Bob Ansett

During his 25 years with Budget, Bob Ansett introduced Franchising and exported the Budget System to over 20 countries, including Japan and New Zealand. Budget was a trend-setter in employee relations being one of the first companies in Australia to introduce staff health and fitness programmes.

However, Bob's achievements extend well beyond Budget.
Australian-born but schooled in the United States, Bob Ansett returned to Australia in 1965 to start the Budget Rent a Car System. Budget in many ways was a textbook success story, proving that in Australia you could develop an enterprise in which all employees were committed to excellence. Bob's business philosophies, his ability to inspire his employees and his commitment to customer service propelled Budget into a position of market dominance with a turnover of 400 million dollars a year.
Recognised as a champion of small business, he spearheaded campaigns against the Fringe Benefit Tax and Capital Gains Tax, encouraged deregulation and fought hard to change the 'two airline system' in this country - at a time when his was a voice in the wilderness.
Business entrepreneur and best-selling author, Bob Ansett needs little introduction. The story of how he built Budget Rent a Car from scratch into a multi-million dollar international business - only to be overtaken by a financial crisis - has been well documented in his two best selling books. "Bob Ansett An Autobiography" and "The Customer". Bob Ansett faced the financial crisis of his company with the same courage that he displayed in taking Budget to the top of the car rental market. His approach provided a graphic lesson in how winners behave when they are not winning – a perfect illustration of Hemingway's definition of style: "Grace Under Pressure".
Throughout his business career Bob on average has up to 100 public speaking engagements per year and still continues this practice. He currently lectures on topics such as: Customer Service, Innovative Marketing, Entreprenuerism and Striving for Excellence. After severing his ties with Budget, Bob Ansett Marketing Services was established to manage his speaking engagements and to provide consulting services in the field of Customer Service.
Bob Ansett has been President of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, the Victorian Congress of Employers Association, Vice Chairman of the Moomba Festival, founder and inaugural President of the Australian Customer Service Association, Chairman of the Federal Government's Trade Negotiations Advisory Group and Chairman of the North Melbourne Football Club. "If there's any one message I have, it is simply to remain optimistic. Whatever we do, be it in business, sport or our personal lives, if we remain optimistic - be positive and have an expectant attitude - then things will work out. We can change things and we can overcome enormous adversity if we remain optimistic." But Bob has far more than just this one message. Couple optimism with knowledge and experience and you have the ingredients for success - both personally and in business. "You can do it!"

Speaker Topics Include:

Customer Service
Motivation
Selling
Marketing
Leadership
Franchising
Management
AFL Football