BABETTE BENSOUSSAN, MBA

Values alignment key to successful change? This 2008 research paper from Emerald Insight https://lnkd.in/gwRQyTD3 investigates the importance of values alignment in successful change strategies. It concludes that widespread resistance to organisational change is caused by a failure of current organisational change strategies to attend to a values alignment process for all those people affected by the desired change. Moreover, values alignment may not just be an important integral part of organisational change strategies; it could well be the bedrock, the foundation, on which all truly successful organisational change depends It's a dense read but worth considering if you're wondering why your change strategy is meeting more resistance than you anticipated. Check out our change services here - https://lnkd.in/gYrcvM7r #OrganisationalChange #ChangeManagement #ValuesAlignment #Leadership #OrganisationalCulture #BusinessStrategy #ChangeStrategy #ContinuousImprovement #LeadershipDevelopment #OrganisationalSuccess #StrategicAlignment #Synapsys #SynapsysNZ

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Artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) technologies can find income sources where previously there were none by capturing the data organisations need to make a strong business case for grant applications. https://lnkd.in/g-cq6CX9 Council Magazine #councils #grants

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“The Hidden Dangers of the Façade of Conformity” is my article in October issue of PMI Sydney Australia newsletter: The Critical Path (https://lnkd.in/gA46fj4X). From Volkswagen's emissions scandal to Enron's catastrophic collapse, history reveals the devastating impact of the "façade of conformity." When employees feel pressured to agree with leadership or peers, 👉 valuable ideas are suppressed, 👉 unethical decisions go unchallenged, and 👉 entire organisations risk downfall. This culture of silence not only stifles innovation but also undermines employee well-being, leading to stress, dissatisfaction, and ultimately a disengaged workforce. For leaders, the power to change this lies within! By 1️⃣ creating psychological safety, 2️⃣ welcoming diverse perspectives, and 3️⃣ openly rewarding constructive dissent, leaders can dismantle the culture of conformity, paving the way for stronger, more resilient teams. This environment empowers employees to speak up, fosters ethical decision-making, and unlocks new levels of innovation and sustainability. This is indispensable for organisations to thrive in today’s fact-paced world. Ready to break the silence? 💥 Discover actionable strategies to foster a healthier, more empowered workplace in my full article at https://lnkd.in/gA46fj4X #leadership #PMI

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How will the latest mandatory climate reporting legislation impact your business? Dr Vanessa Rauland and North Metropolitan TAFE are collaborating to run a free webinar this Friday at 9am (AWST) to unpack the essentials of mandatory climate reporting and highlight what it means for business. Join us! https://lnkd.in/gbh59iS4

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Is your association in a position to Secure Government Grants in 2025? The Australian Government allocates over $800 million annually in business grants, with state governments adding millions more each year. Is your association prepared to access some of this funding? Join our webinar this Thursday, October 31st at 12 noon AEDT, where expert Angela Krepcik, Association Executive Services Consultant, will guide you through the grant application journey. With extensive experience as an association CEO, grant writer, and former Victorian Government grant assessor, Angela provides invaluable insights on: 😎 Understanding the grant application process and assessment criteria 😎 Evaluating your association’s readiness for grant success 😎 Best practices for submitting a winning proposal 😎 Navigating approval, compliance, and contractual obligations 😎 Demonstrating the impact of grants on your association’s growth Don’t miss this chance to enhance your association’s funding potential. To gain insider tips and strategies that could make a real difference for your association register in the link in the comments below #grantwriting #association #associations

