Savvy has an established human resources consulting client base in Brisbane, Sydney and Ballina. We’ve learnt a lot over the years about delivering successful projects. Top of the list is that we can only be as good as the company we keep. That’s why we choose our clients as carefully as they choose us. And we're equally careful about the projects we take on.
From startups to large enterprises, from small employers to government agencies we have helped transform organisations to maximise their performance, deliver their strategy and achieve a competitive advantage through engaged and capable people who work within effective and aligned cultures, structures and processes. Click to read our case studies.
Our Associates have worked with:
Welcome new clients
Welcome to our new clients - the CSIRO, KPMG, Coates Hire, Avant Mutual, Mirvac, Terex Lifting, Medibank, Minter Ellison, Dept of Primary Industries - NSW, and the Domain Principal Group.
Strategic & operational planning, coaching leaders at the QLD University of Technology (QUT):
Following a merger of the QUT Communications & Technology teams, Craig McFadden supported the ITC leadership team to drive the right behaviors, create a constructive and client-focused culture and drive a clear and concise vision of their future.
Craig also delivered the QUT Leading Change program and coached leaders across the University. Craig recently facilitated strategic planning and vision setting for QUT Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Discipline.
Craig McFadden also facilitated operational planning sessions for the Health & Safety Division to translate University priorities into a program of work following a demerger of the QUT Safety and Human Resources functions. Craig also delivered the High Performing Teams workshop for the QUT Caboolture campus and also for the SEF Health & Safety Team.
Coaching and support for our new client Lives Lived Well:
Savvy provides the LLW Leadership Team with coaching and 360 individual development and feedback tools to promote constructive change. Lives Lived Well arises from a merger of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation Queensland, Gold Coast Drug Council and the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Council.
A Culture Development Plan for Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU:
Savvy facilitated the ELT off-site strategic planning session for Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU) and designed an organisation wide cultural framework and development program for QUU to build the capability of people leaders to drive high performance at all levels of the business and create a constructive and aligned culture.
People & Safety Functional Review and design of QUU's People & Safety Plan:
We also completed a functional review of QUU's People & Safety Group as part of an Enterprise Excellence Review and provided advice and direction on the high-level design, development and implementation of a number of workforce strategies covering performance, industrial relations, culture, engagement and diversity.
Savvy HR also managed the design of the QUU Workforce strategy.
Workplace Investigations:
With a depth of practical experience in dealing with workplace grievances, senior HR and Workplace Relations professional, Craig McFadden, has recently completed a number of complex workplace investigations for employers faced with allegations of inappropriate behaviour involving senior executives. Feedback included:
"The client could not have asked for a better response from Craig in terms of process, timeliness and efficiency. His methodology was superb, and his final report was outstanding in terms of coverage of the issues and as a reference tool upon which the client could manage complaint outcomes. The client made it clear to me that they were very happy with the referral and the service provided by Craig throughout the investigation, indicated further by their ongoing retainer of him to provide additional HR services". Employment Partner – Hopgood Ganim.
The Domain Principal Group (Opal Aged Care).
Craig McFadden designed and delivered the Emerging Leaders Program for Australia's largest privately owned aged care provider. Craig also delivered coaching for State Operations Managers and Facility Managers.
"Craig has worked with us for only a few months, and in record time, with quite a few challenges, exceeded our expectations. He has increased productivity and performance by getting to the core and dealing with causes, without being distracted by the symptoms. He ensures sustainable behaviour change rather than quick wins." Learning & Organisation Development Manager at Domain Principal Group.
The leadership sessions with Craig McFadden were the most valuable, interesting and effective parts of the Program. Participant ELP Business Program.
BMA (BHP/Mitsubishi Alliance):
Savvy developed the BMA (BHP/Mitsubishi Alliance) Supervisor and Superintendent workshops, including support tools to communicate the BMA 5 Year Business Plan; build alignment of roles and responsibilities; and, increase understanding of site operating standards by Supervisors and Superintendents as part of the 'One BMA' cultural change program. This included work for Managers on how to have "Just Culture' conversations.
