http:// 2013-06-18T05:48:29Z 2013-06-18T05:48:29Z western-australia-s-newest-business-networking-team

The face of business networking in Western Australia is set to change with the establishment of Business Network International (BNI®) Team WA.BNI is a business referral organisation whose primary purpose is to assist its members to find and exchange qualified business referrals. There are currently 25 BNI chapters in the State with more than 600 member businesses.Frederick Marcoux, the Director of Asian and Australian Affairs for BNI ’s Global operations and the owner of BNI Australia, announced that the leaders of BNI Team WA will be BNI Executive Directors John Williamson and Mark Graber.Mr Marcoux said Mr Williamson will oversee the development of BNI in the South West and south of Perth, and Mr Graber will oversee the development of Regional WA and BNI operations north of Perth.Mr Graber is the instructional design expert behind www.BNIlearning.com.au and was previously a lecturer at Curtin Business School. Previous to taking on this position, Mr Graber was a member of BNI for 9 years, and was the Director of National Learning Operations for BNI in Australia. Mr Williamson has 25 years experience in business ownership, human resources management and labour relations and holds a number of prestigious BNI International Chapter Hall of Fame Awards. Before taking on this role, Mr Williamson was an Executive Director of BNI in South Africa.BNI Team WA will also be supported by a team of BNI Directors and Ambassadors, as well as the Director of Franchise Development for Western Australia - 12 times best-selling author and the #1 BNI Executive Director in the world – Ms Hazel Walker.“This strategic move is all about WA leading the nation in terms of business earned by the members of BNI in Australia,” Mr Marcoux said.“At the moment, BNI members in WA are making $25 million per annum. That a great start - the goal is to increase that to more than $100 million within two years and to more than $300 million within five years," he said.“This is an exciting development for BNI in Western Australia. I think it will change the face of business networking in this State."According to Mr Marcoux, Mr Graber and Mr Williamson will be responsible for rolling out world’s best BNI practices to Chapters in WA.“BNI’s proven track record means that rolling out this approach will multiply the income of members in WA through BNI by four to five times,” he said.BNI provides its members with a professional structure that enables members to network in a deliberate manner for the sole purpose of generating more business."The way we network in BNI attracts busy, no nonsense and successful business people who appreciate the power of relationships and business networking,” Mr Marcoux said.“The philosophy underpinning BNI is 'Givers Gain®' and members are empowered by the understanding that by giving to others they will receive considerably more in return business. This in effect is what we mean by 'Changing the Way the World does Business™'."

2013-06-12T03:58:31Z monster-music-implores-readers-please-sign-the-commit-to-community-radio-petition

Perth, WA, June 12, 2013 - Last March, representatives of community radio stations all across Australia banded together to drum up support for a campaign to save digital community radio. The campaign, called Commit to Community Radio, is raising awareness of a $1.4 million shortfall in government funding to help community radio stations switch from analogue to digital. An estimated 37 community radio stations across Australia are considered to be at risk of being unable to switch over to digital broadcasting. Advocates of community radio cite the fact that approximately one in four Australians listens to community radio on a weekly basis, and are disappointed in last year’s budget cuts that resulted in a $1.4 million shortfall for community radio. If funding is not restored in the next budget, which is determined this May, many digital stations could go under. Stations considered to be in danger of closure include 3RRR in Melbourne, which garners 329,000 listeners every week to go with 14,000 subscribers, and Light Melbourne, which broadcasts to 364,000 listeners for FM, and another 158,000 for its digital channel each month. Noongar Radio in Perth, RPH in Adelaide, 4EB Global in Brisbane, and FBi in Sydney are also considered to be at risk. The Commit to Community Radio campaign has started an online petition, which currently claims 39,600 signees, as of this writing. Adrian Basso, President of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, is grudgingly optimistic. He cites a positive and enthusiastic response to the petition and several meetings with key government figures as reasons for optimism. Basso also cites the National Cultural Policy, and it’s infusion of over $200 million into the arts as both encouraging and a possible indication the government may fully understand the importance of community radio to Australians. Danny Achurch, musician, teacher, and founder of Monster Music, hopes that every musician, student, teacher, and those who read his blog sign the petition and make their voices heard. Achurch has studied the numbers concerning this issue, and it is very surprising that the situation has become as dire as it is now. According to Achurch, “The money is there. The government is already giving $134 million to free-to-air TV stations in license rebates to help them convert to digital broadcasting. Meanwhile, community radio is only asking for $1.4 million. Since 25% of Australians listen to community radio on a weekly basis, the situation is even more ludicrous than it would appear, without context.” Achurch continued, “In addition, over $200 million is pledged to the new Creative Australia effort, and the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (AMRAP) received $250,000 from the budget last year in a last-minute decision similar to this one. It cannot be denied that community radio is extremely important to the health of the Australian music scene. Most Australian artists get their first airplay on Australian community radio stations. Without this medium for exposure, much of the great work that is being done by Creative Australia will have been done in vain.” Achurch concluded, “If you care about Australian music and community radio, please take the time to visit the Commit to Community Radio website and sign the petition.” Monster Music provides drum, singing, guitar, and keyboard lessons in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and most Australian cities, as well as lessons on most popular instruments. To find out more about Monster Music, please visit their website: http://www.monstermusic.com.au/ or call 08 9335 8881.

