SA - Telstra Australian Business Awards

‘Our programs focus on safety and progression so that each individual athlete experiences success, whether it's increasing flexibility, mastering a particular skill or winning a state or national title.’ Jessica Lane, Co-founder/Co-Head Coach

In only its third year, Adelaide All Star Cheerleading has grown from 12 athletes to more than 200 – making it the largest and one of the youngest cheerleading clubs in South Australia. Jessica Lane and Rachel Knight are working hard to build the sport’s profile through visiting schools, competing and offering training classes for all ages and abilities. They range from a recreational program for beginners to training those who want to compete at the elite level on the state and national stages. The club’s passion for the sport has translated into competition titles, including nine first places at two State Championships and a first place at the 2011 National Championships. It owes its success to recognising gaps in the business models and training programs of other South Australian clubs and adapting the successful elements of larger interstate clubs. The club’s vision includes fostering teamwork and positive attitudes towards fitness in young children and teenagers.

'To ensure BRS delivers winning outcomes, the client needs to be aligned with BRS from both a culture and values perspective.’ Kym Williams, Managing Director

Established in 2009, BRS is a management advisory firm that started as a home-based business for Kym and Nicole Williams. It was born out of frustrations with business advisers and consultants. They’d found some were expert in systems and operations but could not marry a business plan to people. Others excelled in developing people and cultures but lacked the commercial acumen to improve processes. Focussing on the resources, infrastructure and government sectors, they combined both disciplines to help clients set up projects for success, improve performance, save money, manage risk and develop people. In less than three years, revenue has increased five-fold and staff numbers have grown to 33 with further recruitment plans for 2012. Last year, they were appointed to provide collaborative contracting and project governance services to help eight organisations form a joint venture to build transport infrastructure under the City of Auckland, New Zealand.

‘We let people know they are not alone and reinforce the message that mining is a great industry if families initiate proactive strategies to overcome the challenges.’ Alicia Ranford, Co-Founder/Director

Witnessing her four-year-old daughter struggle with her husband’s fly-in fly-out work roster spurred Alicia Ranford to establish Australia’s first online community to support families involved in the mining and resources industry. Mining Family Matters offers free professional services and support, including Q&A access to psychologists, an online chat forum, testimonials on key mining towns and a monthly e-newsletter. It also publishes a survival guide booklet so families have the chance to thrive despite the pressure of fly-in fly-out rosters and the challenges of living in isolated mining communities. Since its launch in 2010, the website has attracted approximately 140,000 visitors and 38,000 booklets have been sold. In fact, the booklet’s success has generated a generic version for non-mining companies. The company’s reputation has flourished to such an extent that last year they were asked to appear before a Federal Government inquiry into fly-in fly-out mining practices and have gained State Government and corporate sponsorships.

‘As a non-government provider of paramedic services, Sitemed is transforming the way industry, government and the community can benefit from expanded access to professional health and emergency services.’ Nicole Nott, Director

The boom in mining and construction activity coupled with legislative changes to work health safety requirements has provided the impetus for a new approach to the delivery of workforce health services. Instead of utilising the traditional model of first aid officers, Sitemed has assembled a team of highly trained and experienced paramedics, nurses, doctors and allied health professionals capable of responding to everything from emergency situations to workforce well-being. The provision of health professionals offers peace of mind to workers and employers in isolated areas and their families. Soon after its formation, Sitemed secured a contract to provide health and emergency response services during the construction of the Adelaide Desalination Plant – the largest public infrastructure project in South Australia. Private sector demand soon followed with agreements with HWE, BHP and OneSteel. Director Nicole Nott has successfully lobbied the State Government to recognise the qualifications of private sector paramedics under the First Aid Code of Practice.

