Staff from the City of Gosnells have direct input into shaping the City of the future. The inaugural Staff Summit 2004 launched an annual event that gives all staff members the opportunity to gain an overview of principal activities for the coming year and to provide valuable feedback.
“The City of Gosnells is a large, diverse organisation with nearly 400 employees and a $50 million plus expenditure budget,” said CEO Stuart Jardine. “It was decided to put a day aside each year to give everyone in the organisation clear insight into our strategic objectives.”
The summit showed staff how the City’s Strategic Plan 2004–2006, Shaping Tomorrow Today, a document based on input from staff, councillors and the community, will guide Council’s decision making. It also ensures that all stakeholders know what they can expect from the organisation, and, what they, in turn, will be expected to deliver over the next three years.
“The plan clearly describes what we will be doing and how we will measure success,” Stuart Jardine said.
The summit was also the launch pad for Innovation Week, developed to encourage staff members to contribute to innovative ideas in line with the strategic direction of the City. Staff members are encouraged to submit innovative ideas, which are forwarded to an innovation coach to develop and address in depth. The Idea is considered by a cross directorate committee which includes a City Councillor.
A cash prize is awarded to the most innovative idea, with additional prizes for outstanding contributions. Winning staff members are also invited to take part in the next Strategic Planning Process to forward plan for the City.
