Media Releases

Small businesses in the Shepparton district will be able to access relevant, reliable and affordable information on financial management thanks to a forthcoming seminar announced today by Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell.

Mrs Powell said the Budgeting and Forecasting seminar, supported by the Coalition Government, would be held at Greater Shepparton Business Centre at 6pm on Wednesday 18 April.

“As a former small business owner myself I know the value of sound information to help small businesses make informed decisions regarding financial management,” Mrs Powell said.

“The Victorian Coalition Government recognised the vital role small businesses play in contributing to the economic and social life of Shepparton.

“We want to ensure the Shepparton district’s small businesses have the best chance of establishing a sustainable and prosperous business,” Mrs Powell said.

Last year more than 3,000 businesses throughout the state participated in Small Business Victoria’s workshops and seminars. Through the program, businesses and prospective business owners are provided with the facts and advice needed to make informed decisions and create a platform for ongoing success.
Popular topics in the program include starting up, financial management, employing people and marketing.

“All workshops and seminars are delivered by private sector business specialists who are well-qualified and experienced in small business,” Mrs Powell said.

Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said the Coalition Government recognised the vital role Victoria’s 495,000 small businesses played in the economy of the state.

“We are committed to encouraging small business and individual initiative, and to creating an environment that rewards those who work hard, save, invest and create employment,” Ms Asher said.

For more information about other workshops and seminars that are available please go to: www.business.vic.gov.au/businessevents.

Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell, is encouraging small to medium size businesses in the Shepparton District to take part in the 2012 Telstra Business Awards.

Telstra has run these Awards which recognise excellence in small and medium business for 20 years and they offer a combined prize pool of more than $500,000 in cash and prizes.

Mrs Powell said 2012 is another milestone year for the Telstra Business Awards as they now include the new "HTC Start-Up Award" for small to medium businesses which have been operating between one and three years.

“This new Award celebrates people who demonstrate dedication, enthusiasm and the knowledge required to turn an idea into a successful commercial reality,” Mrs Powell said.

"Running a small business can be a lonely job with owners working long hours, often on their own, and the Telstra Business Awards are a great opportunity for small and medium businesses to increase their profile.

“Importantly, each entrant receives a free individual Business Health Check. This offers businesses the chance to get a better picture of where they stand and how well placed they are to take advantage of opportunities to grow and expand.

“They receive advice in key areas including customer and staff management, product development, social responsibility, financial management and marketing,” Mrs Powell said.

For the 2012 Telstra Business Awards, the categories are:
· HTC Start Up Award – For businesses that have been operating for between one and three years and have up to 200 employees
· MYOB Small Business Award – For businesses with more than five employees, but less than or equal to 20 employees
· News Ltd Micro-Business Award – For businesses with five or less employees
· Commonwealth Bank Medium Business Award – For businesses with more than 20 employees and up to 200 employees
· Telstra Regional Award – For businesses in each state and territory located outside the metropolitan areas of the capital cities
Entries close at 5pm on Monday 2 April 2012.
Nomination forms are available from Mrs Powell’s Office 5 Vaughan Street, Shepparton.

For further information call 1800 262 323 or visit telstrabusinessawards.com

Small businesses in the Shepparton area will be able to access relevant, reliable and affordable information on business management thanks to a forthcoming workshop announced today by Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell.

Mrs Powell said the Better Business Practices workshop, supported by the Coalition Government, would be held at Greater Shepparton Business Centre at 6pm on Wednesday 22 February.

“This is a great opportunity for business owners to receive professional advice and support,” Mrs Powell said.

“As a former small-business co-owner I know how important it is to access up-to-date reliable information regarding the marketing and promotion of your business.”

Last year over 3,000 businesses throughout Victoria participated in Small Business Victoria’s workshops and seminars. Through the program, businesses and prospective business owners are provided with the facts and advice needed to make informed decisions and create a platform for ongoing success.

Popular topics in the program include starting up, financial management, employing people and marketing.
All workshops and seminars are delivered by private sector business specialists who are well-qualified and experienced in small business.

Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said the Coalition Government recognised the vital role Victoria’s 495,000 small businesses played in the economy of the state.

“We are committed to encouraging small business and individual initiative, and to creating an environment that rewards those who work hard, save, invest and create employment,” Ms Asher said.

For more information about other workshops and seminars that are available please go to: www.business.vic.gov.au/businessevents

Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell today alerted small businesses they are now eligible for rebates on water efficient products under the Coalition’s Government plan to help reduce potable water use.

