Sally Townsend

Australia is in the world’s top 10 Global brands as announced in the Anholt Nation Brands Index. Australian businesses co-branding with Australia’s Nation Brand can benefit from the power of a global Top 10 brand when taking their exports to the world. Australia has retained its 9th position in the Anholt Nation Brands Index which measures the reputations of 50 countries around the world according to #Exports, #People, #Governance, #Culture, #Tourism and #Immigration & #Investment. Australia ranks 3rd on the strength of its people and increased to 5th position for Governance and 9th for Tourism (improving by 1!), compared to 2023 results. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to this result - right across our industries, sectors and efforts to represent and market Australia, its products, services and stunning places. Australian businesses can harness the power of the brand now by registering to access 600+ free assets from Australia’s Nation Brand Toolkit. Learn more about the 2024 Anholt Nation Brands Index ranking here: https://lnkd.in/gNK973Zn Thanks to our Australian Nation Brand team in Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) led by the wonderful Jessica Hamilton FAMI CPM for such great work. #AUNationBrand Australian Tourism Export Council #Australia #Welcoming #Travel #Exports Australia's Nation Brand

31

2 Comments

How do you top a career at the pinnacle of global corporate power? As world athletes prepare for #Paris2024, it was a privilege to chat to Andrew N. Liveris AO Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee President for Australian Institute of Company Directors July Company Director magazine. Andrew explained his deliberate framing of his "Act Two" life after 40+ years working globally with Dow, 14 years as CEO & Chair & executive chair of DowDuPont. It includes UQ Liveris Academy for Innovation & Leadership arming a new generation of leaders with the cultural fluency, multi-disciplinary perspectives, and depth to help guide regional and global decision-making. We spoke about scaling for #brisbane2032, #leadership #lessons, #ESG, #strategy #risk and his views on the shift required of leaders and boards to respond to VUCA+ tectonic shifts in technology, energy & the environment, society and geopolitics. (More in his recent book Leading Through Disruption: a Changemaker's guide to 21st Century Leadership). The Darwin-born chemical engineer's life journey is a compelling example of the drive and entrepreneurship that is unleashed when migrant aspiration meets education and inclusion. Space didn't permit inclusion in the feature - we discussed the current public debate over immigration. Andrew told me: “We've come a long way. We're very multicultural. But as we've seen in the Israel-Palestine conflict, division can come so fast. So we've got to get the messaging out there that we are indeed stronger together, and we shine the brightest, when we're all included." https://lnkd.in/gFSpJBax Maria MacNamara Cindy Hook Tom Gallimore GAICD Medium Rare Content Agency Steph D'Souza Elise Shaw #RoadToParis2024 #Paralympics #Olympics Link: Worley IBM Lucid Motors Salesforce The Hellenic Initiative Australia The B Team Liveris Family Office Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation – SMBC Group NEOM Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Company (SATORP)

16

How do you start your journey to become more sustainable as a tourism business? Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and a range of industry bodies and social enterprises have tools to help you! First check out the national sustainability toolkit for businesses - produced in concert with our tourism colleagues in the States and Territories and Tourism Australia: https://lnkd.in/gWBKugPs It has simple explanations, tips, templates and ideas to get you going. Second there's a set of free recorded short webinars on our YouTube channel that you can watch that explain each of the four pillars of sustainability from the Toolkit: https://lnkd.in/gpzNGCTN Delivered by The Tourism Collective's experienced business facilitators and practitioners. Third there is a range of industry run programs you can undertake including in the Quality Tourism Framework offered by state and territory Tourism Industry councils.. for instance here's the link to the emissions reduction program: one part of the environmental pillar in the framework: https://lnkd.in/d4Um-zNe And Ecotourism Australia and EarthCheck are examples of two world leading accreditation programs for the more advanced organisations and destinations. Fourth if you'd like to advance to the next level of regenerative tourism - check out The Tourism CoLab social enterprise and the programs on offer through their Communiversity: https://lnkd.in/dehkvZCf What other options exist to help #Tourism businesses build their capability? What is your experience and what do you recommend? #SustainableTourism #CareForCountry #Respect #CommunityCapacity #ClimateChange #SavingMoneyAndDoingGood

