www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au
Crown Melbourne has announced that Gordon Ramsay’s Maze restaurant will open in Australia’s newest hotel in February 2010
An agreement has been reached with Gordon Ramsay Holdings International to open Maze, one of London’s most popular and successful restaurant concepts, within Crown’s new, third hotel in early 2010.
Crown’s CEO, David Courtney, who made the announcement, said: "We’re thrilled to announce the exciting news that Gordon Ramsay will open a Maze restaurant at Crown.
Ramsay and Maze fit extremely well within the positioning of our new hotel as Maze has become renowned for being stylish, contemporary and providing an innovative food offer.
Maze will be hugely popular and will be a major drawcard for local, interstate and international visitors. Bringing Gordon Ramsay and Maze to Melbourne further cements our strategy of bringing some of the world’s best dining experiences to Crown and Melbourne.
Ramsay said: “This is our first step in bringing the Gordon Ramsay brand to Australia and after having seen the way Crown operates feel that this is an exciting and challenging opportunity.
While based on French cuisine, Maze's food has Asian influences and offers small tasting plates. Guests are encouraged to order individually or sample many dishes. Maze London, New York and Prague menus, for example, feature dishes such as bouillabaisse of red mullet with fennel puree and halibut ravioli with braised carrots, gremolata and veal vinaigrette.
Maze has been awarded a Michelin star and won an unprecedented number of awards during its first year of operation and most recently was named Best Breakthrough Restaurant at the San Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurant Awards.
Crown’s Third Hotel Tower (which is yet to be named) will be located on Clarendon Street, adjacent to the Crown Entertainment Complex.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Downturn will not put us off food
www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au
Despite slowing consumer spending the future still looks bright for hospitality and tourism students, as Australians look for new ways to treat themselves to life’s little luxuries, says William Blue College of Hospitality and Tourism.
The comment comes amid a predicted fall in Australian tourism and the recent drop in the Australian dollar. William Blue College says that while job prospects may be on the decline, the demand for hospitality will be sustained as the summer holiday season approaches.
“As consumers, Australians are creatures of comfort with a taste for the finer things in life. Even in an economic downturn, people still need to eat, sleep and be entertained,” says Jenny Jenkins, William Blue head of college.
“It’s about being smarter when it comes to making your dollar go further. Consumers are now looking at how they can continue to be entertained and enjoy top dining experiences that don’t break the budget. William Blue’s own training restaurant, Billy Blue Brassiere, has experienced a significant upturn in patrons over the last few months and recently won the 2008 Training Restaurant of the Year Award,” she says.
Interestingly, Jenkins predicts the wedding and event planning sector will continue to grow, following a record 116,000 weddings in 2007 – its highest level since 1990.
Jenkins also expects domestic tourism to see a significant boost over the holiday period, as the falling dollar encourages Australians to travel domestically.
She suggests that those pursuing a career in the hospitality and tourism industry, which employs over one million Australians, need to ensure that their skills, experience and qualifications are up-to-par in an increasingly competitive market.
According to Jenkins, hospitality is now a real career path that gives individuals the opportunity to contribute to an organisation’s overall business performance and bottom-line.
“Businesses are becoming increasingly choosey about the type of people they take on board.
Rather than employing people with no experience because they are under-staffed, employers are looking to highly-trained candidates who are multi-skilled and understand all the facets of the business.
“The more experience and qualifications a graduate has, the more valuable they are to an employer. In times of downturn people should look to up-skill and further their education to secure their careers and ensure they are less expendable,” says Jenkins.
Despite slowing consumer spending the future still looks bright for hospitality and tourism students, as Australians look for new ways to treat themselves to life’s little luxuries, says William Blue College of Hospitality and Tourism.
The comment comes amid a predicted fall in Australian tourism and the recent drop in the Australian dollar. William Blue College says that while job prospects may be on the decline, the demand for hospitality will be sustained as the summer holiday season approaches.
“As consumers, Australians are creatures of comfort with a taste for the finer things in life. Even in an economic downturn, people still need to eat, sleep and be entertained,” says Jenny Jenkins, William Blue head of college.
