Global Sisters 5 Year Scale Strategy · Global Sisters operates in a high-income country with increasing; income inequality, child poverty rates, single mum headed households and

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Global Sisters 5 Year Scale Strategy


This has been our purpose at Global Sisters since we launched in 2016. We believe in a world where every woman is provided the opportunity to create her own economic future. Our job is to unlock her potential and overcome the barriers stopping her, so she can create her own employment.

We know that incredible things happen when we back women.

All these women need is the same backing given to everyone else.

Making Business Possible

Global Sisters. Back her brilliance.

Global Sisters operates in Australia, a high income country with increasing; income inequality, child poverty rates, single mum headed households and older women without superannuation or assets and at risk of homelessness. Our welfare system is broken and counter-productive. It was designed for a different era, is punitive and not achieving welfare to work outcomes. Women are being pushed into low paid, unstable employment that does not recognise their circumstances or provide the opportunity for long term financial sustainability. Self-employment is given minimum consideration in federal employment policy and strategy.

Innovative solutions Single mums and women over 50 need sufficient, stable income and access to decent, dignified work that fits in with their external barriers (structural) and personal circumstances. As a society, we need innovative solutions to prevent and break the cycle of family based poverty.

We tackle this problem at two intersecting levels: direct impact with women, their families and communities, and at a systems change level. Global Sisters offers our Sisters the opportunity to improve their own financial situation by providing the hope, skills, connections and experience to create self-employment. We also advocate for systems and structural change that will reduce barriers and make business possible for all women who want to be self-employed.

We have a big vision of reaching 43,000 women over the next 5 years and scaling across Australia- reaching women regardless of where they live or their circumstances.

When women are given skills, connections and support they so often miss out on, there is no stopping them. They break down barriers, force change and move us all on. They start-up and grow businesses, lift up communities, and make the economy a more equitable, more inclusive place.


Contents

Strategy Snapshot 2020 - 2025

Strategic Goals

Impact

Our Values

Theory of Change

Market Analysis

Sister Impact

Systems Change

Organisational Sustainability

Governance

Finance

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5

6

8

10

12

17

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26

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5 Year Strategy2020 - 2025

SINGLE MOTHERS & CARERS

WOMEN50+Real, flexible choices for income

generation and economic equality.

OUR GOAL

WHERE

Providing accessible pathways to entrepreneurship for women facing barriers to employment.

1 7kSISTERS EARNING INCOME

56kCHILDREN IMPACTED

43kSISTERS IMPACTED

Confidence, hope, opportunity, pathways.

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SISTER TRIBE

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National, then InternationalGROWTH

Create policy changeto support our goals

SYSTEMS CHANGE

BUSINESS SUPPORTCommunity + long term,

flexible; education, coaching, microfinance, sales & marketing

PEOPLE & TECH Blended model combining the best of tech & awesome humans for a new approach & bigger impact

Build a financiallysustainable organisation

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10REGIONAL CLUSTERS

Strategic Goals

Pillars

Principles

Strategic Goal (How we achieve the objective / Where we want to be in 5 years)

Strategic Objective

Strategic Initiatives/ Actions

Purpose Making business possible; Unlocking the potential in every woman to own her economic future.

Vision A world where every woman is provided the opportunity to create her own economic future

National scale & launch internationally

Entrepreneurial & innovative

Confidence, possibility & agencyConnection

Community & places

Accessibility & capabilityAdvance equity

Women-centred design, impact & scale

Business made possible for 43K women

Groundwork laid for international scale (1 high income country and 1 low income country)

Place based scaling through social franchise model

Scaling and accessibility through digital transformation

Sister-centric program innovation

Pipeline development & marketing

Sister ImpactSupport business as an alternative to mainstream employment

Government policy supports women to seek business as an alternative to mainstream employment

Build strategic network of academic, Government and NGO partners

Build public profile and credibility as thought leaders

Policy change advocacy

Systems ChangeGlobal Sisters will meet legal & structural requirements through the use of ethical practice, policies, leadership, and communication

Global Sisters has a high performing team of which 80% of staff, volunteers and Board report feeling equipped, supported & engaged

