M

“From the time I bought the business I wanted to go green”, says Brenda. “I changed the name to Maleny Green Printery because I started using recycled paper and 100% vegetable oil inks for my offset work. I use environmentally- friendly chemicals as much as I can, because it’s a really dirty business and the chemicals are quite harsh. So we try and limit that impact.

“The digital press is totally environmental”, Brenda adds. “There’s no ozone, there’s no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and there’s no chemicals.”

But does being green mean the customers pays more for their printing.

“No. I try to keep the costs down”, says Brenda. “I eat some of the margin to use the greener paper. “

Since taking over the business located in Coral Street, Brenda has updated most of the finishing equipment as well as buying the digital press. She has a new collator, stapler, and trimmer for booklets, and a perfect binder which makes paperback books. The floor-to-ceiling wall racks display the very wide range of publications, 90 per cent of them produced on the premises – business cards to brochures, stationery to books. Some jobs Brenda will outsource and not do on the premises.

“Large posters for example, and refrigerator magnets can be done better elsewhere. You literally have to cut them one at a time because quite naturally they stick together (she laughs).”

Before turning to printing Brenda had an executive position in sales and marketing with Hewlett Packard.

“Marketing just fascinates me”, she says. “What hooks the customer and what doesn’t.”

And, given her previous business life Brenda is comfortable with technology. Aware that it changes every five years, Brenda calls herself an “early adopter” – a quick customer for new technology and products. She is applying for a national certification as a green printer for ethical reasons through the Printing Industries Association of Australia. It’s also because within a couple of years all government printing contracts will require it.

“I have to make a couple of physical changes to the place. I had to buy a spill kit for example. But I am well within the range for most of the requirements.

“Certification does bring out particular graphic designers who are looking for green printers, so I am looking forward to that.”

Clients are approaching Brenda from interstate because they are looking to use recycled paper, and she has printed jobs for clients down south cheaper than printers they’ve known around the corner.

“One of the things I like about this business is that you create what you want and I like printing a variety of things. I will print 100 books and then we’ll do some business cards and brochures. I have spoilt the community though”, says Brenda with bright laughter. “ They ring and say, ‘Oh there’s no hurry. This afternoon will be OK”. www.malenyprint.com

Three heads are better than one - Fig Creative team: IT specialist Nathan Arrowsmith, graphic designer Adrian Anderson and head of marketing, Jennifer Perri - taking online strategy to Blackall Range businesses.

MALENY-BASED Fig Creative specialises in online strategy and brand management for businesses. This group of marketers, web designers and IT specialists has now created a suite of training programs to further help their clients get maximum leverage from the Internet.

Fig’s head of marketing is Jennifer Perri and she told the Hinterland Times what her clients will gain from the new training workshops.

“What we’re finding is that businesses want their website to be at the top in Google when people search for their products and services.

What we’ve set up is a series of workshops where our clients and their staff can get an insight into the world of doing business online.

Social media is an area that I don’t think many businesses have embraced yet because they don’t understand it. Things like Twitter, Facebook and blogging can all be automated but people don’t know that can happen.

Many people have great industry specific information but they don’t know how to get that onto their websites and how to get it out into the marketplace.
So we’re looking at building people’s understanding over time of what can be done and then giving them the skills to be able to do it themselves.

Our workshops are designed for business owners, and include a free introductory session. This is then followed by an advanced session including hands-on training.

We have a range of online products for businesses of all sizes, from a simple online business card style website, to many more advanced options, including websites you can update yourself and shopping cart websites.”

The next workshop on March 16 is on email marketing, followed in April by social media networking.
To make a booking for Fig’s workshops, or for more information, visit www.figcreative.com.au or phone 0400 771 143.

“We led a very hectic life in Brisbane”, says Christine, “so we can’t wait to get into the relaxed lifestyle Montville has to offer”.

Montville Country Cabins has been run successfully as boutique accommodation for over 10 years. It has nine cabins and the 16 acre property backs onto Kondalilla Falls National Park, successfully mixing landscaped grounds with untouched rainforest.

“The previous owners did a great job fitting out the cabins with features such as private decks and spa baths, but we look  forward to adding our own special features to the place”says Christine.

Montville Country Cabins will remain fully operational whilst the family makes renovations to each of the cabins.

For further information please contact
Montville Country Cabins on (07) 5442 9484 or: www.montvillecabins.com.au

Owner John Hargreaves says “our emphasis is on using the best fresh fruit and vegetables sourced locally wherever possible, and providing affordable wholesome and healthy takeaway food whether it’s for people on the go or picnickers in the park.”

In addition to the fabulous fresh juices and smoothies available at Green Jaboranti, there is a selection of gourmet sandwiches, along with freshly made panini and wraps or portable lunch platters, just perfect for a picnic on the adjacent Montville Village Green.

