Cohesis

02/06/2026

Thanks to everyone who attended the 'Closing the Gap' Training Day at the City of Bayswater.

This was the fourth Training Day we have put on and it was the biggest and best to date, covering:

● ICT Governance
● Risk Management
● AI in Local Government
● Examples of M365, AI and Automation
● ERP Vendors, Selection & Implementation Tips and tricks

Also, a massive thank you to our panel, who graciously shared their time and insights with the candour you rarely get in a conference room:

John Pearson - Chief Executive Officer, Town of Claremont
Linnet Solomons - Director Business Improvement, City of Subiaco
Gavin Treasure - Chief Executive Officer, Shire of Dumbleyung
Lincoln Hayes - Manager Digital Solutions and Services, City of Bayswater

And to Jeremy Edwards and the City of Bayswater, thank you for making the day possible.

If you couldn't make it on the day, but are interested in improving your Local Governments ICT Governance Maturity, Risk Management or need help with selecting your next ERP solution then get in touch - we're happy to have the conversation.

27/04/2026

Picture this.

A member of your finance team is preparing a board report. They paste a section of your management accounts into an AI tool to clean up the language. It takes 30 seconds. It looks harmless.

Your strategic financial position has just been shared with a platform that has no contractual obligation to protect it.

According to Josys research, 36% of Australian professionals have uploaded sensitive company information to AI tools without formal oversight. That is not a future risk. It is happening in your business right now.

Sales data. Client records. Strategic plans. And nobody signed off on it.

Only 33% of organisations feel fully prepared to assess AI risks. And 33% have no formal AI governance programme in place at all.

For health providers, professional services firms, and local government bodies, this is not a process problem. It is a liability.

We help organisations understand where their data is going and put the right controls in place. That means practical AI use policies, clear governance, and board-level visibility over what tools your team are actually using.

Is your business confident it knows what AI tools your team are using right now?

Most organisations we speak to don't know the answer. If that includes you, let's change that. Drop me a message or book a call - the link is in the comments.

23/04/2026

Most businesses treat software regret as an IT problem.

It is not. It is a leadership problem.

Capterra's 2026 ANZ Software Buying Report found that 47% of Australian organisations regretted at least one software purchase in the past 18 months. In 92% of those cases, the buyer experienced significant implementation disruption.

The pattern is consistent. A department identifies a pain point. A vendor is engaged before anyone independent has evaluated the options. There is no clear implementation plan. And no real accountability for what happens if it goes wrong.

Then it fails.

Businesses that regret a purchase are more likely than successful adopters to increase their software budgets the following year. 89% versus 74%. They pay once for the wrong tool, and again to fix the damage.

The businesses that avoid this cycle are not luckier. They are better governed. They have someone at the table whose job is to evaluate technology decisions before they become problems, not after.

We do a lot of work helping businesses recover from decisions that did not go to plan. But our best work happens before the decision is made.

If you are facing a significant technology decision and want an independent perspective before you commit, I am happy to talk it through.

20/04/2026

88% of Australian senior decision-makers say they lack confidence in the return on their IT investment.

Not 8%. Not 18%. 88%.

That number comes from Apptio data reported by CFOtech Australia. In our experience it reflects something most leadership teams feel but rarely say out loud: IT spend has become a line item that is increasingly hard to defend.

The problem is not the technology. It is the cost of SaaS licences that keeps climbing, and budgets that grow reactively without anyone being able to explain why. There is no framework connecting each dollar to a business outcome.

We help clients change that. Not by just cutting spend, but by giving every dollar a reason to be there.

We recently helped a public sector client go to market for a new IT support provider. Not only did they end up with a better service fit, they halved their annual support costs in the process!

If your IT spend is growing but confidence in the return is not, it is worth having a conversation.

15/04/2026

Calling all Local Government CEOs and Senior Leaders. 👇

We're hosting a FREE full-day workshop on 29 May, in conjunction with the City of Bayswater, designed specifically for local government leaders navigating ICT governance, ERP transformation, and AI risk.

The agenda covers:

🔹 How to improve Essential Eight, Risk Management & ICT governance ratings
🔹 How to run a successful ERP transformation
🔹 AI governance - obtaining the benefits without losing control
🔹 How to maximise value from your Microsoft 365 licences

The day is packed with practical sessions, honest conversations, and a closing panel of guest CEOs and Directors sharing their firsthand experiences on each topic.

