I'm Dante.

I help business owners, solopreneurs and organisations do better with today's technology and ways of doing things.

I promised to never allow myself to be reliant upon a single, vulnerable income source ever again.

After spending thirteen and a half years working in a national radio network as a presenter, writer, online developer, content creator and manager, I was promptly told that I could either resign and take a payout - or the company would make life hell for me until they had time to invent an excuse to fire me.

After all that time, I was out of practice at learning new things and was convinced that I was unemployable and too old at forty to start a new career. I was very wrong.

I started my own web and social media agency on the Gold Coast in 2017, took a job in Darwin selling television ads, moved my life up north for the fourth time since 2003, put my tail between my legs and tried my luck.

The move paid off.

I grew my digital creative agency in to a client list that I sold for enough to clear my debts in 2022.

I kept the name and converted it to a digital skills training business that has contracts with two of Australia's biggest companies, three state/territory governments and the biggest social media company in the world.

Then I split out a public speaking training business from it in late 2022.

I bought a failing cafe in North Queensland in 2020 during the pandemic for $18,000 that now makes $1.7 million a year.

I bought another North Queensland cafe in 2021, and another in 2022.

The cafe group is on track to bring in over $3 million in 2025.

I just bought into a NSW country menswear store group that I am reinventing into community destinations and hubs for people to meet, talk and collaborate.

By the end of 2026, it will be grossing $3.5 million.

I have been the Chair of a 450-member business network.

I am the Chair of Darwin City Retailers Association.

I am one of just five trainers contracted by Meta (Facebook) Australia & New Zealand.

I was awarded Top Voice status on LinkedIn in 2024.

I contract to Darwin Innovation Hub supporting startups and growing a thriving entrepreneurship community.

I am a trainer for the Public Sector Network across Australia and New Zealand.

Breaking away from the dangers of full-time-employment has given me a life that I could not have imagined.

I'm not filthy rich and I don't really want to be.

But I have freedom to choose, move and act.

The freedom to work the hours I want for the people I want on the things I want and in the places I want.

It's not a life that everyone wants. But it's the life I want.

And that's what I want to help others to do.

Because only business can save the world. But first, business needs to start, grow and sustain itself.

And that's what I'm here to help with.

Latest from The Saturday Sprint

How local government is using AI

AI Resources

December 10, 2024•2 min read

AI tools are revolutionising local government operations across Australia, delivering remarkable improvements in efficiency and service delivery.

Administrative Automation

Document Management Systems

The City of Sydney has pioneered AI-driven document processing, particularly in planning applications and Complying Development Certificates (CDC), dramatically reducing processing times and improving accuracy[1].

Virtual Assistants

AI-powered chatbots are transforming citizen engagement, with many Australian councils implementing 24/7 assistance platforms for routine enquiries about council services, payments, and applications[4].

Planning and Development

Smart Assessment Tools

The NSW Government has invested $5.6 million in AI technologies to accelerate development assessment timeframes. Sixteen councils are currently trialling these systems to improve application quality and processing efficiency[10].

Data Analytics

Predictive Maintenance

Australian localities managing over 650,000 kilometres of roads are utilising AI systems for real-time diagnostics and early detection of pavement wear[4].

Infrastructure Management

Road Network Optimisation

AI systems are being deployed across Australian councils to:

- Monitor traffic patterns

- Identify maintenance requirements

- Schedule roadworks efficiently

- Provide real-time diagnostics for infrastructure[4]

Public Engagement

Sentiment Analysis and Communication

Advanced AI tools analyse public sentiment across multiple channels, helping councils understand community priorities. The systems process feedback in real-time, enabling more responsive governance[3].

Budget Management

Financial Operations

AI-enabled platforms assist councils with:

- Budget variance analysis

- Automated RFP creation

- Processing of information requests

- Invoice management and processing[3]

Implementation Framework

Data Virtualisation

Rather than creating new repositories, councils are adopting data virtualisation approaches, allowing teams to access necessary data while maintaining cost-effectiveness[6].

Compliance and Ethics

Implementation must align with Australia's AI ethics framework, which outlines eight principles for responsible AI deployment[2].

Future Development

The NSW Government's AI Solutions Panel, established in April 2024, provides councils with access to pre-approved AI solutions that meet essential criteria and comply with government policies[9].

For successful implementation, councils must adopt a whole-of-council perspective, ensure proper staff training, and maintain robust data management practices. When properly deployed, these AI tools significantly enhance service delivery while reducing operational costs and administrative burdens[6].

Sources:

[1] https://www.dlapiper.com/en-au/insights/publications/2024/01/how-ai-can-be-used-in-local-government-in-2024

[2] https://www.civica.com/en-au/insights/how-data-and-ai-stand-as-cornerstone-of-progress-in-australias-local-government-sector/

[3] https://www.oracle.com/au/artificial-intelligence/ai-local-government/

[4] https://www.oracle.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-local-government/

[5] https://www.govtechreview.com.au/content/gov-cloud/article/transforming-government-workflows-with-ai-1063637897

[6] https://www.governmentnews.com.au/how-councils-can-make-the-most-of-ai/

[7] https://www.lgitsa.com.au/initiatives/aiguidelines/

[8] https://datacom.com/au/en/discover/articles/blog-how-can-councils-adopt-artificial-intelligence

[9] https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/assess-and-regulate/development-assessment/artificial-intelligence-in-nsw-planning

[10] https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/artificial-intelligence-trial-to-speed-up-local-planning-systems/