Business centre launched to help SMEs
Education
SMALL to medium enterprises looking to take next step forward in South Australia can now call on the expertise of a dedicated Centre for Business Growth.
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Based at the University of South Australia’s City West Campus in Adelaide, the centre has attracted global business growth expert Prof Jana Matthews as its Director and inaugural Chair, and the ANZ Bank as foundation sponsor.
It will focus on SMEs with revenue between $5 and $50 million, and the ANZ will sponsor 10 of its business customers to be among the first to receive an intensive coaching program.
“This is a great example of how universities can form effective industry alliances to support enterprising approaches to building economic strength for the state and the nation,” said Vice Chancellor Prof David Lloyd.
The centre will offer tailored programs for CEOs and executives that combine diagnostics, clinics, tools, programs, and peer-to-peer learning, all designed to help participants to better lead, manage, and grow their companies.
UniSA’s Pro Vice Chancellor (Business and Law), Prof Marie Wilson, said there was no other centre in Australia focusing specifically on business growth.
“There are many places to get advice on entrepreneurship or new venture creation but nothing focused more generally on the huge middle ground of businesses that have reached a certain point and want to know whether to grow and how to grow.” she said.
“They have got through the first hurdles and need assistance with the next hurdles.”
Prof Wilson said the centre would bring together the University’s strengths in complementary areas such as leadership, marketing, brand growth, and systems and strategies.
The inaugural Director already has strong links with South Australia. Prof Matthews, who is in demand as a consultant and speaker around the world, was engaged by Innovate SA from 2010-12 to teach sessions on the role of boards and executive teams in growth companies, as part of its Venture Attraction Program.
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