2013-06-12T01:51:03Z ripple-suspended-massage

Ripple Massage has launched suspended massages to aid women who are victims of domestic violence. More information is at www.ripplemassage.com.au Ripple’s suspended massages borrow from the tradition of suspended coffee, which began in Naples about ten years ago. In essence, a “suspended coffee” – or caffe sospeso in Italian – is a cup of coffee that a customer buys anonymously for someone who can't afford to buy one themselves. The customer pays for the coffee in advance and the cafe “suspends” it, later making the coffee for someone who could needs it. Ripple is the first massage business in Australia to have extended this concept to the massage industry. The concept is simple. Any customer can simply add $5 to their massage booking (or simply donate $5) which will pay for a fifteen minute massage for a woman who has been subjected to domestic violence. Ripple Managing Director, Alison Shaw, believes that a big part of being a massage therapist is the concept of giving back to the community. The suspended massage is an extension of the “Ripple Effect” programme already run by Ripple. “At Ripple, we have a deep sense of gratitude for our good fortune to be able to do such beautiful work. The suspended massage is a way that the kindness, that has been shown to us, can be forwarded to women who are in desperate need for some positive touch,” said Ms Shaw. “The issue of domestic violence is one that is close to our hearts here at Ripple. In the past month, the opportunity to help three women who have been subjected to violence in the home has crossed our paths, and it has prompted us to expand out programme of giving massages to those in need on a wider scale,” she continued.  “Anyone can give a suspended massage. Simply call Ripple on 0438 567 906 to donate one, $5 will pay for a fifteen minute massage for a woman who has been subjected to domestic violence, or you can donate one online at www.ripplemassage.com.au . It’s that inexpensive and it’s that easy. It is a very simple concept that pays forward some of the kindness and good karma with which Ripple has been blessed.” Ripple provides a unique mobile day spa service to women, men and couples throughout the Gold Coast, Mt Tamborine, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay, Hervey Bay, Melbourne, Yarra Valley, Great Ocean Road, Mornington Peninsula and Geelong regions. Also all Sydney, and Tasmania. For more information on Ripple or to make a booking please phone 0438 567 906 or visit the website www.ripplemassage.com.au -Ends- We welcome journalists trying out any of our massage styles, please contact us for details. High res pictures available. Alison Shaw - 0434 991 879     alison@ripplemassage.com.au         www.ripplemassage.com.au    Twitter : www.twitter.com/rippleali   Facebook : www.facebook.com/ripplemassage

2013-06-06T04:38:37Z technology-today-only-tough-is-good-enough

Fancy handsets and whizzy tablets are great to look at but stop being useful the moment they’re accidentally dropped. As a result, more people than ever before are considering toughening up their latest gadgets. That’s because the nature of mobility these days sees our phones, tablets and cameras venturing forth into places which would make most manufacturers shudder and start reaching for their 20-page warranty terms.Like it or not, whether you’re a parent with a destructive 2 year old, the local hard-wearing builder, or a techy IT manager, your Smartphone, laptop or tablet could be one slip away from destruction.Unless, of course, your device is ruggedised.One such player paving the way for rugged technology is Panasonic. Its range of Toughbook laptops and Toughpad tablets are being snapped up by an increasingly wide number of new converts.“Whether it is for travelling salesmen, controlling vehicles in the field, construction, forestry or even out at sea, tough technology lasts longer. It means your technology systems are available when –and where – they are needed, every time,” says Darryn Smith, Panasonic Toughbook Mobility and Channel Manager at Comworth.But it is also the office worker who faces constant ‘tech-killers’ every day. “Hands up if you’ve dropped a phone, spilled a coffee on a laptop, or had a child get hold of a tablet and introduce it to the toilet,” says Smith.Chances are, your hand is up – and the fragile screen or keyboard of your device, which can cost upwards of $250 to replace, has suffered the consequences.Repair time means serious downtime and frustration when you have to revert back to fumbling through a printed newspaper to get your morning news.CF_30_Toughbook17_NEUAnd it’s not just you that seems to be doing one too many insurance claims. A recent IDC study found that 19.6% of notebooks used in U.S. businesses break or require repair at some point in their lifetime.”Human error and carelessness” were responsible for the greatest sources of damage with 72% of respondents saying they dropped their laptops, 66% spilled liquid onto the devices and 55% said their machines fell off a desk.With the odds stacked against you it’s worth considering the alternatives.Smith says rugged devices fall into two broad categories: semi-rugged and fully-rugged. “Semi-rugged devices are ideal for the office worker. They offer moisture and dust resistance, the ability to handle knocks and minor drops, and don’t look too different from standard laptops,” he explains.Fully-rugged devices, on the other hand, look the part. They shout – ‘I’m tough, don’t mess with me!’ – and are capable of withstanding rain, snow and sea spray. They also offer screens viewable in bright sunshine, and are certified to military specifications for keeping out dust and water.Smith says Smartphone and tablet vendors are cottoning on to consumer demand for tougher technology with options available for every personal computing need. “You might use an Android tablet or perhaps prefer a Windows 8 laptop that combines a touch screen with a keyboard.“Whatever you are getting up to with your favourite gadget, if you’ve had enough of devices that must be handled with kid gloves – or kept away from the kids lest they break the device – there are options available capable of handling whatever life throws your way,” he concludes.

