Phone: 07 4420 1148
Mobile: 0430279711

We provide patent attorney services for patents for inventions, trademarks and designs. Based in Townsville,  we  advise Australian clients and those overseas on intellectual property rights in Australia and internationally.

Contact Person: Jodie Cronin, Director.
Phone: 07 4721 1179
Mobile: 0421 444 041

Safety and Learning Techniques (SaLT), based in Townsville, is a training and consultancy business specialising in auditing, personal development training, environmental, safety and risk management.

We offer motivational and energetic training courses to assist people to develop and refine skills in self development, management, leadership, communications, team building, administration environmental and safety related programs. We customise personal development and safety training courses to meet your business requirements and can deliver them at your location, which can provide a saving for your business.

We conduct workplace incident investigations for businesses of any size to help determine the cause of accidents and/or near hits, and identify possible solutions.

SaLT specialises in risk management process development and implementation, technical writing of standard operating procedures, process documentation and safety management systems. We provide the full range of risk management and OHS services to align with your business plan and comply with all relevant legislation and standards. We can fully customise a Safety Management System or review and align your current one.

We are able to assist and supplement your in-house resources with whatever additional services you might require.

Auditing Services:

Want your systems to meet Australian Standards (or higher) in Safety, Environment and/or Quality? 

We can:

• Conduct an internal audit on your management system to determine where it’s at
• Advise what the gaps are to meet the relevant standards
• Develop an action plan to fill any gaps
• Assist your business to develop and implement the actions
• Develop a continuous improvement plan to strive for best practice

Don’t have a system—we can work with you to develop one for  you
 
Teabag Training — How does it work?
We strive to offer a cost effective training solution in these tough times for business.  Our aim is to ensure business can still upskill or refresh their staff while saving money.  Our short, sharp sessions are focussed on the specific area of need.

Check out the website or contact us for more information

www.saltinfo.com.au

THE North Queensland Small Business Development Centre has employed a web and IT officer to assist small to medium-sized businesses to develop a strong web presence after it discovered numerous start-ups were struggling to find a foothold in the online world.

The NQSBDC – North Queensland’s home of business support and innovation – is funded by the Federal Government to assist new and existing businesses, but has opted to finance the new role itself after realising that many businesses were not using the internet to its full capacity.

NQSBDC chief executive officer Brian Arnold said many proprietors didn’t know where to turn to get one-on-one support and education.

“About 60 per cent of people who come through our doors to find out how to start or grow their business ask about how they can create and develop a website and greater web presence,” Mr Arnold said.

“We already offer one-on-one information in areas such as business planning, marketing, accounting and legal, but with the growing dominance of the internet in the business world we felt the demand was out there to grow our services and employ a dedicated internet consultant and run specialised educational workshops.”

The centre has enlisted IT specialist John Williams, who is also the director of information protection company SaferData, to give one-on-one consultations with anyone throughout North Queensland’s business community at no charge. Further to that, Mr Williams will also hold group workshops to help new and existing businesses develop a web presence to expand their business potential. “Some people are still daunted by the internet or think that because they have a business like plumbing, building or electrical services that they don’t need to be online,” Mr Williams said.

“But in reality most people look for products and services via a search engine these days rather than turning to the phonebook and it’s so important that businesses aren’t missing out on those potential customers.”

The web service forms part of the NQSBDC’s new IT training centre which will be open by April, giving tenants and members of the public access to one of the region’s fastest internet speeds.

The centre is able to take bookings for free web and IT consultations now.

Contact IT and web officer John Williams on (07) 4723 8491 or NQSBDC chief executive officer Brian Arnold on 0427 720 121.

Hidden Townsville Tourism Jewel Uncovered to Nation

A LITTLE-known Townsville attraction has been unearthed to the nation by taking out an Australia-wide award.

The OM4Tourism Hidden Jewel Awards are for small Australian tourism businesses that offer a fascinating or unusual visitor experience, but remain relatively undiscovered.
Pop Sullivan’s Ross River Dam Boat Cruises have operated exclusively on the picturesque waterway for the past five years, leaving a lasting impression on those lucky enough to experience a part of Townsville largely unseen.