“It’s about being smarter when it comes to making your dollar go further. Consumers are now looking at how they can continue to be entertained and enjoy top dining experiences that don’t break the budget. William Blue’s own training restaurant, Billy Blue Brassiere, has experienced a significant upturn in patrons over the last few months and recently won the 2008 Training Restaurant of the Year Award,” she says.
Interestingly, Jenkins predicts the wedding and event planning sector will continue to grow, following a record 116,000 weddings in 2007 – its highest level since 1990.
Jenkins also expects domestic tourism to see a significant boost over the holiday period, as the falling dollar encourages Australians to travel domestically.
She suggests that those pursuing a career in the hospitality and tourism industry, which employs over one million Australians, need to ensure that their skills, experience and qualifications are up-to-par in an increasingly competitive market.
According to Jenkins, hospitality is now a real career path that gives individuals the opportunity to contribute to an organisation’s overall business performance and bottom-line.
“Businesses are becoming increasingly choosey about the type of people they take on board.
Rather than employing people with no experience because they are under-staffed, employers are looking to highly-trained candidates who are multi-skilled and understand all the facets of the business.
“The more experience and qualifications a graduate has, the more valuable they are to an employer. In times of downturn people should look to up-skill and further their education to secure their careers and ensure they are less expendable,” says Jenkins.
World Barista Championship announces new judges certification workshops
LONG BEACH, CA (November 14, 2008)
Two new judges certification workshops will be held in Long Beach, California and Melbourne, Australia for applicants who aspire to judge at the 2009 World Barista Championship (WBC) competition in Atlanta.
On April 16-19, 2009, national barista champions from over 56 countries will converge in Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center to compete for the ranking of world’s top coffee maker in front of a live audience of several hundred spectators and thousands of online viewers from around the world.
Participants that successfully complete the 2-day certification course will be included in a pool of volunteer judges that will evaluate the taste of beverages served in the 2009 competition, as well as, the creativity, technical skill and overall presentation of competitors.
Once certified, judges will be issued a certificate of completion and a license to use the WBC Certified Judge logo in accordance with WBC standards.
In order to attend, all candidates must meet the following prerequisites:
Two new judges certification workshops will be held in Long Beach, California and Melbourne, Australia for applicants who aspire to judge at the 2009 World Barista Championship (WBC) competition in Atlanta.
On April 16-19, 2009, national barista champions from over 56 countries will converge in Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center to compete for the ranking of world’s top coffee maker in front of a live audience of several hundred spectators and thousands of online viewers from around the world.
Participants that successfully complete the 2-day certification course will be included in a pool of volunteer judges that will evaluate the taste of beverages served in the 2009 competition, as well as, the creativity, technical skill and overall presentation of competitors.
Once certified, judges will be issued a certificate of completion and a license to use the WBC Certified Judge logo in accordance with WBC standards.
In order to attend, all candidates must meet the following prerequisites:
- Possess two consecutive years experience officiating at WBC-sanctioned national or regional barista competitions;
- Demonstrate the ability comprehend and complete all score sheets in English;
- Agree to comply with the WBC Code of Conduct;
- Agree to attend the 2009 competition and pre-competition events in Atlanta, GA from April 14-19 at his or her own expense; and
- Demonstrate a commitment to coffee excellence and to promoting the barista craft.
In Long Beach, December 4-5, 2008:Specialty Coffee Association of America Headquarters330 Golden Shore, Ste. 50, Long Beach, CA, USAFee: US$200 per person Register Here
In Melbourne, Australia January 14-15, 2009:Box Hill Institute465 Elgar Road, Box Hill, Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaFee: US$200 per person Register Here
Attendance is limited and advance registration is required. Dates for workshops in the United Kingdom and Africa will be announced shortly. For more information or to register, visit the World Barista Championship website at www.worldbaristachampionship.com.
About World Barista Championship UK Ltd.World Barista Championship UK Ltd is jointly owned by the Specialty Coffee Association of America and Speciality Coffee Association of Europe.
The first WBC competition took place in Monte Carlo in October 2000 and has since held annual competitions Miami, Oslo, Boston, Trieste, Seattle, Berne, Tokyo and Copenhagen.
The organization’s next event will be held in Atlanta, Georgia U.S.A., April 16-19, 2009.
For more information, please visit www.worldbaristachampionship.com.
