Astrid Vasile, WA Business Partner of the Year
When Astrid Saraswaty Vasile received her invitation to the HIA-NAB WA Housing Awards back in November 2009 husband Gino had a surprise for her…he’d nominated her for the WA Business Partner of the Year award. Her second surprise came on the day itself when her name was called out and she took to the stage to receive her award. “I felt very fortunate,” says Astrid. It’s good to be appreciated, and just being nominated by Gino felt like a payback for all the work we’ve put into the business. Then, when I won, well I really appreciated what he’d done.”
So, what does it take to be an award winning Business Partner…we’ll let Gino’s awards entry submission speak for itself:
“The first 12 months was used to learn about construction edures and set up account and filing systems for record keeping and taxation reporting. Within the next five years she expanded her knowledge in the industry by preparing all budgets for various projects on hand and setting goals for improving profitability, handling all GST returns on a quarterly basis without mistakes having been audited by the ATO on three occasions.
In the last three years her ambitious nature took over and she enrolled at the TAFE to become a builder. Having subsequently passed all building supervisor courses her ambition was to become a full registered builder to allow her more site involvement and allow our company to build more developments without the need for more outside supervision.
Astrid has extraordinary skills and passes any new and positive ideas to all within her environment at work even though they sometimes resent change but she does not take no for an answer. If she knows it is correct and a better way to do something she will pressure for change.
Astrid has taken on board what she has learnt about safety practices through her studies and applies them to the business. She will not tolerate unsafe work sites.
Astrid’s management of financial matters can never be questioned. She has a daily knowledge of the company position in relation to debtors creditors maintenance control and management of funds with limited flexibility. It has been a difficult but satisfying experience for her ”and she is always working on ways to improve and streamline the process.”
A financial wizard, a gun accountant, a qualified building supervisor, and now holding a builder’s licence…what more could you ask for in a business partner. For Astrid Saraswati Vasile – 2009 WA Business Partner of the Year – though, Business Partner Network membership has all been part of the journey.
“We’ve been members for the past eight years and it’s proved a valuable part of the business,” she says. “The information and services the HIA provides are really good, but the functions are really, really good to me. It’s great to be able to get together with other partners and discuss things with them…whether it’s business issues or personal. “The people are friendly, the events are great, and the information and networking opportunities that the BPN provides are really handy.
“Being a business partner can be hard work, but to be recognised for my efforts with the award was really a thrill. My sincere gratitude to all of the HIA committee members, and others, who thought enough of me to recognise my efforts.”