Every year, our team steps away from the day-to-day to focus on the future we want to build together.
To do this, we look at where we’ve been, what’s changing around us and how we can challenge ourselves to be ready for what’s next.
Strategy Day is a time when we take stock of what’s important. It allows us to align on what matters, so the work we do supports communities in the best way possible.
This year, it all happened at Wembley Golf Course, high up in the Swingview Room, amidst swaying gum trees, next to a driving range, where keen golfers hit balls towards a cloudy Perth cityscape.
Here’s more about the day.
A special moment in time
This year, our Strategy Day was special in a different way.
After 25 years as CEO, Donna Shepherd will be handing leadership over to Chris Cottier, who takes on the role from 1 July. (Read more about this here.)
With this in mind, it was only fitting for the day to begin with reflections from Donna and our founder, Allan Tranter, on the journey that has brought Creating Communities to where it is today.
Allan reminded us that while our services and the way we work have evolved, our purpose remains the same.
“We build agency in people and communities, so they can have a say and take control of their own future,” he said.
“After all this time, we’re still about building people and communities.”
Donna shared that the genuine care our people bring to their work is what sets us apart.
“We care about the world, we care about people and we care about communities,” she said.
“The way we work together reflects that we care about each other as well.”
This care impacts every facet of our work: from the way we support our clients and communities, to the way we support one another as a team. Donna said this also means we hold ourselves to a high standard.
“We don’t want to see work going out of our business unless it’s the best we can possibly do,” she said.
Donna and Allan also shared how confident they were in Chris stepping up as CEO.
“We’re just so thrilled to think you’re in the best hands we could ever imagine,” Allan said.
“No matter what the future looks like, communities will need to come together, know how to speak to one another, collaborate and create a positive vision for themselves.”
Creating Communities Incoming CEO Chris Cottier
Changing times
Chris then led the team through a strategy session, which kicked off a discussion of emerging global trends, such as housing affordability, new technology and other uncertainties facing communities today.
He asked us to consider what these challenges mean for the people and communities we support, as well as how we can evolve to meet them, while staying true to our purpose.
“No matter what the future looks like, communities will need to come together, know how to speak to one another, collaborate and create a positive vision for themselves,” he said.
“This is what we do, and the world needs more of this.”
Next, our Director of Community Development Sally Ferreira spoke about the critical success factors behind purpose-led companies like Patagonia and Blundstone.
Sally challenged us to identify the critical success factors that will help Creating Communities continue growing its impact.
Our Creative Director Melanie Billig then shared research-backed insights into what makes a high-performing team. She spoke about the five elements needed for a team to work at its best.
Mel said that psychological safety was the foundation for any high-performing team, because when it exists, trust, collaboration and innovation can grow.
Finally, our Director of Social Value and Impact Jess Barker asked us to reflect on everything we’d explored during the day. We spoke about the moments that resonated for us, and our own journey with Creating Communities.
Jess also made it clear how much the team has achieved in the past year and thanked everyone for the passion and commitment they bring to their work.
Then, someone cracked a ball down the driving range, and just like that, our Strategy Day was over.
A team that mini-golfs together…
To wrap up the day, we grabbed putters and hit the mini-golf course nearby. Thanks to rainy weather, we’ll never truly know who the best mini-golf player at Creating Communities is. (But we strongly suspect it’s Sally or Kevin.)
Then, like every good golfer, we retired to the 19th hole.
Thank you to our team for showing up, sharing what matters to you and as always, bringing the care and commitment that makes you so good at what you do.
