Business leaders from across the board inspire with stories of the most rewarding project or initiative from each of their careers.
Ever wondered what projects or initiatives have been the most rewarding for industry leaders?
For many, that pivotal project can define their career.
So when we asked experts across various industries about their pivotal project, we got a glimpse into the dedication and innovation that drives the most rewarding initiatives: inspiration offered through stories that range from building collaborative teams to launching game-changing platforms.
These types of projects often reveal heart and passion, and can offer practical wisdom for anyone wanting to make an impact. From uncovering key insights to fostering design innovations, these stories reveal the transformative power of a well-executed project.
Cronan Healy
Managing Director: “Cinchy.me”
Having worked in the construction industry for 15 years, creating “Cinchy.me”, a digital tradie database and integrated recruitment platform, has been my most rewarding project. In owning my own labour resourcing business, I saw firsthand the challenges of recruitment in the construction industry, with the constant on- and offboarding of staff, as well as the compliance requirements. “Cinchy.me” not only enhanced my business’s scalability, but also created an opportunity to serve the wider market. And it’s from this experience and subsequent vision that we set out to create an e-recruitment platform that solved numerous headwinds for tradies and recruiters alike.
“Cinchy.me” has been an enormous undertaking and learning path. Not only in creating a disruptor solution for the construction industry, but also taking on the requirements for tech solutions to implement AI and ML capabilities. But despite being three years in the making, it has in equal amounts been a massively rewarding project, creating a seamless process and improving the experience for both tradies and hiring companies, by breaking down market barriers caused by geographical or resource constraints and enhancing tradie mobility, both nationally and internationally.
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Ed Turner
Co-founder and Visionary: Ebullient {ad}Venture Capital Partners
Buying and turning around a business has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Back in 2016, I decided to purchase a long-established business in my niche, car washing, a place with potential but burdened by poor management and outdated practices. Driven by a desire to revive this local gem, I purchased the business.
The initial phase was very challenging. The business’s customers and its reputation had been established on now-outdated and cost-prohibitive practises. However, I was determined to transform it. I started by investing in improving the routines and processes as well as tidying up how the business presented. Unfortunately, a lot of the key team members were too set in their ways and exited the business over the next 12 months.
Engaging with the community was crucial. I organised events, offered loyalty programs, and actively sought customer feedback. Gradually, we built a strong rapport with our clientele, regaining their trust and loyalty.
Training and motivating the team played the most significant role in this turnaround. By fostering a positive work environment, we saw a remarkable improvement in service standards and customer satisfaction as a result.
The transformation not only boosted the business’s financial health but also created a vibrant community hub. Witnessing the positive impact on employees and customers has been incredibly fulfilling, making this journey one of the most gratifying achievements of my life.
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Billie-Jo Barbara
HR Executive
One of the most rewarding initiatives I’ve worked on was not one you would initially think would land this way! I was brought in to bring empathetic executive leadership to a change management program where approximately 100 employees would involuntarily be exiting.
The program had initially been managed per policy, and not people, objectives. I was asked to step in to provide guidance and coaching to less-experienced HR colleagues in the change process, to settle down substantive union unrest, and position employee support in a better way than had been initially offered.
Investing in the future of these long-term employees (albeit not within our organisation) proved to pay off morally and financially for the organisation.
I know since then, many of these colleagues have opened small businesses, followed passion projects or taken early retirement to spend time with loved ones. Whilst the initial proposition was one of uncertainty and challenge, the result for the organisation and its employees was a success.
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Danielle Gavin
Head of Property Management: Ray White Inner Brisbane Apartments
I have built a collaborative, energetic, and client-focused team. In property management, building a team that fosters these attributes has been most rewarding.
Working with a team that encompasses a collaborative environment, where team members support each other, enhances job satisfaction and boosts productivity. Working alongside an energetic team that is enthusiastic about their work, and is eager to tackle challenges, creates a vibrant atmosphere where innovation thrives and exceptional client service is delivered. Client focus ensures tailored solutions and excellent service, strengthening relationships and industry reputation.
As a team leader, seeing these elements – collaboration, energy, and client focus – come together has created a dynamic team that achieves goals and strives for excellence. It’s fulfilling to know our efforts positively impact clients’ lives. Nurturing such a team isn’t just a professional achievement but also a personal fulfilment, contributing to the growth and success of each team member and the organisation.
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James Lawrence
Head of Digital Marketing – APAC: MRI Software
Joining MRI Software as Head of Digital Marketing after its acquisition of PropTech Group was a significant personal milestone and my most rewarding project. Integrating into a larger team, my goal was to elevate our digital marketing, provide leadership, and enjoy the journey!
The challenges were maintaining digital activity momentum while finding my feet in an expanded marketing team, and creating a strategy to enhance online presence through a comprehensive overhaul of current approach. Solutions required a highlighted focus which was centred on several areas, including: SEO and content, website enhancements, social media, and account-based marketing (ABM). Positive outcomes included increased web traffic, lead generation, and search rankings, and the enriched website content and ABM strategies boosted conversion rates.
This project was rewarding not only for its tangible results, but also the cohesion and growth of the team.
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Jo Gaines
Head of APAC: Asana
Assisting with the production of the “State of Work Innovation: Australia 2024” report with Asana’s Work Innovation Lab has been a truly impactful project for me. Through surveying over 2,000 Australian knowledge workers, we uncovered alarming insights into the challenges faced by Australian businesses. The statistics are staggering – executives losing nine hours weekly to unproductive meetings, half of workers feeling overwhelmed, and a significant percentage struggling with clarity in roles and responsibilities.
Presenting these findings at the Work Innovation Summit (WIS) in Sydney was eye-opening and rewarding. It reaffirmed the urgent need for change and highlighted the importance of addressing each workplace’s unique needs. The collaboration with Professor David Gilbert from Monash Uni emphasised the critical role of technology and change management in driving innovation.
As we prepare to share Melbourne-specific insights at the upcoming WIS in August, I am more motivated than ever to help Australian executives and organisations navigate the path towards meaningful change. It is clear that the desire for improvement exists, and I am committed to providing the necessary guidance to kickstart this transformative journey.
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Thomas Coward
Creative Director: New Volumes c/o Artedomus
Through my role as Creative Director at Artedomus I have been deeply involved in the founding and growth of New Volumes. New Volumes is an Australian-based design brand, borne from Artedomus’s travels across the globe and our long-held relationships with European artisans of marble, natural stone, and terracotta.
New Volumes has become the genesis for new design expression, marrying people, design, materiality and their stories. Our first collection saw us invite eight Australian designers to submit their concepts for furniture, lighting and accessories which would then be made from Elba, an exquisitely beautiful natural stone which is highly sought-after for its marble-like qualities.
Each design started its journey as a sketch, before it was collaboratively developed and then crafted into a beautiful, functional, collectible piece. As a body of work, the collection brings new dimension and beauty to its Elba materiality. We have since expanded this design-meets-material conversation to include a Terracotta Collection, with a third all-new collection tipped for 2025/6.
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