http:// 2013-05-26T00:29:59Z 2013-05-26T00:29:59Z companies-dying-of-embarrassment-business-mentors-nz-warns

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are literally dying of embarrassment in New Zealand because they are ashamed of seeking help just when they need it most, warns Ray Schofield, CEO of Business Mentors New Zealand, the only national, volunteer business mentoring organisation. Mr Schofield says that many SMEs run into trouble early in their development but won’t ask for the help that could see them through a rough patch. He explains: `There are lots of challenges in those first few months and early years of setting up a business but the New Zealand stoical attitude means that many struggling enterprises fail to seek help in time. The double whammy at 18 months when provisional tax really kicks in is often the final straw. But if only owner operators got themselves a business mentor earlier, more of them would survive. Our volunteer mentors, who provide a free service for up to two years, often arrive just in the nick of time.’ Business Mentors Patron Partner, Statistics New Zealand: NZ Business Demography Statistics for 2012 reports that there were only 40,690 new enterprises set up in New Zealand, a fall of 11.2 per cent on the previous year. This was the lowest birth rate since comparable data was first collected in 2000 and the third year in a row that more businesses have closed than opened. There were 469,120 enterprises in total, down by 0.8 per cent on the previous year.  Lisa Ford, Business Mentors National Agency Manager told a meeting of volunteer mentors hosted by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development at North Harbour Stadium this week: `Time after time our coordinators tell us they call up a new company owner to arrange mentoring only to find that they know nothing about it. That’s because their partner has called us in because they can see the business is struggling. They are simply too ashamed to ask for help themselves, yet some of the most successful companies in the country have got where they are today with the help of a business mentor. It’s something they really should be proud of doing. None of us knows everything and it’s the smart guys who know when to pull in an expert advisor.’ Business ‘deaths’ have outnumbered ‘births’ for the past three years meaning the total number of enterprises has been falling since 2009 with 30,000 fewer businesses set up last year than in 2004. Mentors report that finding the right support, financial as well as expertise, advice and tools to put a new venture on a sustainable footing are vital components to success.  Business Mentors New Zealand helps around 250 businesses find a mentor every month and has assisted more than 65,000 small to medium-size enterprise owners in New Zealand in the last 22 years.Business Mentors provides access to over 1,900 volunteer mentors (who give their experience, skill and knowledge free of charge). The $150 registration fee allows mentoring for up to two years. For more information please visit www.businessmentors.org.nz

2013-05-24T05:45:36Z gold-prices-beat-out-property-boom-1

Investing in property is meant to be the Australian layman’s way to turn a little bit of money into a lot of money. This month, a Sydney harbour-front mansion often vacationed in by Bono sold for $54 million to an anonymous Chinese businessman - a $26 million dollar improvement on what it was bought for back in 2002. But what if this property investor had instead chosen to play the commodity markets instead of eventually selling to a wealthy buyer? Mike Cohen from The Gold Company does the math so you don’t have to. In 2002, the average gold price was $$554.55 in Australian dollars. Nowadays, the price is sitting around AU$1420.  If the owner of this mansion had decided to invest in gold instead of property back in 2002, he would have been able to purchase 50,4266.66 ounce of gold. Just for reference, that’s a lot of gold, and particularly compared with today’s commodity market, an absolute investment bargain. So how much would that initial investment be today? If he chose to sell gold at today’s prices of $1420 an ounce, it'd be worth $71,704238.0523 whereas the house only sold for a comparatively measly $54 million. When looked at this way, gold has outlasted property - even through the recession - as a dizzyingly good investment. “Gold is a controversial commodity as both a form of money and as an investment because it is not subject to the same forces that cause stocks to rise and fall. However, as you can see from this easy comparison, maybe it’s time Australians reconsidered the safest way to make money in this uncertain economy.” says Mike Cohen. The property market has long been held up as the sure-fire way for average Australians to make huge returns. However, perhaps learning to buy and sell gold wisely could be the key today’s investors need to change their fortunes.  While gold has been through a sudden price drop recently and a few people are rushing to sell gold in case they lose out, historically, gold has been a safe investment and even a form of money that holds its purchasing power against inflation. As seen in this case of the Sydney mansion, a smarter financial choice back in 2002 would have been to take a chance on the commodity market instead of the property market and reaped the benefits only 11 years later to the tune of $17 million.  This holds true even today. If people want to take control of their finances and look for a safer way to invest their money, learning to sell gold is a sure bet. Media contact: Dan Novick  Phone: 02 9020 5150 About The Gold Company: Based in the heart of Sydney, The GoldCompany is Australia’s only full service precious metals and diamonds trading company. The GoldCompany was originally founded as the precious metals associate Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (DCLA). Identifying a gap in the Australian market for an honest, credible, full-service gold company, the DCLA directors formed The GoldCompany. Drawing on their impeccable reputation dedicated to protecting consumer confidence with unquestionable ethics, the company has grown to not only sell precious metals, but also provide multiple channels for buying, accumulating and trading in these commodities as well. Through community partnerships, a trusted network of specialists, a deep desire to inform and educate consumers and a dedication towards charitable actions, The GoldCompany has become established as the trusted authority in gold and diamonds in the business.

