Providing certainty in the face of adversity

By Alec Blacklaw, Marsdens and Glen Giles, Taylor Smart, Perth

‘Every year in Australia and New Zealand countless businesses are affected
significantly by the death or disability of an owner-manager. The business
impact of this is usually dramatic from multiple perspectives affecting
management, financial arrangements, employees and even business viability
itself. This article is the second in our MSI Business Impact Series and
aims to turn the spotlight on the importance of taking proactive Business
Succession action’.

This is just a taster of what is in our new quarterly newsletter. To read the full article and a lot more sign up for our dynamic newsletter

THURSDAY, 8 MARCH 2012: 11.00 am to 4.00 pm

Gary Holland Centre19 Kent Stree tRockingham

What is International Women’s Day?

Each year over 15,000 people around Australia attend functions in their community to celebrate
International Women’s Day and we have pleasure in inviting you to participate and enjoy celebrating
this unique day at Gary Holland Centre on Thursday, 8 March 2012.

RECEPTION

The first International Women’s Day was held on 8 March 1911 and we begin our day with a Reception
to celebrate the achievements of women in the past, present and future. It is an occasion for looking
back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped
potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.

EXPO

We will be inviting a wide range of businesses and women’s organisations to showcase the work they are
doing in our community and provide information on projects they support as well as the goods and
services they provide.

LUNCH

Award winning food, celebration and fun are all on the menu for our luncheon. Guests will enjoy a
delicious two course gourmet lunch and there will be live music while you relax and enjoy the company
of a diverse group of business men and women during this fantastic event.

SEMINAR

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women
who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. We have three
extremely amazing women as our guest speakers and the seminar is guaranteed to inspire and uplift you.

Fundrai$$$ing

During the event there will be a range of FUN activities to help raise money to donate to UN Women
Australia (formerly UNIFEM). The organisation plays an active role in all UN related activities and
sends an annual delegation to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Want to find out more?

If you want more information about the event or to talk about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities
please call Mabel on 0415 700 637 or email mabel@keynoteevents.com.au.

More than that, we love partnering with business owners to make their business more profitable, valuable and enjoyable.

Over the years we have implemented lots of good stuff with clients in all sorts of business. We have worked with them to turn their ideas into great results and this has had a great impact on the performance of their business.

We have developed a Business Series with a great prize for the winner and an insightful & inspirational report for all those that enter the competition.

What we want to know is “What are the 3 most important things you need to do to be in the top 10% in your space?”

And what is the one thing that makes your business really SPECIAL?

You know, the one thing you are most proud of, perhaps it’s your people, a particular process or experience, a brilliant product or service or something that is really unique…
Either way we really want to know – this is your moment to bang your own drum!

We received some awesome comments in our last survey, so get involved and hear what so many businesses have implemented to improve the performance of their business!

The winning entry will receive a comprehensive Strategic Planning & Performance Review valued at over $3500.

Everyone who contributes will receive will receive a copy of the results in an exclusive report. “Move your Business!” – with our compliments, just for entering!
And for those of you who would like the publicity, we will be happy to profile your business from the PR & Media that will follow. By contributing, you grant us permission to publish your answer in our report – if you are shy, let us know and we will not publish your personal details, your choice.

Due to the enticement of the wonderful Perth beaches and fantastic summer weather we are closing our office from 3pm Friday, 23 December until Tuesday, 3 January.

Thank you for all your support in 2011 and we look forward to working with you to make 2012 more profitable, valuable & enjoyable!

The first MSI Global Feel Good Index has been released. Global CEO James Mendelssohn explains that “The Global Feel Good Index provides a fascinating insight into the balance of confidence in 105 countries worldwide.”

Fluctuating markets, two-speed economies and fears of another recession are factors are affecting regional confidence. MSI Global talked with their professional partners about the perceptions of their regions to provide a quarterly reference to global and regional economic prospects.

