It's about choice for our children

I considered that perhaps it was a cultural thing. But after listening to her TED talk on the topic (view below) I have to concur that much of what she says does translate to Australia.

This generation we will barely make a dent on the number of women in board rooms around Australia – nor in senior leadership roles – but the point she raises is what do we tell our daughters… and our sons. What lessons do we impart to inspire them to make the choices they want without fear of failure.

Sheryl gives us three insights.

1. ‘Sit at the table’ – this means women need to really participate, make a statement, stand up for themselves – don’t underestimate your own ability. ‘Own your own your success.’ This could be viewed as slightly pushy however how often do women not apply for the job that they don’t have every skill for – whilst their male equivalent would put himself forward.’

There will be sacrifices that we make for playing a bigger game… and these are sacrifices that our brothers wont have to make.

I was having dinner with my daughter (16) and son (14) over the holidays – and my son asked me if I would prefer to be a man or a woman… I instantly responded ‘A woman’ – when he asked the same question of my daughter, after some deliberation she said ‘A man’ when I questioned why she said – ‘they just get everything easier.’ – This saddened me. At such a young age my daughter is already seeing limitations…

2. ‘Make your partner a real partner’ – Sheryl laments that in fact there has been more progress with equality in the workplace than on the domestic front. She said workingwomen work twice as hard on domestic chores and do three times the childcare than their male counterparts.  She wonders if it is because from a very young age society puts more pressure on males to succeed. We need to make it easier for males to stay it home – too. Men are not always welcomed at playgroup.

Interesting that a number of years ago I was called up to see the vice principal of my daughters school – as the spirited girl she is she had pushed the boundaries and they wanted to discuss it with me specifically rather than my husband who was the primary after school carer.

This successful female educator said ‘Your daughter just needs to see more of you – you travel a lot for work and she misses you terribly’ – I responded – ‘she does have a parent with her every night of the week; her father…’ She realized what she had just said. Here was one successful career woman telling another that the role model I was being for my daughter was not appropriate. And this was from a leader of a girl’s school – at that point I did ask what they were teaching the girls about financial independence and fulfilling careers…

Stereo typing is very, very hard to change

3. ‘Don’t leave before you leave’ – Sheryl said that in planning for a pregnancy and to have ‘children’ fit neatly into a career often means that women are planning to take time out of their career long before they need to. In fact they might even hold back on a promotion or responsibility because they think ‘I might not be here next year’.

From the moment women think about having a baby…they might be less career focused as such their job may become far less fulfilling. Yet once you have a child at home to return to work is a massive sacrifice. So your job better be rewarding, challenging and you really need to be making a difference because otherwise it is too hard and simply not worth the cost (both financially and emotionally).

If you took your foot off the ‘gas’ too early in your career ie you didn’t take a promotion for instance then this might mean you don’t have the ‘best’ job to return to. I wrote a blog about this very thing some months ago.

I concur with Sheryl – we want to teach our children to make powerful choices on what they want to do. Not what they think is prescribed for them – because that is how it has always been.

I write my blog because I continue to learn from; books, business leaders, attending conferences – and each of these lessons or insights I need to store somewhere so I don’t forget them. I use my blog as a repository to catalogue what I am learning. In addition I may well have formed an opinion about what I have read, seen or experienced and as such I write about that.

2227 days ago when I wrote my first post I didn’t know if anyone would read it… but I wrote it for myself. As time progressed I realized that in writing and sharing my experiences others could learn from them… it could become a source of education and insights for others.

Kim from Nest Interior Styling - A big congratulations

I received the email [below] and it made my day. We never know the impact that we may have on another – I don’t know how my words inspire or enrage readers, but when people let me know what they thought – it is all the thanks I need to keep doing what I do. A small ‘thank-you’ can go a long way.

“Hi Naomi

I started following your blog after your appearance on Secret Millionaire.  You posted something that struck a chord with me – ‘if it’s meant to be its up to me’.

