Businesses to develop during B31

THE B31 Ballarat Business Festival will deliver five weeks-worth of learning, networking, and ideas for local enterprises across the city next month.

Commerce Ballarat chair Hayley Coates said B31 – the 31 days in August – provides an opportunity for the region’s businesspeople to step back and look at their brands and operations by participating in educational and professional development events.

“This month is all about focusing on business, and celebrating all that our businesses and their operators have to offer in our community,” she said.

The B31 Ballarat Business Festival falls during the finals period of the Federation Business School Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards.

The Awards’ gala dinner at the conclusion of this process, and the apex of the city’s annual commercial calendar, is set for Thursday, 26 August, where all nominees will take a moment in the spotlight, and successful finalists will be rewarded.

“This is a great time for us because everyone’s excited to be there, to be a finalist, and to be recognised and celebrated for all the hard work they put into their business.

“They are doing a great job. We’re looking forward to the gala and hopefully getting everyone together to celebrate businesses surviving and thriving, however they see their success,” Ms Coates said.

“Many have been improving, innovating, pivoting and creating something new within their business, and celebrating that is invaluable in times like these.”

Heading into the Festival, following the last 18 months, Ms Coates said the Commerce board are also very mindful of staff and workplace mental health, which will be acknowledged within some of B31’s offerings.

“We’re encouraging work-life balance and good mental health practices while coping with COVID, and this is one of the reasons Commerce Ballarat received funding to have our mental health and wellbeing clinician Jade McIlfatrick available to businesses,” she said.

Enterprising events for business minds

Fourteen business-centric events have been scheduled by Commerce Ballarat for the upcoming B31 Ballarat Business Festival.

From a Chamber Alliance launch, to a film festival, to a practical industry challenge for young people, there’s something planned for any enterprising mind.

Ms Coates highlighted a seminar on the Festival calendar that’ll explore business in a pandemic-influenced economy.

“One of our sessions, which is very 2021-specific, is the ReThinking Business in a COVID World event at Commerce Ballarat,” she said.

To be held twice on Monday, 16 August at 9am and 2pm at the CB office, the free session is aimed at helping enterprises take another look at their trade toolbox, skills, mindset and culture throughout the challenges of the unpredictable COVID-19 crisis.

The seminar, facilitated by widely experienced business experts, will also explore long-term customer value and growth.

Early in the month a traditional Biznet Breakfast on Tuesday, 3 August from 7am to 8.45am at Housey Housey invites Commerce members and the broader community to hear from a panel involved in philanthropic and volunteer endeavours.

Chaired by Butler Chartered Accountants’ Damien Butler, he’ll be joined by Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group’s Karen Livingstone AM and Kabo Lawyers’ Konfir Kabo.

Ms Livingstone became a Member of the Order of Australia two years ago for women’s health advocacy, while Mr Kabo is a passionate patron of the arts, working with tertiary and cultural institutions.

The 2021 B31 calendar also includes a Business Wellbeing – Work-Life Balance day, industry chats in the areas of people and culture, hospitality and tourism, and retail, the launch of the Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance, and a Victorian Chamber Business Recovery Regional Roadshow.

After-work the Young Processionals Network will meet over cocktails, the Mindshop Excellence program for year 10 students returns, a BROSH workplace mental health session will be held at Oscars, The Grand will host an SBE Australia business funding seminar, and the Grampians Business Film Festival will launch.

Visit commerceballarat.com.au for more information on all the events planed as part of this year’s B31.