“Concierge” is a French word, meaning “keeper of the keys”. When castles across Europe hosted visiting nobility in the Middle Ages, the concierge kept the keys to the rooms and ensured that guests had everything they needed during their stay.

Calling herself a Lifestyle PA or Personal Concierge, Debbie takes care of all the mundane tasks others don’t have the time – or the inclination – to do. A concept quite common in the UK and the US, personal concierges are now starting to be come an essential business tool in Australia as well – especially as more and more people start working from home offices and need to outsource to get ahead.

“So often clients come to me saying, ‘I work long hours, I earn a decent living and I want to make the most of what little leisure time I have to relax and enjoy myself’, and I help them do that,” Debbie explained.

“One of my favourite quotes is by Logan P Smith: ‘If you are losing your leisure time, look out, you may be losing your soul’. This is where I fit into people’s busy lives – I tell them to give me their list and consider it done,” Debbie said.

Tasks completed by a personal concierge can be small or large, and include grocery and personal shopping, internet research, buying gifts or supervising tradespeople, but ultimately the goal is to make life easier for the client.

“Some tasks may seem quite trivial, but if it causes stress, frustration or grief, no job is too small. It may be simply sorting out office cupboards, or organising a birthday party – I took care of all the details so my client could be a guest at her own party,” Debbie said.

“I’ve even had a request to find an Irish wolfhound puppy for one client – not an easy task but it only took me 1 ½ hours, which was a great result for the client,” she added.

Debbie first thought about providing a personal assistant service to busy professionals around 12 years ago, utilising her extensive experience as a secretary and PA, and her practical and organisational skills that had been evident as an executive member of various community committees. Once her sons had finished studying and she had more time for herself, Debbie became a personal concierge and launched her own business.

Day 2 Day Lifestyle PA is based in Melbourne, offering a personal service to time-poor people in the city, as well as a virtual service.

For more information about Day 2 Day Lifestyle PA Debbie Alford, visit www.day2daypa.com.au

From ghost towns to the nation’s capital, Peter will travel through 93 destinations, with Coolangatta being number 54 on his itinerary.

“I aim to visit every location by the end of the year, but I’m taking my time,” said Peter. “I am enjoying getting to know each town and learning more about Australia in the process.”

Peter’s own web hosting and domain name providing business, QiQ, is funding the costs associated with his journey around Australia, allowing for all donations received to go directly to the Fred Hollows Foundation.

“I am passionate about the work of Fred Hollows,” said Peter. “He was not simply a skilled eye surgeon, but a champion of human rights and social justice. The Foundation is particularly devoted to Australian Indigenous health and I hope to be able to raise funds to support this aim.”

In 1962 Australian Geoff Mack wrote the lyrics to “I’ve Been Everywhere”, a song listing 93 Australian destinations linked only by their ability to rhyme with each other. 48 years later, Peter’s adventure will take him to every Australian state, except Western Australia and Tasmania, and he’s loving every minute of it.

“I?m discovering just how big Australia really is and enjoying meeting new people in every township and city,” said Peter. “I’m delighted to be supporting an organisation like the Fred Hollows Foundation and, most of all, I?m looking forward to being able to sing, I?ve been everywhere, man, and to have actually been there and done it.”

Peter’s journey can be tracked, and donations made, via his web site at www.ivebeeneverywhere.com.au

CLCS (Chameleon Lifestyle Connections) stocks EzyTouch phones, which are designed for sight and hearing impaired people. These specialised phones have large numbers, amplified sound and light up when ringing, and the mobile version includes an emergency call switch.

Based at Kincumber, and offering a mobile service throughout the Central Coast and the north shore suburbs of Sydney, CLCS offers aged, frail and people with disabilities the ability to hear and see their phone ring – essentially offering the opportunity to Live Life through greater communication!

“Our EzyTouch phones make it so much easier for aged, frail and people with disabilities to communicate with family, friends and colleagues,” CLCS founder Carole Davidson explained.

“This enhances their ability to be part of activities, instead of feeling shut off from the world.

“EzyTouch phones are also ideal for people who have trouble using small buttons on modern phones due to health issues that affect their motor skills. And the mobile model can be used with a pre-paid SIM card so there is no need to sign up to a mobile plan,” Ms Davidson said.

