What if... we expanded beyond our local market?

Hybrid Didn’t Break Your Culture. It Exposed It.

Ben Watts, CEO - Wattsnext Group

'The businesses that will win over the next decade won’t be the ones arguing about where people work. They will be the ones designing how work works!' Read more

Is my NDA on a collision course with AI?

Andrew Nicholson, Partner - Mullins Lawyers

' Don’t delay – review your processes and documents now to avoid losing valuable rights.'  Read more

Why Documenting Your Sales Process Is the Foundation of Sustainable Growth

Peter McKeon, CEO & Founder - Salesmasters

'If you want to grow, you must build the systems and processes that support growth. Sales is no exception.'  Read more

Risk Mitigation Begins with Environmental Expertise

Alan Robertson, Managing Director - RGS Environmental Consultants

'Investor scrutiny of environmental performance is no longer a peripheral consideration it is a core requirement.' Read more

Why So Many Businesses Miss the Exit They Deserve

Davina Lacey, Director - Stockbridge Brokers

' If selling a business were simply about finding a buyer, most transactions would complete smoothly.' 
Read more

Smart Networking: Simple Tips That Make a Big Difference

By Leisa Gill, Franchise Owner – BNI Brisbane South West & Toowoomba

Networking isn’t just about exchanging business cards — it’s about building meaningful connections. Read more

Early Intervention Is a Leadership Decision - Not a Compliance Exercise

Michelle Safely, General Manager - Phoenix Occupational Medicine

'The organisations seeing the strongest outcomes today understand that early intervention is a leadership decision.'

Read more

How Do You Lead When You’re Not in the Room?

Adam Vanzanten, General Manager Community Rugby League

'In decentralised organisations, leadership is often confused with visibility. We mistake presence for impact, surveillance for certainty, and control for confidence.' Read more

Why every business should care about safeguarding

Mel James - Social Care Solutions


'Every business, regardless of sector, has a role to play in creating safer communities. Whether you fall under the new Child Safe Org legislation, or not, safeguarding isn't someone else's job—it's everyone's responsibility.'
Read more

5 Systems Every Growth-Ready Business Should Strengthen in 2026

Greg Gunther & Joshna Daya - Your Business Momentum

"Research shows that owners and leaders lose an average of 96 minutes a day to unproductive tasks, which amount to three weeks of lost time per year. *"
Read more

Maximising Value in Your Business Insurance Program

Lisa Carter - Clear Insurance

'Consider what an ideal insurance partnership would look like for your business. What level of service would deliver the greatest value? How could your insurance program better support your business objectives?'
Read more

Succession Planning Done Right

Marsh Alliance

"For many business owners, there comes a point where handing over the reins becomes a vital consideration." Read more

Event and Graduation Gallery - November 2025

Gallery:  November Event and Graduation Ceremony - 2025

Congratulations to Graduated Members and we look forward to seeing everyone in the QLD Leaders Community next year!  Read more

Bringing Light to Hospital This Christmas: Lottie’s Story

Danica Bennett, State Partnerships Manager - QLD - Starlight Children's Foundation

“Being seriously ill shouldn’t mean missing out on the fun of childhood — especially when evidence shows happiness helps kids bounce back after going through tough times.” Starlight CEO, Louise Baxter

Read more

Financial Blind Spots: What Most Business Owners Miss Until It’s Too Late

Andrew Crealy, Managing Partner - FifthEagle

'Every week, owners juggle three priorities that determine performance - finding and keeping the right people, winning the right work at the right margin, and managing the financials.'

Read more

Collaboration Over Credentials? What Leaders Prioritise in High-Level Hiring

Andrew Hill, Managing Consultant - Carroll Consulting

Over a two-year period, a competency study was conducted to better understand what senior business leaders prioritise when hiring for high-level roles.
Read more

Still Selling Like Its 2005? Here’s What It’s Costing You.

Peter McKeon, CEO & Founder - Salesmasters

"Here’s what’s changed: today’s buyers are more informed, more selective, and less forgiving." Read more

The Future of Small Business: Future Dynamic Functional Structures (FDFS)

Ben Watts, CEO - wattasnext Group

"It’s time to blow up the old structure, stop fighting hybrid working and embrace the model that will define the next decade: I call this the Future Dynamic Functional Structures (FDFS)" Read more

Mitigating Operational Risk: Insurance Strategies for Business Directors

Lisa Carter, Managing Director - Clear Insurance

"In today's complex business landscape, recognising operational risks and implementing effective risk transfer strategies is vital for protecting directors and their organisations." Read more

Customer Intelligence – Your Competitive Edge

Michelle O'Hara - OH! Marketing

'One of the scariest, yet opportunistic, trends is the rise of foreign investment into Australian markets.' Read more

Fractional Expertise: Growth Without the Full-Time Cost

Andrew Crealy, Managing Partner - FifthEagle

'Fractional models are common in the US and UK, where businesses have long tapped into on-demand executives. Australia is catching up.' Read more

Navigating Complexity in Community Services

Cheryle Burgoyne, Director - Leaning In Consultancy

'Organisations operating in the community services sector frequently find themselves under-resourced and subject to intense scrutiny, all while striving to deliver quality support to individuals dealing with complex circumstances.' Read more

The Power of the Pig: Why Long-Term Brand Strategy Beats Quick Wins

Jack Perlinski - DAIS 

'Short-term tactics rarely build brand value. Strong brands are built on consistent behaviours that are lived and reinforced over time.' Read more

The Most Common Website Issues & How To Know If You’ve Got Them

Peter Curran, Director - Digital Surfer

"Your website is one your most powerful selling tools. Alone, it can bring in tens of thousands, if not millions of dollars, in business every year — if it works, that is."

Read more

Marketing efforts not landing? Here’s the potential culprit.

