From Little to Big

At the heart of every great business story, from the smallest startup to the biggest global enterprise, is change. Not just the superficial change driven by new technology, but the deeper, more profound shifts in mindset, culture, and strategy initiated by courageous individuals.

This is what I call the Changemaker Mentality, and it's the core message I’m passionate about sharing with leaders in this age of acceleration and disruption. We stand at a thrilling inflection point, but success depends on recognising that AI accelerates innovation, but only humans ignite it. As I often say, and as I’ve written about, AI is for tasks—relationships are for people. That foundational human truth is the ultimate competitive advantage, and that is the essence of the Changemaker Mentality.

I’ve had the privilege of experiencing this journey firsthand—from the trenches of entrepreneurship to the highest levels of governance. I bring this message to life through rich, energetic storytelling drawn from:

• Growing RedBalloon from a lean, $25,000 startup into a nationally recognised household brand.
• Scaling the Big Red Group (BRG) into the leading experience platform serving millions of experiences each year across the network.
• Working with more than 200 founders during my tenure as a "Shark" on Shark Tank Australia, identifying patterns of success and failure in early-stage businesses.
• Sharing the wins, failures, and hard-won lessons from decades of working with customer-obsessed, purpose-driven businesses and serving also as an active non-executive director.

This philosophy is not just inspirational—it’s practical, grounded in lived experience, and designed to provide clear frameworks and takeaways your team can immediately apply.

What Does the Changemaker Mentality Deliver?

My keynote sessions are designed to equip your audience with the strategic vision and emotional clarity to lead through change and accelerate growth. Attendees consistently walk away with a clear understanding of:

1. The Spark of Change: How to Ignite Transformation

Big transformations rarely start big. They begin with small observations, a keen sense of customer pain points, and the willingness of an individual to question the status quo. I share the disruptive genesis of RedBalloon, where we essentially "flipped the model" by asking, "What if they just paid when they got a customer?" This single change de-risked marketing for thousands of small businesses and became the engine of massive growth.

I explore how leaders must foster an environment where every employee can ignite improvement and turn a small idea into a significant, viable business shift. This requires curiosity, psychological safety, and a focus on solving real customer needs, not just internal metrics.

2. Why Change Matters Now: Adaptability and Alignment

The AI era is not just another technological phase; it demands a higher level of adaptability and strategic alignment. I provide a clear lens on why this moment in time requires leaders to constantly rethink what they know and align their values and beliefs to ensure their strategy is future-proof. AI presents incredible opportunities for transactional efficiency, but it simultaneously makes our humanity and authenticity even more vital. To successfully navigate this era, organisations need clarity on their purpose, ensuring their 'why' is clear enough to connect with a shifting workforce and customer base.

3. What Gets in the Way: Overcoming Inertia

We are often held back by two powerful forces: the pull of past success and the comfort of "the way we’ve always done it." These are the two biggest inhibitors of momentum. I explore how founders often struggle to transition from being the expert operator to the guiding director, needing to know when to "get out of the way" and allow professional leadership to take the reins. For boards, the challenge is ensuring that governance protocols don't stifle necessary innovation. It’s about managing the risk of reputation—which is an outcome of your actions and transparency—while maintaining a growth mindset.

4. The Flywheel of Momentum: Accelerating Innovation

Innovation is a constant cycle, not a one-off event. I share how aligning teams, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and maintaining a clear purpose accelerates this cycle. It's about knowing "where you want to apply capital resources, assets to actually get that leverage" for growth. We discuss clear frameworks, like setting one-page strategic plans, to ensure every team understands how their work connects to the company's purpose. This clarity drives performance because employees know that their "toil is connected to people's purpose."

5. The Human Advantage in an AI World

This is the ultimate take-home message. I firmly believe that AI will handle the tasks, but the competitive edge belongs to the humans who own the relationships, generate the genuine insight, and take personal accountability for their work. The emotional connection to a brand—the trust, the loyalty, the shared values—cannot be automated.

I show leaders how to foster a strong, engaged workplace where employees go home feeling like winners. We delve into the questions that truly define a positive culture: "Do I have something worthwhile to do? Do I clearly know what that is? Does anybody notice what I’m doing? And do I go home feeling like a winner?"

A Call to Action: Your Next Chapter Starts Now

My personal motto: If it is to be, it is up to me.

This powerful closing lands the responsibility, empowerment, and possibility directly with each individual leader. The Changemaker Mentality isn't passive; it's a relentless, forward-looking commitment to growth, integrity, and purpose. It will leave your people thinking differently, leading differently, and ready to move with confidence into your next chapter.

Ready to ignite the spark of change in your organisation? Connect with me via my website at naomisimson.com.

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