http:// 2012-10-30T06:27:00Z 2012-10-30T06:27:00Z levelone-launches-infinity-a-range-of-networking-gear-for-heavy-industry

Infinity News Release German networking manufacturers LevelOne plan to get their hands dirty with new range of tough industrial solutions SYDNEY, October 30, 2012. German-based networking specialist LevelOne today announced the launch of the Infinity brand, a range of industrial-standard networking solutions. Infinity will target large industrial enterprises such as mines, manufacturing assembly lines, drilling rigs and electrical power stations, as well as organisations such as schools and colleges, the transport sector and large retail organisations. Toughened solutions can be tailored to a wide variety of needs within these industries, such as point-of-sale surveillance for retail stores, Ethernet connections for electrical substations and public transport hubs or digital signage for civil road-works and mines. Spokesperson for LevelOne, Christian Sommer, said: “We understand that equipment needs to withstand tough environmental conditions and will face issues such as heat, cold, dust and vibration. For example, an oil drilling platform will need equipment that is able perform consistently through conditions such as cold, vibration, high humidity, shock and salt water.” He added: “As a company, LevelOne is prolific in designing and producing networking equipment for commercial use. We’re constantly trying to innovate, so we like to think we have a product that will suit customers’ needs, no matter what the situation calls for.” The new brand will combine high-quality, industrial-grade networking solutions into complete tailored packages. “Any industrial deployment you care to name, we can tailor a unique solution to it. We’re aiming to provide a one-stop-shop,” said Christian. Infinity will consult with clients to assess their needs, tailor a suitable package, provide the equipment, then support the deployment with ongoing technical help. Unlike many competing organisations, the Infinity solution will provide an industrial-grade solution from start to finish. Christian said: “In many industrial situations, you will find a mixture of equipment - some will be proper industrial grade, but the solution is often mixed with standard commercial grade gear too. With Infinity, we’re not going to mix. If customers come to us for a solution, all elements of the deployment will be top quality, industrial-grade equipment, and every component will be rigorously tested.” All solutions will carry a five-year warranty, and the equipment will be tested for shock, extreme heat and cold, electrostatic discharge and electrical conductivity. All Infinity products will hold safety certifications relevant to their deployment. Christian cites the history of German-designed quality at LevelOne as a strong reason why the Infinity range will stand out from the field in Industrial settings: “We’ve been designing and producing some of the world’s best networking solutions for close to twenty-two years now. We know how to meet market needs, and we add value with our expert technical support team.” For more information contact: Luke FrostDirectorluke.frost@prdeadlines.com.au0407 271 064

2012-09-10T22:50:27Z southern-hemisphere-s-biggest-green-roof-takes-shape

The green roof, covering a total area of 26,000 square metres and incorporating 100,000 plants, is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere and forms an important part of the project's landscape architecture.  Providing acoustic protection, corrosion resistance, thermal control and reduced maintenance, the roof utilises the Sika Sarnafil system which creates a waterproof barrier for the lightweight, structural ply substrate.  According to Geoff Heard of Fytogreen, the green roof builder and designer, the site and scale of the roof presented a number of challenges.  “Weather hampering construction, design modifications to comply with the 1 in 100 year wind storm event for stability, and the lack of pre-existing green roof standards for Australia were all major considerations.”The thin profile green roof, requiring just a few inches of media, incorporates patterns using a rich tapestry of indigenous vegetation tolerant of high heat, salt drift,drought and wind.  Located in a revegetated coastal park, the desalination plant required a design which made the structure barely visible from all public viewing points.  The green roof helps to integrate the building into the environment and enables the continued bio-diversity of the site in its regeneration, acoustic moderation and storm water management.  “The waterproofing membrane had to allow for potential movement from kilometres of joints, for which the Sika Sarnafil ‘G series’ polymeric sheet is ideally suited,” said Heard. “UV resistance was also required for a 25 year life span.  And compatibility with the electronic ILD (international leak detection) system was paramount to enable quality checks to occur prior to Sika’s handover to Fytogreen and after Fytogreen had completed its construction.”Faulty seams are a common source of leaks in green roofs.  Some waterproofing membranes use sealants, adhesives or tapes to secure the seams.  Sika Sarnafil’s membrane is thermoplastic, meaning seams and flashings are welded together using Sika Sarnafil’s automatic hot-air welder, resulting in one monolithic layer of material that is impervious to moisture infiltration.  “Modern techniques for leak detection and high quality membranes like Sarnafil significantly reduce the perceived risk associated with green roofs,” added Heard.  “Adherence to a well-honed green roof construction method and ITP check procedure enabled 26,000 square metres of green roof to be installed without one breach of the membrane during the roof garden installation phase, a testament to the membrane quality and Fytogreen’s attention to detail.” The waterproofing membrane will provide ongoing protection to the structure from the intensely damp environment, allowing for ongoing irrigation and resistance to root penetration. “Green roofs are becoming a more common and desirable roofing option, turning some of our green-starved cities into an urban oasis,” says Sika project manager, Jason Jansz.  “As in this case, a green roof can also help to sympathetically integrate a larger structure into a more rural setting and encourage wildlife to flourish.” As the largest green roof of its type in the southern hemisphere, the Victorian Desalination Plant green roof will be the subject of two papers presented by Fytogreen and Aspect Studios for the International Green Roof Congress in Copenhagen in September 2012.  For a technical product guide or further information contact Sika Australia on 1300 223 348 or visit www.sika.com.au

