TESTIMONIALS
Business Clinics

It is often through speaking with professionals that ideas and questions arise, and we believe that this is a healthy approach to running a business.

Our 1 hour free consultation with a lawyer, was particularly informative and has assisted us in our future direction. The people with the skills have been presented to us and this is fantastic!
Software Development Company

This is a great opportunity to get some professional assistance to head you in the right direction. As a micro-business I often struggle with aspects of running my company and tend to put off doing some of the administrative responsibilities that I don’t enjoy – this clinic helped me to focus on what is important and where I can go to get further help.
Education Sector

TESTIMONIALS
Go Figure Workshops

I found the resources and workshops to be hugely valuable, both personally and to my business. Michelle is a great speaker, and the small group structure allows for great interaction.
Leisa Denaro – Lamington Terrace Vet Surgery
 
The program enabled me to review aspects of my established business to be more profitable, organised and structured.
K Neuendorf – Neuendorf Interiors
 
‘Wow’ This has turned out to be the best investment of my time in many years.  No small business can afford to miss these workshops.
R Lagerway – Force 8 Photo Digital
 
What a great "shake-up" Michelle speaks in basic manner, in which all participants understood and participated.  Learning how to understand the financials and place credence on the information gained.
M Dobson - Realway
 
As well as taking the fear out of finance, it has inspired me & given me the tools to take action in relation to my personal & business situation.
I now view my personal & business finances as both a challenge and an opportunity… one that I control rather that it controlling me
L. Harkness

The 2008-09 year has been one of consolidation and hard work for all in this ‘game’ of regional development on Sunshine Coast.  As a result of changes within Council and to our own organization, Sunshine Coast Enterprises is emerging as a significant component in the collaborative and stakeholder driven initiatives supporting the growth of sustainable business in our region.
In 2009 we have kicked goals, not the least being attracting significant Australian Government investment in our innovative skill development programs.  We have also sustained high levels of financial accountability and governance.

The year has seen renewed vigor in the relationship between Council and Sunshine Coast Enterprises.  This culminated in August 2009 with a resolution of Council ensuring another year of ever increasing activity, and clearer definition around the regional development role of our company, and that of Council’s internal economic development unit.

Cr Lew Brennan as Councillor responsible for the Economic Development portfolio, has been a key player in pushing the regional development agenda inside and outside of Council.  Executive Director Finance, Greg Laverty and Manager Economic Development (acting), Libby Wherrett have also been pivotal players in moving forward in the 2008-09 year.  Their collaborative efforts are the basis for what is shaping up to be an innovative and responsive approach to delivering on regional development goals.  Council CEO, John Knaggs has been particularly supportive of the company as we embrace and plan for change.  His open door has allowed me to bring issues and ideas to a table that is bountiful, but solid in bearing a heavy load.

It makes this ‘game’ we play fast moving and highly rewarding.  So rewarding in fact that we continue to attract and utilize the efforts of so many good people in our business community.

As Chairman I have greatly appreciated the strategic input, good intent and reach into the business community of all directors on the Board, including Councillor directors Tim Dwyer and Anna GrossKreutz.
As we approach a new juncture in the progress of Sunshine Coast Enterprises we change-over and say good-bye to some long standing strong advocates such as Don Smith, Maks Maksan, Tony Long and Ron Piper.  We also thank and farewell Peta Simpson and Sam Sheppard.  Enthusiasm, energy, strategic advice and passion have been the mix at our Board table, and I believe the community and Council are indebted to these leaders for their belief in the future of our region.

The Annual General Meeting this year marks significant change in our company composition as we move to formerly recognize the breadth of our regional role, and continue in efforts to combat a GFC-affected economic climate.  The outgoing directors have been unstinting in their desire to make a difference and positively impact our future as an economic power-house.  I thank them each sincerely for their time, effort and passion as we move to a new game plan and Sunshine Coast Enterprises is refreshed.  In particular we say goodbye and very well done to Don Smith who, as a former Deputy Mayor, was instrumental in the process leading to the company’s formation, and a seminal player in its early development.  The record of the company’s directors on our website will document the unique contribution of all former directors of Caloundra City Enterprises Pty Ltd which today proudly trades under the new regional name.

Importantly more than ever this year, our collaborative effort through all players has helped deliver better outcomes.  We have kicked goals and scored significant points in the battle against economic downturn.  The efforts of our paid staff, the backing of the Australian government through AusIndustry delivered programs, and the in-kind support of State government’s Department of Employment Economic Development and Innovation, has greatly increased our regional response in grappling with the double-edged sword of a major economic downturn, and major population growth.

Refreshed and reinvigorated, Sunshine Coast Enterprises approaches the 2009-10 year with passion and commitment.  I hope in 12 months to deliver a report that documents a Snapshot of Projects and Calendar of Success that re-confirms the value of the community’s investment in our business.
 

