Category Archives: Gift Experiences

Fit to be an entrepreneur.

By naomisimson | Published: September 1, 2010

Some people shudder just to read the word fitness; others instantly feel a dull sense of guilt in the pit of their stomach, others of course live for it. Wellness, fitness, nutrition – are not things that you would expect to hear about from me. Looking after myself though is one of my responsibilities. I have so many people that count on me… not just my children, husband, family and friends, but the RedBallooners, our suppliers, customers, and the broader communities that I contribute to.

I’m no spring chicken, and I was alarmed recently to discover a few aches and pains. Fitness has never been a natural thing for me. I have really had to work very hard to discipline myself to get out and go for a run, turn up to the gym, or do a yoga practice.

Instead of just telling myself ‘to grow old gracefully’, I decided I needed an insight into my overall health; a snapshot of how old my body is – not just how old it feels. I discovered that my body is considered to be six years younger than I actually am. Needless to say I was thrilled. (This snapshot assessment is now a RedBalloon experience – and probably a perfect gift to give that ‘fabulous father’ who keeps telling you how young he is.)

The naturopath gave me a printed report and said with just a few alterations to my lifestyle – I could feel amazing – and keep my body even younger.

So I have taken on drinking much more water. And for a month I am ‘detoxing’ which means: no dairy, wheat, alcohol, sugar; and increasing my fish oil and magnesium. Only a week has passed and I feel like a new woman. And I know it is working because the kids are telling me ‘you are soooo embarrassing’ full of the joys of life.

Worth a try – and I am going to stop referring to myself as ‘the old chook’ and start acting like a spring chicken.

I was at my gym this morning (Vision Drummoyne) and one of the quotes on the wall was... "If you want to make your dreams come true - first you must wake up"... kind of cute.

(I suppose sharing this with everyone - will help hold me to account - my detox is due to finish 21 September - and I am keeping a food diary so I can see what I do eat - which is equally tough.)

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Something to do on a Monday

By naomisimson | Published: July 19, 2010

Today was my first day back in the office after school holidays... I arrived early, to start sorting through the mail, and messages before the meeting rhythm started. Quite a few of my colleagues were gathering together excitedly - eight of the team were going Sky Diving - including Jemma GM. One of the delegates for this adventure was running late, so the team began to jest that I could take her place. I was glad when Sarah-Jane arrived, however the idea of joining my colleagues on the outing was now beginning to take hold.

Before even really thinking about it - I had been kidnapped and was on my way to Wollongong. Runners and strides were found and the pre briefing complete. Then we were on the little bus on the way to the airstrip. I elected to jump first. If I was going to do this - I didn't want to think about it much. (I had Heli skied the week before - and I still felt this was an amazing achievement - so believed if I had done that, then I can do this). I'd never considered myself an extreme sports girl - but here I was - sitting at 12,000 feet in a light aircraft - with the door open looking out over the beach - ready for the tandem jump.

Then as they say - the rest is history. I was amazed at how calm I was, how much I enjoyed the experience of both free falling and gliding to the landing. It was smooth and so well run. I am so pleased that I took this on. It was spontaneous, and a wonderful experience to share it with the team. Thanks for including me... oh what fun at work on a Monday.

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Bucket List review time

By naomisimson | Published: July 13, 2010

Some years ago I wrote my first dream catcher list (bucket list) – A place to note all the things I wanted to do, be or even have during my life time. (Each RedBallooner is encouraged to share their dream catcher list with us too).

Some of my dreams are more attainable than others (like belly laugh with my kids every day – this is very possible versus trek the Inca Trail – will take far more preparation). One of my dreams was physically available to me – but I was not sure if it was emotionally available to me (aka did I have the guts to actually do it.)

I’m a fair weather skier, if the sun is shining and everything perfect I have a pleasant time meandering down the slopes. So to find myself dropped onto the narrow peak of a New Zealand mountain by helicopter – was not exactly my usual level of ‘nice’ skiing.

The snow was thick and inviting. Making tracks through the powder is every skiers dream. Equipped with special wide powder skis the only thing that stood between me and realising this dream was fear. I’m not sure what I was scared of… I know I can ski, I know that the snow was soft, I know that if it gets too steep I can simply traverse the mountain, I know that I am fit. So where did this fear come from.

