In this episode of Executive with a Cause, host Tammy Ven Dange chats with Susan Davidson, CEO of the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA).
In this episode, we learn how the ADEA is transforming itself to provide its members with a competitive edge in the industry whilst improving diabetes education for all healthcare workers.
We discuss how an organisation can use micro-credentials and ‘badges’ as marketing tools for its members. We also talk about the pitfalls of customising off-the-shelf IT solutions, especially in small organisations with limited resources.
You won’t want to miss this episode, where we get deep into the operations at ADEA.
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IT in Plain English
In this week’s segment, Tammy answers the question, “What are QR Codes?”
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Topics from this episode:
- 00.00 | Introduction
- 01.09 | Australian Diabetes Educators Association
- 08.35 | Joining the NFP sector
- 11.42 | Previous IT implementations
- 15.02 | Managing a small organisation
- 15.02 | IT transformation project
- 17.32 | Micro-credentials
- 29.20 | Funding
- 31.49 | Growth
- 38.31 | Closing advice
- 43.44 | IT in Plain English
Quotes from Susan Davidson in this episode:
“We do the accreditation and provide further education. We endorse continuing professional development, whether it’s provided by us or others. So, we work very collaboratively with other organisations.”
“Diabetes Australia is a much larger organisation than ours. And it’s actually an organisation that you might call a consumer peak body or an organisation that advocates for people with diabetes. So it doesn’t include the health professionals. But of course, they would liaise closely with us. We would provide medical, scientific and educational advice. We’ve always been very closely associated with Diabetes Australia, but quite independent organisations.”
“But the transition, it’s difficult, like any transition. It’s almost moving from an established way of doing things that has been around for decades. And you get all those organisational differences. Some are willing to come along, and others are less willing. And managing stakeholders while working towards that end goal of having a really robust IT system.”
“That was very reassuring that our board has a philosophy, which I think is right as a member organisation, that strategic projects can be funded from reserves. So, the board’s decision in our last budget cycle was that these transformational projects aren’t funded from operating costs. They’re funded from reserves. And I think this is sometimes a tension between management and the board about dipping into reserves, and you can’t spend reserves. But on the other hand, its members’ money. Why are you accumulating it if it is not to benefit the members? So, I’m fortunate that I have a board that understands that.”
“Of course, we need to replenish those reserves as well. We can’t just keep dipping into them because we all know that during COVID, the financial pressures of not being able to hold conferences and events had a big impact on us. Actually, we were running deficits for a couple of years – fairly substantial deficits – not as big as many others, though. But it’s really important we have those reserves, but we also need to be investing in our members.”
“While we’re talking about empathy, I actually think that’s critical to leadership. From a stakeholder perspective, I think it’s understanding who your stakeholders are and trying to put yourself in their shoes.”
Links & Resources
Credits
Thanks to the entire team at Lonsdale St. Studio. Thanks also to our Digital Content Creator, Laura Kleinrahm.
Tammy Ven Dange is a former charity CEO, Not for Profit Board Member and IT Executive. Today she helps NFPs with strategic IT decisions with her business, Roundbox Consulting.