Ojas S.

This years World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap report is out. Glacial progress at +.1. Still another 134 years and five generations beyond the SDG target to achieve full parity. Australia a slight improvement to 24 on the ranking but still languishing at 42 on the economic participation and opportunity for women. How do we respond to the UN Global Compact Network Australia Forward Faster Initiatives and the Davos call to Global Sprints to try and accelerate commitment, investment and progress? Diversity Council Australia Ltd Lisa Annese Fiona Reynolds Kate Dundas Susan Mizrahi Anna Stewart Karen McWilliams FCA Laura McManus Robin Mellon Howard Wigham #genderequality

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Are you a Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander start up or organisation looking at scaling up in the areas innovative commercialisation?💡 👉🏾👉🏾The Industry Growth Development program provides an Advisory Service for startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) undertaking innovative commercialisation and/or growth projects that are within the priority areas of the Australian Government’s National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) and help build Australia’s manufacturing capability for the future. ✅ Eligible businesses will be connected with an Industry Growth Program Adviser. The Adviser will provide specialised advice to support your commercialisation and growth opportunities and priorities. ✅ Once you have received this advice, you may choose to apply for: - grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to support early-stage commercialisation projects - grants of $100,000 to $5 million for commercialisation and growth projects. 👉🏾👉🏾https://lnkd.in/gwAA2m2i #commercialisation #innovation #manufacturing #scaleup #startup #tagaimc

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🎙️ Exciting News! 🎉 The newest episode of The ESSA Exchange is now available on Spotify! 🚀 In this episode, Raymond Wong and I tackle the critical issues shaping Australia's economic landscape. From the current cost of living crisis to allegations of price gouging by supermarket giants, no stone was left unturned in our podcast 'Compete & Comply Down Under: Navigating Australia's Economic Landscape'. 🌏 We would like to thank Martin Stirling, Head of Legal at Master Grocers Australia, for being a special guest on our podcast, and for bringing his expertise in employment and industrial law to the table. Together, we navigated the complexities of competition policy and industrial regulations, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities facing businesses and consumers in today's economic climate. 👉 Listen now on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eReK9HwE Don't miss out on this insightful conversation! Hit 'follow' on Spotify to stay updated with future episodes, and please share it with your network if you find it valuable. Your support means everything to us. 🙌 #Podcast #NewEpisode #ESSA #TheESSAExchange #AustraliaEconomy #CostOfLivingCrisis #CompetitionPolicy #IndustrialRegulations #BusinessInsights

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Building more things here powered by renewable energy will create jobs and boost our economy. That's what our Future Made in Australia plan is all about.

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TL/DR: What did you eat for breakfast at the weekend? A cohort of tasty designers? Our Sharks did.   Last weekend, 13 of our post-graduate design students completed their 7-week module in Creative Entrepreneurship by facing their deepest fears, and two of New Zealand’s fiercest sharks, in a live Shark Tank experiment.   Each student was given 7 minutes to present an amazing new product or service that incredibly, didn’t exist 7 weeks ago.   Back then, they were asked to cast themselves in the role of founder of a start-up that uses an emerging (or re-emerging) technology to solve a real-world problem in an innovative way.   For emerging technology, think AI, biochemistry, solar, robotics, etc, and for ‘re-merging’ think anything ancient, forgotten, or obsolete.   Then through a process of visioneering, questioning, R&D, prototyping and iterating, they would build their product (or service), develop a business plan, then reveal their immaculately conceived baby to our panel of world-famous sharks (who we’d deliberately starved).   How would the students fare? Would they get ripped to shreds?   Our sharking duo, Simon Coley and Wendy Kerr, are no strangers to this game having survived it in the real world. Simon, founder, the Karma Drinks range, believes in doing good through trade, building bridges (and community), the power of optimism, great design, and the wonderful combination of creativity and stupidity that one must surely possess in order to embark upon any world-changing endeavour. Wendy Kerr, angel investor, C-suite whisperer, in-demand speaker, best-selling author, strategist and FemTech ally, and Icehouse Ventures incubator, has seen it all. Chewed it up. And spat most of it out.   So how did it go? We saw innovations in EdTech, MedTech, more sustainable packing design, gaming at the intersection of fitness, AI-powered apps and services, an intelligent shoe that understands your rheumatic pain, and more. (I took the tough decision not to show the work, lest the students pursue their own IP.)   And the Sharks' reaction? Did they smell the fear? Were they tempted by the fresh meat on offer? Simon: “…it was a pleasure to be able to review the work shared by these budding Creative Entrepreneurs. The standard of ideas that were commercially viable was surprisingly high given the short length of time they’d had to develop. Even more impressive was the common thread of social entrepreneurship running through all the concepts.”   Wendy, on how the business ideas/solutions presented struck a chord: “The way the students have been able to parlay the personal into business opportunities is enviable.”   And on the way the student’s received feedback, took it onboard, and built better because of it: “…Watching all of you being coachable, and being able to learn in the moment…was remarkable.” Now, to the patent office! Kate Humphries Sarah Elsie Baker Media Design School Matthew Stevens Darryn Melrose Scott Thompson-Whiteside #creativity #tech

