In late 2016, Australian Owner Manager was formed with foundation partners UQ Business School and the Icehouse. At its core, Australian Owner Manager delivers practical, effective development to Australian business owners and their senior managers.
Over 320 business owners across Australia have completed the Owner Manager Program, all of whom are extremely positive about their experience. There are several keys to its success.
The most important, perhaps, is the selection and ‘design’ of each group. Great care is taken to ensure each program includes like-minded business owners from different industries. Different people are brought together who share common challenges and, through shared experience and observation, shed light on a path forward.
Built on this solid foundation, Australian Owner Manager expanded its portfolio of programs in 2018 to include the OM Leadership Program (OML). OML is Australia’s first entirely practical leadership course created specifically for senior managers of privately owned companies. Next created is the Owner Manager Exchange (OMX), a next level program designed exclusively for graduates of the Owner Manager Program. 2022 has also brought two new programs. The Small Business Owner (SBO) Program designed for owner of businesses with revenues between $750k-$3m. OMP+, the alumni-exclusive ongoing extension to the flagship Owner Manager Program, is the most recent program addition.
Rob Douglas established the Wharton Global Consulting Practicum in Australia at UQ Business School. This unique program helped Australian businesses enter or expand into the US market.
The first client was woman’s active wear retailer, Lorna Jane. As part of the program Rob Douglas, UQ MBA students and various advisors including board member Chris Robinson, developed the US market entry strategy for Lorna Jane.
Building on the Wharton program, Rob Douglas saw a need for a non-academic program for the Owners of mid-sized companies. As the Director of Executive Education, he analysed various programs including the Harvard Owner Presidents Program. After review, he decided to adapt the approach from the Icehouse in New Zealand for the Australian market. The Australian Owner Manager Program (OMP) was born!
The first Australian Owner Manager Program commenced in Queensland. The OMP1 cohort included ARIA Property Group, Woollam Constructions, Michelle Bridges Body for Life and VideoPro, amongst a range of companies. OMP2 commenced in late 2013.
The program continued to run in QLD in 2014-2016 at the University of Queensland.
In late 2016 the decision was made to commercialise and expand the program with UQ Business School and the Icehouse as Foundation partners. In early 2017 Australian Owner Manager was launched.
OMP expanded into NSW with a Sydney based program. The OM Leadership program was also launched for senior managers in private companies, along with OMX for OMP alumni.
In addition, NAB identified the Australian Owner Manager Program as a key option to support and assist their business clients. NAB undertook a pilot with part scholarships to a dozen customers.
The NAB pilot program concluded with exceptional feedback and NAB entered in an agreement to provide 200 part scholarships for the Owner Manager Program in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
The OMP program expanded into VIC with programs in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. COVID19 disrupted the face-to-face sessions, which continued into late 2020 where feasible. The OM Leadership program for senior managers and OMX for alumni continued to run. Australian Owner Manager supported businesses during COVID with a range of ongoing interactive webinars
OMP Program continued to run in QLD, with sessions in NSW and VIC put on hold. PWC joined as an advisory partner and Family Business Australia joined as an associate partner. The Small Business Owner Program (SBO) was developed.
Strong demand following COVID sees programs scheduled in QLD, NSW and VIC. The OM Leadership program, OMX, and SBO for small business owners are also scheduled. OMP+ an additional program for alumni has been developed.
“Fundamentally we set out to create something for business owners that was, first and foremost, delivered significant value. There are hundreds of courses out there for business owners – the vast majority of which are theoretical at best. The Owner Manager Program (OMP) was designed to be the absolute opposite – it’s entirely practical, it’s focused, it’s immersive and it’s about helping you and your business move forward”
Executive Dean, Faculty of Business, Economics & Law, University of Queensland
Andrew is an internationally recognised Professor and expert in Business Sustainability and Strategy. He is responsible for the Schools of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Queensland. He facilitated some of the original Owner Manager Programs in Australia and is an ongoing supporter of the program.
Director of Growth and Coaching. The Icehouse
Executive Director, Australian Owner Manager
The Icehouse is Australasia’s leading business accelerator and growth hub. Founded in Auckland, NZ in 2001, they have worked with over 5,000 ambitious owner-managers and entrepreneurs. They believe that to unleash the economic potential, they need to lift the capabilities and aspirations of owners, entrepreneurs and people who run startup and SME businesses to enable them to take the business forward.
The Icehouse works with a wide range of businesses at various stages of growth – from entrepreneurs launching new ventures through to successful owner-managers wanting to take their business to the next level. The Icehouse is owned by a not-for-profit trust and backed by the financial support and expertise of the New Zealand government and an extensive group of committed partners that includes: AJ Park, Bank of New Zealand, Deloitte Private, HP New Zealand, Microsoft New Zealand, Spark, Visa and our founder The University of Auckland Business School
The University of Queensland Business School is independently ranked as one of the top business schools in Australia and amongst the leading institutions worldwide. Based in Brisbane, it brings together over 130 subject experts with over 8,000 students.
The School offers a range of degree programs, including undergraduate, honours and postgraduate coursework, postgraduate research. It also offers Executive Education programs in the heart of the Brisbane central business district. The School’s MBA program is ranked 10th in the world by The Economist, identifying it as the number MBA Program in Australia and the leading MBA outside of Europe and North America.
