Last week Cara Waters headed her column “Massive influx of Bullying Claims expected” Now I know her job is to get people reading with sensational headlines – however I think a more apt headline is “Be Alert Not Alarmed”. Megan [RedBalloon Employee Experience Manager] – arranged for a presentation from our workplace lawyers prior to the last RedBalloon board meeting. This is very much a part of our responsibilities as directors – and we don’t need to wait for legislation…
Tag Archives: Leadership
Where I do my best work – Anywhere
The only thing that is constant in my life is being on the move. I was asked by LinkedIn to share ‘where and how’ I work… Maybe this request was inspired by Marissa Mayers demand for the Yahoo employees to stop telecommuting and come to the office. [I think she may well have been taken a little out of context. I know the importance of feeling a part of the team – and if I am out and about the…
Five positive signs for 2013
This year is off to a flying start and we are already seeing some very positive shifts. This is what I have already noticed. What have you found that is different this year than last? 1. Customer intimacy becomes reality – not only have we moved our language away from ‘call centers’ and ‘CRM’, to being all about ‘Customer Love’ – and creating brands people love. The focus on the customer experience will be fundamental to performance results – NPS…
Four thoughts on creativity
Over the years I have had many people say to me “what a fantastic idea RedBalloon is..” often followed by the statement “I was going to do something like that” or “I wish I’d thought of it.” Ideas and creativity are critical to the success of any venture. I was in Utah last week at and Entrepreneur Organization conference and the opening speaker was serial entrepreneur Josh Linkner. He opened his presentation with a US business story about the Dollarshaveclub.com…
Vote please – if you like what you read
It’s the beginning of another year and 2013 is set to be a fulfilling and exciting one… and it has started with a flurry – I’ve been writing this blog for 2571 days (but who’s counting) and in that time I have shared 713 posts… now my writings have been nominated for ‘Business Blog’ of the year… but it is a popularity vote… so if you have a moment and like what you read then could you vote please… So…
Six warning signs for lagging leadership
[This appeared on LinkedIn Thought Leaders first - on 24 October 2012] In Australia we have a notion called ‘tall poppy syndrome’ which means that culturally people who have merit are derided by their community. Not very productive really in a country which needs strong, decisive leaders more than ever. True leadership does not reside in a title or job description – it comes from how we act. In the business I founded RedBalloon.com.au one of our core values is ‘leadership’….
Does your sex determine your income?
[I first published this as part of the LinkedIn Thought Leaders] Being a woman means statistically I will be paid less! It is that simple. Surely it is not that hard to fix. Each year in Australia (usually around the time of International Women’s day) the government releases a report to say – yet again there is a massive disconnect between what men and women are paid for the same job and the same amount of work experience; known as the…
Vivid Stories increase happiness
[First published on LinkedIn Thought Leaders on 4 October] “I found myself sitting in the cockpit of a small aircraft – it smelt like on old MG, my hair would have been blowing in the wind, as I belted down the runway except I had on a buggles hat with goggles. I was nervous and excited. The airplane, which was older than me, was shaking and rattling… until finally it lifted off the earth and calm prevailed. As it rose…
The numbers on why happiness is important
Perhaps I am posing a far too obvious question… but the thing I consider, is the effort and energy it takes to be happy, worth it? Perhaps it is easier to be grumpy, disconnected and uninspired…. the statistics however do not lie. Suicide remains a major external cause of death, accounting for more deaths in Australia than transport accidents. In addition about 20% of people will be affected by depression and 6% will experience a major depressive illness in Australia…
Coming up this week 24 September 2012
Last week was all about being inspired by 800 other entrepreneurs from around the world. (In fact as I write this I am at Frankfurt airport waiting for my very long flight home.) I learned a lot, and I also learned that what we are doing at RedBalloon is absolutely on par with the best from other nations. I have blogged about a lot of the education… but just as inspiring are the people I met at the event. I…
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...
