Over the edge: an interview with a city abseiling business. Part 1

If you work in an office building in Wellington’s CBD you’ve probably seen them:  the guys who appear at the window, high above street level, suspended on ropes with squeegee in hand and bucket hanging off their harness.

The capital’s high rise window cleaners are a specialist group.  It takes nerve and a good head for heights, along with a conscientious concern for health and safety to abseil down a wall of concrete and glass, cleaning and maintaining as they go.  Then there’s the challenges brought about by the capital’s variable weather.

In this two part blog we delve deeper into what it takes to be one of those abseilers, interviewing Anaru Kerei and Beth Dugdale, directors of Wellington Abseiling Maintenance (WAM) along with a former WAM employee, Enzo Fantone.

Anaru Kerei, director of Wellington Abseiling Maintenance, at work on a city building. Photo courtesy of WAM

WCL:  Anaru, tell us a little about your background, your qualifications and your years in the industry.  How did you get started in abseiling?

Anaru:  My father owned a telecommunications rigging company so we used to build cell phone towers.  Me and my friends used to go out with him during the [school] holidays and help him work on the weekends.  From [age] 16 we were building 80 metre wind measuring towers out in Featherston.  Eventually with telecommunications, because of the way we use data now, they had to go onto high-rise buildings [and] we had to abseil to get there.  We naturally progressed from building towers to coming into town to put antennas on buildings.

Eventually I jumped into another abseil company where I learnt about the different aspects of abseil.

A lot of it was self-taught.  There’s a lot of “can-do” attitude in abseil.  So we just had to get out there and learn as much as we could. By working for a few different people and learning how they did things and learning how we wanted to do things.

WCL: Have you formalised that now with training and qualifications?  You mention your staff are all IRATA trained.

Anaru: IRATA training is purely a rope access qualification and that’s the only formal qualification that they have.

Beth:  They are like jack of all trades on ropes.  There’s a qualification for the rope access getting down the building but everything that you perform on the rope, it’s a learn as you go situation.

Even window cleaning – there’s an art to that that’s very underrated.

Anaru: Yeah, it’s under-appreciated.  I think one of the hardest things to do on ropes, to clean windows, because if the building has 800 windows and you get one wrong, there’s a chance you will need to go back and fix it. The expectation on window cleaning is huge.

Beth: We did a furniture removal from an apartment building in Oriental Bay.  A lady couldn’t get her couch out of her apartment and it had to be abseiled down the building.

Anaru:   It was only about five stories up.  We had to actually take the window out to get the couch out because they couldn’t get it through the door.

But we try to train our staff as much as we can.  Our staff are full-time and we need to find work for them to do when it’s raining so we try and train them on wet days with the different scopes of work we do.

We run teams of two, most of the time and we have one experienced and one green. We try and cycle the people around so they all get to learn from each other.

Beth:  It’s a good buddy system, we do send them on specialised courses. We put them through EWP – Elevated Work Platform training course, which they get a certificate for.  We also put them through an asbestos awareness training course, because there’s a lot of that around on the exterior of buildings.

And of course, first aid.  They all have their IRATA log book back at the office and get them signed so they can progress through their levels.

WCL: Why set up your own business and employ a team of people?

Anaru:  I always knew I wanted to be self-employed. I didn’t like working for other people and how they were doing things so we decided to do it ourselves.

Our philosophy is to employ good people and to teach them how to abseil.  You can teach just about anyone that’s willing, to abseil.  Or to do the work on the tools, but it’s very hard to train someone to have the right attitude.

I just want good people.  We want good people around us.  Good honest people.

Beth:  I’d say we’ve curated quite a unique and special team.  We’ve got a really professional and polite team.  A lot of the feedback we get from our customers is about how polite our team are.  We’re going into offices, and sometimes residential apartments, they’re always well presented, they’re tactful.  It’s really important how people come across when we interview them.

Anaru: Yeah, it is important for us.  We want to enjoy our time at work and you’re not going to enjoy it if you don’t enjoy the people you are working with. 

I was at the marae with all my whanau recently and I think a lot of it comes from how my family work on the marae.  That’s how I want my business to run.  Because they’re always looking ahead and doing everything they can do to help everyone, just trying to make it as easy as possible and as welcoming as possible. That’s a huge part of how I run a business and I didn’t really realise I did that because it just happens.  It’s natural.  It’s how I was brought up.  So that’s how we do things.

WCL: How big is your team?

Beth: Currently, with Enzo, there’s thirteen of us.  We’ve got three subcontractors and the rest are full time employees.

WCL: How hard is it to find the right people?

 Anaru: We’ve been lucky.  Because I’ve been in the industry for so long I know quite a few good people, or like Enzo, just turn up at the office and ask for a job. As our team grows, the network grows and we’ve recently had quite a few enquiries about work.

Beth:  We are visa accredited.  We have Lynette on the team.  She’s from Papua New Guinea, so she’s working towards her residency under us.  Although we are visa accredited we get really excited about being able to offer job opportunities to people and to young people in Wellington as well.  That’s a really cool thing to be able to do.  We’re really proud of that.  We definitely try to reach out locally, or through word of mouth.

WCL:  You mention Lynette.  How many women do you have?  Is she a rarity?

Beth:  I would say, yeah, there aren’t many females in the abseil industry so it’s always awesome when you get one apply.

[An earlier blog post on Women in trades may interest readers]

WCL: Is that because it’s seen as risky or macho?

Beth:  I don’t think there’s enough exposure to a career pathway.  I don’t think people look at it and [wonder] “Oh gosh, could I do that?  How long could I do that for?  Is it just going to be for a summer or is it something I could progress in?”

So we have a career progression chart we give people in their induction pack when they first start. It just shows that they can go from being a trainee rope technician all the way through to an operations manager.  We can take them through various avenues to teach them more the administration side, looking at how jobs are broken down and how they’re quoted and all sorts of stuff.  So they can actually see “I could stick with these people”.

WCL: You’re prepared to develop the right people?

Anaru:  We set aside a training allowance, per employee, per year, plus we pay for their time to do it.  It doesn’t have to necessarily be an abseil ticket.  If they want to learn something that’s going to help the business and progress their career then we will sort that out for them.

WCL:  Aside from a head for heights, what other qualities do people need?

Anaru:  Obviously someone who is adventurous and gets bored quickly.  Because people who get bored quickly learn quite quickly as well.  They’ll dive into one thing get passionate about it and then they’ll want to learn something else.  And I normally find that they’re the best abseilers because they’re always curious, always willing to learn.  That’s the sort of attitude we need because we are doing a wide scope of work.  So being able to take all that information in and being able to apply it properly is quite difficult.

A WAM employee on the job. Photo courtesy of Enzo Fantone

WCL You mention before about the weather providing you with down days to do training.  This is Wellington.  At what point do you assess a situation and think “No we won’t be working today”?

Anaru:  We leave it up to the staff.  It’s important for them to make sure they know when they can and can’t abseil. Obviously when it’s too windy I’ll say “Nope, you’re not getting on the ropes today” but it’s up to them to do their own risk assessment.

Beth:  There are workarounds.  You’d be surprised how few days we have to say “No. No-one can work today”.  Often there are a few jobs on the go and if there’s a nor’westerly then the southeast face is sheltered.

Anaru:  Or sheltered by nearby buildings.  Or there’s work outside Wellington we can pick up. We’ve got roof work as well.  There’s a difference between being too windy to be on a roof and too windy to be abseiling.

WCL: Do you also do emergency, safety, security work when it comes to roofs?

Anaru: We do emergency work.  If a flashing is going to blow off or something is going to come down and hurt somebody then we will look at it, if we can do it safely we will.

Beth:  Even just getting up there for an inspection puts people’s minds at ease.

Anaru:  It’s safer for us to get out there with ropes and put a couple of screws into something or whatever it takes to make sure its secure

WCL:  Do you still get scared?

Anaru:  Oh yeah. As I get older the fear definitely affects me more.  Because I haven’t been on the ropes much this year I’m more cautious about how I’m doing things.

WCL: Isn’t that a good thing?

Anaru:  If you’re not scared then you shouldn’t be on the rope.  You shouldn’t be an abseiler, because people like that will take way more unnecessary risks.

Beth:  You can’t get complacent.

Beth:  People often say “Isn’t it so scary?  Don’t you feel scared to do it?”  But Anaru said to me once, he feels safer on the ropes with someone he trusts one hundred percent than he would on a building site with 200 people with power tools. So in terms of accidents on the job, touch wood, there are very few.  You’re with that one person you trust, and they have your back, so there’s that culture as well.

Anaru:  It’s important to note that in abseil there’s not that many accidents.  What we are doing … people think it’s high risk, and it is high risk, but we have multiple safety systems in place so the likelihood of an accident is so low

We try to make safety as practical as possible.

WCL: You have to be adaptable and read the situation?

Anaru:  Yeah. I need someone that has the capability to deeply understand rope access, not just think they do.

Beth:  It’s quite nuanced.  You have to have initiative.

Logo provided courtesy of WAM

WCL Do you advertise?  Do you tender for maintenance contracts?  How do you get work?

Beth: We do invest in good sign writing on our vehicles that leads to a decent amount of work. There’s other work where people come directly to us.  We do have a website and that’s been a pretty good investment. Work comes through both of our networks. 17 years of hairdressing before I jumped on board to help Anaru with the office has given me a varied network.

We take a lot of pride looking after our clients and our stakeholders.

We go around at least once or twice a year and we take morning tea to our clients, sit down and update them on our goals and vision. We also ask what we can do better, it’s important to get feedback from customers. Normally a cake gets people talking. We also have a capability statement that we print out for new customers.

One of the WAM team at work. Photo courtesy of Enzo Fantone

A lot of people think abseil = window cleaning.  They don’t also know we can do glazing, painting, leak repairs, tiling, concrete repair, any issue with a high rise building we have repaired. 

So it’s good to have that face time to explain that, they really appreciate it.  That’s what sets us apart, that we’re just not on the other end of the email but we really try to make that effort to go and give people our time.

Anaru:  At this stage in our business, because of the size of it, I’m still over everything, so our customers know that I’m going to be directly involved in every job.   I’m always looking up at all my customers’ buildings, looking for things that need to be fixed.  And if we fix a leak, we follow up to make sure that it is fixed.  Because we care about what we’re doing.

Enzo walked in the door at the perfect time because we had a staff member going on a three month holiday and that worked out really well because he was looking for three months work.

Which is a bit risky for a business, to take someone on for a short period of time because you are literally just training that person [only to have them move on].

But I took him on a job, and I was watching how he did things, and I knew he was going to be able to do it in the time scale we had.

WCL:  Speaking of Enzo, his first day on the job wasn’t without incident.  Would you like to tell us about the water bottle and cherry picker and what was learned from that?

Anaru:  I was working up in the cherry picker because we were washing a building and Enzo put his drink bottle on the leg of it.  A cherry picker has legs that go out to stabilize and level it before we go up.  When we had to move it, the leg came in and crushed the drink bottle.  The drink bottle didn’t break at all, the drink bottle was fine, but it crushed the hydraulic lines on the cherry picker and hydraulic oil went everywhere.  I looked down at him and thought “What have I done?  What have I hired? Have I made a mistake?”

With stuff like that I’ve got to look at it and be like “Well, I never thought to tell him not to do that”.  It was his first day and he would have been under pressure, he would have been nervous.  These mistakes happen and it’s about making sure we include it in our health and safety systems.

Beth:  We say there’s no stupid questions because if someone feels like they are in an environment where they are too scared to ask you something then that’s unsafe as well.  That’s when accidents happen.

We’ve got him a replacement drink bottle for his leaving gift.

Anaru:  We look after each other, we trust each other.  I said to the team this morning that if you ever need to talk about anything it’s an open-door policy here.  You know you can say whatever you want and we will listen and implement whatever has to be implemented to make it work. We’re always trying to do that as much as we can.

WCL:  You started your business in 2019.  Then came Covid.  How were you impacted?

