AMCC Newsletter, Volume 1 Issue 2,14-12-2012

A.M.C.C E Newsletter: Vol 1, Issue 2, 14th December 2012. Edited by Charles Hili & Antonio Pantalone

Malta based company benefits from apparent retirement of A.M.C.C Member.

AMCC_2When charismatic A.M.C.C Member, Mr. Joseph Attard sold his Australian printing business, packed his bags and moved to Malta for retirement and the good life, we thought we had seen the last of him. Not so it seems. Joe has resurfaced as Sales & Operations Manager of Malta based company One4All Gift Vouchers, which also happens to be the newest member of our Chamber.

One4All Gift Vouchers is a company that sells gift vouchers on line. These are redeemable at over 225 different retailers and service providers across both Malta & Gozo, giving the recipient of the voucher a great range of choice. Purchasing is easy, requiring a simple log on to the company website, keying the number of vouchers required along with personal details, then entering the recipient’s details, a personal message and finally checking out. Vouchers can be sent either by registered mail or personal delivery. Orders are processed and ready for delivery within 24 hours of purchase. A directory that lists all the retail partners that accept One4rall Gift Vouchers is included in the package.

A revitalised Joe is adamant when he says, “Yes! It has indeed become a lot easier to send gifts to Malta; it’s simple, safe, secure and very cost effective”. One4All Gift Vouchers proves that Maltese ingenuity is right up there when it comes to promoting and marketing Malta to the rest of the world. Visit them at www.one4all.com.mt.

Sustainable Business

What is the Cost of Being Green?

The term “green” is touted in every possible way nowadays. Whether you’re a climate change believer or sceptic, there are financial and social benefits to taking a sustainable approach to your business.

Large organisations may be driven by corporate and environmental responsibility, but very few SMEs can afford to take this path. And let’s be realistic. A business owner is very good at what they sell or produce, but more often than not they are not thinking about their utility consumption; costs; ways to become more efficient; life-cycle costs; fuel consumption; emissions; or the help available to implement a sustainable approach. And it’s not until these costs become substantial to business, or government regulations impact on business activity that these aspects become noticeable.

Keep in mind; the word sustainable isn’t just about “reducing your carbon footprint”. Enacting the process to become sustainable can reap long-term financial benefits for your business. Best of all, there is help available. As sustainability becomes increasingly more important, government at all levels are offering incentives, rebates and grants.

Here are some helpful tips to help make your business sustainable.

  • Make the most of government incentives while they exist. Incentives can range from fully funded grants to part subsidies. Incentives are available from Federal, State and Local governments. In NSW, the Office of Environment & Heritage offer a range of programs designed for businesses of different sizes. A summary of what is available at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus/index.htm.
  • ‘Nothing will come of nothing’. All business owners like something for free, particularly when it involves “going green”. But be prepared to invest time and money. Ultimately there is a cost to everything we do and don’t do, as much as there is a cost to a ‘free program’. Blindly accepting a freebie may not be the right solution for your business, and can sometimes cause more grief than good. If something comes along that is available for free, assess it carefully before accepting.
  • Engage a reputable expert. Unfortunately as the sustainability industry becomes more important, so does the number of product retailers making great claims about their products. And unfortunately, many of them have no industry experience. Beware retailers spruiking ‘award winning LED lighting (or other products)’ and making extraordinary claims. Many are start-ups looking to take advantage of fads and government programs by importing cheap products with substantial mark ups. Question product suppliers, not with sceptism, but with a justifiable interest. If in doubt, hire an industry professional that knows the market and is trained in technological solutions. The cost of such a professional outweighs the grief of the wrong solution and saves you time.
  • Doing something is better than nothing at all. You may not be able to implement a total sustainable solution, but implementing various parts will still be beneficial and produce savings over time.
  • Understand the savings that are to be made. Reducing your energy or water consumption by 15% or greater may be perfectly reasonable, but be shrewd enough to calculate the Return On Investment (ROI) to make these savings. Incorporating governmental programs usually makes these ROI periods more attractive.
  • Think global, act local. Your actions do make a difference and your customers will appreciate the efforts. Change in your business prompts other businesses to act, particularly those you engage with directly. Recent studies have found that employees who work for businesses with a sustainable approach are generally more content, perform better and transfer the knowledge they gain at work to their homes.

Remember, despite your personal beliefs about your carbon emissions and the environmental impact of your business, acting sustainably will save your business money and make it more valuable in the long-term.