“Until people actually get on the boat they very often have no idea that what lays out there on Ross Dam is truly worth seeing, but once they have done the cruise they bring their families and friends back time and time again,” Mr Sullivan said, who – as the charismatic tour guide – has been known to sing a few songs as the MV Kathleen Mary cruises the 33,000 hectares of water every Sunday.

“I’ve had people who were born in Townsville and have lived here all their lives saying they had no idea how beautiful it is up here. The area is listed as an Australian wetland of significance and there are 221 known species of birds, so it’s definitely been a well-hidden jewel and was only unlocked to the public five years ago.”

As well as the bird life, Mr Sullivan lists other tour highlights as the absence of tall buildings and the rare opportunity to experience the Australian bush in its natural state, from roaming wildlife to watching the hills change colour as the day ambles on. Then there are the intriguing tales of the past.

“I try to bring the history to life in people’s minds,” Mr Sullivan said. “We talk about the old homestead, the dairy shed, the cattle dip, the two old pubs that were built on the side of the river in the gold rush and all the stories associated with them. Young and old are often overwhelmed with the tales out here.”

But for Mr Sullivan the biggest stumbling block in the past has been getting the word out about his tours. He has won numerous North Queensland Tourism Awards for the Australian adventures he conducted with bus-loads of seniors before his boating days, but he admits the Townsville market is a tough nut to crack.

“Townsville is not a tourist town and we don’t have the attractions here yet to make it into a tourist town,” Mr Sullivan said. “Hopefully this national award should bring a bit of extra exposure and, once people know there are things to do in Townsville, they will stick around for a bit longer.”

As well as targeting tourists, those visiting friends and family and locals seeking a unique experience, from next year Pop Sullivan’s Ross River Dam Boat Cruises will focus on exposing school children to the wonders of nature and will be available for private charters, corporate events and special occasions like weddings.

Mr Sullivan’s prize from OM4Tourism is intended to help take his business to the next level by providing a customised website with online bookings functionality.

A spokesman from OM4Tourism said Pop Sullivan was judged by people who either operated or managed tourism ventures and understood the industry. One of the judge’s comments stated: “It is great to see a new nature-based tourism venture in Townsville – green is the way to go, well done Pop Sullivan tours.”

Mr Sullivan has also been working with the North Queensland Small Business Development Centre (NQSBDC) to get assistance with marketing.

“We hope to continue our work with Pop Sullivan to help him lift the profile of this wonderful tourist attraction in our region,” chief executive officer Brian Arnold said.

Adult tickets are $28 each and children up to five years old are free.

Contact Pop Sullivan on 4789 0774 or 0407 167 524.

Control of Cash.   9.30am-12.30pm. (Cost $30).
Tuesday, 9 February 2010.

Workshop will be held at

184-188 Vickers Rd North Condon, Queensland 4815

Ring Margaret to book. 47238491

Marketing. 9.30am-3.30pm. (Cost $40).
Tuesday, 16 February 2010.

Workshop will be held at

184-188 Vickers Rd North Condon, Queensland 4815

Ring Margaret to book. 47238491

Financial Management. 9.30am-3.30pm. (Cost $40).
Tuesday, 23 February 2010.

Workshop will be held at

184-188 Vickers Rd North Condon, Queensland 4815

Ring Margaret to book. 47238491

Business Planning. 9.30am-12.30pm. (Cost $30).
Tuesday, 2 March 2010.

Workshop will be held at

184-188 Vickers Rd North Condon, Queensland 4815

Ring Margaret to book. 47238491

Customer Service. 9.30am-12.30pm. (Cost $30).
Tuesday, 9 March 2010.

Workshop will be held at

184-188 Vickers Rd North Condon, Queensland 4815

Ring Margaret to book. 47238491

Your 1st Step.
8.30am for a 9.00am start to 12.00pm. (Cost $30).
Friday, 12 March 2010.

Your 1^st Step” is a comprehensive workshop for people just starting out in business.

Workshop will be held at

184-188 Vickers Rd North Condon, Queensland 4815

Ring Margaret to book. 47238491