About
Creative innovator and problem-solver with strong management and people skills. Extensive management experience with a strong focus on strategy, innovation and value creation. Wide exposure to international markets and executive networks including operational P+L accountability for businesses based in Australia, Mumbai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hongkong and London.
From 2011 to January 2025 Michael advised Dragoman clients on a range of issues related to strategy and business strategy execution, with a focus on Asia. Michael developed a new business specialisation based around China’s evolving political and economic environment. He built a considerable capacity in Dragoman around the evolving markets of India and Indonesia, as well as more established business environments of Japan and Australia. Much of Michael’s work has been multinational clients, working on global business strategies, who require policy and risk analysis of multiple jurisdictions and the client fit and strategy for local execution.
Michael started a national business newspaper in Australia at 33, worked in a variety of news media roles in Australia, Europe, the US and Asia before joining the foundation team of Fairfax digital operations in 1996, launching his first web site in 1997. He was Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Fairfax Business Media from 1998 to 2011 and assumed responsibility for all of its digital media in assets in 2005. He oversaw the introduction of The Australian Financial Review's online paywall in 2005 which was among the first newspapers in the world to move its online assets to a paid subscriber model. In a related innovation, he delivered the first fully integrated XML production system for multimedia in a major media company.
Michael’s record as a manager reflects a strong focus on value creation, continuity of purpose, consistent and strong people management and highly effective change management. During a time of intense media disruption and change the businesses in his oversight delivered strong measured profitability and quality and outperformed global peers on standard metrics.
Since 2011 his consulting has ranged from advice on market entry and risk for large infrastructure investors in Asia to startup businesses in social media and SaaS through tertiary education transformation to reconstruction operations and digital product in a business services environment. Over the past seven years he has worked on projects in India, Japan, Australia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia and has undertaken desk research involving global strategies and a wide range of business activities in the Asia-Pacific.
Expertise
Consultation (3)
Media and communications strategies
Active
Business & Finance
$500/hr
Strategies for media businesses. Guidance on media and communications strategies. Positioning and narrative concepts to support effective outcomes. As a journalist, media executive and consultant I have a range of direct experience of both managing media organisations and developing communications strategies in Australia, Europe and Asia.
Business strategy
Active
Business & Finance
$350/hr
Business planning, change management, market disruption, policy influence, brand and positioning, communications. My direct experience was in managing a business operating in a number of markets influenced by both technological change and market disruption. I have been engaged in a number of instances in making substantial change in both operating functions and market positioning. I have experience in managing cultural and technological change, complex project management and strategic value... More
Business planning, change management, market disruption, policy influence, brand and positioning, communications. My direct experience was in managing a business operating in a number of markets influenced by both technological change and market disruption. I have been engaged in a number of instances in making substantial change in both operating functions and market positioning. I have experience in managing cultural and technological change, complex project management and strategic value assessments. Over the past decade I have advised a range of companies on strategies for businesses in a variety of markets in Asia and Australia.
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Asia market analysis - focus on market conditions, national policies
Active
Business & Finance
$250/hr
My focus is on executable advice. I worked closely with the client to understand the goals and desired outcomes, working through specific options and approaches to a practical, effective proposal or strategic concept. I have worked with infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, resources, pharmaceuticals and educational organisations on issues related to incremental investment, market entry, policy resolution, regulation, risk and competition influences in a variety of markets, including I... More
My focus is on executable advice. I worked closely with the client to understand the goals and desired outcomes, working through specific options and approaches to a practical, effective proposal or strategic concept. I have worked with infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, resources, pharmaceuticals and educational organisations on issues related to incremental investment, market entry, policy resolution, regulation, risk and competition influences in a variety of markets, including India, China, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia.
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