‘Our success has come from investing time and resources into personal and professional development, covering all aspects of the business from customer care to design and everything in-between.’ Astrid Varga, Creative Director/Partner

Walking away from a full-time career during the height of the Global Financial Crisis is a choice many workers wouldn’t make but for Astrid Varga and Carrie Buckle the bold move has paid dividends. Combining their business management and creative skills, the former work colleagues are surging ahead with their brand design consultancy. Identifying a gap between advertising agencies and freelance designers, their fresh and strategic approach to design and focus on customer service has seen them quickly expand sales growth by 66 per cent in 2010-11. Clients include Adelaide’s corporate sector and McLaren Vale wineries. To grow the company, the partners invested heavily in professional and personal development through business management and marketing courses. They have launched a series of branding workshops and have written articles which feature regularly in business titles such as In-Business and Wine Business Magazine.

‘I want to continue to offer a wide and varied range of products and design along with products that are a little different and unique.’ Karen Dawson-Lord, Owner

In her mid-thirties, Karen Dawson-Lord decided on a career change to pursue her long-time interest in flowers. After completing a number of courses she gained work in the floristry industry. When her employer decided to sell their business, job uncertainty prompted her to start her own online enterprise creating and selling custom designed silk wedding flowers and bouquets. Sales growth followed and her range of designs expanded from about 50 to more than 450. Her designs are now sought by brides and grooms nationally and internationally and she has scored a top five ranking in the Easy Weddings Wedding Directory. Artificial Wedding Bouquets continually sources new products and pushes the boundaries of bouquet design to stay ahead of competitors. The joy her work brings to brides is a motivating force behind the company’s success.

‘Some of our biggest and longest client relationships have been created out of our sheer determination not to take ‘no’ for an answer!’ Madee River, Creative Director

During the past four years, Designer Muzik has built brands through music for a number of prestigious clients including BMW, Emirates and Microsoft. The company has compiled innovative customised CD marketing presentations and created in-store soundtracks for product launches and events. It’s also researched and booked major recording artists for high profile events and connected people with various brands through social networking. Founder Madee River began the business following two years of research and analysis which found a need for high end products and a demand for more personable one-on-one services. During this period he also completed a small business management course before launching the business from home. It has now grown to five staff with offices in Adelaide and Melbourne and annual turnover has increased by 200 per cent. Madee puts his success down to patience and perseverance – in some cases 18 months of hard work to secure a contract.

‘Acknowledging that the environmental sector suffers in times of economic downturn, we aim to maintain a diverse range of unique services and products to ensure we can continue to increase our operations well into the future.’ Dr Megan Harper, General Manager

A passion for the environment has been one of the main driving forces behind the formation of Adelaide ecological consulting company EcoKnowledge. The company’s services include conservation management, ecological modelling, aerial and biological surveys, vegetation impact assessments and the manufacture of animal tracking products. The scientific expertise and credentials of core staff has enabled the company to grow its project work and secure some large clients, including the Australian Government. Its services are now utilised Australia-wide and future growth is expected internationally with the company in the process of re-configuring some of their animal tracking products for the African market. The company puts a heavy emphasis on innovation, especially in the area of improving technology for their tracking range, while also creating new products. They are also exploring the possibility of becoming an agent for animal tranquilising rifles for a South African company.

‘Difficulty within business can always be converted into a positive outcome.’ Anna Dimond, Managing Director/Designer

Palas Jewellery was founded in 1996 after Anna Dimond and her sister Eran Svigos, both in their early 20's, identified a gap in the Australasian market for affordable and handcrafted jewellery. The wholesale fashion jewellery company has grown from offering a small range of 30 earring styles to more than 1200 jewellery designs and now supplies to more than 500 retail stores in Australia, New Zealand and overseas. Palas Jewellery recently expanded its distribution into the international market after it was approached by a retail chain to distribute its products across Japan in May 2012. To stay ahead of the competition, Anna has overhauled the collection and differentiates herself from mass producers and big brands by offering handcrafted and affordable Australian designs. She has also developed an online store to compliment her retail stockists as a way to continue to build market share.

