Business clusters or networks are invited to express an interest in being included on the directory. Registration is free. Please list your cluster on the directory, and take a moment to fill in your cluster or network details. If you require assistance email assist@business.nsw.gov.au.

The directory can be used to explore cooperative arrangements with other business clusters for economic growth. The directory also has the potential to enable international linkages, particularly important with the emergence of global supply chains.

The Strategic Business Clusters Program supports business groups and networks of small-to-medium businesses to move from informal alliances to functioning commercial entities.

The Program assists groups to develop new markets beyond their local economy.

Three levels of financial support are available via a competitive application process:

Business Network - $5,000 in matched funding to create business opportunities for their members.

Business Cluster - $10,000 in matched funding for the establishment or development of a business cluster to achieve competitive advantage.

Business Cluster Project - $30,000 in matched funding to existing clusters for specific cluster activity that increases employment, improves productivity and competition, and promotes innovation.

Visit www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/clusters for further information and application forms. Or phone 1300 134 359 or email clusters@business.nsw.gov.au.

It offers events and workshops designed to inform home-based, solo and micro business operators on a wide-range of topics, including: 

• New technologies, innovations and gadgets
• Connectivity
• Social media networking
• Virtual business and e-commerce activities
• Online marketing opportunities
• Maximising productivity and profit
• Webinars, demonstrations and resources

MicroBiz Week launches on Monday 31 May with Innovations, Gadgets and Gizmos, showcasing future trends for micro business operators. Participants are invited to explore the latest on-line marketing strategies, gadgets, applications and productivity tools with innovation and technology experts.

MicroBiz Week 2010 events will be held at locations throughout NSW.

More information and registration details
For a complete list of events, information and registration details, visit www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/microbizweek
P: 1300 661 539
E: microbiz@business.nsw.gov.au

Alan Robson, Finance Manager of Supply One Pty Ltd said, “WOW. This is the best seminar with the best speaker I have experienced for some years. It generated a lot of thinking, ideas and contemplation with regards to our future plans.”

Graham Brown, Managing Director of NuFlora International said, “Congratulations on the first MasterClass – it was great!”

The speaker at the event was Craig Rispin, a futurist, who discussed where business communications is heading in the 21st century.

Upcoming speakers next month and for the rest of the year are just as educational and entertaining.

Upcoming events include:

• It's not what you sell...it's the way that you sell it with David Penglase, Australia's leading expert on the ethics of selling.
  Parramatta - 15 April
  
• A brand of one with Paul McCarthy, Australia's RockStar Marketer.
  Castle Hill - 19 May
  
• Engaging people - the secret to productive employees with Mark Bloodworth who speaks and coaches on the engagement and retention of frontline personnel.
  Parramatta - 16 June

For more information and application details visit www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/masterclass. Membership is strictly limited.

The Program provides high-quality business speakers, hands on business interaction and application of real-life business scenarios, one-on-one consultations with NSW Trade & Investment's Business Development Managers, better access to Federal and State Government business programs, and valuable networking opportunities with compatible companies.

Key business drivers covered in the Program include innovation, future trends, sales and marketing, sustainability, export development, lean office management, staff empowerment
and leadership and people management.  The Program will also be driven by the participants’ business needs.

The inaugural event will be held in North Parramatta on 18 March 2010, 7.30am start for 8am to 10am, with guest speaker Craig Rispin of The Future Trends Group and an update on key Government business assistance.

For costs, bookings and more information visit the smallbiz website at www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/masterclass.

NSW Manufacturing Week promotes and celebrates the key role that manufacturing plays in the social and economic wellbeing of the State. Events during the week will address many of the issues relevant to the future success of the industry.
Some Manufacturing Week events include:

2011 Western Sydney Manufacturing Leaders Forum and Innovation Technology Showcase

The Forum and Innovation Technology Showcase is the official launch and highlight event of NSW Manufacturing Week 2011, to be opened by the Premier of NSW (invited) and featuring key leading Australian industry and government speakers.
Olympic Park – 2nd May

Marketing for Industrial Manufacturers – Is it Profit or Pitfall in you Business?

