I’m not in retirement. I’m in the process of repurposing – Daniel Carter
There are many routes a former professional sportsperson can take once their career on the field has ended. Although they may retire from active training and playing, many stay on the sidelines and transition into a role of mentoring, coaching or sports promotion. Others reinvent themselves into a second career option quite different from their sport.
One thing common to all top level sports people is their understanding of leadership. They have been led and encouraged throughout their careers by coaches and mentors, and have themselves provided leadership, acting as role models for their teams and younger players rising through the ranks.
The book is not, according to his recent interview with RNZ, about rugby, but more about the leadership lessons learned as a result of his playing career and his repurposing post playing.
You can read more about Dan’s transition from rugby to business leader in his new book:
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. You might think success at the highest level insulates you from pressure and doubt. But nothing could be further from the truth. In this book, I take you inside a journey that has forced me to look inwardly in a way I’ve never had to before. It’s been challenging, frustrating, rewarding and left me full of gratitude. Whether you’re a business looking to work on your culture, a leader on a steep learning curve, a person navigating change in their life or just someone of any age trying to get that little bit better every day, I hope that my experience can spur you on to greater heights, and master the art of winning.
For the first time, sporting legend Dan Carter distils his two decades at the frontiers of high-performance into his ‘perfect ten’ lessons. You won’t find conventional wisdom here, but hard-learned truths, including- – Why great leaders are made, not born, and why they must constantly evolve – How to forge a winning team culture – Why embracing your past can be every bit as important as looking towards your future – Why empowering others leads to the best decisions – Why confidence and self-belief are nothing without humility and a beginner’s mindset. Honest, surprising and inspiring, The Art of Winning converts a legendary career into timeless lessons for readers in any walk of life. Step inside the unique culture of the All Blacks – and inside the mind of a legend.” (Catalogue) Also available as EAudiobook Libby
The All Blacks are without doubt one of the world’s most successful sporting teams. Success though, isn’t the result of just one or two people but of a mindset that is embedded into the team performance of players, coaches and support staff alike.
Below is a compilation of resources available through Wellington City Libraries collection that look at the success of our national men’s rugby team and what lessons are there for other business.
12 leadership lessons from the All Blacks Singh, Jasbindar in New Zealand management, Dec 2015/Jan 2016; v.62 n.11:p.M22 Describes 12 powerful leadership, team and life lessons from the AllBlacks team.
Legacy : 15 lessons in leadership : what the All Blacks can teach us about the business of life / Kerr, James M ” When the going gets tough, the tough start changing. Difficult times call for different solutions. In his global bestseller, Legacy, James Kerr goes deep into the heart of the world’s most successful team, the New Zealand All Blacks, to help understand what it takes to bounce back from adversity and still reach the top. It is a book about leading a team or an organisation – but, more importantly, about leading a life. The kind of life that you want to lead. In today’s volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment, personal leadership has never been more relevant and Legacy goes to the heart of how great leaders – and we are all leaders – ‘reboot’ and reframe their future. It is a truly life-defining read that addresses the big questions – values, vision, mindset and purpose – that, when answered, build the foundation for resilience, excellence and sustained success. This book will change your life. Champions do extra. They sweep the sheds, follow the spearhead, and keep a blue head. They are good ancestors and plant trees they’ll never see. ” (Catalogue)
The captain’s run / Paul, Gregor “How the captains of the last 50 years have gone about leading the world’s most successful rugby team. The job of All Blacks captain comes with a scrutiny that puts it alongside the prime minister in terms of profile and public expectation. It takes a strong, confident and assured personality to captain a team where failure is never tolerated. The Captain’s Run is a behind the scenes journey into the world of All Blacks captaincy. It reveals how the great captains dealt with the pressure of the toughest job in world rugby, how they coped with failure, and what they would have done differently, if given their time again.”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue) Also available as EBook Libby and on CD
The jersey : the secrets behind the world’s most successful team / Bills, Peter “This paperback edition contains a new chapter bringing the All Black story up to date. The phenomenal international number one bestseller with exclusive interviews with Richie McCaw, Steve Hansen, Beauden Barrett and Dan Carter, The Jersey is the first definitive story behind the greatest sports team on the planet. … With a better winning record than any other sports team in history, they stand head and shoulders above their nearest rugby rivals. How did a country of just 4.8 million people conquer the world? Peter Bills, who has reported on international rugby for more than forty years, was given exclusive access to all the key figures in New Zealand rugby as he set out to understand the secrets behind the All Blacks success…” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Black Gold : The story of how the All Blacks became rugby’s most valuable asset / Paul, Gregor “Power, Money and the Team that Reshaped Rugby How did one of the smallest nations in the world produce the jewel in world rugby’s crown? In the professional age, the All Blacks have evolved to become rugby’s most marketable asset and a blueprint for building high-performing teams. But as the All Blacks became commercialised, the tug-of-war between performance and making money has intensified. From the battle between Nike and Adidas for ownership of the black jersey to the newly minted deal with Silicon Valley private equity group Silver Lake, Black Gold reveals how the lure of monetising the brand has impacted the performance of the players and coaches. What sacrifices are being made to increase profit? And is the golden goose at risk of being overcooked? Black Gold is a gripping, revealing book about the inner workings of the All Blacks, the balance of power and what lies ahead for the world’s best-known rugby team.” (Catalogue)
Graham Henry : final word / Howitt, Bob “Final Word is an honest and reflective look at the life and career of a truly remarkable and often controversial leader. With the Rugby World Cup win in 2011, Graham Henry broke the 24-year curse and restored the NZ All Blacks to the top of the rugby pedestal. But while Graham began and ended his career on a high, along the way he experienced moments of despair, bordering on depression. At the lowest point in his career, he almost gave it all away. This book traces his lack-lustre academic career, surprising considering he rose to become a successful headmaster; his achievements as a cricketer, the origins of his rugby coaching; and his strong partnership with his wife, Raewyn. Graham reveals the drastic measures he took to change the culture within the All Blacks and set them on the path to becoming world champions. In his eight years as coach, the All Blacks maintained an incredible 85 per cent success rate across 106 matches and, of course, claimed the Webb Ellis Trophy at the 2011 Rugby World Cup”–Wheelers Books.com.au.” (Catalogue)
Steve Hansen : the legacy / Paul, Gregor “Between the years 2012 and 2019, Sir Steve Hansen oversaw an era of such remarkable success that it would be almost impossible to repeat. His 15-year career in the All Blacks coaching team is the heaviest footprint in rugby history. Of the 210 tests he was involved with, his team lost just 25 times. Of the 107 tests he served as head coach, Sir Steve accumulated a record 4 World Rugby Coach of the Year awards and orchestrated 93 victories – a winning percentage of 87 per cent, the highest of any All Blacks coach”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue) Also available as EBook Libby
Rugby : the afterlife : former All Blacks tell their stories / Gray, Wynne “Way back when there was a clear distinction between work and rugby, great names of the game spent their time working in an office or at a trade or out on the farm, all the while fitting in training and then playing at the weekends. That job/play distinction became hazier through the 80s and 90s until, in the wake of Jonah Lomu’s stunning exploits at the 1995 World Cup and pressure from media barons, the International Rugby Board declared rugby professional. Some players just missed that paydirt, others straddled the crossover years while the rest have never known any different and have always written ‘fulltime sportsman’ on their tax returns as rugby threaded its way through two decades of professionalism. For all of these players, though, there was a finishing line, a final test appearance. Some made that choice, others had it made for them. Some All Blacks had planned strongly for life after rugby, many were pursued hard by companies while others had difficulties settling into the next chapter of their lives. How did they go about that transition? Did they wait for guidance, have a lightbulb moment, take on some serious study or retraining or did they have the security of going back into a family business? How did a lifetime in rugby protect or prepare them for experiences after the game and how and why did they make the choices they did? Rugby – The Afterlife explores in great detail how a number of All Blacks coped with that transition and came out the other side.” (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.
If Twitter is your place in the world of social media, you will be aware that it has been rebranded as X. No doubt the owner of the social media platform has his reasons, but for most it is a confusing change. Amongst other things it alters how we use language relevant to that medium: do we still tweet or do we now ex? With time users will either adapt to the change or will move on to other platforms.
This Conversation article by an advertising and public relations academic considers successful and unsuccessful high profile rebrands including discussing the Twitter-to-X rebrand.
In Aotearoa New Zealand it was recently announced that close to 200 Countdown supermarkets throughout the motu (country) are to be rebranded as Woolworths supermarkets.
Woolworths as a brand has been in New Zealand since 1929 when the first “Woolies” department store opened on Wellington’s Cuba Street. In 1965 the first Woolworths supermarket opened in Hastings.
Woolworths supermarket, Johnsonville Mall, 1978. Photographer: Charles J Fearnley Republished courtesy of the WCL’s Recollect collection
Those of a certain age will remember when Woolworths supermarkets rebranded to Countdown some decades ago.
News reports have the new brand change, from Countdown back to Woolworths, and including store upgrades, as costing the Woolworths group an estimated NZ$400 million over the next three years.
Vodafone, however, on announcing its intention to rebrand to One New Zealand earlier this year, was understood to be saving tens of millions of dollars as a result of the name change. Even though the advertising campaigns, change of corporate logos and slogans and the embedding those into corporate culture and the minds of consumers, will surely come with a hefty cost.
This begs the questions Why does a company rebrand? Is it worth the cost? The confusion? What is a company brand anyway?
“I’ve noticed that there are two buckets of reasons an organization rebrands: need or opportunity. Oftentimes, it is a combination of both.”
If you want to know more about branding or rebranding – either business or a personal brand – Wellington City Libraries makes a range of resources available that are designed to assist.
Linkedin Learning courses and short videos are available to anyone with a library membership. Using your registration number and password, sign in and enter “Branding” or “Rebranding” into the search box to find a listing of resources that will be useful.