2013-06-06T02:41:39Z life-insurance-direct-press-release-income-protection-insurance-from-as-little-as-1-0-of-your-salary

You can take out income protection insurance from as little as 1.0% of your salary according to leading life insurance comparison website Life Insurance Direct.

2013-06-05T08:31:27Z business-revolutionary-and-eco-campaigner-wins-2013-banksia-international-award-1

Jochen Zeitz is behind Puma being the world's first major company to put a value on its environmental impact, which signalled a radical change in the way business accounts for its use of natural resources. Now in the position of Director and Chairman of the board’s sustainable development committee at PPR, Puma’s parent company, Zeitz has managed to achieve the adoption of the practice across all of its brands, from Gucci to YSL. This will be the first time that a global group of companies has undertaken such an analysis. “Jochen Zeitz has made it clear that the current system is responsible for degrading the planet's eco-systems and irresponsibly depleting natural resources and needed to go through fundamental change. More importantly in collaboration with PWC and Trucost they have actually demonstrated how this fundamental change could be implemented. He made his vision a reality and his inspirational leadership is the reason the Banksia Board has awarded him the 2013 Banksia International Award” says Graz van Egmond Chief Executive Officer, Banksia Foundation. In 2008, headquartered in Kenya Zeitz founded the not-for-profit “Zeitz Foundation of Intercultural Ecosphere Safety”. The goal of the Foundation is to maintain or improve the integrity of ecosystems through effective, sustainable management practices that ensure ecosystems continue to deliver services - such as clean water and air, carbon sequestration, and healthy soils - for the benefit of mankind. Dubbed by the New York Times as ‘the fashion world’s energetic activist’, in October 2012, he co-founded The B Team with Sir Richard Branson to help transform the future of business. The B Team is a plan with a single purpose: to make business work better, by shifting the focus from just financial gains, towards environmental and social gains as well. As a previous Banksia Award winner and current sponsor, Qantas are pleased to be flying out Jochen Zeitz to receive this honour and meet the other 2013 Banksia Award winners at the Banksia Gala Presentation on 9 October. – ends – About the Banksia International Award The 2013 Banksia International Award is sponsored by Qantas. Qantas was the recipient of the 2012 Leading in Sustainability - Setting the Standard for Large Organisations Award. The Banksia International Awards is the highest accolade Australia confers for environmental achievement internationally. The Award identifies and celebrates extraordinary individuals or organisations that have made, or are making, a significant contribution to improve our environment or promote sustainability on a global level.

2013-06-05T01:51:49Z incorporating-key-performance-objectives-into-contracts

Most parties enter into a contract with one thing in mind – ‘what outcome do I want when the contract is complete?’  The answer is often something tangible such as ownership of plant and equipment or intellectual property.  What purchasers commonly overlook is how they want their business, or the asset, to function after the contract is complete.When negotiating the terms of a contract, it is equally (if not more) important that the purchaser considers the end result they want to achieve by acquiring an asset. This is especially the case for contracts including computer hardware or software. Failing which, the purchaser may be left with an asset which is not capable of performing the tasks the purchaser had purchased the asset for in the first place. This is potentially an extremely expensive mistake – just ask the Queensland Government about its Health department payroll system!To ensure that the purchaser has a right to return, or require further work from the vendor of the asset, we recommend that contracts in the technology or software sphere include specific performance objectives or criteria that are required to be met upon completion of the purchase.Examples of performance objectives may, for example, include matters such as the ability to:-permit multiple users simultaneous access to a computer program, with any access restrictions (such as a capped limit of users) allowing for the growth of the purchaser’s business; store of a minimum data limit, with the ability to increase the limit of an existing system; conduct appropriate performance testing in a “live” environment to ensure it meets the required operational standards in the real world; and have independent expert approval to ensure that the purchaser’s performance standards are met. This is particularly important in contracts for the supply or upgrade of technology where, if the performance objectives are not met, then the purchaser will be unable to utilise the asset fully, or at all.A key benefit of incorporating performance objectives into a contract is that it provides the purchaser with the ability to recover any damages suffered where there is a failure to meet those objectives. In the absence of express performance objectives in the contract, the purchaser may not have any rights against the vendor where the asset does not meet the requirements of the purchaser, unless the purchaser is able to rely on Australian Consumer Law, which can be a costly and lengthy process. We strongly recommend that the objectives and outcomes be considered first when preparing a contract, and those be drafted as outcomes the contract performance is to achieve.  While the business world has followed this idea for decades, legal drafting in some cases has not caught up.  We have been using this strategy with very successful results in everything from manufacturing equipment, management agreements, hardware and software contracts.For more information, a more detailed copy of the survey results or to arrange an interview, please call Maree Schneiders on +61 (0)411 446 484 or maree@strategyco.netAbout MSI Global Alliance:MSI Global Alliance (MSI) is one of the world’s leading international alliances of independent legal and accounting firms, with over 250 member firms in 105 countries.In Australia and New Zealand, MSI consists of 15 independent legal and accounting firms that provide specialist services to local and overseas businesses. As a group, MSI members are committed to serving companies and individuals both in Australia, New Zealand and around the world.For further information about MSI in Australia and New Zealand, visit www.anz.msiglobal.org 

