What a week of experiences this has been. Monday I watched racehorses at David Hayes stables at Flemington – work out on a treadmill. Tuesday I had breakfast with past Melbourne Cup champions, Rogan Josh and Brew in the mounting yard at Flemington and I held the 18 carrot gold Melbourne cup (with white gloves on). Later in the afternoon I met and held a bunch of reptiles, quite the experience. Wednesday I’d lost my voice – so for our…
This past week was such a rush – crammed so much in, but I would hate to be bored. Coming up this week we will kick off Trimester 2 at RedBalloon. We are into our people reviews, the plan has been signed off, personal promises are being finalised – and the theme is set to be launched. We will wrap up the Dream Employers report and publish the video of the press conference. I’ll be sad to miss the company…
How exciting… Megan the RedBalloon Employee Experience manager has been named in Human Capital Magazines ‘The who’s who of HR’. We are very proud of all that she does as she leads RedBalloon on our engagement journey. Tireless does spring to mind. And she definitely is like a terrier dog, as Jemma said ‘like she attaches herself to a bottom of a trouser leg and just doesn’t let go.’ It is a journey and I so look forward to discovering,…
Sometimes – one does get slightly stuck on what to give someone… but if this someone happens to be very important – and her first ever (and maybe only trip to Australia) which RedBalloon experience would be perfect for her trip in December – HELP? Oprah Winfrey is coming to Australia for the first time in December and the RedBallooners are bouncing off the walls with excitement over the idea of sending Oprah on a RedBalloon experience while she’s here….
My wee brain has been in overload this week – learning as much as I can… I have an insatiable appetite for knowledge, to learn and discover new things. I find that when I am with people who also have an inquiring mind that conversations get vivid and very interesting. This week I attended the Marcus Evans CMO event in the Gold Coast – and in ‘only GC style’ – they managed to send a stretch limo just for little…
RedBalloon has been testing a retail concept in Myer Bourke Street Melbourne and Myer George Street Sydney. Bernie Brookes CEO Myer shared his top 5 success tips earlier this year… Read as much as you can about the industry that you’re in Be an active listener to those around you You never get in trouble for over communicating Never take no for an answer even if it means becoming “prickly” at times Smack or belt yourself if you find your…
I was reading an article recently in HR Daily about dress codes for work. Kind of interesting that it is a topic of discussion in an HR publication. My first job when I graduated from university, as a naive young graduate (1984) was with IBM (in New York). On our first day as part of our induction each of the graduate intake was scrutinized to determine if we were suitably attired to be an IBMer. I was wearing a black…
As part of our Grow theme (see previous post) RedBalloon is hosting a series of ‘Lunch and Learns’ internally for our people. Our first speaker for the season was Daniel Gregory (creative director Smart Agency –also known for his regular spot on The ABCs Gruen Transfer). Fabulous to hear about some of the great campaigns he has worked on – to hear about the brief, which creates the advertising seen by all. ‘The workings of a creative mind.’ Dan demonstrated…
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…
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...
Read More »
Three Lessons in tough love
I just heard from a friend of mine who lives in NYC – that he has resigned from his GM role because the owner of the business said, “I don’t want happy people I want factory workers”. My friend was completely disheartened – he thought business owners were enlightened – and understood that happy people = happy profits I guess I question if this entrepreneur is reading or learning anything. One thing that Verne Harnish is noted as saying ‘the…