‘I aim to create change in a stagnant industry while building a solid and profitable business.’ Tyson Grubb, Managing Director

Armed with an electronics degree, marketing experience and a family history of entrepreneurship, Tyson Grubb’s goal to build an electronics design business has evolved into a large online electronics store. Trading since 2007, Synotronics now specialises in environmental and scientific instrumentation, batteries, battery chargers and analysers, lab equipment and tools for engineers. Clients include government, universities, researchers and industry. Within the next five years, the company plans to extend its international reach starting with New Zealand, and then looking at potential markets in the United Kingdom and the United States. Such is the rate of demand, the online store is constantly being upgraded, improved and products added daily. Tyson credits the company’s five-fold growth in the past four years to their three-hour turnaround on customer requests, a drive to exceed consumer expectations and sourcing dedicated staff with the right balance of customer service, product knowledge and communication skills.

‘Never give up, keep on evolving your business to adapt to different climates.’ Kym Brown, Owner/Director

A refusal by tour operators to accept bookings for very small groups of people was the spark for Tour Barossa to step in and fill the vacuum. The decision in 2008 to offer tailored bus-style tours for one or more visitors on a budget made perfect sense considering the family already owned 14 self-catering properties providing a ready-made customer base. They now boast a fleet of seven vehicles including three buses, a stretch Cadillac and two Chrysler 300Cs. Customer options have also expanded with a wedding service and The Barossa Glamour Tour – which includes shopping with sparkling wine - now on offer. There are also plans for a tour service in the Clare Valley. Despite the high Australian dollar impacting on tourism, they have taken on the challenge by working harder, smarter and networking with local businesses. Their dedication was recognised last year with a South Australian Tourism Commission Award.

‘We believe it is our purpose to improve the IT industry overall, by setting a new bar. We’ve invented our own unique business model and, as a result, we have exceptional customer service.’ Samuel Gilbert, Director

Caramel Computing is an IT department for hire. It provides outsourced quality end-to-end IT management to about 75 organisations in metropolitan and regional South Australia, including small and medium business, Local Government, and not-for-profit organisations. Samuel Gilbert set up the company after leaving his job as a senior engineer. He worked on his initial project out of his girlfriend’s spare room. The Nuriootpa-based company now boasts 20 staff. In growing his company, Samuel took a new approach to customer relations after observing other IT companies falling short of delivering the serviced promised by their sales staff. The company dedicates small teams to clients and uses business optimisation technology to drive productivity and efficiency gains. Business milestones include becoming the first 100 per cent Managed Service Provider in South Australia in 2009 and the number one Managed Services Provider in South Australia in February 2012. The company plans to go national by 2014.

‘We expect all staff to deliver their service with a welcoming, can-do attitude. Nothing is too much to ask and nothing is too little to worry about.’ Stephanie Horlin-Smith Combe, General Manager

Clarion Hotel Soho is Adelaide's newest five-star boutique hotel. Situated in the city’s trendy East End, it boasts 30 luxurious rooms complete with original art works from local emerging artists in every guest room which are available for sale. The hotel offers world-class facilities and services, including a fine dining restaurant, Decant, and is a member of international chain, Choice Hotels Australasia. The hotel has faced the impact of the rising Australian dollar, the Global Financial Crisis and a resulting fall in the tourism market. Despite all that, the hotel has achieved year on year rises in revenue per room and turnover through maintaining strong business relationships. Since the Clarion’s construction in 2008, the hotel has been recognised through a number of style, design and service awards, as well as being named as one of the country’s most stylish hotels by Trip Advisor and The Weekend Australian.

