STRATEGYT TO IMPACT · BUSINESS EDUCATION FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
Strategy Education Programs
Support for Local Businesses Starts Here
Practical, expert-led workshops, forums and training that help councils build local business capability and economic resilience.
THE APPROACH
Business education that creates
real impact
As the saying goes: "Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime"
In tough times people look to government for support. Councils play an important role in supporting local economic resilience, business capability and community participation.
At Strategy to Impact, we work with councils and businesses to deliver practical, engaging workshops, forums, mentoring clinics and training that help business owners make better decisions, strengthen their strategy, and focus on what will create the greatest impact.
Our approach is grounded in real-world business experience, strategic thinking, and a strong understanding of how to translate complex ideas into clear, practical next steps.
DESIGNED TO SUPPORT
Business confidence and capability
Clearer strategic decision-making
Business sustainability and adaptability
Economic resilience in changing conditions
Pathways to growth, self-employment and participation
Innovation and digital adaptation
Facilitator
Katya Ellis
Strategy Educator
Katya Ellis brings together experience in business strategy, consulting and university teaching to deliver practical, high-impact programs for small business communities. With 20+ years in strategy and advisory, 1,500+ business consultations, and experience working with councils across Greater Melbourne, she combines strategic insight with real-world application.
Qualifications:
Founder, Novinka Consulting & Strategy to Impact
Marketing Strategy educator at RMIT University
Non-Profit Board Director: Australian Horse Industries Council, Australian Fashion Film Awards, Cancer Support Angels
Postgraduate studies in Business Strategy - Harvard Business School
Double Bachelor's in Business (International) & Information Systems - Swinburne University
20+
YEARS IN STRATEGY & ADVISORY
1,500+
BUSINESS
CONSULTATIONS
RMIT
DIGITAL MARKETING EDUCATOR SINCE 2021
Harvard
BUSINESS SCHOOL
POSTGRAD
TOPICS AND DELIVERY OPTIONS
Suggested topics
We offer practical business workshops, short courses, seminars, forums and expert panels that can
be delivered online or in person for councils, business support programs and community
initiatives. Programs can be tailored to suit different audiences, business stages, and council
objectives.
01 BUSINESS RESILIENCE & GROWTH
Practical strategies for business owners to protect their cash flow, reduce costs and stay competitive in tough economic conditions. Timely, grounded and highly relevant for any business community right now.
High-impact marketing doesn't have to cost a lot. This workshop covers organic social media, Google Business Profile, email marketing, content strategy and community marketing - all practical, all doable on a small budget.
Most small businesses spend money on marketing that isn't working and can't tell you why. This session cuts through the noise to identify what's worth keeping, what to ditch, and where the real opportunities are.
A practical course for business owners ready to strengthen their strategy, improve marketing, finances, process and human resources.
4-SESSION COURSE
02 STARTING A BUSINESS & SELF-EMPLOYMENT
A supportive, practical workshop for people exploring self-employment as a pathway. Covers business model basics, mindset, early-stage planning and where to get help - ideal for councils with employment support objectives.
A course covering the core foundations of starting and setting up a business. Product/Price/Place, Promotion, Finance, Processes
4-SESSION COURSE
03 AI & DIGITAL CAPABILITY
A three-level series demystifying artificial intelligence for small business owners. From understanding the basics and using AI tools for everyday tasks, through to building AI-powered workflows and staying ahead of the curve. Can be delivered as standalone sessions or a progressive series.
BEGINNER · INTERMEDIATE · ADVANCED
A three-level series providing a strategic roadmap for digital marketing - tailored content for those selling Products (e-commerce, sales funnels, visual content) versus Services (lead generation, trust-building, client relationships).
BEGINNER · INTERMEDIATE · ADVANCED
04 FINANCE, FUNDING & GRANT READINESS
Covering financial fundamentals and the practical reality of applying for grants - including what assessors are actually looking for. Delivered by
someone who has assessed thousands of applications for the City of Melbourne.
A practical session to help business owners better understand key financial concepts, planning and decision-making.
How to approach grants more strategically, prepare stronger applications and avoid common mistakes.
05 STAFF CAPABILITY SERIES
Effective management and leadership skills, including delegation, coaching, and team engagement.
High-impact marketing strategy and execution - helping key staff determine priorities and drive results.
Essential business budget management and financial oversight for operational teams.
