Category Archives: Input Please

Questions…

By naomisimson | Published: August 31, 2010

Recently Business Chicks posted on its FaceBook page an open invitation 'what would you ask an entrepreneur if you had the chance?' Well that is para phrasing really... but I thought I would tak on answer the questions posed.

Q: Sarah Louise What is the one piece of advice you were given as you were starting out that you would pass onto others?

A: Hi Sarah, the one piece advise - or the one question I ask anybody who is starting out is 'Why?' be really clear about why you do what you do... and no one will be able to slow you down.

Q: Jillian Kingsford Smith How do you manage to fit it all in?" ie life, work, fitness & family?

A: Hi Jillian, Who said we fit it all in... my kids probably think I'm a lousy mother, my dog definitely claims he is neglected... (Janine Allis told us that her husband claimed she was a 'laptop' dancer.) Even if I don't have a lot of time... I do make sure I am focused on what I am doing at the time, and really listening to whoever I am with. There is no point yearning to be somewhere else or playing the guilt game. We too are muddling through the best we can. My personal motto is 'if it is meant to be it is up to me' - so there is no point making the blame game. Work out what is really important, what you are best at, and get help with the rest. (I'd like to outsource fitness quit frankly - but apparently there are some things we do have to do ourselves.)

Q: Toni Bramley After being screwed by 3 different website designers I would ask Naomi what's the 2 most important questions to ask when choosing a design firm

A: Hi Toni, Web development and design can be tricky... I am not much help here. I had a similar frustration with external consultants in my early days. So I had to bring it in house. A web developer was the first hire at RedBalloon. We now have a whole bunch of professionals completely dedicated to design, database, architecture, User Interface, programming and other things I did not even know existed. The RedBalloon website (have you seen the latest version) is so critical to who we are - we wanted to have these very precious people in house. Sorry not much help here really.

Q: Fran Blake What do u believe ur #1 personality trait is that has helped u succeed?

A: Hi Fran, I'd say my #1 trait is persistence, resilience and naivety... (is that one?) I truly believed in what we do, I never ever doubted it, and I had fabulous support. Maybe my best trait is gathering an amazing team.. and aligning them to the vision

Q: Angela Sedran What's the most cost-effective way to get your brand out there?

A: Hi Angela, The best way to get 'it' out there, cost effectively, is to deliver an exceptional customer experience. The cheapest and most authentic marketing is having other people talk about you. And they will in spades if they have something worth talking about.

Quite happy to answer any questions... so do keep them coming

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The Election we had to have.

By naomisimson | Published: August 26, 2010

I usually keep my blogs to share things that I have learned and discovered in the pursuit of building a business. But as a business leader this week of course I have been left bewildered.

Recently I wrote about the disgrace of both major parties advertising and promotional campaigns  And clearly I was not alone in my alarm. There has been much commentary this week. In fact there is little else in the press. I have just watched the 4 independents at the National Press Club lunch - all with such varied ideas of what is next - what is the most important focus. I thought greatness came from focus, doing a few things well, and getting everyone aligned to the execution of the plan.

These until recently unknown independents (except for Katter) are now in a position to, not only impact the present leadership of the country but the future of the political system.

So there is a stale mate – policies and leadership in a precarious position. The much needed true tax reform, any mention of workplace relations, a technology and broadband strategy will be hard to formulate.

What does this mean for us out here in small business land, working hard, employing people, and paying our taxes – are we now going to operate in limbo land? We will just keep doing what we do and administrators will run the country.

Did we get what we deserved? The election we had to have? The people have spoken… we want clear leadership, articulated and funded policies. We want to be the great nation that we all work to be.

Out of the ashes clear leadership must rise… our leaders owe it to the people (and the businesses) (PS as I have always said - 'there is no power in hope' - 'hope is not a strategy'... enough of the infighting and faceless power brokers - let's look at the plan )

I am very curious to know your opinion on the impact for business?

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If you have a moment..

By naomisimson | Published: August 23, 2010

RedBalloon for Corporate is quite pleased to be nominated for the Human Capital Top 5 Teambuilding Organisation or Incentive provider award - but apparently to take the nomination to the next stage - people need to vote for us... If you are a client, know what we do - or just want to put in a good word... please click to have your say. Thank you.

Human Capital Magazine

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What is bothering me…

By naomisimson | Published: July 22, 2010

Trust is such a fragile thing. One knows that to be trusted is to trust. But what if you give trust – and it is not reciprocated. Is it a one off, can never ever be regained? Does trust need to be earned back, or proved? Isn’t this a contradiction in terms.

Jim Collins told us that values are the essence of great businesses. But trust throughout business is the basis for all values. No one can be in business, or lead a successful business if they don’t trust those around them. If there are caveats on that trust then surely by definition it is not trust.

The basic premise of family is trust and shared values. Communities are founded on trust… by very nature it is about give and take. But really do we trust those governing the country. I understand that politicians are considered one of the most un-trusted professions of our community (next to real estate agents according to one study). What can be done to rebuild our faith in the leadership of Australia – at all levels of government? How can leaders build our trust on both a business and personal level. Input please.