‘Throughout our history the focus has been on providing much more than just the basic residential property conveyancing services, in line with our philosophy of adding value for our clients.’ John Erskine, Managing Director

A decision to undertake a conveyancing course to improve his skills as a small business management teacher inspired John Erskine to move away from a successful 21-year career in public education and start his own venture. Conveyancing Matters specialises in commercial and business settlements, land divisions, acting as settlement agents for mortgagees and country conveyancers. Since its inception in 1990, the company has secured a number of high profile clients including Telstra, Public Trustee, several banks and major developers and builders. A second office was opened in 2009 and in recent years the company has diversified into providing a vendor disclosure service for the real estate industry and an in-house legal service. Longevity has been achieved through building financial reserves during property cycle peaks and maintaining its reputation as a premium service. In addition, the company has developed a web-based software system which it is considering licensing to other conveyancers.

‘We are constantly scanning the horizon for new technologies which we know our clients will want and need.’ Dianne van Eck, Director

DVE is an information management and process improvement consultancy dedicated to making businesses more efficient. The business specialises in customised databases, integrated websites and portal technology for process improvement and workflow automation. Its customer focus includes the education, health and not-for-profit sectors. For the fourth consecutive year DVE has achieved significant revenue growth as businesses seek new ways to become more efficient. The company was established by directors Dianne van Eck and Jo Schneider in 2007. The business now employs seven staff with a combined experience of 30 years in tertiary education. DVE is now providing information management solutions across four states in Australia including South Australia, Western Australia, NSW and Victoria with plans to open a Sydney office in May this year. Utilising a business mentor, professional accountant and peer support has helped drive professional development and knowledge.

‘We conduct fortnightly tours of our e-waste recycling plant to educate the public on the importance of recycling and to demonstrate that what we say we do is exactly what we do.’ Michelle Morton, Managing Director

While working in a recycling company Michelle Morton noticed an increasing number of customers asking about how to recycle their computers and televisions. After much research she was staggered to learn about 16 million electronic and electrical items are thrown away each year as there was no dedicated e-waste service in South Australia. With this figure projected to climb rapidly, E-Cycle Recovery was formed in 2005. The company’s recycling method involves sending separated materials to downstream recyclers, diverting hazardous materials from landfill while allowing non-renewable resources such as plastic, glass, and precious metals to be reused in the manufacture of new items. In 2008, they imported specialised machinery after discovering there was no solution for the dismantling of Cathode Ray Tubes - used in TVs and computers – and CRT Australia was born – the only recycling service of its type in Australia and New Zealand.

‘There were no local companies offering this service in a comprehensive way, and we continued to see new factories being built and existing operations that were inefficient in their use of space, time and resources.’ Mark Fusco, Managing Director

An increase in global competition and the construction of inefficient local factories led to an independent business improvement consultancy with a passion for the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing Focus specialises in processes, technology and business practices and helps established businesses and those experiencing rapid growth do more with less so they can remain competitive and stay on-shore. It has expanded into 30 industry sectors including government, mining, defence and banking, and secured contracts from multinationals as well as work interstate and overseas in Africa. In 2010 the business introduced its Smart Factory product which helps manufacturing businesses utilise lean principles and the latest technologies to improve performance. For the first nine months of its operation in 2005, the company was headquartered at Managing Director Mark Fusco’s home and the office comprised the kitchen table. From those humble beginnings, the company has grown steadily and now employs 12 staff.

‘Though it took 18 years to reach a critical mass, our commitment to the long term vision has led to a successful and sustainable business that will provide opportunities for future generations.’ Franz Knoll, Director

As a teenager, Franz Knoll started working in his parent's smallgoods business and did so for the next 15 years before deciding to break out on his own. After stints in Darwin and Sydney, he and wife Barbara decided to take over a stall in the Adelaide Central Market. Initially, the couple sold other people’s produce but grew dissatisfied with the quality and began producing smallgoods in the kitchen at Franz’s parents’ home. Today, Barossa Fine Foods is a family-owned and operated wholesale/retail meat and smallgoods company comprising eight retail outlets across Adelaide. It distributes Australia-wide. Its focus is high quality traditional and innovative meat and poultry products with most of the raw material sourced locally from farmers. Their products have been recognised with a bounty of awards, including 500 medals over eight years at the Sydney Fine Food Awards. The family now have their sights on opening outlets interstate.