2012-08-21T05:00:23Z sheds4less-amp-service-central-partner-to-create-australia-s-largest-garden-shed-supply-and-install-network

Melbourne — August 21, 2012 — Today Sheds4Less and ServiceCentral announced the establishment of Australia’s largest gardenshedsupplyandinstallation network. You would think that something as physically demanding as the purchase and installation of a garden shed would benefit little from changes in shopping behavior bought about by the explosion of online shopping, but not so says Alex Cochran founder of Sheds4Less. What You Want, Where You Want, How You Want “Having worked in the hardware retail industry for over 30 years I knew that most people hated the thought of having to buy, transport and erect a garden shed. And what’s more sales assistants avoided the garden shed department like the plague. This just spelled opportunity in my mind. There had to be a better way. So we established Sheds4Less. With some clever product development and online shopping technology we were able to deliver garden sheds direct to customers’ doors, in 10,000 more Australian postcodes than our nearest competitor. We launched Sheds4Less in January 2012 and our customers have really embraced the concept.” Cochran went on to say; “But our customers told us that they wanted more. There is a significant bunch of garden shed customers that not only want the shed delivered but also installed. So we needed to get garden shed installation services in as many Australian cities and towns as possible to meet our customer’s needs. This is when we found Service Central, Australia’s largest service marketplace. If we could combine Sheds4Less expertise in garden shed supply and distribution with Service Central’s network of accredited handymen and tradesmen, this would give our customers what they were asking for.” Leveraging the Internet in the Physical World Service Central were up to the challenge and in a matter of days had the basics of a simple garden shed installation quotation system in place. Danial Ahchow founder of Service Central said; “When the guys from Sheds4Less contacted us we could see that there was a great synergy in working together. They had customers desperately looking to get garden sheds installed and we had a network of accredited service providers who were looking for work. So we used the services marketplace system that we had developed over many years, to provide a simple platform for the Sheds4Less customers to get quotes from service providers in their area for erecting their sheds. The customer could request a quote directly from the Sheds4Less website” Danial continued on to explain “Service Central’s Australia-wide network of pre-qualified tradespeople provides great capacity to Sheds 4 Less to install their sheds throughout the entire country. Service Central pre-qualifies each tradesperson to ensure that they are properly insured, trustworth and qualified for the work that they undertake. Our unique technology then automates the process of matching consumers with local businesses, enabling people to quickly and easily find the right local tradespeople for their needs.” So it appears that no matter how “physical” our shopping transaction might be, the internet and the ongoing development of ecommerce technologies is going to make our lives so much easier. About Sheds4Less Founded in 2012, Sheds4Less is a pure online garden shed retailer that has developed products and systems to make buying, erecting or installing a garden shed cheaper and easier. About Service Central Founded in 2005 as Australia’s first marketplace for services, Service Central is now one of Australia’s largest networks of tradespeople. Service Central’s unique online marketplace technology makes it easy for consumers to find and connect with local businesses to get work done. ######### For more information, press only: Sheds4Less – Alex Cochran , Phone: 0419 019 469, Email: alex@sheds4less.com.au Service Central – Danial Ahchow, Phone: 0434 421 111, Email: danial.ahchow@servicecentral.com.au For more information on Sheds4Less http://www.sheds4less.com.au For more information on Service Central http://www.servicecentral.com.au

2012-08-18T07:21:58Z sheds4less-releases-third-video-in-garden-shed-building-series

Melbourne — August 18, 2012 — Today Sheds4Less released the third video in the garden shed building series. Titled Garden Shed Building Tips, it is designed to make building garden sheds easier. Alex Cochran, founder of Sheds4Less said; “We were really surprised at the feedback that we received about our first two videos that dealt with building permits and approvals for garden sheds. Obviously there are a lot of people searching for information. It’s often hard to find this sort of information in one place and explained in everyday language. The response really motivated us to take the shed building video series one step further. Over the years our team has designed and built hundreds of garden sheds for some of the major makers and retailers here in Australia. We have an enormous amount of knowledge locked away in people’s heads. The internet video format allows us to get this knowledge distributed very cost effectively and after all that is what our business is about, making the building of garden sheds easier and even fun". It’s not always in the manual. Cochran went on to say that it is not building skills that make the difference between making a garden shed build a fun job or a chore. “It really comes down to preparation; almost anyone can build a garden shed. If you have assembled flat pack furniture, like the stuff you get from Ikea, then building a shed is a cinch. We are not going to tell you how to use a screwdriver or rivet gun, the real difference comes about by the way you approach the job and a little bit of pre-preparation before the day. Over the years we have learnt what really makes a difference. Our Garden Shed Building Tips video only goes for about 7 minutes, but it can literally save you hours of frustration." Leveraging the Internet in the Physical World Cochran said that when Sheds4Less realized that the Internet could change the way garden sheds were sold in Australia, they were only thinking about designing a company that leveraged the advantages that a pure online retailer had over a physical store, things like low cost distribution and a reach that went further than any one bricks and mortar store could offer. “We never anticipated the advantages that the internet and a pure online company could gain in delivering really valuable information directly to customers. In the past manufacturers had to rely on retailers to do this job. You never really knew if your message was getting to the right people at the right time. Now we are in control and can ensure that valuable information and education can get through without being filtered. This is a real breath of fresh air and it really makes a difference, at least that is what our customers are saying.” He went on to say that Sheds4Less had plans for more videos in the series, and it would be up to customer response to determine what the next video would cover. “We’re no Steven Spielberg and our production values will never rival Hollywood, but we do get the message out that our customer want to hear.” About Sheds4Less Founded in 2012, Sheds4Less is a pure online garden shed retailer that has developed products and systems to make buying, erecting or installing a garden shed cheaper and easier. ######### For more information, press only: Sheds4Less – Alex Cochran , Phone: 0419 019 469, Email: alex@sheds4less.com.au For more information on Sheds4Less http://www.sheds4less.com.au

