In any business, no matter how large or small, I can best describe that their core strength lies in a "network" of people interacting, from all levels and departments. Each person performing their individual tasks, communicating and working with each other, leads to an effective, professional business.

I believe the best marketing tool is "networking" or face to face communicating with other professional business people. I am proud to be a member of several Chamber of Commerce in the region, because a Chamber of Commerce is a form of business network. It is a local organisation of businesses whose goal is to further the interest of businesses, or a local society advocating on behalf of the business community.

The first Chamber of Commerce was founded in Marseille, France as long ago as 1599. It was another sixty five years before another official Chamber of Commerce was established in Belgium. The oldest English speaking Chamber was established in New York City in 1768. Still existing today with a history of continuous records, is the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce founded in 1783.

These historical facts prove how effective Chamber of Commerce can be, given how long the organisations have survived. Often Chambers titles can include the words"Chamber of Commerce and Industry", to reflect the fact that they cover a myriad of businesses from a variety of different industries. Local businesses join as members, and they elect a board of directors or executive council to set policy for the Chamber. The Board or Council then hires a President, CEO or Executive Director, plus staffing appropriate to size, to run the organisation as a not-for-profit member organisation.

What exactly does a Chamber of Commerce do?

The main task of the Chamber is as a consultative function. Business planning –strategy, operations and processes, are vital elements for businesses that the Chamber representatives are often well versed in. Chambers assist businesses of all sizes to manage growth by recommending vocational training, recruitment services and occupational health and safety advice. Chambers can help with people/human resource management, plus offer advice on marketing services. Larger chambers may even advise on international trade.

Lyn Thompson
Editor

The Gosford City Basketball & Sports Stadium (GCBSS) is a perhaps an undiscovered gem amongst venues on the Central Coast. Well known by the Basketball community and Terrigal locals, but often receiving an exclamation of "where?", when mentioned to other people on the coast, the GCBSS officially opened in 1993.

Situated in Duffys Rd, Terrigal off Terrigal Drive, the stadium was constructed with assistance from Gosford City Council and the NSW State and Australian Federal Governments. However, the bulk of the funds were by way of a loan from the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation and the loan is still being repaid today.

The Stadium receives no ongoing financial assistance from the Local, State or Federal Governments and is managed as a not-for-profit organisation, under the direction of the Board of Directors. The inaugural board of Directors were: Bob Liubinskas, Max Perry, Jill Tweddie, Christine Patterson, Len Goodwin, John Spath and Terry Henstock. These people were instrumental in establishing the GCBSS as one of the leading indoor sports venues in NSW.

The Stadium

The Stadium, is now known as Bridgecoast Stadium, as Bridgecoast Finance secured the naming rights sponsorship.

Bridgecoast Stadium has a floor area of over 3,600 square metres. Consisting of two halls, it can be configured as four basketball courts, three netball courts, three indoor soccer pitches or three volleyball courts as well as suiting many other sports.

Bridgecoast Stadium has the capacity to stage major exhibitions and events by providing, tiered seating for over 850 spectators, off-street parking for 150 cars and designated bus parking, wheel chair access and disabled showers and toilets, two large change rooms plus official's change rooms, and a First Aid room with facilities. In addition the Stadium has a fully appointed canteen with a wide range of products. Catering for functions can also be provided.

On site you will find a Pro shop, for all your sporting needs. A Creche with child minding facilities is available. Finally two meeting rooms, one holding up to 200 people seated theatre style, on the mezzanine level, are added bonuses for smaller functions or breakout rooms at conventions or seminars.

Where the Stadium is today

Warren Wilson, Director Bridgecoast Stadium, said, "Over 2,000 members are registered with the Stadium. Currently over 275 domestic teams compete in a variety of basketball and netball competitions. This translates to over 3,000 weekly visitors to the Stadium. The Basketball competition caters for under 8's, through to Senior men and women competitions. The Netball competition includes Junior and Senior women".