Jane Clark, Vie Marketing

"Why gamble on your marketing achieving results without nailing your brand foundation first?" Read more

Survival vs Growth Finance: A Mindset Shift for Resilient Leaders

Matt Butcher - CEO, My Broker Solutions

'At the Queensland Leaders event, I unpacked the difference between survival and growth finance. It’s a distinction that’s often overlooked—but it can define whether a business merely copes or truly thrives.'
Read more

Mitigating Financial Risks with a Virtual CFO

Matthew Smith, Partner - Prime Accounting and Business Advisory

"A Virtual CFO will provide business owners (and businesses) with in-depth, tailored support when it comes to managing their finances and bettering their financial prospects."
Read more

Navigating the Insurance Landscape: Opportunities and Cyber Risks for Business Leaders

Lisa Carter, CEO - Clear Insurance 

'With cyber threats intensifying, no business is immune, regardless of size. Understanding your cyber risk exposure is crucial' Read more

Is your business benefiting from one-on-ones?

Blake Redding - Head of Workplace Psychology, Mapien

"When embedded consistently into leadership practice, one-on-one conversations can become a cornerstone of a high-trust and high-performance culture." Read more

Child Safeguarding – a Collective Community Commitment

Mel James, CEO - Social Care Solutions

"The impact of a child who experiences abuse outside of the home impacts on a business, a community and, of course, a family" Read more

Why Every Business Needs an Integrated IT Strategy

Michael Munt - Managing Director, Biztopia

"Whether you're running a manufacturing firm, a professional services agency, or a retail business, your IT strategy must be fully aligned with your overall business goals and long-term roadmap."


Read more

Bringing Back the Handshake: Why Smart Businesses Are Going Offline to Grow

Michelle O'Hara - Director / Founder, OH! Marketing

'Across Australia and beyond, more mid-sized businesses are reassessing their marketing mix and rediscovering the value of showing up in person, not just online.' Read more

When Leaders Drift, Organisations Stall

Robert de Loryn, Managing Director - RDL



This is leadership drift. Left unchecked, it erodes execution, weakens culture, and ultimately stalls growth.


Read more

Good Governance: A Guide for Business Leaders

Lisa Carter, CEO - Clear Insurance

'Good governance and regular evaluation of business risks are essential to steer your business towards a secure and prosperous future.' Read more

The Warning Signs Are Flashing: Why Businesses Must Rethink Credit Management in 2025

Michael Blonk, Commercial Manager - Optimum Recoveries

"Late payments are increasingly becoming a strategic threat to the survival of Australian businesses." Read more

Brand-Led Advertising: The Difference Between Noise and Cut-Through

Town Creative

'"Great brands know that advertising needs to reflect who they are, not just what they sell." Read more

June 2025 Gallery - Event and Graduation

June 2025 Gallery - Event and Graduation

Congratulations to our Executive Members and Future Leaders on completing your initial Series! Your dedication and hard work have truly paid off. We are excited to continue this journey with you in the Alumni Series and look forward to seeing the amazing things you'll achieve. Read more

Brisbane’s economic edge: why the smart money is moving here

Dr John Cowie, General Manager Investment at Brisbane Economic Development Agency 

'Brisbane is not just Australia’s fastest-growing capital city, it’s rapidly becoming one of its most investable.'  Read more

Is Self-Risk the Most Overlooked Structural Risk in Your Business?

Louise Davis, Marketing Manager - FifthEagle

'Research shows over 50% of SME leaders recognise self-risk, but fewer than a third have taken action to reduce it' Read more

The Key Strategic Element Most Businesses Miss in New Financial Year Planning: The Power of People

Michelle O'Hara, Director - OH! Marketing

'EOFY isn’t just about numbers and targets. It’s also a great time to reflect on who is helping move your business forward.' Read more

Growing your team size used to be the ultimate business flex. Not anymore.

Ben Watts, CEO - Wattsnext

'In 2025, the most impressive businesses encountered aren't the ones with the biggest teams.' Read more

Why Relationship Selling Is No Longer Enough

Peter McKeon, Founder & CEO - Salesmasters International

'How Top 2% SMEs Win More Business in 2025.  The game now belongs to those who master both the logic and the emotion of the sale.' Read more

AI Won’t Replace You, But Someone Who Uses It Better Will

Tracey Gledhill, Chief Customer & Marketing Officer - Cyberon

'No matter how advanced your technology is, people are your most flexible cyber control.' Read more

Advancing Climate Action Through the Sustainable Management Methodology

Lea Patterson, CEO - Pilbara Group

'In the global race to combat climate change, the need for accurate, transparent and actionable carbon accounting has never been greater.' Read more

Success may be an extension of your Estimation Department

Ash Samuel, Founder & CEO - Bid-Ontology

'Highly reliable and well scoped out construction estimates are keys to a drama-free project.' Read more

Risk Exposure & Management Liability - A Guide for Business Owners

Lisa Carter, Managing Director | Clear Insurance

'Managing risk exposure is essential to shield you from personal liability.' Read more

Cultural Intelligence: The Leadership Skill Shaping the Future

Tiffany English, CEO - Access Offshoring

'For Australian businesses leveraging offshore talent, cultural intelligence is no longer a “nice-to-have” — it’s a critical leadership skill.' Read more

How to answer: 'What tech is right for me?'

Dorian Trevisan, Co-Founder - Via Technology

'Technology should support your business, not dictate how it runs.' Read more

Commercial Intimacy: The Secret Sauce to Winning Business Before You Even Pitch

Peter McKeon, Founder & CEO - Salesmasters International

'...people don’t buy from people they like—they buy from people who get them. That’s the essence of commercial intimacy.' Read more

The Art of Networking

Anna Blackman, Co-Founder & Director - Talent Insight Solutions

'In the world of business, success isn’t solely about what you know, but often about who you know.'  Read more

Work from Home: A Perk Today, an Entitlement Tomorrow?

