Tuesday, October 26, 2010

How to achieve optimal performance

Inflow is positive, channelled, energised and aligned emotions related to the task at hand.
In order to achieve this state of performance, you need to have a clear set of goals, and confidence that you have the skills to achieve them.

What to achieve at Board Meetings.... I have attended too many board meetings that are focussed on historical performance of financial results, and arguments on where to allocate costs that are fundamentally necessary to run an effective business. Is this because the board members are not independent and have vested interests in each of their own service lines?

Board Members are generally chosen for the VALUE THAT THEY CAN ADD to a business with the intention of maximising returns to shareholders. In order to do this, most of the meeting should be to review the goals set, and together work out, in a harmonised, positive and energised way a course of action to achieve the goals set.

Without goals, one is treading water - There is so much untapped power and potential within these board members.... A solution is to have a set agenda.... and a facilitated meeting of the masterminds... with the objective of unleashing the power and potential of the group. Two or more minds come together create a third, invisible, intangible force that can be likened to a third mind.

"Effective Organised Effort = Power - Organised effort is produced through the coordination of effort of 2 or more people, who work to a definite end, in a spirit of Harmony" - Napoleon Hill - Think and Grow Rich.

An example - a car battery has the power to drive a car - many car batteries, working together, have the power to light a stadium!! Without the batteries working together... they are merely inert objects of matter!!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Investing in Equities - the next 10 years

I found an amazing graph the other day.... the 2009 Andex Chart for Australian Investors

From Recently Updated

A quick summary of the past 50 years:-

1. Australian Equities have compared well to the rest of the world over the past 60 years, 30 years, 20 years and 10 years.
Since 1950, $100 invested in shares would have generated $84,598

2. Australian Population - since 1950, the population has increased from 8m to 212m, with life expectancies of both men and women increasing by 13 years... Males 79 and Females 83.

3. Australian Shares have compared well with other asset classes (12.6% pa over 30 years.

From Recently Updated

4. Since 1980, $100 invested would have generated $2,414, majorly outperforming the CPI
From Recently Updated

5. Since 1970 $100 invested would have generated $5,500. Australia represented 2.1% of Capitalisation of World Markets, China 5%, Europe and USA 62%. My view is the pie will change substantially over the next 30 years, with China and India being significant contributors.

From Recently Updated

6. The Aussie $ has hit parity to the US$ since being floated in 1982.

7. The markets have shat themselves during the Whitlam years and Rudd years of Government. Menzies, Frazer, Hawke, Keating and Howard were good for the Economy.

Observations:-

1. Events will affect markets... but over the long term, markets will rise... Invest regularly and over a long period of time...

2. After a downturn, there is usually a sustained period of growth.... We are in a good position at the moment.

3. Australia is well placed for growth over the next 30 years.... Growth in Population is good

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Vic Government announces $17 million in SME grants in $110 million ICT action plan

Vic Government announces $17 million in SME grants in $110 million ICT action plan


Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - bsi

Thursday, 14 October 2010 09:51

Patrick Stafford

smart company

The Victorian Government has pledged over $110 million in new funding as part of its ICT Action Plan, including funding for SMEs in a number of grants and programs.

State ICT minister John Lenders announced the action plan at an industry function yesterday. He also used the occasion to pledge the State Government's support for the National Broadband Network, claiming each SME connected to a high-speed internet connection receives a $5,000 productivity savings.

The action plan consists of six elements –

· supporting development of industry expertise,

· increasing the global profile of the Vic ICT industry,

· establishing VIC as the centre for ICT R&D,

· using ICT to foster innovation,

· increasing skills and

· establishing a productive broadband economy.

Lenders said yesterday the Government wants to increase the use of ICT within the state's economy, setting a number of benchmarks including the creation of 800 new ICT jobs each year.

"If we are re-elected, we have the action plan here to support the ICT industry," he said. "The Government's objectives are to increase the use of ICT across the entire economy, and contribute to economic growth and to sharpen Victoria's innovative edge."

Benefits for SMEs include $8 million for the Smart SMEs Innovation Commercialisation Program. This will include funding for the Regional Technology Commercialisation Program, which assists regional companies taking their products to national and international markets, helping develop business cases and obtaining funding.

Another $5 million will be provided to the Collaborative Internet Innovation Fund in order to support a second round of funding.

The Collaborative Internet Innovation Fund delivers grants of up to $500,000 to adopters of new technology so they can create new projects, and promote the use of that technology in internet-based activities.

Funds are matched by a ratio of 1:1 and can be spent on salary and costs for new staff, purchase of equipment or professional services. Businesses can read more about the project here.

A second round of funding will be promoted for the Smart SMEs Market Validation Program. The program helps pre-commercial SMEs with R&D initiatives the opportunity to help develop technology solutions for Government.