"Of teams competing in Basketball NSW sanctioned state wide competitions, we are home to the Gosford City Rebels, our junior representative program and the Central Coast Crusaders, our Senior Representative program. The Stadium provides regular development opportunities for local schools by offering a quality development program, which promotes basketball as well as encouraging an active, healthy lifestyle", Mr Wilson said.

And tomorrow........

At the recent Buy Local Festival with a Twist, Business 2 Business Editor, Lyn Thompson, caught-up with local NRMA Motoring & Services Director, Kyle Loades. Kyle is also the Managing Director of Auto Advantage – an organisation helping people on the Central Coast save time, money and stress when buying a car.

• Q: How did you come up with the idea for Auto Advantage?
• A: "I established Auto Advantage in 2001, after working with one of Australia's leading regional motor vehicle sales organisations. After a great deal of research, I realised there was a business opportunity to provide people with a way of finding and buying cars easily and at a lower cost".


• Q: How do you help people save money?
• A: "Auto Advantage uses its independent purchasing power to negotiate substantial savings. This is achieved by receiving volume discounts from dealers, because of the significant number of vehicles that we purchase. Some customers have saved hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars depending on the car and options they chose".
• Q: How much does your service cost?
• A: "Our service is absolutely free to car buyers, as we receive our fee from the dealer"


• Q: Are you really independent?
• A: "Auto Advantage is completely independent and not aligned to any motor dealer or manufacturer, allowing us to give professional advice to all aspects of your car purchase on any make or model. Our independence gives customers confidence to use us as a "sounding board" to help determine the most appropriate vehicle for them".
• Q: How does Auto Advantage save time and stress for people buying cars?
• A: "We do everything for you – shopping around dealers, finding the best car for your needs, arranging test drives, and negotiating the best deal. This takes away peoples stress of negotiating with car dealers. We can source any vehicle make or model, new or used, from across Australia or imported from overseas. Vehicles can even be taken to the customer's house or work for assessment and final delivery".


• Q: What's on offer for businesses?
• A: "Auto Advantage can help businesses with fleet purchase and management, including independent advice on how to effectively reduce your operating costs of vehicle fleet, whether it is one car or 100, new or used. We offer car pricing comparisons, residual risk management, servicing costs and finance option plus give independent advice on motor vehicles as part of salary packaging arrangements".
• Q: What does your NRMA role entail on the Central Coast?
• A: "As an elected board member I work to represent the interests of about 100,000 members on the Coast. This includes regular meetings with regional stakeholders including Local, State and Federal politicians, Chamber of Commerce, business and special interest groups. In 2010 I was proud to deliver the inaugural NRMA Transport Plan called "Get the Central Coast Moving". The integrated Plan outlines how improved roads, transport infrastructure and cycling facilities can meet the demands of today and a future population growth of 100, 000 people".

Buying a car is easy with Auto Advantage phone 4365 7572.

Adele Alessio - Branch Manager

"Firstly I would like to say thank you to Lyn Thompson, Events with a Twist, festival co-ordinator, for hosting the Central Coast Buy Local Festival with a Twist, 2011" said Adele Alessio, Branch Manager, Wyong Community Bank® Branch of Bendigo Bank.

"The event was outstanding, with more than 200 businesses from across the Central Coast joining together on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 of April, at the Bridgecoast Stadium, Terrigal" she commented. Local businesses were given the opportunity to showcase their products and services to local residents, visitors to our region and most of all, to each other.

"The networking that occurred on both days between local businesses was excellent. There was a real, positive vibe inside and outside of the stadium. Everyone was really friendly and supportive of each other", Mrs Alessio said. She continued to say "The number of potential customers that I had the opportunity to speak with, about our Community Bank® branch, was fantastic. I couldn't have asked for a better result with prospective customer leads over $4.2M"! On the Central Coast there are five Community Bank® branches - Wyong, East Gosford, Lisarow, Kincumber and Ettalong.

Community Bank® branches provide communities with more than quality banking services – they deliver employment opportunities for local people, keep local capital in the community, are a local investment option for shareholders and provide a source of revenue for important community projects determined by the local community. "The concept of purchasing Community Bank® products and services locally on the Central Coast reflects the concept of the festival". "If all our shopping was done locally, it will help the region's economy. Everyone can benefit from buying locally" said Mrs Alessio.

