Self-employed, Consultant / coach on Business strategy, sales, team building, establishing systems and controls, P&L set up, day to day problem solving. Clients include SMEs and start-ups.

Initially appointed as General Manager, Finance and Administration, I conducted an analysis of the business and introduced a strategic approach, streamlining operations, reducing costs and establishing ongoing cost controls. As General Manager Operations, my role managed all aspects of merchandise logistics, originating from a constantly evolving group of 70+ suppliers around the world. I was also responsible for management of an enterprise-wide retail point-of-sale system (Futura), with activities such as enterprise-wide Help-Desk support; PoS system maintenance; e-commerce readiness and the preparation of numerous regular & ad-hoc management reports.Finally, I managed all aspects of the 'Back-Office' including: Company Secretary function; property lease portfolio management; company insurances; store fit-outs; obsolete stock disposal and day-to-day trouble shooting across the Operation.Key achievements include:- Conducting a major Supply Chain review, resulting in a 30% reduction in shipping costs and a 20% reduction in average stock transit times.- Automation of order-processing methodology, resulting in a 50% reduction in data-entry workload and a consequential 60% reduction in order-processing costs.- Automation of data capture from PoS system into MYOB resulting in significant reduction of administration costs and administrative errors.- Redesigning supplier logistics interface to reduce average cost by as much as $20k per shipment.- Transitioning the business from standard fixed-line telecoms to enterprise-wide VOIP, resulting in an annual reduction in telecommunications costs of $50k.

Briefs included profitability, yield and cost analysis, cost elimination & product offering, and general business development and strategy for commercial property, printing, publishing & photographic company clients. Significant projects included:- For Secure Parking, delivering a successful defence against ACCC intervention in a merger, providing detailed industry analysis and general strategic advice; developed and implemented strategy resulting in 25% reduction in telephone costs.- Forensic accounting for Belinda International, identifying and recovering substantial missing funds.- For smaller clients: broadening magazine distribution channels, new product development, and preparing a business for sale.

Seeking to achieve a career change, I chose to study full time, completing the MBA in 15 months instead of the usual 24 months. I chose sub-majors of Finance & International Business to complement my prior commercial experience. Achieved a Distinction average, with numerous High Distinctions awarded.

Full responsibility for a new profit centre of $17m revenue, with key role to make the on-street parking enforcement business profitable - no profit had been achieved in the previous 4 years since acquisition. Responsible for overall business growth and acquisitions, leading a team of 6 direct reports and up to 270 staff. key clients included government, universities and the construction industry. Achievements included:- Delivered the business turnaround, bringing the business to profitability, and exceeding agreed KPIs and budget expectations. - Implemented a change management program for staff and clients to restructure the business and optimise and create efficiencies in managing resources, streamlining operation controls and reducing overheads. - Implemented a new Marketing and Sales program to sell the first client rate increases for 3 years, and retained 100% of clients.- Introduced innovative automated credit card payment technology to eliminate overheads, requiring high level internal corporate lobbying. System approved and adopted across Chubb.- Negotiated, designed and introduced government sponsored TAFE accredited traineeships for staff, making Chubb an employer of choice. - Personally secured a $550K contract from Olympic Roads & Transport Authority during 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Appointed to a new role, one of three non-board executive management positions. Key clients were commercial and government property owners and fleet managers. Key achievements included:- Consistent and substantial growth in sales revenue for existing properties.- Building and developing the marketing skill set of the national marketing team, coaching and mentoring many individuals to subsequent promotions and career progression. - Created and marketed loyalty product ‘Advantage Parker Charge Card’ promotion program, exceeded income budget by 100%, and halved original payback estimates. - Successful management of numerous competitive and significant tenders e.g. car park management and operation for Olympic Co-ordination Authority (OCA) saving approximately $750,000 by avoiding duplicated services across the precinct; won the management of satellite car parks for the 2000 Games for the Olympic Roads & Traffic Authority.- Undertook additional duties as GM South Australia for 18 months, during this time lifted SA from No. 5 to No. 2, judged on gross margin %.- Standardised reporting and Fleet account management practices across states.- Negotiated the first $1m parking fleet deal in the industry’s history.

I commenced at Secure Parking in 1992 as Assistant Manager Marketing, and was quickly promoted to take on a new role as Operations Manager. In recognition of changing needs within the business, I was invited to establish a new business unit responsible for Business Information and Analysis (an internal consultancy role).