His second career saw him self-employed for around 15 years operating a range of small businesses including a product distribution business, a windscreen repair franchise, an oils & lubricants distributorship, and a food shop/snack bar in an industrial area. This period was hard, but it taught him many valuable skills regarding self-discipline of self-employment.
His third career kicked off in 2005 when he entered the field of workplace training in Korea for 3 years, then lecturing at JCU’s Brisbane business campus. From 2010 – 22 he ran the MBA program. His focus for all business students has been a practical understanding of the issues required to work in, manage or own a progressive, sustainable, value-adding business.
Ian’s motivation now is to utilise his experience and expertise to support business leaders to grow, flourish, improve, and maintain high-value, quality businesses. This, ultimately, is the best form of business sustainability and the best outcome for local communities.
Ian’s recent workplace history:
2008-2022
Associate Dean – Head of Management Discipline (James Cook University, Brisbane Campus)
- MBA program for executives
- Management & leadership of MBA degree
- Pastoral care; Program administration, Student
- Created own materials and workbooks for most subjects
2005-2008
(South Korea) Three concurrent activities
- Teacher/Business/English Trainer (Pagoda Academy/Korea Education)
- Co-Founder & Corporate Trainer (G7 Communications Inc)
- Boutique consulting and training academy for Business Communication Skills & Technical Consulting
- Cross Cultural Trainer (executives of Standard Chartered Bank, Korea)
2000-2005
Company Director and Head of Business Development
- Hydreco Hydraulics (formerly David Brown Engineering)
- Appointed: Executive director for Australian
Qualifications
- PhD – Business-Education (CIU, 2009)
- MBA – (SGSM 2004) University prize – Value Chain Management
- Graduate Certificate – Education (JCU, 2016)
- Executive Certificate – Marketing (UNSW)
- DBA – (50% complete), (USQ) Focus on demise of SMEs and growth of ‘Gig’ working
