

Tips for Better Communication
Over the coming weeks we will provide you with some tips and ideas on how to better communicate. We will help you explore, grow and expand any ideas you've got. These tips guide you through the thinking process for running successful project. From the first initial light bulb moment to the final stages of success and everything in between. Bought to you from fiftyacres.com

Highlighted Business of the Week
HALT - Castlemaine HALT aims to remind tradies they are valued by their community, and direct them to support services, both local and national, should they need them. HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies) works in conjunction with communities to host ‘SAVE YOUR BACON’ brekkies. HALT was born with the support of a concerned community, and went on to host the first ‘SAVE YOUR BACON’ Brekky in Castlemaine, November 2013, for those in the building industry. It all started early


Essential Tips for Job Seeking
Over the next few weeks we will look into some Essential Tips for Job Seeking. 1. Get to know your sector Research the jobs you are interested in to make sure you understand the good, the bad, and the ugly. This could include tactics like finding and watching videos of on the job work, job shadowing or talking to people already working in the field – don’t be afraid to ask questions. Use every interaction as an opportunity to learn. People will be excited to answer your quest

Ready to Hire Your First Employee - Part 3
Paperwork Once you have found your new employee and are bringing them on board they should be provided with the following documentation: an employment Contract Fair Work information statement tax file declaration form company policies and procedures superannuation choice form an induction into the business. You will also need to collect and record information about the employee’s superannuation details, bank account details, citizenship status and emergency contact details. T


Highlighted Business of the Week
John van Tiggelen - Castlemaine John is a freelance writer and the author. He was born in Holland, grew up in country Victoria, graduated in science and worked as a tour guide in the Daintree rainforest before turning to journalism. Since 1998 he has been writing for Good Weekend, the weekend magazine of The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. He is the author of Mango Country (Pan MacMillan, 2003), a collection of essays documenting North Queensland and short-listed for the


Ready to Hire Your First Employee - Part 2
Experienced employee or someone you can train? Clearly defining the position can guide you in the right direction. Will your business be better serviced by someone bringing experience or a blank slate you can train to match your business? Have you considered whether the position requires the employee to hold a qualification? Equally important is finding someone who shares the company values, it is vital they fit with your business culture. How will you recruit for the positio

Highlighted Business of the Week
Desart Incorporated - Castlemaine Desart is the Association of Central Australian Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Centres. Established in 1992, incorporated in 1993, they now count as their members 41 independently governed Aboriginal Art and Craft Centres representing 8000 artists. Desart are governed by a 10 member Aboriginal executive committee elected from the membership regions and currently employ 7 staff, servicing a membership area of 1.221 million square kilometres. Their


Ready to Hire Your First Employee - Part 1
Congratulations! Your business is growing and you can’t keep doing everything yourself; you’re ready to hire your first employee but where do you start? Before you are ready to hire your first employee, there are some things you must consider first. The cost of employing someone There are many factors that add to the cost of an employee above wages alone. Take some time to consider the cost of superannuation, workers’ compensation insurance, leave, the cost of induction, trai


Highlighted Business of the Week
Bennies Wrecking & Parts Delivery - Dunolly Brian Tate from Bennies Wrecking & Parts Delivery supplies automotive parts and delivery to customers in Dunolly, Bendigo and surrounding areas. Stripping all types of vehicles he is able to cater to everyone needs. He prides himself on having parts on the shelf ready for customers as needed.


Employing Casuals is Cost Effective but Mind the Traps - Part 2
In part 2 of this article we discuss how to avoid this costly traps 1. When hiring new staff, keep front of mind the definition of a “casual” employee: an employer can offer employment to the employee on any day the employee can elect to accept the offer of work there is no certainty about the period over which employment will be offered there is informality, uncertainty and irregularity, and there is no commitment as to the duration of the employee’s employment or the days o