The Greatness Within Us All

Bali Tips - Seminyak, Ubud,

2011-12-27T14:19:00.001+11:00

Below are my tips for Bali that I send to friends who are lovers of great food, amazing environments, and even more. Bali is just so good to create your own relaxing adventure...

Food baby Food - Seminyak

A scrumptious, relaxing & extraordinary lunch or dinner overlooking the sea, is Gado Gado and also La Lucciola is beautiful (if you like chocolate - you may love the chocolate desert they have - YUM) and I love their coffee frappe / icey drink. yum yum.

(Don't leave without going to La Lucciola for breakfast, lunch or dinner ... and plan to stay for at least 2 hours - it's just so relaxing!)

I also loved Sardine - dinners there are so memorable. Others to try are Metis, Sarong (expensive - special night out!) and Mamasan. More here: http://www.travelfish.org/eatandmeet/indonesia/bali/bali/seminyak/eat

Pool Bars - Seminyak

Book for all day and/or sunset, take your swimmers, hang out and relax. Divine! Try W, Potato Head, Ku De Ta and the relaxed "cocoon beach restaurant". Great for all ages too.

Ubud

Around Ubud, I loved going to (and working at!!) Green School and I'm yet to get to John Hardy's jewellery place - also a treat by the sounds of things - you can email them and book in for lunch under the banyan tree which sounds lovely as food comes from their organic farm / compound.

There's also a restaurant at the Como Shambhala Estate where we ate lunch and it's soooo beautiful nested amongst the big gorge / greenery of Ubud.

Clear Cafe is also highlight in Ubud and many other cafes / restaurants to find!

Surfing

I highly enjoyed surfing lessons with Odyssey Surf School and they are great fun, pick you up from your villa / hotel and ...if you wish, teach you Indonesian on the way. I had 2-person-private lessons - slightly better than group for me.

Preparation

Wayan is great for a massage - every day! $10 per massage and will come to you. His mobile is +6281558359941 and you could SMS him before you arrive. Like many in Bali he doesn't earn much so it's nice to contribute to him & his family.

Kadek is a great driver +62 852 37117562 - very clean car with air con - no seat belts in the back seat - I can recommend another driver if you need this!

Entry visa for Bali is US$25 - have this in your passport or equivalent currency that can be converted. Another great alternative is organising a VIP service - US$30 - a person meets you and saves you about 30 mins - 1 hour of time. http://www.balinicetour.com/en/airport/1/0/baliPvipPairportPservice.html

Leaving Bali - hold onto 150,000 Rp for departure tax.

I enjoyed "Eat Pray Love" - i thought they did well to depict Ubud so if you haven't yet seen it - could be worth a watch as a lovely lead in... Plus tripadvisor.com is a great check to see if hotels, restaurants etc are good. Here's the places I've reviewed: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/members-reviews/sambe11

Get excited! Photos here:

When you arrive

If you are going to be around Seminyak, get a copy of the Yak magazine - great info and the map (see below) is really good as it shows all the great places.

The Bintang (supermarket) in Seminyak is fabulous for the little shop that organises your local SIM card within minutes, to stock up on water and supplies. Homewares (!!) upstairs!

Go!

That's possibly enough!! You don't need too many tips - go, enjoy, relax, get some sun on your bones. YAY!! It's a very special place.

Sam from my tips, Sophy's, LJ's, Libby's, Brenda's, and loads of others who contributed to my amazing times in Bali.

More of Sophy's Seminyak tips in addition to the above here:

• LA SAL

A MUST, WE LOVE THIS PLACE – so romantic at night! Delicious tapas
and Argentinean BBQ grills!

• THE JUNCTION

Stylish and well-priced lunch and dining spot. Recently renovated

with a great new menu.

• HU U BAR

Tel: 736433

SUPER romantic spot at nighttime. Gardens are just so pretty, with
huge bean bags to chill out on. Yummy cocktails and a great

nibbles menu. Perfect for pre dinner drinks. Food quite pricey

• MADES WARUNG

CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP!! – This is the place to go for Indo food. The
Mee Goreng is to die for!

• TRATORRIA

Great Italian!

• SEA CIRCUS

Drinks and food are great (steak get the thumbs up!).

Posted via email from By Samantha Bell

2011: The Year of Great Friendship

2011-12-24T22:23:00.001+11:00

I learnt a lot about great friendship this year.

I learnt how enjoyable it is and how simple it is.

I learnt a heap about unconditional love.

I learnt how beautiful it is when care and love comes, like a warm blanket the instant you're cold.

Being friends with someone for years gives a stronger sense of knowing of another.

Being there for the great times and the challenging ones gives me a chance to listen - has me realise that often, listening is what makes a difference.

And how a new friend can feel as close as someone I've been close to for years.

And how time doesn't matter; sharing deeply does.

Sharing knowing looks at each other.

Sharing time in supporting each other.

Knowing that you're there and they're there.

Knowing who the people are that you 'click' with and who delights your soul.

Dear friends having children and growing friendships with them - an extension of our friendship.

Beautiful, unexpected, fun, silly, crazy, wild, exhausting (!!) and priceless.

It is sweet. My dear friends are amazing, inspiring, loving, warm, caring, interesting, nurturing, fascinating, insightful, courageous, charming, thoughtful, wise and more.

It is a delight to be around them.

Thankyou to everyone I spent time with in 2011!

#LifeIsGood.

Posted via email from By Samantha Bell

2011: The Year of Great Friendship

2011-12-24T22:05:00.003+11:00

I learnt a lot about great friendship this year.

I learnt how enjoyable it is and how simple it is.

I learnt a heap about unconditional love.

I learnt how beautiful it is when care and love comes, like a warm blanket the instant you're cold.

Being friends with someone for years gives a stronger sense of knowing of another.

Being there for the great times and the challenging ones gives me a chance to listen - has me realise that often, listening is what makes a difference.

And how a new friend can feel as close as someone I've been close to for years.

And how time doesn't matter; sharing deeply does.

Sharing knowing looks at each other.

Sharing time in supporting each other.

Knowing that you're there and they're there.

