ABM informs, inspires, challenges and entertains Indigenous business owners everywhere.
Its intelligent editorial voice and strong identification gives it a reputation for quality, integrity and a loyal readership.
ABM is the only monthly Indigenous Business publication in Australia.
It is dedicated to promoting + educating Indigenous entrepreneurs.
ABM is packed full of stories on Indigenous business owners from across the country.
Our focus is on positive stories. The aim is to promote success and achievement. Each month we talk to a group of business owners and discuss how they got where they are today.
ABM brings you the Indigenous business news first.
Each style packed issue contains information on Australian and International news as well as what is happening around the country. Keeping you informed of the latest news.
ABM advice columns are written by experts in their fields.
Every issue contains 10+ business advice columns. Written in a straight forward way, we aim to provide you with the practical guidance that your business needs to be successful.
In the May issue
feature stories section
Cover story
Sean Choolburra
At ABM we want you to learn from others who have succeeded in their chosen field. Each issue has a cover story on a high profile Indigenous person who is successful and owns a business. This month we hear from funny-man, Sean Choolburra. Sean is well known for his comedic talent, but behind the scenes there’s a performer who is very serious about what his entertainment business can contribute to Indigenous and Non-Indigenous kids everywhere. You’ll find out what Sean’s got planned for the future and how he will continue to evolve in the cut-throat comedy world.
special feature
AIMSC Winners
Our special feature for this month covers the recent successes at the AIMSC Connect 2012 Awards in Sydney. Join ABM at the Gala Dinner as we get the low-down on which Indigenous businesses got up at the awards and a little about what they’ve done to be recognised. On the night, corporate and government leaders were also recognised for their contributions to supplier diversity in Australia. Find out who they were.
young entrepreneur
Mitchell Ross
Young Entrepreneur, Mitchell Ross knows his computers. So much so that he’s made a career out of it. He’s now the owner and manager of his own business called ‘QIK FIX Computer Solutions’. Being a man with big plans for the future, the ABM caught up with Mitchell to check up on how business is going at the moment, discover what QIK FIX has got in store for the future, and learn a bit about Mitchell Ross, the face behind the business.
special feature
2012 Victorian Indigenous Business Directory
In East Brunswick’s uniquely named ‘Blak Dot Gallery’ the 2012 Victorian Indigenous Business Directory was launched. As an initiative of the Department of Business and Innovation’s Indigenous Economic Development Unit, the launch of the directory means that the diverse range of Victorian Indigenous businesses will be exposed to more business.
female business
Marcia Legg
Our ‘Female Business’ story for this month is about Marcia Legg who owns and runs a one-of-a-kind Drive Thru Coffee Shop in Melbourne’s North. It’s known as ‘Mug Drive Thru’ and serves Melbourne’s commuters daily in the most convenient way possible – they don’t even have to get out of their cars! Marcia tells us what Mug Thru is all about, how her innovative idea came about, and the hard-work that she had to convert to making it a reality.
trailblazer and pioneers
First Nations Construction
Our Trailblazers and Pioneers section pays homage to the Indigenous business owners of the past who have provided a platform for the many Indigenous businesses today. In this edition we take a look at the efforts of Queensland’s First Nations Construction who have combined their individual talents to work towards a future for Indigenous construction. They’re a new face of construction in Queensland and ABM finds out how it all came about.
