A bold strategic plan for the largest brain research group in the Southern Hemisphere
Together for good – the client challenge
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health (the Florey) is one of the world’s top 10 brain research centres. It is an independent not-for-profit medical research institute specialising in discovery science, imaging technologies, stroke rehabilitation, data analytics and serious diseases of the brain and mind.
Research teams at the Florey have made significant discoveries that have saved thousands of lives and improved the quality of life of countless children and adults around the world.
In October 2018, the Florey engaged Cube to develop a 5- year Strategic Plan for the organisation.
Our challenge was to help the Florey leadership team analyse key challenges and opportunities in their operating, authorising and funding environments, and the global medical research ecosystem, and chart an exciting strategic direction.
Bringing the right thinking and people to the table
We engaged deeply with Florey‘s faculty, staff, and a diverse cross-section of stakeholders, partners, critical friends and ‘big thinkers’ to help shape Florey’s future direction. At key milestones, the Board was engaged by the Cube team to gain their feedback and ensure their expertise and visionary thinking was captured.
Our rigorous engagement approach incorporated face-to-face and virtual channels, providing wonderful input for an Insights & Perspectives Report on the Florey’s strategic positioning. It surfaced six key outcome areas for the Florey to focus on in order to embrace current and future opportunities and overcome challenges. These were further consolidated into three unique but inter-related strategic ‘pillars’ and measures of success.
The positive change we delivered
The final strategic plan is an exciting platform that:
Strengthens Florey‘s role as an international leader, making discoveries which enable people to live unlimited by diseases of the brain and mind;
Focuses on innovation and research translation through leveraging multidisciplinary talent and clinical platforms across the Parkville and Austin Hospital precinct, underpinned by robust commercial and innovation pathways;
Maintains a strong commitment to Florey being a great place to work, grow and succeed; and
Positions Florey at the heart of Victoria’s medical research ecosystem, building new partnerships, encouraging collaboration, brokering knowledge exchange and undertaking joined-up problem solving to achieve shared public value outcomes.
Insights for inquisitive minds
Engagement in the medical research sector needs to be authentic and flexible, and surface the voice of both medical researchers and corporate staff
Organisational peers and partners from across the medical research ecosystem can provide strategic insight, fresh perspectives and an honest, critical eye.
A deep understanding of authorising and funding environments is key to effective strategy development in medical research organisations.
“The Florey’s work is likely to impact all of us at some point in our lives, and it’s vital we continue to support their unique contribution to scientific and medical research”
Barbara Dixon
Director, Cube Group
