Managing Director, Gavin Gilchrist from Big Switch Projects has produced these two YouTube videos, which can be seen here:

• what is an energy efficiency audit, or 
• how to create an Energy Action Plan.

These YouTube videos are focused on explaining what an energy efficiency audit is to people that may have no idea what it is or may know the concept but not the details behind it.  

An energy efficiency audit will:

• Analyse your current energy consumption
• Identify opportunities for improvement
• Estimate costs for upgrades
• Forecast energy and carbon emission saving

It will give you the data you need to prepare a business case to apply for CAPEX, plan for upgrades or make immediate changes.  It will forecast payback periods, identify no- and low-cost opportunities that will make an immediate difference to energy costs.

The Business Snapshots cover:
•         Information to support your claims
•         Dealing with your suppliers and competitors
•         Guidance for industry associations
•         Guidance for business advisors
•         a short-form summary of the ACCC Carbon price claims – Guide for business, released in November 2011.
 
The Business Snapshots provide further guidance to assist businesses in understanding their rights, responsibilities and obligations when considering making claims about the impact of the carbon price.

“Mobile, Social, Flexible” was undoubtedly the overriding theme for Mark Pesce’s (@mpesce) keynote. Ever professional and thought provoking, Mark’s entertaining presentation hit the nail on the head for many if not all of the participants. Businesses need to make sure their websites are mobile friendly FIRST. Businesses must embrace the mobile technology revolution. If businesses are not mobile “they don’t exist”. Businesses also need to listen to what people are saying. “Humility and authenticity are the building blocks for social marketing” also rang true for many with #qantasluxury being held up as an #epicfail in this department.

Audrey Thomas from Ajile Focus continued the high quality presentations in an honest and real presentation about how she has been the reluctant embracer of technology but found great success and surprising ease in the process. Audrey shared how, through the use of tools like WordPress, Mail Chimp and Facebook, she has evolved her business from using technology as an unfortunate add on and a necessary evil to embracing the web and social media and integrating technology into the core process of her business. People are still the centre of her business, but technology enables her to more freely communicate and connect with them.

Alison Kershaw provided an impassioned and entertaining look into the how’s and whys of the DFEEST ForwardIt project. The tool is a great enabler for embedding core digital literacy skills into communities and businesses alike. Alison showed some troubling statistics regarding internet use in Australia and amongst the elderly signalling a need for businesses and government organisations to take a closer look at how they present their materials online to be more inclusive and accessible to people with more sensitive needs.

All told the event was a remarkable success with many conversations and connections resulting from both the presentations and the networking. The City of Salisbury will continue to support businesses through events, workshops and mentoring delivered by the Salisbury Business and Export Centre and with the NBN rolling out in many areas in the next three years the digital agenda will remain at the fore of this support.

Parafield Gardens Community Club

64 Shepherdson Road, Parafield Gardens

Come along and meet your fellow business owner from your area.

Special Guest Speaker Chris Griffiths, Manager Parafield Airport.

Chris Griffiths spent 15 months prior to his role as Manager Parafield Airport as Duty Manager at Adelaide Airport’s world famous new terminal.
 
He has worked in the aviation industry for 20 years, starting in air freight with Australian air Express working in South Australia and including stints in the Northern Territory, Victoria, and head of State Operations in Western Australia.

Entry is free, and only $15 for a cooked breakfast

Please register now so that we can ensure your meal is catered. Don’t forget to bring your ticket for the prize draw.

Our speaker for April is City of Salisbury Citizen of the Year  Kelvin Trimper.

Kelvin is Development Manager, Community and Education, Lend Lease.  In facilitating these activities, Kelvin works nationally with State and Local Governments, Business Leaders and Education and Community Service Providers.

He played a key role as Project Director in the winning and establishment of the mixed-use Mawson Lakes (formerly MFP) project in Adelaide and has been involved with Mawson Lakes throughout its entire development.

Entry is free, and only $15 for a cooked breakfast. Come and meet your fellow business owners from your area.

Please register now so that we can ensure your meal is catered.
Don’t forget to bring your ticket for the prize draw.

