Years ago – at the very beginning of time (well it feels that long ago), we began to think about what RedBalloon could look like. I took my hard earned $25k and visited a web developer. $25,000 later I had a very average website with no content management system. The site was ‘framed’ and even worse, not hosted. For many entrepreneurs, technology is their Achilles’ heel. And I was no different. What I had was a business idea, and from…
“Good listeners get what they deserve–better speakers.” Seth Godin My mother always said… “your ears and mouth were built proportionally to how much you should listen or talk”. We should listen at least twice as much as we speak – one mouth – two ears. I’m always open to constructive criticism. I have had many people take it upon themselves to ‘fix me’. However, I know who I am, what I do and what I stand for – and in…
It is always wonderful to discover the journey of successful female executives. Last week I had the privilege of meeting the Big W General Manager Julie Coates. Whilst she primarily spoke of the success of the discount department store over the past few years – I was also interested in her journey through retail to her present role. She started her career as a maths teacher in Victoria. (She is clearly strong with numbers and has a great head for…
I was speaking at a Clarius Recruitment event last week – and I always love learning few new facts especially when it is something I am passionate about. As you know I believe not enough employers use R.E.D. (Recognition Every Day)… and as a result the researchers tell us that 10s of billions of dollars disappear from lost productivity. Ernst & Young Productivity Pulse claims that as much as $308 billion evaporates from the Australian economy annually as a result…
Planning for the new financial year is upon us again. The leadership team at RedBalloon is in the midst of brainstorms and planning sessions with their teams, exploring how they each can help deliver our purpose: creating happiness by giving people more good times. Its times like this I’m so grateful for the wonderful contribution we make to peoples’ everyday lives. Be that ticking an item off their bucket list, celebrating a 30th, 40th, 50th or 60th, or simply providing…
Last week Cara Waters headed her column “Massive influx of Bullying Claims expected” Now I know her job is to get people reading with sensational headlines – however I think a more apt headline is “Be Alert Not Alarmed”. Megan [RedBalloon Employee Experience Manager] – arranged for a presentation from our workplace lawyers prior to the last RedBalloon board meeting. This is very much a part of our responsibilities as directors – and we don’t need to wait for legislation…
I’m always open to constructive criticism. I have had many people take it upon themselves to ‘fix me’. I have been accused of being loud, bossy, self centered, egotistical as well as many other things. The people who say these things either to me or others are most welcome to their opinions…. but really life is not perfect – and I never claimed to be perfect either. However, I know who I am, what I do and what I stand…
I started a business more than a decade ago based on ‘giving people good-times.’ Since then I have researched and read many books about happiness, well-being and what it is to be human. In essence I have been seeking the answer to the question ‘What is it that drives us?’ And I first wrote about this on LinkedIn I have learned the definitions of pleasure, contentment and joy and in so doing I have discovered that the word pleasure…
I was invited a few weeks ago to attend the V8 Supercars in Launceston… in the 12 years I have now worked at RedBalloon I have seen many a car (and been in side many a V8) as they raced around the circuit…. and given that the event was in Tasmania – and my close colleague Lauren is from there…. I thought she would have an interest. I was unaware the degree to which she is a rev-head. As a…
Imagine running a business based on fun - that's what I decided to try when I left a very serious corporate career in marketing to set up RedBalloon...
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Are you a business heart breaker?
Yesterday a colleague and I were digging up some facts for an interview I was doing. We were both thrilled to discover that the first ever experience provider we signed to RedBalloon is still with us to this day – 12 years on. This got me to thinking… “How many businesses can claim to have healthy long term relationships with the suppliers, clients, or even the employees who were there at the very beginning?” In business, as in life, I…