Doombusters unite to fight the gloom
Kathleen Donaghey
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/
ANALYSTS agree that low confidence is hurting our economy so The Gold Coast Bulletin is calling on readers to 'join the Doombusters' and help revive consumer spirit.
With interest rates at a three-year low and petrol prices tumbling, consumers have more money and no better time to spend it than the lead-up to Christmas.
New stores are still opening, including a wing of boutique shops at Robina Town Centre, there are bargains to be had across the city and accommodation providers are offering holiday deals.
All combined, few cities are better placed to weather the economic storm than one whose name is made of 'gold' and where the sun shines all year round.
With all the fundamentals in place in this city, The Gold Coast Bulletin believes all that's needed to help get the economy flying is a little dose of confidence.
Caravan parks have so far been the first to enjoy the support of locals as bookings flood in for Christmas but other sectors are in need of help.
New Gold Coast business owners like Sean McCormick, who recently opened his jewellery and gift shop Fiera in the Robina Town Centre, agreed shoppers needed a boost in confidence.
Mr McCormick owns six jewellery and gift shops across the south-east and said turnover had fallen 10 per cent since the second week in October.
Sales have also remained slow in what should be the busiest time of the year.
Mr McCormick applauded The Gold Coast Bulletin's campaign to encourage people to get behind small businesses, saying it was exactly what was needed.
"It's coming up to Christmas which is a time of giving and it's time to get out and see what's new in stores," said Mr McCormick.
"Small businesses are at the coalface so people need to get out and support local businesses to get things moving."
Retailers Association chief executive Scott Driscoll said the current slow-down mostly stemmed from psychology which was why he has been eagerly talking things up.
Mr Driscoll said people needed to realise the economic outlook could be turned around from the current doom and gloom just by 'opening your wallets'.
"What we're going through is not an economic problem, it's a confidence problem," said Mr Driscoll, whose organisation represents independent shops, including food, clothing and furniture.
"Household budgets are actually in good shape: we've had interest rate cuts and the Government's $10 billion stimulus package means people will have money in the lead-up to Christmas.
"We're actually expecting a fairly good Christmas."
Restaurant and Catering Queensland chief executive James Visser agreed that the bad times need not remain so.
"While it's true discretionary spending is somewhat down, it's not all doom and gloom," said Mr Visser. "I have a lot of optimism because of the interest rate cuts -- with more expected -- and the Reserve Bank saying we're in a slump and not a recession. People are not going to say Christmas is cancelled.
"There'll be a lot of Christmas parties. It's hard to celebrate Christmas without celebratory cheer."
The latest CommSec retail spending figures show retail trade fell by 1.1 per cent in September and the worst hit sectors were food, clothing and other discretionary retail items. Business closures increased 7.59 per cent in Queensland in the September quarter, according to Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia data.
Insolvency firms on the Gold Coast have been kept busy, with businesses dropping out in building, transport, hospitality and food, although Worrells insolvency practitioner Brian Carey said other states were much worse off.
As a result of the situation, businesses, restaurants and cafes across the Gold Coast have been complaining of fewer customers and sales, including Retravision Bundall and Pacific Fair owner Sep Abedian, who said the customers just weren't coming.
Manchester stores, gift shops and clothing shops such as Karma House and Home have also watched as customers walk in and out without making a purchase.
"We've been expecting it to ramp up but it hasn't ramped up yet," said Karma owner Kerry Goodwin.
Doing his part to turn things around amid the standstill is Hot to Trot shoe shop owner Alan Rasho who is making light of the end-of-the-world mantra to snare a few more customers.
Mr Rasho said he was known for his budget leather shoes at Ashmore Plaza and the way to attract even more shoppers was through his 'doom and gloom sale' with nothing over $40.
"Since the economy has gone bust we've doubled our business," said Mr Rasho. "We haven't been quiet yet. People want their money to go further and this is where they come, especially if you've got a family of four kids who all need shoes."
Retailers across the board are being encouraged to similarly do whatever they can to prop up sales, including discounting heavily and promising interest free periods for 15 months.
Clearance offers, discount shopping vouchers, up to 50 per cent off sales and special offers were now available right across the Gold Coast.
