Family Business
Issue No. 50 - December/ /
Raised to deal with SME reality
Annette Bonnett works in the finance industry, specialising in advising primary production and motor vehicle SMEs. As the Head of Business Services
Partner at HLB Mann Judd, she manages staff and looks after the quality control and professional development of the division.
Her name sounds familiar because Annette belongs to one of SA’s most prominent pastoral sector families and was raised in the Bonnetts Saddlery business.
As Business Services Lead Partner she is responsible for Quality Control across all business services divisions, Professional Development of business services employees, Technological Resources for the division, Mentoring/Coaching role for team members and ensuring service is of a high standard to all clients
She can do this, and advise clients in tough sectors for business, in large part thanks to her upbringing is a well-run family enterprise.
Annette has been involved with SMEs and family businesses since she began working at Bonnetts aged
10, in her school holidays. Working alongside eight
other family members gave her an insight into SMEs,
and helped her to find her passion in finance, accounting and administration.
“It gave me a great insight into how the dynamics of a family can change when you are both family members and employees,” she says.
“Being able to see family members at gatherings a couple of times a year could be enough for some
people but when you are in business with them and see them at least five days a week, and it becomes a very different story.
“I quickly learned the need to separate the business decisions from the family decisions. Sometimes it is easy to let emotions get in the way but when working in business with your family it is important to remain focused on the business objectives.
“On a personal level, while at Bonnetts I started out sewing on machines generally assisting to make horse rugs and saddle cloths. I ...
