How trends in engagement are changing for 2021
As we eagerly leave 2020 behind and cautiously step into 2021, Senior Consultant, Sarah-Jane Dabarera, reflects on the themes in community relations for the year ahead. Culture and heritage 2020 has set the scene for an increased focus on culture and heritage in 2021. The Black Lives Matter movement, Australian deaths in custody and the destruction of sacred sites at Juukan Gorge have resulted in increased focus and scrutiny on genuine engagement with Traditional Owners. The recently released amendments to the Aboriginal Heritage Act, issued by the WA Government, will require renewed effort in making agreements and strengthening relationships with Traditional Owners. Black
Building for tomorrow, engaging today – community relations for fast-tracked infrastructure
For the McGowan State Government, WA’s economic recovery from COVID-19 is all about infrastructure. Accelerated programs to build roads, rail and bridges are expected to bring about jobs and assets for the future. But what will these expedited projects mean for the communities where they will be built? Our stakeholder engagement experts explain why avoiding tick-box engagement, and developing a strong consultation program, is more important than ever when timeframes for delivery are crunched. How many projects have been fast tracked? More than 80 major rail, road, coastal and cycling projects over the next two years. A streamlined process for contract awards
2021 Conversations That Matter
As we embark on 2021, the world finds itself at a major turning point – politically, economically, technologically and socially. What’s next? It’s never easy to predict, and especially so this year! For businesses and communication experts, the best way forward is to reflect and learn from the year that was – the lockdown; the economic and social impacts; the devastating bushfires; the disruption of everyday life. The events of 2020 transformed how we communicate. We asked some of Perth’s best communication experts to look back on 2020 and give us their predictions for 2021. A purpose-driven focus With lots of social justice issues
How Has COVID-19 Made ‘Brand WA’ Stronger?
Thankfully, here in Western Australia we’ve been spared rising COVID-19 infection rates and the social unrest that has been felt in many other destinations. But how has our response to the pandemic strengthened our State’s reputation? Last week, some of Perth's best communication specialists battled it out at IABC's event, The Great Debate. We took the opportunity to hear what they thought. WA’s Major Industries Continue to Make a Considerable Contribution Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s Director, Policy and Advocacy, Rob Carruthers said he believed COVID-19 has made WA’s brand stronger on the national stage. “As we’ve seen over the last few months, and how
Five steps to make community engagement less scary
Let’s face it, engaging your community can be daunting. Our Stakeholder Engagement specialist, Sarah-Jane Dabarera shares five steps you can take to help shake-off the fear and embrace the process of community consultation. 1. Talk to your community If you’re concerned about how your community might respond, it could seem counterintuitive to just get out there and talk to them, but this is the best place to start. Starting a conversation with a few individuals first may assist your understanding of community concerns and issues. Early conversations with a sample stakeholder group can improve your research and build the case for more detailed
Cannings Purple recognised as an Employer of Choice
We are proud to announce that Cannings Purple has been recognised as an Employer of Choice in The Australian Business Awards (ABA) 2020. Although we’ve won a host of awards over the years, both regionally and internationally, we are particularly delighted to be recognised as an Employer of Choice. Annette Ellis is our CEO: “We invest a great deal in workplace culture and values, then hire people who share them. This means that our values don’t live in a manual, or on a poster in the kitchen, they are reflected in behaviours that we hold each other accountable for and that’s a
The numbers that matter: State Budget 2020-21
As Australia faces record levels of debt and deficit in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Western Australian Treasurer Ben Wyatt today bucked the trend to post a $1.2 billion surplus in the State Budget, followed by surpluses in the range of $363 million in 2021-2022 to $1.5 billion in 2023-2024. Buoyed by high iron ore prices, which enabled Western Australia to bank $8.4 billion in royalties in 2019/20, the coffers are well placed to support the State’s economic recovery and combat the ongoing threat of the coronavirus. The Budget assumes that Western Australia’s borders will remain closed until April 2021. Importantly,
World Homeless Day: a conversation that matters
If the events of 2020 have taught us anything, it’s how important it is to have a home to keep us safe. The uncertainties of our health, employment and financial security has threatened all of us during COVID-19 but many of us are aware we will collectively get through this and continue on with our lives. Unfortunately, these uncertainties are the norm for over 44,000 young Australians without a home and we’re looking to change that. On this year’s World Homeless Day, Cannings Purple, along with other well-known Australian organisations, have partnered with Whitelion to support the #NoHomeAddress campaign. Whitelion is a not-for-profit
COVID-19 recovery: The Federal Government’s $1.5 billion manufacturing strategy
The Morrison Government announced a $1.5 billion manufacturing strategy to support Australian manufacturers in an effort to recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 recession.
Case study: a real-world example of good content strategy
We’re all meant to be publishers these days, but it’s not unusual for organisations to be a bit bewildered about how to go about creating content, or what it should be.
Perth needs to aim big and grab the opportunity on its doorstep
Despite the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the recently released Hashtag Perth report delivers a range of recommendations that are very timely.