The EzyTouch product line includes the following:

• Mobile phone with a large display, high visibility buttons, extra-loud ringer and volume boost, hearing aid compatibility and vibration and visual alert

• Cordless phone which is amplified, hearing aid compatible, hands-free, loud ringer, visual alert, caller ID and call waiting.

• Corded phone with large buttons, amplified earpiece, extra-loud ringer, visual indicator, number storage and wall mount.

There is also an EzyShaker, which vibrates when the phone rings so can be put under a pillow or next to the bed at night.

CLCS is a service tailored to older people, young people with disabilities and carers to help assess care needs, coordinate that care, make referrals to appropriate services and monitor and evaluate the results to ensure caring needs are being met. CLCS founder Carole Davidson visits people in their homes and tailors the service based on their individual needs and timeframes.

“I meet with people in their homes and assess their care needs before putting together a plan on how they can stay safely in their own home,” Ms Davidson said.

For more information about the EzyTouch Phones or CLCS visit www.chameleonlifestyle.com.au or contact Carole Davidson on 1300 089 935 or clcs@dodo.com.au

The site has new sections for professionals offering services specifically for children, such as doctors, dentists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Specialists who have additional or special needs services for children, such as pathologists, speech therapists and natural therapists, are also listed in each area.

“What began as a website listing child care centres in Sydney’s suburbs is now a more far-reaching service for parents and carers,” founder Donna James explained.

“Professionals and special needs providers can now add their listings to the directories in the areas they service, making it much easier for parents and carers to find what they need for their children.

“Adding these extra directories to the website has been invaluable for parents searching for good service providers in their area, specially if they are looking for services for a one-off or short-term consultation,” Ms James added.

And the Local Child Care directories get the big tick from parents too.

“I have used the directory and found it a fantastic source of information for local parents. It was easy to navigate and gave me everything I needed to know,” Nicole said.

“Instead of me searching through the Yellow Pages looking for child care places in my areas of choice, in just a few clicks I have all the contact details in front of me with useful info on each centre,” Amanda said.

Local Child Care has recently launched a new regional directory in Western Sydney and is currently inviting child cares centres, professionals and special needs providers to list on the website.

Ms James created www.localchildcare.com.au in 2006 after having difficulty finding child care places for her children in southern Sydney.

Local Child Care is a free service for parents, and features detailed online directories of child care centres, which can be searched by care type, age and suburb. The website’s comprehensive directories also feature listings of professionals for children, special needs services, resources for parents and care providers, nanny and babysitter services and even job vacancies.

Local Child Care directories are available in the following areas:

• Sutherland Shire

• St George

• Canterbury Bankstown

• Parramatta

• Liverpool Fairfield

• Camden Macarthur

• Western Sydney

A monthly newsletter provides updates on child care news, current vacancies, new centres opening, upcoming open days and local events, ensuring parents and carers are kept up to date.

The Local Child Care website is a great place for child care centres and professionals and service providers who deal with children to advertise what they have to offer.

For more information visit www.localchildcare.com.au

Just think of all the extra possibilities to connect that iPhone users now have available to them – giving campfire cuisine updates via Twitter on a long-weekend camping trip, keeping the phone charged for a day at the beach or even making it last long through the night and into the next day to keep friends updated from the recovery party.

The Solio Mono solar charger is compact enough to fit into a pocket or bag and its versatility, combined with the Australian sun, makes for a great green iPhone charging solution, iPlease director David Holmes said.

“The Solio Mono solar charger is perfect for iPhone users on the go. It can be charged from the sun, via a USB port or from an optional wall charger and then holds it charge for a year, so it’s ready to go any time you are,” Mr Holmes said.

“We are living in a time when technology is king and this device allows users to feed their technological need, while being more sustainable and helping the planet at the same time,” he said.

As a multi-device charger, the Solio Mono works with more than 3200 other products, including digital cameras, games consoles, GPS systems and other smartphones, making its users more mobile and ecologically-minded than ever.

“By using the Solio Mono solar charger, people can be connected wherever they are and whatever they are doing without having to worry about how much battery is left in their phone, or other device. It is the ultimate mobile connection tool,” Mr Holmes added.

