Fair Enough? A study of Australia's productivity performance and the Fair Work system

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:55:27 +1100

ThinkEvans has been retained by the Australian Business Foundation (www.abfoundation.com.au) to investigate and report on Australia's productivity performance.

The particular focus of this independent study is the extent to which characteristics of the Fair Work System may promote or inhibit the determinants of productivity and, therefore, productivity growth in Australia. In keeping with the Foundation's purpose of being an activist and thought leader, however, the study will probe beyond the obvious issues of legislative mechanics and procedural detail of the Fair Work system that have been much re-hashed in the current media debate on productivity.

Instead, we will be considering the causal relationships that link the determinants of productivity in three broad groupings:

- immediate determinants, that lie within the control of businesses and other producers of income (such as work practice, managerial skill, use of technology, etc), and which may accelerate or decelerate productivity growth in a given workplace;

- underlying determinants, that provide the environment of operations for business and other productive activities (such as the labour market, sources and availability of other inputs/materials, the regulatory environment, etc), and which may facilitate or impede production of goods and services; and

- fundamental determinants, that encompass the broadest economic, social and geographical context that sets the basic level of productivity for a nation, the influence of which may need to be ameliorated to ensure sustainable prosperity can flow from the productive capacity of the nation.

Given that context, we note that in a special report on Australia in May 2011, The Economist said:

"Australia is rich, tranquil and mostly overlooked, yet it has a story to tell. ... Over a period of 20 years, from 1983 to 2003, governments of the left and of the right carried out the reforms that have made Australia one of the most open and flexible economies in the world. That description would not have accurately described the country at any other stage in its history."

The article concluded by saying:

"Nonetheless, this era of prosperity and self-confidence should be a good time for Australians to take stock and confront any problems. On the face of it, their troubles are few: in 20 years of radical change all the obvious economic issues have been dealt with. Things are good, and the beach beckons. Certainly, the politicians seem unworried. Though they talk of reform, they spend most of their time scrapping about issues like climate change. A slight whiff of complacency pervades the groves of the capital, Canberra. That in itself should be a warning."

To develop a well-informed and independent view on relevant issues, involving a broad range of commentators to inform the study is central to our approach.

In addition to business owners, senior executives and board members, we are seeking participation from a cross section of businesses of various sizes, ages, business models and product/service industries, as part of testing the impact that these determinants are said to have in the overall productivity result.

Please note that we define business as including government and academic enterprise as well as those that make significant use of volunteers in their workforce; it is by no means limited to the commercial business model.

To participate in this study, or nominate another person to participate, send an email to FairEnough@thinkevans.com.au

Day Tours Revisited

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:36:23 +1100

The focus of this project was to refresh the reporting structure for those those involved in the day tours business for AAT Kings in the current business environment.
In addition to desk research, a significant number of interviews with relevant staff members were conducted in July and August..

A report to the Managing Director of the AAT Kings group.

Future Balance

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:01:30 +1000

Planning the care and support of Sisters in the Victoria Province to 2020 and beyond.

A report to the Province Leadership Team, Victoria Province of the Brigidine Sisters

Sustainability - shaping the future as well as the now

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:12:04 +1000

The final report on a review of the sustainability of six not for profit enterprise operated under the auspices of the Congregation, including the application of a bespoke analytical framework and assessment methodology as the basis for advising on how to take these entities into the future.

A report to the Congregational Leadership Team of the Sisters of St Joseph

Update: JADHE 3.1

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:30:04 +1000

JADHE reporting is a synthesis of justice and discipline information that reflects the health and effectiveness of the military justice system of the Australian Defence Force.

A report to the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force for the year ended 30 June 2011.

Debrief on sustainable not for profit enterprise

Wed, 11 May 2011 07:30:59 +1000

Client: Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart

Culminating a year of study and review of not for profit enterprise operating under the auspices of the Congregation, this presentation provided the analytical framework and assessment methodology for advising on how to take these entities into the future.

Second preliminary debrief on sustaining projects in evolving circumstances - Timor Leste

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:57:14 +1000

Client: Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart

Following on the recent trip to Timor Leste to see first hand the projects under way there and assess the microeconomic climate for achieving sustainable capacity development, the team will make a preliminary debrief on this element of the larger project for the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph.

A new category of travel

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 14:41:29 +1100

Client: Inspiring Journeys

Launched in February 2011, Inspiring Journeys is well on the way to becoming a leading tour operator in Australia, specialising in experiential touring with journeys that focus on discovery, exploration, learning by doing and relaxation.

The ThinkEvans team has made a variety of strategic contributions to this exciting new direction in a mature industry.

Part of The Travel Corporation family, a highly successful international travel group with over 25 award winning brands including Contiki Holidays (Australia), Inspiring Journeys is defining a whole new category of travel and holiday product.

Board challenges in not-for-profit enterprise

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 15:19:28 +1100

Client: Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart

A seminar was presented for over 70 board members from various not-for-profit enterprises working under the auspices of the Congregation.

A variety of issues in good governance, board performance and succession planning will be addressed, in particular re-examining the purpose of the enterprise, calibrating the impact of activities and evaluating board performance.

First preliminary debrief on sustaining projects in evolving circumstances - Peru

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:52:32 +1100

Client: Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart

Following on the recent trip to Peru to see first hand the projects under way there and assess the microeconomic climate for achieving sustainable capacity development, the team have made a preliminary debrief on this element of the larger project for the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph.

Sustaining projects in evolving circumstances

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 15:18:11 +1100

Client: Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart

Following on from series of papers developed for the NSW, SA, New Zealand, Queensland and Victoria Provinces to address issues of sustainability in institutional ministries, this work will now be extended to the works under the auspices of the Congregation.

Planning for major organisational change

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:10:11 +1100

Client: Institute of the Sisters of Mercy in Australia

Following a decision to bring 15 Mercy congregations into a single religious institute, ThinkEvans will be developing a master plan to bring the new organisation to fruition by late 2012.

Report to be delivered progressively through 2011.

Sustainability in not-for-profit enterprise

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:12:40 +1000

Client: Provinces of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart

A series of papers have been developed for the NSW, SA, New Zealand and Victoria Provinces, with Queensland now also under way, to address issues of sustainability in institutional ministries. These organisations are not-for-profit enterprises that work in education, aged care, community services and related fields in Australia and overseas.

The evolving shape of the Congregation challenges these associated organisations to also evolve, revisiting their purpose in the community and their arrangements for governance and decision making.

Measuring military justice outcomes 2010

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:10:27 +1000

Client: Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force

JADHE* v3.0 updates and extends the documentation of performance and outcomes of the military justice system in the Australian Defence Force, incorporating a descriptive status to provide “at a glance” summaries.

*Justice and Discipline Health and Effectiveness

Military Justice Feedback Facility Extension

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:06:40 +1000

Client: Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force

The online facility by which Defence personnel can provide their feedback on military justice processes has now been extended to encompass inquiry processes.

Already open to all personnel who have experienced either a trial or a complaints process, the facility has now been extended to obtain from both ADF personnel and members of the public their personal perceptions in relation to key result areas and key performance indicators.

Pioneering the next 100 years

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:49:56 +1000

Client: Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart

The paper was presented as a seminar at a national gathering of the Congregation and Provincial Leadership groups in April 2010.

Following an earlier paper in April 2009, this session was prepared to assist the national leadership group of the Sisters of St Joseph (the order founded by Mother Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods) in their consideration of the challenges in delivering on their mission that were identified over the course of the year from discussions based on the earlier paper.