At the time I was feeling unclear about my vision for where I wanted to take my business – I am a work at home mum & was feeling a little unsure as to my own confidence & abilities in ‘getting myself back out there’ but didn’t know how to get started.

I wrote this to you & you took the time from your schedule to respond, which in my own world was truly appreciated & meaningful.

I have since literally taken your words ‘if its meant to be it is up to me’ & created massive action along with it & have just had the most incredible year unleashing my creativity, learning more about myself & capabilities than I knew I had in me, both on a creative & personal level.

Learning the ‘balance’ of work & home will continue to be ongoing but I do feel really proud of what I have created & excited about where it is all heading in the future.

I have my own blog http://www.nestinteriorstyling.blogspot.com & have been selling my clay tags ‘mud by nest’ online & at local markets – & I am just loving it!

Back in June your blog ‘Humbled again touched me – I am sure you get asked many questions & for lots of advice as a respected mentor to others.

I just wanted to let you know, that sometimes mentoring, like you say does not necessarily mean a long term relationship & it is not just mentoring those at corporate professional levels that can draw inspiration from you.  I am a Work-at-Home-Mum and to me you took the time to acknowledge me & responded personally with some words that got me thinking clearer about the direction I needed to take, & as they say the rest is history!  Your mentoring job for me was done, short & sweet, & for that I genuinely Thank-You.

Have a Magical 2012 Naomi & may all your New Year Wishes come true!

Kindest Regards
Kim”

How wonderful! And this is why I share my journey and what I learn.

My blog is all generated from me… word by word, there is no product placement here. (So please PR agencies stop sending me press releases – I’m not going to write about stuff I don’t have an opinion on or things I don’t know.)

Kim – a big thank you to you for sharing your story and congratulations on creating your business… and I look forward to hearing from others – anyone want to share?

RedBallooners say Thank You by "Paying in Forward"

Friends have commented “RedBalloon is everywhere this Christmas” – and I have answered by saying “we need to be”. It is important for us to remind people of the power of a great gift – how giving the gift of an experience creates the opportunity of sharing great memories with that person. It is up to us to change gifting in Australia forever.

At this time I also reflect how fortunate I am, how lucky we are at RedBalloon – and to remember that we did not do it alone. So as I think how can I show my appreciation to all those who have helped me – perhaps I could ‘pay it forward’…

I am often contacted by entrepeneurs, business owners and professionals seeking a mentor. And I have tended to take an adhoc approach to these requests. The writing of this blog and the book some years ago – together with my speaking, there are plenty of ways that I share what I have learned. Sometimes people have a burning question – something that they just need a sounding board for…mentoring does not have to be a long term relationship.

So I was thinking what could I do to provide a more formal ‘Mentoring’ program. That would be fun, inspiring, educational and life changing. So I came up with the idea of hosting a mentoring weekend.

On 27 April 2012 at one of the RedBalloon Getaway locations a weekend for eight people (and their partners )who have burning questions. We could have round tables, one on one time – themed dinners. (I imagine there will be pre reading – so we are all on the same page)…

Any way if you think it is a good idea, or you would be interested and want to know details – send me an email via this blog by 16 Jan (I am wanting to ascertain if this is something that would be of interest)… also in your email you might want to mention why you would want to attend such an event.

So as we say ‘Good Bye’ to 2011 – Let’s think about all those people we need to thank for assisting us on the journey – and begin to create what 2012 will be.

L to R - Michael Fertik, Jeff Taylor, Russell Simmons, Karen Beattie, Martha Stewart, Muhammad Yunnis, George Clooney

On Monday I had the fortune of participating in the Growth Faculties Leadership Summit. Six leaders, with different styles and methods took to the stage to share what they had learned about leadership.

Martha Stewart at 70, gave an energetic and passionate insight into her life and the creation of her personal brand. She did speak of how her role now is about rebuilding the business after the decline following her incarceration. Though she believes that her brand remains what it was. (I understand that in the US not all would agree with her).