My children and husband were all glee and excitement playing games as they skied. The experience was so well managed – every safety precaution taken. We had two guides one who skied ahead and the other behind… Each guide was a veritable skiing safety equipment repository.  Our lead guide Tim had an ‘air bag’ system strapped to his back – so at the slightest hint of an avalanche he would pull a cord and two massive red balloons (yes they were red) would automatically inflate keeping him surfing on top of any avalanche. Each of us had a beacon strapped to our body so we could not get lost.

It took me several runs to ‘stop thinking’ – to allow my skis to run and stop trying to control or hold on. To trust that all the preparation had been done – and now I had to believe in my own ability and let myself go.

The analogy to business was not lost on me. All the preparation, planning, discussion, and debate – finally comes down to backing yourself and trusting your ability and those around you.

On a personal front it is important to remind ourselves where we are heading and why – to keep looking at what is important to us – and to be prepared to dream and write those things down.

I am pleased that I can tick the box on this one (we did two full days Heli-Skiing out of Queenstown) and I am so pleased that we did the second day – because that is the day that I learned to laugh at myself and give up my fear.

It was a truly amazing experience – that I am very privileged to have done. Have you a bucket list? If so is it time for a review?

This picture below is of one of our guides - imagine this being your day job? My son now wants to be a Ski Guide when he grows up....

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Generosity Gene – TEDx 24 March 2010

By naomisimson | Published: April 15, 2010

Some weeks ago I shared my challenges in preparing for a presentation for the TEDx Darling Harbor event. I ended up delivering what was on my mind - what drives my, that is what I want to change. The presentation could be no more than 18 minutes, (which is a challenge in itself) and also needed to be the first time presented (so if you have ever seen me speak - this content you have not seen before). Effectively the session becomes a one sided debate. The speaker presenting the argument, the idea, the challenge...the audience determining the robustness of the idea.

So I enclose below the outcome... I surprised myself at the depth and rawness of much of the content. Grab a cup of tea, have a look and let me know if you will take on the request I make at the end of the presentation. I look forward to hearing from you.

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An Amazing Experience

By naomisimson | Published: December 21, 2009

This is my ninth RedBalloon Christmas... And so far it has been the most exhilarating. The numbers are way up on last year. All the planning, preparation and investment means that things seem to be going smoothly. No chaos. The team has it all in hand. We are so much bigger now that there are people to do all the right things at all the right times.

Our retail locations, at Myer, Target, Dymocks and Westfield Bondi and Chatswood are making a new business for us in an off line world. The online retailer going into traditional retail. A very exciting development. To change gifting in Australia forever we need to be where people are purchasing gifts, hence the move to retail including gift cards in Australia Post, Big W, Woolworths and many others.

Every day we seem to be breaking new ‘world’ records... number of people spoken to, emails answered, experiences delivered, and numbers visiting the website. I see now the investment we have made in building enterprise level robustness into the site has more than paid off.

It is the investment in the team, however - that is delivering the most unbelievable Christmas. We did not let up on any of our programs during 2009, no matter the gloom and doom in the papers. We have many new people who are experiencing their first Christmas at RedBalloon - there is an air of excitement - of camaraderie, a shared sense of achievement.

And I just got the best Christmas gift that any employer could receive. Hewitt has accredited RedBalloon as one of only five Best Employers in Australia for 2009.

Thank you - Thank you - Thank you to all the RedBallooners, especially the Employee Experience Team,  our customers, suppliers and amazing supporters. It really is an amazing experience.

Casey and Megan the Employee Experience Team - cooking a little breakfast for the team

Casey and Megan the Employee Experience Team - cooking a little breakfast for the team

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It’s the stories that make me love what we do

By naomisimson | Published: July 17, 2009

Wasn't it Malcolm Fraser when he was Prime Minister who said “Life wasn't meant to be easy.” (Okay so now I'm showing my age now.)

Life doesn't have to be all doom and gloom either.

This is one of the stories from our online feedback program. Each person who goes on a RedBalloon experience receives an online survey, and for each completed survey (about 14% of all surveys sent) the RedBalloon Pleasure Relations consultants read every response. This one was forwarded to me because it came from a participant in one of our corporate program.

It reinforces why experiences work – and why cash in the end is not a motivator….