Some of the book resources we have available include :
The only book you will ever need on branding : to start, run and grow your business / Maandag, Michiel “This no-nonsense book is for anyone who wants to create a winning brand without drowning in theory. A great product is not enough. You cannot sell or promote anything without an original and distinctive brand. But how do you create a good name, a memorable logo and a recognizable category so that everyone understands what you are selling? In The Only Book You Will Ever Need on Branding you’ll find out everything you need to know – fast. Using quirky illustrations to make its point you’ll discover how to fast forward the success of your brand in a couple of hours. You’ll grasp the key concepts of branding, learn how to improve your existing brand and find out what other start-up books don’t tell you”–Publisher’s website.” (Catalogue)
The fundamentals of branding / Davis, Melissa “The Fundamentals of Branding offers an overview of the foundations for building, developing and maintaining brands. Branding is a discipline that has emerged over the last century to become a ubiquitous force in marketing. It is also a discipline that is rapidly evolving, affected by technological advancements and a constantly shifting social context. This title is designed to give readers a broad understanding of the stages and methodologies adopted in the brand development process.” (Catalogue)
Branding for the public sector : creating, building and managing brands people will value / Temporal, Paul “From government programs to non-profit organisations to global NGOs, organisations in the public sector are increasingly turning to branding strategies employed by for-profit companies to develop their images. Image is everything, particularly in the developing world in which many public-sector groups operate. Consequently, the public sector is the next big growth area in branding, but few books address branding strategy specific for this sector. Branding for the Public Sector fills this gap with powerful and effective branding strategies backed by case studies and examples. Author Paul Temporal covers branding architecture, brand vision, market research, brand perception, brand engagement, brand communication, managing brand change, and much more. Additionally, he covers the future of public sector branding and how organisations in the public sector may be a key driver of economic growth and prosperity through the twenty-first century. Branding for the Public Sector offers expert guidance for managers and leaders who want to build powerful, influential brands in the public sector”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)
Brand elevation : lessons in ueber-branding / Schaefer, Wolfgang “How can a brand become one of those peerless ‘Ueber-Brands’ we all admire and are willing to pay a premium for? – Is there a proven process? – Where should we start? Brand Elevation explains the main drivers behind brands becoming peerless and priceless and how to harness these principles to develop a winning brand strategy. Written for marketers and brand managers of all levels of experience, and for both those working in start-ups and established players, it proposes a six-step, easy-to-follow program to elevate your brand. Brand Elevation explores challenges such as creating a distinct and brand-guiding mission, mediating between exclusivity and inclusion and mastering the art of seduction. Featuring case studies and expert accounts from organizations including Airbnb, Acqua di Parma, Burt’s Bees, Lakrids, Starbucks, TerraCycle, and YouTube, Wolfgang Schaefer and JP Kuehlwein skilfully explain how any brand – regardless of sector and industry – can become a modern prestige brand”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)
Website branding for small businesses : secret strategies for building a brand, selling products online, and creating a lasting community / Nahai, Nathalie “With so many customers taking to the web for information, every business needs to have an online presence, especially a small business. However, a simple website won’t suffice and each enterprise has to properly connect with customers to build and nurture a relationship that will ensure their devotion to the brand. This is where Nathalie Nahai, The Web Psychologist, steps in. Nahai expertly draws from the fields of psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics to share the latest developments, innovative techniques, and original insights that will lead any small business to online success, with information on: * Targeting the emotional versus the rational brain * The psychology of decision-making * How to pinpoint your target market * Communicate persuasively * Utilizing images, video, and colors to grab attention * Making a website easy to use * Using social media to connect * Increase sales through e-commerce What makes consumers click on a link? In what ways can you target different demographics? How do you make the web work for you? The tools in this book will give you answers to help develop a compelling, influential, and profitable online strategy to catapult your brand to the next level. ” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Magnetic stories : connect with customers and engage employees with brand storytelling / Dolan, Gabrielle “Your brand is the stories people share about you when you’re not in the room. Whether a small, one or two-person company or a large multinational; a not for profit or a Government organization; a start-up entrepreneur or a corporate institution; a school or a sporting team; a religious institution or a political party; a local café or a global franchise — everyone has a brand and everyone has a story. The reality is people are already sharing stories, both the good and the bad.” (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.
The recent release of the Barbie movie has generated discussion in the business world. Love her or hate her, the woman with hundreds of careers, as many looks, and impossible body shape has endured for over 60 years. As a brand she is a globally recognised icon.
Ditto LEGO®. Loved by kids and many adults, hated by anyone who has stood, barefoot on those hard, lumpy bricks scattered across the carpet, LEGO® is a global phenomena.
One is American, the other Danish. Both have survived attempts at imitation. Both have spawned movies and merchandise. In the case of LEGO®, there are international theme parks in the form of Legoland whilst Barbie had her own Barbie themed cruise. A Mattel Adventure Park, featuring Barbie along with other products from the Mattel stable, is due to open in Arizona in 2024.
In Wellington at the moment, you can find the Jurassic World exhibition at Tākina featuring 6 million LEGO® bricks, plus the Barbie Collector exhibition on at Wellington Museum. Both are proving crowd pleasers. Here at Wellington City Libraries there are LEGO® building sessions for enthusiasts aged 5-105. (Check the Libraries’ Event calendar).
Why are both these products so popular? In this week’s blog we look at what’s the secret to the global domination and enduring longevity of LEGO® and Barbie.
How to Save an Iconic Brand. Feifer, J. Entrepreneur. 2022;50(8):11-16. Accessed July 24, 2023. Barbie dolls have been one of Mattel’s top-selling products for decades. In this article former Mattel executive Richard Dickson explains that “while evolution makes a brand relevant, purpose makes a brand immortal.”. [Library registration required to access]
The Toys That Built America Season 1 (2021) Against the backdrop of major events in American history like the Civil War and the Great Depression, “The Toys that Built America” shares a different story—one that brings new products and nostalgic toys to the forefront as driving forces behind untold cultural and economic shifts. The four-part docuseries showcases visionaries such as the Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley and Ruth Handler who transformed a small toy company into the billion-dollar empire now known as Mattel®. It reveals the little-known stories behind groundbreaking innovations like the Frisbee® and accidental discoveries like how the Slinky® was created. Additionally, the docuseries unveils competitive rivalries between iconic brands that changed the fabric of our nation forever. Blending dramatic reenactments and archival footage with interviews from experts, biographers, and others, “The Toys That Built America” brings to life the surprising tales of the men and women who created some of America’s most beloved and enduring toys, including Silly Putty®, Monopoly®, Barbie®, G.I. Joe®, and other famous classics. [Available on the Kanopy streaming platform. Library registration required]
The Economics of Barbie: Marketing the Evolution of an Icon Through the Generations. Roberts DL. Journal of Applied Business & Economics. 2020;22(7):83-88. doi:10.33423/jabe.v22i7.3253 Analyses the continued success of the Barbie doll and how it has remained relevant over the years. Market analysts attribute Barbie’s long-term success to her responsiveness to evolving styles and adaptability to changing trends in American society.
A Barbie for Every Body. (cover story). Dockterman E. TIME Magazine. 2016;187(4):44-51. Accessed July 24, 2023. Looks at how Mattel expanded the Barbie doll range to take in differing body shapes. Looks at the evolution of Barbie through the ages. [Library registration required to access]
Barbie’s Secret Plan For World Domination. Goldstein L. Fortune. 1998;138(10):38-40. An older article that looks at Mattel’s Barbie-related marketing. The Barbie doll’s United States market penetration; Children’s garments that will offered with the Barbie brand; Merchandise that will be launched in connection to the toy’s 40th anniversary; Plans for Barbie stores in New York City and Los Angeles, California. [Library registration required to access]
LEGO®
Brick by Brick. Kiefer, B. July 2023:22-30. Accessed July 24, 2023. Presents an interview with Julia Goldin, Chief product and marketing officer for the Lego Group. Through product innovation, creativity and inclusive marketing, she has helped steer Lego from “being not just the definitive toy brand for children, but also now an entertainment brand, loved by everyone” [Library registration required]
Lego, the world’s top toymaker, focuses on China.The Economist, 6 May 2023, p. NA. Gale In Context: Global Issues, Accessed 24 July 2023. Examines Lego’s expansion into the Chinese market where the Chinese name for Lego, Legao, includes the character for happiness. [Library registration required]
Innovation-driven culture: Developing a culture that prioritizes innovation is the key to creating long-term sustainable value. Frigo, ML, Groff ET, Snellgrove D. Laessoe H. Strategic Finance. January 2023:21-24. Accessed July 24, 2023. The article explores innovation culture as a means to create long-term sustainable value by companies and presents insights from business leaders on creating an innovation-driven culture. Hans Laessoe of the Lego group shares insights into developing an innovation culture. [Library registration required]
The LEGO story : how a little toy sparked the world’s imagination / Andersen, Jens “The extraordinary inside story of the LEGO company–producer of the most beloved and popular toy on the planet–based on unprecedented access to the founding family that still owns the company, chronicling the brand’s improbable journey to become the empire that it is today”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)
The Lego story: remolding education policy and practice. Pirrie A. Educational Review. 2017;69(3):271-284. doi:10.1080/00131911.2016.1207614 The aim of this article is to develop a more nuanced understanding of the complex nature of learning as it relates to both the educational and social aims of education as manifested in contemporary European education policy. The article explores tensions in education policy and practice by exploring the evolution of the global brand Lego. The development of Lego is considered to be emblematic of attempts to renegotiate the relation between playing and studying; process and mastery; cognition and embodiment. …Lego serves as an analogy for the progressive realignment of linear and teleological views of knowledge and the coming into presence of the individual in community that is central to education in relation to contemporary European educational policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] [Library registration required]
Strategic risk management at the LEGO Group. Frigo ML, Laessoe H. Strategic Finance. 2012;93(2). Accessed August 1, 2023. Describes strategic risk management at the LEGO Group, which is based on an initiative started in late 2006 and led by Hans Laessoe, senior director of strategic risk management at LEGO System A/S. It’s also part of the continuing work of the Strategic Risk Management Lab at DePaul University, which is identifying and developing leading practices in integrating risk management with strategy development and strategy execution. [Library registration required]
A LEGO brickumentary “Since the birth of their trademark toy in 1958, The LEGO Group has produced over 400 billion bricks. But more and more, LEGO bricks aren’t just for kids, and some take them very seriously. Adult Fans of LEGO around the globe are unashamedly declaring their love of the brick, brick artists are creating stunning and surprising creations, and LEGO master builders are building human scale and larger structures. This documentary playfully delves into the extraordinary impact of the LEGO brick.” (Catalogue) [DVD]
The cult of LEGO / Baichtal, John “The LEGO brick may be the most popular toy in the world, but it’s much more than just a toy. In The Cult of LEGO, John Baichtal of MAKE Magazine and Wired’s GeekDad blog and Joe Meno of BrickJournal take readers on a story-packed adventure through the history of LEGO, from its humble beginnings in a small Danish village to its ascent to the summit of the toy world. Along the way, readers are immersed in the fascinating world of LEGO and its fans. They learn hundreds of obscure LEGO facts as they’re surrounded by countless fantastically complex and challenging models built by some of the most famous adult LEGO builders. Both deep and wide-ranging, The Cult of LEGO is sincere, admiring, and encyclopedic in its coverage, surveying everything from gigantic models to robots to genuine works of art. Exhaustively researched and lavishly illustrated in full color, The Cult of LEGO is destined to be the definitive guide to LEGO fan culture”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)
Building a global brand
Good to great : why some companies make the leap … and others don’t / Collins, James C. [Looks at] How can good companies, mediocre companies, even bad companies achieve enduring greatness. Are there those that convert long-term mediocrity or worse into long-term superiority. If so, what are the distinguishing characteristics that cause a company to go from good to great. Over five years, Jim Collins and his research team have analyzed the histories of 28 companies, discovering why some companies make the leap and others don’t. The findings include: Level 5 Leadership: A surprising style, required for greatness. The Hedgehog Concept: Finding your three circles, to transcend the curse of competence. A Culture of Discipline: The alchemy of great results. Technology Accelerators: How good-to-great companies think differently about technology. The Flywheel and the Doom Loop: Why those who do radical restructuring fail to make the leap. Built to Last, the defining management study of the nineties, showed how great companies triumph over time and how longterm sustained performance can be engineered into the DNA of an enterprise from the very beginning.(Adapted from Catalogue) Also available as E-Audio book
A world of difference : leading in global markets with cultural intelligence / Menzies, Felicity “Companies and organisations that have a diverse workforce benefit from increased innovation, creativity, performance and a better bottom line. However, building diverse teams in the workforce is not easy. Not everyone has the Cultural Intelligence (CQ) to work with people from other countries and cultures. Cultural Intelligence is not a personality trait, nor is it something you are born with. Rather, Cultural Intelligence develops through education, training, and experience. A good place to start to find out more about CQ is Felicity Menzies’ new book ‘A World of Difference.’ Filled with a mix of anecdotes drawn for the author’s personal experiences and research on this topic, Menzies helps leaders to understand Cultural Intelligence and how it can give them an enviable competitive advantage. Companies with leaders and workers who have high Cultural Intelligence are more agile. These organisations can quickly adapt processes, products, and services to capture new opportunities and respond to change across diverse markets. Cultural Intelligence also promotes successful intercultural relations, both inside and outside the organisation. This improves business performance via enhanced innovation, increased workforce engagement, and more effective partnering.” (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 young woman I know recently failed her first attempt at her driving practical.
