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Overview
From a very serious corporate career in marketing to creating a business based on fun RedBalloon, this is my journey. In this blog I share what it takes to be an entrepreneur and what I have learned - warts and all. I am also the author of 'I want what she is having' which chronicles the first five years of building of a fast growing business.
Very proud to be awarded National Telstra Business Womens Award for 2008 in the Nokia Innovation Catogory
RedBalloon Team Blog
Where I’m Speaking
My presentations to company events are not listed because those engagements are not open to the public. Contact Kate on +61 2 8755 0034 for more details on speaking.
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- on my way to Keri Keri, via Auckland Auckland, from Sydney Sydney about 1 day ago from web
- is amazed how many people are drinking alcohol at 8am in the morning in the airline lounge about 1 day ago from web
- It is not the storms you meet in life, but the way you set your sails... about 1 day ago from web
- Saw this at the gym this morning 'To make your dreams come true, first thing to do is wake up' about 1 day ago from web
- Doh - got the first call on my new iphone 4 - could not hear a thing... had forgotten to take of the plastic wrap. about 1 day ago from web
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Tag Archives: Fun at work
Something to do on a Monday
Today was my first day back in the office after school holidays... I arrived early, to start sorting through the mail, and messages before the meeting rhythm started. Quite a few of my colleagues were gathering together excitedly - eight of the team were going Sky Diving - including Jemma GM. One of the delegates [...]
Posted in Gift Experiences Also tagged Activities and Events, best places to work, Corporate Gifts, Female Entrepreneur, Work life balance 3 Comments
Bucket List review time
Some years ago I wrote my first dream catcher list (bucket list) – A place to note all the things I wanted to do, be or even have during my life time. (Each RedBallooner is encouraged to share their dream catcher list with us too). Some of my dreams are more attainable than others (like [...]
Posted in Gift Experiences Also tagged Activities and Events, Female Entrepreneur, Gift Experiences, Parenting, Work life balance 2 Comments
The 10 point Customer Excellence Checklist
I’ve been reading the book ‘Delivering Happiness’ by Tony Hsieh CEO of Zappos.com. There are a significant number of similarities between RedBalloon and Zappos. As CEOs we both wanted to create a place where we too wanted to work. We both believe in experiences over stuff, we both believe that the key to success of [...]
Communication about Bad Apples
Bad Apples can still do damage even after they have left the organization. Cleaning up the damage and rebuilding culture will take consistent and considered effort. My previous post 'Bad Apples' raised the question of authentic communication to the rest of the business - to ensure that culture is not impacted. At RedBalloon being completely [...]
Posted in Lessons Learned Also tagged Business Leadership, Employee Engagement, Managers at work Leave a comment
“Naomi vs Elle” say the RedBallooners
I have to admit this made me laugh. I was recently nominated for the Instyle Women of Style Awards, up against Elle MacPherson and Kristina Karlsson from kikki.K in the Business Category. I attended the awards night and was both surprised and delighted to be named as the winner of the Business category. Little did [...]
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Brand Marketing, Female Entrepreneur, Work life balance Leave a comment
Icing on mud pie 2
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 [...]
Posted in Input Please Also tagged Business Leadership, Business Vision, Employee Engagement, Female Entrepreneur, Managers at work 1 Comment
Breakthrough companies are fixated with Growth.
I’m just back from a holiday break with the family. It was great to rest and rejuvenate… to take in a few experiences too. Jet Ski Ocean Adventure (I’d never been on a jet ski before – the kids loved it) Also had fantastic fun at the Surfing Lesson On Noosa Beach Oops I digress, [...]
Super Saver….
My colleague Sarah joined RedBalloon on April Fools Day in 2004 – she is fast approaching her five year anniversary. With any special occasion it gives us a moment to reflect. I’m sure Sarah could share much better than I about the changes she has experienced at RedBalloon…and the ones she has championed. She was [...]
Recognition Every Day… (RED)
At RedBalloon we talk about recognition all the time, not only what we do at work, but what we are learning from our clients. Matt the RedBalloon head of corporate has put 52 recognition ideas into a handy little business card size piece. It is really quite fun – filled with great suggestions of how [...]
Posted in Reward & Recognition Also tagged Business Growth, Employee Engagement, Recognition and Acknowledgement Leave a comment
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