2nd Business Owners Meeting Tues 11th Dec
Wayne Elstub
which is on Tuesday 11 December, 5:30pm at Mojo's. This meeting will
hopefully get some of our concerns responded to by appropriate bodies
and the beginnings of a strategy to move forward with defined
objectives.
Please try and make it to this important meeting
Wayne Elstub
Mike Rodgers
Regretably, I will not be able to attend the meeting this week, due to
previous commitments in Sydney, at the time of the meeting.
Please apologise on my behalf.
I would appreciate a copy on any minutes.
Regards,
Mike Rodgers
Ashton, Stephen
Folks,
As for Mike, I will not be able to attend the meeting this week, due to
previous commitments at the time of the meeting. Please apologise on my
behalf. I also would appreciate a copy on any minutes.
Regards,
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: the-entrance-cha...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:the-entrance-cha...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
Wayne Elstub
Sent: Sunday, 9 December 2007 11:47 AM
To: The Entrance Chamber of Commerce
Subject: 2nd Business Owners Meeting Tues 11th Dec
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Tony Meredith
attend, it appears I have double booked and therefore am unable to
attend.
Wayne Elstub
It is my opinion that the basic rules / aims / objectives as set out
by Wyong Council below are being neglected by The Entrance Town Centre
Management and have been for some time, resulting in a decline of
business prosperity and retail growth in this town to the advantage of
other coastal communities. I suggest we should now question the
current management and board as to what they have done to implement
the following aims and objectives over recent years.
If they had properly executed their responsibilities, I suggest we
would not require these crisis meetings. An organization like Town
Centre Management has a big responsibility to all community members
including business operators and residents and not just to members
whom I believe are not properly being consulted with TCM strategies if
they exist at all ?
As discussed at the first meeting, there are many factors that come
into play when it comes to positioning this town as a prime tourist
destination and business owners should be aware of their individual
responsibilities. However in the absence of fundamental growth
strategies for the town, it's no wonder business operators become
disillusioned.
More discussion is needed and more questions need to be answered
before we can put forward a strategic plan for the future. It is my
opinion that tourism is this towns future ... If we can get that right,
our prayers will be answered.
Rules / Aims of Town Centre Management (as set out by Wyong Council)
3.1 To promote, market and raise the profile of The Entrance Town
Centre as an attractive and viable retail and commercial centre
3.2 To ensure that all activities carried on within The Entrance Town
Centre comply with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993 and
the Regulations made pursuant to such Act.
3.4 To assist the establishment and expansion of viable enterprises in
The Entrance Town Centre across the full spectrum of retail and
commercial activities.
3.5 To produce, update and implement an economic development strategy
plan for The Entrance Town Centre.
3.6 To provide a forum for members of the Corporation with the aim of
improving management practices and strategies to enable The Entrance
Town Centre to compete more effectively with other retail and
commercial centres.
3.7 To co-ordinate with other local and regional bodies and
organizations.
3.8 To form task specific committees as necessary to undertake
particular projects utilizing relevant experience from members and
other local and regional bodies and organizations.
Bill Annesley
structural sense.The problem is it hasn't changed internally. If you want to
grow in a prosperous way you need to change and adapt. Like any business we
need
To target our market and then put strategies in place to attract them.
The entrance is for everyone not just for a chosen few with limiting
beliefs. It is not about us as individuals but about the entrance itself. We
have to be proactive in promoting and we need the right people to do this.
People with an entrepreneurial flair.
The café's need to be able to have the freedom to express themselves, you
not only go to have a coffee but also for the experience. We need to let the
entrance develop own personality and it should not be restricted by
individual beliefs.
Regards
Bill Annesley
Action Coach
-----Original Message-----
From: the-entrance-cha...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:the-entrance-cha...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
Wayne Elstub
Sent: Tuesday, 11 December 2007 11:53 AM
To: The Entrance Chamber of Commerce
Wayne Elstub
considering there was so many apologies from people with prior
commitments.
Once again it was encouraging to see the enthusiasm and the
determination to start a process of change. It was also great to see
Town Centre Management was represented on this occasion by Steve
Cutler and Mark Bradshaw and The Entrance Chamber of Commerce had 3
committee members present also. The meeting started with introductions
of those that did not attend the first meeting and then a brief
overview by Jo Forster of some of the issues raised in the previous
meeting including the apparent lack of understanding of the roll of
TCM. Steve Cutler wanted to defend some of the apparent criticism of
Town Centre Management and requested 15 minutes to read a letter
recently drafted (following the first Business owners forum) for
distribution to local businesses.
