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: Shooting from the hip

I’ve been thinking about the idea of shooting from the hip, reacting fast, often in anger, with little information. That feeling that they have done you wrong, and the quickest way to correct it is to SHOOT. Make the wrongness known – BANG, BANG, KAPOW!  We see this in research. People disengage because “they never fix anything.” Government “should already know and fund properly.” A tender was awarded “stupidly.” Staff are “lazy on purpose.” Managers are “arseholes.” But wrong is rarely intentional – our clients want to know, so they can fix the issues and improve, retain customers, resolve problems. Most decisions happen in complexity, pressure and imperfect information, not malice. And once you shoot, especially emotionally – an angry email, late-night text, smoke-from-the-ears reaction –  you often can’t pull the bullet back. You have revealed the HULK – your scary side. A better default: assume good intent first. Pause. Ask. Understand. In complex systems, curiosity is more powerful than a quick shot. Once you shoot from the hip, the damage is done.

Dylan: Ritual for a reset

This week I’ve been reminded how much it’s the little things shape our mindset. The small, consistent rituals we might have that set the tone for the day. For me, waking up at the same time, getting some exercise in and taking a few minutes to read. These are the things I do consistently to help find a bit of calm and space to think (something that’s hard to come by during busy days). I’ve learnt that by treating consistency as an act of self-care rather than strict discipline, it’s easier to build momentum, helping personal progress to feel more effortless.

Mahalia: Lessons from Makers

During the pandemic many of us were called to using our hands and creativity as a way to combat the overwhelming sense of chaos. Some turned to baking, others to growing their own food, or crafting. Many have since turned those lessons into side hustles or full blown businesses. What my own jaunt into crafting taught me was to appreciate the skill, time and resources that go into making our products. In a fast paced world of instant gratification, people more and more are seeking slow, considered and thoughtful creation. So as we roll into another Christmas season, this year think about spending your hard earned cash with the makers honouring timeworn techniques and practices – lest we lose them.

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