Mrs Powell said the new rebates are, for the first time, available to small business and deliver on the Coalition’s election commitment to invest $40 million in rebates on water efficient products for homes, for gardens and now, for small business.

“Small businesses with 20 or fewer employees are eligible to receive rebates of up to $2000 on a range of water-efficient products,” Mrs Powell said.

“Rebates are available for items such as commercial glass washers, dishwashers and washing machines, high pressure cleaners and dual flush toilets.

“This will encourage more small businesses, including restaurants, laundromats and car washes, to become more water efficient.

“This announcement follows the extension of the rebate program to households not connected to reticulated water supplies - households which needed it most.

“This program is expected to provide up to 5000 rebates for small businesses and up to 30,000 home and garden rebates over the next 12 months.

“The former Labor Government left Victorian households and businesses facing soaring water bills and the new rebates program will encourage and assist in making much needed savings.

“It is great to see our water storages nearing capacity, but we still need to be water efficient now and into the future,” Mrs Powell said.

For more information about the program and products eligible for a rebate visit www.water.vic.gov.au/rebates

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell is encouraging small business owners in the Shepparton district to attend a workshop about online marketing run by Small Business Victoria.

Your Business Online - Optimising Your Potential workshop will be at the Greater Shepparton Business Centre on Wednesday 21 September, at 6pm.

The event is delivered by Small Business Victoria in partnership with Greater Shepparton City Council.

“This is a great opportunity for Shepparton business owners to receive professional advice and support,” Mrs Powell said.

“Understanding the potential of online marketing is critical in a rapidly changing world.

“As a former small-business co-owner myself I know how important it is to access up-to-date reliable information regarding the marketing and promotion of your business.”

The workshop is one of many being delivered throughout the state as part of Small Business Victoria’s Workshop and Seminar Program.

The program covers topics including: financial management, employing people, and marketing.
All workshops and seminars are delivered by private sector business specialists who are well-qualified and experienced in small business.

“The Coalition is committed to encouraging and supporting small business owners who work hard, invest and create employment opportunities,” Mrs Powell said.

“Successful small businesses are very important to the economic prosperity of the Shepparton district.

“I encourage as many small business owners as possible to attend one or more seminars to help their businesses grow and succeed,” Mrs Powell said.

For more information about the workshops and seminars go to: www.business.vic.gov.au/workshops.

Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business Russell Northe has visited the City of Shepparton for the Small Business Festival.

Mr Northe attended the Retail Selling Strategies from the Top dinner, and also met with local business groups to discuss any matters of concern.

He said the visit to the region was an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the wider issues affecting small businesses and also promote the work done by Small Business Victoria.

“It has been a terrific experience, meeting with many prominent business people who work in Shepparton and surrounding areas, and I commend them on the work they do in enhancing the local economy.

“The Retail Selling Strategies from the Top seminar highlighted the great contribution that Shepparton employers make in the retail sector, and the huge economic boost it provides.

“It generates about $62 billion in sales each year and employs hundreds of thousands of people throughout the state, including around 4,000 here in Shepparton.

“The retail industry is changing faster than virtually any other sector, but it is also facing a range of challenges including increasing overheads and the impacts of online shopping.”

Whilst in Shepparton Mr Northe also took the opportunity to meet with a few local groups including:

• Bee Jay Machinery
• Shepparton Chamber of Commerce; and
• Gouge Dry Cleaning

“I thank these business groups for taking the time to meet with me and have an open discussion on issues they are facing now and into the future.

“It has been a very informative trip and I look forward to making my way back to Shepparton in the near future.”

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell said having Mr Northe in the region was encouraging for local business people and it was pleasing that many took the opportunity to raise their concerns with him.

“Shepparton is a rich and vibrant community and the Victorian Coalition Government is committed to ensuring regional businesses are receiving access to relevant information.

“I thank Mr Northe for taking the time to visit our region, and I trust he has enjoyed taking in all that the region has to offer,” Mrs Powell said.

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell is encouraging business people in the Shepparton district to learn at least one more business skill this August when Victoria’s Small Business Festival 2011 comes to town.

‘Add One More Skill’ is the 2011 festival theme - with a strong emphasis on practical knowledge, new business skills and hands-on learning.

Mrs Powell said Victoria’s Small Business Festival would feature hundreds of events focussed on small business issues and inspiring expert speakers, as well as a series of special events focussing on the retail sector.

“Event topics in Shepparton range from Business Planning and Development through to Green Business, Sales and Marketing,” Mrs Powell said.

