In response to the invitation Damien says “It truly is an honour to be asked to present at such a prestigous event. To be selected as one of several guest speakers. The line up of speakers is an exceptional array of nationally and internationally recognised business people. it is sure to be a great event!” Damien’s contribution’s to Indigenous Business was recognised with his presentation as a guest speaker at the Aboriginal Enterprise in Mining Energy and Exploration (AEMEE) Conference in Perth October 2010. This joins with his current involvement as Treasurer of the South East Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and President of the Indigenous Construction Group Australia (ICGA).

This is a great acknowledgement of Foley’s Earthmoving’s contribution also, as a member of South East Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, the Indigenous Construction Group Australia (ICGA) and the Australian Indigenous Minority Suppliers Council (AIMSC), as well as involvement with many other local community groups in our local area.

Damien looks forward to seeing you at the conference in Victoria this coming November.

-Damien Foley

I have spoken with subcontractors who are telling me “Yeah I want to work on the project but call me when you have the work.” The problem with this is the major contractors are wanting to identify the availability of machinery now. So if you aren’t on their books for the planning stage, it is going to be difficult to get work later on. This has always been the case with major projects. Another issue subcontractors face is “its not what you know, its who you know”. Foley’s Earthmoving has already been contacted as an intended preferred supplier. As we provide Procurement Management Services, it is our role to source subcontractors, local preferred, for major contractors. By being able to locate a quantity of subcontractors we give small subcontractors the ability to work on major projects.

Major contractors prefer local subcontractors for projects. Many local subcontractors though are too small for them to deal with directly. This is why the Major contractors use Foley’s Earthmoving. We source the local subcontractors for them allowing them to contract to just one business that can supply multiple pieces of equipment. Our Subcontractors love this as we source the work on projects which allows them to not have to be concerned about working their machinery and trying to find the next lot of work. This is where we create a win-win situation for both the contractors and subcontractors.

If you would like to become a subcontractor to Foley’s Earthmoving go to our Subcontractors Page. If you would like to find out more about becoming a subcontractor with Foley’s Earthmoving then call Damien Foley on 0437 028 006. Below is a list of some of the machinery we are currently sourcing from the Surat Basin area.

Logan Country Junior Chamber of Commerce Article 11/11/2009

The workshop then proceeded into the first of the 2 sections of the workshop. Seated at the Business and Economic table, the first of the workshop questions presented to each table was focused on Logans current key issues, challenges, threats and opportunities and how Logan might look like in 10-20 years time if it addressed these threats and opportunities. Some of the key issues identifed by all the tables was Logans transport infrastructure and its current lack of ability to service the areas decentralised communities. Logans current image was also a concern as an attraction for industry with its location being unwelcoming to prospective employees of such industry. The lack of building of relationships between the Logan City Council and small local business was also an area found to be lacking. This relationship not only being needed to encourage micro business in the area, but to encourage them to grow and become major corporate citizens and pillars of the area.

The second workshop area was how the respective sectors were already contributing to positive and sustainable activity, what there current focus was to acheive their aspiring contributions, past changes and motivational success factors, what was blocking innovation, and what is needed to move forward. This section being so vast did become distorted but included aspects such as fuel effeciency; the use of environmentally friendly practices; the recognition of the community; environmental sustainability as both a business motivator and innovation success factor; youth and business educational programs around business and the community. A disappointing fact that arose from this discussion is the Logan City Council has a local business register. However, the ultimate decision of who is contracted for local government projects is left with the manager of the department who is under no obligation to consider those local businesses who have registered through the protocoled channels. Instead, that person has the authority to contract any business they wish without council scrutiny. It leaves to question the Logan City Councils commitment to support local business, when they themselves heavily desire local business to support the Councils community actions.

Foley’s Earthmoving looks forward to the releasing of the white paper on this roundtable and believes that it is a valuable step forward in understanding the Logan Citys approach to sustainable development to the future.

The UQ team is named Siddhya, being Sanscrit for “Success”. After considering many different products that they could do, the team decided to do ”Business and Student Seminars” as their product, or should I say service. The team has undergone some immense pressures, but have come out completing their first business seminar on “Market Positioning”, with Wayne Rabnott of Clarity Business Solutions as the guest speaker. The night was a huge success!!

The Team also attended the South East Queensland Trade Expo at Southbank and attained a Highly Commended in Product Knowledge. They have learnt event management skills; attended local Chambers Of Commerce and Rotary Meetings to promote and sell for these events; Applied marketing skills for creating fliers; utilised technology to comunicate and gain market information; learnt how to prepare sales speals; build business relationships; work as a team. This is just some of what the team has learnt from being a part of the YAA Program.

I am looking forward to the teams next seminar being an interactive workshop for students on communication skills and interviewing techniques in the  business place.

The program allows students from high school and universities to setup a business, sell shares, create management positions for students and make a product and sell it to customers. At the end of the year the company is liquidated with any profits made distributed back to shareholders. The students take on the everyday challenges faced by business. As a result they develop their leadership, team work, innovation and entrepreneurial skills to take with them into life after school.

Damien Foley is proud to be accepted by YAA to mentor Pakkyah with their teacher Odette Cheal through the program. This will be Marsden State High Schools first year in the program, so the team is equally nervous and excited in taking on the challenge. We will keep you posted on the groups achievements through out the program.

If you would like to know more about becoming involved with the YAA program, go to our “Links” page and follow the ”Young Achievement Australia” hyperlink.

Thanks, 

Damien Foley