Successful SMEs receive grants of up to $100,000 to undertake a feasibility study over three months, while further funding of up to $1.5 million can be provided to take a R&D project through to proof of concept.

Another $700,000 will also be provided to the Australian Information Industry Association to continue business development forums, including the CollabIT program which helps SMEs build relationships and network.

A further $550,000 with the Australian Interactive Media Industry Association will be used to hold business development forums and promote mobile technology.

Lenders also said another $4.1 million will be pledged towards an online publishing strategy, which will feature successful business models in digital publishing and journalism, along with supporting new businesses and applications "that allow the gathering and distribution of local content".

Another $2 million will also be used for the Government's digital media programs, which "encourage the development of digital media, console and online games".

Shaw also said the Victorian Government is hoping to recapture some of the publishing industry lost to Sydney. "We can recapture the national voice but in the online space," he said.

He said the Government is putting the finishing touches and details for the program will be released soon.

Another $1 million will be given to the ICT Trade Events program, which will help export-ready companies attend overseas trade fairs.

A further $33 million will be provided to the NICTA VRL to 204-15 to help improve research and development. Australian Industry Group Victorian director Tim Piper particularly approved of this announcement.

"It's not necessarily coming out of the Federal Government, where legislation being discussed is looking more at research than the development," he said. "We think both the 'R' and the 'D' are important for Australian businesses."

Lenders also said the Government will place a large focus on developing skills and post-secondary education for the ICT industry. The TAFE sector will be called upon to work with young ICT professionals and enhance VET qualifications.

He also said the Government is putting a large focus on enhancing broadband. He pledged another $20 million for the VicFibreLINKS program to help establish backbone links in regional areas including routes to Mildura and Warrnambool.

He also took the opportunity to welcome the NBN, saying that "the NBN is locked in, it's certain". He also said the "economics stand up" regarding the network, and stated that every new business signing up to high-speed broadband generates a $5,000 gain in productivity per year.

"We think the economics stand up," Lenders said. "If we are re-elected, we have the action plan here to support the ICT industry."

He said the state government will work with NBNCo. To exceed its minimum rollout obligations in Victoria and said it will help businesses and local governments track the progress of the rollout.

The Australian Information Industry Association welcomed the comments, saying it "applauds the minister and the Government for supporting the National Broadband Network".

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

RBA Maintains Interest Rates - A Reprieve!

Below is an update from our Mortgage Brokers, Liquidity FInance.. Please feel free to phone Michael or  Danny to set up a free health check on your mortgages and loans.
With kind regards


Today, the Reserve Bank of Australia decided to keep the cash rate at 4.5%.
Although the reprieve may be short lived, as the RBA tries to keep inflation under control, we await an inevitable increase to the cash rate within the next few months.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/rba-rates-surprise-20101005-165ij.html
We have seen the lending market over the last few months become more and more competitive as lenders start to remove previous constraints on lending policies, reduce fixed rates and increase loan to value ratios – all positive signs that our economy remains strong.
We do understand the pressures that any interest rate increase may have on your cash flow, and there may be many ways in which we can assist, whether it be consolidating   higher interest rate payments, such as personal loans and credit cards, into your home loan; or finding a better option to the home loan you currently have, we are only too happy to speak to you.
Please feel free to call us today on 02 9290 2777 for a home loan health check.
 Best regards
Michael and Danny
LIQUIDITY FINANCE
Michael Luca and Danny Luu
Mortgage Brokers

Level 1
34 Hunter Street, Sydney NSW 2000
PO Box 54, Millers Point NSW 2000
P: +61 2 9290 2777
D: +61 2 9216 4023
F: +61 2 9262 5788
E:
michael.luca@liquidityfinance.com.au or danny.luu@liquidityfinance.com.au

Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill

Found the book gathering dust on our bookshelf.... don't know why I haven't read it yet... but is a real treat....
Written in the 1930's... I reckon that Brian Tracey, Anthony Robbins, "The Secret" and all the other Gurus used this book as a basis for there philosophies!

The Secret? DESIRE, FAITH, PLANNING and PERSISTENCE .... with Autosuggestion being the mixer....
Exchangiing Ideas and creating a "Panel of Masterminds" - who are aligned  ANYTHING CAN BE ACHIEVED

Some GEMS
  • "Thoughts become dreams, become actions, become habits"
  • Great 50c story
  • Great story about persistance
  • "I am the master of my fate and captain of my soul"
  • There is always a way
  • Nothing is Impossible
  • Thoughts are Magnets and have real Vibrations
  • Focussed Energy
More to come

Your Wealth Magazine

Nicky Boyle has issued her first edition of "Your Wealth Magazine". Subscribe at www.yourwealthmagazine.com  to get your monthly copy. There should be awesome articles that should help you on your journey to wealth creation.