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: July 2009
Nice breeds nice? please don?t bully me.
I was just chatting to our Pleasure Relations Team…. Some organizations might refer to them as a contact centre or customer team. We named the team after what they do in supporting the brand experience. It is there job to 'give people a good time.' That is there role in the RedBalloon experience.
[One of [...]
Posted in Input Please 1 Comment
Out of the mouths of babes?
We have intern's work with us on a regular basis at RedBalloon. Justin, from Boston University was with us for 8 weeks. It was interesting to read his report at the completion of his time with us. There is no doubt that RedBalloon is a 'modern' business – built on values and a fundamental respect [...]
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Why Women Are Paid Less….
I was asked the question yesterday 'Why are women paid less?' Not an easy question, and maybe one I have never really put much thought to. I have often pondered why more women don't run large businesses. The number of women who are the founders of serious sized enterprises in Australia is not large. Take [...]
Posted in Input Please 7 Comments
Restoring Trust
A few months ago it was reported that trust in business has plummeted, yet trust is considered a key determinant to success. This should be alarming to business leaders. Given that more than ever they are asking employees for discretionary effort – and to pull them through tough times.
“Data from the 10th Edelman Trust [...]
Posted in Interesting Numbers 2 Comments
Slow down and listen
I recently was looking at an article from Ichak Adizes who commented on the speed of life:
'I am discovering new addictions as technology advances to "serve" me, and I became aware that I am increasingly losing control over my life.
There is a Zen story that illuminates this point: A peasant walks down the road [...]
Posted in Gift Experiences Leave a comment
So close yet you think you are so far away…
I took a few days out to practice what I preach. It is okay to have a good time in business. In fact I think it is essential to have time to think and be creative. I thought I would share the three experiences that I did this week.
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I love the Australian Bush – and [...]
Posted in Gift Experiences 1 Comment
Neither cost cutting nor stinginess are strategies for growth
The downturn is affecting our behavior. Businesses and people are becoming more frugal, but when does frugal turn in to down right stingy and what does it cost?
Our second value at RedBalloon is generosity, and that means being generous with our time by listening and providing information, not just with customers and suppliers but also [...]
Posted in Articles 2 Comments
Are you unscrupulous – 11 questions to find out.
We all want to be doing business with people we trust. This sort of sounds obvious doesn't it. We like doing business, or working with people that we know we can count on. Does it really matter? Do you find yourself trying to get away with a few small things that just make you feel [...]
Posted in Lessons Learned Leave a comment
I’m Sorry…