Our Services
Specialist consulting services for not-for-profits, local government, and purpose-driven organisations across Australia.
Governance is not inherited.
It is earned and learned.
The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) defines governance as "the systems that direct and control an organisation": the framework of rules, relationships, and processes through which authority is exercised and those who exercise it are held to account.
Good governance is not simply about compliance. It is about effective decision-making, appropriate exercise of power, and the board's relationship with management and stakeholders. Ultimately, as the AICD puts it, good governance is "the framework that ensures the organisation can meet its mission."
Critically, governance is distinct from management. Directors set strategy, risk tolerance, policy, and culture. They are responsible for oversight, not day-to-day operations. This distinction, the AICD's "noses in, fingers out" principle, is one of the most commonly misunderstood in boards across Australia.
Signal & Strategy exists to help boards and governing bodies put these principles into practice. Whether your organisation is a local council, a not-for-profit, or a community services provider, the fundamentals of good governance apply. The consequences of getting them wrong are real.
AICD Framework
Ten Principles of Good Governance
- 1Mission The board approves the vision, purpose and strategies of the organisation.
- 2Organisational culture The board sets the cultural and ethical tone.
- 3Independent judgement Directors exercise independent oversight of management.
- 4Skilled stewardship The board brings relevant, diverse skills and experience.
- 5Risk tolerance The board sets risk appetite and oversees internal controls.
- 6Diligence Directors act on an appropriately informed basis with timely information.
- 7Noses in, fingers out Clear delegation to management with defined boundaries.
- 8Executive appointment The board appoints and evaluates the CEO.
- 9Stakeholder engagement Regular, timely communication with members and stakeholders.
- 10Board evaluation Regular assessment of board and director performance.
Source: Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), Not-for-Profit Governance Principles, 2nd edition, 2019; Good Governance, aicd.com.au
Where Signal & Strategy fits
Every service Signal & Strategy provides maps directly to these principles: from CEO performance reviews (Principle 8) and board evaluations (Principle 10), to stakeholder engagement (Principle 9) and business improvement consulting (Principles 1, 5 & 7). We bring independent expertise to the principles your board is already responsible for.
CEO Performance Management & Reviews
Independent. Rigorous. Structured.
Sectors Served
Most boards know they should do this. Few do it well. Signal & Strategy brings an independent, structured process that protects both the organisation and the CEO.
CEO performance management is one of the most critical, and often most challenging, responsibilities of any board or governing body. Signal & Strategy provides fully independent, structured CEO performance review processes designed to meet statutory obligations, support executive development, and strengthen the relationship between boards and their chief executives.
Our approach is built on a proven framework that combines quantitative performance metrics with qualitative leadership assessment, delivered with the highest standards of confidentiality and professionalism. We work with local councils, not-for-profit organisations, and community service providers across Australia.
What's Included
- ◆Design and facilitation of end-to-end CEO performance review processes
- ◆Development of tailored Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) aligned to strategic plans
- ◆Confidential stakeholder interviews and board consultation
- ◆Written performance assessment reports with findings and recommendations
- ◆Support for performance improvement planning
- ◆Compliance with relevant legislation and governance frameworks
360° Feedback Surveys
A complete picture of leadership effectiveness.
Sectors Served
Feedback is only valuable when it is honest, well-structured, and delivered with care. A well-run 360° process can transform how a leader understands themselves and how their organisation sees them.
360° feedback surveys provide leaders with a comprehensive, multi-source view of their performance, capturing perspectives from boards, direct reports, peers, and other key stakeholders. Signal & Strategy designs, administers, and facilitates 360° survey processes that are tailored to the specific context and needs of each organisation.
Our surveys go beyond simple questionnaires. We work with you to identify the right respondents, design questions that reflect your organisational values and leadership expectations, and deliver results in a format that is actionable and constructive.
What's Included
- ◆Custom survey design aligned to organisational values and competency frameworks
- ◆Online survey administration with full anonymity for respondents
- ◆Quantitative and qualitative analysis of results
- ◆Individual feedback reports with narrative interpretation
- ◆One-on-one debrief sessions with the survey subject
- ◆Group-level reporting for team and organisational insights
Business Improvement Consulting
Practical advice. Measurable outcomes.
