Business Leaders Night 2009

Posted February 26, 2009 by Sai Perchard in News, Previous Events

The Adelaide Business Students’ Society Business Leaders Night was held on Wednesday, March 4th 2009. It was the first event held by the society in 2009, and took place in the Equinox Function Room of Union House, on the University of Adelaide North Terrace Campus.

Barry Burgan (Head of School, The University of Adelaide Business School), Stephen Harvey (Partner, Assurance & Advisory, Deloitte), Tom Koutsantonis (Minister for Youth), and Clive Perring (Director, International Centre for Financial Services) took the stage to discuss the implications of the Global Financial Crisis in their respective industries.

After an introduction from Peg Miller, representing the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, Barry Burgan orated to students on how the crisis originated, and how it will affect the employment prospects of students studying a business degree in Australia. He concluded by stressing the importance of ‘differentiating’ yourself from other potential employees, through a variety of extra curricular activities.

Stephen Harvey followed, providing a further explanation of the crisis and an idea of how it affected his particular industry. Following this presentation was a twenty-minute break in which food and beverages were served, which provided students with a chance to talk to the presenters. Students were also able to sign up for an ABSS Membership Card, and the Chartered Accountants online newsletter – an opportunity that many students took up.

Following this intermission, Tom Koutsantonis explained how the global financial crisis was relevant within the context of South Australia as a State, and the attitude of the South Australian Government towards the economic situation.

Finally, Clive Perring concluded with a more in-depth look at the factors contributing to the financial crisis, and further reiterated its effects on future business leaders.

The night was a great success, with over 100 students attending. It was the perfect way to begin the new academic year, and a great chance for students to gain insight from some very knowledgeable individuals.

The ABSS would like to sincerely thank the speakers who gave up their time to attend the Adelaide Business Students’ Society Business Leaders Night, and to the Institute of Chartered Accountants for providing funding for the event to go ahead.

Look out for the next Business Leaders Night in 2010.