Look what we discovered this week: More than half of Australians feel they are missing out on quality family time and sacrificing their social lives as a result of work commitments. We are not talking about business owners here; this is about employees. We hear a lot about companies that are committed to work life balance. All the employer-of-choice awards have just been named. But I was curious to know whether there is really a trend towards a greater leisure…
Monthly Archives: March 2007
We’re going to be on the ‘telly’ Sunday morning.
Business Success program came to interview me a few weeks ago. They asked some questions about growth and technology. I had some not so technical answers. Such as when they asked about speed – I said “you just need a really big pipe!” I have no idea how it has come together but do join me by watching on Sunday morning (remember clocks switch this weekend). The official overview is below. I don’t know if I have ever heard us…
There are some weeks that are bigger than others.
I arrive at this weekend thinking – oh my goodness what an amazing week. We really moved the game forward. There is nothing more exhilarating than playing full out and winning the game. So what did we get up to this week: Sunday – Second in Corporate Swim Bridge to Beach 11km. Monday – Find perfect HR manager and she accepts! Tuesday – BBQ lunch at office cooked by Dave, Alice and Kim – With clean up by Biz Dev…
Recruiting the recruiter
I have been asking a lot of other business owners: when do you recruit an HR manager? It is such a critical role in the development of any business. Chatting with Steve Vamos recently (before he jetted off to the US to take up his new global role for Microsoft) he attributed much of his success to having great HR managers. “Without them it is very hard to have and keep great people around you.” Many fast-growing businesses are driven…
Another big day in the history of RedBalloon.
As Jemma left the office today I said 14 March 2007 starts the next great chapter in RedBalloon’s journey. We are now in our sixth year and we have just launched web site number six!. It is not completed yet, the enhancements are all based on customer feedback and watching how people browse and search the site. So I thought it worth while to continue to document the evolution of a website. I know in five years we will look…
I love an award…but some are more fun than others.
You know it is so humbling to receive such great awards. Especially the one last week about Marketing Employer of choice which was vote by the team. But I reckon the best one was on Sunday when we were the #2 corporate team to cross the line in the Bridge to Beach Ocean Swim (11 km)(scroll to the bottom to see us). We had the best day – beautiful harbor – at least one person from each of the teams…
Outstanding strategies
The one thing I hated the most when running my last business was waiting for money to arrive. It was agony: I’d have paid all the expenses, but have to wait between 45 and 60 days for my payment to arrive. You might even think that it is funny for me to be writing about the subject of debtors and cash flow given that many marketing types (like me) just take the whole process for granted. We like spending money…
Comparing Apples and Lemons
I sometimes sit here and think that I am in the most competitive market on the planet. You try launching a new gifting concept when many people resort to retail gift vouchers when they are selecting ‘that special something’ for someone. “No” I silently scream ? we have got enough stuff, give them something that they want to do rather than something that they will have. But we are managing to get by, we have found our place in the…
Definition of a leader.
I was speaking with a friend on the weekend and he said that the single greatest trait of true leader is that they live in a world without blame. A great leader takes responsibility for the world that is around them. Effective leadership is not about being liked; a great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to be. Leadership Maxims: Never make assumptions; if in doubt, ask. Provide concise communications of goals and expectations….
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...
Active listening
I got a letter today from someone who said: “I can never get hold of CEOs. I hope you are different.” It made me wonder when is it that CEOs stop being accessible? I pride myself on being available to customers. I will regularly answer phones (in fact I have just been shunted to sixth in line for calls on hold ? apparently I am out of the office too much); I listen, I learn, I answer. I love it….