Did you know that networking currently accounts for 87% of business in the marketplace? People want to deal with people they know, like and trust. It’s not what you know but who you know. Networking is a great way to:

• meet potential customers and clients – lets face it we are all consumers
  
• build business alliances with other business so that they can refer to you
  
• check out what your competitors are doing
  
• learn new skills and tips from the high profile business speakers

There are lots of different business networking events that you can attend – large or small groups, morning, lunch time and evening events. To find out what networking is all about and what groups you can attend, contact Virginia in the Wollongong office on (02) 4223 3100 or virginia@illawarraitec.com.au, or contact Lynnette Kearney in the Shoalhaven on (02) 4423 3417 or lynnette@illawarraitec.com.au.

WOLLONGONG SMALL BUSINESS CLUB 

• Tuesday 6th March 2012 at Villa D'Oro Function Centre (39-41 Flinders Street, Wollongong). 5.15pm for a 5.30pm start.  

$25.00 per person + $0.30 booking fee. Finger food provided, buy your own drinks.

To improve your profit and cash flow you first need to understand how it works in your business.

In this 3 hour Professional Development Workshop Rob Lockhart, from the Davidson Institute will take you through an introduction of how understanding your financial statements and other business principles can make your business more successful.
Rob breaks down the jargon to make it easy to understand and uses case studies for hands on practice. During this session you will gain a greater understanding of:

• The importance of financials in business plans and day to day business
• The Financial Operating Cycle
• The Cash Flow Cycle
• How to measure success (financial ratios)
• The relationship between Price, Volume and Costs (Break - Even Analysis)

All business owners or people who manage a business can benefit from this session.

Bookings are essential for catering purposes. To register, go to www.trybooking.com/20550 and enter your details.

Registration must be received by Friday 2nd March 2012.

BEGA VALLEY SMALL BUSINESS CLUB

Topic: Legal Issues & Pitfalls of Running an Online Business - Presented by Peter Tierney Lawyers, Bega 

• Tuesday 21st February 2012 at Club Sapphire, Merimbula. Networking starts at 5.45pm to 8.00pm
  
• Wednesday 22nd February 2012 at Bega Cheese Heritage Centre, Bega. Networking starts 5.45pm to 8.00pm

FREE TO ATTEND! Finger food, tea and coffee provided.

The internet provides great opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses however, doing business online presents unique challenges. The internet allows marketing of your goods or services to the world, so it is important to consider the rights and responsibilities you have when dealing with customers as they could be anybody or anywhere.

If your contract is contained in  your website, you need to ask yourself “Is this good enough?” if you are unsure or the answer is "no" then it is no good for a completely online sale.

Bookings are essential for catering purposes. Contact Bonnie at ITeC Nowra on (02) 4423 3417 or email her at southcoast@illawarraitec.com.au

Check out the Bega Valley Small Business Club website at www.bvsbc.org.au for more details.