Tuesday, July 19, 2011

I am who I am! but I try to be better.

This week I am having a week away from Christchurch, a long awaited and much needed quake break. I am sitting here in Wanaka looking out at some amazing snow capped mountains, a view that is immense and breathtaking.

Naval gazing can be an activity that becomes predominant while relaxing and I have had plenty of time to think while the family skis. (I am keeping Mr 13 company as he cannot ski yet following a broken arm.) during this thinking time I discover that at times I am not a very nice person and probably peeve people off regularly. There are other times in my life when I do thinks that people find fabulous and invaluable.
So I would love to share with you some of the things that make me not such a great person:
* Opinionated
* Incredibly Stubborn
* Over protective
* Lazy
* Overweight
* Love a good gossip
* don't suffer fools

On the other hand, there are things that make me kind of OK:
* Loyal
* Honest
* Fair
* You will always know how I feel
* Passionate
* Family oriented

Some of the less endearing traits can also be my strengths, such as being opinionated and stubborn, which comes in handy at times.
Seeing both sides of a story is something I try to do, but being empathetic does not mean backing down. There are things that really infuriate me such as political hardliners and environmentalists that only see things their way and no other way. I am willing to listen to both sides of an issue and once I hear the differing opinions I may just chance my stance, or I may not.

The title of this blog is "I AM WHO I AM, BUT I TRY TO BE BETTER" This is something I will live my life by, life is fluid, people change, circumstances change, the world changes. But so many remain the same, this is a stagnant and lonely way to live, and I do not want that for myself.

So if I peeve you off or make you feel good please do not take it personally, it is just me finding my way in this crazy world we live in.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Welcome to the new look Blog

Yes things have changed in my life and my new look blog is reflecting some of those changes.
Simplicity and productivity remain a passion of mine and this will be featured in the profiles I will be doing on Christchurch Businesses who have increased their productivity since the devastating earthquakes that rocked our world.
You can read the first profile on CATE GRACE in my recent blog post.
Another big change has been the winding down of Totally Organised Product and Home Parties as well as our hands on organising services. But you can reap the rewards of this by shopping out our STOCK CLEARANCE SALE
This week I embark on a "Time Management Coaching" course with Julie Morgenstern in New York, so you can soon benefit from my Time Management and Organising Coaching Consultations. Watch this space and I will keep you posted.
Speaking Professionally and Writing are where it is at for me in the near future, so let me know what you are keen to hear or read about and I will do my best to deliver.
Rebuilding Christchurch is a major focus here in my part of the world, being part of a new future for our wonderful city is where I am now spending alot of time.
I am on board the REBUILD CHRISTCHURCH team working with other passionate Cantabrians to deliver open two way communications here in Canterbury. Also we are looking to form an Advocacy service and Charitable trust to aid residents who have been effected by recent events. Watch this space as these developments are closer by the day.
One of my main focusses is to raise funds to give these projects a strong future. Please visit http://www.indiegogo.com/Rebuild-Christchurch if you would like to contribute to the future of these amazing initiatives.

So as you can see exciting times and loads to do, Keep Happy, Keep Safe and Keep it Simple.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

POST QUAKE PRODUCTIVITY CHAMPIONS - Cate Grace Leap2it

I have decided to run a series of businesses who have grown and thrived since the Earthquakes that hit Canterbury. So sit back relax and enjoy our first Post Quake Productivity Champion.

Cate Grace - Leap2it


On the 3rd September 2010, her car was written off and Cate Grace was working full time as an employee and running her Personal Training Business “LEAP2IT” part time and was about to go full time with Leap2it. She had resigned from her safe Job and was getting ready to launch full time with Leap2it on the 24th September.
When the quake struck on the 4th September 2010, Cates plans did not change; in fact it heightened her desire to go it alone. Her full time job gave her contact and insight into the plight of the resident of the eastern suburbs of Bexley, Linwood and New Brighton. She invited families to participate in an Open Day at CBD gym she was using on the Saturday following the 4th September quake, it was a great success and stress buster.
The Boxing day earthquake was a little closer to home for Cate, the epicenter being less than a Kilometer from her home, however she was again determined to make her business bigger and better despite Mother Nature doing her best to make life for Cantabrians difficult.
Then came February 22, 2011 a day that will never be forgotten in the heart and mind of Cate Grace. She was attending a lunch meeting and preparing to head into the CBD when the Earthquake struck.
It was very evident soon after that things would not be the same for Leap2It for a long time, one obvious change being the CBD Gym that Cate and her clients called home was now in the Red Zone, and it would be over 6 weeks before access was possible.
CBD Gym entrance 8 weeks post 22/2/11

