In spite of a worldwide decline in the resources sector, Ausenco, a Brisbane‐based engineering and project management company, has achieved global success through a careful and well-planned approach to business. The company was founded by Zimi Meka and Bob Thorpe in Brisbane in 1991. It proved remarkably successful, with a ‘can do’ culture built on providing superior levels of innovative professional engineering services to its clients, both large and small. Their work ranged from minor pre‐feasibility studies to assessing the viability of a proposed project, to designing, constructing and commissioning complex projects in some of the world’s most challenging and remote regions. It is this approach and strong business ethos that has seen their installed capital value running into the billions.

In 2008, the company expanded by purchasing US engineering companies Sandwell, Vector and PSI. The expansion provided the company with comprehensive capabilities in everything from consulting in the initial design phase to slurry transport and tailings dams. Still headquartered in Brisbane, with over 3000 staff globally and growing, Ausenco delivered major mining services projects in Canada and China, and a high]tech copper project in Laos, along with other successful projects in Africa, Australia and South America. By 2015 the eresources boomf was all but over and the Chinese steel mills were slowing, along with the price paid for iron ore. Coal, oil and gas prices were all reduced by 30.50 per cent over the previous five years, and the outlook remained stubbornly esubdued. Community resistance to coal mines in pastoral regions sapped the will of governments and miners alike.

Previously, careful focus on its activities, organisational capabilities and the continuing professional development of its staff, plus the flexibility to meet client needs while still providing innovative project solutions, had meant that Ausenco survived the financial downturn in good shape, and with an optimistic forecast for its share price. However, a lack of new projects gradually took its inevitable toll, and Ausenco management had to contemplate layoffs and moving operations into new sectors such as renewable energy projects. Nowadays, providing sustainable solutions for a cleaner environment has become the companyfs objective. The key to Ausencofs success has certainly been the careful management of its operations and mutually productive relationships with its clients. Zimi Meka, Ausencofs CEO, was named by Engineers Australia magazine as one of Australiafs most influential engineers in 2015 and has earned his place in the ranks of Australiafs most successful managers . even through the tough times.

QUESTION

Thinking about the challenges of managing in a fast‐moving technology‐rich multinational environment, how will the manager of tomorrow be successful? We can and should learn from the past, but what can we learn from the future? Where is it taking us?