Her story is engaging and fascinating and there was much to learn.

Martha said:
“Without an open mind you can’t be a great success”
“I’m fundamentally curious”
“If you write a book you become an ‘expert’”
“Never ever talk down to the customer & we need to be where our customers need and want us to be”
“Everyone needs to believe in what they are doing.”

She started her career as a model, then moved into stock broking, before starting her catering business. There is no doubt that this is a woman who has been completely driven since her childhood and at 70 she is equally driven. The question I was left with is “Does she define her success in dollars – or in the contribution to others, I was unclear on this.”

Muhammad Yunnis

How different the next speaker was… Muhammad Yunis, Nobel peace prize winner (who I had seen in September). He shared with the group the notion of Social Business – a new business model. Businesses that are created solely to solve a problem. Not to provide dividends – but also not a charity or not for profit.

Muhammad said:
“I asked myself the question can I make myself useful for other human beings?”
“I try to solve problems by creating a social business”
“It is easy to undermine the value of others if you are disconnected.”
“Crisis is in the conceptual construct in the theory of economics.”
“Most business is based on selfishness – and this is not sustainable as we are now seeing with the economic crisis’s.”
“Charity dollars only have one life as it goes out, it does not come back – social business dollars go around to be self funding.”
“Human creativity is endless but often we cannot see.”
“You can change the world if you can solve the tiny problems that then get replicated.”

Then we had the father of hip hop speak, Russell Simmons, who discovered the music and poetry of the streets back in 1972 – and it took him years to bring that culture to light, in music, film, clothes and TV. He too has influenced culture – it has been altered forever. Here is a man that is consumed by his passion for art, expression and poetry. He believes that you cannot create greatness with a commercial outcome in mind. Commercial outcome will come when greatness is created.

Russell said:
“Some people say keep your eye on the prize – but I don’t agree. If you keep looking at the prize you are likely to bump into things along the way.”
“Most industries are blind to new things coming.”
“I aspire to a post racial America – we are a long way from that – and Hollywood is really blind, it is not inclusive.”
“I believe that people will see what is cool in each other – this is aspirational.”
“My passion gave me a different life, I found a way to express myself – most of those I grew up with are either dead or in jail – every person needs to find their purpose.”
“If you want a long career then you need to make sure that your life’s work is the expression of what you really are – not what you think people think they want you to be.”
“No matter how rich you are you can only sit at one seat at a time.”
“Wealth comes from making your work meaningful – it is a state of consciousness.”
“Business often starts from a pure vision of creative expression this often gets lost. Come back to it.”
“I believe in economic justice in the US – a bigger conversation must take place about equality.”

George Clooney

Then we had actor George Clooney speak about his work in Sudan.

[It is interesting to note that for this session the organizers had sold seats just for this speaker – so the numbers in the audience swelled to double – so we have a nobel peace prize winner with a lifetime of changing the world – but who people want to see and hear from is the celebrity. This paradox was not lost on George Clooney.]

George said:
“I now have the ability to use my celebrity to shine the light on areas that only have darkness – I can bring these issues to the world.”
“When people try to discredit your intentions – simply know more than they do about the issue.”
“You have to be involved – see it, feel it, be there, understand, know the facts, the people.”
“It is easier to be in advocacy than politics – you don’t have to compromise and you can stay truly focused on the issue.”
“Success I understand to be just for a mere moment in time. – That moment I need to use to turn it into something worthwhile.”
“I don’t take myself seriously – but I do take my work seriously.”
“The role of the leader is to say ‘Put down your pencils and hand in your work.’ – to know when to bring the plan together.”
“Leaders need a clear voice that says ‘This is what we are going to do.’ As well as robust diplomacy, individual belief and an understanding of the power of shared voice.’”=

Jeff Taylor founder of monster.com took to the stage to admit that Australia was the only place where he had failed in creating his job board business. However he did succeed in 50 countries with 6000 employees. Jeff gave his view on why each person needs to be his or her own CEO. That is ‘you are the CEO of your own life’ and he shared his ‘FAME’ concept.