SERIES OPTIONS
Structured streams for deeper impact
Multi-session series designed for real accountability and progress - for existing businesses or
those on an employment pathway into self-employment.
STREAM 01
For established business owners ready to scale. Four sessions covering strategic planning, marketing growth, financial management and building systems - structured for accountability and real progress between sessions.
1 Reducing waste and protecting cash flow
2 Smarter marketing when budgets are tight
3 Finding quick-win growth opportunities
4 Optional follow-up clinic to review strategy and troubleshoot
STREAM 02
A structured four-session course covering everything a new business owner needs to know. Ideal as a standalone program or as part of a broader business support offering.
TOPIC OPTION 1
1 Is business right for you?
2 Choosing a simple business idea based on skills
3 Low-cost validation and first customers
4 Basic setup, mindset and next steps
TOPIC OPTION 2
1 Ideas, development and validation
2 Finance insights
3 Marketing insights
4 Process insights
STREAM 03
A progressive three-level series helping business owners understand, adopt and leverage artificial intelligence — from first steps through to advanced implementation. Each level works as a standalone session or as part of the full series.
1 AI for Business: Beginner — what AI is, how to use everyday AI tools, and where to start
2 AI for Business: Intermediate — building AI into marketing, content and customer workflows
3 AI for Business: Advanced — AI-powered business processes, automation and staying ahead of the curve
FLEXIBLE DELIVERY FORMATS
Delivered the way your community needs
Workshop topics can be tailored to council priorities, business stage and audience needs.
01
ONE-OFF SEMINARS
Focused single sessions on a topic relevant to your business community.
02
MULTI-SESSION COURSES
Structured programs with accountability and progression built in.
03
PANEL & FORUM EVENTS
Expert panels and facilitated forums for community engagement.
04
PEER FEEDBACK FORUMS
Small-grouped facilitated sessions for collaborative problem-solving and shared learning.
05
TAILORED PROGRAMS
Customised for specific cohorts- women in business, multicultural communities, not-for-profits and more.
06
IN-PERSON . ONLINE . HYBRID
Delivered at your facilities, via Zoom, or as a hybrid- whatever suits your community.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
Access to a trusted advisor network
Where appropriate, additional experts can be engaged to contribute to panel discussions or deliver specialist content aligned to council priorities.
Extend reach through recorded content
Live workshops and forums can be filmed, allowing councils to share valuable insights with the wider community after the event.
Facilitated peer feedback forums
Small-group peer forums create valuable space for open dialogue, shared learning and collaborative problem-solving - especially effective for refining ideas and strengthening strategy.
COUNCIL TRACK RECORD
Trusted across Greater Melbourne
Councils and programs I've worked with.
CITY OF MELBOURNE
Business grant assessor - 8 years (business, digital adaptation and events grants)
Grant application workshops
AI for retail workshops
Business marketing workshops
VicMarket business support programs
WYNDHAM · BRIMBANK · WHITTLESEA
Delivered:
Business growth workshops - Wyndham
Business support workshops - Brimbank
Social Media Success workshop - Whittlesea
MELTON COUNCIL
Business Excellence Awards - Judge, 4 years
Award application workshops
Growing a business workshops
SMALL BUSINESS VICTORIA
Mentor on the Small Business Bus
Mentoring clinics via SBMS across multiple councils
WHY COUNCIL TRUST ME
The credibility pillars
01
Government Insight
8 years assessing Business, Digital Adaptation, and Event grants for the City of Melbourne. I know exactly what makes a business "grant-ready."
02
Education Excellence
Current Lecturer in Digital Marketing Strategy at RMIT University since 2021 - keeping workshop content sharp and academically current.
03
Proven Local Success
Trusted Judge for the Melton City Council Business Excellence Awards (4 years) and facilitator for Wyndham, Brimbank, and Whittlesea Councils.
04
State-Level Impact
Experienced Business Mentor with the Victorian Government's Small Business Bus and the Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS).
05
Strategic Advisor
1,500+ individual business consultations across diverse industries since 2009 - bringing deep, practical knowledge of what local businesses actually need.
06
Event Facilitator
Experienced panel host and forum facilitator for business communities - creating engaging, high-value events that connect, inspire and drive action.
Let's create something great
for your business community
Get in touch to discuss your council's business support goals and how I
can design a program that works for your community, your timeline and
your budget.
