Small business workshops

Rebound Zoom #2
With the re-opening of accommodation, eateries and galleries, and over 1100 visitors to our Visitor Information Centre over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend; tourism is now back! We’d like to support you as we continue to welcome more visitors to the shire. This Rebound Zoom is an opportunity for our tourism industry to work together to solve any challenges, discuss marketing opportunities and stay informed, so that you can increase visitation whilst continuing to provide a safe and seamless experience for all.

Date: Wed 24 Jun 2020
Time: 4.00pm-5.00pm
Cost: Free
Register by clicking here.

Please note: this is an informative session provided by Council. For any specific questions you’d like answered please provide them prior to the session or insert them into the chat functionality of the session.

Past Rebound zoom session available

Rebound Zoom #1 - How to re-open safely and seamlessly whilst complying with the DHHS guidelines. There is a lot to consider, so we’ll chat you through the details so that you’re confident with what you need to do. We’ll provide an update on tourism and visitor services in the Shire, as well as some other key council initiatives that may also assist you in the recovery phase.

Date: Wednesday 3 June 2020 Please view a recording here - use the password 6r$v3GYv

The Small Business Bus is visiting all regions of Victoria in 2020. Book in now for your free one-on-one mentoring session to get your business moving:

Castlemaine
When: Wednesday 15 July 2020
Where: Outside the Market Building, 44 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine
Book Now

Maldon
When: Thursday 16 July 2020
Where: Outside the Kangaroo Hotel, 89 High Street; Maldon
Book now

Whether you're planning, starting or growing your business, the Victorian Government's Small Business Bus can help you to develop your business ideas and capabilities.

Free business mentoring on board the Small Business Bus is available from an experienced professional. Delivered by mentors from the Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS), free 45-minute sessions are available from 10am until 4pm and can be tailored to address the specific needs of your business.

Please note that only one session is available for each business, and bookings are essential. The on board mentor can help you to identify a clear direction for your business, discuss key issues and priorities, and develop an action plan to achieve your goals.

Please call the Business Victoria Contact Centre on 13 22 15 for further information or visit business Victoria’s website.

Small business owners in Mount Alexander Shire have the opportunity to build skills and knowledge in a series of low-cost workshops. Mount Alexander Shire Council has partnered with State Government – Small Business Victoria to deliver the workshops that support and encourage local small businesses.

The workshops will be held each month from February to November 2020 at the heavily subsidised cost of $20 – $30. Business Association members who attend at least one of the upcoming workshops will receive a 50 per cent discount for business mentoring sessions with the Small Business Mentoring Service.

In response to the impacts of the current COVID-19 pandemic, please note that the Finance Fundamentals, Commercialising Your New Idea and Taking Your Business Online workshops will be free of cost and conducted online.

Mentoring sessions are also offered as part of the workshop series. These comprise of a one-on-one 1 hour meeting with an experienced business adviser and is offered through the Small Business Mentoring Service and is sponsored by Council and Robertson Hyetts Solicitors.

Book your tickets here!

Workshops coming up for 2020

Starting Your Business: How to turn an idea into a business
Cost: $30.00
When: Monday 10 February, 9.15am for a 9.30am start - 1.00pm (3.5hr)
Where: Council Chambers, Civic Centre, Cnr Lyttleton & Lloyd Streets

Business Planning Essentials: How to build a road map to success
Cost: $20.00
When: Monday 2 March, 5.45pm for a 6.00pm start - 8.00pm (2hr)
Where: Council Chambers, Civic Centre, Cnr Lyttleton & Lloyd Streets

Finance Fundamentals: How to keep the cash flowing Sold Out
Cost: Free
When: Monday 20 April, 3.00pm - 5.00pm (2hr)
Online at Zoom.us
Please note that the Mount Alexander Shire Finance Fundamentals small business workshop is currently booked out, however there are other council’s within Victoria that will be conducting the workshop in the next couple of months - please visit Business Victoria for further details.

