DST people

Partying with Purpose - Part 2 Last post we spoke about the concept of getting the most out of the busy season, and gave you a "how to" for meaningful, and valuable networking. Concluding this storey, here's the final recommendation on why if can be so beneficial. The Ripple Effect of Strategic Networking When done right, networking is about more than growing your contact list - it’s about creating a supportive professional community. Studies show that strong professional networks lead to increased engagement, productivity, and business outcomes. Ready to Turn Social Events Into Business Wins? “Partying with Purpose” is available as a 30-minute or 1-hour workshop for teams looking to approach the Christmas season with clarity and intention. It’s an opportunity to empower your team with the tools they need to make every interaction count. Let’s make this Christmas season one of purpose, connection, and growth. Book your session today and start 2024 with a stronger network and enriched relationships. Good luck in your Partying with Purpose activities and we'll see you out there 😄. 💡 What’s your approach to networking during the Christmas? Share your thoughts in the comments! #Networking #ProfessionalDevelopment #ChristmasSeason #PurposefulConnections

Maximise Christmas Networking: How to Party with Purpose - Part 1 The Christmas season is upon us - a time of celebration, connection, and abundant opportunities to expand your professional network. While many view this period as a time for winding down, it’s actually a golden opportunity to build relationships that can fuel business growth in the months ahead. That’s why we created “Partying with Purpose”.  It’s a workshop, a state of mind, approach and a philosophy that transforms casual Christmas interactions into meaningful, purpose-driven connections. Why Networking During the Christmas Matters Let’s face it: November, December, and January are prime times for social activity - lunches, dinners, drinks, parties, and everything in between. Yet, many professionals underestimate the potential of these events to drive business outcomes. With the right mindset, preparation, and approach, you can turn festive gatherings into opportunities to foster connections that matter.  Did you know that companies with stronger professional networks report 26% higher revenue growth, and that employees with diverse networks are 45% more likely to be high performers? What makes the Christmas season so unique? People are naturally more relaxed and open during this time. It’s the perfect context for authentic conversations that can build trust and plant the seeds for future collaboration. The “Partying with Purpose” Approach The approach (which can be delivered by a workshop), we help teams (and individuals) move from passively attending Christmas events to actively networking with purpose. Here’s a sneak peek into the key principles I share: 1. Get Your Mindset Right Networking starts with an attitude shift. Focus on others - be genuinely curious about their interests, challenges, and goals. Remember, it’s not about pitching or selling; it’s about building relationships. 2. Prepare Thoughtfully Walk into every event with a clear purpose. Why are you there? What do you want to achieve? Prepare a few open-ended questions to help you engage meaningfully, such as: What’s been a highlight of your year? What are you looking forward to in 2024? 3. Engage Authentically Listening is your superpower. Ask thoughtful questions, show genuine interest, and share stories that resonate. Authenticity is what makes you memorable.  A recent study on LinkedIn showed that 86% of professionals prefer authentic conversation over sales pitches and that “authentic networking” leads to 70% higher customer retention. 4. Follow Up and Stay Connected Don’t let those meaningful conversations end at the party. Follow up with a coffee, call, or message. Consistency is key to nurturing new connections. Set a goal, like 100 follow-ups, to ensure you stay engaged.  Be part of the 48% of people who actually follow up connections made via networking. Tune in shortly for Part 2 - the benefits of Partying with Purpose... #Networking #ProfessionalDevelopment #ChristmasSeason #PurposefulConnections

