Innovation is a mindset, an

BY BRUCE CONRAD WILLIAMS

Innovation is a mindset, an attitude, a culture. It’s about embracing the process of transformation and involves at least three key factors – adaptability, iterative development and authenticity.

In evolutionary terms it’s not the strongest, fastest or fittest who survive. It’s those who are most able to adapt. Change is inevitable. It’s not what happens that’s important, it’s how we respond. Mark Twain said, “If you always do what you always did, then you’ll always get what you always got.” But that’s no longer true. Just ask Kodak. To thrive in today’s fluid and irregular market place, adaptability is essential. Sometimes innovation is letting go of the old so the new has room to grow.

Innovation also means recognising that failure is guaranteed. It’s an integral part of the process. Bottom line, we have to be OK with mistakes. The goal isn’t to not make mistakes, the goal is to create something of value. Innovation is iterative development. The Japanese word for the process is kaizen, which literally means ‘good change.’ Kaizen is a philosophical commitment to continuous gradual improvement. We’re often looking for the next breakthrough, the next killer app, the next big thing. But in reality true innovation is slow and steady. It’s a daily commitment to listen to feedback, analyse the stats, ask ourselves the hard questions and continually improve what we do.

Perhaps most importantly, true innovation is about authenticity. As Emerson said, “Envy is ignorance, and imitation is suicide.” If we compare ourselves to others or try to emulate them, we never rise to our full capacity. Know yourself, be yourself, love yourself, holds true for businesses as much as it does for people. Being crystal clear about our mission, vision, values and purpose is the best way to cultivate lasting and effective innovation. The more congruent our goals and actions with our core values, the more likely we are to create products and services that are unique.

Bruce Conrad Williams is an author, speaker, consultant and Demartini Method® facilitator who helps people (re)discover their vision, mission and purpose. He provides people with simple tools and repeatable systems that enable them to smash through perceived limits and live the life they love with imagination, inspiration and gratitude.

Bruce firmly believes the secret to a fulfilled life is found in the Delphic Oracle’s ancient wisdom, “Know yourself, be yourself, love yourself.” Or as Shakespeare put it, “This above all, to thine own self be true.”

For over 35 years, Bruce has been inspiring people from all walks of life to define and empower their personal mission. “I just love to help people wake up their own unique inner genius and see them inspired and empowered to live their dreams,” Bruce says. “Everyone has a unique gift to bring to the world, my mission is to help them find it and live it.”

Give Bruce a call on 0414 345 348 or email him at bruce@bconradwilliams.com www.bconradwilliams.com

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one year on!

A massive congratulations to the entire Noosa tourism industry! It is now just over one year since Tourism Noosa launched the Welcome to Noosa online regional induction and customer service training program and we are delighted with the take up of the program, with now over 1,020 participants signing up. Well done! One year on and the Welcome to Noosa program is still achieving fantastic results! Aimed at revitalising quality service culture in the Noosa region, the program provides basic information on Noosa – why the region is so special, its history, key things to do in Noosa, information on the Noosa Biosphere and more as well as providing great customer service strategies and information on workplace health and safety.

The program helps operators to deliver a memorable experience for Noosa visitors and local customers alike. This in turn is increasing the likelihood of increased and repeat visitation which will help retain and build local jobs. I would encourage anyone in Noosa who hasn’t already done so, to complete the Welcome to Noosa program and boost our entire region’s economic prosperity into the future.

A big thank you to everyone who has embraced and supported the program and well done again Noosa from the whole Tourism Noosa team! Damien Massingham Chief Executive Officer - Tourism Noosa

“Firstly, I wish to congratulate you on the program being such a success. It is great to see that you have achieved high numbers of participation and received very positive feedback. I commend the efforts and enthusiasm of Tourism Noosa in its cooperative approach to strengthening your local industry.” Campbell Newman Hon. Campbell Newman MP Premier of Queensland

“Congratulations on the success of your Welcome to Noosa Program. I look forward to seeing the Welcome Mat out across the Sunshine Coast for the 2014 DestinationQ Forum.”

Jann Stuckey Hon. Jann Stuckey MP Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business & the Commonwealth Games

“This is a great initiative by Tourism Noosa. When it comes to customer service, there is no such thing as too much training. I have personally done the Welcome to Noosa course and will be supporting our Council front line staff in doing the same.”

Brett de Chastel Chief Executive Officer Noosa Council

Niel Mason General Manager Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort & Spa

“This is without doubt the best delivery I have seen across any property or tourism organisation. To cover such a broad spectrum on such a base level with such a professional approach is brilliant. Congratulations and thank you.”

“The Welcome to Noosa program is of value to anyone who wants to learn more about Noosa. The well-researched content improves your knowledge of local people, history, geography and attractions and makes you better able to help anyone who asks you for assistance. Noosa’s economy still depends on the quality of the visitor experience and our knowledge and willingness to help visitors with good advice is a big part of that. The course was easy to do and has given me a renewed and deeper appreciation of where we’re lucky enough to live and work.”