Bill McDonald
Chairman
November 2009

Bill McDonald (Chair)
Stephen Dittman
Cr Tim Dwyer
Cr Anna Grosskreutz
Tony Long
Maks Maksan
Sam Sheppard
Peta Simpson
Don Smith

TESTIMONIALS
Marketing Matters

As a newcomer to the small business industry I felt the seminar was very informative, interesting and motivating.
Dusan Mihalee – Strength & Conditioning Coach

Has cemented ideas that I have already thought about but had not implemented.  Very helpful to motivate me to market successfully.
Kerrie Schofield – Symmetry Lifestyle Management

Congratulations on an energetic and informative workshop.  You have provided invaluable advice as a small home based business.
Marie Lally – I-Ree-Lee-Assist

I found the workshop inspiring and informative, with valuable content expertly presented in a way I can manage and comprehend.
John Daley – Hello Hampers Pty Ltd

The smarter business program is a MUST DO for all business owners and managers.
Brendan O’Reilly – Bridges Personal Investment

This session helped me to meet some terrific people and learn about their businesses.  It gave me great insights into how to market in different ways.  Thank the presenter for the wonderful energetic presentation.
Kellie Payne – Retireinvest

These workshops have been absolutely wonderful for me in helping me gain further insight into the development of my business.  Each presenter is brilliant, and I love the person approach.
Karen Menheere – Neat n’Sweet

TESTIMONIALS
Managing Your Team

Sharon is an excellent presenter allowing for participant input and discussion.  For more relevant and hands on approach than other training courses.  Thoroughly recommend ALL courses on offer.
Helen Druett – Mike’s PC Speak

I found this workshop to be excellent and very informative.  Gets you to address the issues affecting your team and therefore your business in a positive forum.
Roby Daley – Buderim Florist

Excellent for those who are only educated on their product skills.  Good basic crash course on managing a small business.
Tim & Sue Hindley  – Anembo Consultants 

In reporting on the previous twelve months I do not wish to expend undue energy and time.  I will let our constituents speak for us, so I ask you to read the testimonials in our report which represent only a small portion of the feedback and evaluation we gather for all our initiatives.

I also ask you to go to
www.scenterprises.com.au
www.suned.com
www.suncoastsport.com
www.sunshinecoastchambersofcommmerce.com.au

Sunshine Coast Enterprises has been seminal in joining the building blocks together for these collaborative industry initiatives. With help from industry leaders such as Anne Jacobson, Steve Porter and Stephen Dittmann, SCE has provided the grunt to bring these web-based initiatives to market.
Each website is built from the bottom up- using true collaborative effort and commitment from business, industry and institutional partners such as Sunshine Coast TAFE.

With the assistance of two project officers and one part-time position, Sunshine Coast Enterprises has delivered outcomes well and truly above the contracted and agreed Key Performance Indicators. This hard work has been rewarded through the continued support of Council, and the support of funding bodies such as AusIndustry.  The contribution of funding has enabled myself, staff, and our consultants to develop and deliver innovative and well considered economic development interventions, programs and partnership initiatives.  Legal and accounting professionals have come on board to our Business Clinics program as pro-bono contributors spreading reach and assisting businesses from Cooroy, Nambour, Maleny and Caloundra.

I am proud to refer you to a Snapshot of projects. It is just that- a quick, and by no means comprehensive, over-view of our work. Along with our State Government friends at DEIDI, and our SunEd and SportsBusiness partners, we have developed websites, conducted trade fairs, increased business to business activity and networked industry.
In all this Sunshine Coast Enterprises has used limited resources to leverage greater outcomes.  Motivated and enthused at all times by our partners we have worked to deliver.

I make these points because a retracted economy does pose challenges for enabling agencies like ourselves.  Our Board has worked valiantly to win support to deliver the programs that have been well received by so many businesses.  ‘Our Tougher Times Smarter Business’ program conceptualised a skill development program responding to the Global Financial Crisis.  From the demand and our evaluations, we know it has struck a cord with our business community.  Consultant Michelle Hamer has been invaluable, giving far more than paid hours to assist.  All our training partners and presenters have delivered quality product.  We know because the 500 plus evaluations indicating excellence in session delivery confirm our claims.

Our Chambers of Commerce have also partnered us in putting together our Business Clinics program, and joined in our Chamber Alliance so we can work and leverage off each other in assisting regional business sustainability and growth.  Associations like the Hinterland Business Centre have thanked us for our strategic support and assistance.

I could go on because there is much to say.  So I will leave off where I started.
The support and feedback of our constituents fuels our work and makes us resolute in continuing to under-market and over-deliver.  With the support of Sunshine Coast Regional Council we will work together to deliver on the economic development function.
In the coming year I hope to report on consolidation and efficiencies found in delivering proven product and in building on solid foundations. The platform is there, and I hope together we can make it happen. 

Gerrie Carr-MacFie
Chief Executive Officer
Sunshine Coast Enterprises