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ilona way

Ilona offers a range of skills in marketing, analysis, coaching, communication, sales, financial projections and leadership. She uses her skills to holistically review all aspects of a business to ensure effective strategy / process are in place for to achieve objectives. She conducts an analysis of the business, including markets, forecasting sales and reviewing financial implications. Ilona then helps to develop a plan that improves performance, self-worth and productivity.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills help prepare documents, from press releases to technical briefs, concise plans or presentations. Her sales background means she knows how to effectively present to all management and staff levels, as well as to customers. Ilona helps with financial analysis, including budgets, cash flow, profit and loss. Throughout, she uses her leadership skills and proven history in motivating, training, managing internal teams (project teams, sales and marketing teams) and liaising with external teams (advertising, research, public relations, design agencies, government bodies, suppliers).

Skills:

  • Finance-
  • HR-
  • Management-
  • Marketing-
  • Sales-
  • Planning-
  • Grants-
  • Online-
  • Web & Online Marketing-

Industries:

  • Professional, scientific and technical services-
  • Information media and telecommunications-
  • Wholesale trade-
  • Administrative and support services-
  • Health care and social assistance-
  • Retail trade-
  • Manufacturing-
  • Financial and insurance services-
  • Arts and recreation services-
  • Tourism, hospitality, accommodation and food services-
  • Education and training-
  • Hairdressing and Beauty Industry-

Spoken Languages:

State: Victoria

Primary Locations:

  • Melbourne West-
  • Melbourne CBD-

Mentoring available by:

  • By Phone and online

I can also deliver mentoring by phone and online

Current Occupation:

Ilona’s many and varied business activities include: Owner: Murphy's Paw. Purchased an existing dog grooming business, based in Port Melbourne and established professional credentials in the marketplace by changing corporate profile and launching a communication strategy. Owner: Focus plus Consulting. Established September 2002. Work with a breadth of clients (from micro, start-up businesses to large, established businesses) to establish and grow their business or take the next step in their life cycle phase. Projects have included: • Coach small businesses – clients include retailers, service providers and manufacturers, numbering more than 500. • Teach Diploma and Advanced Diploma business subjects, Certificate IV business subjects. • Teach / lecture in China. • Development various curriculum, including integrated training programs at Diploma level. • Facilitate Strategic and Business Plan development with a variety of businesses (medium-size). • Secure Government funding for key client initiatives. • Project management of set-up of retail outlets for major government-linked organisation. • Facilitation and brainstorming – designed to identify key opportunities and steps needed to maximise these. • Conduct market research. • Mentor a variety of programs, including NEIS, Artists in Business, Women in Business, Business Breakthrough, Skilling Small Business, Slingshot, etc.

Detailed CV:

Sept 2002 - Present Business Coach: focus plus Consulting

  • Coach more than 500 small businesses include retailers, service providers and manufacturers. Develop strategies to maximise opportunities and business potential.
  • Development and delivery of certified training programs for Victoria University, AMES, Kangan and private RTOs and business organisations.
  • Project management and business stimulation projects for Victorian Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Eastlink and LGAs.
  • Counselling small businesses with the Small Business Mentoring Service, Packaged Liquor, Newsagent and Garden Nursery industries and programs including NEIS, Artists in Business, Women in Business, Business Breakthrough, Skilling Small Business, Slingshot, etc.

 Dec 2012 - Present Owner: Murphy's Paw

 A business coaching case study

  • Voted top dog grooming salon three years in a row
  • Success has come from addressing operational issues, reliable and efficient service delivery, rebranding the business and focusing on cost efficient strategies. 

 2006 - Present Trainer: Victoria University and Kangan Institute

  • Delivery of Diploma Management and Marketing in China (most recently, online delivery to 300+ students).
  • Development and delivery of integrated Dip and Advanced Dip programs within Hospitality and Hairdressing Management
  • Delivery of NEIS program, Frontline Management, Management, Business Planning, etc.

 2017 - 2020 Trainer / Head Coach: Original Campus / Insight Academy

  • Start up RTOs.
  • Managed development, delivery, improvement and compliance of integrated Diploma Management programs.

 2004 - 2012 Executive Officer: Docklands Chamber of Commerce

  • Developed and implemented initial strategic three-year plan aimed at establishing reputation, membership numbers and funding. Managed plan rollover each year and secured government funding.

Previous roles

Marketing Management:

  • Set up New Balance marketing department, developed marketing / communication strategy in Australia and NZ
  • Researched, developed and launched skin care range into FMCG
  • FMCG Category management, including launch and new product development
  • Established new brand as Number 1 in market, increased market share from 12 to 18% and launched new products in medical consumables market

Sales Management:

  • Focused training and development yielded 20% compound growth

Key Skills

As a coach: initiative-taking, results-oriented and motivated, with a proven track record in developing business concepts, growth and consolidation strategies, project management and development of efficient teams.

As a teacher / trainer / mentor: solid appreciation of participant needs and development.  Development and delivery of appropriate programs is a passion.

As a business owner:  instilling leadership and personal development in staff, enabling each to take ownership of their roles for maximum productivity.

 

Qualifications:

  • Cert IV Training and Assessment
  • Cert of Coach and Mentor Practice
  • Bachelor of Business (Management)
  • Internal Auditor (ISO9002) - VECCI
  • Train the Trainer - MTE