http:// 2013-06-19T08:43:47Z 2013-06-19T08:43:47Z developer-warns-mandurah-real-estate-prices-cannot-stay-this-low-much-longer

Mandurah, WA, June 19, 2013 - 4Land Property Group, based in Perth, is responsible for developing the highly successful Natures Walk Estate in Erskine, Mandurah. In a recent blog post on their website, they offered research regarding the amenities and economic prospects of Mandurah--now and in the future.In 1976, Mandurah was a sleepy little fishing village with a population of 12,700. It was Australia's 60th most populous “urban” area. By the 2011 Census, the population of Mandurah had reached 83,300. Mandurah is now the second-largest city in Western Australia, and the 22nd most populous urban area as of 2012.Many factors are cited for Mandurah's growth. It is known as a popular “sea change” destination, and the railway built between Mandurah and Perth has made the area even more attractive to Perth residents.The mining boom, which has benefited WA greatly, has provided a huge influx of residents to Mandurah who work in the mining and resource industries within the  numerous mines that our located two hours’ drive or less from Mandurah. Many fly-in fly-out or drive-in-drive-out workers have bought homes in Mandurah.In addition, Mandurah is a popular destination for day-trippers, thanks to numerous new restaurants, shops and amenities such as zoos, whale-/ dolphin-watching tours and world-class fishing and crabbing.This influx of residents and visitors has created numerous jobs in the tourist and service industries and has created a need for larger infrastructure, and so more and more facilities are being built to provide services and goods to the fast-growing population.Besides “sea change” residents, Mandurah is very popular with downsizers and retirees, with 21.2% of its citizens aged 65 or older. This gives Mandurah WA's largest ratio of those aged 65 and over.Mandurah's population is projected by many to double in size, possibly as early as 2031, and the local Council is busy planning projects to take Mandurah into the future by developing numerous economic opportunities designed to “keep up” with the current growth pattern.Among these projects is the Mandurah Traffic Bridge which is slated to be replaced. In fact. Mandurah’s entire infrastructure of roads and highways is subject to ongoing review with many discussions on how to keep traffic flowing in, out, and through Mandurah as the population continues to grow.In addition, the Peel Health Campus is currently undergoing a $75 million expansion. Peel Health Campus is the Peel Region's second-largest employer, and the expansion is slated to nearly double the amount of jobs provided to the community.Dave Gillon, Sales Manager for Natures Walk Estate, agrees with the overall assessment of Mandurah's prospects for growth: “Mandurah is the fastest-growing regional city in WA, and for good reason. People move here to be closer to the water, to parks, and numerous amenities, without the hectic large city lifestyle.”Gillon continued, “Our planned community is perfect for downsizers and retirees. The houses are sized perfectly for couples and boast a modern, spacious design. Natures Walk is quiet and serene yet is within 10 minutes of shopping centres, medical care, entertainment, and every amenity residents could need.”Gillon concluded: “If you are even thinking of moving here, now is the time to make the move. Mandurah properties are priced far below similar properties in other markets, but it can't last forever.”Natures Walk Estate has currently eight house and land packages remaining for sale in Mandurah. For more information, call (08) 9301 4445 or visit their website: http://www.natureswalk.com.au/.

2013-06-19T04:58:18Z 6-councils-innovate-in-urban-renewal

Despite outdated planning legislation that continues to stymie council innovation, six Australian councils have managed to create innovative – and sometimes radical – place design change for their local communities.   Coffs Harbour City Council, for example, shaved $5 million off its parking requirements by lobbying state government about parking standards and creating a citywide green travel plan. That $5 million was then reinvested into tourism and cultural programs.   Gold Coast Council turned a vacant “unsalable” lot into a new artistic hub for the region’s burgeoning media and arts scene – and is now using it as a draw card for Chinese investors.    And Waverley Council is testing ideas for turning the streets of Bondi Junction from a car-based traffic jam into a pedestrian-friendly shopping mecca – through simple and inexpensive tactile interventions.   “Urban renewal is one of the key evolving opportunities for Australian councils today,” says Mike Day, RobertsDay cofounder. “And great places are about so much more than buildings.”   However, it doesn’t always need a big investment. “Often, councils already have all they need for a renewal project – it’s just about seeing their place in a different light,” says Day.   “We worked with one suburb that only had one children’s playground – and it belonged to McDonald’s,” says Day. “Yet the town had all this underused space. So our urban planning solution was to transform vacant sites into playgrounds, have car parks double as civic spaces, redeploy road reserves as skate parks.”   The story of the town with only a McDonald’s playground, as well as the development that was once a bus depot and the suburb that was once a sports stadium – along with other stories of urban renewal innovation – are all covered in Great Places Renew, available free online.   Great Places Renew is one of a series of rich-media, digital magazines that uses words, images and video to tell the stories of great places around the country.   Access the free Great Places Renew magazine here.     Ends