Manage and retain high performing staff and associated IP

Team, communication tools and remote connectivity

High performing team culture and structure

Risk mitigation and compliance

Board engagement

GovernanceOrganisational financial sustainability will be achieved through partnerships, grants, and passive income streams

Maintain a three year runway of which all HQ costs are covered by income that is reliable, stable and sustainable

Corporate partnerships

Government grants

Philanthropic grants

Social business and passive income streams

Sustainability


Regional Clusters Earning Income Sister School Graduates

Communities Children Impacted Coaching Sessions

Online Community Household Ripple Effect Businesses Selling

4 10 238 17k 484 26k

10 60 378 56k 933 336k

2.3k 100k 756 112k 217 15k

Sisters Impacted

Single Mothers & Carers

Women 50+

755 43k

355 21k

121 8k50+

GLOBAL SISTERS IMPACT 2020/2025 GOALSGlobal Sisters Impact 2020 - 2025


Making Business Possible


We believe in women backing each other. Our Sisterhood is powerful as we:

Lift each other up

Authentically represent and celebrate women’s beauty and strength

Support each other by collaborating, peer learning and cheering each other on

We believe in supporting women to “stand tall”. By this we mean:

Lifting each other

Living with dignity

Equality

A “level playing field”

Valuing diversity

Inclusiveness

Respect

We believe that we are more powerful together. We join the dots and connect sisters to:

A community of like- minded women

Education and tailored support

Business coaches

The local (and beyond) business ecosystem, community and circular economy

We believe that women-led businesses can create powerful change. When our sisters do business, they create good...in our families, communities and society.

We believe in businesses that are:

Environmentally sustainable

Good for people

Kind to animals

Women owned (inc ownership of the brand)

“Slow”, long term businesses

Our ValuesThe Sister Code

Sisterhood Connection Standing TallBusiness Done Differently

Women as Agents of Change

Direct Impact Individual, Family & Community ChangeA

Theory of Change

Global Sisters solution and theory of change Global Sisters exists to make business possible for all women and to create a world where every woman is provided the opportunity to build her own economic future.

The ProblemGlobal Sisters operates in a high-income country with increasing; income inequality, child poverty rates, single mum headed households and older women- without superannuation or assets, and increasingly at risk of homelessness. Our welfare system was designed for a different era, is punitive and not achieving welfare to work outcomes. Women are being pushed into low paid, unstable employment that does not recognise their circumstances or provide the opportunity for long-term financial sustainability. Self-employment is given minimum consideration in federal employment policy and strategy.

Women finding economic freedom through self-employment

Women as change agents

Women increasing their independence

Women creating vibrant communities

Women as valued economic participants

Increased business acumen and skills, & entrepreneurial abilities.Increased # of women-led business start-ups trading.

Increased sense of possibility and hope.

Increased # of women-led business start-ups trading.

Increased business networks and community.

Increased business acumen and skills, & entrepreneurial abilities.

Increased # of women-led businesses trading

Immediate, short term outputs Change

Who

How

Intermediate outcomes

Increased viability of businesses.

Increased financial resilience.

Increased sense of purpose and confidence.

Australian women, especially single mums and women over 50 need sufficient, stable income and access to decent, dignified work that fits in with their personal circumstances and addresses structural barriers. As a society, we need to prevent and break the cycle of family-based poverty.

Increased viability of business.

Reduced social isolationIncreased connection to & engagement with local and digital business ecosystems.

Increased viability of business.Increased # of ‘good businesses’- businesses that were created to positively impact people and planet.

Impact: Long term outcomes

Self-determination: women have freedom to make choices and have agency over their lives.

Economic freedom: women are self-employed and earning their own income.

Women ‘standing tall’ and role-modelling strength, purpose and resilience.Increase in women’s leadership in family and community.

Reduced individual and family reliance on Government support.

Increased social capital (individual and family).Positive health outcomes (mental health).Community-level socio-economic development.

Increased employability.Increased value of the businesses.

Single mothers, carers, and women 50+.

Women who face structural barriers to employment.

Increased sense of purpose & confidence.

