Two startup exits, program offices built from scratch, a $25M acquisition integrated, and complex delivery across startups, ASX-listed companies, and government programs.
Lifted project commercial competence across the business
Deep Blue Company (DBC) had rapidly expanded since 2012 to offer digital technologies and services covering the entire property sale-to-settlement journey in Australia. With more than 400 employees in Australia and the Philippines, DBC facilitated $9B in property transactions in the 2021 financial year. The assignment involved improving project delivery performance across the Technology Group.
Results
Led the technical team that selected the cybersecurity services partner for DBC
Developed a new approach to project approval, minimising corporate risk
Developed and launched the internal Program Office
Led the project to lift employment opportunities for Australian engineers
This engagement involved advising the Board of the Society of Engineers – Australasia (SAE-A), and managing the delivery of its unique Emergency Vehicle Project involving many diverse participating organisations and forward-focused technology.
Results
Developed the project strategy and implementation plan — accepted by the SAE-A Board
Managed more than 130 individuals and 90 organisations participating in the project
Developed and released an app to participants, used as a communication platform
Set up and managed the REA Group Program Management Office
Established and managed the REA Group Product Council — the equivalent of an REA Program Management Office. Across all REA business units, this meant:
Results
Projects were prioritised against the business strategy
Resources were allocated to projects for maximum impact and efficiency
Progress across all projects was communicated to the Executive Leadership Team
Recommendations developed & implemented for projects to ensure on-time delivery
Integration of a major acquisition
I led the integration of an acquired company (AUD $25M purchase price) into REA Group, including the product delivery team, back-end infrastructure, and merging two customer databases totalling 1.2M users. This enabled the redeployment of one development team onto other projects and delivered immediate infrastructure savings of $10k/month.
Areas impacted and improved
The product delivery team
Back-end infrastructure
Merging and cleaning two customer databases totalling 1.2M users
A production-ready CRM in 10 weeks
I led a two-person team that delivered a production-ready CRM in 10 weeks, built on the Salesforce platform, covering all past and present Vicinity Centres customers across its entire property portfolio. This new CRM held data on 19,209 companies, 8,168 contacts, and 23,987 property assets.
Results
Yearly license costs were reduced by 66%
At the same time the number of licenses was increased by 280%
Co-founded, built and sold a local search business in Europe
In 12 weeks, installed all the operational infrastructure for the Irish start-up business, including the call centre, office and IT infrastructure, and the back-end for the websites, CRM and call centre systems. This facilitated rapid market entry.
Results
YourLocal was Ireland's fastest-growing directory, reaching the No. 2 position in the market within four months of launch
Achieved sales of more than €1.1M and 2,000 customers in 10 months during the global financial crisis
Acquired by the global media group, Independent News & Media
Co-founded Australian Local Search, later to become True Local
With my co-founder, we secured Yahoo! as the launch partner for my Australian start-up. This positioned Yahoo! as the first search engine in Australia to have its own Australian online business directory, complete with 1.4 million Australian business listings (100% of the Total Available Market).
Results
Negotiated and secured a data deal with Google — the first of its type by Google in Australia — providing an unassailable value proposition to customers
Australian Local Search was acquired by News Corp Australia and rebranded True Local
Transforming an idea into a drivable reality
As Project Director for the aXcess Australia Concept Car Project, I took the brief to build a car that would showcase Australian automotive technologies and turned that idea into a fully drivable advanced concept car. The car was shown in Australia and around the world to secure overseas orders for Australian automotive component manufacturers.
Results
Secured financial commitments totalling $23 million from 143 component manufacturers, government agencies, and automotive associations
Negotiated $9 million in government funding at ministerial level, and $14 million in corporate contributions at CEO level
Delivered the car on time and under budget; the overseas demonstration tour generated $1.25 billion in export orders within the first two years
What others say
Trusted for four decades.
“
I have worked with Murray on and off for almost 20 years, as cofounder of two start-ups and in three larger / corporate environments. In all cases, Murray proved himself time and again as a highly capable operator who earns respect from the teams, peers, management and external stakeholders. He combines his abilities in program management of business and technology projects, commercial realities and common sense with his highly developed people skills. He has been sought out as a mentor numerous times and provides leadership with a steady hand during crises. I would highly recommend Murray.
Andrew Wilkinson
Product and Technology Leader
“
Murray is a business leader for a high-tech age — a proven engineer, entrepreneur and project leader with a true affinity for digital technology. He can talk to software developers and online technocrats in their own language and translate it for the rest of us. Combine this with his natural leadership and clear focus on end goals, and you have someone uniquely valuable for a modern business. I would gladly join Murray in any venture, whether working with him or for him, or engaging him as a consultant.
Greg Shoemark
Active Board Member
“
I worked with Murray at One Local Search where he was co-founder and Commercial Director. Murray has a solid business mind and a finely-honed ability to drive consensus across multiple divergent stakeholders. He is a real do-er, fully at ease with the strategic and theoretical side, extremely effective on execution. I witnessed Murray building superb value at OLS, leading to a successful sale and subsequent integration of the business to a major media corporation. I like and respect Murray and would not hesitate to work with him again.
Jonny Crowe
CEO & CDO
“
I, along with the rest of my team, really enjoyed our time working with Murray in engagements at Vicinity Centres. His pragmatic and transparent approach led to good outcomes, and we appreciated the support he provided throughout our projects. I'm looking forward to more opportunities to work with Murray in the future!
Richard Enojas
Salesforce Global Platform Advisory Board Member
“
Murray has managed our new website from creation through to launch. The website covers our activities across 142 international and regional offices, and is in three languages. His sincere integrity and very personable nature enabled him to manage those people involved smoothly. His continually updated, detailed project plan was just one reflection of his ability to focus on detail and manage the big picture of a highly complex project. I would highly recommend Murray as an asset to any organisation and clients.
Jenny Stewart
Operations Director
“
Murray is a world-class digital entrepreneur whose achievements are very much understated. He's founded a very successful competitor to the Yellow Pages, and has done many start-ups I can only dream about. He has a very positive outlook and is extremely good to work with. I think Murray's experience would add tremendous value to any organisation that engages his services.
Alan Kwon
Program Delivery Executive
Have a problem worth solving?
If you feel we'd be a good fit working together, drop me a line and let's talk.
