Strengthen Governance

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Effective corporate governance results in the right decisions being made by the right people based on the right information. The systems and processes that best support good governance will depend on the nature and scale of your organisation - there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ governance model.

Conducting a review of existing governance structures will identify strengths and weaknesses. We take a practical, risk-based approach to identifying areas for improvement, distinguishing between the ‘must haves’ and the ‘nice to haves’. Importantly, we aim to build governance processes that are strategic, not just designed to tick boxes.

Recommendations to improve governance will be customised to your needs. Steps to design or improve your governance framework may include: 

• Compliance - Identify the key legal and regulatory obligations, and establish a program to manage, monitor and report on compliance.

• Policies - Develop a suite of plain-English policies and procedures to help improve both performance and conformance.

• Risk - Ensure there is a comprehensive system of risk oversight, compliance, and internal control .

• Planning - Work with the board and/or management to develop a strategic plan which aligns with organisational goals and objectives, and cascades into business planning targets.

• Reporting - Implement systems to monitor and report on performance against goals and targets in strategic plans and business plans. We can provide advice on preparation of your Annual Report, or we can even write and produce the report for you in consultation with your management team.

• Board governance - Design and/or update board and committee structures and processes, charters and protocols, director induction, and programs for compliance with organisational duties and obligations. 

Legislation, workplace regulations, and health and safety obligations can be confusing, and keeping yourself updated can be time-consuming . Understanding the potential risks to your business allows you to ensure that your systems and processes are as effective as possible to manage those risks and leave you free to run your business. 

We can help improve your risk management in three simple steps:

Diagnose

A review of existing risk systems and processes will identify where there may be opportunities for improvement, or gaps which need to be addressed. 

Customise a solution

Based on the diagnostic review, we can tailor a solution that best suits your unique  needs, including:

• Ensuring that the key risks facing your operations have been identified and accurately assessed, and that mitigating controls are in place or are planned.
• Working with the board to identify risk appetite - the level of risk the board is willing to accept in order to meet its goals.
• Developing, or updating existing risk policies, procedures and frameworks, using Australian Standards as a baseline).

Implement 

A new or improved risk management system will be of little benefit if it is not effectively implemented. We can provide practical advice to help you embed systems and processes, and set up procedures to monitor and report on risk.  

 Our goal is to deliver sensible solutions that are sustainable. To give you the best chance of 

successfully managing your own corporate governance, we will ensure your systems and processes are 

fit-for-purpose, high quality, and as straight-forward as possible. 

We can help you grow internal capability through:

• Communication and training - Ensure the success of your governance and risk frameworks through an effective communication strategy, and targeted education and training programs.

• Ensure skills meet mandatory requirements - Raise awareness and understanding of regulatory or statutory duties, and build capability where there is a mandatory requirement, including compliance with directors’ duties and WHS obligations. 

• Ongoing management of systems and processes - Our job is to enable you to do yours. While you will be well equipped to understand and self-manage your governance systems and processes on a day-to-day basis, we are always available to provide advice and assistance when you need it.