Do Well: An Edgeware Conference

DO WELL

... was the first annual Edgeware conference on creative, socially conscious entrepreneurship and ethical business practice. It was offered as an exchange platform, with contributions from successful, inspiring entrepreneurs, hands-on peer workshops, stories of struggle and triumph, and social events. DO WELL happened at the stunning Brisbane Powerhouse from 22-24 February, 2008.

This page will give you some idea of what we experienced. If you'd like to know about the 2009 event, register your interest and we'll keep in touch!


WHAT IT LOOKED (AND FELT) LIKE ...

For photodocumentation from Adam Sebastian West, of Zenstick Photography, click here.

WHAT THEY SAID ...

Was there one 'magic moment', something that stood out for you as useful? (A word, a meeting, a conversation, an idea ...)

The notion of being open to reinventing what your business is exactly on a daily basis, based on what the customer tells you they want.

I found that there wasn't one 'single' magic moment, yet the whole weekend provided several moments of insight, cognition and synchronicity. And I am still finding moments directly related to that weekend that are providing opportunity.

"The Acid Bath" - affirming what we have and discovering what we need and where to focus on customer needs.

I think it gave me some harsh reality. Don't create a business because you think its a good idea or because I think people need it. Only start a business when you have found out that it is needed! That would be the over-riding theme of the weekend for me.

My magic moment was when I strung together a through line between a few of the seminars/workshops in my own field of interest

There was a comment from some of the earlier Edgies that it was time for a Reality Check - this says that the conference was grounded in reality rather than hype.

Thanks for a really great conference. I am still on a kind of natural high, a gentle kind of buzz and an optimistic feeling.

I just want to say a sincere thank you to all of you from the bottom of my heart, I had an amazing weekend and the last workshop today has made my Edgey journey come full circle.

WHAT HAPPENED ...

Singing Up a Business - the essential ingredient, the best way to mix it, the right way to cook it, and the spirit of the cook and her kitchen.

DALE CHAPMAN is a well-known Sunshine Coast chef of more than 25 years experience, well respected within the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities for her promotion of the benefits of native Australian foods nationally and internationally. Dale is the owner of the Dilly Bag, the only privately-owned Indigenous Bush Tucker business in Queensland, and founder of The Awakening bush tucker portal.

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Rip Curl and Cool - marketing, branding and the construction and maintenance of a Love Mark

TONY CRUMP has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Masters in Marketing. He has worked in retail for 15 years for two iconic Australian brands, Rip Curl and RM Williams, the latter recognising him as their National Salesman of the Year. He has overseen the growth of the Rip Curl retail business in Queensland from one store to eight, developing systems and processes on a national level. His great love is surfing.

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Developing the 'Entrepreneurial Gaze' - entrepreneurship is a way of seeing the world and living a life. Practical tips on developing the entrepreneurial muscle.

KEITH MURRAY has a diverse background including 12 years in Local Government, retailing (a chain of gourmet cookware shops), direct marketing and e-commerce (an online woolstore business) and more recently eco-tourism. For the past few years he has been working with Aboriginal communities throughout Australia assisting them develop their ideas and dreams into sustainable business enterprises.

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The Examined Life. Entrepreneurship is never *only* about the money; it's a pathway you choose which makes life exciting, challenging, liberating, creative, meaningful - all of those personal drivers which in the end make or break a business. How does an understanding of your personal drivers and sense of 'self' assist in making your business work?

VIDA CARLINO has been a key player in the inception and development of Greenedge Projects, Australia's leading Ecovillage property developers. With 25 years in the business arena both as a consultant and an entrepreneur, her sound financial and management skills have played an integral role in the effective development of GEP.

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Employing People. Creating ownership and commitment from co-workers and team mates, dealing with the responsibilities of being the 'boss'.