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Finding a full-time job in a new country takes time and patience. 7 lessons I learned about turning ambitions into reality in Australia: 1/ Your talent is not your destiny. Even if you do not get the results, focus on the effort you put into a task. 2/ The things you have to do to be successful are mostly boring, frustrating, and sometimes painful. You have to endure and not give up. 3/ Greatness can be achieved. You have to decide what greatness means to you and consistently do the tasks repeatedly. 4/ Talent and effort will help you develop a skill. Continued effort makes your skills productive. 5/ You will tend to abandon tasks when life gets challenging. Staying disciplined and showing up in the face of these challenges determines your success. 6/ Routines are your best friend. Tons of research shows that when something is practised in the same place at the same time, initiating the task becomes easier and more automatic. 7/ Learn not to overreact to setbacks and failure. Instead, take a step back, analyze them and learn from them. To summarise, a growth mindset, being optimistic during adversity and staying determined repeatedly will help you turn ambition into reality. Let the chase of capturing something unattainable drive you. A great book on bravery and determination is Grit by Angela Duckworth. What advice would you give someone starting their journey of turning ambition into reality in a new country? — P.S. Yesterday I shared 7 principles to get anyone to accept your LinkedIn request. You can read it here before you subscribe: https://lnkd.in/gQ_nvpYz #migrants #books #mindset

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International students are currently under scrutiny from both sides of federal politics. The Albanese government recently introduced legislation aimed at capping international student enrolments, citing concerns over housing shortages and rising rents. While the aim is to alleviate rental pressure, this cap overlooks the substantial contributions of international students, who injected A$47.8 billion into the economy in 2023 alone. Research also shows that these students often struggle to secure housing themselves and frequently reside in purpose-built accommodations. Blaming them for the housing crisis oversimplifies a multifaceted issue with various underlying causes. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore how international students can potentially contribute to addressing labour shortages, particularly in the housing construction sector. #internationalstudents #housingshortage #migrationcap

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Grant opportunity closes soon: Industry Research Foundations Open now; Closes 29/07/24; up to $90,000; Qld To assist Queensland businesses to progress innovative products and service towards commercialisation by engaging the skills and expertise of a Queensland based Honours, Masters or PhD level graduate. It involves funding employment for six to twelve months to develop an innovative product, service or process within a business-led project. There is funding for you to employ a Queensland-based Honours, Masters or PhD university graduate for six to twelve months. There are two tiers of funding for projects: -Tier 1 — for applicants in South-East Queensland, a minimum of 20 per cent matched funding is required. -Tier 2 — for applicants in regional Queensland or Indigenous businesses, a minimum of 10 per cent matched funding is required. Eligibility: Small to medium sized Queensland organisations and university graduates. Want grant tips? I post them weekly in my '3-2-1 Grants' eNews - you can subscribe via my 'Featured' section. #pruesgold #grants #grantwriting

