Business Process Improvement

**Chasing Unicorns**: When Job Ads Demand Superhuman Skills, with Gaurav K In this talk, Gaurav will reveal why the “perfect candidate” is a myth and how both employers and job seekers can benefit from a more realistic approach to tech stack and domain knowledge demands in hiring instead of searching for a “unicorn” who fits every requirement. We will also be having a panel discussion after Gaurav's talk **Venue:** Hosted at Inspire9 Coworking Space Richmond https://www.inspire9.com/ **Gaurav Kathuria** is the Founder and Principal Trainer at **Business Analysis Upskill.** Gaurav offers professional training and coaching in Business Analysis, Data Analysis, Business Intelligence, Business Analysis certifications (ECBA, CCBA, CBAP), BABOK, Agile, Scrum, Process Automation, and Product Management. **Jade Bennett** is the Founder of **Middleton Executive**, an embedded hiring and executive search partner to product and technology companies. Jade is also the creator and host of The Product Edge podcast and a career strategist, known for her HIRED framework. **Jodie Marron** is a Senior Principal Consultant at **Frazer Tremble**, specialising in recruiting high-performing PMO, project, transformation, and tech teams across Australia in financial services, professional services, and utilities. She loves bringing people together through industry events and panels. **Andy Kelk** is a Fractional CTO and strategic advisor with over 25 years guiding scale-ups through technical growing pains. In senior roles at REA Group, Marketplacer, Australia Post, Wesfarmers, and others, he has architected platforms handling billions in transactions, scaled engineering teams from 15 to 100+. **John Parshotamdas** is a Lead Business Analyst at the **University of Melbourne**, where he oversees a team of more than 20 Business Analysts within the Digital Products Portfolio. +++ If you would like to volunteer to lead one or several sessions in 2026, please get in touch.

The Pet Store Agent Quest is an introductory AWS GameDay challenge focused on Agentic AI development using Amazon Bedrock AgentCore and the Strands framework. This Quest is designed to give attendees hands-on experience building and working with AI agents, utilizing prompt engineering and Amazon Q Developer Pro to assist in solving a series of challenges. Participants will build AI agents for a new Virtual Pet Store, creating specialized agents for pet recommendations, care advice, and customer service while implementing appropriate guardrails for responsible AI responses. AWS GameDay is an interactive, team-based learning opportunity where participants use and expand their AWS skills in a realistic, gamified, risk-free environment. Participants are given an AWS account to share with pre-provisioned infrastructure that they will evolve in response to realistic business and technical requirements designed to challenge them. Teams will be given 1.5 hours to play through the GameDay and there will be an awards ceremony at the end of the event. **A laptop is required to participate.**

Ever been keen to try improv comedy but been dissuaded by the sheer travel and costs of going into the city? Well this time improv comes to Frankston! ... Again! Experienced and inexperienced alike, no preparation is required, just bring yourself, a sense of humour, and a willingness to give it a go! You’ll leave with some laughs, maybe a few new skills, and a small taste of the joy of improv comedy. Your instructor (Instagram: [@SpaceCorgiTV](https://www.instagram.com/spacecorgitv/)) is a Frankston local who is tired of there being no good improv comedy learning opportunities here in town. Is he the world's greatest improv comedian and educator? Not statistically, but what he does know, he loves, and he's willing to run this and pass the savings onto YOU! ALSO Join our [Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/4218984848384907) to stay in the loop on all future events and join in on the growing community of talented artists and performers! **What’s in store:** * Lead by Corgi * Warm-up games to loosen up * Fun exercises practicing classic improv hits including “Yes, And”, Focusing on your scene partners, and Giving and Taking ideas. * Your very own short improv scenes * A relaxed, supportive, and fun environment **Details:** Date & Time: Wednesday, December 16th, 7-8pm Location: Frankston Library Community Room Cost: Free! (But I do have tiered tickets if you would like to help cover some of the venue hire. I am just one guy doing this in my spare time after all.) Wear: Comfortable clothes; bring water if you like Parking: Free available surrounding and nearby venue. Access/Amenities: Elevator access to the Community Room on the 2nd floor, accessed externally from the Library, or follow the signs to The Doghouse Improv up the stairs! Kitchen and toilets available upstairs. Please note: This workshop is for ages 18 and over. **RSVP: Spots are limited, don’t miss your chance to give improv a go!**

