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Amanda Cole
Facilitating business growth as an Independent Chairman - Strategy Facilitator - Small business specialist
Professional Background
Amanda Cole is a well-respected leader in the business consultancy sector, renowned for her commitment to empowering business owners to reach their fullest potential. With over twenty years of experience working with more than 100 family and private businesses, Amanda has honed her expertise in strategic business growth, leadership development, and accountability facilitation. As the Co-Founder and Commercial Director of Growth Education Institute (groei), she has pioneered Australia's first virtual multi-level mentoring program specifically aimed at sustainable growth for regional small businesses. Amanda believes in the power of innovative thinking and best business practices to drive personal and organizational achievements.
Education and Achievements
Amanda's strong educational background supports her professional endeavors. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Design and has pursued further education at the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Faculty of Education. Her rigorous educational pursuits have equipped her with a robust understanding of design principles, business strategies, and leadership frameworks.
Amanda's career showcases a stellar trajectory marked by numerous significant contributions and accolades. She played a pivotal role as a Director of Executive Roundtable, where she successfully facilitated networking opportunities for small business founders and managers in South East Queensland. Delivered with a commitment to excellence, her leadership earned her awards for being among the top 5% of Chairs nationally in the TEC network, where she also became the first female Chair in Australia.
Each month, Amanda collaborates with 37 diverse businesses, contributing to the welfare of approximately 5,000 employees through her coaching and strategic guidance. Highlighting her influence, she has chaired over 247 peer group board meetings, facilitated more than 80 strategic planning sessions, and coached upwards of 1,800 leadership development sessions. Her wealth of experience spans a vast range of business challenges and opportunities, making her a standout figure in her field.
Notable Contributions
At the heart of Amanda's mission is her dedication to fostering leadership within businesses. Through her role at groeI, she not only champions strategic growth targets but also empowers business leaders to make informed decisions while instilling confidence to embrace and manage change. Furthermore, Amanda has been instrumental as a non-executive company director for private and family businesses, where her insight and expertise guide organizations toward sustainable growth and resilience in an ever-evolving market landscape. Her facilitation skills shine brightly as she adeptly manages complex issues and encourages effective dialogue among diverse groups.
Amanda’s previous experiences also include various positions that highlight her skills as a strategy facilitator and leadership coach. Notable roles include serving as a Chairman and Leadership Coach at TEC and as a Managing Director and Strategy Facilitator at Spark Consultants Pty Ltd. Her consulting work is deeply rooted in a desire to inspire businesses to govern themselves effectively, ensuring accountability and strategic oversight, while also paving the way for innovative practices that support growth.
Amanda's work has undeniably left a significant imprint on the regional business community, and her steadfast commitment to mentoring business owners fosters a thriving ecosystem of innovation and courage. Her initiatives not only add value to individual businesses but also contribute to the broader economic development of the region.
In addition to her consulting work and leadership coaching, Amanda has contributed to various advisory boards, including a recent tenure as an Advisory Board Chairman and strategy facilitator at Sunfresh, and as a Partner and Mentor at Brisbane Business Hub. Her versatility, strategic mindset, and compassionate approach allows her to be a catalyst for positive change in every organization that she works with.
Conclusion
In summary, Amanda Cole is a dynamic and visionary leader dedicated to driving business growth and personal development through strategic planning, innovative practices, and powerful mentorship. As a thought leader in her field, she continues to inspire countless business owners to pursue excellence and build resilience in their endeavors. Her commitment to fostering leadership and accountability positions her as a leading figure in the consultancy landscape, as she remains focused on navigating challenges and championing innovation in the business community.
Highlights
How do you honour 18 years of community?
Just back from my last TEC Chair conference…and in the way that sometimes things come full circle, sitting in the Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney where my TEC journey started at my first Chair conference in 2006.
Let’s set the scene…18 years ago I was heading to the airport with my 9 month old, 2 year old and mother in tow, brain-tumoured husband dying slowly, left behind in palliative care. That flight was one of the most difficult things I ever did. I was leaving for the Sydney conference and a new career as a TEC Chair. Australia’s first female Chair and the youngest, at that stage aged 35.
Since then TEC has given me purpose and joy in helping leaders be their best. I have had the pleasure of meeting some extraordinary people who have challenged me with deep care and honored me with their deepest issues and wisdom. It's time to move on to other things and close the door on my last TEC meeting in September.
TEC is at its best in small ways but profound ways. A group who wraps their safe space around a new member confessing her recent divorce at her first ever TEC meeting. A chair gently coaching a member to overcome a pattern of self-sabotage in poor hiring decisions. A successful goal-setting meeting facilitates a move to a coastal life for a young family, enabling a lifestyle they didn’t think possible. The courage to ask someone to marry, the soul searching as to whether to start a family - all supported in deep one-to-one connections that aren't possible in many places these days.
The experience of TEC comes down to the Chair and the Group. It’s the connections that matter. The ones you can’t get anywhere else.
So I’d like to celebrate the extraordinary award winners, and the humble difference-makers. The Chairs who have made me who I am and who I am happy to have as now friends.
Barry Upfold who started it all. Jon Lindsay, always source of inspiration and support and the heart of the Queensland Chairs, Stephen Myers master chair and Camille Morin and Andrew Wynne.
Thank you for taking up the challenge Sandra Poon and Jen Ryder who are the capable hands now caring for our TEC members.
And the interstate chairs who made every conference John Broons Lyn Harding Gordon Edwards Jerry Kleeman Harvey Martin Jeff Paterson Tim Maclachlan Lianne Cretney-Barnes Stephen O'Keefe Harvey Martin Jerry Kleeman and some now retired Chairs Simon O'Shaughnessy Tim Hantke The Amazing Deborah Burt, Susan Benedyka, Ray Fisher Mike Logan AM Brendan Killen Graeme Fear Jim Landau Adam Sleigh it's a long list.
And not forgetting my international Vistage Chairs who inspired me to be the best chair I could with their wisdom and connection Ozzie Gontang, Ph.D. Lance Descourouez Artie Isaac Troy Rice Richard Carr Janet Fogarty Iain Lindsay Garth Jackson and not the least Adam Harris.
Thank you for the privilege to work alongside you all...you have certainly enhanced my life. 10/10.
We are looking to expand our team to the Gold Coast Region starting 1 October...with similar roles opening for 2024 in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast as we roll out the Knoei Colab in high schools throughout SE Qld.
Please share if you know a proactive and engaging facilitator or trainer...who may have been a secondary teacher in a previous life and who's passionate about driving innovation.
Tara Jacobsen Cynthia Gusman-Nolan Sue Isbell Lucy Sattler Richard Hainsworth Stephen Rutter Joelle McCully Moneth Montemayor Suzanne Oxford Jules McMurtrie Ruth Power Sam Bucolo Samuel Jesuadian Kerri Buttery Rhys Cassidy Timothy Barraud Damon Joseph Fiona Holmstrom Michael Doneman
#knoeicolab #futureskills #innovation #entrepreneurshipeducation
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Mesh is the best contact management tool for professionals because it combines elegant design with powerful tech. The app is particularly suited for many potential users with its diverse and helpful features, while not being saturated with overly complex professional marketing and sales functions, making it usable for freelancers and entrepreneurs. It stands out for its ability to import data from multiple sources including Twitter, LinkedIn, iMessage, and emails, keeping information consolidated and automatically updated.
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Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
Mesh offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Mesh offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Mesh's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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