31 March 2017

Princess Alexandra Hospital at the forefront of innovation

Author :

The Princess Alexandra Hospital is at the forefront of healthcare innovation and better quality of care for patients, having become Australia’s first large-scale digital hospital in November 2015.

But the hospital is also at the forefront of their budget.

Extra functionality including clinical device integration, the delivery of digital records and wireless upgrades were some of the reasons why Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) and Cairns Hospital ran over budget, Queensland Health says.

A report by Queensland's Auditor-General released last week into the financial performance of Queensland's 16 Hospital and Health Services (HHS) found that most were performing well, but that the budget for PAH's digital hospital roll-out had overrun by $12m and Cairns by $15m. (Hyperlink: https://www.pulseitmagazine.com.au/australian-ehealth/3574-extra-functionality-caused-extra-cost-for-digital-hospitals-queensland-health)

The 2000 paper records that circulated in the hospital at any given time have been replaced by real-time patient information sent to a secure EMR.

Rollout of the project required training nearly 6000 staff and integrating more than 1600 new digital devices across the hospital, with extensive third-party support throughout implementation.

Despite the initial financial outlay, the benefits of a digital hospital are many. They offer:
    A work environment attractive to clinicians
    Reduction in transcription, legibility and omission errors
    Enhanced care coordination because of simultaneous access to the electronic record
    Reduced time locating/collecting patient information
    Decreased number of avoidable clinical incidents
    Reduction in the number of unnecessary administrative tasks, meaning more time to communicate with patients about their care and needs

Princess Alexandra Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr Stephen Ayre will deliver the keynote at Akolade’s upcoming Australian Digital Hospitals Summit:

Delivering Australia’s first large scale digital hospital
    Implementing a realistic plan towards a fully operational digital hospital
    Setting the standards for digital healthcare to align innovation initiatives
    Initial steps towards digitisation and encouraging clinician-led innovation

Digital integration requires strategic planning, resource management and stakeholder engagement. What does your digital strategy look like?

Written by: Claire Dowler

Claire Dowler is a Conference Producer with Akolade. She recently graduated with a double degree: a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Media and Communications Studies majoring in International Communication. Claire minored in sarcasm and puns.


A ballroom-dancer who collects salt and pepper shakers and volunteers for animal rescue, you might say Claire has eclectic interests.

29 March 2017

How Walt Disney drives innovation through diversity

Author :
The Walt Disney Company has adopted a unique approach to engaging a multi-generational workforce with a view to boosting innovation, fostering employee engagement and improving talent management, according to the company’s local head of HR.
Walt Disney has a number of programs in place globally, such as internships and reverse mentoring, which assist in catering to the needs of a multi-generational workforce, said Toby List, head of HR, Australia & New Zealand for The Walt Disney Company.
Locally, he said the company offers programs, forums and opportunities that encourage a diversity of perspectives for employees across generations to come together, share and thrive. 
“What all of these programs have in common is that they are open to all staff, regardless of level and role, and therefore tap into the full diversity (including generational) of our workforce and provide opportunities and development to all those involved,” he said.
Diversity and innovation go hand-in-hand in Walt Disney, according to List, who said the company is “wonderfully diverse” and in the local market alone it has TV channels, TV content, movies, live stage shows, consumer products and digital. “This diversity is stimulating but can also create complexity,” he said.
“So as we assess talent, we value the ability to look at things through our consumers’ eyes, to see connections across the business, and to collaborate at an advanced level in order to deliver results. “For these reasons, we value staff and leaders who have a diversity of experience, meaning that we actively seek to bring about lateral moves and promote from within where we have opportunities.”
The business also supports this through programs which enable staff to collaborate across departments on shared challenges and through other programs such as job shadowing and mentoring. 