Anaru:  At the time it was only just me and one other.  We were really lucky with the whole Covid thing because we landed a huge job and got it 80 percent finished before the lockdown.  That carried us through without any real dramas.

There was all the PPE and all the Health and Safety stuff we needed to buy, that wasn’t really allowed for in any pricing but we got lucky.  Lockdowns gave us time to sit and reflect about what we wanted.

Beth:  The impact was more around keeping our staff safe going in and out of residential apartment buildings, masking up, sanitising everything.

WCL: Did you apply for the subsidies?

Beth:  Yeah we did, later on.  We initially thought we might be able to work during lockdowns but we weren’t essential workers.  So we got the subsidies and that definitely helped.

WCL:  Can you share your long term vision for the company with us?

Anaru:  We want to grow, but we are very careful about growth because of the impact it has on everything.  We’ve grown a little bit this year.

Going forward we are trying to grow inward and make sure our people are learning and doing as much as they can for their growth and ours.

We are starting up a new roofing business.  We’re going to get licensed for membrane roofs. If we have good people who want to start their own businesses we will help them as a subsidiary of WAM.  We haven’t got it all worked out yet, but I think it’s better, once you get to a certain size, to have one person with a bit of skin in the game. You retain quality as you grow.

If you have a smaller subsidiary and the guy at the top is only managing six to eight staff, he’s got a way better chance of making sure the people coming through are given enough time to learn.

Beth:  People feel a bit more looked after and special in those kinds of teams, rather than getting lost in a big thing.  We try and do lots of little touches for the team.  There’s a bonus each month if we meet our target, we bring the doggies and the kids during the school holidays. I always like to bring snacks and treats.  I think that goes a long way.

Anaru:  There’s a lot of good interactions between our staff, they’re really supportive of each other, they’re always looking out for each other.

Anaru:  We just want to hold on to that as much as we can.  The more numbers you get the harder it is to hold on to.  But it can be done.  That’s another reason why we want the subsidiaries, so the person at the top can make sure they’re looking after their culture and if they’ve got skin in the game, it’s better for everyone involved with that subsidiary, because they know the person at the top is getting something from it.

The WAM team. Photo courtesy of Enzo Fantone

WCL:  The culture of caring is definitely overlooked in many businesses.

Beth:  I started a Facebook and Instagram page and that wasn’t with the intention of gaining commercial abseiling customers because I don’t think they would look on social media for an abseiling company.  It was with the intention of showing “Hey, we’re a really good team”.  That’s what an employee would look for – they would look on Instagram or Facebook and think “Do I want to work for these people?” So we post bits now and then.  [The team] enjoy taking photos and sharing them.

Beth:  We’ve got two children and they asked that the team wear pink shirts and abseil in Wellington on Pink shirt day, the anti-bullying campaign.  Our daughter changed the sign from “Men working above” to “Persons working above”.  Little things like that go a really long way.

WCL:  What would you say to someone thinking this might be a suitable work choice?

Anaru:  If you’re thinking about getting into abseil just make sure you’re passionate about it because it can be seen when you walk through the door.  Make sure it’s something you want to do.

Beth:  I would say there is a career pathway there.  It doesn’t have to be something you think “Oh I’m going to do this for a year maybe, or a gap year or to fill in time”.  There can be steps to a career and that it is quite multi-faceted and it can take you into management positions.

Anaru:  Or offshore, overseas.

Beth:  The qualifications are internationally recognised so there’s opportunity there.

Anaru:  We want to try and get into a career expo and one of my long term goals is to try and get some sort of apprenticeship going somehow with abseil to try and formalise it a bit more because I think it’s important for the industry.

Anaru:  People were asking me at the weekend why I do it as well, and I think it’s like the fun-est trade job available.  Which is why most people get into it, because they are excited by it.

WCL: Why Wellington?

Anaru “It’s cool being in Wellington.  I grew up here and Mum’s family are from here.  We went to Wellington Zoo [with our kids] and there are some pieces of art done by one of my cousins.

There’s photos of my uncle in the Reserve Bank and there’s influences from my family around Wellington so it’s nice being there and seeing that.

Seeing my cousin’s art around the place. Another cousin owns a moving business.  My sister and her partner run a substantial bread run business.  A lot of my family and friends are self-employed and doing well.  They’re still connected with their Maoridom but they also run businesses. To get that balance right is so hard, I draw a lot of inspiration from them, knowing that they’re doing that, I’m proud that my family is putting a lot of positive reinforcement out there for Maori.

WCL would like to thank Anaru and Beth for their time and cooperation with this interview.  Next week we present an interview with former employee Enzo Fantone, and look at his journey into abseiling.

If you would like to learn more about the business concepts discussed in this piece have a look at these resources held by Wellington City Libraries.

The retention revolution : 7 surprising (and very human!) ways to keep employees connected to your company / Keswin, Erica
“Build a business with relationships at the center, and you will seize the competitive edge in today’s volatile job/or talent market.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Team habits : how small actions lead to extraordinary results / Gilkey, Charlie
“Charlie Gilkey, an internationally known thought leader on productivity, planning, strategy, and leadership for creative people, explains how changing our team’s habits can change our company’s culture since that culture is always just an aggregation of its various teams’ work habits.
We all know how important habits are for personal effectiveness, success, and happiness. We can apply many of the same principles and insights about personal habits to our teams. When we do, not only do we accrue the personal benefits for ourselves, but we accrue them with and for our team. ” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The power of company culture : how any business can build a culture that improves productivity, performance and profits / Dyer, Chris
“Create and maintain an exceptional company culture to improve engagement, productivity, performance and profits. Structured around the seven pillars of culture success, The Power of Company Culture shows how to develop a company culture that improves productivity, performance, staff retention, company reputation and profits.” (Catalogue)

 

Work-based learning : bridging knowledge and action in the workplace / Raelin, Joseph A.
Work-based learning is Joe Raelin’s unique way of incorporating a number of action strategies – such as action learning, action science, and communities of practice – into a comprehensive framework to help people learn collectively with others. In this thoroughly updated and revised edition, he demonstrates how to engage our reflective powers to challenge those taken-for-granted assumptions that unwittingly hold us back from questioning standard ways of operating!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Employee experience strategy : design an effective EX strategy to improve employee performance and drive business results / Whitter, Ben
“Designing and implementing an exceptional employee experience strategy is crucial for business success. From a leading figure in the EX field, this book provides everything needed to succeed. Employee Experience Strategy explains how to assess the needs of the organization and its employees, define and build an effective employee experience (EX) strategy and embed it successfully in the business… this is an essential book for all senior talent professionals needing to build, embed and sustain an effective EX strategy.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Experience, inc. : why companies that uncover purpose, create connection, and celebrate their people will triumph / Popelka, Jill
“The “worker-first experience” is not just a new trend, but the evolution of what it means to work and be part of an organization, and recent power shifts within it. What can leaders, managers, and CHROs, do to position their companies to thrive in the new world? There are many issues for the C-Suiter to navigate — yet they’re all united by the need to focus on employee – human — experience. A flexible, versatile workforce will help your business overcome current challenges and define your future. The successful organizations are making the employee experience more central. This book will give you, the leader, insights about how to think about and outfit your company, in a way that works for your firm, your sector, and your industry” (Catalogue)

Above the line : how to create a company culture that engages employees, delights customers and delivers results / Henderson, Michael
Above the Line… offers all leaders a handbook for leveraging an organisation’s culture to engage staff, increase customer satisfaction and streamline business performance. A ground-breaking work, this book reveals what it takes to achieve optimum results from your organisational culture without employing the use of external consultants. This organic, in-house approach to company culture transformation saves both time and money. Step-by-step, author Michael Henderson illustrates how to create a culture in which employees and leaders delight those outside the company-customers, shareholder, employees’ families, suppliers and the board of directors-and anyone else who may benefit from an association with the organisation.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Skin in the game : hidden asymmetries of daily life / Taleb, Nassim Nicholas
“In his inimitable, pugnacious style, Nassim Nicholas Taleb shows that skin in the game applies to all aspects of our lives. It’s about having something to lose and taking a risk. Citizens, lab experimenters, artisans, political activists and hedge fund traders all have skin in the game. Policy wonks, corporate executives, theoreticians, bankers and most journalists don’t. As Taleb says, “The symmetry of skin in the game is a simple rule that’s necessary for fairness and justice, and the ultimate BS-buster,” and “Never trust anyone who doesn’t have skin in the game. Without it, fools and crooks will benefit, and their mistakes will never come back to haunt them”.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Bids, tenders & proposals : winning business through best practice / Lewis, Harold
“Expert guidance on the entire process of tendering in the three key areas of public sector procurement, contracts for private sector clients and applications for research funding.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Tendering and contracting guidelines / Taee, Ahkam AL
“This book is explained and covered, but not limited, the followings; – The content of the tender invitation package. – How to evaluate the bids technically and commercially. – The Concepts of a contract. – The elements of enforceable contract. – Types of Contracts. – Allocating liability and risk in contracts. – The Contract Management tasks and responsibilities. – Explain FIDIC contract forms. – Discuss the risk spectrum in construction. – Gives in Chapter 3, seven attachments form samples of different materials needed in contracts. The book is useful tool to whom are working in supply chain management and contracts departments, this book has been prepared to provide practical guidance in general terms in relation to various public services, it is not a legal textbook but practical guidance tool for business. (Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Summer reading: New additions to the business collection

via GIPHY

If you have some time on your hands and are relaxing in the sun or under a tree, how about kicking off your new year reading with one of the recent business focused additions to our collection?

You’ll find all these and much, much more in Wellington City Libraries’ catalogue

The retention revolution : 7 surprising (and very human!) ways to keep employees connected to your company / Keswin, Erica
“Build a business with relationships at the center, and you will seize the competitive edge in today’s volatile job/or talent market”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Staying the distance : the lessons from sport that business leaders have been missing / Baker, Catherine
“Business leaders are very familiar with drawing lessons from elite sport, particularly around teams, leadership and high performance. But we have all been missing a trick. Day in, day out, sport has been showing us not only how to improve, perform and achieve, but how to do so on a sustained basis, consistently delivering results when it matters. This book shines a light on these unseen lessons, and provides a clear and practical roadmap for how to deploy them in the reader’s own leadership practices. “– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Thriving leaders thriving teams / Parsons, Lauren
“Feeling flat, tired or overwhelmed? Concerned you or your colleagues are headed for burnout? Poor health and mental distress are on the rise globally. People are suffering in silence. The talent shortage makes it critical workplaces set themselves apart as desirable employers, to attract and retain great people. Not enough leaders understand how to create true workplace wellbeing. Unfortunately, too many organisations – often inadvertently – treat people as ‘assets’ or ‘resources’ to be used rather than human beings to be nurtured, motivated and celebrated. This needs to change. A complete guide, packed with the latest research, inspiring stories, and practical tools to help you boost your wellbeing, energy and vitality, even if you’re busy and “don’t have time”; be a better leader and help others thrive, no matter what your role; cultivate a positive, energised workplace culture. Thriving Leaders, Thriving Teams is for anyone, from aspiring leaders through to CEOs. Just as master gardeners create the right environment for plants to thrive, leaders must cultivate the ideal environment for their people to flourish. This book shows you how.” Publisher.” (Catalogue)

The art of winning : 10 lessons in leadership, purpose and potential / Carter, Dan
“Ten timeless truths on leadership, purpose and potential – from the unique culture of the All Blacks, and the mind of a living legend”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)
Also available as EAudiobook Libby

 

Big bets : how large-scale change really happens / Shah, Rajiv Janardan
“Rajiv J. Shah, president of the Rockefeller Foundation and former administrator of President Barack Obama’s United States Agency for International Development, shares a dynamic new model for creating large scale change, inspired by his own involvements with some of the largest humanitarian projects of our time”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 