“I am really pleased to have my team from the Surf Club complete Welcome to Noosa. We are in the business of hospitality and to be able to provide that extra level of service with a really good understanding of Noosa will give our guests a truly unique and special welcome. My team consists of many Noosa locals as well as people from interstate and overseas and we all came away learning something new about Noosa.”

Anton Mogg Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club

Frank Wilkie Councillor Noosa Council

“Welcome to Noosa was excellent! It offered invaluable information and tools for our team. We have ‘long term’ and a couple ‘new to the area’ team members and everyone learnt something...some without even realising it! We had some sceptics initially but all agreed it helped to identify ways we can better serve our patients and the local community. There is no such thing as too much knowledge about the cultural and environmental elements of the Noosa area.”

“Wow – one year on since I was last in beautiful Noosa to support the launch of Welcome to Noosa. Tourism Noosa, congratulations on creating and implementing such a fantastic program. It is great to see so many businesses have completed the program and continue to support it!”

Pete Evans Celebrity Chef and Restaurateur and the Tourism Noosa Team

Sheldon Shultz Options Eye Care

“Welcome to Noosa is celebrating its first birthday and celebrates its success by exceeding its take-up target of 500 trainees by more than 500. Not only that, those trainee ambassadors for Noosa are drawn not only from the tourism industry like restaurants and tour operators, but also from pharmacies, optometrists, real estate agencies, school-leavers and others who wish to pursue a career in tourism. The Welcome to Noosa army of ambassadors is engaging hearts and minds. I know they will delight visitors to Noosa and make their stay a lifetime memory. Well done, Tourism Noosa!”

Glen Elmes Hon.Glen Elmes MP Member for Noosa

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Launched by

IRT Group is one of Australia’s largest community based seniors lifestyle and care providers. We have been providing seniors lifestyle and care solutions for over 40 years. The multi-award winning IRT Group manages communities in more than 30 locations across NSW, ACT and QLD, providing care solutions to over 9000 customers.

Bracken Ridge

IRT The Ridge 131 Quinlan Street Bracken Ridge QLD 4017 Sales: Susie Webster Call: 07 3869 4536

Innovation on the Sunshine Coast

IRT has a $75 million plan to create communities and opportunities on the Sunshine Coast and in southeast Queensland where people can age without barriers.

In 2012 IRT acquired three retirement properties in Queensland at Bracken Ridge (IRT The Ridge), Buderim (IRT The Palms) and Currimundi (IRT Parklands).

IRT’s Queensland strategy also includes a greenfield site at Kawana Forest, where the organisation has gained Federal Government approval to develop a 60- bed care centre. One hundred lifestyle units will be developed at the same location. This community will be known as IRT Woodlands.

IRT also provides In-Home Care packages throughout the Sunshine Coast community, which complement the organisation’s existing presence across the region.

If you are interested in finding out more about IRT’s In-Home Care program, contact Melissa on 07 5406 0153.

Buderim Progress

Local retirees are taking advantage of a major expansion at IRT The Palms’ Lifestyle Community at Buderim on the Sunshine Coast.

Stages Five and Six of the expansion include 20 new villas and will add to the 37 new homes completed as part of the first four stages. Stage Five of construction, undertaken by local firm Gauld Project Services, is expected to be complete by the end of September.

The success of the early stages of expansion – and the interest from local retirees – has prompted the move for further expansion at Buderim which is fast becoming one of IRT’s most popular Queensland communities.

Existing residents are happy to see works progressing on the completion of the remaining land, and can’t wait to meet their new neighbours. To find out more call 07 5456 1300 or log onto irt.org.au.

IRT Innovation

IRT Group is an innovator in the aged care industry and has been recognised with a number of awards for its successful ventures into aged care, training and catering.

IRT was recently named the Employer of Choice at the Australian Business Awards 2014. This is the fifth consecutive year the organisation has claimed an ABA.

IRT COLLEGE is a specialist training organisation providing aged care courses, which have been developed by a team of aged care industry experts.

Since 1997, the IRT College team has trained over 3000 students through a range of professional development workshops as well as accredited/ nationally recognised courses.

A virtual college is part of the vision for the future to increase accessibility and flexibility to meet our increasing and diverse learner needs.

The newly established IRT FOUNDATION that will be launched in Queensland on September 29, will have three priority programs a community grants program to fund local initiatives which improve the lives of older people; an education and advocacy program to influence policy and decisions which impact older people; and a research program where will we fund important research into ageing.

IRT CATERING is an accredited catering division which produces around 42,000 meals per week for all IRT care centres, In-Home Care services and a number of external clients.

Currimundi

IRT Parklands 242 Parklands Boulevard Currimundi QLD 4551 Sales: Kathee Nugent Call: 07 5438 2588

Buderim

IRT The Palms 22 Power Road Buderim QLD 4556 Sales: Tina Menz-Bugler & Beryl Harris Call: 07 5456 1300