Speakers
The 2007 Conference featured speakers from the private and public sectors.
The IAG was proud to present a number of celebrity guest speakers at the 2007 conference including:
- "Slammin" Sam Kekovich - ex-AFL super star, social satirist and lover of lamb
- John Buchanan - Australia's most successful cricket coach
- Mikey Robins - One of Australia's most loved entertainers
- Ian Kiernan - the man behind Clean Up Australia Day now cleaning up the world
Wednesday 21 November
Our moderator - Alan Patching |
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Alan Patching is a gifted international communicator on management, marketing, leadership and motivation who delivers with great enthusiasm from a wealth of practical experience. The former Chief Executive of MTM Stadium Management, the company set up to develop the Olympic Stadium in Sydney, Alan has been the Project Manager or Director of some of Australia's largest construction and development projects. Alan negotiated the largest transaction ($1.2 billion) in Australia's property history. He also personally negotiated the largest commercial lease ever signed in Australia. His effective marketing has taken him to the point where he is currently one of Australia's most in demand speakers on subjects ranging from motivation, selling, management and leadership. [top] |
Environmental Change and its Impact on Qld Government - Scott Spencer |
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To say that the environment does not impact on the running of a government is a fallacy. The current drought in south east Queensland is showing that Governments need to ensure that the impact of adverse climate conditions is monitored as a serious impact on the Budget. Fiona will discuss the changing environment and its impact on government. Scott Spencer began his career in 1976 as an economist with the Reserve Bank of Australia. In 1978, he joined the Marketing Division of the Department of Primary Industries where he was involved with a range of statutory marketing authorities. For most of the 1980s he was seconded to the Queensland Fish Management Authority, before returning to DPI where the worked in various policy positions specialising in drought policy. Scott transferred to the then newly-formed Department of Natural Resources in 1996 where he performed several roles, including Executive Director (Natural Resource Management), Executive Director (Regional Infrastructure Development) Executive Director (Strategic Policy) and Deputy Director-General (Water & Sustainable Landscapes). In July 2006 he moved to the position of Deputy Director General (Policy) Department of Premier and Cabinet. He then became Director-General of Natural Resources and Water in September 2006. He has held various statutory appointments over his career including Deputy Chair of the Queensland Dairy Authority, a member of the board of the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority and Queensland Commissioner on Murray-Darling Basin Commission. [top] |
Changing Financial Climate in Qld - Gerard Bradley |
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Good financial management of any organisation is important for its continued survival and the financial management of a government is most important for its citizens. Gerard will discuss the need for enduring that the financial legislation of a government is important for its good governance of the state. Gerard Bradley is the Under Treasurer and Under Secretary of Queensland. He was appointed to this position in August 1998 and has 25 years experience in the Queensland and South Australian Treasury departments. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Diploma of Advanced Accounting, is a CPA and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Institute of Management. [top] |
Australia and the changing financial climate - Professor Neville Norman |
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Professor Neville Norman is a powerful and provocative speaker, committed to increased understanding of how the economy actually works, making facts and figures come clear and alive. The Professor is living proof that economics is NOT "dismal". He is an experienced academic teacher and researcher, business consultant and analyst, media and video performer and public speaker in over 5000 addresses to business and community groups in over 30 countries. [top] |
Recovery after a major natural disaster - Peter Baines |
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Peter Baines has spent his working career as a Crime Scene Investigator prior to moving into a Command position within the Forensic Services Group of the NSW Police. He has completed University studies in the area of Forensic Science, Law and post-graduate studies in Management. Peter is an expert at creating successful results, starting from nothing - no time, no money, no staff, but as Peter says, "No worries". Throughout almost two decades Peter has experienced, and led people through, some of life’s most challenging events. He has come up against some of the most confronting natural disasters, accidents and acts of terrorism in recent times; making him one of Australia’s most experienced disaster management specialists. [top] |
What the Future Holds - Craig Rispin |
