About Opportune Business Network

Opportune Business Network (OBN) provides a range of practical networking and business building opportunities to support SME's. Our services are specifically designed for small to medium enterprises wanting to improve their existing business, increase profitability and create wealth more quickly.

Currently available in Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast, the network will soon be extended down the eastern seaboard to Sydney and Melbourne to provide an extended business opportunity to our members.

The network appeals to business entrepreneurs, owners and senior managers of SME's, business coaches and other professionals seeking to understand the business of business and how commercial enterprises work more effectively. We teach you how to build strategies that challenge competitors and win new customers, and put you in touch with like-minded business people. You will be able to access valuable knowledge and a range of services not normally available to independent smaller businesses.

The network also appeals to CEO's and senior managers of larger corporations seeking to build their B2B customer base and engage with a cross section of businesses down the eastern Seaboard.

OBN Events:

OBN works with our members to design the most effective and productive events to provide participants with tangible business benefits.

Following is a brief overview of the events currently offered:

Business Forums

Business Matchmaking Forums are B2B private lunches designed to encourage engagement between businesses for the purpose of prospecting new customers and building worthwhile relationships.
Each Forum has a different group of 18 to 20 businesses with each participant selected to compliment the potential needs of others. All guests have 5 minutes to present to the group, and for this reason the Forums work well and are in high demand as prospecting tools.

Participation in the Forums is not restricted to members and is open to all businesses. Grow your business and network with like-minded business people - these events should not be missed!

Table Twelve

One of our most popular products is a mentoring concept for business owners called Table Twelve. This highly successful format brings together a group of twelve business owners to share experiences and learn ways to lead their enterprise to better results.

Table Twelve is facilitated by an experienced and successful business professional who understands how to make each session relevant to all participants. You will receive valuable business advice relevant to your current situation and you benefit greatly from the synergy created by the group. 

Participating in Table Twelve also provides access to HR Services, Business Improvement Clinics and Nationally Accredited Training to assist you as your business grows. Table Twelve is a unique way to increase knowledge and stay in touch with other business owners. Groups meet monthly with each session held over lunch between 12pm and 2.30pm.

Knowledge Seminars

Successful business people understand that having access to the right knowledge, at the right time is often the magic ingredient needed to succeed in the business arena.

OBN's Knowledge Seminars have been created to provide you with cutting edge business knowledge that can be applied immediately. Tailored for larger audiences with world-class speakers available to discuss today's pressing business issues, Knowledge Seminars bring international best practice and expert opinion right to your door.

Each Knowledge Seminar includes introductions, an informal networking lunch plus open discussions with the Consultants during and after the Seminar.

To register for any of our events please go to our Upcoming Events section.

Our Directors

Colin Coverdale

Colin began business life with the ANZ Banking Group before switching industries and joining British Petroleum. He subsequently held senior roles in NZ, Australia and the South Pacific. After leaving BP he owned an IT service company and later freelanced as a CEO undertaking recoveries in differing organisations. He later joined KPMG in NZ as Director of Business Strategy.

Examples of his other roles are:

• CEO of a retail stationery and bookstore chain
• MD of a retail store design and build group
• MD of a steel fabrication plant
• CEO of a telecommunications software organisation
• CEO of an electricity measurement company
• An independent consultant across retail and commerce

He has held several Directorships including the not-for-profit and health related sectors. He is currently President of the NSW Institute of Management Consultants and a Director of the Opportune Group based in Sydney.

Deborah Ribinskas

Deborah has been involved in business retailing and business networking for many years and has owned and set up a number of business over the past 27 years giving her a good understanding of general business issues and the requirements of business owners.

One of her businesses in the 1980's was 'Classic Cycle Spares', a motorcycle company which sourced and imported vintage and classic British motorcycles and parts, with distribution via 2 retail outlets plus the wholesale sector within Australia and NZ.

She also started up and built a successful café/gallery/tourism information hub and became a foundation member of the Brisbane Valley Tourism Association working with the local Council to promote many other businesses and attractions within the region.

Before joining the Opportune Group as a Partner/Director of Opportune Business Network she had been working as a business developer for other networking organisations. She is highly skilled and experienced in developing business connections, public speaking and teaching business groups how to prospect for new business as well as build valuable relationships.

Currently she manages the groups networking and mentoring operations in SE Queensland which cover prospecting luncheons (Forums), private Boardroom seminars (Briefings) for corporations and private businesses plus the Table Twelve concept which regularly mentors senior managers and other business leaders responsible for running their own organisations.

Deborah is also a Board Member of the Business Enterprise Centre Ipswich Region, plus a Committee Member of Southside Education an Indigenous Secondary School at Sunnybank. She is married with one daughter and is currently working on her book "How to network effectively and win business" whenever she can find the time!

Our Organisational Structure