Rebecca Pezzutti - IRIQ Law

'The Fair Work Commission (FWC) is progressing with its case to develop an Award clause that removes impediments to working from home (WFH).' Read more

How Can My Business Deal with Talent Shortages?

David Toft - RPR Trades

'Talent shortages are increasingly affecting businesses across all sectors, placing pressure on productivity, growth, and long-term competitiveness.' Read more

Navigating Business Finance: Essential Tips for Entrepreneurs

Matthew Butcher, Business & Finance Broker - My Broker Solutions

Running a business comes with its own set of financial challenges and opportunities. Read more

Why AI Adoption is Critical for Business Success

Marc Meili, Founder & Director - Protech Group

'AI is transforming the way we do business, and those who fail to embrace it will quickly fall behind.'  Read more

Best Practice Communication: the key to a thriving culture

Ben Watts, CEO - wattsnext

'In today’s fast-changing business landscape, effective communication is more critical than ever.' Read more

The Critical Role of Welding QA/QC in Ensuring Asset Reliability

Mick Cameron - Founder/Managing Director - MC Quality


Read more

Demystifying B2B Marketing: A Checklist on How to Choose the Right Marketing Partner

Georgie Deetlefs - Mindmob

Too many CEOs and GMs treat marketing like a black box, expecting one agency to do it all: branding, lead gen, content and more. That’s a costly mistake. Don’t waste money on marketing. See our no-BS checklist.
Read more

Navigate this complex world with clarity and confidence with cutting edge technology

Michael Ustinoff, Managing Director - Must Technology

'This isn't just about "seeing more" – it's about seeing differently.' Read more

The Cost of Neglecting Long-Term Brand Strategy

Jack Perlinski Founder & CEO. Principal Strategy Advisor - DAIS Brand Strategy Advisors

'During uncertain times, marketing and branding budgets are often the first to be questioned.'  Read more

Managing AI and reducing risk

Andrew Nicholson, Partner - Mullins

'..the majority of organisations have not yet implemented sufficient guidelines and protocols regarding the use of AI'
Read more

Leveraging Cloud Computing for Business Advantage

Bill Owens, Managing Director - Veracity

Cloud computing has become an essential component of modern business operations Read more

The Business Journey: Planning for every stage from startup to exit

Eric Dickler - Founder/Partner, EDR Accounting

Have you ever thought about the entire life cycle of your company? Read more

From Risk to Resilience

Andrew Lawrence, CEO - de.iterate

What Australia’s New Data Privacy Laws Mean for Business Leaders Read more

Child Protection is Everyone’s Business

Mel James, CEO - Social Care Solutions

'To be a Child Safe Organisation, you must be able to evidence you are one that creates a culture, adopts strategies and takes proactive steps to not only prevent harm to children and young people but also promote child wellbeing.'
Read more

Incorporating Nature in Your Supply Chain Could Be the Key to Future Success

Maree Adshead – CEO – Eco-Markets Australia

'Customers, investors, shareholders, stakeholders and partners are increasingly looking to businesses that can demonstrate a real commitment to environmental responsibility.' Read more

Christmas Celebration 2024

Gallery of QLD Leaders Christmas Party 

Thank you to everyone for attending, for the efforts made with being Bright and Merry and making it a wonderful way to end the year.  We look forward to seeing you in 2025! Read more

Event & Graduation Gallery - November 2024

November 2024 Gallery - Event and Graduation

Captures from the Final event for 2024  Read more

Climate change, biodiversity loss and mandatory reporting – what this means for industry

Glenn Dale, Managing Director - Verterra

'The dual challenges of global warming and global biodiversity loss are now recognised as linked, and frameworks for global action have been agreed.' Read more

Achieving Certification to Quality Standards – so much more than compliance

Fiona Laughlan, CEO - IHCA

"Change is constant, and we have more on the horizon – there are fresh opportunities for disability, advocacy, primary health care and mental health service organisations to benefit through independent certification to quality standards."
Read more

New Right to Disconnect and Sexual Harassment Legislation: A Health and Safety Perspective

Jo Kitney,  Managing Director - Kitney 

"At Kitney, we have been receiving inquiries about the Right to Disconnect and sexual harassment legislation, highlighting their topical nature and reinforcing the impact they have on mental health at work. Employers are keen to understand changes, how they can address them, and foster a healthy work environment." Read more

Future-Proofing Your Sales Team: Building for Success in 2024

Peter McKeon, Founder & CEO - Salesmasters International

"The digital landscape evolves quickly. Regular training on new tools and trends is key to keeping your team competitive." Read more

The Best Marketing Channels to Find Clients on Right Now

Michelle O'Hara, Director - OH! Marketing
'Across many industries pipelines have slowed or disappeared altogether. It is important for businesses to look at their marketing strategies and how they are using certain channels to attract new clients.' In this article Michelle from OH! Marketing shares which channels are the best for B2B and B2C and what mistakes to avoid when using other channels. Read more

Developing a Gen AI Strategy for your Business: The Value of an AI Readiness Review

Chris Blakley, COO - Veracity

"By 2030, Gen AI is predicted to add tens of billions to Australia's economy, enhancing efficiencies and driving new opportunities across multiple industries." Read more

Revolutionizing Business Efficiency: The Power of Workflow Automation

Mark Sanders, Founder/CEO - Tiikr

"Implementing workflow automation doesn't have to be a daunting task." Read more

Making business travel work for your business

Virgin Australia Business Flyer

'Why a robust travel policy is essential for every business.' Read more

4 Reasons to Call Your Insurance Adviser

Lisa Carter, CEO - Clear Insurance

'New staff, premises, products, machinery, revenue streams, or ownership changes can affect your insurance in ways you least expect.' Read more

Everything Ends!