Business Acumen Empowerment Influence Connection

Financial WellbeingEnterprise

• Global Sisters roadmap of direct impact programs and support.• Digital and place-based program design allows for accessibility, regardless of geographic

location or circumstances.• Connection, networks and ecosystem: Global Sisters joins the dots and creates “a place at

the table” for all women pursuing self-employment, connecting women to the community and support they need within Global Sisters and to external networks and business ecosystem.

Attitudes, beliefs and language used by key decision makers is positive and supportive towards single mums and women 50+

New discussion around single mothers emerges within the political discussion.

Change in narrative around single mums and older women in public discourse

Change in policy to enable business/ self-employment as a genuine option for women who need support.

Change in our welfare system to support self-employment to the same extent that job seeking is supported.

Women prevent and break the cycle of intergenerational, family-based poverty.

Women have access to decent work and no longer face barriers to economic participation.

Women led businesses are valued for their contribution to society and the economy, including through the products and services they create, manufacture and sell and the jobs they provide.

Imbalances in social equity no longer exist.

Women are effectively supported by the government and society to create flourishing businesses, financial independence, and jobs and growth for the broader society.

Immediate, short term outputs Change Intermediate outcomes Impact: Long term outcomes

Reduction of dependency on Government support.

Increased economic participation and contribution to family, community and societal wellbeing.

Systems Change & Transformation

Combined Impact

B

A B+

Changing spoken and written rhetoric around single mothers and older women who are accessing Government support.

Issues relating to the economic participation of single mothers and older women are framed in new ways in policy arguments.

Implementation of new federal policy which supports women on Government support to start and grow their own business.

Increased level of financial resources in the budget for issues affecting women’s self-employment.

Our vision is a world where all women can create her own economic future. The combined impact of Global Sisters is a nation-wide, large scale movement of women who are economically free. Women with economic freedom are then free to reach their potential, follow their dreams, and make

Specifically, we want to see a world where:

their own choices. They are free to escape unemployment and under-employment, exclusion and discrimination. They are free to make the world around them a better place. Because when women have freedom, they are free to lift their families and communities.

Impact as proof for policy change advocacy:We will draw on experience, undertake research and listen directly to the voices of women to understand the structural and systemic barriers they face in accessing or creating decent, dignified work.

We will work with government and decision makers to understand and create policies that address these barriers, through meetings, lobbying and where necessary, campaigns.

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Market AnalysisGlobal Sisters operates within, and in partnership with a national ecosystem of start-up and business development support. Our market analysis is not around competitors but partnerships. We are creating a new market and developing a pipeline of new women run businesses that connect into, and graduate to mainstream business support.

Our place in this ecosystem is unique as we provide long term support, through all the stages of business development, from pre-idea to growth stage. Global Sisters provides “end-to-end” support and more than one piece of the puzzle. We offer a menu of support including business education, space, finance, coaching and industry specific support. We strategically and intentionally address the multiple, identified barriers women face.

Global Sisters is the only national program that focuses on the earliest stage of business ideation. The support at the pre-idea and idea stages takes women from not even considering business as an option to self-employment becoming a genuine possibility. Additionally we create a pipeline of new businesses to the mainstream providers in the ecosystem. We do not see other business support providers as competitors, but networks and support for our Sisters to access and eventually graduate to. We partner nationally and locally in order to get Sisters “a place at the table” in the business community and the best possible business growth support.



Inclusive and Gendered Physical Accessibility & Flexible Delivery

Women experience gender specific barriers to economic participation, decent work and business start up. Isolation, structural exclusion and lack of networks are barriers to women’s participation in entrepreneurship. Other providers in the ecosystem typically support one target group (ie refugees or Indigenous people) and primarily in urban areas - this only serves to further isolate, exclude and limit. We support all women who need our support, and in doing so are building a more connected and inclusive community. We apply a gender lens to our model and program design. We focus exclusively on women as confident women become agents of change, creating a better society for us all. Global Sisters wants to have the greatest impact possible in breaking generational poverty.

Geographic location, transport availability and cost, disability and carer responsibilities limit women’s accessibility to business support. Due to the diversity of Sisters and their circumstances, a flexible delivery model is essential for national accessibility and impact. To this end, Global Sisters will be offering both place based, blended digital and digital programs that work around women’s circumstances.