news worthy section
Australian Indigenous Business News
A SKILLED INDIGENOUS WORKFORCE FOR AN ULURU RESORT
Tourism and hospitality training centre, William Angliss Institute, will use new funding to deliver a trained and professionalindigenous workforce to Ayers Rock Resort. Through the National Indigenous Training Academy at the resort, William Angliss will deliver nationally accredited training in tourism and hospitality, along with business skills tailored to employment outcomes. At the Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference on 29 March,the Minister for Tourism,Martin Ferguson announced the Institute as the successful recipient of a million dollar Strategic Tourism Investment Grant for the training project. Indigenous training at Ayers Rock Resort will include fundamentals in customer service, health and safety, business and marketing. Trainees will also benefit from mentors with hands-on business experience who will help guide their development. (Hospitality Magazine -10/4/2012)
ILLAWARRA INDIGENOUS AVIATION PROGRAM TAKES FLIGHT
The lllawarra is pioneering a new program aiming to utilise the aviation industry to address social and economic disadvantage within Aboriginal communities. Indigenous aviation mentoring program Boorowa AboriginalAviation seeks to achieve employment, education and training outcomes for Aboriginal people within the industry.It was officially launched at the lllawarra RegionalAirport with organisers putting the call out to community and business leaders to join a steering committee to drive the program's future. Its initiatives include programs such as AboriginalAviation Awareness,Pre Commercial Flight Crew and Indigenous Commercial Pilots Licence. Since 2009 he said they had established 66 placement outcomes within the various programs throughout the lllawarra, South Coast and Sydney. (Kiama Independent - 4/1212012)
WESTERN SYDNEY GETS $1.5M FOR INDIGENOUS JOBS
Two new projects to create training and employment for 150 indigenous job-seekers in western Sydney will get $1.5 million from the federal government. Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Julie Collins said the two projects would create 70 employment opportunities and 80 traineeships. She said in one project more than 50 indigenous job-seekers would undertake traineeships in the health sector, one of Australia's largest growing employment areas. Ms Collins said as part of the second project there were 30 additional traineeships in various fields such as business, health services assistance and dental assistant. These projects are part of the government's $650 million Indigenous Employment Program being delivered by Yarn'n Aboriginal Employment Services. (Biacktown Sun- 18/4/2012)
QANTAS RENEWS CONTRACT WITH MESSAGE STICK COMMUNICATIONS
Last month, Qantas announced it had renewed its contract with Indigenous telecommunications provider Message Stick Communications. Qantas Chief Procurement Officer Kevin McCafferty said as a founding member of the Australian Indigenous Supplier Council (AIMSC), Qantas was the first member to sign a contract with a certified Indigenous supplier,Message Stick Communications, in November 2009. Message Stick Communications' Chief Executive Michael Mcleod said Qantas has been a leader in the area of corporate engagement with Indigenous Australia for many years. Message Stick Communications provides Qantas with a range of telecommunications services including teleconferencing,web collaboration and large event conference calls. (4Traders- 41412012)
International Business News
MAORI DELEGATION HEAD TO TOKYO FOR CULTURE AND BUSINESSM - OUNT MAUNGANUI
A prominent Maori-owned kiwifruit company will lead a 55-strong business and cultural delegation to Tokyo to further expand their produce into the Japanese market. The company is Te Awanui Huka Pak which Is a major player in New Zealand's kiwifruit industry and this looks set to get even stronger when they give their Japanese customers a taste of kiwi fruit at the opening of the Zespri Trade Conference.Te Awanui is recognised as having some of the best producing orchards in the world as well as being the largest share holder in Seeka Industries- the larg est post-harvest operator of kiwifruit in the world. The company, owned by several Maori land trusts and families, has put together a cultural group to deliver performances at the opening of the conference. (Te News - 10/4/2012)
NATIVE AMERICANS DIVERSIFY BUSINESS OFFERINGS - MINNESOTA, USA
The Seven Clans Casino on the Red Lake Indian Reservation is opening up guided fishing trips on the 25 plus lakes on their reservation. The guide service will not include the tribal waters of Red Lake, but the smaller lakes have plenty of fish to offer. Anglers can pull lake and rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegills, slab crappies, walleyes and pike. Nontribal anglers have been able to buy licenses to fish the small lakes within the reservation in the past, providing they fished with a Red Lake band member, but this is the first time package trips have been available. The plan is that the casino will hire two guides to start with, and, depending upon how many people are interested, will grow the business accordingly. (Indian Country Today Media Network - 10/4/2012)
CANADA'S AKWESASNE PRIVATE SECTOR BENEFITS TRIBE AND COMMUNITY AKWESASNE, CANADA
The entrepreneurialspirit is strong in Canada's Akwesasne region with over 300 businesses in the territory. Not only do these businesses provide jobs and support the local and regional economies, they provide financial support to community members through alcohol,petroleum and tobacco fees paid to the tribe. These fees go to support programs and services in the community such as drug and alcohol prevention, chronic health care, scholarships and residential treatment. Other businesses are not assessed fees. In 2011, the private sector provided over $1.8 million in fees, all of which went to community programs and services.(Nation Talk-51212012)
good advice section
finance
Year End Tax Planning
The dreaded business tax return is creeping its way into the yearly business frame again. And this month, Accountant Anthony Ashby shows us the role that structuring can play so businesses don’t have to suffer in the hip pocket. There may be ways that you can minimise or defer your business income tax liability and Anthony shows you how.