2012-08-01T11:14:16Z do-i-need-a-permit-for-a-garden-shed

Sheds4Less,a leading online seller of garden sheds in Australia,today released the first 2 videos in a series about what you need to know about permits and approvals for garden sheds.Alex Cochran the founder of Sheds4Less, said;“Questions about garden shed permits, council approvals and development applications (D.A,s) are amongst the most common questions we get from our customers. It is really difficult to get a comprehensive but simple answer without trawling through the web for hours. So we thought that we would put a series of short videos together to try and explain the basics and put them on our website.”The team at Sheds4Less has put together the first two videos that cover garden shed setbacks and the basics of garden shed exempt and complying developments.Cochran went on to add;“Now we are just simple garden shed manufacturers, not Holywood producers so the videos are pretty basic and frankly a bit cheesy, but they do give our potential customers an idea about what they should consider to make building their garden shed a hassle free project. Of course you should always consult your local council if you need further clarification.”Cochran says that the one of the goals of Sheds4Less is to make buying and building a garden shed as simple as possible.“Some of our customers would have preferred to go to the dentist than start a garden shed building project, our aim is to turn what seems like a chore into something that can even be a bit of fun, it’s really not that hard,” he added.

2012-06-25T00:32:08Z recognition-from-managers-key-to-retaining-employees

Tuesday 12 June 2012: More than three-quarters (77 per cent) of employees would consider leaving their organisation if they weren’t recognised for their contribution, and one in four are already actively seeking a new job or intend to in the next three months, according to employee engagement specialists RedBalloon for Corporate.And its managers receiving the bulk of the criticism, with 44 per cent rated “very poor”, “poor” or just “satisfactory” at delivering praise; three quarters of employees are starved of recognition, receiving it only monthly, quarterly or once a year; and 11 per cent receiving no praise at all.These insights come from the 2012 RedBalloon Reward and Recognition Survey, which studied more than 4,000 businesses across Australia and New Zealand to gauge the current trends, attitudes and behaviours around employee reward and recognition programs.These are worrying findings given a 25-year-long Gallup study – based on interviews with 12 million workers at 7,000 large companies – also found that the relationship with a manager largely determines the length of an employee’s stay.[i]According to RedBalloon for Corporate General Manager Matt Geraghty “Retention is one of the biggest issues facing businesses right now and with the cost to replace someone estimated at 150 per cent of their salary, simple maths demonstrates the return on investment of a successful reward and recognition program.”“In tough economic times, it’s your people that will get you through, and if businesses invest in and show their employees appreciation now, they’ll stay for the long term.“Similarly, it’s unrealistic for employees to expect significant raises in the current economic climate – but a well thought-out and effective reward and recognition program can help keep your employees feeling valued and motivated for a fraction of the cost of increased pay packets.“Businesses need to encourage and empower managers to unleash the power of praise, and managers must invest the time to get to know their people and what inspires and drives them – how else can they expect to build trust and retain employees over the long term?The report also shows that rewards alone will not give you happier employees. Almost half (46 per cent) of respondents would opt for recognition over a reward when being thanked; 50 per cent want recognition and something physical, such as an experience, a gift voucher or time off from the office; and only 4 per cent of employees would be happy with a reward alone.The role of managers in this process is key, with 51 per cent of respondents seeking acknowledgment from their direct manager, 35 per cent from peers and colleagues, and only 14 per cent from the CEO.And recognition is most important to Generation Y, with 86 per cent prepared to leave an organisation due to lack of recognition, compared to 77 per cent of Generation X and 63 per cent of Baby Boomers.“Organisations cannot afford to put lip service to this – any acknowledgement needs to be authentic, personal and relevant to a specific activity. Saying thanks and ‘you’re a good bloke’ is not enough. People need to know what they did specifically that contributed to a business result,” Mr Geraghty said.“The study highlighted that 42 per cent of businesses do not have a reward and recognition program in place, which does not bode well for those who are considering leaving for lack of thanks.“But just as worrying are the 57 per cent of companies providing a substandard reward and recognition experience, as employees are five times more likely to leave their organisation if their business provides a poor program.“We are calling this the ‘recognition retention multiplier’, and it represents is a big opportunity for businesses to pull up their socks.”Top things employees want to see improved in their business right now20% pay, benefits and conditions15% work-life balance12% rewards and recognition12% systems and processes9% communication9% career progression8% training and development7% culture5% leadership/senior management4% my bossThe most popular rewards1. 42% Experiences - sharing with family/friends (25%) or Personal (17%)2. 31% Cash/Visa Card3. 11% Time off work- ENDS-For more information, or to arrange an interview or image, please contact:Lauren Ashton, Communications Specialist - P: 02 8755 0034 M: 0404 136 765 E: lauren@redballoon.com.auDownload the report: http://corp.redballoon.com.au/rewardandrecognitionreportAbout RedBalloonRedBalloon For Corporate provides exciting reward and recognition solutions, corporate gifts and sales incentives to ensure businesses keep their employees and customers motivated, rewarded and engaged. With a unique resource of over 2,500 amazing experiences in Australia and New Zealand RedBalloon specialises in creating attachments between employees and their employer. RedBalloon has also been awarded for its innovative employee engagement practices, named in the Best Places to Work by BRW Magazine three times, including a top ten ranking in 2009. Hewitt Associates have also awarded RedBalloon with an engagement score of over 90 per cent three years in a row. The average engagement score in Australian businesses is 55 per cent.[i] Kaye, B & Jordan-Evans, S. (2005) Love ‘Em or Lose Em. Berrett Koehler.

