2
Why do you believe an organisation such
as Ca is currently so important?
We believe that unlocking creative potential and addressing our
inner environment will help in dealing with major global issues.
We need to constantly create opportunities for individuals and
communities to connect with one another in new and meaningful
ways and stimulate different thought and therefore behaviour.
The barriers are ever present. We live in a world where
computers, the internet, image and popular culture take us
further away from connecting with one another in a meaningful
way. We are in danger of becoming a society where alienation,
disengagement and self centeredness are entrenched in a world
where human beings fail to capitalize on building relationships
that are generative and creative.
Creativity is not a unique talent. Yet it was recently said that:
Creativity
has become the most universally endangered species in
the Twenty First Century. A 15 country research project showed
that creative behaviour diminishes from 98% in 3-5 year olds to
only 2% by age 25.
We need to start to value the richness of the human intellect,
including our creative capacities and educate our whole being
(left and right brains) so that we can all face the future in a
balanced way and make something of it.
What makes Creativity australia
unique?
We have a number of innovative
programs which are designed to bridge
social capital and bring different
individuals and organisations
together to tackle issues such as
mental wellbeing, unemployment,
employee engagement, innovation,
communication and leadership
skills. In addition, we will administer
wellbeing surveys to participants on a
regular basis to assess the outcomes of
SpotliGHt oN
our programs and engage in evidence-based longitudinal research
with leading research institutes and universities.
We envisage that the With One Voice and Battle of the Corporate
Choir
programme concepts especially will appeal to large, multi-
divisional companies that may find it difficult to engage staff
in their corporate cultures. It should also appeal to companies
and government agencies who not only want to foster their own
teamwork, wellbeing and innovation, but see a social mission
in encouraging their staff to engage with people in the wider
community experiencing alienation due to socio-economic
disadvantage.
I believe Ca partner with other
organisations. Who are some of these
and what role do they play?
CA already has drawn in a number of community leaders and
businesses. Patrons and partners include Dame Elisabeth
Murdoch AC, Hugh Morgan AC, Allan Fels AO, Committee for
Melbourne, Sofitel Hotel Melbourne and VECCI.
In addition CA has recruited a number of ambassadors and
"thought leaders", leading members of the business and wider
communities to promote the organisation and to stimulate the
discussion of creativity's role in improving people's lives.
One of our key projects is "Melbourne SINGS" a choir which
will engage employees from various corporations and members
of the Collingwood/Fitzroy Housing Estate community (approx.
1500 migrants). Sofitel Melbourne has agreed to host this
choir for weekly rehearsals in order to involve employees, and,
importantly, it hopes to identify and train prospective employees
from the migrant community. n
Want to know more?
To learn more about Creativity Australia or for
enquiries about their services and getting involved,
please contact Tania de Jong (03) 9682 9686.
Visit www.creativityaustralia.org.au
Contact tania@creativityaustralia.org.au
fees, version upgrades and a maintenance contract. You won't
need to include changes in communication costs, for example.
If you are looking into an SOE (Standard Operating Environment)
then less tangible factors such as down-time need to be
considered. The important thing when determining TCO is to be
consistent. When comparing the TCO of your process now and the
estimated TCO for after the implementation of any technology,
the inclusions and exclusions should be consistent across both
instances.
Using the example at hand, the consideration of the new website
should lead you to ask:
1. What will be the effort required to keep the information current,
assuming dynamic data due to usage changes?
2. What is the expected useful lifespan of the proposed web site and
its dependencies, and what costs should I expect (and when) in
the event I need to upgrade?
3. How critical is this service for my members? Do I need to
consider a redundancy plan?
The main sources of information required to successfully generate
a TCO figure are accounting reports, staff or member surveys, and
assumptions and estimates based on experience. Of course you will
also need to consult the technology provider for their input, and be
sure to hold them accountable for any commitments they make!
Don't be afraid to ask all the supposedly `dumb' questions, and
for larger projects consider employing the services of a trusted
independent technology consultant who will assist you with your
decision making process. After having a thorough understanding
of your objectives, he/she will be able to advise on aspects that
you may not normally consider, and perhaps even project manage
the implementation and ultimately ensure accountability of
deliverables from the technology vendor. n
David Woo is co-founder of FOCUS Business Technologies Pty Ltd,
one of Australia's most respected IT engineering organisations. For
more info visit www.focusbt.com.au or call David on 02 8259 0980.
How mucH benefit do you get from technology?
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