Our place based model is adaptable to urban and regional contexts, and operating regionally is a priority for Global Sisters.

The barriers to business participation that Global Sisters solves are also our unique value proposition.

Confidence

Confidence and developing self-belief are the scaffolding that underpins all our programs. Confidence is the starting block for Sisters to be able to begin a business journey. Global Sisters builds women’s confidence from the very first interactions at My Big Idea, and continues to develop their self-belief over our “roadmap” of long term support.

Cost (fully subsidised)

Global Sisters is the only national, fully subsidised, long-term (roadmap) program for women. Whilst we expect Sisters to contribute via ‘sweat equity’ and our community, keeping the cost fully subsidised enables participation. We work to enable affordable business solutions through partnerships so that Sister businesses can move forward (ie Insurance).

Community Lift

Our place based approach intends to not only lift individual women but sees their contributions and value in the context of the whole community. A tipping point of women led businesses in a community can create community lift.

We tackle the problem from two angles: directly with women and their communities and the structural/ systemic issues as the root cause. Our policy change/ advocacy work is aiming to address the barriers to participation including structural and regulatory issues around Government welfare and the disincentives to entrepreneurship. We believe that this will have a significant impact on solving the problem and lifting our whole community.

Global Sisters believes in business done differently; business that is sustainable, good for people & planet and kind to animals. We encourage circular economies, ethical procurement, collaborations and “give back” programs built into Sister businesses. Creation of good businesses leads to community lift.

Tech & Finance Access, Literacy & Capability

Technology access and capability is critical to business development and is built into our delivery model and all our program interventions. Financial access, literacy and capability are critical foundations to business creation and self-employment. In order to make business possible for women in Australia, we also need to make sure they have the financial knowledge, skills and confidence, to apply them in their personal and business finances. Like tech capability, this is integrated into our model and programs and embedded in our social impact measurement. Read our position paper here

Connection & Networks

Many Sisters are socially isolated. The heart of Global Sisters is connection and our community. Business cannot succeed without connection and backing. The networks and connections that mainstream entrepreneurs take for granted are intentionally created for Sisters, locally and nationally. Global Sisters facilitates the transfer of value from established businesses to those emerging in the form of time, knowledge, networks, services & sales.

Barriers to Business Participation

https://globalsisters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Womens-Financial-Literacy_-Capability-Paper-Aug-2019-3.pdf


Mainstream Incubators, Accelerators, Women’s Programs or Networks

New business assistance (NEIS Government Program)

Government support, Export / Scaling & Investment

Barriers to participation solved

Key

Pre-Idea Idea Set-up Late Start-upEarly Start-upLaunch Growth

“I’m interested to see if business is something I would like to explore”

“I have found a business solution to my customers’ problem - and this idea

could really work!”

“My idea has been further developed and I am ready

to make some sales”

“I have my first 10 customers, I have chosen a business model and I

know I can make a profit”

“My business is on the pathway to breaking even, access to experts and networks will help

me achieve my goals”

“I’m the proud owner of a profitable business

that’s helping me achieve my goals”

Financial Literacy NetworksConfidence Cost - Fully

Subsidised Inclusive Metro &Regional Options

PhysicalAccessibility

CommunityLift

Tech Access /Capability Connection Flexible Delivery

Connect Sisters to: Connect Sisters to/or graduate to: Sisters graduate to:

Business Foundations Incubate Accelerate ScalingBusiness Support Ecosystem


The size of the market is difficult to quantify as we are in fact creating the market - a market that was not there previously. Broadly, the market is all women who are excluded from mainstream employment or in employment that is not “decent work”- it keeps them in poverty or means they are unable to achieve long term financial stability.

Target Group

Our Sisters are often single mums, women on welfare, over 50’s, survivors of domestic violence, and sometimes from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. They share a common thread: due to their circumstances and structural/ systemic barriers, they have experienced exclusion from economic participation and decent work, and are financially vulnerable. Self-employment is not seen as a viable option for them, and therefore the majority of our Sisters (86%) start with us at the earliest stages of business ideation- which makes our foundational business programs essential.

