Last week, the Hewison Private Wealth team spent two days offsite at our annual staff conference. This year we headed to the stunning RACV Resort in Torquay; we have collectively agreed it was our best conference yet! With the theme of ‘Unite. Better together’ – the 2024 conference delivered an agenda that opened the minds and united people from all the corners of the office. More importantly it served as a platform for employees to engage in insightful discussions and activities aimed at enhancing teamwork, collaboration, and the organisation as a whole.

The event kicked off with a session from Director and Partner, Glenn Fairbairn who delved deeper into our why – the fundamental reason for Hewison Private Wealth’s existence. In his 21^st year at Hewison Private Wealth, Glenn was well placed to emphasise the meaning of our purpose to partner with our clients to achieve their financial goals and dreams. Glenn highlighted the essence of the organisation and allowed staff to gain a deeper appreciation for our vision, mission, and purpose. This was especially relevant and important as a large portion of the team were attending their first Hewison staff conference.

Futurist, Steve Sammartino brought the energy into the next session with his captivating keynote on the limitless possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI). Steve was dynamic, energetic, and opened our minds to the transformative impact of AI on industries, societies, and our daily lives. Drawing from his extensive knowledge and foresight, Steve illuminated the audience with insights into how AI is reshaping the future landscape, from revolutionising business models to redefining human-machine interactions. His thought-provoking exploration of AI’s potential sparked imagination and ignited a sense of wonder about the boundless horizons awaiting us in the age of intelligent technology. Through engaging anecdotes and real-world examples, Steve painted a vivid picture of the AI-driven world that lies ahead, challenging conventional thinking and inspiring innovative thinking among the team.

After lunch, Chief Operations Officer, Rosanna Fornarino and IT Manager, Adam Jobbins, led an engaging Technology and Innovation workshop. The workshop served as a platform for brainstorming and idea generation with staff collaborating through the lens of various client and staff personas. This resulted in the generation of so many great ideas that will address the needs of our clients, now and into the future. Most importantly so many of these ideas will undoubtedly bolster the delivery of the exceptional 5-star service we provide.

Head of Marketing, Creina Lister and Client Service Team Leader, Steven Amor wrapped up day one by leading a creative and engaging session on our company culture. This interactive session encouraged team members to bring an item from home that symbolised one of our core values: Fun, Family, Empowerment, or Excellence. In breakout groups the team shared the stories behind their items and the link it represented to one of our values. Through lively discussions, each group explored how values manifest within their personal lives and the behaviours that support it. By fostering a hands-on approach to understanding our culture, this session empowered team members to actively reflect on the values that drive our organisation’s success by holding a mirror to these values in their personal lives. Through this, it is hoped that they will be able to identify practical ways to incorporate the behaviours underpinning these values into their daily work.

Day one wrapped up with a lovely dinner at Mount Duneed Estate. This included a round of ‘speed-dating’, allowing the team to get to know their colleagues through speedy 5-minute conversations – a fun way to end the night!

Kicking off day two, Managing Director Andrew Hewison set the tone with a comprehensive business update and journey through our company’s rich history. Andrew provided invaluable updates on our current business landscape while delving into the pivotal moments that have shaped our organisation’s trajectory over nearly 40 years. This insightful session not only highlighted our achievements but also underscored our unwavering commitment to growth and excellence.

After tackling a holistic view of Hewison Private Wealth, our focus then turned inwards s with Wayne Dyson’s presentation on DISC personality profiling. Wayne helped the team understand who we are as individuals and how we can work together more effectively. This was an interesting activity that provided the team with valuable insights into their individual strengths, preferences, and communication styles, enhancing their self-awareness and interpersonal effectiveness.

After lunch we embarked on an exhilarating challenge: constructing a moon rover to navigate through a field of dinosaurs—albeit toy ones! This immersive activity served as a test of collaboration and coordination, highlighting the profound impact of unity and unwavering belief in achieving shared goals. Through this experience, the team gained invaluable insights into the transformative power of teamwork and the importance of fostering a cohesive and supportive environment within our organisation.

The 2024 Conference concluded with the Hewison Awards Night. Everyone came together to recognise and celebrate the exceptional individuals who bring passion and dedication to their roles, and the wider team, every day. After the formalities, everyone hit the dancefloor, together we were carefree and supportive of everyone’s dance moves, highlighting the strong sense of community within the business.

A huge congratulations to our award recipients who embody our value of excellence in everything they do:

Outstanding Performer – Adviser: Chris Morcom

Outstanding Performer – Associate: Caleb Ludlow

Outstanding Performer – Client Services: Denise Poole

Outstanding Performer – Business Support: Naomi Lohanatha

Outstanding Performer – Front of House: Leonnie Colwell

Excellence Award: Darcy Smith-Black

Team Player: Luke Ferguson

Culture Award: Leonnie Colwell

Sunshine Award: Jeremiah Fawkner

Managing Director, Andrew Hewison stated: “we are thrilled with the success of our 2024 staff conference. It was an invaluable opportunity for our team to come together, deepen their understanding of our company’s ethos, and reaffirm their commitment to our shared goals. We believe that investing in our employees’ development is key to driving our company forward, and this conference was a testament to that belief.”

The 2024 Hewison staff conference exemplified our dedication to fostering a culture of continuous learning, growth, and excellence. By providing the entire team with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to excel, Hewison is positioned to achieve even greater success in the future.