PORTFOLIO

The East Arnhem Regional Council delivers essential Local Government Services to nine communities in East Arnhem Land, with offices strategically positioned in Darwin and Nhulunbuy. 

Through a tendering process, Captovate won the contract to build their website. The challenge was the content. The Council had trouble recruiting to a permanent communications role, and therefore lacked the internal resources to coordinate the collection of information across the organisation.

To address this challenge, they reached out to Captovate.

Captovate  proposed an innovative approach: the insourcing of one of their team members to operate seamlessly between the Council's office and the agency. 

Read the story of how insourcing can be an effective way of resourcing within organisations.

That's where my part of the story begins.

Diving into the world of Regional Councils

I am Justine, a French woman who has been living in Australia for a little over a year, with a background in communication and marketing but no experience with councils. To be honest, regional councils were completely off my radar, both in France and in Australia. But the chance to explore the inner workings of an organisation closely linked to Aboriginal communities was too good to pass up. It promised personal and professional growth that I couldn't resist.

Navigating the tricky path of content development

The task of rebuilding the EARC's website turned out to be quite a challenge. It required me to thoroughly review every single webpage, rethink the processes, and keep the content clear and concise. I had to strike a balance between making the content accessible to community members and using the right language for governance bodies. Before I even began the content overhaul, I had to wrap my head around the Local Government Act, laws and policies, which was my introduction to the world of councils. It was a steep learning curve, but it gave me a solid understanding of the Council's mission and what the website needed to achieve.

Tackling communication hurdles across distances

Getting my hands on content also meant collaborating with people scattered across different communities. This came with its own set of challenges –  I had to be clear in my requests and make sure I reached the right person. When your team is spread out across various locations and missions, communication can get complicated. But luckily, it's not impossible. The team in Darwin was a lifeline, always there to help and guide me in finding the right contacts for specific information. As we worked together, it became clear that most team members were eager to contribute their insights. 

Building bridges across boundaries

My role, split between EARC and Captovate, allowed me to form some great connections. 

Each visit to the Council offered a chance to get to know the team better, learn more about their individual roles, and gain a deeper understanding of their responsibilities and motivations. I must admit that working at the Council was always a pleasure, as the entire team was very welcoming and friendly. Not everyone can boast of having such wonderful coworkers who wake up early to bake a birthday cake before starting their workday!

The real value of Insourcing

In this unique setup, dividing my time between the Council and the agency turned out to be a brilliant strategy. As a communication adviser for the Council, I became a bridge between two different worlds – bringing together Captovate's expertise and the Council's dedication. This setup gave me the flexibility to work beyond the traditional office environment. For me, it meant forming relationships with Council members and stepping into a whole new professional territory. 

Support from the broader agency

Simultaneously, I had access to the agency's knowledge and technical and design support. For the Council, it meant having someone ready to dive into action without the time and cost of training, providing valuable advice, and helping them achieve their goals. 

This fusion of adaptability and expertise was definitely a recipe for a successful partnership.