Knowing who the people are that you 'click' with and who delights your soul.

Dear friends having children and growing friendships with them - an extension of our friendship.

Beautiful, unexpected, fun, silly, crazy, wild, exhausting (!!) and priceless.

It is sweet. My dear friends are amazing, inspiring, loving, warm, caring, interesting, nurturing, fascinating, insightful, courageous, charming, thoughtful, wise and more.

It is a delight to be around them.

Thankyou to everyone I spent time with in 2011!

#LifeIsGood.

Posted via email from By Samantha Bell

2011: The Year of Great Friendship

2011-12-24T22:05:00.001+11:00

I learnt a lot about great friendship this year.

I learnt how enjoyable it is and how simple it is.

I learnt a heap about unconditional love.

I learnt how beautiful it is when care and love comes, like a warm blanket the instant you're cold.

Being friends with someone for years gives a stronger sense of knowing of another.

Being there for the great times and the challenging ones gives me a chance to listen - has me realise that often, listening is what makes a difference.

And how a new friend can feel as close as someone I've been close to for years.

And how time doesn't matter; sharing deeply does.

Sharing knowing looks at each other.

Sharing time in supporting each other.

Knowing that you're there and they're there.

Knowing who the people are that you 'click' with and who delights your soul.

Dear friends having children and growing friendships with them - an extension of our friendship.

Beautiful, unexpected, fun, silly, crazy, wild, exhausting (!!) and priceless.

It is sweet. My dear friends are amazing, inspiring, loving, warm, caring, interesting, nurturing, fascinating, insightful, courageous, charming, thoughtful, wise and more.

It is a delight to be around them.

Thankyou to everyone I spent time with in 2011!

#LifeIsGood.

Posted via email from By Samantha Bell

Sam the Surfer

2011-11-25T23:07:00.001+11:00

Here's recent pic's from Bali. Learning to surf was a HOOT!

I'm so excited and can't wait to be on a surfboard again!

Thanks to Odysseys Surf School.

:)
Sam

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from By Samantha Bell

My bucketlist is empty!

2011-10-11T21:34:00.001+11:00

I realised my bucketlist is... empty! Turns out I have crossed everything off in the past year - anything I'd always planned to do / wanted to do - such as:

go to great conferences anywhere in the world (sxsw 2010, Wisdom2.0, DoLectures 2011),
speak at great events,
see India,
snowski heaps,
meet loads of exceptional people,
be outdoors lots,
eat well in great places,
ski with my NZ family, have a family holiday in Bali, spend time with my nephews, take Mum to Tuscany (something I promised a few years ago),
drive across the Nullabor desert in Australia,
stroll in Paris,
Spontaneously fly to Sydney for the day,
say "Yes" to great trips/experience with dear friends when they arise, support dear friends, celebrate decades of friendship,
work with great people producing great stuff that I and they are proud of,
have the freedom to be wherever the work, great food, exceptional people and fun is: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, London, Ubud (Bali, Indonesia), Solomon Islands;
smile loads, laugh lots,
yeeeehahhh....

My business is now orientated to working wherever I am and I'm continually refining how I operate best. I work with fabulous clients work and I'm very grateful.

It was a surprise: saying yes to what I wanted, respecting what's best for others around me, and having everything around me work to accommodate it.

I'm off to Bali next month to learn how to surf and creating new additions to my business.

May you similarly be inspired!

Sam

P.S. Here's some of what I've experienced - enjoy :)

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Posted via email from By Samantha Bell

The Kindness of Strangers in Montalcino

2011-09-29T02:28:00.001+10:00

This afternoon I washed the inners of my new barefoot shoes (thanks @rosshill!) then hung them on a basic washing line I'd strung across the window. Then *plop* ...one shoe fell out the window and down into a foresty scrub below. Oh dear.

I searched around the perimeter of the hotel and saw it was inaccessible - or so I thought. "Oh well!" Went off and enjoyed an hour or so and then... a nagging in my mind came.

Off I went to see if there was another access. Walking in and out of people's houses and gardens I went. Came across a man who waved me on and said it was fine for me to be there (I think - he was speaking Italian). I scrambled around in the scrub and looked up and Mum's voice is somewhere above laughingly wondering where I am. Hilarious! Bamboo amongst a thick scrub. And bitey thorny things. Then *FOUND*! Grabbed my shoe and slipped back down to a a safe ground.

On the victorious walk back to the Hotel I came across the same man. He invited me to sit with his wife and proceeded to bring me figs picked off the nearby tree. I learnt to peel the green skin off the figs and they brought out the most beautiful Moscadello wine. I spent a while learning loads of italian as I searched iTranslate app on the iPhone to converse with them. It was a truly joyful experience.

And I'm taking Madre (Mum) back there domani (tomorrow) for a coffee. Amazing.

Life is sweet.

Sam

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from By Samantha Bell

What happens at the Do Lectures in Wales?

2011-09-20T07:20:00.001+10:00

For those of you yet to know about the Do Lectures, it's something special that you may love. Think of TED.com with loads of organic matter and authenticity added in a Welsh (and now Californian) setting.

On the weekend, I attended the Do Lectures at Fforest in Wales. It was an amazing experience. One best experienced for yourself (apply for next year: http://www.dolectures.com/the-event/ - scroll to the bottom of the page).

Amongst the food, the generative Welch scenery and clever people, I gained great knowledge, insight, and belly-laughed a lot with new friends. Really. Lovely. People.

And the venue Fforest is a truly remarkable showcasing of design and Wales.

Here are the "Do" comments and quotes I loved...

The Do Lectures Founder, Dave Hieatt, introduced the talks on Day 1, commenting on a few key and insightful aspects of Do:

* The talks create talk.

* The theme was difficult to articulate at the start - essentially the theme of the talks is "Eclectic".

* When bright people come together it brings about stuff & ideas

* Don't let things/ideas go. Sometimes they have difficult births. Just start.

* The biggest investment of all is your time

Here's other quotes from the 4 days at the Do Lectures:

"Make big stuff happening quickly."

"Capture the world's imagination."

"If you are authentic and doing great things your brand is safe. "

"Fear is your heaviest bag."

