Affinity Alliance Affinity Alliance E-Newsletter December 2013 Well here we are at the end of what could only be described as a super phenomenal, outstandingly spectacular, absolutely unpredictable 2013! The last twelve months have certainly presented some overwhelming challenges for the AA team, but as true professionals, there was nothing that we couldn’t handle and besides, what do they say? “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger?” ummm ok! We have taken on a grand total of 30+ New Organisations in such a short period and each one has presented with its own challenges, but we certainly wouldn’t have it any other way. Our service providers have also grown tenfold, from humble beginnings of 20 providers, our network of exclusive benefits has expanded to over 1000 providers offering nothing but the best deals and service for our ever loyal members. So what will 2014 bring for Affinity Alliance? There is so much more ground for us to cover, so come January, we will be hitting the ground running. With some very big news on the horizon, you will be seeing a lot more of the Affinity Alliance brand, that we can promise you. So as you may have guessed, this is our last ENews for 2013. The Affinity Alliance team will be taking a well-deserved break from Friday 20 th December to Monday 6 th January. Our phones will be operational in this period to handle any emergencies that may arise and of course as always you will still receive only the best in customer service. Let me take this opportunity to thank all of our organisations,, service providers and members for all of your support and loyalty in the past twelve months and we look forward to bigger and better things in 2014. The AA team wishes you all a Safe and Merry Christmas and a prosperous and Happy New Year! Best Wishes Fi & The Affinity Alliance Team Letter from our editor Advertising For a Media Kit and further information on our advertising rates and specs in our E-News and website banners, please contact head office on 1300 793 044 or visit our website
Transcript
Affinity Alliance
Affinity Alliance E-Newsletter December 2013
Well here we are at the end of what could only be described as a super phenomenal, outstandingly spectacular, absolutely unpredictable 2013!
The last twelve months have certainly presented some overwhelming challenges for the AA team, but as true professionals, there was nothing that we couldn’t handle and besides, what do they say? “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger?” ummm ok!
We have taken on a grand total of 30+ New Organisations in such a short period and each one has presented with its own challenges, but we certainly wouldn’t have it any other way.
Our service providers have also grown tenfold, from humble beginnings of 20 providers, our network of exclusive benefits has expanded to over 1000 providers offering nothing but the best deals and service for our ever loyal members.
So what will 2014 bring for Affinity Alliance? There is so much more ground for us to cover, so come January, we will be hitting the ground running. With some very big news on the horizon, you will be seeing a lot more of the Affinity Alliance brand, that we can promise you.
So as you may have guessed, this is our last ENews for 2013. The Affinity Alliance team will be taking a well-deserved break from Friday 20th December to Monday 6th January. Our phones will be operational in this period to handle any emergencies that may arise and of course as always you will still receive only the best in customer service.
Let me take this opportunity to thank all of our organisations,, service providers and members for all of your support and loyalty in the past twelve months and we look forward to bigger and better things in 2014.
The AA team wishes you all a Safe and Merry Christmas and a prosperous and Happy New Year!
Best Wishes
Fi & The Affinity Alliance Team
Letter from our editor
Advertising
For a Media Kit and further
information on our advertising rates and specs
in our E-News and website banners, please contact head office on 1300 793 044 or visit our website
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At Affinity Alliance we are constantly updating and adding to our Member Benefits Directory. To receive your copy of benefits, contact your Association or our Affinity Alliance team Email Us .
We look forward to serving our members the best way we can. After all, you deserve more and we know that “Membership Matters”
www.affinityalliance.net.au or call 1300 793 044
Affinity Plus Keep updated with our newest benefits…
Each month the Affinity Alliance team work hard to add additional providers to our ever growing list. If you are interested in providing a benefit or service to the Affinity Alliance members, feel free to give us a call on 1300 793 044 or email the team at [email protected] or visit our site to download
Members rest assured that these providers have offered the best deals and exclusive discounts to add more value to your Association membership. To view your offers from these providers, visit www.affinityalliance.net.au, click on the MEMBERS AREA in the main menu, click on your Organisation logo and login using your unique Member number and password. Alternatively call 1300 793 044 for assistance.