2013-06-04T03:09:27Z australian-first-new-legal-website-simplifies-the-task-of-hiring-a-lawyer-amp-saves-australians-up-to-50-on-their-legal-costs

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, June 4, 2013, Rocketlegal, based out of Sydney, Australia, has launched a sorely needed online service where consumers can go to in order to make an informed-decision about choosing a lawyer in any area of Law, right across Australia. Rocketlegal.com.au makes this an easy process. All an individual has to do is become a member of the site, which is Free. They would then input some information about their legal issue in everyday language, and sit-back.   Rocketlegal’s LawyerMatch technology analyses the legal matter, and invites only those Lawyers and Firms with experience to submit a fixed-price offer for the legal services required. The person searching for legal representation immediately saves money by avoiding the initial consultation fees that lawyers charge as well as saving on the total cost of hiring a lawyer as competition and transparency drives prices down.   The entire process occurs anonymously which means no names or personal details are captured until the customer is ready to hand that information over.   Rameez Ullah, who is a former Law student at the University of New South Wales and the Founder and CEO of Rocketlegal says, “When consumers go to many of the larger law firms, they often pay over $300 an hour and still end-up with a junior lawyer handling their matter. It’s ridiculous. On Rocketlegal, we only allow Senior Lawyers to participate. We make sure that every one of the lawyers listed on the site has an Unrestricted Practicing Certificate, which is the highest level of seniority awarded by The Australian Law Societies”.   Rameez goes on to say, “We’re empowering Australians to hire senior lawyers at about half the price most firms are charging for juniors straight out of university. We have created transparency in pricing for all kinds of legal services and we have created a rating/feedback system that enables Australians to analyze a lawyer’s track record before hiring them.”      Complete information is available at: Rocketlegal.com.au  

2013-06-03T04:53:17Z new-law-means-crackdown-on-illegal-workers-has-begun

3 June 2013, SydneyThe Migration Amendment (Reform of Employer Sanctions) Act 2013 commenced on 1 June 2013. Without needing to prove fault, negligence or intention, the Department of Immigration can now issue infringement notices of $15,300 to businesses employing workers in breach of visa conditions or work rights. There are currently 1.6 million people in Australia holding temporary visas, each with different visa conditions and expiry dates. Keeping track of all the details to make sure staff are working legally can be overwhelming. Employer Sanctions Legislation The Department of Immigration introduced the Migration Amendment (Reform of Employer Sanctions)  Bill in 2012. The House of Representatives passed the Bill in November last year and it has just taken effect this past weekend on 1 June 2013. The new legislation puts the onus on businesses to thoroughly check the work rights of employees. People most affected by the new legislation are:  Employers – who are responsible for direct employees as well as any contractors they have working on site. Recruitment companies – who need to check every candidate before referral to an employer. Company directors and officers – who may be personally liable if they don’t implement adequate systems and processes to check work rights.  If a business is found to have engaged illegal workers, the Department of Immigration can impose an instant fine of $15,300 - for each person in breach of visa conditions. This can rise to $76,500 per worker if they decide to take the business to court. It is already an offence for businesses to have illegal workers. The new legislation allows the Department of Immigration to levy fines on a strict liability basis, without needing to show any intent, knowledge or recklessness by the business. Keeping Compliant To avoid the new fines, employers must check work rights prior to employment and also keep a record of visa expiry dates so that the employee does not continue to work after their visa ceases. Records of visa checks should be kept just in case there is an inquiry from the Department of Immigration. Most employers currently check work rights before an employee commences employment. However, this does not guarantee that the employee continues to have work rights on an ongoing basis - for instance:  The employee's visa may be cancelled meaning that they no longer have work rights - this is particularly common for international students For bridging visa holders and temporary partner visa holders, the employee's main visa application may be refused, in which case work rights would generally cease within 28 days An employee may move onto a visa with less favourable work rights – for instance a working holiday maker may be able to work full time, but can only work for 40 hours per fortnight if they move onto a student visa  Unless visa checks are being conducted regularly, a business may unknowingly be breaching the Migration Regulations by engaging workers without proper work rights. Conclusion The Employer Sanctions Bill significantly raises the immigration compliance bar for businesses. Many will need to revise their visa checking systems and processes to avoid the hefty fines and embarrassment of breaching the new legislation. -- Ends -- Mark Webster is the Founder and CEO of vSure and Acacia Immigration Australia. He has a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Sydney, and a Bachelor of Science (Hons, University Medal majoring in Pure Mathematics) also from University of Sydney. Mark has been a Registered Migration Agent since 1999, and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) since 2001. He is the immediate past NSW/ACT MIA President. Mark frequently presents seminars on Australian Immigration Law for IARC, the MIA and for Acacia Immigration. He has also presented for the University of NSW, and worked on the General Skilled Migration topic for the MIA's migration agent entry course. He was a major author of the MIA submission to the Joint Senate Committee on Migration on skills assessment. A recognised expert in the field, Mr. Webster has been quoted in print numerous times, including in Phillipe Legrain's 2007 book, Immigrants: Your Country Needs Them(Princeton University Press). Mark wrote the chapters on General Skilled Migration and Temporary Workers for the current edition of the Immigration Kit (Federation Press), which is the definitive Immigration Law textbook used by migration agents. Mark can be contacted on 02 8203 5433 or via email at mark@vsure.com.au. About vSure vSure is a cloud-based immigration compliance system which makes it easy for businesses to do regular, automated visa checks for employees and contractors. It maintains an audit trail of visa checks to avoid the new penalties, as well as providing calendar, email and SMS notifications of visa changes and expiries. www.vsure.com.au

