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BUNDALL childcare services provider G8 Education is no stranger to making acquisitions, but it was operations general manager Jae Fraser (pictured right with Gold Coast City Council's Sharon Anderson) who claimed the 2011 Young Manager of the Year award.
Sponsored by Gold Coast Business News, the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) Excellence Awards Gold Coast regional finals, unearthed a plethora of home-grown talent.
Fraser says the award reflects his encouragement of staff to aim for higher standards while having a good time.
“We have a program called the FISH! Philosophy. We encourage staff to work with different people in and outside the business and have fun while doing their work,” he says.
“It takes more effort to not have a good time. Our childcare centres and so colourful and filled with bright faces; it’s harder not to have fun.”
G8 Education has been involved in 50 acquisitions but the purchase of Singapore childcare group Cherie Hearts has been highly contested in the Singapore legal system.
The $19.2 million proposal involves taking over 70 Cherie Hearts childcare centres. However, the ownership transfer of 13 centres is currently being disputed.
Despite the distractions, Fraser says it’s all systems go. Responsible for 3500 employees, he remains grounded.
“I’ve never forgotten where I came from. I used to be a childcare person working at a ground level. With our business operating, I’m always reminded of what people are going through,” he says.
Also recognised were Technigro CEO Nicholas Bloor (Owner Manager of the Year), GCCC business support branch manager Sharon Anderson (Professional Manager of the Year) and A B Patterson College principal Dawn Lang (Not for Profit Manager of the Year).
2011 Management Excellence Awards chair Julie Boyd says the winners were judged on their ability to manage complex tasks and processes, mentor staff, develop best practices and balance professional and personal commitments.
“The quality of the finalists on the Gold Coast this year was impressive,” she says.
Winners will compete in their category at the Queensland State Gala in Brisbane on November 11.
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