Article written by Antonio Pantalone

Antonio Pantalone has recently been appointed the role of Visiting Fellow at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The part time role involves Antonio working with UNSW staff to co-supervise honours and postgraduate students in their research projects at the School of Chemical Engineering. An honours project has already been established to start next year in a new and novel area of polymer science. The work, if successful, will be ground breaking and promises to change the way that scientists and industry view their current methods and techniques.

Do you have something that you can contribute? An article, advice or tips? Can you share your professional knowledge. Maybe some financial planning advice; consumer law tips or a review about the latest gadget in your industry. If you have something to share, send it to; the editor: charlie@pastizzi.com.au or antonio@advancesimplicityintl.com

 

Chamber President’s company heads CRN Fast 50 Awards

abc

Over the past few years the CRN Fast50 awards programme has evolved into one of the key barometers of The Australian technology industry, recognising the best in technology innovation and entrepreneurship in the channel. It has stamped itself emphatically as the only awards programme which truly recognises and celebrates the key companies, individuals, technologies and trends that define the Australian channel.

This year, as in the past five, PCS Australia P/L, the company headed by A.M.C.C President, Mr Syd Borg, featured heavily in the awards. PCS Australia’s high ranking in the Australian IT industry is testimony to its ability to cope with the ongoing economic uncertainty gripping the local economy as organisations are understandably anxious about spending on IT and other areas. At the same time they are getting cleverer about technology and far more discerning in their purchasing. This evolution of customer demands a new breed of reseller with new ideas and boundless energy to act on them and Syd Borg’s PCS Australia showed them how to do it, ranking first in the Revenue generated per staff member category outflanking his nearest rival by a country mile. In the words of CRN Fast50 editor, David Binning, that’s over $3 million turnover per employee, more than double the ratio PCS Australia achieved in taking out the honour last year.

It is little wonder then that the CEO of PCS Australia, Mr Syd Borg sits on the Board of many  companies and has just taken a stake in the ownership of flourishing US Restaurant franchises, Hooters and Margaritaville in Australia. With restaurants now located in Parramatta, Penrith, Campbelltown and now Darling Harbour, they have set a mark in the city of Sydney’s dining experience.

 

The Grand opening of Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Darling Harbour Franchise, Sydney, was a colorful event attended by many members of The A.M.C.C

Syd_and_Jim

 

Gatos’Flying High

Chamber Member, Gato’s Pastizzi is literally flying high after landing a substantial deal with Aussie Airline icon, QANTAS. Director, Charles Hili explained that it all happened quite coincidentally. “Our business appears on TV from time to time thanks to our association with renowned Foodie, Mauve O’Meara and her television programme, Food Safari. One of her tour guides happens to be the partner of a QANTAS Catering arm food consultant who just so happened to be on the lookout for a suitable replacement for the good old meat pie at their business departure lounges. Once the prospect of pastizzi replacing pies was suggested, QANTAS head chef, Stephen Donnelly turned up at our factory to sample the products and before long the whole thing was set in concrete”.

When it comes to large organisations such as QANTAS, the wheels of change  move very slowly when something new is introduced. There are business lounges in every major airport around Australia and every chef and every catering staff member needs to know the product intimately before they serve it up to their customers. Charles explains that while this introductory process takes place, only a moderate amount of product is being supplied. “Believe it or not, they settled on purchasing our Pastizzi variety that has a Mexican appeal with a Chilli Con Carne filling.  We were even asked to tone down the chilli in future batches following feedback from their customers during the trial period”, he added.

Gato’s Pastizzi is confident that their high-quality product will be a big hit with QANTAS customers and are looking forward to a long and fruitful association with the airline. The final word comes from Charles who is adamant when adding, “If you persist in making the very best product you possibly can while steering clear of the traps associated with making  something that suits a price rather than a taste, ultimately, people will sit up and take notice. Mediocrity is simply not acceptable when it comes to food”.

 

Christmas Message from our President

January seems so far away as we eat up the remaining days of 2012. Where has twelve months gone? I look forward to seeing you all again in 2013 at either one of our regular bi-monthly meetings or one of the functions we have planned. Please keep your eye on The AMCC Website and Facebook page  to stay abreast of what is happening and to also interact with others. 2013 will be an extra special year with a trade delegation visiting Malta to coincide with The Trade Fair. I hope that many of you will be able to join us and to also  participate in the programme we have planned. Finally. the committee and myself wish you and your families a Very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2013.

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
And the warmth of Christmas grant you love
With many blessings.

Happy Christmas

President Sydney J P Borg

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