2013-06-19T03:32:55Z perth-property-developer-warns-land-buyers

Perth, Western Australia, June 19, 2013 - Recently, 4Land Property Group provided readers of their blog with a six-step blueprint for selecting land on which to build a home.4Land Property Group is a successful Perth property developer, offering both lots and house and land packages.  They have helped downsizers, first-home buyers, families, and investors buy new properties for well below the median value for established homes in their property markets.In response to some common questions from potential buyers, 4Land Property Group compiled a list of what they consider to be the six important factors when choosing the correct land block. LocationPreferred locations are close to amenities, such as shopping and parks, with schools being important for those with children. Public transport is another consideration for many. For those in the workforce, it is important to choose a location with an easy commute to work.Size and ShapeThe size and shape of a property block determines the price. It also determines what kind of house can be built there. The most common mistake made by first-home buyers is buying too large a lot and over-stretching their budget. In many cases, 4Land Property Group recommends that first-home buyers purchase a smaller lot and use one of the space-efficient home designs currently offered by many builders.Survey Strata Titled or Green TitledGreen titled land is very straightforward; the owner has full ownership and control of everything within their boundaries. However, survey strata titled land forces the owner to share part of their land with their neighbour or neighbours. Besides the potential for dissension between neighbours, survey strata titled land can also generate hidden maintenance fees, thus raising the monthly cost of the property.SetbacksSetbacks determine the distance between the road and the front of the house. Many titles and estates are rigid, where some are flexible. 4Land Property Group recommends that buyers always know their setback distance and use it to determine whether or not they can have the house design and the backyard they want before purchasing.IncentivesMany developers offer incentives, such as free landscaping or free fencing. This can save buyers a lot of money. 4Land Property Group recommends always asking the sales agent whether the developer is offering incentives.Building guidelines and covenantsVirtually every land estate has rules that must be followed and are not subject to negotiation. These can be as simple as what paint colours can be used on the house and its peripherals, or how long the buyer has to finish building a home after buying the land.It is mandatory that any buyer fully understands the rules in any estate before purchasing land there.Lauren O'Connor, Marketing Manager of 4Land Property Group, compiled the information and was happy to offer it to potential buyers: “We offer many different options in the Perth and WA markets, but what's right for one may not be right for another.”O'Connor continued, “Buying a home and choosing the right block of land is the most important decision many people will ever make; we want them to make the right choice.”Uniqueness and affordability are what 4Land Property Group, a successful developer of land estates, specialises on.  Their communities across Western Australia are carefully planned to accommodate varying lifestyles and budgets. Call Lauren O'Connor on (08) 9301 4445 for more information.

2013-06-18T02:46:39Z cost-pressures-force-strategic-rethink-for-independent-retailers

Having dished up some of the best curries in Perth, Western Australia, the hugely popular café and kitchen store Latasha’s Kitchen in Leederville, Western Australia, closed its doors to customers last month.Latasha’s Kitchen joins a slew of recent closures of independent retailers in Leederville and Mt Lawley.According to business owner Latasha Menon, a massive hike in rent as a result of property development and weekend labour cost pressures forced a strategic rethink of her business model.For 10 years Ms Menon motivated many through her café food, popular cooking classes and selection of hand-made curry pastes and condiments made from her kitchen. As her lease was drawing to an end, Ms Menon felt it was a time to reassess the future.“The rise in rent, labour cost pressures and changes in the local demographics influenced my decision to take a change in course,” Ms Menon said.“We operated a pantry of gift items and the surge and attractiveness of the online industry made us rethink that aspect of the business,” Ms Menon said.“We were not licensed and thus our income was predominantly on food, cooking classes and our curry pastes and condiments. However, the café/studio kitchen was not the ideal place for us to use as a manufacturing outlet,” she said.“There was also the added pressure of our drink culture which is somewhat pervasive in Leederville, and other nights spots in Perth, which made it difficult for us to stay open till late as our customers tended to avoid trouble spots, especially those with young families.”After extensive research and development, Ms Menon was unable to find the perfect commercial kitchen to partner in WA. She now manufactures a range of take-home curry pastes, sauces and chutneys in NSW and travels there to cook her products personally with a team of professionals ready to help her make it to her exacting standards without any compromise to her unique formulations.These hand-made products are now being sold at local Farmers Markets, selected retailers and through her online store. Thus firmly closing the door on bricks and mortar as a sales model.With her background in marketing, Latasha came up with a plan to transition her business from bricks and mortar to the manufacture of products for online, wholesale, and at specialist stores.“I did a lot of research into how I wanted my products to be manufactured. I had to find a company that would adhere to my exacting standards because I wanted only the freshest and most authentic ingredients for my products,” Ms Menon said.“Importantly, I wanted to be sure that my products were going to be gluten free, 100 per cent pure and natural with no preservatives, fillers or flavour enhancers. I believe in making my products just as if they are made at home. I was not interested in opening my own factory and facing the same issues I faced in having a restaurant such as electricity costs rise, staff shortages, wage hikes, equipment breakdown etc.With a commercial kitchen in place, Latasha’s Kitchen take-home products are being produced in small batches bimonthly by Ms Menon. Initially, six products were launched but this has already been increased to 15.According to Ms Menon, the most difficult aspect of changing her business model has been the loss of regular contact with her customers and having to explain why she manufactures in Sydney.“However, with most customers, they’re happy with a local producer manufacturing in Australia,” she said.As Ms Menon is now holding in-store cooking demonstrations, she is still in contact with familiar faces, as well as introducing her cuisine to a whole new generation.“This provides me with an opportunity to explain the reasons behind my decisions. WA doesn’t have the kind of contract manufacturing scene for small manufacturers like me who make high quality spice blends,” she said.“Most of my blends contain between 20-35 ingredients! Most of which are herbs and spices which are hand roasted, before grinding and blending.”At these demonstrations Ms Menon takes every opportunity to explain why the manufacturing is not done in WA anymore.“I am one of the lucky ones who have managed to combine their passion with a business, and I don’t take this lightly. It has been a huge learning curve but already we are finding success. Taking this step has definitely been a positive one – we feel confident we can grow our business in this new direction,” she said.For more information go to www.latashaskitchen.com.au

2013-06-17T23:49:09Z major-global-construction-company-brookfield-multiplex-to-implement-ifs-applications

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, JUNE 18, 2013 – IFS, the global enterprise applications company, announces that international construction, development, engineering and infrastructure firm Brookfield Multiplex has selected IFS Applications for project ERP (enterprise resource planning). The contract is initially for 1,750 users of a broad spectrum of IFS Applications functionality. The contract includes licenses and services valued at AUD $4 million.Brookfield Multiplex is headquartered in Australia and operates in eight countries, employing 3,368 people. The company has won more than 500 awards and has completed 793 projects valued at $54 billion. Significant projects include the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Toronto, the Fiona Stanley Hospital in Australia, Strata SE1 in London and the Dubai Marina. IFS Applications will be used to address, initially, several areas of the business including contract and product portfolio management, project profitability, financials and reporting. As these and other parts of the business work to pursue major projects on an international basis, IFS Applications will enable Brookfield Multiplex to leverage its global knowledge and resource base to win and successfully deliver projects. Other components to be implemented include IFS Touch Apps, e invoice, CRM, IFS Talk, HSE and Rostering. The implementation will be driven and managed by IFS Australia and will commence in July 2013.“IFS is uniquely positioned to help a global construction company of this calibre profitably manage project deliverables, collaborate with vendors and enhance customer satisfaction,” IFS Australia Managing Director Rob Stummer said. “We are also uniquely positioned to ensure a successful implementation, having proven our capabilities through our work for Brookfield Multiplex’s parent and sister companies in the UK and North and South America.”The construction, contracting and infrastructure industry is an IFS targeted vertical market. IFS offers a complete and integrated business solution that manages the entire contract lifecycle – design, procure, manufacture, build, construct and install, commission, maintain and service, spares and supply chain, repair, refurbish, and disposal.IFS Applications includes functionality for contract and project management, risk management, project budgeting and forecasting, finance and project accounting, resource planning, scheduling and optimisation, asset and service management, spares management, mobile solutions for site work, call and case management including SLA, all fully integrated with human resources and document management. IFS customers in the Construction, Contracting and Infrastructure industry include Alliance Contracting, Brierty, Contiga, Graham, Technip, Hertel, Debut Services, Fabcon, Babcock Group, Agility Group, Heerema Fabrication Group, Clancy Docwra, Damen Shipyards, Seadrill, Eltel Networks and Infratek.About Brookfield MultiplexBrookfield Multiplex is a leading global contractor responsible for creating landmark buildings and infrastructure projects in Australia, the Middle East, Europe, India and Canada.Established in 1962, it has delivered almost 800 projects with a combined value of more than US$52 billion (AU$54 billion). It has expertise across the residential, health, retail, commercial, education and engineering infrastructure sectors.With over 500 industry awards, Brookfield Multiplex is known for delivering on time and on budget. By thinking like an owner and understanding clients’ unique requirements, it enables long-term, cost-effective outcomes that add real value to projects.About IFS IFS is a public company (XSTO: IFS) founded in 1983 that develops, supplies, and implements IFS Applications™, a component-based extended ERP suite. IFS focuses on industries where management of any of the following four core processes is strategic: service & asset, manufacturing, supply chain, and projects. The company has 2,100 customers and is present in approximately 60 countries with 2,800 employees in total. More information on IFS is available at www.IFSWORLD.com  Follow us on Twitter: @ifsworldVisit the IFS Blogs on technology, innovation and creativity: http://blogs.ifsworld.com/