Richard Munro, Partner - Alternate Business Strategies

"A robust strategy is more than just a selling decision and has many elements." Read more

Beat Burnout Before It Begins: Essential Tips for Employers and Managers

Danielle Copplin, Director - Scope Psychology Services Australia

Employment and management can be challenging. Meeting the needs of individual employees and supporting their mental health can be easy. Read more

Creating and Maximising B2B Referral Partnerships

Michelle O'Hara, Director - OH! Marketing

'In this article, I share some insights inspired from a group of amazing Queensland Leaders’ businesses and share how any business can build their own partnerships.' Read more

Navigating the Return to the Office

Ben Watts, CEO - Watts Next

“As businesses continue to grapple with returning to office spaces, we have seen and predict a significant increase in FWA requests from employees seeking to maintain flexible work arrangements”
Read more

5 Tips: Performance conversations amid mental health challenges

Blake Redding - Head of Psychology-National, MAPIEN

'Navigating performance conversations can already be tricky and complicated. What happens when we add in mental health or personal stressors for a staff member?' Read more

Why you shouldn’t wait to systemise your business

Greg Gunther and Joshna Daya, Founders and Directors - Your Business Momentum

"5 reasons why you should systemise your business sooner than later" Read more

Lead with Your Strengths

Dr Steve Bagi, Consulting Psychologist, Teaching Fellow - Bond University  

"Have you spent time considering your strengths and how they help you to be effective in your leadership role?" Read more

The New Financial Year: Are You Worried About Hitting Your Targets?

Ralph Vossenberg, Managing Partner - Executive Consulting Group

'The start of a new financial year is a time for optimism and goal-setting. But for CEOs, a nagging doubt can linger: will our sales team deliver the numbers we need?' Read more

Lessons in Leadership from the Family Dog

Read more

Cyber Insurance Myths

Lisa Carter, CEO/Managing Director - Clear Insurance

'One of the most crucial aspects for a business to navigate is cyber insurance. It's not just about knowing what to cover and why, but also understanding the implications and potential risks that can be mitigated through it.' Read more

Gallery - June 2024 Mid year Graduation & Event - view photos here from the afternoon into the evening. 

June 2024 Event & Graduation  Read more

Navigating the New Minimum Wage Increase: A Business Owner's Perspective

Ben Watts, CEO - Wattsnext

'On June 3rd, 2024, Fair Work Australia announced a 3.75% increase to the minimum wage. This coincides with the pre-planned 0.5% increase to Superannuation, resulting in wages costs growing by 4.25% on July 1st, 2024.'
'Business owners must be strategic. It’s about finding ways to absorb these costs without compromising on the quality of service or overburdening our financial health.' Read more

The Evolving Landscape of Sales: Embracing Change and Overcoming Growth Blockers

Peter McKeon, Founder/CEO - Salesmasters International

'The sales landscape is continually evolving, presenting both opportunities and challenges. By addressing misconceptions about hiring, updating sales processes, enforcing KPAs and KPIs, aligning reward metrics, and focusing on value-based selling, sales teams can overcome blockers to growth.' Read more

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Recruit in Australia: Is This a Post-COVID Talent Boom?

Ben Watts, CEO - Wattsnext Group

'The landscape of the job market has finally shifted, bringing an influx of talent and new opportunities for companies looking to expand their teams. Here's why now is the perfect time to recruit, especially for small to medium businesses.' Read more

A position no employer wants to be in.

Anna Linning - Phoenix Occupational Medicine

'Pre-employment medical assessments and alcohol and other drug testing programs offer valuable tools to mitigate such risks – especially in transport and industries with safety critical roles'  Read more

The “Ferrari” Effect – A Marketing Strategy Framework

Michelle O'Hara, Director - OH MARKETING!'

The business landscape is changing rapidly and with it so must our Marketing Strategies, in order to remain ahead of the game.' Read more

Mastering the First 2 Minutes: A Guide to Sales Success

Peter McKeon, Founder/CEO- Salesmasters

'In sales, first impressions aren't just important; they're everything. The moment you start that conversation, you're either on the path to a deal or a dead end. So, how do you ensure it's the former? By mastering the first two minutes of your sales interaction.' Read more

Navigating the Digital Transformation of Security: Insights from the Front Lines

Virgina Tobias, CEO - BAMSS

'Positioning your business as a thought leader in security means staying ahead of the curve, anticipating changes, and being prepared to pivot strategies swiftly. It involves a commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and most importantly, sharing knowledge with the community to foster a safer digital ecosystem.' Read more

Take the fear out of a crisis with StormBirds

Leonie Vandeven, Founder/Director - Stormbirds

'Planning well before a crisis allows you to take control and respond confidently, quickly, and effectively, minimising damage and aiding your recovery.' Read more

The Value Exchange- How to get (and give) valued advice.

Louise Broekman, Founder - the Advisory Board Centre

'When faced with making a decision or navigating an unknown path in our business journey, we instinctively look to others to support our thinking.' Read more

Get prepared to thrive in the new world

'There is no escaping the fact that there are a number of new technologies,  including AI, Robotics, No-Code and IoT, that are set to change the business landscape dramatically in the coming years'  Read more

Feel It, See It, Hear It, Believe It

Jack Perlinski, Founder & CEO. Principal Strategy Advisor - DAIS

'When talking about brand equity, it’s important to understand that a brand is far more than just a logo.' Read more

Are our social connections the key to longer life?

Marsh celebrates 70 years of manufacturing in Australia as it adds Mastercut to the Alliance

A series of business acquisitions over the last 13 years have enabled Marsh to increase weekly production capacity to over 120Ts of finished products and build significant in-house capability in cold coiling, CNC wire forming, pressed parts and speciality coatings. Read more

Managing AI Risks: Key Business Considerations

Andrew Nicholson, Partner - Mullins Lawyers

'In many of those businesses, AI implementation is not controlled by management, and there are no clear guidelines for its use.' Read more

How to Define Sales Performance in your SME

Peter McKeon, CEO - Salesmasters International

'To understand sales performance thoroughly, consider various metrics. Different reps excel in different areas, so a multifaceted approach offers insight into each one's strengths.' Read more

Cyber Security Strategy

Bill Owens, Managing Director - Veracity

'Cyber attacks are on the rise, with a cyber crime now reported every six (6) minutes. What’s more, the cost of cyber crime to organisations is increasing.' Read more

Unlocking Opportunities: Showcase Your Expertise on LinkedIn

Kay Ridge, Managing Director - DASH Social

'Showcasing your expertise and skills is not just a matter of vanity; it's a strategic imperative.' Read more

Emissions Reduction not just Reporting!