2013-05-31T01:42:36Z gimrs-major-brand-promotion-goes-global

MAY 31, 2013 GIMRS has upped the stakes with an exclusive corporate brand promotion to win three month's premium advertising worth $12,000 (AUD). Due to overwhelming global feedback GIMRS has extended this promotion and increased the prize pool. This promotion presents an excellent opportunity to expand market visibility by show casing international or local corporate brands and services to over 350 publicly listed companies and their key decision makers. Submissions close the 24 June 2013. In order to enter the promotion please email GIMRS your contact details and outline the reason why our executive members would benefit from your brand or service and what places your brand or service in front of market competitors. Prize details can be located here. The winning entry will be drawn Tuesday 25 June 2013 and the winner will be notified by email. Entries can be submitted via this link. 

2013-05-30T03:38:08Z many-perth-residents-moving-to-mandurah

Mandurah, WA, May 30, 2013 - 4Land Property Group offers house and land packages in the Perth area. One of their biggest successes has been Natures Walk Estate, located in the Mandurah suburb of Erskine. Natures Walk Estate is close to natural bushland and the Mandurah Estuary yet is only a 10 minute drive to the heart of Mandurah and the beach.Natures Walk has been extremely popular with downsizers and retirees, who seek a more relaxed lifestyle, but still want easy access to the all amenities and conveniences that city life can offer. Mandurah is seen by many as a perfect option with its plethora of local beaches, cafes and shopping precincts.Mandurah is located in the Peel Region, approximately 70 km south of Perth.In 1990, Mandurah had a population of 12,700. According to the 2011 Census, 83,600 people currently live in the Mandurah area. Mandurah has grown from a small fishing, holiday, and retirement town to what has been called the “fastest growing regional city in Western Australia.”Mandurah offers rail links and improved road links to Perth's CBD. While Mandurah offers a great lifestyle on the coast, home prices in the area are still fairly low, compared to many Perth suburbs so close to the ocean. Besides retirees, Mandurah has also become popular with FIFO mining employees, and is still, despite its growth, a prominent sea change destination for many city residents.Mandurah remains a popular destination for “day-trippers.” It is said to seamlessly blend semi-rural coastal living with inner-city living and is nestled between the Peel-Harvey Estuary, the Serpentine River, and the Indian Ocean.Mandurah is home to many special events and festivals. The famous Mandurah Crab Festival is held every March and the Stretch Arts and Community Festival takes place in May. In October, boaters from across Australia flock to the Mandurah Boat Show.Currently, there are five major shopping areas in Mandurah, including Centro Mandurah, the Bridge Quarter, and the Dolphin Bay/Mandurah Ocean Marina.One of the main reasons that Mandurah is home to many mining workers is that the Boddington Gold Mine is only an hour away, while mines in Wagerup and Pinjarra are less than two hours away.Despite the influx of new residents over recent years, Mandurah property prices have remained comparatively low. Though the median price peaked in 2006 at $440,000, the current median is $355,000, or $85,000 below the peak value in 2006. Vacancy rates are approximately 1%, creating a high demand for property in the area.According to Dave Gillon, Sales Manager for 4Land Property Group, Mandurah is still a great bargain, but current prices won't stay low for much longer: “Mandurah’s population is growing fast, which is creating a lot of demand for property. When you combine a low vacancy rate, comparatively low prices and a growing population, the prices will undoubtedly increase eventually.”Gillon concluded, “Nothing is ever guaranteed, but I could easily see housing prices rising significantly in the next two years,co certainly now is the time to buy.”Natures Walk Estate offers house and land packages in Erskine, Mandurah. For more information, call 0412 597 733, or visit http://www.natureswalk.com.au/.