Ironically, it wasn’t a case of doing something wrong. She did what she had been instructed to do, which was stop when the light turned red. Unfortunately, in this case, it was in the middle of the intersection ….
The assessor saw the funny side, telling her it wasn’t often people were failed for doing the right thing. This time though, the right thing was the wrong thing for the time and place.
She told me how embarrassed she was, as, up until that moment she felt she was doing really well and was going to pass. I asked her “OK, so what have you learned from this?”
Because for every failure in life there is a lesson to be learned if you are inclined. Sometimes it takes making a mistake more than once to learn from it.
Most successful business and sportspeople will tell a similar story. For all the success – the awards, the achievements, the medals – there have been total bombs. Ideas that should have worked but didn’t. The mis-steps and mis-readings relating to customer requirements or the state of the market. Things that go spectacularly wrong.
The thing with successful businesses is that they learn from the failure, pick themselves up and move forward.
My young friend has done the same and booked another driving test, this time with some additional, hard earned, practical knowledge, and all going well, will soon be issued with a driver’s license.
Below is a compilation of some library resources that guide readers to a better understanding of failure and the lessons (both business and life) that can be learned from the experience.
In this Forbes article 20 leaders share times they have failed and the lessons they learned from those experiences that guided them later success.
Failure has taught me lessons I would never otherwise have understood. I have evolved more as a result of things going wrong than when everything seemed to be going right. Out of crisis has come clarity … Elizabeth Day , author of How to fail
Elizabeth Day, author of two of the books below, has her podcast, How to fail, available via several platforms.
How to fail : everything I’ve ever learned from things going wrong / Day, Elizabeth “Inspired by her hugely popular podcast, How To Fail is Elizabeth Day’s brilliantly funny, painfully honest and insightful celebration of things going wrong. This is a book for anyone who has ever failed. Which means it’s a book for everyone. … It’s a book about learning from our mistakes and about not being afraid. Uplifting, inspiring and rich in stories from Elizabeth’s own life, How to Fail reveals that failure is not what defines us; rather it is how we respond to it that shapes us as individuals. Because learning how to fail is actually learning how to succeed better. And everyone needs a bit of that.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Failosophy : a handbook for when things go wrong / Day, Elizabeth “‘Most failures can teach us something meaningful about ourselves if we choose to listen’ In Failosophy Elizabeth Day brings together all the lessons she has learned, from conversations with the guests on her award-winning How to Fail podcast, from stories shared with her by readers and listeners, and from her own life, and distils them into seven principles of failure. Practical, reassuring and inspirational, these principles offer a guide through life’s rough patches. From failed exams to romantic break-ups, from career setbacks to confidence crises, from navigating anxiety to surviving loss, Failosophy recognises, and celebrates, the fact that failure connects us all. It is what makes us human. With insights from Malcolm Gladwell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Lemn Sissay, Frankie Bridge, Nigel Slater, Emeli Sande, Alain de Botton, Mabel, Fearne Cotton, Meera Syal, Dame Kelly Holmes, Andrew Scott and many, many more, Failosophy is the essential handbook for turning failure into success.” (Catalogue). Also available as EBook Libby and EAudiobook Libby
If you should fail : a book of solace / Moran, Joe “Do you ever feel like a failure? Enter widely acclaimed observer of daily life Professor Joe Moran, not to tell you that everything will be all right in the end, but to reassure you that failure is an occupational hazard of being human. It’s the small print in life’s terms and conditions. Covering everything from examination dreams to fourth-placed Olympians, If You Should Fail is about how modern life, in a world of self-advertised success, makes us feel like failures, frauds and imposters. We need more narratives of failure, and to see that not every failure can be made into a success – and that’s OK. As Moran shows, even the supremely gifted Leonardo da Vinci could be seen as a failure. Most artists, writers, sports stars and business people face failure. We all will, and can learn how to live with it. … Combining philosophy, psychology, history and literature, Moran’s ultimately upbeat reflections on being human, and his critique of how we live now, offers comfort, hope – and solace.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Failure is an option : how setbacks breed success / Robson, Terry “Everybody has experienced failure at some stage – and we will no doubt experience it again, perhaps many times. The question is: does failure get the credit it deserves? In this inspiring and practical book, Terry Robson reveals how success cannot be achieved without a willingness to embrace failure – and shows us the opportunity that failure presents us to reflect and reassess. He delves into the notion of failure from philosophical, psychological and spiritual perspectives, and provides the tools we need to not only cope with failure, but also to learn from it”–Back cover.” (Catalogue)
Adapt : why success always starts with failure / Harford, Tim “Outlines a counterintuitive approach to changing the world by assessing its failures, drawing on myriad disciplines to argue that complex challenges must be met through adaptive trial-and-error practices that do not depend on expert opinions or ready-made solutions.” (Catalogue)
Fail brilliantly : exploding the myths of failure and success / Davidow, Shelley “We all spend much of our lives trying to cope with failure; sometimes we try to assign value to it, but failure looms as a debilitating concept in millions of lives, affecting children and adults alike. Fail Brilliantly proposes a radical shift: erase the word and concept of failure from the realms of education and human endeavors. Replace it with new words and concepts. This shift in position has the potential to transform our lives and ultimately reshape our definition of success!” (Catalogue)
Fueled by failure : using detours and defeats to power progress / Bloom, Jeremy “Shining a light on the baggage he, and many other successful entrepreneurs bring along on their journey to success, professional athlete turned CEO and philanthropist Jeremy Bloom, spotlights the bag marked “failures” and unpacks. Captivating readers with anecdotes and takeaways from his successes, Bloom pulls at the common failure thread that unites him with his audience and tackles the rarely discussed facets of failure relevant to reaching career and business goals. Bloom takes aspiring and early stage entrepreneurs from the hilltops of Torino to NFL practice grounds to the struggles of startup, revealing tactical secrets – personal and learned from popular business associates, coaches, and teammates – to surviving setbacks while searching for success. Making the case (proven by many highly respected entrepreneurs) that success is never linear, Bloom introduces tactics for managing expectations for ourselves and team, recovering and rebounding after defeat, knowing what to keep and what to toss when it comes to failure’s lessons, and plotting a new course. Lessons and practices are illustrated by Jeremy’s own story, which include NFL Hall of Famers, Olympic champions, and insights and advice from business leaders. Case studies and interviews with other practicing entrepreneurs are also presented. “–” (Catalogue)
You are awesome : how to navigate change, wrestle with failure, and live an intentional life / Pasricha, Neil “We are living in an era with the highest-ever rates of longevity, education, and wealth. For most of us famine, plague, and other life-threatening catastrophes are the stuff of history books. But there is one side effect: We no longer have the tools to handle failure– or even perceived failure. Pasricha shows us that we need to change the way we view failure. Here he shares the secrets to building resilience, which will allow us to navigate change and live an intentional life. — adapted from jacket” (Catalogue)
Win or learn : the naked truth about turning every rejection into your ultimate success / Cohen, Harlan “The fear of rejection is universal. From being on the receiving end of a breakup to being turned down for your dream job, we’ve all experienced the sharp sting of rejection and grown to fear the risks that might lead to our next failure. After years of relentless risk-taking and rejection, New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen has unlocked the secret to sparking success without the fear of failure. In Win or learn, Cohen guides you through a life-changing experiment to identify your dreams, eliminate your fears, and confidently take the risks necessary to achieve every goal you set. Through Cohen’s approach, you’ll learn to want more, risk more, and ultimately achieve more”–Page 4 of cover.” (Catalogue)
Bounce back : how to fail fast and be resilient at work / Kahn, Susan “Success. Innovation. Creativity. Growth. We all want these things at work – but the one thing they all have in common is that they involve failure. A fear of failure, or the inability to bounce back and learn from failures, is one of the biggest things that can hold us back in our professional development – so how do we learn how to fail well and develop our resilience? Wherever we work, and whatever role we deliver, we all have the power to change our thinking and our response to failure – Bounce Back is here to help. Written by consultant and teacher, Dr Susan Kahn, this book will show you how to embrace failure. Failing fast, failing well, and learning how to be agile and resilient at work is a vital part of being a successful and innovative leader, approaching opportunities with excitement and creativity, and driving forward your personal and professional growth. Packed with practical exercises, inspirational case studies, and a useful resilience self-assessment guide, Bounce Back will show you how to invest in your resilience in a deliberate way, and empower you to face risk head-on. From learning how to respond well to critical feedback, to understanding cultural attitudes to failure around the world, this book will help you be a stronger, more resilient you”– 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.
Negotiating. Getting to yes. Driving a hard bargain. Win-win.
We all do it. It’s part of navigating daily life.
It could be with ourselves: “If I go to the gym I can treat myself to an icecream on the way home”
It might be with our kids: “You can watch that movie AFTER you’ve done your homework”
It may be with our significant others: “We’ll have Christmas with your family IF we can spend New Year with mine.”
Negotiating for a satisfactory outcome can be a job in itself – for instance, a contract manager negotiates with suppliers for a mutually beneficial supply arrangement, while a union official negotiates work conditions on behalf of organisational members.
But for most individuals it’s often much harder to negotiate in the workplace particularly when it comes to situations such as getting a place on a project team or asking for a pay rise.
Like so many necessary work skills, negotiation techniques can be learned with the help of a few library resources.
In the blog post, The Fundamentals of Negotiation, the author sets out five things he feels must be done to to build a strong foundation as a successful negotiator .
