Bendigo Business Stories

About Bendigo Business Stories

Welcome to Bendigo Business Stories, a podcast dedicated to celebrating our business landscape, uncovering stories, strategies, and the true essence of people who shape our local business community. In the ever-evolving world of business, there's something truly special about the stories that emerge from business owners right here in Greater Bendigo. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business leader, or simply curious about the incredible ventures happening in our region, you've come to the right place. Bendigo Business Stories is brought to you by Be.Bendigo; your local Chamber of Commerce dedicated to building a thriving ecosystem that supports and empowers local businesses to flourish. This podcast is just one of the many ways Be.Bendigo actively champions businesses in creating a vibrant and successful Greater Bendigo. Throughout our podcast journey, we will uncover the hidden gems of our Greater Bendigo business landscape. These stories are more than just success tales; they're windows into the strategies, challenges, and the heart and soul of the individuals shaping our community. Bendigo Business Stories is your compass, guiding you through the diverse and inspiring tales of our local business heroes.

Publisher

Be.Bendigo

Category

business · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Sept 2023

Latest episode

5 Jan 2025

Latest episodes

34 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Jan 2025

   Transforming Employment Opportunities through Social Procurement with Vanessa Hicks from Downer

   Join our host, Ben Dillon, Operations Manager of Soft Services at the Bendigo Hospital Project for Downer (https://www.downergroup.com/), in an inspiring conversation with Vanessa Hicks, Manager of Capability Development and Business Transformation for Downer Group (https://www.downergroup.com/). In the last episode of Season 4, episode 32, we delve into the transformative power of social procurement and its impact on building a more inclusive and resilient workforce in Greater Bendigo. Discover how Downer Group has embraced social procurement to make job opportunities more accessible, particularly during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vanessa shares her insights on creating inclusive workplaces, offering peer support programmes, and the significant role mentoring plays in improving retention rates. Explore the success stories of employing disadvantaged individuals and the ripple effects of providing meaningful employment opportunities. Learn about the unique recruitment and onboarding strategies that led to a remarkable 97% retention rate among new hires, and the partnerships with local organisations that made it all possible. This episode is a must-listen for business leaders and professionals looking to integrate social responsibility into their business practices. Gain practical advice on building capabilities around social procurement and partnering with local organisations to drive positive change in the community. Don't miss this enlightening discussion on how businesses can leverage social procurement to foster a sustainable and inclusive economy in Greater Bendigo. THIS PODCAST IS SUPPORTED BY WORKFORCE AUSTRALIA LOCAL JOBS BENDIGO Workforce Australia Local Jobs (https://bebendigo.com.au/member-directory/local-jobs-program-bendigo-region/) is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (https://www.dewr.gov.au/local-jobs/employment-facilitators/victoria/bendigo). ABOUT OUR HOST BEN DILLON Ben Dillon is the Operations Manager of Soft Services at the Bendigo Hospital project for Downer (https://www.downergroup.com/). Passionate about workforce development and community engagement, Ben is dedicated to empowering local businesses and building a skilled workforce for the future. ABOUT BE.BENDIGO Every successful community has a strong and growing business community. Be.Bendigo exists to provide a range of information, support and programs to assist, develop and grow our Greater Bendigo business community. We are a member-based organisation with a commitment to developing our business so that we can continue to add value for our members, partners and stakeholders. Find out more via our website (https://bebendigo.com.au/). Be social on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bebendigo), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/be-bendigo/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bebendigo).

2. 

   22 Dec 2024

   Driving Local Growth through Social Procurement with Michael Robertson from J.L. King & Co

   Join our host, Ben Dillon, Operations Manager of Soft Services at the Bendigo Hospital Project for Downer (https://www.downergroup.com/), as he embarks on an inspiring journey with Michael Robertson, Director at JL King & Co. (https://www.jlking.com.au/) & Simply Tasty (https://www.jlking.com.au/simplytasty), a beacon of social responsibility and innovation in Greater Bendigo. Discover how this iconic brand, crowned Business of the Year in 2024 (https://bbea.com.au/award-categories/), has evolved from humble beginnings to a nationally recognised name in food service and manufacturing. Michael shares the rich history of J.L. King & Co., a business that has been part of the Bendigo community since 1913. Learn about the transformative impact of social procurement, as Michael discusses the company’s commitment to partnering with local suppliers and fostering a multicultural and inclusive workforce. From employing individuals with disabilities to celebrating cultural diversity, J.L. King & Co. is a testament to the power of community-driven growth. Explore the innovative strategies that have propelled J.L. King & Co. to success, including their focus on sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint. Hear about their cutting-edge facility, built with local tradespeople, which stands as one of the greenest in Australia for ready meals production. This episode is a must-listen for business leaders and entrepreneurs seeking to integrate social responsibility into their business practices. Gain valuable insights on building strong supplier relationships, supporting local communities, and creating a workplace culture that champions diversity and inclusion. Whether you're a business owner, professional, or simply passionate about supporting local enterprises, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration to drive positive change in your community. THIS PODCAST IS SUPPORTED BY WORKFORCE AUSTRALIA LOCAL JOBS BENDIGO Workforce Australia Local Jobs (https://bebendigo.com.au/member-directory/local-jobs-program-bendigo-region/) is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (https://www.dewr.gov.au/local-jobs/employment-facilitators/victoria/bendigo). ABOUT OUR HOST BEN DILLON Ben Dillon is the Operations Manager of Soft Services at the Bendigo Hospital project for Downer (https://www.downergroup.com/). Passionate about workforce development and community engagement, Ben is dedicated to empowering local businesses and building a skilled workforce for the future. ABOUT BE.BENDIGO Every successful community has a strong and growing business community. Be.Bendigo exists to provide a range of information, support and programs to assist, develop and grow our Greater Bendigo business community. We are a member-based organisation with a commitment to developing our business so that we can continue to add value for our members, partners and stakeholders. Find out more via our website (https://bebendigo.com.au/). Be social on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bebendigo), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/be-bendigo/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bebendigo).

3. 

   8 Dec 2024

   Empowering Communities through Social Enterprises with Jennie Walker

   Ben Dillon explores social enterprises with Jennie Walker, discovering how Pepper Green Farm empowers people with disabilities through meaningful employment opportunities and sustainable practices.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

4.7 / 5

15 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

39

Social presence

94

YouTube

0

Engagement

77