List said the appointment of Kylie Watson-Wheeler as MD in June 2016 is evidence of the value placed on lateral experience; as Kylie previously held roles across four different business areas before being appointed. HR also plays an important role in the above strategies as “co-authors, sponsors and facilitators”, said List. “The ‘co’ is important to emphasise as the programs have objectives which are both developmental for our staff but also of ultimate and direct commercial value to the company,” he said.
Want more on how to instill diversity and inclusion as part of your company's core business model? Don't miss the National Diversity & Inclusion for Business Growth Forum being held in Sydney just next week!
Hear from key speakers from across Australia and the globe, such as: Tisa Jackson, Head of Global Diversity and Inclusion at Microsoft (USA), Jane Hill, People and Culture Director at Lion, Ronan Carolan, Head of HR for Consumer at Optus, Jacqueline Minney, Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Aboriginal Affairs at Laing O'Rourke, and plenty others.
Written by: Nicolas Verbeeck
Nicolas was born in Belgium and became an expert in consuming excellent beers, chocolate and waffles. During the winter period you can find him on a hockey pitch and in summer he loves to go for a swim or a surf. In 2013 Nicolas was wondering what the beers, chocolate and waffles would taste like in Australia and never came back. One reason… the weather. Nicolas obtained a masters in International Politics and tries to use this background to produce excellent conferences at Akolade.

28 March 2017

Close the Gap targets not on track

Author :

Last week marked ten years since the first Close the Gap report was initiated.

“The Close the Gap campaign's goal is to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.”1

As leaders from across the country gathered in Canberra to discuss and evaluate outcomes, it became clear that the progress is slow. In some areas, it even appears to be going backwards.

“Governments at all levels continue to fail Australia’s First Peoples. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s most recent Close the Gap report to Parliament, in February 2017, was not good news. Most of the Close the Gap targets are unlikely to be met by 2030,” Patricia turner, co-chair of Close the Gap Campaign and CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation wrote in an opinion on piece on SBS.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander continue to face disadvantages in areas such as education, employment, and health, and the government has implemented several initiatives to close the gap between Australia’s Indigenous population and non-Indigenous Australians.

However, only one out of the seven targets set out to close the gap appears to be on track to be met.

“We cannot shy away from the stark reality that we are not seeing sufficient national progress on the Closing the Gap targets,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said, according to News.

One of the targets of the Close the Gap initiative is to close the employment gap. Currently less than half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at a work-ready are participating in the workforce. This target is one of the ones that are not on track.

Employment is crucial to strengthen the Indigenous economy, which will also help improve social issues Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are facing.

“We’ll work to ensure that the Close the Gap initiatives are community-driven and recognise that indigenous leaders are absolutely central — paramount — to finding the solutions in a way that supports identity and wellbeing,” Mr Turnbull said, according to News.

National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples co-chair Jackie Huggins told the audience in Canberra that “Indigenous organisations are seeking a new relationship, a genuine partnership and a commitment to ongoing structural engagement.”

Continue conversations dedicated to the how to's of driving economic independence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities at Akolade's 4th National Indigenous Economic Development Forum being held in Cairns on the 28-30 June 2017!


Written by: Mimmie Wilhelmson

Mimmie grew up in Sweden and first came to Australia as a backpacker after high school. After travelling around the country for two years she returned to Europe and pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism in London. But the longing for Australia and the sun became too strong. After having worked for some time in the media industry, Mimmie decided to make a change and swap the news for conferences. She now gets to do what she loves the most, meeting new people and keep learning about cultures and issues while producing conferences on current topics.

23 March 2017

How technology is changing the retail supply chain

Author :

Consumers have more power than ever before and rising expectations mean that later order cut-off times and faster delivery options are constantly changing. With technology such as automation playing an increasing role in the supply chain, many believe this is only going to become more apparent.

At the heart of this shift has been the rise of multichannel, which means whichever channel a customer uses they can reasonably expect a consistent quality of experience; whether shopping in-store or via mobile, tablet or laptop. This also means more consumer savviness, with online price comparison is now routine.

Five years ago, how to navigate multichannel was at the forefront of many business’s plans for the future, particularly those in the retail trade. Questions were asked about how to place the customer at the heart of the retail experience. Retailers and their suppliers needed to put in place a strategy to oversee this.

The rise of multichannel has had a huge impact on the logistics supply chain.

