4556 Chamber of Commerce

Tomorrow night (Thursday 27 March) is our new night time networking event we’re calling the Late Shift. Please come and join us 😁

A lot has happened this week including our Thought Leadership event on Tuesday unpacking "Cyber Protection for your Business - Being Savvy & Secure in a Digital World". It was a fascinating discussion with an expert panel and questions from the audience. Such a critical topic for all SMEs. It's not a case of if but when you will be caught up in a cyber event. It may be direct, via a customer or supplier hack but it will be inconvenient, time consuming, embarassing and cause reputational damage. Doing nothing is not an option anymore. You can listen to a recording of the Thought Leadership event on YouTube here https://lnkd.in/gaJdzXbC There are lots of good quality credible self-help resources to learn the basics. Here's a link to just one of them. https://lnkd.in/gEGmFQ_a Or, if you want more in the form of the strategies to mitigate cybersecurity incidents, the most effective of these mitigation strategies are the Essential Eight. Look for information about that at the same link as above. Thank you to our moderator Dr Dennis Desmond, Victoria Cole, Scott Betterridge and Bryton Wishart (from VINTI Tech). Thanks to our wonderful event partners Jane Menzies, PhD & Dr Melissa Innes from University of the Sunshine Coast and Shivani Tholasi, BCom, MBus, MIML from the Institute of Managers and Leaders Australia and New Zealand. #cyberprotection #cyberrisk #riskmitigation #businessprotection #sunshinecoastbusiness

Delighted to share this invitation from LinkedIn Local Sunshine Coast to their April event "A Tasty AI LinkedIn Recipe". Participate to explore how AI can be used to improve your LinkedIn presence and catalyse your small business’s growth! Date: Wednesday, 2nd April 2025 Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Location: Buderim Tavern, Sunshine Coast Cost: Free! (Food Provided) Sponsors: FWD FEST, Lauren Biggs Photography and Matters Magazine. Key Takeaways: Spot the difference between genuine AI enhancement and algorithmic fluff Create content that prompts real professional conversations. Build an approach that saves time while maintaining your authentic voice Bonus: Take home a worksheet to implement these techniques on your profile immediately. Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow small business owners and professionals in a relaxed, supportive environment, all looking to refine their LinkedIn approach. Introducing our workshop facilitator: Dr Karen Sutherland (SFHEA) Dr Karen Sutherland, a Certified AI Consultant and Senior Lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, is a recognised expert in AI for strategic marketing and communication. As Director of Dharana Digital, she has guided organisations around Australia and the USA in leveraging AI to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Dr Karen has won accolades, including the 2023 Book Excellence Award and multiple Stevie Awards. With over a decade of global training experience, her research focuses on AI in strategic communication and social media. Author of the widely downloaded Strategic Social Media Management, her next book, AI for Strategic Communication, was released in February 2025 by Palgrave Macmillan. Featured in outlets like the Wall Street Journal, ABC, Nine and Sky News, Dr Karen has been international news streaming service Ticker’s regular AI and Social Media expert since 2019. RSVP now https://lnkd.in/gbZ9GPgk See you on the 2nd April for an evening of learning, networking, and actionable insights.

‘Prevention is better than cure’ was a popular adage today at our discussion about cyber protection for your business. It’s frightening that the business risk has moved from an ‘if’ situation to a ‘when’. The clear message was take action now: educate yourself with the free help/tools available from reputable sources, audit your processes, engage your people, take little steps at least. Do something rather than nothing before being forced to do something. Getting caught out doing nothing will ensure that you suffer financial loss and huge inconvenience, customer wrath and reputational damage. This affects SME businesses as much as large businesses and guess who has teams working on it. Some straight up tips from two of our Thought Leadership panel today: Scott Betterridge from Private Portfolio Strategies - Sunshine Coast and Bryton Wishart from VINTI Tech University of the Sunshine Coast Institute of Managers and Leaders Australia and New Zealand Jane Menzies, PhD Dr Melissa Innes #sunshinecoastbusiness #cybersecurity #MultiFactorAuthentication #upskilling #BusinessProtection #riskmanagement

Last chance to secure your ticket for tomorrow’s event. Put your own questions to the panel and mix & mingle with them before and after. See you tomorrow!