Team habits : how small actions lead to extraordinary results / Gilkey, Charlie
“We all know how important habits are for personal effectiveness, success, and happiness. We can apply many of the same principles and insights about personal habits to our teams. When we do, not only do we accrue the personal benefits for ourselves, but we accrue them with and for our team. If small habit changes lead to powerful results for individuals, imagine what it can do for teams. Focusing on improving how people work together at the team level means there’s no need for a top-down initiative or sign-off by the higher-ups to start making our working lives better…Gilkey offers tips on Communication (“What needs to be communicated NOW versus what can wait”), Meetings (“The ultimate question to determine whether your meeting was worth it”), Belonging (“Why getting your teammate coffee isn’t about the coffee”), and much more”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Python for data science / Mueller, John
Python for Data Science For Dummies lets you get your hands dirty with data using one of the top programming languages. This beginner’s guide takes you step by step through getting started, performing data analysis, understanding datasets and example code, working with Google Colab, sampling data, and beyond. Coding your data analysis tasks will make your life easier, make you more in-demand as an employee, and open the door to valuable knowledge and insights. This new edition is updated for the latest version of Python and includes current, relevant data examples”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Faking it : artificial intelligence in a human world / Walsh, Toby
“A prescient analysis of what makes artificial intelligence so … artificial. The brave new world of faking it … Artificial intelligence is, as the name suggests, artificial and fundamentally different to human intelligence. Yet often the goal of AI is to fake human intelligence. This deceit has been there from the very beginning. We’ve been trying to fake it since Alan Turing answered the question ‘Can machines think?’ by proposing that machines pretend to be humans. Now we are starting to build AI that truly deceives us. Powerful AIs such as ChatGPT can convince us they are intelligent and blur the distinction between what is real and what is simulated. In reality, they lack true understanding, sentience and common sense. But this doesn’t mean they can’t change the world. Can AI systems ever be creative? Can they be moral? What can we do to ensure they are not harmful?” (Catalogue)

The key to creativity : the science behind ideas and how daydreaming can change the world / Østby, Hilde
“In The Key to Creativity, Østby takes readers on a deep-dive into why we are creative and what conditions must be present in order for us to make our best work: whether that be a painting, a piece of writing, or simply a good email. Using characters from Alice in Wonderland for inspiration, Østby investigates why we have ideas that seemingly come out of nowhere, like the Cheshire Cat, and how we can quiet our inner critic, like the rule-obsessed Queen of Hearts. Along the way, she speaks with artists of all stripes and interviews psychiatrists and neurologists who specialize in understanding what happens in the brain when we are at our most creative…This engaging and ground-breaking book debunks the myth that you need to be a genius in order to be an artist or inventor. All you need is an idea and the tools to make your creative dream come true”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Hidden potential : the science of achieving greater things / Grant, Adam
“This book illuminates how we can elevate ourselves and others to unexpected heights…Hidden Potential offers a new framework for raising aspirations and exceeding expectations. Adam Grant weaves together ground-breaking evidence, surprising insights, and vivid storytelling that takes us from the classroom to the boardroom, the playground to the Olympics, and underground to outer space. He shows that progress depends less on how hard you work than how well you learn. Growth is not about the genius you possess-it’s about the character you develop. Grant explores how to build the character skills and motivational structures to realize our own potential, and how to design systems that create opportunities for those who have been underrated and overlooked.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The art of explanation : how to communicate with clarity and confidence / Atkins, Ros
“Do you worry about holding people’s attention during presentations? Are you unsure where to start when faced with writing an essay or report? Are you preparing for an interview and wondering how to get all your points across? Explanation – identifying and communicating what we want to say – is an art. … BBC presenter and journalist Ros Atkins, … shares the secrets he has learned from years of working in high-pressure newsrooms, identifying the ten elements of a good explanation and the seven steps you need to take to express yourself with clarity and impact. Whether at work, school, university or home, we all benefit from being able to articulate ourselves clearly. Filled with practical examples, The Art of Explanation is a must-read for anyone who wants to sharpen their communication skills.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Why listen to, work with and follow you? : the 3 qualities of true leaders / Robertson, Larry
“Whether setting out on your career or already ensconced in the boardroom, you will not succeed on your own. You need others to choose to listen, buy into and come with you.  Global leadership expert Larry Robertson highlights communication as the most critical yet least well practised aspect of leadership, using his 3 Qualities of True Leadership: Authenticity (AQ), Empathy (EQ) and Intent (IQ).  WHY YOU? is packed with stories, examples and tools to help you lift your game holistically, both as a true leader and a better person”. –Publisher.” (Catalogue)

My brain has too many tabs open : untangle your relationship with tech / Goodin, Tanya
“Digital detox expert and tech therapist Tanya Goodin is on a mission to help us have a healthier relationship with our electronics. Here, she collects hours of conversations to form a fascinating compendium of everyday problems we all struggle with, plus solutions to stop them taking over lives.” (Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

 

A game of thrones: lifting the lid on loos

Lavatory, bog, loo, dunny, crapper.  Wharepaku, WC, thunderbox, longdrop, latrine.
There are numerous names for the smallest room in the house – the toilet – and their origins are just as varied as the terminology.

With every healthy adult producing, on average, 500 litres of urine and 145 kg of faecal matter every year we definitely all need access to a loo.  These days most modern New Zealand homes have at least one, if not two, porcelain thrones.

Interior of a bathroom showroom displaying ceramic toilets, wash basins and baths, possibly Christchurch

Interior of a bathroom showroom displaying ceramic toilets, wash basins and baths, possibly Christchurch. The Press (Newspaper) :Negatives. Ref: 1/1-017902-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/29948323

It wasn’t always like that.  In the days before city wide waste management and underground sewer networks the toilet was literally the “out house”, often located at the bottom of the garden.  Before that the “night soil” man would make weekly visits to homes to remove waste.  This article  gives a good overview of the process while a broader history of New Zealand’s sanitation can be found on Te Ara.

Public facilities were first introduced to Aotearoa in 1863 with the building of a public men’s room in Auckland.  Note that ladies had to wait nearly four decades before they too had access to “restrooms” in Auckland.

Wellington lagged behind in the provision of male conveniences but was one of the first cities to provide for women.

Former public toilets on Cambridge Terrace now house a restaurant bar while the subterranean men’s urinals now houses a pizza place.

Public toilets, Cambridge Terrace, Wellington

Public toilets, Cambridge Terrace, Wellington. Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper. Ref: 1/4-021247-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22755210  (Photo taken 1973)

Kent Terrace and Oriental Parade, Wellington

Kent Terrace and Oriental Parade, Wellington. Ref: 1/2-116556-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22838426  (Photo taken 1920s)

Rest stops are no longer just for bodily functions but in some cases also serve as public art works.  The 2023 award for the most attractive wharepaku went to Rotorua’s Okere Falls Scenic Reserve conveniences, while notable architecture features in Northland’s famous Hundertwasser toilets. Further south at Tirau the public conveniences are housed within a corrugated iron sheep dog while Wellington’s waterfront has its Lobster loos (more correctly named the Kumutoto Public Toilets).

As you move around the city you can find Wellington City Council’s listing of accessible toilets here and Continence NZ also provides a list of Toilet Maps to assist people in locating facilities when travelling around the motu.

Continence NZ also issues a Toilet card to those with bladder and bowel problems, who may need to use a bathroom urgently.  Crohn’s and Colitis NZ offer a similar “I can’t wait” card to be presented to the management of premises who may permit use of their toilet facilities.

On presentation of this card to a business, the staff should be understanding of the request and provide access to the business toilet facilities.

As a business you may wish to display a window sticker indicating your responsiveness to and support of card holders.  Says the CCNZ websitePlacing a CCNZ sticker in the window of your business that you recognise the “I Can’t Wait” card can truly change lives.

Honouring the card allows people with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other medical condition to use your facilities in the event a cardholder needs one urgently.

In the event of a large scale emergency you may not have access to a functioning toilet and will need to consider an alternative.  Have you, your whanau and your wider community given thought to what you would do if, after a destructive earthquake for instance, you don’t have available toilet facilities?
See Wremo’s guidelines here or print out the handy pdf instructions and add to your emergency kit along with the appropriate supplies.

As reducing water use becomes a concern there has been an increase in interest for water efficient toilets.

Flush toilets are large users of water.  Water we cannot necessarily afford to waste particularly given Tw Whanganui a Tara’s water issues and a forecast dry summer.

According to a 2016 IFLScience article (someone else did the math on this) we can save water by weeing in the shower:

An average flush for a modern, Western-style toilet uses 6 liters (1.6 gallons) of water, and the average adult pees about seven times every 24 hours. That means that each day of weeing takes 42 liters (11.1 gallons) of toilet water to flush away. Assuming that people urinate the same way every single day, this means in just one year, the average person uses 15,330 liters (4,050 gallons) of toilet water.

As with all science though there are those who have differing opinions.  Six years later the same site had an article headlined “Urogynaecologist Explains Why You “Need To Stop Peeing In The Shower“. Turns out what might be a good move for the environment may not be so good for your bladder.

Alternatively we can seek out more water efficient toilet design.  Toilets, as with other appliances, have an efficiency rating for water use.  The latest style four star toilets use as little as 3 litres of water for a half flush and 4.5 litres for a full flush.  Most older style lavatories use between 7-12 litres per flush and lack the dual flush function.  Although, according to a spokesperson for a central plumbing supply business, some of the new European designs are so water efficient some customers feel the flush is not as “complete” as they would like.  If you are considering bathroom renovations, or a new build, then check out the water efficiency rating of the new loo.

This recent Spinoff article claims the correct use of the half and full flush functions can save millions of litres of water a year and while that may be true a look at the flush buttons on some new model toilets seemed unnecessarily complicated.

Which leads to the age old question of lid up or down when flushing.  If you were ever in any doubt that the lid down is the correct thing to do when flushing, you won’t be after reading this and watching the attached video.

On the subject of the flushing loo – let’s correct a piece of misinformation.  Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 movie Psycho is often said to be the first movie to show a flushing toilet.  Apparently this is incorrect according to the entertainment site, Collider.   Hitchcock first showed a toilet in a movie scene almost 30 years earlier,  In Psycho however the focus is on the toilet and the flushing water, which is in fact a movie making first.

Can the wharepaku be a place of serenity and style?  Absolutely.  Apparently, along with water efficiency, the  present trends are for rimless porcelain, set flush (no pun intended) against a wall, with soft closing lid option.  A word of warning though – if you ever need to upgrade your toilet seat make sure you know what make model graces the throne room.

In an innovative design, the Finns have come up with an all wood toilet to replace the traditional glazed porcelain models.  But is the world ready to trade the porcelain pony for a stylish, biodegradable wooden model?  Time will tell.

The ultimate in toilets though must go to Japanese designers who incorporate smart technology into their product.  This writer for one, was nearly reduced to tears on arrival at a Tokyo hotel and finding a loo complete with a control panel of functions (all in Japanese) but no obvious flush button.

Turns out the flush button was behind the shallow, curved cistern top which operated as the handwash facility before the water went in to efficiently flushing the bowl.  I might have learned that had I first visited the TOTO toilet museum 🙂

via GIPHY

So now we’ve got to the bottom of bogs, shed some light on loos, provided you with maps to pitstops when you take the summer roady and flushed out some fun facts on the wharepaku.  Here’s hoping this final blog for 2023 provides you all with some light relief.  [Yes, you may groan]

If you want further reading check out our fascinating list below.  Who knew there was so much riding on the topic of toilets and sanitation?