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As a business leader, facilitator, and strategy lead in Aotearoa New Zealand, I'm always on the lookout for innovative tools to navigate the future. One I use a lot is the Three Horizons Framework. Recently, I had the pleasure of listening to Episode One of The Futures Workshop podcast, featuring Victoria Mulligan from Speculative Futures Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Bill Sharpe, the co-creator of the Three Horizons Framework. Here are my key takeaways: 1) Future Consciousness Bill Sharpe’s interview really reinforced to me that the Three Horizons Framework helps us understand and manage change. It highlights the importance of recognising current patterns (H1), envisioning future possibilities (H3), and identifying the steps needed to transition (H2). This encourages us to think beyond the immediate and act with a long-term vision. 2) Diverse Perspectives It is crucial to understand who is in the room and who's not and ensure we incorporate different viewpoints in our strategic discussions. By balancing the perspectives of the current system (H1), future visions (H3), and transitional ideas (H2), we can foster richer, more innovative solutions. This approach leads to better conversations and outcomes. 3) Role-Playing and Visualisation Role-playing can help us understand different actors’ perspectives, and something I use reasonably regularly, visual tools like diagrams or live illustrations, can make abstract concepts tangible. As leaders, we might look to adopt these techniques more to enhance our planning sessions and workshops. 4) Balancing Stability and Innovation It's important to maintain what works in the current system (H1) while being open to new approaches (H3). The transition period (H2) involves uncertainty and risk but is essential for long-term success. Bill really accentuated that fostering a culture that supports both stability and innovation helps leadership teams navigate this transition more effectively. 5) Practical Application The Three Horizons Framework is simple and adaptable, making it suitable for various contexts. Whether discussing long-term policies, behavioural change, or daily business strategies, this tool helps us stay agile and responsive. As a tool it helps move us from current patterns (H1) to envisioning future possibilities (H3) and then identifies the steps needed to transition (H2). I highly recommend listening to and exploring Bill's interview and the Three Horizons Framework if you haven't. Kia kaha. Kia māia. Kia manawanui! #FuturesThinking | #ThreeHorizons | #Innovation | #Leadership | #StrategicPlanning | #BusinessGrowth 🚀🔮💡

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The media's focus on Australia's lagging international visitor numbers has provided a platform for me to advocate a revamped post-pandemic strategy. Following an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) National, yesterday I participated in multiple radio shows, including ABC News National (with Chris Mitchell), Melbourne (with Raf Epstein), and Sydney (with Richard Glover and Quentin Long). Several factors contribute to Australia's slower recovery in #internationaltourism. These include the prolonged rebound of key markets like #China, characterised by delayed border reopenings, subdued economic growth, and heightened unemployment. Additionally, challenges like higher airfares, reduced seat capacity from international airlines, and a shift in preferences within the environmentally conscious European market, which is reevaluating long-haul travel's climate impact, contribute to the current situation. Furthermore, Australia's inflationary economy, marked by rising prices and labour costs, adds to the costliness of visiting the country. Rather than fixating solely on numerical growth, there's an opportunity to redefine the kind of international visitors Australia aims to attract. Prioritising travellers who stay longer, exploring beyond major hubs to distribute economic benefits more evenly across regions, mitigating overtourism, enabling better management and regeneration of protected areas, and spending more while visiting could lead to a more sustainable tourism model. Noteworthy developments in new air routes underscore potential shifts in travel patterns. For instance, Turkish Airlines has initiated flights to #Melbourne, VietJet Air now connects #Brisbane and Melbourne to #HoChiMinhCity, and #BroomeAirport has launched its first international flights to #Singapore with Jetstar Airways. The post-pandemic trajectory of Australia's international visitor economy is poised for significant change, necessitating a proactive approach to shape a more resilient and sustainable future rather than accepting the status quo. Griffith Institute for Tourism Griffith University

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Elevate your career in accounting and finance by uncovering ‘hidden’ job opportunities with guidance from a top executive recruitment specialist. Listen now.

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Five things we can make in Australia to get our energy policy on track: 1. Batteries 2. High voltage cables 3. Solar panels 4. Wind towers 5. Electric heavy vehicles The two big things we achieve: #ClimateAction & #JobCreation

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New analysis has confirmed Victorians continue to pay the highest state taxes in the nation under the Allan Labor Government. Figures compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have confirmed Victorians are paying the highest state taxes in the nation, at $5,795 per person across 2022-23. Whether through higher taxes on properties, rents, schools, jobs and even weekends away, Labor’s financial mismanagement continues to have real-world consequences for Victorian households and businesses. Instead of a punitive tax regime that makes life harder, Victoria needs a tax system that encourages investment, growth and economic opportunity across the state.