Since formalising our exciting new business partnership with Business 2 Business With a Twist just over two months ago, we have already achieved a lot.

Already the partnership has opened the door for us to enhance our exposure of the Central Coast Academy of Sport within our local community and we have been fortunate to meet a number of key contacts within other local organisations, who are also involved with Business 2 Business With a Twist.

Fellow platinum partner Job Centre Australia have come on board as a community partner of the Central Coast Academy of Sport thanks to an introduction through Business 2 Business With a Twist to Job Centre Australia's NSW Marketing Manager Paul Stanton.

Paul and I met to provide each other with further information on what we do and it didn't take long for us to realise that our involvement in the community is very like-minded and that there was a natural link between our organistaions – hence the formalisation of our exciting new community partnership.

In the autumn edition of the Business 2 Business With a Twist publication, I mentioned that we were preparing to take a touring squad of over 100 local athletes, coaches and officials to Armidale for the 2011 ClubsNSW Academy Games. I'm delighted to report back that this was again a very successful tour where we were able to showcase the professionalism of our representatives not only on the sporting field, but also in the way we present ourselves and represent our region off the field.

Our boys and girls basketball squads again showed the strength of our program when matched up against the other regional academies of sport from around the state, whilst our golf, netball and rugby athletes also finished with impressive results.

Since returning from Armidale, we were involved with the Buy Local Festival for the second year running – this year as a major sponsor of the event thanks to our new partnership with Business 2 Business With a Twist. The Buy Local Festival again provided us with a great opportunity to further expose our brand and to provide information to other local businesses and personnel – many who have seen us around, but don't have a true understanding of the important role we play within the local community.

An exciting new initiative we have just introduced is our brand new online store, which provides not only our scholarship athletes and coaches, but also the general public with a one-stop online sports store offering great prices on a wide range of products thanks to our official suppliers.

The new online store can be accessed through our official website at www.thinksport.com.au. As always, we are on the look-out for additional sponsors and supporters across a range of different levels ranging from major business partners to official suppliers, so if you're interested, please don't hesitate to contact me on (02) 4349 7756 or luke@thinksport.com.au to arrange a chat.

Yours in Sport;

Luke Tucker
Executive Officer

Central Coast Academy of Sport

www.thinksport.com.au
Facebook - www.facebook.com/CentralCoastAcademyOfSport
Twitter – www.twitter.com/ccasport

Answer: Chris De Havilland!

Chris is employed by corporations around the world to create brand awareness and guarantee 'front of mind' recall to staff, clients or potential consumers. Usually unconventional and almost always using humour, Chris is also often asked to present in serious mode.

Ten years ago, the world's number one global corporation, had its greatest exponential growth of sales of any product, through any territory, in its one hundred year history. Why? Their management stated, "Chris opened doors!" Chris thinks laterally on the clients behalf - he thinks both "offline" (live situations) and "online"(internet). He entertains, trains, motivates and creates ways to get his clients' brands seen and retained in the marketplace.

The public speaking skills course that he conducts with long-time friend and educator David Nore, has now been endorsed by the W.A. Liberal Party as beneficial for all its members. Chris has starred in TV, radio and press commercials. For 10 years he was the face of Toyota on the west coast, taking them to number one, ahead of Ford and GMH within 18 months. Last year on 60 Minutes Chris featured with his Baby Boomers entertainment events.

In June he is heading for Perth to morph into Mikhail Gorbachev and share the stage with the Dalai Lama in front of 10,000 people, as part of a global internet campaign of viral videos on You Tube. So that answers the Toyota and Gorbachev parts of the question. Those who attended the Buy Local Festival or saw the TV ads on Prime7, saw Chris bring his version of Ozzy Osbourne to life to inject some fun into business.

Contact Chris on 0416-173-711,
email Chris@ChrisDeHavilland.com
or view at www.ChrisDeHavilland.com

Paul Stanton - Marketing Manager NSW

Job Centre Australia is a local Disability Employment Service and one of the proud sponsors of the recent Buy Local Festival with a Twist, held at Terrigal on 29th and 30th April.

