Unlocking Success: A Dual Workshop Experience for Small Businesses

SMALL BUSINESS MONTH 2023 jindabyne chamber snowy mountains nsw

Calling all Snowy Mountains business enthusiasts! October brings with it Small Business Month 2023, and the Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce has something special in store for you. We’re excited to introduce not one but two transformative workshops designed to empower local businesses in the pursuit of success.

Morning Session: “Building a Resilient Workforce for Small Businesses” with Jessica Vlaskic

Local businesses in the Snowy Mountains face unique challenges when it comes to attracting and retaining skilled staff, especially with the intense competition for seasonal workers. That’s why we’ve curated the morning session, “Building a Resilient Workforce for Small Businesses,” led by the exceptional Jessica Vlaskic.

Jessica brings a wealth of experience in human resources, recruitment, and business management. Her commitment to excellence and track record of driving organisational success make her the perfect guide for navigating the staffing hurdles that small businesses often encounter.

What to Expect in Jessica’s Workshop

In this engaging workshop, you’ll explore:

  1. Effective Recruitment Strategies: Learn the art of attracting and selecting top-tier talent for your business. Discover how to craft compelling job advertisements, conduct efficient interviews, and make informed decisions that align with your company’s culture and values.
  2. Fostering Employee Growth and Development: Dive into the world of creating a positive work environment that encourages loyalty and commitment among your staff. You’ll gain insights into designing personalised professional development plans for your team members, enhancing productivity and job satisfaction.

Afternoon Session: “BRANDING – EYE HEART MIND” with Simon Blazey

Now, let’s fast forward to the afternoon, where we switch gears to explore the fascinating world of branding with our local design guru and senior lecturer, Simon Blazey of Rockerfella Industries. Simon is no stranger to the art of branding, having worked with some of Australia’s most renowned brands and creative minds.

What to Expect in Simon’s Workshop

In Simon’s captivating seminar, you’ll delve into:

  1. The Art of Consumption: Explore the psychology behind our consumption choices and the subconscious cues that influence our decisions.
  2. Cracking the Brand Code: Delve into the world of subliminal messaging and learn how brands communicate visually.
  3. Professional vs. Amateur Branding: Understand the value of professional branding and how to spot amateurish attempts.
  4. Product vs. Brand: Discover the crucial distinction between a product and a brand.
  5. Connecting with Humans: Explore how brands build lasting connections with consumers on a human level.
  6. Reviving a Brand: Learn the art of revitalising a brand when it needs a fresh start.
  7. Marketing Wisdom: Gain insights into the real cost of marketing and the power of product quality.
  8. Motivating Factors: Uncover the one thing that truly motivates people to take action.
  9. Love Marks: Dive into case studies of beloved brands like Star Wars, Apple, Nike, and Oakley to understand the concept of love marks.

Brand Auditing and More

Simon will also guide you through the essential elements of brand auditing, including aesthetics, messaging, nuance, fidelity, and the crucial distinction between fashion and style for long-term success.

A Dual Workshop Experience for Success

These workshops are more than just learning; they’re a transformative experience. Jessica and Simon bring their unique expertise to help you tackle staffing challenges and master the art of branding, empowering your business for success.

Full Day Ticket Option

For the full experience, grab the $50 FULL DAY ticket option, which includes both workshops and a $25 meal voucher for lunch at the Jindabyne Bowling Club (12pm-1pm).

These workshops are made possible and subsidised by the NSW Government as part of Small Business Month 2023.

Don’t miss this golden opportunity to unlock the secrets of success and empower your business. Book your tickets now, and we look forward to seeing you at these transformative workshops!

Tickets on Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/jindabyne-chamber-of-commerce-11253637870

Get Ready – NSW ban on the supply of certain single-use plastic items from 1 November 2022

epa plastics ban nsw

Get Ready – NSW ban on the supply of certain single-use plastic items from 1 November 2022

 

From 1 November 2022, supply of the following items will be banned in NSW:

  • Plastic single-use cutlery (spoons, knives, forks, sporks, chopsticks – any utensil used for consuming food)
  • Plastic single-use plates and bowls (excludes bowls with a spill proof lid whether separate or attached)
  • Plastic single-use stirrers
  • Plastic single-use straws (with exemptions for people with a disability or medical need)
  • Plastic single-use cotton buds
  • Expanded polystyrene food ware including bowls, cups, clamshell containers and plates (includes any plastic item made in whole or in part of expanded polystyrene used to serve food or beverages)
  • Plastic micro-beads in rinse off personal hygiene products

The ban applies even if they are made from biodegradable, compostable, or bioplastics. This includes those made from Australian certified compostable plastic.

Lightweight plastic shopping bags with handles (35 microns or less in thickness) have been banned since 1 June 2022. 

Who do the bans apply to?

Anyone who supplies a banned item in NSW while carrying on a business. This includes activities for commercial, charitable, sporting, education, or community purposes. For example:

  • Retail or hospitality businesses must not provide banned items to their customers.
Such as: restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, takeaway food outlets, party supply stores, discount stores, supermarkets, market stalls, online stores, and any other retailer
  • Product/packaging suppliers must not supply banned items to anyone within or into NSW.
Such as: manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and wholesalers
  • Community groups and not-for-profits must not supply banned items as part of a service, for regular activities or during events or fundraising activities.
Such as: charities, welfare services, religious bodies, education providers, and fundraising events.

What might this mean for you?

