CEO MONTHLY / Global CEO Excellence Awards 2022 21 Luke notes, ‘the business was fortunate in that we had organically grown and had built a fantastic brand and reputation; however, we were very much client driven – the client would contact us and tell us what they wanted, and we just did exactly what they wanted.’ Henceforth, he implemented dozens of changes, including a focus on establishing longterm client relationships. This strategy has proven to be greatly effective, as Safety Wise is now working on multiple projects in collaboration with clients, ultimately improving their safety performances, and making positive changes in their workplaces. In addition, these changes are indicative of Luke’s leadership style. He strives to create a fair workplace in of which there is a mutual understanding of any challenges being faced, especially if it is something impacting the managing team. ‘Over the years, I’ve been criticized by a few managers because I do wear my emotions a bit on my sleeve. I don’t shy away from this – if I’m under pressure or struggling, I want my staff to understand what’s happening and why, because there’s no doubt that if I’m feeling the pressure they are too in some way, shape or form,’ Luke explains. In essence, a problem shared is a problem halved. Through promoting communication between positions, Luke has cultivated a workforce that supports each other and, most importantly, knows how to tackle the problems the company is facing. Indeed, it has brought about a sense of team spirit, allowing Safety Wise to look forward to the future. The big picture for Safety Wise features expansion into new territories, as it is beginning to look into recruiting team members from across the globe rather than serving international clients from Australia or Canada. In a sense, this choice was made for the company. The Covid-19 pandemic and its subsequent travel restrictions complicated business – there was only so much that Safety Wise could do from a remote setting. As such, Safety Wise now maintains teams of investigators and training facilitators in multiple countries and are exploring further opportunities, particularly in Europe. In a concluding statement, Luke enthuses, ‘we’re in a funny place at the moment – it feels a bit like a startup, with so many things we’re doing, and probably should’ve been doing already, but fortunately for us, this is being done without all the cashflow issues that start-ups often face! A great place to be! There’s no doubt that 2022 and beyond are going to be challenging, but also exciting as we explore the use of new technology in our business such as the use of 3D animations for accident reconstruction videos, virtual reality for training delivery and also targeted collaborations with key partners’ Contact: Luke Dam Company: Safety Wise Web Address: www.safetywise.com
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