In her TED talk, Australian researcher, organizational psychologist and university professor, Ruchi Sinha outlines three key steps to help you successfully master negotiation through the building of relationships.
There are a number of courses available on LinkedIn Learning accessible via the Wellington City Libraries website. Using your library registration sign into LinkedIn Learning and type “negotiation” or “negotiating” into the search box and select from the options.
There’s also plenty of material in our book collection. Below we’ve compiled you might find helpful :
Influence is your superpower : the science of winning hearts, sparking change, and making good things happen / Chance, Zoe “You were born influential. But then you were taught to suppress that power, to follow the rules, to wait your turn, to not make waves. Award-winning Yale professor Zoe Chance will show you how to rediscover the superpower that brings great ideas to life. Influence doesn’t work the way you think because you don’t think the way you think. Move past common misconceptions—such as the idea that asking for more will make people dislike you—and understand why your go-to negotiation strategies are probably making you less influential. Discover the one thing that influences behavior more than anything else. Learn to cultivate charisma, negotiate comfortably and creatively, and spot manipulators before it’s too late. Along the way, you’ll meet alligators, skydivers, a mind reader in a gorilla costume, Jennifer Lawrence, Genghis Khan, and the man who saved the world by saying no. Influence Is Your Superpower will teach you how to transform your life, your organization, and perhaps even the course of history. It’s an ethical approach to influence that will make life better for everyone, starting with you.”–Publisher.” (Catalogue) E-book format
HBR guide to negotiating / Weiss, Jeff A. “Forget about the hard bargain. Whether you’re discussing the terms of a high-stakes deal, forming a key partnership, asking for a raise, or planning a family event, negotiating can be stressful. One person makes a demand, the other concedes a point. In the end, you settle on a sub par solution in the middle if you come to any agreement at all. But these discussions don’t need to be win-or-lose situations. Written by negotiation expert Jeff Weiss, the “HBR Guide to Negotiating” provides a disciplined approach to finding a solution that works for everyone involved. Using a seven-part framework, this book delivers tips and advice to move you from a game of concessions and compromises to one of collaboration and creativity, resulting in better outcomes and better working relationships.” (Catalogue)
Negotiating / Benoliel, Michael “Negotiation skills are essential for managing teams, persuading others and finding win-win solutions. This practical guide gives you the tools you need to improve your negotiation tactics.– Amazon.” (Catalogue)
How to negotiate / Copper-Ind, Christopher “Negotiation is a fundamental part of all of our lives, and by understanding how the psychology of it works, you will be able to conduct all types of negotiation with greater ease and efficiency.” (Catalogue)
Advanced negotiation skills in a week / Fleming, Peter “Perfecting your negotiation skills just got easier. As a more experienced negotiator, how do you improve the results you achieve from the negotiating process? When you think about your most recent negotiating experiences, do you think you could have achieved more? The aim of this book is to help you take your negotiating skills to the next level. ‘Win/win’ is still your principal aim, even if it seems a hard standard to achieve!” (Catalogue)
Creative conflict : a practical guide for business negotiators / Sanders, Bill “…. In Creative Conflict, negotiation experts Bill Sanders and Frank Mobus …use a dynamic, dialectical approach to show that negotiations are driven by competition and cooperation at the same time, counterintuitively revealing that conflict is at the core of every negotiation. When we tiptoe around conflict, we negotiate in a half-hearted way that limits our results. Creative negotiators probe and push until they hit a wall of disagreement, then figure out how to get past it. The authors construct a simple framework based on three basic but distinct contexts: bargaining, dealmaking, and relationship building. They then instruct readers on how to skillfully pursue their own interests while simultaneously seeking ways to expand a deal’s scope and value for both sides. Based on the popular Mobus Creative Negotiating seminars and the authors’ experience working with Fortune 500 companies, Creative Conflict is a business book written for businesspeople, by businesspeople. It’s your go-to guide for boosting your skills and confidence as a negotiator-and learning to strike a better deal”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Negotiate without fear : strategies and tools to maximize your outcomes / Medvec, Victoria H. “Fear impedes negotiators’ success in all types of negotiations and hinders negotiators at all levels. This book will provide a tool-based strategy that readers at all levels can deploy to increase confidence, become fearless negotiators, and maximize negotiation success. Novice negotiators are often fearful because of their inexperience, while seasoned negotiators are fearful because they have so much to lose if the deal falls apart. Included will be unique, proprietary negotiation strategies that Dr. Medvec has developed over her 20 years advising companies in all types of negotiations. These include Medvec’s novel method to connect one’s objectives to negotiable issues, an Issue Matrix to analyze the issues being negotiated and evaluate if the right issues are on the table, a proprietary BATNA Analysis Tool, a unique architecture for creating multiple equivalent simultaneous offers (MESOs) in a negotiation.”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)
Getting to yes : negotiating agreement without giving in / Fisher, Roger “Since it was first published in 1981 Getting to Yes has become a central book in the Business Canon: the key text on the psychology of negotiation. Its message of “principled negotiations”–finding acceptable compromise by determining which needs are fixed and which are flexible for negotiating parties–has influenced generations of businesspeople, lawyers, educators and anyone who has sought to achieve a win-win situation in arriving at an agreement. It has sold over 8 million copies worldwide in 30 languages …”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue). Also available as EBook Libby format and EAudiobook Libby
3 steps to yes : the gentle art of getting your way / Bedell, Gene “Everybody has to sell something sometime. We’re not just talking about salespeople making quotas. Parents have to sell their kids on the idea of eating vegetables and not taking drugs; managers have to sell their employees on the idea of showing up on time and producing. Getting your message across requires selling yourself and your ideas in a way that guarantees a positive response from the most stubborn listener. Gene Bedell spent a lifetime selling, but he changed his method when he discovered a better way. Three Steps to Yes shows you how to move anyone from no to yes in just three simple steps. It enables you to get people to do what you ask them to do and believe what you want them to believe without being a bully, damaging your relationships, or compromising your principles. All the old-fashioned persuasion techniques — authoritative power, punishment, rewards, verbal manipulation, relationship selling, negotiation — will be a thing of the past once you make this breakthrough three-step technique a part of your life. Three Steps to Yes isn’t a book of selling tricks. It’s a new paradigm that shows you how to persuade your customers, your kids, or your coworkers to let you have your way by recognizing their needs, showing them your core values, and communicating effectively. Full of helpful hints, invaluable tactics, and illuminating anecdotes, Three Steps to Yes is required reading for everyone from managers to mothers, bankers to business execs, and, yes, even salespeople.” (Catalogue)
15 tools to turn the tide : a step-by-step playbook for empowered negotiating / Freeman, Seth “Negotiation is hard. It’s especially tough when you feel like the underdog–whether you face a ‘Godzilla’ counterpart, face threats of budget cuts during a downturn, or know that you need a deal more than the other side does. Seth Freeman can help. Freeman is an award-winning professor who has taught negotiation to thousands of leaders and students. His clients range from Fortune 500 executives to kindergarteners, from top corporate lawyers to grad students just beginning their careers, from UN diplomats negotiating global problems to small business owners negotiating terms with suppliers. In 15 Tools to Turn the Tide, he shares field-tested techniques that can turn anyone into a much better negotiator.” (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.
“In ten years time we’d like to see La Petite as a solid, established icon for Thorndonand Tinakori Rd. That would be a very, very satisfying goal. When the ships are coming in and for people visiting the Botanical Gardens, if they think “Oh, we need to see La Petite”, and we become a destination, that’s probably a good target for me. – Sel Gider, La Petite Artisan Chocolates
To walk into La Petite on Tinakori Road is to be literally like a kid in a chocolate shop. There are the beautiful displays of chocolate bars with original artwork by local artists, a French aesthetic with a bicycle parked against the wall, the well-lit counter cabinet twinkling with coloured bonbons and of course, the smell. A pervasive sweet, yet spicy, aroma of dark chocolate that sets the taste buds tingling ….
First, a little history.
New Zealanders have been enjoying chocolate manufactured in Aotearoa ever since Richard Hudson set up his chocolate and cocoa manufacturing plant in Dunedin in the 1880s. Hudson’s factory was later taken over by Cadburys and became a Dunedin landmark.
More than a decade later Whittakers chocolate set up shop in Christchurch before relocating to Wellington.
For generations of New Zealanders chocolate meant Dairy Milk or Milky bars. Dark chocolate was marketed as “Energy” chocolate. Boxed chocolates such as Roses or Cadbury’s Continental were for “special occasions” such as Christmas, and no trip to the cinema was complete without a box of Snifters or Jaffas.
Then in the 1990s a different type of chocolate began appearing on the New Zealand market. High end, quality, boutique chocolates with their makers trained in the European chocolate style. These artisan chocolate makers and chocolatiers were dedicated and passionate about their craft and businesses continued to expand through the 2000s.
Here in Wellington/Te Whanganui a Tara the newest entry into the artisan chocolate market, La Petite , opened the doors of it’s chocolaterie in October 2022.
Asli and Sel Gider of La Petite Chocolate, Tinakori Rd
Run by Asli and Sel Gider, La Petite specialises in organic, fairtrade, single origin artisan chocolate bars, bonbons and drinking chocolate, with an emphasis on sustainability and collaboration with local producers.
Leaving Turkey and settling in Hawkes Bay over a decade ago, Asli and Sel both have backgrounds in food production; Asli as a winemaker and Sel as a food processing engineer in the apple industry.
2020 and the early months of lockdowns when neither was able to work, gave them time to think about what they wanted their future to look like. And that future involved a business where they could work together utilising their skills to turn some of New Zealand’s high quality produce into an artisan product.
When a local chocolate business came onto the market at around the same time they decided to make the leap ….
Surrounded by displays of mouth watering, handcrafted chocolates WCL recently sat down with Asli and Sel to talk about taking on a business at the beginning of the tumultuous Covid era, relocating it to Wellington and why connections with suppliers are important.
Asli : We always loved Wellington and wanted to move here but with our jobs it was not possible. So when we decided to stop and do something for ourselves we saw our favourite chocolate business was on sale …
Sel : Straight after the lockdown we sat around the table, discussed all the details and took over the brand. In the back of our minds we were always planning to shift but we spent a year and a half or so in Hastings where the business was originally located.
WCL : Did you receive mentoring from the business owners?
Sel: A little bit. They were still around but we picked up pretty quickly. And then we started looking in Wellington. We had to find a location for the business and that search period took quite a while because things were stop-start with lockdowns. It took about a year or so. I was driving down to Wellington pretty much every week to look at places and to look at the suburbs, observe the people.
Asli: But Thorndon, especially Tinakori Village, was on our minds from the first because I think it suits our brand image a lot.
Sel : Last year in June we found this shop, moved in in September, did a bit of fit out work and we opened in October.
WCL : You were gifted some artwork when you moved into this space. Tell us a little about that.
