Business skills lauded
Business skills lauded
December 16, 2009
Section: News
MELISSA MICHIE
MEGAN Wulff’s head for business has earned her the accolade of National Secondary Business Person Of The Year, which was announced at the Young Achievement Australia (YAA) National Awards last month.
Megan, from Kiama, was the managing director of a student company called Utopya, which took part in the YAA business skills program.
The company consisted of teenagers from several high schools in the Illawarra, including another Kiama local, Phil Balding, and made greeting cards using recyclable card, ink and packaging.
The team was able to return $5.47 to their company shareholders, which Megan said was a great result.
The Business Person Of The Year Award recognises an individual (rather than a company) who has a comprehensive understanding of how a small business works.
Getting to the national final was a tough process.
Megan took a business skills exam, which all program participants take, and then won the regional and State finals (which involved interviews and presentations) before going on to the national final and being named the overall winner.
Megan is a Year 12 student and 2010 vice-captain at The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGS). She said the school promoted the YAA program and it was more than just something for your resume.
“You can take it where ever you go,” she said.
Megan said that throughout the program she learnt to never underestimate herself or other people.
“You have to trust the people you work with,” she said.
She also learnt a lot about teamwork and organisational skills.
During the interview and presentation process she spoke about the problems she encountered in the business and rectifying them.
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia chief executive officer Graham Meyer said Megan stood out during the panel interview by demonstrating a sound knowledge of what was required to run a small business.
“She is relaxed, confident and her experience of running Utopya will help Megan be successful in whatever she chooses to do,” he said.
Megan said she could not have achieved what she had without the support of her mum Jennifer, YAA program mentors Angela Johnson from Evanscorp, Michael Bowditch from ABB Port Kembla and Philip Mason, and Dan Henrickson from Manning St Deli, where she
works.
