MURRAY LONGE
Digital Business Adviser
Successful Founder
Experienced Executive
BIO
With over 40 years at the crossroads of technology and business, I’ve transformed groundbreaking ideas into thriving ventures. My startup journey began in Australia, co-founding TrueLocal.com.au in Sydney. Once that business was sold to News Limited, I expanded, co-founding and scaling sucessful tech startups in the dynamic landscapes of the UK and Ireland.
But my expertise isn’t confined to startups. I’ve enriched businesses-from global corporations to government sectors-with tailored strategies and innovative perspectives.
My credentials?
A Masters in Business Adminsitration and Engineering qualification, combined with pivotal roles in ASX-listed giants where I successfully orchestrated Program Offices, harmonising Program Management with stellar product delivery. Whether it’s the adaptability of Agile or the structured grace of waterfall, I seamlessly integrate both for optimal outcomes. I take pride in leading and nurturing diverse teams across various verticals – from product delivery and operations to customer service and sales.
The result?
Elevated productivity, unmatched team synergy, and commendable staff loyalty. My core proficiency lies in aligning product-market fit with organisational goals, ensuring streamlines delivery and maximising effectiveness.
To sum it up, l’m your bridge between tech innovation and commercial triumph. If you seek a blend of experience, dynamism, and a track record of success, l’m eager to contribute and collaborate.
Let’s craft the future together.
WHAT I DO
Building Business Value
Every product and project should make a quantifiable contribution to the overall value of the business. Always with an eye on the end outcome, I identify that value, determine how it will be measured, and ensure it is delivered, on time and on budget.
Program Management
Projects and products are part of an overall buisness system. I take complex programs and break down the projects within them to establish how they relate to each other, focus on the value they provide, and make them visible and manageable within the organisation.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and high performance. My strong focus on team development and motivation. High performance teams deliver products quickly, and in any role I undertake, I build strong teams, working with colleagues, executives and direct reports to improve performance.
Consulting
I specialize in crafting robust business and product strategies that propel companies toward their growth objectives. My approach integrates market insights, data-driven analysis, and innovative thinking to deliver tailored solutions that drive tangible results.
Project Management
I bring a wealth of experience in orchestrating and delivering complex initiatives that drive business growth and enhance user experiences. My approach combines strategic planning, agile methodologies, and a keen eye for detail to ensure every project is completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.
Risk Management
My work includes being proactive in identifying potential risks to the business and developing mitigation strategies to ensure the business is protected and the project’s continuity and success. My expertise includes conducting risk assessments and implementing contingency plans.
CUSTOMERS
WORK PORTFOLIO
DEEP BLUE COMPANY
Lifted project commercial competence across the business
Deep Blue Company (DBC) has rapidly expanded since 2012 to offer digital technologies and services covering the entire property sale-to-settlement journey in Australia. With more than 400 employees in Australia and the Philippines, DBC facilitated $9B in property transactions in the 2021 financial year.
The assignment involved improving the project delivery performance across the Technology Group.
* Led the technical team that selected the cyber security services partner for DBC
* Developed a new approach to project approval minimising corporate risk
* Developed and launched and internal Program Office site
SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS – AUSTRALASIA
Led the project to lift employment opportunities for Australian engineers
This engagement involved advising the SAE-A Board , and managing the delivery of its unique Emergency Vehicle Project involving many diverse participating organisations and forward-focused technology.
* Developed the project strategy and implementation plan – accepted by the SAE-A Board
* Managed more than 130 individuals and 90 organisation participants in the project
* Developed and released an app to participants, used as a communication platform
REA GROUP
Set up and managed the REA Group Program Management Office
Established and managed the REA Group Product Council – the equivalent of and REA Program Management Office.
Across all REA business units, this meant
* Projects were prioritised against business strategy
* Resources were allocated to projects for maximum impact and efficiency
* Progress across all projects was communicated to the Executive Leadership Team
* Recommendations developed & implemented for projects to ensure on-time delivery
VICINTY CENTRES
A production-ready CRM in 10 weeks
Led a two-person team that delivered a production-ready CRM in 10 week, built on the Salesforce platform, covering all past and present Vicinity Centres customers across its entire property portfolio.
The CRM held data on
* 19,209 companies
* 8,168 contacts
* 23,987 property assets
Compared to original estimates
* Yearly license costs were reduced by 66%
* At the same tim the number of licenses was increased by 280%
REA GROUP
Integration of a major acquisition
Led the integration of an acquired company (AUD $25M purcashe proce) inot REA Group including the product delivery team, the back-end infrastructure and merging 2 customer databases totalling 1.2M users and customers.
* The product delivery team
* Back-end infrastructure
* Merging and cleaning two custoemr databases totalling 1.2M users
This enabled the redeployment of one development team onto other projects and delviered immediate infrastructure savings of $10k/month.
