b'The Great Eastern Mail AUGUST 26, 2022 07Business program reaps big results New regulations ensure VictoriansLEVENbusinessesinEastCr Greacen said Council was veryin isolation can voteE Gippslandhavecollectivelypleased with the level of engagementNew regulations will mean Victorians who made$5.4millioninfrom the participants. have tested positive to COVID-19 will be productivityimprovementsthanksWeappreciatethecommitmentable to vote via telephone in the November totheirparticipationinanEast fromthebusinessesinvolvedinState election.Gippsland Shire Council program. theprogramespeciallyintheseThe new regulations will allow people TheGrowYourBusinessGrouptryingtimeswherethepandemicsubject to public health restrictions and Program2022deliveredsimple,andisolationrequirementsposedisolating due to coronavirus to access measurableandeffectivebusinesschallengestheprogramhadneverelectronic-assisted voting via phone.improvementtrainingopportunitiesseen before. The changes also allow for electronic at no cost to the businesses. MultipleWorkshopfacilitator,RayClarkassisted voting to be extended to voters employeesfromeachbusinessfromOptimImprovement,saidtheimpacted by certain other emergency participatedinthecourse,whichcourse had four false starts in 2021situations, where an emergency centred around group learning anddue to COVID-19 induced lockdowns. determination is made by the Victorian incorporatingindividualprojectsRay Clark from Optim Improvement, Julie Barling and Dave Williams from Wood StreetWeeventuallystartedwithanElectorial Commissioner.focusedonrealbusinessneedstoWindows, and Cr Jane Greacen OAM. onlineprogramviaZoomfortheVictorians who are already eligible for transfer learning into their business. operationssystems.Thebusinessesmanyimprovementsthroughoutbusinessesthatwantedtostartelectronic assisted voting, such as voters The $5.4 million in savings is thesawmajordollarbenefitsobtainedtheir production area. making improvements immediately.who are blind or have low vision, or who bestresultfromthefourpreviousfromfreeinguptimeandreducingWeimplementedwhatwehaveIn2022,thebusinessessufferedhave a motor impairment, will continue to occasions when Council has run theexpenditure. learntinthiscourse,cuttingdownfrom labour shortages, sickness andhave access to the service.program. The feedback weve had from thewastageandmakingeveryjob/ isolating and the inability to recruitThe Electoral Regulations 2022 also make Markingtheendofthisyearsparticipants about the impact it hastaskeasierandmoreenjoyable.Idnew employees, Mr Clark said. other changes to improve Victorias electoral program at an event on July 27 weremade on their individual businessesstrongly recommend this course to allOn top of this there were supplysystem.11 participating businesses includingis very positive, Cr Greacen said. localbusinesses,thespokespersonshortagesanddelaysandevenForms prescribed in the Electoral WoodStreetWindows,ZCGandThe program is part of the Australiansaid. unseasonalweatherallmakingitRegulations 2022 have been updated and Kennedy Trailers. Small Business Improvement GroupsWood Street Windows Julie Barlingadifficultperiod.Amazingly,mostsimplified with information in plain English CrJaneGreacenOAMattended(ASBIG) model and was delivered bysaid her business was always evolvingofthebusinesseswereabletoand unnecessary elements deleted.onbehalfoftheMayorandsaidOPTIM Improvement. and inviting outside knowledge as itmakesubstantialimprovementsThe Electoral Regulations 2022 CouncilrecognisestheimportanceLyndenKennedyfromKennedyisaneverchanginganddemandingtoproductivity,costreductionandcommence on 20 August with the themanufacturingsectorplaysTrailerssaidtheprogramwasaindustry. shorteningleadtimes.Thisinpartrecommendation of the Victorian Electoral insupportingtheEastGippslandgreatalternativetothefullleanIt has been fantastic to be a part ofwas due to the ASBIG program havingCommissioner and will replace the Electoral economy. manufacturingcoursehehadthe ASBIG training program. The staffa small amount of targeted training,Regulations 2012 before they expire on 21 ManufacturingisoneofEastcompleted in the past. have gained a lot of knowledge andtheuseofsimpletechniquesthatAugust.GippslandslargestsectorswithaThis course was all the big leanhave grown in confidence in makingwere time efficient, and an emphasisThe Victorian Electoral Commission numberofveryimportantsmallmanufacturing concepts and ideas inandimplementingchangeinouron simplicity and easy to implement(VEC) is an independent statutory body andmediumsizemanufacturinga much shorter, concentrated course. environment, using tools learnt fromsolutions. that is responsible for the conduct of State businesses supporting our economy.Itworksreallywellforbringingthe course, Ms Barling said. Councilislookingforwardtoelections in Victoria.Toimplementchangesthathavenew employees up to speed quickly,This is a course any business cancontinuingsimilarsmallbusinessThe VEC will provide further information saved these businesses a combinedwhile keeping the company lean andbe involved in and gain knowledgeprogramstofurtherassistlocalabout how people who are isolating $5.4 million is incredible, Cr Greaceninnovative for the future, Mr Kennedyandbettertheirprocessesandindustries into the future, by enablingcan vote by phone after the regulations said. said. productivity just like we have. Thankbusinessestolearnthenecessarycommence on Saturday, August 20 atIt was terrific to recognise the workOneoftheparticipantsyoutobothASBIGandtheEastskills and techniques to optimise theirvec.vic.gov.au. For phone inquiries, call of ASBIG supporting East GippslandrepresentingZCGtoldCounciltheGippsland Shire for allowing us to bebusinessesthroughsimpleactions131 832. The State election will be held on businesses to review and refine theirASBIG program helped them makea part of it. that require little capital investment. Saturday, 26 November.Tarra Bulga National Park Cape WoolamaiGippsland Phillip IslandStay close, go further.VISIT VICTORIAYou dont have to go far to feel like youre a whole world away. Just far enough to leave the crowds behind and \x06 nd your space. A place where you can reconnect with nature, soak in the scenery and feed your soul. And okay, enjoy some great wine while youre at it. Go further in Victoria.'