Sel: It’s Sir Michael Fowler’s painting. This building used to be his workspace back in the day, and he drew this from across the street. One of our customers gifted this to us.
Asli : This is the chronological side but story wise – Why chocolate? We wanted to work as a couple and bring our expertise into our business. Food production was something we had in common. I always wanted to have a shop where I can connect with people through my creations. Also chocolate is similar to wine, the terroir is important, then it is the combination of science and art.
Before taking the big leap, we bought all the chocolates we can find in New Zealand and tasted them, blind tasting. If the chocolate was not good it would not work for us. We loved La Petite chocolate. The couverture was French origin, from an organic and fair trade certified family business.
For us the most important part of the business, the quality of the chocolate, was ticking the box. So we brought our scientific minds and taste buds and built up the rest of the business from there.
Hastings was a good start for us because local people were very supportive, especially after covid and we felt that we were making people happy by chocolate. They were always coming smiling. I never saw a rude person in the shop. They were happy and when they gifted our chocolate to someone else, they were happy. Gifting a local artisan produce creates a positive community vibe and that’s what we love about La Petite.
At first, chocolate for me was the bars. I tried to differentiate the origins, getting better at tasting. I honestly did not know anything about the pastry side, the confections. I am making up for it now. Chocolate has become my world and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The bonbons, the small, soft centered chocolates, I discovered when we took over this business. Now I feel creating different tastes with different ingredients is the fun part. I love creating gift boxes with different shapes, colours and flavours. They bring joy to our lives.
Creating bonbons requires a lot of work but it is fun. The flavour combinations are endless. We look for balance, harmony, flavour and stability. Just one bite should be satisfying and fulfilling.
WCL : There are pros and cons to setting up a business vs buying an existing one. Did you weigh these up?
Asli : We had a lot of synergies with the previous owners in terms of the ethical and artisanal side of the business. The chocolate is ethical and the packaging is plastic free and compostable. All hand made in the kitchen. So we thought the core values were right..
Sel : Having a brand name that people knew and trusted was obviously a big benefit rather than trying to create something from scratch. There was also room for improvement, especially in terms of the branding, the packaging and putting the scientific, technical function into production. And also with the plan in the back of our minds of moving this to a bigger city and a bigger audience was one of the main things.
And the cons : obviously there were some set practices in the way things were done historically and when we started we had to go through everything and dig out what’s right for us and what’s not, and how can we make it better. Is it the right way doing it this way or do we change it. So changing the habits , not just the people but the business practices.
Having a brand name that people knew was obviously a big benefit rather than trying to create something from scratch.
WCL : You said earlier you wanted to work together. How are you finding it? Do you have complementary strengths and skills?
Asli : It’s very good, I think. We are very, very different from each other and we complement each other a like. I really like how Sel works that’s why I always wanted to work with him. He’s a perfectionist in his own way. He has a very good eye for the detail and I am a perfectionist in my own way, but in different areas.
Sel : In terms of the taste and the art side of it, the recipes and the kitchen, the preparation and the inspiration for the brand, Asli is the driving force. I am more on the admin, invoicing, the technical labelling, the machines.
Asli: He’s a very DIY person. It’s his pleasure if he can do something by himself. I think that’s why he likes this business a lot.
Sel: On the other hand, one thing that maybe affects us is that it’s never ending. We come here in the morning together, we work together, we go home together. There’s no such thing as work hours. At dinner we are discussing things about work.
Asli : I don’t have work life balance. This is like a third child for me.
WCL : Have you found previous Hawkes Bay customers have switched to online purchasing or coming to see you when in Wellington?
Sel : Yes, they have.
A lot of Hawkes Bay people have connections in Wellington, like kids studying here. We sometimes have people visiting us here as they know us from Hastings. Also Wellingtonians go to Hawkes Bay so there are a lot of people who know us from the Farmers market [and those] people have found us here.
We have a lot of corporate customers from Hawkes Bay as well.
Straight after lockdown in the second half of 2020 there was a big boom then starting from last year, things started to change as things started to settle down. In terms of the corporate side, the businesses were much more comfortable doing gifting and staff events but now it seems like it has settled down a bit So that is obviously having an effect on the volumes.
We have maintained the customers as in the number of customers but the volume is not what it has been.
Asli: From the start we said we really shouldn’t rely on foot traffic. When people need gifts or a small treat for themselves, they come here. Loyal customers are more important for us than the busy foot traffic. We are lucky to have car parks at the back.
WCL : Have you noticed different taste preferences between the two markets?
Asli : If we try something new here people are always curious. Wellington people are more open to discover new tastes. There’s a more culturally diverse group here.
Sel : We are finding that some of the flavours that were not very popular in Hawkes Bay have become more popular here.
WCL : Supporting local and collaborating is important to you. Tell us more about local inspiration and collaborations
Asli : We try to source our ingredients from New Zealand as much as we can and we really like collaborations with growers. So when I find a good producer like, for example, salt, why use ordinary salt if you have good salt producers in New Zealand? Chilli is the same. There might be a very, very good chilli in the market, a Mexican chilli, but if we have good producers, who try to do their best in New Zealand I just go there. I tasted a lot of chillies to find the best one for us. It’s the same with honey, coffee, hazelnuts, fruits and herbs. In New Zealand we have the best climate and the best soil. Growers are passionate about their products so from the beginning it was my aim to work with the producers in New Zealand.
Also, most of our label artwork was created by local artists. It first started with Rachael. I saw her work on the street on a pamphlet and I contacted her “Do you want to create an artwork for the label of one of our chocolates?” and she tasted the chocolates – it was ginger mandarin …. and prepared a design. She ended up creating three artworks for us.
Then there is Ana from Nelson. Her style is unique and beautiful and truly connects you with the chocolate.
Caramel Crystals was a difficult one. We went to Castle Point during Christmas holidays and the landscape inspired me with the idea and I found Helen’s artwork online. She is also the designer of our white bar, Tangy.
Lastly, we met Helen Cairney. I love her nature inspired, hand painted gift cards that we sell at our shop. She designed the Fennel and Bergamot artwork for us.
WCL : How much experimentation goes in to perfecting a new chocolate flavour?
Asli: Yesterday my husband was joking. He told me “I will change the sign outside to say Research Department” because we are always researching. We are always evolving and trying to do better.
We work in small batches and have the opportunity to try something different in each production. We know our weaknesses and strengths in tasting, so we decide as a team. Also I value the feedback from the customers. They help us to perfect the new chocolate flavours.
In New Zealand one thing I have observed is that if people say of a flavour “It’s subtle” it means “It’s not enough”. They don’t say this openly, they say “It’s subtle”. Then I know that I should go a bit more bold.
WCL : Do New Zealanders still need a degree of educating about quality chocolate? How to savour and appreciate it?
Asli: We are lucky in New Zealand to have all these talented artisan chocolate makers and chocolatiers. New Zealanders have the chance to train their palate with high quality chocolate. The one thing that needs more emphasis maybe is the pricing of the chocolate. It is not possible to buy ethical, high quality chocolate at supermarket prices. Cheap chocolate means low quality ingredients and some people are suffering along the supply chain of the ingredients that go into the chocolate process. High quality chocolate has a higher price but has more complex, satisfying taste and is ethically correct.
WCL : Your chocolate is award winning. To a boutique chocolaterie what does it mean to be judged and awarded medals by your peers in the industry?
Asli: It was very good timing as it was just as we moved here. It was with Dr Beak we got most of the awards. That’s the bar we created with the gin botanicals in collaboration with Dr Beak Premium NZ Gin. We’ve put a lot of effort into it so it was a really proud moment for us.
Sel: Obviously it’s very good for getting the name out – we are here and doing this and doing it well. Asli appreciated the feedback from the judges – what’s good, what’s not so good and what can be improved on.
WCL : Let’s touch on the darker side of the chocolate industry. Many people are not aware that there are many unethical practices associated with the chocolate supply chain (such as child labour). What steps have you taken to address this?
Asli : At La Petite we use Kaoka couverture for our chocolates. They are organic and fair trade certified and we have always been happy with their quality standard. Kaoka’s fair trade certification is from Fair For Life. It is a fully transparent, global certification for social accountability and fair trading. It protects farmers at the origin and guarantees fair practices along the entire supply chain.
WCL : What plans do you have for future developments?
Asli : I have a lot of dreams. I’m more of a dreamer.
Sel: What we are not planning is to be a big brand. We have no such aims. We are not planning to be in every supermarket. We are aiming to remain within the boundaries of being boutique.
Asli: Maintain the quality always. That’s the first thing. That’s how we are keeping our customers. Even if the ingredient prices are increasing every day, we can’t compromise the quality.
Sel : In ten years time we’d like to see La Petite as a solid, established icon for Thorndon and Tinakori Rd. That would be a very, very satisfying goal. When the ships are coming in and people visiting the Botanical Gardens, if they think “Oh, we need to see La Petite”, if we can make people think that and we become a destination, that’s probably a good target for us.
Want to learn more about chocolate, it’s history and uses?
Have at look at some of the sweet resources we have available through Wellington City Libraries.
On our streaming services …
Chocolate Road (Kanopy)
2021, 1hr 32min
A discovery of where chocolate comes from. Three renowned chocolatiers – Maribel Lieberman, Susumu Koyama and Mikkel Friis-Holm – take us through the process of craft chocolate-making, starting from the plantations, through the different stages of preparation of the beans and all the way to the final chocolate pieces. On their journey each of them finds how important it is to know the roots of their prime material – the cacao bean, and the social impact of the people involved in the chocolate production chain. (Library registration is needed to access)
The Science and Secrets of Chocolate (Kanopy)
2017, 30min
Today, chocolate is a multi-billion-dollar global industry. In this lecture, Professor Crittenden takes you back in time so you can follow chocolate’s trek around the world, considering not only its history and chemical properties, but its role in the current global market in the form of powerful chocolate empires.
El Cacao: The Challenge of Fair Trade(Kanopy)
2015, 19min
EL CACAO exposes the dark side of chocolate production in Latin America by examining the economics of Fair Trade from the point of view of the indigenous farmers as they attempt to sustain their community through the growth, harvest, and trade of cacao beans in the global market. This 20-minute documentary film highlights the life of an indigenous Ngäbe farmer in Panama and his unconditional devotion to this so-called “superfood.” The film threads together the themes of neoliberal ideology, human rights, and the economics of the chocolate industry. While the demand for chocolate in developed nations continues to raise, the farmers in developing countries, like Panama, are rarely awarded the economic incentive promised to them.
From the book collection
The true history of chocolate / Coe, Sophie D.