2013-05-29T01:24:40Z master-photographer-warns-don-t-let-an-inferior-photographer-ruin-your-wedding

Perth, WA, May 29, 2013 - Recently, Travelers Insurance Company released a document analysing wedding insurance claims during 2012. According to Travelers' data, 24% of all claims are against vendors, such as caterers, DJ's, and wedding planners. A shocking 58% of all vendor claims were against either photographers or videographers.These numbers don't even take into account issues over quality, which aren't an insurance issue. All quality issues have to be taken to court.Peter Edwards, owner of Peter Edwards Photography, and an expert wedding photographer in Perth, is an experienced photographer who specialises in weddings. He is accredited by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP), and has attained a Double Master Photography, and is also a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP).Edwards is a very “in-demand” wedding photographer who has over 20 years experience as a specialist wedding photographer. Edwards says that he is not surprised at the numbers from the Travelers Insurance release.According to Edwards, “The sad reality is that there are too many inferior hobbyists offering their services as wedding photographers. Photography is one of those fields where anyone can put together a website representing themselves as a photographer, when in fact they may be a glorified amateur with virtually no professional experience. More and more we are seeing hobbyists who’ve spent a couple of thousand dollars on a digital camera and a couple of accessories and taken “a few great shots”, thinking he or she is a professional photographer.”Edwards has formulated a basic set of rules to ensure that a wedding is photographed by a quality photographer:Hire an AIPP Accredited PhotographerThis is not the only requirement by any means, but if someone doesn't care enough to fulfil the requirements to become an Accredited Photographer with the  AIPP, they probably won't care enough to do a professional job photographing your wedding.Hire a Wedding SpecialistMany “wedding photographers” are photographing weddings as a part-time gig. They may or may not be in the business during the week. There is a specific skill set required to be a professional wedding photographer; people skills, empathy, anticipation, creativity, styling and posing people to look their best. If your friend usually photographs landscapes or models, you might want to look again. Even photographing kids is vastly different to photographing a wedding.As well as knowing what lighting to use and what camera angles will work best, wedding specialists can anticipate and be ready to capture what might be coming next. They have a wealth of experience in creating as well as capturing images. They can put people at ease and ensure the couple’s wishes are fulfilled. They also keep in mind that it is your special day, and that the photographs they are taking will preserve your most cherished memories for a lifetime.Do Your Due Diligence: Look at their Portfolio SamplesPeople can exaggerate or embellish their qualifications and experience. Ask to see a number of real weddings - from start to finish, not just a selection of their 20 best pics. Ask for recommendations, how many weddings they’ve photographed and how do they see the day running. These are questions they should be able to answer off the top of their head. If they have trouble answering, they probably aren't ready to do a really professional job yet. Don’t be disappointed - move on to a professional specialist wedding photographer. Demand a ProfessionalUltimately, you cannot leave the preservation of your most cherished memories to chance. You simply must demand a professional. Your special day deserves nothing less.Peter Edwards, owner and operator of Peter Edwards Photography, is a double master photographer who specialises in weddings. For more information on how to have one of Perth's best preserve the memories of your special day, call (08) 9316 2465. To see some stunning images from weddings they’ve photographed, please visit their website: http://www.peteredwardsphoto.com.au/