2012-06-15T04:01:24Z bfast-announces-breakthrough-accounting-software-for-aussie-sole-traders

The application offers all the basic tools required to trade with an ABN: invoicing, expense tracking, calculation of income and expense figures for quarterly activities statements (BAS), and annual reporting for personal tax returns. Twelve years after Australian businesses were bombarded with unfamiliar paperwork by the arrival of the GST (known then as the “new tax system”), most self-employees are still struggling with red tape. Spreadsheets and word processors are the tools of choice for invoicing — impractical, messy and prone to error. Bfast is the first book-keeping product in the Australian market built specifically for sole traders, especially those without accounting expertise. It leaves out the myriad of confusing, unneeded features found in other accounting systems, instead offering just the features needed for a one-person business: invoicing, expense recording, and reporting. That’s not to say that Bfast is only for sole traders; it’s also a solid, cheap alternative for small businesses without large payrolls to manage. Bfast is cloud-based, so you can use it from anywhere with an Internet connection, without installing anything on your computer. Signing into Bfast takes you to the home screen, which shows you all the most useful information at a glance: your outstanding invoices, recent activity, figures for your current BAS, and shortcuts to record regular expenses or bill recent clients. The user interface has an especially nice look and feel. Everything is pretty much where you’d expect it to be. Big, clear text and minimalist aesthetics keep you focussed on what you’re doing, and auto-suggestions ensure you rarely have to type the same thing twice. Bfast is linked to the Australian Business Registrar, so it can auto-fill business names based on ABNs, and vice-versa. Invoices can be emailed, printed, or downloaded as PDF documents. The invoices look clean and tidy, and include all pertinent information — contact details, ABN, the obligatory “tax invoice” heading, and separate GST subtotals. The recipient’s address is positioned to appear in standard envelope windows, in case you’re using snail mail. You can also add your own logo to your invoices. The invoice design is simple enough that most logos fit quite comfortably in the top left corner. [ Sample: http://bfast.com.au/media/pdf/sample-invoice.pdf ] Recording expenses is very straightforward. What you bought, where and when you bought it, and what you paid. If you prefer to record all your expenses at once, there’s a “ticker” mode for fast data entry. Bfast sports a handy feature for partially deductible expenses, such as petrol or rent. Rather than calculating a claimable amount, you can record the full amount and include a “percentage for business use”. Bfast factors it all in when calculating your reporting figures. For regular expenses, like phone bills or service subscriptions, you can avoid painful repetition by creating expense templates. Even if your phone bills vary from month to month, a template can still include the payee, business usage, GST, categorisation and other fixed details. Bfast can create two kinds of reports: “BAS History” and “Tax Return”. The latter is a complete breakdown of your income and expense for a given financial year, which you can send to an accountant when you want them to prepare your annual tax return. Kit Zimmerman CA, owner of Sydney-based accounting firm Faladons, handles hundreds of tax returns every year. Zimmerman encourages many of his clients to use Bfast: “We have a number of ‘shoebox’ clients: individuals who annually bring us spreadsheets or piles of loose receipts. We’ve started recommending they use Bfast, because it’s incredibly simple and affordable enough for everyone, and it considerably shortens the time we need to prepare returns. “Bfast seems to reduce the anxiety and frustration many people experience in preparing tax returns. We’ve found people who were leaving their returns right until the last minute, are now wanting to lodge them much sooner.” Bfast is an Australian-owned company based in Sydney, originally founded by freelance software designer Neil E. Pearson. Pearson explains how Bfast began: “I began freelancing in 2000, just months after ABNs and Business Activities Statements were introduced. I typed invoices by hand, and assembled some complicated spreadsheets to calculate my quarterly activities figures. It worked, but it was messy and impractical. “In 2006, I started a photography business. I looked at some off-the-shelf accounting packages, but they were too expensive and complicated for a small one-man business. I decided to write some basic software to handle my fairly simple needs: managing client details, sending invoices, and generating quarterly reports. “Compared to the old spreadsheet system, it was heaven. The only downside was that colleagues kept begging me to let them use it. I hadn’t written it for public use, but it was clear the Australian freelance community needed a commercial version. So in 2008, I started work on Bfast: ‘Book-keeping For Australian Sole Traders’.” Bfast offers a 45 day free trial — that’s six weeks and change to see how you like it. After that, monthly and yearly pricing options are available. Watch the 2-minute introductory video and take Bfast for a spin at bfast.com.au. You won’t need a credit card; just an ABN.