155

6 Comments

Tomorrow I’m attending the AICD Climate Governance Forum 2024, held in Sydney. There are several great speakers and presentations lined up and it looks like the forum will build on the many messages and principles outlined at the 2024 Australian Governance Summit, held in March, where the theme was ‘At the forefront’. As I reflect on the past conference and think about the upcoming forum, two points former AICD Chair John Atkin made in his opening address back in March remain relevant as we move towards the final quarter of 2024: ·      At the forefront means, you are at the cutting edge, leading and showing the way. Exploring, innovating and trying new ways. Being at the forefront is about anticipating change in your environment and tackling the big challenges. ·      Contemporary governance is an approach to governance that emphasises transparency, accountability and stakeholder engagement. We need to be alive to the changes that are occurring in the world around us and evolve our governance practices as our context changes. There is no doubt the challenge of climate change will require sustained thinking and significant action by a broad range of players. This week the Climate Change Forum will demonstrate how many leaders across corporate Australia are embracing a collective problem and leaning into the conversation. Australian Institute of Company Directors’s guidelines for setting climate targets: https://lnkd.in/gRPfktVb   #AICDclimategovernanceforum #climategovernance #directorduties

45

1 Comment

✍ Waterhouse VC: Aussie Aussie Aussie In his latest column, Tom Waterhouse of Waterhouse VC takes stock of some of the industry's most notable leaders. https://lnkd.in/egj5eeZZ

6

The Arrogance Of Market Power We all know that the Aotearoa grocery market is dominated by two players. This recognition has provoked lots of concern, criticism and review. The dominant players may not cause inflation as such but they do not help and their owners profit at supplier and consumer cost. Commerce Commission issued a report today from the wet bus ticket appointment made by the last government. To absolutely no-one’s surprise a year of dithering has made no impression. The Commission is currently considering a further consolidation of market power. They have lots of evidence but will they have the conviction to act? Will this Government back up its rhetoric on competition ? The really striking thing is that in all the concern the dominant players show neither humility nor restraint but plunder away unconcerned.

100

43 Comments

RIVERS, KATIES, NONI B GO BUST; VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION Over 3,000 staff face unemployment today as iconic Aussie brands, including Katie's, Nokia B, Millers and Rivers, join the growing list of smaller-medium sized companies going bust. These closures are happening, ironically, as Australia's employment rate continues to INCREASE, leading our National Treasurer to boast his good economic management, whilst 'scaring the life' out of Michele Bulloch, Governor at the Reserve Bank, almost ensuring no reduction in interest rates this year. A closer look at the increase in employment numbers however, actually shows a worrying trend with almost all the growth being in the government sector. No wonder Labor won the recent ACT election in a landslide! In addition to this large increase in what is effectively non-productive employment, Mr Chalmers will now allocate some $22 billion to creating his party's ideological dream of 'Future Made in Australia' that will primarily fund business ventures that cannot get capital from the markets as the businesses do not project a reasonable ROI. A classic example will be our live sheep and cattle export industries, where we are turning strong and successful rural businesses, that generate foreign currency, large 'productive' employment, and sustainable communities into government-dependent operations that will rely on public money to subsidise loss-making abattoirs to process and package meats for export from here in Australia at otherwise uncompetitive prices. Meanwhile, a profitable and win-win 'partnership' model between Australia and its overseas buyers is ignored. No wonder interest rates are way above other OECD nations. And no wonder so many small, but real, businesses are just holding-on or collapsing as this government continues on its 'pink elephants can fly' journey of self destruction. #industry #business #cciwa #exports #commerce #diversification

