Something to talk about

Facing a blank page and a lack of creativity and on deadline for a blog… I always ask myself the question – what is going on for me now? Is it interesting for anyone else? What am I learning, discovering, being inspired by that could assist others?

The reality is that at the moment the number one thing on my agenda is that I need to develop brand new content, never heard before, that will leave the audience inspired at TEDx Darling Habour. And I seem to have a creativity block elsewhere until I get it done… hence I now have to blog about it.

I’ve been briefed to deliver an original thought, concept or idea that will leave the audience touched, moved and inspired. The bar is set very high, and as a result I am challenged (there is no winging it – I only have 18 minutes). I speak all the time, it is what I love to do. I share what I have learned on my entrepreneurial journey, what I’ve learned about both customer and employee engagement, but this needs to be new.

So I began to explore some ideas. I’ve been told that the reason I resonate with audiences is because of my passion and belief in what I am speaking about. You can never fake it as a speaker: authenticity, vulnerability and being able to ‘tell one on yourself’ delivers the value to those listening.

I presented some of my TEDx content ideas to the team. They responded, “yes – women on boards is a very topical subject which you are passionate about – sounds fine” (part of the brief is that you cannot speak about your business).

I caught up with Verne Harnish last week when he was in town for the growth summit. So I shared my dilemma with him. He listened politely and said “yes that is an interesting issue – but it won’t be viral, it’s not what is driving your existence, it’s not what makes you get up every morning. Think about why you are so passionate about what you do every day… that is the key… and please don’t be boring” (everyone needs a mentor who will tell you how it is).

I know what drives me, I know why I do what I do… I know that I will keep going at the pace I go until finally I know that gifting in Australia is changed forever.

Seth Goden spoke about his book at TED, as did Malcom Gladwell. So while I will not be speaking on RedBalloon – (can’t be seen to be promoting) I will be talking about why I have this urgent, unfulfilled need to finish the job I started nearly 10 years ago… simply by making someone’s day.

Naomi Simson is the 2008 National Telstra Women’s Business Award winner for Innovation. Naomi was also a finalist for the Australian HR Awards and a finalist for the BRW Most Admired Business Owner Award in 2008. Also in 2008 RedBalloon achieved a 97% Hewitt employee engagement score. One of Australia’s outstanding female entrepreneurs, Naomi regularly entertains as a professional speaker inspiring middle to high-level leaders on employer branding, engagement and reward and recognition. Naomi writes a blog and has written a book sharing the lessons from her first five years.