Gillian's Blog

We recommend YOUR BRAIN AT WORK by David Rock.

 

We read this book recenty and found it helpful to manage in a 'sane" fashion all the things we have to do everyday.

YOUR BRAIN AT WORK explores issues such as:

- why our brains feel so taxed, and how to maximize our mental resources

- why it's so hard to focus, and how to better manage distractions

- how to maximize your chance of finding insights that can solve seemingly insurmountable problems

- how to keep your cool in any situation, so that you can make the best decisions possible

- how to collaborate more effectively with others

The book outlines cases studies about a couple called Emily and Paul: The parents of two young children, Emily is the newly promoted VP of Marketing at a large corporation while Paul works from home or from clients' offices as an independent IT consultant. Their lives, like all of ours, are filled with a bewildering blizzard of emails, phone calls, meetings, projects, proposals, and plans. 

There are many things to understand about your own behaviour while you learn strategies to become more effective and less overwhelmed.

http://www.your-brain-at-work.com/

Adventures Recorded in Photo albums

Photographic technology is wonderful, so flexible and immediate. With a digital camera my son took 100’s of photos of his trek to Mt Everest Base Camp. It was a physically and mentally challenging journey.

Once home he spent days creating an album and writing notes and comments to make the experience last.

It is the act of writing by hand that I am interested in. It makes the album personal & authentic. I recently saw a documentary about Queen Elizabeth where Prince Charles looked through old photo albums she had put together when her family was young. She had accompanied the photos with names, dates and comments. It gave a strong sense of history and a personal touch.

This is exactly how I feel when I look through this stunning album my son has put together.

Photo albums of this type keep a little bit of the past for us to remember, as we rush into our exciting digital futures.

For information on drymount albums click

http://www.corbanblair.com.au/c-2-photo-albums.aspx

WOMEN IN FRANCE having fun and burning CALORIES - it's short and fantastic!

 

We found this recently and thought it was a great idea. Women cycling to create an image of a male stripper with their efforts - and lose 2000 caleries- and an ad to promote water!!

See the clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=yEH4Yum4nN4

Corban & Blair November 2012 Sale

With changes in consumer purchasing, on-line researching, desires and expectations we look forward to watching and listening to how our customers are at our end of year sale.

Are they chasing bargains, new ideas for gifts especially Christmas gifts, contact with our friendly staff, out for an experience, or looking for industry trends.

For all of us at Corban & Blair  the opportunity to meet and talk to so many people who use our products is fantastic and helps us when we are designing new products each season.

All welcome at our Lewisham shop or our on-line shop.

Bobbi Mahlab guest speaker at a StepChangeMarketing Event.

I went to an event with my friend Bobbi Mahlab to hear her discuss changes in publishing, consumer habits and how we interact or not , with information and news. New media is all about content and understanding how people are accessing it. We use it on the bus, plane, park, home, at a desk, with friends and in many combinations. We receive it on different devices-  phone, ipad, tablets, TV & computers. What does this mean to people who are designing content (image & text) to meaningfully communicate with people?  It is a job that needs lots of intelligent creative thought.

 

She cited as crucial the CONTENT CONSTELLATION where all platforms create the whole and need to be built to connect and enhance the messages of each part.

For more information about Bobbi's company Mahlab Media see www.mahlabmedia.com.au 

This evening held by StepChangeMarketing was stimulating and inspiring.

For more information about the company and their events please go to: http://www.stumpthestrategist.com/ or contact Shal at shalini@stepchangemarketing.com

HongKong & Shanghai Visit

Last week we had an interesting time meeting up with clients and suppliers in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

AUST CHAM SHANGHAI We met with James O’Loughlin and Udo Doring from the Australia Shanghai Chamber. They are doing a terrific job assisting Australians do business in China. If you are working in that part of the world contact them as they are helpful and know everyone. For more information visit their website. www.austchamshanghai.com

COLLEAGUES & SUPPLIERS We also met with suppliers. Here we are with our friend Helena and suppliers Tim and Charlie Wu. To get quality takes time, patience and good trustworthy people to work with. This is a challenge we are working on and getting there much to our delight. All our products are hand made with the toil of many hands in China, Australia or New Zealand.

We like to keep reminding people many hours of hardworking peoples lives have gone into making the products they buy and use, and often take for granted.

FIVE IDEAS Changing the World for the BETTER. By Bill Clinton

I recently found this article in the latest TIME magazine. It is good to read something positive about the world.

TIME Magazine Oct 1 2012.

 “ Our world is more interdependent than ever, borders have become more like nets than walls, while this means wealth, ideas and information, and talent move freely around the globe, so can negative forces shaping our shared fates. The financial crisis that started in the US and swept around the world is further proof that we can’t escape one another”

 Clinton’s 5 ideas are:

“PHONES MEAN FREEDOM- cell phones are one of the most effective advancements in history to lift people out of poverty.

 HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROSPER- Governments, the private sector and foundations working together to create effective health systems have lead to greater successes in poor countries than either one could do on their own.

