APRIL’S Swan Chamber of Commerce’s Hour of Power provided some useful tips for businesses while also emphasising the importance of working together.

The event featured ERICA chief executive officer Linda Malone and Midland’s ‘Man of Commerce’ Tony Smyth.

Ms Malone is well known for her work with the ERICA women’s centre - a prominent Midland community service and welfare organisation formerly known as Midland’s Women’s Health Care Place (MWHCP).

The organisation provides comfortable, caring, and inclusive services for women aged 16 and over in Perth’s east metropolitan area including affordable one-on-one counselling and a diverse range of programs and workshops.

Mrs Malone said one of her key beliefs was ‘every person matters’ and that working together as a team was fundamental to success.

“Sometimes it’s a bit like eating an elephant,” she said.

“You can only eat one part at a time and also need to make sure everyone is eating the same part.”

Ms Malone said after so many years in the area she felt she was better at her job now.

“I also believe in the importance of humour and the need to debrief regularly.”

A regular Hour of Power speaker, Mr Smyth spoke about some of his business exploits since arriving in Australia from Ireland in 1985.

He said during these 40-plus years he had worked mainly in the hospitality industry, including running Midland’s 7th Avenue Bar and Restaurant and the Kalamunda Hotel.

Mr Smyth said one of his most memorable projects involved selling and marketing Pentium motor oil.

“Unfortunately, it turned out a company in the United States also had a motor oil called Pentium so they took us to court to try and force us to stop using the name,” Mr Smyth said.

“In the end they settled out of court saving us a potentially very expensive court case.”

Mr Smyth, who is well known in the Midland area for his support of vulnerable community members such as seniors, said he also believed in maintaining reasonable pricing.

In fact, his 7th Ave pub was well-known at one time for having the cheapest beer in Perth and is still famous for its old-fashioned service and long-running beer of the month specials.

The next Hour of Power is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13 from 10:30am to 11:30am.

For more information go to www.swan chamber.org.au/