"Make great products and associate with appropriate ambassadors."

"An adventure, collaboration and a mistake."

"We don't always know how amazing we are."

"Start thinking of yourself as the only one who can deliver [whatever you can uniquely deliver]." (express your uniqueness)

"Bring out inner fool to engage others emotions."

"Everything's an offer."

Better than PR - "develop relationships with people who understand what you do."

"I catalyze people."

Have a look at the current talks on the Do Lectures site here: http://dolectures.co.uk/lectures/

I highly recommend David Allen's and Alice's.

Here are the photos I took from Day 1:

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It's all good :)

Posted via email from By Samantha Bell

Testing technology for #digithunt

2011-06-24T19:46:00.001+10:00

Blogposting via email from iPhone photo app. Checking for a digital treasure hunt in Melbourne in July. Yipppeeee...

Sam
www.samanthabell.com.au.

Posted via email from By Samantha Bell

New Leaders cc @mitchjoel@teezeng @janstewart

2011-04-14T15:51:00.001+10:00

The great blog post I read this morning ...

"Twitter is the new real time resume. Want to sit next to u @ dinner? The Twitter Test:bit.ly/hJXUnJ by @mitchjoel with thanks to @teezeng"

... has me thinking of the great leadership books I've read and how they refer to leaders being authentic and REAL.

(I capitalise that word for my friend, Jan Stewart, who observed that I recently say this word a lot. Must be important to me!)

In this blog post (above) Twitter is referred to as a real-time resume/CV of an individual.

Franky speaking, I'm rapt by this.

Recruiters & employers assessing potential individuals for a role now have a more complete view of a person. While there's differing levels of online Media usage, these professionals are/will shift their ways of selecting people to incorporate more dimensions and that will flow through into companies adapting (as well as other factors that are shifting organisations to being more people-productive).

Having followed companies doing great 'stuff' in Fast Company magazine for over a decade and seeing companies like Zappos and Google become globally successful, I'm working to see more of these come about.

Let's ride this wave baby ;)

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au.

Posted via email from By Samantha Bell

EnLIGHTening Me

2011-03-20T14:45:00.001+11:00

I've stripped back my usual communication inputs (following less people on Twitter and less links clicked) to lighten the thoughts of others coming to me; not feeling compelled to learn more. There is a lot I learn already via intuition and my increasingly-louder inner self. There is always the chance to hear the beauty and wisdom from within.

I've reduced my outgoing communication (blog posts) too . There is already so much available for people to learn via the Internet.

We always have opportunity to constantly gain a deeper understanding of ourself. We have the opportunity to express who we are and your version and my version is unique. Otherwise, why would we be here? Each person expressing their uniqueness builds flow for them and ease in life (and flow for the greater human society and systems). You are good at that, I am good at this, he is good at that... we can then rely on each other for what we are naturally tending to and skilful in.

I recently changed my website. Each time I do, it more closely represents me. The "I" that I am today is different from the "I" in two days or two years. It's exciting that who I am today is evolved into something greater tomorrow. With each expression (online and physical) I have the opportunity to refine the representation of me.

At the moment, my self expression is via photos, videos and some audio on my website, Flickr, Path, this blog and Jan Stewart's blog.

I love to explore, go on adventures and I enjoy taking photos to capture beautiful moments and to share with others. My website is now photo-led. It is a way of having my online representation display who I am for others to learn about me without me being there. Learning how I wish to represent myself in my website, my blog, Path, and other platforms such as LinkedIn has me learn more about how I wish to represent myself and reflect on who I am.

Recently, Jan Stewart reminded me: the words "Enlightened" and "Enlightenment" include the word "light". Quite simply, to be enlightened is to lighten up. Be less concerned about the parts of yourself / my parts of myself that bug you / me. Let go of the annoyance with it. Lighten up. Let go. I think this is why the Dalai Lama giggles. I think it's why enlightened people and those who are headed that way are joyful, smiley, easeful, light, caring, generous, and happy.

With a new website, a realisation that my online expression now affords others a view of me moment to moment, plus an awareness of being light about who I am... look out for exciteable expressions on Twitter and photos via www.samanthabell.com.au

Enjoy creating your own expression online!

Sam

P.S. The next iteration of my website is hopefully photos displayed in real-time (from the moment I capture them). If you have ideas about this - I'd be delighted if you emailed me!

Posted via email from By Samantha Bell

Online leads to New Forms of Intimacy

2011-03-06T20:54:00.001+11:00

Jan Stewart and I created an audio on the "new version" of intimacy created from online sites, such as Twitter and Path. Click play below and enjoy :)

New_Intimacy.m4a Listen on Posterous

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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Lightness in Life

2011-03-05T20:49:00.001+11:00

Here's an audio creation on human depth and lightness in life by Jan Stewart and I as we enjoy the surrounds here in Apollo Bay. Inspired by Gwen Bell and Ev Bogue's recent video blogs and our mate Ross Hill.

Click play below and ...enjoy :)

Sam_and_Jan_on_depth_and_light.m4a Listen on Posterous

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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Natural Insights from Me

2011-01-27T22:13:00.001+11:00

I was inspired to write tonight. And to write the 5 things that have been circling and are front-of-mind.

For you...

Another way of looking at:

the work we are doing /

our projects /

what we do for self expression online ...

...is looking at how our projects are having people create data.

Creating that data means people spend time on that and not something else.

#opportunitycost

One minute taking a photo and uploading to @path where 7 of my friends can see it means that I'm not spending that one minute sharing my photo on Twitter with wider humanity. This is not bad or good, just a point of note to see how I am choosing to self express.

Imagine for a moment what data your project or work is creating. What is your work having other people do/create? Is this the best use of their time? Is it a great way to be utilising humanity? It's simple.

For your/my/our projects, it's interesting to reflect on what data do we wish to have, see used by others, for the betterment of the world.

Hmmm...

These words were Jonathan Harris inspired - via this video (do watch it if you haven't yet seen something amazing this week) http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/video-gain-2010-harris

----

I'm curious about whether future tension and disruption for organisations comes when the internet is more interesting than an individual's work / task at hand.