2011-10-21T01:11:26Z masport-boldly-goes-where-some-others-can-t

Australia’s terrain can be tough, but tackling it is now easy thanks to Masport’s new range of ride on mowers that can handle almost anything that’s thrown at them.The new Crossjet ride on mowers are the perfect solution for neglected areas, where new un-mowed areas require breaking in or on challenging ground such as on slopes and wet conditions where it’s difficult to get good traction. These mowers offer better stability and traction than traditional ride on mowers because they have a low centre of gravity with superior weight distribution.Quality and performance is enhanced with a strong and rugged chassis and a steering system that operates with absolute ease and directness, allowing the user to turn quickly and precisely, providing great manoeuvrability around trees and tight areas. Add to that a Tuff Torq hydrostatic transaxle transmission, two swing back blades made from hardened and tempered steel, plus a genuine Vanguard Briggs & Stratton commercial grade engine and the result is a ride on mower offering uncompromising reliability.Masport’s Crossjet range has been designed with safety in mind, featuring a barrier roll bar, front and rear bumpers, an on-demand differential lock that increases traction when the foot pedal is depressed and agricultural style V tread tyres that will grip in almost any condition – sandy, wet or dry.And for those who spend a long time in the saddle, comfort is provided by cushioned high back seat with suspension springs and seat adjustments.Available in heavy duty 2WD and 4WD configurations, both models come with comprehensive commercial and domestic warranties. The Crossjet mowers are priced at RRP $9,495 for the 2WD and RRP $13,495 for the 4WD. For more information and stockists visit www.masport.com.au or call 1300 366 225.- ENDS - About Masport LtdEstablished in New Zealand in 1910, Masport delivers a range of quality lawn and garden products that have been developed and refined in the tough outdoor environment of Australian and Kiwi backyards. The Masport brand has become a symbol for good quality, reliable outdoor equipment both locally and in over 40 countries worldwide. www.masport.com.au

2011-09-07T02:43:12Z gardening-safety-this-spring

Spring is finally here and with that comes our desire to get out into the garden. Whilst gardening can be a leisure activity it is important to remember to protect yourself from many hazards that can arise in the garden. Wearing gloves is essential when gardening, avoid nasty kritters that may be lurking under the soil or rocks as well as protecting yourself from sharp bushes and shrubs. The Grabbit glove is a general purpose polycotton glove with a crinkled rubber palm and fully coated rubber thumb for added protection. The textured rubber crinkle finish allows for good grab and excellent grip power. The glove is flexible and comfortable and is resuable and washable. When using potting mix it is important to wear a P2 respirator to avoid inhaling potential bacteria that can cause legionnaires disease. The NSW Government health department recommended the following precautions are taken out when using potting mix. Legionella longbeachae is common in the soil and potting mix. Reduce exposure to potting mix dust by following the manufacturers' warning present on potting mix labels, including: Wet down the potting mix to reduce the dust.Wear gloves and a P2 mask when using potting mix.Wash your hands after handling potting mix or soil, and before eating, drinking or smoking.Source: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/infectious/legionnaires.html

2011-08-07T05:07:39Z oceans-left-out-of-the-climate-conversation

Earthwatch AustraliaMedia Release Monday8th August 2011 Blue carbon accounts for 55% of all the carbon captured in the world: more carbon is captured in the marine environment than on land. (Source: Nellemann et al, United Nations Environment Program Responses to climate change in Australia have so far overlooked the role of oceans and coasts, according to one of the international pioneers of citizen science, Brian Rosborough, Founder of Earthwatch. Coastal vegetation and oceans which account for 55% of all the carbon captured in the world should be a part of the climate change conversation. Mr Brian Rosborough founding chairman of Earthwatch Institute is in Australia to celebrate the organisation’s 40th birthday at their Oceania Gala on August 10th in Melbourne, which is being used to raise funds for oceans research. A recognised visionary on promoting scientific research to track changes in the climate for over four decades Mr Rosborough said, “community involvement with scientific research was one of the most powerful keys to progress the international climate change conversation”. Mr Rosborough said, “It was vital that scientific research into the oceans is translated into actions to protect the health of coastal vegetation and oceans. Oceans play a significant role in the global carbon cycle. Not only do they represent the largest long-term sink for carbon but they also store and redistribute CO2. Some 93% of the earth’s CO2 (40 Tt) is stored and cycled through the oceans.*Vegetated coastal habitats provide vital ecosystem functioning and can act as large carbon sinks but they are experiencing a steep global decline, up to four times faster than rainforests. This issue is particularly relevant to Australia as it has over 35,000 km of coastline, the mangrove flora of Australia is one of the world’s most diverse, and it covers about 18 per cent of the coastline. Australia has the world’s most diverse array of tropical and temperate seagrasses. Australia hosts more than half of the world’s 60 species and 11 of the world’s 12 genera of seagrasses, with about 51,000 square kilometres of seagrass meadows, with Shark Bay in Western Australia home to the world’s largest sea grass bed. “Unlike carbon capture and storage on land, where the carbon may be locked away for decades or centuries, that stored in the oceans remains for millennia” Mr Rosborough said. Earthwatch Executive Director Richard Gilmore said a coordinated scientific approach to understanding and conserving mangrove forests across Australia and Asia would provide enormous environmental, economic and social benefits. “Not only do mangroves store vast amounts of carbon, they provide vital habitats for threatened species, protect people from rising seas and storm surges and provide livelihoods for millions of the world’s most vulnerable people”. * Source: Nellemann et al, United Nations Environment Program Brian Rosborough Earthwatch Australia Earthwatch International Brian Rosborough The Australian Connection Brian Rosborough has a significant history with Australia arriving with very few connections and little money to set up the Australian Earthwatch Institute some 30 years ago.“He soon gathered a small but esteemed group of prominent Australians. That group included legendary names like Sir James Vernon, Sir Jack Crawford, Sir John Proud and Sir Laurence Muir,who along with the Myer and Darling families chose to take a gamble on an untried and unproven idea.” Brian Rosborough Background Brian Rosborough serves as a Member of Advisory Board of CMarket; Inc. and serves as a Trustee of Deerfield Academy. He served as a special envoy to the United Nations, as well as serving on a wide variety of boards including Princeton University, the Fulbright Institute, Mt Holyoke College, the Rocky Mountain Institute, and numerous others Mr. Rosborough Founder Earthwatch Institute in 1971. Mr. Rosborough has been involved in social venture capital since ... leaving the investment banking business in 1971. Mr. Rosborough served as Director of EarthCare Co. since December 16, 1998. He served as a Member of the Advisory Committee of CMarket, Inc. More