2013-05-24T04:48:05Z sydney-startup-bootcamp-corporate-to-freedom-aims-to-free-corporate-employees-to-contribute-109-billion-to-australia-s-economy

Startup incubator program Corporate to Freedom will be running a one-day start up bootcamp in Sydney on 27 July 2013, to help corporate employees with entrepreneurial aspirations make a seamless transition between corporate life and their real dream; owning and running a successful business. Corporate to Freedom Founder and passionate entrepreneur Johan du Plessis said it needed to be made less risky for high-potential corporate employees to start new businesses, in order to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. “Australia’s future prosperity depends on innovating. Mining won’t last forever. We need to develop new industries to replace it. “Startups can provide more benefit to the Australian economy than we’re currently seeing - $109bn in GDP according to Google and PwC. This will come only once we free high-potential people currently trapped in ill-fitting corporate roles to lead the next wave of innovative Australian success stories. “Currently though “the leap” from corporate employee to successful business owner is too great.  The most common route is to make an all-or-nothing “gamble”, something many with existing commitments or responsibilities are understandably not willing to risk”. “Australia’s prosperity depends on helping these people make the transition from ‘wantrepreneur’ to entrepreneur,” said du Plessis. “What the team at Corporate to Freedom - who have all done exactly that - will do is make it easier and less risky for others to follow”. EVENT DETAILS Seven of Australia’s Top Startup Experts show corporate employees how to become successful business owners BEFORE quitting their jobs.   WHAT: Corporate to Freedom 1-day Startup Bootcamp SydneyWHEN: Saturday 27 July 2013WHERE: Scientia Building, UNSW Kensington Campus (High Street, Kensington)TIME: 9am to 5pmCOST: Tickets start at $97MORE INFORMATION/ TO BOOK: www.corporatetofreedom.com   ABOUT CORPORATE TO FREEDOM Corporate to Freedom (C2F) is a new Sydney-based initiative that helps corporate employees join the entrepreneurial revolution by making a seamless transition from corporate life to running their own successful business. The initiative is run by two passionate entrepreneurs and business coaches – Johan du Plessis and Stewart Bell – and supported by a star-studded cast of Australia’s top entrepreneurial names including Brian Sher, Kim Heras, Liz Atkinson, Peter Davison, Sarah Riegelhuth, Suzy Jacobs and Paul Dunn - who have all started businesses worth over $1m before – they’ve made the mistakes and have the scars to show for it. C2F is a series of programs aimed at busy people in corporate day jobs, where experienced entrepreneurs take you step-by-step through starting your own business BEFORE quitting your job. The initiative was started by Johan du Plessis, a self-confessed ‘start-up fanatic’ with extensive experience in running start-up companies, raising capital and product development. He has built up a strong team of experienced entrepreneurs and business advisers, who will together present a one-day start-up bootcamp on Saturday 27 July 2013 in Sydney; which they promise will be Australia’s most powerful boot camp for aspiring entrepreneurs. ENDS For more information contact: Stewart BellE: stewart@corporatetofreedom.comM: 0411 988 765Website : www.corporatetofreedom.com To download the media kit, go to: http://corporatetofreedom.com/in-the-media/

2013-05-24T02:10:52Z adcu-diy-super-saver-account-awarded-a-5-star-canstar-cannex-rating