Steve Cutler was given the opportunity to take the floor and explain
the roll of the TCM and read from the proposed drafted letter word for
word which detailed the tasks Town Centre Management and their
responsibility for allocation of scarce funds to keep the Town clean
tidy and organized. What was lacking in the letter, was the bigger
picture ... As I have previously pointed out, it seems that the real
charter of TCM is being ignored and the roll of TCM has reverted to an
arm of Local Government with the same old draconian views and very
little in new initiatives and ideas. Steve's answer to understanding
business owners needs was to distribute a survey to all businesses
asking specific questions about a variety of issues. Whilst a survey
is a great way to gather statistical information, I believe this town
needs leadership and direction before any survey is done. The content
of any proposed survey needs to be discussed with businesses owners
including proposed strategies before such a survey is undertaken.
From the comments made by Steve and Mark, it seems that they lay
considerable blame for the lack of growth in this town, to the
business owners themselves targeting the way they operate their
businesses. Whilst this argument can be partly true, I believe it is
dwarfed by the lack of clear strategies that should be coming from TCM
that is charged with this responsibility by Wyong Council. It was also
pointed out that The Entrance Chamber of Commerce should be part of
this process and that the two bodies should be working more closely to
achieve these initiatives.
One thing that was missing in Steve Cutler's address was the
importance of Tourism and in particular, the relationship with Central
Coast Tourism and their roll in The Entrance strategies. Bill Annesley
from (Action Coach) pointed out that current TCM strategies seemed to
be aimed at families with young children with little disposable income
resulting little benefit for the wider business community. I agree
with Bill and believe we need to look seriously at the demographics of
the type of people we want to attract and it is my opinion that we
should be targeting the 30 - 55 group with a greater disposable
income. The catch 22 is that this group are also fussy and the quality
of service is paramount to ensure they keep coming .... We need to
discuss this !
I will be meeting with Horst Endrulat (CEO Central Coast Tourism) over
the coming weeks and intend to formulate a concept for a strategy to
build tourism in this Town which I will post on this forum for
comments. Although I am not a long term resident in this town, I am
perceptive enough to understand that it's bleeding and bleeding
badly ! We can make a change and I am happy to assist where I can. We
need to market this town as a unique destination with products and
services to match. It is also my opinion that we have the products and
services. We only need to pull it together and combine with the right
strategies and marketing initiatives. I welcome your comments !
Kind Regards Wayne Elstub
John Millard
and are not interested, it is alright to blame the business owners but
when we have a TCM who provide Saturday Markets & Stalls in the Memorial
Park that are in conflict with local business or the facts are you can
only spend a dollar once if you spend it in the Park that is it.
Regards John.
John Millard
Sports & Community Manager
Mingara Recreation Club Ltd
http://www.mingara.com.au
-----Original Message-----
From: the-entrance-cha...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:the-entrance-cha...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
Wayne Elstub
Sent: Wednesday, 12 December 2007 12:17 AM
To: The Entrance Chamber of Commerce
Subject: Re: 2nd Business Owners Meeting Tues 11th Dec
Kind Regards Wayne Elstub
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Bill Annesley
What I got from the meeting as far as the TCM was bottom line most money is
spent on repairs and whats left is on marketing. We had Steve Cutler armed
like Wyatt Earp ready to do battle and out came this ridiculous list of mile
long expenses. Steve is a highly detailed guy he is task orientated
certainly not people & thinks from a cost point of view.
So the decision making is purely on cost not what might work.
It was established the main role of the TCM is to maintain & promote. What
came out is they are very good at the maintenance side and that is where the
emphasis is going. The TCM was very defensive and are missing the point
..the Business Owners simply want a voice and be heard, they also want
better communication ie transparency. Time is know excuse if you want to
stop small problems becoming bigger one's The first priority number one
priority is to get around to the business's and communicate what's going on.
There needs to be a shift on who they are promoting to. In business you look
at what type of customer you want, what do you want to attract and then
target them with marketing strategies. It is no different with The Entrance
we need to look at other demographics we can promote too.
Another example of why we are attracting the wrong market look at the amount
of Womens boutique fashion shops have disappeared. What about Montaze the
clever lady who owns these has 6 around the coast...why was she allowed to
go.
Hard for these people to promote to fisherman.
