A Breath of Fresh Air

Finding fresh motivation and inspiration can be hard sometimes. I mean, all those online quotes and memes are good to a level, but then what? From time-to-time we all need a change of scenery and the opportunity to engage with new people, face-to-face, who can provide a different perspective to that of our own.

As mentioned in previous blogs, one way I like to provide myself with a bit of a boost and some fresh energy is to get out of the office to attend different talks or events in our city. Having the opportunity to meet people who’s path may otherwise not cross with my own is exciting! Although it can sometimes be a challenge to make time in a busy schedule, giving ourselves the opportunity to connect with others and potentially gain valuable motivation and inspiration is ALWAYS worth it.

Last week I attended Creative Mornings in Sydney for a dose of inspiration and motivation. For those of you that haven’t heard of Creative Mornings, it’s a monthly breakfast lecture series operating in over 200 cities worldwide. It’s free to attend and you can expect to enjoy fresh coffee and delicious breakfast foods whilst listening to a talk on a global theme. This months theme is ‘Water’.

Whilst I was really interested to hear from Marine Scientist and Underwater Photographer Lucas Handley thanks to personal interests, I didn’t consider how relevant his talk would be to us office-dwellers. So, as you can imagine, I was really pleased to walk away from the event with some unexpected practical tips on dealing with stress and anxiety in the workplace.

Along with explanations about projects he’s worked on, stunning imagery and thought-thought-provoking videography, Lucas’s presentation focused on the challenge of retraining our minds and bodies to anticipate and relax through periods of stress. As a free-diver, this is critical to his work; panicking just isn’t an option when you’re over 20 meters underwater! However, his approach can also be taken to other uncomfortable situations we all find ourselves in. If we re-contextualise fear, break down impulse and plan for anxiety in our everyday stressful lives, Lucas believes we can learn to relax and appreciate the environment we find ourselves in, resulting in us feeling more positive about our experiences.

The difference is how we approach and react to situations. We need to understand discomfort and learn how to move through it. Using audience participation and an example of holding our breath - something Lucas is very familiar with - we dissected the reasons for deciding to breathe in when physically we are able to hold our breath for much longer. Initially, it seems we were focusing on the negativity of the situation; the discomfort, the willingness to fight this discomfort and the impulsive reactions it provokes. We let fear and anxiety come over us as we reacted emotionally. This is because the more we don’t like something, the more we focus on it. Then creating even more stress, tension and anxiety in turn.

So, the alternative? Recognise the discomfort and contextualise the anxiety we feel. This is done by using logical thought. By breaking down the information you have available and choosing to be in the situation we can start to relax, own the situation and move through the discomfort. With the example of holding our breath, Lucas fitted a volunteer with a device to measure oxygen levels in her blood. This only dropped from 99-97%, providing the knowledge that she didn’t physically need to take a fresh breath in. She was also provided with a positive distraction to the discomfort in holding her breath by walking through the room and drawing an image for us all to see. This shifted her attention away from the negatives of the situation. By recognising it, contextualising it, understanding and embracing it, we can move through our fear and own a situation.

If you’re keen to know more, visit the Creative Mornings website. Also keep an eye out for the video of Lucas’s talk, which will be up soon!

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Sunny days ahead!

By Kristina Gerdov • 11 Apr, 2024

When 72andSunny asked us to help them recruit a new Client Services Director to spearhead their next stage of growth, iknowho Lead Talent Partner Sheryn Small got to doing what she does best.