This week my Twitter interactions have heightened via two fascinating topics:

@evbogue about #ibc - a topic of interest since beginning to explore with @edwardharran @rosshill @janstewart @suzeis @davidahood and others at @wisdom2conf 2010.

@caseorganic and @evbogue opening the world's eyes to the idea of us being and becoming merged with technology and have named us "cyborgs" and they are exploring the future of humans with jan, ross, eddie and @crystalsilver

Engaging with people in this level of 'global humanity' thinking is beautiful and elating. Conventional thinking and work is forever changed.

"Engagement" of people has been a topic of much discussion and focus for businesses. The Internet makes engagement even tougher for employers. We - the people using the internet - are driving the internet and what data it houses - and are in turn driving the data to places we're intrigued by. This ultimately makes it harder for organisations to retain great people who are confident, bright, and who can find work easily.

I wonder..

Organisations that are very innovative and provide opportunities to bright minds will self-generate.

Organisations that have job roles that truly fit people's purpose will thrive.

People who aren't engaged may tend more and more online at work or after hours. Does this add to their lack of engagement? Does this then cause people to leave the job that is unfulfilling? to start up their own business? become more creative? become a minimalist! Ha Ha! (there's a Twitter debate going on about minimalist living at the moment).

As more applications come to life, we have increasing tension on how to use our time. Perhaps if people use them and act instinctively, they just do what they wish to online and find that they don't have time to do the work, or spend more time online after hours and sleep less, possibly eat whatever is easy. Or opt out of the internet because it exhausts them. But then something pulls them back in...

Hmmm... society gets pressured in many ways and in many directions from this.

It's happening already.

Side note: Some of this is generalisations. I highly recommend not becoming weary from being online and naturally following your spirit on what you're attracted to. This usually leads to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow (i.e. your cashflow). It's working for me.

---

Beauty in the new online world.

There's much to explore online. Jonathan Harris believes there's no masterpieces online yet. Doesn't that make you wonder what's possible? When I reflect on what's there already, the way data can be manipulated and turned with code, then beautiful graphic design applied or infographics created, the output is a beautiful reflection of words from humanity.

What is it you care about? Where are your words online? What is your beauty to share in this format?

Your expression of you is unique and beautiful.

----

This is the last of my words for today. I'm mindful of commending 750words for providing me the space to create tonight, to afford me focus. It was enjoyable and enticing. If you haven't yet used or seen this website - have a look, take some time, write, see what comes out in 750 words. You may be surprised. I am.

---

Now it's over to you.

Your thoughts?

Your words? http://750words.com/

---

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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A little bit more on the "Care in Business" Trend cc @samsonite @evbogue @forstall

2011-01-13T21:12:00.001+11:00

I hope you enjoyed my last post about Care in business. This past week I've experienced poor service and a poor-value-for-money product.

I'm excited that 2011 is bringing about change. At this moment in time, you have the power to be in contact with companies and have a voice in letting others know of great and poor products. You can move your money to purchase from great companies and tweet/blog/talk about it (and perhaps even encourage companies to have "Forever Guarantees" - nice one @evbogue).

It's also interesting at this time to see the weird situation we've created in society - that when I buy a poor-value-for-money product, in a way, I am working for the company I bought from. I am spending my time on their processes - in returning the product or going to the store to buy another one.

I've gone into action on this (cue: strong music). I recently purchased a Samsonite roller-backpack and the front zip broke in the first week (during a time of busy International travel). I've since spent 2 hours on Samsonite processes. Now it's time for them to work on it - you can see my comments to them in the photo of my email. I'll see what comes!

And here's a message to Apple - please stop producing these iPhone cords (see picture) which need to be replaced regularly. Your customers and you know they are poor quality and in essence you're having people purchase them more often than they need to.

To Samsonite - please contact me. I've tried.

How can you - as an individual - balance the scales and encourage great service, products and care?

Good luck!

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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The "Care in Business" Trend - featuring @zappos @google @vaustralia @garyvee @hotelavante @optus @icebreakernz

2011-01-08T15:57:00.001+11:00

"Care" in business came back in vogue this year. That is: businesses delivering great service and products. Happy customers. Happy, engaged, involved, responsible, empowered employees.

I'm rapt.

It has taken a while.

Over 10 years ago, I was a KPMG business consultant voraciously reading "Fast Company" magazine articles featuring companies caring about their customers, employees and innovation; doing stuff differently and winning; working in a way that uniquely fitted their organisation and fitted the individuals in their organisation. Yay.

Organisations now getting great publicity for this include Zappos, Google, and Gary Vee. Zappos do not time-limit their call centre staff - CEO Tony Tsieh proudly talks of the longest customer call being 8+ hours and promotes knowing his customers. Zappos promotes every employees' uniqueness - supported by one of their values "Create Fun and A Little Weirdness".

In some instances, we have created business as more complicated than it needs to be. At the end of the day, key elements of business are:

Respect other people + Deliver great stuff + Care about delivering greatness to customers + Create systems that work well

Much points to the "care" trend becoming reality - two examples are the 'war for talent' (less numbers of talented people available for jobs with an ageing western population) and the rise of social media (people increasingly voicing their opinions on products, services, companies and being heard).

I have a deep belief and knowing that the more that I care for my customer and deliver an awesome service or product (or both) to them, the more I 'win'. There is this juicy fabulousness that happens - focusing on delivering a great service then leads to thinking more about who I'm delivering it to (and what they need), getting a buzz from great feedback, being inspired to continue caring and a "what else could we do?" attitude which supports innovative thinking.

A fake care isn't the same. You know it.