MATT TOBIN is joint Creative Director of UAP (Urban Art Projects) with his brother Daniel. UAP was established in 1993 and is an art based manufacturing business that collaborates with clients, architects, artists and other design professionals to deliver artworks and creative elements that aim to enhance the built environment and enrich everyday public experience.

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Working in Teams. Working effectively as a group, balancing responsibility and freedom, accountability and individual needs. Why and how are teams superior to collections of individuals, and how can teams be harnessed and focused to real business outcomes?

JUSTIN BROW'S background is in the communications and marketing industry. A pioneer of Australia's internet industry, he stays busy these days implementing industry and professional development initiatives in the digital content industries - check out 60Sox. Justin works intuitively with people and groups to maximise efficiency, increase productivity and keep focused on a common goal.

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Business and Spirituality. Does driving a private enterprise mean you have to leave your soul at the door? How can spirituality help develop personal meaning and belonging, and what value does this have in the life of an entrepreneur?

MARTINA SHEEHAN was a mechanical engineer before becoming an organisational philosopher. She has worked in the areas of strategy and organisational performance for 15 years. Martina has been actively involved with the US based Mind & Life Institute, a group dedicated to the scientific exploration of practices that cultivate the mind. Her company reinvention® gives companies a competitive edge by changing mindsets.

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Leaderless Organization. Entrepreneurs are typically interested in their business working well, without their continued and constant personal presence. How can a business be structured so that it doesn't depend entirely on the skills and personality of its founder?

AMBER MARSHALL was involved in the pilot program of Edgeware. She has worked with startup Josephmark Creative, iLab Technology Incubator, WolfByte Computers and LifeForce Australia. In November last year, Amber completed an internship alongside Pouria Ruhi (of the Kaospilots in Denmark) with a focus on 'leaderlessness' and new, innovative organisational structures.

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Financial Modeling and Managing Cash Flow. Applying the rules of Simpler Business - how do you scope and project your finances, and measure and monitor your financial progress? In particular, how do you understand and control cash flow, the most troublesome and critical element of your financial management?

IAN DOVER has been a research manager, sales manager, operations manager, project manager and general manager, and now works as a consultant and interim manager. He is a partner in Edgeware's very popular Small Business Backpack workshops which focus on a range of practical 'simpler business' tools. He is the founder and principal of Alitek Consulting.

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'Fourth Sector' and Corporate Social Responsibility. Successful entrepreneurs are often driven to 'give something back', to contribute to the world in some way. How can you run a business that makes a difference, that leaves the world a better place?

ALEX MCDONALD is Executive Director of the Wise Foundation and is centrally involved in a myriad of socially-committed entrepreneurship initiatives nationally. These include the community engagement program of Body Shop Australia. Community Social Responsibility ('CSR') and community involvement are key elements of the Wise Foundation, bringing balance to the financial and human needs of its stakeholders.

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Intrapreneurship. Developing and using entrepreneurial skills within the structure of an existing organisation, company or network. It's about innovation and change which extends the potential of organisations and generates new products, services and process.

LYN HAMILL is Director, Strategic Planning at the Mater Health Services in Brisbane. Working with the CEO, she is responsible for supporting the organisation to develop opportunities beyond its current hospital based services as well as ensuring that strategic projects are delivered as required. Originally trained as a pharmacist, Lyn has had roles in healthcare in sales, marketing, business development, industry representation and as a consultant.

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An interactive, on-the-fly case study focused on one lucky (and courageous) conference goer's business - a real, live dissection and analysis of the business and its future. It's risky, and it can be a bit harrowing, but it's fun, informative and inspiring. Presenter: Keith Murray

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Most sessions began with a 10 minute inspiration by an entrepreneur attending the conference. These sessions are about communicating real, lived experiences of travail and triumph, and introducing ideas which conference goers might like to take up elsewhere in the conference, with the story tellers or with each other. A sample story: Natalie Duncan, of Qld Film Locations, on Risk and Change: Living a life with no risk, and a fear of change - then being confronted by huge change, being transformed by it and invigorated by it.

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