1990: Head in the clouds

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Tags: BEL, business, winter-2011

Don Graham

Don Graham, Bachelor of Commerce

When Don Graham started his commerce studies in the 1980s, the concept of making a living from cloud computing and the Internet seemed like science fiction.

Thirty years later, Mr Graham is riding a wave of technological innovation, earning a living as founder and Managing Director of BusinessNAV, a management systems and software company specialising in cash flow, and sales and marketing metrics.

“There was a clear gap in the market for a straightforward measure for cash flow and tracking of marketing activity,” he said.

“Working with big successful companies you just take for granted the cash flow systems that small to medium enterprises (SMEs) simply don’t know they are missing, or don’t have efficient access to.

“Most analysis systems are too complex, and have been built with accountants in mind, not the person on the ground.

“The ultimate objective of our business is to be a provider of a globally recognised index for financial analysis and business growth.”

After working in public practice accounting and attaining his professional qualifications, Mr Graham went on to be taxation accountant for the Bundaberg Sugar – Bundaberg Rum group.

Upon returning to Brisbane in the early 2000s, Mr Graham co-founded a B2B referral operation before moving into SME consulting and the development of cloud computing business applications.

Mr Graham said his time at UQ gave him the foundations necessary to develop a successful software company and provided him with an invaluable network of industry contacts.

“My commerce degree gave me a very good theoretical framework for the later development of the BusinessNAV systems,” he said.

“I am reliant on those old uni contacts to get the name of the right person in companies and places we want to work with.

“New students to UQ should count this network as an important asset to them, not just the piece of paper they receive.”

Mr Graham has added new functionality into BusinessNAV to assist franchise groups and multi-outlet corporates record and report on financial, sales and marketing information across teams.

Mr Graham’s contribution to innovation in his field has been recognised by peak industry body CPA Australia. He was made a Fellow of the organisation and this year took on the role of Deputy President of CPA Australia’s Queensland Division.

By Caroline Bird

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