Town & Gown event gives insight into business coaching

Dec 04, 2006

One of Australia’s leading business coaches gave Illawarra business people an insight into the coaching industry’s myths and realities at the annual Town & Gown function on Thursday night (29 November).

Chris Dionne’s presentation at Wollongong’s City Beach Function centre was titled: Is There A Need For Business Coaching: the myths and realities surrounding an unregulated industry.

Mr Dionne said business coaching was a major growth industry, as large and small companies discovered that they needed expert advice to help them meet a range of challenges, including managing growth and succession planning. However, he pointed out that it was a largely unregulated industry at this stage, so care needed to be taken to find appropriately qualified people who could give the right advice.

The University of Wollongong’s Graduate School of Business (GSB) hosts the Town & Gown function each year, and GSB Dean Professor John Glynn said this year’s speaker had particular relevance to the Illawarra business community.

“Chris’ presentation was very topical,” Professor Glynn said. “We know that a lot of local businesses are interested in business coaching. However, there are a lot of issues involved in getting the right kind of advice, and separating the reputable coaches from the voodoo- merchants.

“Chris is extremely well-qualified, and his company, Shirlaws, specializes in small to medium-sized business.”

Professor Glynn said the Town & Gown event was a part of GSB’s commitment to the Illawarra business community.

“It allows us to showcase what the Graduate School of Business does to the Illawarra business community, and to give the region’s business people the chance to meet our graduates. It also provides us with the opportunity to talk to business people in an informal setting, and gather feedback on their training and research needs.”