The festival showcased the great variety of goods and services available on the Central Coast with over 200 sites and over 7,000 people through the doors. This is just the start! We all now need to support the cause and in doing so, stimulate job growth on the Central Coast.

Information from the Central Coast Research Foundation shows that the unemployment rate on the Central Coast is now at 6.3%. This is a sobering 1.4% higher than the national average at 4.9% (ABS April 2011). It is therefore more important than ever for all of us to keep buying local to boost the Coasts' economy and increase job opportunities.

Being a part of the Central Coast community for twenty years, Job Centre Australia has assisted many Central Coast employers, most of whom are small businesses or sole traders, who rely on the support of other local businesses and consumers. It is this local support that has helped the Central Coast region develop into the great place it is today.

The Central Coast employment base is also highly dependent on consumer spending with Retail Trade being the second highest employment by industry at 12.9% (ABS Monthly Labour Force Survey). We have many great retail outlets on our doorstep that offer a diverse range of goods, so there is no better way to support the local community than to shop where you live.

The Buy Local Festival with a Twist, was a showcase of businesses found in the great place we live in. Let's "Work, Stay and Play local" to help the Central Coast grow and if you can, give someone local "a go" and employ a new staff member through Job Centre Australia. If you would like more information on how Job Centre Australia can help you find the right staff for your business needs, all at no cost.

Contact Job Centre Australia on 4322 5511 or visit their website at:
www.jobcentreaustralia.com.au

Tried and trusted! LBH Promotions We are the local letterbox distribution company!

If the right principles and strategies are used, letterbox deliveries can be an extremely effective, successful and profitable marketing tool. Letterbox distribution is a cost effective way to have your message delivered to your market.

LBH have been established on the Central Coast for over 16 years. We started as a one person operative to a company now distributing material Australia-wide. LBH is owned by locals, employs local people and pride ourselves on having a personal relationship with our supervisors and walkers.

Providing the full service - Graphic Design, Print and Distribution, one of the LBH team can sit down and have a chat about your business needs and how to market and brand your business. We offer competitive prices for all printing needs – business cards, flyers, invoice books, etc. And have the LOCAL knowledge to assist you in choosing your target areas for distribution. LBH not only deliver your marketing message to the consumer but will also discuss marketing strategies with you to ensure you reach your intended market. Servicing small to large businesses we can deliver from 1000 to a million flyers. We offer a hands-on approach – one of our team can pick-up the flyers from you (free on the Central Coast) and answer any of your concerns. Testimonials from our happy clients can be viewed on their website and include.

Marks Fresh Fruit and Veg

• "Since using your service over the last 2 years our business has grown to the point where we have had to relocate to larger premises."Di & Lee

• "...Without any doubt the impact of the switch to LBH Promotions has helped sales and customer growth in all 3 of our locations. The results are a staggering double digit sales growth over the last 12 months. The most amazing impact is that there is no need for us to ask Suzy when the leaflet has been distributed because the amount of redemption in the first couple of days is extraordinary. This type of redemption was never achieved when using the 2 big distributors..." Gavin Kruck Managing Director GT Management Group

• "LBH promotions have distributed our Catalogues since we purchased our business in 2005. As a business owner you have many things you need to organise, and it great to be able to contact LBH, our catalogues are sent directly to them and they look after the letter box drops for us. It is very convenient, and also knowing they are actually being distributed and not thrown in bins is a relief. Tried and trusted."Jacqui Morris

• "We are a new business yet to be established on the Central Coast and we have found that the months since using LBH Promotions' services have been our busiest months with both sales and enquiries. It goes to show that LBH is a very responsible and reliable distribution company and we appreciate their efforts entirely. It is always a pleasure to deal with the staff members at LBH and we would have no hesitations in recommending their company and its services to any other business. We fully intend to keep using LBH in our future… " The Team @ One Stop Pine

Contact LBH Promotions on (02) 4392 8550 or contact@lbhpromotions.com.au to discuss how we can assist you in delivering your message to the consumer. More information about LBH Promotions can be found at www.lbhpromotions.com.au

The Pavier Family has owned and operated amusement equipment for over three generations. Serving the amusement and catering needs of organisations, shows and groups, from their Central Coast base, they take great pride in providing a wide range of amusements and catering vans for school fetes, community events, along with private and corporate events.

