Working closely with two very successful business leaders – Jack Bendat and Andrew Forrest – taught me lessons that we have used to transform many organisations since.
One of them is how to think through and present a new initiative.
With the former, it was to be on a single page, with the latter even less.
This discipline not only helps clarify one’s thoughts but provides a functioning tool for execution.
Here are nine questions to answer when constructing your one-page proposal.
PURPOSE
1. Header: What is being proposed? Why?
2. Scope: Details of the Proposal and expected objectives – Qualitative/Quantitative.
3. Timelines: Decision Date | Commencement Date | Completion Date | Key Milestones.
PEOPLE
4. Champion/Accountable Person – Who will own and be responsible for this?
5. People Needs & Impacts: What are the Roles & Responsibilities – Internal (costed), External (costed), and People Impacted?
6. Communication Protocols: Internal & External. Detail and Cadence.
PERFORMANCE
7. What are the efforts, energies and initiatives, and how do they correspond to the expected results and objectives?
8. Financial Modelling – Investment (expenses) related incomes (revenues), forecast Earnings (profits) – CapEx and OpEx. Timelines, especially if multi-year.
9. Reporting and Accountability Milestones and Controls? – Material Deviations & Guidance – FYI (For Your Information – Communication), FYF (For your Feedback – Collaboration), FYC (For your Consent – Approvals), FYA (For your Action – Next Steps, Remedies, Scale).

Getting Ready for EOFY: Your HR Action Plan
As we approach the end of the financial year, it’s time for HR teams to shift into high gear. While EOFY traditionally focuses on getting books in order, it’s also