Kiwi-as toilets : where to go when you need to go in New Zealand / Knox, Jo
Kiwi-As Toilets is a quirky and light-hearted coffee table book and travel guide that takes the reader on a tiki tour of New Zealand’s top toilets. This compilation of convenient convenience stops is full of facts and photos of fancy flushers, interspersed with splashes of toilet humour and toilet euphemisms. From toilets that celebrate their region’s heritage and scenery or showcase art and architecture, to wonderfully weird WCs and fun facilities, this eclectic collection of toilets celebrates everything that’s Kiwi-as.” (Catalogue)

Pipe dreams : the urgent global quest to transform the toilet / Wald, Chelsea
“Presents a lively, informative, and humorous deep dive into the future of the toilet–from creative uses for harvested “biosolids,” to the bold engineers dedicated to bringing safe sanitation to the billions of people worldwide living without it.” (Catalogue)

 

Flushed : how the plumber saved civilization / Carter, W. Hodding
“Presenting a quirky and fascinating history of plumbing from the Harappan of the Indus Valley (circa 3000 BC) to the Roman Empire, from Victorian London to modern Boston, this entertaining text also follows the author’s own travails in plumbing.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Bum fodder : an absorbing history of toilet paper / Smyth, Richard
“Humans are, along with other primates, the only animals to wipe their bottoms after defecating. Richard Smyth provides the definitive history of how we have wiped over the centuries. From the Romans and ancient China to the modern day, drawing on literature from Rabelais and Jonathan Swift to the story of Myleene Klass and Pope Benedict’s toilet roll Richard Smyth has compiled the definitive history. Along the way, Richard Smyth also provides fascinating stories such as how toilet paper became a rallying cry for anti-taxation campaigners in the US to the history of the Groom of the Stool, once one of the most influential positions in the Royal Court.” (Catalogue)

The story of shit / Dekkers, Midas
“We are very discreet. We disappear into a small room, perform the task, flush, wash and reappear as if nothing happened. Of course, hygiene is necessary – some faecal bacteria, if re-ingested, can cause very serious problems – and unpleasant aromas are best kept at bay. But in all this hygienic discretion have we lost touch with an integral part of ourselves – something as much a part of living as breathing, eating and sleeping? Something enriching, creative and even enjoyable. In The Story of Shit, Dutch biologist Midas Dekkers presents a personal, cultural, scientific, historical and environmental account of shit, from the digestive process and the fascinating workings of the gut, to the act of defecation and toilet etiquette. With irreverent humour and a compelling narrative style, Dekkers brings a refreshing, entertaining and illuminating perspective to a once-taboo subject.” –Publisher description.” (Catalogue)

Holy shit : managing manure to save mankind / Logsdon, Gene
“If we do not begin turning manure into fertilizer to help feed a growing population, Logsdon argues we will all be in deep shit. Holy Shit completely covers the manure field including information on: How to build a barn manure pack with farm animal manure; How to recycle toilet water for irrigation purposes, and; How to get over the fear of faeces and muck. With his trademark humor, his years of experience writing about farming and waste management, and his uncanny eye for the small but important details, Logsdon artfully describes how to manage farm and pet manure to make fertilizer. This fresh, fascinating and entertaining look at an earthy, but absolutely crucial subject, is a small gem and is destined to become a classic of the agricultural canon.” (Catalogue)

The wastewater gardener : preserving the planet one flush at a time / Nelson, Mark
“Mark Nelson, PhD, has worked for several decades in closed ecological systems research. As one of eight brave souls enclosed in the pioneering Biosphere 2 experiment for two years in 1991-1993, Nelson learned first hand how essential the proper use of human waste is to the health of the planet. This realization, combined with his lifelong love affair with constructed wetlands, led to the development of Wastewater Gardens, an ecological way to treat human waste and preserve water quality.” (Catalogue)

Greywater, green landscape : how to install simple water-saving irrigation systems in your yard / Allen, Laura
“Save thousands of gallons of water annually and have a beautiful yard no matter the weather by capturing and reusing water from sinks, showers, and washing machines. This empowering and easy-to-use manual offers practical, long-term strategies for water management, with easy, do-it-yourself instructions and step-by-step photography to guide you through construction and installing a variety of systems throughout your house and garden.–COVER.” (Catalogue)

The composting toilet system book : a practical guide to choosing, planning and maintaining composting toilet systems, a water-saving, pollution-preventing wastewater solution / Del Porto, David
“From systems for cottages to year-round systems with micro-flush toilets and graywater gardens, the wide range of ecological recycling toilet options are featured in The Composting Toilet System Book. More than 40 systems, including those you can buy and those you can build, are featured.” (Catalogue)

The compost toilet handbook / Jenkins, Joseph C
“From the author of The Humanure Handbook, an expert guide to compost toilets you can build yourself. The Compost Toilet Handbook is an illustrated instructional manual explaining how to make, use, and manage compost toilets, which are waste-free toilets that rely on the biological process of composting to recycle toilet material. It is based on the author’s 40+ years of first-hand experience with “composting as a sanitation alternative.” The 254-page indexed book has 161 pages of color photos including 203 photos or illustrations from 13 countries where compost toilet systems are in use. The 2nd half of the book includes case study reviews of compost toilet projects in African prisons and schools; Haitian schools, orphanages, and villages; schools in Mozambique; neighborhoods in Mongolia; a school and village in Nicaragua; and an ecovillage in the US. Along with the nuts and bolts of compost toilet construction, use, and management, the book covers emergency preparedness, cold weather composting, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, health, and safety.”–Amazon.com.” (Catalogue)

The humanure handbook : a guide to composting human manure / Jenkins, Joseph C
“There are almost seven billion defecating people on planet Earth, but few who have any clue about how to constructively handle the burgeoning mountain of human crap. The Humanure Handbook, third edition, will amuse you, educate you, and possibly offend you, but it will certainly pertain to you–unless, of course, your bowels never move. This new edition of The Humanure Handbook is: The Tenth Anniversary Edition Richly illustrated with eye-candy artwork Perfect for reading while sitting on the “throne” Revised, improved, and updated 256 pages of crap ” (Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

 

6 things leaders need to master to see their team thrive: guest author, Lauren Parsons

Visual provided by author

Today’s blog piece is an excerpt from ‘Thriving Leaders Thriving Teams; a new book from  Manawatu-based workplace wellness coach, Lauren Parsons.

It has been reprinted with Lauren’s generous permission and her book is available from Wellington City Libraries.

Image reproduced courtesy of Lauren Parsons Wellbeing

Whether you like it or not, as a leader you have a key role to play to help your team thrive. 

I’ve never met a leader who wanted demotivated, burnt-out staff who were struggling personally or professionally. Fortunately, there are so many ways you can influence your team’s wellbeing – both by the way you show up and the way you shape the environment. 

Just as a master gardener cultivates the ideal environment for their plants to flourish, so too, you can cultivate the ideal workplace environment where your people will thrive.

My Wellbeing-Focused Leadership Model shows you how to do this. 

Image reproduced courtesy of Lauren Parsons Wellbeing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the six things great leaders do well:

1. Lead self 

Demonstrate a commitment to your own and others’ wellbeing in your day-to-day habits and rituals. Influence by example.

2. Build trust and belonging

Foster a highly connected and supportive team environment where people feel safe, included and motivated, where they can speak with candour, have a deep sense of belonging, and feel inspired and purpose-driven.

3. Boost energy and effectiveness

Create an environment that boosts vitality, helping people perform at their best, work in sync with each other and manage their time, energy and attention well. Establish clear rules and rituals that prevent technology from hindering wellbeing, while also leveraging its potential.

4. Address stress and prevent burnout

Identify and manage psychosocial risks and design good work that prevents undue harm. Equip staff to remain in eustress (good stress) and know how to spot the signs of mental distress and respond effectively, using exceptional communication skills and providing the right support. 

5. Leverage recognition

Encourage the behaviours you want from your team. Create a culture of praise and appreciation throughout your organisation that increases motivation, wellbeing and performance.

6. Measure and evolve

Measure what matters, monitor what works and constantly adapt, evolve and improve over time.

These six things all interrelate. Rather than relying solely on bottom-of-the-cliff approaches, by focusing on these keys proactively you can build a robust, wellbeing-focused culture that helps staff deal with stress, boosts resilience and maximises performance.

The place you’ll start will depend on you and your organisation. The second half of my book Thriving Leaders Thriving Teams outlines each of these in detail and includes a handy action checklist to highlight which areas your organisation has the opportunity to enhance, helping you identify a start point.

About Lauren:

Lauren is an award-winning Wellbeing Specialist with over 20 years’ experience in the health and wellbeing profession. A  TEDx speaker, Author of Real food, less fuss, founder of the Snack on Exercise movement and host of the THRIVE TV Show, Lauren believes that everyone deserves to thrive. 

 Previously a senior lecturer at the New Zealand College of Fitness, a qualified Life Coach and with a business degree and post-grad specialising in HR, Lauren is a sought-after international speaker, coach and consultant who integrates her wellness and business background to help organisations create a peak-performance team culture, where people thrive.

Thriving leaders thriving teams / Parsons, Lauren
“Feeling flat, tired or overwhelmed? Concerned you or your colleagues are headed for burnout? Poor health and mental distress are on the rise globally. People are suffering in silence. The talent shortage makes it critical workplaces set themselves apart as desirable employers, to attract and retain great people. Not enough leaders understand how to create true workplace wellbeing. Unfortunately, too many organisations – often inadvertently – treat people as ‘assets’ or ‘resources’ to be used rather than human beings to be nurtured, motivated and celebrated. This needs to change. A complete guide, packed with the latest research, inspiring stories, and practical tools to help you boost your wellbeing, energy and vitality, even if you’re busy and “don’t have time”; be a better leader and help others thrive, no matter what your role; cultivate a positive, energised workplace culture. Thriving Leaders, Thriving Teams is for anyone, from aspiring leaders through to CEOs. Just as master gardeners create the right environment for plants to thrive, leaders must cultivate the ideal environment for their people to flourish. This book shows you how.” Publisher.” (Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Riffing on Retail: an interview with Mandy LaHatte of Indeja

Being locked in her own shop by a drunk passerby and having to evict an amorous couple from the change cubicle were not situations Mandy LaHatte anticipated when she purchased a retail business six and a half years ago.

Both these scenarios are ones the former primary school teacher turned business owner of clothing and giftware shop Indeja has had to deal with.

In 2017 when Mandy’s friend, and belly dance teacher, Traysi Ewayan decided it was time to hand over the iconic Cuba Street business she had built up over 18 and a half years she wanted it to go to someone who would preserve the ethos she had established and love it the way she did.

Traysi originally “bought the store from Global Village after working in it for 2 years”.  She renamed it Indeja – “a made up name between India and Indonesia where the product was from. We started in the old James Smith Market and I moved to the Cuba St shop after 1 year. Global Village owners stocked me but after they moved to Spain I had to start my own importing. So off I went to Vietnam, Thailand, Bali and India to source clothing and jewellery. The rest is history!!!”

Despite having no retail experience, Mandy was at a point where she was looking for something different and up to the challenge.  Traysi stayed on for another 6-7  months to help Mandy transition into running the shop, as well as accompanying her on international buying trips “Showing me what to do, how to sell product and what retail is all about” says Mandy.

In October 2023 Indeja celebrated its 25th anniversary as an independent retail outlet.  WCL sat down with Mandy to learn more about what makes this business tick…

WCL : Were there benefits to taking on an established business with a regular customer base?

Mandy : Absolutely!  People who came into Indeja knew what it was about. It never occurred to me to change the name or change the layout because it had worked so well for eighteen and a half years.  I thought “Why change it?”

WCL: 25 years as an independent retail store is certainly something to celebrate.  What do you think has contributed to Indeja’s longevity?  What’s its continuing appeal?

Mandy:  There’s lots of continuing support from customers.  Customers who come to Indeja over and over and over again.  Not just Wellingtonians but a lot of people from Auckland.  It’s got quite a good reputation around Wellington, especially around Cuba Street. I think also the fact it’s unique.  It’s a different looking shop.  It’s not generic.  So people walk past and then they come back.  And they keep coming back.

I think also the way its run, the kind of person I am.  I build a rapport with the customers therefore they come to see me.  Traysi had that rapport as well so that’s what makes it last.  And keeping it fresh.

WCL : What changes have you made in your time as owner?

Mandy:  I painted it, changed lighting and shelving.  Gave it a spruce up. But not much more.  I’ve kept the layout because it works and I’ve kept the sense of what Indeja is about because it works.  I’ve kept that sense of family in it because it works.

Traysi had all her family working here and I have had my family working here. My oldest son has worked with me, my daughter still works when I need her.  Traysi and her mother and husband worked there.