Green Jaboranti is conscious of people with specific dietary requirements, and stocks a range of locally made gluten and dairy-free cakes incorporating omega 3-rich macadamia oil instead of butter and carefully selected non-wheat flours – just perfect to team up with a good coffee. The beautiful fresh muffins are a must try!

So, if you’re marking time to pick up the children from school or a partner cruising the shops…why not treat yourself to a gourmet ice cream or yoghurt while you wait?
Green Jaboranti Mayfield Centre Montville Open 7 days Ph: 5442 9344. Take advantage of their easy off-street parking alongside the Village Green or in the Mayfield Centre.

I recently tracked vacant Rural Residential land values in Flaxton over a period of twenty years from 1990 to 2010.

Whilst the annual gain wasn’t consistent, over that period the average was between 10% and 11% per annum.

During the last ten of the twenty years (1994 through 2004) values flat lined and prices did not change, and taking into account inflation property values effectively decreased.

But like the stock market, a correction eventually occurs and with increasing activity from the period 2003 through 2005 it culminated in a doubling in value in the last six months of that previous ten year period!

So, as you can see from this somewhat radical example, in the past, if you held property long enough the gain would occur, if not annually, at least over a period of time.

What will it do in the future?

Who can say, but I believe property on the Range is very well placed to experience continuing capital gain.

We have a finite land supply on the Range with an area approximately 25kms north to south and an average 10 or so km’s west to east, with escarpments on three sides and 10,000 hectares of National Park controlled land to the north.

Add to this the scenic attractiveness, the climatic advantages, the rural amenity – and – the biggest one of all – the growing desirability to those “trapped” in the ever growing “urban jungles” off Range both locally and elsewhere in Australia.

To establish just where your property stands in relation to capital gain – just ask a reputable Agency for a Market Appraisal which they must complete in writing as a Comparative Market Assessment.

Next month I’ll address this appraisal process in detail.

John Taylor (23 years Range Real Estate experience)

Montville Real Estate
200 Main St,Montville
Phone 5478 5478

An example of where an easement can benefit a property:

John owns a tract of land that borders a national park which is a popular area for bushwalking and fishing. Ruth lives next door to John, but her land does not adjoin the national park. To avoid tresspassing, she must access the national park by walking or driving to a public entry point. Instead, John grants Ruth an easement allowing present and future owners of Ruth’s property to cross John’s land to access the national park.

How does an easement affect the person who grants it? The landowner who grants an easement usually cannot build structures within an easement area or use fencing that would hinder access. Other activities might also be prohibited. Before you purchase property you should know where all easements are located and what restrictions are associated with them.

Can easements affect property values?

Yes it is possible.

• Several easements on a tract of land might seriously limit the choice of building sites.
• High tension lines running through an easement near an otherwise great building site can be unsightly. Resale values may be affected since many people feel that living too close to power lines is a health risk.
• Buyers may simply not like the idea that others have a right to use the land in some way.

Don’t assume that because an easement is not currently being used it will never be used. As long as an easement is registered on the title of the property there is always a possibility that the individual who benefits from it will decide to enforce it.

Easton Lawyers

62 Maple Street, Maleny Ph 5494 3511

6b/3 Obi Obi Road, Mapleton Ph 5478 6500

tove@eastonlawyers.com.au

The Housing Industry Association -CSR Queensland Housing Awards are eagerly contested from regional builders throughout the state. Regarded as Queensland’s highest accolade for building design and site position, the Grandview Homes win was for the open category for all builders with unlimited budgets.

The winning entry is called The Harvard and it comes from Grandview Homes stable of award-winning designs. It was chosen by the owners in Flaxton as the best use of their hinterland acreage and its street appeal.

The winning house scored the highest against all criteria and the judges said “the workmanship was very good, and a step up from flawless. Given the site costs, this home represents good value for money and is very competitive in its category”.

The landscaping for the winning property was by Alexander Landscapes and according to the home owners the on-site judges spent as much time outside the house admiring the landscaping as they did inside.

Grandview Homes managing director, Scott Harrison said he was honoured to receive such high praise and he commended his staff, contractors and suppliers for their high standards of performance.

Sherryl and Peter are well known to many Coast residents and they have made their tree change to Mapleton with the aim of making their ‘Heaven’s Hideaway’ more private and secluded.

Sherryl told the Hinterland Times that she and Peter were planning to add more cabins with their own landscaped surrounds and private balconies, at the same time retaining some caravan and camping sites.

The beautiful, sloping seven acre site on Obi Obi Road has patches of rain forest and mature gardens and creeks. Its massive palms complete the picture of a relaxing and tranquil weekend breakaway at the top of the Range.

www.mapletoncabinscaravans.com.au

In the busy world of business there is a long-standing axiom that, ‘Nothing happens until someone sells something to somebody’.