Care-based organisations I've recently experienced include:

* Hotel Avante - in true Silicon Valley style, they have games in the drawer (see photo)

* VAustralia - great customer service beforehand then onboard - help yourself to water + experience a light, happy atmosphere throughout a long flight

* Maxis - telecommunications provider in Kuala Lumpur who SMS'd me on arrival with the local exchange rate and embassy phone number (see photo)

* Icebreaker - for their friendly, authentic, fun, interested, easy style which comes through in their emails, social media and adverts (see picture advertising their Melbourne Family and Friends sale in Melbourne)

* GaryVee - for his confronting and inspirational speeches (including sxsw 2010 which rocked, literally) saying if you don't care about what you do and your customer then get out of what you're doing

* Optus - gets a mention for their customer service via Twitter (unfortunately not for their connectivity and other product/service elements)

* Using Twitter for my electricity provider and other suppliers has been a refreshing change to years of poor call centre customer service

The internet, internet-enabled phones, high speed broadband and sites such as Twitter afford us accessibility and economy in caring for customers.

Huge bonuses are available through people's wisdom being listened to and 'tapped', through people inspiring each other, and challenging each other with new, workable and innovative ideas.

Tips for you and your organisation:

1. Know that the people you work with do indeed have wisdom that may be untapped. Check that the people you employing to be amazing are set up well to be so. Are there other ways you can set things so that you can have your people make your company great.

2. Are people in your organisation believing+trusting other people they work with?

3. Ask. Listen. Allow. Do.

4. Believe the stuff that you deeply know: that delivering awesomeness and care to your customers rocks.

The more you care, the more you win and the more others around you do. A great product and service includes a positive impact on the others.

Not doing this in your organisation? Come on! ~Innovate~!!! Get people together. Work out how to increase your care.

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

Created on my Macbook at Kuala Lumpur airport in November 2010 and at Melbourne airport January, 2011.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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It's Snowing at Falls Creek, in December, in Summer!

2010-12-19T22:29:00.001+11:00

It was a delight to drive through snow today, just before arriving at Falls Creek. Being Summer here in Australia, it was a surprise.

I hear the Northern Hemisphere snow season is having a great start. I may soon wish to be back on my skis...

May you be well and happy,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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My photos for you to enjoy - Southern India Ayurvedic food

2010-12-09T10:02:00.001+11:00

It's a difficult blog post to put together (joke) - I WANT to have this FOOD!

Ohhh it was so good. The cooking demonstration photos are of thoran I think- you can see the lovely curry leaves and coconut. Yummm.

Many photos are of breakfast - with the "iddly" - the round white rice cakes. No real photos of dinner - I was distracted!

May you be well and happy, and eat well for your palate and your belly and your being,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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My video - the peace and tranquility of a backwater canoe trip in Kerala

2010-12-07T11:18:00.001+11:00

Download now or watch on posterous

IMG_0844.MOV (10929 KB)

Another Sam Bell produced video! I hope you enjoy it.

May you be well and happy,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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Photos for you to enjoy - cruising Kerala backwaters in a canoe

2010-12-06T09:50:00.001+11:00

Very beautiful :)

May you be well and happy,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Here's a great tune... The Avett Brothers "Bella Donna"

2010-12-03T12:15:00.001+11:00

Earlier this year a friend put me onto The Avett Brothers. I'm so grateful. Enjoy... their voices charm

Sam

from KL airport!

www.samanthabell.com.au

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Beauty + Ayurvedic Remedies in the Somatheerum Garden

2010-12-03T08:00:00.001+11:00

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This photo collection is the flowers of Somatheerum Resort - some of which are remedies for good health and many that stopped me to admire them! At Somatheerum, the ayurvedic Doctors take tours through the garden each week. It's such a special environment. Enjoy the photos and the beauty. Take a moment to appreciate the natural wonders of this part of the world.

Some of these photos are taken by great photographer, Sandra Glattfelder (those with a filename starting with P).

May you be well and happy

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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On the beach at Kerala, India with the Fishermen

2010-12-02T12:16:00.001+11:00

Here's another Sam Bell produced video. This time the fisherman on the beach at Kerala. All filming and photos while in India was done on my iPhone 3GS - this warning is to set your expectations on quality!!

May you be well and happy

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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Global Governance + Enjoying reading the Indian newspapers

2010-12-02T06:40:00.001+11:00

See and download the full gallery on posterous

It's interesting to read the newspapers in different places for many reasons, including how a society represents itself through their media and to see how my home-country Australia is represented. Luckily in India, I was there for a month so could see more of what is represented in the newspapers over time - especially as a newspaper was delivered daily to my door (very spoilt!).

I really enjoyed the breadth of issues discussed, the editorials, the letters to the editor displaying public comments, and especially seeing 'today's tweets' on the front page. Great.

This article in the photos is a great one about globalisation and global governance. Really interesting. It's from the New Indian Express.

I was also interested to learn about and observe the reaction to Obama's visit being to India at the time of Devali (a festival which is largely celebrated - described as the Christmas equivalent). For security reasons, many sites and services were closed (such as ferry services) causing a bother to many. "I wonder how the US would feel if our Prime Minister visited at Christmas"

Hope you enjoy.

May you be well and happy

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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Amazing John Hardy and his in Green School, Bali, Indonesia

2010-12-01T01:44:00.001+11:00

I first learnt of John Hardy a few years ago when my sister was working in Bali. I was blown away by what she described of what he had created there - from setting up a very successful jewelery business in Bali, Indonesia to creating a sustainable environment that daily feeds 700 people manufacturing working in this business and now he has created "Green School" - a wonderful example of different education.

Please watch this video - you'll be inspired by creativity, leadership, courage, generosity, humour.... and more. You decide!

And here's an article TIME did on John Hardy that gives you further background.

If you're heading to Bali - I'd highly recommend booking a tour and lunch. It's been on my list of things to do for a while. Perhaps 2011 will be the year for it!

May you be happy and well
Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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India Dreaming. Photos of my trip.

2010-11-30T13:49:00.001+11:00

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Here's the jewels... actually some of them - I have more photos to come of my day trips to the southern tip of India and other spots, and photos of the gardens.

These photos are of the beach and fishermen around Somatheerum Resort and a couple of shots of me - and one of me in a sari - whoah! It was so beautiful to wear.

Many of these photos are taken by Sandra Glattfelder (those with a filename starting with P). I tell you - she is a great photographer...

May you be well and happy

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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India Dreaming. Photos of my trip.

2010-11-30T03:31:00.001+11:00

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Here's the jewels... actually some of them - I have more photos to come of my day trips to the southern tip of India and other spots, and photos of the gardens.