Through case studies, learn about the issues and mistakes that most manufacturing firms make and how to avoid them.
Olympic Park – 5th May

Is it too tough to Tender?: Reading, Writing and Submitting Superior Tender Proposals

Learn how to gain a competitive advantage when submitting tenders. This half day workshop will start by teaching you the fundamentals.
Wollongong – 5th May
Smeaton Grange – 5th May

Programs for 2012 will be held in

• Sydney - Metro – commencing 9 February 2012
• Northern Rivers - Byron Bay - commencing 1 March 2012

Click here for more information

The program consists of a series of 5 workshops over a six-month period, the chance to be matched with an experienced business mentor, as well as the opportunity to network with like-mind business women in a relaxed environment.

Programs for 2012 will be held in

• Sydney - Northern Beaches - commencing 30 January 2012
• Hastings - Port Macquarie - commencing 1 February 2012
• Hunter - Newcastle - commencing 22 February 2012

Click here for more information.

Over 110 women business owners got a glimpse into how the two innovators have revolutionised high-end fashion retailing.

Ms Fox, co-founder of online shoe design website Shoes of Prey, and Ms Trinco, founder of fashion handbag company Il Tutto assembled a display of their products for the audience to experience their luxury bespoke collections that are selling globally.

Ms Trinco informed the audience that “When it is your brand you are the best person to sell it” and also that it is "Important to have multi level retailing so if one falls over your company doesn't".

Ms Fox encouraged the audience in social media etiquette and said that “Negative feedback is not something you should tear down.  You should use it as an opportunity.  Respond quickly, honestly and stay within your brand”.  She also said that in relation to Shoes of Prey, “Customer service is not an operations expense but a marketing expense”.

The event concluded with informal networking, which is an integral part of the success to the Women in Business Mentoring Program offered by NSW Trade & Investment.

The prize includes:

• $10,000 worth of branding and marketing support -  DKM Blue’s team of experts will provide the winning business a complete brand overhaul.  This will include consulting on Design, branding, web, and business overview as well mentoring.  Depending on the winner and their flexibility / willingness to change – they may even implement certain aspects of the recommendations (such as design the website / print their business cards etc) 
• 2 days shadowing Dorry Kordahi with work experience in his company including mentor time on business and marketing
• Economy flight for the business owner to Sydney if required
• 2 nights accommodation in Sydney  hotel
• A copy of the inspirational book  “Power to Act” by Dorry Kordahi
• 15 hours with a professional Business Development Manager to support the winner and help he or she navigate their way through the grants and opportunities available to them 
• 10 hour Business Mentoring and workshop program following the initial phase – which includes assistance in Business Planning, Financials and other specialist topics.

Sponsored by

The winner will be notified on 20 June 2011, please read the terms and conditions.

Expressions of Interest are sought from local councils, chambers of commerce, business enterprise centres, industry associations and not-for-profit organisations to register to deliver streams of Industry & Investment NSW’s Business Mentoring Program. Organisations that are outside this scope will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Organisations can register their interest to deliver any or all of the following streams over the next three years:

• Young Entrepreneur Mentoring – MentorMate
• Women in Business Mentoring
• Small Business Mentoring

Each stream runs for up to five months and has four integrated components:

• 15 hours of business skills workshops;
• 10 hours of mentoring;
• working on a special business project or outcome; and
• networking.

Program outcomes for participants include:

• improving business management skills for small business owners/managers
• identifying and facilitating business growth strategies for small businesses; and
• providing opportunities for small business owners/managers to network and develop strategic alliances.

Helping you to overcome these challenges is a key focus for us in 2011 and we have joined forces with Deloitte Private to do just that. Business MasterClass is a program dedicated to helping SMEs thrive. Key elements of the program include:

• An exclusive calendar of breakfast seminars with subject-matter experts from Deloitte and industry;
• Secrets of my success: lessons from some of the region’s business leaders;
• World-class leadership development, combining seminars and online content exclusive to Business MasterClass members;
• Connect and collaborate with entrepreneurs and senior executives across the region via the MasterClass Online community; and
• Site tours and seminars hosted by leading local businesses.

