Young Business Leader of the Year Announced
The Royal Society for the Blind is proud to announce that Felicity VanDerHeul of Surrey Downs has taken out the award for the 2007/2008 Young Business Leader of the Year at the Stamford Grand on Saturday night.
The Administration and Consultation Officer for the City of Charles Sturt was able to impress a distinguished board of industry experienced judges to take out the award against 18 other skilled finalists. The panel agreed that her efforts throughout the program prove that Felicity will no doubt go on to be a leader within the South Australian business community.
At the commencement of the program Felicity set out on immense task to improve the internal communication process within the City of Charles Sturt Council. Felicity explains throughout her project that the system she has developed will directly benefit the councils Customer Service Centre and enable them to answer resident questions more efficiently and accurately. This in-depth study formed the basis of the YBL Business Improvement Project which provided Felicity with invaluable hands-on experience and is now also of great assistance to the City of Charles Sturt Council.
Congratulations must also go to Ben Clark of Glenelg North was presented with the Achievement Award on the night. Ben introduced a Performance Management Framework for the Internode Sales Team.
Also taking home an award was Olivia McFarlane of Edwardstown who works for NAB. Olivia won the Encouragement Award for her development of a system management process to achieve consistency in bank fees. This project progressed to a national level.
All of the finalists can add to their resumes that they have completed a Certificate 4 in Frontline Business Management which was presented to the 19 finalists in front of friends and family and work collogues by RSB President, Ray Clarke. Each finalist can also take away the mentors and friends they have developed as a result of the program that will guide and provide advice throughout the rest of their careers.
THE YBL PROGRAM IN BRIEF
The 10 month YBL Program is open to anyone and is a unique opportunity for young people who are emerging as business leaders to rapidly develop professionally and personally while networking with Adelaide’s business community.
Participants attend workshops to gain knowledge that is then applied practically through two projects, the Business Improvement Project and Community Involvement Project. They are supported through the YBL Program by their company, an independent mentor and a past participant.
Felicity has found great success within the program and has developed the confidence within her self to become a leader. The opportunity to achieve the same success is now available to other young South Australians. For more information on the YBL Program, contact Heather McCulloch on 8223 6222 or hmcculloch@rsb.org.au or visit www.rsb.org.au.
The 2007/08 YBL Program is sponsored by The Advertiser Sunday Mail, BHP Billiton, Boileau Business Solutions, Commonwealth Bank, Coopers, FIVEaa, In-Business, Network Ten, Pickard Foundation, Qantas and Venture Holidays.