Entertainment ... there is none unless you go to the lakes Hotel or the gay
night club on the corner. People have dinner at the pub and ask what's next
the reply this is it there is nothing.
We need to be thinking outside the square try things and look at 12 months
not a couple... wine tasting,blues festival,artist fair,markets,Jazz
Festival,Food expo., Monday madness, from north to south that is what
happens in other coastal towns and they reap the benefits
Regards
Bill Annesley
Claudia
All so true...... however I think women don't like to shop here for a
dress and in a different town for a descent pair of shoes, designer
jewellery, a nice book or whatever else women shop for. How much does
The Entrance offer to us? the 30 to 55 year olds that live here (and
in surrounding suburbs) who have some money to spend all-year-round
not only on women clothing but also on groceries, entertainment, etc.
Where could I get fresh vegetables from at The Entrance?
If this town keeps concentrating on tourism and nothing else that's
exactly what this town will get.
I agree we need to think outside the square. We need to sit down and
seriously think where to go from here.
Re Steve Cutler is obvious he is not interested to be accountable to
the people he is there to serve. I don't see the point of spending any
more efforts on him. I think it's about time this group, or the
Chamber, or both, meet with a higher authority than TCM.
A meeting should be organised with the Mayor and the General Manager
to discuss what's been happening so far, put some questions to them re
TMC and their role (see if they are willing to answer), ask about the
policies we were told "will never change", ask about how we liase with
them with the line of communication breaks, etc, etc... We need to tell
Council about all these positive ways and ideas on how we could move
forward and work together in 2008 (including working with TCM if they
are willing).
Apart from many great ideas this group has energy and the willingness
to make it work.
As to the TCM survey I hope it doesn't go ahead before it is discussed
further...
At the meeting last night I said I wanted to share with you the
concept of building "Social Capital" in society. I think this is what
we are doing in this group. You may be interested to know that Wyong
Shire Council used the "Social Capital" model in the development of
their 2002 Community Plan.
http://www.wyongsc.nsw.gov.au/development/PDFs/community_plan_community_development.pdf
(pages 3 and 4 of the document).
So here it is:
Extract from Eva Cox's 1995 Boyer lectures - lecture 2:
Social capital refers to the processes between people which establish
networks, norms, social trust and facilitate co-ordination and co-
operation for mutual benefit. These processes are also known as social
fabric or glue...
We increase social capital by working together voluntarily in
egalitarian organisations. Learning some of the rough and tumble of
group processes also has the advantages of connecting us with others.
We gossip, relate and create the warmth that comes from trusting.
Accumulated social trust allows groups and organisations, and even
nations, to develop the tolerance sometimes needed to deal with
conflicts and differing interests.
....The social institutions which govern and influence us must operate
in ways which value diversity and belonging. They must also be able to
withstand debate and questioning.
....We rarely have time to walk, we often avoid public transport
because it takes too long, we shop hurriedly and use technology to
provide home based entertainment and work.
Social capital should be the pre-eminent and most valued form of any
capital as it provides the basis on which we build a truly civil
society. Without our social bases we cannot be fully human. Social
capital is as vital as language for human society. We become
vulnerable to social bankruptcy when our social connections fail. If
most of our experiences enhance our sense of trust and mutuality,
allowing us to feel valued and to value others, then social capital
increases.
...When people meet to clean up a city, a suburb or a local park, they
are amassing social capital. Indeed we amass social capital when we
work on the school fete, talk to our neighbours about the street
plants, drop off some soup to a sick friend, meet a regular group at
tennis or bowls, join a local choir, commit ourselves to making
uniforms for the junior sports group, arrange theatre parties, or
whatever we do with friends and sometimes strangers.
...There is pleasure in providing a better service. It is a small gift
to help, to smile and to satisfy another. We do this not just for
commercial reasons but because as the shop assistant, nurse or car
detailer we like the customer and want to give them something extra.
Competing against each other leaves little space for reciprocity and
the growth of social capital. Running against another in a race may
benefit our speed, but jointly organising the sports day produces co-
operation and trust. There are many more situations where co-operation
and reciprocity are more effective than competition. Civic virtues
come from building on what we have in common rather than by using our
differences to create in-groups, out-groups and fear driven
competition.
