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Responsible Selling Was Always Right. Now It’s Required

By / / Ethics & Values, Human-centred, Sales Culture, Selling Better

In 30 seconds

Problem: Telcos face a fundamental shift as ACMA scraps industry self-regulation for a mandatory, directly enforceable standard, driven by high-pressure sales tactics and consumers sold plans they cannot afford.

The Shift: Penalties now reach $10 million or 30 per cent of turnover, with registration and deregistration powers attached. Responsible selling moves from aspiration to legal requirement.

The Solution: Organisations that already practise human-centred, ethical selling gain a structural head start. Responsible selling was always right. Now it is required, and the gap between the two has just become very expensive to ignore.

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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 …

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Looking Beyond “Can I Help You?” – The True Purpose of Retail Sales

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Customer experience, Human-centred, Sales Culture, Sales Skills

In 30 seconds

Retail done right is not about pushing products — it’s about helping people. When we approach customers with genuine curiosity, purposeful care, and acknowledgment, we build trust and meaningful human connection. As Peter Drucker said, the purpose of business is to solve problems; revenue follows naturally. Whether in a pharmacy, hardware store, or camping outlet, retail staff who listen, support, and guide customers are making a real difference. A simple “Can I help you?” becomes a powerful conversation when it comes from a place of empathy. This human-centred mindset turns retail into a rewarding, purpose-driven career.

In 2 …

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2025: Top 10 Action Plan for Leaders, Teams & Capability Builders

By / / Blog, Business Growth, Human-centred, Hybrid Selling, Leadership, Learning and Development, Sales Driven Organisations, Sales Growth, Sales Leadership, Sales Results, Selling Better, Success

In 20 seconds

As we step into 2025, it’s clear that the fundamentals of trust, empathy, and delivering value remain timeless. However, the tools, methods, and contexts in which we operate are changing rapidly. Success lies in balancing these enduring principles with a willingness to adapt, innovate, and lead with clarity, commitment, and courage.

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Navigating the Brave New World of Sales

Navigating the Brave New World of Sales

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Business Growth, Human-centred, Hybrid Selling, Innovation, Leadership, Opportunity, Remote selling, Sales Trends

In 45 seconds

Key Insights from the Barrett Event (28/11/24) with Alex Fein, RedBridge and Sue Barrett, Barrett:

Erosion of Trust:

  • Alex Fein discussed growing public scepticism toward institutions, media, and corporations, driven by a disconnect between personal expectations and failing public systems
  • Businesses need empathy and qualitative insights to understand and address these sentiments effectively

AI in Business:

  • Caution against over-reliance on AI; it enhances operations but cannot replace human connection
  • Leaders should use AI selectively to complement human-centred practices

Building Trust:

  • Sue Barrett emphasised long-term value creation over short-term wins
  • Businesses should focus on solving real problems to foster trust and deliver meaningful value

Modern Sales Practices:

  • Hybrid selling is …

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dealing-with-narcissists

Quick Start Guide to Dealing With Narcissists at Work

By / / Blog, Emotional Intelligence, Ethics & Values, Human-centred, Soft skills, Wellbeing

In 30 seconds

Dealing with narcissists in the workplace requires vigilance, assertiveness, and a commitment to fostering a positive, ethical work environment. You can minimise their impact on productivity and team morale by recognising narcissistic traits early, setting firm boundaries, and focusing on collaborative goals. Narcissists may bring disruption, but with the right approach, you can keep them from compromising the integrity and effectiveness of your professional space.

Setting clear boundaries, documenting interactions and decisions, and promoting a human-centred culture can reduce the impact of narcissistic traits in the work environment.

In 2.5 minutes

People with narcissistic tendencies have a significant impact in the …

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training-session-communication

Why Didn’t We Learn This at School? – The Importance of Clear Communication

By / / Blog, Business Growth, Communication, Customer Service, Emotional Intelligence, Everybody Lives By Selling Something, Human-centred

In 30 seconds

Effective communication is critical for business success, yet it’s often overlooked in favour of technical skills. Miscommunication creates confusion, inefficiencies, and strains relationships, hindering progress. To thrive, organisations must embrace human-centred communication focused on clarity, empathy, and understanding. This involves providing precise instructions, using diverse communication modes, and keeping messages concise and digestible. With communication happening across multiple platforms, mastering professional online interactions is essential as well. Prioritising clear and empathetic communication fosters collaboration, strengthens relationships, and drives productivity and innovation within teams.

In 2.5 minutes

In school, we were taught how to solve equations, conduct experiments, memorise historical facts, …

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Trend 10 – Self AND Other Awareness

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Common Ground, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Human-centred, Life Skills, Sales Trends, Self Development, Soft skills, Success, Wellbeing

This is Trend 10 from Barrett’s 12 Business and Sales Trends for 2024. You can download the full report here.

In 30 seconds

In successful businesses, the dual focus on self-awareness and consideration for others fosters leadership effectiveness, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. It shapes collaborative team dynamics, customer relations, and conflict resolution. The intersection of self-awareness and consideration, witnessing enhanced communication, stronger relationships, and practical implementations in sales teams has a huge transformative power.

In 2.5 minutes

One of the things we noticed this year in successful businesses and sales teams is that their people are both self-aware …

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top-5-barrett-blogs

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 …

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miscommunication_costs_businesses_billions_of_dollars

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 …

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