A full calendar of events will be available shortly.

We are pleased to announce our first event will feature Mr Tom Roche, CEO of SNP Security Pty Ltd, who will share one of Western Sydney's most outstanding business success stories. This breakfast seminar will be held on Wednesday, 9 February from 7.30am. Click here for more details of this event.

We hope to welcome you as members of the Business MasterClass community.

The ‘Born n Bred’ business cluster companies between them employ 24 people and have a turnover of $1.5 million a year.

Business clusters provide a great opportunity for companies to combine their diverse skills and their capital to create something new and exciting in their specific business sector.

The group was keen to find a way to prove to both Australian consumers and local product developers that domestically manufactured garments can be both high quality and competitively priced.

The Made Right Here label is their first venture together.

The new label’s first product range will be in the kid’s fashion segment, against some tough competition from offshore manufacturers.

$10,000 of NSW Government funding for the cluster will support the development of a new website, design of the new Made Right Here label and the production of samples.

The Strategic Business Clusters Program supports business clusters and networks of small to medium businesses to achieve competitive advantage in local or international markets. Three levels of financial support are available via a competitive application process:

Business Network - $5,000 in matched funding to create business opportunities
for their members.

Business Cluster - $10,000 in matched funding for the establishment or development of a business cluster to achieve competitive advantage.

Business Cluster Project - $30,000 in matched funding to existing clusters for specific cluster activity that increases employment, improves productivity and competition, and promotes innovation.

Applications must be received by 5pm on Friday 25 June 2010. Click here for further information, phone 1300 134 359 or email clusters@business.nsw.gov.au.

The successful applications showcased creation of jobs, increase in learning and development for business owners and specialised projects in industry specific areas. 

The successful applications are:

Business Network Support

Bankstown Business and Industry Network
Glenbrook Brooklands Chamber of Commerce /Hazelbrook Village
Penrith Local Man In Van
Sydney Women's Network
Lithgow Business Association
Mudgee Fine Foods Inc
North Coast Business Road Show
Southern Highlands Small Business Group
Women in Business Network

Business Cluster Support

Australian Fashion Export Cluster - Ethics, Sustainability and the Green Consumer
Broken Bay & Tributaries Boating Industry / Broken Bay Explorer
Aboriginal Fashion & Creativity Cluster
Creative Industries (Hunter) Cluster
Cultural / Creative Industry
Echuca Moama Builders
Golden Gecko Flowers
Nambucca Vehicle Body Manufacturing Cluster
The Entrance Town Centre Cluster

Business Cluster Project Support

Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon Tourism Indigenous Program / Greater Blue Mountains Drive
Essential Animation / The Model Animation Project
LEAN Network Kaizen Blitz / Kaizen Blitz in NSW
Western Sydney IT Cluster
Hume Lean Network Inc. / Lean Business Systems Review and Development

If you are interested in being part of the above networks/clusters, email clusters@business.nsw.gov.au. The next funding round will open on May 31 2010 and close on June 25 2010.  

NSW Manufacturing Week aims to inspire and encourage manufacturers to be innovative and to develop their ideas.

It offers a wide range of workshops, seminars and site visits designed to inform small to medium enterprises of the latest ideas to grow and evolve their businesses.

You can attend events in

• Sydney Metropolitan
• Western Sydney
• Central West NSW
• Hunter
• Mid North Coast NSW
• Murray
• Orana
• Riverina
• South East NSW

The Program
NSW Manufacturing Week 2010 highlights best practice techniques, strategies and case studies.

It will identify and discuss some of the major opportunities available to manufacturers from:

• marketing and communications
• logistics and supply chains
• human resources and upgrading skills; and
• sustainability and innovation.

Topics presented by industry experts during NSW Manufacturing Week include:

• manufacturing business performance
• the future of technology
• lean manufacturing
• future directions for Australian industry
• the global economic outlook
• can your product be exported?
• women in manufacturing
• and much, much more.

