Search our learnings, perspectives and insights across our impact areas.

The workforce holy trinity

Workforce planning and culture development are at the core of building high-performing, connected teams. Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever reveals her approach to creating the 'workforce holy trinity' - balancing performance, cultural connection and happiness to strengthen organisations, boost retention and drive long-term business and community success.

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Visitor Economy, Community Development Jacqueline Hicks Visitor Economy, Community Development Jacqueline Hicks

Beyond the Logo - How place branding builds identity, economies and community

Place branding and placemaking go far beyond visual identity - they shape how communities see themselves and how others see them. Sparrowly Group’s Jackie Hicks shares insights from the City Nation Place Australasia forum, exploring how storytelling, collaboration and community engagement turn place brands into powerful economic and social drivers for towns, cities and regions.

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Workforce Development Giovanna Lever Workforce Development Giovanna Lever

Building Skills, Growing Economies - Why Workforce Development Matters

Workforce development and skills growth are vital to thriving communities and resilient economies. Drawing on Sparrowly Group’s national experience in place-based strategies, program design and evaluation, Giovanna Lever explains why workforce development goes beyond training, it’s a shared responsibility that strengthens businesses, supports people and drives sustainable economic success.

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Visitor Economy, Community Development Sparrowly Group Visitor Economy, Community Development Sparrowly Group

Diversifying without losing your cultural DNA 

Cultural tourism and diversification can help cultural institutions stay sustainable without losing their identity. With the sector growing faster than total tourism in Australia, Sparrowly Group’s Justine Sinclair shares practical steps to balance innovation, financial resilience and authenticity - ensuring cultural spaces remain vibrant, thought-provoking and true to their core purpose.

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SME Giovanna Lever SME Giovanna Lever

Shut up and Listen!

Workplace communication and engagement are at the heart of strong relationships and successful teams - yet genuine listening is often the missing skill. Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever shares practical strategies to master active listening, build deeper connections and create lasting engagement that drives better collaboration and business outcomes.

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Tourism, Workforce, and Community - A Powerful Trio for Regional Economic Development

Tourism, workforce and community development are deeply connected drivers of regional economic growth. Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever shares key takeaways from recent collaborations across the visitor economy, workforce and industry sectors - highlighting how sharing knowledge, strengthening partnerships and learning from peers can help regions and people thrive together.

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SME Giovanna Lever SME Giovanna Lever

Culture - more than dinners and ping pong

Workplace culture and leadership go far beyond perks and social events. Sparrowly Group’s Managing Director, Giovanna Lever, shares her practical approach to building a supportive, collaborative environment where people thrive - proving that true culture is created through care, trust and everyday actions, not just team lunches or offsites.

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Visitor Economy, Economic Development Sparrowly Group Visitor Economy, Economic Development Sparrowly Group

From Data to Action - Mastering Measurement in Destination Management

Data-driven destination management is essential for understanding performance, guiding investment and building stakeholder trust. Sparrowly Groups Justine Sinclair explores how better data collection, analysis and storytelling can transform Destination Management Plans into actionable strategies - helping destinations move beyond reporting to real insights that strengthen advocacy, partnerships, and sustainable visitor

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Building Bridges - the intersection of Workforce, Visitor, Economic, and Community Development

Workforce, visitor, economic and community development are deeply interconnected pillars of thriving regions, yet often operate in silos. Sparrowly Group's Giovanna Lever explores why greater collaboration across these sectors is vital for Australia’s future prosperity and how aligning strategies can unlock stronger communities, more resilient economies and lasting regional growth.

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SME Federico Moreno SME Federico Moreno

If you’re using AI, use a trained eye

Artificial intelligence in the workplace is transforming how we work, think, and create - but human oversight remains essential. Sparrowly Group’s Federico Moreno explores how to harness AI’s potential responsibly, ensuring innovation and efficiency never come at the cost of critical thinking, ethical judgement, or the uniquely human touch.

