Life's not always fair, but it's sure made me tough...
Jo Hands writes about what makes her tick, she explains “Life's not always fair, but it's sure made me tough...” When I was a child I was big about justice. I wanted to feel like life was fair. My mother told me that life wasn't fair and I thought that was crap. As I grew up I realised that she was right - life is not fair. Everyone has their challenges, battles and hard times, you are not alone. People want to be perceived as having their life together but no one really does, let's be honest.
When I was a child I was big about justice. I wanted to feel like life was fair. My mother told me that life wasn't fair and I thought that was crap. As I grew up I realised that she was right - life is not fair. Everyone has their challenges, battles and hard times, you are not alone. People want to be perceived as having their life together but no one really does, let's be honest.
The hard times is where I've learnt so much, I've grown, I've backed myself, I've realised how strong I really am. I want to make a difference to people. I love people - I love my team, people I meet, I want people to be successful and I genuinely want the best for people.
I'm good at business, it gets me out of bed in the morning with a spring. I love helping people get the most out of their business. There is so much opportunities to drive better outcomes in business - I see it and I want to help people.
Making a difference isn't easy - there are a lot of people telling you why it's not possible, it's not good enough. Experience tells me to trust my gut. Embrace and push through the change as the outcome will be better they just can't see it. I'm confident in my ability and I'll admit when I'm wrong but I will not stop striving for great.
For people that know me well, I'm an open book, someone who cares so deeply, someone who loves to make a difference and I have a genuine love of people and business optimisation.
Life isn't fair. Life isn't kind. But everyone has their journey that has shaped them and so embrace the imperfections and make the best of your life.
🙃 Smile - lean in - no regrets.
💜 Embrace life and make the best of everyday. Be kind to you - you're only human and you're enough.
🌈 Be kind - you don't know peoples journey and kindness is overrated.
Read more articles by Jo Hands:
We’re Whiteark. Leaders in Transformation & Private Equity.
Fuelled by passion, we revel in working with Private Equity; the pace, targeted focus on business optimisation and limited timeframes spark unforeseen transformation opportunities, which we’re excited to deliver on. Our approach is rooted in data, ensuring the right decisions are made – based on accurate information. Hands-on, we get into the trenches with you, working directly with the management team to realise outcomes expected by shareholders. We offer a range of transformation services which can be tailored to suit standard private equity options; always accompanied by a laser focus on profit optimisation of the business.
Reach out for a no obligation conversation on how we can help you. Contact us on whiteark@whiteark.com.au
Article by Jo Hands, Co-Founder Whiteark
What do I want to do when I grow up??
Jo Hands writes about what she wanted to be when she grew up, and the lessons she learned along the way. She explains “In year 9, we needed to work out what we wanted to be when we grew up to pick our majors / subjects that determined our chance to get into 'the' university course. We were just kids and let's be honest, we didn’t know. Some still don’t know today.”
In year 9, we needed to work out what we wanted to be when we grew up to pick our majors / subjects that determined our chance to get into 'the' university course. We were just kids and let's be honest, we didn’t know. Some still don’t know today.
I'm generation X, so considered extremely loyal which explains my first 10+ years of my career. I chose accounting because I loved my accounting teacher at school, she encouraged me, and I just ‘got’ it.
When I finished high school, I took an intern role at an accounting firm for 13k a year. I learnt how to be an auditor. Went to University, and got my first role with Arthur Andersen (that later became EY) the first year, 2002.
My 9 years at EY taught me:
How to work hard
How to problem solve
Teamwork
Accountability
Client service
Industry experience
Ability to work on number of assignments
I worked out I didn't want to be partner and I wanted to really drive an outcome in business, so I left EY to join Telstra. I loved my experience at Telstra which then led to private equity experience.
I love working with private equity because:
I love the speed
I love the focus on activity
I love the simplification on priorities
Measuring success
Holding people accountable
My career has now changed to running my own business, which has been an amazing experience. The ability to not have a boss, being accountable to yourself and your business partner - and being able to make a difference to businesses and people.
I never knew I was going to do my own business or be as successful or enjoy it this much - but it's the depth and breadth of experience that has made it possible.
Your career path is not linear, take the experience, work hard, learn from good people and enjoy yourself, life's too short.
It's ok if you don't know what you want to do, but take a chance, risk, get experience and don’t forget to have a little fun.
Leaders in Private Equity.
Fuelled by passion, we revel in working with Private Equity; the pace, targeted focus on business optimisation and limited timeframes spark unforeseen transformation opportunities, which we’re excited to deliver on. Our approach is rooted in data, ensuring the right decisions are made – based on accurate information. Hands-on, we get into the trenches with you, working directly with the management team to realise outcomes expected by shareholders. We offer a range of transformation services which can be tailored to suit standard private equity options; always accompanied by a laser focus on profit optimisation of the business.