25

10 Comments

Women's sports are exponentially growing, and Australian female-centric start-ups are emerging to meet the rising needs and demand. The growth of women's sport in Australia has been significant and continues to gain momentum across participation, broadcast & media, sponsorship and general professionalisation. Globally, Deloitte has predicted that women's elite sport will generate $1.94b in revenue in 2024, up 300% from only 3 years ago. Although things are trending in the right direction, sports apparel, equipment and access has not kept up with the pace of change. Female participation in sport is low (has been for decades) and female athletes from the grassroots to the elite level have been faced with the scenario of having to use inappropriate apparel and equipment which has put limits on comfort, participation, performance and has contributed to injury. Women's uniforms have also tended to be tight-fitting, and a national study by Victoria University found that this scenario was turning girls off sport, and that girls drop out of sport because they feel embarrassed about putting their bodies on display. Sports apparel and equipment has also been traditionally designed for males, and some brands have tried to create a women's offering by simply applying a "shrink it and pink it" approach. This hasn't worked though because the female anatomy is fundamentally different. Due to a lack of research, development and specially designed sports apparel and equipment, females have also experienced injury e.g. ACL injuries are prevalent in women's sport and there's evidence suggesting that football boots have been contributing to the problem. Recognising the above, start-ups have emerged to fill the void: IDA Sports A fast-growing sports apparel brand founded in Melbourne, that's developed a soccer cleat specifically for females Boob Armour "High impact protective inserts for women on the move, on the field, or on the job" Even Playing Field "A Canberra company offering sportswear and sports equipment designed specifically for the female body" Fempro Armour "Female protection for injury prevention for action sport, high-risk frontline personnel, and healthcare" Footy Girls (footygirls.com.au) "Womens shoulder pads designed by women for women" Keepher "Elite quality, female specific goalkeeper gloves down under" Pitch Up "A platform designed to empower women and girls in sports by connecting them with superior venues and facilities" Zena Sport "Designers of the most advanced female breast and rib impact protection vest" Although women are still underrepresented in sports, things are trending upwards and start-ups are playing a vital role in fueling its growth, and vice versa. Do you now of any other female-centric sports start-ups worth noting? #sportsbusiness #startups #womenssport

73

10 Comments

In this episode, Eric Crampton and Sarah Hogan, Deputy Chief Executive at NZIER, discuss a report estimating the social costs of alcohol in New Zealand at $9 billion, with a focus on how such figures are calculated and used in policymaking. They explore the challenges of accurately attributing costs to alcohol, debate the effectiveness of targeted interventions versus broad policies, and emphasise the importance of addressing first-order problems like fetal alcohol spectrum disorder while ensuring cost-effective approaches to reducing alcohol-related harms. Listen here: https://buff.ly/3yPa3m0 To make sure you don't miss an episode, follow our podcast here: https://buff.ly/472eDbP

6

Nike’s $27.5 billion loss highlights the fact that no business is above the fundamentals of business growth.    In his recent article for Mi3Australia, AFFINITY Group CEO Luke Brown unpacks how Nike’s 2020 move to focus on short-term returns ended in a long-term disaster. This is an epic tale underlining the importance of ensuring business strategy is driven by the right goals.    Read more in Mi3: "The real reason behind Nike’s $27.5 billion loss: A cautionary tale of growth gone wrong”. https://lnkd.in/gqQgF_TP   #GrowthAccelerator #BusinessStrategy #short-termism

9

1 Comment

Cadbury’s decision to double the price of Freddo Frogs and Caramello Koalas has frustrated many Australians. The iconic chocolates, once priced at $1, now cost $2. Cadbury explains that rising global cocoa prices and higher production costs necessitated this first price change in over a decade. While some customers understand the reasoning, many are shocked and vow to stop buying these treats. Many consumers feel the increase is excessive, with social media flooded with comments expressing disbelief. Some even describe the move as “crazy” and question whether prices will drop if cocoa costs decrease. Additionally, others note that the chocolates seem smaller, which further adds to their dissatisfaction. This strong reaction highlights the balance businesses must strike when raising prices. While Cadbury’s transparency in explaining the reasons behind the hike is important, it doesn’t fully ease the impact on consumers. Even when price increases are justified by rising costs, customers must still perceive them as fair. In this case, the sudden doubling of the price may seem unreasonable, despite the explanation. A more gradual approach could have mitigated the backlash, especially if Cadbury had emphasised the value customers receive alongside the cost factors. Ultimately, Cadbury’s price hike serves as a reminder for businesses to carefully plan how they implement price increases. Effective pricing strategies should balance the need to cover rising costs with price adjustments that are well-communicated and perceived as fair.

