Business Professionals Workshop Information

Workshop Option A

Productive meetings: Getting groups to make decisions, accountability and action.

Rob Newman

Learn about the most thrilling subject in the world: holding people accountable for their actions after meetings.   
I know what you’re thinking – “Wow, I could be doing literally anything else right now,” but trust me, this training session is going to be more exciting than watching paint dry. And if you don’t believe me, well, that’s just one more thing you’re going to be held accountable for!
Seriously now.  Come to learn the simple art of running meetings, where tasks are delegated and they actually get done before the next meeting.

Workshop Host: Lyndel Smith

Workshop Option B

Where we are, how did we get here and where are we going?

Brian Parker Australian Retirement Trust

2023 is shaping up to be a challenging year for the world economy, as the world’s central banks continue to battle high inflation with sharply higher interest rates, while the war in Ukraine rages on. In this presentation, Brian Parker, Australian Retirement Trust’s Chief Economist discusses the economic outlook over the coming years and what it all might mean for investment returns.

Workshop Host: Andrew Wanke

Workshop Option C

Emerging Threats to Mission and Ministry

James Winegardner
Adventist Risk Management Service

What happens in the US soon follows in Australia, NZ and the Pacific. Legal liability claims for emerging risks are increasing, how does the Church navigate these new threats?

Workshop Host: RMS Team

Workshop Option A

Legal Basics

Igor Radonjic South Pacific Division Corporate Services

Workshop Host: John Stilinovic

Workshop Option B

Fringe Benefits: Employee Benefit & Employer Risk

Murray Nicholls Saward Dawson

Fringe Benefit Tax: the opportunities, advantages and associated risks for the employee and employer.

Workshop Host: Leny Tukia

Workshop Option C

The Real Me

Warrick Long Avondale University

Who are you? Really?

Who we are is impacted by so many different experiences which shapes how we interact with and respond to the world around us, often in ways we don’t even realize. Being aware of these influences can not only make us more aware but can help us shape the effectiveness of our influence.

This workshop will challenge you to relook at where you have come from in order to steer where you want to be going, both professionally and personally.

Workshop Host: Kalvin Dever

Workshop Option A

Religious Liberty Q&A

Igor Radonjic South Pacific Division Corporate Services

Workshop Host: John Stilinovic

Workshop Option B

Motivating others:  How to get people to do what they say they will.

Rob Newman

Ever wondered why people don’t live up to their commitments, even when those commitments are good for them?  Think diets, exercise, eliminating a bad habit, or teenagers tidying their rooms.  
Ever wonder why co-workers say yes but then don’t follow through on their agreements?  Think late reports, half finished tasks, “forgotten” priorities.
Ever think that maybe, just maybe, you might be in the same boat as others when it comes to motivation and follow through?
This session reveals the secret of why people (including ourselves) don’t keep commitments, and more importantly shows you how you can make commitments easier to keep.  (For yourself and others)

Workshop Host: Lyndel Smith

Workshop Option C

Microsoft Teams

Dean Tichborne AdTech

Microsoft Teams is a business communication platform developed by Microsoft, as part of the Microsoft 365 family of products. Teams provides a platform for workspace chat and videoconferencing, file storage, and application integration. In this workshop you will learn how to use this new application effectively to assist your team to function better.

Workshop Host: Luke Pannekoek

Workshop Option A

Applying a practical decision making technique to mitigate risks and impacts that comes with change. 

Ginger Nocom

A practical exercise that can boost your chances of successful change implementation by applying Lewin’s force field analysis technique using a live case study.

Kurt Lewin’s Force Field Analysis is a structured and scalable decision-making technique that helps identify driving and restraining forces of change. 

Workshop Host: Eva Ing

Workshop Option B

Accounting Standards Report Update

Andrew Rigele Grant Thornton

Workshop Host: Andrew Wanke

Workshop Option C

RMS Masterclass: Demystify Your Cover

RMS Services Team

We lift the veil on insurance secrets to get the most out of your cover, we’ll answer your tricky questions and bring clarity to complex insurance clauses.

Workshop Host: RMS Team

Workshop Option A

Cyber Security and You: Addressing the Organisational Human Element

Matthew Mulligan AdTech & Haley Tosen RMS Team

The world is getting more digital. Business, banking, healthcare, etc. is all online. Crime is following the same trend.  Increasingly high-profile hacks are in the news.  Phishing emails are getting more sophisticated each day. The Dark Web is a flourishing with criminals running big businesses making more money than ever.  So what is the Dark Web?  Lets take time to explore the darker side of the internet so we can better understand the risks online and be better prepared to protect ourselves.

