Fabulous Women creating amazing businesses

Last week was too busy to even write what was coming up – apart from all the great RedBalloon events and meetings, we held the inaugural mentoring weekend in the Blue Mountains.

Over the 2 days and three nights we worked through the ‘Entrepreneurial Cookbook’, had one on one sessions and challenged each other to ‘what could the world look like’. I completely enjoyed getting to know – and experience the thrill of being inside other businesses. I was truly fascinated by how their business models worked, and how passion and determination has had such a big hand in the creation of their enterprises.

I’m excited to see how each of the participants puts into practice what they learned, discovered and experienced… we are going to regroup in a few months so we can check in on each other.

This week

Monday: One on One’s
Tuesday: Company Meeting – Speaking engagement for RAMS
Wednesday: EBusiness conference in Sydney
Thursday: Final review of new book before printing
Friday: Work on personal promises (to participate in the RedBalloon On the Edge of Glory theme)

Now the entrepreneurs mentoring retreat is almost finalized and I’m getting very excited to have it all come together. The pre-reading list has been sent to those participating – the program has been developed. Philippa my colleague who has been designing the weekend with me – dragged the top eight ‘ingredients’ for success from me – and has brought them together beautifully in the Entrepreneurs Cookbook – which will form the basis of the work we cover over the weekend

The venue is booked (One of the RedBalloon experience locations – Lilianfels)….

We invited partners to attend – given that most entrepreneurial journey’s have a massive impact on the family and friends surrounding them.

I’m nervous but excited – committed to seeing a massive difference for participants. I believe that those who attend will form their own collegiate and meet some like-minded people that will complete the experience that each individual does not have to be alone on their journey.

We will have group sessions, I will have one on ones with each attendee – and we will have fabulous dinner parties to debate and explore ideas.

Thank you to those who are attending the inaugural weekend on 26 April– a feel we are all on the beginning of a journey – and we get to design our futures.

WIth John Bowe (prior to my +200kmh hour laps at Wakefield)

Sometimes I do have to pinch myself – and say ‘wow’ because I do get to experience some absolutely amazing things. The weekend before last I was trialing ‘glamping’ on Cockatoo Island, Tuesday I got to experience the John Bowe V8 racing experience at Wakefield; in the evening I was at the Sydney Dance Theatre and met Rafael Bonachela- Creative Director and also the dancers after the performance of ‘2 One Another’ – which was an absolutely amazing expression of human creativity. I was completely engrossed during the 70-minute performance – it was simply breath taking.

Wednesday I did another one of our experiences in the morning – a photo shoot – in the evening I attended a pre-announcement Ernst & Young cocktail function at the Archibald’s – I was sure I had picked the winner – alas not.

I had several keynotes in Sydney – I particularly had great fun on Friday afternoon at the Australian Teleservices Assoc. lunch. We had a lot of giggles and really enjoyed ourselves… but wait there is more. On the weekend I was researching yet another ‘glamping’ experience – which was my perfect paradise… (I will be handing details to Georgia the RedBalloon category manager – because it is a must for RedBalloon)… and to finish off the week experienced the outdoor spectacular of La Traviata… Sydney harbor a spectacular backdrop to this very special performance – Emma Matthews voice was a show stealer. It really looked like the performers were loving the experience too.

I was asked twice this week in speaking engagements about how I coped with all the ‘work’ at start up phase of RedBalloon. The reality is that it is quite a blur now – but I do believe that if you love what you do – you never have to work another day in your life. (Is Confucius credited with that quote?)

I think last week I supported most aspects of the Sydney arts community – (as well as four RedBalloon experiences – which is part of my job).

This week is school holidays and I am planning to be far more settled – do some writing and planning.

Coming up this week:

Monday: One on one’s
Tuesday: Company meeting – (and daughter going for her learner’s permit – Argh)
Wednesday: Planning
Thursday: Corporate Planning
Friday: Easter – YAY

Reading – Abundance – by Diamandis and Kotler

Dexter reflecting on life's opportunities

The adventure of life is to learn.
The purpose of life is to grow.
The nature of life is to change.
The challenge of life is to overcome.
The essence of life is to care.
The opportunity of life is to serve.
… The secret of life is to dare.
The spice of life is to befriend.
The beauty of life is to give.
The joy of life is to love.

Quote from William Arthur Ward

Thanks to Warren Henningsen for sharing

My Hamilton Island - Mini Break

I was just taking a moment to reflect on how amazing my week was last week. I feel pretty lucky to be invited to Hamilton Island as a speaker. Literally a few hours from Sydney and I am on a tropical island – sipping a cocktail.

I bumped into some friends whilst I was there and they mentioned that they fly to Hamilton Island every 3 weekends or so for a four day weekend. They said while it sounds ‘luxurious’ the reality is with direct flights – and discount airfares – it simply just is not that much more than driving to south coast NSW from Sydney.

Whilst I was on the island of course I took the opportunity to familiarize myself with the range of experiences that RedBalloon has listed (there will be more coming soon too) – I’m glad to see that RedBalloon do have short stays listed at the Beach Club which is where I stayed with the Corporate RedBalloon team last visit – So I can attest to the fact that when you stay here – you instantly feel relaxed and in holiday mode.

One of my other favorite, completely indulgent (but life is short) experiences is the Helicopter Picnic on Whitehaven.

I left after my few days on Hamilton Island thinking – how lucky Australians are to have paradise so close, we can take a mini break at a tropical Island.

Sometimes just reflecting for a few moments and being grateful for our experiences and the things we have around us is enough to give us a sense of peace and harmony. Of course that is a bit easier on a mini-break.

What about a 'Wall of Praise' to support the generational paradigm shift at your work place?