2011-05-11T02:49:59Z corio-waste-management-cleans-up-with-new-website

For immediate releaseCorio Waste Management announces the launch of their new website to provide customers with information on the company’s waste management products and services in Victoria. The company’s goal was to create a user-friendly SEO website for customers while integrating social media as a supporting tool. The website (www.coriowm.com.au ) promotes the company's environmentally friendly philosophy and allows users to explore the benefits of Corio Waste Management ‘s services online. The design seamlessly integrates the company’s key messages and values with an intriguing flash banner to reflect a passion for effective waste management in Victoria. Corio Waste Management‘s General Manager, Matthew Dickens said the professional website informs customers of their waste management options in an engaging manner. “The website provides valuable information in relation to compliance with Quarantine and Environmental Protection legislation and regulations” Dickens said. “With our carbon calculator, customers can calculate their scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions that relate to the disposal of their wastes. They can have fun while working out what’s best for them and the environment”. Mr Dickens said a key focus had been on improving the existing website to help promote the company’s services to existing customers and reach potential customers in new markets via social networking. “We wanted to reach new people and encourage engagement in an informal setting” Dickens said. “With a new website and active social media accounts, we hope to give our customers a unique experience”. Corio Waste Management has 161 Facebook LIKES and 20 Twitter followers and hopes to increase their following by providing daily interaction. Mr Dickens said the entire team at Corio Waste Management were extremely happy with the new website developed by Exa Web Solutions. “It’s been an exhaustive conception-to-completion process involving input from our staff and Exa, and has resulted in a professional promotional tool”. About Corio WM:Corio Waste Management is one of the fastest growing private waste management companies in Victoria. With 35 employees in 3 locations, the company services an area of 19,320 square kilometres between one of Victoria's largest regional cities, Geelong and metropolitan Melbourne. Service offerings include: solid waste management, recycling, hazardous waste disposal, industrial cleaning, consulting and more. For more information contact Matthew Dickens on (03) 5275-9500. About Exa:As Australia’s largest and most successful Web Solutions Company, Exa has a full time staff of over 200 Web Designers, Web Developers and Online Marketing experts. Exa’s WebMagnet and Customised Web Solutions have helped improve the profitability and efficiency of more than 1000 organisations. Exa’s clients include some of the world’s biggest brands, leading banks, government, not for profits, multi-nationals and SME’s from various industries. Founded in 2000 Exa has sustained around 50% growth year over year. For more information about Exa contact Loris Toffano, Marketing Manager on 0413 387 382 or email loris.tofffano@exa.com.au.

2010-11-30T05:05:00Z salmat-launches-new-small-business-online-marketing-portal

Sydney, 30 November 2010 - Salmat today launched its new online marketing portal that will revolutionise small business marketing in Australia. From January 2011 the online tool will provide small businesses with instant access to a suite of powerful and cost effective local marketing solutions - giving small businesses a big voice! “Time poor small businesses can find local marketing a difficult and costly exercise often investing significant time and money in blanket advertising that reaches people far outside the relevant target market. Salmat is now making targeted local marketing an affordable reality for small businesses around Australia,” said Grant Harrod, Chief Executive Officer of Salmat. Earlier this year Salmat invested in a national network of 15 local marketing branches – rebranding them the Local Direct Network - to create an infrastructure to begin servicing the small business market. The online portal will complete the offering. The portal provides small businesses with easy access to local area marketing solutions, when they want it and how they want it. From January 2011, small businesses will be able to book local marketing campaigns at a time that is convenient to them, across both on and offline channels, at the click of a button. They can submit a design brief or utilise existing artwork, book a print quantity if required and map a letterbox distribution to specific areas they’d like to cover, and even extend their offer online through Lasoo.com.au - providing small businesses with a truly multichannel local marketing solution. Over time Salmat will begin to introduce even more capabilities into the portal. Marketing channels such as SMS, email, promotions and direct mail are all being considered, as well as database acquisition and data analysis tools. The portal is supported by Salmat’s extensive expertise in delivering targeted multichannel marketing and its national letterbox distribution network that provides reach to over six million Australian homes. “Salmat is empowering small businesses by providing them with the tools to grow their business and achieve the best possible return on their marketing investment. Everything from service and access, to product and price has been addressed to ensure the channels facilitated through the portal are the most affordable and effective marketing solutions for small businesses. Importantly, we are starting to give small businesses a big voice,” said Harrod. About Salmat Salmat is a unique Australian owned company. They are the experts in the provision of customer communications solutions. Through strategic use of different communications mediums, including voice and non-voice channels and other applied capabilities in the area of online technology, demographic insights and detailed data management, Salmat engages consumers in cost effective one to one communications on behalf of its clients. For more information about the Salmat Group, please visit: www.salmat.com Facts About Small to Medium Enterprises SME Landscape - Australian SMEs are typically classified as any business with 250 employees or less - There are 1.2 million Australian SMEs - over 96% of all business - They are Australia’s largest employer - 63% of all workers - 33% of Gross Domestic Product - The fastest growing industry sector Source: www.sauce.com.au SME Marketing - 59% consider marketing to be an important issue - 36% report it to be their key growth strategy - 35% set a marketing budget of between $5,000 and $20,000 - 85% expect to spend the equivalent or more than last year on their website, brochures and marketing Source: The Society for Executive Wisdom Media contact Josh Faulks Head of Corporate Affairs, Salmat +61 412 202 557, josh.faulks@salmat.com.au