A key part of the scale strategy is our refined focus on sole parents, carers and older women. These groups are simultaneously the most excluded and underserved in the sector, a significant section of society and desperately in need of support and wanting to generate income. This is where Global Sisters believes we can have the greatest impact. By focusing on single mums, we will assist in breaking generational poverty. By focussing on women 50+ we aim to prevent mature age poverty amongst women.

Global Sisters has validated the scale target group through national data sets and desk research, learnings and impact assessment from our first four years of operation, satisfying us that both the need and demand exist.

55,000women are

‘discouraged job seekers’, ABS

350,000or 48% of Newstart

Allowance recipients are women, DSS

1.4 Millionwomen are

financially excluded, CSI/NAB

1.8 Millionunder/unemployed & only 250,000 jobs available nationally

Read our literature review on female sole parents here

Read our literature review on older women here

250,000 Single mums

Women over 65

are on parenting payments, DSS

are the fastest growing homeless demographic, and women’s superannuation balances are in a much weaker state than their male counterparts due to breaks in paid work resulting from child-bearing and child-rearing.

https://globalsisters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Australian-Single-Mums-Literature-Review.pdf

https://globalsisters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Australian-Women-Over-50-Literature-Review-1.pdf


Back Her Brilliance


Strategic Initiatives

The strategic objectives of scaling nationally and launching internationally include the goals of:

Sisters can access support specific to their stage of business:

The programs we offer are business education, incubate and accelerate coaching, finance and community membership. Within these programs there is a menu of support that Sisters can choose from so they can get the right support for their stage of business and type of business.

The delivery model is flexible, with Sisters being able to access via a place-based (face-to-face blended digital) model or a fully digital model (the Air Sister Program). Both of these delivery models are facilitated, ranging from intensive facilitation at the outset to more self-directed towards the end of the roadmap.

Global Sisters creates Sister impact by providing a ‘roadmap’ of long term support

Reaching over 43,000 women nationally (Australia)

Laying the ground-work for launching internationally (one high income and one low income country)

Business education for women at the pre idea, idea and set-up stage

Incubate support for women at the set-up, launch and early start-up stage

Accelerate support for women at late start-up and growth stage

The priority for our 5 year strategy is national scale. This will be achieved through the Regional Cluster model and Air Sister program with enhanced delivery via digital transformation.

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3

Sister Impact


Sister Roadmap

Land on your business idea (or study/job pathway) via the My Big Idea workshop

Validate your business idea via the Business Idea Check-In

Develop your business concept & put the foundations in place at Sister School

Pitch your business

Connect with like-minded women who have your back

Develop your confidence

Access your own Momentum Coach, and market test & launch your business

Start generating income via the First 10 Customers program

Plan your business goals via the 90 day planning

Get answers to your burning questions via #AskMeAnything

Access a regular co-working hub day (specific locations only)

Continue learning essential business skills

Access simple no-interest business finance to get your business off the ground

Overcome blocks specific to your industry type via the Industry Circles

Access 1:1 bespoke coaching to address specific business challenges

Access affordable business finance to start to grow your business

Get connected to business support and networks to accelerate your business

Opportunity to “give back” to new Sisters through peer learning and Coaching

Perfect for you if you have an idea or are just starting to think about business as a possibility. It’s also suitable if you have an existing business and want it to thrive.

Cost: Free for Sisters Cost: Free for Sisters Cost: Free for Sisters Cost: Free for Sisters

Incubate is the stage where you’re invited to become a Global Sisters member. This opens up our “roadmap” of long-term business support. You can access our community & networks, on-going business education & resources, business finance, the First 10 Customers program & 90-day planning sessions.

You now have a start-up and are confident that the business is ready to grow. Accelerate is about supporting you to achieve your business goals and connect you into the support to grow your business.

Sister School helps you turn your idea into a business. 10 sessions, 1.4 hrs each. Self-paced, digital + group learning options.

“I’m interested to see if business is something I would like to

explore”

“I have found a business solution to my customers’ problem - and this idea

could really work!”

“My idea has been further developed and I am ready to make some sales”

“I have my first 10 customers, I have chosen a business model & I know I can make a profit.”

“My business is on the path to breaking even. Access to experts

and networks will help me achieve my goals.”

