The Australian Industry and Defence Network NT (AIDN-NT) has been working in partnership with the Northern Territory (NT) Government to provide an ‘Innovative Springboard’ to educate and support defence industry suppliers on how to adopt new business models, understand their options for contracting and guide and support the inevitable change that these will bring. This program provided essential support to local defence industry suppliers who needed to 'work on their businesses whilst working in their businesses'.
Twenty NT companies actively engaged in a program that:
- explored various business models to identify how best to be more customer-focused
- considered a range of contracting mechanisms that allow for greater collaboration with other partners
- presented some key considerations about how to adopt the change required to be more design-led and solutions focused.
The opinion shared amongst those who participated was that is was a great program that focused on subjects that were directly relative to their small businesses, and that they came away with valuable knowledge which they could incorporate to accelerate the changes they needed to make to be more successful in their own fields or professions.
Frank Borgward from Tufwrap said it all through the following testimonial:
"In our short involvement with AIDN-NT we have experienced a level of dedication and motivation seldom seen. The AIDN-NT team have opened our eyes to opportunities and pathways we had not deemed possible and were frustrated in trying to find. They have organised events and opportunities to improve ourselves to a point that military can’t help but consider us. The level of exposure to key personnel and political figures is nothing short of amazing and the networking opportunities on a national scale have proved vital in our continued development. On a local level involvement with AIDN-NT has led to great friendships and business opportunities with local entities all working towards a common goal. Tufwrap is a small business doing well in a big business environment largely thanks to the efforts of the likes of Kerryn and Debbie in Darwin. We look forward to what the future holds and the vision that AIDN-NT is striving to make into reality here in the NT."