The results have shown that the global indicator is finely balanced at +0.08. The markets in the Northern hemisphere are showing lowered market expectations (North America (+0.04); Western Europe (-0.02), US (-0.07), and United Kingdom (-0.23)). Our partners in developing economic regions are showing more positive results (Middle East (+0.33), Latin America (+0.27), and Southern Africa (+0.22)).

Australia and New Zealand are quite levelled in their confidence (+0.03) which is in stark contrast to Malaysia (+0.5), where spending on investment capital is noticeably higher.

The result of this index has shown that global confidence is low, especially in the developed economies of North America and Europe.  The IMF has suggested that major developed countries are likely to achieve 1.5 to 2 percent growth and emerging countries are expected to post a growth of 6 percent over the next year. This large gap in growth can be seen in the sentiments shared by the participants in the Global Feel Good Index. (view video here).

Original article was found on MSI Global

Let us know your thoughts on 2012 when you are next in our area and we will be pleased to offer you a complimentary review of your circumstances.

One of the traps people fall into is that some SMSF members are exceeding their contributions cap. This is occurring when they rollover or transfer their entitlements (all or part) from one fund to another fund (e.g. from an industry super fund to their SMSF) and report this transfer as a ‘current year contribution’.

This results in the amounts being reported twice to the ATO and thus becoming a liability for the member. You should NOT report this rollover/transfer as a ‘current year contribution’, as current year contributions are only required to be reported by the transferee fund.

To avoid paying Excess Contribution Tax on your superannuation rollover or to better understand your SMSF options please call one of our superannuation specialist for a complimentary review of your situation.

If business was like the Olympics or the World Cup, most countries would struggle to consistently qualify. The statistics confirm that the large investment of resources by lots of people does not deliver the results that most seek. And then there is the opportunity cost and huge social and personal implications for those that don’t succeed. Tragic.

There’s a pattern – and it’s not always clear, but like those crazy mazes if you look hard enough it’s there.

Aha – now I see it! – More profitable, valuable and enjoyable.

That’s the three amigos.

Imagine having a business that ticked all 3, consistent with your specific goals and objectives. Not mine but yours. Once you have  those three consistently humming and aligned, you really have something that will win the hearts, minds and dollars of your target audience. And everyone  involved has way more options. Fact.

One is good, two is cool and all three is pretty amazing. It will be the leading business in the segment, by any standards. You will know and admire businesses that are profitable, valuable and enjoyable. You will buy from them, you will want to be part of them, invest in them, follow them… They will be succesful.

Ok, so let’s say your business is profitable but not truly valuable – it is on paper, but you don’t have loads of buyers knocking down your door, wanting to buy you out at a price you would be  thrilled with. Or else the offer is not on terms and conditions that suit all stakeholders.

Or maybe your business is profitable and valuable, but is not a whole lot fun… perhaps not all of the board is aligned, or you are having trouble attracting and retaining the right people, or not connecting with your customers as well you would like. Your target audience is not fully engaged or it’s a struggle… sound familiar?

It’s often the more enjoyable bit that many people relate to and want more of. And it’s the bit they haven’t got right.

The challenge is to create & build a great culture, developing the emotional connection that is required with all of your stakeholders, to succeed over the longer term.

Look at the businesses that are truly succeeding – on many levels and that are sustainable. They will have all three firing and running smoothly.

They will have a brilliant vision and point of difference that all of their stakeholders will have bought into. Their passion will shine through and you will be passionate about them, their products or services.

That’s why two out three isn’t enough.

This post has been taken from Alec’s Blog. Click here to read more from Alec!

Marissa was featured by Channel9 News for a tax tips special.

Keeping up with the tax man is a year-round process, not just relevant at tax time.

Let us show you how to save bundles of money as well as get the right structure to minimise your tax for years to come!

A full day MEGA event

How to build a more profitable, valuable & enjoyable business leveraging strategic Social Media!

Learn how to leverage the power of Social media to build a more profitable, valuable & enjoyable business.

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We will show you to accelerate sales through a clear powerful vision armed with the most potent social media weapons available today … that really work and deliver the results you seek.

Integrating the Social Media Revolution into your Business

Social media has changed the way we do business FOREVER….. In fact, even your current website could be considered ‘old news’!!