These photos are of the beach and fishermen around Somatheerum Resort and a couple of shots of me - and one of me in a sari - whoah! It was so beautiful to wear.

Many of these photos are taken by Sandra Glattfelder (those with a filename starting with P). I tell you - she is a great photographer...

May you be well and happy

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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Touring you through where I've been: Somatheerum Ayurvedic Retreat, India

2010-11-28T15:04:00.001+11:00

In this video I'm personally touring you through Somatheerum Ayurvedic Health Retreat where I've been for a month.

It's a tropical garden oasis and beach which lifted my heart and opened my mind to a combination of amazing beauty and serenitywhen I first arrived - as it's truly magnificent.

It's located South of Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

You can find Somatheerum at http://www.somatheeram.org/

May you be well and happy.

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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Happy November :)

2010-11-27T05:14:00.001+11:00

Hi there!

I hope you're having a wonderful November.

Here's the first of many photos and videos of my time in India over the past month. This one is of me on the beach South of Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

I'm now in Hua Hin (Thailand) and will be back in Melbourne late next week.

Lots of great stuff has been happening while I've been largely offline. Of special mention is Melbourne's Awesome Foundation ... they're AWESOME.

I've plenty of blog posts coming for you. I hope you enjoy.

May you be well and happy,

Sam

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My Top 5 Most Read Blog Posts (Autoposted)

2010-11-15T23:04:00.001+11:00

Here's my most read blog posts of the last 3 months that you may enjoy reading:

Inner Wisdom Shared

Expansive Nullarbor

What's possible? My Natural Adventure Weeks

My Natural Adventure Life

Exploring Me. Exploring You.

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

This post was automatically posted as I am currently in India!

Big apology to the owner of this image for the lack of photo credit. I can't remember where Ifound it months ago...

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Solomon Islands... in closing

2010-11-10T08:26:00.001+11:00

I hope you enjoyed the last few blog posts on my trip to Tetepare Island in the Solomon Islands. It was a great trip of groundedness, discovery, friendship (new and old friends), and viewing living basically in life with very small amounts of technology. Great for reflection.

Stay tuned to the Global Leadership Foundation's website and this site for future announcements (perhaps early 2011) regarding upcoming trips.

https://globalleadershipfoundation.com/

Here are the links to my 4 Tetepare Island blog posts:

About Tetepare

What I experienced

Leadership in the Solomon Islands

Photos

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

This was automatically posted as I am currently in India!

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My Solomon Islands photos

2010-11-04T08:30:00.001+11:00

See and download the full gallery on posterous

I hope you enjoy these photos.

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

This was automatically posted as I am currently in India!

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Leadership in the Solomon Islands...

2010-11-02T00:02:00.001+11:00

"Leadership" is an often used word, with many connotations. I define leadership as guiding yourself and/or others through your deep wisdom and insight.

Gayle Hardie (of Global Leadership Foundation), is one of many people who have informed my view of leadership. She is an exceptional woman who has enhanced many people's leadership qualities in her career. Gayle sees examples of leadership everywhere and during our time at Tetepare Island shared with me that 'leadership development work' doesn't need to happen in a lab (e.g. as training in an office); that a community such as Tetepare is a 'leadership learning lab' in itself.

Tetepare - an almost-deserted tropical island in the western Solomon Islands - is a leadership development lab.

At Tetepare, we were part of a community where people are leading themselves and others. Leadership could be seen everywhere: in the community leaders who work to conserve their island and the marine and plant life for future generations, and balance tourism and other funding with conservation and economic progress/life in the community. Leadership is seen in Paul, the head of Baniata community, who has set up a guest house with solar panels and is making efforts to get his community to an economically sustainable state. the guides/rangers/managers who supported us in seeing the island, handling the boats / walks and their way of working as well as visiting a neighbouring community. It was seen in the cook, Margaret, who co-ordinated a team to provide us beautiful organic meals. It was seen in many conversations we had about how they carry themselves for their families, community and the local environment.

What I'm still yet to fully absorb is how privileged I am to have experienced this community. To then be in Brisbane with family and see how much we have - shoes, clothes, furniture. We can talk of different styles of furniture we would like. On the two islands we visited at Tetepare the people there didn't have this choice.

As I travel with less and live with less around me, I am even more curious about the richness in life.

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

The photo is of Tony, our very helpful guide and the marine ranger at Tetepare.

This was automatically posted as I am currently in India!

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Stories from Tetepare Island, Solomon Islands

2010-10-28T08:30:00.001+11:00

To design future Leadership Development experiences, we compressed a lot into the 3 days including: visiting the nearby Baniata community; snorkelling (one of many) amazing reefs spotting turtles, (baby) black tipped reef sharks, large parrot fish, very bright fish of all colors and a barracuda; and viewing conservation activities including monitoring coconut crabs (yes - bright blue bellied crabs that sort of look like a lobster that eat coconuts), surveying canoe trees and tagging turtles.

Part of the turtle conservation activities at Tetepare Island is 'turtle rodeo'. This consisted of two boats with 7 men - two men standing on each bow spotting turtles then, once spotted, they speed along following a turtle... then, in a moment, the man at the front of the bow, dives in and comes up with a turtle which was then checked for its health and recorded.

To see a man dive in and come up with a turtle is an absolutely impressive and awe inspiring experience!

We walked through the magnificent forest where Tumi, one of the Tetepare leaders, showed us how almost every plant has a medicinal purpose for the community and tall strangler fig trees, numerous vines and local 'Kastom' plants - some of which will raise the spirits if used inappropriately. My mind was full of rich greenness from this experience.

We took a boat ride across to Baniata which has a large, organic community garden, happy people working hard in the fields, women sitting in the dirt shelling (delicious) ngali nuts to be taken to Honiara (to be sold for $3/kg), two religious orientations and a turtle monitoring project.

I took the opportunity to relax in the hammocks - the humidity and heat is high which zapped my energy and gave me the perfect opportunity to catch up on sleep.

I revelled in the continual high rate of growth of plants, especially after the rains. Looking at the shore of many islands, there were tall coconut palms, dense forests and so many green vines that rendered the landscape.

