott-Burgess, at the chamber on 66815049.

The Roadshow was designed so that business operators could;

Meet with the regions key representatives for assistance with business growth, gain knowledge on how to start a new business or grow an existing one, discover what assistance is available from government to small business, learn how to be safe at work, learn how to export, and discover what free business advice is available in the Northern Rivers.

If you would like anymore information about the Roadshow, and any of its participants, contact Nadia Eliott-Burgess at the chamber on 66815049.

Also speaking was Jeanie McKillop, the co-ordinator from North East Waste Forum. Jeanie provided great information about waste reduction in the workplace and the cost savings available for business by being more aware of the amount of waste we generate, great for the bottom line and also the environment.

It was an informative and well run breakfast,and if you would like anymore information on either of our mornings presenters, just contact the chamber, or you can check out the website.

www.northeastwasteforum.org.au

So dont forget to diarise next months Breakfast before Business to be held on August the 15th. See you there!

The presentation was given by Dave Beck from eMedia Worx, and Dave had the room really engaged in his step by step practical application of the concepts. Pictured below are the friendly team from eMedia Worx, if you would like to contact them for more information, do so on- 66866262 or dave@emediaworx.com.au

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The HBBN is a great forum to share knowledge and meet likeminded business people, so if you would like to come along to one of our meetings just contact Nadia Eliott-Burgess at the chamber on 66815049 or Jane Laverty at the councils Economic Development Unit