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Australians purchase an average of 56 new garments annually, surpassing even the United States and the UK, making Australia the world's leader in per capita consumption of clothing, shoes, and bags. This sounds like good news for the industry, however the average value per item purchased by Australians is AUD $13, far lower than the UK ($40), USA ($24), Japan ($30) or even Brazil ($16), as data reported by the Australian Institute. This "love" for fast fashion means that more than 200,000 tonnes of clothing end up in landfill each year. Seamless, an independent, not-for-profit organisation registered as Clothing Stewardship Australia Ltd, launched in June 2023 and commenced operations just a few days ago, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable approach for Australians to choose, enjoy, and recycle clothing. Read all about this initiative down below 👇 https://lnkd.in/gVvSU5-q

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In my latest opinion piece for Business News, I examine the stats to discover whether Australians are fleeing the city in an escape to the country. The answer is yes and no. Overall, cities are growing at a faster rate than regional capitals, but places such as the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in Queensland are proving to be attractive options. In Western Australia, Perth lost population and gains were made in some regional areas, including Greater Geraldton. In its 2022 report, Rebalance the Nation, Regional Australia Institute predicts an increase in the population in the regions to 10.5 million by 2032 (an additional million people). It says regionalisation must be central to this growth, “where our regions have the infrastructure, services, the investments, and the people that they need to thrive.” That's a challenge in a country the size of Australia, particularly when the majority of voters live in the capital cities. Subscribers can read at https://lnkd.in/gme3E5_Y Liz Ritchie #escapetothecountry #cities #regions #infrastructure

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Quote; “Tamaki Regeneration hit a milestone in handing over new house keys to its 100th whanau in its shared home ownership programme. With the support of the Housing Foundation, our partner banks, officials and importantly the Tamaki community, we have been able to bring that intergenerational change to 100 whanau and counting. Not only does the shared equity model work, it has the potential to transform communities through improved community and neighbourhood cohesion, distributing wealth across social classes and creating better housing mobility and independence. At the same time we are unlocking more housing supply in our cities, let’s unlock shared equity and home ownership for the many and not just the privileged few.” - Afoa Tevita Malolo | General Manager | Tāmaki Regeneration As a business leader in Aotearoa, understanding the benefits of home ownership by your employees can be pivotal for fostering a robust and committed workforce. Home ownership among employees brings several advantages to businesses, including: 1) Increased Employee Stability and Retention Employees who own homes are more likely to stay with their current employer, reducing turnover rates and associated recruitment and training costs. 2) Enhanced Productivity and Engagement Employees with stable housing are less stressed and more focused on their work. This can lead to higher productivity levels and greater engagement in their roles. 3) Community and Neighbourhood Cohesion When employees own homes in their work community, it strengthens local ties and social cohesion. This fosters a positive working environment and stronger local networks, benefiting both the business and the community. 4) Wealth Distribution and Economic Stability Home ownership aids wealth distribution across social classes, promoting economic stability. Employees building home equity gain financial independence and security, leading to a more financially stable workforce. 5) Improved Housing Mobility & Independence Shared equity models and home ownership programs can improve housing mobility and independence for employees. This can make it easier for businesses to attract talent, knowing that there are feasible pathways to home ownership for their staff. 6) Corporate Social Responsibility & Reputation Supporting home ownership initiatives enhances a company's reputation, demonstrating corporate social responsibility and attracting socially conscious consumers and employees. 7) Unlocking Housing Supply Shared equity programs can increase housing supply in cities, benefiting employees and addressing broader housing challenges, thereby promoting sustainable urban development. So, how might your business encourage and support home ownership among your employees? What would a more stable, productive, and engaged workforce mean for your business? How important is it to also address broader societal and economic challenges simultaneously? Kia kaha. Kia māia. Kia manawanui!

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