Access 1st Newsletter One Staff

Access 1st - "MORE FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP"

Industry vs members: Finding the Balance

Even though member benefits are essential for attracting and keeping members, associations should not spend the majority of time, money and resources in negotiating and maintaining them. Rather, they should dedicate at least 80 percent of their resources to promoting the standards of their industry. They should focus on areas such as regulation, representation to all levels of government, education and lifting the reputation of the industry as a whole. However, in order to fulfil this important role, the association needs the support of members and the funds they can provide. It is not unusual for most associations to dedicate the 80 percent of resources to benefits and services to add value to their members, as opposed to industry representation.

Accordingly, many associations will need assistance to reduce the amount of resources allocated to member services, without actually undermining the quality of the services. Association manager services are available to provide this assistance. Such organisations take accountability by providing all of the value-added services to the association by concentrating on the establishment,

co-ordination and management of member benefits.

Associations can tailor the benefits and services they offer and delegate the full responsibilities to a dedicated Association Manager. Such services can include, but not limited to, insurance, superannuation, financing, banking and EFTPOS, discounted shopping, discounted travel and accommodation, webinars and communication.

With this help, the Association can turn their focus and resources to raising the standard of the Industry through education and representation, safe in the knowledge their members are being looked after.

For further information on joining Access 1st, please call on

1300 226 683 or visit our website www.access1st.com.au

ACCESS 1ST PROVIDER UPDATE...

PARMIA INSURANCE

Parmia had further success last month in its role as a niche General Insurance Broker specializing in offering professional Associations and their members tailored Risk Management and Insurance Solutions. “PARMIA” is an acronym of the companies stated objective - “ Professional Association Risk Management & Insurance Australasia”.

Queensland Interior Decorator Association has appointed Parmia to act on behalf of its members in offering broad Professional Indemnity/Public Liability to their members. Most importantly, Parmia has agreed to work closely with the Association to educate their members of the need for such insurance, with many advising they had previously not been aware of their true exposures in their chosen field. Due to this, many members are currently uninsured, or have effected cover for Public/Products Liability Insurance only.

The new tailored insurance program for members of the QIDA was also extremely competitive, making insurance a far more affordable expense for the protection they require. As many members are small business in an extremely difficult economic climate, some members had elected not to renew such policy covers despite the fact that they were aware that they were at risk. The new insurance policy negotiated specifically on their behalf has now provided broad protection at a cost that is much more affordable.

Director of Parmia Insurance, Danny Gumm, confirmed that this was indeed an extremely satisfying result for both QIDA and Parmia.

“We choose to work on a referral basis only, as we elect to offer our services solely to Associations who are prepared to work with us in minimizing their Industries exposures, as well as their individual members exposures, for the long term. Once such commitment is achieved, we design an insurance program around the specific exposures of the Industry, and then minimize the cost of this agreed risk management/insurance program utilizing the volume of business to gain broad policy cover at minimal cost.”

MEMBERSPLUS

Member Plus is a premier Australian discount shopping service, with 35 years’ experience, that uses volume purchasing power to provide members with an ever-increasing range of products and services.
From theme park tickets to fragrances, Manchester to jewellery, books to DVDs and groceries to holiday costs, Member Plus has a huge range of discounted products and services for members to enjoy.
Member Plus reduces holiday costs, with a number of hotels and resorts offering discounted rates for members, and Hertz providing members with “mates rates” on car hire.

COMMONWEALTH BANK

Commonwealth Bank to give Aussie businesses faster access to their money with Everyday Settlement

Businesses across the country will soon be able to access the funds from their merchant terminals the same day, seven days a week, 365 days a year without exception, thanks to the introduction of Everyday Settlement from the Commonwealth Bank.

Being rolled out to customers across the country over the coming months, the Bank will be the only institution of the four majors to be able to provide this service and the only Bank in Australia to offer fast turnaround for late trading businesses, with transactions processed up to as late as 10.00pm AEST settled into a customer’s account by midnight the same day.

