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: Don’t panic

I watched Prime Minister Albanese’s talk on ABC TV last night about the escalating global situation. And, to be honest, I didn’t listen as intently as I perhaps should have, but when a leader delivers a rare “please remain calm” message, it’s hard not to feel less than calm. Nothing new, all true, but while a couple of weeks ago we were being told everything would be fine, now we’re being told to prepare for the worst. In 2020, we went into a toilet paper frenzy as the shit hit the fan, and now, six years later, petrol feels like the toilet paper of 2026.

Human nature is to touch the hot plate when the waiter says, “Don’t touch the hot plate,” and similarly, human nature is to PANIC when we are told by those in power not to.

Panic creates alarm. It slows decisions, economies, and spending, as all focus turns to that one finite thing, when all the other cogs should — and need to — keep revolving. After five or so years of constant change, you’d think businesses and consumers would be used to chaos. Keep your eyes on the other side, and keep making decisions and keep the wheels turning, tick, tick, tick …

It reminds me of those old Donald Duck cartoons, flapping about, making a fuss, but not really getting anywhere. Feels like Donald Duck is ducking everything up for everyone once again.

Thanks Donald!

Please remember – DON’T PANIC!

Mahalia: A meal for two

With our Prime Minister warning this week that things are going to get harder before they get better in the fuel crisis, Australians are entering a time of traditional excess (Easter long weekend), worried about the price of their consumption. More and more, what this time is showing me is that we as a community need to get better at showing up for each other. This looks like sharing skills that help with self-sustainability (gardening, mending, etc), and opening up our pantries and kitchens to our friends and local community members. Cooking is the first way I like to show up for my community when they are doing it hard. But while we are all struggling with this ‘new normal’ – sharing meals and resources not only helps with household costs, but also helps to quell that building panic.

Dylan: Time to grow

Creativity and great ideas are something we strive for in our research and reporting. This week, I’ve been reflecting on the creative process and what it takes to achieve high-quality outputs. We often think of creativity as a sudden spark or moment of inspiration, but generally this isn’t the case. Commonly, it stems from a structured process that develops over time through five key stages – these being preparation, incubation, insight, evaluation, and elaboration.

A critical part of this process is allowing time for incubation, where the brain subconsciously works through ideas and refines them. Rushing this stage can limit the depth and originality of ideas, as true creativity often emerges after stepping away and reflecting. For me, giving ideas time to grow is essential for producing thoughtful outcomes.

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