Wednesday 22 May 2012CANSTAR Cannex reviews ratings on a range of banking and finance products each year and assigns five star ratings to services and products that offer outstanding value. Commenting on the award, John Ford Chief Executive Officer at ADCU said “The award displays ADCU’s commitment to offering our members products with great value that meet their evolving financial needs.” “ADCU is proud to receive a five star rating from CANSTAR Cannex. This award acknowledges ADCU’s member centric values and reiterates our pledge to provide our members with outstanding value savings and investments products,” he said.  The landscape in which Australians manage their Superannuation has changed dramatically over the past few years and as a credit union ADCU is committed to growing and evolving with their members. The ADCU DIY Super Saver Account was designed to provide Self Managed Super Funds with a viable investment alternative to the larger banks. The product aimed to cut out the heavy fees traditionally associated with Self Managed Superannuation and give greater control back to members.  It operates as both a transactional hub and a high interest savings account, allowing the account holder to manage their cash and investments with flexibility.Mr Ford said “ADCU was able to achieve this award by cutting out the complexities of do-it-yourself Superannuation, and providing a simple, yet highly competitive option. The scoring model is consistent with our history of providing a high interest rate, low fees and a wide range of transactional features.” The ratings, released during April, compare 141 accounts across 66 institutions.  Accounts are assessed for value with regards to a number of characteristics, including interest rates, fees and features. ADCU was one of only 12 institutions to achieve the 5-star rating. ADCU is a member-owned organisation where all profits are reinvested back into the business, rather than to shareholders. This means they are able to deliver better interest rates and lower fees on our products to benefit their members.

2013-05-23T06:43:01Z only-eight-more-house-and-land-packages-available-in-erskine-and-mandurah-development

Mandurah, WA, May 23, 2013 - Due to strong sales activity in April and May, Natures Walk Estate is down to its last eight house and land packages. Natures Walk is located in Erskine, adjacent to Mandurah, allowing residents to live an enjoyable lifestyle, within minutes of Mandurah's amenities.According to Dave Gillon, Sales Manager at 4Land Property Group, a combination of low interest rates and a lack of available homesites in the area has produced a high number of motivated buyers at Natures Walk. According to Gillon, “Property buyers realise that if they don't purchase now, they could end up paying higher prices later, because demand for land is now outstripping the supply.”According to the WA division of the Urban Institute of Australia, Perth developers sold 225 lots each week during the March 2013 quarter. This represents an increase of 15.4% over the December 2012 quarter. If the data is followed back to the September 2011 quarter, lot sales in the Perth market have more than doubled, while the overall number of lots available for sale has fallen by 41%.Buyers at Natures Walk can choose from an entry package, which requires some finishing touches to be completed by the buyer, or a complete turnkey package. The turnkey package includes window treatments, floor coverings, security system, and even a clothesline and a letter box. Of course, all homes include air conditioning. The turnkey packages have been the most popular option in the development so far.According to Gillon, the turnkey package is perfect for the main demographic in the estate: “The reason why turnkey packages are so popular at Natures Walk is because the vast majority of buyers are either downsizers or retirees who want to move into their homes immediately, and without inconvenience.”Gillon continued, “Because of this convenience factor, 4Land Property Group will soon launch five fully finished homes at Natures Walk Estate. These fully completed homes will appeal to mature buyers who do not want to go through the process of buying a lot and building their own home.”All homes in Natures Walk have either three or four bedrooms and two bathrooms. They are constructed by Impressions Homes. Buyers will have their choice of a number of different floor plans, all of which include a large kitchen/family/dining area, and an outdoor alfresco living area. Buyers also have their choice of front facades and render options for their new home.Buyers are invited to view a display home located at 42 Oakleigh Drive, in Erskine. It is open every Sunday between 1pm and 4pm until the remaining house and land packages are sold.Gillon sees mature buyers purchasing the remaining lots in the Estate soon: “Mature property buyers have been attracted to Natures Walk because it is a boutique estate of just 91 homes when fully completed, and is located in a prime area of Erskine. Natures Walk, adjacent to the Len Howard Reserve, beside the Peel Inlet, is close to Mandurah's social infrastructure, shopping, medical facilities, beach, and CBD, but is positioned in a pristine environment, near bushland and the Estuary.”Natures Walk offers house and land packages in Erskine, Mandurah. For more information, call 0412 597 733 or visit their website http://www.natureswalk.com.au/.