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Craig Rispin is a Business Futurist and Innovation Expert. His expertise is in emerging business’s, people and technology trends - and how companies can profit from them. Craig has over 20 years experience working where the future has been created - with some of the most innovative companies in the world in the IT, consumer electronics, internet and broadcasting industries. In fact, Craig got his start much earlier than that - teaching adults about technology and trends from the age of 10! Some of his clients include: Apple, Philips, IBM, GE, Canon, Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, Symantec, and Disney. Now a keynote speaker and innovation consultant Craig Rispin shows his clients how to: Know First, Be First, and Profit First. [top] |
Changing norms in society and political correctness - Sam Kekovich |
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"Slammin'" Sam Kekovich is one of the real personalities of AFL football. He is well known for his controversial behaviour, both on and off the field, and his advocacy for the consumption of lamb. He is also well known for his satires as spokesman for Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) to promote lamb. A previous star player with North Melbourne and Collingwood, Kekovich was a fine contributor to North Melbourne’s first Premiership victory in 1975. Sam started his career with the North Melbourne football club in 1968. Since Sam’s playing days he has "turned himself" into an entrepreneur and media identity. He has carried his flamboyant style into the media sector. [top] |
Thursday 22 November
Roles and responsibilities of the AASB - Sue Highland |
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The session will provide an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the AASB, including the Board's structure, its purpose and work priorities. As part of the session Sue will cover a number of key topics currently being considered by the Board that will have a direct impact on the public sector. Sue Highland's career has spanned over 20 years in the Queensland public sector, specialising in the accounting field. As acting Director of the Financial Management Branch in Queensland Treasury, she is responsible for the development and maintenance of accounting policy, financial management and legislative frameworks governing Queensland public sector entities. Building on this extensive technical expertise and experience Sue was appointed to the Australian Accounting Standards Board in February 2007. [top] |
Overview of the Queensland financial legislative framework - Alison Rayner, Lee Clayton |
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The first part of the session will provide a comprehensive overview of the legislative framework for the financial management and administration of Queensland's departments and statutory bodies. In the second part of the session, Lee will discuss the progress of the comprehensive review of the legislation, key learning's and outcomes to date. Alison Rayner, a chartered accountant, has been working in the Queensland public sector for over 9 years. Alison has worked on a range of projects since joining Queensland Treasury including the development and implementation of Tridata (the whole-of-Government budget and reporting system) and most recently, the comprehensive review of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977 and Financial Management Standard 1997. Lee Clayton is a CPA who has been working in the Queensland public sector for over 9 years. Prior to joining Queensland Treasury in 2004, she spent over 7 years with the Queensland Audit Office as a field auditor working on a wide range of audit clients including a number of Aboriginal communities. [top] |
FBT and Changes for agencies - Neil Donaldson and James Dickson |
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After being in place for over 20 years, the Fringe Benefits Tax legislation has seen large changes to threshold levels. The RFBA level has doubled, Minor Benefits limit has increased and the new rules for "pooled" vehicles and their impact on the RFBA will be a significant challenge for agencies looking at minimising their FBT. Neil Donaldson has had an extensive involvement in Commonwealth
taxes through working in the Australian Taxation Office,
Chartered Accountancy firm as an Indirect Taxation Manager,
and most recently as a Principal Treasury Analyst in Queensland
Treasury with responsibility for a range of Commonwealth
Taxes including Fringe Benefits Tax. Neil has the primary
role of managing the FBT James Dickson is currently a Technical Advisor in the Interpretative Assistance & Advice area of the ATO. James has been closely involved with Fringe Benefits Tax matters for the last 9 years. [top] |
Purchasing and Logistics in the Queensland Government - Tony Hayes |
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Tony Hayes is currently undertaking a whole of government review on purchasing and logistics with a view to providing advice on implemented methods, models and greater use of contemporary technologies to enable supply chain reform. Tony will give an overview of the results so far. Tony Hayes was appointed as Executive Director in April 2006. He has extensive experience across the Queensland public sector in a variety of senior level positions in departments such as the former Public Service Board, Queensland Health and various other departments as well as secondments to central agencies. Tony has specialist experience and skills in strategic management and planning, organisational review and business process improvement, information and business strategy development, change management and project management. [top] |
SAP Implementation - Barbara Perrott and Darrin Bond |