Jeff said:
“F:  Create a workplace where people can be a Free agent”
“A: Train like an Athlete, ready to play the game of your life.”
“M: Prepare like a Marketer, know your key message.
“E: Engage like an entrepreneur.”

The final speaker for the day was Michael Fertik speaking on reputation. As a marketer of course I have understood always that as individuals and as a business the only thing we really have is our reputation. Michael shared with us how volatile social media has made reputation – and that we have no control.

72% of employers apparently look at social media as part of their recruitment strategy – and 49% have changed their intentions of employing an individual based on what they learned.

Face recognition software will mean that we have no privacy and that anywhere anytime our image can be ‘tainted’. This is true for companies and individuals – and bad stories whether true or not hang around online forever.

What a special day… A day of learning, being in the presence of greatness, inspiration and debate. I was most fortunate to attend a dinner with 60 others at the Shangri La with the speakers. This is where I had the chance to ask the questions that I had wanted to during the day.

Well-done Growth Faculty for putting together such an event…

End of year celebration for Kochie's Business Builders team

Last week at RedBalloon we were full of the joys of Christmas. The IT team hosted our final company meeting of the year and were massively creative with their festive theme ; including beaming in their colleague Dave from Perth to have him appear in a cut out Santa via Facetime – (I guess you had to be there).

As part of the planning process and moving my role to be Founding Director I needed to update my job description in line with our new format. This is the job description I came up with:

• Vision, values, alignment
• Strategy development and direction
• Spokesperson & Brand ambassador
• Mentor & coach, role model and sounding board (for RedBallooners throughout the business) – accessible daily
• Accountable for the brand experience – customer, employee and stakeholders  – accessible daily

I was sad to miss the launch of the book True Leadership by Lisa Rubenstein... the week got a way from me.

Though I did attend the Dell Women’s Entrepreneurship evening on Tuesday as well as attend the wonderful drinks function at the home of the founder of Anywhere Travel in Vaucluse (very special to be in someone’s home for a business event).

Thursday I delighted in sharing lunch at Fratelli Fresh in Bridge Street with many of the regulars of Kochies Business Builders TV program. I really enjoyed the vivid debate on many topics from retailers to interest rates.

And in between all that I was with customers both in email and on phones supporting our customer experience effort at this busy time. (So excited that we added close to 25,000 to our BHAG last week alone… YAY!)

This week

Monday: Lunch with Matha Stewart and Dinner with George Clooney… not quite – but we will see how the day pans out at the Growth Faculty Leadership conference.
Tuesday: Briefings for upcoming speaking engagements
Wednesday: Premier for the Mission Impossible in Melbourne
Thursday: Business Round Table in Melbourned
Friday: Writing, (or Customer experience emails)

Kofman’s basic premise is two fold: Firstly that great leader’s take responsibility for their actions, as well as how they choose to react to any situation that presents itself.

Secondly, a clear sense of purpose is critical to successful leadership. A leader cannot buy commitment (as I have said on many times– “no amount of money will keep people happy long term if you don’t capture their hearts and minds.”, and “discretionary effort something people choose to give, it is not something you can ask for”)– which means that it is up to the leader to inspire people to ‘the noble cause.’

“If a leader demonstrates that his purpose is noble, that the work will enable people to connect with something large – more permanent than their material existence – people will give the best of themselves to the enterprise” Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Clearly the actions we take as a leader speak very loudly to those around us.

My father told me as a child “Do as a say not as I do.” Which he said tongue-in-cheek, but I always a bit confused by this – my mother would say “people will judge you by the jobs you don’t like doing – not the ones you do”… As great people said:

“What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.” Emerson

“We must be the change we want to see in the world.” Gandhi

Simply ‘Actions speak louder than words’ which both my parents drilled into me.

