WELCOME !! “IT” as a Business

1. WELCOME !!“IT” as a Business “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man how to catch a fish, he will eat for the rest of his life”

2. IT as a Business • I cannot tell you what will work for you • .. nor you how to start YOUR business (I can only share what worked for me) • Learn from others (e.g. Mc Donalds, UK Umbrella”s)

3. IT over the decades 1960’s Mainframe dominated 1970’s Bureau & shared serv 1980’s Launch of PC’s MUON 1990’s PC’s proliferate & SW 2000’s Internet & comms BPO (Skill shortages) Today the world is flat!

4. Career progression 1960’s Education 1970’s WTA, Leo, IBM, BDS 1980’s Consulting Bus dev Sigma, Remington, Oracle - Softpac 1990’s Retrenched twice Jobnet, CXC, NetPersonalSelect, Quorum, ISP 2000’s Contracting cycles Property, CXC, Corporate Services, Flat World Expand = Connections, AFM, EBiz, Travel, W3B, SSG “ …. the hardest thing in the world to understand is income tax …” Albert Einstein

5. Intelligence Quotient – IQ ? • 7 Primary Intelligence Verbal (Word Smart) Mathematical (Logic & Num) Spatial (Visualise, Minds Eye) Musical (Sound, Rhythm, Rhyme) Kinesthetic (Body, Sport) Interpersonal(Charismatic,Comm) Intrapersonal (Self Smart, Attitude) Howard Gardiner, Harvard Uni Natural Intelligence and Vision

6. Financial Intelligence • “ .. We are not taught about money at college.. “ Robert Kiyosaki (Author of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”) • “ .. Making money and keeping money require very different skills..”(Dave Thomas - University of Hard Knocks)

7. To create a “Business” Understand market dynamics Relevant product or service Always TAKE opportunities Select best people (sales, accounting, technical) Minimise investment/risk ALWAYS have a go! The biggest impediment to wealth creation is FEAR ! Kiyosake

8. Surround yourself with the best people - LOYALTY!!!! • Understand your personal strengths and weaknesses • Partner with or employ specialists in areas you cannot cover or do not like • The product we sell is incidental yet critical to our success • Service IS our business • People responding to people • Never forget you are serving others • Everyone has their own area of brilliance ! • Use your strengths and build a TEAM

9. Learn your craft • Establishing & running a business is new • Employ specialists AND educate yourself • Understand your CORE business • Choose what you are passionate about • Choose where you can be the best in world • Understand the economic model • PLAN, regularly review, consolidate • Do not lose focus on CORE business • Be careful, but NOT afraid to have a go

10. Growing the business • Ensure that the culture is strong • Establish & focus on end goal • Budget & control expenses, be frugal • Do not over extend financially • Collect outstanding debts FAST • Seek advice from bus. consultants • Lock in key players – profits & equity • Review strategy at least annually

11. Success relies on people • Develop attraction/retention strategy • Provide best working environment • Show you care - MBWA • Know your staff by name & family • Ensure COMMUNICATIONS happen • Review staff regularly & train • EARN their respect and trust

12. Build Trust – lead by example • Follow up words with action • Do not make (or take) promises lightly • Do what you say you will do • Be consistent and predictable • Be a role model • Share opportunities .. Actions show that you can be trusted

13. Building Trust Trust cannot be demanded, only earned How? …. open communication … • Share information equally • Be clear, concise & consistent • Be upfront with bad news • Be honest – tell the truth always • Readily admit when you are wrong • Give credit where it is due

14. Change Management We cannot stop change, but we can control how we respond to change We cannot change people, but we can change how we respond to them The only thing in life that is constant is change, so look for it & go with the flow Change creates problems creates opportunity!

15. Nothing ventured, nothing gained • Very few accumulate wealth as an employee of a corporation • Running your own business can be rewarding, but NOT easy • Self discipline and good principles • READ “7 Habits of Effective People” – Steven Covey • What is my “Mission in Life” ? • “To be happy and do the best I can with my God given abilities to ensure that my family is happy and has a comfortable existence” • Pass it on, pay it forward, service to others • Reprogram the bad habits

16. Cxcglobal.com Visaconnections.com.au Afmadvisers.com Linkme.com.au Linkedin.com Ausindustry.gov.au Smallbusiness.gov.au Kpbiz.com.au Nem.net.au Contracting Visas Financial advice Recruit people Networking Govt grants News, initiatives Accountants Mgt on demand Some helpful sites

17. Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki The World is Flat - Friedman Who moved my Cheese – Johnson/Blanchard The Richest Man in Babylon - Clason Fish – Lundin/Paul/Christensen 7 Habits of Effective People – Stephen Covey From Good to Great – Jim Collins The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari - Sharma Screw it, Let’s do it – Richard Branson Some helpful books

18. THANK YOU - Question time ! • Every one has their own brilliance … • Find it & grow with it !!! Most importantly, enjoy !. “Keep interested in your own career .. it is a real possession in the changing fortune of times “ - Desiderata