Annah's Blog

Blog Entries:

28/12/08
17/12/08
8/12/08
27/11/08
17/11/08

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Annah's Blog 28/12/08

Annah's Blog 17/12/08

So what was a 48-year-old doing at a Kylie Minogue concert?

I was certainly beginning to think this as I surveyed the crowd, which was reminiscent of a Saturday afternoon at Sylvia Park Mall. On entering the Vector Arena I received a quick hello from my colleague, Jayne Kiely (which did stop me from bailing right then and there), and very slowly we entered the stadium to locate our seats.

(Reflecting back, maybe this night was never meant to be – our first cab failed to turn up, which resulted in a frantic walk/run in drizzly rain to locate another.) Anyway, we found our seats. Some initial anticipation here, as our friend who we were with informed us he’d splashed out and gone for the most expensive ones available – God forbid what happened to those booking after us! – as our seats were not great, but we are the middle of a downturn, so maybe his budget simply hadn’t stretched that far.

For those of you who know the venue, we were at the base of the flat floor piece – meaning, to see anything, we’d have to stand up all night. Two and a half hours is Kylie’s expected playing time, an enthusiastic fan told us – all I could think of was my tired legs. It was the end of a long day and I really didn’t love this entertainer enough to stand.

For me, in booking these seats it had been about a visual feast of costume and performance in that she’s been doing this for years, evolving from the TV show, Neighbours, through a breast cancer scare, to the polished performer that she is today.

The show was beautifully executed. Kylie really is very good at what she does – the whole thing was incredibly polished – marred only by the fact that I had to stand and my visual was poor even then, and not being a Kylie fan meant I knew very few of the songs.

I was ready to go when she first said goodbye, but was forced to sit through two encores. Two... isn’t one enough for any superstar? I wonder if it isn’t all about their ego, just as much as the fans’ perceived need. Still, it had to be better than the last concert I went to – Mick Jagger at Western Springs, sitting in A seats next to a pile of vomit where it had all just got too much for some excited fans.

Night over, I was allowed to leave before the last encore finished and we ran for the taxis. Lesson learnt – I need to love these stars I intend to see in concert just in case I find myself in this position again.

Light at the end of the tunnel, the next night I watched Mamma Mia the movie. Yes, a late starter, I know... but what a great movie! All the music that I love and remember. I even gave it a re-run the next day much to the disgust of my kids on Sunday morning.

 

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A Message from the Editor 8/12/08

Today I’ve spent the day by my son’s bedside in hospital as he’s endured, at the age of 17, a tonsillectomy.

The pull of running a large business has nipped at my heels as I sit beside one of my greatest achievements and watch his breathing, from a slow recovery (it took a lot longer than expected in that they worked to stabilise his air) to a deep sleep.

It’s now 5.00pm and we arrived at 7.30am. I sit here by the half-light of his window and scribble this note reflecting on the conundrum of being a woman, a mother, a business leader and a partner. Superhuman describes how we women balance it all up most days. But today has truly been about knowing that there will never be anything greater than the love I feel for this boy.

I’ve left the room twice – first to fill his prescription at a local chemist, walking distance away. (I missed his first attempt at biting on an ice block but did get to observe the wet patches it left, caused by his morphine-induced drowsiness.) My toilet stop five minutes ago apparently missed a coughing fit, not an easy thing to do given the recent operation.

“Where were you?”

“Loo, honey.”

“Well, there’s always a cup you can use. Consider it next time.”

Amusing even in his pain!

But what’s been best about today is the chance to reconnect with my beautiful son – although I’ve been told to stop when I broach any topic that remotely resembles a hobby horse of mine. It’s been noted that we both need to sign for his operation procedures and I’ve listened to him snore. We’ve discussed Rhythm & Vines, his friends, his school year and I’ve been told my kisses were too loud (and there have been lots as I watch the machine for his vital signs).

I truly know what it feels like to love without conditions and I’m clearly reminded of the reason so many of us elect to remain at home and prioritise the great loves of our lives. I’ve had a glimpse into that world today and it has been so rewarding.

His seventh-form year has been one of ships passing in the night for us both as he’s studied, surfed, golfed, skied and partied hard. I’ve met so many of his friends as they’ve spent the weekends bonding in our home.
I sit here today with mixed emotions. It will be another woman that will one day take him away, but for the time being I’m still the most important girl in his life. I can at least bask in this moment as he prepares himself for Camp America in 2009.