In response, the use of technology such as automation in logistics has inevitably increased in a bid to increase productivity and efficiency. The right type of automation is key, however. For targeted efficiencies, it is best to concentrate on automating specific points within the supply chain – something that as a leading provider of automated warehouses in the UK we know the logistics industry is seeing more and more of.

So what does this automation look like? The internet of things is one example of a point early on in the supply chain. It is already in use and has the potential to simplify the ordering process for households up and down the country. At the touch of a button, replacement washing powder, toothpaste and toiletries can be guaranteed delivery within a matter of hours. For manufacturers, too, it is being put to use ordering parts and supplies.

Later in the supply process warehouses, too, are making use of technology to deliver efficiencies in terms of time and energy. By working in partnership with humans, automated machinery can take on increasing aspects of warehouse operations, even the pick and pack tasks traditionally too complicated. 

In the future, driverless vehicles could bring automation to the end of the logistics supply chain, the point of delivery. The technology is evolving quickly and we wait to see how it will be embraced and its benefits. Clearer roads? More productive work hours?


To explore how new technology can be used to support business growth, it’s vital that all involved in the supply chain take a collaborative approach. In today’s consumer-centric landscape, only one thing is certain: change is ever constant. As technology develops, the supply chain must embrace it. 

Likewise, the smart supply chain professional will exploit the potential technology holds – not only by innovating within their own business, but by looking at opportunities to collaborate across industries. Wincanton is doing just that and we invite others to join us.

Written by: Nicolas Verbeeck

Nicolas was born in Belgium and became an expert in consuming excellent beers, chocolate and waffles. During the winter period you can find him on a hockey pitch and in summer he loves to go for a swim or a surf. In 2013 Nicolas was wondering what the beers, chocolate and waffles would taste like in Australia and never came back. One reason… the weather. Nicolas obtained a masters in International Politics and tries to use this background to produce excellent conferences at Akolade.

21 March 2017

Challenging the taboo of mental health issues

Author :

Mental health issues are now so widely common around Australia that almost half of Australia’s population will at some point in their life experience a mental health-related condition.

One in five will experience a mental illness in any given year. This has made mental health issues one of Australia’s most common illnesses.

For long, mental health issues have been considered taboo, and to some extent, still are. They have not been recognised as proper illnesses, but rather, a personality trait.
                                                                                                                                                           
For women, suffering from for example depression or anxiety, has often been blamed on the women’s “frail and overemotional nature”, and in some areas and cultures, this is still the case. On the other hand, men have been urged (forced?) not to suffer from any mental health conditions, as it would make them seem weak.

We still have a long way to go, but the more we talk about mental health, and the more open we become about our own wellbeing, the better we will become at managing mental health issues.

It almost seems too basic to be mentioned, but the first recognition of mental health issues needs to come from the government and our own health care system.  If our own doctors, nurses and politicians aren’t prioritising mental health illnesses, who else will?

Australia’s ongoing health reforms are aimed at putting the patient first. The new health system is meant to focus on the patient’s needs, rather than the patient having to fit their needs into what the health care system has to offer.

These new reforms are also expected to improve the way people with mental health conditions are being treated and supported. It’s meant to become easier to receive support, easier to navigate your way through the system.

However, mental health has often been given the least funding. It’s been seen as the least important, something that’s often been forgotten or swept under the carpet within organisations. Let’s hope this is changing.


Let’s end the taboo and stigma surrounding mental health issues and give it the focus and prioritising it needs.

Hear more on the mental health reform and how your organisation can implement new mental health policies and frameworks to improve consumer outcomes from thought leaders in the space at Akolade's National Mental Health Forum, being held in Sydney on the 30th May-1st June 2017.

Written by: Mimmie Wilhelmson

Mimmie grew up in Sweden and first came to Australia as a backpacker after high school. After travelling around the country for two years she returned to Europe and pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism in London. But the longing for Australia and the sun became too strong. After having worked for some time in the media industry, Mimmie decided to make a change and swap the news for conferences. She now gets to do what she loves the most, meeting new people and keep learning about cultures and issues while producing conferences on current topics.