Solio Mono solar chargers are sold at www.iplease.com.au and retail for $119.95 including GST.

iPlease stocks all the essential iPod, iPad, iPhone and Mac accessories to make life that much cooler, including the best-selling SwitchEasy fully-covered iPhone cases. Visit www.iplease.com.au to see the complete range of products.

In her position as a talent magnet Rebecca will focus on hiring staff in the IT and Professional Services sectors, areas she has spent the past seven years developing a strong skill base in the Canberra market.

Rebecca has more than 11 years experience in recruitment, spanning a number of industry sectors and specialist areas, including IT&C, office support, professional services, industrial and labour hire.

“I am excited to be taking on this new opportunity with Footprint Recruitment and gaining more knowledge about the ever-changing world of recruitment,” Rebecca said.

With several years’ industry experience behind her, Rebecca is looking forward to expanding her professional skills.

“I think making the transition from Canberra to the Central Coast recruitment markets will be very rewarding for me, as I can develop a relationship with the Central Coast’s employers and find the right talent to fit their specific needs.

“I build relationships with employers so I ensure I am finding candidates for their permanent and temporary roles with the right skills sets. I am looking forward to settling here on the Central Coast,” she said.

In addition to her recruitment experience, Rebecca’s roles have seen her design and conduct assessment centres for large scale recruitment drives, liaise with unions, assist with negotiating collective agreements and complete a range of industry specific training courses.

Rebecca relocated from regional NSW to take up this role with Footprint Recruitment.

For more information visit www.footprintrecruitment.com.au

In what is expected to become an essential tool for businesses throughout the world, the patented Encore Messaging system puts an end to wondering when deliveries will arrive – a scenario we have all experienced!

Imagine sending a bunch of flowers across the country for your mum’s birthday but not being sure exactly when to call to check she liked them. With Encore Messaging you will know within seconds of delivery so you will hear your mum’s voice saying thank you for the flowers sooner.

Imagine, then seeing a photo or video of her with your flowers.

Priceless.

Everyone has a story about being told to wait at home for a delivery, so you stay in all day and still somehow miss it. No more! Encore Messaging now gives courier and company drivers the ability to let customers know in advance of them coming, without needing to make a call, but using SMS instead.

The message would read, “Hello <customer name> your <insert company name> delivery is 30 minutes away. Call <driver name> on <driver mobile> if you’re unable to pickup.”

Encore Messaging is also a great tool for companies who have a mobile workforce because the system monitors driver’s speed and their whereabouts, while giving drivers access to Google Maps and a job sheet all via their mobile smartphone, EBIS managing director Jon White explained.

“Whilst most courier firms do already have a tracking facility which protects them, Encore Messaging takes customer service another several steps forward. This system engages more with the people who pay for the service – the customer – whilst providing retailers with an edge – the ultimate in customer service,” Mr White said.

For more information about Encore Messaging visit www.encoremessaging.com

Now we’re right in the swing of saving for FebuSave and thinking more frugally, my husband and I thought we’d forget about the flowers, chocolate and restaurants for Valentine’s Day and concentrate on spending some time together instead, which costs us nothing!

Last year he had a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered on our wedding anniversary, which falls in January, and then followed this with a beautiful charm for my Sabo bracelet for Valentine’s Day. Between these two presents hundreds of dollars were spent – and that doesn’t even include the gifts I bought for him.

This year we decided our present to each other for Valentine’s Day was time together. As parents of two young boys this is a gift that was exceptionally meaningful. Like many parents, we are usually so exhausted by the end of the day that an in-depth conversation right into the night like we used to indulge in is completely out of the question.

My husband prepared a special dinner in for the night, instead of us eating out, saving on the meal, wine and babysitting. He did spend more than he would on an everyday meal, but it was a fraction of the cost of going out to a restaurant. We indulged in Peterson’s House Blush, which had been bought a while ago for a special occasion, so we didn’t even need to worry about a wine list. Our evening together started once the boys had gone to bed, so there was no need organise anyone to babysit.

We spent hours talking about our hopes, dreams, plans, worries, ideas and children, leaving the TV off for the night. Our conversation, the wonderful meal and the chance to being together as a couple was the best present we could have given each other – and it was a fraction of the cost of an expensive meal and long-stemmed roses. Of course I love both of those as much as the next girl, but concentrating on saving during ANZ’s FebuSave campaign has made us more aware of where we are spending money. It will be a present I cherish for years to come.