YOURLOCAL.IE
Co-founded, built and sold a local search business in Europe
In 12 weeks, installed all the operational infrastructure for the Irish start-up business, including the call centre, offirce and IT infrastructure, and the back-end for the websites, CRM and call centre systems. This facilitated rapid entry into the market.
Once launched, YourLocal was Ireland’s fastest growing directory and reached the No. 2 position in the market within four months of launch, achieving sales of more than €1.1M and 2,000 customers in 10 months during the global financial crisis.
YourLocal was acquired by the global media group, Independent News & Media.
AUSTRALIAN LOCAL SEARCH
Co-founded, Australian Local Search to become True Local
With my co-founder, secured Yahoo! as the launch partner for my Australian start-up. This positioned Yahoo! as the first search engine in Australia to have its own Australian online business directory complete with 1.4 million Australian business listings (100% of the Total Available Market).
Negotiated and secured a data deal with Google for the Australian start-up business – the first of its type by Google in Australia – providing the business with an unassailable value proposition to customers.
Australian Local Search was acquired by News Corp Australia and rebranded TrueLocal. TrueLocal is currently owned and operated by Sensis.
STRATEGIC INDUSTRY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Transforming an idea into a driveable reality
As Project Director for the aXcess Australian Concept Car Project, I took the brief to build a car that would showcase Australian automotive technologies and turned that idea into a fully drivable advanced concept car. The car was shown in Australia and around the world to secure overseas orders for Australian automotive component manufacturers.
Financial commitments totalled $ 23 milion from 143 component manufacturers, government agencies and automotive associations. That was negotiated at Ministerial level for $9 million in government funding, and at corporate CEO level for contributions of $14 million.
After project managing the car’s creation on-time and under-budget, the vehicle went on an overseas demonstration tour which generated $1.25 billion of export orders within the first two years for the project participants.
WHAT OTHERS SAY
❞
I have worked with Murray on and off for almost 20 years, as cofounder of two start-ups and in three larger / corporate environments. In all cases, Murray proved himself time and again as a highly capable operator who earns respect from the teams, peers, management and external stakeholders. He combines his abilities in program management of business and technology projects, commercial realities and common sense with his highly developed people skills. He has been sought out as a mentor numerous times and provides leadership with a steady hand during crises. I would highly recommend Murray.
Andrew Wilkinson
Product and Technology Leader
❞
Murray is a business leader for a high-tech age – a proven engineer, entrepreneur abd project leader with a true affinity for digital technology. He can talk to software developers and online technocrats in their own language, and translate it for the rest of us. Combine this with his natural leadership and clear focus on end goals, and you have someone uniquely valuabel for a modern business. I would gladly join Murray in any venture, whether working with him or for him, or engaging him as a consultant. I have enjoyed all these working relationships in diverse business sectors, and have never failed to be impressed with Murray’s abilities.
Greg Shoemark
Senior Vice President SAE-A
❞
I worked with Murray at One Local Search where he was co-founder and Commercial Director. Murray has a solid business mind and a finely-honed ability to drive consensus across multiple divergent stakeholders. He is a real do-er, fully at ease with the strategic and theoretical side, extremely effective on execution. I witnessed Murray building superb value at OLS, leading to a successful sale and subsequent integration of the business to a major media corporation. I like and respect Murray and would not hesitate to work with him again.
Jonny Crowe
CEO & CDO
❞
I, along with the rest of my team, really enjoyed our time working with Murray in engagements at Vicinity Centres.
His pragmatic and transparent approach led to good outcomes and we appreciated the support he provided throughout our projects.
I’m looking forward to more opportunities to work with Murray in the future!
Richard Enojas
Salesforce Global Platform
Advisory Board Member
❞
Murray has managed our new website from creation through to launch. The website covers our activities across 142 internationla and regional offices, and is in htree languages.
His sincere integrity and very personable nature enabled him to manage those people involved smoothly. His continually updated, detailed project plan was just one reflection of his ability to turn attention to detail as well as manage the big picture of a highly complex project.
I would highly recommend Murray as an asset to any organisation and clients.
Jenny Stewart
Operations Director
❞
Murray is a world class digital entrepreneur whose achievements are very much understated. He’s founded a very successful competitor the Yellow Pages and has doen many start-ups I can only dream about.
He has a very positive outlook and is extremely good to work with.
I think Murray’s experience would add remendous value to any organisation that engages his services.
Alan Kwon
Program Delivery Executive
CONTACT ME
If you feel like we’d be a good fit working together, drop me a line or let’s talk.
Phone
+61 421 747 258
murray@murraylonge.co
linkedin.com/in/murraylonge/
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