“A beautifully written . . . and illustrated history of the Food of the Gods, from the Olmecs to present-day developments.”–Chocolatier” (Catalogue)
Chocolate : a global history / Moss, Sarah
“… Chocolate is synonymous with our cultural sweet tooth, our restaurant dessert menus, and our idea of indulgence. Chocolate is adored around the world and has been since the Spanish first encountered cocoa beans in South America in the sixteenth century. It is seen as magical, addictive, and powerful beyond anything that can be explained by its ingredients, and in Chocolate Sarah Moss and Alec Badenoch explore the origins and growth of this almost universal obsession. Moss and Badenoch recount the history of chocolate, which from ancient times has been associated with sexuality, sin, blood, and sacrifice. The first Spanish accounts claim that the Aztecs and Mayans used chocolate as a substitute for blood in sacrificial rituals and as a currency to replace gold. In the eighteenth century chocolate became regarded as an aphrodisiac-the first step on the road to today’s boxes of Valentine delights. Chocolate also looks at today’s mass-production of chocolate, with brands such as Hershey’s, Lindt, and Cadbury dominating our supermarket shelves.” — Title display.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
The chocolate tree : a natural history of cacao / Young, Allen M
“Provides an overview of the natural and human history of one of the world’s most intriguing commodities: chocolate. This title explores its ecological niche, tracing cacao’s journey out of the rain forest, into pre-Columbian gardens, and then onto plantations adjacent to rain forests. It also presents a history of the use of cacao.” (Catalogue)
Whittaker’s : a passion for chocolate since 1896 / Farrell-Green, Simon
“Whittaker’s is a much-loved Kiwi brand and a genuine family business going back four generations. This luscious book takes a light-hearted look at the history of the business, and how the chocolate is made, and then gives a range of fully tested recipes. There are recipes from high-profile guest chefs, and a good range of everyday recipes from Whittaker’s Facebook fans, plus notes on different types of chocolate and how to use them. From marbled chocolate meringues and cinnamon cardamom blondies to white chocolate and macadamia cheesecake, Whittaker’s peanut butter chocolate and caramel brownie and a range of delectable hot chocolate drinks”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)
Chocolate : a healthy passion / Aaron, Shara
“The world loves chocolate and chances are you do too. This enjoyable book, written by two leading dieticians, will serve to deepen your love and also your understanding of chocolate. The authors help you explore some surprising applications of chocolate to your life: from its sensory pleasures to its role in emotional and physical wellness. With luscious photography and enticing recipes, this delightful, even mouthwatering, book will bring your appreciation for this gift of Mother Nature to a new level” (Catalogue)
Lastly a couple of scientific articles on the health benefits of dark chocolate ….
“Food of the Gods”: History, Science, and Human Health.
Montagna MT, Diella G, Triggiano F, … et al
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Dec 6;16(24):4960. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16244960. PMID: 31817669; PMCID: PMC6950163.
Discusses some of the possible health benefits of chocolate consumption
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.
Most of us do it – put off a job that is perceived to be unpleasant, until the very last minute. Then it’s a panicked scramble as we try to get it completed.
It might be writing a report, a dreaded trip to the dentist or cleaning the car. If we can delay tackling it, we will.
I recall pre-exam study periods when at university, in which cleaning out the fridge and investigating what alien life forms had taken up residence in sealed containers, assumed an urgency that surpassed that of revising for tomorrow’s exams.
Yep – I procrastinated and would then be studying in a panic until shortly before entering the exam room.
In another Ted Talk social psychologist Ayelet Fishbach gives a presentationoffering insights on the science of motivation along with tips and cognitive tricks to help you reach your goals while staying happy, healthy and engaged.
Here’s some further suggestions from our collection to help you overcome procrastination and motivate you to get things done.
Soon : an overdue history of procrastination, from Leonardo and Darwin to you and me / Santella, Andrew
“In the tradition of cultural historians like Sarah Vowell and Jim Holt comes a galvanizing meditation on the perils and pleasures of procrastination. While others are busy leaning in, crushing it, and trying to work smarter, faster, and better, Andrew Santella stops to ask why so many of our greatest inventors, artists, and scientists have led double lives as committed procrastinators. Santella examines great procrastinators from Leonardo da Vinci and Frank Lloyd Wright to Charles Darwin and prophets from the Old Testament. He also explores the modern-day ‘cult of efficiency’–its gurus, principles, and promises. Ultimately, Santella seeks to answer the following questions: Can procrastination lead to innovation? Can we draw a connection between delay and brilliance? And why do we often equate procrastination with laziness? A self-proclaimed procrastinator, Santella writes with candour and wit about his own habits, from painting a radiator to listening to sports talk radio just to avoid writing. [This] is a book for anyone who has ever put off a task, convincing the reader that time is our most valuable resource and ‘wasting’ it just might be the key to a happy life.”–Jacket.” (Catalogue) Also available as EBook Libby
Decision time : how to make the choices your life depends on / Alison, Laurence
“Should I change careers? Is it time to end my relationship? Can I move halfway across the world? We have to make choices everyday, big and small, but it’s the life-changing ones that often cause us to freeze or react too quickly, without thinking. What can we do differently? Laurence Alison and Neil Shortland have spent over 20 years helping soldiers, police officers, doctors and other professionals in high-stakes environments make tough decisions when lives are on the line. In Decision Time, they show us how those same decision-making techniques apply to everyday life, whether that’s deciding to take a new job or change career later in life, end a relationship, move across the world or declaring your undying love for your best friend. With tips, studies, interviews and observations from their training with police officers together with role-play scenarios for you to try, this book will help you identify and fight off the common enemies of good decision-making – inertia, procrastination and indecision – and empower you to make the choices that matter the most”–Publisher’s description.” (Catalogue)
Also available as EAudiobook Overdrive and EBook Overdrive
Big dreams, daily joys : set goals, get things done, make time for what matters / Cripe, Elise Blaha
“For those who feel overwhelmed by endless to do lists and the stresses that come with daily life, here is an empowering guide to establishing healthy productivity habits so that it’s easy (and fun!) to accomplish long-term goals. Brimming with simple-to-follow techniques, rituals, and exercises for accomplishing day-to-day tasks and making progress on bigger goals, Big Dreams, Daily Joys offers tips on how-to organize a productive day, overcome the urge to procrastinate, make space for creativity, and achieve a healthy work-life balance. For anyone who is tackling a creative project, running their own business, or simply trying to manage time more efficiently, this is the ultimate handbook to getting things done with clarity, joy, and positivity.” (Catalogue)
Start now, get perfect later : how to make smarter, faster & bigger decisions & banish procrastination / Moore, Rob
“Hardly anyone gets it right the first time, but many of us are crippled by indecision and fear of failure. The desire to get it right can inhibit us from getting started. In this book Rob Moore shows that the quickest way to perfect is starting right now and improving as you go. This book will show you how to launch your business or idea, begin the next phase of your career, and overcome self-doubt – right away. Get perfect later, get started now.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
The end of procrastination : how to stop postponing and live a fulfilled life / Ludwig, Petr
“Learn how to stop procrastinating. A science-based toolset: Based on the latest research, The End of Procrastination synthesizes over one hundred scientific studies to create a program that is based on the way our brains actually work. By understanding exactly why procrastination happens and how our brains respond to motivation and self-discipline, the book provides readers with the knowledge to conquer procrastination on an everyday basis. The keys to overcoming procrastination are in this getting-things-done book: Insight into over 120 scientific studies; Eight clear, science-based and successful tools; Quick daily worksheets to shift your perspective; To-do lists that actually help you get things done; Everything you need to change the way you manage your time and live your life.” (Catalogue)
What motivates getting things done : procrastination, emotions, and success / Lamia, Mary C.
“Mary Lamia explores the emotional lives of people who are successful in their endeavours–both procrastinators and non-procrastinators alike–to illustrate how human motivation works and how to make the most of it. She illustrates how so-called negative emotions like distress, fear, and shame can drive the achievement of goals.” (Catalogue)
The procrastination equation : how to stop putting things off and start getting things done / Steel, Piers
“Dr. Piers Steel explains why we procrastinate – why we knowingly and willingly put off a course of action despite recognizing we’ll be worse off for it. What’s more, his study shows that despite procrastination making us poorer, fatter and unhappier, we’re putting things off like never before, procrastination is on the rise.” (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.
A quick ask around as to the most disliked corporate speak people encounter in their workplaces revealed the above examples are all alive and well and being used regularly in Wellington workplaces.
They are vague, ambiguous and serve to confuse, irritate, or even alienate people, with one worker I spoke to, saying “After years of hearing ‘management speak’ I seem to go into automatic switch-off mode as soon as anyone above my level starts to talk…”
Not the desired effect for a manager wishing to appear on trend by dropping some newly acquired buzzwords into the meeting!
A recently released report surveyed workers in eight countries about terms and phrases used in their workplaces that they disliked and understood least.
The results differed between countries and cultures with Asian and Latin American countries finding acronyms like EOD (End of Day) and KPI (Key Performance Indicator) amongst the most confusing business speak whereas English speaking nations found it hard to understand expressions such as “Ducks in a row” or “Herding cats”.
Aotearoa was not part of the survey although our trans-Tasman neighbour contributed a colourful list of confounding business speak with the top five being :
1. Boiling the ocean 2. Noodling 3. Low-hanging fruit 4. Juice worth the squeeze 5. Wheelhouse
Whatever you call it – jargon – or management/corporate/business speak – in the workplace makes communication difficult for many people, and is even more confusing for those for whom English is not their first language.
When it comes to acronyms this becomes more complicated when the same, or similar, acronyms have quite different meanings in different contexts.
What is workplace jargon? This definition sums it up :
Corporate jargon is essentially workplace language, and is used to describe a set of words, phrases, or acronyms used in a business or corporate setup. These can be difficult to understand for people new to the environment… Jargon is deeply rooted in the corporate culture. These words or phrases or acronyms stay in use for such a long time that they become part of the vocabulary.
However, by becoming part of the workplace vocabulary these words and phrases are often never translated for new hires, leading to confusion and a possible feeling of isolation.
While some jargon is unique to a workplace or industry and used to convey ideas particular to that environment there are those in workplaces who adopt jargon in order to sound more knowledgeable or appear “in the know”. But as Lisa notes ….
As the survey results show, the use (and overuse) of management speak serves to confuse and complicate workplace communication in turn potentially hindering productivity.
Jargon can be used verbally in meetings or in written communication (emails). It can also be used excessively in other forms of communication such as in reports or on websites and, as a way of addressing this, the Plain Language Actcame into being in 2022.
The Act’s purpose, while aimed at Government agencies, sets a standard all workplaces can follow :
The purpose of this Act is to improve the effectiveness and accountability of public service agencies and Crown agents, and to improve the accessibility of certain documents that they make available to the public, by providing for those documents to use language that is—
(a) appropriate to the intended audience; and
(b) clear, concise, and well organised.
Workplaces operate more effectively when communication is clear, so to help we’ve pulled together some resources to help you cut through the jargon and choose words more intentionally instead of peppering conversation with an alphabet soup of buzzwords and phrases.
To start here’s a couple of listings to help identify and demystify some commonly used office speak terms:
This article give some examples of what to say instead of the obfuscating terms.