It's FREE. One day. Information and advice you can act on.

📅 Friday 29 May
📍 Embleton Room, City of Bayswater Admin Building
🕓 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

👇 Register Here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/closing-the-gap-ict-governance-ai-risk-and-erp-transformation-for-local-g-tickets-1987107344559?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

14/02/2025

Sustainability is no longer just an ethical concern—it’s a business necessity. In the latest episode of Leaders Lounge, Simon Cohen (Founder of Cohesis, Agendis Technologies) sits down with Dan Leverington (Founder of The Ocelli Group) to explore how businesses can navigate digital sustainability, ESG, and compliance while staying competitive.

Key insights include:
✅ The financial impact of climate risk
✅ How AI and digital transformation drive sustainability
✅ The evolving role of CFOs in ESG strategies

At Cohesis, we believe sustainability should be built by design—integrated into business operations, not treated as an afterthought.

🎧 Listen now on

🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Lw6edUjX3gi9uu5COXd0X?si=Vk_nSLU5Rwefiru9J0CtoQ

🔴Youtube: https://youtu.be/X5snn8-6Kd8

If you would like to appear on the podcast or address a particular topic, please contact [email protected]"No one wins from a dead planet."...

30/01/2025

Embrace the Future of Work with Microsoft 365 Power Apps! ⏩

As the workplace continues to evolve, empowering remote and hybrid teams is crucial for business success. In our latest blog, we dive into how Microsoft 365 Power Apps is transforming the way businesses support their workforce through streamlined processes, enhanced collaboration, and customized solutions: 🔗 https://www.cohesis.com.au/blog/digital-transformation/the-future-of-work-how-microsoft-365-power-apps-supports-remote-and-hybrid-workforces/

Whether you're looking to optimize workflows or foster better collaboration across your teams, Microsoft 365 Power Apps is a game-changer.

Learn how you can drive digital transformation in your business.

28/01/2025

Data privacy starts with knowing where you stand. But data privacy isn’t a one-day focus—it’s a year-round responsibility.

Data privacy and operational efficiency go hand in hand. That’s why we help organisations take a closer look at their processes and make smarter moves—like upgrading from legacy systems to improve efficiency and cut costs. With IT health checks, personalised tech roadmaps, and strategies built for growth, we ensure your data stays protected year-round.

At Cohesis, privacy isn’t just a priority—it’s a foundation for strategic growth. 🌐Stay ahead, secure your data, and unlock new opportunities today.

27/01/2025

Australia flourishes through diversity, collaboration, and shared values. Today, we celebrate the contributions of all Australians who inspire us to grow together and build each other up. 🤝

Australia Day reminds us of the importance of growth and unity, and we will remain committed to supporting our local communities, businesses and organisations with solutions designed for a thriving, connected future.

Happy Australia Day from the Cohesis team!

24/01/2025

Happy to introduce you all to Leaders Lounge, a podcast where business leaders come together to share ideas, thoughts, and insights.

Kicking off the Leaders Lounge podcast is Simon's chat with Roger Blow, Practice Director at Cove Legal, about his inspiring journey to establishing his independent legal practice.

Roger and Simon dive into:
✅ The freedom and rewards of being an independent legal practitioner from working with larger corporate organisations and accounts
✅ Overcoming business challenges like building a reputation and your own client base
✅ Practical advice for those considering their own legal practice, including strategic planning, financial management, and networking
✅ Defamation, slander, and AI’s limitations in the legal workspace
✅ Honest perspectives on how technology intersects with the law

🎧 Don’t miss this engaging conversation and take a listen on your preferred channels.

🟢 Spotify: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/gzE5fcRzpQb
🔴Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X86Z4Lv05Ac&list=PL4jJqqcZ5G2fPBf1NxHYAKTCJ0YPWHZfj

Whether you’re a legal professional or a leader in another industry, this episode offers valuable lessons in resilience, strategy, and leadership.

In the debut episode of Leaders Lounge, host Simon Cohen (Founder of Cohesis, Agendis Technologies) introduces this new podcast as a platform for business leaders to share ideas, insights, and strategies. This week, Simon sits down with Roger Blow, Practice Director at Cove Legal, to discuss his jou...