As we run our churches we collect and store personal information.  Lots of it.  Membership, giving, Events, AdSafe, Pathfinders, youth groups, church directories, interests, visitations and so much more.  We can’t separate from this information as it is part of what we do.  With this information comes great responsibility as this sensitive information in the wrong hands can be harmful.  We don’t want to be on the front pages of the news with a data breach. We have a duty to keep it safe.  Join us as we discuss the challenges of handling sensitive information and look at some of the ways we can work together to keep it safe.

Workshop Host: Luke Pannekoek

Workshop Option B

Transparency & Accountability:  Ethical Decision Making

Robyn Kajiura GCAS

We are Seventh-day Adventists, so obviously we make ethical decisions. Right?

Or are we so busy with “God’s work” that we don’t recognize ethical dilemmas until it’s too late? 

Starting with a story, this workshop will challenge you to evaluate your preparedness for ethical dilemmas. We will identify potential ethical judgement traps, and outline practical steps for navigating the complex landscape of making an ethical decision.

Workshop Host: Jeremy Smith

Workshop Option A

Discipleship Tips for Busy Church Leaders

Glenn Townend SPD

Being a disciple of Jesus, living in connection with Holy Spirit, and modelling faith sharing are the key purposes of being an Adventist church leader.  We all know the ideal but struggle along the journey. There are so many committees, reports, emails and expectations in work.   What are the tips or disciplines from the Bible and life experience that can bring more freedom and joy to the demands of service?  Learn from each other in this interactive workshop. 

Workshop Host: Julian Archer

Workshop Option B

The Innovator Mindset: Processes and Tools – Part One

John Montgomery Sanitarium

Feeling stuck …

Or

Simply want a fresh approach to unlock ideas and value in your context.

Strap in for a fast-paced two part journey that takes you to…

5 capabilities

4 mini case studies

3 Perspectives  

2 Tools

1 Question

Already looking forward to seeing you at the workshops.

Workshop Host: Kalvin Dever

Workshop Option C

Excel Masterclass: Intermediate Users

Tim Tew RMS

How to format for readability and improved functions, understanding new Excel functions, how to build in error checking.

Workshop Host: RMS Team

Workshop Option A

Digital Transformation

Luke Pannekoek AdTech

Digital transformation is about integrating digital technology into all aspects of an organisation, fundamentally changing how it operates and delivers value to its customers. It is driven by advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the internet of things, and data analytics. It requires a significant shift in mindset and culture within an organisation, as well as investments in new technology. Come and listen and share ideas about how we can navigate the future together, taking advantage of the opportunities and benefits technology now offers.

Workshop Host: Matthew Mulligan

Workshop Option B

The Innovator Mindset: Processes and Tools – Part Two

John Montgomery Sanitarium

Continue the journey in part two of this workshop of unlocking fresh ideas and value in your context which will encompass…

5 capabilities

4 mini case studies

3 Perspectives  

2 Tools

1 Question

Workshop Host: Kalvin Dever

Workshop Option C

Excel Masterclass: How to be lazy and get things done

Tim Tew RMS

Learn how to automate your spreadsheets to improve
efficiency.

Workshop Host: RMS Team

Workshop Option A

Doing the right thing?

Warrick Long Avondale University

If it’s legal, it must be right. Right?

Just because an action is legal doesn’t automatically make it right. Today’s businesses operate in an environment where wicked problems are an almost daily occurrence. Are we satisfied in just meeting the legal standard? And how can you discern between multiple options, none of which are “good”? And what factors go into making of those decisions?

This workshop applies a Christian perspective on not just ensuring you are doing the legal thing, but also the right thing.

Workshop Host: Kalvin Dever

Workshop Option B

Audit Manager Software

Russell Halliday & Owen Ryan

This workshop is designed to showcase an automated solution for Local Church Financial Audits and Risk Assessments.

Learn how to provide churches with a professional audit report that is user friendly and drives continuous improvement.

Learn how to manage Local Church Audits in an efficient and timely manner.

Learn how to provide consistent, high quality audit recommendations and risk assessments regardless of your team’s expertise and experience.

