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Does Sales Have a Seat at Its Own C-suite Table?

By / / Collaboration, Everybody Lives By Selling Something, Leadership, Sales Driven Organisations

In 30 seconds

The Problem: Sales is handed strategy, not invited to shape it. Excluded from executive decisions, frontline teams default to discounting and deference – the very vendor mindset leadership tells them to abandon. You cannot ask your people to earn a seat at the client’s table when they don’t have one at their own.

The Shift: Treat Sales as a strategic function, not a delivery mechanism. The sales leader belongs in the room where product, finance, and marketing decisions are made – as Chief Revenue Architect, not note-taker.

The Solution: Fix the internal table first. Everything else follows

Does Sales Have a Seat at Its Own C-suite Table? Read Post »

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Rebel Rebel Modern Love: Building Customer Loyalty Through Empathy & Trust

By / / Collaboration, Customer experience, Emotional Intelligence, Entrepreneurship, Soft skills

In 30 seconds

Key Takeaways:

The Problem: Automation is eroding human connection. Research shows 68% of customers leave because they feel companies don’t care, not due to product issues or price.

The Shift: From customer acquisition to community cultivation, Bowie built a tribe through BowieNet’s 18-year run (1998-2016), creating deep relationships before “community” became a buzzword. The future belongs to those mastering Human-AI Partnership: AI handles mechanics while humans deepen emotional intelligence and trust.

The Solution: Embed empathy in every interaction through active listening, understanding emotional drivers, and aligning solutions with values. Build advisory relationships prioritising long-term trust over transactions. Leaders must model team empathy, creating psychologically safe spaces where connection flourishes.

Rebel Rebel Modern Love: Building Customer Loyalty Through Empathy & Trust Read Post »

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

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Collaboration, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Soft skills, Teamwork

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.

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

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Starman Collaboration: Finding Magic in Togetherness the Bowie Way

By / / Collaboration, Human-centred, Leadership, Neuroscience, Teamwork, Value Based Selling

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 …

Starman Collaboration: Finding Magic in Togetherness the Bowie Way Read Post »

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I Love Kimmi: A Celebration of Exceptional Service in an Era of Enshittification

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Collaboration, Customer experience, Sales Culture, Sales Relationships

In 30 seconds

Two months ago, I entered Hugo Boss at Chadstone Shopping Centre, seeking a perfect suit. Kimmi, a warm sales associate, showed me a great black suit but promised to source another colour. Her friendliness led us to bond over K-dramas, J-dramas, and styling. I left with a green dress, expecting no follow-up. Yet, Kimmi called—she’d found my suit in Europe. In an era of enshittification, where businesses prioritise profit over service, Kimmi’s proactive care was a revelation. Her human-centric approach built trust and loyalty. Let’s celebrate the Kimmis and demand better than soulless automation.

In 2 minutes

Two months ago, …

I Love Kimmi: A Celebration of Exceptional Service in an Era of Enshittification Read Post »

team alignment

Why Team Alignment Is Your Greatest Profit Driver

By / / Blog, Business Growth, Collaboration, Communication, Customer experience, Customer Service, Sales Culture, Soft skills, Teamwork

In 30 seconds

Without alignment and between-team collaboration, companies lose more than revenue—they risk losing clients and employee morale. Miscommunication and silos lead to missed deadlines, poor service, and lower productivity. In today’s competitive market, alignment and building bridges are vital assets. Coordinated teamwork and open communication reduce costly mistakes and drive client satisfaction and profitability. By fostering a culture of collaboration, businesses can unlock the full potential of their teams, creating a high-performance environment that benefits clients, employees, and the bottom line.

In 2 minutes

Miscommunication and lack of coordination between departments are silent profit killers. There’s plenty of research from companies …

Why Team Alignment Is Your Greatest Profit Driver Read Post »

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The Top Five of Q1

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Business Growth, Collaboration, Communication, Competition, Everybody Lives By Selling Something, Human-centred, Leadership, Procurement, Sales Leadership, Sales Skills

It’s the end of Q1 here in Australia and these have been the five most read blogs this quarter.

1) In a fast-paced sales environment, reflection is often overlooked. However, taking time to analyse experiences is crucial for growth.

The Power of Reflection for Sales Success

2) Excellence in sales team performance relies on a balance between well-established processes and individual agency.

Trend 5 – Process AND Agency

3) The revelations of corruption in the building industry highlight longstanding issues such as kickbacks and bribery, which erode public trust and fair competition. A corruption-free industry …

The Top Five of Q1 Read Post »

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Miscommunication Costs Businesses Billions

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Collaboration, Communication, Customer-centric, Human-centred, Innovation, Soft skills, Success

In 30 seconds

Effective communication has become a rare commodity. While many organisations focus on the technical aspects of collaboration, they often overlook the most critical component: human-centred interaction.  Companies tend to focus on logistics, CRM systems, or operational procedures while neglecting the importance of human-centred interaction. Poor communication, however, impacts business outcomes, costing companies billions annually. Simply implementing tools like Microsoft Teams or hosting events is insufficient. Organisations need a tailored communication roadmap, clear channels, feedback mechanisms, and active employee involvement. Prioritising empathy, active listening, and genuine engagement can improve collaboration, innovation, and productivity, leading to greater employee satisfaction and …

Miscommunication Costs Businesses Billions Read Post »

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Trend 9 – Individuals AND Teams

By / / Blog, Collaboration, Communication, Human-centred, Sales Trends

This is Trend 9 from Barrett’s 12 Business and Sales Trends for 2024. You can download the full report here.

In 30 seconds

The evolving business landscape and its challenges highlight the dual importance of individual accountability and team collaboration in sales and service teams. Individual accountability involves personal responsibility for sales targets, skill development, innovative problem-solving, and client relationship management. Simultaneously, team collaboration focuses on shared goals, synergies, knowledge sharing, and resource allocation. The key to success lies in balancing and aligning individual accountability and team collaboration through clear KPIs and other supportive measures, ensuring …

Trend 9 – Individuals AND Teams Read Post »

Curiosity: Your Key to Remarkable

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Business Growth, Collaboration

In 30 seconds

Curiosity, often seen in children, is essential for success, driving continuous learning and adaptation. It’s especially crucial for top salespeople and achievers across fields, fostering a desire to understand the world, technologies, and customer needs. Curiosity enhances problem-solving, encourages continuous learning, and aids in understanding others’ needs, adapting to change, and building trust. These traits are key in not just sales but all professional areas, allowing for a deeper connection with clients and staying ahead in an evolving world. Embracing curiosity can lead to growth, mastery, and further success, making it vital in every aspect of life.

In 1.5 …

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