ZaaBiz Blog

From the Interceptor to Pricilla, Australian culture is all about the wide open roads, and the machines that drive them. So it’s no surprise that the Federal Government is focusing its attentions on the nation’s failing automotive industry – it’s a matter of national pride! (Even though there is no guarantee that the money will stay on Australian soil).

Industry Minister, Kim Carr (vrooooom) along with KevinPM have dedicated $13 million to Ford, and are investing a further $21 million to find research and design of a more fuel efficient motor.

The result is that Ford will not be shutting the doors of its Geelong motor manufacturing plant in 2010 as planned.

This follows the announcement of a $6.2 billion assistance package over 13 years, and $1.3 billion to be placed in a ‘green car’ fund. There are differing reports over whether the new Ford funding is sourced from the original $6.2 billion plan – but it is most likely a ‘parallel’ plan.

The ongoing operation of Ford’s Geelong plant is a sign of the “significant commitment” Rudd and Carr expected from the automotive industry when they announced the original plan. The move will save 1300 jobs; 400 at Ford and up to 900 at its component suppliers.

There are issues, however, with the new plan slightly contradicting the reasons listed by Ford to shut the plant in the first place. And there is still no commitment from the car company to keep it local and continue producing the Falcon in Australia.

According to Carr, this heralds a new era of collaboration between the unions, government and industry – following the current trend for modern industry and business to operate under a spirit of ‘fraternity’, rather than disjunction or competition - creating a strong and positive community.

The federal government has announced to cut tariffs on imported vehicles and spend more than 6bn Australian Dollars to help support the local automotive industry. The government aims to encourage investments that will lead to employment of 60,000 people working in the automotive industry, mainly for the two big manufacturers GM and Ford. This comes at a time, when GM announces that it will run out of money at the beginning of 2009, unless demand improves.

Imagine what you could do with 6bn Aussie Dollars invested in start-ups that focus on new innovative projects! You could really help Australia become a world leader in sustainable projects or technology subjects. Do we need to support these ‘old’ industries not knowing whether the money is ‘exported’ to its holding companies in the US? How can we change our thinking in Obama’s sense of changing the world with new, smart and innovative approaches? Is is better to throw money at the big boys or should we use this change to invest in aspiration, entrepreneurial spirit and the values of the small and medium sized business?

Tough questions and a long way to go for all of us.

In one week Baz Luhrmann’s long awaited epic Australia will hit film screens world-wide. Initial reviews are reminding all potential viewers one thing: Australia’s primary audience is certainly not Australians.

While, for most viewers, this will mean nothing more than the occasional cringe at one or more cultural clichés, for those of us who are marketing savvy this film represents the biggest advertisement of our sunburnt land since Paul Hogan put another shrimp on the barbie.

But Baz doesn’t have to be the only one reminding the world of where Australia is on a map. As a nation we have a wide range of industries to be proud of, from the agricultural (including winemaking and wool production) to fashion, education, and of course, tourism and hospitality.

As the Australian ZaaBiz community, we shouldn’t be subject to the Australia cultural cringe like everyone else. We will watch and smile and all be thinking of one thing: the opportunity to network on the global stage.

Signing off,

Louise.

This spring has shown amazing cricket matches between the leading two nations Australia and India. After an initial great start by the world’s No 1 Australian in Bangalore, the Indian team has certainly convinced all viewers with pace and precision. And after we saw a few Australian Greats retire this year, it is now the Indian team saying good-bye to Ganguly and Kumble, with everybody speculating how long the great Tendulkar will play for his country.

With this final match in Nagpur from today the 6th of November the Aussies have to win in order to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Follow the latest discussions in our ZaaBiz group “Crazy about Cricket“. This is the last game in this series, our ZaaBiz team of Indian and Australian nationals will watch with joy.

So this is the day, when Australians will drop their pens, move away from their computers or simply stop serving customers. It is the day that stops the nation, the one and only Melbourne Cup Day. Australians are BIG spenders when it comes to betting who will be the winner of the Melbourne Cup. Up to this morning, betting spend is up by 25% from last year, no sign of a recession at all. At the end of the day, this is Australia!

Every year, this horse race stops what Australians do, whether in Australia or abroad. The whole country is unapproachable for three minutes, only the mums that pick up their kids from public schools at 3pm are the ones, that have no chance to watch, although some schools now offer TVs in staff rooms as a remedy.

