Arun Kumar Natarajan

• Successfully implemented and upheld founding ideals and values of 'Serve, Love, Give " of Annalakshmi Cultural Centre of WA Inc.
  Pioneered the "Eat as You Like, Pay as You Feel" concept, creating a sustainable model for food charity.
  We distributed over 2 million meals in the past 21 years for free.
  I created a successful business model to sustain the Charity model.
  I have expertly managed the organisation's finances while preserving its core values.
  I have Orchestrated and managed various cultural events, contributing to the promotion of diverse art forms and community engagement.
  I have Collaborated with government bodies to secure funding and support for the centre's initiatives.
  Organised numerous fundraising events, developing a sustainable financial model without compromising the organisation's principles.
  I have compiled and analysed metrics for detailed reporting and informed business planning.
  I managed the workflow and calendars of the Chairman's office to support meeting planning and development.
  I have Mediated and resolved conflicts between stakeholders.
  I have provided recommendations to the board of directors on the group's effectiveness, actions, and plans.
  Oversaw restructuring of financial systems, resulting in increased profitability and operational output.
  I have contributed to the organisation's values, goals and strategic vision.
  I have maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility.
  Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.

Annalakshmi was founded in 1991 as a not-for-profit organisation with the ideals to serve Humanity through Culinary, Visual, and Fine arts. Inspired by the Founder and Spiritual mentor, H.H. Swami Shantanand, founded with an ethos of "Serve, Love, & Give" selflessly. They started as Cultural Restaurants showcasing and sharing with local communities.

• As a CEO/ General Manager, I have over 30 years of experience in the hospitality sector.
• I have managed Annalakshmi Restaurant from 1994 till 2022 in India and Australia.
• I have successfully organised over 150 weddings and special functions over the years.
• I Led cross-functional teams of members from diverse cultural backgrounds, fostering a cohesive work environment and enhancing project efficiency.
• I Successfully engaged with government officials to navigate regulatory challenges, ensuring compliance and minimising operational bottlenecks.
• I Utilised strong negotiation skills to secure favourable terms in supplier agreements, resulting in cost savings of [mention specific figures if possible].
• I applied in-depth financial analysis to monitor stock trends, making timely investment decisions that yielded [mention specific results] in both short-term gains and long-term portfolio growth.
• I have developed critical operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
• I have managed partnerships and strategic business relationships by negotiating contract terms and handling conflicts.
• I engaged positively with staff and leadership colleagues, soliciting and encouraging feedback and collaborative spirit.
• I have procured and coordinated new resources to achieve sales targets within optimal timeframes.
• Negotiated with suppliers and delivery workers and ordered materials according to forecasted customer demand.
• I represented the organisation at industry conferences and events.
• Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.

• As Chair and Project Director of Swan Festival of Lights, provided visionary leadership and oversaw all aspects of this annual cultural event, celebrating Diwali, Festival of Lights, in Perth, Western Australia. In this role, I ensured the festival's continued success and growth within the community.
• I provided dynamic leadership to a team of volunteers and staff, setting strategic goals and objectives for the festival's development.
• Developed and executed a comprehensive project plan, overseeing all project activities to ensure alignment with the festival's goals.
• I have created and managed the festival budget, including successful fundraising efforts and securing sponsorships and partnerships to support the event financially.
• Led all aspects of event planning, from logistics to programming, to ensure the festival ran smoothly and efficiently.
• I developed and implemented a marketing strategy that effectively promoted the festival, using digital marketing, traditional media, and community outreach.
• I have fostered strong relationships with local community organisations, businesses, and cultural groups, encouraging community participation and festival engagement.
• Identified potential risks and developed robust contingency plans to ensure the safety and success of the event while ensuring compliance with all safety and legal requirements.
• Collected feedback and data to evaluate the festival's success and implemented improvements and innovations for future editions.
• I deeply understood and appreciated Indian culture and traditions, respecting and upholding the festival's mission of celebrating diversity.
• I deeply understood and appreciated Indian culture and traditions, respecting and upholding the festival's mission of celebrating diversity.
• As the Chair and Project Director of the Swan Festival of Lights, I have played a pivotal role in promoting cultural diversity, community engagement, and unity through vibrant celebrations of Indian culture, ensuring the festival's success and growth within the community..
• Overall, as the Chair and Project Director of the Swan Festival of Lights, I played a pivotal role in promoting cultural diversity, community engagement, and the spirit of unity through vibrant celebrations of Indian culture, ensuring the festival's success and growth within the community.