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BTP Conference Centre
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY“David has helped us to ensure that our structure
is appropriate for the planned changes and
growth in our business.”
C. Jones, Scientific Pest Management
Events Director Kathy Park thought it would
be less stressful running her own business
than working as a Senior Executive for a large
insurance company. Taking over management of
the Brisbane Technology Park (BTP) Conference
Centre three years ago, little did she realise that
she was taking on a role that was listed as one
of the Top 5 Most Stressful Jobs as reported in
Forbes Magazine (1. Frontline Military Personnel;
2. Military General; 3. Fire-fighter; 4. Airline Pilot;
5. Events Coordinator.) “Shooting guns, fighting
fires, landing jumbo-jet planes… managing
events…Who knew?” says Kathy.
The BTP Conference Centre is a large venue
seating up to 750 people for a formal presentation
or 450 seated for a three-course banquet dinner,
yet still intimate enough to cater for smaller
individual groups because of its flexible design.
Continued over page
Summ
er Ed
ition 20
14/15
SIG
NA
LTHIS EDITION:• Client Profile
– BTP Conference Centre
• Tax Update – Employee Share
Plans – Removal of Tax
Concessions
• Outsourced CFO – How to succeed in
tough times
• Team News
• Christmas Closure
The adjoining Atrium, with 7 metre high ceilings
and abundant natural light and ventilation, is
big enough to showcase large equipment, a
new car product launch or 20 smaller individual
trade show displays.
The on-site catering team can cater for 1,000
people for canapés and cocktails or lunch.
“It’s a busy venue” says Kathy. “Our clients
vary from large multi-nationals, to Government
Departments, to local small businesses. Having
a space that allows flexibility, as well as having
on-site catering and an in-house Audio Visual
and IT specialist ensures the client’s technical
requirements are met and are stress-free.”
CLIENT PROFILE
“We have always believed in engaging the best
professionals available. John has worked closely
with us providing advice on a range of business
and taxation issues enabling us to meet our
financial objectives.”
L. Iserman, Golf Caravans
We enjoy helping businesses succeed.
We also enjoy our clients telling their friends
and business associates about us. If you know
someone who may benefit from our help, please
pass on our details or call us on (07) 3221 4465 or
email [email protected] or [email protected]
Kathy says, “The key to building a business is the
level of service you provide. Anyone can replicate
a product. It’s how you look after that client, the
feeling they walk away with, that sets you apart from
the pack. When people leave the BTP Conference
Centre, we want them to feel special, that they’ve
had a wonderful, stress-free experience here… and
that means they’ll return. And they do!”
Taking on the BTP Conference Centre, meant being
available 7 days a week whether it’s for a day
conference, an evening banquet, or a weekend trade
show. “Clients often change their minds about
their event details at the last moment” says Kathy.
“Maintaining a smile and a can-do attitude everyday
is critical in this line of work. Clients are parting with
a lot of money for some events, and they have an
expectation that goes along with that responsibility.
We make sure our staff are fully aware of the value of
each client, so that they make sure they respond the
same way I do.”
Kathy’s vision is to “constantly strive to provide
a polished, professional service without the CBD
price-tag.” She believes there’s a real balancing act
between cost management and service delivery.
Being on the south side of Brisbane, nestled between
the Freeway, Gateway Motorway and Ipswich/Logan
Motorway, her goal is to keep the BTP Conference
Centre as a more affordable venue for those clients
seeking a professional service. Kathy says many of
their clients are looking to upgrade from clubs, pubs
and RSLs as they want to project a more “corporate”
TAX UPDATEEmployee Share PlansThe Government has recently announced that it would be reforming the taxation treatment of Employee
Share Plans (ESP’s) in an attempt to encourage entrepreneurship in Australia and support innovative start up
companies.
Some of the proposed changes to ESP’s include:
- Employees may opt to be taxed on ‘discounted’ options when exercised, rather than up front.
- Employees of Eligible Start-Up Companies will not be subject to upfront taxation on ‘small discounted’
options or shares held for at least 3 years.
- Extend maximum deferral time on ‘discounted’ options and shares for employees of Eligible Start-Up
Companies to 15 years.
2 Continued on page 4
CLIENT PROFILE cont’d
look and feel for their events.