Instead of advising her clients that the gym was not available, Cate contacted her clients and asked them what they wanted and needed. This was pivotal in Leap2It gaining a significant market growth in the period following the February Earthquake.
 Armed with the needs and wants of her clients Cate began searching for an alternative Gym where her one on one clients could come with ease, as well as a venue for her Circuit clients and also fun and accessible outdoor venues.

What is different about Leap2It is the people Cate works with. Her perfect client is someone who is struggling with Chronic Illness; her aim is to get people LEAPING off the couch and moving regardless of their Physical Condition. Often a challenging group to work with, however the positive steps forward Cate saw following the Earthquake was reinforcing her faith in the strength of her clients.

When Cate began Leap2it her goals for her business were to work with people suffering chronic health conditions in a gym environment and to have a maximum of 20x1 hour sessions per week. Cate had this goal in mind and it was determined by Cate’s own condition, Rheumatoid Arthritis, which she believed precluded her from maintaining more than 20 hours of One to One training of clients. She was soon to learn that her limitations were all imagined and she was capable of so much more.
Following the September earthquake Cate began to see a change in her goals and began to see a shift toward working with families, youth and partners as well as her existing clients.
The February quake stepped her up a notch as well, this saw an increase in corporate clients, Outdoor training, utilizing an alternative Gym for clients not wanting to return to the Red Zone.

How did Cate manage the changes to her business in such a short and tumultuous time? She became more productive through the use of systems and tools. Some of the things Cate is doing differently include:
·      Using an Action Station Desk Planner – To plan and schedule her weeks ahead of time.
·      Increased time and diary management
·      Improved costing and invoicing systems
·      No discounts or reductions in fees.
·      Increase her Social Media presence with Facebook and twitter
These changes have directly resulted in a 240% increase in turnover in the business.

Another significant turning point for Cate and Leap2it was applying a true element of marketing to her business.  She went direct to her clients and asked what they needed following their traumatic experiences.  She found out what was going to keep them coming back and changed her service delivery to meet those needs.   Cate is focusing on a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.  She combines lifestyle, exercise, alone time & positivity into an achievable and fun plan for her clients and their families.  Being healthy and happy is a team effort and Cate encourages everyone from children, partners, family, neighbours and friends to support and train together.   Her motto since the earthquakes is never never give up.   "If you want it, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse.  A year from now, you'll be glad you started today!”

Business pre September sessions were up to 15 1-1 sessions per week, now Cate is growing steadily with up to 35 varied sessions a week including Leap2it  1-1 personal training, Leap2it Buddy sessions, Leap4it Group Circuits & SMaRT Corporate group sessions.    
This has resulted in her now working from over 6 different locations:
1)   Form Fitness Gym in Beckenham
2)   Circuits in the Alpine room at Clip & Climb
3)   Her previous CBD Gym
4)   Riccarton Racecourse
5)   Waimakariri and Selwyn Operation Suburbs as she takes Leap2it on the road to homes and local parks
6)   Corporate Client Offices
Operation Suburbs - perfect place to work

Embracing the changes, adapting to opportunites, talking to her clients, increasing her productivity through systems and challenging her own beliefs have all added up to one exciting and successful business growing and leaping forward in Post-Quake Christchurch. It can be done and Cate Grace’s business Leap2it is a great inspiration to businesses throughout New Zealand to keep your vision and dreams alive, no matter what.
Get in touch with Cate at www.leap2it.co.nz or follow  CATE ON TWITTER