By Ed Merrison
FOOTBALL coaching legend Kevin Sheedy entertained high flying early risers at a business breakfast at the Knox Civic Centre last week.
Mr Sheedy was the guest speaker for the event which was also used to promote the State Government’s Business Master Key initiative.
Bayswater MP Peter Lockwood was first up, standing in for Small Business Minister Andre Haermeyer to discuss the development of the Business Victoria website.
A one-stop shop for small businesses, the website includes information, advice and support from major Federal and State regulatory bodies.
But it was the Essendon coach who stole the show with tales of how thinking outside the box had led him to such success in football and getting the best out of players, fellow coaches and the game itself.
Among Mr Sheedy’s business masterstrokes have been schemes to get women more involved at Essendon, involving more Indigenous Australians in the game and getting the RSLs on board to support the Anzac Day clash with Collingwood.
Mr Sheedy showed no signs of losing his creative business edge, with grand visions for his club and the game in the years to come.
And his secret? Always turn a negative into a positive.