Our Goal And VisionÂ
To share our passion for Australian Agriculture and all it encompasses.
We are committed to supporting and elevating the industry and the vast array of professionals that are involved.Â
We work with those in the agribusiness sector who are focussed on building highly profitable, customer focussed and self-managing businesses.
What ABDI can do for you and your business?
We offer a variety of ways to support professionals within the rural and regional sectors of Australian agriculture, who want to grow their business, develop and strengthen their knowledge and build connections and confidence.Â
Our programs, short courses and exclusive business boardrooms provide the opportunity for participants to step away from their business (even if just to hop onto the computer for an online course) and spend some time working ON their business. Our ongoing business coaching helps in the change and transition process from where you are now ⌠to where you want to be. And, in cases where focused effort or fast-tracked outcomes are required, we also act in advisory roles 1 on 1 with clients.
Why do we do this?
ABDI was established because, over the last 27 years, its Founder and Director Gordon Stone has worked with a range of people throughout the rural and regional food and fibre sectors, who have been doing innovative things. These are the people who make Australian agriculture iconic, and make us world leaders in this space. Many are the silent achievers who do so much and in many cases get less than is due to them. Our job is to change that.
Agribusinesses â farmers and their service providers â are the essence of supplying the high quality food we eat and the goods we use in our everyday lives. And it is the firm belief of Gordon and the ABDI team that itâs only fair they GET THE BEST POSSIBLE FINANCIAL RETURN on effort expended. Thatâs where we come in. ABDIâs focus is on working with the top, forward thinking agribusiness operators to achieve those goals.
We want you to be crystal clear about what you want out of life. We want you to create the specific business which can be the vehicle to achieve what you want. Our End Game is to focus those we work with on creating a self-managing business they can leave in the hands of others to run, or to sell to one of the many investors out there seeking involvement in Australian agribusiness.
âWhen I sold my irrigation manufacturing business ⌠I wasnât sure where to direct my efforts to achieve the income and quality of life that I knew I wanted. Gordon Stone was recommended to me as a person who could assist in establishing a new business model that would fit exactly what I wanted. Over the last 18 months, we have gone through a system of clarifying my expectations of this new business, creating a business that now meets those criteria, establishing a sales and marketing program, defining my financial expectations, considering how to leverage different parts of the business, looking at alliances, etc. Above all I appreciated how Gordon was able to support and guide me through this development process.â
Malcolm Thompson â Director, Freedom Irrigation â Toowoomba, Australia
Who are we?
At ABDI, our strength lies in our collaborative approach and the dedicated team working behind the scenes. We pride ourselves on partnering with industry experts across Australian agriculture, bringing together a wealth of knowledge and experience to drive innovation and excellence. Our diverse team of professionals is committed to supporting the agricultural sector, ensuring that our solutions are informed, effective, and tailored to meet the unique needs of the industry.Â
ABDI Management Team
Gordon Stone â Business Strategist and ABDI Founder/Director
Gordon has operated in the agri-business sector since 1991 and has exceptional skills in strategy and business management. He has a diverse background, ranging from running events (from field days through to country music festivals), to strategic planning and advice for organisations such as the University of Southern QLD and Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture. His real skills and passion lie in supporting smaller business owners improving and making positive changes in their businesses. He is a master group facilitator, and believes in the power of supportive group settings, where business owners can interact with like-minded individuals. Gordon is also an Adjunct Professor at USQ.
ABDI Project Team
David Stone -Â Senior Project Facilitator
David has a diverse background, across small to medium enterprise (SME) business capability development, increasing Indigenous and local business participation in supply chains, stakeholder engagement, business strategy and operations, project management and environmental management. He has worked with a range of clients, from small family business to global corporates, across resources, energy and power, government, agriculture and environment. He provides specialist advice to ABDIâs clients, and supports in delivery of its business development programs.
Paula Grassano -Â Senior IT Officer
Paula has been a part of the ABDI family for many years now taking care of everything digital and managing the communications that our subscribers and customers receive. Paula's wide experience in customer relations and communications, combined with her technical and digital skills means that she is able to ensure everything online runs smoothly for all ABDI clients.
Joanna Middleton -Â Senior Marketing and Program Developer
Joanna has experience working with small business owners, developing and supporting engagement on a variety of social media platforms. Joanna has experience with marketing and values the importance of building connections with clients. Joanna's aim with ABDI is to build relationships and client engagement.
“From initially seeing the webinar ‘Raising Corporate Finance’ conducted by the ABDI team of Damian Street and Gordon Stone, to the evolving of a plan to expand our farming enterprise; subsequently working with us to get our potential business venture off the ground by producing a comprehensive Information Memorandum (for investors) so quickly, has been nothing short of amazing! Despite initial failure to raise corporate finance, your insight, belief, flexibility and counsel finally led us to succeed in the expansion plan – thank you very much for your input and professionalism. We are looking forward to an exciting year!”