Commonwealth Bank data reveals that on average, approximately $332 million goes through merchant terminals every weekend, equating to around 4.7 million transactions. Traditionally, the funds from a weekend’s taking could not be accessed until the following Tuesday.

According to Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, Executive General Manager of Business Products and Development at the Commonwealth Bank, the introduction of Everyday Settlement is an important step forward in providing customers with greater control over their finances. Not being able to settle accounts every day of the week is often a frustration of many small businesses, which is why we are especially excited to be able to offer Everyday Settlement,” said Ms Bayer Rosmarin.

“Through this new service, the money a business makes today will go into their account that same day, no matter if it is a Saturday, Sunday or even a public holiday. Everyday Settlement will give businesses far greater control over their money, improving cashflow and facilitating simpler reconciliation. Combined with our Core banking technology, businesses can also get real-time access to those settled funds, including the ability to accrue value for them over the weekend.”

With no weekend cash flow gaps, merchants will be able transfer cash around their business with far greater speed, making it easier to pay both staff and suppliers. Businesses will also benefit from an easier daily reconciliation process, with transactions for weekends and public holidays no longer lumped together in a single day at the start of the following week.

“For businesses across Australia, every dollar counts and it’s important that businesses can access the money they make as fast as possible, in turn making it work harder and more efficiently for their business,” said Ms Bayer Rosmarin.

“Suppliers often ask for tight turnarounds when it comes to paying for goods and services and with Everyday Settlement, businesses will now have funds accessible daily to complete these orders.”

“We have been working hard to develop this technology for our customers and together with real-time banking, we are proud to give both businesses and consumers greater visibility and access to their money.”

Everyday Settlement is just one of the many services offered to businesses by the Commonwealth Bank, which was this year recognised as the Best Small Business Bank in Australia by Canstar Cannex.

If you would like to find out more about the Commonwealth Bank offer, please contact Fiona McTaggart on 1300 226 683 .

GILLIS DELANEY LAWYERS

We listen
We answer your questions and deliver a service that will meet all of your needs. We invest in lasting relationships and take the time to develop closer relationships focused on better legal outcomes through expert advice. It’s simple - it’s about respect and taking the time to understand what you need.

We understand
Good or bad, we need to know where you are before you can determine where you need to be. We tell it like it is. We won’t sugar coat the issues. We see the early warning signs and will warn you before it’s too late. We will arm you with informed answers to tough questions and keep you on top of the facts that matter.

We deliver results
You need practical ideas that deliver real results. Our people and our ideas can make a difference and we thrive on the opportunity to think creatively and deliver innovative solutions. We listen, understand, provide the best information and deliver value for money. We embrace ideas and use creativity to find better ways to do things.

BLOOMTOOLS

If you want to increase your sales and keep your customers coming back for more, then you will love this offer. Our web partner, Bloomtools, is offering our members $900 worth of website tools when they sign up for a Bloomtools website before the 30th of June, 2012. If you want a website that gets results, integrates with Database Marketing, and has all the tools you need to succeed online, then we recommend Bloomtools. They're more than a website developer, they're also an online consultant that will work with you and provide you with training so that you can get the most out of your website.

HICA

The Federal Government has announced a revamp of the country’ s aged care system, providing the opportunity for more Australians to remain home while receiving care.

In what prime minister Julia Gillard and the minister for ageing Mark Butler have heralded as landmark changes, the $3.7million Living Longer Living Better initiative outlines a ten-year plan to increase the number of home care packages, as well as providing additional funding for dementia care in aged care.
Health care expenses are also addressed, with the package including capping care costs at $25,000 a year and $60,000 over a lifetime.
“This package reflects in a large part what older Australians, their families and carers, and aged care providers have told is wrong with the system,” Miss Gillard and Mr Butler said in a joint statement today (April 20).
“These reforms will enable older Australians to get the help they both need and deserve so they can remain living in their own homes for as long as possible.”
Some older Australians may find private health insurance cover beneficial in assisting with additional costs as they age - not only can it offer reduced hospital waiting times, but also access to high care services such as palliative care facilities when eventually the need arises.