“I’m the proud owner of a profitable business that’s helping me achieve my

goals”

2 hours 10 Sessions 3-6 months 12 months + (up to 3 years)

My Big Idea workshop

First 10 Customers program

Business viability check-in

Induction Sister School program

Business idea check-in

Graduate to mainstream business support & Global Sisters alumni

Menu of support: Choose what you need for the stage of business YOU are at

Industry Circles program

Business Education Incubate Accelerate

Incubate Accelerate

Pre-Idea Idea Set-up Launch GrowthStart-up


Business Education Incubate

BUSINESS IDEACHECK-IN

FIRST 10 CUSTOMERS PROGRAM

VIABILITYMILESTONE

INDUSTRY CIRCLESINDUCTION

Accelerate

Business Education

Incubate Program

Ecosystem

Finance

Accelerate Program

PRE-IDEA EARLYSTART-UPLAUNCHSET-UPIDEA LATE

START-UP GROWTH

• Super Sessions: Facebook Live learning event• Ask Me Anything: live response to FAQs• Online library: helpful business resources

• My Big Idea: business idea generation• Business idea check-in: information session &

self-assessment tool• Sister School: business education & pitch

• ‘First 10 Customer’s’ program: 1:1 ‘momentum’ coaching to support launch of business and viability check to land the business model and first year sales goals

• Quarterly 90 day planning: group goal setting & planning session including ‘Just One Thing’ network connection

• SisterTribe: national network of business women & supporters• Monthly hub co-working day including Business Meet-Ups• Business Meet-Ups: quarterly program of events (Super

Session, local business ecosystem opportunity, 90 Day Planning

• Business insurance• Business loan: Start-Up Purse (Launch stage onwards)

• Business insurance • Business loans: Growth Wallet (start-up stage onwards)• Connection to mainstream business finance

• Super Sessions, Ask Me Anything & Online Library support continues

• Industry Circles: expert coaching and peer support in industry sector groups to address business blocks

• Quarterly 90 day planning (group)• Needs-based 1:1 bespoke coaching and pro bono support • Brokering sales opportunities

• SisterTribe; Monthly hub co-working; Business Meet-Up support continues

• Connection to mainstream business programs

3-6 months3-6 months 12 months+ (up to 3 years support)

GRADUATE TO MAINSTREAM BUSINESS SUPPORTGRADUATE

TO ALUMNI

• Access to a ready-made business community

Operations Model


To ensure consistency, quality, efficiency and allow for scale, we have centralised some components of the support and this will be delivered directly to groups of Sisters digitally from HQ. This includes business education, specialist streams support (such as maker product development), sales channels, viability support, coaching, finance and customer service/ social impact.

*Regional Hub diagram indicative only - each Regional Cluster will have up to 6 Satellite Hubs each.

Regional Cluster Manager 1 Regional Cluster Manager overseeing the Regional Hubs

Regional Hubs Place-based roles connected to the Regional Cluster Manager & HQ digital support

Air SistersConnect through Air Sister program

Support to Regional Hubs

Centralised Support HQ

MicrofinanceBusiness

Education

BusinessCoaching

Specialist Industry Streams

Concierge & Helpdesk

Market Access

BusinessViability

FacilitatedBusiness

CommunityBuilding

Centralised Support to Decentralised Regional Hubs


The Regional Cluster model is our social franchise, scale model that is delivered in place-based community hubs. Over the next five years, we project that we will scale to 60 communities across Australia through this model.

The Regional Cluster Manager supports the creation of Regional Hubs. Each Regional Cluster will grow to serve approximately 6 hubs or communities. Each Hub will have a locally based Community Ambassador and Advocate - these roles are the local face and champion of Global Sisters. They connect Sisters to our programs and to the local business ecosystem.

The Regional Cluster Model

ACTIONS

Feasibility & area mapping

Identification of local economic context & opportunity

Partnership development

Sister marketing

Recruitment, on-boarding and support to Community Ambassadors in Regional Hubs

ACTIONS

Place-based

Facilitated face-to-face & digital delivery (group)

Sisters connect into HQ digital support

Co-learning/working space

Local Ambassador and Advocate roles based in the community

PARTNERS

Community Partners

Place Partners (under-utilised space, libraries)

Local Business Ecosystem

PARTNERS

Sister target groups

Community Partners

Place Partners (under-utilised corporate or Government space, libraries, co-working hubs etc)

Local business ecosystem

Regional Cluster Manager (role)

Regional Hubs (Communities)

Regional Cluster Manager

Regional Hubs

Air Sisters

Diagram indicative only: Regional Cluster can have up to 6 hubs/communities each.