2013-05-27T04:40:25Z 30-best-tax-tips-from-australia-s-adviser-of-the-year

“The end of financial year is rapidly approaching and now is certainly the time to take steps to reduce your tax bill and put yourself in the best position for the next financial year” says Aspire Retire’s Co-founder, Olivia Maragna, named Australian Adviser of the Year.  “All too often tax planning is left to the last minute which makes it difficult to minimise tax.” To ensure you are in the best possible shape by June 30, Aspire Retire has provided our top 30 tips for your personal tax, business or superannuation fund.  Your personal tax return1.Prepay your expenses: By prepaying 12 months of tax-deductible expenses, you can bring the deduction forward into the 2012/2013 financial year.  A good example of this is income protection insurance but other options are prepaying interest on margin loans or investment loans.2.Delay income: If you are able to, try to defer income until after June 30 to avoid paying tax this financial year.  As an example this may be done by reviewing term deposit maturity dates or legitimately deferring income by holding off issuing invoices until July 1.3.Charity: If you are thinking of donating money, you may be able to receive a tax deduction for gifts and receive that deduction this financial year.4.Repairs and Maintenance: If you hold an investment property, consider doing minor repairs and maintenance prior to 30 June. 5.Buy health insurance if you are a high-income earner: To avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge, high-income earners should take out private health cover.  To avoid the surcharge for the entire year, the insurance needs to be held for the entire year otherwise it will be prorated. For your business6.Pay super early: Superannuation guarantee payments for your staff aren’t due until July but paying these in June will give you a deduction for them in this financial year as opposed to next financial year.7.Do you have any trusts and companies? Trusts and companies can distribute funds to recipients on lower tax brackets to minimise tax payments.  Ask your financial adviser to review your options.8.Structure:Whether you operate as a sole trader, partnership, in a trust or company, it’s always a good idea to review your current business structure and whether this is still appropriate for your current situation. 9.Immediate write offs:  For eligible businesses, assets costing less than $6,500 can be written off immediately and applies to the purchase of assets used in a business.  Check with your accountant as to whether you are eligible.10.Bad Debts: If you are not going to get paid, then it is best to write these off as a bad debt prior to June 30 in order to claim the tax deduction. 11.Trading stock: A stock take is the best way to write off any lost, damaged or obsolete stock and can reduce your taxable income.12.Stationery:  Stocking up on stationery and other consumables before June 30 can help offset profits. Your superannuation contributions13.Get free money: If you will earn less than $46,920 this financial year, and make a non-concessional (after tax) contribution into your superannuation, the government will contribute up to 50 cents in the dollar (percentage varies with your income) to a cap of $500.14.Spouse contributions: If your spouse earned less than $13,800 this financial year, you can claim a tax rebate of up to $540 if you contribute on their behalf.15.Avoiding exceeding your contributions cap: The cap on concessional contributions (before tax) is $25,000.  Exceeding your contribution cap can leave you liable to penalty tax, so it is certainly worth looking at your position prior to the end of June!16.Don’t leave yourself short: If you are likely to be under the contributions cap, and are in position to make additional payments, it may be in your best interests to make the maximum payments available prior to 30 June.  If your personal tax rate is more than 15%, taking advantage of the cap may mean an extra tax saving.17.Review your Salary Sacrifices: Be aware that salary sacrificing into your superannuation fund affects your concessional contribution cap, and with the increase in Superannuation Guarantee from 9 to 9.25% on 1 July, there is the potential for salary sacrificing to push you over the cap from 1 July.  Don’t forget to review this!18.Review Your Insurance: As mentioned earlier, the End of the Financial Year is an ideal time to look not only at your tax commitments, but also your overall long-term financial plan, including insurance. You can organise this through your super fund, but need to also consider additional contributions to make up any shortfall.19.Time it right: To have deductible contributions counted for this financial year, they must be received by the trustee by 30 June.  Remit these contributions a number of days prior to ensure they are received in plenty of time. 20.Self-employed contributions: You can claim a 100% tax deduction for any superannuation contributions you make if you are fully or substantially self-employed.  Contact your financial adviser to see if you are eligible as this is a great way to save tax.21.Splitting your super contributions with your spouse:  Recent proposed changes mean that evening up your super balances makes sense.  To split your contributions, a request needs to be submitted to the member’s fund. If you are close to retirement22.Add extra to your super: If you have surplus funds outside of your superannuation fund, consider making additional contributions into your fund.  The cap for non-concessional (after tax)  contributions is $150,000 per year but if you are under 65, you can make contributions up to a $450,000 limit at any time over the course of the current year and the following two years without being penalised. This is particularly important for anyone close to 65 who wants to make maximum contributions prior to turning 65.23.Consider a ‘Transition to Retirement’ pension: Workers who are over 55 can access up to 10% of their super as a "Transition to Retirement" pension (TTR pension) and can potentially save considerable tax.  However, if you exceed the 10% limit, penalties will apply.24.Business Concessions: If you are thinking about selling a small business and retiring, you may be eligible to use one of the several small business capital gains tax concessions. Some and possibly all of the proceeds may be able to be rolled into super, reducing or even eliminating the capital gains tax applicable on the sale. For Trustees of self-managed super funds (SMSF)25.Be compliant: Ensure that you have completed all the necessary paperwork for the SMSF. Confirm that the fund’s strategy is documented and investments are aligned with the strategy.  Ensure the investment strategy considers members’ insurance needs. 26.Minimum pension payments: Make sure that the minimum pension payment has been taken by June 30 or the fund will be considered to be in the accumulation phase for the whole year and pay extra tax.  Minimum pension amounts vary based on age, so a close check on this is worthwhile to ensure you are minimising tax.27.Transferring investments into super: With changes to the regulations for in-specie (non-cash assets such as property and shares) transfers into an SMSF due to take effect on July 1 2013, there is likely to be a rush on transfers prior to that date, so don’t wait to the last minute. Basically, transfers after June 30 will need to done on market where possible or by an independent valuer if no market exists.28.Are reserving strategies worth the risk? The ATO is looking closely at this strategy (delay paying contributions from June into member’s accounts until the following year to avoid exceeding the contributions cap and being hit with the excess tax) and will require an explanation other than, ‘To avoid tax!’ Points to consider for your records29.Paperwork:  If you find yourself scrambling through paperwork to keep a track of your tax deductions, consider revamping how you keep your records.  Scanning receipts, electronically storing these or even having a separate bank account to keep a track of expenditure that can be claimed will help you maximise your tax refunds each year. 30.Important Note: An important point to remember in any conversations about tax planning is that this year, the 30th of June falls on a Sunday, so any strategies or contributions need to be finalised by Friday 28 June to be included in the 2012/13 financial year. Look at this End of Financial Year as an opportunity to discuss your financial future with your financial planner, not just as a time to minimise your tax. Take the time to consider your superannuation, insurance, investments and retirement plan as well as your tax return. Disclaimer: The information and any advice do not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and so you should consider its appropriateness having regard to these factors before acting on it. ENDS Media Profile – Olivia Maragna – Adviser of the YearOlivia Maragna is the Co-founder of Aspire Retire, a rapidly growing financial services firm servicing Australia and New Zealand.  Olivia has made a habit of breaking through barriers, recently being presented with a Hall of Fame Award for Business Achievement and the 2012 Australian Adviser of the Year. In a career punctuated with Australian ‘firsts’ and major business awards including the Queensland Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year, Queensland MYOB Small Business of the Year and the AFA Australian Female Excellence in Advice Award, Olivia has always been driven by the idea that if you want to be successful, “you have to go the extra mile for your clients.” In recognition of her business achievements and for her community involvement, Olivia has recently been elected President of the Midas Business Chapter, chosen as one of eighteen of Australia’s most inspiring female leaders in the Leadership in Focus Forum and will be representing Australia in a Global Forum in Switzerland in late 2013.  She is regularly called upon to speak across the country at various organisations such as Ernst and Young, SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia, AMP, Centrelink, AFL Association, Zurich, Women’s Network Australia, Women in Technology, Professional Investment Services, Canegrowers and numerous other business groups. Olivia currently serves as a judge for the Telstra Business Awards and is the finance columnist for Brisbane Times. Olivia is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Accountant (CA), Self Managed Super Fund Specialist Adviser (SSA) and has a Bachelor of Business in Accounting from QUT. She has been published/featured in the following media. Magazine Publications/Newspapers Brisbane Times – Finance Columnist Australian Financial Review Sydney Morning Herald The Age Courier Mail News Limited Quest Papers Working Women Magazine Asset Financial Review Magazine Up Magazine Cleo Magazine The Financial Adviser Magazine Risk Info Magazine Professional Planner Magazine Wealth Professional Australia Money Management Magazine IFA Magazine CEO Blognation Investor Daily Financial Observer Financial Standard Magazine SMSF Magazine Charter Magazine   Radio - ABC Radio, 96.5 Radio, 3AW, 4BC, 4CA Representing the pinnacle of adviser achievement, Olivia is a worthy winner of the title ‘AFA Advisor of the Year’ and it is reassuring to see that the future of advice is in such capable hands.” Richard Klipin, CEO Association of Financial Advisers Contact Details for Olivia Maragna Personal Mobile (in/out of office hrs) Ph - 0414 575 164.   Work Ph - 1300 66 77 02   Email - olivia@aspireretire.com.au  Website - www.aspireretire.com.au Twitter - @oliviamaragna

