Thursday 2nd March 2023  |  11.00am to 12.00pm

The Federal Government’s recent industrial relations reforms are significant and have wide-ranging consequences for businesses from a compliance, enforcement and liability (including personal liability) perspective.

Whilst the current reforms target matters such as pay secrecy, flexible working arrangements, sexual harassment at work and the prolonged use of fixed-term contracts, future reforms are expected to also cover the criminalisation of employee underpayments, regulation of the gig economy, the reduction of the use of casual employees, and requiring labour hire employees to be paid at the same rate as direct employees.

In this free webinar, Daniel Iminjan from the employment law team at Matthews Folbigg Lawyers will explain the current reforms and provide practical guidance to assist employers to meet their legal obligations and to endeavour to reduce their risk of exposure to claims.

Proudly supported by Matthews Folbigg Lawyers

Thursday 17th November 2022  |  11.00am to 12.00pm

The war on talent has left businesses short on leaders. 89% of organisations report they don't have a strong enough bench to fill leadership roles. This leadership gap is a significant risk given the challenges of recruiting talent in the most competitive job market in four decades.

And it's not just senior leadership positions CEOs and HR executives are worried about. Middle managers have become more important than ever in this new era of hybrid work, with increased expectations and pressure on managers to keep their teams intact and motivated.

Responsible for delivering strategy and reporting to senior management while checking in with each team member, middle managers have become the "glue that holds everything together". They are critical to fostering the business’s culture, cohesion, connection and sense of belonging, particularly in workplaces where people don’t come in every day.

How will you overcome the leadership gap and build a strong bench of leaders in your organisation? How will you ensure you have the leaders you need today and in the future?

Join us for a free, not-to-be-missed webinar where Australia's #1 High-Performance Team Consultant, Diana Tapp, will reveal how to build a strong bench of leaders in your organisation.

In this live webinar, you’ll discover:

• The 5 essential skills every leader and manager must master
• Why managers are the missing piece in the ‘war for talent’ puzzle
• The 3 major capability gaps where most leaders struggle
• How to upskill your managers and keep your best people
• The 2 big mistakes CEO’s make in their succession planning

Proudly supported by World Class Teams

Wednesday 7th September 2022  |  11.00am to 12.00pm

Finding a strategy that immediately gets the attention of potential leads is often a big challenge for small businesses and despite investing a lot of time and money into their marketing efforts, business owners often see little to no results.

Direct response marketing is a strategy that encourages an immediate response from customers in order to quickly generate new leads. The response can be any action such as purchasing your product, reading your marketing content, subscribing to your newsletter, sharing your post on social media or signing up for your loyalty rewards program.

Direct response marketing educates instead of selling….It costs very little to produce….It’s targeted….The results are trackable and measurable….And it can be created in one single page, making it the easiest and fastest way to create a marketing strategy to propel your business growth.

This free webinar has been specifically designed for small business owners and managers who want to get results and return on their marketing investment. Join us to find out:

• What direct response marketing is
• How it can benefit your business
• Why every small business should have a direct response marketing plan
• How to map out your own sophisticated plan in a single page

Proudly supported by My Skills Australia

Wednesday 31st August 2022  |  11.00am to 12.00pm

With warning signs business insolvencies are set to increase, Jeff Brown and Stephen Mullette from Matthews Folbigg Lawyers will provide:

Proudly supported by Matthews Folbigg Lawyers

Tuesday 21st June 2022  |  11.00am to 11.30am

Following on from last year’s business essential webinar, How To Access Business Grants & Which Ones You Should Look At Right Now, KPMG’s Laurens Visscher is back, this time to brief us on a specific Export Grant which will open for application soon.

In this 30-minute free webinar, Laurens will look at the Export Marketing Development (EMDG) Grant and how your business could receive up to $150K a year to promote your product or service overseas.

This briefing is a must-see for new and existing exporters (with <$20M turnover for FY21) who:

• are looking to promote an Australian designed/developed product or service abroad (can be manufactured/produced overseas)
• want to find out how to receive up to 50% funding for costs, including employing overseas representatives, IP or Trademark registration and purchasing promotional material

Proudly supported by KPMG

Thursday 9th June 2022  |  11.00am to 12.00pm

It is vital for businesses to continually improve. If they don’t, they will fall behind others that do.

But what to improve, how to improve, has the improvement made a difference? These questions may be simple, but they are not easily answered.

In this free webinar, you will:

• Learn techniques to identify improvement opportunities
• Find out how to select the right projects to focus on
• Learn how to measure improvement
• Examine a successful case study from a Western Sydney based business

Proudly supported by Efficiency Works

Thursday 5th May 2022  |  11.00am to 12.00pm

Hiring has never been harder for employers. As pandemic restrictions ease and businesses start bouncing back, the competition to recruit new workers and retain existing ones is fierce.