However, if in the end all eventually goes bust and Australia follows the lead of the US and Europe which appear to be slipping into recession, many would agree there is no better place to tough it out than the Gold Coast.
Sunning herself at Broadbeach yesterday, Tess Goot, 23, said there was nowhere she would rather spend her time than on a Gold Coast beach.
"I can't think of a better place to be," she said.
CommSec equities economist Savanth Sebastian said shoppers had not only been spending less, they were also limiting themselves to crucial items, eating at home and saving 'for a rainy day'.
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/
ANALYSTS agree that low confidence is hurting our economy so The Gold Coast Bulletin is calling on readers to 'join the Doombusters' and help revive consumer spirit.
With interest rates at a three-year low and petrol prices tumbling, consumers have more money and no better time to spend it than the lead-up to Christmas.
New stores are still opening, including a wing of boutique shops at Robina Town Centre, there are bargains to be had across the city and accommodation providers are offering holiday deals.
All combined, few cities are better placed to weather the economic storm than one whose name is made of 'gold' and where the sun shines all year round.
With all the fundamentals in place in this city, The Gold Coast Bulletin believes all that's needed to help get the economy flying is a little dose of confidence.
Caravan parks have so far been the first to enjoy the support of locals as bookings flood in for Christmas but other sectors are in need of help.
New Gold Coast business owners like Sean McCormick, who recently opened his jewellery and gift shop Fiera in the Robina Town Centre, agreed shoppers needed a boost in confidence.
Mr McCormick owns six jewellery and gift shops across the south-east and said turnover had fallen 10 per cent since the second week in October.
Sales have also remained slow in what should be the busiest time of the year.
Mr McCormick applauded The Gold Coast Bulletin's campaign to encourage people to get behind small businesses, saying it was exactly what was needed.
"It's coming up to Christmas which is a time of giving and it's time to get out and see what's new in stores," said Mr McCormick.
"Small businesses are at the coalface so people need to get out and support local businesses to get things moving."
Retailers Association chief executive Scott Driscoll said the current slow-down mostly stemmed from psychology which was why he has been eagerly talking things up.
Mr Driscoll said people needed to realise the economic outlook could be turned around from the current doom and gloom just by 'opening your wallets'.
"What we're going through is not an economic problem, it's a confidence problem," said Mr Driscoll, whose organisation represents independent shops, including food, clothing and furniture.
"Household budgets are actually in good shape: we've had interest rate cuts and the Government's $10 billion stimulus package means people will have money in the lead-up to Christmas.
"We're actually expecting a fairly good Christmas."
Restaurant and Catering Queensland chief executive James Visser agreed that the bad times need not remain so.
"While it's true discretionary spending is somewhat down, it's not all doom and gloom," said Mr Visser. "I have a lot of optimism because of the interest rate cuts -- with more expected -- and the Reserve Bank saying we're in a slump and not a recession. People are not going to say Christmas is cancelled.
"There'll be a lot of Christmas parties. It's hard to celebrate Christmas without celebratory cheer."
The latest CommSec retail spending figures show retail trade fell by 1.1 per cent in September and the worst hit sectors were food, clothing and other discretionary retail items. Business closures increased 7.59 per cent in Queensland in the September quarter, according to Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia data.
Insolvency firms on the Gold Coast have been kept busy, with businesses dropping out in building, transport, hospitality and food, although Worrells insolvency practitioner Brian Carey said other states were much worse off.
As a result of the situation, businesses, restaurants and cafes across the Gold Coast have been complaining of fewer customers and sales, including Retravision Bundall and Pacific Fair owner Sep Abedian, who said the customers just weren't coming.
Manchester stores, gift shops and clothing shops such as Karma House and Home have also watched as customers walk in and out without making a purchase.
"We've been expecting it to ramp up but it hasn't ramped up yet," said Karma owner Kerry Goodwin.
Doing his part to turn things around amid the standstill is Hot to Trot shoe shop owner Alan Rasho who is making light of the end-of-the-world mantra to snare a few more customers.
Mr Rasho said he was known for his budget leather shoes at Ashmore Plaza and the way to attract even more shoppers was through his 'doom and gloom sale' with nothing over $40.