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AFFINITY ALLIANCE VALUED PARTNERS Be a part of the team and join our long list of providers.
Call our dedicated team on 1300 793 044 or email us www.affinityalliance.net.au
FINANCE & INSURANCE: AMEX AUTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND (ANZ) BILL OWENS INSURANCE BROKERS CAIRNS PENNY CITIBANK COVERMORE TRAVEL INSURANCE JOE VELLA INSURANCE BROKERS KIB INSURANCE BROKERS NATIONAL AUTRALIA BANK OPTIMUS 1 INSURANCE BROKERS OZFOREX SD LOANS & LEASING YELLOW BRICK ROAD YOUR RISK ADVISER INSURANCE LEGAL & HR / IR SERVICES: ADVANCED PERSONNEL MGT CBC STAFF SELECTION HR DYNAMICS JOHN HARTIGAN & ASSOCIATES LEAPFROG RECRUITMENT MACDONNELLS LAW MILLER HARRIS LAWYERS OMEGA LAWYERS OUTSOURCE MANAGEMENT PTY LTD SAFTEY IN THE WORKPLACE SKILL 360 AUSTRALIA WORKLIFE HOME COMMUNICATION & TECHNOLOGY: MG PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS NEXT TELECOM PRONTO SOFTWARE TELEQUIP TELSTRA THINK OFFICE TECHNOLOGY TJ MICROSYSTEMS TRUE NORTH TECHNOLOGY TRAINING & EDUCATION: CAIRNS COLLEGE OF ENGLISH CAIRNS LANGUAGE CENTRE COLLEGE OF AUSTRALIAN TRAINING IGNITE PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS MCLEOD TRAINING ORGANISATION QUEENSLAND TRAINING SERVICES SEJUMI INSTITUTE OF FURTHER EDUCATION TROPICAL NQ INSTITUTE OF TAFE
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: A UNIFORM CHOICE ACTIVE MINERALS AUTRALIA AFFINITY CONFERENCE & EVENT MANAGEMENT ARCHERS BLOCKEY CONSULTING BUSINESS INTERVIEW CHANNEL BUSINESS MAPPING SOLUTIONS CAIRNS CONVENTION CENTRE CAIRNSLIFE MAGAZINE CAROL SHIPWAY MIGRATION SERVICES CI IMAGES DIRECT EMPLOYMENT SERVICES EUTILITY EVOLUTION BITES FAR NORTH TRAINING & CONSULTANCY FLEXIBLE TRAINING FUJI XEROX BUSINESS CENTRE G.K. CONSULTING HASTINGS DEERING INDIPENDENT CAPITAL ADVISERS JCURVE SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS JIM’S BOOKKEEPING JULIE’S HOME SERVICES KONEKT MEMBERSHIP GROWTH MOORE STEPHENS QLD NEATO EMPLOYMENT NICHE DESIGNS NO WORRIES AUSTRALIA NQ EXHIBITIONS OMEGA GREENPOWER PATHWAYS TO THE FUTURE Q.I.T.E RAATSICC SAM HARROP BUSINESS COACH SELECT CARBON BIOCHAR PTY LTD SIGNATURE STAFF SOUTHERN CROSS SAFETY & WORKWEAR STAFFING SOLUTIONS NQ THE ENTERTAINERS THE HOTEL NETWORK TheSPACE CAIRNS TOTALLY WORKWEAR TRANSFORMATIONAL PATHWAYS TRINITY ACCOUNTANTS WORKLINK
MARKETING & ADVERTISING: 99.5 SEA FM & 103.5 HOT FM GRANT BROADCASTERS DESTINATION CAIRNS MARKETING EBEYONDS INFUSION MARKETING INSPIRED BY MARKETING LIKED BY DESIGN REALVIEW DIGITAL RPS INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY SEVEN NETWORK SIGN-UP.TO SIMPSON MARKETING SOUTHERN CROSS TEN SUZANNE ASHMOORE GRAPHIC DESIGN TRADE SHOW ORGANISERS PRINTING & PROMOTIONAL: ALL SIGNS PRINT & DESIGN LOTSA PRINTING INFLIGHT PUBLISHING NEWART OFFICE CHOICE AUTO: AUDI CENTRE CAIRNS AUTO ONE CAIRNS AVBS – VEHICLE BUYING SERVICE BATTERY WORLD BMW AUDI ALFA ROMEO JEEP PEUGOT RENAULT CAIRNS ACCIDENT REPAIR CENTRE CAIRNS BATTERY FACTORY CAIRNS LUXURY COACHES KAT VEHICLE SHELVING KMART TYRE & AUTO MARK DODGE AUTO REPAIRS NQ CRASH & 4WD SPARES PACIFIC TOYOTA PORTS NORTH PRIVATE FLEET–VEHICLE BUYING SERVICE SCENIC MOTORS BEAUDESERT SEA SWIFT PTY LTD WESTCO MOTORS
