What problems do you consistently solve for your clients?
For my clients, I am always solving problems about waste. There are so many types of waste – wasted time, inflated processes, confused processes, mistakes, manual tasks, paper-based tasks, malformed product, returned product, we could all go on! I specialise in discovery, automation and digitisation. Solving these kinds of problems is a passion of mine for two reasons. First, because everyone wins when you reduce waste: the bottom line wins, the planet wins, your staff win. And two, because optimisation is elegant: it’s clever, beautiful, and artful all at once. I love these kinds of problems – bring them on!
What’s one thing Small Medium Enterprises need to know to thrive this year?
SME’s usually already know what they need to be doing, but they lack the agility to execute. So in that sense – SME’s need to learn what it means to be agile in their context! Without proper process, ‘agility’ often looks like chaos: accepting this proposal, working with that vendor, bringing on staff to service a new business need. I’m sure most people reading this can think of times when all of the above has been done in a reactive, chaotic way. Agility leads with strategy, is followed by framework, and lastly lies with execution, and more often than not it is attempted in reverse!
What would the title of your autobiography be?
The Endless Quest of the Inquisitive Woman
What are you happiest doing when you’re not working?
I’m happiest when I’m doing anything that makes me grow. Last year I hiked a portion of the Continental Divide Trail, spending 12 weeks out in the desert and alpine regions of the US. This year I have some education goals, so that I can underpin some interests with formal qualifications. Next year, who knows, but if I get to work on some personal projects I know I will be in for a good time.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
Take your time to arrive at your first impression. There’s no harm in it, and a lot of benefits.
