◊ 6 thewest.com.au WESTBUSINESS Wednesday, May 28, 2014 2014 ATSE CLUNIES ROSS AWARDS FAMILY BUSINESS BRIEFING Connecting past and now with future ■ Andrew Mostyn Every family business has an indefinable connection with the past, present and developing future. While key stakeholders in the business take pride in the accomplishments and success, it is important to remain open-minded and demonstrate a willingness to build upon the foundations created by the founders. We are challenged by the knowledge that changing events and circumstances will require us to constantly adapt and sometimes steer the business in a new direction. Many successful family businesses struggle to get the second generation while an even larger number fail to reach and prosper through to the third generation even though the foundations were often solid enough for this not to happen. Either the following generations did not learn to respect what had been forwarded on to them or they did not recognise that change was in fact required. No matter the age of a business, its history is important and I would encourage all family businesses to take the time to document their past, Australia’s most prestigious awards for scientists and innovators, the ATSE Clunies Ross Awards, were presented at a gala dinner before a 400-strong crowd at the Perth Convention Centre last Wednesday. PICTURES BENJAMIN RICHES Roberta Nutt & John Nutt acknowledging the good and the bad and learning from both. It can be a very cleansing experience and one that can go a long way to squashing those age-old rumours that tend to linger in the annals of many families and can often on their own lead to the destruction of the family unit. Family Business Australia chose the theme Honour the Past — Embrace the Future” for its 2014 National Conference to reflect the need to honour past generations while embracing change, which can be rapid, unexpected and often unpredictable. Presenters have been chosen for the valuable experiences they will share in meeting the challenges of relationships, growth, going global, choosing a leader, innovation, “the next big thing”, entrepreneurship and much more . . . all within a family business context. Delegates attending the 2014 Conference to be held in Adelaide from August 21 to 23 will leave inspired, prepared to meet challenges with confidence and motivated to embrace the future. Delegates will also attend the 2014 Distinguished Family Business of the Year Awards on the Friday night to honour success. Paul Greenfield & Simon Carroll & Peter Gray Alan Finkel, Colin Barnett & Ian Chubb Eugene Ivanov & Michael Tobar Kevin Galvin & Eilis Corrigan Guests of Apache Energy and Musica Viva were treated to an evening concert by the “high priests of brass music” followed by a post-concert function at the Perth Concert Hall last Thursday. PICTURES MATT JELONEK Jarrad Scott & Daniel Tarapacki Hywel Sims, Steve Singer & Graham Lovelock Regan Douglas & Cynthia Griffin Carole Porter & Faron Thibodeaux Malcolm Fialho & Robert Reeves AMERICAN BRASS QUINTET CONCERT FIRE ON ICE LAUNCH ................................................................................... ■ Andrew Mostyn is WA chairman of the Family Business Association JDL Strategies’ latest Unstoppables venture for innovators and entrepreneurs Fire on ice: Entrepreneurs in Antarctica was launched last Wednesday. Geoff Wilson, founder of Fifth Element, shared his record-breaking solo journey across Antarctica. PICTURES MATT JELONEK Barbara McNaught & Zak Grujin Lee De Coster & Ann McCoy Zeeshan Pasha, Pip & Brett Easton Julio De Laffitte & Geoff Wilson Kott Gunning has been providing family law advice for over 30 years. For Practical advice in plain English call the Family Law team on 9321 3755. • Divorce • Financial Arrangements • Property Settlements • Maintenance • Children • Child Support Kott Gunning Lawyers Level 8, AMP Building, 140 St Georges Tce PERTH WA 6000 Phone: (08) 9321 3755 Fax: (08) 9321 3465 www.kottgunn.com.au #14W2445159-10/5 FOR SALE Manufacturing Contractor Servicing the commercial and industrial markets throughout WA with broad client base – average sales approx $8.5m & proﬁt $1.55m. Asking $3.35m THE EXCHANGE Have you been photographed? To order prints, phone Press Photos on 9482 2378. To tell us about an event, email [email protected]. Ph: 9381 7411 Sarah Gajek & Douglas McNaught The wonder of the West How Wesfarmers grew and grew The West Australian’s Leadership Matters series is celebrating the centenary of Wesfarmers. In a unique tribute, a panel of leaders who stamped their mark on the one-time farmers’ cooperative and helped turn it into one of Australia’s biggest companies will discuss Wesfarmers’ recipe for success, why a conglomerate can and should work and why remaining based in Perth is key. Join Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder and some of his predecessor CEOs as they discuss Wesfarmers’ humble beginnings and provide insights into the company’s transformational acquisition of CSBP, the emergence of the Bunnings retail phenomenon and, ultimately, the recordbreaking acquisition of Coles. Theirs is a rare story of sustained corporate success that has survived the test of time by adhering to a small but key set of principles. Whether as a history lesson of business in this State or an example of corporate success, this is an event not to be missed. LUNCH MONDAY, JUNE 23 PERTH CONVENTION EXHIBITION CENTRE NOON (FOR 12.30PM) TO 2.30PM TICKETS $175 (incl GST) CORPORATE TABLES (10) $1750 BOOKINGS thewest.com.au/events INFORMATION 9482 3820 or [email protected] SERIES PARTNERS