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Sweeter Profits for RFG
GOLD Coast-based retail food brand manager and franchisor Retail Food Group Limited (ASX: RFG) has defied a national retail slump to post a $23.4 million profit – up 33 per cent on 2008-09.
Underpinned by the strength of its brands Michel’s Patisserie (increased EBIT by 28.5 per cent to $15.2 million) and Donut King which achieved a 27.6 per cent increase (to $13.5 million), the...
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Duplicating Success
More than 400,000 Australians are employed by a $160 billion franchise sector that is holding its own despite the crash and burn sentiment in the Queensland economy.
GOLD Coast entrepreneurs are duplicating the franchise trend with big brands such as Baskin Robbins, Donut King, Brumby’s Bakeries, Cookie Man, Espresso Essential, Hydro Dog, Zarraffas Coffee and Bartercard stamping...
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Infrastructure reforms needed
Those involved in property development on the Gold Coast can appreciate the significant and unique problems currently faced by the sector. Gold Coast UDIA branch president Col Dutton, is confident that tabled changes to infrastructure fees by the Gold Coast City Council will benefit the industry – the lifeblood to around 49,000 people — but the developers aren’t holding...
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Calmer seas at Riviera
STAFF at embattled boat builder Riviera have had superannuation contributions for April and May - unpaid at the time of receivership – paid by the company today.
It is seen as a vote of confidence by staff as the receiver Deloittes (appointed on May 8) continue to restructure the company in the wake of a $350 million debt.
“We started with zero dollars in the account and had...
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School’s out for Murphy
Retiring TSS chairman Derek Murphy is a former Supreme Court barrister and a recently appointed non-executive director of Icon Energy. Murphy has enjoyed a distinguished career in international relations with various director roles in Hong Kong and is revered among the corporate governance cognoscenti as a no-nonsense diplomat
It is said that when one door closes, others open. It must be...
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Hosting hospitality
Sascha Voevodin has tried and tested the entrepreneurial process. Second time around, he believes he’s got it right. His company Votech Industries has created the Net Retriever software which provides instant compatibility between hardware and software platforms in the hospitality industry. The 28-year-old advises fellow entrepreneurs to sacrifice their free time in pursuit of...
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Editor's message
IS stagflation back?
Sluggish growth, increasing unemployment and rising inflation is enough to have economists gagging on a 1970s financial cocktail.
Financial new year resolutions abound. There’s no doubt that we’re entering a new era in business. A return to basics is imminent. Will the avaricious continue to be hung out to dry? Lack of cash, excess liquidity, a squeeze on...
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Recovery slow
INDICATORS suggest that the rate of contraction in world GDP eased in the June quarter, as household spending stabilised and the rate of stock clearance slowed.
According to the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) World Risk Developments, recovery will be slow.
EFIC senior economist Dougal Crawford, says the level of global GDP is not predicted to return to 2008 levels until...
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Business credit up
TOTAL credit provided to the private sector by financial intermediaries fell by 0.1 per cent last month.
According to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), this follows a 0.1 per cent rise in April. Over the year to May, total credit rose by 3.9 per cent.
Housing credit rose 0.5 per cent in May, and by 7.0 per cent over the year, seasonally adjusted. Other personal credit fell 0.6 per cent...
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Barter battle billows
TRADE exchange company BBX has opened 11 new franchises across the country with the Gold Coast a prime target.
BBX, the membership-based, cashless trading exchange, has been taken up by more than 6000 businesses in Australia and New Zealand and is targeting the Gold Coast – the home to trade exchange Bartercard.
BBX chief executive Michael Touma, says the BBX network continues to...
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Keeping it in the family
A nationwide survey by Bond University’s Australian Centre for Family Business (ACFB) will compare the performance of family-owned companies to their non-family owned counterparts in the current economic climate.
The survey mirrors a major study being conducted by Europe’s Family Business Network. The ACFB’s research will also benchmark Australian businesses at an...
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Priority needed for tourism support
THE Gold Coast City Council Budget was hailed a $1.3 billion infrastructure budget by finance boss Cr Eddie Sarroff.
But the two main arteries to the local economy – property development and tourism – have the most to lose.
In the past 12 months there has been a 47 per cent decrease in construction and a 7.8 per cent drop in tourism spend. Local government will commit just...
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Corporate travel takes off again
CORPORATE travel trends for the Asia Pacific region indicate that companies are starting to slowly spread their wings and resume long-haul travel.
While demand on key corporate routes to destinations in the US and Europe remains sluggish, early indications, particularly in April and May, now show businesses in Asia Pacific are starting to travel outside the region again.
The return to...
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DVD out of the bunker
What do you get when you combine the ideas of a physiotherapist, personal trainer and video producer? An innovative success story with business savvy to match.
The X Factor Golf DVD, is the brain child of physiotherapist Josh Meyer, personal trainer Marc Renai and video production expert Wayne Soutar. The DVD provides golfing enthusiasts of all levels with a tool to use their body...
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Death of an icon - Riviera sale likely
The spectacular $350 million sinking of luxury boat builder Riviera in May this year resulted in hundreds of lost jobs. The compnay has also dropped its GB and Princess brands.
The receiver Chris Campbell (Deloittes), who is still conducting a review of the company, has not ruled out further job losses. Already its workforce has been slashed from 1200 to 400 in the past year. Workers last...
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Eye guys see value in CSR
A DONATION by a group of leading Gold Coast eye surgeons is set to enhance the sight of fauna at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Vision Eye Institute surgeon Dr Darryl Gregor donated the German-made Zeiss operating microscope to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary vet Michael Pyne for use in the Sanctuary’s animal hospital.
The microscope became available when the Institute recently...
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Q deck for sale
RECEIVERS have been appointed by Suncorp Metway to Q Deck atop the Q1 residential tower in Surfers Paradise, but it’s business as usual says CEO Nigel Lane.
Ernst & Young receivers Richard Dennis and Justin Walsh will joint manage the Octaviar-owned asset and its affiliate Q Events until its finances can be fully assessed.
“There are a couple of complications that we...
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Big Stick starts fast
CORPORATE team builder Big Stick Adventures has been named among the nation’s fastest growing businesses.|
The corporate incentive and team building company, which recently opened an office in Southport, has cracked the BRW Fast Starters for 2009.
Brett Hollis started the business in 2005.
“We have been conducting an increasing number of incentives across Queensland and...
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Bond backed by $1M donation
HONG Kong-based Dr Hari and Padma Harilela have donated $1 million toward Bond University’s endowment pool for a scholarship to be named after them.
Dr Harilela is the chairman of the Harilela Group, which has established a hospitality portfolio including the Holiday Inn Golden Mile in Hong Kong, Holiday Inn Park View Singapore and Sheraton Belgravia London.
“Dr...
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Benchmarking performance
Entrepreneur, and author Dr Tom McKaskill has established a reputation as one of the world’s leading authorities on exit strategies for high-growth enterprises.
This month he talks performance.
When we’re deep in the business and working hard to stay on top of daily issues, we often forget that we are not that unique.
But the question we should be asking is how we’re...
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Green machine
The Sheraton Mirage is a Gold Coast icon. This month the Sheraton took out the environmental management category of the Gold Coast Business Excellence awards. Chief engineer Adam Lane stopped to chat to Gold Coast Business News about the path to achieving sustainability
Congratulations on winning a Gold Coast Business Excellence award. What has been crucial in the lead up to the award?...
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Brand stand
A well researched marketing plan that incorporates all of the essential advertising, promotional and branding elements is vital to aid a brand’s successful growth and development.
But it is even more important for a franchisor wishing to create a brand that franchisees will be lining up to buy into.
The brand perception has to be one that an investing franchisor feels happy and...
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Construction of a building empire
“In franchising you’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself,” says Hotondo Homes founder and franchisor Michael Renwick.
HOTONDO Homes is Australia’s largest network of home builders. Established in 1979, it was franchised in 1993. The company has 100 franchisee builders throughout metropolitan and regional Australia. In 2008, the company won the Franchise...
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Zarraffas under the hammer
FORMER NBL and NBA basketball star Shane Heal has turned his focus to franchising after buying up a number of stores on the Gold Coast.
The Heal Group owns and operates two Zarraffa’s Coffee franchises; three Eagle Boys Pizza stores; three Noodle Box stores; two Subway stores; a Café and a number of commercial development properties with plans for aggressive growth in the...
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Financier regains control
FINANCIER Crown & Gleeson has defied trend and regained full control over its business model after buying back several of its mobile lending franchises.
The Bundall-based short-term lender discovered the platform of its success could not be properly replicated in markets where it did not have control over the brand.
“This is not a business that you can learn over night and it...