2013-05-23T06:26:20Z master-perth-photographer-provides-blueprint-for-success

Perth, WA, May 23, 2013 - Geoff Fisher is the owner of Fisher Photography and is a Master photographer in Perth. He has been a professional photographer for over 35 years. He has been awarded the status of Master Photographer by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography. He has personally trained many other professional photographers, including everyone currently on his team.Fisher finds himself in a position where he is an authority and a role model to many aspiring photographers. He is often asked how to become a professional photographer. Earlier this month, Fisher posted a virtual roadmap to success on his blog. The post displays a depth of knowledge and understanding that is far beyond what the casual observer would expect for photography.The hobby photographer usually thinks that taking great photographs is simple: buy a good camera, aim it, and push the button. While this is a good way to get good amateur pictures, there is much more to professional photography.Fisher identifies six skills that any professional photographer must have to be successful. The first essential skill is the “eye” of an artist. A professional photographer must have an innate understanding of what makes a great picture. Literally one second too fast or too slow can make the difference between a mediocre photo and a lasting memory.The second skill involves managing people. This skill can also be seen as “rapport.” If the subjects aren't comfortable in the presence of the photographer, they will never “loosen up” enough to allow their natural personalities and beauty to shine through and be captured on camera. Fisher notes that it is rare when someone has both the artistic and managerial characteristics, and that most people only have one or the other trait, thus making it difficult to be a professional photographer.The next necessary skill is the ability to take full advantage of technology. This includes exposure speed, lighting, camera angles, timing, and lenses, among many other particulars that must be right. A photographer must also be teachable; they must have the ability to learn many divergent skills. They must also be willing or motivated to learn.The last skill or trait is patience. As the saying goes, “Rome wasn't built in a day” - neither are professional photographers. Becoming a professional photographer is difficult, and becoming a Master Photographer and an authority takes even longer.According to Fisher, there is no substitute for professional experience: “Ultimately, to be a successful professional photographer, you must take a lot of pictures in a professional setting. Despite what many of the camera companies say in their advertising, there is no camera that will take perfect pictures every time, simply by pointing and shooting.”“As for becoming an authority, it almost seems to happen by accident, if you work hard enough. As I became more experienced, I noticed that people naturally gravitated to me and asked questions about photography. When I attained Master Photographer status, though, it seemed to kick everything into high gear.”Fisher concluded, “To me, it is a pretty simple formula; I learned as much as I could, and I took as many pictures as I could, until I knew what I was doing. Then, I started teaching others. But I will never stop learning.”Geoff Fisher is an AIPP Master Photographer, and is the owner of Fisher Photography in Perth. He offers family photography, baby photography, corporate photography, and more. For more information, call 08 9381 2233. To view some of his work, please visit his website: http://fisherphotography.com.au/.

2013-05-23T01:04:25Z perth-marathon-causes-increased-demand-for-customised-uniforms

Perth, WA, May 23, 2013 - On Sunday, 16th June, the West Australian Marathon Club (WAMC) will hold the Perth Marathon at the Burswood Water Sports Centre. The marathon will start at the headquarters of the WMAC, outside of the Burswood Water Sports Centre, where it will wind through a picturesque riverside course, through East Perth, South Perth, to Canning Bridge, to Troy Park, and back to the beginning.The first Perth Marathon was in 1979, and has been contested every year since then. It now includes a Relay Marathon, a Kids Marathon, the Masters Athletics WA Marathon Championship, and the WA State Marathon Championship. This year, the Perth Marathon will award prize money totalling $8,000.JP Promotions, which offers promotional products, corporate clothing, workwear, and uniforms in Perth, are currently taking orders for customised race uniforms and singlets for the Perth events. Their singlets are available in many styles, as are tops and bottoms for tracksuits.JP Promotions offers screen printing and embroidery to customise race uniforms with company names and logos. All tops can be screen printed or embroidered on either side of the chest, or on the back. JP Promotions is still taking orders for the Perth Marathon and associated events, but they do recommend ordering now, to ensure that the uniforms arrive in time for the race.In the past, JP Promotions have outfitted numerous local companies, large and small, with corporate athletic clothing. Because the Perth Marathon also has the Perth Relay, in which four runners are allowed to run as a team, many companies and corporations sponsor relay teams. Many also sponsor teams of runners who all run the entire marathon. In addition, many individuals and small clubs also order customised uniforms.According to Jarrod Wojtowicz, Director of JP Promotions, companies and clubs that sponsor runners create a unique camaraderie among the runners: “Every year, we outfit hundreds of runners and triathletes in the various local events. Most of these are sponsored by their workplaces. In almost every case, those ordering the uniforms comment about how the runners are looking forward to them, and how the runners seem to share a special bond that only exists between athletes.”Wojtowicz continued, “We have seen it over and over again. The camaraderie and pride that the runners take in representing their companies in athletic events always spills over into the workplace. Employees who represent their companies in off-site activities, especially athletic ones, seem to be more proud of where they work, and care more about how well their company does.”Wojtowicz added, “In addition, the runners and triathletes are all in better shape than most of their fellow employees, and they seem to be more efficient, more alert, and take less sick days than those who don't get regular exercise. Another benefit from sponsoring runners in customised uniforms is the billboard effect. Employees tend to wear the uniforms when they practise, and if they all meet somewhere and practise together, they wear the uniforms to and from the practise site. Many will stop off for light shopping on the way home, while still wearing the uniforms. This provides hundreds of advertising impressions.”Wojtowicz concluded, “Sponsoring runners with customised company logo uniforms promotes pride in the workplace, gets employees in better shape, and provides thousands of advertising impressions. Everybody wins.”JP Promotions provides workwear, corporate wear, and uniforms in Perth and surrounding areas. For more information, please call 08 9248 6300 or visit their website: http://jppromotions.com.au/