There was a lot of bugs and we joked about being 'in the now' from being in a routine of regularly checking for centipedes (they find their way into clothes and can give you between 4-24hours of intense, whole-of-body pain), looking out for little crabs or mosquitos in the 'little houses' (toilets).

I got bouts of bites, sunburn and heat rash. I had moments of wanting to be in my usual western environment.

I saw amazing, expansive, blue skies and cloud formations.

And had dolphins play aside the boat and even display their tails to us, upright out of the water - amazing - as we left.

I had amazing insights and such memorable experiences. The Turtle Rodeo and the boat trip to Tetepare are favourites. And I'm still digesting the Baniata community and how they and Tetepare people exist on not very many possessions, money, education and more.

A truly exceptional time.

More to come...

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

This was automatically posted as I am currently relaxing in India!

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My Tetepare Island (Solomon Islands) Leadership Trip - Part 1

2010-10-26T08:30:00.001+11:00

I found myself challenged by where to start in writing about my Solomon Islands experience. Much occurred in 5 days - as usual with Global Leadership Foundation experiences... which affect me for life (and what I experience takes time to digest).

I've decided to write a few blog posts, each post with many insights for you to enjoy and to absorb.

Earlier this month, I went to Tetepare Island in the Solomon Islands to research a Leadership Development experience similar to others that Global Leadership Foundation offer. I was contributing my perspective in terms of strategic business, logistics and online. It was a rare opportunity to be part of a small group invited to explore a very remote island and its communities.

Global Leadership Foundation takes up to 8 people to remote, complex environments to see leadership in action, learn about locals' leadership style, contribute to conservation, learn about other ways of living in the world, and much more. The experiences have an interesting duality: basic and complex.

Tetepare is governed and operated by its 3,000 descendants - some of whom temporarily live there to assist with conservation and running the guest houses. It was originally inhabited by a community of headhunters, who eventually deserted the island - their descendants say it was owing to a combination of dysentery and too much gossip!

Tetepare is a larger island than I expected and it took the four of us a day to get there: a flight from Brisbane to Honiara then a smaller plane to Munda then a wonderful small boat ride (with Mary and Tumi from Tetepare) across the ocean - passing many islands, dolphins, bird life, people fishing in their canoes and basic communities.

Arriving at Tetepare Island (see a photo of the shore above), we were greeted by a warrior performance (hair-raising!), given garlands of local plants and flowers (beautiful) and toured through the small establishment, comprising 3 guest houses, a main 'mess hall' style area arranged with local ferns and tropical flowers for our visit and staff quarters.

In the next few blog posts, I'll take you through the following few days at Tetepare. In this time, I was honored to be a recipient of Tetepare descendants' generosity, humour and relaxed ways.

More to come on my Solomon Islands experience...

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

This was automatically posted as I am currently relaxing in India!

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My plans for the next month & where I'll be

2010-10-25T22:41:00.001+11:00

Thanks to http://www.journeysofthespirit.com.au/ (and my friend Nic Spadaccini who recommended them), I'm heading to India tomorrow to enjoy a month or relaxing, writing, massages, amazing food, swimming in the Arabian sea and spending time in a hammock.

I'm planning to not be online during this time and to be creating blog posts that I'll publish from 26th November.

I have posts that will be published while I'm offline. I hope you enjoy them and they inspire you in some shape or form...

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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Kuala lumpur today ;)

2010-10-25T16:14:00.001+11:00

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Sent from my iPhone

Samantha Bell

www.samanthabell.com.au.

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I saved at least 100 water bottles this year, maybe 100!

2010-10-20T23:34:00.001+11:00

A year ago I visited Turtle Camp in Far North Queensland, Australia and was shocked to see the plastics on the shores of Australia, in an area that is largely deserted. My shock created action and I presented at Trampoline on "Garbage 2.0", including the Global Garbage Patch. In this presentation, I and others took on not using plastic bottles. Since then I signed the Plastiki pledge to not use plastic bottles and now carry a BPA-free plastic bottle and fill up at water fountains. There's an irony that we're drinking tap water again as we did naturally 20 years ago. Are we tending to a more natural existance?

Amazingly and interestingly to me is that I have only been in the position where I needed to buy a throw-away plastic bottle of water 7 times in the past year.

That's 7 times more than I'd prefer and somewhere between 50-100 bottles that I didn't buy. How cool is that.

It's also interesting to see that while I live in a society fortunate to be at the stage of evolving from potentially harmful plastics, others aren't yet at this stage.

Ross Hill recently sent me these photos:

While I'm rarely using throw-away-plastic bottles, others are gaining from using them. Rather than being rigid about me and others not using plastic, I recognise the validity in the things we create and that there is a cycle occuring.

Gretha Oost is a Socialpreneur creating a new plastic bottle that looks good and is good for the environment. Sure, it's BPA-free and also it's still plastic. Her perspective is inspiring - that this plastic bottle is the best material we know about now and as we change to carrying a water bottle and using water fountains, then another material may be found and her company and others will update their products to better materials. Time is needed to evolve.

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

This was automatically posted as I am currently traveling back from the Solomon Islands without an internet connection!

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No Impact, Man

2010-10-19T03:06:00.001+11:00

In the theme of reuse, I'm reminded of the insightful documentary, No Impact Man, and Colin Beavan's tips on reducing your impact.

It is interesting to see how I can reduce my consumption. My perspective is to enjoy life as well as considering reuse.

My traveling means a larger carbon footprint. At the same time I'm in 'flow', enjoying life and my work is contributing to the world community. It's both.

I like this quote from a participant of the Global Leadership Foundation Turtle Camp:

"I came away deciding to lessen my 'footprint' on the planet and in doing so found a new way of leading in my organisation as well"

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

This was automatically posted as I am currently in the Solomon Islands without an internet connection!

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History's Insight to Plastics in our Waterways

2010-10-17T02:22:00.001+11:00

I hear of increasing amounts of plastics in our rivers and oceans and am concerned of the effect of this on sea life, bird life and on the global food chain. In the past, I've been sadened to hear of people throwing plastics into waterways, seeing the amount of plastic washed up on deserted beaches and wondered how this could be.