2013-06-16T22:50:00Z the-eofy-countdown-has-begun-avoid-last-minute-paperwork-blues

17 June 2013 The EOFY countdown has begun: avoid last-minute paperwork blues If you’re a small or medium business operator nervously counting down to the end of the financial year (EOFY), MYOB encourages you to take action now to help yourself avoid last-minute paperwork blues. With less than one month to go, the time to get organised starts… now! If you spent the final hours of last June tackling piles of paperwork, reconciling receipts and clocking up rushed conversations with your accountant or bookkeeper – there’s a better way to bring in the new financial year. Don’t wait until ‘crunch time’ MYOB CEO Tim Reed says, “Managing a business can take up the majority of your waking hours. It’s tempting to delay the not so exciting aspects, such as bookkeeping, until crunch time. Lack of preparation is one of the key reasons why many business owners and their loved ones dread the end of financial year. “A solution like MYOB LiveAccounts or AccountRight Live acts as a virtual assistant by automating many aspects of your financial management, such as automatically feeding your business bank transactions into your software. You can view your financial situation in-depth or at a glance, and reduce time spent on manual data entry. This means more time for growing the business and enjoying life outside work.” Michael Bagshaw, owner of finance, consulting and wealth protection business Statewide Business, says, “It’s never too late to get a head start on paperwork as the new financial year approaches. “It’s understandable that even some of the most practical tactics to beat the paperwork blues get lost in the daily grind, when business owners wear so many hats. However, if they’re put into action now it is still possible to start the new financial year with a firm foundation and move forward with confidence and clarity.” Mr Bagshaw has prepared these eight tips to help businesses plan for a happier new financial year: Know your tax and superannuation obligations. Prefer to be buddies with the ATO and your financial institution? Well, keep your GST, PAYG and staff superannuation obligations up-to-date. Tracking these obligations through accounting software such as MYOB AccountRight Live is pretty straightforward. Just as importantly, allocating payments correctly and keeping records up-to-date helps you maintain an accurate balance sheet. Review your bookkeeping systems. A pile of confusing receipts, unfiled invoices and no system to manage them is not a good way to make a healthy business. Haven’t documented your bookkeeping procedures? Thankfully your accounting software contains a list of helpful steps to follow. Documented procedures are particularly beneficial if multiple people manage one role (such as admin or finance), and they reduce duplication and errors. The most important thing you can do is reconcile each account monthly in your balance sheet. Start planning your tax. Your accountant should be all over this as soon as the March quarter passes. By late March/early April you will have the first nine months of business information at your fingertips, making it relatively easy to estimate what your tax situation will look like in the April to June quarter. Tax planning should be long-term - the decisions you make today may impact your business for years to come. For example, do you want a tax deduction on your superannuation contributions? Take action prior to June 30. Be in the know about cash flow. Don’t have a cash flow update? Get one! Cash flow monitoring is critical to any business. So is monitoring it regularly – monthly as a minimum and daily at best. Many failed businesses show a profit but run out of cash. Why? They fail to manage costs or anticipate rising costs. An ideal way to ensure you achieve sound cash flow management is to use up to date accounting software. See your business structure with a set of fresh eyes. This is another discussion to have with your accountant. It’s helpful to ask questions such as: a) Is my current structure right for me? b) How should I structure my business to protect my assets? c) How should I structure my business long-term? Start thinking about succession planning as early as you can too - the right structure can help simplify this process. Update your business plan. Your business plan helps clarify what your business should and shouldn't be doing. It sets out how and why you run your business, and includes everything from how you promote and fund it through to who your ideal customer is. A plan will enable you to answer some or all of these questions: Is my business model sustainable? Should I be doing more online? How can I best combat my competitors? Can I better allocate my resources? What’s the smart way to increase the value of my business, long-term? Review your business finances. Get your qualified finance broker or your lending institution to review your finances to ensure you are getting the best return on your investment. Pertinent questions include: a) Are my assets financed to match the life of the asset? Do I have adequate cash flow to service my loan(s)? What is my interest rate, and is there a better deal or a different type of loan available to lower my costs? Review your personal insurances. Often it’s not until things go wrong that business owners discover their personal insurances, such as life insurance, income protection and trauma insurance, are out of date or, at worst, missing in action! Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for tax deductions. A discussion with your insurance broker and/or your accountant will help, as will taking time to compare deals online. Visit http://myob.com.au/EOFY for a summary of major tax changes, helpful tips, resources and more. -ends- For further comment or other information please contact:Angely Grecia, MYOB Public Relations Consultant Symon Madry, Haystac Public AffairsP: 02 9089 9071 / M: 0449 169 997 P: 02 8094 7779 / M: 0409 919 508 E: angely.grecia@myob.com E: myob@haystac.com.au 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 staff, business partners, business advisors and customers. With a network of 20,000+ accountants, bookkeepers, certified consultants and other professional partners, MYOB provides support and tools that help make business life easier. Visit: http://myob.com.au/smarterconnections.