2010-11-09T02:24:52Z what-disposable-coverall-best-suits-my-needs

RCR International distribute a wide variety of Pro-Val disposable coveralls that cater for many different industries and applications. When choosing a coverall for your industry there are many features and protection levels to consider. Protection levels set by European standards enable you to determine if the coverall is designed to protect you against the hazards your application can pose. The coveralls are tested in a glass booth with the test subject being sprayed with either a coloured liquid or dry particles. The result is either a pass or a fail. Type 4 - Barrier to saturation spray of liquids (EN 14605 and 468) Type 5 - Barrier to airborne particulate materials and dust (EN 13982-1) Type 6 - Barrier to limited splash and liquid spray (EN 13034) EN1149.1 - Anti-static Our disposable coverall range include coveralls that have been tested and meet the required standards to protect the wearer against certain hazards. We also have a Category 1 coverall that is suited against non hazardous dry particulates, dirt and grime. The Pro-Val Hazguard MP4 disposable coverall is waterproof, made from breathable microporous fabric, with ultrasonic seams creating a waterproof barrier. This coverall is certified to meet the protection levels of Type 4, 5 and 6 as well as the EN1149.1 anti-static standard. The Pro-Val Hazguard MP5 disposable coverall is water resistant, also made from a breathable microporous fabric with stitched seams for extra strength. This coverall is certified to meet the protection levels of Type 5, 6 and EN1149.1 anti-static standard. The Pro-Val Hazguard SMS triple layer disposable coverall is made from non woven polypropylene, spunbond, meltblown and spunbond. This triple layer matrix acts like a filter to keep out smaller particels, i.e. asbestos. The coverall is water resistant and light weight, but with added strength and tear resistance due to its triple layer construction. It meets the Type 5 and 6 protection levels and is the coverall RCR recommend for asbestos removal. The Pro-Val Hazguard PP single layer disposable coverall is made from non woven polyproplylene. Lightweight and breathable, this single layer coverall is an excellent solution for keeping clean, reducing decontamination and laundry costs. No water resistant protection and not deemed suitable for protection against a hazard. This coverall is ideal when limited protection is required such as removing insulation, waste management and car industry, food processing, veterinary and pharmaceutical. To determine which of our Pro-Val disposable coveralls best suit your needs we have come up with a handy comparison chart displaying the protection levels, features and uses for our range. So whether it is protection against hazards such as asbestos, chemicals, resins, insecticides and pesticides or simply keeping your clothes clean when gardening Pro-Val will have a coverall to suit your needs. Protection Level MP4 Hazguard MP5 Hazguard SMS Hazguard PP Hazguard Type 4 - EN 14065 and 468 barrier to saturation spray of liquids Type 5 - EN 13982-1 barrier to airborne particulate materials and dust ie. Asbestos Type 6 - EN 13034 barrier to limited splash and liquid spray Category 1 suit (minimal risk) Protection against non hazardous dry particulates, dirt and grime EN1149-1 anti static Chemical liquid (as per EN368) and blood (as per ASTM F1670) penetration resistance Features MP4 Hazguard MP5 Hazguard SMS Hazguard PP Hazguard Protects against low level spray mists Waterproof Water resistant Fully elasticised hood, ankles and wrist Fully elasticised waist Breathable single layer Breathable triple layer Breathable microporous fabric Ultra sonic welded seams - enhanced liquid protection Stitched seams - extra strength Non woven inner for comfort Re-inforced gusset/crotch Lint free outer surface Some uses as a guide only MP4 Hazguard MP5 Hazguard SMS Hazguard PP Hazguard Asbestos removal, brick and cement dust Insulation Paint spraying Car industry Medical / Forensic Emergency services Waste management Fibreglassing / Resin application Abattoirs Insecticide / Pesticide spraying Demolition work Food processing Chemical cleanup Gardening Police Fisheries / Shipping Road and transport workers Veterinary This comparison chart should be used for reference purpose only.

