Standout businesses of 2008
Company: Azure Group
Website: www.azuregroup.com.au
Azure Group is a young and successful accounting and financial services firm that is redefining the role of the accountant. Through the proactive approach to client’s tax affairs, integrated services to provide a seamless financial solution and unique outsourced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) service, Azure Group is raising the bar in the accounting industry.
In 2002, CEO Michael Derin began the company with the idea of offering strategic level commercial advice to SME clients. The fundamental thing that he identified was that SMEs rarely get that level of assistance because they can’t afford or attract an experienced full-time CFO.
Azure’s dedication and passion for helping their clients achieve success has paid off. In 2008 Azure Group experienced a high level of growth in terms of turnover, clients, size and services. From 2007 to 2008, Azure Group’s domestic turnover increased by 45 percent.
Through its unique outsourced CFO service, Azure has steered many companies to achieve their objectives. Over the last financial year, the clients for which Derin is CFO on average had an increase in turnover of 19 percent, the highest increase being 38 per cent.
In August 2008, Azure Group added to its Sydney location by opening an office on the Gold Coast.
Company: Freestyle Media
Website: www.freestylemedia.com.au
Fred Schebesta started Freestyle Media in 2001 while he was studying at university. He built it into a fast growing online marketing agency and it was acquired in 2007 by listed company Q Limited.
Freestyle specialises in driving traffic to websites and converting online customers into purchasers of products and services. The company ensures clients’ web presence intelligently generates leads, develops relationships and increases sales. Its team’s insights and practical application of search engine strategies, online advertising and consumer-driving websites realise a valuable return on marketing spend. Major clients include 3 Mobile, Hutchison, Sanitarium, Virgin Mobile, NRMA, Constellation Hotel Group, University of Newcastle, McDonalds Australia, Acer Computers, and Rabobank across Australia and New Zealand.
Freestyle Media won the 3 Mobile online marketing account, which involved managing the extensive range of online direct marketing projects and campaigns for 3 Mobile’s consumer products as well as creating new online traffic.
Schebesta wrote and launched his first book How to create an Online Marketing Campaign that Sells. The book acts as a practical guide and discusses six stages that are crucial for marketers who want to see their campaign achieve results.
Company: Sydney Writers’ Centre
Website: www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au
The Sydney Writers’ Centre started three years ago and has achieved great things in the last 12 months. It has grown significantly, become a forerunner in the web 2.0 space and garnered a reputation as one of the most innovative writers’ centres in the country.
The Sydney Writers’ Centre has grown from a one-person operation three years ago to a thriving centre with a team of 15 presenters and staff today. As a result of its commitment to serve people regardless of geography, the Sydney Writers’ Centre has harnessed the power of technology to deliver online courses to people all over the country, and the world. Students have enrolled from as far away as Hong Kong, Afghanistan and the Italian Alps!
Student numbers have doubled in the past 12 months and former students contact the centre every week with news of their successes. These include book deals, getting published in magazines and newspapers and successfully reinventing themselves to become writers.
The Sydney Writers’ Centre was recently named a finalist in the Small Business Champion Awards 2008 (NSW/ACT).
Related Keywords: Business Award, Economic Doom, Electronic Waste, Retail Customers, Sydney Business, Turnover Increase, Wholesale Customers
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