Reach out for a no obligation conversation on how we can help you. Contact us on whiteark@whiteark.com.au
Article by Jo Hands, Co-Founder Whiteark
Leadership – your legacy
Jo Hands writes about leadership - and creating your legacy. It doesn’t mean you are old – legacy. What leadership legacy do you want to leave? What kind of leader you do want to be? What do you want to be remembered for? When I think about Legacy I think about leaders that I have had in my career. Which ones have inspired me and which one disappointed me.
It doesn’t mean you are old – legacy. What leadership legacy do you want to leave? What kind of leader you do want to be? What do you want to be remembered for?
When I think about Legacy I think about leaders that I have had in my career. Which ones have inspired me and which one disappointed me. I use this to work out what kind of leader I want to be. How about you?
Words that I want around my leadership:
Strong
Decisive
Quick to respond
Caring
Challenging
Outside comfort zone
I want to be a strong decisive leader that is focusing on the greater good of the organisation and team. Sometimes this requires you to make hard decisions but you do it for the greater good. I want to encourage, challenge my people and get them outside their comfort zone to do bigger things and know that I have there back. My role is to bring out the best in people, team and organisation and this is about finding the people to invest in and the people to manage out/exit.
Great leadership will not make you popular but it will make you respected. No one wants to be unpopular but as a leaders if you are too focused on making people like you and not upsetting people you will likely be an average leader at best. You have to make the hard decisions – you need to take people on the journey. Change management is not a person/role it’s the way leaders take the team on the journey.
Leadership is a journey – you need to fail to learn and be the best leader you can be. It’s a decision every day, it’s being honest when you get it wrong and it’s having another go the next day – it’s being resilient.
There have been a number of leaders that I have admired in my career – David McGregor from EY, David Thodey from Telstra. These leaders taught me about finding your way, being your authentic self, there is no perfect way but find your way. It is such good advice.
I have learnt just as much from the leaders I haven’t respected and it’s made me realise on the leader I don’t want to be – selfish, focused on individual gain and not taking a strong stance on unacceptable performance.
I love to learn from leaders; what works for them, what doesn’t and what they have learnt on their journey. The highlight of my week to do the Chiefs podcast focused on getting lessons and learnings from a range of different leaders. Tune in …we should add in link.
At Whiteark we are lucky to work with so many amazing leaders, to get leaders to connect and to provide thought leadership and other insights to leaders on key topics that are important to them.
If you want to know more about us, reach out for a no obligation chat.
Want to talk about building your leadership team? Reach out.
Whiteark is not your average consulting firm, we have first-hand experience in delivering transformation programs for private equity and other organisations with a focus on people just as much as financial outcomes.
We understand that execution is the hardest part, and so we roll our sleeves up and work with you to ensure we can deliver the required outcomes for the business. Our founder has a combined experience of over 20 years’ working as Executive in organisations delivering outcomes for shareholders. Reach out for a no obligation conversation on how we can help you. Contact us on whiteark@whiteark.com.au
Article by Jo Hands, Founder Whiteark
8 Key lessons we have learnt from launching our own podcast
Jo Hands unpacks the lessons learnt from starting the Whiteark Podcast - The Chiefs. We have interviewed a range of leaders; young, older, CEO, Executive, owning and running their own business. Each leaders provided so many great tips and lessons around their leadership journey. It’s very inspiring.
We launched Whiteark - The Chiefs Podcast in October 2020. We have loved every minute of it.
What makes leaders tick? The Chiefs gives you insight into what makes our great leaders so great. With organisation’s top chiefs in the hot seat each week, we chat about the highs – and lows – and lessons along the way; tackling the biggest issues people are facing today. We know that leading can be a lonely role and we believe that learning from other great people is one of the best resources we have. So join us on our journey, and enjoy the stories behind some of the greats…
At the end of May here are the key statistics for our podcast:
Number of Episodes: 32
Key Topics covered (maybe some groupings) – People and Leadership, Impacts of Covid, Post Covid Recovery, Data, Transformation, Innovation, Sales and Service.
We have interviewed a range of leaders; young, older, CEO, Executive, owning and running their own business. Each leaders provided so many great tips and lessons around their leadership journey. It’s very inspiring. In 30 mins it’s amazing what you can learn about someone.
We feel privileged to have some amazing leaders that have shared their stories with us and our leaders and we are also privileged to have so many loyal followers.
When I reflect at the end of the week; on my highlight it’s likely that that the podcast will be my highlight – I’ve met someone new, I’ve learnt something new and it’s given me some inspiration / perspective. I feel very honoured and privileged to be able to take their precious time to share their journey and wisdom with our Whiteark family.
