For Bevan Ramsden his passion for communications all began when he was engaged for his first job at the Post Master General’s Department, which was the Federal Government Department that operated the Australian Post Office. In communications, mail and telegraph came first and the revolution of the telephone later on. Suddenly the world became connected.

It was after a diverse career path that in 2003 the doors of the newly established Ramsden Telecommunications Training were flung open. Based at Newcastle University, they built their business based on two core principals ‘Quality’ and Bevan’s excellent reputation.

In 2015 this family owned business will qualify thousands of graduates across Australia plus train an increasing number of students through short course learning via both e-learning and classroom.

• How do you define the difference between a manager and a leader?

A manager may be a good manager but not a leader and a leader may lead but not be a good manager. The modern manager must be both.

A leader has a vision, which is shared with his/her staff. A leader has to be inspirational. A leader will take initiative and “show the way” and has a belief in and instils a belief in, his/her staff’s ability to take up the consequential challenges.

A leader doesn’t shirk work and works “alongside” his/her staff sharing the vision and providing the inspiration through example.

A good manager consults and seeks feedback from his/her staff and organises staffing and duties to bring out the best in each person. The manager must also set the example in work ethic and attitude and understand the value of encouragement and appreciation.

• What leadership style do you use?

I believe in setting an example and setting challenges and working alongside staff rather than sitting on top of them.

I also see the value of recognition and encouragement and appreciation, as I believe in seeking to bring out the best in staff. Regular consultation with staff and using feedback at the “coal face” can improve your organisation, procedures and operations.

Respect is the key to good relations in the workplace; manager’s respect for staff and staff’s respect for theirmanager. To this end the manager must accept responsibility for bad as well as good decisions; for mistakes with out sweeping them under the carpet or trying to pin them on someone else.

• What is one mistake you witness leaders making more frequently than others?

Overestimating the importance of themselves and not giving due respect to the contribution of the others working in the business.

A business runs well because each person in the business does their job effectively. The job of the leader/managers is to help that occur.

• What do you believe makes business in the Hunter unique?

Size in population and geographical extent and range of industry. The Hunter is large enough in population and extent to be an Australian State in itself.

It has industries which make it financial self-supporting with port facilities and rail infrastructure servicing a major Australian export.

Sadly, the Hunter has been a recent hotspot for corrupt leaders, which makes it even more difficult to form a list of inspiring leaders.  The Hon. Milton Morris has been a man who represents my core values. He acts with energy, he has been determined to make a difference, he is a man of long-standing integrity.