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The Standardised SAP system is a great concern to the agencies that are implementing it. With the changing climate of government accounting systems and the shared services that rely on them, it is important that the implementation done with speed and accuracy. Darrin will give a further update on the progress of the implementation of the Standardised SAP system and discuss any issues arising from implementation performed to date. Darrin Bond joined the Queensland Public Sector in 1987 after studying Computer Science, Mathematics and Chemistry at the University of Queensland. Darrin worked in the State Computer Centre (CITEC) and the Department of Education and in 1991 joined Queensland Treasury. In 2003-04 Darrin led the whole-of-Government business process review activities for Shared Services and joined CorpTech in July 2004. Darrin currently leads the projects that are standardising business processes and systems across the Queensland Government for both HR and Finance. [top] |
GST Update - Key GST risks (and opportunities) in the public sector - David Wilson |
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We are now 7 years into GST, and the ATO's focus has shifted significantly towards ensuring compliance in the public sector, focussing heavily on risks, whether they be existing, new or emerging. We are seeing an increase in legislative amendments, an expanding list of ATO rulings and significantly emerging case law which all add to the challenging environment, both technical and procedural. This practical session will focus on many of the key GST risk areas facing organisations operating in the public sector. David is a partner in the tax consulting division, where he leads BDO Kendalls' indirect tax team. David has spent over 15 years advising on a broad range of indirect taxes including goods and services tax (GST), customs duties and excise, anti-dumping, sales tax, luxury car tax and wine equalisation tax. David has experience in assisting clients of all sizes to maximise their indirect tax opportunities, while maintaining an appropriate focus on compliance. Significantly, David's experience covers both the public and private sectors. [top] |
The Economic Impact of Climate Change - Roger Wilkins |
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We are hearing much about global warming and the effect of our lifestyle on the world’s climate. But is there an impact of climate change on the world’s economy? Roger Wilkins will discuss the current state of play on pricing carbon and future developments including domestic and global emissions trading. Roger Wilkins is Head of Government and Public Sector Group Australia and New Zealand with Citigroup. He was the Director-General of The Cabinet Office in New South Wales from 1992-2006 where he played a leading role in areas of reform in administration and law, in corporatisation and micro-economic reform, international treaties, mutual recognition, electricity, the environment and health reform. Roger was also the Director-General of the Ministry for the Arts from 2001 to 2006. roger is currently Adjunct Professor in the Graduate School of Government at the University of Sydney. [top] |
Climate change of Water Supply - Barry Deneam |
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Barry’s address to this year’s conference will focus on the changing water climate and strategies in Queensland and Australia. He will also touch on the measures the Queensland Government is taking to address the water shortage and the likely impact in the future as Queensland’s population continues to grow. Finally Barry will discuss what we as consumers can expect in terms of the price of water in the future and any the implication of rationing of water should such be necessary in the future. [top] |
Changing Climate in the Energy Industry - Tony Bellas |
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The changing climate of the electricity industry came into a new era with the introduction for competition in the energy industry effecting households from 1 July. Tony Bellas will discuss what it means ito us as a householder and possible savings available with the introduction of competition. Tony Bellas is the Chief Executive of Ergon Energy. He has had over 20 years experience in the commercial management of Queensland's major infrastructure, both through his roles in Government and in Government-owned energy companies. As Queensland's Deputy Under Treasurer, he had oversight of Fiscal Strategy, the Office of Government Owned Corporations and Office of State Revenue. He had also been involved in the formulation of the State Government's Energy Strategy. [top] |
Changing Climate in Transport planning - Bruce James & Paul Blake |
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The changing climate of traffic management will be a major challenge and opportunity for Queensland facing rapid population increase and traffic congestion due to massive infrastructure development and increase in vehicles. Hear what the experts are planning to free up Queensland traffic congestion and the exciting new technology that we will see in the future Paul Blake is the Executive Director (Passenger Transport) within Queensland Transport. In this position Paul has responsibility for leading and shaping the system for moving people throughout Queensland. Paul's focus is on creating a more sustainable, flexible and attractive passenger transport system. Bruce James has over 20 years experience in town planning, community development and transport policy and planning in local and state government in Western Australia, the UK and Queensland. He holds a Master in Public Administration and an undergraduate degree in town planning.
