Comments for Blacksmith

Comment on Y for Youth: Founding Angel 001 by Alex Greig

Alex Greig — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:38:43 +0000

Very well said, thank you for your early support – Blacksmith is No1

Comment on ON-Brand or Off-Brand: It’s the experience that counts by Richard Meehan

Richard Meehan — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:15:55 +0000

Great artricle. More organsiations would benefit from increasing employee awareness of how their individual behaviour has a direct bearing on customer experience, and therefore brand. It seems businesses spend time/effort/money on activities like brand/culture/values, but address these things in isolation without aligning, linking them. A strong brand is only as strong as a committed and engaged workforce. A workforce that buy-in to the culture, understands how the organisational values guide their behaviour, and how that in turn leaves a lasting impression on the customer. I’m speaking to the converted, but I’ve seen brand damaged by poor experiences of new employees too. In the attaction of new staff inferences about the internal culture and “what it’s like to work here” are made in advertisements, or company websites. The employee experience can turn pear-shaped if on arrival the ‘employer brand’ that was promised is not delivered. Again, engaged staff who understand how their behaviour impacts on the customer experience, whether internal or external, is fundamental to establishing a respected and trusted brand.

Comment on #3goodthings: lessons from a small happiness experiment by Susan

Susan — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:53:42 +0000

It must be very rewarding to know that you inspire people…I was going to say you had a gift ..but When I stop and think about it you have worked hard to become who you are I am so proud of you and Paul…. Buggar now I’m crying♥

Comment on Why Homogeneous Training Is Killing Your Leadership Development by Paul Strodike

Paul Strodike — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 07:41:25 +0000

Interesting article in the sense that if you look at the leadership vs management pyramid it is clear that the lower you are the greater percentage is taken up by management and I believe companies should focus on that pyramid in terms of training and development

Comment on Blacksmith Session Update: Rising Results & Thriving Culture by Meg

Meg — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:24:04 +0000

Thanks for the mention Blacksmith! LOVE your work…

Comment on Blacksmith Session Update: Are bad bosses holding NZ back? by Kate Billing

Kate Billing — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 05:17:01 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Stuart. It was a great session and we look forward to the next opportunity to get a group of committed Kiwi business people (CEO, GM, HR, Marketing, Comms) together to progress the conversation and focus on opportunities to unlock the creative and performance potential of NZ businesses so we can make our very special part of the world a better [work]place and a more productive one. Make a dollar and a difference!

Comment on Blacksmith Session Update: Are bad bosses holding NZ back? by Stuart Geddes

Stuart Geddes — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 02:35:24 +0000

Awesome.

Disappointed it missed this one.

Cheers

Stuart

Comment on Facing our Biggest Economic Challenge by Kate Billing

Kate Billing — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:32:53 +0000

Hey, Keren. Completely unsurprised by the two groups you experienced at the conference (Media Sense??) and their attitude to the people in their business. Some managers/business owners seem to forget that they are actually PEOPLE and not a flesh and blood variation on a computer or office chair….”my secretary’s broken! Get me a new one.” No matter how big or small you business – your mindset and beliefs about the people in your business will directly impact and be reflected in the culture you create and the performance they deliver. You can’t lead people somewhere they don’t want to go and you can’t demand performance and expect to get it in any sustainable way. You may be temporary compliance (out of fear, to stop the noise or just out of survival) but that’s no way to build a high performance business. The risk and opportunity sits with people managers, from the leadership group to front-line team leaders.

Comment on Facing our Biggest Economic Challenge by Kate Billing

Kate Billing — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:26:22 +0000

Thanks, Valerie. Great to have your feedback and hear that you are doing things in your world to shift thinking and doing for better results. People are basically motivated by three things (1) self-worth (2) achievement and (3) belonging. Its really not hard to get it right but has to be authentically motivated.

Comment on Office Etiquette vs Workstation Gestapo by Sarah oconnor

Sarah oconnor — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:15:47 +0000

Some of the used to be us! Our new wing was built and no personal
items on the desk. Nothing on walls might wreck the paint. No iPods
No Facebook and so it goes on. Now people have their favourite things
at their desk,posters everywhere,iPods, Facebook…..The most visible
Post it charts are the ones some of our leaders have for their planning
Um mm crime! Great reminder though ensuring policies match our
Values.