BDO helps forward thinking

REFLECTION appears to be the key take away for the delegates at Commerce Ballarat’s Business Day Out.

Two-hundred and twenty business owners, managers and staff who attended the annual event heard from four speakers on themes that covered digital disruption, building brands, innovation and making good mistakes.

Maria Stephens, Re-Vitalise Physiotherapy and Pilates, said as a small business owner the event gave her the opportunity to take time out away from her business.

“Everyone [in business] faces similar challenges and today gave me time to reflect on continuing to build my business while concentrating on our core values,” she said.

“I felt energised and inspired listening to Matt Jones from Four Pillars Gin talking about how far his business has come.”

Adam Heath, owner of Signarama Ballarat, said first speaker James Stewart, managing partner at Ferrier Hodgson, made him realise he needed to change his old school thoughts of how he connects with his customers.

“I came away thinking I have to open my eyes again and re-engage outside my comfort bubble,” Mr Heath said.

Whitney Atkinson, co-owner Advanced Nutrition, has attended Business Day Out three years in a row.

“James Stewart made me stop and reflect on where we’ve been and what our future could be in a transforming landscape,” she said.

“I wondered what will my job look like in eight years time?”

Ms Atkinson said the discussions around the table with fellow delegates enabled her to reach out and forge strong connections with the Ballarat business community.

Anita Godfrey, employer solutions consultant at Matchworks, attended the event for the first time.

“I loved today, I felt so energised and inspired after listening to Matt Jones,” she said.

“I am going back to work and re-energise my group using some of his examples.”

Jodie Gillett, Commerce Ballarat CEO, said the most important thing for her was seeing 220 businesses learning and interacting with each other.

“The name of the day says it all, the goal is for Ballarat businesses to take a day out of their business and think about it rather than working in it,” Ms Gillett said.

“Put the last Wednesday in May 2020 in your diary now so you don’t miss out on next year’s event.”