 GREEN ENERGY EQUALS GOOD BUSINESS- there are many industries and countries having real success with green energy. Good news stories get over- looked by emotive stories of countries in economic difficulty.

 WOMEN RULE- No society can truly flourish if it does not include the dreams, intelligence and productivity of half its population.

THE FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE IS NOW-many of the worlds greatest challenges are modern manifestations of our oldest demons- the future has never had a big enough constituency- those fighting for present gain almost always win out . . . . . we are in a pitched battle between the present array of resources and attitudes and the future struggling to be born.”

ECONOMIST TIM HARFORD- MAKE MORE MISTAKES to get ahead.

I went to hear Tim Harford speak at The Sydney Opera House as part of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. He is a very articulate speaker and an excellent story teller. It was great.

His take away message was that making mistakes can have positive outcomes. Getting to some where new, while learning, experimenting and sharing to discover the next, the new, the amazing.

“In a complex and fast-moving world, if we want to move ahead in leaps and bounds, rather than in small steps, we need to rethink the conditions for making progress in science, business and society in a fundamental way... we need to rethink everything. We need to realise there is no 'right way', lose our fear of failure, embrace opportunity and take risks. We need to stop looking for leaders who can provide us with all the answers, and encourage the search for many solutions - for that is where we will find the 'one in a hundred' that delivers real results. We need to understand that to adapt to the challenges of the future, we must make mistakes, lots of them.”

Tim Harford is a best selling author and senior columnist for the Financial Times. His book The Undercover Economist has sold one million copies worldwide in almost 30 languages and Adapt - Why Success Always Starts with Failure is his latest.

www.timharford.com 

 

Want a delicious tea?

It is wonderful when you come across new products from people with style and inspiration. Anne Mc William with her Blossom Blends tea is a great example. Look out for her teas, they taste delicious and make a great gifts.

 Anne captures her customer's attention with design & a family story.

“Blossom Blends is a boutique tea purveyor that started out in the humble cupboard of my Nanna Mac's kitchen. Every Sunday my family would drive to the sleepy country village of Hanwood (Population 583) to visit Nan Mac on her farm, have a chat, admire her garden and share a cup of her much loved tea blends.

After reminiscing of the good times and conversations had over a cup of Nan Mac's delicious tea, my family and I set out to create a tea purveyor that shared the same heart, delicious taste and honest to goodness that Nan Mac had for her tea.

We wanted to create a tea collection that Nan Mac would be proud of.  She would have nothing but the fine things in life and nothing was truer when it came to her tea, if it wasn't up to scratch she wouldn't have it! “

There is nothing but the finest tea, herbs, flowers and fruits in a tin of Blossom Blends and each blend is sealed in tin canisters to ensure quality and taste with every sip.

To find out more or buy these teas  http://www.blossomblends.com.au/

http://www.blossomblends.com.au/articles-headlines  http://www.facebook.com/BlossomBlends

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN- read about Eminè Mehmet's ideas & passion.

I met Eminè recently as was inspired by her passion for sustainable design as an everyday consideration.

 
PROFILE – EMINÈ MEHMET SUSTAINABILITY AMBASSADOR, INTERIOR DESIGNER, WRITER, SPEAKER

Eminè started her love affair with Design at 18 immersing herself into study and the Australian Design industry. She has worked for companies such as developer Meriton Apartments in Sydney and Queensland and International Architecture and Design Firm, Woods Bagot, in Sydney and Canberra.

Today, her portfolio consists of an impressive array of projects and clients ranging from residential developments, serviced apartments to hotel and corporate design.

Eminè is passionate about design and places importance on sustainability. Sustainability made easily accessible to everyone, not just the experts.

With a focus on ‘spreading the word’, Eminè helps decipher the green maze, bringing it back to ‘grass roots’ level in an easy formula that’s colourful and practical. 

Her wide experience has earned her the status of Green Star Accredited Professional and Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia. Eminè’s contribution to the design industry also includes being President of the Design Institute of Australia New South Wales Council.  She currently holds the seat of Treasurer on the New South Wales Council.

Eminè has appeared on television programs including “Bright Ideas”, Channel 10 and “Home” on the Lifestyle Channel. Spreading the message of sustainable design, her writing has featured in Luxury Home Design Magazine, Grand Designs Australia Magazine as well as websites such as Interiors Addict, Business Chicks and Your Future Home. She has spoken at many events including Grand Designs Australia Live and the HIA Sydney Home Show.

Eminè believes that sustainability can be incorporated into each and every person’s life through design at home and at work.

CONTACT

Mobile: +61 411 498 008

Email: eminè@eminemehmet.com

Website: www.eminemehmet.com Twitter: @EmineMehmet8 Face Book: Emine Mehmet/Sustainability Ambassador

Link to articles: http://www.eminemehmet.com/writing.html  Link to gallery: http://www.eminemehmet.com/design.html                                   

PS.  If you're a designer or stylist creating green interiors, enter the Your Future Home Green Interior Awards to be recognised and win some great prizes.  Judged by yours truly, Jen Bishop from Interiors Addict and Daphna Tal from Australian Living.  Entries close 14 October - can't wait to see them J