Friday 9 September 2005

Inspirational Speaker for Territory Management Awards

A baker who turned a struggling small business in country Victoria into the highest earning single bakery retailer in Australia will address a gala dinner in October to announce the Northern Territory’s top managers.

Known as the ‘Baker from Beechworth’, Tom O’Toole has developed a business model, which is being emulated around the world.

The Australian Institute of Management’s Northern Territory Chair, Meriel Corbett-Weir, said Mr O’Toole was an ideal speaker for this year’s Management Excellence Awards.

“Tom is not just a charismatic and thoroughly entertaining speaker, his personal story is truly inspirational,” Ms Corbett-Weir said.

“There are valuable lessons for managers of both large and small organisations in the way Tom has taken a small country bakery and turned it into a national award winner.”

When Mr O’Toole took over the bakery at Beechworth, the business had just two staff and an annual turnover of $100,000.

Now turnover is in excess of $3 million a year and the business employs 70 people, providing an enormous boost to what was once an isolated and dying country town in north east Victoria.

Mr O’Toole will explain some of the secrets to his success, when he addresses Northern Territory business leaders gathered for the Management Excellence Awards gala dinner in Darwin on October 15.

Ms Corbett-Weir said the event was a highlight of Darwin’s annual corporate calendar.

“The Management Excellence Awards program is recognised as the premium showcase of the most talented managers in the Northern Territory,” she said.

“That’s why we’ve consistently attracted the very highest quality entrants across all of the categories.

“But I have to say this year’s field of candidates is particularly impressive… a stand-out.”

The awards cover four categories:

• Professional Manager of the Year – for senior managers and executives
• Owner Manager of the Year – for owners and managing partners in small, medium and large businesses. The nominee must hold at least a 50% share of the business
• Young Manager of the Year – for those 35 years or younger
• Rural / Remote Manager of the Year – for those who live or work at least 75 kilometres outside their nearest provincial city

What: Management Excellence Awards gala dinner, featuring keynote speaker, Tom O’Toole
When: Saturday, October 15, 6.30pm till late
Where: Holiday Inn Esplanade, The Esplanade, Darwin
Cost: $110
RSVP: Monday, October 10