<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Aha! Consulting]]></title><description><![CDATA[Aha! Consulting]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2026 12:52:59 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://admin322748.wixsite.com/ahaconsulting/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Conviction or Curiosity]]></title><description><![CDATA[With signs of an ever-increasing fragmentation of the public discourse and a polarised political rhetoric, it seems timely to explore the merits of the phrase “to have the courage of your convictions.” Don’t get me wrong, standing for something is important, but are there caveats to what and how we stand for that ‘thing’. If you asked someone who grew up in a secluded village in China that was cut off from the rest of the world what language is spoken in other countries, it is highly likely...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/conviction-or-curiosity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aba31348a2d16404754c3fd</guid><pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 09:43:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/750686_5a3dd7fcc20d4a0c9d5750c17b3f490d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_584,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joel Levin</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trauma Informed or Entombed]]></title><description><![CDATA[Working in engagement and facilitation, the topic of being trauma informed is becoming increasingly important. There is little doubt that current and past trauma can impact people’s emotional, psychological, or physical processing of life (1)(2)]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/trauma-informed-or-entombed</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a8b98d421368453a749db4e</guid><category><![CDATA[Trauma]]></category><category><![CDATA[Facilitation]]></category><category><![CDATA[Groups]]></category><category><![CDATA[Community Engagement]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 01:54:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/122af7_3a345aeb78ba4c13bd92cd3562f290cc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joel Levin</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AI and Community Engagement]]></title><description><![CDATA[There's lots of excitement at the moment when it comes to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in all walks of life, so it's only natural for that enthusiasm to spill over into the world of community and stakeholder engagement. While there are definite opportunities when it comes to AI in engagement, there are also some definite risks. These risks are both practical and philosophical, and the implications are felt both in the short and long term. Let's start with the most practical, which...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/ai-and-community-engagement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a3b6e2dc4b4b7e8f5634c95</guid><category><![CDATA[Community Engagement]]></category><category><![CDATA[AI]]></category><category><![CDATA[Communications]]></category><category><![CDATA[Truth]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:47:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/122af7_6145e9e8f35c43a7a9f1d21edbbf1c9c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joel Levin</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Flipping the Script on Town Hall Meetings]]></title><description><![CDATA[The scene is familiar. Thirty to fifty community members have been invited to hear an update on a project. The project officer stands up and delivers a fifteen-minute presentation — its background, how wonderful it is, how wonderful it will be, and how the team has the community’s concerns well in hand.   The community sits patiently, anxieties bubbling, trying to absorb twelve months of project context in one sitting. (If you’ve read our piece on cognitive load, you’ll recognise this...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/flipping-the-script-on-town-hall-meetings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a168672b22ef328630f098a</guid><category><![CDATA[Facilitation]]></category><category><![CDATA[Groups]]></category><category><![CDATA[Decision Making]]></category><category><![CDATA[Community Engagement]]></category><category><![CDATA[Human Relationships]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 06:11:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/750686_cb84f54ad5b24249a8111f82120af41a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joel Levin</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cognitive Load in Engagement]]></title><description><![CDATA[Effective engagement isn't about how much you say - it's about how well they can receive it!]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/cognitive-load-in-engagement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69cca92c7d31fe550c65dbf6</guid><category><![CDATA[Transparency]]></category><category><![CDATA[Decision Making]]></category><category><![CDATA[Community Engagement]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:33:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/750686_2aef2fbfb0314f609ed132eb05b9ac9f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_512,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joel Levin</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Conflict in your engagement? ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ready to move from friction to flow? When stakes are high, the goal is not to avoid conflict but to handle it well so decisions stick and trust builds.  Aha! Training offers two practical full day courses to equip you to handle the heat and keep projects moving.  Navigating Conflict  Practical skills for the individual to be resourceful in the face of conflict. Builds skills to:  Understand the driver of conflict   Identify conflict triggers and strategies to de-escalate  Increase your...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/conflict-in-your-engagement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">696719a00ef3e0e1c07cda5a</guid><pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 04:26:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/61bce5_7e2decd37fb14e74932af3cd5aa79905~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kura Perkins</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Engagement 101: It’s about trust]]></title><description><![CDATA[With engagement becoming more integrated within organisations and more expected by the community, there is a real risk of ‘death by consultation’!   More engagement is not always better! When people are asked to participate in everything, all the time, it drains organisational resources and community time.   This overload reduces participant turnout and in turn weakens confidence in the findings. Then organisations may be unable to see the value of their engagement, so they scale back...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/engagement-101-it-s-about-trust</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69671046f1ba376a5bc138a1</guid><pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 03:58:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/12b8b3_82894d12a15a475bbbf10f4d46152883~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kura Perkins</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What happens when purposeful collaboration meets real-world challenges? This year proved it: quality engagement delivers real results.]]></title><description><![CDATA[As we approach the end of 2025, we're seeing a fundamental shift. Organisations are recognising that genuine engagement doesn't just tick a box—it unlocks better decisions, stronger community support, and outcomes that actually stick. This year has been extraordinary. We've worked across sectors with organisations that are each doing their bit for community and seeing tangible returns on meaningful engagement. Our 2025 projects spanned: Road design deliberative panels Multiple Strategic...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/what-happens-when-purposeful-collaboration-meets-real-world-challenges-this-year-proved-it-quality</link><guid isPermaLink="false">691ea2f99e2226b1d41a5089</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Nov 2025 05:34:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/12b8b3_c281f163ca1b453dabec427f128da720~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kura Perkins</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Finding the Right Method: Aha! Consulting Leads a Journey Through Community Engagement]]></title><description><![CDATA[Recently, professionals from across the corporate, NFP and government sectors gathered for the Engagement Institute (IAP2)’s intensive "Apply Engagement Methods" course. Not just another training session – this impactful course is a deep dive into the art and science of choosing the right tools to connect meaningfully with stakeholders. Method matters - the right tool for the right moment Faced with a stakeholder engagement project, it’s easy to reach for the familiar: a survey here, a town...