I upgraded the systems.  Now we’re online, that’s the biggest thing I’ve done, gone on line. Walk-ins however remain the biggest point of sale.

WCL: What challenges are there with being online?  Isn’t that almost like being a second business?

Mandy:  The challenges are making sure stock is photographed.  We have so much it’s difficult to get everything photographed.

Clothing is my biggest seller but online the customers tend to look and think “Ohh, I like that” but they won’t buy online because the clothing is such they want to come and try it on.  They’ll see it online and they’ll ring up and say “Oh, have you got that?” and I say “Yes, I’ll put it aside for you” and they come and try it. The online thing works for earrings and we sell lots of incense online.

WCL: Where and how do you source product?

Mandy:  First of all I like to source from New Zealand.  So I try to get earrings and incense from New Zealand.  It just depends on wholesale prices of New Zealand products.  They can be quite expensive.
Then I go overseas at least three times a year – our tag line “Cool things from hot places” means I source from Thailand, a lot of stuff from Egypt, Vietnam, Morocco and some from India.

(Like Traysi, Mandy now teaches belly dancing  and stocks costumes from Egypt for the belly dancing community)

WCL : How did Covid impact on business and your supply chains?

Mandy:  Horribly!  I began closing down after the government announcement and I had women rushing in saying “I need incense.  I can’t cope without incense!” So I sold out of incense. I closed on the Monday afternoon.  And that was it.  There was no income.  My immediate thought was “How was I going to pay the rent?”

Luckily I have a really good relationship with my landlord.  She’s amazing and has been the same landlord all this time.  I took her over from Traysi.  I just told her Ï couldn’t pay the whole amount of rent and she said “What do you want to pay?”  I thought realistically what I should pay her and I offered an amount and she said “Yes”.

I had to beg, borrow and steal money to keep Indeja going for the two years of Covid.  It did help that the government gave out the wage subsidy.  I had two staff.  One staff member I let go.  She was okay with that.  The other one I kept on.  She had just finished her studies and she needed the money.  So I kept paying her and then the government offered the $10,000 loan, so I took the offer of that and that kept the rent going for a few months.

And then we reopened but the loss was quite big and I really questioned whether I could keep Indeja going because it was really difficult.  Indeja is just a solo store.  So that was really tough.  I have a very supportive partner and just kept it going.  Also not employing any more staff and doing all the work myself.

WCL: How are things now?

Mandy: Things are picking up.  We’ve just had the World of Wearable Arts.  Indeja is a WoW shop and that was quite successful.  The fact women have come into Indeja year after year for WoW and expect new and exciting things.  My challenge is to make sure I have new product for these women.  They’ve been saving up for this particular event so they want to buy.   And they do spend. Otherwise it is picking up.  It has its times.  It’s still not as good as it could be.

WCL :  Do the social issues of Cuba Street impact your business?

Mandy: Safety is an issue. Cuba Street is supposed to be alcohol free but there’s a lot of drunkenness. It’s when they start ranting and cursing then I just ring the police.  Usually they’re [the Police] fairly good.  If there’s a weapon they’ll be here fairly quickly.  I would like to see more police presence in Cuba Street.

People do come into the shop and I have to ask them to leave [as] customers can feel threatened.  We had an incident where someone was outside the shop with a knife, and [my retail assistant] shut the shop with the customers in [until the police came and cleared the area].

One of the things I have done is go to a lot of retailers in the vicinity of me and introduce myself. I know their names and I’ve got their numbers and I’m trying to set up a safe support network [should retailers feel threatened].

I’ve had clothing stolen from the models on the street [at the shop doorway]. I don’t want to have to be anticipating that.  I have a business to run.

WCL: Traysi and Tilly, the Indeja window mannequins have developed their own personalities – tell us how that came about?

Mandy : I found Traysi and Tilly on Trademe and decided they needed names.  When we change the window we post photos on Facebook and list what they are wearing.  Then we’ll get a message “I like that skirt Traysi’s wearing”.  It’s a quirky little thing

We do a huge WoW window.  This year the WoW theme was futuristic.  So we had a vision about what we would dress ‘the girls’ in.  I went overseas about a month before WoW and I was looking around for what they could possibly wear.  Women who walked past the window loved it and came in.  That window is a huge selling point for Indeja.

WoW is the biggest part of my business year.  It’s where the money happens.  I give out tonnes of business cards.  So it’s really big for me.  I get particular staff in on particular days who can cope with the massive influx of women coming in. And now the cruise ships are in.  I’m hoping [the tourists] will come in as well. I promote Indeja wherever I can. Nikita [retail assistant] does Instagram and I do Facebook.  Facebook is really big for Indeja.

 WCL: Do you have plans for CubaDupa?

Mandy:  It will be business as usual.  Lots of crowds.  Saturday is good, Sunday is quieter.  We usually have a sale on for CubaDupa.  Usually 25-30 percent off.

WCL: What are your future plans?

Mandy:  I won’t be there for the next 25 years but I hope when its time for me to go I can on-sell it.
When I bought the shop from Traysi, she really wanted someone who loved it like she did.  Someone who was passionate.  Someone who would keep it the same and I did because her formula worked.

I kept on the existing staff because they knew the business.  They’re gone now, doing their own thing.  My present staff were two women who couldn’t find jobs,.  They wanted retail work but didn’t have any experience so I decided to take them on and train them and give them a chance.

I got a text from Traysi, the other day and she said “I’m so very, very proud of you and what you’ve made of Indeja.  It’s a beautiful shop now” and I said “It’s our shop still”.  

“I love my wee shop and my staff love it too.”

If you’re a retail business wanting to know how Wellington City Libraries can support you,  have a look at these resources.

Retail innovation reframed : how to transform operations and achieve purpose-led growth and resilience / Jude, Gareth
“Retail is defined by disruption; companies either adapt or are replaced by those that will. More so than ever learning how to reframe your business, apply change and stay innovative is key to continued success and survival. Innovation is hard for any organization, even more so for retailers where executing retail basics can often be seen as enough. But the difference between success and failure is increasingly becoming the ability to reframe your approach to innovation and use it to win the competitive edge, as Retail Innovation Reframed explains. Changing your business operations to solve customers’ biggest challenges is how established household names and emerging businesses now thrive. … Online resources include templates for testing and analyzing new innovations”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Retail recovery : how creative retailers are winning in their post-apocalyptic world / Pilkington, Mark
“This book offers a comprehensive analysis of new forces which are changing the way in which we buy products and experience brands… The retail industry, with which we have all grown up, has been devastated by the twin effects of the internet and the Coronavirus lockdown. Huge numbers of prestigious brands have gone under, or are a shadow of their former selves. The world economy has gone into deep recession, with reduced employment and incomes across broad swathes of society. Many discretionary products have simply become too expensive for ordinary people to buy on a regular basis. High streets and shopping malls lie half empty, causing a vacuum at the core of our societies. There is an urgent need to regenerate our local shopping centers, in order to create new hope in depressed areas. So how can retailers and brands respond to this crisis? Fortunately, new shoots of recovery are emerging from the wreckage of the old order–new brands, new technology, new ways of providing value, and new and innovative methods of creating excitement to draw in consumers, all of which have the potential to kick-start the retail economy”–Publisher’s description.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Retail confidential / Cushnan, Joe
“The recession is creating havoc in the retail sector. This guide offers advice on what to do and what not to do to manage a successful retail business. It shows how to keep the business simple and how to keep the business honest. It reveals how the customer is not always right but is always essential.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Retail in detail / Bond, Ronald L.
“With more than 30 years of experience, author Ronald L. Bond provides the most comprehensive information available on starting and running a retail business. Everything you need to know to successfully plan, launch and manage your own retail business is at your fingertips.”–Back cover.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Inside the mind of the shopper : the science of retailing / Sorensen, Herb
“What do you really do when you shop? The answers are fascinating and, for retailers, they’re cash in the bank. In Inside the Mind of the Shopper, retail consultant Dr. Herb Sorensen uncovers the truth about the retail shopper and rips away the myths and mistakes that lead retailers to miss their greatest opportunities… Drawing on Sorensen’s breakthrough second-by-second analysis of millions of shopping trips, this book reveals how consumers actually behave, move, and make buying decisions as they move through supermarkets and other retail stores. Sorensen presents powerful, tested strategies for designing more effective stores, improving merchandising, and driving double-digit sales increases. ” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The Monocle guide to shops, kiosks and markets : a handbook for shoppers, would-be retailers, neighbourhood-makers and brands in need of a fix
“Monocle’s latest book unpacks what makes a perfect shopping experience and offers tips on how to launch, design and run your own store. A must-have guide.” (Catalogue)

 

Window display : new visual merchandising / Morgan, Tony
“A showcase of the most exciting, innovative and successful window displays worldwide, this book offers inspiration and guidance to visual merchandisers and retailers who need to create eye-catching window designs that will increase sales.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Visual merchandising : window and in-store displays for retail / Morgan, Tony
“A great introduction for retail students, this book offers a user-friendly reference guide to all aspects of visual merchandising and covers both window dressing and in-store areas. Using examples from a range of stores from fashion emporia to supermarkets, the book offers practical advice on the subject, supported by hints and tips from established visual merchandisers. It reveals the secrets of their tool kit, and information on the use of mannequins, the latest technology, how to construct and source props, and explains the psychology behind shopping and buyer behavior. Presented through color photographs, diagrams of floor layouts, and store case studies, and including invaluable information such as a glossary of terms used in the industry, Visual Merchandising is an essential handbook for anyone working in and learning about this exciting area.” (Catalogue)

Retail Customer Service (LinkedIn Learning)
Delivering great retail customer service
48m
Beginner
Updated: 7/28/2021

Retail customer service happens in a specific setting: supporting the sale or fulfillment of a physical product. Unlike a call center, in a retail scenario you get to meet customers face to face. It can be overwhelming, but it’s a great opportunity to deliver fantastic customer service—the kind that gets you noticed by managers, and keeps customers coming back. It starts with a positive attitude, which leads to a good first impression. However, you can’t guarantee customers will always be happy.In this course, learn techniques to deal with upset customers, and show empathy with active listening. Instructor and customer service expert David Brownlee—the author of Rockstar Service, Rockstar Profits—also provides etiquette tips to ensure quality service at every point of interaction: from the moment customers walk in the door to keeping them happy while they’re on hold.
(Access to LinkedIn learning is available free with library registration)

Mastering Conversations in Retail Sales (LinkedIn Learning)
29m
Beginner
Released: 11/14/2018

You aced your interview and landed a new position at a retail store. Now that the job is yours, how do you actually get good at it? One crucial skill that can help you succeed in this role—and in nearly every other job you’ll have going forward—is the ability to talk to customers in a way that makes them feel comfortable. Genuine conversations—and not pushy sales tactics—will help you connect your retail customers with what they need, and do so in a way that will leave them wanting to come back again and again. This course is all about mastering those conversations. In this course, Paul A. Smith goes over the kinds of conversations you’re expected to be able to have with retail customers, sharing techniques that can help you navigate those interactions successfully. Learn how to start talking to someone who just walked into your store, how to turn a conversation ender like “Thanks, I’m just looking” into a conversation starter, how to deal with angry customers, and much more.
(Access to LinkedIn learning is available free with library registration)

If you would like further information please contact the Prosearch team at the library. We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources. All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Political leadership of former Prime Ministers

As Aotearoa settles in with a new government and Prime Minister, this week’s blog reflects on Prime Ministerial leadership of the past.

Photo credit : WNZ_Parliament_2022_Credit WellingtonNZ8 

Leading both a political party and a country requires certain skillsets and strengths, the same as with any business.   Our past Prime Ministers have each brought their own unique take to the role and have each had to rise to face particular challenges.

While it is too soon for any analysis regarding Christopher Luxon, and Chris Hipkins tenure has not yet produced any publications,  the term of New Zealand’s 40th Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, produced numerous books giving consideration to her leadership style.

John Key’s leadership during his three year term as Prime Minister is written about by John Roughan while former Cabinet Minister, Chris Finlayson provides further insight into the workings of the Key led government of the times.

