The world of business has certainly changed. As Australia’s oldest chamber of commerce and industry, we have seen the evolution from a male-dominated industrialist era to an emerging ‘profit for purpose’ social enterprise sector.
The South Australian Business Chamber member Generation Thrive is one such social enterprise that not only delivers valuable programs for workers’ personal development but also enables for-profit businesses to meet their CSR (corporate and social responsibility) obligations. How do they do that?
Registered charity Youth Opportunities is where it all started 25 years ago. Through its evidence-based programs it has supported vulnerable and at-risk young people to turn their lives around by gaining critical enterprise and life skills in a secondary education environment. And in 2021, after many requests from the business sector, the organisation launched its social enterprise Generation Thrive, which takes their programs to the next level and beyond the school gates. Working primarily with young adults and aspiring leaders, Generative Thrive has established a model that enables for-profit businesses to make their whole team feel valued and equipped to tackle all the challenges the workplace can throw at them.
Beyond the technical skills required to thrive in a team environment, there are often mentioned ‘soft skills’, or ‘enterprise skills’ that can be difficult to master. Through its world-class online Personal Leadership Program and complemented by individual and group coaching, Generation Thrive equips employees with the skills, habits and attitudes that sets them up for success in work and life, including self-leadership, emotional management, assertive communication, critical thinking, and problem solving, adapting to change, increasing motivation, and time management skills
In addition to the challenges of operating through a global health pandemic, COVID also impacted our ability to connect as colleagues and collaborators when it minimised us all to squares on a screen. How can you feel confident to speak assertively to a room full of colleagues if we have all been away from the office?
With the nearly full rate of employment and workplaces effectively poaching each other’s talent in the short term, making sure that you invest in your people and offer incentives to stand out in the crowd has never been more important.
Fellow the South Australian Business Chamber members at the Tatiara Business Association could not speak more highly of the Generative Thrive program. They arranged for local businesses to take part in the program.
Chair Daniel Staude explains that this type of program lifts every business in a local area.
“We had 100% of participants report improved communication skills, and 94% improving relationships. This is so valuable in a region where we have the opportunity to really support one another.
“89% have increased their confidence, and 90% have improved their negotiation skills. I think our next lot of negotiations will be tough with these program participants.”
Generation Thrive General Manager Courtney Grigg is thrilled with the response from the latest round of participants from Tatiara.
“We genuinely see a real spark amongst the group as the participants begin to realise their true worth, feel empowered to make good decisions for themselves and the business, and are more motivated and confident to do the job well and thrive in the workplace.”
“We see the benefits to business, when they arm their employees with these skills, leading to increases in productivity, retention, staff satisfaction, wellbeing, and engagement levels.”
Employers had some fantastic feedback too:
Brad Milligan – Director of Bordertown Pumps and Refrigeration noticed a big improvement in the staff communication.
“They approach their workmates and customers with more confidence and positivity,” he said.
Dylan Jenkin – Owner, Tatiara Truck and Trailer concludes that the Thrive @Work program is the best money that they have invested in our apprentices.
“We’re here to invest in the wellbeing of our young people. Mental health doesn’t discriminate, and we need our young people healthy – healthy attitudes make for a healthy community. The young people in our workshop are so positive as a result of this program. I can’t speak more highly of the guys who’ve completed the program; they communicate better, they’re professional, they present well, and they’re fantastic on the phone with customers,” he said.
As did the participants:
Caitlin, Henry & Rose Café in Keith was thankful to her workplace for investing in her.
“Before Thrive@Work, I would often find myself becoming easily overwhelmed and flustered, especially during busy times at work. I frequently found myself doubting and questioning my actions and decision making, which often prevented me from doing what I knew I needed to do. During the program I learnt how to become a more confident and assertive communicator,” she said.
Blake – Apprentice, Bordertown Pumps and Refrigeration found it helpful to learn how to break down his larger career and personal goals into smaller and more achievable steps to help achieve them.
Josh – Tatiara Truck and Trailers thought about areas of his life that he didn’t usually consider.
“A great opportunity to reflect on my current habits and skills and what I wanted to achieve in my life,” he said.
Chris – Tatiara District Council shared that the individual coaching sessions, held through the program were amazing to bounce ideas around and apply what he was learning to achieve his goals.
Generation Thrive works in partnership with business and industry across all sectors to help retain and empower their staff.
Are you ready to add to your employee value proposition and set your team up to thrive? Reach out General Manager, Courtney Grigg, at courtney.grigg@generationthrive.com.au
