Leadership Development in the Wine Industry (Future Leaders)

Abstract

The Future Leaders program is an initiative of the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia, Wine Australia Corporation, Grape Wine Research Development Corporation and Wine Grape Growers Australia. The founding partner is Australia’s Wine Business Magazine. The purpose of the program is to further develop leadership talent within the wine industry and ensure that the next generation of leaders can continue to develop the industry’s network.

Summary

The Future Leaders program for the Australian wine sector was launched in May 2006 to help develop the skills and potential of the next generation of wine industry leaders. Seventy five graduates have completed the first five intakes of the program, with the final group completing in November 2012, and are now taking on key industry roles and adding their voice to important industry debates. The program involves sharing decades of wisdom from successful industry leaders with the upcoming leaders of the future. Importantly, it captures the ‘street-smarts’ within the industry and attempts to accelerate the development of tomorrow’s industry leaders. We have had successful applicants from all facets of the industry – from researchers, grape growers, winemakers, marketers, sales and corporate industry participants. Graduates of the program are encouraged to take on roles within the industry at regional, state and national levels. A key focus of Directions 2025 and the industry as a whole is to strengthen and support the up skilling of regional industry groups. Participants are strongly encouraged and supported to take on local leadership roles following the program if they are not already active in this arena. This program will result in a range of incalculable benefits that include the strengthening of the industry’s human resource capacity at the highest levels. This in turn will result in better operation of the industry’s value chain, industry structures, international linkages and a future driven focus on industry development and innovation via the ‘best practice’ delivery / adoption / prioritisation of R&D. Qualified leaders in senior industry representative roles will seek to boost the industry’s competitiveness via:- Innovation, resulting in greater earnings Effective and influential leaders will work to utilise / invest available financial resources for maximum return At a more ‘micro’ level, graduates will have enhanced skills to improve earnings and financial management within their own businesses The program encourages graduates to form an alumni association. This initiative will create a network and reference point for current and future industry leaders and influencers. This will in turn ensure that the program has a broader impact by showcasing an achievement level that those in junior management ranks may aspire to. Qualified, effective leaders will have a positive impact on strengthening the collaborative structures and networks within the industry, and building on key international contacts to benefit the industry. By pervading industry bodies at the highest levels, qualified leaders will positively influence the industry right across the value chain, and improve the business environment for all producers and suppliers, as well as the regions in which they operate. In late December 2010 the Future Leaders Steering Committee met and agreed to run the full course every two years with an interim year dedicated to the recruitment and training of participants and further industry development strategy for the existing Alumni Association.