Borrowing ideas from big business

摘要

Business structures usually reserved for the corporate world have helped Tasmanian viticulturalists Gerald and Sue Ellis expand their business from less than a hectare to more than 18ha of premium variety vines in just five years. The Ellises' highly professional approach to managing their grape-growing and winery enterprise in south-east Tasmania has led them on an exciting path of expansion, diversification and vertical integration. Inspired by national consulting firm Resource Consulting Services (RCS), the Ellises have created a board of management to run their business, Meadowbank Wines. It's a strategy which has helped the progressive couple dramatically expand their viticulture interests. The board also has given them confidence to developMeadowbank Estate at Cambridge, a valuable wine marketing move that includes a cellar door, restaurant and a visual and performing art theatre. The Meadowbank Wines board of management comprises Gerald as managing director, two high-level Tasmanian business people as non-executive directors, and an Adelaide-based professional director, employed as chairman of directors. Board meetings are held every two months, where financial reports and performance figures prepared by Meadowbank's in-house part-time accountant are analysed, and decisions are made.