Innovate for Impact

In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Jeff Walkley, CEO of Belgravia Foundation discussing how his organisation promotes inclusivity and client centricity through programs that support physical activity for people with disabilities and mental health, while also gathering community feedback and evaluating initiatives for long-term sustainability.

Here is a taste of what Tracey, Dan & Jeff cover in the conversation:

• Jeff shares his experience in promoting inclusivity and client centricity in Belgravia Leisure, highlighting the importance of evaluating innovations for long-term benefits.
• Creating programs for people with disabilities and older adults at the university, leading to increased physical activity and happiness.
• How Jeff and his team rapidly developed and scaled a mental health e-learning program for the leisure sector.
• How they partnered with a group of councils in Melbourne to develop a free online program to improve staff awareness of disability inclusion in leisure centers, with over 11,000 workers completing the program.
• Collaborated with competitors in the leisure sector to create a mental health training program.

Links from the episode:

• Belgravia Foundation website: Click here
• Co-design For Impact - Co-design Training: Click here
• The Impacto Consulting website: Click here
• Impacto Consulting on LinkedIn: Click here

In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss the importance of implementation in innovation and how focusing on execution is key to realising impact from great ideas. It provides tips for organisations on establishing processes to successfully implement innovative concepts.

Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation:

• Implementation's role in innovation.
• How focusing on implementation can help bring ideas to life and make a positive difference in the world.
• The value of having a process for implementation at an organisational level to create impact.
• Organisations that extend their processes to implementation and delivery see more successful outcomes
• Investing resources in designing and co-creating with people, but not realising the benefits, is a waste of limited resources
• The role good change management plays in idea implementation.
• Effective change management processes and good communication are crucial for successful idea execution, as they help to engage people across the organisation and avoid resistance.
• Focus on solving the problem, not the idea, to achieve impact and make a difference.

Links from the episode:

• Co-design For Impact - Co-design Training: Click here
• The Impacto Consulting website: Click here
• Impacto Consulting on LinkedIn: Click here

In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss four common mistakes organisations make that can hinder their ability to innovate successfully. The mistakes covered include a lack of structured innovation processes, internal rather than client-focused innovation, risk-averse leadership styles, and not having a compelling reason for change.

Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation:

• Common innovation mistakes in organisations.
• Organisations often lack a structured approach to innovation, leading to inconsistent ideation and lack of prioritisation.
• Lack of resourcing and clear criteria for evaluating ideas can hinder successful innovation.
• Internal vs. client-focused innovation.
• Leaders must create space and resources for innovation to succeed, rather than relying on chance or expecting employees to innovate in their free time.
• Organisations often prioritise internal efficiency over client needs, leading to decisions that make life more difficult for those they aim to support.
• Leaders who prioritise learning and understanding client needs over ego and internal efficiency can create a more impactful and client-centered organisation.
• Leaders who are risk-averse and don't have a reason for change often stifle innovation and learning.

Links from the episode:

• Co-design For Impact - Co-design Training: Click here
• The Impacto Consulting website: Click here
• Impacto Consulting on LinkedIn: Click here

In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Jamie Hodgson, CEO of Chrysalis Transformation Hub within Key Assets Australia. He discusses how Chrysalis is taking a shared service approach to build innovation capability within the organisation, with their first initiative focusing on co-designing with young people on the 'Voice of the Child'.

Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation:

• Chrysalis was set up to disrupt and innovate within the organisation using human-centred design
• Chrysalis is taking a shared service approach to build innovation capability.
• Their first initiative is focusing on the 'Voice of the Child' and co-designing with young people.
• Key Assets is committed to innovation at all levels including the board

Links from the episode:

• Key Assets Australia: Click here
• Co-design For Impact - Co-design Training: Click here
• The Impacto Consulting website: Click here
• Impacto Consulting on LinkedIn: Click here

In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Rachael Cook, founder of Inclusee, discussing how her organisation provides social connection services to older Australians and refocused their model and operations based on their mission to reduce social isolation. They share how clarifying their purpose allowed them to innovate and impact more participants through virtual programs and a remote workforce nationally.

Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation:

• Mission focus and innovation in social sector organisation.
• Nonprofit organisation's growth and change.
• Transitioning from bricks-and-mortar to remote work.
• Remote work, technology, and social connection for older adults.
• Nonprofit organisation's mission-aligned decision-making and strategic growth.
• Social innovation and impact with Inclusee organisation.

Links from the episode:

• Inclusee website: Click here
• Co-design For Impact - Co-design Training: Click here
• The Impacto Consulting website: Click here
• Impacto Consulting on LinkedIn: Click here

In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley talk about why every organisation needs an innovation process. They also cover what a good innovation process looks like and some things leaders should think about when setting one up.

Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation:

• Empowering people through an innovation process is crucial for organisations to be innovative and impactful.
• Innovative and impactful organisations enable their people to create change by providing an easy and accessible innovation process.
• Implementing idea-sourcing platforms in organisations.
• Importance of engagement and diverse representation in idea-sourcing programs.
• The need for representatives from different teams to understand the impact of ideas on the entire client journey.
• Insights-driven approach can lead to more effective solutions by avoiding unnecessary technology and streamlining processes.
• Making the submission process easy and flexible for frontline staff is key.

Links from the episode:

• Co-design For Impact - Co-design Training: Click here
• The Impacto Consulting website: Click here
• Impacto Consulting on LinkedIn: Click here

In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss when it makes sense to bring in consultants for social innovation projects. They highlight the benefits consultants can provide through fresh perspectives, specialised expertise, driving change, reducing risks, and building long-term organisational capacity.

Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation:

• Benefits of consultants for social innovation projects: fresh perspectives, specialised knowledge, driving needed change, reducing risk through expert guidance, and building sustainable capacity.
• When consultants add value: for complex problems/opportunities requiring expertise, large/complex projects, and building organisational capacity long-term.
• Consultants bring new capabilities and experience to organisations, saving time and resources compared to building internally.
• Fresh eyes from consultants help identify blind spots and bring new perspectives.
• Consultants provide impartial insights and help navigate organisational politics.
• Consultants take on project management to free up internal stakeholders' time and focus.
• Consultants have a remit for change and can facilitate it more effectively than internal teams.
• Frameworks developed by consultants save time and expertise despite taking years to develop
  
  

Links from the episode:

• Co-design For Impact - Co-design Training: Click here
• The Impacto Consulting website: Click here
• Impacto Consulting on LinkedIn: Click here

In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss the additional supports needed beyond training to truly enable collaboration and shared decision making with stakeholders. It explores the importance of things like creating space, using tools and templates, establishing engagement groups, setting remuneration policies, and providing organisational clarity.

Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation:

• Training alone is not enough to enable collaboration and shared decision making. Other supports are needed.
• Leaders need to create space and time for people to work collaboratively. Unrealistic timelines hinder this.
• Tools and templates make the process easier by avoiding reinventing the wheel each time.
• Pre-set engagement groups remove barriers by providing ready access to stakeholders.
• Clear remuneration policies and processes are required.
• Organisational clarity on what requires co-design vs decisions is helpful.

Links from the episode:

• Co-design For Impact - Co-design Training: Click here
• The Impacto Consulting website: Click here
• Impacto Consulting on LinkedIn: Click here

In this episode, Dan Bentley and Tracey Newman are joined by Kyle Behrend the founder and director of NFPS.AI. Kyle's business is educating and empowering not for profits on practical applications of artificial intelligence, and explores both the opportunities and challenges for non-profits in leveraging AI for increased impact and efficiency.

Here is a taste of what Tracey, Dan and Kyle cover in the conversation:

• Kyle introduces himself and his work with nfps.ai
• Discussion around challenges of staying up to date with rapidly changing AI technologies
• Importance of focusing on specific problems organisations are facing and how AI can help
• Examples of AI use cases like donor engagement and first draft content creation
• Ensuring humans stay in the loop and AI is used as an assistant rather than a replacement
• Opportunities but also challenges and ethical considerations around AI
  
  

Links from the episode​:

• The NFPS.AI website: Click here
• Kyle Behrend on LinkedIn: Click here
• Co-design For Impact - Co-design Training: Click here
• The Impacto Consulting website: Click here
• Impacto Consulting on LinkedIn: Click here