Many businesses are like a household garden – they need tending, careful weeding, support, nourishment and an ever watchful eye kept over the business by its owner.

This is the second year Wollongong City Council has partnered with Shellharbour Council and Kiama Municipal Council in offering the Economic Gardening program to business. The Wollongong program last year provided 33 participants with a series of workshops and coaching to help business owners grow their business.

Wollongong’s Business Development Manager Brenden Logue said the aim of the workshop is to help established businesses reach their potential.

“Small business is an important part of the Wollongong economy, this program provides practical support to business delivered by experienced consultants.

“We are planning these workshops to help business owners who want to work on growing their business. Applications are open now for business owners to register for the program.”

The program consists of:

Business Boot Camp: A day to work on your business, rather than in your business. The Boot Camp will identify management principles and strategies that work in successful high growth businesses and help you to apply them in your own business.

Workshops: Four interactive workshops designed to give you the tools required to successfully grow your business.

Business Coaching: Possible one-on-one coaching from a business specialist at your business to help you identify systems, procedures and strategies to grow your business.

Economic Gardening also provides networking and business-to-business opportunities and access to a range of practical resources.

The Economic Gardening Illawarra Program is a service available to local businesses to help them achieve increased profits and sustainable growth. It helps businesses to thrive and expand by building on their success. Businesses that gain most benefit are those that have sound business models, are no longer start-ups and are ready to mature to the second stage of their development.

The Wollongong program will begin with a Business Boot Camp on:
Tuesday, 23 August 2011 from 9am to 5pm. The closing date for applications is
Thursday, 18 August 2011. The Economic Gardening program will be held in Wollongong’s Administration Building in Burelli Street, Wollongong.

To register your interest in the workshop, call (02) 4221 6030, or email  cps.support@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au or visit the Economic Gardening website.