21 December 2007

Small Business Owners Go Lean and Green

An innovative sustainability program offered by the Australian Institute of Management and AusIndustry is set to make small business owners in the Territory leaner and greener.

The innovative and interactive program delivers results to small business owners who are seeking ways to develop economical and environmental friendly business practices.

AIM NT Chairman, Marie-Louise Pearson FAIM, said the government funded program could not be more timely.

"For some time a clear trend has been developing for businesses to become greener," Ms Pearson said.

"The AIM/AusIndustry Program is specifically targeted at small business owners who typically don't have the funds, resources or time to research and implement environmentally conscious practices."

"Participants will take part in financial management workshops and receive one-on-one coaching advice from experts to determine return on investment, sustainability initiatives and implementation in their businesses."

The sustainability agenda in this country has received increased media attention of the past years and the pressure is mounting for business, industry and government to raise the bar.

Business owners are being urged to get on board and gain a competitive advantage.

"Those who take part will learn more about financial savings through sustainability initiatives and becoming a greener business that consumers and environmentally aware industry want to be associated with," Ms Pearson said.

There are four program intakes in total and each are six weeks in length including five face-to-face days and an additional five hours of one-on-one coaching at the participant's workplace.

Program Schedule

Intake One, commencing 26 February 2008

• Week One – Tuesday 26 & Wednesday 27 February 2008
  Two day workshop
• Week Two – Break
• Week Three – Tuesday 11 March & Wednesday 12 March 2008
  Two day workshop plus two hour coaching block
• Week Four – Break
• Week Five – Tuesday 25 March
  One day workshop plus three hour coaching block
• Week Six – Break

Intake 2 is scheduled from 22 April 2008
Intake 3 is scheduled from 3 June 2008
Intake 4 is scheduled from 5 August 2008

AIM is seeking 10 participants for the first intake – normally priced at $3,750, business owners can enrol now for just $247.

Book now for AIM's Lean and Green Small Business Sustainability Program featuring workshops and workplace coaching - supported by AusIndustry for Northern Territory small businesses.

Please note: The program is intended for small business owners with 50 or fewer employees.

View the Frequently Asked Questions.

AIM Facilitator/Coach Overview

Vivienne Buss, AIMM
Lean and Green Sustainability Program

Vivienne is a qualified accountant with 20 years professional experience spanning a range of businesses. During that time Vivienne has also been a financial consultant, educator and trainer and corporate sustainability coach.

Vivienne’s initial qualifications and early career had a financial and business focus. She held roles with KPMG and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Chartered Accountants), as well as with organisations such as Suncorp and Conrad Treasury and Casino. The focus of these roles was audit, financial advisory, and business improvement. Vivienne also co foundered a consulting firm, where she was head of the financial and business process consulting division.

In 2001 Vivienne completed an MBA with a specialisation in corporate sustainability. She has continued to study in the field of sustainability and is currently undertaking a Research Masters that examines the relationship between small business and sustainability. Vivienne now combines her business and financial expertise with her sustainability knowledge, seeking to assist organisations wishing to implement sustainability practices.

Throughout Vivienne’s career she has had an involvement in training and business coaching. At times this has been the core requirement of her role. Vivienne has education experience at tertiary level, within the VET sector and therefore understands market-driven corporate training. She has held full time education and training roles within a University, within the training division of an audit firm, and within her own training and coaching business which develops and delivers financial training and coaching for business managers and owners.

Vivienne has worked with the Australian Institute of Management for the past 4 years as a lecturer in their Postgraduate Studies Centre and within AIM’s Learning and Development Division.

Qualifications

• Master of Environmental Science (currently enrolled) Griffith University , Australia
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) 2001
  Specialisation: Corporate Environmental Management, Sustainable Development: University of Southern Queensland, Australia
• Honours in Commerce
  University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 1989
• Bachelor of Commerce (awarded cum Laude)
  University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 1988
• Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training 2005
  Carson Australasia, Australia

Project

Vivienne is thrilled to have been chosen to be the lead facilitator and coach in AIM’s ground breaking, AusIndustry funded workshop and coaching program for small businesses in the Northern Territory. She will be working with territory based facilitators and coaches to link return on investment outcomes to the training itself. Vivienne believes that programs of this nature “can change people’s lives”. Vivienne can be contacted at vbuss@aimqld.com.au.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What does “coaching” mean in the context of this program?
A. A coach comes to your workplace at a mutually agreed time to assist you in effectively applying the learning’s from the program workshops back into your business.

Q. Is five days of engagement enough?
A. Yes. Previous programs have shown that, to make a real difference to the bottom line, that five days scheduled over an extended period really allows participants time to put their learning into practice. Each of the five sessions is scheduled over six week period enabling ongoing learning and group reflection. Research has shown that this format means less of an impact on business owners’ time.

Q. Why is this program so cheap?
A. The complete program is priced at $247 per participant, a significant discount on the market value of $3,750 for a program of this nature. This is why the AusIndustry grant is so beneficial to small business in the Northern Territory – because it pays for the majority of delivering costs of the program.

Q. So, what do I get?
A. All participants receive:

• Practical and business relevant pro-forma spreadsheets
• How-to lists and tips to bring the learning to life
• Sustainability policy templates
• Program workbook
• A proven methodology to measure your carbon footprint

Q. How many participants will there be in each intake?
A. Each intake will be capped at between 10-15 participants to ensure an optimum learning experience and time to explore the real impact for your business. There will be access to a dedicated website to access other resources and keep in touch with your coach over the length of the program.

Q. What happens if I had to cancel one of my coaching sessions?
A. Alternative coaching support can be arranged. This may include telephone and video conference support.