Businesses and community organisations in NSW will no longer be able to supply customers with banned items from 1 November 2022. The ban applies whether a fee is charged, or the item is given out for free.

Why is this important?

Consumers do a great job when it comes to sorting recyclable plastics from waste destined for landfill. Yet despite these efforts, plastic packaging and single-use plastic items still make up 60% of all litter in NSW. These items take thousands of years to decompose and in the process, they are causing great harm to our natural environment and wildlife.

The NSW Government is committed to phasing out problematic plastics. The NSW Plastics Action Plan was launched in June 2021 to manage plastic throughout its lifecycle – from generation through to production, supply and reducing plastic waste.

The first step is to phase out certain problematic or unnecessary plastic products. The banned plastic items have been chosen because they are highly littered and have readily available sustainable alternatives. The bans will prevent almost 2.7 billion items of plastic from entering our natural environment and waterways over the next 20 years.

The EPA’s role

The EPA, as the regulator of the bans, is committed to taking a fair and considered approach to regulation. That’s why we are focused firstly on providing information to businesses so they are aware of their upcoming obligations and can make the switch to more sustainable alternatives.

We understand there may be different circumstances for different businesses and community organisations and there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ response. When deciding on the most appropriate regulatory action we will look at factors such as what steps have been taken to prepare for the new requirements and whether genuine effort has been made to comply.

You can read more about our overall approach to regulation in our Regulatory Strategy

How to prepare for the ban

Thank you to the many businesses and community organisations that have already made the switch to more sustainable options. If you have not yet switched, consider the following steps:

  • Understand the ban – access the website for more information and FAQs to ensure you understand the ban and allowed alternatives.
  • Prepare now – Inform staff, volunteers and customers early about the upcoming ban and the changes they should expect.
  • Make a plan – Stop ordering banned items now and use up existing stock as much as possible, as you cannot supply banned items after 1 November 2022 (regardless of when you purchased it).
  • Speak to your supplier – if you have large amounts of stock, they may accept returns or exchanges.
  • Responsible disposal – If you cannot exhaust, return, exchange or transfer your stock in time, you may like to contact a local recycler or register with the Great Plastic Rescue to recycle stock into new products.

Here are two resources to help you to prepare for the ban: a guide for businesses and additional supplier advice to prepare for the ban.

Help & advice for businesses

The NSW Government has partnered with the National Retail Association to provide engagement and education services for businesses and community organisations across NSW. These free services include:

  • Custom resources and signage (including information in 15 languages) – download here
  • Visiting thousands of stores in 650 shopping centres and retail precincts across metropolitan and regional areas to provide face-to-face advice and resources.
  • Holding regular online question and answer sessions for businesses and community organisations – register here
  • Providing a specialist tollfree hotline 1800 844 946 and email sustainability@nra.net.au to answer unique business queries.

Find out more

We encourage you to review the website resourcesdownload signage and attend the information sessions being provided by the National Retail Association. The next information session is being held on 31 August 2022.

For further enquiries about the plastics ban, please contact the EPA at plastics@epa.nsw.gov.au

Sincerely

Tony Chappel
Chief Executive
NSW Environment Protection Authority

Snowy Mountains Cookies, 1 of 30 small regional businesses chosen by Facebook

snowy mountains cookies fqacebook gift guide 2019 choc love

Facebook Gift Guide 2019

Snowy mountains cookies

Snowy Mountains Cookies is excited to announce they have been selected to be a part of the 2019 Facebook Gift Guide.

Facebook and Instagram have created an online Gift Guide to support regional economies.

Over half of the 30 chosen business, including Snowy Mountains Cookies, are in a drought effected area. Facebook’s Director Mia Garlick states “It was developed to celebrate the innovation and success of regional small businesses across the country that play an important role support the national economy,”

Snowy Mountains Cookies, thanks to Facebook and Instagram, will take part in the promotion by featuring their best-selling flavour, the Love Chocolate, in a gift box configuration – please visit www.fb.me/giftguideau

Snowy Mountains Cookies creates premium, gourmet produce and has operated for over 13 years with core business derived from servicing the airline catering sector (including 10 consecutive years of supplying Qantas), hotels, function centres, food outlets and retail customers.

Products reaffirm the brand message, made wholesome and appetising by baking with ‘clean’ ingredients that are:

  • Free of artificial colours
  • Free of artificial additives
  • Free of artificial flavours
  • Free of preservatives
  • Sulphite free dried fruits

Only premium ingredient options are used in our product range, with a focus on ‘keeping it natural by keeping it simple’.

We use:

  • Free-range eggs – recipient of the RSPCA Good Egg award
  • Butter, rather than margarine
  • Quality couverture chocolate – steering clear of compound chocolate
  • Ingredients most home pantries would stock – avoiding using tricky substitute products that mask nutritional table figure

One of Snowy Mountains Cookies owners Daisy Oayda’ states, “I believe starting and running a business like Snowy Mountains Cookies, which prides itself on its location base and name, is easier in a regional town like Jindabyne thanks to the support and genuine interest shown from local business and community, which is something that may not happen in a big city.”

Snowy Mountains Cookies is proud to have been chosen for this opportunity to help grow online sales and bring awareness to the small business in the regional town of Jindabyne. If you would like to see more Snowy Mountains Cookies products please visit www.snowycookies.com.au.


“Snowy Mountains Cookies/ Savoury/ Snacks, launched in 2006, is proudly located in the beautiful, iconic, alpine town of Jindabyne is arguably Australia’s highest commercial bakery perched at 1020 metres above sea level.”