Many of my peers have recently commented that they have not celebrated important milestones in their business. Whether it be first anniversary, ten years, acquisition or sale. The reasons vary from not making the time, to not seeing the importance at the time. There was certainly a theme to the reactions I got from every person when they mentioned it …
A warm welcome
For some people starting a new job is an exciting opportunity, but for others leaving behind the familiar routines and people they may have worked with for a long time can be a nerve-racking and stressful experience. I recently left another HR role to work at wattsnext, somewhere I had wanted to work for a couple of years. From the …
Handshakes or hugs?
We all know that a handshake in a professional setting is not only an expectation but it demonstrates that you are polite, confident and approachable. But what happens when the handshake turns into a hug? I recently delved into this topic with one of my favourite clients when we were discussing business etiquette and we both shared our experiences of …
Ignite Leadership Program
One of the most common pitfalls for organisations is the limited focus on developing their people managers. So often, technically excellent staff members are promoted to management roles without being provided with the tools, resources and support to succeed within this new and often challenging position. ignite.leadership is a program designed around the practical resources and tools that can can …
Am I “sick enough” to take sick leave?
I am writing this blog from the (relative) comfort of a chair on my balcony on my very own sick leave day. I injured my back and so rather than have to spend some of my work day laying on the floor of the office, whinging to my colleagues and generally having them feel sorry for me, I decided to …
Future HR Thoughts: The Irreplaceable Human Mind
Human Resources (HR) plays an important role in all successful organisations. Between rapid globalisation and the pace of growth among global businesses ever increasing, it’s important to not just acknowledge the need for HR but to embrace it. The role of HR has been evolving since its inception. However today more so than ever, the amount of pressure placed on …
I put my money where my mouth was – and it didn’t pay off
This article first appeared in Virgin Unite. To view the article click here It was the fourth speech I had given in a month on the topic of the “Future of Work”. I was sharing stories about what we can all expect as our workforce changes due to technology and more millennials entering and leading our workplaces. During this particular …
Top tips for increasing gender diversity in male-dominated workplaces
Industries such as infrastructure, mining, utilities and construction have historically been perceived to be a ‘man’s domain’ and the proportionate representation of women has remained low across most levels. In Australia, organisations have struggled to not only attract women to consider and apply for jobs, but they have also had challenges in retaining the women who have been employed by …