What problems do you consistently solve for your clients?
Often clients need an impartial person to come in and help guide them through their current problems, so I see my role as being able to bring a fresh set of eyes to new, common, or longstanding challenges and help them see “the forest for the trees”.
I do this by helping clients be clear about what success would look like for their organisation at the end of project delivery. I find working closely with clients from the beginning to establish a vision statement for the project and ensure the project’s objectives are clearly defined before diving into planning and solution mode a successful approach.
Being able to engage and communicate effectively is a skill, and building trust as an advisor is a key skill I have employed to solve many problems for clients in the past.
What’s one thing SMEs need to know to thrive this year?
Change management is the new project management! The dialogue is changing around how organisations implement projects, and the focus now needs to be on: “What can we do to ensure this change endures long after the project has been completed?” Planning the human elements of change into projects – such as process, tools, and training that drives the people side of change – is now needed more than ever, and SMEs need to plan projects with change management in mind.
What would the title of your autobiography be?
“Jacaranda Queen” – because I grew up in Grafton and always dreamed of being the Jacaranda Queen (sadly, I never got the chance!)
What are you happiest doing when you’re not working?
I am happiest when outdoors! I love walking my two dogs – King, a diva chihuahua and Mogie, my elderly beagle – and exploring new sights around Sydney with them.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
“This too shall pass” was often repeated by one of my high school teachers, and it is honestly the words I live by. It helps me be optimistic, not dwell too much on current issues and understand that even as bad as a situation may be currently, it too will eventually come to pass.
