Helping ourselves

One theme that indirectly yet repeatedly arises in this newspaper is: Where is the Peninsula headed?

Margaret Lund wants to protect the foreshore for our children, the Wales want to promote business and tourism so our kids have jobs; environmentalists want to save our flaura and fauna and developers want to remove them both so our ageing and soon-to-be overcrowded population can grow old peacefully.

Others seem comfortable with the way things are. They would prefer the Peninsula to remain the quaint little holiday destination it was back in the 1950s.

Many have relied on government and non-government organisations to provide the support or the funding for us to improve this area, and they have all done this to a varying extent.

But as always more can be done, and in these times of high costs and belt-tightening, there are many changes we can make ourselves, as business owners and residents, to keep the Peninsula moving in the right direction.

These changes would be at little or no extra cost and with little obvious change, but possibly great benefits in the long run.

I would like to provide a few suggestions, and I would encourage others to do the same.

Firstly, how about free internet access?

Wireless (Wifi) hotspots are public areas where people can access the internet for little or no cost.

They can use this to check their emails, contact friends and colleagues, find out the next movie at Cinema Paradiso and so on, provided they have a wireless device.

These devices include newer phones, most laptops and many portable gaming consoles.

In Sydney alone, there are well over 421 wireless hotspots, at least 51 of them free at last count (www.freewifi.com).

On the Central Coast there are around 27, one of them free.

The only advertised location for WiFi on the Peninsula is McDonald's Woy Woy.

Do you already have an internet connection at your business?

Simply providing a WiFi hotspot could help to attract new customers, including business customers, students and others with wireless devices, possibly providing a new revenue stream.

You could offer the service free for paying customers, or "at cost" for non-customers.

Do you have a website?

Why not provide links to other relevant businesses in the local area on your site?

Say you're a mechanic; you could provide a link to the local tyre shop, auto parts retail outlet and auto electrician, provided it doesn't cut directly into your business.

Not only does it help to promote the area as a whole, but it assists customers coming to your website who may also be in need of those other services either now or in the future.

You would be providing an extra service for free while at the same time assisting a fellow Peninsula resident.

Hopefully, those other businesses/websites would return the favour.

Pretty soon you have a network of businesses supporting each other.

What about promoting your new (and old) services?

Google Maps provides a free service titled Local Business Centre whereby a business can register information about themselves for free.

Information about the business can include anything from trading hours, accepted forms of payment to business aims and even a photo.

You can also offer an online coupon for your business.

When a person searches for your specific type of service on Google Maps in this area, that information is provided.

Many businesses on the Peninsula are already signed up for this service without even knowing it, with the bare minimum information, that being business name and phone number.

For an example, search for "ducks crossing publications Tascott" in Google Maps.

My last simple suggestion (read shameless plug) is this; promote yourself to Peninsula News.

If you're a new business, new management or are offering a new service, let Peninsula News know.

Have you achieved a milestone, received an award, planned a local event or done something unique?

If you feel it is something the community would be interested in, let them know.

Not many things can promote a subject or event in the area more than having it read by at least 14,500 people.

It can be assumed that your most important and valued customers are the ones that live locally.

Chances are those same customers are the ones reading this newspaper.

Submit an article once in a while or suggest a lead.

I hope some of the above suggestions are implemented in the community, and I will continue making suggestions from time to time.

If you have an idea that is cheap and easy, but could improve life or business for those on the Peninsula, do write in and let us know.

Lyle Stone Peninsula News