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

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

2013-06-12T01:38:44Z liquid-web-incubator-program-teams-with-australian-startup

    Australian real estate search engine, www.nextplace.com.au has been accepted into leading US web hosting company, Liquid Web’s startup incubator program. The program, designed to support innovative startup ventures and entrepreneurs with hosting, infrastructure and mentoring through the critical beginning stages of their business, is based in Michigan yet has Australian-based startup Next Place capturing their attention.Next Place is an Australian startup utilising new technology to provide a more comprehensive real estate search engine. With a sizeable database and intensive geo-spatial search queries with Draw My Search, finding assistance that could also deliver on the company’s performance needs was key. Having worked with Liquid Web for previous projects, Next Place’s Director, Dan Tarasenko, knew that Liquid Web could deliver what it needed.Liquid Web moved forward with this partnership after an extensive study of the market Next Place is entering as well as a thorough review of its business plan. The company decided that its scalable infrastructure and database tools could provide the platform essential to Next Place’s goal of utilizing current technology to build a superior and inclusive real estate search engine.Liquid Web Founder & CEO Matthew Hill on The Program’s Goals for Next Place:--“As a company that’s still experiencing plenty of growth, we’re familiar with what it takes to make the leap through each of a business’s critical stages. Next Place’s vision fits perfectly with the goals of our Incubator Program and we are certain we can provide a strong and reliable technical foundation for them to fill a need in their market.”Liquid Web has received the INC.5000 Fasted Growing Companies award in the United States 6 years in a row and yet hasn’t forgotten their roots, using their incubator program to provide fellow startups with effortlessly scalable infrastructure as the business grows, and at a time when support is needed the most.“The best thing about this partnership is having the peace of mind that comes with a top tier host proactively watching over my website”, says Tarasenko. “Hosting is a crucial part of the success of Next Place, with the support of Liquid Web I can now focus on growing my business and getting through that critical first phase”.

2013-06-07T22:07:34Z for-immediate-release-reputable-real-estate-agents-st-kilda-road-melbourne

There are many Real Estate Agents in St Kilda Road. For those who want to sell their property, it is important to find a reputable Real Estate Agent. To help them with their choice, Lisuno Digital has created a video offering tips to sellers about Real Estate Agents in St Kilda Rd. However, this kind of video can also benefit, for instance, a Real Estate Agent in the area who would like to have a promotional video that ranks in the top spots in Google. Real Estate Agents in St Kilda Road face tough competition because there are many of them in close proximity. There is no point being one of the best Real Estate Agents in St Kilda Rd if they cannot be found easily in Google by searching for “real estate agent St Kilda Road”. Lisa Suling-Maslin, owner of Lisuno Digital, has created a YouTube video offering tips for finding the best Real Estate Agent in St Kilda Rd. As she says ‘‘Look for a real estate agent located in or near St Kilda Rd who has a proven history of selling properties in St Kilda Road itself. The best real estate agents build relationships with potential buyers on an ongoing basis.’’In creating this video Ms Suling-Maslin’s objective was to show Real Estate Agents in St Kilda Road how beneficial for them a promotional video can be, especially if it helps potentials sellers.There is a growing trend by companies creating YouTube videos for promotional purposes. If the video is set up correctly and promoted on an ongoing basis so that it attracts many views, likes, comments and other "social signals", it will rank in the top spots of Google and lead to an increase in business.An important tip offered by Lisa Suling-Maslin is ‘‘Ask the real estate agent what marketing strategies they are going to use to sell your property.’’ They should use a combination of traditional advertising and online marketing methods, because it increases the chances of selling the property at the best price. And if a reputable Real Estate Agent is ranked on the first page of Google with an informative video, this lends much credibility. After all, if they can market themselves in such an effective and powerful way, this means there is a high probability that they can market properties for sale in a way that attracts the best price for their clients. More About Lisuno Digital:Lisuno Digital is an Internet Consultancy offering Video Marketing, Mobile App Development and other internet marketing services. Find out more by visiting the website below.    Contact information:Name: Lisa Suling-Maslin, Lisuno DigitalMobile: 0414 809 039 (Australia)Email: info@lisunodigital.com.auWebsite: http://www.lisunodigital.com.au###