"Since the economy has gone bust we've doubled our business," said Mr Rasho. "We haven't been quiet yet. People want their money to go further and this is where they come, especially if you've got a family of four kids who all need shoes."
Retailers across the board are being encouraged to similarly do whatever they can to prop up sales, including discounting heavily and promising interest free periods for 15 months.
Clearance offers, discount shopping vouchers, up to 50 per cent off sales and special offers were now available right across the Gold Coast.
However, if in the end all eventually goes bust and Australia follows the lead of the US and Europe which appear to be slipping into recession, many would agree there is no better place to tough it out than the Gold Coast.
Sunning herself at Broadbeach yesterday, Tess Goot, 23, said there was nowhere she would rather spend her time than on a Gold Coast beach.
"I can't think of a better place to be," she said.
CommSec equities economist Savanth Sebastian said shoppers had not only been spending less, they were also limiting themselves to crucial items, eating at home and saving 'for a rainy day'.
Federal Ombudsman now after butchers, bakers and coffee makers
Queensland Business Review
www.qbr.com.au
Butchers and bakers throughout Queensland and the rest of Australia are about to come under the watchful eye of the Federal Workplace Ombudsman over whether their workers are being properly paid.
Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson said a national food campaign running over the Christmas – New Year period would specifically target butchers, bakers, cafes, grocers, delis and suppliers of bulk food items such as seafood and poultry.
Mr Wilson said employers found to be underpaying workers or in breach of any other workplace laws would be advised to "rectify the situation immediately" however deliberate cases of abuse will have employers paying a $33,000 fine.
The Ombudsman’s move comes on top of a human services campaign that targeted 500 aged and child-care facilities around the country which ended with 600 workers receiving more than $155,000 in back pay.
www.qbr.com.au
Butchers and bakers throughout Queensland and the rest of Australia are about to come under the watchful eye of the Federal Workplace Ombudsman over whether their workers are being properly paid.
Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson said a national food campaign running over the Christmas – New Year period would specifically target butchers, bakers, cafes, grocers, delis and suppliers of bulk food items such as seafood and poultry.
Mr Wilson said employers found to be underpaying workers or in breach of any other workplace laws would be advised to "rectify the situation immediately" however deliberate cases of abuse will have employers paying a $33,000 fine.
The Ombudsman’s move comes on top of a human services campaign that targeted 500 aged and child-care facilities around the country which ended with 600 workers receiving more than $155,000 in back pay.
Business vulnerability to employee or customer sabotage
Peter Switzer November 17, 2008
Article from: The Australian
THE Coogee Bay Hotel is facing one of the greatest threats to its profitability and its all-important brand with the discovery that a customer was served human faeces in a chocolate ice cream desert.
This raises an issue for all small businesses: how vulnerable are they to employee or even customer sabotage, and what protection they should have.
The lesson from this case is that business owners and managers have a massive business risk and while insurance offers some protection, highly enlightened leadership and top-notch employee relations are critically important.
In case you missed this controversial event, a family reported that they had been served human poo in a bowl of chocolate ice cream. The hotel has settled the case with a $50,000 compensation payment. The matter is still subject to police investigation and the culprits are still to be identified.
It's reported that staff have been DNA-tested.
In the meantime the hotel has lost incalculable goodwill, jokesters christening it with economically damaging nicknames such as "Poogee Bay Hotel".
As risk management is critical for all successful business strategies, the question is: does conventional business insurance cover proprietors against the direct economic losses that can come from incidents of this kind?
All food businesses and most operations that serve coffee could potentially poison a customer. Cafes, restaurants and shops could easily and accidentally threaten customers' health through the likes of salmonella.
"Public and products liability insurance would generally compensate customers for personal injury or damage to their property caused by the non-deliberate failure of an employee to exercise the degree of care required," says Gerard McDermott, the executive general manager, customer and sales service, at GIO.
"For example, an employee may accidentally spill a serving tray of hot food and beverage on a customer during the course of serving."
But the big issue for the Coogee Bay Hotel specifically and other businesses generally is that public liability policies do not, as a rule, cover the deliberate and criminal acts of employees.
John Hart, the chief executive of Restaurant and Catering Australia stresses the difficulties for business owners when a disgruntled staff member goes feral.
"I would think the insurance coverage depends on whether the act was malicious," he says. "In such a case, I doubt anything would cover such an action."