Lea Patterson - CEO, Pilbara

'Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting, as it currently stands, is not helping to reduce emissions.' Read more

To-Do List for Businesses BEFORE undertaking an AI Project

Bill Owens, Managing Director - Veracity

'If you missed Bill’s talk, below is a summary with key questions to ask BEFORE undertaking an AI project.' Read more

Performance management when staff have mental health and personal challenges

Dr Leith Middleton - Mapien

'More recently, Australian Workplace Health and Safety Legislation provides workplaces greater clarity for integrating psychosocial hazard management in workplace activities. It has also amplified the need for leaders to consider the mental health of their people.' Read more

Beyond the process: how people make or break a deal

Mark Steinhardt, Executive Director - InterFinancial 


'Selling a business is hard. But understanding the people involved and their likely motivations will go a long way to improving your chances of success.' Read more

Fine-tuning lead conversion through better understanding of metrics.

Peter McKeon, CEO - Salesmasters International

'Obtaining a lead is one thing in sales, but it is actually the conversion of that lead that at the end of the day really matters. Lead conversion is one of nine key KPIs we measure in sales, and it is probably the most well-known. So, what does it mean?' Read more

Is managing psychosocial risks a burden or investment for your organisation?

Blake Redding, Associate Director - MAPIEN

'If these changes are perceived as a burden, this reflects a tendency to treat the required change more like an insurance policy, to ensure things are in place, if or when, something goes wrong.' Read more

AI a critical step for your business

Ty Osborne, CEO - Brainstorm 

'The more data you have, the better your AI will be. While not all data is created equal, it’s important to make sure you're collecting the right data, and that it's well-organised and easy to analyse.' Read more

Navigating the Sea of Change: Why Your Business Needs a Sustainability Strategy and More

Adrian Vaida, Managing Director - Sustainability Compass

In the fast-evolving world of ESG, it's no longer a question of 'if' but 'when' and 'how' your business adapts. Why simply comply with new regulations, when you can thrive by seizing opportunities? Why just react to change when you can lead the way? Read more

Navigating Workplace Mental Health Changes in 2023

Frank Cassells - Director, Cassells / Resolutum 

'This blend of tangible and intangible hazards creates a unique challenge for employers. While we are accustomed to solving problems with well-defined processes, addressing human behaviour is not always straightforward.' Read more

Why HR Must Lead the AI Revolution: Your Business Depends on it!

Ben Watts, CEO - wattsnext

‘If someone said every one of your employees can have an executive assistant, with no extra staff cost, how more productive could your workplace be?’ Read more

Security in Your Supply Chain

The security posture of a third party directly impacts your organization. A breach in their systems can easily translate to a breach in yours, especially if they have access to your data or IT infrastructure. Read more

Breakfast of champions

Liisa Hill - AIRAH

At the recent Women of AIRAH breakfast, attendees were challenged to be agents of change for greater equity, diversity and inclusion in our sector. Read more

Is your Business Underinsured?

Lisa Carter, Managing Director - Clear Insurance

'Your business is probably one of the most valuable assets you have – so it makes sense to protect it in good times and bad. Inadequate cash flow is one of the major reasons small businesses fail in Australia *1.' Read more

Does Microsoft Sales Copilot Have What It Takes to Reshape Business?

Bill Owens, Managing Director - Veracity

'As the market becomes overwhelmed with promising but embryonic Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) applications, business leaders want to know which Gen AI tools possess the potential to truly transform their companies.'
Read more

Outside the Job Description

Andrew Hill, Senior Advisor - Carroll Consulting

'When undertaking a new hire, spend some time thinking constructively and critically about your business. Do you know why someone would want to come and work for your organisation?' Read more

November 2023 Event Gallery

Gallery - November 2023

Final event for 2023 which includes the Graduation event - view photos here from the afternoon into the evening.  Read more

Navigate the future – Invest in Innovation.

Brian Ruddle, Managing Director - Impact Innovation

Innovation can be your organisation’s ‘secret weapon’ to navigating the future. Rather than be stuck playing catch-up, investing in innovation drives competitive advantage, growth and employee engagement. There’s a cost to doing it - and there’s potentially an enormous cost if you don’t do it. Read more

Safeguard Your Cash Flow: A Holiday Season Alert for Businesses

Angela McDonald, Managing Director - Optimum Recoveries

'As the holiday season approaches, businesses often face several challenges, particularly concerning cash flow and late payments.' Read more

How ChatGPT and Automation are Changing the Marketing Landscape

Michelle O'Hara - OH! Marketing

'...like any other marketing…. ChatGPT is only as good as the questions you ask it, as good as the strategic plan you follow and the consistency you adopt.' Read more

The Digital Future

Jo Kitney, Managing Director - Kitney Occupational Health & Safety

'The McKinsey Global Institute recognise that an investment in digitalisation is cumulative, can boost growth, and a force for change if the business can adapt.' Read more

How to build a good employer brand

Author: Jack Perlinski from DAIS Brand Strategy Advisors

Employer Branding is vital to the success of every business – you need to create a brand story and culture that engages your market and attracts amazing candidates that will make your brand even more outstanding.  Read more

The Mid Year Occupational Medicine Outlook – the three things you need to know to keep you healthy wealthy and wise.