“With 4 kids between 7 and 13, my wife and I don't get out much on our own. Some time ago we booked into a hotel at Darling Harbour for a weekend away. I received 150 Red Balloon points for 10 years service at with my company a couple of weeks ago and so started looking at how I could use them while we were staying in Sydney. A seafood dinner on the harbor sounded like it would hit the spot so I went for the seafood platter (105 points). My wife and I ordered an entree each and consequently had trouble getting through the platter. It was superb! I used to have the mindset of "just give me the money" but can virtually guarantee it would have gone on bills. Sitting down with my wife and choosing a Red Balloon experience sure beats sitting down to pay the bills!!! And the view from the restaurant is hard to beat. Thank a lot guys.”  MQ

(Click for more information on the Seafood dinner experience)

This is a simple tale, but it is the moments that we grab in our busy lives to share with our loved ones are those we remember vividly. The fact that his employer made this possible – means that he is also thinking highly of his employer, and letting others know what a great employer they are. (You can see that his wife is pretty pleased with her husband's employer too.)

It's why I love what I do… providing RedBalloon programs for businesses. Of course we want to do more. If RedBalloon is going to win the game of changing gifting in Australia forever –we need every company, business, firm or organization to give us a try.

Let me know if you want me to come to your work place so you can have a 'good time' from your employer too. And as you can tell – it doesn't have to cost a lot.

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Slow down and listen

By naomisimson | Published: July 13, 2009

DSC01008I 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 holding a rope in his hand. At the other end of the rope a cow is tied. "Why do you allow the cow to control you?" a passer by asks him. "It is not controlling me. I am in control," he replies. "If you are in control, why don't you let go of the rope than ?" he is challenged.

    What you control also controls you. It is never a one-way street.

    The same is true of new technological advances. They make our lives more pleasant, granted, but the more pleasant their contribution the more dependent on them we become, sometimes to the point of addiction: We can't live without them. For the full article'

My teenage daughter I suspect has an 'addiction' to technology... Her texting bill is massive, and she is often connected in six ways at once, facebook, myspace, skype, MSN, hotmail and SMS. (What ever happened to the phone) I perhaps am not the best role model for this. I find I cannot be with out my iPhone which gives me all the information I 'need' instantly. I have taken many breaks recently without my laptop – one a 10 day experience which I will start sharing soon. So if I'm not setting a good example... Who is?

With my daughter I went to discover another way of life.... Just for a day. But enough to get us thinking because life was once not so fast paced.  There was an old world in Australia that dates back 10,000 years. Where people listened deeply to the world around them, they could see the subtleties in nature and in so doing they lead a prosperous and fulfilling life. All this changed when white settlers arrived in Botany Bay – small pox killing more than half of the local indigenous people within a few short years.

We had the opportunity and privilege of discovering what this world might have been like. Evan is an Aboriginal descendant and Blue Mountains born and bred, gave us an insight into the peacefulness of this long lost world.

This is an experience where you SLOW down, you listen to nature and learn about what the bush offers us. From medicines to dream time stories – listening to the trees and understanding the stories. To tread on this earth is to step quietly into another world.

Do this experience if you want to enter a quiet place, a world that is far away and yet so relevant. For my teenage daughter and I it was a time of reflection and understanding. A time to look at what is really important.

This working trip takes you into the beautiful bushlands, to sacred places filled with stories and artwork, we created our own works of art from ochres, told stories by a fire side and imagined what life might have been like.

An educational experience of discovery. Be prepared to listen, not just to Evan our very informed host, but to the bush itself. It gave us a very different perspective on our very busy – technology addicted lives.

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So close yet you think you are so far away…

By naomisimson | Published: July 10, 2009

DSC00992_2I 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 to have such a wilderness so close to Sydney is simply amazing.

Both my teenage daughter and I love to ride. It is something that we enjoy doing together. When we are holidays we always seek out a horse establishment. The Magalong Valley ride however is a delight because it is only 1.5 hours from Sydney – we no longer have to wait for holidays to have a wonderful ride.

We were particularly lucky because we went mid week and it was a bit drizzly so we got the ride to ourselves. The horses are clearly very well looked after – in fact I understand that 5 out of 7 days the horses roam on the 2000 hectare eating as much as they like.

Phil was our host and he loves what he does you can tell. Many experiences come down to the personality of the guides. Phil has a background in customer service and it shows. He was flexible about what we did, insightful about the area and had a few good stories to tell.

Our ride ended up being most of the morning – we went to a lookout – and saw clouds, though I understand the view of the escarpment would have been spectacular. We then rode on towards the river. The horses clearly enjoying themselves. There was plenty of trotting and cantering. In fact Phil could see that we were experienced and at one point the horses decided to take us for a gallop.

