Page 64 - MDS final deliverable

FEEDBACK FROM THE 10 INITIATIVES
All 10 concepts were presented at a prioritisation workshop with the MDS executive team. The feedback and discussions of the workshop are outlined below.
MEDIUM IMPACT, MEDIUM DIFFICULTY
The following five ideas are seen as demonstrating a positive impact on MDS and its customers, and are ranked medium in terms of difficulty to execute (ranked in order of preference):
• Actively building partnerships – The concept was well-received as getting a ‘relationship manager’ or a ‘business development’ person on board is seen as crucial to grow the business. This new resource can fuel MDS growth through building stronger relationships with key decision makers in the community, encourage more referrals, and in-turn increase the number of participants coming through their doors. Building new partnerships with other organisations was seen as beneficial in order to access additional grants and funding. There is also evidence of other disability providers accelerating their growth by creating a business development role.
• Redesign the Pathways to Employment (PTE) program – From The Strategy Group’s previous research, there is a number of identified opportunities and challenges regarding the PTE program. MDS recognises the importance of the PTE Program and wishes to improve it.
• Tailored activities to accelerate social engagement – While this concept is seen as important as it is one of the strengths of MDS’ current offering, there are already similar programs looking at improving the social engagement of MDS participants.
• Start a weekend/holiday respite program – The executive team positively received this concept, but had concerns around getting people to commit. MDS participants and families find it difficult to pay for things out of pocket if NDIS funding doesn’t cover it.
• Design and deploy a masterclass series – While this idea was ranked medium in terms of impact and difficulty, it was noted that MDS was running a similar program of workshops to upskill participants and families and was encountering difficulties in getting people to attend. It was also questioned how the idea would result in any financial benefit to MDS.
Commercial in confidence 63