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HOUSE & GARDEN: ALPHACOOL ANTENNAS CAIRNS CUMMINGS LOCKSMITH DJARRAGUN ENTERPRISES FINLAY HOMES JACKSON & JACKSON LASPINA HOMES PETER & PAULS CARPET CLEANING & PEST CONTROL DESIGN, ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION: ALLARO HOMES BLUESCOPE DISTRIBUTION CA ARCHITECTS CAIRNS REGIONAL COUNCIL CAIRNS STEEL FABRICATORS CAPE ALUMINA CFP HYDRAULICS DIXON HOMES DRAKE INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING TESTING SERVICES FGF DEVELOPMENTS FNQ COASTAL CONCRETE GENESIS ENGINEERING GLOBAL WELDING SUPPLIES GO COMMERCIAL HANSON CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS JOHN MAC ISAAC & ASSOCIATES MMP ARCHITECTS NEATER CONSTRUCTIONS NORWELD ENGINEERING PEDAL THORPE ARCHITECTS PROFORM TOPS & LAMINATE NORTH PROPERTY4YOU QUAID REAL ESTATE & QUAID AUCTIONEERS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA ROCLA PIPELINE PRODUCTS SAIL STRUCTURES STUBER CONSTRUCTIONS TAURUS FABRIC BUILD THIRKELL CONSULTING, ENGINEERS, BUILDING THOMSON ADSETT ARCHITECTS TUTT BRYANT HIRE CONFERENCE VENUES: CAIRNS CIVIC THEATRE JUTE THEATRE COMPANY SEVILLE MERCY CONFERENCE CENTRE STAGING CONNECTIONS STRICTLY BUSINESS EVENTS
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TRAVEL–ACCOM-ENTERTAINMENT: ACCOR PACIFIC AVIS CAR & TRUCK RENTAL BIG CAT GREEN ISLAND REEF CRUISES BOUTIQUE COLLECTION APARTMENTS BUDGET CAR & TRUCK RENTAL CAIRNS SHERIDAN HOTEL ENTERTAINMENT BOOK FLIGHT CENTRE CORPORATE TRAVEL HALFMOON BAY GOLF CLUB HILTON CAIRNS HOTELS.COM KEWARRA BEACH RESORT MANTRA GROUP MAREEBA LODGE MERCURE HOTEL CAIRNS MOVIE TICKETS NOVOTEL OASIS CAIRNS OCEANS HOTELS & TOURISM PULLMAN REEF HOTEL CASINO QANTAS CLUB QANTASLINK QUICKBEDS RAIL EUROPE RED BALLOON SHANGRI-LA HOTEL SHOWBIZ ATTRACTIONS TICKETMATES-EXPERIENCE OZ-GIFT IT NOW VIRGIN LOUNGE DINING & WINING: AFFINITY DINING BALLANDEAN ESTATE WINES CAFÉ CHINA CORAL COAST CATERING DUNDEES ON THE WATERFRONT KANIS WATERFRONT ROLF BINDER WINES – BAROSSA VALLEY STRATFORD DELI & CATERING UNION JACK HOTEL TO NAME JUST A FEW…
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“Our custom built loyalty solution helps you build meaningful relationships with your
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C o m i n g s o o n…
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Advertising
For a Media Kit and further information on our advertising rates and specs in our E-News and website banners, please
contact head office on 1300 793 044 or visit our website www.affinityalliance.net.au
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For the best deals and offer go to: www.swansuperlines.com
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Affordability Housing affordability for first home buyers loomed large in the news this week, largely because properties in Sydney and Melbourne are selling for more than many first timers can afford. But if you’re a first home buyer, is this really a time to panic just because you missed out at a couple of auctions?
