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Tracey Maconachie, helping organizations achieve that pivotal moment of growth—moving from good to great

Writer's picture: Knew HouseKnew House

Updated: Dec 31


Tracey Maconachie

President, 321 Tipping Point


As a leader with over 35 years of experience in public service and private industry, I have a passion for developing creative solutions that address the challenges and opportunities within organizations and communities.


I have successfully led and collaborated with diverse teams, partners, and stakeholders across government, private sector and nonprofit by leveraging my strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.


I have always been driven by an organization mission and consider myself fortunate to have had a career working in organizations filled with excited challenges that made going to work fun – well most days were fun.


When I’m not working I spend time with family, friends and a good book, and on a really good day I get to have all three of those things.



Tracey, you have an impressive and extensive background working with many organizations, and as the President of your own company, Tipping Point. When a new year comes, many people look to make new year resolutions for themselves, and even go as far to make them for their business. We would love to hear your insights to these questions…


Can you share a bit about your business, Tipping Point - what inspired you to start it, and what drives your passion for the work you do?


Tipping Point Consulting was born from my passion for helping organizations achieve that pivotal moment of growth—moving from good to great. Manitoba is home to incredible companies and not-for-profits that serve our communities in inspiring ways, and my mission is to support their success. My experience spans both the private sector and not-for-profits, but a common thread has always been my work with government and community stakeholders.

 

What sets Tipping Point apart is my ability to analyze challenges from diverse perspectives and deliver thoughtful, actionable insights. By bridging the gap between stakeholder and identifying innovative solutions, I help organizations overcome obstacles and seize opportunities to thrive.


I’m sure you’ve seen successes and challenges when it comes to big picture planning with your clients, and perhaps your own work. Many need to secure the right funding to jump start projects, hire employees, etc… What tools or techniques do you find useful in mapping out a strategic plan for the year? How do you incorporate flexibility to adapt to unexpected challenges?


For me, strategic planning is both a science and an art. At Tipping Point, I use a blend of proven tools and adaptive techniques to help organizations not just grow but thrive. Central to this process is stakeholder mapping and engagement, which ensures we focus on the relationships that drive the greatest impact.

 

My approach also includes thorough analyses of internal strengths and weaknesses against external opportunities and threats, providing a comprehensive foundation for decision-making. Scenario planning is another cornerstone of our strategy, enabling us to anticipate potential challenges and develop targeted solutions. As a firm believer in the power of data, I emphasize setting measurable objectives that align with a client’s needs and capacity—creating a clear roadmap for sustainable growth.

 

Flexibility, however, is just as vital as planning, particularly in today’s demanding environment. By building adaptability into every strategy, we ensure organizations can respond effectively to market shifts or changes in the regulatory landscape. Data plays a key role here, too, allowing us to measure progress and adjust as needed.

 

This dual focus on structured planning and responsive adaptability empowers organizations to confidently navigate uncertainty, turning obstacles into opportunities and goals into achievements.



Back in February 2024, you shared your ‘hack’ at the Knew House event, Spill the Tea, on finding the right grants and funding for businesses. How do you recommend leaders set priorities and align their goals to take advantage of these opportunities?


Really the first step to taking advantage of funding opportunities is having a clear plan. You need to know where you’re headed, what you want to achieve, and your timeline to get there. It’s not just about having a business plan—organizations also need a funding strategy that connects their goals to the right opportunities.

 

Timing is everything, especially with government funding. Many programs run on predictable cycles, so it’s important to understand when applications open and how to align your project with their timelines and priorities.


When applying for grants, what strategies have you found most effective for standing out in a competitve application process?


Applying for grants I would say the most important piece is understanding the funders intention. Without that it doesn't matter how incredible your technology, or the services are that you provide. If it doesn't align with their objectives, you unlikely to secure funding you're looking for.


What common pitfalls have you seen businesses fall into when seeking funding through government programs or external organizations?


The biggest pitfalls I see is that people get frustrated and end up hiring a grant writer and then take a real backseat approach to their grant development.  There is no one better than the founder to articulate to a government the value that your company will bring to the community. At Tipping Point we host workshops to teach and coach teams so they can develop their own skills.  Can I write a grant for an organization yes, but we will do it hand in hand so that your team learns and grows in the process.


What rituals or practices help you reset and recharge at the start of a new year, and how do these habits influence your professional outlook?


I’m probably not the best at taking the time to reset and recharge but this year I will be setting aside time to prioritize myself. Ill be clearing my calendar, decluttering my workspace, and revisiting both personal and professional goals help me start with a clean slate. I also value simple, grounding activities, like spending time with family or friends to enjoy the quiet moments.


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