Strategic planning and stakeholder engagement

In a world where businesses must be agile to survive, this regulatory authority recognised that it was time to modernise and future-proof its operations.

A major health and safety regulator needed to modernise so that they were focused on the right regulatory activities and to reduce any unnecessary burden on those that they regulate. Like many regulators, technology adoption was an area of much needed focus to keep pace with exponential change. They sought to improve efficiency, government relations, licensee profitability, and regulation compliance. The changing industry landscape, including increasing prevalence of cottage industry, made it crucial to remain relevant.

Davidson was awarded the contract for business advisory services based on our deep understanding of the regulatory landscape and ability to develop complex strategies.

The organisation faced challenges from various sources, including Australia's growing food production, emerging bacteria and antibiotic resistance, and rising consumer expectations that place pressure on both licensees and regulators to ensure health and safety standards of consumer products are met.

The fast pace of technological change is changing the way work is performed, presenting a challenge for the organisation to keep up with the latest advancements while increasing profitability.

The organisation faced obstacles with two-way communication with key stakeholders, particularly in meeting increased expectations from licensees around communication and responsiveness.

The volume of data being collected is a challenge; it was all being performed manually. While the regulator had good data and the ability to capture it, the challenges lay in distilling it in a meaningful way to inform business decisions.

Innovations are underway across the sector to support new markets, and the booming cottage industry is creating challenges for the regulator in supporting these new initiatives – especially when tough legislation has led some to set up interstate instead.

Solutions

Davidson’s Business Advisory team specially selected a two-person team with deep regulatory expertise for the 12-week engagement.

After being initially asked to revise the client's corporate plan, our scope was extended to conduct extensive stakeholder interviews with both internal and external parties, including staff surveys to gain a 360-degree view of the regulator's needs. We collated all feedback to identify gaps and areas for improvement.

Our first priority was to conduct a desktop review and prepare a Contemporary Environmental Scan, analysing industry threats, external opportunities, interstate and international trends and best practices to provide a clear understanding of the client's position.

Additionally, we assessed the client's risk management practices, acknowledging their risk aversion and emphasising the need for a robust risk matrix to enable innovation and modernisation.

The analysis was crucial to making informed decisions, taking appropriate actions, and generating insights. We used it, along with the relevant Government Minister's 'Statement of Expectations' for the organisation, to inform the development of: a redesigned strategic risk framework, a new 5-year strategic plan, and sustainable financial modelling, to position them to be more effective moving forward, including reducing water consumption, business license fees, and making business cases to the government for more funding.

Redesigned strategic risk framework

New 5-year strategic plan

Sustainable financial modelling

Outcomes

Driven by Davidson’s strong collaborative approach, the key deliverables developed, including the new risk framework and financial modelling, are helping to set the organisation up for future success.

Buy-in by the CEO, Board and key Executive Committees were crucial; the 5-year strategic plan was co-designed with the CEO and Board, and the regulator’s Audit and Risk Management committee validated the redesigned strategic risk framework, confirming their approval.

At Davidson, we see our partnerships as being for the long-term. We are committed to going the extra mile to achieve results that deliver sustainable outcomes, and we bring people with practical experience to our clients.

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