With record-low unemployment levels and increasing inflation, companies of all sizes are trying to attract workers with increased pay. But what do you do when you don't have endless supplies of money to raise wages or when workers have already hit the top of their pay range? How do you ensure your company can attract and retain the best people?

Join us for a free, not-to-be-missed webinar where Australia's #1 High-Performance Team Consultant, Diana Tapp, will reveal how you can win the war on talent. Discover the free and low-cost ways leaders can use to reward star performers, attract top staff and become a company no one wants to leave.

In this webinar, you'll discover:

• The actual reason people leave their company
• Why raising wages alone isn’t enough to attract and keep workers
• The top 5 skills ALL managers need to have
• Why supporting employee career ambitions is the key to success
• How reimagining your reward structure will lead to results

Proudly supported by World Class Teams

Thursday 3rd March 2022, 11.00am to 12.00pm

Putting commercial agreements in place is something companies (large and small) do almost every day.

In this free webinar, Gigi Au and Douglas Brown from Matthews Folbigg Lawyers will share 5 ways to get the best out of your commercial contracts and the 3 steps to take if something goes wrong.

This webinar is essential viewing for all managers.

Proudly supported by Matthews Folbigg Lawyers

Thursday 24th February 2022, 11.00am to 12.00pm

The Connection is delighted to be joined by five companies in the construction industry who will provide:

• An overview of their upcoming projects
• A top-line summary of the products and services they are looking to procure 
• Information on how to tender with them

Attending Connection Members (excluding Small Business Members) will get the added benefit of submitting an Expression of Interest to our five presenting companies.

Tuesday 23 November, 11.00am to 12.00pm

The Connection is delighted to be joined by the CommBank’s Chief Equities Economist, Craig James, who will share insight on:

• Factors affecting Western Sydney’s economy
• What the economic recovery landscape looks like, including impacts to employment, wages and spending.

Proudly supported by the Commonwealth Bank

Tuesday 16th November 2021, 11.00am to 12.00pm

As a leader, are you tired of having employees who wait to be told what to do? And even when you do give them a task, just do the bare minimum? Do you feel frustrated when they find a problem and pass it on to you rather than using their initiative and coming up with a solution?

Taking initiative means seeing something that needs to be done and deciding to do it without being asked. It means anticipating and preventing problems and going beyond their everyday responsibilities, even if they have no formal position of authority.

When this proactive culture is missing, your company risks losing ground to competitors. While YOUR employees say, "it's not my job", THEIR employees are going above and beyond to find ways to improve processes, increase customer satisfaction, cut costs and introduce innovative new products and services.

The good news is that empowering people to take more initiative is an easily learnable skill.

Join us for a free, not-to-be-missed webinar where Australia's #1 High-Performance Team Consultant, Diana Tapp, will reveal three powerful ways leaders can create a proactive culture, empower staff to take initiative and help drive your business forward.

During this webinar you will also discover:

• The right questions to ask to encourage initiative
  
• What is "flearning" and why is it so important
  
• How to respond with curiosity, not judgement
  
• 5 ways to create opportunities for your team to show initiative
  
• How to create an environment that rewards questions, not just compliance
  
• Tips to promote forward-thinking and diverse ideas

Proudly supported by World Class Teams  

Thursday 14th October, 11.00am to 12.00pm

Over the next 10 years the Australian and New South Wales Governments will be investing billions of dollars into Western Sydney infrastructure projects. With transport, education, cultural and health projects already in the pipeline, now is the time to connect your business to potential opportunities.

The Connection is delighted to be joined by five companies in the construction industry who will provide:

- Information on how to tender with them

Wednesday 13th October, 11.00am to 12.00pm

Lockdown has interrupted, and in some cases, exacerbated existing inefficiencies in the operational procedures of many businesses.

It is critical to have optimal processes in place to ensure your business is efficient, agile and more profitable.

During this webinar, you will learn how to:

Proudly supported by Efficiency Works

Thursday 23rd September, 11.00am to 12.00pm

Innovation is critical to the continuing success of any organisation. It improves sales and customer relationships, allows businesses to pivot when required, and to stay relevant in a rapidly changing market.

How can you implement and take advantage of innovation in your business right now and create a blue print for future innovation?

In this webinar, Gerard Hermens, Director of the Institute of Strategic Management (ISM), will show you how to build innovation into your strategic planning to reduce costs and generate more income for your business.

