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…
Category Archives: General
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 video outlines how RedBalloon came to its brand promise. We have our promise loud and proud at the top of every page on our website….
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 return to a ‘Them versus Us’ attitude. The bosses versus the unions – have we not moved forward at all? And that is what…
Thank you for choosing RedBalloon
What a delight it has been – being on the phones, talking to hundreds of customers, answering many many emails in the weeks running up to Christmas. The things you learn. At Christmas it is all hands on deck… watching everyone here from our HR Leader (employee experience manager) to the marketing manager get involved with customers is the most rewarding experience. Each of us seeing first hand the delight given when someone discovers the exactly perfect gift for some…
RedBalloon named in National Innovation Award….
That head line sounds like a press release if you ask me…. but I can’t help myself I on behalf of the RedBalloon team was so truly honoured on Tuesday night to be the named the National winner of the Telstra Business Womens Awards – Innovation – 2008 It was a in fact a festival to celebrate so many amazing women – all who have great stories. There was a common theme of passion, persistence and support. We had much…
Without great employees you cannot weather the storm.
In challenging times businesses cannot afford the luxury of unproductive staff. Every Australian business will be looking to cut costs as they negotiate the unknown waters of the next 3 months. But just cutting costs can be short sighted. Strong businesses will continue focus on people – and have a team of ‘A’ graders who are truly engaged. Getting people more productive will have a much bigger impact more quickly than simply cutting the stationery or the Christmas party budget….
What you say in private – is now very public.
Businesses have little control over what people say about them… individuals say what they want, when they want to – fair or unfair. An email can be broadcast to millions almost instantly. Now an upset customer is not limited to only the few people they have physical contact with – they can tell thousands. It is not just email, but blogging and social networking create instant media. Social networking is now the biggest media on the planet. Not only that…
Is your purpose ‘cult like’?
I have had quite a number of people forwarding me copies of their painted picture documents as they develop the vision for their businesses. It is a very personal document as an entrepreneur to put your thoughts down on paper; to allow your self to be vulnerable and dream without fear of failure. It is delightful for me to see into other peoples worlds. As I read one today I thought I wonder how this founder feels about the document…
Three ideas to getting a fitter workplace…
I have often heard of people working in agencies, who work phenomenal hours. They are not alone – but when I was sent this note to comment on…. I thought does it always have to be like that. “Recently, I looked at a photograph of myself from 12 months ago. Since working relentlessly long hours in an ad agency, I’ve gained weight, grown a paunch and developed some unseemly wrinkles on my once smooth visage. I’m home from the office…
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...
What is more important, talent or drive?
I was recently asked a whole bunch of questions by a journalist…. here is my response. Talent versus drive: As an entrepreneur we face much adversity, in fact we are like those clown punching bags that you hit which keep bouncing back up. You have to have drive, persistence and passion. There is no faking it until you make it. You must truly believe in your purpose and keep going and going as if this was the last day to…