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Women at Work – Latte Magazine

By naomisimson | Published: July 20, 2010

I was asked recently my thoughts on parental leave by Valerie Khoo who was putting a piece together for the current issue of Latte Magazine - below are my comments - however she also got interesting comments from The Hon Tanya Plibersek and The Hon Julie Bishop...

My comments:

"I just wonder if we’re asking the right questions. We’ve evolved from an industrial revolution to an information revolution and have not fundamentally thought out how the community is raising the next generation.

I don’t mean to be dramatic but how are we making sure the next generation is more educated and better off than we are? How can we show them that we are improving the planet?

Education is at the source of everything and, in Australia, the majority of our university graduates are women. We’re number one on the planet in terms of educating women in tertiary institutions and yet the participation rate of those women in leadership roles is dire. So we’re spending the money on education but we’re not getting the return out of highly educated people.

I’ve had people say to me: “We should make those stay-at-home mums feel bad.” On the contrary. We shouldn’t make the women who work feel bad!

When it comes to paid parental leave ... 18 weeks! Parenting is 18 year job. Paid parental leave isn’t the answer. It’s what we’re doing to make childcare accessible and available to people all the time, without prejudice, whether it’s a mother or father, foster parent, guardian or whatever. Many women miss out of the non-critical, yet still beneficial, aspects of work – the seminars, the conferences, the networking efvents, the breakfasts – because who is going to do the childcare and get the kids to school? Somebody has to pick them up and run them to music lessons and football.

We need to look at what the community is doing to support the growth and care of our children. We need to communities around the planet that have got it rightz. I think we should start looking at Asian communities. We should find out where it’s work anthropologically and what that looks like. Look at what they do well and copy it.

It’s important to recognise that it’s not a women’s issue, it’s a community issue and one that need structural economic reform, especially if you are spending valuable taxpayers dollars educating a populace who are then not contributing to society."

There are many opinions - I would value your comment on this one....

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Balancing Balance..

By naomisimson | Published: June 17, 2010

Nigel Marsh has a simple story to tell - which vividly illustrates - "if it's meant to be it's up to me". We are the architects of our own future - responsible for our own happiness.

One question that keeps bothering me during these discussions about paid parental leave... is this the right question we should be asking as a community. Raising children is not an 18 week journey - it is 18 years (my mother would say that it is many more than that).

What is the answer to the parenting / career juggling act that we 'survive' through day by day? Isn't parenting something we want to thrive at? My children are now teenagers - and I definitely don't have all the answers. But it is the small things that do matter, it is the time we take to listen, to be in their world.

(Hence the Queens Birthday weekend Simson Family Monopoly marathon (5 games in 3 days)) - Enjoy this 10 minute clip.

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Icing on mud pie 2

By naomisimson | Published: June 3, 2010

I cannot stand waste. And this week the debate about how the government is spending $38million on selling (advertising) a tax package has really made me mad!

What a waste! (Not for the agency, or media who are the recipient of the funds) But as a marketer I know you cannot spend yourself into having a great brand image. Building a brand takes so much more than advertising. No amount of icing can hide the mud in mud pie.

I remember years ago Ansett, the airline spent a fortune trying to boost the ‘morale’ of its employees (I was one of them) by creating an advertising campaign. ‘You can’t have the greatest airline in the world without the greatest people.’ Fantastic sentiment, which they spent millions on creating TV ads depicting different employee groups of the airline saying how great they thought the airline was…. Yet just a few months later (whilst the ads were still on air) the pilots first chose to strike and then resign and Australia didn’t have an aviation industry for nine months. There was clearly something structurally wrong – and no amount of spend on advertising was going to fix it. Icing on mud pie.

Fast forward to this governments $38m spend and I see exactly the same thing. People are not idiots and we are being treated as if we are. You cannot dress this so called tax reform up. (Mud pie) The fact that there is so much debate means something is not right – and there has clearing not been the consultation and inclusion needed from business.

If I was running the show I would not be spending money on advertising (yes you heard this from a die hard marketer) I would be looking at how I can save money – I would be looking at the discretionary effort that each person in the public sector has to offer – I would be hiring really, really smart people – I would be making those in the public sector feel very, very proud of where they work – I would notice their contribution and make sure others knew what they would do. I would spend money on recognition. I would make our teachers, doctors and police people feel like heros (that they are) and the administrators who support them… heroes for what they do.

I’m a simple woman who believes in the power of people. No matter what business you are in (including government) nothing can get done without the contribution of individuals all aligned and heading in the one direction. If they spent that $38m on the people of the public sector – you would see a far greater return on the investment – and not have to sell a fundamentally muddy tax system.

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Excellent…

By naomisimson | Published: May 27, 2010

I’m very exciting that RedBalloon is recruiting for a new role, a Customer Excellence Manager.  We see it as the next big step in our growth and innovation story. To put it in context; I’ve always used the title Chief Experience Officer (in part because of what we sell) but more so because ‘I’m accountable for how people experience RedBalloon' – whether that be our customers, suppliers, distributors or the team. Whilst I’m accountable, it is simply not practical and does not make business sense for me to know everything that goes on in every team all the time. Nor would I be expected to. My role as the leader is to ensure that each RedBallooner is aligned to the way we do things… and has the tools, resources and values to get the job done.

