SEA has appointed Mr Stephen Mawhinney as the new Clean Technology Innovation Centre Business Adviser. Stephen joins a large network of existing Enterprise Connect advisers across Australia already to small and medium sized businesses across Australia - Stephen's role targets Western Australia.
Stephen's mission is to assist SME's primarily in the clean technology sector to transform and reach their full potential. Stephen undertakes a free comprehensive Business Review for eligible businesses to identify gaps and opportunities and provide recommendations for business growth and improvement.
The review involves an analysis of all areas of a business, including leadership and strategy, human resources management, business and operational processes, marketing, financial management, and sustainability. Performance benchmarking of numerous areas of the business against world's best practice is undertaken, and a detailed written report is provided to the business owner.
Businesses that complete a Business Review are eligible to apply for Enterprise Connect Tailored Advisory Service (TAS - www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au/services/Pages/TailoredAdvisoryService.aspx) funding of up to $20,000 excluding GST, on a dollar-for-dollar basis to engage a consultant(s) to implement recommended business improvements. A range of Enterprise Connect Services are also made available to the business including workshops, Industry Intelligence and Networking, Researchers in Business, Technology Partnerships, and Enterprise Learning and Mentoring.
SMEs wanting more information about SEA and the Enterprise Connect Initiative within Western Australia, or referral to other relevant advisers in other regions in Australia, can contact Stephen on +61 8 9228 1292 or at
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, or eligible SMEs can simply apply for a Business Review online at www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au
‘SEA has partnered with Enterprise Connect through the Clean Technology Innovation Centre since 2009, and the Federal Government's continuing support for cleantech business to build better, more sustainable businesses remains an important initiative,' says Professor Ray Wills, SEA Chief Executive.
‘SMEs in all sectors often start with great ideas, but not necessarily with good business practice, and the work of Business Advisers in Enterprise Connect has assisted thousands of business every year, and adding Stephen to the team of advisers in the Clean Technology Innovation Centre will further contribute to this,' says Prof Wills.
About Stephen
Stephen has almost 40 years of business experience gleaned from working with four corporations, including 14 years with IBM where he provided IT solutions to SMEs. He was part owner and director of JD Edwards Australia, a leading supplier of ERP software solutions in the 90's. He owned and operated a metal fabrication business in Perth employing 20 staff in the late 90's, and for the last 10 years established and ran a prominent internet marketing company, PositionMEonline.
Stephen's knowledge and experience, together with the extensive resources of Enterprise Connect and the Business Review, are available at no charge to eligible companies with a turnover of $1.5 million to $100 million that have been trading for at least three years, and are involved in Clean Technology or are in the process of, or aim to, develop environmental and energy sustainability strategies for their business.
About SEA
The Sustainable Energy Association of Australia (SEA) is the peak body for all enterprises from all industries supporting sustainable energy in Australia.
SEA is an industry chamber supporting market-based solutions to grow sustainable energy. As a business chamber, membership is open to all enterprises wanting to support action on climate change through the deployment of sustainable energy solutions either as suppliers or as customers.
SEA has 400 industry members from all sectors of industry and commerce and all parts of the value chain inclusive of businesses working in the built environment, transport, infrastructure, energy efficiency, green tech and renewable energy sectors.
SEA lobbies for substantive action at local, state and national levels on sustainable energy across sectors of Australia's economy in all regions of Australia.
More details about our work on our website www.seaaus.com.au
About Enterprise Connect
Enterprise Connect is a $50 million per year Australian Government program designed to boost productivity, improve innovation and increase the competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises. Enterprise Connect is a division of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR).
Enterprise Connect is creating a network of knowledge-creation and knowledge-transfer centres around the country. Integral to the success of these centres are highly skilled business advisers, who through the delivery of integrated and practical services to clients, support the achievement of Enterprise Connect program objectives: to improve productivity, build internal capacity and capitalise on SME growth potential.
Enterprise Connect offers comprehensive advice and support to eligible Australian small and medium-sized enterprises to help them transform and reach their full potential.
More details about Enterprise Connect is available on the website www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au
Australian Cleantech SMEs to benefit from new business adviser's services.
- Business Adviser appointed to Sustainable Energy Association in partnership with Enterprise Connect
SEA Media Release - 4 November 2011
