Sustainability Program Makes NT Business Leaner and Greener

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

With the first intake being an outstanding success AIM NT Chairman, Marie-Louise Pearson FAIM, says there is a definite trend towards businesses becoming greener, and that this government funded program could not be timelier.

“The 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”, Ms Pearson said.

“Those who take part will learn more about financial savings through sustainability initiatives and becoming greener businesses that consumers and environmentally aware industry want to be associated with.”

Participants of the first intake echo the praises from Ms Pearson, finding the program to be highly interactive, immediately applicable to their workplace and enabling them to implement sustainability strategic plans that make sense to their staff.

There are four programs intakes in total.  Each program entails 42 contact hours over six to eight weeks, including five face-to-face workshops and an additional five hours of one-on-one coaching at participant’s workplaces.

The workshop and business coaching program is worth $3,750, however thanks to AusIndustry funding, AIM can offer places for just $247, representing amazing value for small business owners and a clear commitment to creating cleaner, green business practices.

Intakes are limited to 15 participants and are intended for small business owners with 50 or fewer employees.

For media comment or further information please contact David Hoey (AIM) on 0438 167 434.

Program Schedule

• Intake Four, commencing 6 August 2008

Places for this highly interactive program are limited and costs just $247 as a result of an AusIndustry grant. The program is normally priced at $3,750 and represents amazing value for small business owners.

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

View the Frequently Asked Questions.

AIM Facilitators

Geoff Butler AFAIM
Geoff has a broad range of experience in both the public and private sector in system development, management and performance improvement.

During his service career he designed, developed and implemented computer systems for the RAAF administrative environment to improve the efficiency and reporting ability with regard to pay and allowances, personnel records, welfare finances and funding allocation. 

Since leaving the Air Force, Geoff has held various senior management roles within the training and employment sectors. Throughout his career, he has had a passion and capability for developing people and systems to maximize business performance. His career achievements attest to his ability in analysing issues at all levels, focusing on developing human resource capabilities, and implementing continuous improvement strategies.

Geoff worked with the Australian Institute of Management for over 7 years as the Chair of its Sunshine Coast Regional Committee.

Qualifications

• Diploma of Business
• Diploma of Training and Assessment Systems
• Certificate in Administration
• Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training
• Certificate IV Workplace Trainer-Category Two

Geoff is a well known business coach and previous business owner who has taken sustainability to his heart. He comes to the "green" world with the perspectives of his financial and business planning experience.

Vivienne Buss AIMM
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”.

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 42 hours of engagement in total, enough?
A. Yes. Previous programs have shown that, to make a real difference to the bottom line, 42 interactive hours scheduled over an extended period really allows participants time to put their learning into practice. Each of the sessions is scheduled over a six week period enabling ongoing learning and group reflection. Research has shown scheduling a program in this format has 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
• One-on-one coaching in your workplace to link sustainabilty with savings

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.