16 March 2017

Hospital CIO ranked 2nd most influential Government CIO in Australia

Author :

Alastair Sharman has been named one of Australia’s Australia’s four most influential Government CIOs as part of CeBIT’s top 50 Australian CIOs of 2016.

Sharman heads the ICT division at Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service where he and his team have recently introduced Tobii technology. The new developments allow immobilised patients to navigate apps using only their eyes, improving their quality of life.

“It’s about a young boy who this time last year was walking around, swimming – just a normal kid and in the space of a very short period of time, all he could do was move his eyes. As a dad that was pretty moving for me,” Sharman told CeBIT.

Whilst technology integration is part and parcel of achieving business outcomes, Sharman has found it is also capable of lifting morale in the ward by providing fun and relief for patients.

Sharman and the Health Service Chief Executive, FIonnagh Dougan, are co-presenting at the Australian Digital Hospitals Summit in Sydney this coming June.

Among 20+ other leading public and private hospital leaders driving the digital transformation in hospitals across Australia, Dougan and Sharman will present a leading case study:

The changing role of IM and ICT in the delivery of healthcare
·         Leveraging data (now available through digitation) to inform clinical and service delivery improvement and change
·         Incorporating the consumer and clinical leadership in the design and implementation of new digital capabilities
·         Moving towards integrated service models
Alastair Sharman, Chief Information Officer, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service
Fionnagh Dougan, Health Service Chief Executive, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health  Service


Click on to see the speaker line-up and the content-packed three day agenda: https://akolade.com.au/events/australian-digital-hospitals-summit/

Written by: Claire Dowler

Claire Dowler is a Conference Producer with Akolade. She recently graduated with a double degree: a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Media and Communications Studies majoring in International Communication. Claire minored in sarcasm and puns.

A ballroom-dancer who collects salt and pepper shakers and volunteers for animal rescue, you might say Claire has eclectic interests.

15 March 2017

Snapchat - still a big thing to engage students

Author :

Snapchat is Australia’s 5th social media channel with 4,000,000 daily active users, 1 in every 6 Australians, and with its largest audience aged 18-24 (31%), followed by 25-34-year-olds (28%), 13-17 (23%) and 35+ (18%).

As statistics show, millennials have fully adapted to using Snapchat on a daily basis and others shouldn’t be afraid to do the same as there can be significant benefits.

Even though Facebook is Australia’s (and a global) favourite, and despite being compared to Facebook back in 2004 as a new platform still waiting to see engagement from non-early adopters, Snapchat is already a major marketing platform for many businesses – and especially for universities.

As a favourite amongst the younger generations, Snapchat is also the favourite app for students.

With more than 70% of college students accessing Snapchat at least once a day and half of students using the app as a main source of communication, undoubtedly universities need to get involved.

Universities can use this app for multiple benefits – to attract prospective students, engage with the community of current students and alumni on an informal and conversational level, add a sense of exclusivity to stories shared, and much more.

Snapchat also offers the opportunity for universities to speak to students how they want to be spoken to and where, and ask particular questions which can enhance their engagement and performance.

During the student application process, potential applicants may not want to hear the same old pitch from an admissions officer – but instead, think about the connection they could make if they were put in touch with an actual student who is sharing their story on Snapchat.

This can create real and dynamic connections which can make all the difference.

With a successful immersive Snapchat campaign for its 2016 Open Day and stating it as the “perfect platform” to demonstrate what is like to be a student at USYD, University of Sydney will present a Snapchat case study at Akolade’s Social Media for Higher Education Conference, coming to Sydney on the 3rd-5th May 2017.

Jenna Bradwell, Student Marketing Officer and Social Media Specialist at the University of Sydney, will share her strategies to help social media leaders establish campaign goals (engaging and retaining), leverage new channels to diversify engagement methods, enhance the student experience, and build a following.


*Statistics compiled by SocialMediaNews.com.au for January 2017.

Written by: Vanessa Carvalho

Coming directly from the enormous and busy Sao Paulo city, Vanessa is now enjoying all the Sydney’s pretty views and beach lifestyle.

With a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and more than 7 years’ experience in international corporate events, she’s the new addition to Akolade’s multicultural team. Despite her shyness, she is bringing a little bit of the cheerful Brazilian culture to our office, especially typical food.

