Friday 26 March 2010
Helping entrepreneurs develop their companies
The AIC has been delivering its acclaimed Ideas2Market workshops for over five years now, and their greatest impact often seems to be in regional areas of
The Introductory workshop introduced participants to the fundamentals of starting a business and walked them through the steps required to turn an idea into a commercial reality. Participants came from a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise; however everyone found the content useful and relevant. One participant, Angela Arena, has created a piece of clothing that can be worn in a variety of ways, from a scarf to a shawl to a jacket with sleeves.
Unable to keep up with demand and with a patent pending on her design, Angela attended the Introductory workshop to find out how she could plan her business to maximise her success. At the end of the day, Angela commented that "every single piece of information has been valuable to me". She left with the outline of a business plan already completed and promised to stay in touch as she continues with her business.
A case study was presented by a guest speaker who had attended the same workshop twelve months earlier, and was a testament of the success possible for each participant. Mark Geddes of InDepth Video and Photography explained how as a result of attending the Ideas2Market workshop and with assistance from the AIC’s Innovation Coach
Participants of the workshop found it motivating to hear the success story of someone who had been through the program recently, with one participant remarking “listening to the case study example was inspirational. Understanding that that person sat in my seat only twelve months ago…wow!”
The Masterclass workshop was aimed at those with an existing business who were looking to grow and improve. Some participants who had attended the Introductory workshop also attended the Masterclass to build on what they had learnt the day before. Tony Hartney, of Placid Pools, said he attended the workshop to gain inspiration about where to take his business.
After launching his business and achieving moderate success, Tony wanted to explore the options available for growth and investigate the possibility of expanding into additional markets. Tony said the workshop was perfect for his needs, stating that it was “"Informative, motivational and necessary! It is a must. Thanks!"
Another Masterclass attendee, Sam Cullen of Tourism Websites Australasia, said that he came to the workshop intending to refresh his existing business knowledge and ended up learning a great deal. Sam said he would “recommend this course to any business with an aim to grow. Rob and Cameron appear to have a vast experience to share."
If you’re interested in finding out more about the Ideas2Market program, visit the AIC Ideas2Market page or contact Genevieve Langbien on 07 3853 5225 or e-mail Genevieve.langbien@ausicom.com