Western Sydney Manufacturing Leaders Forum
The Western Sydney Manufacturing Leaders Forum headlines NSW Manufacturing Week 2010. To be held on Monday 3 May, the forum will examine challenges arising from the Global Financial Crisis and innovative sustainable manufacturing strategies. It includes an industry panel discussion featuring leading Australian industry and Government speakers.

Site visits
Site visits are an opportunity for you to inspect some of the more interesting businesses contributing to the manufacturing sector in your region, examine how they become successful, and to identify potential strategic alliances.

The Small Business Development Corporation of NSW is a part-time advisory body to the NSW Government on small business policy, issues and programs. The Corporation has been operating since 1984 and has provided invaluable assistance to the role of NSW Minister for Small Business.

The Corporation is constituted under the Small Business Development Corporation Act 1984 which requires the membership of the Corporation to be reviewed and appointed every three years. The term of the current Corporation will expire in September 2010 and expressions of interest are sought to constitute the 2010-2013 Corporation.
 
Any such persons are strongly encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest application.

The Selection Criteria to be considered for nomination include:

• extensive and successful history as a small business owner/manager;
• demonstrated networks with small businesses in the relevant industry sectors;
• business, professional and/or technical qualifications relevant to small business development;
• proven leadership skills/abilities;
• knowledge and understanding of policy issues affecting the operation of small business sector in NSW;
• past experience on private or public sector boards is preferable.

Interested persons should obtain an Expression of Interest Information package prior to submitting their application (see below) and are also available from Melissa Green on 02 9338 6770 or Melissa.Green@business.nsw.gov.au.

The closing date for expressions of interest is COB, Friday 28 May 2010 with a possibility of extension for one week.

Changes are being made this year to help small businesses by allowing them to plan their capital purchases and maximise cash flow. From 1 July, the Federal Government is changing the asset write off provisions for all small businesses and the changing depreciation arrangements for other assets - saving time, money and paperwork.

This means small businesses will be able to immediately write off all new assets values under $6,500.

For example, if a small business buys a computer for $3,000, they can immediately write off the cost of the computer. This means the business can claim a deduction for $3,000 in the first year in its tax return, as opposed to $450 in the first year under the current arrangements. In addition they will be able to write off up to $5,000 for new motor vehicles, meaning increased cash flow.

A tradesman on a 30 per cent marginal tax rate buying a new $33,960 ute would receive an extra benefit of $1,275 in the year they purchased it. The rest of the purchase value can be transferred into the general small business depreciation pool, which will be depreciated at 15 per cent in the first year and 30 per cent in later years.

Click here for more information.

The $800 million Clean Technology Investment Program and the $200 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program will provide grants to help manufacturers buy new plant and equipment which cuts their energy costs or reduces carbon pollution.

Eligible manufacturers can apply for funding under the programs immediately.

The Federal Government has also announced it will change co-contribution requirements to make the grant programs more attractive for small and medium-sized firms.

• Manufacturers with turnovers of less than $100 million requesting funding under $500,000 will now only have to match the Government grants on a dollar for dollar basis.
• For all other grants under $10 million, applicants will be expected to contribute $2 for every $1 from the Government.
• For grants of $10 million or more, applicants will be expected to make a co-contribution of at least $3 for each $1 of Government support.

Projects that can be supported include switching to less carbon intensive energy sources or installing new manufacturing equipment, processes and facilities to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Information on the Clean Technology Programs will be held around Australia from March 2012.

For more information visit www.ausindustry.gov.au or call teh AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46.

The grants, totalling $2.5 million, are to help small businesses in the TCF sector improve their productivity and give them an edge to compete with overseas manufacturers.

The grants are part of a $406 million total Federal Government package to transform the TCF sector.

Applications for Round 7 close on 24 February 2012.

AusIndustry will run workshops nationally to assist businesses applying for the program in early February 2012. Businesses can register for these workshops on AusIndustry's website.

Potential applicants should visit www.ausindustry.gov.au for more information or call the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au.