2010-11-05T04:02:17Z instyle-s-etheco-wool-farmer-wins-two-australian-farmer-of-the-year-2010-awards

MEDIA RELEASE 5.11.2010INSTYLE’s EthEco wool farmer Michael Blake scooped up two awards, ‘Wool Producer’ and ‘Biosecurity Farmer’, at the Australian Farmer of the Year Awards. Bally Glunin Park, in the western district of Victoria, supplies EthEco wool for GLIDE from the LIFE Textiles collection. The Blake’s on-farm sustainable practices are leading edge and often are adopted as best available practices for the industry. “At the time, 10 or 12 years ago, we were going out on a limb, but now these programs are common practice,” he says. For instance, Michael developed a farm safety package, which was eventually taken up by Worksafe Australia and became a national standard. Over the past 30 years Michael has been involved in at least 75 research projects. A natural worm resistance breeding program led to the successful eradication of external parasites without any external chemicals, which have not been used at Bally Glunin for the past fifteen years. The Blake’s also run a specialised breeding program for plain-bodied Merino sheep, which are naturally resistant to flystrike and do not require mulesing. Michael’s passion for sustainable wool growing has led to numerous awards. Michael won the NAB Primary Producer of the Year Award in 2008 and Australia's first Humane Animal Management Assessment Certificate. Michael’s holistic approach to sustainability is strongly aligned with INSTYLE’s. Like INSTYLE, Michael enjoys a challenge and continuously pushes the boundaries of experimentation and education. “I just couldn’t continue if it was just about carrying on the mundane to day-to-day aspects of farming” says Michael. INSTYLE is proud to have Michael as a supplier of EthEco wool for its LIFE Textiles collection. You can visit Bally Glunin Park via INSTYLE’s Farm To Fabric Traceability Program at www.instyle.com.au.For more information contact: Michael Fitzsimons, Managing Director, Instyle Contract Textiles P: + 61 2 9317 0250 E: mfitzsimons@instyle.com.au W: www.instyle.com.au Backgroun: INSTYLE is committed to the environment and to delivering real environmental change. Instyle has won several high profile sustainability awards, including the following: 2010 WINNER Sustainability Green Globe Awards - Small Business Sustainability Award 2010 WINNER United Nations’ World Environment Day Award - Business Environmental Best Practice Program 2009 WINNER Sustainability Green Globe Awards - Business Sustainability Award 2009 FINALIST United Nations’ World Environment Day Award - Best Specific Environmental Initiative 2008 WINNER United Nations’ World Environment Day Award - Business Sustainability Award 2008 WINNER Sustainability Green Globe Awards - Premier’s Sustainability Excellence Award 2008 WINNER Sustainability Green Globe Awards - Industry Environmental Sustainability 2008 WINNER Sustainability Green Globe Awards - Small Business Environmental Sustainability 2007 FINALIST Banksia Environmental Award - Sustainability 2006 FINALIST Banksia Environmental Award - Sustainability

2010-10-20T10:29:48Z upside-learning-unveils-new-corporate-identity-revamps-its-website

Upside Learning has undergone a major transformation – the first of its kind in the company’s 6 year journey. In line with its efforts to align the company’s image with its evolving business, Upside Learning has unveiled a new corporate identity today. The new identity symbolizes the company’s movement into new domains, birth of new ideas, innovation and development of new products. It combines the elements of agility and innovation to reflect a shift in the way Upside Learning thinks & works; its focus on higher growth & success, and its step towards the new & improved.The logo has been designed to reflect the company’s philosophy of putting YOU (the customer, its employees and other stakeholders) first - denoted by the ‘U’ shape, the arrow signifies its focus on growth through performance and learning, while the color green embodies the eco-friendly nature of its solutions and services. The branding initiative involves a new visual identity across all communications, which include a revamped website and blog, and relevant changes in the marketing and support materials. Upside Learning has also released a ‘new identity launch’ video on You Tube that captures the essence of the company and that of the new logo. You can watch the video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxEeCRwR114Commenting on the background on the development of the new corporate identity, Amit Garg, Director of Content Solution at Upside Learning, added, “With a view to adapting with the dynamically changing eLearning landscape, our new corporate identity reflects the company’s philosophy to constantly innovate itself with the evolving technology, and customer requirements, and move along the curve.” "Upside Learning has grown significantly over the past 6 years with diversified offerings, and today it serves over 150 customers across the globe," said Amit Gautam, Director of Technology Solutions at Upside Learning. "Our new identity reflects the attributes of our unique culture - focused on the customers, employees and other stakeholders. Most importantly, it symbolizes our fervor to grow", he added.Subsequently, the company also plans to re-align its products and service offerings with a renewed focus on innovation; underlining its commitment of providing effective learning solutions to the global community.About Upside LearningEstablished in 2004, Upside Learning is a globally recognized leader in training outsourcing, LMS solutions, custom eLearning development & mobile learning. With a collective experience of 600+ person-years, it has successfully completed more than 300 corporate and academic projects for over 150 clients worldwide.The company’s product & services portfolio ranges from Custom eLearning to Catalog Courses, Mobile Learning to Blended Learning, Learning Management Systems to Technical support services tailor-made to an organization be it an Enterprise, a SMB or a Training Company.Upside Learning has been consistently picking up awards & other recognitions every year, including the most recent, 3 Brandon Hall Excellence in Technology Awards for its flagship Learning Management System – UpsideLMS and Deloitte’s Technology Fast1600 Asia Pacific Program award.It is its constant endeavor to develop advanced & innovative learning solutions to provide cutting-edge solutions to its clients thereby impacting their organizational learning and hence, performance. For more information visit the website: http://www.upsidelearning.com