Welcome back to an exciting year of .NET meetups. We are excited to host our first event of the year to dive into the Microsoft Agent Framework that has recently reached General Availability. Our friend Rakesh has a hands-on journey planned for us to make the most of the new framework and helping us build an agent powered app (it's not just a simple chatbot)! So feel free to bring your laptop and follow along. **Agenda:** * 5:30pm arrival - Food and drinks provided in-person * 6pm kickoff - Welcome & Introduction and few words from our Sponsors - 10 min * 6:10pm - Session 1 **Session 1: Practical introduction to the Microsoft Agent Framework** by [Rakesh Lakshminarayana](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rakeshl/) With the first Release Candidate of the Microsoft Agent Framework now available, this is an exciting time to start building AI agents using the framework. In this beginner-friendly session, we will explore the foundations of AI agents and the common challenges involved in moving beyond traditional chatbots. We’ll look at where the Microsoft Agent Framework fits in and how it enables you to design agents with structured memory, tool integration, and practical hosting patterns. Through live examples, we will build an agent step by step - giving you a clear understanding of how it works and how to apply these patterns in your own projects. **Hosts:** * [William Liebenberg](https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-liebenberg/) \- Microsoft \.NET MVP \| Consultant at Arinco * [Bron Thulke](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronthulke/) \- Microsoft \.NET MVP \| CTO / Co\-Founder at YouLi * [Tama Waddell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tama-waddell/) \- Consultant at Arinco **Sponsors:** We have some amazing sponsors that help make this event possible: * [Arinco](https://arinco.com.au/) \- Venue\, Food and Drinks **Location:** In-Person at Arinco Melbourne. Level 6 / 440 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD 🗣 Apply to speak now: [https://bit.ly/melb-dotnet-cfp](https://bit.ly/melb-dotnet-cfp)

️ \*\***TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR EVENT --** **[CLICK HERE FOR THE TICKETS](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/founder-connect-tickets-1975905696127?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl)**[ ](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/founder-connect-tickets-1975905696127?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl)\*\*️ Join us on **Tuesday, 10th March 2026, at 6:00 PM at The Commons QV, Melbourne** for Founder Connect: March Edition presented by The Startup Network. 🚀✨ In this edition, we'll be hearing from our friends [Paul](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-grimes/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-grimes/") and [Eleanor](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanorbignell/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanorbignell/") from [OK200](https://ok200.net/ "https://ok200.net/") unpacking: "What's the next step? Working out what your tech Startup's next move should be". Date: 10th March 2026 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Venue: The Commons QV, 3 Albert Coates Lane, Melbourne, 3000 What’s the next step? Turning early-stage tech ideas into a clear plan forward. For founders at the start of the journey: This Q&A is for those with an idea or very early concept for a tech startup who aren’t sure how to move from inspiration, into action. Perhaps you’re starting with a completely fresh idea, or you’ve already done some early validation. Either way, it's important to figure out what to build first and how to shape a clear roadmap before committing significant time and money. [Paul](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-grimes/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-grimes/") and [Eleanor](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanorbignell/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanorbignell/") will explore how a clear strategy and roadmap are important to uncovering your next logical step, whether that ends up being refining the concept, building an MVP, or validating and testing with potential users. Got a question? Send it in with your RSVP for a chance to have it unpacked on the night What to Expect: 🎤 Inspiring Speaker Session: Gain practical advice and insider knowledge from an experienced industry leader who will share insights to help you navigate your entrepreneurial journey. 💬 Interactive Q&A Session: Bring your questions! Learn actionable tech strategies from our expert speakers, Eleanor & Paul from OK200. 🤝 Networking Opportunities: Build meaningful connections with fellow founders, entrepreneurs, and startup enthusiasts over food and drinks. 🍔🍷 Whether you’re growing your startup, brainstorming your next big idea, or simply exploring the ecosystem, Founder Connect is your chance to gain valuable insights, connect with like-minded individuals, and walk away with inspiration for your entrepreneurial journey Why Attend? Founder Connect is your opportunity to stay informed, network with a thriving community, and gain practical knowledge to strengthen your business. Together, we’ll explore ways to tackle common challenges and build a resilient, innovative future. 📅 Save the date and RSVP now to secure your spot! See you there! 🎉