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Changing
Climate of Industrial Relations - An Employers Perspective
- Noel Millers, Commerce Queensland |
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The last 2 years have seen more changes to industrial relations laws than the previous century. Industrial Relations has become a headline debate about economic modelling, business investment, public sector infrastructure and more. Both Employer groups and the Australian Union movement have firm views about what an employer focussed and an employee focussed system would look like and what changes need to occur to build a strong Australian economy - hear from both the employer and the unions their perspectives on what the laws do and what they would like to change. Noel Millers has 15 years experience in management in the finance industry, as a small business owner/manager, and 10 years with Commerce Queensland. He now manages a team of 12 officers providing a full range of business services and support in the Gold Coast and Hinterland region including consulting, training and networking activities to a current regional membership of 500 members. Noel also represents the interests of the regional business community, lobbying on behalf of business to Local, State and Federal Governments. Kate Flanders is an Educator and Lead Organiser with the Australian Council of Trade Unions based in Brisbane. In her role with the ACTU Kate coordinates Queensland activities around the Your Rights at Work Campaign - the campaign spearheading the Australian union movement's lobbying for changes to Industrial Relations legislation following the introduction of WorkChoices in 2006. [top] |
Changing Climate of infrastructure service delivery - Bill Turner |
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Governments around Australia
are undertaking extensive infrastructure programs to support
economic and social development. This is particularly so
in Queensland where a rapidly increasing population and
very large mineral developments to supply the rapidly expanding
Chinese and Indian markets are driving the need for significant
investment in water, transport, power and port infrastructure
as well as health and education facilities. At a time when
achieving value for money for those investments is essential,
overnments are exploring a variety of options for delivery
of what are often large, high value and Bill Turner is Executive Director, Infrastructure Evaluation and Procurement. Mr Turner has significant experience in the areas of public sector finance and financial management and has held several senior financial management positions in various public transport and road organisations throughout Australia. He is a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Company Secretaries and a graduand of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. [top] |
Changing Climate in Employment Trends - Sinead Hourigan |
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Much has been said of the current skills shortage in existence in our employment market. There is no doubt that candidate shortages are impacting all industry sectors, including Engineering, Accounting, Legal and IT. But what are employers doing to adapt to this changing environment, what new and lateral strategies are being considered to find talent in an ever shrinking market? Sinead Hourigan discuss the challenges faced by employers in the current candidate short climate and what strategies they need to consider to attract candidates back into the workforce. Sinead Hourigan has been Director of Robert Walters Queensland since 2004 and has been recruiting in the Brisbane market for over six years. She has recruited a broad range of positions from CFO level roles for publicly listed organisations and large government funded organisations to executive management level roles within the banking and finance industry. [top] |
Does Depression cost Dollars and Disruption? - Clare Shann and Toby Ford |
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More than one million people in Australia experience depression, anxiety or related substance use disorder each year. With depression affecting one in five people at some point in their adult lifetime, these figures also impact on the workplace. Depression is second only to heart-related illness in terms of disability in Australia - resulting in a profound impact on all aspects of life, including work. Many employers realise the importance of staff retention and motivation in creating a harmonious work environment, but in today's climate it is also important to monitor the well being of staff. Lack of awareness and understanding in the workplace leads to difficult situations which may arise from prolonged absence or excessive sick-leave. Clare is the Senior Program Manager for beyondblue's Workplace Program. She is a registered psychologist, with experience and qualifications in mental health, human resources, and adult learning and development. She has applied her skills across a range of mental health settings, for example, private practice, a psychiatric hospital unit, community-based psychological group programs for war veterans and their families, and a university research centre. Dr Toby Ford is a medical practitioner whose company now
