Welcome to Broome Western Australia

Broome is the place of the Yawuru. The first Claim Group in Australia to get a Native Title over a metropolitan area, they deserve our respect and recognition in our business dealings in the region, as do all 32 Claim Groups across the Kimberley.

Broome, famous for its iconic Cable Beach and the Staircase to the Moon over Roebuck Bay mud flats at low tide, gateway to the Dampier Peninsula and the West Kimberley - in fact, gateway to all of the Kimberley and, increasingly, even the Pilbara.

All of which makes Broome a gateway to opportunities for rest and relaxation, adventure and excitement, unique cultural experiences, and a warm and welcoming community. Most importantly, from our point of view, Broome is a gateway for business opportunity - balanced between the desert and the sea, there are broad sweeping horizons that provide limitless inspiration for your imagination and your business ideas.

Picking winners in small business is never easy but there will always be room for entrepreneurs who have or can adapt their specific skills to meet market needs. In Broome, doing "it" cheaper (and remaining profitable) will definitely be a winner and having a clear "wet season" strategy is essential for every business.

Come and see us at the Small Business Centre West Kimberley at Lotteries House, and we'll be happy to help you with your business ideas. In the meantime, good luck and, more importantly, good planning!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Before your Christmas Shut Down

Hi everyone,

It occurred to me that there was a heap of administrative things that every business needs to do before they shut down for Christmas - if you have that luxury.

1. Notify your customers of your business opening hours over the Christmas-New Year period

2. If some of your customers may need your services over this period, ensure you leave contact details for urgent services (on answerphone or email "Not in Office" message).

3. If you live in cyclone prone areas like Broome. Make sure that the emergency services know how to contact you.

4. Have you thought about lifting you computer box up off the floor and covering the box, monitors and any other peripherals with plastic sheeting...just in case water gets into your office.

5. If you pay PAYG (staff tax installments) on a monthly basis, your November payment is due on 23rd December.

6. Given your experience with employing staff during the last dry season, have you thought about what you are going to do next season to ensure your business runs smoothly and profitably. What strategies do you have to keep your wet season workforce happy.

7. Have you thought about staff (including the bosses) training needs for 2010?

The Small Business Centre West Kimberley in Broome and the Broome Chamber of Commerce are seeking to identify one-off training/business workshops that meet the needs of small businesses in Broome. We have the capacity to present workshops on a range of business topics, as requested, using high profile presenters from around Australia. In the last year, we provided a series of workshops on topics including:
  • Marketing on a shoestring budget
  • Merchandising makes Money
  • Customer service fundamentals
  • Business Planning and Cash Flow Budgeting - what the banks need
  • Cultural Awareness training for businesses in the Kimberley
  • Women in Business
  • Contracting in the Broome region
  • Pricing and Tendering for jobs

We have identified a demand for workshops on:

  • Dealing with conflict in the workplace
  • Basic understanding of financial reports - Profit and Loss and Balance Sheets
  • Understanding the new Fair Work Australia laws that take effect from 1 Jan 2010. See http://www.fairworkforsmallbusiness.com.au/

We will definitely be running a 2 hour BIZFIT introductory program on 23rd or 24th March (to be finalised). The BIZFIT workshop is a detailed update on the economic influences that will directly affect the Broome business environment for 2010, presented by the Small Business Development Corporation. This data is tailored to the needs of businesses in Broome. See http://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/bizfit-building-business-resilience/ . The BIZFIT Extend program will be run in Broome on the 22nd and 23rd of May, 2010, with assistance from the Curtin Business School Centre for Entrepreneurship.

What do you need, in the form of a 2 hour, half day, full day or two day workshop that will be practical and useful for aiding the effective management of your business?

Call the Small Business Centre West Kimberley, in Broome on 08 9193 6622 or Email us on manager@sbcwk.com.au

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