It is absolutely exhilarating to be in the Australian bush (wind rushing through your hair) water on your face (it was drizzling). What an amazing sense of freedom.

We returned exhausted, and damp – and our picnic lunch was very conveniently set up for us in front of the open fire.

If you love the Australian Bush, and horses, enjoy great food and being with someone special to share it all – this is an experience for you.

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Looking after the ‘lucky country’

By naomisimson | Published: May 29, 2009

I have been visiting a number of the RedBalloon experience suppliers (many of whom are small enterprises)– meeting with them first hand to get a good understanding of how business is tracking and what is going on in their businesses.

I've discovered unanimously that they are all of one mind, that is, as times look increasingly uncertain, more than ever businesses need to reinforce the great relationships that they have. Whether that is with employees, customers, distributors, suppliers or other key stakeholders. They are telling me that 'Now is very much a time for consolidation, for building on what is great and not becoming distracted – to do what they do best'.  (Jim Collins asked the question in Good to Great – 'What are you the best in the world at?' To know this is to have focus.

There is opportunity in a down turn, but it is also a time to grow from one's strengths.

If seven of Australia's top 10 trading partners are in 'recession' then perhaps there might be greater return on effort in doing business domestically.

Someone once said to me when talking about Australia's exports to China. 'Do you really think that China will say “ooh let's look after Australia's interests they are such lovely people” China will look after China first'. Perhaps we could do the same.

We play on a global stage; the world has never been so small and will increasingly get smaller. But that does not mean we ignore the communities that we are a part of.

As I visit my suppliers they say “the best thing RedBalloon can do for us is keep sending us business,” then in turn they will keep employing, growing, and supporting other businesses.

I remember years ago there was a buy Australia policy. I don't suggest that we return to that. Australian businesses must be internationally competitive – and best of class. However, as I also work with some major Australian (and New Zealand) companies and it is just as important for major organizations to buy Australian – and support local innovation.

Here's the thing, stop importing 'stuff' which produces clutter on the planet anyway. I give the example; if  you give someone a 'vase'… manufactured overseas, transported to Australia (at what carbon cost to the planet) – it sits and gathers dust until it finally becomes land fill. Instead buy something Australian – give someone something that Australia is truly great at such as, design, activities, entertainment, gourmet food… there is lot's to discover – if we make the effort to do so.

If an Australian company is thinking of importing plastic eskies from China as Christmas gifts for its staff. Stop, and think about the impact to Australia (and the environment) and how such an investment could better be spent supporting Australia.

(With the fluctuations in currency we've even found printing in Australia now is relatively a whole lot cheaper). Have fun exploring what we are best in the world at… in fact add a comment  below on what Australia (or New Zealand) are the worlds best at….

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What Jungle Surfing really is..

By naomisimson | Published: April 24, 2009

DSC00945I'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 world. We were to do the activity in the afternoon and for most of the day my children are at me with questions. 'What is it?' 'Why is it called jungle surfing?' I've read the description on RedBalloon – but I still can't quite work it out. Something like flying foxes through the rain forest canopy.

Ian picked us up and shuttled us in a van to the site… clearly purpose built only a few minutes from town.

We have signed the paperwork on the way there (which keeps things moving quickly). We have a harness fitted for us based on our weight… and they select a helmet for us. My son's helmet reads 'Tinkerbelle” much to everyone's amusement. My daughter's helmet says “Paris Hilton”. Great way to keep the small trip (we are seven) very intimate – and get us laughing. The young 4 year old with us delights at being called Captain Jack Sparrow.

We climb a track to the first tree…up to the canopy we go. Our harnesses always have two connection points to the rigging. We have two 'hosts' – both have been with the organization for many years – they know the area backwards and throughout the five spans of the trip – they keep pointing things out… like the native banana trees. All of the rigging is held in place via pressure (No trees were harmed in the making of this experience).

As I sit ready to slip over the side it occurs to me how high we are off the ground. I have never done bungie because I'm 'not comfortable' with heights. My kids have gone first… relishing the 'flying' experience – there is no turning back.

All good, I love the sensation of freedom and looking top down to the rain forest floor. Asked how high I thought we were I declared '100 metres' to much amusement we were only 19.5 metres off the ground. It looks so much higher.

By the last leg of the trip we were hanging upsided down and going backwards through the forest. Absoultely thrilling. So worth the trip so far north. Great education as well as being environmentally friendly

The kids are asking – when can we do it again?

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