Expansion to new Regional Clusters will be scheduled based on feasibility mapping, partnerships and access to location specific funding.

Global Sisters strategically decides to operate in an area where we are “invited in”, where the place meets our social impact criteria and funding is committed. The social franchise #GlobalSistersInABox will enable consistent quality and impact in all hubs for 3 years.

Additionally, the Air Sister program supports women remotely - wherever they are located around Australia (internet access dependent). This program is 100% digital and a virtual community will be created. The Air Sister program reach and timeline will be determined by pipeline mapping, partnerships and funding.

The planned multi-channel tech platform and digital delivery options will enable Global Sisters to:

• Scale nationally

• Address accessibility barriers for women’s participation

• Enhance the consistent quality of the offering & customer experience, thereby increasing engagement, retention, and social impact

• More accurately tailor our offerings to the individual Sister and their stage of business, again improving social impact

• Increase the peer-to-peer opportunities for Sisters to increase their sense of community, and facilitating increased opportunities for Sister business collaborations.

10 Regional Clusters

“Critical to the scale and accessibility goals is digital transformation”

Current & Potential Regional Hubs/Clusters

Air Sisters Remote Program Self directed sisters Australia Wide

Darwin

Perth

Adelaide

Hobart

North Queensland

North Brisbane

South Brisbane

Hunter Valley/Central Coast

Sydney/ACT

North MelbourneSouth Melbourne

NE Victoria/SE NSW


The strategic goal for international scale is groundwork laid for launching operations in one high and one low income country. This is conditional on feasibility work, partnerships and secured funding; as well as ensuring that Australian performance is strong and is financially sustainable. Investment in the feasibility and groundwork of international scale will only proceed if Australian operations are not put at risk.

Essential to our model is reaching our cohort, who are often invisible and “unserviced”. Women in our cohort are often not connected to mainstream charities. We need to reach them where they are looking for employment and connecting into their community and non-traditional support mechanisms (eg. Facebook groups). We will do this via targeted digital marketing and partnerships reinforced from the ground-up through place-based research, relationships and partnerships.

Year

Scaling/social replication model tested and refined (place-based and digital)

Digital platform completed (including app) for Sisters to access education & support

1

2020Scaling commences

Year

2

2021Systems change: policy supports single mums and older women to be self-employed

Scaling continues

Year

3

2022Scaling continues

Year

4

2023Operating in 60 communities nationwide

International expansion location, partners and funders identified

Year

5

2025


The problem that Global Sisters is addressing is systemic and structural, and therefore our interventions must also work at this level. Since inception, Global Sisters has identified structural and systemic inequality in the welfare system as not only a disincentive but a barrier to business creation. We have set out to create policy change that would enable business to be an alternative to mainstream employment. In our first 3 year strategic plan the focus had to be on creating impact and an evidence base for advocating for policy change.

We are now in a position that we have the evidence base to strongly advocate for Government policy that actively supports women to pursue self-employment (business) as a genuine alternative to mainstream employment.

The strategy is to be solutions focused and take a compelling, evidence based answer to a problem that the Government is well-aware exists - that the welfare system is broken and is not moving people from welfare to work permanently. Global Sisters is positioning as a thought leader and providing proactive solutions, as opposed to advocacy approaches that stop at pointing out the failures and problems.

Systems Change



With This SupportNothing is Impossible


The key to Global Sisters’ financial sustainability is partnerships. Partnerships and collaboration are central to our strategy, both in terms of funding and execution. Global Sisters partners with organisations where there is genuine mutual value creation, and values alignment. We recognise each other’s motivations and work to create impact to achieve those shared goals. We recognise each other’s capabilities and resources, and work to fully leverage those in pursuit of the shared goals. Whilst funding is critically important, so is pro bono support. This has the dual benefit of providing expertise to Global Sisters and engaging the organisation’s people in meaningful, valuable volunteering experiences.

