the 2009 virgin blue national small business summit

							THE 2009 VIRGIN BLUE NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT
The 2009 Virgin Blue National Small Business Summit builds on the success of past Summits organised by the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) which represents business organisations whose membership includes more than 100,000 individual business owners.

8.00 9.00 9.15 9.25

REGISTRATION AND COFFEE Introduction to Summit Brett Godfrey, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Blue Summit Welcome Richard Brooks, Chairman, COSBOA Tax and Regulatory Reform Michael D'Ascenzo, Commissioner, Australian Taxation Office Mr D’Ascenzo will outline recent developments and initiatives with taxation

12.10

Cash flow & risk assessment Christine Christian, Chief Executive Officer, Dun and Bradstreet will review the ways in which businesses can minimise their exposure to risk and better control their cash flows The entrepreneurs’ perspective Leading entrepreneurs will discuss their strategies for business growth and enhancement in an interactive environment in which audience participation will be welcomed

12.30

13.00 –13.45 LUNCH

9.45

Innovations of business telecommunications – enabling Small and Medium Business & where the technology will be in 2 years time, eg: SmartPhones Rohan Ganeson, Deputy Managing Director, Small & Medium Business, Optus MORNING TEA The Hon Dr Craig Emerson, MP Minister for Small Business (includes 10 minutes of questions)

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES HALL
A major new innovation at the 2009 National Small Business Summit will be the provision of one-on-one counselling for delegates attending the Summit.

FREE EXPERT ADVICE

10.15 10.40

The organisers have set aside an area for expert professionals in the range of business disciples to provide focused and timely advice to delegates. The tougher economic times has increased the amount of stress being experiences by businesses of all sizes in many different parts of the economy. The professional services facility will be a welcome opportunity for business people to obtain practical, targeted advice to assist them to improve the performance of their business or to deal with some specific problem that is confronting them. Advisors in the areas of tax, accounting, ecommerce, marketing, industrial relations and the law will be available for consultation. Delegates will be able to enrol to receive this advice when they register at the Summit. Normally this type of counselling would cost hundreds of dollars, but it will be available free of charge thanks to the generosity of the many organisations that are backing the Summit. So please come along to the Summit and take advantage of this highly valuable addition to the premier small business event of the year.

11.10

Using technology tools to improve productivity and streamline business processes Hewlett Packard will present information on a number of productivity tools to improve profitability. Janice Cox, Vice-President & General Manager of Personal Systems Group, Hewlett Packard

11.40

Energy efficiency solutions for small business • Cost versus benefits • Relevance to various business types • Case studies Geoffrey Cannon, Energy Services Consultant, EnergyAustralia

Indicative program, may be subject to change

To register, see back page or phone 02 8923 8003 or email events@mybusiness.com.au www.mybusiness.com.au/summit

BUSINESS BUILDING SESSIONS
13.45 – 14.30 STREAMED SESSION 1 – Driving your sales forward Well-known marketing and sales development experts, Michelle Gamble, Founder & Director of Marketing Angels and Tony Gattari, Founder of The Achievers Group, will outline how to build your sales in the current tough business environment. Tony Gattari was the driving force behind the huge growth in Harvey Norman’s computer and electronic sales. 14.30 – 15.15 STREAMED SESSION 1 – Ecommerce tools to build your business With people increasingly turning to the internet to order products and to find low-cost ways of stretching their budgets, it has never been more important to have an effective website to promote your business and your products. Mike Simpson, Channel Manager, Check Point Software Technologies, will present on security issues and there will be a presentation on search optimisation and ecommerce trends by Will Swayne, Marketing Results on how to improve your returns from your web presence. 13.45 – 14.30 STREAMED SESSION 2 – Retailing: challenges & issues Retailing is doing it tough with consumers wary about spending. Experts in retailing and leasing will review how to boost sales; how to negotiate leases; and the critical elements of re-positioning your retail business to achieve improved sales. 14.30 – 15.15 STREAMED SESSION 2 – Financial management and your business growth With strong cash flows finance being, more than ever, the life blood of business, this session will look at the range of financing options available for small business ranging from better cash flow management to increasing your leverage by 10-40 per cent through disciplined expense management. James Balagot, Head of Business Segment, Citibank Australia

15.15 15.35

AFTERNOON TEA
Malcolm Turnbull MP, Leader of the Opposition will outline the Opposition’s approach and policies for small business in the broader context of the current adverse economic environment.

DON’T MISS THE SUMMIT DINNER Tuesday 9th June 2009 from 6.45pm The Sebel Albert Park Melbourne
The Prime Minister, The Hon. Kevin Rudd, will address the Summit Gala Dinner. The three-course meal, accompanied by enjoyable music, sets the scene for the following day’s vigorous discussion and debate.

15.55

Forum on small business issues and problems via open discussion with audience. Development of an action agenda. PRIZE DRAW Closing remarks from Virgin Blue & COSBOA

16.30 16.35

16.45-17.15 NETWORKING DRINKS

To register, see back page or phone 02 8923 8003 or email events@mybusiness.com.au www.mybusiness.com.au/summit