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China for Donut King coffee
AUSTRALIA’S busiest donut maker has exported its first shipment of roasted coffee to mainland China as part of its international expansion plans.
Donut King will export 288 kilograms of its DK Royal Bean coffee blend to be used by four stores in Shanghai China, owned by China licensee Mak Brands Limited.
DK Royal Bean coffee is developed at Retail Food Group’s coffee...
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Knead some dough
Award-winning Bakers Club has launched its latest store at Robina Town Centre with plans to resonate the success of its already well established brand. The relatively new company boasts a total of five stores, two of which are franchisee owned.
BAKERS Club has the recipe for success just right using traditional methods to deliver every day bakery products. While other businesses are...
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Court decision sheds light
A RECENT Queensland court decision has shed light on the rights franchisees have to sell their business.
According to industry commentators DC Strategy, it also affects the ability of franchisors to refuse consent for the sale of the franchise.
The Franchising Code of Conduct (Code) requires that franchisors must not unreasonably withhold consent to the transfer of a franchise. The issue...
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Protection push
QUEENSLAND opposition planning and infrastructure spokesman David Gibson, is calling on the Queensland Attorney General to give greater protection to franchisees under the new Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
“We are about to see the adoption of federal legislation that regards franchisees as consumers from 1 January 2010,” says Gibson.
“We have an...
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Toy story
A GOLD Coast ‘mumpreneur’ has launched an online company that has become the largest Australian retail stockist of the German educational toy brand Mobilo.
Melissa Hoekstra created her online baby store business, Milk for Two in 2006, while pregnant with her son. The store sold baby clothing and accessories, custom T-shirts, bedroom furniture and bed linen, as well as popular...
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Women working past 65
WOMEN are working past retirement age because of social networks in the workplace and flexibility, while men stay working longer because they value their work, according to new research.
The Griffith University research illustrates that men and women have different reasons for continuing to work past retirement age.
Researchers Kate Shacklock, Yvonne Brunetto and Silvia Nelson surveyed...
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Staying put
BUCKING the trend of recent years, employees working in Australia’s small companies are increasingly choosing to stay with their employers.
With voluntary staff turnover rates plummeting to 9 per cent per annum, from 12.7 per cent in the previous year, the trend is set to continue, according to the nation’s leading survey of salaries and human resources trends.
In fact, The...
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Employers urged to avoid sky falling sentiment
EMPLOYERS who dismiss staff over recession fears are discovering that knee jerk reactions are hitting them where it hurts — in the back pocket.
Research from Griffith Business School has shown that every time a person quits their job, it costs $9800 in recruitment and training costs.
According to Gold Coast employment lawyer Brett Wilson, employers should avoid ‘the sky is...
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A Tokyo escape
Sushi chef Shige-san says the squid and yellowtail fish are in season as he serves them up with a big grin, but Matthew Ogg finds it difficult to believe that anything here could be out of season.
With every smooth new taste in this nook-and-cranny Tokyo restaurant I get a feel for how sacred the Japanese kitchen really is – the sort of preparation and care that entices people to...
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Stillwater creates waves with solid sales
SEVEN prestigious apartments in the $84 million Stillwater Marina Apartments at Hope Island have sold, amassing $4.6 million.
Stillwater is a luxury waterfront apartment development overlooking the picturesque Hope Island Marina.
A short buggy ride to three championship golf courses, the project features 110 apartments in a range of two, three, four and five-bedroom configurations....
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Planned turf club upgrades could keep millions on coast
Gold Coast Turf Club Chairman Ross Heinrich is confident major infrastructure improvements planned for the Bundall racetrack can keep the Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions on the Gold Coast.
THE decision to relocate the Coast-born and bred event to Brisbane or interstate could ‘doom the event to failure’. A contract for next year’s event is yet to be signed as MM owners Gerry...
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$20m campus for Southern Cross
A $20 million campus at Southern Cross University Gold Coast will be ready for its first student intake in February.
Developer Glenzeil is constructing the 4000 square metre site, 400 metres from Kirra Beach.
Courses in business, convention and event management, international tourism management and law and paralegal studies will be offered.
This will complement courses in secondary and...
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New plan for raptis man
ONE of the long-standing directors of the financially crippled Raptis Group has resigned.
Ian Morrison spent 23 years with the group, both as a director and manager of planning and design. He delivered all of the town planning and development requirements to enable construction of the landmark projects for which the Raptis Group has stamped its mark on the city.