9

Transparency, transition, and opportunity were key messages from the Climate Governance Forum 2024. As AICD CEO Mark Rigotti noted, “set-and-forget” strategies are outdated, and climate governance must be a central focus for boards and management. With the passing of mandatory climate reporting laws, starting 1 January 2025, the largest emitters will be required to disclose climate-related risks and opportunities. The path to effective sustainability demands the active involvement of senior leadership. Without their buy-in, achieving real progress on climate goals is challenging. Transition plans and transparent reporting are not just necessary, they offer significant opportunities for growth and trust-building.  Australian Institute of Company Directors, #ESG, End Food Waste Australia, Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)

10

A Climate Solutions opportunity roadmap

1

Is your board driving success or simply watching from the sidelines? In a constantly evolving business landscape, a passive board may seem like the safe choice – but could it actually be a risk to organisational health? 🏛️⚠️ In our latest RBV Quarterly issue, Anter Isaac, Chairman of Football Australia, presents "Governance or Negligence? Why Passive Boards Destroy Organisations." Anter explores how engaged, proactive boards can make a transformative difference in both stable and challenging times. 🔍 The takeaway: Anter argues that board involvement in strategy, crisis management, and cultural guidance can steer an organisation toward sustainable success. Rather than simply observing, hands-on boards can actively shape a resilient, forward-looking culture. 💡 Curious about how an active board can empower your organisation? Dive into Anter’s insights in our latest RBV Quarterly issue. 👉🏽 Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gS-k3AkT 👉🏽 And to find all RBV Quarterly issues, visit: https://lnkd.in/g_tVdfhN #CorporateGovernance #BoardLeadership #OrganisationalHealth #ActiveBoards #RBVQuarterly #RBVConsultingGroup

8

The ABC may be much maligned in the eyes of an increasing number of Australians (lower ratings, lessening trust & generally fewer eyeballs & ears) across its many markets it attests to reach. The just 8c a day per taxpayer positioning from an era well bygone. But the perennial #FourCorners at ‘our’ Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) still delivers a series of top shelf stories each year. ‘Flight Club’ sits comfortably on it. Anyone with even a passing interest in Australian aviation, to regional affairs, transport policy or through to the consumer will get something out of this. Job well done. It included a nice history lesson, (look out for the 5-seconds on Impulse Airlines), some good old fashioned investigative journalism from the other side of the world, a first time on-the-record corporate stoush & stand-off interview(s), to the strength of insight from the likes of Brett Godfrey & Joe Aston. The regional story lines were also particularly strong. Not to say you’ll agree with all of it but really worth the 📺watch. #aviation #airlines #ausbiz #auspol #travel #rex #qantas #virginaustralia #bonza #accc #competition #corporate #australia #regionalaustralia #airports Watching Series 2024 Flight Club in iview https://lnkd.in/gv2M5gTC

36

3 Comments

As Victorians navigate the aftermath of the latest budget release, the looming specter of tough times ahead is palpable. Despite commendable efforts such as the $400 one-off payment for families and initiatives aiding farmers in drought readiness, the delay in essential services like free kinder and mental health hubs due to workforce shortages is disheartening. These setbacks underscore the broader cost of living crisis gripping not just Victoria, but the entire nation, intensifying the urgency for robust and timely solutions to alleviate financial strain on businesses and households across Australia. https://lnkd.in/gu3Uprtb

1

Keyton launched its second, biennial Keyton Retirement Living Lifestyle Report today. The report tells the stories from our survey of 4,500 Australians over the age of 55 years. We asked them to tell us about the things that matter to them, and worry them, when they think about their lifestyle. Check out this article about the report in today's Australian: https://lnkd.in/dkedW3Ts Download the report here: https://lnkd.in/dFBhDWCx. #retirement #retirementliving Retirement Living Council

23

2 Comments

South Australian households and businesses are bracing for more cost of living pain from July 1 with SA Water bills likely to be hiked after the Malinauskas Government failed to make an investment in last week’s State Budget to support previously announced land releases. The final SA Water determination for the next regulatory period 2024-28 is due in the coming days and will reveal how much water bills are set to increase from July 1. The former Liberal Government saved South Australian households an average of $200 per year on water bills during the last regulatory period, while small businesses received deductions of approximately $1,350. This is in direct contrast to the former Labor Government, with an independent inquiry finding they deliberately inflated the value of SA Water’s regulated asset base, driving up the cost of water bills for all South Australians. Last week’s State Budget didn’t include any new funding for supporting infrastructure, raising concerns water bills will be hiked to support the development of land releases announced more than 12 months ago. Labor’s much-hyped land releases have hardly been the “fast track” to housing as promised, with not a single house built yet and Renewal SA recently dubbing the Dry Creek site “incredibly complex” adding “there are a range of issues associated with it”.

16