The food industry is responsible for self-regulation of the safety of the food and beverages they supply whether as a cafe, restaurant or producer.
"The public and products liability product provides cover to compensate customers for unintended omissions that result in contamination of food, leading to claims," McDermot says.
"For food and beverage manufacturers, specialist insurance known as 'malicious product tamper' can be purchased to cover the deliberate contamination of food.
"However, it is very expensive and only available to those companies with a proven good history, excellent quality assurance programs and recall and crisis management procedures and policies."
These facts underline how exposed small businesses such as cafes and sandwich shops are. It illustrates the risk management, staff training and deep understanding of staff that a boss in this industry has to have.
John Hart believes employers have to manage these situations professionally.
"I am not sure we know what caused this event," he says.
"However, if it was staff out to get back at a customer, we would hope (that) effective management would not allow a situation like this to arise in the first place."
A big risk is that copycat actions could follow this well-publicised event.
"There are some instances where disgruntled staff do things to harm their employers but we do not really hear of these sort on instances," Hart says. "In small businesses like restaurants, if the owners have close working relationships with their staff, this sort of thing would be virtually unheard of."
Public and products liability insurance is a necessity for businesses. It not only compensates third parties such as customers for personal injury and property damage where the business is legally liable, but can also cover the cost of defending claims made against them, even where it is established that there is no fault.
The cost is not prohibitive, with minimum premiums starting at around $600 for $10 million worth of coverage. For a business with a turnover of $250,000 this is a rate of less than 0.25 per cent.
McDermot says liability claims do not happen as frequently as vehicle claims but when they do, the cost can be much higher. From GIO's experience, liability claims of $30,000 to $90,000 are not uncommon.
Any business afraid of being left in the "you know what" has to do risk calculations on what it could step into in the future and take out the smart level of protection.
Peter Switzer is the founder of Switzer Business Coaching
www.switzer.com.au
Article from: The Australian
THE Coogee Bay Hotel is facing one of the greatest threats to its profitability and its all-important brand with the discovery that a customer was served human faeces in a chocolate ice cream desert.
This raises an issue for all small businesses: how vulnerable are they to employee or even customer sabotage, and what protection they should have.
The lesson from this case is that business owners and managers have a massive business risk and while insurance offers some protection, highly enlightened leadership and top-notch employee relations are critically important.
In case you missed this controversial event, a family reported that they had been served human poo in a bowl of chocolate ice cream. The hotel has settled the case with a $50,000 compensation payment. The matter is still subject to police investigation and the culprits are still to be identified.
It's reported that staff have been DNA-tested.
In the meantime the hotel has lost incalculable goodwill, jokesters christening it with economically damaging nicknames such as "Poogee Bay Hotel".
As risk management is critical for all successful business strategies, the question is: does conventional business insurance cover proprietors against the direct economic losses that can come from incidents of this kind?
All food businesses and most operations that serve coffee could potentially poison a customer. Cafes, restaurants and shops could easily and accidentally threaten customers' health through the likes of salmonella.
"Public and products liability insurance would generally compensate customers for personal injury or damage to their property caused by the non-deliberate failure of an employee to exercise the degree of care required," says Gerard McDermott, the executive general manager, customer and sales service, at GIO.
"For example, an employee may accidentally spill a serving tray of hot food and beverage on a customer during the course of serving."
But the big issue for the Coogee Bay Hotel specifically and other businesses generally is that public liability policies do not, as a rule, cover the deliberate and criminal acts of employees.
John Hart, the chief executive of Restaurant and Catering Australia stresses the difficulties for business owners when a disgruntled staff member goes feral.
"I would think the insurance coverage depends on whether the act was malicious," he says. "In such a case, I doubt anything would cover such an action."
The food industry is responsible for self-regulation of the safety of the food and beverages they supply whether as a cafe, restaurant or producer.
"The public and products liability product provides cover to compensate customers for unintended omissions that result in contamination of food, leading to claims," McDermot says.
"For food and beverage manufacturers, specialist insurance known as 'malicious product tamper' can be purchased to cover the deliberate contamination of food.
"However, it is very expensive and only available to those companies with a proven good history, excellent quality assurance programs and recall and crisis management procedures and policies."