Wednesday 18 April 2012 from 7:00 to  8:45am
Parafield Gardens Community Club
65 Shepherdson Road, Parafield Gardens
 
To register your attendance at the Business Breakfast please click here

It i essential for a business to be able to cut through the noise and grab the attention of their prospective clients.

Special Guest: Paul McCarthy, the “Rockstar Marketer”

Paul is an engaging speaker with the rare ability to really connect with small business operators and compel them to want to reignite their desire to take action.

A former professional musician,Paul provides his audience with an unique blend of marketing savvy and first class entertainment.

Come and join us over lunch and get some hints and tips for your business.

Tuesday, 22 March 2012

12.00pm – 2.30pm

Grand Central, Holden Room

Central Districts Football Club

Cost: $40 per person

Register by download and sending this form Marketing to the Beat Registration Form 

Register your interest in the Clean Technology Programs

The $1.2 billion Clean Technology Program is a part of the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future Plan and will create incentives for business to reduce emissions and invest in clean energy through three components.

The $800 million Clean Technology Investment Program and the $200 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program will provide grants to help existing manufacturing businesses to invest in energy efficient capital equipment and low emissions technologies, processes and products. The Programs are open for applications.

The $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program will provide grants to support business investment in R&D, proof of concept and early stage commercialisation activities that lead to the development of new clean technologies and associated services. This Program is expected to be open for applications in mid 2012.

Register for information with AusIndustry by phone, 13 28 24 or email, hotline@ausindustry.gov.au.

Since the beginning of 2012, SBEC has commenced an Business Scoop eNewsletter.

Business Scoop’s purpose is connecting businesses in and around Adelaide’s Northern Suburbs and give you the scoop on interesting business stories from our region. If you would like to share an article or a story about something hapenning in your industry perhaps a customer service success tale, or maybe an interesting business to business collaboration, please contact me.

Our February Issue has been sent out to our customers and clients. If you are interested in subscribling to our enewletters please click on the left hand side bar to subscribe or here

The News Review Messenger just published an interesting article focussing on setting up its campaign to help create hundreds of jobs for local people.

Job 1001 is encouraging businesses to create 1001 Australian jobs over the coming months, in partnership with News Limited community newspapers across the country. The campaign this year has gone national

This landmark employment drive is built on News Review Messenger’s Jobs 101 initiative, which last year helped 136 unemployed people find work in the northern and western suburbs.

Jobs 1001 is being run in partnership with Adelaide recruitment company Maxima, which will provide companies with a free service to find the best candidates to fill their positions.

Maxima CEO David Cockram urged companies to sign up for Jobs 1001.

“South Australia has pockets of low unemployment, but we have pockets where it is much higher than the national average,” Mr Cockram said.

“Jobs 1001 is about targeting those hot spots and creating local jobs for local people, particularly for young people.

Salisbury Business and Export Centre believe this campaign is a great opportunity for young people seeking employment. We ourselves have been clients of Maxima for a number of years supporting trainees in our office to get a kick start in their careers by providing them with training, mentoring and skills development.

The 2012 Digital Literacy Forum: Presenting Yourself Online is a half day event designed for business owners, community leaders, HR professionals, students, educators or anyone interested in finding out more or discussing the opportunities afforded by an enhanced online profile. Keynote Speaker Mark Pesce inventor, writer, broadcaster and entrepreneur will paint a picture of the future of online profiles and the possibilities for businesses and professionals in the years to come. Audrey Thomas, local business owner, will speak about her digital business successes and Alison Kershaw, DFEEST, will discuss the Forward IT web app and reflect on her work with the Willunga NBN rollout that highlighted the importance of digital literacy for businesses. This will be followed by an opportunity to pose your own questions and ideas to the speakers during a panel discussion.

Following the panel discussion there will be a networking opportunity with local businesses showcasing their digital businesses and digital business successes over drinks and nibbles.

To make enquiries about showcasing your business call Rhys Moult on 08 8260 8205.

You can download a forum brochure for printing here.

For bookings and to find out more about the event go to the event site, or book using the form below (Use the promotional code ‘earlybird’ in the form below for a $25 discount. Short time only.)