A Vision for Australia: Have your say
We are reaching out to every Australian as we embark on a major initiative to create a narrative and execute a vision for Australia.
In particular we would like to hear from First 5000 members in regards to a vision for Australia’s business activities.
In 2015, we are developing a robust ‘big-picture’ vision and a roadmap for Australia’s increasingly diverse society over the next decade and longer term.
Global Access Partners (GAP), First 5000’s parent company, has been running taskforces and consultative committees for 14 years.
The GAP alumni comprises of about 5,000 members and 500 of them are active in ongoing projects. We have a strong online community which includes First 5000.
Now we are bringing it all together to create a synthesis of your views on the future of Australia. For this we want your input – your voice will be heard.
We will collect your ideas and produce a report that will be presented at the GAP Annual Growth Summit in September.
Please contact the Editor at editor@first5000.com.au with your blog of up to 1000 words and help us actively shape the future of Australia.
Helen Hull is the editor of First 5000, the leading network for mid-sized businesses in Australia.
Matthew Hughes-Gage
May 6, 2015 at 5:32 am
Business today need to
Business today need to embrace a culture of “TRUST”. The culture must be endemic to the whole workplace; peer to peer, employer to employee, team leader to team, tradesperson to apprentice, supplier to purchaser, seller to customer etc. The products or services sold by businesses should also reflect that trust so the clients at every level can rely of their relationship when doing business.
– Furniture Manufacturing Industry Consultant
Andrea Warr
April 16, 2015 at 6:29 am
Essentially, my vision
Essentially, my vision relates to the aging work force, extended working life and the challenges it faces. This does not relate particularly to the self determined, more the older worker that has spent years within a corporate environment that then finds themselves redundant, not a cultural fit and essentially not a hopeful future.
Key issues:
– aging workforce seen as a negative, both socially and nature of government policies
– Older workers can struggle to fit into the big corporate brand, work practices and culture fit
– If looking for work over 45/50, they can face discrimination as well lacking ability or access to find opportunities outside the big brand corporates that dominate google and the job boards
– Lack of value and purpose can have a negative impact on mental and physical health, financial security, socialisation and long term quality of life
Idea:
– has to start with rebranding the older worker – eg “Wise Economy” social attitudes have changed towards gay marriage, equality (sort of), sunburn and obesity through campaigns and awareness, why not the value and expertise of older workers by showcasing what people achieve over 50.
– Target industries and businesses that not only service the wise economy but would be ideally suited to employ from the wise economy
– Create employment practices that support older workers requirements, eg training, and work practices – as with maternity leave, older workers may need greater flexibility, support or medical leave.
– Create recruitment and networking platform for the wise economy.
– Create intergenerational mentoring where both participants are the mentor and mentee.
– Create rating/consulting for Wise Economy businesses as does sustainability and social responsibility
Andrew Kikeros
April 16, 2015 at 6:28 am
Sorry to beat my old
Sorry to beat my old weathered drum… how about a “flying squad” contingent workforce made of knowledge rich baby boomers who want to contribute (again) to enhancing society. I’ll even paint the placards! I just found out that by definition I am a “trailing edge baby boomer” (1962).
Joseph Sanders
April 16, 2015 at 6:27 am
There is so much talk about
There is so much talk about our economy being in transition.I would like to see a well resourced project to drive this transition,rather than rely on Ad Hoc investment ,or opportunistic behavour.In saying this I envisage Training and education links to this project,Taxation arrangements and investment incentives aligned to this project based growth plan.
I would also like to see demographics included in this plan in order to encourage people
to move to the areas where these sunrise industries are planned.
The concept requires input from all of the groups who have a vested interest.and must be articulated in such a way as to achieve buy-in from the community at large.
Change is more likely to succeed whilst we are strong,so the time to start is now.I hate to say it,but NZ is well down this path,years ahead of us,and reaping the rewards from their project based structures.
Les Pickett
April 16, 2015 at 6:21 am
With the current and ongoing
With the current and ongoing focus on political point scoring and winning the next election coupled with the ongoing ups and downs in Federal / State government relations there could be considerable benefits in taking some the key long term initiatives (such as major infrastructure) out of the political area so we can really develop a long term vision with a supporting strategy.