‘Richard Gunner’s Fine Meats performs outside the usual frame of supply chain thinking and is pioneering strategies to better meet consumer demands.’ Richard Gunner, Co-owner

Richard Gunner's Fine Meats provides meat brands directly to customers from ‘the paddock to the plate.’ It has seven butcher shops and supplies meat for the menus of more than 150 restaurants, including Rockpool and Quay. The company has developed from a straightforward cattle property on the Coorong with a single beef brand to an integrated business with more than 70 employees. They now offer four meat brands of their own, including their flagships: Coorong Angus Beef and Pure Suffolk Lamb, and nine brands from other producers. Richard began the business because he believed through production techniques meat could be differentiated, such as through marbling, and branded like wine. He also identified a lack of locally produced quality beef. Their products boast a number of awards including a gold medal at the 2011 Delicious Produce Awards.

‘Every business is unique and client needs vary so we adjust our service delivery to compliment the individual needs of each party, ensuring the best outcome for the injured worker, their family and the employer.’ Leah Brown, Managing Director

After seeing South Australia’s workers’ compensation scheme consistently underperform those in other states, Managing Director Leah Brown, saw the need for a new approach. Equipped with a background in rehabilitation nursing and home care services, she set out to build an innovative injury management model that would not only return and retain people in the workforce, but focus on prevention and well-being. In the 10 years since its inception, Insite Injury Management Group has assembled a group of dedicated, experienced health professionals. Revenue has increased 60-fold and the business now employs 45 staff. Clients include the Australian Defence Force, Department of Correctional Services, Veteran Affairs and NSW Police. In 2009 and 2010, the company won a WorkCoverSA’s Health and Rehabilitation Achievement Award. It also consistently returns or retains more injured persons to work than the industry average. Future plans include continued expansion in SA and NSW.

‘The only impediment to Jobfit's continuous growth is the inability to source the right people at a speed to meet the ever-increasing client demand for our services.’ Steven Harvey, Managing Director

Jobfit Health Group started in 1996 as a traditional occupational medicine service. It quickly developed into a pre-employment medical consultancy through relationships with companies such as Western Mining in South Australia (now known as BHPB Olympic Dam). After a period of consolidation, it embarked on national expansion in 2007 with the opening of an office in Darwin. Other offices soon followed in Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales Jobfit now has 19 offices nationally with 239 staff, including doctors, registered nurses, physiotherapists and paramedics. Its core focus is the delivery of comprehensive assessment services where it conducts over 80,000 assessments for Australian businesses. It also provides management of workplace health and well-being, injury and illness risk minimisation, health promotion, vaccinations and drug and alcohol screening. Over the past two years, Jobfit has expanded its services into Gladstone, Port Augusta, Mount Gambier and Darwin to address the lack of skilled health professionals in rural and remote areas.

‘Competing against larger, multi-national drilling companies can be a challenge. Partnering with our clients and providing a safe and professional service has allowed us to grow and win long term contracts with major mining companies.’ Jonathan Nitschke, Chief Executive Officer

When his job installing powerlines for the South Australian Government ended, John Nitschke noticed there was high demand for drilling water wells in the Adelaide Hills. In 1962, he borrowed $35,000 and bought a truck mounted drilling rig. The company now has a modern fleet of 17 rigs used for coal exploration, coal seam gas, iron ore, mine service holes and water well drilling across Australia. It has bases in Hahndorf, SA, Newman, WA, and Moranbah, Queensland. During the past 12 months, John Nitschke Drilling has experienced a phenomenal growth spurt, increasing its workforce by 55 per cent to 180, while competing against multinational drilling companies. Operator safety is a primary focus and each year more than $2 million is dedicated towards research and development into safer and more efficient equipment and techniques. John’s son Jonathan joined the company in 1988 as a driller’s assistant before becoming CEO in 2005.

