SHORTLAND CONSULTING
GOVERNANCE & COMMUNICATION
Shortland Consulting are advisers, facilitators and consultants focused on supporting their board and executive clients achieve their organisation’s purpose through good governance and superior communication.
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Our clients view us as expert in matters of governance, and skilled in facilitation and engagement related to their strategy and risk work.We provide pragmatic counsel to our clients to support them being clear and compelling in their communication to stakeholders.
David Shortland is a director and board adviser with almost 30 years of experience in governance, communication, risk & strategy, and the law. He has had director, executive and advisory roles in sectors including financial services, transport, infrastructure and health. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of Sydney Business School to graduate students on topics such as business ethics, corporate responsibility and shared value.
GOVERNANCE
With experience in governance consulting, corporate affairs, strategy, risk and leadership development, our credentials are derived from assignments that include:
Facilitating strategy and risk session for Boards and Senior Executive teams;
Designing and conducting board reviews and briefings in public, private and the for-purpose sectors in the last decade;
Assisting leaders and teams prepare for high-stakes communication in complex environments for a range of stakeholders, and
Facilitating board, governance and leadership team development sessions for groups including peak industry bodies, financial services, government departments, charitable organisations, and other private and public entities.
RISK & STRATEGY
Working within organisations for 10 years, then consulting for the last 15 years on risk & strategy, corporate communication, and development, our credentials are derived from backgrounds that include:
Facilitating strategy and risk conversations;
Assisting in developing board and board risk committee and associated structures and supporting governance charter documentation ;
As a subject matter governance expert, interviewing directors and co-authoring resulting Board and Board Committee (Risk and other committees) Evaluation reports;
Designing and conducting various strategy and risk engagements, and
Conducting Board and Board committee effectiveness assignments
BOARD REVIEWS & BRIEFINGS
In the last five (5) years, independently, with associated governance and risk advisory groups and AICD, we have conducted in the order of 50 Board Review conversations with Chairs and Directors across a variety of sectors.
Our professional vocation is to support governing bodies to make better decisions for those they serve, with integrity and rigour. Axiomatically, we are also committed to supporting Boards in their perpetual quest for improvement.
COMMUNICATION
Our Clients frequently wish to hear an external perspective on how to enhance their communication in crucial circumstances. They wish to deliver with conviction and clarity, individually and sometimes as a team. Excellent communicators still seek counsel to improve the likelihood of the best results.
It may be in the context of -
facilitating a critical conversation in a board room,
undertaking an important pitch, bid or interview for example in an infrastructure context, to win business on a major project
leading on-boarding sessions with a new team of an existing client or in an acquisition situation
articulating strategy to investors and/or other stakeholders
addressing their own people on a key decision
Client objectives often include to -
sharpen how they introduce and interact with clients and possibly other audiences;
discuss their proposals, ideas & theses in a compelling fashion;
engage and present well generally;
answer questions professionally & adroitly, and
explore how they use supporting materials (visual) optimally.