If there’s 20 bidders at an auction, 19 miss out.
If you’re committed, you still have to save as much deposit as you need, and enough to cover the stamp duty and conveyancing costs. If you don’t have enough, you have to save more.
You also have to monitor your ability to pay the cost of the loan. So be realistic about how much income you can rely upon and what it takes to service your mortgage.
Or, could you do what most home buyers do and buy a cheaper property?
If you don’t want to adjust your goals downwards, you’ll have to adjust upwards your deposit, stamp duty and loan repayment equations.
Also, use an online loan calculator before saying yes to a low-equity mortgage. If housing values weaken again, 20 per cent equity feels better than 10.
On a policy level, would you like to see governments releasing more land to meet demand? Or should government promote more competition in the mortgage market, creating more options for more consumers?
Should New South Wales reinstate the First Home Owners Grant for existing homes?
Regardless, I do wonder if the affordability story is the whole story. Might it have more to do with where people want to buy and less to do with a generation missing out?
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Stephen Koukoulas, an economist writing in Business Spectator, uses Reserve Bank numbers and finds that new home loan repayments as a percentage of household income is around the same now as it has been for 30 years. He concludes, “there is no evidence of a first home buyers’ affordability problem.”
He goes further: the prices of so-called cheap city properties bought by older generations were offset by the high interest rates; the rising Sydney house prices are offset by the historically low interest rates.
Interest rates and property markets fluctuate, but households and lenders stay within basic serviceability ranges.
This may not be the desired conclusion for those who have set their hearts on buying somewhere beyond their resources. And it doesn’t fit with the idea of a generational conflict where one cohort is ‘shut out’.
Actually, every first home buyer finds it hard – people in my generation bought modest first homes with interest rates at 20 per cent.
Perhaps the current first home buyers would be better served by recognising the opportunity rather than the problem? At 4.8 per cent, a mortgage is currently cheaper than it will be again in our lifetimes.
This is a massive, historical opportunity. So forget about scapegoats and do what you need to do: which is boost your deposit, set your sights on what is affordable and think in steps – it’s a long road.
What do you think?
To know more about YELLOW BRICK ROAD products and services Call 1800 YBR YBR (1800 927 927) or visit www.ybr.com.au
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BY MEDIATION MATTERS EXPERT – JOHN CAMPBELL
In our last article, we looked at a ‘real-life’ case study. We examined how a dispute arose between two partners (‘George’ and ‘David’) in a plumbing business and how an informed and prudent accountant, suggested an alternative to his clients for the resolution of the dispute.
There is no question that by doing so, the accountant saved his clients a significant amount of money.
The last thing most people or businesses want to do when they are in a dispute, is spend a lot of money resolving it. Unfortunately, there is almost always going to be some cost involved in retaining professional assistance to resolve disputes – regardless of the method. But there can be little argument that mediation is almost always a far more cost effective method than many other processes.
In this article, we are going to look at a costs comparison between mediation and litigation, based upon what George and David’s dispute might have looked like if they had of retained lawyers and engaged in a litigious process.