2013-05-23T00:44:49Z gimrs-launches-exclusive-premium-corporate-advertising-promotion

MAY 22, 2013 GIMRS launches exclusive corporate promotion to win one month's premium advertising worth $4,000 (AUD). This promotion presents an excellent opportunity to expand market visibility by show casing corporate brands and services to over 350 publicly listed companies and their key decision makers. Entries commence from the 16 May 2013 and close the 2 June 2013. In order to enter please email GIMRS your contact details and outline the reason why our executive members would benefit from your brand or service and what places your brand or service in front of market competitors. Prize details can be located here. The winning entry will be drawn Monday 3 June 2013 and the winner will be notified by email. Entries can be submitted via this link.      

2013-05-17T02:10:55Z hasty-decisions-costing-first-home-buyers-up-to-89-000

Rockingham, WA, May 17, 2013 - In the past year, Baldivis has become known as a haven for first home buyers. The combination of pent-up demand, a recovering WA economy, low interest rates, and reasonably-priced housing in Baldivis has combined to produce a market that is conducive to young buyers seeking their first homes.However, many first home buyers are paying as much as $89,000 extra over the life of their home loans, because they are not doing their due diligence. Buyers who struggle to save for a down payment find themselves putting down minimum deposits as low as 3% on their homes. According to industry estimates, as many as 33% of first home buyers are making minimum deposits on their homes.When a buyer makes a deposit below 20%, lenders not only add a host of upfront fees, but also charge more interest for their loans. Using average industry numbers, if two buyers purchase homes for $320,000, and one deposits $80,000 while the other deposits only $40,000, the borrower who made the smaller of the two deposits ends up paying a total of $89,935.75 more over the lifetime of their loan than the buyer who made the larger deposit.According to a recent blog post, The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham says that buyers should be wary of these costs, and recommends four strategies for first home buyers to lessen their debt burden by eliminating a portion of the upfront costs.Their first recommendation is to do due diligence on their respective state's grants for first home buyers. In WA, each first home buyer gets a one time grant totalling $7,000. These grants vary from state to state, with the N. T. offering a $25,000 grant for all homes except established homes in urban areas.For many first home buyers, it makes sense to find a guarantor. This is usually a relative who has enough equity in their house to put it up as collateral. This can eliminate a lot of the upfront costs that lenders add in to accounts with less than sterling credit and insufficient deposits.It is also important for first home buyers to make sure that their credit reports are clean and their credit ratings are as high as possible. When a loan doesn't fit a lender's ideal recommendations, they add a lot of upfront costs. For example, when buying a $400,000 house in NSW, with a deposit of $40,000, an extra $25,337 would be tacked on to the cost of the loan.According to Justin Smith, Principal of The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham, it is extremely important for anyone seeking a first home loan to do their due diligence. According to Smith, “In today's climate, especially for a first home buyer, it is important to shop around and find the best terms for your loan.”Smith continued, “The easiest way to shop around is to hire an experienced mortgage broker and let them shop around for you. Experienced mortgage brokers know which lenders are more friendly to which situations, and have access to many lenders from their desktops. Instead of driving around to a bunch of banks and loan companies, all you have to do is have your broker find the best deal for you.”Smith concluded, “Always hire a professional mortgage broker. You will save time, effort, and money.”The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham brokers home loans in Baldivis, Rockingham, Kwinana, and surrounding areas. For more information, call (08) 9527 1800 or visit their website: http://www.themortgagegalleryrockingham.com.au/