Learn how to tailor the solution to the needs of your local churches, using the flexible design.

Learn how to operate in offline mode for remote field audit work and much more.

Workshop Host: Andrew Wanke

Workshop Option C

Is there a Lawyer in the house?

Igor Radonjic

Everyone needs a lawyer. Why? Because when you break a mirror and get seven years of bad luck, a lawyer can get you five, ha!

People usually remember lawyers when things don’t go to plan.  But, contrary to popular belief, lawyers can add value from the start and in all sorts of situations.  It’s called ‘legal by design’.  So, this workshop aims to explore this idea. 

Since November 2022, SPD has been working to establish an in-house legal capability.  As an organisation, we are working through what that means and what working with an in-house lawyer looks like. This workshop aims to examine our journey thus far. It will look at how in-house legal can – as an enabling function – equip, empower and strengthen your decision making, engagement with risk, and strategy development.

Through examples and current legal trends, we will compare differing focuses of an external legal counsel and in-house legal.

Workshop Host: John Stilinovic

Workshop Option A

State of the Insurance Market

Ian Maybury Lockton

Meet your new Brokers. Find out about the insurance cycle. What is with this protracted hard market? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? What can I do at my site to keep insurance costs down?

Workshop Host: RMS Team

Workshop Option B

Accounting, Auditing and Fun Times – relevant topics for accounting professionals

Jeremy Smith GCAS

Join us for a fun discussion on accounting matters, risk assessment, and preparing for a great audit.  

Workshop Host: Warren Hassen

Workshop Option C

Explaining Structure

Rodney Brady

Ever been asked “How is the church structured”? This practical workshop will teach you how to answer this question and educate (or run a training program) in a way that builds confidence through a better understanding and shows how we are structured for Mission. A sample training program on church structure will be given to participants that can be adapted  for your own needs.

Workshop Host: Fraser Alekevu

Workshop Option A

The Chair – a unique leadership role

Rodney Brady

Already a Chair? If not then you soon could be or have to support one. Church life is based on meetings and the Chair is a critical role. Being Chair is more than just attending a meeting. Learn more about meeting dynamics plus the skills and preparation the Chair needs for effective meetings. Practical tips and illustrations will be shared with participants.

Workshop Host: Kingsley Wood

Workshop Option B

Deconstructing Construction Insurance

Lockton and RMS

Assumptions about cover during construction projects can cause major problems in achieving your goals. Find out how you can work with RMS to best navigate the fine print.

Workshop Host: RMS Team

Workshop Option C

The role of the CFO: Exploring solutions to the key challenges of this unique missional calling

Ben Thomas

The CFO is one of the key leaders within the church and has unique responsibilities and challenges which extend beyond finance. This session explores the key challenges facing the four union CFOs in our Division. A panel discussion will consider potential solutions for these challenges, and examine ways to support CFOs at all levels of the church in the fulfilment of their unique missional calling.

Workshop Host: Paul Rubessa

Workshop Option A

Building Relationships with Adventist Business Owners

Julian Archer

“You have felt that business is business, religion is religion, but I tell you that these cannot be divorced…. You are not to put asunder that which God has joined—business and religion.” (Ellen G. White, MR 19 p17) Yikes! Really?

William Miller had a farming business. Joshua Himes had an advertising company. Uriah Smith invented a prosthetic leg. John Kellogg revolutionized breakfast and invented gym equipment. So why are some Adventist business owners today sometimes made to feel like they’re second-class Christians? How can we more effectively partner with these men and women to build the kingdom of God?

Workshop Host: Peter Cameron

Workshop Option B

What’s hybrid work doing to our brains? How can we adapt and flourish?

With all the upheaval the workforce has experienced in the last few years, it’s easy to forget that the hybrid model of working is still relatively new. While hybrid working benefits employees in many ways, it also poses unique cognitive challenges.  How can we help our brains to adapt to the new world of work?  Employers are still learning from trial and error, and there is still plenty of progress to be made.  (Referencing the work of NeuroPower Group https://www.neuropowergroup.com/)

Workshop Host: Carol Boehm

Workshop Option C

Building Resilient Pacific Communities

Jonathan Hale & Peni Bolatui

How does insurance protect mission and ministry in the Pacific Islands? Find out the answer to this question in this workshop with Peni and Jonathan.

Workshop Host: RMS Team