“With a multitude of workshops, seminars and networking events there is something for every kind of business at any stage of business development and growth.

“This is an excellent opportunity for business owners, managers and staff to attend local events which will enable them to apply what they learn straight into the workplace.

“As a former co-owner of a small business I understand firsthand the need for up-to-date information and expertise.”

The Victorian Government coordinates Victoria’s Small Business Festival to provide people with the opportunity to work on the bigger picture issues of their small business.

For information on Victoria’s Small Business Festival 2011 events or to order an official event guide which is packed with small business information and details of all festival events taking place during August, visit www.business.vic.gov.au/festival or call 13 22 15.

Small businesses in the Shepparton area will be able to access relevant, reliable and affordable information on networking at a local seminar, State member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell announced today.

Mrs Powell said the networking seminar would be held at the Greater Shepparton Business Centre on Wednesday 20 July, at 6pm.

“This event is delivered by Small Business Victoria in partnership with Greater Shepparton City Council,” she said.

“As a former partner in a small business I understand firsthand the importance of professional advice and of sharing information.

“It is a great opportunity for Shepparton businesses to obtain expert professional business advice at a convenient location and for a low cost.”

Small Business Victoria’s Workshop and Seminar Program is being delivered throughout the state, with more than 3000 small businesses likely to benefit during the course of 2011.

It provides businesses and prospective business owners with the facts and advice needed to make informed decisions and create a platform for ongoing success.

The program covers topics including: starting up, financial management, employing people, and marketing. All workshops and seminars are delivered by private sector business specialists who are qualified and experienced in small business.

Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said the Coalition Government recognised the vital role Victoria’s 495,000 small businesses played in the life of the State.

“We are committed to encouraging small business and individual initiative, and to creating an environment that rewards those who work hard, save, invest and create employment,” she said.

For more information about other wor kshops and seminars that are available log onto www.business.vic.gov.au/workshops.

Small businesses in the Shepparton area will be able to access relevant, reliable and affordable information on organising their businesses thanks to a forthcoming seminar announced today by the Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell.

Mrs Powell said the Get your Business Organised seminar would be held at the Greater Shepparton Business Centre at 6pm on Wednesday 22 June.

“This event is delivered by Small Business Victoria in partnership with Greater Shepparton City Council,” Mrs Powell said.

“Shepparton small business owners often face difficulties accessing reliable information, or lack the time to go out and get business advice to help make decisions for their business.

“This is a great opportunity for local small business owners to obtain professional business advice for a low cost and without the need to travel out of the district.”

Small Business Victoria’s Workshop and Seminar Program is being delivered throughout the state, with over 3,000 small businesses likely to benefit during the course of 2011.

It provides businesses and prospective business owners with the facts and advice needed to make informed decisions and create a platform for ongoing success.

The program covers topics including: starting up; financial management; employing people; and marketing. All workshops and seminars are delivered by private sector business specialists who are well-qualified and experienced in small business.

Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said the Coalition Government recognised the vital role Victoria’s 495,000 small businesses played in the life of the State.

“We are committed to encouraging small business and individual initiative, and to creating an environment that rewards those who work hard, save, invest and create employment,” she said.

For more information about other workshops and seminars that are available please go to: www.business.vic.gov.au/workshops

Small Business Victoria’s Mobile Business Centre is gearing up to deliver free face-to-face business mentoring and assistance to businesses in Shepparton on Monday May 9th.

The Mobile Business Centre will visit more than 45 regional locations, including Shepparton, between now and early July.

Shepparton small business owners will have direct access to the full range of Small Business Victoria services, including business mentoring.

State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell MP, said the objective of the 2011 Mobile Business Centre program was to deliver targeted support to Victorian small businesses, wherever they were located.

“Small business owners, particularly those in regional areas, often face difficulties accessing reliable information, or they lack the time to go out and get business advice to help make decisions for their business,” Mrs Powell said.

“I am pleased the Mobile Business Centre is visiting Shepparton as this will help fill an information gap for local small business owners.”

“The Coalition Government knows from business and community leaders throughout Victoria just how valued the services of the Mobile Business Centre are.”

The Mobile Business Centre will be at the Shepparton Business Centre, 70 New Dookie Road, Shepparton, from 10am to 4pm on Monday May 9th.

Details of the locations and dates for the 2011 Mobile Business Centre tour and information on how to book a mentoring session can be found at www.businessvic.gov.au/mbc or by calling Small Business Victoria on 13 22 15.