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

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

2013-06-05T23:00:00Z sme-research-proves-accountant-advice-revenue-rise

6 June 2013 SME research proves accountant + advice = revenue riseBusiness advice from accountants proves valuable yet most SMEs have a tax-only relationship Small and medium business operators (SMEs) who use their accountant as a business advisor rather than only for compliance purposes have a greater likelihood of financial success. In fact, those whose accountant was an advisor were 31% more likely to see an earnings uplift in the past year. The March 2013 MYOB Business Monitor found that SMEs who have an advisory or consultative relationship with their accountant were much more likely to see a revenue rise in the past year. They were also more optimistic about revenue expectations in the year ahead and had significantly more work in their pipeline for the next three months. Despite survey results showing an advisory/consultative relationship is best for business, findings reveal the majority of SMEs have a tax-only relationship with their accountant. 57% defined their relationship as being for tax return completion or GST reporting only. 32% had an advisory/consultative relationship, meeting with them regularly throughout the year for strategic business advice. The remaining 11% did not have an accountant. Over one in five (21%) of those with an advisory/consultative relationship experienced a rise in revenue over the past year. Only 17% of those with a tax relationship noticed a rise and 16% of those with no accountant. Interestingly, 8% of businesses without an accountant said they didn’t know if their revenue rose or fell in the past year. MYOB General Manager, Accountants Division, Adam Ferguson, says there’s a strong opportunity for accountants to further promote their role as valuable business advisors to small and medium business operators. “Many business operators only use their accountant for tax compliance, especially around end of the financial year. They could also gain valuable information and advice on many areas of their business. The costs of a working relationship with an accountant should be considered in relation to the value an accountant can bring to the business and not just the up-front payments. “Our research identified that SMEs using an accountant for financial analysis, general business advice and/or consulting on profit strategies, strategic planning and the like are 21% more likely to enjoy increased revenue than their peers. That’s a strong case to dig a little deeper and explore the possibilities of the relationship.” When looking to the year ahead, business operators who enjoyed an advisory/consultative relationship were the most likely to expect a revenue increase (33%). 27% of those with a tax relationship expected the same. Accountant advice can create investment opportunitiesWhen rating their likely investment areas for the coming year, SMEs who employ the services of their accountant in an advisory capacity were more likely to intend to increase their investment in business strategies overall. Nearly half of those whose accountant was an advisor said they planned to increase their focus on customer acquisition strategies (47%), while 43% intended to increase investment in customer retention strategies this year. This was considerably higher when compared to those with a tax only relationship (30% and 36% respectively). SMEs with an advisory relationship with their accountant were also more likely to increase their products or services (34%), online marketing and advertising spend (31%) and the amount paid to employees (30%). “Interestingly, ‘attracting new customers’ is a pressure point for 62% of SMEs without an accountant, and yet SMEs whose accountant was an advisor were more likely to increase investment in customer acquisition/retention. “Getting sound business advice from a trusted advisor can make it easier to address the areas within your business in need of attention. Working across an array of industries and clients, accountants are in a prime position to evaluate key areas that a business can build upon in order to succeed,” says Mr Ferguson. Top 5 investment areas for 2013Advisory relationshipTax-only relationshipNo accountant relationshipFocus on customer acquisition strategies 47%30%26%Focus on customer retention strategies 43%36%28%The number or variety of products or services offered by the business 34%21%30%The $ value of spending on marketing and advertising online 31%16%17%The amount paid to employees in the business30%17%16% Accountant advice on compliance most valuableNine out of 10 business operators who have an advisory/consultative relationship with their accountant find value in the service the accountant provides. 49% said the service provided was ‘valuable’, while 38% said the service provided was ‘very valuable’. Only 9% said it was neither valuable nor invaluable and 2% said it was ‘relatively invaluable’. Three out of four business operators whose accountant was an advisor believed the most valuable service they receive was ‘keeping my business compliant with tax, payroll and other regulations’ (77%). This was followed by ‘advice on how best to manage the money that flows through my business’ (53%) and ‘advice on strategies that will help me grow my business’ (34%). Top 5 valuable services accountants provideKeeping my business compliant with tax, payroll and other regulations. 77%Advice on how best to manage the money that flows through my business. 53%Advice on strategies that will help me grow my business. 34%Providing me with the right advice and documentation for obtaining funds to grow the business.29%Advice on what operational business moves to make e.g. setting pricing.18% Mr Ferguson adds, “As businesses realise the revenue and other growth potential to be gained from working with their accountant more regularly, they start to value that relationship a lot more. We hope more Australian business operators will begin to experience this value for themselves, and a reason why we have developed tools and resources such as MYOB CompanyDocs and the common ledger. ” -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 the MYOB Business MonitorEstablished in 2004, the MYOB Business Monitor is a national survey of small and medium business owners and managers, commissioned to independent market research firm Colmar Brunton. The most recent study ran in January and February 2013, surveying 1,005 operators from sole traders to mid-sized companies, representing the major industry sectors. The Monitor researches business performance and attitudes regarding areas such as profitability, cash flow, pipeline work, technology usage and the government. Note: the weighting of MYOB client and non-client respondents is reflective of overall market proportions. Respondents were asked to define their relationship with their accountant in the following terms: Types of Accounting RelationshipTax RelationshipSee the accountant mainly for tax return or GST reporting purposes, typically once or twice a year. Not general business advice. The Accountant does not know the ‘ins and outs’ of the business very well but knows what they need for tax purposes.Advisor/Consulting RelationshipAdditional to the above (e.g. GST), also see the accountant for financial analysis or general business advice and/or consultancy on profit strategies, financial planning, general business planning and guidance, etc. An on-going relationship, the accountant keeps regular contact and knows the business well.No Accountant RelationshipI don’t have a regular accountant. Either do it myself or rely on a bookkeeper. About MYOBEstablished in 1991, MYOB is 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 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.