Linkedin Learning has short videos on jargon as part of lengthier courses on writing in plain English. Login using your library registration card and password and type “Jargon” into the search box.
Lost in translation: The joy of a jargon-free world TED talk When was the last time you optimized something? Perhaps you’ve been engaging proactively? Are you strategically evolving a market in real-time? Any idea what any of that means? Thea Knight is on a crusade to kill the jargon that is strangling our conversations. She explains how we can be more “intentional” about our words – so we can start to actually say things again.
Does Your Office Have a Jargon Problem? Zachariah C. Brown,Eric M. Anicich, and Adam D. Galinsky March 19, 2021, Harvard Business Review online While most people find jargon (not to be confused with slang) to be annoying, it remains a staple of the modern workplace. It does have its uses — for example, air traffic controllers use the phonetic alphabet for clarity and accuracy. But, according to the authors’ research, jargon can also result from insecurity and a desire for professional status. If you’re concerned about the potential negative effects of jargon on you or your organization, there are four steps you can take to mitigate them. First, be aware of context to know whether jargon might be helping or hurting you. Second, ask yourself if there’s a simpler way to communicate the same idea or if the audience commonly uses the same jargon. Third, use executive communications that use clear and unambiguous language to set the tone for the organization. Finally, send a message by letting others know why you or your organization don’t espouse excessive jargon.
A straightforward guide to writing good plain English : improve your written English / Corder, Nicholas “Written in concise, accessible sections, this good-humoured book explains clearly the essentials of writing good, plain English. Corder takes readers through the entire writing process – from initial idea, through planning, writing, revising and proofreading to the eventual presentation of a piece of writing. At the end of the book, there is also an easy guide to basic grammar and punctuation as well as self-test exercises.” (Catalogue) Available as EBook Libby
The plain English approach to business writing / Bailey, Edward P “Entertaining and down-to-earth, The Plain English Approach to Business Writing shows busy professionals of all backgrounds–corporate, government, financial, legal–how to write clearly and effectively. It can be read in an hour, and used for the rest of one’s life.” (Catalogue)
How to use power phrases to say what you mean, mean what you say, and get what you want / Runion, Meryl “Easy-to-master techniques for more effective communications in all areas of life In this breakthrough guide, communication guru Meryl Runion explains why effective communication is more than just a business tool. It is also the key to happier, healthier relationships, and greater personal fulfillment and business success. In How to Use Power Phrases to Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say, & Get What You Want she introduces readers to the concept of power phrases–short, focused expressions that let people be direct and to the point without seeming brusque or nasty. In clear, down-to-earth language, illustrated with numerous vignettes and real-world examples, Runion teaches readers how to: Say what needs to be said without fear of misinterpretation or creating negative emotional responses Master six basic methods for crafting power phrases for any setting and every social, professional, or interpersonal situation” (Catalogue)
It’s the way you say it : becoming articulate, well-spoken and clear / Fleming, Carol A “The best, most direct way to convey your intelligence, expertise, professionalism, and personality to other people is through talking to them. But most people have no idea what they sound like. And even if they do, they don’t think they can change it. It’s the Way You Say It is a thorough, nuts-and-bolts guide to becoming aware and taking control of how you communicate with others.” (Catalogue)
Crystal clear communication : skills for understanding and being understood / Cole, Kris “Management consultant Kris Cole outlines the importance of good communication and gives easy tips on how to understand and take charge of your new communications to become successful in everyday life. This new edition includes a new chapter on email communication and the impact that this technology has had on everyday communication.” (Catalogue)
Business communication : deliver your message with clarity and efficiency / LoCicero, Joe “When mastered effectively, the art of business communication can build a lucrative, impressive, and respected company beyond imagination. A company that embraces solid communication saves and makes time and money–the two hottest commodities in the business world. In Streetwise Business Communications, communications expert Joe LoCicero answers your questions about communicating with clients and staff, dealing with technology and choosing the right medium. Streetwise Business Communications is the complete reference for all small business owners who struggle to come up with a clear and concise message, and the means with which to communicate that message. You too can communicate a message, retain, and win new business–even compete with the big boys. All you need is the proper the tools to speak, write, organize, and present their message effectively. Streetwise Business Communications will arm you with those tools!Includes crucial advice on: Good grammar and correct spellings of commonly misspelled words Proper phone and email etiquette Well-organized letters, memos, and e-mails Presentation skills In all its formats, communication must constantly, continually, and cleverly work to get–and keep–business. No matter the size of your business, Streetwise Business Communications will keep you and your company in contact, in command, and in control! ” (Adapted from Catalogue)
If you would like 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 former colleague once told me that I found too many things interesting. I, on the other hand, failed to understand how she could be so passive in the face of all the fascinating information that surrounded her.
Librarians are, by their nature, curious people.
That is, they have a desire to find things out, ferret out information, know more.
This has the advantage of making librarians a great addition to a trivia/quiz team.
Without curiosity, and no doubt a few errors, most scientific advancement would never happen. The majority of progress, both personal and professional, is down to asking “What if …” “Why does …” “How can I …” and similar questions.
When interviewed in regard to his recent knighthood for services to New Zealand rugby, Sir Wayne Smith said of his career :
“You need a growth mindset. You need to be curious … You share some ideas and get a few back and that makes you stronger and helps you get better …”
It’s not just rugby coaches though – curiosity is a useful trait for all business people as noted in the Disney quote at the start of this post.
Curiosity sparks innovation and creativity. The need to understand and learn more encourages problem solving. Curiosity leads to out of the square thinking.
In this blog we have compiled some resources to help you better understand curiosity and how to harness it to your advantage.
How to be curious. By: Jones, Dan, New Scientist, 02624079, 10/15/2022, Vol. 256, Issue 3408 Database: MasterFILE Complete (Library registration required) Curiosity can be a boon and a bane by turns. The secret is to know when to let it loose and when to keep it in check, says Dan Jones
Entrepreneurial Curiosity, Innovativeness of the Entrepreneur, and Company Growth by Peljko, Ž & Auer Antončič, J 2022, Sciences (2076-328X), vol. 12, no. 11, p. 424, viewed 16 May 2023.
Database : Academic Search Elite (Library registration required) Researchers have studied entrepreneurial curiosity and innovativeness as determinants of entrepreneurial behavior but have not linked them with company growth in a model. The intention of this enquiry was to examine the associations between the entrepreneur’s psychological constructs of entrepreneurial curiosity and innovativeness and business growth, as examined by the conceptualization and analysis of hypotheses. … This study contributes to the entrepreneurship knowledge base by presenting empirical testimony on the associations between entrepreneurial curiosity, entrepreneurial innovativeness, and firm growth, as well as presenting advanced cross-nationally analogous measurement instruments of entrepreneurial curiosity and innovativeness. The entrepreneur’s curiosity is important for their innovativeness, and this innovativeness is essential for business growth. [adapted ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
How Leaders Can Leverage Curiosity For Inclusion: Why wouldn’t every leader lead with curiosity? by Kaye, B & Giulioni, JW, 2021, , Leadership Excellence, vol. 38, no. 11, pp. 40–42, Database: Business Source Premier (Library registration required) In a pulse survey, we asked leaders across the country how important curiosity is to a variety of business factors and outcomes. In her book, The Business of We, Kriska writes that well-meaning people truly want to connect with others about their differences. In fact, our text analysis of the responses of more than 250 leaders who participated in a recent study paints a vivid picture of curiosity’s role in the workplace. [Extracted from the article]
Curious habits : why we do what we do and how to change / Mathers, Luke
“Attention to detail is great perfectionism is a curious habit. Chocolate is awesome; using it to treat anxiety is a curious habit. Honest self-awareness is admirable; constantly beating yourself up is a curious habit. We have habits for a reason, we repeat things that feel good and move away from the stuff we don t like. Our habits solve a problem and make life easier. Unfortunately, our habits can turn on us. This book teaches us how to use curiosity as a superpower. It takes the blame and shame out of habit change so that we make the change not because we HAVE to, but because we WANT to. Drawing from the collective wisdom of evolutionary biology, neuroscience, Stoic philosophy and even Instagram, leading mindset coach Luke Mathers helps us embrace the power of curiosity to recognise when habits start to impact negatively our health and happiness. Curious Habits offers an entertaining, thought-provoking and non-judgmental exploration into why we do the things we do, and how to reset for a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life”–Publisher’s description.” (Catalogue)
The art of exploration : lessons in curiosity, leadership and getting things done / Wood, Levison
“Levison Wood talks about his secrets of discovery for the first time in this revealing manual of what it means to be an explorer in the modern age. The man who has walked the Nile, the Himalayas and the Americas discusses his lessons from a life on the road, how he managed to turn a passion into a lifestyle, and what inspired and motivated him along the way. Wood explains how he and other explorers face up to life’s challenges, often in extraordinary circumstances and demonstrates resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. He shares examples of pioneers in many fields, using their work to show how we can all develop our own explorer’s mindset and how these lessons can be applied in daily life. With chapters on curiosity, teamwork, resilience and positivity this is a book that provides a tool kit — no matter your age or profession.” (Catalogue)
The power of wonder : the extraordinary emotion that will change the way you live, learn, and lead / Parker, Monica C.
