- Launch of the Business Acceleration Program (BAP).
- Demonstrated growth of participating businesses.
Summary
Launched in August 2018, the Business Acceleration Program (BAP) is an initiative of the Territory Government, delivered by the Australian Centre for Business Growth (AUCBG) in partnership with the Darwin Innovation Hub. The Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory joined the program in 2021.
BAP is an intensive business growth program that enables chief executive officers (CEOs), managing directors (MDs) and executives of Territory based companies to identify growth opportunities, overcome business challenges, and drive competitive advantage. The program provides participants with the knowledge and skills they need to develop as leaders, accelerate company growth and compete in a global marketplace.
The centre’s programs are designed by world renowned expert in entrepreneurial leadership, Dr Jana Matthews and delivered by Jana and AUCBG's team of growth experts.
Testimonials
- Keith Jury | Owner, Darwin Solar
Keith Jury admits that he was taught painful - but extraordinarily useful - lessons when he attended the Business Acceleration Program.
“I was shown that I was doing nearly everything wrong and, in effect, had to start again.”
Keith, who owns a solar installation and maintenance company called Darwin Solar, is the inventor of SolFlow, a solar-powered hybrid system that filters, chlorinates and heats swimming pools from as little as three solar panels. But his biggest selling product is a hybrid hot water system. He attended the first three-day Business Acceleration Program education seminar and was so impressed that he has signed up for the other two.
- Robert 'Bob' Fleming | Owner, NT Sports and Playgrounds
Robert 'Bob' Fleming gained an enormous amount from the Business Acceleration Program. He says it helped improve his business more than he could have imagined. Robert, who owns the Darwin-based NT Sports and Playgrounds, is thankful he took the time to attend the three three-day growth modules.
“It taught me lots of valuable lessons, particularly how to step away from the day-to-day running of my company so that I had the time to plan for growth.”
- Steve Rowe | Owner, SRA Information Technology
Steve Rowe is a strong supporter of the Business Acceleration Program.
He urges other business owners to attend the three three-day courses - and take two things with them: their senior management team and an open mind.
“You want your management team with you so that you have the same ambition to grow the business and learn together.
“And you must be willing to learn - there’s no point in going if you’re all defensive.”
Steve, who owns the award-winning Darwin-based software development company SRA, went to all three sessions. Steve says the experts running the program made him look at different ways of operating.
“It made me look beyond business growth in a straight line.”
News items
- October to December 2021 - Territory Q Business Acceleration Program feature article
- 20 September 2021 - Free business support for Territorians
- 13 August 2021 - Accelerating business success
- 27 November 2020 - Growing successful businesses in the Territory
Outcomes
- Business Acceleration Program
The BAP is now in its fourth year of operations in the Territory and for the 2021/22 financial year comprises:
Assessment Clinics (40 placements: fully Northern Territory (NT) Government subsidised)
One day sessions for CEOs of companies employing 5 to 200 employees. Coaching comprises face-to-face coaching and training of groups of CEOs with one growth expert for each four CEOs.Business Growth Modules (8 placements: 50% NT Government subsidised)
A series of three, three day courses over a nine month period for CEO’s, and at least two of their executives, of companies with 12 to 199 employees.Growth Ramp* (24 placements: fully NT Government subsidised)
A series of six, one day courses over a six month period for CEOs of smaller businesses with 5 to 11 employees who are looking to move to the next level.Execute and Grow (6 placements: fully NT Government subsidised)
For CEOs, MDs and executive team members of companies that have attended other AUCBG Growth Programs and want to continue to grow, with guidance from AUCBG and their growth experts.* In 2020, following requests from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade for a business acceleration course targeted toward Territory businesses that were too small to qualify for the intense Business Growth Modules the BAP implemented a new course, the Growth Ramp. Territorian businesses where the first to participate in the new training offered by the AUCBG and following success in the Territory, the Growth Ramp program was incorporated into the national programs suite as a standard option with the AUCBG.
Results for the 2020/21 financial year reported by 26 companies, who have participated in the Business Acceleration Program and responded to the annual Growth Tracker Survey, showed, despite the effects of COVID-19, they achieved in aggregate:
- 10% growth in revenue
- 86% growth in profit
- 20% growth in FTE jobs (employment decreased by 0.7% in the NT and by 4.3% nationally)
- 1% growth in exports.
Business Acceleration Program statistics
2018-2019 program
- Growth Clinic participants: 34 businesses
- Growth Module participants: 10 businesses
- 2018-2019 Growth Module graduates:
- Harris Kmon Solutions
- Highway QA
- NT Sports and Playground Surfacing
- Monsoon Aquatics
- Sea Dragon
- SRA Information Technology
- Sterling NT.
2019-2020 program
- Growth Clinic participants: 30 businesses
- Growth Module participants: 7 businesses
- 2019-2020 Growth Module graduates:
- Aldebaran Contracting
- DEVA Darwin
- Harvey Developments
- Katherine Solar NT
- Medical Equipment Management Australia.
2020-2021 program
- Growth Clinic participants: 15 businesses
- Growth Module participants: 9 businesses
- Growth Ramp participants: 12 businesses
- Growth Workshop participants: 21 businesses
- 2020-2021 Growth Module graduates:
- Chartair
- M+J Builders
- Universal Site Monitoring
- Winnellie Hydraulics.
News items:
- 13 August 2021 - Accelerating business success
- 19 May 2021 - Business Acceleration Program driving growth for SMEs
- 27 November 2020 - Growing successful businesses in the Territory
- Immediate Business Acceleration Program
In 2021 the Northern Territory Government released the Immediate Business Acceleration Program (iBAP) a free online support program to help Territory businesses thrive and survive during and after a COVID-19 lockdown. The iBAP provides Territory business owners and managers access to expert advice on how to manage their company’s resources during external disruptions such as the pandemic, and describes how other owners and managers have turned a crisis into an opportunity which positioned their companies for future growth.
iBAP is a series of resources, including videos, articles and live Zoom sessions that can be accessed by any Territorian looking to rebound and grow. The program allows for uncapped participation and is fully subsidised by the Territory Government.
- Business Acceleration Program Aboriginal placements
In partnership with the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN), the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade has reserved eight placements for Aboriginal Territorians to participate in the Business Acceleration Program.
As of October 2021 the following companies have confirmed interest in the program: