Business, Culture & Leadership Insights
By Cathy Dimarchos
A true mentor listens to understand
For as long as I can remember –we are taught to listen so that we can respond. We are asked to place our hand up and answer a question or share what we believe we have been asked to interpret in the discussion we are involved in.
We often assume that people are asking us to solve something for them when they share their story/ their problem – but most of the time, they just want to be heard.
The Rush to Succeed
There is no rush to succeed, there is no need to compare, there is no need to tell yourself you are not good enough, or smart enough, or anything really, other than you can and you will. When you dig deep, you know what makes you spark when you wake up, crystalising that will enable you to begin your journey to living the life that you deserve.
Managing it all
All too often we think we need to stay on top of everything ourselves, especially when we are in business. The reality is that nobody does that – not even those who are great at time management. Managing it all is not about constantly doing things, even though the outside world may see it that way. I call it setting clear objectives that are achievable but still stretch you.
A mentor unravels the grand pianist in you.
A piano teacher sits patiently by your side and helps navigate the steps you need to take, reading notes, understanding them, and guiding where to position your hand so that your fingers can find the keys. So too will a good Mentor – a good Business advisor.
2020WON - Taking the first step to success
2020 gave us the opportunity to crystalise our vision. Sure, there were many changes. However, our vision, our lenses were enabled by our own mindset and the story we allowed ourselves to believe.
2020WON is the year to bring it all together: that thought, that concept, that dream – You own it ALL. Taking that first step is what counts.
Success - Surround yourself with the right people
Invest in the right people to guide you – not those who have their own interests at heart. You will gain the most when you are stretched but still supported. When you are guided through fear to dig deep. When someone navigates you on YOUR path (not theirs).
Leadership - you can’t be what you can’t see.
When we can see others behave in a certain way - we know what we too can do to achieve the same outcome – I call that “creating a path so that others can follow”. In many ways what I have been endeavouring to do is “TO SHOW” them how they too can follow a path that will enable them to achieve the same things. Once a path is created, it enables others to follow.
Anti-fragility vs resilience
Anti-fragility looks at how we can thrive and benefit from being exposed to volatility, disorder, and uncertainty. It is beyond “robustness” and “resilience”. Resilience in many ways is about “staying the same or resisting shock” according to Taleb, whereas anti-fragility enables you to get better – to be stronger as a result.
A Question opens the mind, a statement closes it.
Education creates a platform where patterns and behaviours are reaffirmed and, as we all know, this is partially because schools, universities need to create an environment that enables theory to be taught so that a broad group of people with different learning styles and abilities can move through a process learning different subjects -usually of historical nature.
The Difference between Being Successful and Wanting to Be Successful.
What is the difference between Successful people and those who want to be successful? This has been a question pondered time after time and you might just be surprised with what the real answer is.
2020 has been the launch pad that we all needed. It is still the beginning of a new decade – a stage of a huge shift in mindset and achieving personal goals. Reach out, be inspired and be prepared to leap to where you want to be
Digging deep while reflecting on the year
The impact of this year I am sure will play out for years to come and, even though how we have experienced it might still be unclear, like anything, when we look back we can reflect and move forward taking with us some key learnings.
What Millennials truly want
Like everyone else, they want to be heard. They want to be allowed to share their voice and NO they don’t want to work a 70hr week – who does?
The First Fundamental of Business: You
One of the key factors when looking at starting a Small Business or even a side hustle is to take the time to look at yourself so that you gain a better understanding of who you are. Whilst that may seem odd- because of course, you know who you are, it is important to actually stop and think about what makes you tick.
Fundamentals of Business: Know Yourself
Everybody is passionate about their ideas in the beginning. And while this bucket of energy and enthusiasm is essential in speeding you through a hard week, passion alone will not provide the scaffolding a successful small business or side hustle demands. No, it’s not enough to be passionate. Above all, you must be honest.
Compliance: Helpful tips to Small Business
Whilst starting your business will bring about excitement, this might also come with a healthy dose of anxiety. Making sure your business is compliant isn’t that hard so, to get you started, here are some tips that will help you and your business get on track with their compliance plan.
Time to review and refresh your business plan.
Let’s be honest, it’s probably time to refresh your business plan. In fact, even if the end goal has not changed, taking the time to refocus and plan ahead is guaranteed to be a valuable exercise. The reality is, it doesn’t have to be difficult or boring!
How to start or scale a business.
While setting up a small business may bring your dreams alive, get your juices flowing, energise you and put in place your passion and commitment to serve others, having a vision and being armed with a few key strategies will help grow your chances.
The challenge of managing remote employees
Prompted by COVID-19, the “stay at home” orders have created some challenges for managers and HR, at a time when many companies were implementing remote work policies for the first time. For some, this is the first time they will be managing remote employees – creating uncertainty on how to navigate and maintain both productivity and engagement.
How to know when to start your own business.
As businesses and the wider community embrace the uncertainty that is inherent with living with COVID 19, you may begin to wonder whether now is the right time to start a business.