Empty small town street with closed businesses; bare tree in the foregroundThe Business Fundamentals Program builds on RDA’s established Business-to-Business (B2B) program by offering targeted and intensive advice to businesses impacted by recent drought conditions in the Barossa, Gawler, Light, and Adelaide Plains regions.

Funded by the Office for Small and Family Business through the State Government’s $73 million Drought Support Package, the program will be delivered through two complementary streams, with just a small co-payment from participants (see table below for more).

 

  • Stream 1 (Business Fundamentals) is a highly intensive, power-packed program which journeys with businesses;
  • Stream 2 (Business Bounceback) is a lighter touch, one-off initial consultation with an expert.

Both streams are borne from the recognition that the drought hit hard, especially for primary producers and for businesses reliant on them through supply chains and local spending. The Fundamentals Stream is designed to offer intensive support and accountability so that businesses can have help to maximise operational performance and plan strategically; Bounceback is for businesses needing a little ‘spring-clean’ to tidy up your business practices for a new season of productivity. Businesses are welcome to apply for both streams.

These programs are a safe space to open your books and practices to expert support and find a way forward for a stronger future. To decide which stream is right for you, check the table below:

Stream 1: Business Fundamentals  Stream 2: Business Bounceback
Delivered by a panel of experienced business coaches Access to a broad panel of B2B providers for targeted advisory services.
Three specific focuses: (1) farm business and operations, (2) financial and planning fundamentals and (3) brand ‘glow-up’ Broader focus depending on need and matching.
Business health check and tailored action plan Guidance and coaching on specific issues raised by the participant in the consultation period
Minimum 8 hours of one-on-one coaching per participant 2-3 hour consultation per participant
Open to all industries Open to all industries
Minimum number of places are reserved for primary producers Primary producers, or those affected by producer-specific issues are given preference
Intakes are planned quarterly from November 2025 – October 2026 (dates are subject to adjustment if needed) Intakes are ongoing
$200 + GST co-payment $50 + GST co-payment

 

Register your interest here.

logos for drought response with funding bodies of the office for small and family business and the government of South Australia

Register Online

Meet the Business Coaches

Your Business Compass – Shelley Cox

Shelley’s program includes:

  • Tailored Mentoring: 4 x 1:1 strategy sessions, addressing your current challenges and opportunities across marketing, finance, operations or growth.
  • Accountability & Review: Final 1:1 strategy-to-action session to measure progress, refine your plan and create a further six month action roadmap.
  • Skills & Tools for Growth: 12 months access to online courses, practical templates, guided workshops and monthly group coaching sessions.

Sapphire Business – Linda Stapleton

Linda’s coaching program includes:

  • Diagnostic & Discovery: Review of your capability assessment and application, followed by a business health check to establish baseline performance across finance, operations, HR and marketing. She will work with you to identify key opportunities and risks unique to your business.
  • Deep Dive Mentoring: Delivered across multiple sessions (face-to-face or online), this phase focuses on four core areas:
    • Right Now: Operational and financial review to identify inefficiencies and immediate opportunities
    • Future Planning: Developing your vision, succession plans, and strategic risk preparedness
    • Strategy to Action: Building a practical 90-day roadmap with measurable milestones
    • Accountability: Co-designing frameworks for monitoring, reporting and follow up.
  • Deliverables & Reporting: You’ll receive tailored outputs such as a Business Health Check report, strategic action plan with measurable KPIs, business plan template, budget and cashflow templates, risk management framework and a 90-day accountability plan.

Pinion Advisory – James Hillcoat and Dee Heinjus

Their coaching process includes:

  • Completion of their Snapshot NOW business analysis – a 360-degree review covering natural resource management, business operations, financial performance and marketing. This is completed by you prior to your first session.
  • A comprehensive 4-hour strategy session to build your one-page business plan, covering:
    • Who you are your values and vision
    • Financial and production metrics to aim for
    • Five-year goals and a short-term action plan to support implementation
    • Critical success factors and key risks to be managed
  • Up to two follow-up sessions to help you implement the plan and stay on track with your goals.