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: Thriving in the flames

Burning decks emerge when problems long known, and often quietly ignored, finally ignite. Margins that were once healthy become razor thin. Cash reserves built for a tough few months are stretched to survive a tough few years, then a few more. And across many sectors, things haven’t just failed to improve over the past decade, the signs were there well in advance. Rising competition locally and globally, relentless cost pressures, and shifting consumer expectations. It’s in these moments that market research suddenly becomes urgent: HELP! Yet, in hindsight, the hardest times are often the most transformative. They force businesses, industries and governments to think differently. The noise gets louder, and the pain deeper.  Then to let go of old assumptions. To return to a core truth, sharpen their focus, and rebuild with clarity.

In our work, this is the turning point. When organisations move from simply surviving the flames to thriving beyond them.

Dylan: Good stress

As the year comes to an end we’re lucky to be working on a number of really interesting and complex projects. With many competing priorities and time running out to fit everything in before 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been thinking about the idea of good vs. bad stress. Good stress (or as psychologist may refer to it eustress), is the energising kind that helps us stretch, learn and feel proud of what we’re working toward, while bad stress leaves us feeling overwhelmed, stuck and drained. What I’ve found is that it’s important to experience challenge without feeling alone or out of control. Simple habits like setting clear goals, talking openly about challenges and reflecting on past wins (in similar difficult situations) can turn stressful moments into good opportunities for success. Working in an environment where you feel supported, have purpose and are all striving for progress helps alleviate the harmful stresses and leaves room for people to thrive.

Mahalia: Dare to prepare

This week we are talking about preppers. Once typecast as unhinged conspiracy theorists who hoard weapons and tinned food while gleefully waiting for the end times, prepping is now slowly moving into the mainstream. After the pandemic revealed what a shut down world could look like, people started considering what preparing for disaster might look like. Many started their own food-baring gardens to bring down supermarket costs, learnt sewing and mending techniques to preserve their clothing, while assessing their waste footprint. Some stocked up on toilet paper sure, but many leaned into community building and support in the face of isolation and lock down. And in a world that is rapidly changing – isn’t community building what we really need?

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