Further back the leadership of New Zealand’s first elected female Prime Minister, Helen Clark, is discussed along with her term leading the United Nations Development Programme.

We’ve included Denis Welch’s recent examination of Norman Kirk’s brief term in office and round out the blog with some collective works by political commentators interviewing or examining the leadership of a number of former Prime Ministers.

Jacinda Ardern : The Story of an Extraordinary Leader / Duff, Michelle
“In-depth analysis of Jacinda Ardern’s extraordinary leadership as Prime Minister of New Zealand.” (Catalogue)
NB: This is a revised edition of the title listed below

 

 

Jacinda Ardern : the story behind an extraordinary leader / Duff, Michelle
“Michelle Duff delves into Ardern’s beginnings in small-town New Zealand, discovering a nose-ringed teen fighting for equality and her own identity in a devout Mormon family. Duff tracks Ardern’s political career from being dismissed as a ‘show pony’ to her compassion during one of New Zealand’s biggest tragedies, the Christchurch mosque terror attack of 2019. In its aftermath, Ardern has become a global icon for her strength and decisiveness while uniting a country in shock and mourning. Ardern attracted international headlines for being the second world leader to give birth while in office. But why was having a baby so meaningful, and what does it say about the continued struggle for gender equality? Has Ardern really been a transcendent leader, and what enduring mark might she leave on the political landscape? This is an engrossing and powerful exploration of one of the most intriguing political stories of our time-telling us as much about one young woman’s ascendancy as it does about the country that elected her”– Publisher description.” (Catalogue)  Also available as EBook Libby

Jacinda Ardern : a new kind of leader / Chapman, Madeleine
“New Zealand’s prime minister has been hailed as a leader for a new generation, tired of inaction in the face of issues such as climate change and far-right terrorism. Her grace and compassion following the Christchurch mosque shooting captured the world’s attention. Oprah Winfrey invited us to ‘channel our inner Jacindas’ as praise for Ardern flooded headlines and social media. The ruler of this remote country even made the cover of Time. In this revealing biography, journalist Madeleine Chapman discovers the woman behind the headlines. Always politically engaged and passionate, Ardern is uncompromising and astute. She has encountered her fair share of sexism, but rather than let that harden her, she advocates ‘rising above’ disparagers. In her first press conference, she announced an election campaign of ‘relentless positivity’. The tactic was a resounding success: donations poured in and Labour rebounded in the polls. But has Ardern lived up to her promise? What political concessions has she had to make? And beyond the hype, what does her new style of leadership look like in practice?” (Catalogue)  Also available in Large print format and EBook Libby

Jacinda Ardern : leading with empathy / Vani, Supriya
“Jacinda Ardern was swept into office in 2017, with a wave of popular adulation dubbed ‘Jacindamania’. Her victory seemed heroic: in less than three months, she rose from deputy leader of the opposition, to the highest office in her nation. Few in politics would have believed it possible; fewer still would have guessed at her resolve and compassionate leadership, which, in the wake of the horrific Christchurch mosque shootings of March 2019 and the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic, brought her international acclaim and a second term. Jacinda Ardern: Leading with Empathy carefully explores the influences – personal, social, political and emotional – that have shaped Ardern. Acclaimed peace activist and journalist Supriya Vani builds her narrative through personal interviews with Ardern, as well as the prime minister’s public statements and speeches and the words of those who know her. We visit the places, meet the people and understand the events that propelled the daughter of a small-town Mormon policeman into a committed social democrat, a passionate Labour Party politician, and a model modern leader.”–Publisher’s description.” (Catalogue)  Also available as EBook Libby

The most powerful woman in the world : how Jacinda Ardern exemplifies progressive leadership / Chapman, Madeleine
“The fascinating story of an international icon – one of the world’s most inspiring, progressive leaders. Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern is a leader for a new generation, one tired of inertia in the face of pressing issues such as climate change, immigration and the rise of far-right terrorism. Ardern was catapulted onto the international stage with her grace and compassion following the Christchurch mosque shooting. Oprah Winfrey invited us to ‘channel our inner Jacindas’ as praise for Ardern flooded headlines and social media. The world’s youngest female head of government, and only the second elected world leader to give birth while in office, Ardern describes herself as a progressive and a social democrat. In this revealing biography, journalist Madeleine Chapman discovers the woman behind the headlines. Politically engaged from an early age, Ardern has encountered her fair share of sexism, but rather than let that harden her she advocates ‘rising above’ critics. In her first press conference, she announced an election campaign of ‘relentless positivity’. The tactic was a resounding success: donations poured in and Labour rebounded in the polls. But can Ardern live up to her promise? What does her new style of leadership look like in practice? And what can we learn from the world’s reaction to this inspiring leader?” (Catalogue)

John Key : portrait of a Prime Minister / Roughan, John
“Arguably New Zealand’s most popular Prime Minister in modern times, John Key shocked many with his decision to step down from office less than a year out from an election. Rather than seeking an historic fourth term, Key instead opted to quit while his approval rating was as high as ever in the polls. In this updated edition of the bestselling 2014 book, journalist John Roughan speaks with Key about his eight years leading the country and the motivation to turn his back on Parliament while he was still enjoying unprecedented public support. This lively portrait offers insights into Key’s early life, personality and motivations. Roughan examines how the twin ambitions of a boy in a state house, ‘to make a million dollars and be Prime Minister’, were realised beyond his dreams, and how Key’s instincts as a currency trader informed his approach to politics – and ultimately his decision to step down”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)

Yes, Minister : Christopher Finlayson, Attorney-General, 2008-2017 / Finlayson, Christopher
“An insightful, revealing and entertaining glimpse into what really made the John Key government one of the most successful conservative governments in New Zealand.” (Catalogue)  Also available as EBook Libby and in Large Print format

 

 

Helen : portrait of a Prime Minister / Edwards, Brian
“New Zealand’s first woman Prime Minister remains an enigma to many, despite her almost daily exposure on television. In this biography, the author has produced a comprehensive and absorbing account of the life, times and character of the real Helen Clark.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Women, equality, power : selected speeches from a life of leadership / Clark, Helen
“A celebration of an outstanding leader who continues to strive and work for change, and it’s a rallying call for other women leaders, whether they are in positions of political, economic or social power. Helen Clark has been a political leader for more than 40 years, since first running in local elections in the 1970s. She entered parliament as a 31-year-old in 1981, led the Labour Party to victory in 1999 and was Prime Minister of New Zealand for nine years. She then took on a critical international role as Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme in New York. One of her key focuses throughout this time has been the empowerment of women and she has paved the way for other women to step up and lead. With a foreword by the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, this is a timely and important book.” (Catalogue)  Also available as EBook Libby

At the UN : addresses from Helen Clark’s first term leading the United Nations Development Programme / Clark, Helen
“A selection of speeches – given to a variety of international audiences which cover a broad range of topics – areas which all fall within the major role and responsibility of the Administrator of the UN Development Programme – Helen Clark, who is now beginning a second four year term in New York. The addresses cover, among other topics and with a global perspective: global leadership for development, disaster risk reduction, governance, energy matters, why peace matters, famine, global finances, cyberspace, human development and international justice, local government roles, democratic transitions, climate change and developing nations, empowerment and resilience”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)

The 9th floor : conversations with five New Zealand prime ministers / Espiner, Guyon
“Based on the acclaimed RNZ podcast series, and including new material, The 9th Floor by journalists Guyon Espiner and Tim Watkin presents in-depth interviews with five former Prime Ministers of New Zealand. Geoffrey Palmer, Mike Moore, Jim Bolger, Jenny Shipley and Helen Clark reflect on their time occupying the prime ministerial offices on the 9th floor of the Beehive. Their recollections amount to a fascinating record of the decisions that shaped modern New Zealand.” (Catalogue)  Also available as EBook BWB

New Zealand’s prime ministers : from Dick Seddon to John Key / Bassett, Michael
“Collective biographies have been written for Britain’s and Australia’s Prime Ministers, and for America’s Presidents. Until now New Zealand has had no comparable overview. Based on extensive, careful archival research, interviews with recent Prime Ministers, many of their colleagues, and with their opponents, this major work is the product of decades of appreciative and insightful observation. It is essential reading for anyone interested in New Zealand politics.” (Catalogue)

We need to talk about Norman : New Zealand’s lost leader / Welch, Denis
“Norman Kirk was Prime Minister for only 90 weeks but in the early 1970s he inspired us by leading a visionary government with a clear moral purpose. When he died, we lost the man and many believe we lost our way. This book examines the promise of Kirk’s leadership and the social contract that is central to a liberal democratic society.”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Getting the most from a conference

I recently attended the national conference for LIANZA, the professional body for Library and Information staff.

It was held in Te Pae, the award winning new conference facilities in Ōtautahi/Christchurch. It was my first time attending ‘in person’ for five years so it was fantastic to catch up with old friends, former colleagues and spend a few days bouncing around ideas and enjoying the energy of 500+ of my colleagues from around the motu as we were immersed in the professional culture of our ‘tribe’.

I also did a brief presentation at this conference, and talking to a room of peers giving immediate feedback made it a vastly different experience from the online presentation I gave two years ago.

All this set me thinking, now that we have returned to in person conferences, but given increasing costs of attendance, how, as a conference delegate, can we get the most out of the time and money invested.

Conference attendance inevitably involves a significant financial outlay.  Some may be fortunate to have employers who will support or contribute to the costs.  Others may need to apply for funding via a grant,  in order to attend (often available through the organising professional body).  There may be a degree of compromise involved:  for instance an employer may be willing to pay registration costs for attendance, while the employee accepts the cost of accommodation/travel.

However it is funded, conference attendance is an investment in professional development and helps employees maintain professional relevance and currency.  An employer should expect some return on investment so how can you get the most out of a conference?

Two of the main points of conference attendance are professional development and networking.  Attending a conference is not only an opportunity to learn from others and be inspired by keynotes, but to also share your own experiences.  This can take the form of a formal presentation or through serendipitous connections with other attendees.

Whether you are a first time attendee, an experienced presenter or somewhere in between here’s some resources compiled to help you get the most out of a professional conference.

Planning

A conference for a professional body will probably involve a professional event planner.  However smaller organisations may not have the budget for this and therefore will rely on members to assist with  some or all the the planning.  One way to share your skills or acquire new ones is to get involved in the planning of the event.

Planning and managing a corporate event / Lindsey, Karen
“Includes the Ultimate Tick List, A-Z Survival Guide, 50 Top Tips and Useful Contacts. This book provides comprehensive and expert guidance on planning and managing a Warner Music Entertainment corporate event. It is written as a support text for students studying event management and to provide a practical guide for aspiring event organisers.” (Catalogue)

 

The event manager’s bible : how to plan and deliver an event / Conway, Des
“The complete guide to planning and organizing a voluntary or public event, this resource is filled with sage advice on everything from the objective of the event to publicizing it.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Event Planning Foundations (LinkedIn)
50m
Beginner
Released: 2/17/2018
Do you excel at bringing people together? Turn your passion for event planning into a career. Event planners are employed in every industry. They bring teams together to achieve goals, celebrate milestones, bond outside the office, and work more productively. This course will give you tips, tricks, and techniques to make your next event a success—whether it’s your first or fifty-first. Valerie Berry covers topics such as understanding your client’s objectives, selecting a venue, getting the right technology in place, negotiating a budget, and building menus. Plus, learn how to manage the thousands of details that occur in the two weeks leading to an event, and follow up afterwards to make sure your clients and your vendors are satisfied.  (Library registration required to access)

Preparing a presentation

via GIPHY

Yes, presenting to a room full of peers is scary but it is one way of sharing your knowledge and experience with your community.

A professional conference will have a theme and will call for abstracts to be submitted for consideration months prior to the event.

Think about what you can present on, how to tie it to the theme of the conference and then prepare your abstract.  Your paper will be selected on the strength of your abstract and the writing of an abstract  (a succinct summary of your paper) is a skill.  Guidelines may well be given by the organisations but a few tips are given in these two items :

Important Tips for Writing an Effective Conference Abstract

How to Write an Abstract for a Conference

Congratulations!  Your paper has been accepted on the basis of your abstract.  Now to write the paper.  Depending on the type of paper you have selected to present you will have a time limit.