2013-06-04T23:52:19Z 2degrees-and-business-mentors-nz-partner-to-help-smes-find-someone-to-talk-to

Two of the country’s fastest growing business networks are joining forces to provide more help for New Zealand small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in response to growing demand for business mentor support. 2degrees, the leading supplier of mobile communications solutions to SMEs has become a Partner Patron of Business Mentors New Zealand, the only national network of volunteer, independent business mentors, supported by private enterprise, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and local economic development agencies and chambers of commerce. Ray Schofield, CEO of Business Mentors New Zealand believes that 2degrees’ support will enhance the business mentoring service. ‘We’re delighted that 2degrees has come on board,’ explains Ray. ‘Our mentors and mentoring clients tell us that mobile communications is the future of their business growth. 2degrees understands their challenges and with our combined experience, we will be able us to improve our offering. It is set to be an important and very exciting partnership.’ 2degrees Senior Campaign Manager Rhona Hamilton says  Business Mentors is an ideal fit for the company: ‘2degrees launched in 2009 and we have enjoyed phenomenal growth since then. However, like all businesses, we have experienced our fair share of challenges and growing pains along the way and are looking forward to sharing those learnings and success stories through our relationship with the Business Mentoring team and their clients.’ Mrs Hamilton says 2degrees can not only offer New Zealand businesses sage advice, but also fairer, better deals on their mobile plans. ‘2degrees has been operating in the NZ business sector just under two years now and our mission is to make life easier for kiwi businesses. We offer great value, flexible plans that will enable NZ businesses to stay connected in today’s mobile workplace,’ says Mrs Hamilton. ‘As a start, we are planning to announce some special deals for NZ Business Mentor clients shortly. By supporting the services of over 1900 business mentors and their thousands of clients we believe we can make a real difference to the range of support available to local businesses wherever they are in the country,’ she adds. Ray Schofield says 2degrees’ commitment will make a real difference to the service Business Mentors New Zealand can offer: ‘Business Mentors New Zealand is a non-profit organisation, which is largely funded by patrons from the private sector. Without the support of our sponsors, such as 2degrees, we would not be able to keep providing our free mentoring service to companies across New Zealand.’ About Business Mentors New Zealand Business Mentors New Zealand was established in 1991. It is funded largely by patrons from the private sector, with additional support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. It provides a mentoring service to trading businesses that employ less than 25 FTE’s and is the owner's main source of income. A registration fee of $150 + GST applies, which entitles businesses to use the mentoring service for two years. This is the only cost - the mentoring received is free.   About 2degrees Launched in August 2009, 2degrees Mobile has significantly lowered the cost of making mobile phone calls and texts for Kiwis. 2degrees now has over 40 retail outlets, 97% network coverage across the country and the team has grown to over 770, with a mix of over 40 different nationalities.   The company has committed over $550 million to building New Zealand’s third mobile phone network. Company shareholders include US-based mobile communications specialists, Trilogy International Partners, the Hautaki Trust, Communication Venture Partners and KLR Hong Kong Ltd. The combined shareholders bring a wealth of international experience and knowledge which is of huge benefit to New Zealand mobile users. More information at: www.2degreesmobile.co.nz    

2013-06-04T06:46:44Z big-buying-power-saves-apartment-owners-in-electricity-costs