Sectors Served
Many organisations know something is not working but lack the independent perspective to see it clearly. Signal & Strategy comes alongside your team to diagnose, design, and deliver improvements that last.
Signal & Strategy provides practical, hands-on business improvement consulting for organisations seeking to enhance their operational effectiveness, strategic clarity, and organisational culture. With deep experience in the not-for-profit and local government sectors, we understand the unique challenges and constraints these organisations face.
Our approach is collaborative and evidence-based. We work alongside your team to diagnose issues, develop solutions, and support implementation, ensuring that improvements are sustainable and aligned with your mission and values.
What's Included
- ◆Organisational reviews and diagnostic assessments
- ◆Strategic planning facilitation and implementation support
- ◆Operational efficiency analysis and process improvement
- ◆Governance framework development and review
- ◆Change management planning and support
- ◆Board and staff development workshops
Stakeholder Engagement
Building trust. Aligning expectations.
Sectors Served
Community trust is hard to earn and easy to lose. Getting engagement right from the start is not a luxury. It is the difference between a decision that sticks and one that creates lasting conflict.
Effective stakeholder engagement is essential for any organisation seeking to build community trust, navigate complex decisions, and achieve lasting outcomes. Signal & Strategy provides expert facilitation and engagement strategy services that help organisations connect meaningfully with their stakeholders: community members, service users, government agencies, and funding bodies.
Our engagement processes are designed to be inclusive, transparent, and outcomes-focused. We help you ask the right questions, hear the right voices, and translate stakeholder input into actionable insights.
What's Included
- ◆Stakeholder mapping and analysis
- ◆Engagement strategy development
- ◆Community consultation design and facilitation
- ◆Focus groups, workshops, and public forums
- ◆Survey design and administration
- ◆Reporting and recommendations to boards and leadership teams
IT Governance & Digital Strategy
Board-level technology leadership. Sydney-based.
Sectors Served
Technology decisions made without governance cost organisations far more than the technology itself. Signal & Strategy brings C-suite and board-level IT expertise to organisations that need it, without the overhead of a full-time CIO.
Delivered by Warren Read-Zorn, a Sydney-based IT governance and digital strategy specialist with over 25 years of international experience, this service brings board-level technology leadership to organisations navigating digital change.
Warren's career spans senior technology leadership roles across government, aviation, transport, construction, and health sectors. He has held the position of Director of Governance Reform at the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Interim CIO at ASX-listed Transit Systems (SLK), and senior IT leadership roles at Qantas Airways and CIMIC Group (formerly Leighton Holdings). He has also undertaken consulting engagements with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, National Patient Transport, and a range of start-up and scale-up businesses.
He has led digital transformation programs across transport, healthcare, professional services, construction, and the disability sector. Warren works with executive teams and boards to align technology strategy with business objectives, manage IT risk, and build the governance structures that make digital investment pay off.
This service complements Signal & Strategy's governance and leadership consulting, giving clients access to a broader team of specialists across Hobart and Sydney.
What's Included
- ◆IT governance framework development and review
- ◆Digital transformation strategy and program oversight
- ◆AI governance, strategy, and pilot implementation
- ◆Enterprise architecture and systems rationalisation
- ◆IT risk management and compliance (ITIL, COBIT, ISO 20000)
- ◆Board-level IT briefings and technology investment advice
- ◆CIO-as-a-service and interim technology leadership
- ◆SaaS evaluation, vendor selection, and contract management
AICD Member
Australian Institute of Company Directors
AHRI
Member, Australian Human Resources Institute
B.Sc (Hons) Psych
Ambassador University, Texas, USA
Dip. L&M
SCALA Business School
Sectors We Serve
National reach. Local understanding.
Signal & Strategy works with clients across all Australian states and territories. Based in Hobart, Tasmania, with a Sydney presence for IT consulting and digital strategy.
Discuss your needs with Aldo
Every engagement is tailored to your organisation's specific context, sector, and objectives. Contact us to start the conversation.
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