Initially concerned about being in a suburban
location, Kathy soon realised that being “Southside’s
best kept secret” was actually an advantage. “Clients
want to get away from the CBD. When the economy
went backwards a few years ago, people still booked
events with us. The affordability factor, lots of parking
space, along with the level of service, meant that we
were able to offer a product which most companies
could fit within their reduced budgets.”
“We’ve been fortunate to have some great support
throughout” says Kathy. “de Blonk Smith Young
have been our accountants and business advisers
for many years. David has helped grow the business
and we have now introduced de Blonk Smith Young’s
Outsourced CFO service, allowing us to run the
business with meaningful management accounting
information. I feel safe and secure knowing someone
has my back, and is looking at the business not only
from a reporting and financial compliance perspective,
but also with a focus on business efficiency and risk
management.”
If you would like to know more about the BTP
Conference Centre, please feel free to contact Kathy
on 07 3166 2000 or [email protected]
or visit the website at www.btpconference.com.au
BTP Conference Centre
3
How to succeed in tough times
For business owners, running a successful business
is often challenging enough, but succeeding in the
current environment for many has become difficult.
There is good news!
Critical to success in tough times is perseverance
and keeping to the basics.
Take some time over the upcoming holiday season
to think about your business and ways to improve
profit and cash flow. Here are 3 business tips:
1. Protect and grow revenue
Take steps to better understand your customers
and strengthen the relationship. Meet regularly with
high value customers and offer your support. An
increased understanding of their situation should
help you protect and potentially grow revenue.
Consider the following:
- Invest in new innovative (low cost) sales strategies
- Increase (low cost) marketing activities
- Spend more time with customers and sales team
2. Reduce your operating costs
Be prepared to make some hard decisions.
Examine your cost structure to maintain profitability
including the following:
- Reduce/eliminate non-core costs
OUTSOURCED CFOTM
- Restructure non-productive roles
- Consider outsourcing work
- Negotiate better terms with suppliers
- Transfer fixed costs to variable costs (if possible)
3. Collect your cash
Collecting cash from your customers may become
more difficult in tough times.
Actively monitor cash flow at all times and investigate
ways to reduce your working capital, such as:
- Debtors Collection: Place tighter limits on
the amount of credit you extend and manage
exposure to large customers.
- Stock Control: Avoid holding too much stock; if
necessary, order more frequently.
To minimise any potential risks, business owners
should constantly review and assess their position. A
review of your business plan and budget, combined
with independent and objective financial advice, are
positive steps that should make a difference.
The Outsourced CFOTM specialises in helping business
owners in tough times. If you have any questions or
would like to know how we can help, please contact
David or John on 07 3221 4465.
Removal of Tax ConcessionsFollowing the repeal of the Mining Tax on 5 September 2014, a number of important tax concessions have
been removed, such as:
- Superannuation guarantee increase from 9.5% to 12% from 1 July 2019. Instead, the rate is fixed at 9.5%
until 1 July 2021.
- Ability for companies to offset losses against tax paid in previous years to get a refund.
- Outright deduction for capital assets to the value of $6,500.
TAX UPDATE cont’d
TEAM NEWSAlthough Olivia and Savannah have finalised their university studies for the year (and eagerly await results),
Zoe is in the process of preparing for her second exam (after achieving an excellent result in the first exam)
in her Chartered Accountants program. Good luck and happy studying Zoe!
As we charge towards the end of yet another year (at what feels like an alarmingly fast rate), we would like
to take the opportunity to thank the DBSY team for a fantastic year! We hope you enjoy your well-deserved
breaks and we look forward to seeing you refreshed and refueled in the new year!
www.dbsy.com.au
If you have changed your address details or would like to discontinue receiving Signal, please contact us on (07) 3221 4465 or email [email protected]
This newsletter has dealt with matters of a technical nature in general terms only. No responsibility for loss by any person acting or refraining from action in reliance upon any material in this newsletter can be accepted by any of the partners or staff of the firm. Professional advice should be obtained before applying the information to particular circumstances.
Scan the above QR Code with your mobile
to visit our website.
PROFIT VALUE GROWTH CASH FLOW SUSTAINABILITY
OFFICE CLOSURE
Our office will be closed from
Friday 19 December 2014 and
will reopen on Monday 5 January 2015.
We thank you for your support
throughout 2014 and wish you
and your families a very merry
Christmas and a happy new year!