The question that I now have, who is the real champion on behalf of the customer? Hence this new position. How do we ensure that we keep listening and that we are transparent with our customers? Given the increasing scale of the business, we must continue to nurture, listen and deliver an ‘intimate’ customer experience.

I was recently at a seminar, which talked extensively about growth strategies. Interestingly enough the lecturer had us focus on one particular question throughout the three day program.

We were asked to answer this question from the customers point of view; ‘What is the job to be done here.’ That is ‘Do the job that your customer wants done’ not the job that you think they think they want done

The job to be done may well differ for different audiences. For most people who visit redballoon.com.au the job to be done is:

‘I need an interesting gift for a person I care about – quickly (where they are), that shows that I am thoughtful.’

You may in fact think that RedBalloon has a different job that we need to do for you. (and I’d be keen to hear what that is)

The thing that I am excited about is that the Customer Excellence manager will be all ears… listening to what that RedBalloon job to be done is.

Then it is for the Customer Excellence Manager to champion that voice loudly to ensure that the rest of the business stays focussed on what the customer really thinks – not what we think they think.

What do you think?

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Frustrating… 4 taxes on 4 square metres

By naomisimson | Published: May 14, 2010

I’ve never been one to make political comment. As a business owner and citizen – I just get on with working hard to grow a business, raise my children and contribute to the community.

I was asked to participate on The Nation for Sky News on 30 April – just prior to the release of the response by the government to the Henry Review, and also this weeks budget. (see below some of my comments)

I have often invited Julia Gillard to come and hang out at RedBalloon for her to experience the way business is done ‘this century’. How smart employers are investing in people – knowing that engagement gives us a competitive advantage.

Yet again – a government who was given a clear mandate from the people in the last election has failed to support business growth. I’m alarmed that no work has yet been done to clean up the taxation system (70 years and 3 levels of mess)

I pointed out in the interview; it is the cost of collection as well as the financial burden to business that puts such a burden on business. Quite frankly it is a disincentive to grow. (And let's not talk about payroll tax - because I will just get angry)

I give you an example – we have two off street car spaces at our office – I have to pay the Sydney City Council a special tax on these, about $2000 per year. In addtion to that I have to keep a register of which employee uses them as they could be deemed FBTable. Two taxes on the same tiny bit of real estate. The cost and imposition on compliance is ridiculous. In addition of course we paid stamp duty when purchasing the property and we will pay capital gains tax when we sell it. Four taxes on one tiny bit of real estate - and all that cost of compliance.

We want leaders who will help business grow! No wonder I am cynical.

I'm interested to hear your views.

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Immigration supporting Families

By naomisimson | Published: March 25, 2010

I was recently listening to Susie Babani – Group MD, HR, ANZ speak on Workforce Diversity as a driver of business performance. She has such a rich and diverse background herself after working on most continents. The way that she described the program at ANZ was fascinating. People come together organically to support the community they represent and then present a case to the bank for additional resources to market to that community or provide unique product.

Susie ensured that the audience understood that diversity was in no way a Women’s issue – diversity of cultures, sexuality, ages, disabilities, it is a far-reaching program.

In question time Susie was asked, ‘Given your experience in working in many cultures – what do you think is the number one reason why women are so under represented in senior roles in Australia?’

She responded (and I paraphrase). ‘There are of course many reasons, but as far as I can see a significant contributor is the access families have to affordable childcare’. She went on to say that in the Asian cities she has worked in, there are many more women in senior roles. She said ‘I know that this will be controversial but - the reason is - they have live-in Ahmar’s at home looking after the children.  Women in Asia don’t need to take as much time out for parental leave– also it gives them the ability to attend other activities that are not in work hours – such as networking or educational events.’

This is an interesting notion.

She said most Australian’s are aghast at the thought of ‘cheap labour from Asia’ and we could never do this here… have a different 'class' of citizen. She says quite to the contrary. Those people would be able to work in Australia under Australian law and the relativity of the wage (plus having good accommodation and food) is significantly better than that person would have in the Philippines for example. Most of them are likely to send the majority of what they earn home – which supports a community in need.

It got me thinking. We have student visa’s for people under 26 to work in casual jobs for up to 3 months for a total of a 12 months stay. What if there was a 'Carers' visa type – valid for work in Australia for up to 5 years – with restrictions and minimum conditions to ensure that this community is well looked after. (She noted that most people by nature will look after the person who is looking after their children - it is human nature).

Perhaps it is not just the fact that women (or men on parental leave) are disadvantaged for taking time out of the workforce and don’t therefore have the same level of experience that limits their career opportunities and the equality of pay. But also as his or her young family grow they are under constant pressure to ‘get home’ because of child care restraints – so they cannot ‘network’, travel for work as required or attend educational or other events pertinent to furthering their career.

Food for thought…

What are your thoughts on how families can be better support – not just maternity leave but juggling work and family responsibilities after returning to work?

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