Being a mother will always be my greatest achievement. And the greatest gift I can give my children is my time. Regardless of my company that has such a strong hold in my life, it is the balance that women are so great at achieving that enables our families to thrive. It’s about the time we give to our children, the unconditional love, the values we instil, the environments we create.

For me, being a mother gives me a purpose. This crazy life that I live is so driven, so focused. My achievements have been many, but none are greater than giving birth to Sam and Edward.

Enjoy the holiday break and celebrate family because, in the end, that’s really all that’s important.

Annah

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Annah’s Blog – 27/11/08

So let’s just say it’s Christmas already – given that the next four weeks will be nothing but a blur on most people’s calendars. All of us commenting on the speed at which another year has flown by and wondering what 2009 will hold, given the continual message of doom and gloom that’s been painted by the media. Some good news please!

I recently lunched with a colleague who was rung by a national paper for her feedback on just how bad it was out there. Refusing to discuss the bad stuff with them, she stated she’d talk about the success stories. But they simply weren’t interested.

Newspapers believe that only the sensational and bad news sells. As businesswomen out there, let’s reinforce this ‘change’ and start to rescue this sinking ship. Good news only please – because there’s simply so much of it!

Well, my week has been full with speaking engagements: the Auckland executive club on Wednesday, a tight group of entrepreneurial women that meets monthly at the Parnell rose gardens, and the Titirangi golf club ladies. Fifteen minutes of inspirational thoughts to a very rowdy group of women who had thoroughly enjoyed their golf tournament. Not sure they were my demographic but it was a favour for my golf-mad sister.

In between all these, I have been trying to keep my itinerant son on track. I simply want him to give his last year at school and final exams his best shot! What a mission, as I’m sure many of you have experienced – keeping him on track, focused and attempting to study is one of the biggest challenges I have faced this year. The perks of having 80 credits already! Why bother, he thinks; he’s passed. Try reasoning with a 17-year-old boy. I bet I'm not the only one in this boat!

Meanwhile my daughter endeavours to manage two jobs as she heads towards Christmas, her next year at university and the oh so many Stolen Girlfriend Club purchases she needs to make.

My team from all over the North and South Islands came to HQ this week. It’s our annual meeting that ends with our Christmas function. This is my one opportunity to share my vision, enhance their role and nurture the culture I’m so proud of having! At present, in this supposedly repressed environment, we are trading 10% up. Not bad for retail, but then I firmly believe that when you get the three ingredients right:

• Great Product

• Great Service

• and a Great Environment

Retail becomes a no brainer, given that most women are driven by the experience rather than just the label. (That’s the domain of my 20-year-old daughter!)

The Christmas function involves our warehousing team staging a fashion show for the retail team. The excitement and the build-up has been reward enough for me. Seeing them work together in their own time to achieve this outcome has had huge spin-offs for me, for our company culture and has definitely gone a long way towards building the team's Christmas spirit!

Until next week, signing out from a harassed and loving mum, and a proud company leader.

Annah

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A Message from the Editor 17/11/08

What a huge year! What incredible change – first with Obama and then our very own newly elected Prime Minister, John Key.
Saturday started off like any other day for us in Auckland. (Yes, this is where we now live for 3 days of the week: a small villa in Ponsonby.) A day in the sun, well blocked of course, reviewing my competitors’ magazines.

At 7pm, we hit the town, in a taxi, of course. Another great thing about living in this area: everything is $10 dollars away. First stop, the New Zealand franchise awards at the Rendezvous hotel. Attending other events is a great way for me to critique the events that we do, especially Bloom. I will always walk away with an idea as to how we can raise the bar for what we are doing – and the franchise awards certainly provided food for thought.

With the excitement of the election results rolling in courtesy of a TV in the lounge bar, it simply got too much for us! At 9.30pm, we were in a cab making our way to the Sky City Convention Centre, National Party headquarters for the night. There was a brief moment when we contemplated going to the Orakei RSA and supporting my colleague, Rodney Hide, in his hour of glory, but the lure of witnessing the huge change that was about to occur was simply too much.

We arrive at Sky City, never for one moment contemplating that it may be invite only – and the invites being available to a focused and connected group of loyal disciples. Never mind that the frock I was wearing that night was, in one word, RED.

