A look back on our key takeaways from 2022
2023 has well and truly kicked off, with most of us now having our feet back under the desk. Over the break, the Ma’at Collective team were able to have some time to reflect on the year that was 2022 and what learnings we will be taking into 2023. We asked some of our team ‘What did you learn about business in 2022’ and they shared their insights below.
Di Girvin - Managing Director & Founder:
2022 was definitely a year of change as everyone went from talking about a “new normal” to actually just getting stuck in and getting on with business and life.Lessons I will take away from 2022 include the importance of building a culture not a company; people really are the core of everything that we do. The key to success is building an environment whereby employees feel valued and heard. We get so caught up with hiring new people to grow our businesses that sometimes we forget to nurture those that turn up day in, day out. Building on employee wellbeing is critical, as we really saw burnout towards the end of 2022 (‘Zoom Fatigue’ really does get you!). We believe implementing wellness programs should be in everyone’s 2023 budgets.As a leader I also learnt to be more vulnerable and open with my team, admitting more readily when I didn’t know the answer or when I too was snowed under.I am excited about what 2023 will bring, as I know that the stresses and challenges of the last couple of years has created a greater depth of resilience in all businesses. However, don’t forget to stay in the moment and enjoy the ride!
Adrian Karzon - Director:
One of the biggest lessons I learned in 2022 was the importance of listening, letting people be heard, and using it to show them that you really understand their problems. Another key learning was continuing to focus on building skills that support adapting to change - post covid this seems to be super key. I also learned the value of face-to-face meetings, even though technology can be so convenient, in person meetings actually offers so much value to the working relationship.
Elizabeth Whitelock (Izzy) - Chief Entrepreneur:
What I observed in 2022 was a complacency about personal data – our private information – by Australia’s trusted brands (perhaps not trusted any longer). It seems the brands were the victims. Not their 9m + customers (past and present). This is an outsider view of course, but I work with software companies who can assist in protecting our personal data. So I know there are solutions to heighten and tighten sharing and access.It would be nice to see a shift to customers owning their data and deciding what can and can’t be done with it. And by whom.Also towards the end of 2022 there was a noticeable shift in the CBD of Sydney. More people, energy, buzz and a feeling of optimism. Yay!!! Felt good to be back.A return to the office and working with people in person was welcomed. I loved the interactions, the brainstorming, the jokes and the banter. And just getting to know people who had been a face on a screen for so long.
Sarah Crowe - Senior Business Advisor:
2022 was a fast paced year for everyone. The biggest takeaway that really resonated with me is that planning is so critical to success. If you invest time in creating your plan whether that’s a business plan, strategic plan or project plan, it sets you up for successful delivery. Planning allows you to consider all the “what if’s”, compared to if you dive into things on the fly. Having a strong planning mechanism within your business keeps you on track and accountable when business, and life, gets busy.
Jess Dowery - Executive Assistant:
With the shift to increased remote working, it is important to make time together (both virtual and face-to-face) valuable and meaningful. I observed that businesses can more easily create diverse teams due to the shift towards remote working.
Elisabeth Ranson - Senior Childcare Advisor:
Being flexible and adaptable is more important than ever - lessons learned during Covid-19 about being able to pivot are here to stay and workplaces and workforces continue to evolve from how things used to be. For managers and leaders this means that there is a whole new set of skills to master. While working from home seems to be the new norm for a lot of people, and obviously has its pros and cons, one thing that is a non-negotiable is the need to actually speak with team members on a regular basis (not just through keyboard messages). It’s also critical to still have opportunities to get together face-to-face from time to time. Employees will continue to look for a connection with an employer's values and will consider this amongst the top priorities when considering their future career plans. It is important to "walk the walk" when it comes to living the values from the top down.
There are three key themes that stand out to us:
The importance of creating a healthy culture at work isn’t just about the space and location, it's who you work with and how you interact with them.
Taking responsibility for your personal privacy online should be looked at with more caution especially when selecting who to trust with your confidential details. If you operate a business that collects and stores personal data, make sure you are taking responsibility and putting measures in to safeguard your clients' privacy.
You can never do too much planning! Even when we don’t know what the world will throw at us, having an adaptive plan will ensure you have options.
We are grateful for all that we learned in 2022 and look forward to applying these insights this year. We hope to connect with you in 2023!