Of course, the costs outlined below are only estimates and could vary greatly on a case by case basis (for any number of reasons) and from law firm to law firm. They are no more than an indication of what costs might have looked like for George and David. If anything, they are very conservative, as they ignore numerous phone attendances, conferences, communications from the other side, witnesses, perusals etc that typically arise in such matters.
Litigation
George’s Steps Fee/Cost David’s Steps Fee/Cost
Initial consultation with solicitor to go through what the dispute is about
$500 Initial consultation with solicitor to go through what the dispute is about (respond to letter from George’s solicitor)
$500
Letter from solicitor outlining preliminary advice and what further instructions/documents will be required in order to draft a demand letter
$350 Reviewing material (eg partnership agreement, correspondence etc)
$500
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Reviewing material (eg partnership agreement, correspondence etc) and drafting letter to David
$800 Letter to George’s solicitor responding with David’s position in relation to the dispute
$350
Considering letter (response) from David’s solicitor
$150 Considering further correspondence from George’s solicitor and seeking instructions for reply
$550
Seeking further instructions from George and advising on David’s response
$550 Considering Claim and Statement of Claim and advising David in that regard
$700
Drafting further correspondence to David’s solicitor
$250 Taking instructions on and preparing, filing and serving Defence
$2,200
Taking instructions on and preparing, filing, and serving Court proceedings
$2,200 Undertaking any number of interlocutory steps, such as Request for Further and Better Particulars, Discovery of Documents etc
$2,600
Considering Defence, advising thereon and obtaining further instructions
$900 Preparing for an appearing at trial of matter
$12,000
Undertaking any number of interlocutory steps, such as Request for Further and Better Particulars, Discovery of Documents etc
$2,600
Preparing for and appearing at trial of matter
$12,000
Conservative Total - George $20,300 Conservative Total - David $19,400
Speak to anyone who has been through a litigation from start to end and they will almost certainly report having spent considerably more than $20,000 in legal fees. Again though, the figures given above are just indicative of how quickly fees can escalate in disputes that are not resolved early. Mediation
George’s Steps Fee/Cost David’s Steps Fee/Cost
Preliminary conference with mediator
$250 Preliminary conference with mediator
$250
Mediation $1,250 Mediation $1,250
Total – George $1,500 Total – David $1,500
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diation & Money Another cost, although much harder to quantify, is the time people spend involved in the dispute. Time for most people these days is a valuable commodity and the comparison between the time taken by mediation and litigation is once again striking.
Litigation
It could realistically take a couple of weeks to get an appointment with a solicitor, conference with the solicitor, receive advice and have correspondence sent. It could take a similar length of time to prepare court proceedings and have them served. The defendant in such proceedings has 28 days in which to file and serve a defence. The various interlocutory steps could easily occupy several weeks – even months (depending on the extent of compliance and cooperation of the parties). Waiting for a trial date could be lengthy, as would preparing for and attending trial. In all, the litigation process (for resolving a dispute) could take anywhere between 4 to 18 months to reach a resolution.
Mediation
We contacted George and David within two (2) days of being asked to do so by the accountant who referred the dispute. Within ten (10) days, the mediation was held and the matter was resolved.
There will always be some disputes in which the parties to the dispute need a third party (such as a Court or Tribunal) to make a finding of fact and give Orders for the resolution of the dispute. In those cases, the costs are unavoidable and largely necessary. However, at the same time, there are a great many disputes that simply do not need to incur the financial and time costs associated with litigation, when they could be resolved quickly and far more cost effectively, through mediation.
Affinity Alliance recognises this fact and has secured the services of Mediation Matters at special member rates – meaning an even greater saving of costs.
At Affinity Alliance we are constantly updating and adding to our Member Benefits Directory, to receive your copy of benefits, contact your Association or our Affinity Alliance team on We look forward to serving our members the best we can. After all, you deserve more and we know that “Membership Matters”
