I’m often asked what is the greatest concern that I have – what keeps me awake at night?
The only thing that concerns me is did I do everything I could to support, assist and grow the team around me?
It is kind of an upside down world here at RedBalloon. I see my role as serving the team – who of course then serve our customers. (I’m accountable for how people experience RedBalloon – which is why I call myself Chief Experience Officer).
It is not external things like interest rates, or retail trade figures that concern me – the only things I do worry about is, did I do enough?
Really, we can only ever concern ourselves with things that we can influence. It is pointless to worry about those things out of our control.
I was asked recently at a speaking engagement and I was asked – ‘Do you have a social media policy?’ Call me naïve, but I know my commitment to the team, and our supply community – and really if anyone feels that they want to voice externally rather than bring something to our attention internally – then I have failed them.
I rely on all of those around me to be straight, authentic and to be able to challenge what we do.
Debate in business is good – the last thing I want is a bunch of ‘yes’ men.
Naomi Simson is considered one of Australia’s ‘Best Bosses’. She is an employee engagement advocate and practices what she preaches in her own business. RedBalloon has been named as one of only six Hewitt Best Employers in Australia and New Zealand for 2009 and awarded an engagement scorecard of over 90% two years in a row – the average in Australian businesses is 55%. RedBalloon has also been nominated by BRW as being in the top 10 Best Places to Work in Australia behind the likes of Google. One of Australia’s outstanding female entrepreneurs, Naomi regularly entertains as a passionate speaker inspiring people on employer branding, engagement and reward and recognition. Naomi writes a blogand is a published author – and has received many accolades and awards for the business she founded – RedBalloon.com.au.