Part Three - bridging the tyranny of distance

So. You want to work regionally. Great! With people and skill gaps across most sectors in most regions you can be pretty well assured we need your skills.

Regional relocation campaigns have been ramping up in recent years now our Covid hangovers where relocators were about as welcome as your drunk uncle at the annual Christmas gathering have subsided.

If you're considering moving yourself to the regions that's one thing. Get some insights on moving your business to the regions here and living in the regions here and here.

If you're more inclined to embrace a fly in-fly out (FIFO) routine to get your regional fix that's another thing and the focus of this article.

FIFO workers are abundant in the regions and they span most industries. There is no doubt this mode can plug a gap, bring new skills to a community and even create an enormous amount of value.

And, as a FIFO there are several modes of operation to consider when you're doing your thing. In my game - community and economic (or regional) development FIFOs are as abundant as blowflies around a summer BBQ and some (of course not all) just as useful.

One thing that separates the consultants and practitioners who care, from those who don't is a willingness to bridge the distance, get in the plane, the car, the pushbike - whatever it takes to actually get to the people and build a relationship or at the very least rapport.

Do you really need a relationship to get your thing done?

Of course not, but it will make a difference to the ease in which your work happens and it's overall sustainability. More here.

There is no doubt regional travel is costly. In fact, just last week I flew from Coffs Harbour airport to Canberra, not a last minute booking and my return voyage (granted I had one change which added $268 to my journey) was just over $1,400.

It's not only the cost, work travel can be exhausting, eating out can become tiresome and unhealthy, accommodation isn't always as comfortable as home and sometimes it can get really lonely.

No wonder it's tempting to seek out online only options.

But there is a healthy compromise.

Thinking back to those unpredictable Covid times when I was still working closely with businesses on Norfolk Island and delivering our second business incubator program I'm still pleased that my team took the time to be on island, to get to know people and also to leverage local talent so that when we couldn't get there meeting online wasn't so bad AND we had a skilled person on the ground to keep things ticking over.

So, how do you bridge distance when you want to work in regional communities? Try these things:

1. Go in with a mindset to add value, not extract. Everyone knows you've got something to achieve but don't let that get in the way of being a good human. I don't want to get all preachy here but (if you'll indulge me just a little) it's just easier to work with likeable people who keep demonstrating they actually care. Some tips here
2. Start early. Jump into LinkedIn and start building relationships with key people in the region. Who are they? Start here. Don't expect to get in their diary just because you knocked on their door. While you may strike it lucky (and I always leave time in my diary for opportunistic meetings that pop up) don't expect that will be the norm.
3. Book early. Of course it goes without saying early is the only time to book flights. And this could be said for accommodation as well. You never know what gala sports event, rodeo or family reunion could have the whole town booked out. I found myself in Bathurst once with zero (yes zero) accommodation options because a touch football competition was on that I hadn't been aware of when I agreed to relocate my son out to Uni and it was a long additional drive that evening to Orange to get a room.
4. Don't rush. Just because your travel budget and time is limited don't jam your diary so full that your conversations are diluted. A meaningful conversation with a few stakeholders is much more valuable than 30 minute surface level chit-chat with people just to make up the numbers.
5. Walk around. I've said it before, I'll say it again there is no substitute for getting your feet on the ground and walking around the main streets (and back alleys too if you dare). Browse, sip coffee, maybe get a haircut (I've done that on numerous occasions), just be a person in town. You'll get a feeling for the people you are serving and what you learn will add a depth to your work. This can be achieved even if you are in town to run public meetings and get out again.
6. Keep the conversations going. Follow up, keep chatting, make a time to catch up again. Connect on socials.
7. Keep notes on what worked. If you're doing a lot of regional travel it pays to note the places, spaces and services that worked (and, a private note on what didn't). After a while it can all blur. I try to keep notes on meeting venues that worked (or ones I would use if required), clean toilets, decent places to stay and eat. If I was more organised I'd also keep notes on significant places, good walks, cultural spaces (art galleries etc) and local caterers - all the things that are needed to pull together a public consultation quickly.
8. Program design. Whatever you are delivering consider critical points where you come to the community. While it may be tempting to concentrate these at the beginning when things are fresh, and the end when it's time to celebrate there's a bit in the middle when the work gets hard. People will need to see your face then.
9. Leverage locally. If your budget allows recruit someone on the ground or allocate some funding for 'linking' to a local not for profit who will do this work as part of their day to day practice. It will cost a lot less than you think and truly add to your outcomes.

Side note: on regional travel - I will write a little more on that however in the meantime I've just reinvigorated Retreat in the Regions on Instagram. Originally I set it up to help people to book wellness travel in regional communities however I've since realised it's a useful (and free) tool for business travel as well. If there's something you'd like me to document there let me know.

Why do I care?

Hi, I'm Kerry Grace. I'm a seventh generation regional Australian and have worked in community and economic development in regional Australian communities since 2004. In this time I've seen too many programs, initiatives and great ideas tank because the funding or the energy ran out. And I'm part of that clutter. The problem with this isn't only that our problems don't get solved - it's that our communities lose hope as they forget how to do and wait for the next person to come along and cast a lifeline. It's one thing to care, in theory about the people who are suffering in these communities. It's another to see them, and generations following fall foul to the same avoidable ailments.

In 2023 I departed the system as I knew it and started an event called Social Impact in the Regions with the goal of building the strengths of the people who are doing the strategic and front-end work in our regions. In 2024 this was amplified through the work of Ready Communities with my co-founder, Dr. Chad Renando.

In 2025 I will publish my first book, Spiraling Up. This book is a call to action and guide for the accidental leaders who are called to serve their regional community. The book explores three simple steps; understand what matters, come together and play with possibility.

For more information and to get in touch further information can be found here www.kerrygrace.com.au