You will also learn:

• How to create an innovative business culture to stay ahead of the curve

• A step-by-step plan to create successful outcomes

• How to benchmark your innovation against your competitors

Proudly supported by the Institute of Strategic Management

Thursday 9th September, 11.00am to 12.00pm

From potential mandatory vaccinations to keeping employees safe, businesses are facing never-before-seen COVID-19 workplace challenges. With this area of employment law evolving daily, if not hourly, it is difficult to keep up-to-date with your legal responsibilities as an employer. At the same time, Federal and State governments are preparing the blueprint for an easing back of restrictions, including those currently affecting creditors seeking to recover their debts. There is also the pressing matter of the growing mountain of ATO debt that will need to be clawed in at some point.

WSBC is delighted to be joined by two experts from Matthews Folbigg Lawyers, who will discuss some of the challenges and issues every business owner should be aware of as they navigate their way forward. Our experts will also give registrants the opportunity to receive a free letter of demand prepared by Matthews Folbigg Lawyers.

During this business essential webinar, you will be provided with knowledge that is critical to your current decision-making.

Proudly supported by Matthews Folbigg Lawyers

Thursday 26th August 2021, 11.00am to 12.00pm

Understanding and unlocking government funding programs can accelerate business growth.

WSBC is delighted to be joined by Laurens Visscher and Joel Lovell, two experts from KPMG, who will talk about the current grants landscape and the times when a business should check on potential funding opportunities.

They will also discuss specific grant programs in the areas of R&D, export and Job Creation/Business Growth. Be one of the first to become aware of some programs that are about to open, what the key criteria will be, and whether your business will be eligible to apply.

During this free webinar, Laurens and Joel will run you through the following four programs:

• Innovation Scaleup Fund: the brand-new NSW COVID-19 support grant assisting businesses to commercialise their R&D ($25K - $1M).
• EMDG Export: rebate for export promotion expenses incurred last year and their new grant program for the coming years which opened last week (up to $450K, accessible for SME’s up to $20-50M).
• Jobs Plus Program & The Western Sydney Investment Attraction Fund (WSIAF): two job creation grants in NSW if you create 10-30 jobs in the coming 2-3 years. The Western Sydney Investment Attraction Fund will be exclusively accessible for businesses in the following councils: Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly.

Thursday 5th August 2021, 11.00am to 12.00pm

When you think of a world class manager or leader, what characteristics come to mind?

You might picture someone who never lets emotions get the better of them, no matter how stressful the situation. Or you might imagine a person who has the complete trust of their team, encourages idea sharing, is easy to talk to, and builds strong connections. These are all the hallmarks of someone with high emotional intelligence (EQ).

Being smart is not enough. What distinguishes the great managers and leaders from the average ones is not their IQ but their EQ.

Being able to read people's signals and react appropriately is vital. When managers have low emotional intelligence, problems such as distrust, conflict, and silos arise. Issues are avoided and not dealt with, which results in increased staff turnover, higher absenteeism, lower engagement, and poor productivity.

The good news is that EQ is a learnable skill. Join us for a not-to-be-missed webinar where Australia's #1 High-Performance Team Consultant, Diana Tapp, will reveal five powerful ways to improve your EQ to help you become an exponentially better leader.

In this webinar you will discover:

• Five powerful strategies for improving your leadership EQ
• How to manage your emotions in stressful '5% moments'
• How to respond in high stakes situations to get the outcome you need AND keep people on board
• Practical tools & techniques you can start implementing straight away

Proudly supported by World Class Teams  

Tuesday 3rd August 2021, 11.30am to 12.30pm

NSW JobSaver applications are now open and the scheme has been expanded to include larger businesses and an increase in the maximum amount that eligible businesses may receive.

On Tuesday 3rd August, our tax experts will help you understand the eligibility requirements for JobSaver and give you a chance to ask all those burning questions. They will update you on:

Join us for this practical webinar in which WSBC member, William Buck Accountants and Advisors will continue to bring you the detail on what the measures mean for you and your business.

Proudly supported by William Buck  

Friday 30th July 2021, 12.00pm to 1.00pm

As Sydney endures another lockdown, a new COVID-19 variant and a fluctuation in daily cases, there continues to be a barrage of information from multiple sources around the pandemic.

WSBC is delighted to be joined by two internationally renowned experts from The Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) who will help us better understand the virus, vaccines and the medium to long term outlook for you, your family and and your business.

During this free webinar, we will ask our experts a range of questions including:

• What are the specific characteristics of the Delta variant we are seeing in Sydney’s outbreak and how are the vaccines holding up against these strains?
• How can herd immunity be achieved?
• Can you mandate COVID-testing for your employees?
• What is long COVID? And what are the potential impacts for business?
• What does living with COVID-19 look like?
• What else can we be doing to manage COVID-19 better in both our personal lives and in the workplace?

You will also have the opportunity to ask live questions during this webinar.

Proudly supported by The Westmead Institute For Medical Research   

Friday 23rd July 2021, 11.00am to 12.00pm

The NSW and Federal Government’s joint COVID-19 business support package dominated the news cycle last week. And while there’s been much written about the announcement and Greater Sydney’s lockdown, it’s been largely light on detail.

