Bethany Simons

Bethany Simons is one young achiever I’m delighted to be cheering on. Bethany was recently in Dubbo visiting family and performing her brilliant play “The Weather And Your Health, which I saw, and immensely enjoyed for the 4th time.

We love to catch up and share the journey, so check out this video to see what Bethany has been up to, and learning along the way. Bethany has toured country Victoria, WA and QLD with her play, and it’s also now being studied by senior drama students in Victoria.

Click here to view the embedded video.

You’ll be seeing more of Bethany, not just in a school hall or performing arts centre, but online and on TV. Bethany shared some exciting news with me that we couldn’t discuss on the video – but it’s now public knowledge. Bethany’s story was selected for the first Aussie advertising campaign of the US search engine, Bing is for doing – as someone who “does stuff”.

Exciting days ahead Bethany Simons!!! You’re doing stuff and inspiring people!!

Cheering you on,
Kerrie

You can find more information by clicking the link – Bethany Simons

Click here to view the embedded video.

Cheering you on

Kerrie

Why step out of my ‘entrepreneurial bliss’ and walk in someone else’s shoes? Am I crazy?!

The Kerrie Phipps Retail Experiment

You might see me one day in the next few months behind a shop counter and wonder if I am. (Maybe my crazy pursuit of learning, stretching myself and getting out of my comfort zone is a little weird, but there’s something buzzy about it)

Sales and Customer Service is an issue that affects all of us – as consumers, employees or business owners – in any industry. As I deliver all kinds of workshops, my favourite being on customer service and leadership, I decided it was time to expand my thinking and experiences in the retail sector (this may mean more shopping too ).  I want to enrich my workshops on the above topics, along with team dynamics, which is also oh-so-relevant. I also coach individuals in these areas, and it’s an opportunity “to walk a mile in their shoes”.

So I’m stepping out of my entrepreneurial bliss and complete flexibility to be part of a retail team for a few hours a week. Of course I had to choose somewhere that would not only give me customer service experiences, but a creative outlet also.
I needed somewhere that has well developed systems and a successful history, so that I can just be there as a customer service/sales assistant and not need to coach the business owner, so I’ve chosen a chain store with great fashion products. So for those few hours a week that I’m in there as a humble employee, I’ll just be doing my best to serve the customers, the business and my fellow team members.  Of course once I get home I can reflect on the whole experience and write about insights I had in-store – and hope that these insights are useful to my community.

And the insights keep coming… insights about customers, about the way the brain works, about how to shift someone’s focus to give them a positive experience… and insights about my own learning (biggest stretch thus far is their computer system! I keep touching the screen, not the keyboard, iPad user that I am!) but insights will unravel in future writings – just wanted to keep you in the loop about the start of The Kerrie Phipps Retail Experiment.

Off to the shops now to update the ‘smart casual’ wardrobe for above experiment…

Cheering you on,

Kerrie

PS. If you’d like to see a previous rave about Customer Service (in a fabulous cafe not far from home) see http://kerriephipps.com/2012/01/the-hub-bathurst/

It said “Hang in there, persevere – even when the ground is washed out from under you!”

This tree speaks to me of tenacity, of continuing to grow and live your purpose even when circumstances around you change. Things don’t always turn out the way you expect or want, but keeping learning and growing.

Be who you are and do what you are called to do.

Cheering you on,

Kerrie

Many had come from flood affected areas and a few made the ‘hell or high water’ phrase real, finding unique ways of overcoming flood-waters to get to dry land to get to the conference!

I shared a few insights about the brain and how we can do our best thinking, raising awareness of thinking, awareness of what’s great and not great, reflecting, creating insights and nurturing those insights and turning them into strategic action and purposeful habits.

Of course my favourite question ‘What else?’ came out a few times. What else is possible? What else can you see as possible solutions? When you’re brainstorming ideas, don’t stop with the first few, thinking ‘that will do’ – stretch yourself and ask ‘what else?’ I also shared insights from David Rock’s SCARF Model, and gave away copies of my recently created Strategic Mindfulness Checklist – a simple self assessment to get you thinking about your thinking and communication. If you’d like a copy, fill in the “Let me keep you informed” box above, or click here and we’ll get it to you straight away!

To the left  is a picture of the venue I posted on facebook, with the comment that “it’s an honour to speak from this stage” (the new Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre) – Lana’s comment below made my day, along with the amazing feedback I received from participants – and their invitations to speak in their towns. A few Insightful Leaders sought me out for coaching too, and have exciting days ahead as a result of the new thinking they’re doing already!

A few people were particularly interested in some comments I made about Leaders In Transition, so you’ll see that article I posted a few days ago.

Cheering You On,

Kerrie

*Australian Local Government Women’s Association

PS. If you’d like to complete the self assessment and debrief with me for 15-20 mins over a coffee, send me a note on the Contact Kerrie page.

Get Your FREE copy of the Strategic Mindfulness Checklist here.

PPS. This offer is available for a limited time only so get it now!

This was inspired by a recent coaching session covering a topic that relates to many of my readers, so I hope you discover some insights to support you in times of transition. Many thanks to David Rock for teaching me and developing the Neuroleadership Institute of which I’m grateful to be a member.

I’m coaching a business owner who now owns 2 businesses. She needs to be very aware that besides the changes she faces personally – there are others in her world who face changes(and perhaps challenges) because of her decisions.

A leader in transition needs to remember…

1. Your team and customers (all the people who’ve looked up to you) need to know that you care about them. This may seem obvious – but for many people, change brings great uncertainty and they’ll question within themselves everything they’ve believed thus far.

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. John Maxwell

The team my client is leaving (in a managers capable hands) need to know that she cares. They need to feel important. She can move on because she taught them well.

2. They need a sense of certainty. There’s nothing certain in this world really (except death and taxes apparently) but she can give them a sense of certainty by sharing any relevant information – facts such as  timing, phone numbers to call etc. “If this happens, then you do this, and if you need support – call me – or relevant person”. Systems/procedures are essential.

3. They need to be given the opportunity to ask questions, know exactly what their roles are, what the expectations on them will be, and how much freedom they have in making decisions and taking action.

The leader needs to know that without this understanding, some staff will take less action (and possibly let the team down) because they don’t want to “step on any toes”, while others may take more action, or more responsibility than appropriate.

4. The individuals in the team need a sense of fairness – yes we all know life isn’t fair but since we know the brain craves fairness, leaders need to do what they can do to act fairly and support those involved, and keep the relationship sweet.

Gone are the days of making changes in businesses and  organisations and expecting people to “get over it” if they don’t like it. With all we know about the brain and effective communications, we can overcome most of the hurdles that present themselves. And besides the caring factor – who can afford to lose good people? Every business I know could handle more customers and wants to keep those they have and too often I hear leaders crying out for staff saying “it’s hard to get good people.”

Change brings uncertainty and can increase stress significantly – manage it well and your people will be grateful and will transition smoothly with you.

The new team which my client is building will have similar needs – which will be met through honesty and clear communication.

Note: Communications is not just what you say to them, it’s about listening.

Please add your comments below, check out the Leaders & Teams page or contact me to discuss it further!

Don’t settle for second best in your life and organisation!!

Cheering you on, Kerrie