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.      

2013-05-22T02:19:24Z perth-property-developer-implores-renters-do-everything-you-can-to-become-a-homeowner

Perth, WA, May 22, 2013 - In a recent blog post on their website, 4Land Property Group alerted its readers to a recent report from statistics firm RP Data. The report, called Autumn Investor Guide, predicted that both rents and property values would double in many Australian suburbs in the next ten years.RP Data identified suburbs whose rental and housing sales markets had the potential to double in the next ten years. Due to compounding, a steady growth of 7.2% over ten years causes prices to double in ten years. Consequently, 7.2% annual growth became the baseline number for suburbs predicted to double by 2023.The report found 263 suburbs that showed the necessary growth to double housing prices, but found 792 suburbs where rent is projected to double in the same time frame. In another 582 suburbs, rents were projected to undergo an annual growth of 5.5% or higher per year.Victoria and NSW had the most suburbs projected for prices to double, with 68 and 65 respectively. Sydney had the most suburbs with rent projected to double, with 249. Perth would come in second with 181 suburbs poised to see rents double in the next decade.The only possible mitigating factor for Perth and WA is that they have been in a mild growth pattern for five years, due to the mining boom. There is a chance that the State’s growth will level off before ten years is up. However, even if growth in Perth and WA does level off, RP Data analyst Cameron Kusher still projects a lot of opportunity in the area for at least the next five years.For those who are in a position to purchase a home, or for property investors, the report is seen as good news, because those who buy now could see their home’s value double in the next ten years. This report is not great news for renters though as it indicates that rent prices are going to continue to increase, and that rents are growing at a faster percentage than income, even in the middle of a mining boom.According to Lauren O'Connor, Marketing Manager of 4Land Property Group, renters who wait too long to buy a home could find themselves frozen out of the housing market: “We all know that the biggest hurdle facing first home buyers is finding enough money for the deposit. When it used to be relatively inexpensive to rent a house, it made sense for many to rent, and take their time before buying.”O'Connor continued, “We have watched the market here struggle to make it back after the global financial crisis. Even with the mining boom, housing seemed to be the last thing to recover. But the market has rebounded, and it is now more expensive to rent than it is to make home loan payments in many Perth suburbs.”O'Connor added, “We have developed six successful communities, many of which specialise in first home buyers. Because we have been able to offer house and land packages for approximately 30% less than the cost of the median established home in neighbouring areas, we have had a very active market for our properties.”O'Connor concluded, “But this announcement could make prices rise even faster. If you wait too long to buy a house, it could be too late.”4Land Property Group develops house and land packages in planned communities in Perth suburbs and outlying areas. Call 08 9301 4445 to learn more or visit their website: http://www.4land.com.au/.

