The Silicon Review - Best Business Review Magazine 50 Most Trustworthy Companies 2019 | Page 13

Maroba has been able to grow off
the back of our reputation and
continued focus on personalized
services.
What challenges did you face
in your initial years?
Whilst I was not around in the
early years, we have stayed
close to that experience through
storytelling and are very aware of
the financial struggles to get such
an organisation going. We continue
to evolve from a cottage industry to
a robust contemporary innovative
organisation that has influenced
not just locally but globally. Our
commitment to purpose has been a
major success factor…you just can’t
waiver on that.
If you have to list five
factors that have been/are
the biggest asset to your
organization, what would
they be and why?
The factors that make us stand
out from the competition are our
purpose, our values, our culture,
our people, and our leader. Keeping
on purpose sets the foundation
that is unshakeable for us to build
upon. It is these five assets that have
contributed to our reputation and
positioned us so well within the
marketplace.
Is it true that striving for
both ethics and success in a
business is a tough feat?
It may be tough for some but when
you know your true north…that
makes it much easier. You don’t have
to second guess yourself and you
can stay true to the purpose and
values.
People like when companies
are involved in social
welfare/CSR activities, what
do you say about this?
The Maroba family is a generous
family and support
many causes to make
a social impact within
our local community
and beyond. Maroba
supports the very
poorest of the poor
in a nursing home in
rural South Africa.
Fundraising activities
are the norm within Maroba and
we are corporate sponsors for ‘Got
Your Back Sista’ (Supporting Women
escaping Domestic Violence) and
‘Divas on the Green’ (Westpac Rescue
Helicopter and Breast Cancer).
Where do you see you and
your company a couple of
years from now?
I see myself continuing to support
the team especially those on a
leadership journey as it has always
been my priority to raise up leaders
and release them to fly. Maroba will
continue to grow its services and
innovate to meet the aspirations
of future cohorts of older people
and their families in the midst of
poor govt funding and increasing
compliance and expectations.
SR
Viv Allanson: A Formidable Leader
Viv Allanson started as director of nursing in
1994 and was invited to be Maroba’s first CEO in
2000. Viv is a CEO who never accepts the status
quo; in fact, she has just been announced as the
Australian ‘Game Changer of the Year’ in her role
as CEO of Maroba. She has continued to be on
the front foot and is frequently recognised for its
innovation within the aged care sector. Viv is a
leader who strives to bring others on the journey
of growth and change always sharing generously
her time and experience to support all who aspire
to be a “Difference Maker”. The registered nurse in
Viv never lays down and is always advocating for
the profession and its advancement as an integral
part of the health care team.
Viv Allanson, CEO
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