As leaders what we ‘do’ moment by moment creates the culture around us. I cannot expect people to arrive on time for a meeting if I do not do so myself. I must pitch in a lead by example if we are in need of extra support in answering customer emails. Quite simply our actions set the tone – and the values.

“As the leadership team goes so goes the rest of the organization”. So the question remains do you operate from a clear sense of purpose and do you take responsibility?

Too often people blame the circumstance or someone else – because somehow we find it difficult to fess up to ‘I stuffed up’.  For example, the traffic did not make me late – I didn’t leave early enough. So often we find excuses to justify our own behavior.

How would it be different if you said to yourself –  ‘Anything that effects me is my problem and I am part of the problem’

• Consider: “You are the pilot to your own life.”
• Consider: “What is your businesses noble purpose?”

How would you explain to your child your company’s purpose in a way that makes you proud? (and maybe this applies to parenting too)

Looking forward to a RedBallooner Christmas

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas…. Oh it is ‘the season’ and I do love it, such a time of celebration. It seems as if the last week rushed by, with interviews and a speaking engagement – and lot’s of meetings and writing – but really my focus now is all about being part of the best Christmas ever at RedBalloon.

I had a wonderful week in Melbourne being very productive and enjoying the city. Melbourne is such an important market for us at RedBalloon and I am always happy to be the nominated RedBallooner to support our customers and suppliers in such a fabulous city.

Coming up this week:

Monday: One on One meetings, hang out with the corporate team and meet the CEO of Good Beginnings
Tuesday: Best Buddy pair of the year review and supporting the RedBalloon Customer Experience team
Wednesday: Keynote at the Aviation Club and MC for the Voiceless Awards event
Thursday: Brisbane for meetings
Friday: RedBallooner Christmas party

Ernst & Young 2011 National Entrepreneur of the Year winners

Last week was about as big as they get. In addition to the three awards received by RedBalloon last week, I was also a judge in the National Telstra Business Womens awards. Actually weeks don’t get much bigger than last week.

What started as a normal week of one on one’s and coaching with some of the newer team members in Sydney… ended up quite differently.

On Wednesday I did one of our less known experiences – which is the art walking tour of Melbourne… Bernie, our host only ever has upto eight people and she loves enlightening us on the journey from street art and emerging to commercial galleries.

Street Art in the lane's of Melbourne

In our four-hour tour she even squeezed in a trip to a working artist’s studio so we could learn how he is developing his works for an exhibition in May. We finished with a drink at a fantastic little bar on the roof top of an unknown Bourke street location. I grew up in Melbourne, this tour was a wonderful way to experience the uniqueness of this wonderful art city via its little lanes and backstreets. Apparently every time Bernie does the tour she changes its format (so I will definitely do it again).

Thursday was an all day event as a judge of the Telstra Business Womens awards. I had loved reading all the submissions of the finalists for the innovation category – the diversity and outcome of innovation is remarkable: from home renovation to street swags for the homeless;  volunteer travel to dressing women for work; the most amazing librarian transforming what a library is in Mt Gambier; and revolutionary practices in emergency care in Canberra’s largest hospital. The ultimate winner for innovation was Prof. Veena Sahajwalla for her invention of using waste products in the steel making process. This ‘green’ steel is now implemented by OneSteel and another manufacturer in Thailand – and others will follow.  And yes, it is her name on the patent.

Telstra Business Women's Awards 2011 National Nokia Business Innovation Award winner - Professor Veena Sahajwalla

All awe inspiring women – as were all the other categories. The sheer diversity of the stories and their achievements was exciting, exhilarating and engaging. The overall winner is Catherine Burn, Assistant Commissioner Corporate Services for NSW Police. (Five of the six awards went to women from NSW – a fine achievement.)

After a day of judging I was straight off to the Ernst & Young awards at Shed 14 in Docklands – and another amazing night with four of the six awards going to NSW entrepreneurs, as mentioned in last week’s post.