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As a board director and climatologist, I'm a keen follower of insights on how to avoid worst case scenarios. As a board director, I like this article from the Australian Institute of Company Directors with its focus on resilience, scenario planning and scenario testing. The traditional risk assessment approaches often fall short when it comes to worst case scenarios and very low likelihood, very high consequence events. As a climatologist, I can see the benefits too and the scenario approach has long been a staple when it comes to assessing climate risk. However, like most climatologists, I continue to be underwhelmed by the lack of genuine leadership and collective action from governments and large businesses when it comes to critical and urgent action on climate change. We know that weather and climate extremes are becoming more frequent and intense and that their impacts and consequences are becoming more devastating. The necessary response requires so much more from leaders in government and business in avoiding the worst outcomes from climate change. We need leaders to accept shared responsibility and accountaibility for a better and safer future and to ensure this is explicit in their job descriptions. "We're doing our bit" just won't cut it anymore. When it comes to climate change, to fail by a little is to fail by a long way. #climatechange #sustainabiity #emissions #climaterisk #riskmanagement https://lnkd.in/gPvfF2MM

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Very much enjoyed the UWA Public Policy Institute Roundtable today on Inequality with Productivity Commission Deputy Commissioner Catherine de Fontenay. Advance Australia Fair - Yes or No? The answer in the recently released PC report Fairly Equal? Economic Mobility in Australia (download here https://lnkd.in/gCz5GshY) is generally yes with some "worrying signs". What are some of the positives (and negatives) in terms of inequality? Australia has high relative income mobility as measured by the wonderfully named Rank Rank Slope (which measures a person's rank position in the income distribution against their parents). For Australia the RRS is much lower than most comparable countries which means there is a high degree of income mobility in Australia. And educational attainment and good health remain key to the story of income mobility. But at both the very top and the bottom of the income distribution there is a high degree of persistence in income decile position. This means that the children of very low or high income parents stay in that position far more than others in the distribution. As with unemployment, most poverty spells are relatively short but for far too many we see persistence and the longer the spell the more difficult it is to exit. We need to do more in Australia for those in the bottom of the income distribution and facing persistent poverty. The PC work on inequality is very important. Great to see the PC initiate work in this and other streams such as Indigenous policy and energy and climate change research. Assoc. Prof. Paul J. Maginn, Clare Feenan Alison Preston James Arvanitakis Danika Adams Mark Glasson Alex Hughes Amanda Davies Mike Rowe Annie Fogarty AM #poverty #inequality

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For the next instalment on impact measurement, I'd like to have a discussion about the use of randomised control trials (RCTs). The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP is out there making the case for the greater use of RCTs and has established the Australian Centre for Evaluation to drive this forward. He argues that previous investment has been on "gut instinct" and the government is seeking to change this, "We’re not just trusting our intuition – we’re using science to better serve the public". However, he seems to make the case that its gut instinct or RCTs. I'm not convinced its that binary. We have used RCTs in a number of social impact bond measurement frameworks and whilst they provide quality data on what works, it comes at a significant cost and with a number of risks, including the ethics of withholding services to the control group. And despite having this high quality data, we are yet to see government policy and investment shift to fund these proven initiatives at scale. I strongly agree that we need data rather than trusting our intuition but would argue that we can get quality data without the need for RCTs, particularly as few organisations can afford to implement them or get on board with some of the ethics of using these in social service delivery to vulnerable groups. It can be argued that its a gold standard, but do we need a gold standard to fund better evidence based practice. Is this required for government to fund business innovation? Not that I'm aware. We need an impact measurement practice that is robust but also fit for purpose for our sector. I know this is probably a controversial position to many so would love to open up the discussion. What do you think?

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Have your say in drafting the regulations for the governance and management of harmonics in New Zealand. Join us for a webinar on the "Governance and Management of Harmonics in New Zealand" on 3rd July at 10 AM. We will be discussing our recently published consultation paper on this topic. And we are privileged to have Prof. Neville Watson joining the webinar to address some of the technical issues identified in New Zealand. His book "Power system harmonic analysis" published in 1997 is used as a reference for any power quality study globally and his research on "Interharmonics: theory and modelling" published in 2007 is used by National grid, UK and Australian industry to address this emerging issue due to higher uptake of solar/wind/BESS plants. With the massive measured site data across NZ, theoretical work and experimentations, Prof. Neville can guide New Zealand electricity industry in finding 'whole of the system' pathway to address the harmonics. Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko Electricity Networks Aotearoa Electricity Engineers'​ Association of New Zealand WorkSafe New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Standards New Zealand