New South Wales – 4 June 2013 With electricity prices more than doubling over the last five years, according to the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), many people are desperate to find ways to reduce their energy costs so they can pay their bills. A number are facing having their electricity cut off as numbers of disconnections soared last year by 25 percent over the year before.But some apartment owners are getting great deals and saving on their energy costs thanks to their sheer numbers and savvy strata managers.PICA Group CEO Greg Haywood said that in the first initiative of its kind, BCS Strata Management and Carbon and Energy Reductions (CER) had teamed up to provide apartment owners with some initiatives that would save thousands off their electricity bills by reducing their energy consumption.First up CER is able to provide BCS’s strata schemes with electricity supplies at lower than retail rates.“Soon we will be able to provide a discount, unconditional offer on electricity for common areas. There are no locked in contracts and this is a deal that is not available on the open market,” Mr Haywood explained.“It is because of our numbers that we have the buying power to purchase electricity in bulk as if each of our strata schemes was the retailer buying from the wholesaler – they are then not paying marked up prices for their electricity consumption in common areas for lighting, lifts, pool pumps, electric garage doors and so on.”In New South Wales, CER is registered for the Government’s Light Replacement Project and is about to embark on a program of replacing energy consuming down lights and halogen tubes with more efficient ones and all for free.“The new 7 watt LED down lights being offered are re-engineered to CER’s standards and have a 50,000 hour life span and a 5 year warranty. The down lights give up to a 90% reduction in energy consumption producing the same amount of light as the metal halides they replace. The LED tubes last 3 times as long as fluorescent tubes and give the same light output while reducing energy consumption by up to 60%,” Mr Haywood said“CER is also auditing some apartment buildings we manage to map their energy consumption. Of the first 20 buildings they completed reports for, nearly $250,000.00 worth of energy and maintenance savings will be realised in the first year if they proceed with the scheme we are putting in place.”The most exciting offer though, involves solar power and does not require strata schemes to lift a finger or spend a cent, which will be magic to the ears of many executive committees.“The biggest problem with solar power for commercial properties is it’s a huge investment that takes many years to generate a return,” Mr Haywood said.“As an alternative, CER has created its Solar Power Purchase Agreements program. This program allows them to sell solar generated electricity to strata schemes. This means having solar panels on the roof of the building but CER owns, installs, insures and maintains them.“They then sell the energy to strata scheme for their common area needs at up to 20 percent off their current rate and annual increases will be no more than CPI or 2.1%.”With electricity prices increasing at around 16 percent each year for the past 6 to 7 years this equates to an impressive saving. The savings over the contract period involve absolutely no capital outlay for the strata scheme.Once the contract is over the solar generation units, which have at least another 5 to 10 years of life, are transferred to the strata scheme to give free electricity for the years that remain.

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

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

2013-05-31T00:21:00Z mackay-earning-and-spending-more

Mackay has received its latest property report card which reads well for investors looking to buy into an established market. The report compiled by PRD Nationwide shows that for the 10th consecutive year, overall sales in the Mackay area have increased. Statistics also prove Mackay is becoming wealthier. Data compiled by the Australian Tax Office released last month showed that in 2010-11, Mackay’s total taxable income was $2.849 billion, the highest amount for any post code in the state. * Reed Property Group’s Jason Kollanyi said the salaries of Mackay workers have been rising on the back of the resources boom and investors have been snapping up bricks and mortar to capitalise on the rising income of local renters. “All indicators show the region has good capital growth which is why we have seen strong enquiries for Mackay apartments from investors across Australia,” Mr Kollanyi said. “A lot of money is being poured into infrastructure, the population is growing and earning more and there’s a limited housing supply. It ticks all the boxes for a good investment.” PRD Nationwide’s quarterly report states that for the last two years, median rents for the Mackay local government area have risen across all dwelling types. Mr Kollanyi said this was in line with the predicted returns for investors buying at Rivermarque Apartments, a new development situated in the heart of Mackay’s CBD. “We are so confident in Mackay’s need for new apartments we will guarantee returns of 7% for 5 years for our dual key buyers . Oaks Hotels and Resorts are actually forecasting yields of up to 9% net per annum,” Mr Kollanyi said. Studios start from $271,000 and the remaining one-bedroom apartments are priced from $304,500, with the two bedrooms from $413,500. Construction is due for completion in mid-2014. For more information on Rivermarque, visit www. rivermarquemackay.com.au. Ends. *24.04.2013, Australian Taxation Office, Taxation statistics 2010-11, Individuals Tax, Table 6: Selected items by state/territory and postcode, 2010-11 income year, http://www.ato.gov.au/corporate/content.aspx?menuid=49810&doc=/content/00345977.htm&page=8#P175_7617 **Research Analyst Matt Ballam, PRD Nationwide, Mackay Area Property Watch, First Quarter 2013, http://www.prdnationwidemackay.ca.com.au/weblinks/MackayAreaPropertyWatch2013Q1.pdf Contact details Media contact: Maya Gurry – Fresh PR & Marketing P: 0410 109 102 E: maya@freshprm.com.au