ITeC is member of the national network of Business Enterprise Centres servicing the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands and Far South Coast.

BEC Australia is a not-for-profit organisation whose primary role is to support and grow the national network of Business Enterprise
Centres and provide representation on behalf of its members to key stakeholders.

Through the range of Business Services provided by ITeC, we are able to support and assist small business through all stages of
development including linking into extensive business networks and providing personalised mentoring services. 

Through ITeC Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) we can provide you with business advice, training, seminars,
business services and networking opportunities. Whether you are a new start up business or an existing business,
we provide confidential and professional advice to help you realise the full potential of your business. 

ITeC can help your business in more ways than you might think. We do this through providing the following: 

• One-on-one business advice, counselling and mentoring - our highly experienced business facilitators can provide support and advice through personalised, confidential, one-on-one sessions.
• Continually offering professional and also industry specific training to help both the business owner and staff increase their skills ie marketing, financial management, business planning plus many others – click here for the latest workshops and training courses on offer.
• We coordinate several networking events through the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and South Coast of NSW to allow you to promote your business and also gain specific business skills to help grow your business.  Contact our office if you would like a copy of the latest networking events run in the region and also to get a copy of the Six Steps To Business Networking.
• Access to Illawarra ITeC Business News fortnightly newsletter – keeps you up to date with the latest business training happening in the Region and latest business advice and assistance. 
• We have extensive networks into Government and Business / Industry Associations for up to date information.   Contact us today to receive information.  
• Access to Business Benchmarks – through the National BEC Association we are able to provide free information to help you benchmark your business against other businesses in Australia. 
  
• Access to a National Network of Business Advisors – if you have a question that we can’t find the answer too, then we have a whole national network of advisors that we can call on.  

For more information on Business Enterprise Centres Australia click here.

WOLLONGONG Email: ibec@illawarraitec.com.au Phone: (02) 4223 3100

SHOALHAVEN & FAR SOUTH COAST Email: sbec@illawarraitec.com.au Phone: (02) 4223 3100

Perhaps you're not sure which way your business should go. You might be looking for ways to reconnect with your customers, boost productivity, or your bottom line. You may be a start-up, or you might feel like there's nowhere left to grow.

Are you in receipt of a Centrelink benefit? Would you like to start your own business but not sure where to start? ITeC’s New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) program can help.

The NEIS program is a self-employment program funded by the Department of Education,

Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). NEIS helps eligible people become self supporting and independent of Centrelink by establishing and running their own small business.

Come in and meet with one of our specialist business mentors to discuss the viability of your business idea.

• Complete a FREE Certificate III in Micro Business Operations 
• Access 12 months of NEIS allowance payments through DEEWR, financially assisting you through the first year of your new business 
• Receive ongoing business mentoring and support, access to networking events, business development seminars and much, much more.

The Aboriginal Enterprise Development Officer Program aims to assist Aboriginal people in establishing locally created and viable businesses and offers mobile business services throughout the Illawarra, Southern Highland and Far South Coast.
The AEDO program targets Aboriginal people who either wish to become self-employed or who are self-employed and require small business support. 

Here is what ITeC's AEDO can do to help you:

• Assist in the development of a business plan
  
• Link you in with training opportunities and complementary programs
  
• Arrange accredited small business training
  
• Provide information and support on financial management
  
• Provide ongoing mentoring once your business is up and running
  
• Provide information on how to apply for funding

The AEDO program is a FREE service provided by the NSW Department of Education and Communities.

Regular workshops include:

SMALL BUSINESS BASICS

Are you thinking of starting a small business but confused about where to start? 

The Small Business Basics workshop outlines the steps that you need to take to properly research
your business idea and establish your business. You will also be provided with a plethora of free
small business resources. These workshops regularly in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven and Far South Coast regions.

MARKETING WORKSHOP

It is not enough to just have a fantastic product or service; you also need to be able to understand
how to market your product or service to potential customers and clients. 

This workshop will help you understand the different aspects of marketing, how your product / service
fit into the whole market and how you can market your business more effectively.

We will discuss:

• Conducting Market Research
• Who is Your Target Market
• How to Compete Against Your Competitors and Win
• The Four P’s of Marketing
• SWOT Analysis
• Requirements of Developing a Marketing Plan

BASIC BOOKKEEPING WORKSHOP

It is very important for any small business owner to know how to keep sound financial records but
more importantly understand how to use those financial reports to make informed decisions.

Effective business networking links together businesses who essentially become walking talking advertisements for one another.

Business networking is an effective, low cost marketing method for developing business opportunities and contacts based on referrals and introductions. This can be done face to face at meetings and gatherings, or by other methods such as telephone, email or business network websites.

There are many different types of networking groups. Some are structured, others are more casual. Some focus on exchanging referrals, while others encourage self promotion. Different types of networking groups work well for different types of people and different types of businesses. It’s simply about finding the networking group that’s right for your personality. Once you find the right group, you’ll also find the most appropriate networking leads for your business.

Networking events in your area include:

ILLAWARRA                                                         

• Wollongong Small Business Club
• Shellharbour City Business Network
• Kiama Business Forum
• Illawarra Business Chambers
• Illawarra Women in Business - Lunch meetings, Coffee Club & Business over Bubbles
• 4 Networking
• JCI Illawarra
• Business Networking International
• Illawarra Networking Group
• Northern Illawarra Chamber
• Kiama Chamber
• Gerringong Small Business Network
• Corrimal Chamber
• Albion Park Chamber
• Port Kembla Chamber

SHOALHAVEN & FAR SOUTH COAST

• Shoalhaven Small Business Club
• BegaValleySmall Business Club
• Eurobodalla Business Forum
• Business after hours (Shoalhaven Business Chamber members only)
• Shoalhaven Business Chamber (Southern Area)

Contact ITeC to discuss which networking event would suit you and your business.

Working with Small Business across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Far South Coast- Small Business Clubs assists local business operators develop their businesses through education, networking and keeping up with issues affecting the small business sector.

With a focus on generating strong business networks, cross referrals and developing industry currency, the Wollongong Small Business Club, Shoalhaven Small Business Club and Bega Valley Small Business Club bring you keynote speakers who engage, educate and inspire.

The Wollongong Small Business Club meet on the first Tuesday of every month at the Villa Dora Function Centre, commencing at 5.30pm.

Schedule for the Bega Valley and Shoalhaven Small Business Clubs are to be advised shortly. 

Click here for more information on past guest speakers of the Small Business Club.