Each and every week the Square Holes team are deep in the bowels of a number of projects, working to mine all of the insights that we can to help grow businesses and support thriving cities.

These insights are used by businesses and organisations to innovate their offerings, move into new markets, track their impact and hone their products and output. Each week we will be sharing a broad insight that we have learnt for you to use in your own work.

Let us know what you find valuable!

Jason: Long term planning key to real change

Why do government leaders make poor decisions? Juggling priorities, lobby groups, and budgets—especially post-pandemic debt—is challenging. Over 20 years working with governments, I’ve seen that research and community feedback shape decisions, yet critical socio-economic gaps persist despite clear evidence.

I wonder if the complexity of modern government overwhelms clarity in decision-making. What may seem obvious to solve—a major wrong that needs to be made right—is not necessarily ignored by leaders, but they may be blinkered or even blinded to these blind spots. Rather than getting angry about poor decisions, we should recognise the importance of public advocacy, candour, and independent research.

Perhaps we need to adopt a more bipartisan, long-term approach, looking 10 to 20 years ahead—like countries such as Singapore, Germany, and the Nordic nations, which are known for their strategic, long-term planning. Short-term thinking in government or business slows progress, making real change difficult, if not impossible.

Mahalia: Talking about my generation

So many of the cultural institutions that we work with are trying to uncover new strategies to engage young people – without alienating their aging supporters. While it’s good to remember that you can’t be everything to everyone – making cultural experiences more accessible to a wider demographic is never a bad thing. And it starts with talking to those audiences you feel are missing, to understand how they like to engage with your offerings. What ways can we make our arts institutions more accessible and inviting? The way different demographics enjoy consuming art has changed over generations due to evolving technology, environmental factors (cost of living pressures ect) and attitudes to traditions/etiquette.

Dylan: Regular check-ins vital for sustained collaboration

Regular work in progress meetings are essential for maintaining transparency, alignment, and momentum during projects. They help ensure all stakeholders stay informed, provide feedback in real time, and feel connected to the project’s progress, setting a foundation of collaboration and understanding which is critical for smoother execution and output delivery.

Think your business or organisation could do with some insights? Contact us here.