The Telstra Business Womens Awards were held the next night, also at Shed 14 and very funnily I was seated at almost the same table as the night before. I felt so privileged to be a part of both of these amazing events… a really big thanks to Ernst & Young for hosting such an event. And Telstra for its event. It takes amazing commitment in tough times to keep such programs going with such absolute dedication. And well done to Commonwealth Bank for being a part of both awards…what a great way to connect with customers at such events.

The weekend I spent with with my teenagers painting pictures (indoors because of the raining weather). What an wonderful way to finish the week – with a paint brush in my hand, getting ready to paint the next great phase at RedBalloon.

This week:

Monday: Interview with Marty Wilson for his new book
Tuesday: Business Round Table
Wednesday: Speaking engagement for the Assoc of Tertiary Management
Thursday & Friday: Writing Writing Writing (this book will appear one day)

A very proud winner of the National Award in the Industry Category

RedBalloon has had a wonderful week of celebration by winning three prestigious awards. Whilst there are many businesses far larger than us, doing amazing things – it is such an honor to be on the same stage as those businesses. Could small be the new big? What could large businesses learn from us about absolute commitment to the employee experience – and as a result the customer experience. How wonderful to be recognized in this way.

Last night I had the privileged of being part of the Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year program. A spectacular night surrounded by passionate, persistent people who have a tolerance for risk said our MC Peter Burner.

Congratulations to Michael Malone from iiNet who won the title of Australian Entrepreneur of the Year 2011. (For more about the event and the other winners).

Peter Burner interviewed each of the winners as we took to the stage to accept our awards. I had reflected before arriving at the event about my entrepreneurial journey to date. I was there on behalf of many many people.

This is what I had planned to say:

Thank you to those people who:

Loved me, you made me believe in myself
Cared, you made me feel worthwhile
Shared their wisdom, you inspired me to learn
Laughed, you made my world fun
Listened, you made me feel loved
Challenged me, you made me play a bigger game
Said ‘no’ – you made me more determined.
Disliked me, you made me stronger

Thank you

Megan Bromley accepting the AHRI HR Practioner of the Year award

In addition, I congratulate the team on making the Deloitte Tech Fast 50 again – And a big amazing congratulations to Megan Bromley – Employee Experience Manager, RedBalloon for being named by AHRI as the HR Practitioner of the year…WOW!

Winner of the Judges Choice - and fitting given I will be in Melbourne most of this week

One of the highlights and most challenging things I did last week was the final round of judging on the RedBalloon 10^th birthday photo competition. The winners have been announced but I was in awe at many of the entries. I would have liked to spend the whole week just looking at the entries over and over – but alas I had a few other obligations.

On Tuesday I was part of the Dream Employer Webinar (thanks for those people who dropped in) – and I presented to the 1500 delegates on Wednesday at the Australian Superannuation Fund Assoc. Conference in Brisbane.  I managed to squeeze in a little mini break – before attending a two day training and development program over the weekend as well as putting a party dress on to attend a black tie dinner to celebrate the opening of the Picasso Exhibition.

I also learned that apparently 20 percent of customer currently visiting RedBalloon are already looking for Christmas Gifts so it sounds like what I should really be getting on with this week is my Christmas Shopping.

I might have a few moments to shop online over the next five days – thank goodness it is so quick AND you can shop online even if you are dressed in your fine evening gown waiting for the cab to arrive (what a fantastic use of time).

Coming up

Monday: Reviews, feedback on the Trimester Plan to CEO, and board meeting
Tuesday: Role playing with corporate team newbies & Interview for a book business & baby on board
Wednesday: Melbourne, RedBalloon experience afternoon – surprise supplier visit – will advise next week.
Thursday: Melbourne, Judging the National Telstra Business Womens award innovation AND attend as an Eastern Region Finalist the Ernst Young Entrepreneur of they Year awards (fingers and toes crossed)
Friday: Melbourne, Attend the National Telstra Business Womens award dinner

Reading:

Small Giants – Bo Burlingham