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Rebel Rebel Authenticity: Bowie’s Blueprint for Being Real in Business

In 30 seconds

Authenticity isn’t soft: it’s a bold act of leadership. David Bowie’s evolution, especially during his Berlin years, shows how stepping out from behind the mask unlocks trust, emotional intelligence, and real connection. In today’s fast, automated world, being human is your competitive edge. Like Bowie, I once hid behind work until I learned to lead with my values and full self. That shift transformed everything. At Barrett, we call this Selling Better. It’s not about performance; it’s about being real. Because the most powerful relationships in business are built on truth, presence, and the courage to be yourself.

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Humans-in-the-Loop: Selling Smarter with AI

In 30 seconds

As AI reshapes sales, success hinges not on replacing people, but on partnering with machines. The “human-in-the-loop” model lets AI do the heavy lifting -analysing data, predicting behaviour, and automating tasks- while humans bring empathy, strategy, and ethical judgement. Like doctors interpreting AI-generated diagnostics, sales professionals must translate insights into value-driven conversations. You decide which leads matter, tell the story behind the data, and build trust that machines can’t replicate. In a world of rising automation and risk, human connection is your competitive edge. With AI at your side, not in your place, you drive better decisions, …

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Why Leader-Led Learning Works: Lessons from a Standout Client

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In over 30 years of experience, we’ve seen that real cultural change comes when leaders take ownership and drive learning from the top. One standout client, a financial services organisation, is showing how leader-led learning builds confident, collaborative teams who take ownership of their growth. Through a structured program of ongoing sessions – in-person and remote, leaders coach people in 1on1 and team sessions, reinforcing good habits, and creating space for self-reflection and self-correction. The result is visible: a shift in mindset, behaviour, capability uplift, improved results and culture. This client had set the benchmark for how to …

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Why Your Reputation IS Other People’s Business AND How Not To Care

In 30 seconds

Reese Witherspoon’s call to ignore others’ opinions promises freedom, but in business, reputation, shaped by what’s said when you leave the room, drives success. Harvard Business Review (2023) notes 70% of hiring decisions hinge on perception, underscoring our need to engage proactively. Yet, total detachment risks isolation. Emotional intelligence (EQ) bridges this gap: self-regulation and empathy foster trust while preserving identity. As an HSP, I use “caring detachment” to connect, collaborate, and lead, owning my emotions despite people-pleasing tendencies. It’s messy but manageable with reflection and boundaries. How do you balance freedom and reputation? Share your insights.

In 2 …

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Your Clients Don’t Want Your Product (And Why That’s Great News)

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Nobody wants a mortgage: they want a home. Nobody wants insurance: they want peace of mind. This truth applies to almost every product: clients don’t want what you sell, they want what it does for them. Yet many salespeople stay fixated on features, forgetting the problem their product solves. Great salespeople shift focus to the client’s desired outcome. Fall in love with their problems, translate features into clear benefits, and ask discovery questions about their world, not your product. By selling outcomes instead of specs, you stop pushing and start helping. And the more you help, the more you’ll sell.

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NES Outshines NPS: The Key to Customer Loyalty in 2025

In 30 seconds

The Net Easy Score (NES) has stepped out of the Net Promoter Score’s (NPS) shadow, becoming the key to customer loyalty in 2025. NES measures how easy it is to resolve issues or complete tasks, using a 7-point scale. Unlike NPS’s loyalty focus, NES targets friction reduction, which a 2024 HBR study says drives loyalty 2.4 times more than delight. Companies like MECCA (83% NES) and Bendigo Bank (79% NES) excel by simplifying processes. In 2025, NES is the mindset for lasting customer relationships.

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Rebel Rebel Resilience: Bowie’s Blueprint for Thriving Under Pressure

In 30 seconds

David Bowie’s fearless reinvention inspires sales leaders and teams to thrive under pressure. Betrayed by manager Tony Defries and stuck in a post-Let’s Dance slump, Bowie pivoted with Tin Machine, embracing authenticity. His mantra, throw away your best work to move forward,” fuels resilience. Drawing from Antifragile, GRIT, and Learned Optimism, reframe pressure as opportunity, align with purpose, and build loyal tribes. Choose progress over paralysis, dance through chaos like Bowie’s Diamond Dogs tour, and turn setbacks into wins. Be a rebel, let resilience be your anthem and make every challenge your stage.

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Apple’s Call Screening: A Game-Changer for Smarter Prospecting in Sales & PR

In 30 seconds

Apple’s iOS 26 call screening feature, requiring callers to state their name and purpose before the phone rings, is reshaping cold calling. With over half of Australia using iPhones, this shift challenges outdated spray-and-pray tactics. But it’s not the end, it’s an upgrade. At Barrett, we see this as an opportunity to improve prospecting: lead with relevance, personalise outreach, leverage referrals, and engage online. Smart, respectful contact builds trust and cuts through the noise. This change pushes us toward better sales practices, more human, more thoughtful, and more effective. Cold calling isn’t dead; it’s evolving. The future belongs to those who adapt.

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Why Manners & Courtesy Remain Vital in Today’s Individualistic World

In 30 seconds

In a business world that often rewards a “cut-throat” ethos, the deliberate practice of manners remains a vital strategy for building sustainable success. True courtesy goes beyond pleasantries; it’s the sales team practicing ‘deep listening’ to understand a client’s real needs or the Japanese practice of nemawashi to build consensus respectfully before a meeting. While the speed of digital communication erodes etiquette, from ghosting clients to multitasking on virtual calls, choosing consideration over bluntness builds the trust necessary for innovation and collaboration. This approach creates the customer, the core purpose of business, by solving their problems with genuine care. It proves that manners are not an outdated formality, but an essential tool for creating human connection and achieving better outcomes in a fragmented world.

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Starman Collaboration: Finding Magic in Togetherness the Bowie Way

In 30 seconds

Welcome to the first article in our Rebel Rebel series exploring how to lead, sell, co-create and collaborate the Bowie way. When one of our tech security clients won a multimillion-dollar contract, the real moment of truth came after. Their new client called, unprompted: “You weren’t the cheapest, but you listened. You understood us, found shared values, and built real trust. No one else did that.” That feedback meant more than the deal. It captured the power of collaboration, psychological safety, deep listening, and co-creation, hallmarks of Bowie’s collaborative genius. Because in today’s world, success isn’t just about …

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