GETTING TO KNOW YOU
communication strategies and visual
aids. But it’s not as hard as they think.
All this is provided. In saying that, if
leaders and teams are looking for any
of these as one offs they are great to to
deliver as well. Before a program is run
we sit down and tailor it to what they
are trying to achieve and select the best
tools to deliver it.
was about becoming the thought leader
in my space, not just a consultant. It’s
became about challenging myself to
be a better version of myself, in my
content, my delivery and my person.
It was to do work I love, with clients I
value and respect. I’m still pinching
myself but so far, so good. I expect this
to continue.
This is delivered by myself
and my team depending on
the nature of the project.
What challenges did
you face in setting up
your business?
It’s a great question and one
I have pondered before. I
could say making the right
strategic decisions, hiring
the right people, finding a
tribe that I connect with,
juggling work, family and
friends all being a single
Mum but the real answer is
the challenge of managing
your mindset. I’ve found
through my own research
and putting into practice
what I preach (I know
right?!) that once we can
learn to feed the mind well
and not ruminate on those
thought that don’t serve
us, that running a business
is easier and far more
motivating.
Whilst I am still learning to
recognise and not feed what
I call the ‘Board of Directors’ that live in
our head, it is a never ending process.
Making peace with that is my friend.
Tell us about some of the
expectations that you had. Have
they been met?
In the early days my expectations were
simple. Create a business that allows
me to do what I love, in a flexible way
where I can invest in my family and do
some fun and meaningful stuff with
the money I make along the way. Over
time those expectations deepened. It
What types of services do you
offer? – This has been answered
in 6 I would suggest.
Do you provide services
nationally? – same as above.
Do you have any plans for
overseas expansion?
Communication and conversations have
their own nuances depending on the
country and/or cultures you are dealing
with. For example a program in the USA
would be different to the Middle East
as people connect and communicate
differently. What is ok in one country
is not in another. I will continue to fly
my flag for remarkable communication
oversees. But in the words of Peter
Allen; “I’ll still call Australia home”.
What would you say to someone
looking for a business consultant
and what advice would you give
them?
I’ve been on the opposite side of
the fence as a Leader
in businesses hiring
Consultants and have been
one of those management
consultants working with
clients, so I have learnt how
to assess the right hire.
Choose consultants that
suit your culture and will
connect with your people.
Choose people that know
their space, deeply. Don’t
look for the answer you
want to hear but be open
to the answer you need to
hear. Choose a consultant
that pushes you, in a
respectful way. Anyone can
be a box ticker. Price is not
a decision that should be
a high priority. The right
Consultant saves you time
and makes you money.
Have you written a
book? If so, please tell
us a bit about what
business owners can
get out of it.
I spent a couple of years
researching, on top of my
20+ years of experience working with
leaders and businesses, to write my
book ‘Fixing Feedback’. It’s just been
launched and the feedback has been
(pardon the pun) that business owners
have found it like their person bible to
having the tough conversations and
giving and receiving feedback in a way
that improves cultures. I am a really
pragmatic thinker and the book is the
same. It’s practical and helps business
owners lead better and get things done
through their people. I’m bias, but it’s a
great read.
April 2016
ModernBusiness
51