Dr. Patricia Chen
Senior Strategy Consultant
Former McKinsey analyst with 12 years consulting ASX-listed
companies. Specializes in operational efficiency and market entry
strategies for mid-sized Australian firms.
Supply Chain Resilience in Post-Pandemic Australia
The disruptions of 2020-2022 forced Australian businesses to
completely rethink their supply chain strategies. Companies
that thrived weren't necessarily those with the most resources,
but those that built flexibility into their operations early.
I've been tracking how 40 mid-market companies adapted their
procurement and logistics over the past three years.
What surprised me most was how regional businesses often
outperformed their metropolitan counterparts. Take Bendigo Food
Processing — they maintained 94% on-time delivery throughout
2022 by cultivating relationships with local suppliers within a
200-kilometer radius. Meanwhile, their Sydney-based competitors
struggled with international shipping delays.
Published: March 2025
Reading time: 12 minutes
Digital Transformation ROI: Real Numbers from Real Companies
Everyone talks about digital transformation, but few share
actual performance data. I've compiled financial metrics from
15 Australian companies that completed major technology
overhauls between 2023 and 2024. The results challenge some
common assumptions about implementation timelines and
cost-benefit ratios.
For instance, customer service automation showed measurable
improvements within 6 months for 80% of companies, while ERP
implementations took an average of 18 months to demonstrate
positive ROI. The key difference was employee training
intensity — companies that invested 40+ hours per employee in
training saw significantly better outcomes.
Published: February 2025
Reading time: 15 minutes
Small Business Growth Patterns: What the Data Actually Shows
After analyzing growth trajectories of 200+ Australian small
businesses over five years, certain patterns emerge
consistently. The businesses that achieved sustainable growth
didn't follow the typical "scale fast" advice. Instead, they
focused on operational fundamentals and customer retention
before expanding their market reach.
Most interesting was the correlation between geographic
location and growth strategies. Brisbane-based service
companies grew faster through referrals, while Adelaide
manufacturers succeeded by diversifying their product lines.
Perth businesses, perhaps due to the mining economy influence,
showed more conservative financial management but stronger
long-term stability.
Published: January 2025
Reading time: 18 minutes