‘Perseverance is a key lesson I have learnt, especially in the process of innovating new products and systems. Anything can be accomplished if you believe in your business and push through.’ Bill Cowie, Managing Director

Bill Cowie started out as a manufacturer of trailers in 1974 but landed on a new idea after increasing numbers of customers asked if they could rent rather than buy. Noting there were no hire companies in Adelaide and armed with one trailer, he approached a 24-hour service station to act as his agent. Move Yourself Trailer Hire now has 950 hiring sites across Australia and has expanded into trucks, utilities and lawnmowers. Innovation has helped boost revenue, including the introduction of a fully enclosed furniture trailer, self-serve kiosks, an online booking service and a fleet of mobile service vehicles to maintain products. The company has also developed its own computer tracking system so they know the location of rental equipment and can control theft. To remain successful, the company aims to keep abreast of technological changes and increase the choice of equipment on offer. It remains a family-owned and operated business.

‘The only impediment to Jobfit's continuous growth is the inability to source the right people at a speed to meet the ever-increasing client demand for our services.’ Steven Harvey, Managing Director

Jobfit Health Group started in 1996 as a traditional occupational medicine service. It quickly developed into a pre-employment medical consultancy through relationships with companies such as Western Mining in South Australia (now known as BHPB Olympic Dam). After a period of consolidation, it embarked on national expansion in 2007 with the opening of an office in Darwin. Other offices soon followed in Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales Jobfit now has 19 offices nationally with 239 staff, including doctors, registered nurses, physiotherapists and paramedics. Its core focus is the delivery of comprehensive assessment services where it conducts over 80,000 assessments for Australian businesses. It also provides management of workplace health and well-being, injury and illness risk minimisation, health promotion, vaccinations and drug and alcohol screening. Over the past two years, Jobfit has expanded its services into Gladstone, Port Augusta, Mount Gambier and Darwin to address the lack of skilled health professionals in rural and remote areas.

‘Competing against larger, multi-national drilling companies can be a challenge. Partnering with our clients and providing a safe and professional service has allowed us to grow and win long term contracts with major mining companies.’ Jonathan Nitschke, Chief Executive Officer

When his job installing powerlines for the South Australian Government ended, Jonathan Nitschke noticed there was high demand for drilling water wells in the Adelaide Hills. In 1962, he borrowed $35,000 and bought a truck mounted drilling rig. The company now has a modern fleet of 17 rigs used for coal exploration, coal seam gas, iron ore, mine service holes and water well drilling across Australia. It has bases in Hahndorf, SA, Newman, WA, and Moranbah, Queensland. During the past 12 months, John Nitschke Drilling has experienced a phenomenal growth spurt, increasing its workforce by 55 per cent to 180, while competing against multinational drilling companies. Operator safety is a primary focus and each year more than $2 million is dedicated towards research and development into safer and more efficient equipment and techniques. John’s son Jonathon joined the company in 1988 as a driller’s assistant before becoming CEO in 2005.

‘Never give up, keep on evolving your business to adapt to different climates.’ Kym Brown, Owner/Director

A refusal by tour operators to accept bookings for very small groups of people was the spark for Tour Barossa to step in and fill the vacuum. The decision in 2008 to offer tailored bus-style tours for one or more visitors on a budget made perfect sense considering the family already owned 14 self-catering properties providing a ready-made customer base. They now boast a fleet of seven vehicles including three buses, a stretch Cadillac and two Chrysler 300Cs. Customer options have also expanded with a wedding service and The Barossa Glamour Tour – which includes shopping with sparkling wine - now on offer. There are also plans for a tour service in the Clare Valley. Despite the high Australian dollar impacting on tourism, they have taken on the challenge by working harder, smarter and networking with local businesses. Their dedication was recognised last year with a South Australian Tourism Commission Award.