Join us for this practical webinar in which WSBC member, William Buck Accountants and Advisors goes beyond the headlines to bring you the detail on what the measures mean for you and your business.

Tax expert and business advisor, Tim Lyford will outline the eligibility requirements and how to apply for:

• The Small Business COVID-19 Support Grant
• The Micro Business Grant
• JobSaver
• COVID-19 Disaster Payments
• Payroll Tax Deferral and Relief
• Landlord & Tenant Support Measures 

Proudly supported by William Buck  

Wednesday 14th July 2021, 11.00am to 11.45am AEST

Campbelltown City Council is in the middle of one of Sydney’s fastest growing regions. With Council actively working with a diverse range of suppliers, there are opportunities for businesses of all sizes to supply products and services to support this growth.

In this free webinar, Procurement and Contracts Lead, Rochelle Whipps will help you to better understand the procurement process at Campbelltown City Council and give some tips on what is expected when submitting a quote or tender.

Rochelle will also share information on:

• The different ways Council obtains products and services, so you can determine the best approach for your business
• How Council engages contractors
• How to register to receive future public opportunities with Council
• Current, upcoming and future projects.

We will also share information on local organisations who have been successful in a tender process to supply goods and services to Campbelltown City Council.

Proudly supported by Campbelltown City Council

Thursday 27th May 2021, 11.00am to 11.45am AEST

Bullying and harassment in the workplace can take many forms. It can be overt and obvious, or it can be subtle and less visible. No form of workplace bullying and harassment is acceptable.

Employers and managers have a responsibility to provide employees with a safe workplace free from bullying and harassment. Failure to do so is liable to cause disruption to an employer’s business, reduce employee morale, and expose the employer to significant legal risk.

In this free webinar, Matthews Folbigg Lawyers’ Senior Associate Peter Doughman will explain:

• the damage and legal risks caused by bullying and harassment in the workplace;
• the benefit of workplace policies and what these policies MUST include;
• how to investigate bullying and harassment claims if and when they are made; and
• how to take disciplinary action against workplace bullies and the risks arising from such action.

Proudly supported by Matthews Folbigg Lawyers

Thursday 18th March 2021, 11.00am to 12.00pm AEDT

After a year of severe global economic contraction, is there finally light at the end of the tunnel? 

Macquarie Wealth's Division Director Martin Lakos is back to share his insights on the global and national economic trends expected to impact business in 2021. 

Known for his ability to clearly explain complex economic issues and market trends, Martin will provide a big picture global view and then drill down to Australia with an emphasis on the recovery, business and consumer activity and housing. Martin will also discuss opportunities from emerging themes.

With a financial career spanning more than 40 years, Martin’s understanding of a broad spectrum of issues from big picture macroeconomics and current trends, to interest rates, investor strategy and what’s happening in key global markets, places him in very high demand.

WSBC, in collaboration with Macquarie Bank, are delighted to present this exciting opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s leading economic commentators.

Proudly supported by Macquarie Bank

Wednesday 24th February 2021, 9.00am to 11.00am AEDT

In today’s digital world you are who Google says you are; and being visible on the most popular search engine on the planet is an essential part of doing business in 2021. Google search offers incredible opportunities for all sizes and types of organisations, giving them the ability to reach untapped markets and generate new business locally, nationally and globally. 

Done right, Search Engine Optimisation or SEO will significantly increase your visibility on Google search and therefore deliver opportunities to your door every day of the week.  However, many businesses find that despite investing in SEO their bottom line is not seeing the returns. 

This webinar is for business owners and leaders who want to get reliable results and return on investment from SEO. Delegates will learn the fundamentals of Google search at a big picture level, what’s possible and what’s not, what SEO activity will deliver reliable, sustained growth and how to create a strategic and effective plan to tackle your Google visibility. 

Proudly supported by Brilliant Digital

Thursday 18th February 2021, 10.00am to 11.00am AEDT

In 2020, over 250 businesses heard from three Western Sydney councils on local tendering opportunities.

We now turn our attention to one of the state’s largest procurers – the NSW Government.

Spending over $30 billion each year on goods, services and infrastructure, the NSW Government is actively encouraging a diverse range of suppliers to apply for Government work.

What opportunities are available now and in the near future and how can local SMEs take advantage of them?

In collaboration with the Western Sydney Procurement Steering Committee, WSBC is delighted to be joined by NSW Procurement, who will provide:

• Ways to supply to NSW Government
• Information on how to register as a NSW Government supplier
• An overview of current and upcoming opportunities
• Tips on applying for Government tenders
• Advice on how to keep up to date with future opportunities

Proudly supported by the Western Sydney Procurement Steering Committee