In the risk business - An interview with Kimberley Turner

By Michele Roach

Kimberley Turner started her own company, Aerosafe Risk Management, while she was still a student at university. Now, five years later, she employs a dozen full-time staff members and has clients across both the military and commercial aviation sectors. Aerosafe has worked with British Airways, Shell Aviation and the International Civil Aviation Authority in Montreal, and developed and implemented the risk management program for the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Australian Navy.

"My whole approach and philosophy has been you need to be happy with what you're doing and you can achieve," says Kimberley. "People often ask me why I might've done something. The answer is because I can and because I enjoy it. People then see that passion and enthusiasm and they're more inclined to want to get involved with your business. I've had some fantastic opportunities, and I attribute that to working hard, being enthusiastic and passionate about what I do."

Kimberley was studying aviation, majoring in operations management, at the University of New South Wales and was an Army Reservist when Aerosafe had its beginnings. It was 1996, and Kimberley's studies in aviation safety led to a posting to the unit that had recently had the Black Hawk accident, where she helped develop a risk management program. One of the findings of the incident investigation was that risk management was an area that needed to be developed. Kimberley realised that the military, airlines and other aviation companies such as Police Airwing and National Parks also needed risk management programs. She registered the business name and began consulting to clients.

"It's certainly challenging work because I need to be constantly providing useful and valued advice," says Kimberley. "I'm not just going along to observe. Consulting really is quite hard work if you do it properly! You really need to think, 'How does this apply somewhere else, what can I learn, how can I apply my experience?' It's more than just having 20 years' experience under your belt."

Making up for her lack of experience, Kimberly has a group of mentors with strengths in a range of areas to advise and advocate for her. "One of my mentors is in business - he heads up an Australasian team of project managers. Then I've also got Kevin Knight, the President of the Australasian Risk Management Institute. He's mentored me in risk management, and he's introduced me to the right people and is encouraging me to get on different boards or industry committees where I can contribute. That has been very valuable in keeping me ahead of the pack in terms of my subject content.

"I've also got one other lady who is successful in business. I've got three sisters so I've had a lot of female influences in my life, but it's also been valuable to relate to somebody who is in business and who has 30 years' experience working in industry.

"She's very encouraging and thinks what we're doing is wonderful. She's also not shy to give me those really basic tips, like every week have your list of five people that you call and stick to it, or how to conduct yourself at different meetings or in presentations. It's been a nice balance of both professional and personal mentoring."

So why the military? Kimberley was influenced from age ten by another woman she admired, a family friend who was an air traffic controller. "Noleen was into everything, learning another language, she was fit, she was healthy, her house was in order, she was intelligent, she was studying, she had a great job," says Kimberley. "She said to me, 'Kimberley, if you want a job that keeps your mind on seven different things at the one time, then air traffic control is for you.'" The young Kimberley pursued the idea. "I was attracted by being able to squeeze a lot into your life and having a balance." Then when the air force opened up to women to be pilots, she thought, well, why not actually be flying?

"I did my work experience with Noleen. Then about two years ago I rang her up and said, 'What are you doing? Would you like a job?' And she's now one of my staff."

Business tips

• Present a professional image; don't look like a backyard business. Always refer to 'we' and be careful of your domain name and email address.
• Build the credibility of the company as opposed to the individual. Individuals come and go - even I might leave one day.
• Capitalise on opportunities. "I'm always thinking, how can I use that information? A lot of good ideas never get put into action. I make a conscious decision to think of how I can utilise ideas and apply them to my business."

Kimberley Turner is the founder and Director of Aerosafe Risk Management. You can email her at kturner@aerosafe.com.au or visit her web site: www.aerosafe.com.au. Kimberley will share her leadership and management strategies along with Pru Goward - Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Libby Christie - Managing Director of monster.com and Nola Watson - Senior Executive at the Australian Insurance Group at the Australian Businesswomen's Networks'event, 'Are you Woman Enough to Lead?' in Sydney on 18 April 2002. Call 1300 720 120 or visit www.inspiringwomen.com.au/leadership for more details.

Michele Roach is Senior Editor at Editor.com, which provides proofing, editing, writing and training for clients across a range of industries, including finance and high tech. Contact Michele on 0405 134 381 or visit Editor.com's website: www.editor.com.