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Time flies and I have not shared yet my biggest take-away from the #Locate2024 conference: The preliminary findings of the Geospatial Council of Australia ‘Economic impact of geospatial services in Australia’ Report produced by ACIL Allen. By 2033-34, it is projected that the economic impact of geospatial services in Australia could contribute an additional $81 billion in GDP. The sector in 2023-24 will contribute an additional $39 billion to Australian GDP and over 12,000 jobs. By 2033-34, it is projected that the contribution could be an additional $81 billion in GDP, and an additional 22,000 jobs, assuming a favourable operating scenario. This preliminary report is the precursor to a more detailed report that will be released at the end of June. Can’t wait! Best part were the case studies. Brilliant! Well done Geospatial Council of Australia . Esri Australia #geospatial #gis #esriaustralia

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There are plenty of board types (directors, consultants, commentators etc) that throw around the terms “governance”, “corporate governance”, good governance” and “governance literacy” assuming that readers know what they mean. It’s supposed to be a safe assumption that board people and the industry that supports and educates SHOULD know… But. Unfortunately. It’s not always the case. 10 years of reviewing board performance and teaching directors I’ve found one constant. A singular concerning constant. No one agrees on how to define governance. Even my industry, researchers, “experts” or “experienced” board members. Deep down, we think we know, and perhaps we do sort of, but it’s not universal and certainly not universally agreed. It’s a problem. People on board (all types) not truly understanding what they are there to do because they don’t understand what “governance” actually means. Is it systems? Is it processes? Is it the legal stuff? Is it accepted practices? Is it structure or frameworks? Is it accountability? Is it ethical decision-making? Is it oversight or foresight? Is it an umbrella term for all of the above and more? How did we make it so confusing? Why do we have Governance and Risk Committees when risk management is part of governing? For me, that’s like saying PIN Number or Bao Bun or Naan Bread 😂 When in doubt I now always fall back to the definitions from my friend Matt Fullbrook. Corporate Governance (as in the governance of any incorporated entity) is the act of people making decisions in corporations. A “governance-literate” individual knows not just the what and how but also the why of their work. They appreciate the broader impact on trust, organisational resilience, and stakeholder relationships. And, most importantly, it includes a willingness to stay informed about emerging governance trends and challenges, including the influence of technology, ethics, and sustainability on decision-making. Please let me know your thoughts below. Do you agree with me?

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🌏 Are Australian organisations ready for the changing climate? As we face the undeniable impacts of climate change and extreme weather events, it’s essential to assess how prepared companies, governments, and communities are. The latest scientific insights reveal that these changes will not only pose challenges but may also present new opportunities for innovation and growth. For 25 years we have collaborated with governments, businesses, and community groups, and we firmly believe that effective collaboration and communication is critical for progressive action. Our new Climate Action Barometer aims to gauge the awareness and readiness of organisations across Australia. 🔍 What does the Climate Action Barometer survey cover? Climate Impact: How has your organisation has been affected by extreme events? Climate Readiness: Evaluating your current preparedness across eight key action areas. Governance: Understanding the engagement level of senior leadership in climate strategy. With the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards coming into effect in 2025, organisations will soon be held accountable for their climate initiatives. This is the time to start planning and act decisively! 📈 Join us in this crucial endeavour: Spend just 10 minutes completing our survey and gain valuable insights into your organisation's climate readiness. Participants will receive an early-release of the Climate Action Barometer report, allowing you to benchmark against your peers. Click this link to start the survey 👉 https://bit.ly/4ebfRES Let’s not wait for unforeseen circumstances to dictate our future. Together, we can pave the way for positive change. #ClimateAction #Sustainability #ClimateChange #AustralianBusinesses #Innovation #pavingthewayforpositivechange

