Our expertise and experience, your success.

Our Service Offerings

We deliver whole-of-life-cycle organisational strengthening services, supporting clients with strategy and planning to achieve growth and impact.

Our approach analyses and considers governance models, departments, teams, programs and projects. Using rigorous processes, we work with our clients to develop solutions that are driven by them, informed by evidence and provide the best chance of success.

Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation

STRATEGIC REGIONAL PLAN

The Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) Regional Development Organisation (RDO) is one of 52 organisations located across Australia that are part of the Regional Development Australia network. The IOT RDO team is comprised of local leaders and passionate advocates working to facilitate sustainable development in the IOT, and to build strong and confident local economies on both Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Centred Solutions worked with the IOT RDO to develop a three-to-five-year Strategic Regional Plan.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

Develop a plan to inform and guide future priorities for the organisation outlining the region’s vision, ambition and strategic priorities for all stakeholders including governments, potential investors and communities.

THE ROLE WE PLAYED

Working with IOT RDO, we approached the project using the following methods:

Conducted a detailed thematic analysis of historic and current plans, strategies and research;
Undertook an extensive engagement process using best practice methods, which included an online survey, workshops and individual consultations with a broad range of stakeholders; and
Conducted a thematic and economic analysis on the information and data sourced through the engagement and research process.

PROJECT OUTCOMES

The IOT RDO Strategic Regional Plan 2030 is a realistic plan that represents the voices and experiences of the people across the region. The plan leverages the region’s natural assets and community strengths, richness and vibrance, to foster a more diverse economy, and a stronger, more resilient and capable region.

We provide short term solutions for gaps in management and leadership.

e source a team with diverse and complementary skill sets matched to our client’s circumstances, to offer a unique and targeted interim approach during CEO or Executive Management transition. Our approach includes detailed analysis to identify areas for improvement, leaving an organisation stronger, with a clear plan for incoming permanent staff.

Maruku Arts

INTERIM CEO SUPPORT

Maruku Arts is one of the largest and most successful Indigenous owned and operated organisations in Australia. For over 30 years, Maruku has operated as a not-for-profit art and craft corporation comprising approximately 900 Aboriginal artists, and is proudly owned and operated by Anangu. Maruku’s vision is to keep culture alive and strong through art, craft and organic experiences.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Maruku Arts approached Centred Solutions to provide interim CEO support, following the passing of their former CEO. The organisation had been without leadership for several months, and the Board required support from an interim CEO to stabilise, support and lead the organisation through this complex period. Centred Solutions worked with the Maruku Board of Directors to provide governance and organisation support through a period of transition.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

Empower Maruku Arts with the right governance tools to continue operations, led by a confident leadership team.

THE ROLE WE PLAYED

Working with the Board, we carried out the following key methodologies:

Analysed and worked through current and historical risk factors to the organisation;
Completed and supported the CEO transition and onboarding

PROJECT OUTCOMES

The project provided Maruku Arts Board of Directors with a high level of strategic and managerial expertise, to work through a number of risks and successfully onboard a new CEO who remains there now. This important cultural asset continues to operate, equipped with the appropriate tools to succeed.

We deliver partnership facilitation, specialising in regional and remote locations.

We draw on our valued relationships and ability to bring together diverse stakeholders to deliver shared understanding and realistic outcomes for our clients. Our approach focuses on understanding the current state and future aspirations of all parties, building a strong foundation of shared value and understanding for forward partnerships.

My Pathway and Wanta Aboriginal Corporation

PARTNERSHIP SCOPING

My Pathway is a social and economic development organisation, delivering employment services, training, business mentoring, community development projects and facilities through a mix of government and private contracts.

