Westpac banker Rod Skinner is a veteran of the business banking world. But after 21 years in this field, he embarked on a one-year secondment to work with the Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation – an organisation which supports the Aboriginal people of Cape York through a range of initiatives.

Specifically, Skinner worked with Cape York Business Development, which provides advice and support to aspiring indigenous entrepreneurs.

“If we assess that the client demonstrates sufficient personal commitment and that their business idea makes sense, we help them develop a full blown business plan,” says Skinner. “We also help to identify training requirements, obtain funding, negotiate with government bodies and provide marketing advice.”

What is Westpac’s involvement?

Skinner’s secondment is part of Westpac’s commitment to helping indigenous communities through the provision of skilled staff. Westpac employees can work on one-month stints or year-long secondments. Since 2001, Westpac has partnered with the Indigenous Enterprise Partnerships to provide in-kind secondees to help in projects involving business advice, family budgeting, project management, information technology, and web development. 

Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation is part of the Indigenous Enterprise Partnerships and, therefore, has access to Westpac’s expertise through this relationship. 

Westpac deploys one full-time project manager and each year provides employees with the opportunity to spend time working with Cape York Indigenous organisations and communities. Each year, there are up to six yearlong fellowships for employees who can commit to a longer period. In addition, about 50 Westpac employees can undertake one-month secondments every year. 

Salaries, accommodation and travel are all funded by Westpac. Since the start of the partnership, over 250 Westpac staff have taken part in the program.

Making a difference

Skinner worked as a business planner for Balkanu based in Cairns from October 2005 to October 2006. It was a role that entailed more than providing one-off advice on business issues. Long-standing relationships were formed. “It can take six to 12 months before a business really gets started,” says Skinner. “Our expectation is that we will work intensively with a client for a couple of years. Most business aspirants don’t have any previous experience running a business and quite a few don’t have any work experience at all.

“With limited resources, our approach is not to try to work with a whole bunch of different people and ideas.  Instead, we are trying to find the clients most likely to succeed and then support them intensively over an extended period.”

During his secondment, Skinner worked with a range of different businesses, including a saw mill, arts centre and commercial cleaner.

“I’ve met quite a few really nice people,” he says.  “This experience has allowed me to get on the other side of the fence – to see what makes a business tick. I’ve recognised the importance of management and that the commitment of the entrepreneur is paramount. 

“Even if a client has a great business idea, if they are less than committed, they will fail. Whereas the reverse may also apply: if their business idea is not so good, but they are really dedicated, they could succeed.”

One of Skinner’s clients, Donnie De Bush, has proven that his commitment – along with Balkanu and Skinner’s sound advice – can produce results. “We helped Donnie start his cleaning business, Aussie Spick ‘n’ Span,” says Skinner. “Donnie offers commercial cleaning, car detailing and yard maintenance. It’s been very successful and after nine months Donnie already has several part-time employees. It’s great to see someone do well. He’s gone from being unsure about business to being very confident. He’s now looking at expanding even further.”

Range of opportunities

Apart from the value Skinner and his Westpac colleagues are adding to Balkanu, Skinner says the experience has also provided him with opportunities he wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed to. “It’s been great to spend time in the Cape,” he says. “I’ve spent about six weeks in total up there meeting clients and going on some personal trips. One weekend, my colleagues and I went to a house opening. When an indigenous person dies, their house is shut immediately even if there are dirty dishes in the sink or a mess on the floor. The house is shut for up to 12 months so that the spirit can settle. Once the family decides that the spirit is settled, they clean up the house and open it again. There’s traditional dancing and singing – it’s a fascinating experience.”

Skinner has now returned to his regular role in portfolio risk review in Sydney. “Twelve months is an ideal secondment period,” he says. “It’s enough time to see the results of your efforts but it’s also not so long that you are putting your career on hold. Plus, getting to the Cape is a fun experience for us city folk. 

“It also makes you very proud of Westpac. It’s one thing to throw a bit of money at something, but it’s quite another to bring the skills to make things happen. Skills transfer is a key element of the work we’re doing.  Balkanu can’t afford expensive resources – they wouldn’t have the budget to afford someone with my background and experience. This way, they get access to more skilled resources than they would normally.”

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