**Important:** Register at the [external event website](https://www.aicamp.ai/event/eventdetails/W2026012623)[ ](https://www.aicamp.ai/event/eventdetails/W2025120823)is required for admission. **Description:** Welcome to the AI meetup in Melbourne, in collaboration with AI Innovation Centre. Join us for deep dive tech talks on AI, GenAI, LLMs and Agentic AI, hands-on experiences with code labs and workshops, and networking with speakers and fellow AI developers, builders, startup founders. **Agenda:** * 5:30pm\~6:00pm: Checkin and networking * 6:00pm\~7:30pm: Tech talks and Q&A * 7:30pm: Open discussion & Mixer **Topics/Speakers:** Check the [event website](https://www.aicamp.ai/event/eventdetails/W2026012623) for Speakers and Topics. If you have a keen interest in speaking to our community, we invite you to submit topics for consideration: [Submit Topics](https://forms.gle/JkMt91CZRtoJBSFUA) **Sponsors:** We are actively seeking sponsors to support our community. Whether it is by offering venue spaces, providing food/drink, or cash sponsorship. Sponsors will not only speak at the meetups, receive prominent recognition, and but also exposure to our extensive membership base of 5,000+ AI developers in Melbourne and 500K+ worldwide.

Event Organizers Wanted! Why not step up as Event organizer. Please RSVP yes for this meetup and let me know what it is you may wish to organizer from time to time.

Applied Scholastics Study Technology is able to improve anyone's ability to study. Millions of people are already using this technology and whole countries are now adopting it. - You can learn Faster with less stress - You don't forget the information - You stay interested in the subject - Your marks increase English literacy rates routinely improve by 25 to 35 percent. Likewise, student test scores improve dramatically with students routinely meeting or exceeding grade level expectations in EVERY ACADEMIC SUBJECT. Our workshop will be focusing on how students learn. Study Technology can easily be incorporated into any educational activity—from classroom instruction and curriculum design to employee training or homeschooling. It provides a stable foundation enhancing all educational efforts. Study Technology is what teachers, tutors, trainers, parents and students can use to improve the quality of teaching and learning. No matter the curriculum in your current academic setting, Study Technology offers proven teaching strategies and resources that can help resolve classroom issues and improve student achievement. No matter if you are a teacher yourself or a good students or bad student we can all do better at study once we have this technology under our belt. Teachers who use this technology report amazing turn around with once troubled students. The application of Study Technology has quite literally changed millions of lives. You are most welcome to bring along a friend or those that struggle with study. (any topic) If you are unable to attend this meetup then let me know, We can arrange for you to meetup at a different time and date. Light refreshments will be provided.

Your ability to work and live with others is crucial to your survival. To survive well one needs ability. Today meetup topic: Creating and Improving Ability And if you think you already have all the ability one needs to survive well then it is important for you to learn how to KEEP IT FROM GOING AWAY. Attend our Free Meetup! Definition for Ability: One's power to observe, to make decisions and to act. A man is as free, as well-off, as he is able. A family is as happy as it has ability. A business is as well-off as it has able people in it. A country is as well-off as it has able workers, foremen and executives. At today's meetup learn what constitutes ability and more importantly how to develop and improve it so that it does not go away. Fact's are that one's ability is never the same. It either goes up or it will go down. Your natural as well as learned abilities are constantly subject to many of life's pressures. One can therefore simply not rest on one's laurels regarding your current abilities and simply assume they will always be available for use. The time to protect and enhance ability is when you are still able. Any loss of ability will result in less confidence followed by problems resulting in unhappiness. This is called the dwindling spiral. Not just for you, it will impact all others you associate with as well. Today's topic applies to all aspects of life but will focus on how your abilities or lack of abilities or a sudden or gradual lowering of ability relates to work and family life. On your arrival you will be asked to complete a Oxford Personality Test. From this you will learn what ability it is that needs attention and improving. Whilst at our meetup you will also learn about some of the different technologies are that you find here which actively create, protect or enhance ability in key areas of life. The world cries out for better people (More Able People) that will lead happier life's with better better jobs, stronger families as well as community and businesses groups. Get The Know-How for life, attend our meetup or ask me for a time that is better suited to your schedule.

We all recognize that if things were better organized, people would be better off. We have all had experiences with a business or government, school or a group that was not well organized and we experience the confusion, delays and upsets of trying to deal with disorganization. On a personal level, trying to get something started - a plan, some new bright idea you had, perhaps starting a new business - without organization can be a nightmare. Organization is a key and often missing factor in personal success. It is also essential for a flourishing family, group, organization or business. Attaining one's goals, no matter how large or small, requires a knowledge and application of organization.