Making in-house support work post COVID-19
The big story of the past three months has been about disruption — it’s a story that every business, big or small, has shared.
Peter Klinger takes Investor Relations reins
We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Klinger to the position of Director, Investor Relations.
COVID-19: how data is helping us understand the pandemic
The science of data visualisation is helping us tell important stories better than ever before.
The 268 Podcast: why do I really need a website?
It’s generally agreed that you’re dead in the water unless you can offer customers, clients and other stakeholders a website that is easy to find and use. But the journey can be more complicated than you think.
Our experts predict the biggest trends of 2020
Cannings Purple experts take a look into the crystal ball and forecast the trends they expect to see emerging in months to come.
Why you shouldn’t laugh at the idea of a four-day working week
Fundamentally altering the way our society has worked for more than 200 years means being truly prepared to embrace change and brave enough to be bold.
Brisbane: a year of growth with much more to come
Time flies when you're having fun (and keeping busy).
Why your stakeholder database is much more than it seems
It may look, smell, and walk like a database but your stakeholder database can be so much more than that. Here are some simple reasons why you should start looking at your database differently and appreciating it for what it really can be. It’s your record Well, of course – right? A database, by its very nature, is a record system. But it’s more than just a box-ticking exercise. It’s a permanent and evolving reference of every interaction you have had with your stakeholders. You’ll be forever grateful for the perfect database when it’s easy to track not only what you did and
How the Matagarup Bridge was built – with the community
Construction of Perth's latest piece of iconic infrastructure took place in plain sight - but what happened behind the scenes was just as important.
Education pioneer Rod Jones receives Lifetime Achievement Award
The founder of Navitas as recognised for 'unwavering commitment to education while working outside the safety of public education.'
What is ‘branded journalism’ and how The 268 is leading the way
Our news and thought leadership hub has been shortlisted for a major global content award.
‘Pop-up’ car parks and the future of property on show in Perth
Car parks that are assembled in only days? It doesn't seem so far-fetched when you think of the disruptive age in which we live.
Are you accidentally breaking copyright rules?
The inspiring news clipping you’re just about to share on social media could also put your organisation at legal risk.
The D Word: reframing the density debate in Perth
Why is the opposition to density so entrenched, when well-designed urban density can deliver so much choice and diversity?
Clear communications in Africa: the expert view
Australian companies have become the biggest international players in the African mining sector, with nearly 200 ASX-listed companies working on 590 projects in 38 countries across the continent. But operating in Africa comes with its own challenges - some cultural, many related to communication and others revolving around security. Cannings Purple recently partnered with the Australia-Africa Minerals and Energy Group and Gilbert & Tobin to present a Communications in Africa forum in Perth. These are some of the key takeaways: Context is everything – Phil Edmands (G + T partner) Phil outlined some of the key risks international miners face in the African environment, including
What the 2019 Federal Budget means for WA
The Federal Budget provides the first surplus in more than a decade and made headlines for generous tax cuts, cash handouts and infrastructure spending. But how much did it actually deliver for WA and Western Australians? GST Firstly, addressing a long-standing priority, rules around the $69 billion GST revenue distribution to the states have changed, with WA the main beneficiary in this year’s Budget. Our total payment has risen from $9.8 billion to $11.1 billion. While the change is welcome, the Budget unfortunately also forecasts a $10 billion downturn in overall GST revenue, triggered by the property downturn in Sydney and Melbourne. So
You don’t know what you don’t know…but what if you did?
In one of the most wonderful and bizarre sporting moments of 2018, Australian golfer Marc Leishman was asked by an intrepid reporter: “Do you know what you don’t know?” Leishman, widely regarded as one of the more genial figures in his sport and in action at The Masters this weekend, looked perplexed but politely did his best to understand the question and then answer it, before finally deciding on a response of “no”. Seven months on and the clip remains a cracker. https://twitter.com/Skratch/status/1037416555993358337 The question seemed out of place in a golf press conference but a variation of it is heard regularly in boardrooms
Major works make way for another big building block in WA
An interesting thought struck me when I attended the 10th annual WA Major Projects Conference in Perth last week. In the nine previous editions of the conference it was the projects themselves and the process of building them that took centre stage. Over the years this covered everything from the biggest iron ore and LNG projects to major government undertakings like Optus Stadium and Elizabeth Quay. It’s not as if WA doesn’t have large-scale projects currently underway. BHP’s South Flank development was the topic of one session last week and the likes of METRONET, the Perth Airport upgrade, Northlink and the Westport strategy were also strongly featured. But my
‘Game-changing’ City Deal could unlock $58 billion in South East Queensland
Leading industry bodies have welcomed a Federal Government commitment to support a “game -changing” City Deal for South East Queensland. On the same day that the Queensland Government and a Council of Mayors (SEQ) unveiled a TransformingSEQ blueprint with the potential to stimulate the Queensland economy by up to $58 billion, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge announced their support for a City Deal. The Federal Government had been due to be officially presented with the blueprint on Wednesday and the pre-emptive support was well received by the Property Council of Australia. “We congratulate the