Place branding is more than a logo—it’s the DNA of a place. Sparrowly Group’s Jackie Hicks explores how place branding and placemaking serve as critical economic and social drivers that shape a community’s identity. Drawing on insights from the City Nation Place Australasia forum, we highlight the importance of community engagement, strategic storytelling and collaborative brand development. Whether for a town, city or region, embracing place branding as a strategic priority ensures a stronger, more connected future.

Engagement, a cornerstone of communication, is critical in the workplace for fostering positive relationships and ultimately, achieving better business outcomes. Yet, if I had a dollar for every resume claiming “I’m a great communicator,” I’d be well on my way to retirement. The reality is that many people struggle with one fundamental aspect of communication - true engagement. 

Why? Because we don’t know how to listen.

Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever shares her tips to mastering deep and long lasting engagement.

“I’d like to give you some feedback.” Seven words that can make a person feel uncomfortable or challenged. But how do you build your feedback muscle and how to run to it rather than run away from it? A realistic guide to accepting feedback and elevating your business and customer satisfaction by taking positive action.

My kids were her absolute motivation to take the plunge, start Sparrowly Group and become the maker of her own destiny. And, a lot has happened in 8 years. It’s not just Giovanna any more. Today, Sparrowly Group is a team of 7 individuals, all with unique, yet, complementary skills.

As we now move into our 9th year of business, Managing Director, Giovanna Lever wanted to share her 8 learnings with aspiring or current business owners.

Sparrowly Group Owner and Managing Director, Giovanna Lever shares her strategies on how she maintains a positive mindset for business and personal success.

Sparrowly Group’s, Giovanna Lever shares her views on the pitfalls of many businesses today in lazy sales and why playing the long game and care is so critical.

According to Giovanna Lever, it doesn’t matter if you’re the Queen of England or someone starting out in your career or new business, if you are brave enough, if someone has recommended that we would be a good fit to meet (with no strings attached), then she will always make the time.

Giovanna Lever’s personal letter to small business owners. She has helped many small to medium sized businesses become profitable, retain happy customers/clients and scale successfully.

Professional breakups don’t necessarily mean a disaster. Giovanna Lever explains when it is well managed and with both parties best interests as the focus, can, in most cases lead to a more positive outcome long term.

Giovanna Lever shares why is it so important to create a culture of trust?

Should walking and talking be the new "coffee"? Hear what a leadership expert, Giovanna Lever has to say about the importance of incorporating exercise into your meetings.

In many professional landscapes people only care about who you are and what you do. Hear what Giovanna Lever has to say about networking without a business card.

Tax planning is sometimes seen as the less important part of our professional development. Learn more about why Giovanna Lever believes in the importance of implementing tax planning.

People are the most important assets to a company, but is it possible that our opinions can sometimes be insignificant in the corporate world? Giovanna Lever explores this notion.

Networking can often be people's worst nightmares. But why? Giovanna Lever shares how to implement skills to improve your networking abilities at the next work event.