A family business, including third generation showmen, the Paviers (members of the Showmen Guild of Australia), have over sixty years of experience in the entertainment/amusement industry. Wow – that's a lot of fun! But they do take fun seriously with a commitment to their clients to provide professional, reliable and above all safe service, with the provision of quality rides, games and amusements.

"We have an impeccable safety record. All of our amusement rides comply with the AS3533.2-1997 standard, and are rigorously maintained, inspected and cleaned" said representative Amanda Hicks.

Pavier Amusements endeavours to continue to supply innovative and unique amusement rides – take the "Wizard Flight" for example. A magnificent "Harry Potter" style children's ride. The only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere it is quite impressive. The ride cars swing sideways, whilst the ride goes forward giving two sensations at the same time - a thrill ride for the young ones and the young at heart.

"All of our amusements and food outlets are supplied with fully trained staff who have completed "Hazard and Risk Control" procedures covering all of our equipment. Staff are instructed on how all our equipment operates, so they are fully trained and clearly aware of all safety issues", Amanda explained. Attending the Buy Local Festival we could not believe how the staff remained effervescent and friendly, even as the rain continued to pour down!

So if you want to amuse your patrons, clients or children – think Pavier Amusements! Phone 4388 3339 or visit www.pavier.com.au

Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDA Central Coast) was proud to be a Major Supporter of the 2011 Buy Local Festival with a Twist. In terms of business growth and development, this is an important event for small businesses on the Central Coast.

There was a very positive atmosphere and feel good buzz at the Festival as local businesses came together to showcase their products and services to the business and general community.

"It was great to have the support of the NSW Government as a partner in this Festival. The Buy Local Festival with a Twist is a relatively new and exciting concept for the Central Coast, the support given by the NSW Government to engage an event coordinator to organize and run the Festival was critical to its success." according to Anthony Dow, CEO of RDA Central Coast said.

Mr Dow commented " All of the different exhibitors I spoke to gave a positive response to being involved in the 2011 Buy Local Festival with a Twist. The feedback was that they had generated leads and sales from the event and were certainly happy to be a part of the event next year".

RDA Central Coast is very keen to work with the Buy Local Festival with a Twist coordinator and other funding partners to explore ideas for improvements and to build on this year's event. The positive feedback gives the Buy Local Festival with a Twist momentum to build for the future success of this event on the Central Coast.

For stallholders they have the next 12 months to utilise the data and leads generated to grow their businesses both internally and externally. The coming months will be important for businesses to ensure they do not lose the drive created by the event and follow all leads and opportunities generated.

RDA Central Coast is very keen to work with the Buy Local Festival with a Twist coordinator and other funding partners to explore ideas for improvements and to build on this year's event. The positive feedback gives the Buy Local Festival with a Twist momentum to build for the future success of this event on the Central Coast. For stallholders they have the next 12 months to utilise the data and leads generated to grow their businesses both internally and externally. The coming months will be important for businesses to ensure they do not lose the drive created by the event and follow all leads and opportunities generated.

This dedicated one stop shop provided businesses with the opportunity to have all of their questions answered in one place and talk face to face with representatives who were on hand to discuss the individual needs of each business. Enquires that couldn't be answered on the spot were followed up post event. The wide range of enquiries received reflects the broad spectrum of businesses and others attending the Festival. It will be interesting to see the outcomes of these enquiries over this period of time to assess the impact of this event.

With small business representing the highest percentage of businesses on the Central Coast support of this sector is of the utmost importance. One way RDA Central Coast supports small business is by providing short term rental accommodation at low rental rates at its business incubator at the Ourimbah University Campus, where there are 16 units available for micro businesses in the early stages of growth.

We look forward to working with the Buy Local Festival with a Twist and other partners to guide the development and success of this event in future years and we hope the event can grow to become a landmark event for the small business community of the Central Coast.