14 March 2017

Taskforce launched to shake-up IT procurement

Author :
The Turnbull government is looking to shake-up public sector tech procurement with a push to get smaller players involved in bidding for government ICT contracts. The procurement space has traditionally been dominated by a handful of major global IT heavyweights but it’s a paradigm that the federal government is aiming to change with the launch of an ICT Procurement Taskforce.
Assistant minister for digital transformation Angus Taylor said that the opportunity to widen the scope of how government agencies procure new technology solutions is too good to ignore.
“We’ve got to let the outside in; government needs to be porous. We need to open up our ICT contracts to smaller players to solve Government problems,” Mr Taylor said. “To capitalise on digital solutions in the private sector, we need to remove barriers for start-ups and SMEs who want to pitch their ideas and win Government ICT work.”
Assistant Minister Taylor said a future procurement platform should be able ‘to ingest and provide technology’. “In this framework you would be able to build on Government platforms to provide services and solutions. These solutions may be based entirely or partially on high quality Government data,” he said.
The taskforce is the latest initiative emanating from Mr Taylor’s office, having recently reshaped the Digital Transformation Office (DTO) into the Digital Transformation Agency to drive the government’s digital agenda. 
The new agency is responsible for co-ordinating and integrating digital delivery across government. It will also look to provide greater transparency on the return on investment from government-led ICT and digital projects.
Technology adviser and CEO of Huxxer Corporation, Antony Harrowell, said the biggest hurdle facing smaller tech outfits is getting on the panel in the first place.“The existing framework is so onerous that most start-ups just can’t compete with a more established player, especially at a federal level.”
There’s no reason that a local provider can’t provide the desired solution but they are simply not going to get a look in,” he added. Part of the problem, according to Me Harrowell, is that agencies are often unwilling to get out of their “comfort zone.” “The tender-based model and the way they are assessed immediately locks out companies that may have good ideas but don’t always fit the bill as far as keywords are concerned.”

The taskforce is expected to report back to the government in early 2017. Submissions can be made at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

Written by: Nicolas Verbeeck
Nicolas was born in Belgium and became an expert in consuming excellent beers, chocolate and waffles. During the winter period you can find him on a hockey pitch and in summer he loves to go for a swim or a surf. In 2013 Nicolas was wondering what the beers, chocolate and waffles would taste like in Australia and never came back. One reason… the weather. Nicolas obtained a masters in International Politics and tries to use this background to produce excellent conferences at Akolade.

13 March 2017

I’m an immigrant and this is why I’m an asset

Author :

It’s called cultural diversity and because of the current political climate, it’s at the forefront of many people’s minds.

As US President Donald Trump pushes for less immigration and tries to showcase the “dangers” of immigration, the nation and employers are pushing back.

Why? Because immigration is beneficial. And organisations are the ones who see it first-hand.  

Apple, Google and Facebook , are just some of the big companies who fought (and possibly will have to fight again) Trump’s widely criticised travel ban. These are companies who understand the value a diverse workforce brings to the company, something which Trump, is yet to learn.

Here’s a recap of what a diverse workforce brings:
·         Diversity drives innovation
·         Diversity drives “superior financial results”
·         Diversity drives productivity
·         Diversity drives further attraction and retention
·         Diversity improves problem solving
·         Diversity improves decision making

“Greater diversity of thought, perspective and background has been shown to lead to greater innovation and superior financial results,” Sallie Krawcheck, past head of Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney, said according to Hays report.

At a time of growing nationalism world-wide, where leaders blame terror attacks on immigration, it is important to focus on the positives of immigration and diversity.

"Apple would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do," Apple CEO Tim Cook said, according to CNN.

Salesforce executive Vala Afshar, shared a tweet listing some accomplishments of immigrants;

And Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg made sure to voice his opinions;

These global business leaders know the value of diversity. It’s an asset to their organisations, whether it being cultural background, LGBT, disabilities, gender or anything else. The key message is: Diversity drives innovation.

