Category Archives: Gift Experiences

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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Research results on source of happiness

By naomisimson | Published: April 15, 2009

 

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And the winner is….

By naomisimson | Published: March 9, 2009

This is the winning entry for the movie category of the Sneaky Awards - See complete story on Employer Branding blog post below.

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Taking Employer Branding to a new level.

By naomisimson | Published: March 6, 2009

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 from 'Success to Significance'. One of the metrics we use to determine 'Significance' is the Google page ranking. Google will rank redballoon.com.au however it chooses. We do know that the more we are being 'talked about' online the more likely our rank is to go up.

So we engaged the team in the project. Their job was to take photographs, shoot video, write articles or generally put RedBalloon in the public domain. Everybody at RedBalloon loves to 'be a marketer'. So this was their chance. We set up bi weekly winners for 'The most creative' and 'The most humorous' and last week we had The Sneaky Awards night at Fox Studios - it was RedBalloon's version of the Academy Awards.

The categories included:

  • Team Quantity (The team that had the most entries)
  • Most Creative
  • Most Humorous
  • Most Red
  • Most Logos
  • RedBalloon experience (Had to be on an actual RedBalloon experience)
  • Child/Animal labor
  • Surreal photos (Manipulated)
  • Greatest Public Exposure
  • Party of the trimester (Each team was given $150 and had to host the whole company for Friday dirinks)
  • Movie of the trimester

I'll share with you below - the winning entries....(as well as more of the movies - they are really funny) also the photo's of the actual awards night. It was so great to include the RedBallooner's partners at this event. After all so many of the partners had be cajoled in to assisting with the project.

Sneaky Awards night at Fox Studios

 

 

Final Sneaky Winners - 27 February 2009

Best Sneaky Movie

Other Sneaky Movies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Experiencing the Experience of the National Telstra Business Womens Awards

By naomisimson | Published: January 12, 2009

I wrote this just after the event in December... while it was still fresh - but I didn't want to publish it until the video of the event came through. Here it all is.

Sitting amongst 700 glamorous people all present to celebrate the achievements of Women from around Australia at Crown in Melbourne on 9 December 2008. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Every detail was taken care of – the 34 State winners who were honored at the event were treated like celebrities. It was such a privilege to be part of the group.

RedBalloon is in the experience game, our job is to make sure we give people a good time. One of the best parts about what I do is listening to the stories of what people did on their experiences; “the 80 year old woman who had tears in her eyes as she saw a butterfly released for every year of her life – surrounded by her immediate family at North Head.” “The man who at the age of 60 got to fly an airplane – how he described butterflies in his stomach like a boy going to a birthday party.”

The Telstra Business Womens Awards was all this to me. I am so busy organising other people's birthdays and Christmas celebrations – I rarely have time to feel excited about my own – really look forward to a special occasion. But these awards touched every one of my senses.

I was nervous and excited – I was flattered and fearful. I wanted it for the team so much. The team have worked tirelessly. This award was for all the people who share the vision to change gifting in Australia forever. It is for both past and present RedBallooners – the wonderful team who turn vision into reality, that is the team who were prepared to give it a go.

To win this award is to acknowledge all those who are prepared to take a risk – and do something different. It shows you can start with nothing (from the front room of your house – with second hand computers) and create a multi million dollar business that is globally recognized as best of class.

Imagine being the first supplier to RedBalloon – trusting us in what we where upto… what about being the first customer. We have now delivered more than 450,000 activities in just over 7 years. Each one of these was bought by someone who see's that a gift can be something to share with family and friends - rather than an object.

The program of selection for the awards is rigorous – a very extensive: entry form, state based judging, then more exploration independently into the financial status of the business, then National judging. It is the rigor and the process that make this award so prestigious. It is not for the faint hearted you have to really really want to do it. But the acknowledgment is absolutely worth it.

To celebrate women is so essential. Only recently I was goaded by a fellow entrepreneur that women didn't run 'real businesses – just soft ones' These awards prove that chap very wrong. RedBalloon is built on technology and innovation. There is nothing 'wishy washy' about it.

We continually agitate to improve. I committed to all those at the event – that they can count on me to continue to run an outstanding business – that others will look to as an example of 'it can be done'. Innovation pays off and people can have a great time at work and be truly effective and productive.

I know as the ultimate winner of the Nokia Innovation award I represent a group of very talented women who participated in this program. This award has given us greater authority that we are up to something special. As said at the event 'what we say today and what we say tomorrow (after becoming a Winner) will be the same – except tomorrow they will believe you.'

Thanks again to Nokia for supporting innovation. Innovation is needed more than ever in tough times. Also to Telstra who have taken such a long term approach to improving the voice for all business women in Australia. I loved the experience – and sharing it with my family (my children came to the event). It will be one of my 27610 days that I will always cherish.

This experience has put us on a National stage and I urge women who are up to things – to let others know by entering these awards. Then we get a chance to learn from them too.

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