There are 8 key lessons we have learnt from interviewing 35+ leaders on The Chiefs Podcast:
1. Everyone has a story – regardless of age/role etc everyone has a story to tell. Tell your story so your business understands how you got here and what this role means to you. People want to know your story.
2. People learn most from their mistakes – failure is ok -it’s how you respond that is important. Everyone makes mistakes, yep it’s true but it’s how you respond that separates people. Learn from your mistakes and move forward.
3. Your job is to make hard decisions. It’s not all about consensus, you need to make the right decision for the organisation. Listen, understand and make a decision – your people will respect you for it.
4. Sometimes your job is lonely so finding like-minded professionals for connection is important. For me business chicks business club has been a God send but find your mentor, your support network.
5. Trusting your employees and giving them he environment to flourish is critical. Trust is easy to say but actions speak louder than words.
6. Being able to navigate ambiguity is critical – make decisions, pivot and dealing with ambiguity and moving forward will be critical.
7. Being a leader requires you to be at your best – look after yourself – put your oxygen mask on first and ensure you look after yourself so you can come back tomorrow for another day.
8. Be authentic – authentic leadership – be yourself and your people will respect you and follow you. While it’s talked about a lot really being true to you and being your own leader is critical.
While there are other lessons that we have learnt these would be have been the top 8.
We continue every week to bring you leaders that inspire, challenge and give you a different perspective. For an investment of 30 mins of your time – please tune into The Chiefs each week on Wednesday to ensure you don’t miss a beat.
If you would love to be on our podcast – please click the button below and we will be in contact.
Want to talk about building your business? Reach out.
Whiteark is not your average consulting firm, we have first-hand experience in delivering transformation programs for private equity and other organisations with a focus on people just as much as financial outcomes.
We understand that execution is the hardest part, and so we roll our sleeves up and work with you to ensure we can deliver the required outcomes for the business. Our co-founders have a combined experience of over 50 years’ working as Executives in organisations delivering outcomes for shareholders. Reach out for a no obligation conversation on how we can help you. Contact us on whiteark@whiteark.com.au
Article by Jo Hands, Co-Founder Whiteark
Whiteark Aspirations For 2021
For us at Whiteark we always strive to do better for our clients, followers and our bench. We focus every day on how we can make a difference. We can't wait to continue to challenge, support and encourage businesses to make positive change in 2021 to set their businesses up for success.
We are super excited about 2021.
The next year is going to be a very important year for companies:
To understand the new environment
To pivot strategy and business plans
To engage with their employees and transition back to the office with a new world of managing flexibility
At Whiteark our aspirations for 2021 are to:
Continue to provide support to our amazing clients to successfully navigate and maximise outcomes for 2021
To continue to build out our bench of experienced, passionate individuals to support our clients - we are always on the hunt for talent
Continue to provide relevant and insightful thought leadership to continue to challenge and make people think differently - we listen and respond through polls, surveys and through our podcast series
Launch a series of face to face events with boardroom conversations and key note speakers to support and challenge our customer and follower base to think differently in Melbourne and Sydney
Our podcast series will continue with a focus on hearing from experienced leaders on what makes them tick and key lessons they can share with us about their journey and provide you themes, lessons and easy to digest learnings and takeaways
For us it's always what is next - we always want to think ahead… stay tuned to hear about our partnership with Universities, focused on helping students get practical experience with companies and work towards securing a job during this competitive environment. Whiteark is well positioned to help students with this transition – more to come in the new year!
For us at Whiteark we always strive to do better for our clients, followers and our bench. We focus every day on how we can make a difference. We can't wait to continue to challenge, support and encourage businesses to make positive change in 2021 to set their businesses up for success.
While you're on the beach we will provide you articles, podcasts, quotes and thought-provoking polls to keep your brain ticking over -- summer holidays best time for thinking about how to reset your business for 2021 - no idea is a bad idea. We would love to help you so contact us for a no obligation conversation.
If you want to hear some insights from key leaders, listen to our podcast series The Chiefs Podcast | Leadership, Laughs and Learning — Whiteark
Psst. We share exciting content all the time, that’s useful, practical - and most of all - helpful. Sign Up Here to get yourself on the list and make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Christmas Reflections & Message from Jo
My childhood Christmas was centred around the church. My dad was an Anglican minister. Attending church services, involvement in plays and focus on supporting others who were not as lucky as us during this time. I always enjoyed the midnight service on Christmas Eve and after it we sat and ate some amazing food / gifts that were shared with us. People were very generous and great cooks.
I'm a sucker for Christmas.