“The Power of Wonder takes readers on a multidisciplinary journey through psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, literature, and business to share some of the surprising secrets behind the mechanics of wonder and guides readers in bringing more of it into their lives. Readers will learn about the components and elicitors of wonder, and how it can transform our bodies and brains. From taking a daily “awe walk” to discovering a new and all-consuming interest in something you’d never given much thought to before, this book shows readers how to become more wonder-prone and reconnect with a reverence for the world and all the fascinating people in it”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)
Stop, ask, explore : learn to navigate change in times of uncertainty / Ball, Joan P
“Your business announced a major restructuring and your role is put at risk. You just graduated into a changing marketplace. You finally have the career you always wanted, but you wonder if there is more to life than what you’ve built. Interruptions and disruptions will block your path throughout your journey. You need to learn to navigate them. This book offers readers a practical framework for navigating life’s inevitable turning points, thresholds and transitions-at work at home and in between. Drawing upon more than a decade of research and work with established and emerging leaders across the globe, leadership consultant, Joan Ball invites emerging and established changemakers and their teams to reimagine their relationship with interruptions and disruptions-life’s What Now? Moments. This book guides you on a quest to recognize the creative potential that exists in the times between what was, What Now? and what might be. Stop, Ask, Explore is a lively and eye-opening book that introduces field-tested tools designed to allow you to more effectively engage interruptions and disruptions and develop the hopeful curiosity and experimental mindset needed to lead yourself and those around you in an era of unrelenting and exponential change. Discover how to learn, discern, choose and confirm the right way forward, rather than mindlessly ‘pivoting’ our ‘bouncing back’ without direction. They don’t teach this in business school, yet navigating change successfully will be the difference between those who thrive or survive in the new world of work”– Provided by publisher” (Catalogue)
Curiosity : art and the pleasures of knowing
“Curiosity explores the notion of intellectual and creative curiosity. Compiled in association with author and U.K. editor of Cabinet magazine Brian Dillon, this richly illustrated book explores objects, artworks and narratives drawn from a variety of disciplines–scientific, occult, anthropological and aesthetic–taking as its guide a sensibility that developed in Europe in the early modern period and tracing it at work in disparate historical and contemporary contexts. Contributors to the volume include Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin, Agency, Aura Satz, Aur lien Froment, Charles Le Brun, Corinne May Botz, Gunda F rster, Jeremy Millar, Laurent Grasso, Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka, Matt Mullican, Nicolaes Maes, Nina Katchadourian, Pablo Bronstein, Philip Henry Gosse, Robert Hooke, Roger Caillois, Tacita Dean, Thomas Gr nfeld and Toril Johannessen.” (Catalogue)
Why? : what makes us curious / Livio, Mario
“This is a fascinating examination of perhaps our most human characteristic, our innate curiosity, our deep desire to know why. Why are we more distracted by a cell-phone conversation, where we can hear only one side of the dialogue, than by an overheard argument between two people? Are children more curious than adults? What is the source of the morbid curiosity that causes bystanders to gather at crime scenes or traffic accidents? What evolutionary purpose does curiosity serve? How does our mind choose what to be curious about? Why? explores these and many other intriguing questions. Curiosity is essential to creativity. It is a necessary ingredient in so many art forms, from mystery novels and film dramas to painting, sculpture, and music. It is the principal driver of science, and yet there is no scientific consensus on why we humans are so curious or about the precise mechanisms in our brain that are responsible for curiosity. Mario Livio investigates curiosity through the lives of such paragons of inquisitiveness as Leonardo da Vinci and Richard Feynman. He interviewed a range of exceptionally curious people from an astronaut with degrees in statistics, medicine, and literature to a rock guitarist with a PhD in astrophysics. Because of Livio’s own insatiable curiosity, Why? is an irresistible and entertaining book that will captivate anyone who is curious about curiosity.”–Jacket.” (Catalogue)
Creative acts for curious people : how to think, create, and lead in unconventional ways / Greenberg, Sarah Stein
“What do they teach you at the most prestigious design school in the world? For the first time, readers have the opportunity to find out. Featuring contributions from some inventive and unconventional minds – including founder David Kelley, Choreographer Aleta Hayes and Google Chief Innovation Evangelist Frederik Pferdt – and packed with ideas that help you nurture the art of learning, discovery and curiosity, this provocative and highly-visual guide is a definitive resource for readers who want to expand their creative tool kit and lead with curiosity.” (Catalogue) Also available as EBook Libby
Cracking the curiosity code : the key to unlocking human potential / Hamilton, Diane
“In Dr. Diane Hamilton’s provocative new book, she uncovers what could foreseeably be the next movement to enhance human performance, a critical and direct link to improving motivation and communication-based issues that challenge organizations. Drawing on decades of research and incorporating interviews from some of the top leaders of our time, Hamilton examines the factors that influence curiosity including fear, assumptions, technology, and environment (FATE). Her ground-breaking research provides an action plan to transform individuals and organizations. The organization that can stimulate its workers’ curiosity can enhance employee engagement, emotional intelligence, innovation, productivity, and the many other by-products that come with that intrinsic, but under-utilized attribute. By developing curiosity and the ability to communicate without fear of repercussions, second-guessing or judgmental responses, employees can be better aligned and emotionally committed to their jobs, which in turn, can lead to improved productivity.” (Catalogue)
The power of curiosity : how to have real conversations that create collaboration, innovation and understanding / Taberner, Kathy
“Use the power of curiosity to transform challenging conversations into productive, meaningful, relationship-building experiences at work, home, or school. As leaders, parents, or teachers, navigating difficult conversations is part of the job. How do we keep calm and achieve a productive outcome, all while keeping our relationships intact? The secret is curiosity. Curiosity is the innovation-driving, emotion-calming skill that comes so naturally to us as children, but gets so easily buried beneath our busy, multitasking lifestyles. The good news is that we simply have to relearn what we already know! In The Power of Curiosity, mother-daughter executive coaching team Kathy Taberner and Kirsten Taberner-Siggins walk you through the Curiosity Skills and introduce a step-by-step process to use anytime-but especially when challenging conversations arise.” (Catalogue)
If you would like 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.
Most of us, at some point in our working lives, will have been subjected to a meeting that gets hijacked by someone with a sense of their own importance, a meeting that disintegrates into disagreement, or one that just lacks clear focus.
The end result often leaves attendees feeling stressed and/or frustrated.
Meetings though, are a necessity of the workplace and when run well, can be effective and productive with everyone leaving with a feeling of purpose and a clear direction.
While online meetings can be efficient, reducing the need to travel for instance, after several years of these many people now appreciate the opportunity to get together in the physical presence of others. Hybrid meetings though, pose their own challenges, such as making sure all participants are engaged and have opportunity to speak up.
Whatever the meeting style – the question remains – how to make them effective? Do you need to attend every meeting? How do you make sure everyone with something valid to say is successfully included? Should you take minutes? Set an agenda?
For some guidance on how to get the most out of your meetings check out the Wellington City Libraries resources below.
In his TED talk, How to save the world (or at least yourself) from bad meetings Information Security Manager David Grady suggestions some ways to address the “… epidemic of bad, inefficient, overcrowded meetings [that] is plaguing the world’s businesses — and making workers miserable.”
In another TED talk, Leadership expert Cindy Solomon shares her 5 tips for dealing with meeting overload and advises that The phenomenon of “calendar creep,” where meetings completely take over your work days, is wasting time, energy and productivity — but you can take back control.
HBR Online’s article 4 Distractions that Derail Meetings — and How to Handle Them“… presents four dysfunctional behaviors that cause meetings to derail, as well as what managers need to know to make their team’s meetings more effective, efficient, and productive.”
Do you need to meet or could it be said in an email? Amanda Woodard’s article outlines why, even though many meetings could be summarised in an email, there is still a place for face to face meetings.
For a more in-depth look at how to improve meetings use your library sign-in to access LinkedIn Learning’ s course Leading Productive Meetings. In this training “ … productivity expert Dave Crenshaw demonstrates a simple, usable framework that can help you get the most from your meetings—whether in person or virtual—by turning them into productive avenues for communicating, connecting, and accomplishing real work”
If you want to make virtual meetings more effective then Leading Virtual Meetings might be helpful. In this LinkedIn learning course Kevin Eikenberry “…identifies the challenges to holding a productive meeting online, and shares tactics for making these meetings successful”.
Further guidance can be found in some of the many resources in our book collection like these ones below :
How to fix meetings : meet less, focus on outcomes and get stuff done / Allcott, Graham
“Calendar full of meetings that could just be an email? A list of action points but not time to work on completing them? Online and offline, too much valuable time is wasted in meetings. Advisers to some of the world’s leading companies on productivity, Graham Allcott and Hayley Watts provide realistic and practical advice that really makes a difference, showing how to reduce the amount of time you spend in meetings, and ensure that the bones that you do hold and attend are genuine opportunities to collaborate and get things done.” (Catalogue)
Suddenly hybrid : managing the modern meeting / Reed, Karin M.
“Prior to COVID 19, hybrid meetings were relatively rare and consisted of the majority of attendees being in person with perhaps someone “dialing in” (and often forgot about). The hybrid meeting that will likely monopolize the way meetings are conducted from here on out will likely involve a group of people gathered in one conference room, maybe another group of people gathered in a huddle room somewhere else, and a variety of folks showing up in their own individual boxes on screen via their personal webcams. Managing the expectations, participation, and conversation flow for all of these different constituencies will be fraught with challenges but perhaps some opportunities as well for the leader who leans into developing new skills. This book provides some much-needed early insight and guidance into what works and what does NOT when it comes to hybrid meetings…”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
The surprising science of meetings : how you can lead your team to peak performance / Rogelberg, Steven G
“… In The Surprising Science of Meetings, Steven G. Rogelberg, researcher and consultant to some of the world’s most successful companies, draws from extensive research, analytics and data mining, and survey interviews with over 5,000 employees across a range of industries to share the proven practices and techniques that help managers and employees enhance the quality of their meetings. For those who lead and participate in meetings, Rogelberg provides immediate direction, guidance, and relief, offering a how-to guide to change your working life starting today.”–Amazon.com.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Taking minutes of meetings : how to take efficient notes that make sense and support meetings that matter / Gutmann, Joanna
“Taking Minutes of Meetings guides you through the entire process of minute taking: arranging the meeting; writing the agenda; creating the optimum environment; structuring the meeting and writing notes up accurately. The often misunderstood role of minute-taker is one of the most important and powerful in a meeting, and this book will help you excel at this crucial skill, allowing you to build your career and credibility. Taking Minutes of Meetings is an easy to read ‘dip-in, dip-out’ guide, providing hands-on advice about the sections of a meeting as well as tips on how to create an agenda, personal preparation, best practice advice on taking notes and how to improve your accuracy. Fully updated for 2019, this 5th edition now features even more practical exercises, useful templates, and top tips, as well as guidance on using technology effectively and minutes for different types of meetings.” (Catalogue)
The art of gathering : how we meet and why it matters / Parker, Priya
“We spend our lives gathering – first in classrooms and then in meetings, weddings, conferences and away days. Yet so many of us spend this time in underwhelming moments that fail to engage us, inspire us, or connect us. We’ve all sat in meetings where people talk past each other or go through the motions and others which galvanize a team and remind everyone why they first took the job. We’ve been to weddings that were deeply moving and others that were run-of-the-mill and simply faded away. Why do some moments take off and others fizzle? What’s the difference between the gatherings that inspire you and the ones that don’t? In The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker gets to the heart of these questions and reveals how to design a transformative gathering. An expert on organizing successful gatherings whether in conference centres or her living room, Parker shows us how to create moving, magical, mind-changing experiences – even in spaces where we’ve come to expect little.” (Catalogue) EBook format only.
Death by meeting : a leadership fable about solving the most painful problem in business / Lencioni, Patrick
“In his latest work of business fiction, Patrick Lencioni provides readers with another powerful and thought-provoking book, this one centered on a cure for the most painful yet underestimated problem of modern business: bad meetings. And what he suggests is both simple and revolutionary.” “Casey McDaniel, the founder and CEO of Yip Software, is in the midst of a problem he created, but one he doesn’t know how to solve. And he doesn’t know where or whom to turn to for advice. His staff can’t help him; they’re as dumbfounded as he is by their torturous meetings.” “Then an unlikely advisor, Will Petersen, enters Casey’s world. When he proposes an unconventional, even radical, approach to solving the meeting problem, Casey is just desperate enough to listen.” “As in his other books, Lencioni provides a model, and makes it applicable to the real world. Death by Meeting is a blueprint for leaders who want to eliminate waste and frustration among their teams, and create environments of engagement and passion.”–BOOK JACKET.” (Catalogue)
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