According to a survey by Ernst & Young – presented by Jon Dobell Managing partner, Strategic Growth Markets… CEO’s see growth coming in 2009 from: 45.4% Expand into new geographies 36.3% Target one particular market segment 27% New acquisitions 18% Drive recurring income 18% Cross selling. The four key decisions to make that drive sustainable growth People Strategy Execution Cash. I’m thinking of all the things that we are doing to prepare for the upturn….
Monthly Archives: April 2009
Too engaged…?
I was contacted recently by a woman who questions whether someone can be ‘too engaged’ with an employer. I went back to her and clarified what does ‘too engaged look like’. She described it as ‘a person who stuck their nose into everything and generally is a busy body’. I’ve put my answer in a blog because I think it is an interesting question. To me it is about ‘right person, right role’ and having a clearly defined role. Let’s…
Loud and Proud for the brand
Working for a small unknown company can have it’s advantages – People don’t yet have a story in their head about what that brand means to them. [It was a really turning point for RedBalloon when at social events I no longer had to describe what RedBalloon did. In fact now many people tell me what RedBalloon delivered for them – they share the experience of what they gave or received. This is a true delight for me as the…
What Jungle Surfing really is..
I’ve taken some time off during school holidays. To be with the family… but of course I cannot help being the ‘chief experience officer’ even on holidays… So I tried some of our more unique experiences in Far North Queensland. Some of the most delightful experiences is those that are unexpected. Jungle Surfing is one of those RedBalloon only offers Jungle Surfing in one location… Cape Tribulation – Infact it might be the only place it is offered in the…
It’s all about being human.
There are three clear stages to achieve authentic, real employer branding communications. I discussed in the previous entry stage one – which is the logical connection to the organization. This is all about compliance… and knowing what ‘you’ are there to do. We have been doing this for a long time… years in fact. We have not always had the employee engagement score that we now have (97%). I was in New Zealand a few weeks ago speaking with a…
Research results on source of happiness
Embedded video from CNN Video
A little bit obsessive…
I am currently working on updating my presentation on leadership versus management and I came across this…I remember when this was released. It demonstrates that to make a difference you must truly make a stand for what you believe in. And be prepared to be different or even a little bit crazy. I do know one thing I often consider myself obsessive…(especially about employee engagement – and changing gifting in Australia and New Zealand for ever) and now I don’t…
It must be LOVE.
Employer Branding does not mean sticking a uniform on your people and having them parade around wearing your logo. It is not about promotional products, or logo’s on trucks. It’s about an authentic, real and open conversation that is created spontaneously by employees. Some people think that Employer Branding is about the recruitment ads that they place. Employer Branding is HR generated external communication – but it is so much more than that. In my definition Employer Branding is about…
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...
A view from within….
Today is an exciting day for RedBalloon – we have been named one of BRW’s top 10 Great Places to Work. I have been asked today by the media about ‘how did you do it and why?’ The answer is simple – it makes commercial sense and I too love working in a place which has fun – it is a great place to be. According to Gallup organizations with an engaged work force are 27% more profitable and have…