Introduction
Key lessons and insights from a talk about digital transformation at the FWD+Organise Conference 2021 held by Australian Progress. The panel was led by Sara Smylie (United Workers Union), Madeleine Holme (Reveille Strategy) and Jack Milroy (Defiance). They each shared about their innovation portfolio, and the wins, failures and lessons they have to share for other organisations trying to do the same. Please note that Reveille Strategy and Defiance are both consultancies that can support organisations looking to progress a digital transformation program.
How do we convince our organisations to invest in tech and digital? How do we get new ideas up and running, and build a culture of innovation?
What do we mean by digital transformation?
It is about harnessing technology to drive change (process, culture, teams, roles, etc). It is not an internal process – it’s a reaction to changes in the world and it never stops.
10 core reasons we think digital transformation often fails
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About Speakers and Conference
- Sara Smylie, National Coordinator of New Organising, United Workers Union
Sara (she/her) works for the United Workers Union, where she focuses on digital transformation and innovative approaches to organising. Sara has a decade of experience across unions, advocacy organisations and print media, with a strong interest in harnessing technology to build power. - Madeleine Holme, Associate Director, Reveille Strategy
Madeleine (she/her) has worked for the union movement, the aid and development sector and for environmental organisations. In these roles she has led campaigns on workplace rights, economic justice, climate change and energy efficiency. Madeleine has a particular interest in how progressive organisations can use online tools to organise and build power for working people. Madeleine is currently an Associate Director at Reveille Strategy. - Jack Milroy, CEO & Principal Consultant, Defiance
Jack (he/him) helps unions and progressives raise money and build power online. He has spent a decade and a half building and scaling campaigns using technology, working on elections and advocacy campaigns in Canada and Australia. Jack has worked as a strategist at leading progressive organizations in Australia and Canada: Leadnow.ca, the Labor Party, Vision Vancouver, and the BC NDP. Jack now runs Defiance, a digital fundraising and strategy consultancy based in Hobart, Tasmania. - FWD+Organise 2021 was a conference held by Australian Progress for community organisers and digital campaigners from across Australia and Aotearoa to share practical skills, learn innovative approaches to advocacy and build lasting collaborations to win systemic change. Sessions included keynotes, workshops, masterclasses, and expert briefings. Access other conference sessions here.