An unusal talent from a staff member working for Unique Security Group, sponsor of the 2011 Buy Local Festival with a Twist, was discovered when Joe Zappia, Operations Manager, gave an impromptu performance of Italian Opera. He proved very popular with the crowd. Mind you, this was after he "arrested" Ozzy Osbourne (alias our Master of Ceremonies) entering the wrong home on the stage at the Festival.

It seems that Unique Security Group, a family owned business located at Charmhaven on the Central Coast, is well versed in providing professional quality, (not unlike Joe's skill) in the security industry . The Company was established in October 2006 with the aim to provide a complete range of security related products and services including high rise services, alarm monitoring and residential security services.

We asked April Izzard from Unique Security Group, to comment on her experience and thoughts about this year's Festival.

"This year's two day Buy Local Festival was certainly a wonderful opportunity to showcase our business to so many other local businesses and people from within our community. We were able to demonstrate some of the high tech equipment that we have available, some of which is used to help protect our own community, with the cameras now being installed in the Toukley, East Toukley, Norah Head, Budgewoi and Wyong Precinct", said April.

"Being able to talk to so many people about different aspects of safety and security for their homes, businesses and community is something all of our team are passionate about and the response we have had after the Buy Local Festival, showed us that we all want the same thing, that is, to feel safe and protected where we live and work" April commented.

"Unique Security Group was founded on family values, honesty and commitment to our community, so the term "Buy Local " is important to us as we have the regions ONLY back to base 24 hour monitoring Centre. A "One Stop Shop" security company also means we keep jobs and money here on the Central Coast" said April.

"We feel strongly about supporting our local businesses and in fact buy from our own clients and other businesses in the region as we know how important it is to keep the money here to assist job creation. The more people in our community who choose Unique Security Group to monitor their home or business, the more jobs we create as we choose to employ local people. As our business grows, so does the opportunity for more people to become a part of the Unique Team" April concluded.

"We look forward to a bigger and better Buy Local Festival with a Twist in 2012" she said.

Continuing on from the success of the Buy Local Festival with a Twist, Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce would like to let readers know how we can help their business and welcome all individuals and businesses that have an interest in the local business community, to consider renewing their membership or joining our organisation.

Festival success We were overjoyed at the interest in our chamber at the Buy Local Festival. 110 visitors left their business card at our site, with 10 new members signing a membership application for our chamber, on the day! That statistic translates to almost 1 in 11 visitors to our site at the Festival, signing a membership application, the day they saw our Chamber representatives. 30 current members stopped by to say hello to the team and we chatted with 70 potential members!

Who leads the chamber? Current membership at our chamber range from large manufacturing businesses, to smaller owner operated companies plus individuals. When first introduced to the chamber, many people ask "who leads the organisation?" We happily advise them, the Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce is run by its members! Each year members elect a board to determine policies and set goals.

A voice for the community The catch phrase for our organisation is "moving forward". As a chamber, we are working towards the long term strategic planning and development of the Wyong regional area. The plan aims to increase the number of visitors and shoppers to the area. Re-zoning of land has encouraged property developers to our shire and this is expected to create substantial economic rewards for our community.

More member entitlements at no extra cost We are pleased to advise that Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce has entered into a proposed alliance with Central Coast NSW Business Chamber to bring even more benefits to members. This alliance means you can elect to become a member of the NSW Business Chamber at no extra cost to your business and receive a 'limited' membership including the entitlements of Workplace Advice Line, Business Health Check and Legal's Tool kit.

For Wyong Regional Chamber members that are an existing member with the NSW Business Chamber, upon your next renewal with the NSW Business Chamber, you will receive a discount off this membership in place of the limited membership. However, this can't happen without our members support, we need at least 50% of our financial members to opt into the service before it becomes reality. Help the chamber provide these benefits to our members by visiting: http://pages.email.nswbc.com.au/WyongChamberOptin/ . Also - mention this article and receive a10% discount on our chamber membership.

Enquiries
phone: 4352 2643
email: info@wyongchamber.com.au