sales
The Invitation to Buy
There is always a big focus on closing the deal with prospective customers in the sales scenario. But is there too much focus on this end process? Our Sales expert George Manolis rearranges some of the thinking around the sales process and looks deeply at the often forgotten first step in ‘The Invitation to Buy.’
technology
It’s Tax Time – Accounting Packages for Small Business
Tax time is rolling in. Are you prepared? Are you doing it on your own? If you are, then our Technology guru Todd Cope can help you out. This month, Todd sifts through the various accounting software packages on the market to find out what the best program is for you to get on top of your books.
law
Clinching the Deal – Understanding the Engagement Agreement
All businesses enter into commercial relationships in one form or another. Although you might have a fair idea of your contractual obligations, have you really given due consideration to the fees and terms. What if things go sour? Do you know your rights? Law expert Terri Janke sets out the things you need to know when signing your next engagement agreement.
leadership
Strengthening the “R” Word For Leaders and Leadership
The most important part of a business is the people and relationships with them can dictate your business success. Similarly, the benchmark of business leadership effectiveness lies in your ability to build collaborative and good working relationships. Leadership expert Eddie Watkin explains how you can strengthen relationships to get the most out of leading your business.
training
Personal Training for an Everyday Context
In looking at the bigger picture, we often forget what’s in front of us. That means the normalisation of some of our behaviours can often hinder us in reaching our true potential. Training expert John Anderson looks at some everyday personal training steps to ensure we stay on top of our goals.
recruitment
The recruitment process rarely ends at a great interview
These days HR professionals dig a little deeper to find out whether a potential employee will be the right fit. HR Expert Lani Blanco-Francis examines the various pros and cons associated with probity checks and if they are suitable for your organisation.
it/websites
Infected.com: Websites Can Get Viruses Too
Be aware of the wide range of viruses that can wreak havoc on you websites. Our website guru Mitchell Barwick breaks down the most common yet dangerous viruses floating around in cyberspace and explains not only their effects but also gives some tips to keep them away.
governance
Good Governance Includes a Clear Line of Command
To keep everything in order and control, businesses need a streamlined chain of command. Neil Willmett outlines the various roles and responsibilities of those in charge of the businesses progress and gives some handy tips as to what to plan for and map out in your business.
health
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Along with tax time, the winter months are upon us too. That can often mean that exercise and healthy foods get thrown on the backburner. In this month’s health column, personal trainer Sharif Deen (from the 2009 series of TV’s ‘Biggest Loser’) wants to get you out of your comfort zone and get you thinking more clearly about achieving a balance.
abm on the spotlight
Informing, inspiring and entertaining – that's the mission of Australia's first business magazine dedicated to promoting Indigenous entrepreneurs. Aboriginal Business Magazine founder and editor-in-chief Neil Willmett discusses the vision.
work smart section
In ‘Read It’ the ABM looks at a range of business books made to inspire, motivate and assist organisations in leadership.
In our ‘Ask the Expert’ column, leading Indigenous business advisor, Neil Willmett, answers wide ranging questions to do with marketing and sales strategies, situation analyses, and business planning research.
live longer section
AIMSC Connect 2012
In every issue, we get to the core of what makes our Indigenous business owners tick. From their dream business acquisitions to what they’re up to now, abm remains on the pulse of Indigenous business nationally. In this issue we survey Dylan Sarra from Australian Super Floor (ASF).
staying connected section
ABM goes around the country to find out what is happening locally. We have regular contributors from national Indigenous business organisations including the Indigenous Business Council of Australia (IBCA) and the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council (AIMSC). On a state level, we also keep in touch with:
- New South Wales Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (NSWICC)
- Mandurah Hunter Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (MHIBC)
- Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN)
- Central and Western Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (CaWQICC)
- South East Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (SEQICC)
We also provide the ABM Calendar for you to find out what Indigenous business events are in your area for the month.
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