provides health and well being programs for public and private
sectors across Australia. He has spent close to 20 years
developing a system for delivering equitable programs to
executives, blue collar workers, city, remote and regional
workers in every state of mainland Australia. His team include
doctors, nurses, dieticians, exercise physiologists, [top] |
Cleaning up Australia - Ian Kiernan |
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Ian Kiernan is a respected environmentalist, known worldwide as founder and spokesperson of Clean Up Australia, a community-based not-for-profit organisation that co-ordinate Clean Up Australia Day and the international Clean Up the World campaign run in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The former solo-sailor and businessman became concerned by pollution and organised a clean up of his local area - Sydney Harbour. Clean Up Sydney Harbour mobilised 40,000 volunteers and the resulting Clean Up Australia Day attracted half a million volunteers in 2002. In addition, 140 countries have taken part in Clean Up the World. [top] |
The rise of the Life Coach - Christine McDougall |
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Christine McDougall is a business owner and entrepreneur. She founded her own company, in 1997. Her company is an international coaching organisation specialising in the emerging leader. Christine has created and taught programs in radical truth, profound communication, extraordinary goals, and energy management. She has lectured to MBA students at both Bond University and Queensland Institute of Technology. Her individual clients are based around the world. Christine has done thousands of hours of coaching, which includes 4000 plus hours of coaching to senior executives both face to face and via the telephone. Business leaders seek out Christine because of her extraordinary ability to inspire people to act with truth, responsibility, integrity, courage and love. [top] |
The Changing Climate of Obesity and Nutritional Issues - Dr Rosemary Stanton |
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Dr Rosemary Stanton is a nutritionist with a science degree in biochemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry, post-graduate qualifications in nutrition and dietetics. She has also been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her services to community health through education in nutrition and dietetics. Her major aim is to change Australians’ poor eating habits so that people have healthier diets, and eat more enjoyable foods which create minimal environmental damage. To this end, she maintains equal interests in the twin areas of food and nutrition. [top] |
Making a difference through Lifestyle Change - Johan Pretorius |
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Johan Pretorious is a Town and Regional Planner by profession. After being overweight for most of his life, he faced a stark choice at the age of 42 - either make lifestyle changes or suffer chronic illness and a premature death. He chose health and life and embarked on a "lifechange journey" in 2001. He has since lost nearly 50 kg of body fat and is experiencing a level of fitness, well-being and quality of life in his "middle age" he never thought possible. However, this experience has left him with a strong desire to help others enjoy the benefits of lifestyle change. Consequently, he has founded "The Lifechange Project", an organisation of persons who have experienced profound lifestyle change themselves, and who are dedicated to helping others enjoy its benefits. [top] |
NLP (neuro linguistic programming) skills for busy executives - Alan Patching |
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In this workshop, Alan Patching will draw on his therapeutic and business skills as a Richard Bandler certified and licensed Master Practitioner and Trainer of NLP, and on his knowledge as a practicing hypnotherapist, to bring us some of the most advanced business and therapeutic skills available today. The workshop will begin with delegates voting on the following menu of techniques to decide which 3 or 4 we will delve into deeply during the workshop:
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Kurek Ashley |
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Kurek Ashley has for the past 20 years, shown people from all walks of life, the strategies to take their lives to a higher mental, financial, physical and spiritual level. He was the coach of Natalie Cook and Kerri Anne Pottharst who went on to win a Gold Medal victory at the 2000 Olympic Games. Kurek has worked with major corporations, business executives, and even Hollywood Stars. In 1998 he broke the world's record for the longest 'firewalk' where he walked 81 metres on 600-degree coals. He provides you with a 'toolbox' of strategies that will take your company and personal life to the next level. Kurek also teaches powerful motivational and empowerment seminars, that maximise your teams energy levels. He teaches people that we all have unlimited potential and can do what ever we want when we have focus and take action. [top] |
