Monthly Archives: June 2006

What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?

By naomisimson | Published: June 26, 2006
I had the fantastic opportunity to be selected for the Entrepreneur's Advanced Business Program at MIT in Boston. The program began last week. Early on we discussed how do we define entrepreneurialism. There was some interesting ideas: One was 'monetised creativity'. Stephen Spinelli's definition A way of thinking and acting that is opportunity obsessed, holistic [...]
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Free Advertising!

By naomisimson | Published: June 23, 2006
Well there is no such thing as a free lunch...however according to Gallup Organisation in one of their many studies. If people are engaged with their employer (in other words know what they are doing, why they are doing it and others notice the difference they make) 78% will openly recommend the company's products or [...]
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When advertising just does not work

By naomisimson | Published: June 22, 2006
I love to say at my speaking engagements "There is no integrity in advertising." I know how to really get marketers and advertising people off side. My point is though that it is the people within an organisation that are the greatest 'marketing tool' that you have. Your people, suppliers and distributors and customers are [...]
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Listening for Gold

By naomisimson | Published: June 20, 2006
Eric Rush was one of the keynote speakers at an Entrepreneur?s conference that I attended last week in Auckland. As an Australian girl, originally from Melbourne, brought up on AFL, a rugby Sevens - then All Black player was not someone that I had ever come across. What a fantastic message he had. Inside a [...]
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It’s a choice

By naomisimson | Published: June 16, 2006
He who can thinks he can, and he who can't thinks he can't. This is an inexorable, indisputable law. Henry Ford (1863-1947)
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So how was it for you?

By naomisimson | Published: June 16, 2006
I have never feared customer feedback! In fact I welcome it and encourage it. Everyone has GOLD it is really listening hard for it that makes the difference. (Some people do try to hide their's, others give it away freely) I remember once a woman called at RedBalloon wanting to speak to the ?complaints? department. [...]
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My Day at the zoo!

By naomisimson | Published: June 15, 2006
I woke up to one of Auckland?s 'disgusting' winter days. Not only was there torrential rain and huge winds, there was no power! The whole city was in a black out I had booked in for my Cheetah experience for 11.00, given the weather I wanted to confirm that all was ok. I tried to [...]
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This is why I’m passionate about pleasure.

By naomisimson | Published: June 14, 2006
I spoke to a client recently (I love to pick up the phones). He said “I want to speak to somebody responsible” in a gruff voice – I thought “Oh I guess that would be me”, he continued.. ”I was given one of YOUR experiences as a retirement gift from my company and quite frankly [...]
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I was recently asked about work life balance..

By naomisimson | Published: June 13, 2006
The funny thing is that as I've said I never would have invented this business if I had not become a Mum. So my children and husband are everything to me. The challenge now of course is that RedBalloon is a bigger business with a team of more than 30. And I am travelling regularly. [...]
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Fun at work is very important!

By naomisimson | Published: June 8, 2006
The football frenzie is about to arrive and this provides a fantastic opportunity to 'share the experience' at work. Maybe even run an office tipping competition. I assure you I will be totally up to date with all the results and you will be able to get the real time results regularily from here.
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