What savings have you made this month?

But is it realistic to let people think that 15kg of weight loss in one week is normal, or even realistic? We already have a society who want quick fixes and overnight solutions, add to this the pressure of having them feel that losing 10-15kg a week is ‘normal’ and they are more likely than ever to feel that they are failures when they can’t achieve these results.

For every day Aussies that are not locked away for months on end with a personal trainer and chefs, losing weight permanently requires a balanced approach and permanent lifestyle changes; changes that are real, that are simple and that are effective – not something that requires drinking their meals for the rest of their lives or having them feel hopeless or like failures when it doesn’t work.

So, with over 7.4 million Australian adults classified as overweight or obese and those figures expected to increase by 50 per cent within five years*, Sonja Falvo (Director of Real Body Enterprises) has launched the inaugural National Fat-Loss-a-Thon. Ms Falvo sees this event as a necessity for our nation’s health and wellbeing.

“I want to help build a healthier and fitter country, so I have set a goal to help 4,000 Australians lose 24,000 kilos and raise $250,000 for The Sports Rewards Foundation between 1 January and 17 May, 2010’,” MS Falvo said.

Each participant in The National Fat-Loss-A-Thon will take part in a 12-week online program developed by Real Body Enterprises, with the chance to win more than $13,000 in cash and prizes.

The event is aimed at improving overall health and wellbeing, assisting in weight loss and providing simple and effective lifestyle changes, Ms Falvo explained.

“The National Fat-Loss-A-Thon will help to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits for the prevention of obesity, type II diabetes and heart disease” she said.

Registration for the National Fat-Loss-A-Thon began on 1 January 2010 and entries remain open until 28 February, 2010. Participants will receive online access to information and guidelines on how to follow the 12-week Real Body Program, including recipes, meal plans and exercise programs. Ms Falvo wrote the program after two years of research and through her work with three nutritionists.

Entry is confirmed with a $10 donation to the Sports Rewards Foundation and each participant’s 12-week program must be completed by 17 May, 2010. Winners are judged 50 per cent on their physical results (from their before and after photos) and 50 per cent on personal questionnaire answers.

The National Fat-Loss-a-Thon is supported by the following sponsors:

Real Body Enterprises www.RealBodyEnterprises.com

PB Sports www.pbsportsnutrition.com

Swish Events www.swishcorporation.com

Strawberry Communications www.strawberrycommunications.com.au

Westpac www.westpac.com.au

Blooms Health www.bloomshealth.com.au

Hound Dog Graphics www.hounddoggraphics.com.au

Balanced Magazine www.balancedmedia.com.au

For more information visit www.fatlossathon.com and http://www.healthyweightweek.com.au/index.asp

* Australian Bureau of Statistics: Overweight and Obesity in Adults Australia 2004-2005, Catalogue 4719.0

In this time of skills shortage when people can pick and choose where they work easily, employee engagement has become the key to loyalty and staff longevity. Businesses are finding if they don’t reward and engage with their staff, they can have trouble keeping them. And the rewards don’t necessarily mean more money, or be job-related.

Employee benefit program solutions provider Anista director Dujon Zivic said many companies could actually save their employees – and their business – money by creating a group health insurance program. The National Health Act enables health funds to provide a discount of up to 12 per cent.

“Almost all Australian companies can negotiate better corporate health insurance plans for their employees, simply by using their staff numbers, and a willingness to connect” Mr Zivic explained.

“Typically businesses with more than 300 employees can negotiate favourable insurance terms through the waiver of waiting periods, discounts, better products or better service. This number comes down even further if companies can contribute to hospital excess.

“Corporate health insurance has a flow-on effect to the employee’s family. It is a simple way of providing an added benefit to the staff which leads to better engagement, while adding value to the company and showing it is an employer that takes work/life balance seriously. It’s about creating moments of truth,” he said.

Negotiations for a corporate health care program can not only net better terms, but also secure access to corporate-style products and a host of other services such as company flu vaccinations, executive health checks, stress management and weight loss programs.

For more information about how Anista can help boost a business’s employment offering through group health insurance visit www.anista.com.au