WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY THIS EDITION€¦ · WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY “David has helped us to ensure that our structure is appropriate for the planned changes and growth in our business.”

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

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14/15

SIG

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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.

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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!