Obviously no invite, no entry. Not convinced that this was the end, security gave us a point of contact and suggested that we should ring, given that we’d assured him we should have made the guest list! Success! Contact made, a few brief words (thankfully I was worthy enough) and we were in – up the escalator and into the room to join a growing group of frenzied devotees.

We sit quietly in the corner, well away from any of the TV cameras. Conscious of my huge respect for Helen and the role she had effected for so long, I almost felt like a traitor sitting amongst the blue bloods booing vehemently at any reference to Labour on the big screens. I couldn’t help but think of all the great things that she had done. My heart went out to her as she gave her speech of defeat. Why are we Kiwis so keen to slash and burn the tall poppy? As a politician she has made a difference in so many ways. Even John Key in his victory speech acknowledged this, and I truly believe he meant it.

Helen, you should depart your leadership post with your head held high. There has been so much that is great about what you have achieved. You are an inspiration to all women, and you have set a clear benchmark for what we as women can achieve. Enjoy your next role and bask in the knowledge that you truly have made a difference. I thank you from so many New Zealanders.
So the night goes on. The environment was surreal. It was exciting to think that this really was happening. We really were going to get a change! Perhaps business that was bleeding money in this environment was going to get a chance again. The people of New Zealand from all demographics really had seen the need to put in place a government that could govern without being held to ransom by the minor parties, a government that could perhaps get small and medium-sized businesses back on their feet, a government that realises the big part that SMEs play in keeping the economy working, keeping the country innovational. After all, we are New Zealand, a country of creative, innovative and environmentally conscious leaders.

So Helen’s concession speech over, the booing subsides and the TV coverage focuses on John key, with his huge smiling boy-next-door face, leaving his house. What a moment for him! What a moment for the blue supporters who have fought so hard, not just this year but for the last 9 years!

Their messiah arrives, the TVs are turned off. (Who needs them? We have the real thing!) I’m interestingly overwhelmed. I didn’t know that I could feel such emotion for a moment. After all, this is the man who came to Morrinsville to meet with me, sat in my newly created café and talked about the business environment; the man I proudly gave a tour of our new premises, and quietly wondered when the best time was to start politicking him on my newly acquired SPCA agenda.

This is also the man who placed the winning bid on my frock at the recent Westpac Rescue Helicopter auction and corporate hosting event that was attached to fashion week – while I sat quietly there in amongst my fashion peers, many of them recognised at the highest levels globally. It was John Key’s persistent bidding that saw my frock get at least twice the price paid for any other frock on the night! So rapt was I to be part of this moment, I even offered to replicate it in blue. (I was, however, at the time still undecided as to whom I was going to vote for, which was further complicated by spending time with Helen at the opening of WOW the following week. It was a dilemma!)

This is also the man who came to our table at this event, greeted me like a long lost friend, and chatted with my daughter and my brother, the master franchise owner of Jennian Homes. He must have won their hearts that night, especially Sam, with her two ticks for blue after initial taunts that it had been a blue and a green vote. Honey, I cried, you have just negated your vote. You must always talk to Mummy first!

Saturday 8th of October truly was John Key’s night, the culmination of a huge plan and vision, which really does show that anything is possible in Godzone. It was also New Zealand’s night as we all started to think that maybe there was a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel; maybe this man could lead a team that would lift us out of this so-called recession.

The fanfare of his entry was nothing when compared to the drama that unfolded later. As his small family is quietly taken through the back stage exit, John Key prepares to meet his people. The crowd is at fever pitch – I can only liken it to a European soccer game – as they close in around him. I even find myself punching the air in jubilation! I have never done this before. To be in this environment, albeit with mixed feelings initially, was truly an experience that would now make my list of the 10 things to do before you become dust.

Rather than join the thronging crowd, we quietly slip away, high on the moment. We grab a cab and head home. Being part of this occasion is something I will never forget.

Best of luck, John, as you put your new team together. There is a long road of recovery that needs to be travelled. Be patient, New Zealand, and let this man that you have put your trust in get on and do his job. It is a time for change. You voted for this – now embrace it! Congratulations, John. Being part of your night truly was an honour!

Enjoy our December mag, which will be out November 24. We’ve made some minor changes to the format to make it a stunning read for you all over the holiday break.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Annah Stretton

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