DG: What is the Western Sydney Business Connection all about?
WR: The Connection is a business to business networking and business development organization. It was established in 1985 and since that time has continued to flourish. Importantly it is a not-for-profit organization which has the express aim of connecting people, places and business. In fact “connecting people, places and business” is the motto of the Connection. The Connection is proudly focused on Western Sydney and the interests of western Sydney based businesses. Essentially it first started in the growing Parramatta CBD but now serves business throughout the western Sydney economic region. For the Connection this also includes the developing Liverpool, Campbelltown and Hawkesbury areas too.
DG: Why just western Sydney? Why don’t you expand your organization to include businesses right across the whole Sydney area.
WR: Dmitry, this would be just too big for us and we would not be able to adequately meet the needs of our member base. Also our roots are firmly based in Sydney’s west.
The Connection has developed alongside the growth of the western Sydney economy. From humble beginnings the Connection has grown to include many large and well known companies. It started with the aim of bringing together businesses based in Sydney’s west to network, to get to know each other, encourage investment and do business together. Back in 1985 this was essentially focused in Parramatta. However the region is now much larger than just Parramatta. The demographic centre of Sydney is now west of Blacktown. As the region grew the numbers and range of business have grown so the Connection has grown along with them. Now the western Sydney economy is the third largest regional economy in Australia. Our regional economy is larger than Brisbane’s.
The Western Sydney Region comprises 14 LGA’s and is one of the fastest growing economies in Australia. 70 per cent of Sydney’s population growth is expected to occur in Western Sydney raising the number of people who live here from 2 million in 2011, to 3 million in 2036.
The manufacturing industry represents 16% of the Gross Regional Product of Western Sydney, and the GRP of Western Sydney is one third of the GRP of the whole of Sydney. Employment in manufacturing was 105,000 in 2007, about 17% of the total employment in the Western Sydney region. 36% of Sydney’s workforce are employed in western Sydney based industries.
The NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell believes the region is so important that he is also Minister for Western Sydney.
DG: So how is the Connection managed?
WR: Western Sydney Business Connection is governed by a very active Board of senior, highly experienced business people. I am honoured to be the current President but I am simply one of a long line of excellent leaders. We also have a very fine General Manager, Peter Dunphy plus a small staff based in north Parramatta. Throughout the year Peter and his team do a remarkable job of arranging and managing a very diverse series of events and functions, both small and very large. They also manage membership recruitment and benefit delivery, our website, databases, information flyers and brochures as well as attend a host of functions and stakeholder meetings.
DG: And how is it structured?
WR: The Connection itself has four arms. The main arm of course is the Western Sydney Business Connection itself which provides networking and business development opportunities for our members. Our other arms are Connection X, Manufacturers Connection and Asia Business Connection (which technically is a separate organization but is very closely aligned to WSBC).
Connection X is an association for future business leaders. Connection X is about succession planning and helping young professionals to help understand wider business issues, to meet, network and have professional development opportunities. Individuals can join Connection X but at this time only organizations can join the WSBC. The Chair of Connection X is a dynamic young woman who is looking to refresh and rebrand the Connection X image and their activities. This will be a really interesting area to watch.
The Manufacturers Connection was only formed in 2010 and is a dedicated cluster of manufacturers who meet regularly to share ideas, learn from each other and discuss innovative ways to improve their operations. The MC organizes a planned and structured series of roundtable discussions, company visits, seminars and guest speakers specifically for the manufacturing sector. We have also worked to secure a government grant to help research and support manufacturing in the region.
The Asia Business Connection comprises both whole company and individual members. The aim is to foster and grow business links to Asia. ABC organizes and participates in trade missions, holds network events with key members of Asian governments and the Asian Business community in Australia and overseas.
DG: So the WSBC is really more than just a business networking organization. You also provide business and individual development opportunities for your members. Are these the benefits?
WR: Yes that’s correct. There are many business networking organisations, including Chambers of Commerce. They do a very fine job and we regularly interact with them. Parramatta Chamber, the Sydney Hills Business Chamber and the Penrith Valley Chamber especially are very active. However WSBC mostly represents large business enterprises whereas small business frequently forms the member base of their local Chambers of Commerce. WSBC has a schedule of high profile business events planned to provide topical information and resources to Directors and senior business leaders to help them make sound strategic decisions affecting the development of their companies.
DG: What sorts of activities are run by the Connection?
WR: Well the big one of course is the annual State of the Region Address by the NSW Premier. We are delighted that the current Premier has already given an undertaking that he will present at the 2012 event. This function, an intimate luncheon for more than 500 business leaders is always a sellout. In 2011 we had Harold Mitchell, Executive Chairman of Mitchell Communication Group talk to us about the future of media and advertising in business, Mark Collard present on team-building and staff morale, Craig James, Chief Economist from CommSec gave a Federal Budget briefing for 250 people, demographer Bernard Salt talked about the future of the western Sydney workforce. On that matter the Connection conducted an Employment Forum for the Greater Western Sydney region attended by many major businesses which looked at issues of skills and staff retention and changes in the employment market. We have had several events looking at issues of sustainability, energy efficiency and carbon pricing. We welcomed the new Sydney Thunder 20/20 at a breakfast launch, had Charlie Lynn AO tell us about the art of survival and Simon McKeon the current Australian of the Year talked about social enterprises and corporate responsibility. We conducted a number of business and manufacturers round tables to do with lean business principles, innovation in production, workplace health and safety reform and optimizing employee engagement. Add to this a whole lot of networking morning teas, after 5s as well as the annual Corporate Golf Classic. Dmitry you can see it’s a pretty active timetable.
Shortly for our Platinum members we hope to commence a program of CEO Boardroom discussions involving key business, community and government leaders.
DG: Whitney it is a very active and engaging program – but is it just a closed boys club? Who are some of your current members and what are the benefits? How do other organisations become members?
WR: No it’s not a boys club. We are actively seeking to expand our membership. In all associations members come and go but you only get out what you put in. If, as a member you sit back and only attend some of the functions you might wonder why you paid your membership fee. On the other hand, if you are active, get your key leadership team involved, take good note of the business date resources on the website and information presented by the speakers and contribute at roundtables and seminars you will reap dividends. Remember the Connection is not-for-profit. Board members drive the Connection in addition to their normal working duties. They do this because they see the benefits of networking and knowing other businesses in our region – to sell to, to source materials and services from. To collaborate with in tenders, to get ideas and to learn from the mistakes and successes of others. This is why the Connection puts people, places and business together. This is why we are successful and the number one business to business networking organisation in western Sydney and beyond.
Who are our members? Well our current Platinum members include DEXUS Property Group, Moore Stephens Sydney West , MatthewsFolbigg Lawyers, St George Bank, TAFENSW Western Sydney Institute, NewsLocal, Parramatta City Council, Blacktown City Council and The Hills Shire Council, Sydney Water, Defence Reserves Support, PARKROYAL Parramatta , Telstra Business Centre Hills/Northern District. Our manufacturing members include Alcoa Australia Rolled Products , BlueScope Steel, FIP Brakes International, O-I Glass, Pegasus Print Group, Preformed Line Products, Rondo Building Services and Resmed. With more than 500 enterprises and 4000 individual contacts on our database our membership draws from high profile companies across many industry categories. We also support fundraising for our special charity enterprises CareFlight , The Northcott Society, Westmead Medical Research Foundation, Parramatta Mission and MS Australia.
DG: Alright Whitney, how do people find out more or become new members?
Dmitry we want to grow our membership base. To find out more please look at our website www.wsbc.org.au. Also you should email us connection@wsbc.org.au or call us on 9687 2788.