“The first...
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Just over $35m sales in 10 weeks
GOLD Coast-based Just Real Estate Investments has sold $35 million of commercial and industrial property since opening its doors in March.
The commercial property realtor sold $10.2 million in unconditional sales and $24.8 million in sales pending finance. The property specialist is relishing in the current commercial market conditions with cashed up buyers looking for long-term, secure...
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Hazzard hammers Hope Island hurdle
HOPE Island Resort is set for a property development boost following a milestone land title restructure.
According to McCullough Robertson property partner Ian Hazzard, the land at Hope Island Resort was previously restricted to sporting or cultural uses under legislation that does not apply to the majority of land in Queensland (being the Integrated Resort Development Act 1987 and Building...
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Sports entertainment
A $63 million mixed-use project on the Nerang-Broadbeach road will be developed by landowners Bramley Properties Pty Ltd.
Located directly opposite the Carrara Sports Complex, the Carrara Sports and Entertainment Precinct will comprise a licensed club, top-end mini-markets, restaurants, offices, fast food and under cover parking for 960 vehicles.
Around 340 jobs will be created during...
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Gay Group buys back the farm
After almost a decade in partnership, the Gay Group of companies and Leighton Contractors are parting ways with Macquarie Bank and Urban Pacific on the $450 million canal development River Links.
Chairman of the Gay Group of Companies Patrick Gay, started the progressive purchase of the dairy farm site on the Coomera River in 1988 and completed the buy in 1998.
The sale price has not...
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Entertain them
Entertaining clients is the extra step businesses need to take to ensure a deal is closed, appetites are appeased and clients are kept happy.
The ability to entertain clients successfully is one of the most desirable skills to have in a corporate setting. If your clients are content and the business process has been enjoyable, you are more likely to see the results you want to see and keep...
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Carbon market expo
THE Carbon Market Expo is back this year and promises to deliver an even bigger and better line up than last year.
Australia’s premier industry-hosted trade fair and conference for carbon market participants and service providers across Australasia, Carbon Market Expo will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from October 26-28.
The event will be hosted by...
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Arab trade
THE Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) is hosting an information session event in Southport on Thursday July 16, for locally-based Queensland businesses interested in obtaining an insight into trade and business opportunities in the Middle East.
As the region evolves economically and gains greater momentum, it is seeking international expertise and support to facilitate...
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Export awards
THE Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards are the state’s top recognition for successful exporting companies.
With applications closing on July 24, now is the time for Gold Coast businesses to get their online nominations in.
The awards celebrate 20 years in 2009, promoting the achievements of Queensland companies in exporting globally.
They also recognise the...
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Exhibition success
SKYLINE Displays is hosting a free eye power seminar which will enable attendees to gain the best advantage from their participation in trade shows, exhibitions and conferences.
The seminar will teach you how to set measurable objects, avoid budget-busting blunder, create crowd-pulling promotions on a shoe string and kick start conversations with total strangers.
The seminar will also...
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Promoting on a shoestring
SOUTHERN Cross University is hosting a free seminar on how to make the most of marketing budgets in tough economic times.
Called Marketing Your Way Through Tough Times, the latest in the series of free business insight evenings will feature presentations from Tim Bond, principal and creative director of advertising agency The Partners Etc and Ben Faranda, business lecturer and facilitator...
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Building excellence recognised
MASTER Builders is hosting a night of razzle, dazzle and a string of awards. Join the team at Conrad Jupiters for the annual Housing and Construction Awards 2009.
The awards recognise those at the forefront of building innovation and excellence in the housing and construction industry. Master Builders regional manager, John Duncalfe says the awards are a great way for builders to get...
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Sharing smarts
BUSINESS Women Inc is hosting a lunch on August 7 featuring keynote speaker Amanda Gome.
Gome, the founder and publisher of Smart Company, is a passionate entrepreneur, renowned business journalist and experienced educator. She is nationally recognised in the business community.
Her website Smartcompany.com.au is the go-to website for SMEs and entrepreneurs.
Gome will share her...
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BMW powers through tough times
THE Porsche v Volkswagen dispute has dominated motoring news lately, but luxury manufacturer BMW is driving through the recessionary fog with its new X6.
In the last 10 months, 545 examples of the crossover BMW have been delivered in Australia. It has been revealed that around 40 per cent of X6 customers are new to BMW allowing the vehicle to outsell cars such as the Fiat 500, Jaguar XF,...
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