Search our insights, learnings and perspectives across our impact areas.
The missing piece - how designers can transform economic development
Design thinking in economic development is the missing link between strategy and real impact. Sparrowly Group’s Federico Moreno explains how audience-centred program design helps initiatives launch effectively, solve the right problems and deliver lasting value. Offering a practical, stepped approach to integrating creativity and innovation into every stage of economic development.
The workforce holy trinity
Workforce planning and culture development are at the core of building high-performing, connected teams. Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever reveals her approach to creating the 'workforce holy trinity' - balancing performance, cultural connection and happiness to strengthen organisations, boost retention and drive long-term business and community success.
Tourism, Workforce, and Community - A Powerful Trio for Regional Economic Development
Tourism, workforce and community development are deeply connected drivers of regional economic growth. Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever shares key takeaways from recent collaborations across the visitor economy, workforce and industry sectors - highlighting how sharing knowledge, strengthening partnerships and learning from peers can help regions and people thrive together.
From Data to Action - Mastering Measurement in Destination Management
Data-driven destination management is essential for understanding performance, guiding investment and building stakeholder trust. Sparrowly Groups Justine Sinclair explores how better data collection, analysis and storytelling can transform Destination Management Plans into actionable strategies - helping destinations move beyond reporting to real insights that strengthen advocacy, partnerships, and sustainable visitor
Building Bridges - the intersection of Workforce, Visitor, Economic, and Community Development
Workforce, visitor, economic and community development are deeply interconnected pillars of thriving regions, yet often operate in silos. Sparrowly Group's Giovanna Lever explores why greater collaboration across these sectors is vital for Australia’s future prosperity and how aligning strategies can unlock stronger communities, more resilient economies and lasting regional growth.
The Federal Budget 2024-25 - A values-based, market shaping approach
Australia’s 2024–25 Federal Budget has sparked debate over the Future Made in Australia Act and its market-shaping ambitions. Sparrowly Group’s Federico Moreno explores how this values-driven economic strategy positions Australia in the global race to net zero - balancing competitiveness, sustainability and long-term investment in the nation’s future industries.
Creative communities, optimising the opportunities for your place and people
Arts, culture and creative industries in NSW are vital economic drivers, contributing to exports, jobs and local identity. Sparrowly Group’s Justine Sinclair explores how the NSW Creative Communities Policy can unlock growth, strengthen cultural ecosystems, and help regions harness creativity to boost both community wellbeing and Australia’s creative economy.
In defence of the dollar - why impact measurement needs a common denominator
Economic impact analysis plays a crucial role in balancing social, environmental and financial outcomes - yet it’s often misunderstood. Sparrowly Group’s Senior Economist, Sam Miller, demystifies why using the dollar as a common measure helps compare diverse impacts, improve decision-making and align policy and business choices for greater overall community benefit.
2024 traveller trends, what’s in and what’s here to stay
Travel and tourism trends in 2024 reflect travellers seeking deeper connection, authenticity and purpose. Sparrowly Group’s Morgan Thorn highlights three key shifts destinations and businesses should embrace in their planning, and why understanding your customers, adapting quickly and designing with insight will keep you ahead of the curve, not chasing it.
Connecting Your Business with Ethical Consumers: A Guide to Alignment
Ethical consumer behaviour and sustainable business practices are reshaping how organisations connect with their audiences. Sparrowly Group's Morgan Thorn explores how aligning your values with transparency, social impact and environmental responsibility can strengthen brand trust, attract conscious consumers and create lasting benefits for both your business and the communities you serve.
Beyond the disco
“Going out at night”…this phrase can conjure up different images and perceptions. Typically these words more times than not are correlated with images usually involving dining, drinking and perhaps performances. The phrase “Going out at night” however, when linked to the night time economy extends way beyond just the ‘having fun’ sector. Sparrowly Group’s Justine Sinclair explains how to support vibrant communities by reimagining the night time economy.
Data and algorithms - how far can it take us?
The formalisation of data and algorithms has recently been the purview of computer science. And of course, the application of data and algorithms, in particular from the tech sector, has become essential to how we solve problems in our daily lives. We use data and algorithms to help us decide what movie to watch, or how to get directions in an unfamiliar city. But are there limits to the problems we can solve and decisions we can make by simply throwing an algorithm at a bunch of data? Sparrowly Group’s Ben Lever explores this.
An economist walks into a school
Program evaluation is a crucial component of many government interventions, initially designed as pilot programs. Evaluating the successes and failures of a pilot enables highly informed decisions to be made about the program, whether it continues and scales up or not. What do you need to consider to ensure program evaluation is truly objective? Sparrowly Group’s Federico Moreno explains.
It's not a trend - no and low alcohol is here to stay
According to the 2022 National Wine Conference, no and low alcohol wines are here to stay - Giovanna Lever of Sparrowly Group shares her three asks to the industry in support of the development of this high yielding category.
From small things, big things grow
Sparrowly Group has been in business for four years, Giovanna Lever reflects on the biggest learnings of running a small business and shares her four fundamental business insights.
Real people and authentic experiences: Trends in Australian Agritourism
Agritourism is any activity where agriculture and tourism intersect and can be a lifesaver especially in light of recent devastation across the country.

