My father always said to me that I would be judged not by the things I did like doing but by those that I did not like doing, which to me as a young girl sounded like just plain hard work. I found this quote which resonated loudly and reminded me of my fathers thoughts on a work ethic. "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands…
Monthly Archives: January 2008
Painting a picture of our future.
Businesses go through different phases – each has a distinct set of characteristics. Each cycle brings its own set of challenges about leadership style, cash flow, marketing activities, customer base, processes, systems etc. Over time the focus and importance on any given activity changes as the business matures. My time as CEO (chief experience officer) is 50% with customers, listening, learning and responding. The other part of my role is all about staying focussed on the vision, delivering on our…
Four Tips in Starting a Fabulous Business
New Year – New Ideas – New beginnings. I often am asked if I had my time again what would I do differently in founding RedBalloon. Now we all wish we had hindsight, but the reality is that there are many painful lessons that just have to be learned, you can learn a lot from reading, or from other people and mentors, but there is nothing like learning from your own mistakes. No matter how costly. If I was to…
Pleasure from leisure rather than stuff…
"Men fancy that external goods are the cause of happiness but leisure itself gives pleasure and happiness and enjoyment in life” Aristotle
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...
Creating a break through company
I wish I had a dollar for every time people said to me “I wish I thought of that” or “I was going to do that” or “Why didn’t I do that?” They are often referring to the RedBalloon idea of experience vouchers. The reality is RedBalloon was not the first experience voucher supplier on the planet, but we sure have carved out a lovely space for ourselves in the crowded gift giving market. When people ask me who are…