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Bernie, can you tell us what you do?
My name is Bernie Ridgeway and I'm the Managing Drector of Imdex.
Imdex is a collection of small businesses each run by general managers.
One of my main functions is to coordinate those General Managers, give them directions,
make sure that the businesses run efficiently, rationalise performance and make sure that
we get the most out of employees. In general, I make sure that the businesses are growing.
How did you get into this industry?
Well, I am a great believer that if you don’t have control over something then you can't change it. So after three
years in the workforce, I went back as a
mature aged studen and did a Bachelor of Business at Melbourne University. After graduating, I joined Price Waterhouse here in Perth.
What happened after that?
At Price Waterhouse, I was mainly involved in the audit area for a couple of years. I didn’t really like it all that
much so once again I decided that I needed a change. I then changed to a smaller firm. A couple of the partners there were
also involved in small gold exploration companies and I became company secretary to those companies. That was my introduction
to the gold exploration area which I fell in love with.
It was a new area for you. What challenges did that bring?
Well, we had a really diverse business here which I had no knowledge of
before I came on board. I had to learn what those products and services were, and then apply normal business
principles to the running of those businesses.
What are some of the key changes you've made here at Imdex?
One of the key things that we have done at Imdex is to conduct strategic planning sessions for all the businesses.
We have basically got in touch with employees, listened to their ideas and discussed where they want to see their businesses go.
The employees are a large untapped resource in a lot of businesses. Once they get involved in that process they become
very committed to making it work, go the extra yard and give us a 110%. There has been a real
uplift in terms of morale and performance right across the group. We want to – what I call – push the envelope – using
new technologies to make our businesses more efficient. We now have our own web sites for each of the businesses, and a comprehensive
intranet site which is accessible by all current employees.
How important is commitment to your success in business?
I'm a hands-on type of managing director and lead from the front. If I'm commited and we are able to discuss with the
employees where they want the businesses to go then they become involved. That was a major turn around in the way we want
to do things and we will continue to do that.
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