Michelle Safely, General Manager - Phoenix Occupational Medicine

'Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will have heard the words ‘psychological safety in the workplace’ on repeat for much of this year. This mega trend will continue to dominate the way health in the workplace is viewed.'
Read more

Understanding Your Risk Appetite During Uncertain Times

Michael Blonk, Manager - Optimum Recoveries

“The recent Creditor Watch Business Risk Index highlighted a sharp increase in B2B trade payment defaults, signalling growing stress among businesses and predicting a rise in insolvency rates in the coming months.' Read more

5 Signs It’s the Right Time to Hire a Hunter

Peter McKeon, Founder & Director - Salesmasters International

Improving sales capability sometimes involves hiring a salesperson. Here’s five signs it’s the right time to hire a hunter and when to consider another solution. Read more

Generative AI: The Next Tech Revolution or a Bubble Waiting to Burst?

June 2023 Event and Graduation Gallery

Photo Gallery of June event

Congratulations to our Graduated Members  Read more

Surviving and Thriving in the big Squeeze!

James Paulsen - Founder & Executive Director, Queensland Leaders

'With increasing interest rates, inflation and cost of living pressures, businesses are under more pressure than at any time in recent history'  Read more

Language is no barrier

Shannon Wang, Director - Miss Curtains

'As a non-native English speaker, I have faced challenges in creating content that is easy to understand. However, with the help of AI technology, I am able to improve the quality of my writing and make it more accessible to a broader audience.'
Read more

Investing through the noise

Roger Leaning - Director, Morgans 

'Risk presents opportunity and we see a path for investors to succeed in the new regime.' Read more

When private conversations should be made public

Andrew Nicholson, Partner - Mullins

'All organisations and businesses operating in Australia will soon be forced to review their privacy and data collection practices, with changes coming as a result of pressure on Government to act following recent high-profile data breaches including Optus, Medibank, and QUT.'


New requirements will soon be introduced, with some of the changes relating to data retention practices, targeted marketing and data trading, and improving clarity of consent. 

Partner, Andrew Nicholson discusses some of the methods in which organisations can utilise to get ahead now and reduce future impact of what are set to be sweeping reforms.  Read more

Embedding Sustainability

Adrian Vaida, Director - Sustainability Compass

'At Sustainability Compass we firmly believe that embedding sustainability in the core business is the right thing to do, right now.' Read more

Growth Strategy & Investmenet Forum - Thursday 18 May 2023

Our upcoming Growth, Strategy & Investment Forum is on Thursday 18th May where the focus will be on critical factors to help your business create new opportunities and growth in the areas of your people, cash flow, and market position. Read more

Old Fashioned Service

John Brown - Director, One Source

 “Small businesses devote a lot of time pretending to be bigger than what they really are…..large businesses on the other hand spend money pretending to be smaller and personalized.” Read more

5 HR Megatrends To Watch Over the Next Decade

Melissa Langton, Director - Exceler8

'...we need to stop asking 'Are we doing things right?" and start asking 'Are we doing the right things?'. We need to access the right information and make sustainable decisions.' Read more

10 Ways to Help Protect Your Business Against Cybercrime

'Cybercrime is rapidly evolving. With new threats every year, the different types of cybercrime affecting businesses are staggering. While it’s a scary thought, there are many ways to protect your business.'  Read more

5 reasons every business needs a brand promise

Can you communicate the value you deliver to your people, your customers, and your market in a simple line? That’s where a brand promise comes in. Read more

Leading Infrastructure Group Pensar Joins Rapidly Expanding RSK Australia

Karl Yunker, Managing Director of Pensar, who continues to lead the business following the acquisition, said:  “Together, RSK and Pensar have the opportunity to become a world leader in the design and delivery of critical water infrastructure projects, meeting the water security needs of Australia’s dynamic and growing population..." Read more

Christmas Lunch - 2022

7 December 2022 

Gallery from Queensland Leaders Christmas Lunch at the Queensland Cricketers' Club - A fantastic afternoon of brightness, fun, laughter, trivia and even a fashion parade! We thank everyone who attended, the effort made with costumes, and to our fabulous host & Advisory Board Member, Vivienne Anthon.  It was a great way to end the year!  Read more

Payroll & Understanding Your Risk of Personal Prosecution: A Guide for the C-suite

Brett Cowan, CEO, Payroll Experts Australia

'87% of companies are paying their staff incorrectly. This percentage does not refer to the intent of a company to pay incorrectly, but it reflects the reality of the complexity and dynamism of the Payroll function overall.' Read more

Gallery - November 2022 Final event & Graduation

Here are the snapshots from our final event for 2022 Read more

Congratulations to all Graduating Members for 2022

We congratulate all Graduating Members through the Queensland Leaders series for 2022.  Read more

Congratulations to My Berries

Published in Moreton Daily - written by Ashleigh Howarth

Passionate frozen berry producers win excellence award

'My Berries in Caboolture South has taken home the top gong at this year’s Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards in the Award for Food and Agribusiness Category.' Read more

From Expert to Authority (+ Why it Matters)

Petra Zink, Managing Director - Impaccct 

'You’ve got the degrees, you earned the credentials, you’ve gained years of experience and yet, you’ve missed out on opportunities to others, less qualified and less experienced professionals.' Read more

Four Key Digital Marketing Strategies – Grow Your Business To The Next Level

October 2022 - Peter Curran, Director - digital surfer


Read more

Mandatory Covid-19 Isolation Ends

From October 14, Australians no longer have to isolate after testing positive to COVID-19. Read more

Now is prime recruitment season | The Best Time to Recruit

October 2022 - Ben Watts, CEO - wattsnext

‘The flow on effect of the past few years on Australia’s talent market is real’ Any business who has tried to recruit in Australia 2022 will know how difficult it has been to find talent..' Read more

AEIOU Foundation Take A Hike Brisbane

Take A Hike series is the annual signature event for AEIOU Foundation to raise much-needed funds and awareness for children with autism and AEIOU. Read more

Is SEO still relevant in 2022?