**FromHereOn** is proud to sponsor this special event with **Women in Architecture Australia (WIA)** in Melbourne **Panel Guests & Networking Event** This event is open to everyone—women, men, and supporters of diversity. Connect with like-minded professionals, build meaningful relationships, and unlock new opportunities. Please make sure to **register on Humanitix** (RSVP on Meetup won’t secure your spot): [https://events.humanitix.com/women-in-architecture-networking-event-in-melbourne-xu49tqj2](https://events.humanitix.com/women-in-architecture-networking-event-in-melbourne-xu49tqj2) Join us for an inspiring evening of thought leadership and networking as we celebrate **International Women's Day** with some notable voices in **architecture, innovation, and leadership**. Enjoy food and drinks while connecting with peers and gaining insights from our panelists. This is a fantastic opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, expand your network, and be part of the conversation shaping the future of Women in Architecture. **Find out more details here: [https://events.humanitix.com/women-in-architecture-networking-event-in-melbourne-xu49tqj2](https://events.humanitix.com/women-in-architecture-networking-event-in-melbourne-xu49tqj2)**

One day up... the next day down. When you suddenly start making mistakes, it is caused by something. When you feel happy and, for no apparent reason, suddenly start feeling down, somebody made this happen. If you have experienced a roller coaster of emotions or ups and downs in your life, someone around you could be suppressing you- squashing you or trying to make you smaller. There are specific types of personality- those who wish people well and those who are ill-intentioned. Today's free meetup class is about how to handle the causes behind your misfortunes. With the right knowledge applied you can change your life for the better, make those ups and downs a thing of the past and aspire to your highest goals. Know Yourself, Know Life. Tanja and Michel Can't make it to our meetup? SMS 0412 812 611 or watch the free to air TV programs at www.scientology.TV . Scientology network TV now broadcasts 24/7 and you are invited.

2026 is here and we are excited to announce Nosh Darbari, Human Centred Service Designer giving our first talk on "Hidden drivers behind good Design work." This talk will explore how Cognitive Load is a precursor to mental health and well-being. Nosh leads with his heart. Innovates with Purpose and Consciousness. He's an internationally experienced product and service designer working at the intersection of technology and human centred experience. Most recently he has worked within the vast and often tangled landscape of a federal government organisation. He thrives in complexity, despite the frustrations. Every challenge is a chance to design better systems or services with more human experiences. Beyond the 9-to-5, Nosh is a seeker of stillness. He chases sunrises and sunsets, not just for their beauty, but for the quiet lessons they offer — presence, perspective, and peace. Nosh also helps people recognise the early signals of stress before burnout takes hold. He helps them to rediscover their point of stability and offers simple, practical tools to navigate the noise of modern life with clarity and care. Event will start at 5:30pm with Pizza, Drinks and networking with the talk starting at 6pm. We are in the Jenny Florence Room on Level 3 at The Ross House Association. **Please enter code #219851 and come up to level 3 where you will need to enter the code again to gain access.** This event is sponsored by [askable](https://www.askable.com/) ([https://www.askable.com/](https://www.askable.com/)) and Experience Design "UX" Agency [blueegg](http://www.blueegg.com.au/) ([http://www.blueegg.com.au/](http://www.blueegg.com.au/))

🎉 Join the Get Stuff Done Party More details and to book your seat see: www.florandorder.com/getstuffdone Ready to stop circling your to-do list and actually get things done? This 2-hour online session is your space to clear mental clutter and make real progress — with support, structure, and good company. Whether it’s life admin, a work task, or something you’ve been putting off for ages, you’ll be guided through focused work blocks, energising breaks, and a celebration of what you’ve achieved. How it works: ✅ Set your priorities ⏳ Work in timed blocks ☕ Enjoy light, refreshing breaks 🎯 Leave feeling clear, accomplished, and ready for what’s next You’ll get the login link once you book. On the day, just show up with your task list — we’ll handle the structure and encouragement. ✨ More details at: www.florandorder.com/getstuffdone

Join Voice Over Pros Of Ohio for an exciting morning of networking, and exploring opportunities in the world of voice acting. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this event is perfect for expanding your network, learning how to start a VO business, and for honing your skills. Connect with fellow voice actors and VO experts, that will help you succeed in your voice over business. This event will feature discussions on professional development, entrepreneurship in the voice over industry, with tips for navigating the world of voice acting. Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from others, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and take your voice over career to the next level. Join us Saturday, March 28, from 10am - 12pm and learn how to start or grow your voice over business. Let your voice be heard! The $10 fee covers refreshments and door prizes.