BMA Management Effectiveness Program:
We designed the e-learning component of the BMA Management Effectiveness Program. Both projects included designing modules on levels of work & role clarity, adaptive leadership, coaching, BMA culture & values and developing support tools for communicating cultural change including quick reference guides.
BMA Change Management e-learning project:
Savvy worked with BMA to develop a Change Management e-learning project to provide BMA Managers with simple yet practical skills to effectively deal with change in the workforce. We also worked with BMA to develop an on-line talent assessment/ recruitment tool that reflected BMA's cultural aspirations.
The Commission for Children Young People & Child Guardian in QLD (CCYCPG):
Savvy has completed a series of psychometric assessments for the CCYPCG and conducted workshops on creating high performing virtual teams.
This work provided the language and framework for their teams to achieve high performance and for the team members to understand how we relate to others, how we make decisions and how we organize ourselves.
The Department of Environment & Climate Change.
We have recently been engaged to undertake a workplace investigation and mediation for the Department.
Minter Ellison:
"Craig's discipline and strategic approach is at the absolute core of a successful strategy around our future planning process outcomes." Partner–Law firm.
"I personally appreciated his guidance and advice through a difficult process of restructuring the business following the extraordinary impact of the global financial crisis". Managing Partner Law Firm
CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) Coaching & Mentor Programs:
Savvy completed the national roll-out of mentoring workshops for each of the CB Richard Ellis offices. The company required a good external facilitator to provide workshops on goal setting and mentoring skills to enable participants to be more confident about participating in the program. Comments from participants included:
'Good understanding of the topic'. 'Clear and well spoken'. 'Good flow'. 'Informal, relaxed & informative'. 'Very personable'. 'Welcoming & inspiring style'. 'Provided more than I expected'. 'Built rapport well'. 'Explained in layman's terms'. 'Easy going & effective'. 'Clear & direct'. 'Well presented', 'Effective interaction'. 'Very friendly & personable, Craig created a comfortable environment to listen and ask questions'.
'Very intelligent & genuine – I thought he was confident and portrayed knowledge & experience in what was being presented'.
Savvy is also providing business coaching services to CBRE in Sydney and Brisbane.
Coaching for Deloitte - (Sydney):
Craig McFadden has recently conducted a number of coaching sessions for senior directors at Deloitte Sydney in support of the partner development framework.
"Craig. Thought I would pre-empt your follow up to let you know I did sit down with each of my managers, followed the guidelines you suggested re approach and I really felt it worked a lot better than my normal approach and that several of them then really took ownership for the issues and suggested ways to improve processes to make things work better for them and others." Partner - Sydney.
Anglo Coal engaged Savvy to project manage the development of an organisation-wide Organisational Communication program.
Craig McFadden of Savvy Human Resources Associates was engaged by a global mining giant to project manage the development of an organisation-wide Organisational Communication program to improve corporate understanding of the business direction. Key components were implementing project management processes and maintaining relationships with project stakeholders at varying levels and with a highly professional senior executive. Components of the project materials are now being used in the Company's South African sites.
"Our South African colleagues have used your recent scoping document to help inform some of the work they are planning in this area .. our Global Head of Learning was impressed with the detail and quality..". Manager Learning and Development.
Coates Hire:
Savvy provides business coaching for Coates managers in Brisbane and Sydney.
Workplace Relations, Mediation & Performance Management (Consumer Goods, Manufacturing/Engineering):
Mark McFadden has recently been engaged to undertake a workplace investigation and mediation for a North Coast manufacturer. For more info on our mediation services please contact us.
Centrelink:
Executive Level staff with Centrelink (EL1) participate in an internal Leadership Development program and, as part of that program, we have been coaching QLD participants in areas such as team leadership, transitioning to leadership roles and project leadership.