July 2022 - Tristan Mitterstoger, Director - Resurge Digital

"If you’ve had any experience with search engine optimisation as a business owner, you may have already asked yourself questions like “Is SEO Still Relevant?” or “do I NEED SEO?”. Read more

Unplanned Adventures!

Scott Patterson, Partner - Alternate Strategies

'"Most people would not describe the process of owning and running their own business as “an unplanned adventure”. Read more

20 ways to continuously strengthen our people@work

Blake Redding, Associate Director - Mapien

'These 20 actions were identified as steps taken by businesses over the past 6 months to strengthen their people through the unpredictable world we live in.' Read more

People Look to Leaders to Lead – Lessons from George W Bush

Ben Watts, CEO - Wattsnext 

'The quote 'People look to leaders to lead' has inspired... but also terrified me throughout my life'.   Read more

Is it time to review your annualised wage arrangements?

June 2022 - Mapien

'An increase to the minimum wage in Modern Awards means it is time to review your annualised wage arrangements!' Read more

June 2022 Event / Graduation Gallery

June 2022 Event & Graduation captures 
Photography: Josh Wonan Read more

5 Business lessons learnt from parenting a child with Down syndrome

May 2022 Darryl Stef, CEO - Down Syndrome Queensland

Obstacles enable you to focus on what matters, they direct your next steps, unleash your creativity and most importantly, reveal your true identity as a leader. Read more

GSI - June 2022

Our upcoming Growth, Strategy & Investment Forum is on Wednesday 1st June where the focus will be on critical factors to help your business create new opportunities and growth in the areas of your people, cash flow, and market position. Read more

Federal Budget Update: Incentives/Subsidies for Engaging Apprentices

Read more

Brisbane disability business filling big orders for global snack food company

Multicap - March 2022 - Brisbane disability business filling big orders for global snack food company  Multicap General Manager Employment Tony Burns says the partnership with Pepsico means new skills and opportunities for supported employees to build confidence and work with greater independence. Read more

5 things every business owner should be doing to gain back more time and freedom

February, 2022 - Greg Gunther & Joshna Daya - Your Business Momentum

'Do you feel like you’re running on empty now more than ever? You’re not alone.'.. Read more

Charitable business and profit for purpose

Rebecca Culverhouse, CEO - accoras

'We are working towards a community where we have “Good mental health for all”.' Read more

Skydiving and the Art of Self Maintenance

Sarah Mills - Centenary Yoga

'There is only one You and you are Irreplaceable, both in your business and your life. How do you care for You?' Read more

Digital transformation - The $31bn potential for Queensland that’s too big to ignore

Stuart Macdonald, COO - TechnologyOne 

'The report uncovered that there is a $31bn generation building opportunity to be unlocked in Queensland..'

Read more

The Impending Bowel Cancer Crisis

Peter Spryszynski - Country Manager, Q-bital Healthcare Solutions

'There is a third crisis simultaneously brewing which has enormous repercussions for Australians: deferred non-essential or elective surgery.' Read more

Photo Gallery - November 2021 Event

Some snapshots from our final event for 2021  Read more

Webinar: New and Middle Management Series

Wattsnext 

'New and Middle Management' on the topic of how to improve your management skills. A 30-minutes weekly series of conversations hosted by Anita Dazzi and Clint Adams our Senior Consultants.  Read more

Growth Strategy & Investments Forum -

Growth Strategy & Investments Forum - 20th October 2021

Are you leveraging the 3 core drivers of business growth?  Read more

Growth during a pandemic

September 2021 - Jeni O'Brien, Director - Red Roo Australia

'We have seen 15% growth over the past 12 months, during a pandemic. I believe this is due to our ability to optimise productivity, help our clients save time and money, as well as our ability to continually adapt to our clients changing needs.' Read more

The "Silent Pandemic"

September 2021 - Peter Spryszynski, Country Manager - Q-bital Healthcare Solutions Pty Ltd

'The pandemic has impacted healthcare systems immensely. The obvious effects of COVID-19 patients flooding wards is seen daily in the media.' Read more

Brisbane company launches international student micro-credential

August 2021 - Gordon Scott, Managing Director - Successful Graduate

“The training supports students to understand the key elements associated with the job application process. This is the missing piece of the education industry puzzle.” Read more

Credit Management & The Current State of Play: How Does the Queensland Leaders Community Stack Up?

July 2021 - Angela McDonald, Managing Director - Optimum Recoveries

''What percentage of your revenue was lost to bad debt write-off last financial year?" Read more

How You Can Create a Ripple Effect Utilising Your Network and Social Media

July 2021 - Michelle O’Hara, Director - Oh! Marketing

"Everyone’s heard the saying “Your network reflects your net worth” right? But many ask how this relates to digital marketing platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook"
Read more

Growth Strategy & Investment Forum - Wednesday 28th July

Is your business positioned for growth? This upcoming Growth, Strategy & Investment Forum will focus on leveraging the 3 key drivers of growth and building business value - innovation, intellectual property and brand. The day will also feature an industry leading Case Study focusing on these themes and sharing the key mistakes and lessons learnt along the way... Read more

Gallery - June 2021 Graduation Event

Electrical safety checks, can you afford not to consider them?

Robert Jacobs, Managing Director/Owner - Jarcel Electrical

'...how do you review your workplace from an electrical perspective? Do you have a process in place to keep your workplace safe? Read more

Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS)

Steve Martin, Managing Director - MC Global

"...I also discovered that my clients would benefit from a Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to manage their growing number of assets and facilities." Read more

Technology-led business scaling

Glen Scott, ICT Strategic Consultant - Smile IT

"If you’re looking to generate real business advantage from technology, it’s necessary to start viewing IT as ‘a portfolio of investments" Read more

Case Study: VAE Group (Growth, Networks, Investment)

June 2021

VAE Group became involved with Queensland Leaders in 2013. Since that time, the business has grown from its local beginnings to being a national and international leader in the HVAC sector. Read more

Critical for business: investment in skills development

May 2021 Robert Petherbridge, Executive Director - Tafe Queensland

“To help employers and employees keep pace, TAFE Queensland has started delivering micro-credentials – short, highly targeted courses designed to improve a specific skill,” ..