These facts underline how exposed small businesses such as cafes and sandwich shops are. It illustrates the risk management, staff training and deep understanding of staff that a boss in this industry has to have.
John Hart believes employers have to manage these situations professionally.
"I am not sure we know what caused this event," he says.
"However, if it was staff out to get back at a customer, we would hope (that) effective management would not allow a situation like this to arise in the first place."
A big risk is that copycat actions could follow this well-publicised event.
"There are some instances where disgruntled staff do things to harm their employers but we do not really hear of these sort on instances," Hart says. "In small businesses like restaurants, if the owners have close working relationships with their staff, this sort of thing would be virtually unheard of."
Public and products liability insurance is a necessity for businesses. It not only compensates third parties such as customers for personal injury and property damage where the business is legally liable, but can also cover the cost of defending claims made against them, even where it is established that there is no fault.
The cost is not prohibitive, with minimum premiums starting at around $600 for $10 million worth of coverage. For a business with a turnover of $250,000 this is a rate of less than 0.25 per cent.
McDermot says liability claims do not happen as frequently as vehicle claims but when they do, the cost can be much higher. From GIO's experience, liability claims of $30,000 to $90,000 are not uncommon.
Any business afraid of being left in the "you know what" has to do risk calculations on what it could step into in the future and take out the smart level of protection.
Peter Switzer is the founder of Switzer Business Coaching
www.switzer.com.au
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Australia named top country brand for third year
CANBERRA (Reuters Life!) - Tourism campaigns featuring bikini-clad models and images of the outback as in the new epic movie "Australia" have helped Australia win the title of world's top country brand for the third consecutive year.
An annual country branding index designed to track travel trends and pinpoint opportunities for tourism had Canada rising to second place in the list of countries with the best brand reputations after coming sixth last year.
The United States slipped one place to be ranked third in the index compiled from a survey of 2,700 travelers from nine countries by brand consultancy FutureBrand and public relations firm Weber Shandwick.
Other countries to make the top 10 in the fourth annual Country Brand Index (CBI) were Italy, Switzerland, France, New Zealand, Britain, Japan and Sweden.
The index identified China, the United Arab Emirates and Croatia as the top three "rising stars" - those likely to become major tourist destinations in the next five years.
FutureBrand's senior executive director Rina Plapler said some countries were now taking on board the idea of brand but this was still a largely underdeveloped category with most countries not using marketing to differentiate themselves.
"Particularly in the coming years, country brands must improve both their strategic orientation as well as their delivery," she said in a statement, referring to tougher times ahead for the travel industry.
Australia has just launched a global tourism campaign pitching itself as a place to "find yourself" aligned with the outback movie "Australia" released this month starring Nicole Kidman, focusing on the beauty of the country's vast landscape.
Tourism numbers to Australia dropped 4.7 percent last year as the country relied on a failed campaign starring a bikini-clad model asking "where the bloody hell are you?"
An annual country branding index designed to track travel trends and pinpoint opportunities for tourism had Canada rising to second place in the list of countries with the best brand reputations after coming sixth last year.
The United States slipped one place to be ranked third in the index compiled from a survey of 2,700 travelers from nine countries by brand consultancy FutureBrand and public relations firm Weber Shandwick.
Other countries to make the top 10 in the fourth annual Country Brand Index (CBI) were Italy, Switzerland, France, New Zealand, Britain, Japan and Sweden.
The index identified China, the United Arab Emirates and Croatia as the top three "rising stars" - those likely to become major tourist destinations in the next five years.
FutureBrand's senior executive director Rina Plapler said some countries were now taking on board the idea of brand but this was still a largely underdeveloped category with most countries not using marketing to differentiate themselves.
"Particularly in the coming years, country brands must improve both their strategic orientation as well as their delivery," she said in a statement, referring to tougher times ahead for the travel industry.
Australia has just launched a global tourism campaign pitching itself as a place to "find yourself" aligned with the outback movie "Australia" released this month starring Nicole Kidman, focusing on the beauty of the country's vast landscape.
Tourism numbers to Australia dropped 4.7 percent last year as the country relied on a failed campaign starring a bikini-clad model asking "where the bloody hell are you?"
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