09 September 2014
An innovative new partnership between the University of South Australia and ANZ will be launched today and is set to give small to medium enterprises (SMEs) the knowledge, tools, and expertise they need to grow their businesses and compete in a globally competitive marketplace.
As part of the new partnership, UniSA will launch a new Centre for Business Growth at UniSA Business School, City West campus, with ANZ as the foundation sponsor. ANZ will also sponsor the new Chair in Business Growth at UniSA, which will be held by internationally respected SME business growth expert Professor Jana Matthews.
As the foundation Director of the Centre for Business Growth, Prof Matthews will deliver programs tailored for the business community and will lead research into business growth and development.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says he welcomes ANZ’s support.
“Our new Centre for Business Growth will provide a unique set of programs for CEOs and executives that combine diagnostics, clinics, tools, programs, and peer-to-peer learning, all designed to help participants to better lead, manage, and grow their companies,” Prof Lloyd says.
“ANZ is the first company to sponsor a program for a select set of its high potential SME customers and we will be working together to expand the number of companies in the program with a special focus on Australian SMEs.
“Through the Centre itself and work led by the ANZ Chair in Business Growth, Prof Matthews, we’ll be developing a better understanding of industry and business needs and harnessing real world data to inform more research into business development, SME operations and the economic and structural factors that underpin business success, sustainability and growth.
“This is a great example of how universities can form effective industry alliances to support enterprising approaches to building economic strength for the state and the nation.”
ANZ General Manager of Small Business Banking, Kate Gibson says the collaboration with UniSA will help drive success for SMEs Australia-wide.
“In Australia there are more than two million small to medium sized businesses, creating two out of three jobs in our economy and employing half of our private-sector workforce.” Gibson says. “Together, they are the largest employers in the country, so supporting them is very important for the health of the national economy.
“The ANZ Business Growth Program is designed to help CEOs and executive team members to better lead, manage and grow their companies.
“We are focusing on SMEs with revenue between $5m and $50m because we believe they have the most potential for growth.
“Through this program, 40 ANZ customers will be selected to attend a one day clinic with Prof Matthews. Ten of these customers will then qualify for a more intensive coaching program commencing in October this year.”
In addition the tailored learning program, peer-to-peer interaction and networking opportunities will allow CEOs to collaborate and connect with like-minded people, forming support networks with other professionals.
“We know there is a strong appetite from the SME community for these types of programs, and early feedback from our customers has been overwhelmingly positive,” Gibson says.
Media contacts:
UniSA: Michèle Nardelli office: +61 8 8302 0966 mobile: 0418 823 673 email: Michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
ANZ: Victoria Kanevsky office: +61 3 8654 4469 mobile: +61 401561480 email: victoria.kanevsky@anz.com
