1. Robyn Binks Business Advisor Phone: 13 12 49

2. WA Small business sector More than 209,000 small business operate in WA (95.4% of all business) – Source: ABS

3. Current business environment Major competition comes from overseas and online Small operators don’t have access to the same resources as large companies to stay viable. The way to compete and grow is through: –Business planning and flexibility –Finding and developing niche markets –Skills development – business owners and staff –Understanding and constant monitoring of your business financials –Innovation – processes, marketing, technology

4. SBDC Resources… Website www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.auwww.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au | info@smallbusiness.wa.gov.au | 13 12 49info@smallbusiness.wa.gov.au

5. Help with starting your business Industry research online – IBIS World / FMRC Benchmarks / ABS Brochures, booklets and checklists Business licence finder Start-up advisers Workshops Business Information Centre Level 2, 140 William Street, Perth Corner Murray Street Mall - above the underground railway station

6. Starting a business FREE Business Basics Workshop Every Tuesday 12:00 – 2:00 pm Register online or call 13 12 49

7. Workshops – $50 each 12 Step Business Plan Understanding Business Financials Marketing – Spreading the Word Website Basics Online Marketing – doing it yourself Register online or call 13 12 49 Business skills workshops

8. Industry Link Program 5 x SBDC workshops offered to Industry Associations for their members Minimum group of 15 Association provides venue, equipment and catering Association can only charge members on cost recovery basis SBDC provides presenter, workbooks and IP at no cost

9. Specialist advisory support Appointment with business advisers – Free Confidential and objective Tailored to your needs Face-to-face, telephone or online Phone 13 12 49

10. A large number of ‘potentially serious’ business disputes in Western Australia are not pursued due to the potential cost of time and money for the small business owner (DIISR Small Business Dispute Resolution Research 2010 – Orima Research) Non performance of services or goods Alleged misrepresentation Non payment for goods or services Commercial tenancy matters Alternative Dispute Resolution Service

11. Advocacy Advocate and liaise with government agencies on behalf of: individual small businesses, specific industries, or the whole sector Proactively identify issues impacting on small business Facilitate development and review of government policies Promote need for consultation with small businesses and representative organisations Participate in decision-making and advisory bodies

12. Red Tape Reduction Regulations are essential for the management of any healthy economy While much red tape is necessary and beneficial, for example protecting worker safety or the environment, some regulations may not always be efficient or effective Time-consuming, poorly-designed, ineffective or excessive red tape impacts on the efficiency of small businesses and ultimately results in extra costs to consumers If you have a red tape issue, call our Small Business Advocacy Service on 13 12 49

13. Business Local Service For assistance in your local area visit: www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.auwww.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au 3 x Metro providers: NorthNorth | East | SouthEastSouth Download a map of metropolitan providers (473 KB)metropolitan providers 9 x Regional providers: GascoyneGascoyne | Goldfields-Esperance | Great Southern | Kimberley | Mid West | Peel | Pilbara | South West | WheatbeltGoldfields-EsperanceGreat SouthernKimberleyMid WestPeelPilbaraSouth WestWheatbelt Download a map of regional providers (435 KB)regional providers

14. Small Business Development Corporation the small business specialists Level 2 140 William Street Perth Corner of Murray Street Above Perth Underground Station enter from Murray Street Mall 13 12 49 info@smallbusiness.wa.gov.au www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au

15. THANK YOU ANY QUESTIONS