You’ll find some basic tips and tricks here : 
 Conference Paper Format and Style Guidelines

How to Write an Engaging Conference Paper and along with your paper you also need to consider the slides used to illustrate your points and help with audience engagement.

Then the moment comes to stand up, take a deep breath annnnnnndddddd ….. Present!  

Presenting

The short road to great presentations : how to reach any audience through focussed preparation, inspired delivery, and smart use of technology / Reimold, Cheryl
“A practical, readable guide to delivering superior presentations Speakers bear the responsibility for communicating effectively with their audience: presenting a clear message, supporting it with well-structured explanations and examples, and delivering it with ease, grace, and good visuals.” (Catalogue)

The snowball effect : communication techniques to make you unstoppable / Bounds, Andy
“Imagine what would happen if your communication suddenly became twice as effective as it is now – in business and in life. You’d get more done, persuade others more easily, get things right first time and have better relationships. You’d be unstoppable.” (Catalogue)

 

Presentation skills for quivering wrecks / Etherington, Bob
“Based on a successful course delivered by the author to thousands of businesspeople, this book demonstrates how it is possible to overcome the fear of speaking in public, enabling anyone to stand up deliver a memorable presentation.” (Catalogue)

 

While all that can be done will be done to ensure a smooth presentation there are days when technology at least refuses to cooperate.  If things don’t go as planned, it pays to have given some thought in advance to how you may handle the situation if something goes wrong.   What to Do When Presentations Go Wrong offers tips for presenters to handle hiccups with ease. 

Presentation over, and you can now relax and enjoy networking.  Don’t overlook the power of making connections with colleagues and exhibitors. 

Networking

via GIPHY

The rules of networking / Yeung, Rob
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Networking has become one of the key skills for virtually anyone who wants to get on in their jobs and careers. In fact, in just about any situation, knowing the right person will get you ahead. This book provides the essential rules and secrets to successful networking. It addresses the how, why and who of networking to enable virtually anyone to grasp the key skills and do some serious networking. Far from being a God-given talent, networking is a technique that can be learnt, honed and applied to great effect. Careers consultant Rob Yeung offers savvy and practical advice on networking that will make a genuine difference to your career.” (Catalogue)

Networking for people who hate networking : a field guide for introverts, the overwhelmed, and the underconnected / Zack, Devora
“Would you rather get a root canal than face a group of strangers? Does the phrase “working a room” make you want to retreat to yours? Devora Zack, an avowed introvert and successful consultant … feels your pain. She found that other networking books assume that to succeed, you have to act like an extrovert. … Zack politely examines and then smashes to tiny fragments the “dusty old rules” of standard networking advice. She shows how the very traits that make many people hate networking can be harnessed to forge an approach more effective and user-friendly than traditional techniques. This edition adds new material on applying networking principles in personal situations, handling interview questions, following up-what do you do with all those business cards?-and more. Networking enables you to accomplish the goals that are most important to you. But you can’t adopt a style that goes against who you are-and you don’t have to. As Zack writes, “You do not succeed by denying your natural temperament; you succeed by working with your strengths.” (Adapted from Catalogue) Available in EBook Libby only

10 steps to successful social networking for business / Hartley, Darin E
“Whether you run a solo consulting practice or a worldwide enterprise, you likely use some form of social networking to connect your customer base to the services or products you offer. This book offers you a step-by-step plan to use the advantages of social networking to build brand and customer loyalty and to share organizational knowledge.” (Catalogue)

General resources

How to Rock a Conference (LinkedIn)
Create lasting connections anywhere
1h 9m
Beginner
Released: 2/12/2021
In order to grow your network and advance your skills, you need to attend conferences. In this course, business expert Bianca Lager walks you through how to make the most of attending one. Bianca explains how to stand out with your personal interactions at conferences. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, presence, positivity, and setting achievable goals. Bianca goes over how you can maximize networking opportunities before, during, and after a conference. She shows you how to prepare a plan ahead of time, as well as analyze how to project power through your positivity and appearance. Bianca concludes with useful tips for those running the conference, for first-time conference attendees, and more.  (Library registration required to access)

10 Ways to Make the Most Out of a Conference
Attending conferences might be one of the best things you can do for your career. You’ll learn about industry trends, gain some new skills, and make all kinds of new connections. (And yes, there’s usually travel and free meals involved.)

How to Get the Most Out of a Conference
Rebecca Knight, Harvard Business Review online, July 2015
Conferences are an overwhelming rush of presentations, conversations, and potential meet-ups, and it can be tough to know where to focus your time. How do you figure out which sessions to attend? Should you skip the keynote to meet an important contact? How many coffee dates are too many? And what should you do if you’re an introvert who hates small talk?

If you are fortunate enough to be able to attend an international conference, the scale, particularly in the USA, can be overwhelming.  This article offers some sensible tips.

26 tips to get the most out of a conference
Use these tips to show up prepared to make the most out of your experience — before, during and after the event.

After the event, remember to share your findings.  Report back on your findings and experiences to your team, your manager or your local professional body.  You have represented your organisation on their behalf.

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.


Managing up

“I’m so tired of managing my manager” sighed a friend.  “How about a blog piece about that?”

So, you know who you are, and, without further ado, here’s our blog piece on managing up.

Well Done Congrats GIF by America's Got Talent - Find & Share on GIPHY

Articles

How to spot and manage an insecure boss
Offers five strategies for managing up with an insecure boss in order to make the situation work for you both.

Mostly on Managing Up.
NZBusiness+Management, February 1, 2023.
Provides suggestions to help determine if you are managing up effectively.

Why Managing Up Matters.
Simpson, Liz.  Harvard Management Update 7, no. 8 (August 2002): 3-5
It isn’t manipulation. Clarifying the goals and limitations of the boss-employee relationship enables everyone to move on to the real business at hand.

How to Onboard Your New Boss
Hollister, R. and Watkins, M.D. (2023) Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, pp. 1–6
Reducing their learning curve about your organization, team, and culture will help set all of you up for success.

LinkedIn learning

Managing Up (Course)
Are you ready to take charge, do good work, and get noticed for it? If you don’t manage up, you may never have the opportunity to manage down. This course is designed to help you learn how to maximize your career by managing up. Leadership consultant and best-selling author Roberta Matuson explains what managing up is, what it isn’t, and why it is important to achieving success. First, she helps you decipher the management style of your boss. Then she outlines techniques for building a strong relationship as well as how to avoid mistakes. She also addresses the need to master office politics, how to navigate your workplace effectively, and how to boost your performance by maximizing your personal and positional power.  

Managing Your Manager (Course)
In this course, author, keynote speaker, and coach Dr. Todd Dewett shows how to manage your reputation and one of your most important work relationships: your rapport with your boss. Discover how to understand your manager’s world, preferences, and lingo; support your boss’s goals; be a help rather than a hindrance; and lead by offering solutions. Plus, learn how to manage particularly difficult types of bosses, such as the boss who’s never available, the mean boss, or the boss who acts better than everyone else.

Book collection

The unwritten rules of managing up : project management techniques from the trenches / Brownlee, Dana
“What do you do when the biggest threat to your project is your boss? It’s not that your boss is out to get you. In fact, bosses generally mean well. But clueless leadership from a well-intentioned boss can sometimes cause more damage than a criminal mastermind tying your project to the railroad tracks. The Unwritten Rules of Managing Up provides refreshingly practical and candid insight into the best practices and techniques that project managers have successfully used for decades to manage a wide variety of senior-level stakeholders-ranging from perfectly competent and pleasant to downright dysfunctional and inept. While managing up is an incredibly valuable skill for virtually any type of boss (not just the difficult ones), the book includes recommendations for managing six particularly challenging-and common-types of senior leaders. … Brownlee also offers basic techniques to use with any boss, even a great one. This book is not just for professionals seeking to enhance their workplace effectiveness but also for senior leaders interested in addressing their blind spots and coaching others toward a more collaborative, results-focused leadership approach.” (Adapted from Catalogue)  Available only as EBook Libby

Managing up : how to move up, win at work, and succeed with any type of boss / Abbajay, Mary
Managing Up is your guide to the most valuable ‘soft skill’ your career has ever seen. It’s not about sucking up or brown-nosing; it’s about figuring out who you are, who your boss is, and finding where you meet. It’s about building real relationships with people who have influence over your career. Managing up is good for you, good for your boss, and good for the organization as a whole. This book gives you strategies for developing these all-important connections and building more than rapport; you become able to quickly assess situations, and determine which actions will move you forward; you become your own talent manager, and your boss’s top choice for that new opportunity. As a skill, managing up can do more for your career than simply ‘networking’ ever could and this book shows you how.” (Catalogue)

Managing up : how to forge an effective relationship with those above you / Badowski, Rosanne
“Everyone has a boss. And anyone who has aspired to move up the corporate ladder knows that their relationship with those they report to is crucial.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Managing your manager : how to get ahead with any type of boss / Dufour, Gonzague
“Learn how to effectively work with even the most difficult boss – and instantly position yourself for success. Placing manager “types” into real-world categories – from the Bully, Scientist, and Star to the Geek, Parent, and Con Artist – this book provides everything you need to make your work life more satisfying and productive.” (Catalogue)

 

A survival guide for working with bad bosses : dealing with bullies, idiots, back-stabbers, and other managers from hell / Scott, Gini Graham
“Being saddled with a terrible supervisor can turn even the best job into a nightmare. Unfortunately, not every boss is the great symbol of managerial perfection one would hope for. A Survival Guide for Working with Bad Bosses provides readers with savvy, practical advice for coping with managers and supervisors who are mean, incompetent, unethical, and worse.” (Catalogue)

Bad boss : what to do if you work for one, manage one or are one / Gibbings, Michelle
“At one time or another we’ve all had a bad boss – from bullying and intimidation, to unfair feedback and unrealistic workloads. Contrary to popular belief, most bosses don’t set out to be a bad boss, and yet they are. A bad boss’s behaviour sets the tone for what’s acceptable in the whole organisation and in doing so, can cause major issues for productivity, staff turnover and wellbeing. This book covers all three perspectives for the direct report, the boss and the boss’s boss. It could even be you! This book will help you identify is it them, is it you or is it the environment in which you work, with key actionable steps to turn things around.” (Catalogue)

How to lead when your boss can’t (or won’t) / Maxwell, John C.
“Learn the secrets of how to lead well and be successful even when working for an ineffective leader.” (Catalogue)

 

 

 

If you would like further information please contact the Prosearch team at the library. We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources. All enquiries are treated in confidence.

McKinsey on Books : Author talks (3)

Global management consultancy McKinsey and Company offers a regular online series called Author Talks in which they present interviews with authors of newly published business books.

Through these interviews readers are able to gain more insight into the author’s experiences and knowledge on their topics.

In today’s blog we continue our series of linking some of these interviews with the books available in the Wellington City Libraries collection.

Click on these links to access earlier blogs : Author talks (1) and Author talks (2)

The inclusive organization : real solutions, impactful change, and meaningful diversity / Jenkins, Netta
“DEI is an 8-billion dollar industry that is not yet accessing its full potential through real solutions and results. However, through a powerful formula of policies and practices that motivate employees to be more socially and self-aware, The Inclusive Organization provides a revolutionary yet practical resource for individuals at any stage of their career. Employees across all levels and organizations are looking to drive actionable impact, but unfortunately lack the knowledge and support in doing so. This book will help any organization improve their DEI initiatives and create the sustainable and scalable change employees want to see within their workplace. Readers will be able to utilize worksheet examples and toolkits out of this book to build their own customized DEI roadmap. The Inclusive Organization is a must-read for any workplace committed to real and lasting change.”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Author Talks: Is there a seat at the table?
Aerodei CEO Netta Jenkins explains why shortfalls in inclusion efforts can impact your company’s bottom line, and what you can do to create a more inclusive workplace.

Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot / Abrahams, Matt
“Stanford lecturer and host of the #1 business podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams, reveals the secrets to finding the right words when it counts. Communication is crucial to success in life and business. However, it is not just big speeches that matter: it is also those critical, spur-of-the-moment situations for which we cannot prepare.” (Catalogue)   Also available as Ebook Libby

 

Read more : Author Talks: How to speak confidently when you’re put on the spot
If you dread public speaking, small talk, or delivering feedback, you’re not alone. Matt Abrahams shares tips for mastering communication in spontaneous situations.

The case for good jobs : how great companies bring dignity, pay & meaning to everyone’s work / Ton, Zeynep
“Imagine you are a leader in a large company, and you volunteer at a local soup kitchen, helping the needy who can’t afford warm meals. On your way out, the director stops you and says, “I just need you to know that many of the people visiting our services are actually your employees.” This really happened. The leader was shocked. He assumed that because the company paid market rate, the company was doing right by its employees. But market rate isn’t a living wage. Market rate doesn’t make good jobs. Many leaders want to provide good jobs. They want to pay more, provide dignity and meaning in people’s work, and give them opportunities for growth. But they don’t know how to start, or they don’t think it can be done without hurting the bottom line. Most want to win with customers but are hobbled by a host of service and operational problems largely driven by high employee turnover–and that is partly driven by the low pay. It is indeed a vicious cycle, and Zeynep Ton is here to show the way out: why good jobs combined with strong operations always lead to good outcomes for the business. And why, more than ever in a post-pandemic world, failing to provide good jobs will catch up with you and threaten your business. Ton, the preeminent voice of the good jobs strategy, lays out plainly what most companies and leaders are doing wrong–and how to get it right. She shows that by choosing good jobs, companies are positioning themselves for future success. Practical, prescriptive, and often provocative, Leading with Good Jobs is essential reading for leaders of any company that wants to-needs to-choose excellence”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Read more: Author Talks: Empower employees, reduce turnover
Zeynep Ton, professor at MIT Sloan, highlights an operating model that improves customer and employee retention, fosters resilience, and drives purpose.

Scaling people : tactics for management and company building / Johnson, Claire Hughes
“A leader at both Google and Stripe from their early days, Claire Hughes Johnson has worked with founders and company builders to try to replicate their success. The most common questions she’s asked are not about business strategy—they’re about how to scale the operating structures and people systems of a rapidly growing startup. Scaling People is a practical and empathetic guide to being an effective leader and manager in a high-growth environment. The tactical information it puts forward—including guidance on crafting foundational documents, strategic and financial planning, hiring and team development, and feedback and performance mechanisms—can be applied to companies of any size, in any industry. Scaling People includes dozens of pages of worksheets, templates, exercises, and example documents to help founders, leaders, and company builders create scalable operating systems and lightweight processes that really work. Implementing effective leadership and management practices takes effort and discipline, but the reward is a sustainable, scalable company that’s set up for long-term success. Scaling People is a detailed roadmap for company builders to put the right operating systems and structures in place to scale the most important resource a company has: its people.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Read more: Author Talks: Scale your people, not just your company
A corporate officer explains the role that self-awareness and partnership play in driving performance.

Next! : the power of reinvention in life and work / Lipman, Joanne
“The profound disruptions of recent years have sparked a collective reckoning. We reprioritized our lives, and reordered how we envisioned the future. Businesses were forced to pivot, while leaders scrambled to rethink their roles. There has been an unprecedented global reset. But in truth, almost everyone goes through this kind of reappraisal at least once in their life—and probably more often than that. Whatever the catalyst, it prompts in us the urgent need to pivot, to ask the question: What’s next—and how do I get there? In Next!, bestselling author and journalist Joanne Lipman distills hundreds of personal interviews along with the latest scientific research to answer just this question. Through irresistible storytelling, she takes us inside successful career reinventions (ad executive to bestselling novelist; stay-at-home mom to CEO) and astonishing business transformations (wait until you hear what Play-Doh and Viagra have in common). From the laboratories of neuroscientists to the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies, to the frontlines of the social justice movement, Lipman explores how and why these transformations succeed. At its heart, Next! offers a thrilling argument: by harnessing the science and understanding the process, we can better understand how to reinvent that new career, change the direction of our lives, or inspire innovation in our organizations. This book provides a toolkit that shows how to make meaningful transitions—large or small—and to figure out for ourselves what’s Next!” (Catalogue)
Available as EBook Libby and EAudiobook Libby

Read more: Author Talks: Create your ‘reinvention road map’ in four easy steps
In her latest book, Joanne Lipman dispels the myth of abrupt transformations and outlines a concrete path to reinvention.

The Art of Explanation: How To Communicate With Clarity And Confidence / Atkins, Ros
“Whether at work, school, university or home, we all benefit from being able to articulate ourselves clearly. Filled with practical examples, The Art of Explanation is a must-read for anyone who wants to sharpen their communication skills.” (Catalogue)

 

Read more:  Author Talks: Am I making myself clear?
Feeling misunderstood? A BBC journalist shares the communication blunders that keep you from getting your point across and what you can do to avoid them.

If you would like further information please contact the Prosearch team at the library. We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources. All enquiries are treated in confidence.

 

Managing Change

Two weekends past, the country went to the polls and the result has been a change in government for Aotearoa.

Change is part of life but not always easy.  Some people, by nature, embrace change and adapt easily.  For others it is harder.

via GIPHY

Our Prime Minister elect has been CEO of an organisation that has weathered change so should bring some understanding of the change management process to his new role.  

Companies often undergo change for many different and often complex reasons.  What matters is how it is handled by members of staff, but particularly by the leadership of the organisation.

via GIPHY

In this blog we’ve curated a list of resources that offer some guidance on how to manage workplace change.

 

Articles

To Implement Change, You Don’t Need to Convince Everyone at Once: Rather than trying to convince skeptics from the outset, start with a small group of enthusiastic people’,  Satell, G. (2023).  Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, pp. 1–7. 
Rather than trying to convince skeptics from the outset, start with a small group of enthusiastic people.

The Most Successful Approaches to Leading Organizational Change’, Rowland, D., Thorley, M. and Brauckmann, N. (2023)  Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, pp. 1–10. 
A closer look at four distinct ways to drive transformation.

Getting Employee Buy-In for Organizational Change’, Olson, A.B. (2023) Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, pp. 1–5. 
Offers six steps to creating a culture that embraces change.

LinkedIn Learning course

Change Management Foundations
46m
Beginner + Intermediate
The need to manage change successfully is more common and more important for a leader’s career than ever, and a specific roadmap for managing change is essential. In this course, instructor Scott Mautz gives you a playbook—a powerful, step-by-step approach to managing change, drawing from and building on key elements of change management models in practice today. Scott begins with a brief introduction to the field of change management and dives into the truths of leading change. He discusses how to conduct a change readiness assessment, then goes into the specific change management phases that follow. Scott details key steps and considerations of each phase, as well as what barriers to expect and overcome. He concludes with how to build a change action plan (CAP).

11m
General
Teams won’t buy into a change unless they understand why it’s necessary. And without buy-in from stakeholders, changes don’t last. This course offers a fast-paced introduction to change management—a structured approach to delivering and managing sustainable change within an organisation. Instructor Claudine Peet explains how to identify why a change needs to happen, communicate your vision, and involve the right people along the way. Claudine then details how these processes and tools can not only help changes stick, but also positively impact both your organization’s culture and bottom line. With these essential concepts in your tool kit, you’ll be better equipped to help your teams achieve lasting results.

Change Management: Roadmap to Execution
34m
General
Enabling new ways of working or doing is one of the most vital steps in a successful business transformation. But a failure to establish standards for change integrity could jeopardise this transition. Change advisor Christina Charenkova describes the practical steps and activities that need to happen during a change management execution effort. She explains the information captured with a change impact analysis, then shows you how to verify the business impacts and ensure that new impacts are documented and reviewed. She covers how to identify stakeholders opposing the change and define strategies to mitigate their resistance to change. Christina challenges you to identify further change activities, then shares a possible solution. Christina goes over ways you can ease pain points and make the transition easier, then discusses the need for developing a growth mindset when it comes to business transformation.

Book collection

Making sense of change management : a complete guide to the models, tools & techniques of organizational change / Cameron, Esther
Making Sense of Change Management is the classic text in the field of change management. It is aimed at anyone who wants to understand why change happens, and what needs to be done to make change a welcome rather than a dreaded concept. However, this book is not a “one size fits all” simplistic panacea to all change, whatever the circumstances. Instead, it offers considered insights into the many frameworks, models and ways of approaching change and helps the reader to apply the right approach to each unique situation.”–BOOK JACKET.” (Catalogue)

On change management
“Most company’s change initiatives fail. Yours don’t have to. If you read nothing else on change, read these 10 articles. We’ve combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the most important ones to help you spearhead change in your organization. HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Change will inspire you to: lead change through eight critical stages; establish a sense of urgency; overcome addiction to the status quo; mobilize commitment; silence naysayers; and concentrate resources.” (Catalogue)

Managing in times of change : 24 lessons for leading individuals and teams through change / Maginn, Michael D
“While change is essential to your organization’s survival, it can also breed instability, stress, and even anger in your workforce. Managing in Times of Change shows you how to help managers and employees understand the benefits of change and flourish within their new environment and responsibilities. Twenty-four workplace-proven leadership lessons and tools provide you with a uniquely personal look at the impact of organizational change.” “Employees required to change how, where, and with whom they work can have difficulty seeing the benefits of a new situation. Managing in Times of Change provides straight talk and actionable advice that will help managers, teams, and individuals understand and implement workplace change in order to strengthen themselves and the organization.”–BOOK JACKET.” (Catalogue)

Mastering turbulence : the essential capabilities of agile and resilient individuals, teams, and organizations / McCann, Joseph E
“The essential capabilities organizations need to master turbulent change.  Rapid and disruptive change threatens the adaptive capacity of organizations, along with the individuals and teams leading them. Based upon over a decade of global research and consulting, Joseph E. McCann and John W. Selsky outline five capabilities highly agile and resilient systems must possess. They must be: Purposeful, Aware, Action-Oriented, Resourceful, and Networked. In addition the authors illustrate how these capabilities can be assessed across four levels–individuals, teams, organizations, and their business ecosystems. The goal is to develop these capabilities in tandem so that the individual, team, organization and ecosystem have High AR–not just greater agility or resiliency, but both high agility and high resiliency. The authors outline balanced development strategies for creating High AR that can be used to master turbulent environments for competitive advantage and sustained performance Includes cutting-edge concepts and examples that take readers from the latest advances in neuro-science and executive wellness to global supply chains and innovation strategy. Contains illustrative examples and vignettes from leading organizations including Mayo Clinic, Microsoft, Starbucks, Southwest Airlines, TECO Energy, Shell Oil, Walmart, and others Most important, McCann, and Selsky deliver a unique and practical perspective that helps organization leaders make sense of the dynamic world in which they operate”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

The influence agenda : a systematic approach to aligning stakeholders in times of change / Clayton, Mike
“This book sets out a systematic way to understand who you need to influence, how to evaluate the priority you give to each person, what tactics will work the best, and how to plan and execute your campaign. It provides powerful tools and processes which use the psychology of influence and grounds them in experience of managing projects and change.” (Catalogue)

 

The executive checklist : a guide for setting direction and managing change / Kerr, James M
“A guide for new executives that explores how to create an overarching, enterprise-wide transformative program. The book provides a best-practice checklist for 8 core areas: Strategy Setting, Technology Alignment, Business Renovation, Project Management, Communications Renewal, Employee Engagement, Staff Transformation, and Organizational Design.” (Catalogue)

 

Redesigning work : how to transform your organization and make hybrid work for everyone / Gratton, Lynda
“How companies can use the recent shifts in business norms and culture to reset work for the coming decade and beyond”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 

 

If you would like further information please contact the Prosearch team at the library. We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources. All enquiries are treated in confidence.