Illawarra Business Chamber 2014/2015 - a Year in Review Contents
Illawarra Business Chamber 2014/2015 - A year in review Contents
1. Executive summary 2. Membership - Massive member growth and influence 3. Policy and advocacy – Government listening to business 4. Events – B2B connections and business growth 5. New & improved Illawarra chamber movement 6. United chamber movement Executive summary Message from President Sue Baker-Finch 2014-15 has been a watershed year for the Illawarra Business Chamber – we’ve set a new vision and direction for the chamber’s future, shone the light squarely on the region’s pressing transport connectivity needs, seen two of IBC’s top 5 transport infrastructure priorities ticked off, and celebrated the impact of the Small Business – too Big to Ignore Campaign with small business front and centre of the federal budget. Sue Baker-Finch IBC President The IBC and the NSW Business Chamber’s new shared vision for the business chamber in the Illawarra will better drive economic development, grow businesses and deliver more jobs in the region.
The new vision will enhance what we already do to support business with stronger thought leadership, greater knowledge and understanding of business in the region, and powerful and respected influence to put the region’s economy in a winning position – placing the Illawarra First.
It’s all about sharpening our focus and better utilising the collective strength of the many small, medium and large businesses, the local chambers of commerce in the region and the state chamber to have far greater influence in shaping our region’s future, while continuing to provide quality business support programs to members.
On behalf of the IBC I’d like to thank members for voting unanimously in August 2015 to join the state Chamber to advance a united chamber movement across the Illawarra region and beyond at the state, national and global levels.
Message from CEO Debra Murphy
In our 2015 member survey, 60% of you, our members, told us that you wanted IBC to be more active and visible advocating for businesses in the Illawarra (a 15 percentage point improvement since 2013). WINTV have put together video highlights of our 2014/2015 advocacy work in action.
Debra Murphy In the membership space we’ve seen a massive 73% IBC CEO increase in our membership base in just 2 years.
In 2014/2015 we appointed two new Business Development Account Managers. If you haven't already met them I’m sure Bill or Termira will be in touch in the coming months.
According to the 2015 member survey B2B exposure & connections and networking are the top two IBC membership benefits. The team been busy delivering these benefits over the last year. In 2014/2015 we held 20 events that were attended by 2,530 local business people.
After two decades of regional business award celebrations, the 2014 Momentum Energy Illawarra Business Awards had a change of focus, format and venue. The Oscars style awards ceremony and the before & after parties gave the Illawarra business community the chance to celebrate and connect more widely.
We’re looking forward to an exciting year at the IBC implementing the changes set in motion in 2014/2015.
Thanks to our Promotional partners
These relationships play an important role in enabling the IBC to deliver a range of services to our members and the wider business community.
Membership - Massive member growth and influence Membership growth: 73% increase in 2 years
“A bigger membership base means more businesses are supported and a stronger collective voice for business in the region”
Main IBC membership benefit
Business exposure & 1,347 connections
members Events & networking 934 (2015) members Educational (2014) workshops/seminars Policy & advocacy 777 members (2013)
IBC has experienced massive membership growth over the last 2 years - up 73%. Dominant IBC member profile – small firms in Wollongong
Wingecarribee Other LGAs 238 35 18% 3% Wollongong Local Government Areas 564 42%
Shoalhaven 305 23% Non-employing 100-199 109 employees 8% 17 Kiama Shellharbour 5-19 employees 1% 76 106 389 6% 8% 29%
Business Size
1-4 employees Almost nine out of ten IBC members 50-99 employees 670 are small businesses 39 50% 3% 20-49 employees 200+ employees (employ less than 20 people) 93 30 7% 2% As at 30 June 2015 Industry sectors diverse, dominated by service sectors and profession & technical
14% 14% 13% 13%
12%
10% 10% 8% 8% 7%
6% 6% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 3% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% Your Business Development Account Managers
Bill Brock Termira Speer You can’t miss Bill at IBC events – Career woman by day, mum by night. he’s tall, loud and loves hearing the stories Termira is a local girl, born and bred in the of our vibrant business community. Illawarra. She now lives in Mount Kembla Bill lives in Kiama and his interests include with her husband and two sons. AFL, real estate and friends. Growing up in a small business family Prior to joining the IBC most of Bill’s career ensures Termira understands how critical it was in the Greeting Card Industry. is to grow and support small businesses. In 1991, Bill moved to Australia from Termira’s passion for small business is the Hawaii and in 2001 he purchased reason she joined the chamber in 2015 property in the Illawarra region and in after 6 years at Wave FM. 2011 made the area his home. Low risk and affordable entry into the Chinese market
The Chamber’s ground breaking Export Growth China is a low risk and affordable solution for SMEs wanting to crack the Chinese market. The program was officially launched in Shanghai at a gala event attended by Australian soccer great Tim Cahill and New South Wales Minister for Trade, the Hon. Stuart Ayres MP.
Export Growth China gives you the opportunity to export your quality goods and services to a willing and exciting market place. The program includes: • A comprehensive Export Readiness Report • Your product displayed in our Shanghai Showroom for a minimum of 6 months • Mandarin product promotions • Pro-active Buyer Matching • Product Feedback Reporting.
Members interested in finding out more about Export Growth China should call 1800 505 529
Policy and advocacy – Government listening to business
“I strongly believe the IBC plays an important role in the development of business relationships in the Illawarra” Policy 2014/2015 overview
Three campaigns were undertaken: 1) Unfinished Business NSW Election Campaign – July-March 2015 2) Rebuilding NSW/ Linking the Illawarra – August-October 2014 3) Too Big to Ignore Penalty Rates Campaign - Easter 2015
Five submissions were put to government: 1) Rebuilding NSW (infrastructure) 2) Draft Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan (Planning) 3) Wollongong City Council’s Draft Annual Plan 2015-2016 (Local Government) 4) Future role and contribution of regional capitals (Economic Development) 5) NSW Government Agency Decentralisation to Wollongong (joint regional submission) (Economic Development)
One major research project was completed: 1) Linking the Illawarra. Wins for business - Illawarra infrastructure Small business given a long awaited turbo charge in the Federal Budget
In 2013, the Chamber movement across Australia united with its pre- election Small Business: Too Big To Ignore campaign which was aimed at sending a clear message to decision makers in our Federal Parliament that small business could not be taken for granted.
