I’d like to pay homage to our family business community this month. I’ve just returned from spending a week with my parents in Sydney. Although there is plenty of room at their house, and we had space to live slightly separately for some of the time, I found living under the same roof as them for the first time since my early 20’s, as… well… let’s just say I found the experience “challenging”.

To think much of our FBA community not only probably sleep under the same roof as their loved ones, but also drive in the same car to work with them, and then work in close proximity all day – doing this day in – day out, and usually successfully! For those of us who may be struggling with the spreadsheets to bedsheets philosophy, or would like tips on how to make the running of their family business even better, we hold networking and information events for our FBA QLD community once a month here in QLD.

Events at a glance:
February kicks off with a “meet the owner” at Ullrich Aluminium on the Gold Coast, where Gilbert Ullrich will open his doors to us and show us his workplace.

In March, Andrew Mostyn, FBA Board member and from WA family business Craig Mostyn, is our key speaker at our Chairman’s Lunch; and April we have our Family Business Essentials Workshop in Brisbane.

If you haven’t already done so, please save the date for our QLD State Conference on May 20 at the wonderful waterfront family owned Moda Events Portside in Brisbane.

This year’s theme is “Embracing the Changing Landscape” and we tackle topics on innovation, diversification and adapting to change in your business – featuring some fantastic family businesses and business professional armed with the kind of knowledge that you will use over and over again once you get back to your desks on Monday.

You can register for any or all of these events on the FBA website here: QLD Events 2016

Until next month!
Martine Poulain
QLD State Manager