Bellingen Chamber of Commerce

I am a former Secretary of the Emerald Chamber of Commerce in Queensland (400 members). Having recently finished my last assignment, we are currently seeking our next career moves.

About Mark

My last position was General Manager for Emerald Coaches, managing a $4m business with 25 staff. I oversaw all business activities including sales and marketing, operations, administration, HR and finance.

My achievements included: -

Creating ongoing process efficiency improvements (staff rosters; time sheets; breakdown roster; fuelling schedule) saving cost and time; Overseeing a major improvement in staff morale and welfare - implemented open door policy and open communication about business performance; held regular staff feedback meetings; increased percentage of local employees in the workforce; replaced outgoing employees with those of higher quality; Significantly improving health and safety in the workplace environment by arranged an audit, implementing audit findings and maintaining set standards of the physical environment; developed and introduced new policies and procedures in consultation with all staff which also enabled the business to align with key client policies and contractual obligations; Developing a supplier cost reduction programme; Identifying future strategy options by undertaking business, client and market analyses Regional Small Business of the Year Award for 2009.

In my previous contract role with the Queensland State Government, I had responsibility for industry and regional development. My remit was to develop targeted networks, clusters and supply chains with business operators and representative organisations to enhance regional business performance.

As a Senior Manager for Trade and Investment with Deloitte, I managed a team that delivered advisory services. We achieved excellent results by helping businesses to achieve contracts worth GBP30m from an annual fee income of GBP1m.

From 2005 to 2007, I ran my own successful small business having identified a new business opportunity to supply migrant workers to UK employers with skills shortages after EU expansion. My strategy enabled me to develop the business quickly in year one and exceed my initial revenue targets within six months. During the business life cycle, I made decisions to alter marketing, recruitment, employer service and sourcing strategies to enhance business performance and respond to changing market conditions and helped employers to address genuine skills gaps whilst ensuring that workers received equal terms and conditions of employment as their UK counterparts.

During my spell as Investor Development Manager, I was responsible for the delivery of a new regional investor development programme for companies identified as having strategic importance. I established and developed close support relationships with business leaders and assisted with delivery improvement projects as part of a wider remit to retain existing and develop further investment. The programme identified and supported over 50 projects in areas of site expansion, staff recruitment and retention, productivity improvements, marketing, supplier development, E-business, access to finance and others.

With the Skoda Group, I managed the overseas representative network and successfully opened a sales branch in South Africa, achieving sales of $1m in year one and $1.6m in year two.

I developed my early career with leading distributors of industrial products starting as a warehouse operator/driver and progressing via promotion to internal then field sales, when I regularly met and exceeded sales targets. I possess an excellent understanding of all business operations, written and verbal communication skills and strong problem solving and decision making skills. I have experience of managing teams with different employers using situational leadership, consensus and delegation, proven relationship management skills, networking, negotiating and influencing skills across all levels. I am highly professional, intelligent, analytical, loyal and friendly.

About Elle

Elle is highly experienced in customer service and administrative roles and previous responsibilities have included: -

Marked work, gave appropriate feedback and maintained records of performance . Managed pupil behaviour and applied appropriate and effective measures when necessary.

Dealt with membership applications and enquiries via phone, email and post. Maintained membership database. Received, sorted and distributed post. Diary management including meeting and travel organisation. Dealt with all incoming correspondence . Took dictation and minutes .

Responsible for department accounts and budgets. Booked in customers vehicles for service and repairs face to face and over the telephone (reception duties). Processed work documentation . Updated customer and vehicle records accurately. Invoiced and handled cash payments. Processed incoming sales orders at the counter and by phone (reception duties). Stock control. Sales reports

In order to develop my knowledge and skills, she recently completed a Certificate III in Business Administration (Quick Books) at TAFE.

She has excellent client relationship, people and communication skills, and considered by former employers as being highly numerate and literate, hardworking, reliable, flexible, work equally well as part of a team or alone, punctual, friendly, honest and dedicated. She prides herself on doing all tasks to the very best of her ability.

Her immediate career will be slightly interrupted when she gives birth to our first child in December but plans to return to work as soon as possible.

Please contact us if you know of something suitable for either of us.

Mark and Elle Brennan [mailto:brennanml1966@yahoo.co.uk]