Read more

Electrical safety in business outcomes

May 2021 - Simon Hall, Hitech Electrical Automation

'Every workplace needs to effectively establish a sound safety system, and electrical safety forms part of this.' Read more

Is an internship a missing link in your business?

April 2021 - Carl Spruce, Director - Outsource Institute of Australia

'..the reason why more small to mid-sized businesses are now jumping on the internship bandwagon is because they recognise the talent and...' Read more

My IT Platform, My Competitive Advantage

March 2021 - Bill Owens, CEO - Veracity

Without a standard IT framework in place, it would be almost impossible to systematically assess the fitness of your existing IT platform. Read more

What the new ISO Innovation Standards mean for Queensland business

February 2021 - Impact Innovation 

For Queensland businesses who wish to survive and even thrive, innovation cannot be left to chance. Read more

How Facebook’s Forced Changes will Challenge Marketers & How You Can Adapt

February 2021 - Erin Stafford, Head of Social Media - Angora / Klyp

"...Facebook has been forced to reimagine some aspects of Business Manager. For Facebook & Instagram marketers, this means changes to account set-up, targeting, optimisation and reporting." Read more

When should your child get a phone and how do you keep them safe online?

Caboolture berries star in new Tim Tam flavour released today

The Courier Mail - Tuesday, January 19th, 2021

Raspberries grown at a family farm in Caboolture will be the star of a new Tim Tam flavour hitting shelves today – a big win for farmers who have battled drought and the impacts of COVID-19. Read more

QL Christmas Lunch Gallery

Here are some happy snaps from the QL Christmas Lunch held at QCC - December 16, 2020 Read more

COVID-19 Business Interruption Claims Court Case Decision

November 2020 - Lisa Carter, Director - Clear Insurance

'If you have not already done so and believe your business has been affected by COVID-19 matters, we recommend that you lodge a claim as soon as possible to ensure your intention to claim is acknowledged by your Insurer.'
Read more

Is a skills-based recovery, your way out of COVID-19?

2020 November event & Graduation photo gallery

11 November 2020 

Queensland Leaders final event for 2020 and Graduation celebration Read more

5 tips for holding a work Melbourne Cup function

October 2020 - Sue-Ellen Watts, CEO - Watts Next 

'Work functions such as these create an opportunity for colleagues to chat outside the work environment and creates some meaningful connections, and meaningful connections can be the difference between some team members staying or finding a work opportunity elsewhere.' Read more

Will you give someone with Down syndrome a chance?

Darryl Stef, CEO - Down Syndrome Queensland

"It is only with this community level support, that people with Down syndrome will truly have a chance to be able to achieve their aspirations.." Read more

International Trade in the midst of a Global Pandemic

Nick Proctor - Managing Director - Willship International 

'COVID-19 has seen the changing of the landscape for importing and exporting products worldwide..' Read more

effective communication through articulation and active listening

August 2020

'Equine Assisted Learning is different from other leadership or team building activities because the horse is the teacher.' Read more

VMORE creating a virtual footprint in care

Deanna Scott, Founder/CEO - VMore

VMORE creating a virtual footprint in care Read more

Have you reassessed your risk profile?

Lisa Carter, Director - Clear Insurance

'When things are going well, businesses often overlook assessing their ever-changing risk profile, and in times like this, hope our insurance is adequate.' Read more

Is My Business Making Me Happy?

Read more

Critical Thinking as a Leadership Discipline

Louise Broekman, Founder and CEO - Advisory Board Centre

Have you felt the overwhelming sense that you are operating at 100% of your mental capacity?  Read more

How to achieve your product market fit

With the number of online tools available it’s important now more than ever to deliver a valuable product to your users Read more

Culture-Fit

May 2020 - Carroll Consulting 

'At its core, culture-fit means an individuals’ beliefs and behaviours are in alignment with the organisations’ core values and company vision.' Read more

Digital Transformation

May 2020 - Mark Sanders, CEO - Tiikr

“I just love filling in paper forms…,” said absolutely nobody! Read more

Algae could net Noosa start-up big rewards

The Courier Mail - 4 May 2020

'A SUNSHINE Coast start-up has big plans for the mass-production of algae with applications for food, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and even a popular chocolate snack.'
Read more

Advice for retraining & upskilling in 2020

Carl Spruce, Director of Outsource Institute (AUS) provides advice for retraining & upskilling in 2020 Read more

Brisbane science lessons inspire a global audience

17 Apr 2020 - Courier Mail - Michelle Smith 

More than 2000 children from seven countries have been logging in for free daily science lessons on rockets, underwater fireworks and acids. The lessons, offered by a Brisbane company, continue through term two. Read more

Covid-19 - WHS response and support

Kitney have expertise, resources and an extensive business network and identified 5 key pillars for Covid-19 WHS support.   Read more

Safety Action Simplified

RAISE DM have created an emergency communication and safety system for remote, Isolated and onsite workers, using a mobile and desktop application Read more

SME Government Support - Covid-19

A summary of the support packages aimed at supporting SME Businesses during this time... Read more

What the latest government responses to Coronavirus mean for Legal Enforcement Proceedings

As the Federal and State governments react to this ever-changing Coronavirus situation, we at Optimum want to keep you as updated as possible about the possible impacts to your business. We have outlined below the latest Judicial and Economic responses and the steps you can take now to cushion the blow... Read more

7 tips for working from home effectively

March 2020 - 7 tips for working from home effectively

Most workplaces that can adopt working from home have now done so and it is important as business owners that we ensure our teams are well supported throughout this time.