And that’s why I, an immigrant, am not the burden current politicians like to make out. Instead, I’m an asset.

Written by: Mimmie Wilhelmson

Mimmie grew up in Sweden and first came to Australia as a backpacker after high school. After travelling around the country for two years she returned to Europe and pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism in London. But the longing for Australia and the sun became too strong. After having worked for some time in the media industry, Mimmie decided to make a change and swap the news for conferences. She now gets to do what she loves the most, meeting new people and keep learning about cultures and issues while producing conferences on current topics.

09 March 2017

Sydney announces new (not so) digital plan

Author :

The City of Sydney has been known for a left-of-centre approach to digital transformation and, true to form, it was announced this week they will introduce paperless lodgement for development applications- but the documents have to arrive on a USB.

Whilst the process is indeed paperless, it requires the delivery of the USB in person or through the mail. Their paperless lodgement system doesn’t have an online facility to accept the application.

In the City’s Draft Digital Strategy (hyperlink: http://sydneyyoursay.com.au/digital-strategy), which is available for public comment until April 10, notes “A digital workplace requires a high degree of IT systems integration with increasingly complex security solutions and technology. However there is currently an inconsistent level of capability to assess, implement and operate the information systems the City needs. The skills exist internally, but they are centralised and resources are stretched.”

Thus, the search is on for a Chief Technology Officer, a Chief Data as well as management executive to provide leadership throughout the transformation.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore says the City is not going digital for the sake of being digital, rather she says “the city sees digital technology as an enabler, rather than driving how we do things.” (Hyperlink: http://www.innovationaus.com/2017/03/Sydneys-weird-new-digital-plan/)


The Strategy in development will determine which services will be digitised and which will remain offline. A review of the strategy has been promised in three years.


Written by: Claire Dowler

Claire Dowler is a Conference Producer with Akolade. She recently graduated with a double degree: a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Media and Communications Studies majoring in International Communication. Claire minored in sarcasm and puns.

A ballroom-dancer who collects salt and pepper shakers and volunteers for animal rescue, you might say Claire has eclectic interests.


08 March 2017

Australians lost $521m to card fraud in 2016 financial year

Author :

Australians lost $521 million to card fraud in the 2016 financial year, figures from the Australian Payments Clearing Association (APCA) have shown.
Australians spent a total of $703 billion over that period, meaning 0.07 per cent of the total, or 74.2 cents per $1,000 spent was fraudulent.
That was a rise from 60.4 cents per $1,000 spent in the year prior. The APCA said the rise in card fraud was driven by card-not-present (CNP) fraud, when card details are stolen and then used to make payments without the card, usually online.
"Increasing CNP fraud reflects the growth in e-commerce and a global trend in online fraud and cybercrime in general," APCA Chief Executive of APCA Leila Fourie said in a statement.
"We have been successful in reducing counterfeit and skimming fraud at point-of-sale terminals in Australia with chip technology. "By using the online authentication and fraud detection technologies available, we can do the same in the CNP space."
CNP fraud increased from $323 million to $402 million over the 12 month period to 30 June 2016, and accounted for 77 per cent of all fraud on Australian cards.
APCA said the industry is continuing to roll-out measures against fraud including improved cardholder authentication through one-time passwords and biometrics, reduced exposure of card data through tokenisation, and fraud identification and prevention in real-time. The association said consumers can protect themselves by only providing card details on secure websites and keeping PC security software up to date. APCA said fraudulent transactions on payment cards are reimbursed by banks as long as the consumer has taken due care.
Discuss current APAC fraud activities and how to ensure you have proactive defence against the rising threat of fraud at the 6th Annual Australian Fraud Summit being held in Sydney on the 6-8 June 2017.
Written by: Nicolas Verbeeck
Nicolas was born in Belgium and became an expert in consuming excellent beers, chocolate and waffles. During the winter period you can find him on a hockey pitch and in summer he loves to go for a swim or a surf. In 2013 Nicolas was wondering what the beers, chocolate and waffles would taste like in Australia and never came back. One reason… the weather. Nicolas obtained a masters in International Politics and tries to use this background to produce excellent conferences at Akolade.