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/finding-the-right-method-aha-consulting-leads-a-journey-through-community-engagement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69117619d588c50c0e5f58e0</guid><category><![CDATA[Community Engagement]]></category><category><![CDATA[Facilitation]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:39:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/750686_42c5d0815fb04d80bbc1b95eb777ea78~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kura Perkins</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Case Study - More than a Road]]></title><description><![CDATA[How do you give the community real input to something as complex and raod design? Welcome to Orrong Connect]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/case-study-more-than-a-road</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ae65866e26accbc6ce6b53</guid><category><![CDATA[Decision Making]]></category><category><![CDATA[Case Study]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 28 Aug 2025 06:21:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/18c0bf_475b62683ea242dcb95a452354225796~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joel Levin</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Getting back to grassroots engagement]]></title><description><![CDATA[While there are multiple ways to engage stakeholders, sometimes we get to do the tried and tested face-to-face engagement and sit around...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/getting-back-to-grassroots-engagement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68676a1cd7f2edd2bbab484b</guid><pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d6be61_80d8383df26e402d8e34cb0208c3f447~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>donna5089</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Aha Moments: Reflecting on an Incredible Internship Journey]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hello! My name is James Della Gatta. I’m 23 years old and have just completed a double Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Psychology...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/my-aha-moments-reflecting-on-an-incredible-internship-journey</link><guid isPermaLink="false">682c167cc3f0b1cb09ea82b8</guid><pubDate>Tue, 20 May 2025 06:26:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaaf76_e16bfeca318644deb13ab3ba15cea754~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>james21784</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Team Spotlight: Donna Gibson]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our newest team member, Donna Gibson, joined us in October 2024 as a Communications Specialist. She has since taken on the role of Senior...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/team-spotlight-donna-gibson</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68181931f0457602a0fda922</guid><pubDate>Mon, 05 May 2025 02:34:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d6be61_1c5d863e493a465ea2fba7a2a3281ed2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>donna5089</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Get the tools to craft your best engagement program ]]></title><description><![CDATA[For 21 years, Aha! Consulting has been at the forefront of designing and facilitating engagement processes for clients across a range of...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/get-the-tools-to-craft-your-best-engagement-program</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6808521eda5ea0096bdcf77a</guid><category><![CDATA[Community Engagement]]></category><category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category><category><![CDATA[Communications]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Apr 2025 03:45:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaaf76_21cc05fb9e094900bca572f58f2eeecb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>james21784</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What is the Engagement Hedgehog?]]></title><description><![CDATA[For many, the daily grind of work can get us stuck on a treadmill of dealing with the next, and the next, and the next. Enter the world...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/what-is-the-engagement-hedgehog</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67ca5f8375fc64e2e36f5c44</guid><pubDate>Fri, 07 Mar 2025 03:17:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_4430394e6f6f6333585177~mv2_d_3648_2432_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>donna5089</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Transactions, Relationships and AI]]></title><description><![CDATA[There is no doubt that we live in a world of data. There are more channels than ever before that are either force feeding us information...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/transactions-relationships-and-ai</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65bb0ac4a42e7d8b754e4f23</guid><category><![CDATA[Facilitation]]></category><category><![CDATA[Human Relationships]]></category><category><![CDATA[Community Engagement]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 01 Feb 2024 04:29:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9cca14_7a3ad8fca4894fe5a468a0f3222ff700~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_724,h_483,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joel Levin</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Team Spotlight: Joel Levin]]></title><description><![CDATA[We love to share a bit about ourselves with our community and clients. Take a moment to get to know our Managing Director Joel as he...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/team-spotlight-joel-levin</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65bafe2c0f9f8c25d35b6afc</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Feb 2024 02:51:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9cca14_1ffd9538ef2941788458011873e13c26~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_994,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Greta Jasiak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Mona Lisa Soup Saga: publicity, media strategy, ethics and respect]]></title><description><![CDATA[They broke the news cycle, but at what cost? The internet seems to be divided over this week's Mona Lisa Soup Saga. Activists hurled soup...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/the-mona-lisa-soup-saga</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65b99d214a52d2c0ba8d3c55</guid><category><![CDATA[Community Engagement]]></category><category><![CDATA[Human Relationships]]></category><category><![CDATA[Communications]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 31 Jan 2024 01:41:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9cca14_1e73d66831254191979b64dddf8e0704~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_799,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Greta Jasiak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Importance of Timing in Community Engagement]]></title><description><![CDATA[A new year, a new sense of motivation and a bunch of new projects on the horizon - the perfect time to whip out that schedule and start...]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/when-it-comes-to-good-engagement-timing-is-everything</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65a5eeda6da229eedb7dcd10</guid><category><![CDATA[Community Engagement]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jan 2024 03:12:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/12b8b3_cd3dc4472443490097c266e67ce7b3eb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Janelle Easthope</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Team spotlight: Janelle Easthope]]></title><description><![CDATA[Get to know our Senior Engagement Consultant Janelle Easthope.]]></description><link>https://www.ahaconsulting.net.au/post/team-spotlight-janelle-easthope</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65a5d199f3a496beac7d37d3</guid><category><![CDATA[Community Engagement]]></category><category><![CDATA[Our team]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jan 2024 01:04:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9cca14_8a2bf45af6e64e55a0aa782cd1e47a0d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_514,h_685,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Greta Jasiak</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>