The Symes Report 4 | Page 3

COMMENT

from the editor

A change is as good as a rest, apparently.

Yet many people struggle with change. We fear the unknown and try to avoid the risk of failure. Our quest for safety and the reassurance of familiarity sees us resolutely stuck to unsatisfying, meaningless jobs, complaining bitterly.

Many of the people in this issue have been responsible for immense change – themselves or their professional lives, or in challenging the status quo or popularly-held beliefs. Their stories serve up inspiration in spades.

And what better place to change your thinking than at a conference of innovative thought leaders.

Three of the major ones Symes Group is involved with: World of Business Ideas, 9 to Thrive and Women in Technology, provide exactly that – the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, get some fresh insights and take some big mental pictures.

Wobi’s theme this year was humanification, which ties closely with creativity.

Vital to innovation – yet historically overlooked – creativity is starting to get attention in the workplace. In this edition of The Symes Report we delve into it: why we need it, who has it and how to get it.

Happy reading. – Ingrid Green

from the publisher

With each and every edition we publish of The Symes Report, I am overwhelmed at how many inspirational stories of courage, resilience and mental toughness are out there in the business world. I am humbled by the tenacity, creativity and entrepreneurship of the individuals and organisations Symes Group works with and I am sure that you will agree that this edition is another beautiful read, put together by the very talented Ingrid Green. I am very grateful to Ingrid for her dedication and incredible contribution and I thank her for this wonderful collection of stories and interviews that make up The Symes Report.

Symes Group is going through an exciting growth period, with the release of our new Career Coaching Cards, launch of our digital learning and challenge platform Coach Me Digital and my first book Career Confidence, to be released this year. Symes Group continues to design and deliver people development and coaching programs across a diverse array of industries and organisations. Our flagship offerings: Presenting with Impact, Creative and Design Thinking and Communication and Collaboration continue to add value to our clients' people objectives. We look forward to another great year ahead. Enjoy this edition and thank you for your continued support.

– Jessica Symes

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