Digital Opportunities Roadshow
Cost: Free
When: Monday 27 April, 2.00pm - 4.00pm (2hr)
Book: Eventbrite
Online at Zoom.us

Building Resilience: Recovering your business from a crisis
Cost: Free
Building resilience
Session 1: Monday 18 May, 9.30am - 10.30am
Finance
Session 2: Monday 18 May, 10.30am - 12.00pm
Online at Zoom.us

Taking Your Business Online: What you need to know
Cost: Free
When: Monday 15 June, 9.30am - 11.30am (2hr)
Online at Zoom.us
Book your ticket here

Marketing Your Business: How to get it right first time
Cost: Free
When: Monday 27 July, 6.00pm - 8.00pm (2hr)
Online at Zoom.us
Book your ticket here

Workshops to come:

Winning Government Business: What you need to know

Building Resilience: How to prepare for business challenges

Selling or Succession Planing? How to exit successfully

For enquiries about the small business workshops contact Eva Parkin, Council’s Economy Development Officer, on
5471 1805 or e.parkin@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

The City of Greater Bendigo in partnership with Be.Bendigo is hosting a series of free webinars to provide valuable information and resources to help local businesses through the changing environment as a result of COVID-19.

Businesses registering for the webinar will also be encouraged to send questions relating to the topics under discussion.
The webinars will be held every Tuesday at 12 noon. The topics and dates may be subject to change:

Talking COVID 19 - Leadership through the pandemic on - Highlight the strengths and skills that have displayed by the most effective leaders during the pandemic and will discuss what impacts this may have on how to lead more effectively in the future, as well as what shifts may be needed in recruitment and skills development plans for the leaders of the future.
Tuesday June 23 at 12pm

Talking COVID 19 - Why people keep asking when will it be over- how we respond to change - Typical responses to change (both emotional and practical) and why these responses need to be revised.
Tuesday June 30 at 12pm

Talking COVID-19 – How to use COVID-19 Stimulus Packages to make IT lemonade and hit the ground running on the other side of COVID-19
Tuesday July 7 at 12pm

Past webinars available

If you missed Talking COVID-19 - Navigating government support and cash flow management, on Tuesday April 28, the webinar is available to view here.

Katherine Hietbrink from Robertson Hyetts Solicitors and Conveyancers hosted: Talking COVID-19 - Navigating challenges through employment law on Tuesday, May 5 at 12 noon. The webinar is available to view here.

Anna Doughan from Robertson Hyetts Solicitors and Conveyancers hosted: Talking COVID-19 - Commercial Leasing and Contracts on Tuesday May 12 at 12pm. The webinar covered leasing and contracts, landlord and tenant issues. Please view here.

Joe Ciancio, Managing Director from Maxsum Consulting hosted: Talking COVID-19 - Navigating cybersecurity - Critical IT security steps on Tuesday May 19 at 12pm. Please view here

Joe Ciancio from Maxsum Consulting hosted Talking COVID-19 – How to use COVID-19 Stimulus Packages to make IT lemonade and hit the ground running on the other side of COVID-19 on Tuesday May 26 at 12pm. Please view here

David Robertson, Head of Economic and Market Research for the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank hosted Talking COVID-19 – An Economic Snapshot for Regional Victoria on Tuesday June 2 at 12pm. Please view here.

Briana Cowan from Mingle Media hosted: Talking COVID-19 - Marketing on social media during a crisis on Tuesday June 9, 2020. Learn tips and tricks to market your business on social media and how to leverage the power of social media so your brand stands out. Please view here

Briana Cowan from Mingle Media hosted: Talking COVID-19 - Building a social media strategy beyond the pandemic on Tuesday June 16, 2020. In this webinar, you will learn how to build a social media strategy, we will cover off objectives, content pillars and your target market. Please view here. Please note the free mentoring sessions mentioned in the presentation are available here.