2013-05-21T02:58:16Z shed-vendor-warns-perth-residents-don-t-get-complacent-about-tropical-storms

Perth, WA, May 21, 2013 - Cyclone season 2012-13 came and went without much effect on the Perth area. Port Hedland, to the north, and Queensland would bear the brunt of this season's most severe weather. Perth would be threatened a couple of times, but for the most part, the Perth area would emerge unscathed by tropical storms.During the 2012-13 season, four tropical cyclones had a chance of affecting Perth. Ironically enough, none would affect Perth as much as the 7th-8th May storm that wasn't even included in tropical storm ratings.Mitchell was first, forming on 27th December. Mitchell would produce winds as high as 75 km/h, but stayed to the west of WA, and didn't affect the mainland at all. Narelle, though, would be a different story, entering TCWC Perth's domain on 9th January.Narelle was predicted by some models to make landfall in WA, but never did. It would, however, bring belts of wind and rain into the wheatbelt. Exmouth had 76 mm of rainfall, and Karlgarin would see wind gusts as high as 90 km/h. This would tear the roofs off of eight buildings. A suspected tornado hit Capel and cut through a 400 m wide swath of trees. Perth would only receive a bit of rain and their warmest January in more than two decades.Port Hedland and much of Western Pilbara would see two tropical cyclones in a little over a month. Tropical Cyclone Peta made landfall near Point Samson, causing shipping to be closed in Port Hedland on 22nd January. 261.6 mm of rain fell in Hooley Station, adding 28 billion litres of water, or 40% of its capacity, to the Harding Dam.Severe Tropical Storm Rusty was next, making landfall a mere 100 km to the east of Port Hedland. Port Hedland saw 39 straight hours of winds recorded at gale force, with gusts as high as 199 km/h. Pardoo Station would subsequently report 482.5 mm of rain, with other stations reporting as much as 300 mm of rainfall.Though Perth was not affected by tropical storms, it did see a very heavy system or rain and high winds on 7th-8th May. 53.4 mm of rain fell in Perth, while some suburbs saw up to 100 mm of rain. Some areas saw winds as high as 100 km/h.Max Italiano, owner of Action Sheds Australia, was happy to see a relatively calm year, but sounded a note of caution: “I am happy that we had such a quiet cyclone season, but I don't think for an instant that it means we aren't at risk for a direct hit in the future. We have been very fortunate in Perth. For the most part, it looks like we are almost sheltered from tropical cyclones due to where they usually form and how they usually move. But there is no guarantee that we won't get hammered like Port Hedland did this year.”Italiano continued, “Most houses are built to withstand cyclonic winds, but your sheds also must be able to withstand severe weather. ShedSafe certification guarantees that we have the know-how to provide you with the right shed for the right area, but why not go one step further with cyclonic sheds?”Italiano concluded, “Don't let your shed or its contents become projectiles in severe weather.”Action Sheds Australia provides cyclonic sheds to Perth and surrounding areas, for both residential and commercial use. For more information, please call 1300 778 628 or visit their website: http://www.actionsheds.com.au/

2013-05-20T23:31:00Z accountant-business-advisory-services-enriched-with-all-new-myob-companydocs

Accountant business advisory services enriched with all-new MYOB CompanyDocsMYOB launches new small business services online portal; announces exclusive launch offer Australia’s largest provider of accounting software MYOB announced a new online portal for small business services that will enhance their client relationships. MYOB CompanyDocs enables accountants to easily set-up a new corporate structure online anywhere, any time. This starts with proprietary limited company registrations, helping accountants and their clients meet ASIC and Corporations Act requirements. In coming months, the service will cover superannuation funds. General Manager, Accountants Division, Adam Ferguson says, “CompanyDocs will strengthen our accountant partners’ reputation as trusted small business advisors. They can register a new company for their client and check domain name availability all within CompanyDocs, with a step-by-step guide and tips provided along the way. “When the new company is registered with ASIC, MYOB will upload the ACN and Certificate of Incorporation and a full set of documentation into the CompanyDocs portal. It’s that simple. “We’re really pleased to partner with Sparke Helmore Lawyers to offer our accountants an approach to new business services that makes it easier for them to be a credible, connected advisor. We know this is a competitive market, so it’s important for CompanyDocs to provide effective data capture, quality documentation and end product, prompt delivery and competitive pricing. We’ve 100% delivered on this.” The easy-to-use online portal is also a ‘one stop shop’ of resources for trusted business management solutions such as the MYOB Live product suite and EXO Business. In further detail, key features of MYOB CompanyDocs include:High quality legal documentation provided by top 20 Australian legal firm Sparke Helmore Lawyers. With experts in legislation and company incorporations, trusts and self-managed superannuation funds, Sparke Helmore has provided all the legal documents for CompanyDocs. These are fully compliant with current-day practices and legislation.Online registrations through a simple to use and easy to navigate website containing helpful hints and tips.Fast turnaround time to process registrations via electronic lodgement direct with ASIC. Quick download of new company documents in an easy-to-read format.Document history via a dashboard that shows a summary of transactions and the status of applications.Client support via Live Chat. Before 1 July 2013, accountants can receive a $100 discount per new company registration in CompanyDocs.MYOB Connected Accounting Practices receive a free 3-month MYOB LiveAccounts subscription for each client registering a new company. Pricing: $465 for each proprietary company registration in CompanyDocs until 1 July 2013 (normally $565).**Incl GST and ASIC fee Visit http://companydocs.myob.com.au/- ENDS - For further comment or other information please contact:Angely Grecia, MYOB Public Relations ConsultantP: 02 9089 9071 / M: 0449 169 997/ E: angely.grecia@myob.com About MYOBEstablished in 1991, MYOB is now Australia’s largest business management solutions provider. It simplifies accounting, payroll, tax, CRM, websites, job costing, inventory management and much more for businesses of all ages, types and sizes. Over one million businesses in Australia and New Zealand have used one or more of MYOB’s 50+ products and services. Today, its solutions extend online, delivering innovation through cloud computing. This enables its clients to be more productive and make smarter connections with their staff, business partners, business advisors and customers. With a network of 20,000+ accountants, book keepers, certified consultants and other professional partners, MYOB provides support and tools that help make business life easier. Visit http://myob.com.au/smarterconnections