Since I've been a little girl, I’ve loved Christmas - so many great childhood memories:
Fresh pine branch - cut down by my dad / brother from our front yard
Very authentic Christmas decorations that were homemade and brought out year after year including decorated pine cones
Stockings filled will lollies and wisdom for the year ahead. My dad gave us a letter every Christmas to tell us why he was proud of us and reminders for the new year. I still have those letters and they have some pearls of wisdom for the new year.
Spending time with family and friends and having a laugh, sharing some food and appreciating the simple things
Summer break was a time to reset, relax and plan for the year ahead - lessons learnt and how to make the most of the new year
My childhood Christmas was centred around the church. My dad was an Anglican minister. Attending church services, involvement in plays and focus on supporting others who were not as lucky as us during this time. I always enjoyed the midnight service on Christmas Eve and after it we sat and ate some amazing food / gifts that were shared with us. People were very generous and great cooks.
As you get older things change, life goes quickly and before you know it it's another Christmas to celebrate! It's easy to make it too hard, stressful and a challenge but it's always good to remember what matters most - spending time with people you love most and to take a break, to breathe and plan your next year - what can I do better and what will make me happy?
For me Christmas means:
1. A real Christmas tree - can't beat the smell!
2. Find a way to send a positive message to the people that I love
3. Finding time to connect with the people closest to me
4. To reflect on the year and key changes for the upcoming year
My dad always thought about others, he was known for his caring nature and being there for others. I learnt from my dad about kindness, generosity of spirit, and making the best of every opportunity.
2020 wasn't the year that anyone planned but it was a great year. So many lessons and experiences and a good chance to reassess priorities and what is important and appreciate the simple things we take for granted.
Take time this Christmas break to;
Enjoy time with family and friends
Take a break and reflection time to think on what is important for you for 2021 and how do you achieve that
Build your goals for 2021
… and remember
Smile and enjoy life – you only get to live once and leave your legacy.
“It isn’t how much time you spend somewhere that makes it memorable: it’s how you spend the time.”
Jo Hands, Whiteark Co-Founder
What's your story?
Stories make your business relatable and more importantly make you stand out from the crowd. Data alone can be overwhelming for some people being walked through presentations, reading articles, and listening to interviews. Stories instead, engage hearts and minds and allow watchers, readers and listeners to relax into the moment. Every great sale starts with a great story.
Stories make your business relatable and more importantly make you stand out from the crowd.
Data alone can be overwhelming for some people being walked through presentations, reading articles, and listening to interviews. Stories instead, engage hearts and minds and allow watchers, readers and listeners to relax into the moment.
Every great sale starts with a great story
In today’s competitive market offering a standout product or service isn’t enough. Every one of your competitors are trying to make more noise than you. But it’s not always noise that cuts through. It’s your story. Stories teach us about life and help us appreciate others and their different perspectives. A great story humanises a brand, allowing customers to feel some kind of connection and understanding. But crafting that story can be hard, especially when you’re so immersed in the detail.
Here are some tangible actions and questions to help clarify what you do and why, and to ultimately tell your business’s story in a genuine and engaging way.
Why do you exist?
When you decided to start your business there was story that went with it. This could have been related to a commercial problem you wanted to solve or for some personal reason. Revisit ‘why’ you exist and remind every member of your team, your customers and whoever will listen. This will deliver a holistic view of the background to your passion and why your purpose matters so much.
Stories make your business relatable and more importantly articulate the problem your product or service is trying to solve for them. To be authentic the story must have context for the audience otherwise it becomes a sermon and you’re back to old school selling by telling.
Action: Write down why you started doing what you do and why it matters?
How does your story silence your competitors?
Your customers, like you, are exposed to many narratives and messages, so having a story that will elevate your company from the rest is so important. It gives you an edge and more importantly ensures your customers’ choice becomes an emotional one.
Action: Check that your marketing messages reinforce the story of why you do what you do. Create consistency across your social media, website and employee sales collateral. Your story should be everywhere!
Your staff are your story tellers
Ensuring your staff understand the reason why you exist is important. They also need to be clear on their role and importance in the story. Put simply, if they believe and connect your story’s meaning for themselves, their motivation will naturally resonate when they share that with customers.
Action: Ask your staff to share their pitch of your story? Is it compelling?
Customers that care are the best ones
Your story is a chance to create an emotional connection and perhaps even make customers feel good about a particular problem or opportunity they may have. If you want someone to trust you with their hard earned dollars you need to engage in a way that entices understanding and meaning.
Action: How does my story help customers feel good or solve a problem?
Stories drive choices
There’s a gap in the market when it comes to businesses sharing their own unique, organic, human stories to drive a connection with customers on an emotional level. This is one of the key reasons we started Whiteark.
Stories give us life and your brand deserves the most awesome story ever.
I hope you have some fun creating your story, there’s no time like now…