The financial sustainability of Global Sisters will be maintained and developed through partnerships, grants and passive income streams. Our financial sustainability strategy has two components:

• HQ and digital program costs covered by the national three year runway of funding secured by the Global Sisters HQ team

• Program level costs (including new Regional Cluster locations/ new communities) will be secured initially by HQ and over time by Regional Cluster teams, with the decision to enter new locations being conditional on local funding (ie State or Local Government, place based corporate, community and philanthropic funds). #GlobalSistersInABox funding model will include people costs for 3 years and a contribution to HQ support and social impact costs.

The strategic goal is to maintain a three year runway of which all non-program costs are covered by income that is reliable, stable and sustainable. At the same time, the focus is on establishing a strategic long-term income stream that will significantly reduce the need for grant funding. To generate the three year runway of costs, Global Sisters will retain existing and develop new partnerships in three categories. The targets will be broadly split equally between them.


1

2

3

Philanthropic: Maintain current partners and add one new major, multi-year partner

Government: Maintain current federal funding relationships and develop new large, multi-year funding relationships

Corporate: Add 3 new major, multi-year partnerships. Fully leverage the partnerships and create value for them and Global Sisters via our corporate partnership offerings. Retain existing and develop a portfolio of 1% partners. Develop a long-term passive income stream to fund HQ operational costs, potentially including a major social business partnership.


Global Sisters is governed by a board of directors. Read the Directors Profiles here

Sub Committee

Skills Matrix

Board

Chair Vice Chair Treasurer Board Member

(Form as needed)

Finance

Legal & Governance

Marketing & Communication

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Strategy & Creative Problem Solving

Gender Equity

Risk Management

Business Scaling

Economics & Socio-Economic Policy Change

Advocacy Governance & Compliance (including ACNC & Austrac for

Microfinance)


(Funding & Partnerships)

Recruitment & Renumeration Risk & Audit

CEO Recruitment & Renumeration

Strategy

CEO

Governance

https://globalsisters.org/our-team/


The organisational structure for the next 5 years (Australia only) is based on a hybrid ‘holocracy - matrix’ structure. This structure was designed with the needs of a de-centralised, dispersed and remote workforce, putting in the framework and support for highly autonomous teams to work productively. It is tightly connected to the strategic objectives, goals and actions.

Organisational Structure

Project teams will be made up of staff from across the organisation and will be overseen by

a strategic project management function

LeadershipTeam

StrategicProjectTeams

Programs & Impact GovernancePolicy Sustainability

CDO: Development & Innovation

DigitalTransformation

ProgramDelivery

Impact & Sister Community

National Air Sister Program

Manager

ProgramSupport

Partnerships, Marketing &

Communications roles

Government

Impact Analysis

Policy & Advocacy

Advisor

Coaching Lead & Industry

Circles

Regional Cluster

Managers

Database

Community Ambassadors

Strategic Projects

Strategic Project

Management

CEO CFO

People & Culture

Admin

Team Member/Contributor

Reporting Line / Accountability


Digital

Place-based

HQ

Total Program Costs

Social Impact

Infrastructure

Sustainability

Total

Program Costs

336,637

422,510

592,185 1,351,331

179,260

230,170

132,603

1,893,364

$ %

18%

22%

31%

71%

9%

12%

7%

353,637

765,384

540,984

1,660,004

170,610

235,987

132,603

2,199,204

$ %

16%

35%

25%

75%

8%

11%

6%

313,637

1,070,700

541,887

1,926,223

171,960

235,987

132,603

2,466,772

$ %

13%

43%

22%

78%

7%

10%

5%

313,637

1,405,716

547,895

2,267,247

173,310

235,987

132,603

2,809,146

$ %

11%

50%

20%

81%

6%

8%

5%

313,637

1,551,516

541,895

2,407,047

174,660

235,987

132,603

2,950,297

$ %

11%

53%

18%

82%

6%

8%

4%

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Finance

Contact us [email protected] www.globalsisters.org

Documents

Global Sisters 5 Year Scale Strategy · Global Sisters operates in a high-income country with increasing; income inequality, child poverty rates, single mum headed households and