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Over the years and many consulting engagements with charities and non-profit organisations, I have noticed a strange paradox – and I am by no means the first to comment on it. Charities and non‑profits are often extraordinarily effective at delivering frontline services. They feed communities, support vulnerable people, protect the environment, and enrich our cultural life. Yet behind the scenes, many operate with internal systems that are stretched, outdated, or simply not f

Introduction We are fortunate in rural and regional South Australia in that the great controversies and partisanship that are sweeping the USA and Europe do not yet seem to have taken hold here. It would be great to keep things that way. As a way of countering partisan headwinds I suggest we think about an informal code of conduct or common approach to managing partisanship by means of a practical framework of shared value. I believe this would help to manage and reduce parti

Sometimes people’s reasons for opposing change are just plain baffling…   Here’s a great story about one of those times.   He was a fresh young consultant engaged on what should have been the simplest, easiest change program ever. No, really, it should. Well, to be completely accurate, it was, then it wasn’t, then it was.   When I think back on my 35-year corporate career, the story of a few short weeks in the life of an engineering firm near Telford in the UK was, without do

I am excited to announce that Michael Brawn Consulting is now a Social Enterprise focussed on developing a resilient and thriving business ecosystem from the northern suburbs of Adelaide to the hills and plains as well as Gawler and the Barossa region. What is a Social Enterprise? A social enterprise is a commercial enterprise that applies business methods to achieve social, environmental, or community outcomes while still being financially sustainable. It does not rely on gr

When it comes to providing advisory services to small business owners, I’m finding they share some of the same headaches to those suffered by senior managers and executives of large corporate and even enterprise scale businesses.   From the outside it may seem that small business owners and corporate executives live in different universes. The former may be juggling cash flow, customer relationships, and day‑to‑day survival while the latter are navigating boardrooms, quarterl

SME Survival Strategies for Australia’s “Triple Whammy” Economy Context  Australian small businesses are facing simultaneous pressures: multiyear interest‑rate increases, rising energy prices, and mandated wage growth. These forces threaten margins and may accelerate the failure of underperforming (“zombie”) firms. Yet SMEs that adapt quickly can stabilise and even strengthen their competitive position Key Pressures Industry pundits are predicting triple economic impacts on s

Small businesses are facing more, and more frequent, unique challenges than ever before. The global management consulting firms refer to this as a 'VUCA' environment (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous), you may be experiencing it simply as chaos. Rapid change requires innovative solutions. With the right digital tools, implemented at the right time, you can streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and ultimately drive growth. This blog post will explore pr

Achieving growth in our increasingly competitive landscape demands great business strategy and great planning. Your businesses will face many challenges that can hinder growth. Without a clear direction, your business may struggle to achieve your goals and realise its full potential. Strategic planning is essential for any business looking to navigate these challenges effectively. This blog post will explore how strategic planning can maximise your business growth, providing

Your small business faces a myriad of challenges, particularly when it comes to compliance and governance. With regulations constantly evolving, keeping up can be simply overwhelming, even for small businesses. On the upside, establishing a strong compliance and governance framework is not just a legal obligation; it can also enhance your business's reputation and operational efficiency. This post will explore practical strategies to boost compliance and governance for small