Is your business taking more of your time than you would like? [Rob Young](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinci-robyoung/) principal at [Stage 3 Group](https://www.linkedin.com/company/stage-3-group/), hosts this workshop series and is the author of Stage 3 Success. * Provides a framework and a playbook for leaders of emerging businesses * Reviews business management tools and techniques for scaling and maturing a business * How to recognize and leverage stories hidden in financial statements * How to implement financial and operational controls and use leading indicators to spot trouble before it occurs * How to manage your time for maximum effect * How to deal with nonperforming employees * How to create standard operating procedures throughout your organization Four sessions will include two hours of content and an optional 90-minute hands-on lab. Reserve your spot via this link: https://clintonvilleba.com/calendar/#!event/2026/3/20/chaos-to-clarity-to-control ($200 for non-CABA members.)

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

One of the most valuable parts of this community is the opportunity to think out loud with other product professionals. This session is built for exactly that. As we wrap up the quarter, it’s a great time to pause and reflect. What’s on track? What needs adjustment? Where could a small shift create bigger impact? Join fellow product professionals for a focused, interactive conversation designed to help you recalibrate for the next quarter. You’ll have the opportunity to share where you are, hear how others are thinking through similar challenges, and gain fresh perspective you can bring back to your team and organization. We’ll gather at 8:00AM, with discussion starting promptly at 8:15AM. 📍 First Watch - 7227 N High St Located in: The Shops at Worthington Ample parking is available. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Start your morning with clarity and connection — we hope to see you there! ☀️

Do toxic people weigh you down? Affect your happiness? How can having toxic relationships affect your Health? And moreover, how can you spot them before it’s too late? Attend this in-person meeting to find out how to spot these people and remove their negative emotions from your life. This event is hosted by The Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center in Central Ohio.

## Hey Columbus WIP peeps! ## Are you ready for an event that actually gives you what you asked for?? **\-\-\-\-\-\-** **A Small-group coaching conversations for women in product navigating growth, leadership, and career decisions.** **March 10 \| 5:30–8:00 PM** **Rev1 -- NEW SPACE** **330 Rush Alley #100** **Parking Options:** • **Rev1 at The Peninsula** • **Starling St. Garage South** – 377 W. Capital St. • **LAZ Parking (COSI)** – 50 Belle St. • **LAZ Parking Limited** – 375 W. State St. • **Veterans Memorial Lot** – 300 W. Broad St. • **Metered Street Parking** **What moves are you making?** A promotion you’re working toward. A role change you’re considering. A bigger leadership opportunity. A conversation that needs to happen. A decision that’s been sitting in the back of your mind. For our Q1 Women in Product Columbus event, we’re creating space to actually work through those moments. **Making Moves** is an evening of focused, facilitated coaching conversations with experienced mentors from our local product community. This isn’t a panel. It’s not passive networking. It’s small-group dialogue designed to be thoughtful, practical, and worth your time. Here’s how it will work: • You’ll choose a topic that reflects what you’re navigating right now • You’ll join a small coaching circle (5–7 participants) • Each circle is led by a mentor who has lived experience in that area • We’ll run two rounds so you can go deeper or explore a second conversation ### Coaching Topics: • Communicating the Value of Your Work (or Team) • Career Transitions & What’s Next • Growing Into Leadership • Staying Relevant as Technology (and AI) Changes • Getting Alignment and Decisions from Leadership Our goal is simple: you leave with clearer thinking, practical perspective, and at least one next step you feel confident about. Space in each circle will be limited to keep conversations meaningful. If this sounds like the kind of room you’ve been wanting to be in, we’d love to see you on March 10. RSVP here! [https://community.womenpm.org/c/all-local-events/making-moves-a-columbus-wip-event](https://community.womenpm.org/c/all-local-events/making-moves-a-columbus-wip-event "https://community.womenpm.org/c/all-local-events/making-moves-a-columbus-wip-event") *And if you haven't joined the WIP group - do that too, would ya?!?!* — Your Columbus Chapter Leads - Amber, Leah and Liz!

Come attend a free in-person seminar where you will find out why you: -Feel isolated -Can't express yourself openly -Get nervous or anxious in front of people -Run out of things to say or feel tongue-tied -Feel introverted -Don't feel comfortable in any social setting -Can't make more friends -Are shy and miss opportunities to connect in a meaningful way And we cover what you can do about any one, some or all of the above. This seminar is the weapon against loneliness, isolation and boredom, come join us! COME TO THIS SEMINAR AND LEARN THE SECRETS TODAY This seminar is brought to you by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center. 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215