The SPP Podcast ‘The Deep Blue’: Impact Beyond the Dollars

As a consulting firm that supports organisations across the government, private, and not-for-profit sectors, SPP has seen the topic of delivering impact beyond dollars become more and more important to our clients.

For consumer-facing businesses, it reflects the increasing expectations of consumers that business will act in an environmentally and socially conscious way.  

We also know that employees are increasingly seeking purpose in their employment, and their understanding of the impact of their work is influencing their employment decisions. 

For investors, philanthropists and donors, understanding the broader non-economic value of their investment is an increasing expectation. 

But there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Each organisation operates differently and has different requirements.  

So, in this series, we’re talking to executives from a diverse range of organisations about how they think about impact. We’ve chosen people and organisations that are deeply purpose driven to understand how they’re driving positive change and making real Impact Beyond the Dollars.

Episode 1: Leading with Purpose at Life Saving Victoria

In Episode 1 of ‘Impact Beyond the Dollars’ we sat down with Life Saving Victoria to discuss:

• The importance of understanding an organisation’s impact beyond the quantifiable metrics.
• How Life Saving Victoria connects with over 400 community-based organisations to incorporate diverse, lived experiences as the foundation for program development.
• How investing in capability to measure, track and communicate impact has paid big dividends for LSV.

We were joined by CEO Catherine Greaves, GM of Government & Industry Relations Paul Shannon, and GM of Health Promotion & Communications Dr. Bernadette Matthews who share some important insights about how they lead with purpose, the importance of collaborating with external partners, and leveraging research to drive social impact.

Episode 2: Building a more sustainable world with Arup

In Episode 2 of ‘Impact Beyond the Dollars’ we sat down with Arup to discuss:

• How Arup has built an ecosystem of knowledge sharing that leverages the diverse expertise and perspectives of its global network of professionals.
• How Arup balances the need to deliver high-quality, accessible infrastructure that meets the needs of communities while minimising the carbon footprint and enhancing the resilience of the built environment.
• Why an evolving focus on impact and sustainability has reshaped how Arup chooses the clients they work with and the work that they choose to do to create a shared vision of positive social and environmental outcomes.
• How to effectively implement change and deliver impact, by starting with small steps and continuing to leverage latest technologies and changing landscapes.

We were joined by Arup Principal Joan Ko, Climate & Sustainability Services Lead for Australasia. Listen in as Joan discusses how Arup lives up to its mission to ‘Shape a Better World’, and how their strategy ‘sustainability is everything’  guides Arup’s work to shape our physical environment to adapt to a changing climate, how Arup measures impact, and the challenges and opportunities Arup sees in its position as an international organisation at the forefront of sustainability.

Episode 3: Helping Australians Heal with Wound Innovations

In Episode 3 of ‘Impact Beyond the Dollars’ we sat down with Wound Innovations to discuss:

• The importance of communicating the story of aged care patients with a marginalised voice
• How to socialise the story of your organisations impact internally to ensure all members of the organisation understand their role in delivering purpose
• Understanding the business model that will make a mission-driven organisation financially sustainable
• How to balance qualitative and quantitative data in your story, and how to combine research evidence with the human voice

We were joined by CEO of Wound Innovations, Anthony Dyer, who is a leading voice in wound care within Australia. Anthony shares the lessons he’s learned as a researcher and a business leader in this fascinating and engaging discussion around impact. 

Episode 4: Supporting improved Mental and Brain Health outcomes across Australia

In Episode 4 of ‘Impact Beyond the Dollars’ we sat down with the Turner Institute to discuss:

• How the pandemic transformed the need for mental health awareness and support, especially for families who faced increased stress and challenges
• The importance of engaging with the community in ways that are convenient and accessabile
• New ways researchers are using tools, like online courses and self-assessment frameworks to empower individuals to support their mental health

We were joined by Professor Kim Cornish, the director of the institute, Professor Marie Yap, an expert in parenting and youth mental health, and Associate Professor Matthew Pase, who heads the aging practice at the institute. They share how The Turner Institute is making a difference in the lives of Australians by increasing access to mental and brain health services and providing tools to help individuals and families to care for their mental and brain health.

Episode 5: Improving Health Outcomes through better Sleep for all Australians

In Episode 5 (the series finale) of ‘Impact Beyond the Dollars’ we sat down with the Sleep Health Foundation to discuss:

• How the Sleep Health Foundation empowers individual’s health by promoting good sleep
• The critical importance of sleep to all aspects of our mental and physical health
• Approaches to measuring and tracking the impact of sleep health programs
• What organisations and leaders can do to foster better sleep health for employees

We were joined by Professor Shantha Rajaratnam, the Chair of the Foundation who has also spent 20 years teaching Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Shantha is also Deputy Director of the Turner Institute and Head of the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University. In this fascinating conversation, Shantha shares his perspectives on the importance of sleep to our health, the impact of getting better sleep, and what leaders can do to foster a culture of better sleep in their organisations and beyond.