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Visitor Economy Giovanna Lever Visitor Economy Giovanna Lever

Soaring to New Heights - Insights and Innovations from Sparrowly Group

Tourism, hospitality and business development are evolving rapidly - and Sparrowly Group continues to lead the conversation. This week, four team members delivered workshops and panels across NSW, Queensland, and South Australia, sharing insights on customer loyalty, sustainable gastronomy, advocacy, and data-driven growth to help industries thrive and communities flourish.

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Economic Development Federico Moreno Economic Development Federico Moreno

The Federal Budget 2024-25 - A values-based, market shaping approach

Australia’s 2024–25 Federal Budget has sparked debate over the Future Made in Australia Act and its market-shaping ambitions. Sparrowly Group’s Federico Moreno explores how this values-driven economic strategy positions Australia in the global race to net zero - balancing competitiveness, sustainability and long-term investment in the nation’s future industries.

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SME Sparrowly Group SME Sparrowly Group

10 Steps to being Award Ready

Award submissions and business recognition offer powerful ways to showcase your impact and achievements. Sparrowly Group’s Justine Sinclair shares ten practical steps to help you prepare a standout application - from identifying your strongest stories to presenting measurable results - so you can confidently position your business for success.

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SME Giovanna Lever SME Giovanna Lever

Customer Voices Matter - A Guide to Feedback Mastery

Customer feedback and experience management are powerful tools for business growth - if you know how to use them. Sparrowly Group's Giovanna Lever explores how to embrace feedback with confidence, turn insights into action, and strengthen relationships that drive loyalty, satisfaction and long-term success across your customers and your business.

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Creative communities, optimising the opportunities for your place and people

Arts, culture and creative industries in NSW are vital economic drivers, contributing to exports, jobs and local identity. Sparrowly Group’s Justine Sinclair explores how the NSW Creative Communities Policy can unlock growth, strengthen cultural ecosystems, and help regions harness creativity to boost both community wellbeing and Australia’s creative economy.

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Workforce Development Federico Moreno Workforce Development Federico Moreno

Navigating the Kaleidoscope of Career Pathways

Career exploration and workforce development are vital to helping young people make confident, informed choices about their futures. Sparrowly Group’s Federico Moreno shares personal and professional insights on empowering the next generation to pursue pathways that align with their passions, creating a more resilient, skilled and future-ready Australian workforce.

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Economic Development Sparrowly Group Economic Development Sparrowly Group

In defence of the dollar - why impact measurement needs a common denominator

Economic impact analysis plays a crucial role in balancing social, environmental and financial outcomes - yet it’s often misunderstood. Sparrowly Group’s Senior Economist, Sam Miller, demystifies why using the dollar as a common measure helps compare diverse impacts, improve decision-making and align policy and business choices for greater overall community benefit.

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Visitor Economy, Economic Development, SME Morgan Thorn Visitor Economy, Economic Development, SME Morgan Thorn

2024 traveller trends, what’s in and what’s here to stay

Travel and tourism trends in 2024 reflect travellers seeking deeper connection, authenticity and purpose. Sparrowly Group’s Morgan Thorn highlights three key shifts destinations and businesses should embrace in their planning, and why understanding your customers, adapting quickly and designing with insight will keep you ahead of the curve, not chasing it.

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Connecting Your Business with Ethical Consumers: A Guide to Alignment

Ethical consumer behaviour and sustainable business practices are reshaping how organisations connect with their audiences. Sparrowly Group's Morgan Thorn explores how aligning your values with transparency, social impact and environmental responsibility can strengthen brand trust, attract conscious consumers and create lasting benefits for both your business and the communities you serve.

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SME Giovanna Lever SME Giovanna Lever

The Communication Dance

Team communication and leadership play a defining role in performance, culture and connection. Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever explores how refining the way we listen, respond and collaborate can transform team dynamics, strengthen trust and keep everyone performing at their best, even when communication feels like the hardest dance to master.

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