BCBU - Being Comfortable Being Uncomfortable - post 2 In our previous post we spoke about what Being Comfortable Being Uncomfortable was and what value such a polarising mindset and approach can bring. Today's post is a little detail around how do it! Key Human Skills for Embracing Discomfort Here’s some thoughts on the human skills that will help us be comfortable being uncomfortable. Adaptability: The ability to adjust to new conditions is crucial in a world where change is constant. Resilience: Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. It involves maintaining a positive attitude and continuing to move forward despite setbacks. Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing one's emotions, as well as empathising with others, is vital in navigating discomfort.  Curiosity: A curious mindset drives individuals to explore new ideas and seek out new experiences. Self-awareness: Being aware of one's strengths and weaknesses enables individuals to approach discomfort with a strategic mindset. Self-aware individuals can leverage their strengths while actively working on areas for improvement. Critical Thinking: The ability to analyse and evaluate information objectively is essential when facing uncertain situations. The Role of a Coach in Navigating Discomfort Coaches can play a pivotal role in helping individuals become comfortable with discomfort. As trusted advisors, coaches provide guidance, support, and constructive feedback, enabling individuals to push their boundaries and achieve their goals. Through effective coaching, individuals can develop the skills needed to navigate uncertainty and thrive in challenging environments. Assessments for Personal Development The use of psychometric assessments, such as personality profiles cab be valuable tools in understanding how individuals respond to discomfort. These assessments provide insights into an individual's personality traits, and potential areas for growth.  Our preferred personality profile is Facet5. Conclusion Embracing discomfort is not just about enduring challenges; it's about transforming them into stepping stones for growth. By developing key human skills such as adaptability, resilience, emotional intelligence, curiosity, self-awareness, and critical thinking, individuals can turn discomfort into a powerful catalyst for personal and professional development. With the support of coaches and the insights provided by psychometric assessments, anyone can learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable and unlock their full potential.

BCBU – Being Comfortable Being Uncomfortable Growth Comes from BCBU BCBU – what is it?  No, it’s not Namibia’s “Bush Control and Biomass Utilisation”! It’s Being Comfortable Being Uncomfortable.  Lately we’ve been having multiple conversations about how real growth, personally and professionally, comes from Being Comfortable Being Uncomfortable.  We don’t know if we're the only ones using this acronym, but all our clients sure know it.  When there's a challenge we will often just say BCBU! We note that in ever-evolving landscape of business and personal development, one mantra stands out: growth comes from being comfortable being uncomfortable. This concept, while seemingly paradoxical, is a powerful driver of innovation, resilience, and success. Growth Mindset you say?  Or just Standard Operating? The Value of Discomfort in Growth Discomfort often signals that we are stepping out of our comfort zones and into new, uncharted territories. It is in these moments of uncertainty and challenge that we learn the most about ourselves and our capabilities. Discomfort forces us to adapt, innovate, and overcome obstacles, leading to personal and professional growth.  How would we walk today if we didn’t fall over 100 times.

The second of our posts promoting the brilliant and talented DST people helping you with your people. Introducing Mike Lescai! Mike Lescai Mike has an MBA (International Management) with RMIT University and was the winner of the Asian Association of Management Organisations (AAMO) Prize for top MBA Intake Student. He rewrote and delivered the International Trade elective for RMIT/OUA University MBA Executive programme for five years. Mike was awarded ‘General Manager of the Year’ by the Victorian Transport Association and is a Junior Chamber International Senator. With 30+ years of Executive & Non-Executive Director roles across a broad range of industries, Mike specialises in: - Commercial & finance at all levels – training & coaching - Strategic planning, development and execution – practical & theoretical + facilitation - Organisational development & planning – particularly those that are in a period of renewal - Procurement and supply chain - Governance, risk & Board – advisory, coaching + training Mike is married with three daughters and two sons in law. He enjoys statistics and is a keen sports follower of the AFL (Swans), Cricket (Australia), and NFL (Bears), among others.

DST people has a brilliant group of highly skilled and experienced professionals delivering a wide array of people services to our clients. We're going to share their profiles over the coming weeks. It's wonderful to work with Michelle Cieciura.

Over the coming weeks, we will be running a series posts highlighting the people who provide the wonderful variety of services to DST people clients. Michelle Cieciura Psychologist & Senior Associate Michelle holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Science degree from La Trobe University and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology from Victoria University. She is a registered psychologist and a member of the APS (Australian Psychological Society). Michelle is also a fully accredited Facet5 practitioner and is the Facet5 Distributor for Victoria & South Australia. Michelle specialises in: - Development and implementation of HR strategies - Facet5 Personality profiles for the purposes of recruitment, coaching, leadership development, team building and conflict management - Organisational change programs including organisational reviews, assessment and implementation - Leadership development - Team development & high performance teams - Conflict management - Career planning, interview skills, and succession planning Michelle lives in Melbourne and loves dogs!

Thanks Hewison Private Wealth - proud to support such a great cause.

DST people were very proud to support Hewison Private Wealth in their annual fundraising golf day. It was a huge success! We ran a fun Facet5 Ltd activation on the 10th hole. Thanks to William Heine, for pulling a great team together (even if you didn't win). Thanks to Chris Morcom, Marcus English, and the team at Hewison's for running such a great event for such a great cause.