The 2015 Federal Budget showed that the campaign was an overwhelming success, with more than $5.5 billion allocated to supporting small business and 96 per cent of all Australian businesses eligible for a tax cut. Gareth Ward Parliament House Function 13 May 2015
Events – B2B connections and business growth
“IBC is very useful for networking and meeting key decision makers of the region” Events overview
20 events were held with 2,530 attendees
4 x Business Before Hours 5 x Business After Hours 2014 Momentum Energy Illawarra Business Awards 5 x Executive Functions 5 x Educational Seminars. 2014 Momentum Energy Illawarra Business Awards Honour Roll
Excellence in Business Excellence in Innovation RMB Lawyers F1moto.com.au Highly Commended: IRT Group Highly Commended: Droppoint Australia Excellence in Small Business Excellence in Workplace Health & Safety Fibre Optics Design and Construct Greenacres Disability Services Highly Commended: Boab Boats Excellence in Sustainability Business Leader Warrigal Debra Tozer - CareSouth Highly Commended: Wollongong Golf Club Young Business Executive Excellence in Export Toby Dawson – Cancer Council NSW Cherub Rubs Highly Commended: Eleanor Hayman, Local Chamber of Commerce Illawarra Flame Tree Coaching and Corrimal Chamber of Commerce Development Excellence in Age-Friendly Business Young Entrepreneur Highlands Drive Safe Paul Sassall, Nowra Farmers Market Excellence in Customer Service Excellence in Business Ethics Cram Foundation & Pillar Administration G.J. Gardner Homes Shoalhaven Outstanding New Illawarra Business Employer of Choice Andrew Webb Family & Business Accounting Greenacres Disability Services 2014 Momentum Energy Illawarra Business Awards 28 October 2014
New & improved Illawarra chamber movement What the NSW Business Chamber merger means?
Continued membership growth
Fully integrated region-wide services & activities
Stronger, highly influential and respected business thought leadership through the Illawarra First program
Sustainable & better resourced regional chamber
Building leadership and influence
The Illawarra First program will be the chamber’s new regional business thought leadership, policy research and advocacy program.
Vision Put the Illawarra‘s economy in a winning position – placing the Illawarra First
Drive economic development, grow businesses and Mission deliver more jobs in the Illawarra through insights-driven regional business leadership & influence
Collective strength, influence & insight of key business leaders Strong leader and advocate for regional advancement Strategic Research and technical capabilities capabilities Special Strategic Research & Advocacy Fund ($1.073 million booster) ILLAWARRA FIRST
FEATURES & FUNDING
• New Illawarra First membership offering • Strategic research projects supported by Illawarra First Fund • New Exec Director role - sustained evidence-based advocacy & leadership • Regional business data repository, knowledge bank and information portal Features • Partnerships and relationships to deliver research, data management and analysis, and technology capabilities.
Special Strategic Project Fund
Matched $1.073
IBC $ for $ million in contribution contribution Illawarra
from NSWBC First Fund
Funding Additional NSWBC investment: + Establishment costs + Operating costs, overhead costs and additional staff (Exec Director, policy officer/economist, communications and administrative support roles)
Illawarra First Fund Custodians
Brett Manwaring Peter Fitzgerald NSWBC Representative Illawarra Business Leader
Peter is a Wollongong local, having Brett is a director of an Australasian attended school and university in the advisory firm PPB Advisory. area. Brett joined the NSWBC as a councillor in Peter joined the firm that later became 2009 before being elected to the Board in known as KPMG Wollongong in 1977. 2012. He became a partner in 1988 and in Brett was a NSW Business Chamber 1993 took on the Managing Partner appointed Director on the IBC Board role until his 2015 retirement. between 2012 and 2015. Access law United chamber movement Fully integrated region-wide programs
Illawarra Chamber movement:
15 Local Chambers of Commerce + the IBC + Illawarra First +NSWBC
• Region-wide engagement and input into the policy agenda • Geographically distributed education & networking events • Expanded region-wide programs coordinated from the regional office • Better resourced regional chamber office at IBC headquarters in Wollongong
Local chamber update
The IBC continues to derive its strength and purpose from membership. Members provide us with the legitimacy to represent and support all businesses within the Illawarra Region.
The Local Chamber Alliance Program is founded on the idea that when businesses unite for the common good, they create a powerful voice that cannot be ignored. We are pleased to report that the Illawarra closed the 2014 -15 financial year with 817 Local Chamber members, these members are derived from 15 Local Chambers in the Illawarra.
The Local Chamber members are hard-working business people who provide a timely reminder that the private sector is the engine room of our region. Indeed, business creates the jobs and wealth that underpins all aspects of our society.
More than ever, business collaboration and leadership are the key to unlocking the future prosperity of our region.
Our Local Chambers have and continue to work hard to achieve tangible outcomes for their members. Thank you for assisting the chamber by being active members of your Local Chambers. We look forward to working with you all in the coming year. Margot Griffiths Local Chamber Relationship Manager Local chamber of the year 2014 Corrimal Chamber of Commerce
“Thanks for your ongoing support of the IBC. We look forward to another exciting year at the IBC”
Debra, Margot, Bill, Stephen, Isabelle, Sharon, Termira and Julia