Learn how to leverage the power of social media to build a personal link with your customers. Forget old advertising tactics that don’t work online. We’ll teach you how to adopt the new rules and start a profitable relationship with your customers and those who influence them!

Do you know that 97% of all consumers go online to research products and services they intend to purchase and yet only 25% of all businesses have an online presence to cater for this huge demand?

The internet and social media have transformed the way companies, small and large, communicate with their customers. Customers now crave, real, authentic and transparent relationships with multiple-way dialogue.

You’ve only got to look at the huge popularity of Facebook as proof of this.Facebook has 700 million users, and they’re smart, affluent, internet-savvy people whom marketers and businesses can no longer ignore.

A different kind of communication and marketing is now required in order to in build relationships with these influential players. The more crowded the marketplace becomes the more challenging it is to dominate and own your industry niche. In order to stand out in the crowd you need to have social appeal. The good news is there is still time to get established before it’s too late and you get crushed by your ‘socially savvy’ competitors and we’re going to show you how!

What you will learn

• The importance of a clear vision to accelerate your sales and connect with your target audience.
• How to build a more profitable, valuable & enjoyable business leveraging the power of social media for improved results.
• How to make “real” money from implementing smart social media solutions.
• The critical do’s and don’ts that could make or break your success from social media.
• How to avoid the biggest marketing mistakes in social media ad distance you from the competition.
• How to create a Facebook & LinkedIn presence that drives traffic leads and sales into your business.

About your presenters

Kylie Bartlett is better known these days as ‘The Web Celeb’. With audiences all around the world, her fame is rapidly rising as she shocks and wows with her revolutionary techniques on how to build your brand, propel your profits and connect with more customers on and off line with social media. Kylie is an entrepreneur, a published author, an international public speaker and has appeared on numerous Australian television and radio broadcasts including, ‘The Today Show, 9AM Show, 3MP, 2UB’, appeared in many Australian newspapers and magazine publications including, ‘The Sunday Herald Sun, Dynamic Business Magazine, Australian Banking and Finance Magazine,’ to name a few. Kylie recently completed a 6-month Australasian tour. To date she has presented her Facebook and Social Media Workshops to over 1,000 fans, across 18 cities and is excited to be presenting again, in lovely Perth!

Alec Blacklaw has a passion for working with business owners to make their business more profitable, valuable and enjoyable. Alec has a broad business background gained from working in Commerce & has sat on many Boards, and has been a Business Owner, Coach, Mentor, and a Business Advisor over the last 24 years. As a strategist at heart and with an entrepreneurial spirit, Alec has worked across most industries and has a focus on leveraging the core beliefs and attitudes to drive and enhance business performance. Alec understands the need to have a clear and compelling business plan that is broken into action plans that are implemented across all parts of the business, providing the pathway, management and inspiration to achieve the stated goals. Alec has run numerous leading Business Improvement Programs and is a lifelong learner of what the best businesses do to be successful over the longer term.

Perth

• When – 30th August, 2011, 8.00am registration for 8.30am start until 5.00pm
• RSVP – ASAP as it will sell out early but no later than 25th August 2011
• Where -1/8 Alvan St, Subiaco 6008 W.A.
• Investment – $397 per person includes everything above
• Includes – Morning Tea, very yummy lunch, afternoon tea, comprehensive workbook, a drink on us to celebrate your learning and to ask any questions your like.

Melbourne

• When - 6th September, 2011, 8.00am registration for 8.30am start until 5.00pm
• RSVP - ASAP as it will sell out early but no later than 30th August 2011
• Where - The Urban Hotel, 35-37 Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda
• Investment - $397 per person includes everything above
• Includes - Morning Tea, very yummy lunch, afternoon tea, comprehensive workbook, a drink on us to celebrate your learning and to ask any questions your like.

Book NOW to avoid disappointment, places are very limited!!

If you have any questions you can contact our office on (08) 9382 3244 or email Samantha at: Samantha.Bushell@marsdens.com.au

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