Top Tips for Successful Onboarding

By Kahli Fenn • 27 Mar, 2024

Did you know that approximately 80% of people that start in a role will make the decision of whether they will leave in the first few months?Yikes! Talk about pressure to get it right. It’s like they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So let us help you stand out and set your employee up for success! Onboarding starts before the start date Let’s not make the mistake of thinking that once the contract is signed that the hardest part is over. What comes next is your chance to shine! 1 week before the start date - get in touch with your new recruit to say you’re looking forward to having them join the team. Include where, when, and who to ask for when they arrive. If you don’t have this detail yet, let them know that someone will get in touch a few days before to set them at ease that it’s all organised and under control. Develop a structured induction program and block time in diaries for those involved to ensure that all colleagues have this time allocated and can plan ahead. 1 day before the start date - send them a text message. A simple “Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!” can help new starters feel welcome and will calm any first day jitters. Ensure you have all tech ready to go, including computer passwords, logins, swipe cards etc. It’s a good idea to have IT on standby too as some sort of technical issue is bound to come up. 2. The first day Ever started a new role and looked around to realise it’s a ghost town? Not a great look. Plan to have them start on a day where the majority of people are working from the office rather than from home - we know that culture is key for marketers, so make sure they experience it at its best from day 1. Energy and vibe play a big part in this. Welcome pack. Include a “surprise and delight” when they first sit down at their desk. This could be a mixture of company branded items (like notebook and pens) to a handwritten card or note from them team welcoming them. You may also like to include some added details like the best places for lunch or coffee in the area. Think about your employer brand and tone of voice and what kind of welcome would best represent your style, after all, that’s what the candidate has bought into. I once started a new role and had 3 x coffee vouchers for the best café around the corner, it’s the little and thoughtful things that leave a lasting impression. Assign them a buddy - usually a colleague in a similar role that they can shadow and ask any questions about process, systems or where the bathrooms are! The line manager may not always be available so having this person helps them feel welcomed, supported and part of a community from the get-go. 3. Employee retention How you engage in the first few months is crucial to employee retention. Just as much as it’s time for the candidate to showcase why you hired them, it’s also time for you to deliver on what you discussed in the interview process too e.g. company culture, values, management style. It’s important to set your employee up for success by setting time-bound expectations and objectives, ensuring you’re both on the same page. Breaking these down by month and structuring regular catch-ups to discuss feedback are a great way to have open conversations around performance. E.g. Expectations from months 1-3 vs 3-6. In the first month, we recommend a daily more casual check-in for junior candidates and at least weekly for more senior candidates. Having these diarised, even if short meetings, are essential to allowing open discussion and ensuring everything in on track. We know finding the right person for the role takes time, money and effort, so ensuring you have a solid onboarding process in place is a crucial element to a successful hire. By investing in a well thought out and purposeful process that reflects your employer brand, you are not only investing in your new employees but also in the long-term success of the company. As your recruitment partner, we’re here to support onboarding new hires into your business to help you get the best outcome. Keen to chat on how we can do that for you? Reach out to one of our Talent Partners to discuss.

the word freelance is written in scrabble tiles next to a keyboard

Could a freelancer be the gift your team needs?

By Christine Gilbert • 29 Nov, 2023

At iknowho we understand how busy both agency and in-house marketing teams are in the lead up to Christmas. There are many benefits of using short term freelancers, so let’s explore how they can be a valuable addition to your team through the busy Christmas / New Year period. Short term freelancers offer your team: Flexibility Short term freelancers are available and can usually start within a week. Whether you need a specialist for a short-term campaign or additional support during busy periods, freelancers offer the flexibility and agility needed to meet rapidly changing workloads & high project timelines. They give you the flexibility to hire talent on-demand without the commitment of a long term employment contract (and using our payroll services can help you get around head count issues too!). The skills you need You know the exact projects a short term freelancer will work on, allowing you to hire someone with the specific experience / skills needed complete the tasks at hand. Diverse Experience & Energy Many agency suits and marketers build a career through freelancing. Their diverse experience working with different businesses results in freelancers having a fresh perspective & injecting fresh energy into the team. Competitive Rates iknowho freelancers are paid a day rate which includes a loading for leave entitlements. There are no upfront fees, you only pay for the days they work. And we can also offer payroll services if needed. Download our salary guide for day rate equivalents, or use our day rate calculator here . They hit the ground running With experience in similar positions, freelancers join your team with a fresh perspective and focus on delivering specific tasks. Their ability to hit the ground running and work independently also frees up your time! Although permanent hiring traditionally slows down this time of year, the use of short term freelancers usually picks up. Our clients commonly use short term freelancers to: Deliver high volume work in a short timeframe Cover staff holidays Get around head count freezes Manage ad hoc projects outside their teams’ usual scope of work or current capabilities So, whether you are looking for an AM with integrated experience, a SAM with CRM and social skills, an integrated campaign manager, digital marketer, or even a more senior suit to support team leadership and manage senior clients? We’ve got you covered! Reach out to one of our experienced Talent Partners to discuss your needs today.