First Point Consulting provides strategic advice for government departments, businesses and not for profit organisations
We specialise in strategy and policy development, program evaluation, business planning and change management
Our clients include Victorian and Commonwealth government departments, growth-oriented businesses and leading not-for-profit organisations
Our approach is always based on the following principles:
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Start with the end in mind We invest the time needed to understand the context and objectives for each assignment - including how reports will be used and the important questions to be answered
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Evidence and ideas We consult extensively with stakeholders to gather data and generate ideas. Rigorous analysis of findings and recommendations underpins all of our work
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Clarity and insight We focus on what's important - presenting clear and compelling reports that are useful to stakeholders and decision-makers
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Engagement and respect We operate on a policy of "no surprises" - regularly discussing progress and emerging findings, and maintaining open and respectful relationships with all our clients
SERVICES
POLICY DEVELOPMENT
Develop policies and programs that deliver economic and social outcomes - focusing on small business, innovation, creative industries, education and skills development
Examples
Victorian Government’s current Supporting Small Business policy statement
Review of Victoria's Screen Industry
Forming and Maintaining Winning Business Relationships - a major study for the Victorian Small Business Commissioner to identify what drives success in business-to-business relationships
Research to inform policy to increase collaboration between Victorian designers and industry
Groundbreaking review of the Victorian Small Arts sector
Review of drivers for successful partnerships between SMEs and universities
Review of the ICT sector in the Greater Geelong area and development of a business case for Government support to drive collaboration and sector development
PROGRAM EVALUATION
Evidence-based assessment of Government programs - to understand impact and inform future policy decisions
Examples
Evaluated the Design to Thrive programs – developed to encourage more Victorian businesses to apply design principles to grow and be more competitive
Economic Impact Assessment of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Evaluated the Victorian Government's Community Revitalisation Program - a pilot place-based initiative to address entrenched disadvantage in five locations across the state
Evaluation of the Collaborative Internet Innovation Fund - designed to accelerate the take-up of new technologies in key sectors of the Victorian economy
An extensive and strategic evaluation of School Reform initiatives in Victoria
A review of the Commonwealth and state funded Water For Rivers business model and its effectiveness in generating water savings that were directed toward greater environmental flows in the Snowy, Murray and Murrumbidgee rivers
Evaluation of the Market Validation Program - funding Victorian SMEs to develop new technologies that address government challenges, and which have export potential
STRATEGY & PLANNING
Working with management and boards to develop strategies and business plans that guide growth, sustainability and improved performance
Clients include
VicTrack
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Department of Education & Training
Confederation of Australian Motor Sport
Office of the Victorian Small Business Commissioner
Victorian Institute of Teaching
Metro Media Publishing
Small Business Victoria
Western Bulldogs
Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry
State Library of Victoria
Adult Community and Further Education - board and regional councils
Department of Sustainability & the Environment
Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology
Good Shepherd Microfinance
Victorian Council of Social Services
Wengfu Australia
The Mitchell Institute
ORGANISATION & PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
Targeted reviews to assess program feasibility, improve organisational performance and manage change
Examples
Office of the Public Advocate: review service demand and Government funding implications
Small Business Victoria: business case and BERC submission
Parks Victoria: Feasibility studies to assess the viability of operations at Wilsons Promontory, and for new tourist centres
Departments of Treasury & Finance and Premier & Cabinet: transition to outsourced operation of the departments’ HR functions
Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission: design of the organisation needed to support IBAC’s establishment in Victoria
Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel (Victoria): review of organization structure, roles and responsibilities
Parks Victoria: Review of Parks Victoria’s capital works organisation and capacity, to increase the volume of projects delivered across the state
Good Shepherd Microfinance: Plan the introduction of a Commonwealth subsidy program to support expansion of its No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)
CLIENTS
GOVERNMENT
BUSINESS
NOT-FOR-PROFITS
GOVERNMENT
Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions
Australian Department of Education
Victorian Department of Education & Training
Small Business Victoria
Office of the Australian Small Business & Family Enterprise Ombudsman
Australian Institute of Teaching Standards and Leadership
Adult Community & Further Education (Victoria)
Creative Victoria
Office of the Public Advocate
State Library of Victoria
Bastow Institute of Educational Leadership
VicTrack
Australia Post
Metro Media Publishing
Wengfu Australia
Cube Group
Logie Smith Lanyon lawyers
RACV
Western Bulldogs
LynxIT
iFocus
Marshall Day Acoustics
Melbourne Racing Club
Princess Pictures
Queensland Rail
Time Telekom
Good Shepherd Microfinance
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Darebin Enterprise Centre Limited
Master Builders Association (Vic)
The Mitchell Institute
Real Estate Institute of Victoria
Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Early Childhood Management Services
Eco-Buy
Bendigo Heritage Tramways
Sustainability by Design
Victorian Council of Social Services
Confederation of Australian Motor Sport
Financial Ombudsman Service
Puffing Billy Railway
NOT FOR PROFIT
ABOUT US
Peter Jordan, Principal
Peter brings more than 35 years experience in consulting to:
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State and Commonwealth Governments to develop policy, evaluate programs, develop business plans and manage change
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Boards and management of companies, not for profit organisations and peak industry bodies to define strategy, develop business plans and review operations.
Prior to creating First Point Consulting in 2012, Peter held leadership roles in the following organisations:
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dandolopartners (2009-12). As a Director, Peter helped grow the business and led engagements to support public and private sector clients - predominantly in policy development, business planning and evaluation of government programs.
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Deloitte (2002-08). Peter established a consulting practice within BDO that was acquired by Deloitte in 2006, where Peter continued to play a lead partner role in the public sector and consulting practices.
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Accenture (1984-2002) Peter led Accenture’s government practice in Victoria and Asia-Pacific government strategy practice.
Peter's governance roles include:
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YMCA Victoria (2016 - 2021) - including Chairing the board during the COVID pandemic and leading its Risk and Governance & Personnel Subcommittees
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Peter Chaired the board of the Marshall Day Acoustics, one of world’s leading acoustic design and engineering firms, from 2004 to 2019
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He currently provides independent strategic support to the owners and executives of Cube Group, a leading professional services firm that supports Government and NFP clients that exist to deliver public value.