Overview
From a very serious corporate career in marketing to creating a business based on fun RedBalloon, this is my journey. In this blog I share what it takes to be an entrepreneur and what I have learned - warts and all. I am also the author of I want what she is having which chronicles the first five years of building of a fast growing business.
Very proud to be awarded National Telstra Business Womens Award for 2008 in the Nokia Innovation Catogory
RedBalloon Team Blog
Monthly Archives: March 2009
Five mistakes businesses make in a recession.
I had the pleasure of listening to Darren Shirlaw this week – founder of Shirlaws business coaching. He shared his thoughts on the current economic climate and what businesses could do to come out 'one top'.
He noted that there is nothing 'unprecedented' about the current cycle. In fact by reviewing the ASX over the past [...]
Posted in Lessons Learned 2 Comments
The ‘Black Swan’ moment can lead to the brand promise
Further to my blog on letting people know who you are (see below)- It is really important in building a brand to stand for something. This is not being all things to all people, rather having a single brand promise. Building the promise often comes from the 'black swan moment' in listening to customers. This [...]
An old one still worth remembering.
Years ago when I ran marketing workshops as part of my previous business I came across the old 1950's print advertisement with the grumpy old man sitting in a chair who says...
"I don't know who you are.
I don't know your company.
I don't know your company's product.
I don't know what your company stands for.
I don't know [...]
Posted in Input Please 1 Comment
Love the ones you’re with.
"It is not cash that fuels the journey to the future, but the emotional and intellectual energy of every employee"
Hamel and Prahalad, Competing For the Future
According to Hewitt 70% of Australian companies currently have head count freezes... makes you think you best make the most of the ones you have.
Posted in Quotes to inspire 2 Comments
Company is Singular
This is not a lesson in grammar (though it is one of my personal bugbears – when I see a sentence 'Company X are doing…' versus 'Company X is doing ….')
I am concerned about the current debate regarding work place legislation and its potential impact. It would be a disaster for Australian work places to [...]
Posted in General Leave a comment
Three actions to shorten the sales cycle
I wish I could shorten the selling cycle, especially with my corporate clients. I often wonder how can I get the client all the information they need so they can make a quicker decision. I don't consider myself a particularly good negotiator. In fact after attending a workshop with Dr Victoria Husted Medvec recently and [...]
Posted in Lessons Learned 1 Comment
And the winner is….
This is the winning entry for the movie category of the Sneaky Awards - See complete story on Employer Branding blog post below.
Posted in Gift Experiences Leave a comment
Taking Employer Branding to a new level.
Each Trimester we have a theme. This theme is designed to get every RedBallooner focused on delivering the critical component of the plan. But we make sure that we are fulfilling our fourth value of - a sense of humor and fun. After all it is okay to have fun in business.
This years' theme is [...]
Posted in Gift Experiences 1 Comment
Big AND Hairy AND Audacious AND FUN….
I thought I would share some of what we have learned. Years ago I read Jim Collins 'Good to Great' - where he spoke of the importance of the BHAG. I have consistently, since hearing Verne Harnish speak of it five years ago, reinforced to the team why it is so important for us. We [...]
Posted in Lessons Learned Leave a comment
I look but cannot see.