2013-05-20T01:06:25Z with-music-education-at-risk-musicians-and-teachers-take-action

Perth, WA, May 20, 2013 - Peter Luff, the conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, doesn’t believe that the children are being exposed enough to music in elementary school. Furthermore, he feels that music should be a right and that adults, educational and music professionals most notably, have the obligation to impart some kind of musical knowledge and appreciation to them.The Queensland Symphony Orchestra has been performing during an annual concert series to elementary schools specifically in an effort to fight against the decline in well-supported music and arts programs.From the Queensland Conservatory of Music, Dr Ralph Hultgren makes the claim that musical education is much more creative than math and other subjects, and that it is music that enhances a person, separating them from everyone else. Music education also correlates with increased performances in math and other academic subjects, making it the perfect supporter of those other fields. It can also lead to increased social skills, including the greater capacity for teamwork.In fact, a good number of music and non-music academics agree that music education is very important to a well-rounded, holistic education, and is much more than just learning how to play an instrument, although that is a facet of it. That is not to say that math and other tested subjects are not as important, or even less, but that musical instruction is just as important as instruction and development in those areas.This being said however, Hultgren also makes mention of the point that music teachers should be trained professional in a way, thus making the quality of the education that much better. An average music fan could not effectively teach a music class without proper training and a specialist of sorts is required for the best possible music instruction.Other school principals and administrators are nervous about increased cuts to music program, especially in light of the new government NAPLAN teaching reform. Teachers and principals agree that music and instrument playing tuition is very important to a better education and development as a person overall. The QSO and other musical organisations continue to push for better music programs in primary schools nationwide.Monster Music, an online network of music teachers in Australia, and its owner, musician and teacher Danny Achurch, fully support the growth of music programs in primary schools and are against the cuts made to schools for any reason.“Music programs are so vitally important for our children,” Achurch, a personally major proponent of musical education states. “If a school cuts its music program, I feel that it’s letting down its children and students and short-changing them from what could be the best possible education for them.” Being a teacher himself, Achurch knows the value that teaching children of any age about music holds. “It doesn’t just make them a better student, but it makes them a better overall person to be able to appreciate music and express themselves creatively.” He claims on the subject. “Monster Music’s mission is to spread music education to those who need it and we do it because that’s what’s best for our young people.” Monster Music provides piano, violin, singing, and guitar lessons in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, and many other cities across the whole country. For more information about them, please visit http://www.monstermusic.com.au/ or call 08 9335 8881 now.

2013-05-17T05:45:34Z most-common-regret-of-brides-is-not-spending-enough-on-wedding-photography