Kind regards,
Claudia
More on who Eva Cox is: http://www.familypolicyroundtable.com.au/pdf/cox_cv.pdf
More on the Boyer Lectures: http://www.ldb.org/evacox.htm
On Dec 12, 6:55 pm, "Bill Annesley" <billannes...@actioncoach.com>
wrote:
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Wayne Elstub
It is great to see that we all seem to share similar views that this
Town needs to change it's policies of the past and start a process to
initiate some new ones. What we do understand is that the current
ones have (in the main) failed the business community with regards to
developing a vibrant and prosperous township with a positive future.
We were told at the last meeting by Steven Cutler and Mark Bradshaw,
of a new survey about to be distributed to business owners which I
pointed out should have been in consultation with the business
community prior distribution. The survey was delivered this week
without discussion or any input from the business community as we all
knew would be the case. This is yet another demonstration of the
dictatorship style of management that we are subjected to. I believe
this survey will only add to the confusion of where we are headed
under this leadership.
I agree with Claudia that we have at our disposal, an opportunity to
meet and discuss options with a higher authority to put our case
forward. Although TCM have a taken some of the responsibility from
Wyong Council for cleaning and general maintenance, It is confusing
why this has become such a priority over other more urgent matters of
strategic planning and fresh initiatives. Given the fact that we
actually all pay rates and taxes as do all other towns and
communities, it is difficult to understand why this has been separated
from Wyong Councils standard rate payers services. In addition to
rates and taxes, the business community is hit with a levy to pay for
funding a management entity that has been setup to initiate business
prosperity which has failed badly. I believe, if TCM was in fact a
private enterprise where its future was not guaranteed by a Council
arrangement, it would have gone broke some time ago.
Additionally, it is a common practice (in the real world) for an
entity such as TCM to develop a set of Key Performance Indicators
(KPI) allowing Government, members and the community to gauge their
performance over time. If we had this in place from the beginning, I
doubt whether TCM would be acting in the same way. They would have
been able to identify their own failures and had an opportunity to
correct it.
TCM goes to great lengths to boast it's performance in the Tidy Towns
Awards (which it has never won) as if winning this award would somehow
draw the crowds and answer our prayers .... It is also important to
understand that most Towns that have won the award, have done so with
community effort and community pride. I believe, The Entrance will
never win this competition until we have the initiatives set in place
to encourage community pride. The consolation prize of highly
commended, is not second and is not third place either. Don't be
fooled that this is a high achievement and worthy of the time and
effort devoted by TCM, it simply is not the case and will do nothing
to move us down the path of prosperity and growth.
As was demonstrated at the last business owners forum, Mr Steve Cutler
(Chairperson TCM) approached the gathering in a condescending and
defensive manner failing to convince attendees that TCM was on target
for developing strategies for the future growth and prosperity. In
fact when ask by Jo Forster (Le Tartlette) to explain how has TCM has
initiated the 8 aims/rules as set out by Wyong Council since the TCM
creation, Steve responded by asking Jo to explain what they were ?.
After a long and detailed explanation from Steve about the financial
and operational processes with the TCM, we did not get a reply to any
of the 8 points raised by Jo.
All in all, this business community seems to be at the crossroads
whereby decisions now need to be made which will determine how the
future unfolds, We are probably in the best position to be heard with
a new Mayor and a new Federal Local Member that both seem to have a
genuine interest in this community's future. If the end result is a
new look and direction TCM or the dismantling altogether, I believe we
will start moving forward from this point in time.
I believe that TCM will now try every trick in the book to discredit
this group in an effort for self preservation and job justification,
so I suggest we unite and keep the pressure on and continue the
meetings and discussions on this forum. We can and will make the
necessary changes to move this business community to a new level of
growth and prosperity.
We have a number of specific concerns raised at the first meeting and
detailed in the minutes by Claudia (4.2 Common Concerns) that I
suggest we list on the forum as separate discussions for your input. I
will list these over the coming days to start the process.
My opinion ... Wayne Elstub
Bill Annesley
I think Wayne is right on the money and yes I would be careful with the
survey as this could provide more of a distraction and open to
misinterpretation of the way people feel especially if taken from a negative
perspective.
As to KPI'S yes at the meeting I brought up the idea of a Jazz weekend and
immediately told it did not work with out any
Measurements provided in regards to why it didn't work.
When I help a business the first thing I put in is test and measuring so I
know whether or not marketing strategy is
Working. Without a tool like this how can we make decisions on how and where
and what we should be promoting in order
To bring in more Business.