Cyber threats are on the rise, and financial service providers are prime targets. Are you confident your business is protected? Join us at the USC Thought Leadership Series: Cyber Business Protection – Being Savvy and Secure in this Digital World. Gain expert insights on safeguarding your operations & discuss what you should know and do to protect your business and your clients from an experienced panel: Dr Dennis Desmond (facilitator), Victoria Cole (Airlock Digital), Scott Betterridge (Private Portfolio Strategies) & Bryton Wishart (VINTI Tech) 📅 Date: Tuesday 18th March 📍 Location: Innovation Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast 🎤 Why Attend? ✅ Learn the latest cyber risks affecting financial services ✅ Get practical tips to protect your clients' sensitive data ✅ Hear from leading experts on fraud prevention & cybersecurity ✅ Network with other business professionals facing similar challenges Your clients trust you with their financial security—ensure your business is just as protected. Don’t miss out on this critical event! 👉 Register now: http://bit.ly/3R4sc4H Dr Melissa Innes Jane Menzies, PhD Shivani Tholasi, BCom, MBus, MIML #thoughtleadership #cyberbusinessprotection #sunshinecoastbusiness

What a week it’s been as we’ve waited and watched TC Alfred spin towards us. Let’s bunker down and ride this out. If we’re lucky enough to stay on the northern side with lesser impacts, let’s just be grateful and support those maybe less fortunate. To wrap up the week, here’s some happy snaps from our coffee morning at @montanasbuderim on Tuesday. Thanks to Matt and his team for hosting us in this popular, busy cafe in Buderim. Congrats 👏 to Luke Sockhill from @bizflow_custom_automations who won the @unisc.australia prize of two tix to the next Thought Leadership event on cyber business protection on March 18. Cheers to everyone who attended 🙏 See you for the next coffee morning on April 1st at White’s IGA Forest Glen🤩 pst … If you can’t get to before work networking events, try our new Late Shift quarterly event after work on March 27 at Buderim Tavern 😉 We will probs be in for a wild weekend. Stay safe everyone. 🤞 #4556chamberofcommerce #seeyouontheothersideofalfred

Great tips shared by Kym Cousins & Luke Hawley last night at LinkedIn Local Sunshine Coast about the changes to the Linkedin algorithm to work with for improved results. Many takeaways including how videos are now ideally 30 seconds or less (yikes that's reduced a lot), comments (and replies) over 10 words are the best engagement ever, and lots of new features that Linkedin has created for company pages. Creating a newsletter is just one of them. The beauty is that Linkedin will automatically invite all of your page followers to subscribe and it will send the newsletter directly to your followers email inbox. So how do you create a newsletter if you have a company page with 150 or more followers... This video shows you how!

Thanks Jane! You’re a true professional and wonderful collaborator & colleague. Great content and offers to business leaders. 💯

Big News! The 4556 Chamber of Commerce has hit an incredible 750 members—and Donna Niazov, Justin Lippiatt ,Leanne Layfield, Lance & Jenny Collett & rest of committee are just getting started! Their 2025 goal? 1,000 members strong! They here to maximise the potential and prosperity of the 4556 postcode area, supporting businesses in Kunda Park, Forest Glen, Sippy Downs, Buderim, and the University of the Sunshine Coast. What sets 4556 chamber apart? REAL community engagement, REAL connections. REAL opportunities. REAL growth. Join us for genuine networking, game-changing events, and a thriving business community. Let’s grow together! https://lnkd.in/gwTyEdam Sconetime Buderim is a Cool Collaboration with 4556 Chamber of Commerce, Buderim Ginger, The Ginger Factory, Simplee Sweet on Buderim, Montville Coffee, Buderim War Memorial Community Association BWMCA, Manawee Garden Centre & Gift Shop, Bassett Barks Pty Ltd & Yours truly Sunshine Coast Foodie Martin Duncan 👍😍🤩 Sconetime Buderim Wednesday 7th May 2025 @ 10am at Buderim War Memorial Hall & CWA Room grab Mum, Dad, Nan,Pop, Senior Neighbour for Sconetime! https://lnkd.in/gt23Qn9a Sconetime creates meaningful community connections where Seniors in Our community come together with family & Business owners over fresh hot scones loaded with home-made jam and loads freshly whipped cream! More on Sconetime ... www.sconetime.com.au Heads up! Montanas is your ultimate coffee spot in the heart of Buderim. With friendly staff and exceptional service, Matt , Darci & team have created an all-day menu that is bursting with flavour & packed with love! They rock out Coffee from 7 am daily Enjoy a gourmet breakfast or indulge with a lazy weekend brunch. Taste their locally roasted, barista made coffee or enjoy a wide variety of juices, smoothies and herbal teas! They may be a coffee hub in the morning, but Montanas transforms into a fully licensed, long lunch venue, serving up an impressive menu, loaded with fresh salads, local seafood & indulgent burgers, as well as a range of tasty, daily chef specials. https://lnkd.in/gxTnHUG8 #4556chamber #bassettbarks #thegingerfactory #buderimginger #manaweegardencentre #sunshinecoastfoodie #connectingcommunity