Perth, WA, May 17, 2013 - Two different polls, two different years, one result: 21% of the recently-married brides who were polled regretted not spending more money on their wedding photos. The first poll was conducted by photography website Shutterfly from 10th to 13th January, 2011, and had 500 participants. The second poll was conducted by New York Magazine for their current issue, and had 100 participants. While the sample size may appear small, the convergent results cannot be attributed solely to coincidence. In the more contemporary of the two surveys, which provides more detailed data, flowers were the next item of regret at 16%, the wedding cake came in at 9%, the wedding gown came in at 9%, and everything else combined came in at 45%. A second part of the recent poll asked the bride’s what they regretted splurging on the most. Flowers were number one at 17%, while photos came in second at 12%. Hair and makeup or third at 9%, the wedding gown was fourth at 8%, and the wedding cake was fifth at 6%, leaving everything else at 48%. Peter Edwards is a wedding photographer with a wealth of experience in the Perth area, and is the owner of Peter Edwards Photography. He is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP), and has also achieved a Double Master of Photography. His specialisation in wedding photography and the sheer number of weddings he has photographed make him uniquely qualified to interpret the data from the two surveys. Edwards begins by pointing out a pattern that is obvious to him: “Everything mentioned in the poll is visual, because the visual element of a wedding is extremely important to the bride. That is why it is so important to hire the best photographer for your wedding instead of price shopping. It is no accident that photos were mentioned first, and no accident that the other visual elements of the wedding were mentioned as the next three most important items.” Edwards continued: “When the wedding is being put together, it is often a reflex action to try and reduce costs. Sometimes, it is possible to find good work and an inexpensive price. Unfortunately, price shopping is usually hit and miss at best, and the bride ends up being disappointed at the quality of service she receives. Worse yet, when photography is one of the items at which the bride tries to save money, the results are almost always disappointing. This is false economy as if the purchase doesn’t meet expectations, no matter how small the amount paid there is no value. On the other hand an item purchased that is truly valued as time passes is priceless and the cost is soon forgotten and may even appear “cheap” on reflection.” Edwards added: “Ultimately, when the wedding is over, your photographs are going to provide the most enduring memory of your happiest day. If there is one thing, and one thing only, to make sure you do right, it is to hire a professional and experienced wedding photographer. Professional wedding photographers know how to use light effectively, how to use their equipment to the best advantage, how to pose people, capture that moment and put people at ease. ”Edwards commented further: “If a few of the visual elements in your wedding are a bit off, a great photographer can find a way to make them look good. However, a mediocre photographer only produces photos that look mediocre.” Edwards concluded: “Don’t trust your most cherished memories to chance: hire a professional and preserve your memories for a lifetime.” Peter Edwards Photography is a professional wedding photography firm from Perth. Not only do they specialise in weddings, weddings are all they do. For more information, or to inquire about their services, call 08 9316 2465 or visit their website: http://www.peteredwardsphoto.com.au/

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/

2013-05-16T23:00:48Z don-t-get-into-hot-water-with-claims

Concerns about the cost of repairs and ongoing maintenance for an owner’s investment property can be reduced by claiming back these costs when an investor is completing their tax return. Before an investor can start to tally deductions, it is necessary to understand the difference between claiming repairs, maintenance and capital improvements. Repairs & maintenance Work completed to fix damage or deterioration of a property is defined as repairs, e.g. fixing part of a damaged fence. Work completed to prevent deterioration to a property is defined as maintenance, e.g. servicing an air conditioner. A deduction for expenses incurred because of repairs or maintenance on an investment property can be claimed completely within the current financial year. Capital improvements Improving the condition or value of an item beyond its original state at the time of purchase is defined as capital improvements. Capital improvements must be depreciated or claimed as capital works deductions over time. Capital improvements are classified as either capital works deductions or plant and equipment. Capital works deductions include structural additions and renovations such as adding and extending an internal wall and also includes items fixed to the property which cannot easily be removed. Plant and equipment items include removable or mechanical items such as carpet, hot water systems and stoves. To determine how expenses on an investment property should be claimed, an investor can consider the following questions: Has the property or item been improved beyond its original condition at the time of purchase? If an item provides something new or changes the character of the original item in any way, it will be considered a capital improvement. Was the asset partially replaced, or replaced entirely? Partially replacing an item due to damage or wear and tear is classified as repairs and maintenance. If an owner decides to replace the entire item to improve the property’s value, it will be considered a capital improvement. A BMT Tax Depreciation Schedule will only include items classified as capital improvements. Repairs and maintenance can be separately claimed as a 100% deduction with an accountant when an investor is completing their tax return. BMT can answer questions about alterations, additions, repairs or improvements and the implications they may have on depreciation. Article Provided by BMT Tax Depreciation. Bradley Beer (B. Con. Mgt, AAIQS, MRICS) is the Managing Director of BMT Tax Depreciation.  Please contact 1300 728 726 or visit www.bmtqs.com.au for an Australia wide service.