“The deepest secret is that life is not a process of discovery, but a process of creation. You are not discovering yourself, but creating yourself anew. Seek, therefore not to find out who you are, seek to determine who you want to be.” ~ Conversations With God
Absolutely! I believe we create our own futures and I live the belief that one of the best ways to determine who we want to be is by focusing on our talents, interests and passion. At the same time though I cherish the fact that life is a process of discovery, discovering truths and purpose, talents and passion, discovering the joy of other people.
Augmented Reality
Over the last couple of weeks I have begun work on a project involving the deployment of an Augmented Reality showcase of Dunedin’s heritage, arts and culture. Our project is inspired by immersive heritage experiences like Museum of London | Street Museum with so much potential for the platform we propose, I feel amazingly blessed to have discovered collaborators to help create and share this vision for our City.
In order to create my own future, I’ve committed to this project the most valuable resources I own, my talent and time, passion and energy. I wholeheartedly believe that this project will serve our City for years to come, providing not only a fun and engaging, compelling and immersive user experience but also establishing an open access platform that many members of our community can contribute to and potentially monetise.
Collaboration & Gratitude
I am inspired and encouraged by the range of support I have discovered in bringing together this collaborative. I see this project as a catalyst for on-going and future collaboration, spanning many of Dunedin’s most talented and creative industry sectors.
Most importantly, Thanks to my Great Omnipotent Deity for blessing me with talented people to work with. Thanks & massive respect to my talented collaborators Stu FlemingTim CalderPierre-Emmanuel de La Bussière and community support from:-
Our Southern Maori Business Network gathered last week for the annual Hui.
Four generations of people, Maori and non Maori, representing businesses from concept and start up to long established success stories, in fields as diverse as recycled glass art, spot factoring and farming to native perfume, tourism and accounting.
It was a great success and although all good things must come to an end I returned to Dunedin inspired by the talents, intelligence and collaborative strength of those that attended the Hui.
I am encouraged by the vision of our people, our capacity for sharing and the enduring nature of Maori community. There were many highlights: great company, beautiful surrounds, delicious food, ongoing opportunities to learn and share and connect with people…
I’d like to Thank
Karen, Viv and Trish for making this happen. Awesome work ladies
The crews from the University of Otago Te Taituara Maori Commerce Students Association and Wakatipu High for your participation
Ta Tipene O’Regan for challenging us to work for the collective good and find new ways to envision and create our future
Llyod McGinty, for insight into the future of our green economy and the simple tips (from an energy consultant) like join powershop
Phil Broughton, for making accounting “sexy” his words but we believe him and the students were swayed in favour due to his engaging styles and real life application of knowledge
David Kennedy, for being funny while also making the important distinction that business can create logos and positioning statements but that brand is how our other people perceive our business
Richard Kerr Bell, for highlight the importance of values such as communication and trust in business
Robbie Paul, for evidence that our education system can innovate with today’s skills based learning, training and qualifications providing people with improved pathways to work
Don Rhodes, for challenging the forms of organisation that I believe in and helping me to practice the skills of listening and remaining open minded
Supporting People in Business
I’m am forever thankful to have discovered KUMA at a time in my work life where I was being misled as to the importance of values.
I will never forget the manager that advised that sticking to personal values (honesty & personal integrity) could create barriers to getting work done.
I have never before been so disheartened and am thankful to have moved well beyond that place with a slew of lessons about “what NOT to do”. If it had not been for the wonderful support I received from KUMA – the Southern Maori Business Network I might not have stayed in Dunedin long enough to discover all the other great people and communities that I now know are here.
I’d like to especially thank Phil Broughton and Suzanne Spencer for your support and encouragement and for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this great network. It is an immense privilege to be a member of this board of trustees.
At that very first board meeting I discovered a true sense of caring and community (whanau) from a team of people proactively working to help others which confirmed that I could aspire to be in business to help people rather than on the basis of “what’s in it for us”. KUMA empowered me to believe in my values, aspirations and my motives and continues to help me be my most authentic self.
Leading yourself; to see yourself as others see you
I attended the launch of the Otago University MBA Mentoring Programme last night and am well impressed with the caliber of talent they have drawn together. It’s an emergent and future focused initiative that will no doubt add immense value for students while allowing business people to give back.
In the official speech Mr Ian Flattery of the MBA, told the story of watching the Lion King and explaining to his youg son the meaning of the word “philosophy” as used in one of the songs.
“Son” he said, “philosophy is about what is important to you, the things that you value.”
“So then your philosophy is work and renovation!”
The charming and funny parable, which speaks of knowing how others see us, was an analogy for the inherent value of the mentoring programme, which creates an environment for the types of constructive feedback that will enhance the leadership styles of tomorrows leaders.
Leadership, the collective capacity to create things of value.
Networking, connecting and collaborating - whatever the purpose - talking and working with others is one of the best parts of my job. Last night I went to represent not just myself and Worknow but also an amazing community that I belong to called The Distiller.
The Distiller is a community of young web entrepreneurs based (primarily) out of the Centre For Innovation on the Otago University Campus. We support and encourage each other, offer feedback and share the highs and lows of the new venture journey, together. It is organic, collaborative business community at its best, one which provides a shining example of an environment
“…overwhelmingly governed by the trust/reputation/community approach…” Source
The Distiller also emphasises for me the collective nature of leadership; the realisation of collective potential, working with others in a concerted endeavour to create something of value to all involved. I am so thankful and immensely privileged to be part of such a great group of people. You guys Rock!
Today I took the time to focus on balance in my work & life. This investment of time has made me immensely grateful for my beautiful family and friends, the amazing team I am a part of, for my health and happiness and great community I am a part of. This is indeed a beautiful life. There is happiness and fulfillment in living our values
BALANCE : work / life – future / present
GRATITUDE : We are thankful for our blessings and embrace both rewarding and challenging circumstances with open hearts.
To build a world class business that helps people and effects change.
“People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. And what you do serves as the proof of what you believe,”
HOW Worknow
On the basis of our shared values; recognising each others talents and working together in a spirit of trust and collaboration.
EXCELLENCE : We aim to be number one in our field and constantly strive to improve.
SERVICE : Helping people is our passion, exceeding expectations our reward.
INTEGRITY : We keep our promises, treat people fairly and value open and honest communication.
COLLABORATION : talented people, working together for the benefit of each other
BALANCE : work / life – future / present
GRATITUDE : We are thankful for our blessings and embrace both rewarding and challenging circumstances with open hearts.
WHAT Worknow
Work Now is a community marketplace to help people find volunteer and paid work opportunities. Join our talent community and create your talent profile to connect with people and work opportunities.