It was interesting how much the Time thing came up. To the Business Owners,
The Chamber and The TCM again what is the ideal way to run a Business is not
from a technician perspective but from a Business Owners perspective in
other words working on the Business ie you are able to delegate some of your
Task & responsibilities to someone else. This is an ideal situation as it
means you are able to concentrate on the thing that creates the Business &
that is Marketing. How ever if you are the technician then you are in the
business working under the car so to speak and there fore never have the
time to feed your business with customers.
However there is a time you need to be technician due to the affordability
of paying some one else to fulfil the required tasks to keep the business
running and this is the case with most of the Café's etc.
It is also the case with the TCM they have become technicians they are
caught up in costs etc as well as dealing with the day to day running of The
Entrance so what suffers is the Marketing.
I agree with Claudia we need to have some type of community base where we
can all contribute to the well being of The Entrance. I believe we should
alll join the chamber but we also need to have a separate united business &
community team.
Where we meet on a fortnightly basis and discuss how we can develop and
market the entrance inn a better way. We could also help each other on an
individual basis in regards to each other's business.
On closing I would just like to mention the words ABUNDANCE and SCARCITY ..
there is enough business for every one. The idea is to bring people to the
entrance... people who will spend money for our services. So some of the
strategies that are implemented may effect some people. We need to take an
Abundance mentality not worry on how many slices of the pie we are getting
other wise nothing will ever get going.
Regards
Bill Annesley
Action Coach
-----Original Message-----
From: the-entrance-cha...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:the-entrance-cha...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
Wayne Elstub
Sent: Sunday, 16 December 2007 1:33 PM
To: The Entrance Chamber of Commerce
Subject: Re: 2nd Business Owners Meeting Tues 11th Dec
Claudia
Once again I'm so glad you are here to support The Entrance and the
people that live and work in this Town.
I've seen the survey and I think business should complete and send it
with a covering letter pointing out all the flaws in the questions and
processes - and send a copy to the GM and Mayor. I will email you more
details on the letter soon.
In regards to KPI, lets add Strategic Plans and Evaluations (short
term, eg: 5 years) . I think that a few of the key players in TCM have
been there too long and got too comfortable. If there are no
structures to evaluate performance (for the individuals or the
Organisation) no wonder they believe they don't need to be accountable
to anyone or that cleaning the streets should take 72% of the budget
(according to Mr Cutler) and should be 72% of their priorities - and
the rest should be about entertaining tourists for 10 weeks of the
year and kids during school holidays. TCM believes that they're doing
a wonderful job because the place is clean. But sometimes I wonder if
the Town is so clean because there's no one around to dirty it?
Cleaning the Town is important but shouldn't have to be the main
reason to establish a TCM, after all the cleaning is done by a
contracted company - why can't Council contract such company directly
(and save on wages that they can spend in more productive
initiatives)?.
On a different subject I agree with Bill that there is enough for
everyone, we have develop practical ways to attract abundance. I am a
great supporter of cooperation rather than competition and that the
more we put in the more we will get, there is no need to take from
another.
I'll be more than happy to meet on a fortnightly basis to work with
the group. I could, at some stage later, bring guess speakers with
fresh ideas that tell us how other Towns help their business
comminities as they are doing it themselves; also to tell us about the
strategies that they employ that work well. I also think that between
us and the people that support us we can resource ourselves quite
well.
Regards,
Claudia
On Dec 16, 7:04 pm, "Bill Annesley" <billannes...@actioncoach.com>
wrote:
Bill Annesley
Just been talking to a member of Terrigal Chamber. One of their members has
Trevor Drake has just returned
From overseas with a concept of town management but out of council control
that is run by The Business Owners
Them selves... Interesting...
Regards
Bill Annesley
Wayne Elstub
Would it be possible to speak with your friend at the Terrigal Chamber
and ask him to join this discussion?
I would be very interested to hear about this and do some direct
comparisons to the management structure we are in the grip of at the
moment.
my opinion Wayne Elstub
On Dec 17, 11:55 am, "Bill Annesley" <billannes...@actioncoach.com>
wrote:
Bill Annesley
Regards
Bill
P.S. Do you have application on email for membership of Entrance Chamber if
so could yo forward.
-----Original Message-----
From: the-entrance-cha...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:the-entrance-cha...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
Wayne Elstub
Sent: Saturday, 22 December 2007 1:11 PM
To: The Entrance Chamber of Commerce
Subject: Re: 2nd Business Owners Meeting Tues 11th Dec