Friday 23 November
Managing change and empowering employees - Michael Hewitt-Gleeson |
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Michael Hewitt-Gleeson, best-selling author of Software For Your Brain and NewSell, enveloped the world's most powerful brain software - CVS to BVS - to accelerate the speed of thought. An Australian cognitive scientist and business consultant, Dr Hewitt-Gleeson founded the School of Thinking with Edward De Bono in New York in 1979. His brain software has already reached over 70 million people worldwide and his message to business leaders is "Double your speed of thought and double your speed of business!" His latest book, The X10 Memeplex, focuses on future thinking for customer-driven businesses bent on profit share. [top] |
The
Great Debate - Poison Ivy in the Garden of Red'n'Itchie! |
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Moderated by Justine Eden of Eden Ritchie Recruitment the focus on discussion will be the what, when, why and how of managing climate change in the work place and how rapidly things can change. The panel will consist of public and private sector executives with a look at the good, the bad the ugly - how one bad "apple" can spoil the bunch and the impact of the workplace climate "assassin". It will be an interactive session with questions encouraged from delegates. Justine Eden and Kim Ritchie are directors of Eden Ritchie Recruitment. Justine has spent the past fifteen years in the Queensland recruitment industry. Eleven years ago, frustrated and seeking greater career challenges Justine joined forces with Kim Ritchie and created Eden Ritchie Recruitment, out of a belief that service levels to candidates and employers could be improved. Kim believes that the success to date of Eden Ritchie Recruitment can be attributed to several factors but primarily the strong belief that both Directors have in maintaining high levels of customer service to all client groups. [top] |
Budget Management, Financial Modelling and Forecasting - Jason Clifton, CBA |
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Jason Clifton will be presenting on the operation, challenges, drivers and direction of Budgeting, Forecasting and reporting within a large Corporate entity. In addition, Jason will look at the differences and similarities to the experiences within Government and what the two sectors can learn from each other. Jason works at CBA where his roles have included managing the Group Business Planning team which coordinates delivery of the Bank's Consolidated Three Year Plan and leading the Retail Bank Decision Support team which evaluates and prioritises the Retail Bank project portfolio. In his current role Jason is General Manager Finance for the Institutional Bank and CommSec. Jason is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australia. [top] |
Business Improvement in the Public Sector - Phil Charge |
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Business Improvement is a complex, challenging and costly exercise which is often unfortunately caught up in programs such as restructures, rationalisation and cost cutting. Modern, groundbreaking research from Harvard, on the back of traditional business improvement methodologies, simplifies it so as to allow for a simple fabric of, improvement identification, prioritisation, implementation and tracking throughout the office. From the more orthodox and traditional programs through to modern Six Sigma programs, the presentation will summarise traditional through to more modern approaches and give a workable framework so as to understand and become a subject matter expert within the organisation. Phil Charge is a Management Consultant and has extensive experience across diverse fields of Finance, IT, Project Management and Business Improvement. He has worked with numerous Local and State Departments as well as the private sector. He has directed strategic reviews of organisational capacity and business improvement and has sat on various federal level boards of Business Improvement bodies and public sector bodies. [top] |
Changes in Sport and the Leisure Industry - John Buchanan |
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John Buchanan became the Australian Cricket Team coach in 1999 and has since lead the team to a World Record of sixteen straight test and one day international victories. The Australian Cricket Team is now the World Cup Champions and Test Cricket World Champions. These victories make John the most successful coach in history with a winning record of 75% since 1999. "A coach's role is to expand the horizons of the team," John says. "And that means trying to develop the whole person, not just the cricketer". [top] |
Mikey Robins |
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Mikey Robins is one of Australia's best loved, intelligent, hilarious and most in demand entertainers, his career in both radio and TV has led to him becoming one of the most recognisable faces and voices in Australian entertainment history.
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