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🌏 Are Australian organisations ready for the changing climate? As we face the undeniable impacts of climate change and extreme weather events, it’s essential to assess how prepared companies, governments, and communities are. The latest scientific insights reveal that these changes will not only pose challenges but may also present new opportunities for innovation and growth. For 25 years we have collaborated with governments, businesses, and community groups, and we firmly believe that effective collaboration and communication is critical for progressive action. Our new Climate Action Barometer aims to gauge the awareness and readiness of organisations across Australia. 🔍 What does the Climate Action Barometer survey cover? Climate Impact: How has your organisation has been affected by extreme events? Climate Readiness: Evaluating your current preparedness across eight key action areas. Governance: Understanding the engagement level of senior leadership in climate strategy. With the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards coming into effect in 2025, organisations will soon be held accountable for their climate initiatives. This is the time to start planning and act decisively! 📈 Join us in this crucial endeavour: Spend just 10 minutes completing our survey and gain valuable insights into your organisation's climate readiness. Participants will receive an early-release of the Climate Action Barometer report, allowing you to benchmark against your peers. Click this link to start the survey 👉 https://bit.ly/4ebfRES Let’s not wait for unforeseen circumstances to dictate our future. Together, we can pave the way for positive change. #ClimateAction #Sustainability #ClimateChange #AustralianBusinesses #Innovation #pavingthewayforpositivechange

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🌟 Government contracting as a middle man 🌟 Government contracting can be a lucrative venture for many businesses, positioning themselves as the middle man between government agencies and suppliers. While this role has its advantages, there are also ethical considerations to ponder. Are we truly serving the greater good, or are we simply profiting off the system? ✨ The Pros: - Opportunity for steady business and revenue streams - Ability to facilitate connections between government and suppliers - Potential for growth and expansion within the market ✨ The Cons: - Ethical dilemmas of potentially exploiting government resources - Lack of transparency in the procurement process - Risk of being seen as a profiteer rather than a true facilitator of services In a world where government contracting plays a crucial role in the economy, it's essential to navigate this space with integrity and transparency. As middle men, we have the power to influence decisions that impact not only our businesses but also the welfare of the public. Let's strive to be ethical stewards in this realm, ensuring that our actions align with the greater good.

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Last week when discussing the need to focus on community wellbeing when delivering infrastructure and natural resources/energy projects at #1ap2conference2024 Sara Bice introduced us to Solastalgia - the sense of loss and distress caused by environmental changes. Sara shared a new paper by Hedda Haugen Askland which introduces Eritalgia "Eritalgia expands the existing duad of nostalgia and solastalgia, capturing the sense of lost future self in place, emphasising the role of power and discursive hegemony in shaping experiences of and well-being in place". I have just finished this paper and what struck me most was the intrinsic connection between place and wellbeing. We routinely install "placemaking" initiatives as part of our community engagement programs but what value do we place on the emotional distress caused by the change the projects can bring - not just environmental damage but changes to the very fabric of communities. A lot of projects do bring about positives to communities, infrastructure can help build community capacity, connection, can remove geographic isolation, can create legacies, but it inevitably brings change. Change isn't necessarily welcome by all and because we say its a great project and for the greater good, doesn't make it so. That sense of loss that change brings can be felt deep at the core of communities. Of course the impermanence of life is one of the few things we can rely on, but if our engagement respects the role of place in wellbeing, if it is developed through the voice of community (i.e co-design, deliberatively) then surely a sense of loss could be (at the least) partially mitigated or at the very least acknowledged? I'm really interested in others thoughts. I found this paper fascinating. Ping: Sara Bice Rebecca Roebuck Richard Parsons, CEnvP (SIA) Dr Helen Haines Marion Short #communityengagement #placemaking #Solastalgia #Eritalgia https://lnkd.in/gkZSSUme

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Woo Hooo Our beloved ANZSO dictionary has been updated to the OSCA I haven't spent a lot of time on this yet, but now is the time too 1. Change your vocational assessment report templates to reflect the new dictionary . 2. Make the time in your schedule to learn how to use this dictionary if you plan on referencing it in any vocational assessment report . Would LOVE to read your initial thoughts on this in the comments below . https://lnkd.in/gxWrWuap

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