Your business success: winning business

But turning an idea into a successful product in the marketplace is the hard part. This week we look at three clever businesses that have tapped into the vital support provided by Government as well as the recognition that comes from winning awards, with the result their brainstorm is now taking the world by storm.

Business: Australian Technology Showcase & Queensland Premier’s Smart Awards
Type: Promoting Australian technology
Location: Australia wide

The plea

Three inventors from Queensland tell their amazing success stories of developing and promoting their products – from Craig Timms whose award winning wastewater recycling systems cater for homes to whole towns, to Ross Church who made a gas measuring device for a niche market that’s now sold worldwide…and Ces Luscombe who never gave up on his PDA Grabba technology despite being told it would never work.

All were motivated by the passion for their product and all have been recognised many times over for their outstanding contributions winning various state and national awards – all of which have benefited their businesses both here and overseas.

The challenge

The Australian Technology Showcase (ATS) is an initiative of and funded by the state and federal governments. It was established to promote innovative Australian technologies to the world in the spotlight of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Now a national program, the ATS continues to present member technologies professionally to likely business partners and markets around the world, securing benefits for member companies and, more broadly, for industry in Australia. The Australian Technology Showcase now features more than 500, nationally.

In Queensland, the Premier's Smart Awards are state specific awards designed to reward innovation by encouraging, supporting and promoting local business.

All Australian SME's can benefit from being part of these awards through promoting credibility to generating publicity and networking.

Advice from our business mentor

Desley Boyle MP: Queensland Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry

• Inventors should be awarded for their hard work and be recognised Australia wide for their achievements.
• The Qld government supports a variety of SME’s with the Premier’s Smart Awards.
• Qld government works with the Federal Government and the State governments throughout Australia and the Australian Technology Showcase.

Tips from: Our Three Inventors

Craig Timms – EcoNova

• Be absolutely passionate about everything you do in business.
• Keep believing that it will happen and problems will be solved.
• Establish and maintain the creditability.
• Stand out from the competition through having an excellent product of service.
• Work out a budget and then double it and then have a contingency plan to raise more money just in case to make sure you get there

Ross Church – App-Tek International

• Be scrupulously honest with everyone.
• Work for the future as well as the present.
• Listen to customers and give them what they need.
• Any product sold needs to be supported after the sale.
• Employ enthusiastic people.

Frank Downes and Ces Luscombe – Grabba International

• You have to look for advice but balance what they tell you with what you know is true about your business.
• Perseverance – overnight successes are not overnight.
• You need to have a good team behind you.
• Sometimes it is better to ask for forgiveness rather than ask for permission first.
• You need to know the PIF about your target market – Pains to be alleviated, Itches to be scratched and Fancies to be tickled.

Costs and contacts:

Australian Technology Showcase
If you're an Australian technology developer with a product that has global marketing potential, ATS membership can help you.
Download a membership application from www.ats.business.gov.au

If you're in Queensland you can also apply for the Premier of Queensland's Smart Awards at www.smartawards.qld.gov.au

Contact details:

EcoNova
Contact: Christian Uhrig
Title: Marketing Manager
Location: Nambour QLD
Contact details:
Phone: 07 5441 3569
www.econova.com.au

App-Tek International
Contact: Ross Church
Title: International Sales and Marketing Manager
Location: Brendale QLD
Contact details:
Phone: 07 3881 3850
www.app-tek.com

Grabba
Contact: Frank Downes
Title: Owner
Location: Coopers Plains QLD
Contact details:
Phone: 07 3344 6599
www.grabba.com

Battlefield Sports
Contact: Nicole and Peter Lander
Title: Owners
Location: Coopers Plains QLD
Contact details:
Phone: 1300 666 559
www.battlefieldsports.com