To effectively engage consumers you have to understand their needs and wants.

That’s what this new column is about.

We will help you develop insights into consumers’ shopping and behavioural patterns so that you will be able to style your product or service to meet their needs and wants, and how you can best market to them.

Understanding consumer behaviour takes time and you need to be patient. It involves a few crucial stages:

1. Defining your target audience and how to talk to them effectively
2. Correctly positioning and presenting your business offer to them.
3. Commit to an ongoing strategy of advertising and promotion to communicate with your target audience through your chosen medium. There is no secret here except to rely on consistency and repetition.
4. Actively develop and constructively use your customer data base

With this in mind here are 10 basic strategies that are important for any consumer advertisement, brochure or flyer. These strategies will help grow your customer base and hence your business.

1 -Keep your ad SIMPLE and EASY to read.

Less is always more

• A headline should dominate the top of an ad
• It should be quick and easy to read
• Customers are exposed to hundreds of messages each day so your ad may only have their attention for a matter of seconds.
• The quicker and easier you get your message across, the more chance you have of engaging them.

2 - Your headline should contain a real single BENEFIT

• E.g. ‘Buy one… get one free’ …rather than ‘ Buy one and save’
• Give them a tangible message that they can understand …quickly.
• Do not play with words…your credibility is on the line
• Remember trust is hard to earn…easy to break.

3 - Include a RELEVANT VISUAL

to complement your offer

• E.g. Whatever you are selling or promoting, show it in its best light.
• It is worth spending money up front on quality photography or illustration. Remember it’s a one-off cost and can be amortised over the life of the advertisement.

4 -Keep body copy SUCCINCT.

• Bullet point the product/service benefits unless you have a large ad with the luxury of space

5 - Use of colour

• Some products are more eye-catching when presented in colour……e.g. food, fashion or toys
• This achieves maximum impact for the appropriate category
• Remember we largely buy with our eyes.

6 - Mono colour ads also have their place

• Retail ads can also be very effectively presented in mono or single colors.
• Tried and tested retail colours of red, yellow or black and white can be powerful if correctly used.

7 - Size does not always count

• Having a big ad does not ensure it will automatically be better, or engage the consumer more effectively, than a smaller ad
• Always remember it is the content and tone of the message that counts.

8 - Innovative use of space and design

• Experiment with ad space and design
• Discuss options with your media representative
• An innovative approach can add interest not only for your customer but also for the medium you are using

9 - Consistency and repetition

• Getting your message across takes persistence
• Repetition and consistency give your communication a greater chance of cut through.
• It sometimes takes courage and commitment to walk this path.

10 - Deliver the brand promise

• Always under promise and over deliver.
• Make sure the customers shopping experience with you is a positive one in every respect
• What your ad promises must be followed through in-store and with the after sales service.
• Do not underestimate the importance of your staff and staff training in meeting your business goals.

In summary:

Aim for a strategic position in the market place.

Create a brand name/logo to reflect this position.

Get to understand your customer base.

Keep your communication simple and understandable

Deliver your brand promise with each consumer shopping experience.

Try to be innovative in your use of media.

Consistency and repetition wins out in the end.

Develop and work your data base.

About Eddy Odden

Eddy Odden has enjoyed a long and successful career in marketing and advertising here and overseas. As managing director of the Leo Burnett advertising agency in the 1990s and early 2000s he worked with some of Austalia’s largest and best known retail brand names. In Sydney he managed the retail division of M&C Saatchi and held senior management roles on the client side before returning to Queensland. He now runs a retail marketing communications consultancy based in Caloundra. Contact: odden@idx.com.au

Although Graham and Judy have passed the 60 year age barrier, they both still lead active lives. Judy was a noted potter and sculptor for many years and developed an excellent reputation in the pottery world. She has conducted classes on the range and judged the popular Maleny Teapot Show and other competitions.

Unfortunately, back problems forced her to give up clay work but she is still very keen on art in all forms and intends to get into something less physical when she settles into Maleny life.

Graham has been interested in sport all his life. He won Queensland state titles at tennis when in his teens. He has played squash for 35 years and still plays A grade in the Sunshine Coast fixture competition. He has been president of the Nambour squash club for many years.

“We are pround of the fact that we have achieved 40 years of marriage, and more importantly,” Judy added, “we still like each other!”

Graham and Judy Gardiner have have three adult daughters Jodi, Debbie and Gillian as well as seven grandchildren - Max, Jack, Levi, Riley, Abi and newly arrived twins, Jasper and Eli.

Judy and Graham are still getting their new house just the way they want it, but are gradually adapting to the quieter pace in Maleny. If you see them wandering around in their bright orange work shirts, they would love it if you stopped them and said hello. Or to book their professional cleaning services T: 0419 734 494