Wanta Aboriginal Corporation (Wanta) was established in 2015 as a result of setting up the first Wanta Academy in Yuendumu in Central Australia. After consultation with the Yuendumu community and stakeholders, Wanta was established as an Aboriginal Corporation to focus on increasing school attendance and engagement.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

An opportunity was identified for My Pathway and Wanta to work collaboratively to build shared capacity in accredited and non-accredited training, business development and social enterprise supports.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

Initiate and facilitate a partnership between My Pathway and Wanta that is mutually beneficial, will create meaningful and sustainable opportunities and to map out longer term opportunities.

THE ROLE WE PLAYED

We conducted an initial assessment for My Pathways for partnership opportunities and identified Wanta as a possible candidate. We facilitated the relationship by:

Introducing each organisation and representatives;
Establishing areas of connection and shared values; and
Defining focus areas for deeper investigation and partnership development.

PROJECT OUTCOMES

The flexible approach to this project has seen the objective grow and evolve as the process continues to unfold. Centred Solutions supported the establishment of, and continues to provide facilitation support to, a Working Group, comprising equal representation from both parties so they can continue to work together under a set of guiding principles reflecting their shared values and aims.

Meaningful relationship building and facilitation using Centred Solutions as an impartial party has allowed for a deeper shared understanding of the partnership and a focus on sustainable longer-term solutions.

Our team engages with staff in a structured way to get a sense-check of strengths, challenges and overall team experiences.

Using a refined philosophy and our extensive understanding of Central Australia, we analyse and align growth strategies and management practices to strengthen organisational economic viability and impact.

Numerous Territory-Based Organisations

WORKPLACE ASSESSMENTS
AND INVESTIGATIONS

Over the last 12 months, the Centred Solutions team conducted multiple reviews across various sectors within the Territory, to support staff to manage their workforce challenges. The team engaged with stakeholders to understand key issues from all sides, then wrote up investigation reports with recommendations. As investigations generally occur after issues have already arisen, this had to be handled sensitively, particularly in the remote context, where people live and work together. For this reason, we do not publicly provide a detailed case study on this kind of work. For more information, please get in touch with our team.

A targeted suite of workshops for teams located in in remote and regional locations, as well as mentoring for managers and executive leaders.

We understand from experience the unique challenges of leading teams in regional and remote locations, where the unique pressures of living and working together need careful management. Based on this experience, we have purpose-designed a suite of workshops targeted to the local context for teams located in in remote and regional locations. We also offer one on one mentoring for managers and executive leaders to support them to manage their teams.

NT remote school

SUPPORTING HIGH PERFORMING TEAMS PACKAGE

A school was identified by the Department of Education as needing specialised support to help strengthen workplace culture and performance. This arose due trends of high staff turnover decreasing staff morale and reoccurring workplace issues. Remote schools in the Northern Territory have long faced challenges with staff retention, adequate resourcing and access to services. These compounding issues resulted in this particular school requiring external support to help equip staff with the tools to manage these challenges better.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Department approached Centred Solutions to conduct a workplace assessment, including engagements with staff and stakeholders in the remote school, and prepare strategic recommendations to create genuine improvements to complex issues within the school. This was then followed by a highly tailored suite of workshops with all staff, together with one on one mentoring for the Principal. From this, a Toolkit for the Principal and staff was developed based on embedding reflective practice in working the remote context. This provides the staff and leadership with the tools they need to thrive as they live and work in the remote NT.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

Provide the Department with a clear understanding of the underlying issues within the school, then empower school staff and leadership to address the issues, and build approach which support positive working relationships within a remote context.

THE ROLE WE PLAYED

We initially provided a workplace assessment and review to the Department, which has been followed by a place-based workforce training package. The package was curated to the specific school context and community, and included 4 workshops with all school staff.

PROJECT OUTCOMES

Staff are better informed about what is expected from them and their team. They understand what values and behaviours help to create a high-performing team, as well as how to identify risks and integrate a practice of reflective learning. The Toolkit contains all the learnings and advice from the workshops for current and future employees to refer to, embedding reflective practice in how the school works and ensuring this can endure as staff change.