I’m not a big fan of categorizing people by their age and putting a label on them. Years ago I wrote a blog about ‘Generation Why’ – claiming that I was very much a part of the “generation that questions everything.”

I shared recently about my discovery of Pinterest – and how Facebook and Twitter have changed the interface to become more visual. ‘A picture saves a thousand words’… I begin to wonder what the children born this century will experience – how they will communication… perhaps we have only touched the surface in terms of how we connect to others. One thing is assured that technology will continue to be driven by human desires.

I attended a session called ‘De-coding the Next Generation’ by Michael McQueen last week. (An engaging and thought provoking speaker) – I am skeptical when it comes to generalizing about ‘generational differences’. However Michael did a good job at setting the scene and sharing his seven paradigm shifts.  He told us that people born after 1980 are likely to see the following areas differently than those born prior to the 80s.

1. The concept of truth:
   Truth is seen as fluid: Often referred to as ‘my truth’ ie there are different points of view or versions. The word ‘should’ is seen as a judgment and the best way to tell something is to show that it works – and this can be done through story telling.
2. The assumptions of respect:
   Respect is not automatic based on title or position – it is very important, however it must be earned and it also must be mutual. “I don’t care how much you know until I know how much you care.”
3. Communication:
   Language has become far more about function than form – ‘Why use 179 letters when you could use just 79?’ Interestingly OMG and LOL have now been entered into the Oxford dictionary. Language has always evolved – it is just moving faster than it ever has before. ROFL (Rolling on floor laughing).
4. The value of patience:
   Life is meant to be easy, convenient and entertaining. Things do not come to those that wait – they come to those who ask. The downside of this is that often if things do not come easily then it could be considered that something ‘wrong’.
5. The need for affirmation:
   Nowhere more is this the case than in China following the one child policy – in China it is referred to as the ‘Little Emperor’ generation. The need for validation and recognition is paramount. I note that the recognition programs that RedBalloon designs say the all recognition must be immediate and regular – that Gallup claims that people have forgotten any acknowledgement within 7 days. Based on this paradigm shift I would argue the younger the employee the more recognition they will need before they will consider giving their discretionary effort.
6. The future:
   Most young people don’t have a 5 day plan let alone a 5 year plan (argh my teenagers drive me spare as I try to work out what the plans are for the weekend). They want to leave their options open until the last minute. There may be no future so they living for the moment is paramount.
7. Work ethic:
   Laziness is NOT a generational difference – there are lazy people of all ages. People born after 1980 just have different priorities. Friends and leisure are important in the balance of life and as such becomes a priority. Having a sense of purpose and understanding why something is to be done is important.

Subsequent generations are a product of the previous one. And I am fascinated to see that in the US Lenore Skenazy has founded a movement to encourage greater freedom for children – that she has dubbed Freerange kids – but there might well be a whole other blog in that. Perhaps we have been overly protective of our children which has influenced the generational paradigms.

In the mean time – I would argue that no matter what your age – society will continue to change. Our community will morph and evolve – you cannot fight it. You may as well get with the program and be part of the change.

Who did you recognize in your workplace today – young or old – and how great did it feel?

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

Love a mini break

Some weeks I am so busy when I fall into bed at night I can barely remember what I did that morning… yet I am no good to anyone if I rush around without making sure that I look after myself.

Often I just need a few moments to myself to gather my thoughts during the day, whether it is taking a walk at lunch time – or patting Dexter dog.

There is a big difference though between a little break in the day – and having a decent holiday.

I have always planned my year because school holidays are the only real time for a longer break – Planning 12 months in advance means that they are locked in and it gives me something to look forward to.

This week however, I have taken a few days to unwind – I was in Brisbane for a speaking engagement and a friend of mine is recovering from an accident – so I said ‘let’s go and have a few days to rest and recuperate’.

How wonderful it is.  Apart from the fact that my friend has a broken jaw, hence there are no solid foods at our retreat – and I have chosen to follow her new diet of smoothies, soup, French champagne and ice cream (I’m sure it will catch on – so if you hear of the Margie Hartley detox you will know where it came from) – the time to discuss, debate, read, and rest is so very precious.

Both of us are parents of teenagers and we lamented that we cannot remember the last time we had a few nights away to indulge. It has been wonderful to have a giggle, shop and even watch a re run on the TV of ‘Thelma and Louise’.

We plan so much of what we do at work – I question do we plan as much when it comes to non-work? To be creative we must have time to think, to be imaginative we need space to learn, and experience new things. Distance gives us perspective.

When was the last time you had a ‘mini break’… and thanks RedBalloon for making this trip so easy with the Getaway Range!

Time for a chill pill... Megan and Naomi

Well last week did not go exactly as planned. I managed to catch a lurgy that flattened me for the week. I know it is at least 10 years since I have had to take to my bed. I did not battle on – I simply cancelled everything. Sorry to all those inconvenienced but I am on the mend now. And it was much better keeping my germs to myself. I did pull myself together Friday and Saturday for two speaking engagements in Perth… and I have one more on Monday for the Subiaco Business Group. Then I am taking a few weeks off. I have been squeezing things in to every moment of my life… and it is time to take a chill pill.

I’ll be back soon. My colleagues Philippa and Megan are holding the fort and they can handle anything that might pop up.

Family Dinner at the local Chinese - end of School Holidays

Last week I had the privilege of speaking for NICTA in Melbourne at their ‘Meet the Founder’ series. I did a podcast for Anthill magazine – and finalized plans and reviews to finish of FY 11. As well as enjoying the last week of school holidays with my every growing teenagers.

This week I’m doing a breakfast series for the Optus technology series ‘Connecting your business to the Cloud’ in Sydney and Brisbane. We are having Cameron Herold visit RedBalloon while he is in Australia and I will finish the week in Melbourne for a business round table.