On such an important day, we know: networking stops too, just for these three minutes and guess what: there is plenty of networking going on after that, so let us enjoy our horse race and let us network before and after the Melbourne Cup.

Anabel

Networking is a must-have buzz word at the moment for small businesses. It is to a small business what multi-million dollar tv advertising is to a large corporate firms. It is THE way to get a business name in the open market place or to THE way to allow those with whom you interact to gain familiarity with your brand.

How many ways do you connect with people?

Yet networking remains an under utilised marketing tool for many engaged in business. Whilst one statistic suggests that around 70% of small businesses in Australia still do not have a website, the statistics for networking are more difficult to analyse. For starters everyone has a social network at least and no doubt those in your social network would know about your business. However, if this were the only networking done by a small business it could only be described as ineffective.

Not only should a business owner actively promote their business through the networks they are already part of, they should actively seek new networks in which to promote their brand. This can be through face-to-face interaction, ‘traditional’ forms of advertising and through online business networking. Online business networking is perhaps the most efficient way of promoting a brand through networking. You are able to easily reach many more people than you are via face-to-face networking and it can be done at your computer during some ‘down-time’ at work. Of course it should online networking should not replace other forms of networking altogether, it is important to commence with an online networking strategy promptly to maximise the benefits of this key tool for your business!

The forums on ZaaBiz are covering many actual topics. It is no wonder that we have many worried business owners ‘talking’ about the effects of the global credit crisis.

There clearly are major risks connected to this crisis for both the global and the Australian economies and where there is risk in an economy, there are risks for the businesses involved.

Our users have identified two main risks affecting small and medium sized businesses today: consumer (and investor) confidence in the current climate of insecurity and the availability and cost of finance. If my current customers stop investing or spending money on consumer goods, how do I as a business owner act on these actions? And the cost of finance with interest rates at a high (yes there was a rate cut in September, but compare that with rates late last year) and banks sitting tight may hinder your own investment capacity, let alone the chance to cover for your costs temporarily.

What is the solution: it’s not going to be easy and this current climate is here to stay, though: business owners are known to be creative, flexible and have proven to navigate through a crisis. Join our ZaaBiz groups and contribute; tell others what worked for you and let us share the good news.

The ZaaBiz team is growing: our latest two team members are Dushyant and Jay, both from India and both very savvy in answering requests from our Indian members worldwide.

For our Indian members from around the world

Our members from Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai or Delhi, London or San Francisco, they all bring their individual business experience into our network and our ZaaBiz team helps them do more business through the platform. We are empowering business networks: in Australia, India and globally. Sarah

Last week I have learnt, that in Australia about 650,000 women run their own business or are in charge of a company. Women make about one third of all business leaders in Australia, and this figure is growing.

Knowing this fact it is no wonder that the Women in Business Group on ZaaBiz is one of the strongest and most active micro communities. So do join and have your say: women in business on ZaaBiz!

Woman leading a group

Enjoy, Sarah

As the 2008 year flies past us we invite you once again to attend the next Sydney ZaaBiz Infusion Networking Night which will feature guest speaker Andy Jamieson.

Undeniably the words ‘online marketing’ appear in just about every company’s marketing strategy today. Getting your head around what’s on offer, what it costs and how it will work for your business can sometimes be a headache. How did it all come about? This month we’re giving our guests the opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s most talented online marketing minds speak about ‘Online Marketing and the Search Revolution’.

Andy Jamieson is the founder and director of Switched On Media, a growing boutique search marketing agency based in Sydney, Australia. Working with blue chip clients such as Canon, ABC Broadcasting, Procter & Gamble along with a host of SMEs such as ZaaBiz, Mozo and Niseko Power Connection, Andy Jamieson is an industry recognized speaker who has featured at events like CeBIT, AIMIA and B&T Digital Marketing.

Andy’s talent with the online marketing and SEO industry has seen him through various roles within Fairfax Digital and later becoming the Online Marketing of eBay Australia. With so much to tell and share, ZaaBiz and Infusion invite you, your colleagues and friends to attend this month’s Networking Night. An informally relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, complimented with a great speaker you won’t want to miss this one!

Date: Thursday 28th August, 2008
Time: Doors open 6:30pm for networking with speaker action from 7:15pm, networking resumes from 7:45 – 9:30pm
Venue: Angel Hotel, Level 2, 125 Pitt Street, SYDNEY 02 9240 3000
Cost: $15 when you pre-register your attendance, otherwise $20 door charge applies. Payment is made in cash on the night.