A few weeks ago I heard that in the past, throwing a food container into the river was fine because back then in many countries it was made of leaves or a compostable substance. As lives have changed to plastic containers, this habit of throwing things in the river has continued.

Living in Australia, it's amazing that throughout most of my life I haven't considered that what I use will be landfill in the future and also what that landfill looks like. Even getting to landfill - the transport, the people and transport energy expended.

I'm pleased to be getting more educated about the holistic view of my life and my impact in a wider context.

And how history gives context.

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

Photo acknowledgement: http://palojono.blogspot.com/

This blog post was automatically sent as I am currently in the Solomon Islands!

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A tool to see what is missing from my project / initiative

2010-10-16T08:30:00.001+11:00

This is a chart you can use to quickly gauge the state of your project / idea / organisation.

It is basic: if you don't have something in place (those mentioned along the top - e.g. compelling case for doing the initiative) then it leads to whatever is listed on the right side, corresponding to the red cross.

For example, if you're feeling a sense of frustration, consider there may not be enough capability of the people working on your initiative; so training of current people and other new people may be required.

I used this when I was working at Deloitte (and prior) in change management, often using it as the basis to develop survey questions to gauge large groups. It was originally developed by the University of NSW.

It may provide you insight you can use to change what's missing.

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

Thanks to Ross Hill for inspiring me to share this.

This was automatically posted as I am currently in the Solomon Islands without an internet connection!

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Leadership Development Camp at Tetepare Island

2010-10-15T02:22:00.001+11:00

Today I'm travelling to Tetepare Island with Global Leadership Foundation to investigate holding a Leadership Development camp there and to assist in saving critically endangered leatherback turtles.

Last year I attended a Global Leadership Foundation "Turtle Camp" in Far North Queensland. The week included: being amongst the local indigineous community and learning about their culture, night time 4WD trips to the beach to check on endangered turtles laying eggs, day time turtle nest checks and releasing baby turtles into the ocean (so amazing), learning about the global environmental concerns of many plastics being on the deserted shores of Far North Queensland (and intense realisation of how I and others contribute to it), and 'being' without technology and the relaxation that came from the beautiful calming sound of the sheoaks.

I love how Global Leadership Foundation teach people about their role as a global steward - that as individuals we have the responsibility and privilege to preserve the planet as part of the global community of people (more info here).

Tetepare is part of the Solomon Islands and looks so beautiful - as does the eco-retreat where we'll stay (as seen from the photo above).

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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Re Use Re Use Re Use

2010-10-14T02:12:00.002+11:00

I have been travelling of late and increasingly I notice the objects I use once and throw out (recycled or sent to landfill). Objects such as: napkins, plastic cutlery, plastic/cardboard containers from take-away, free earphone sets on flights, newspapers, magazines, packets on the food tray on the plane - salt and pepper etc.

My perspective on waste and sustainability has changed from recycling to reuse. Instead of using and recycling, what can I say "No" to that I don't really need anyway?

Simple logic: anything I use has had energy expended by being made. A set of earphones has had energy from people, machines, transport to get to me. If I don't use them, it's one less thing that needs to be produced in the future. Slowly, my cycle of consuming (more than I need to) reduces.

I'm thinking about the 16 planets we currently need to exist as a world population. My perspective and changed behaviour can ripple to others and ripple to others.

You could argue my actions are too small. Though it seems logical and clear to me that this works for me.

What can I use that can be reused? Can I carry cutlery (or chopsticks - thanks Dave Hood) so I can say "No" to cutlery offered with take away? I've carried a cloth bag for a while now and it has saved numerous bags being produced and used once by me. A water bottle saved 6 plastic cups for water on Thai airways flight.

I wonder if the airlines recycle the things left packaged on a tray, the jam, margarine, cutlery. I'd love to hear they do. [I'll tweet them to find out.]

I wonder how many times I can reuse the cutlery I carry and how many throw away forks and knives and spoons I can save.

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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How Life is Changing. And Film with it.

2010-10-12T06:30:00.001+11:00

Social Media in Film presentation

View more presentations from Samantha Bell.

Here's my latest presentation, developed for a UK client in the Film industry.

Enjoy.
Sam

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I add here what a blog post will be called

2010-10-08T08:18:00.001+11:00

And here is the main body of the blog post

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Creating Your Personal Social Media Plan

2010-10-07T04:04:00.002+11:00

Have fun creating your Social Media Plan - download this presentation (via slideshare), fill out and ...get to it!

</object><div style="padding:5px 0 12px">View more presentations from Samantha Bell.</div></div>

Enjoy!

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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How's this for a place to work?

2010-10-06T21:00:00.001+11:00

Bangkok airport.

Happy days

Sam

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Bangkok Traffic and clever bike riding! A video post

2010-10-05T01:42:00.001+11:00

Download now or watch on posterous

IMG_0337.MOV (11718 KB)

This post is especially for the UK Film Council!

Sam

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Bangkok views and sticky rice...

2010-10-03T19:10:00.001+11:00

Great to be here. Here's views of Bangkok from the hotel I'm staying at on Soi (Street) 20 plus my very loved and delicious mango and sticky rice...

Happy day to you!

Sam

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Inner wisdom shared

2010-09-18T06:54:00.001+10:00

You may have noticed my blogging has changed in the last few posts. I've had a realisation that in sharing more details of who I am, what I do, and what I think, I'm expressing my own greatness and creating an opportunity to inspire others.

Being a leader. I have a reducing amount of discomfort around sharing my words online. After some posts I have felt exposed. It's a remaining piece of my (possibly corporate and societal) conditioning and my current state of building my outer greatness and learning. It's important to me to share more of who I am, learn about myself in the process, allow myself to connect with others who are like minded. Choosing to be real. Love to you. Now it's your turn. Sam

With great thanks to all my amazing supporters. Feeling huge gratitude. Thank you. Read this great post that'll give you more insight http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/why-were-here/ [Ross Hill - thanks :)]

Sent from my iPhone from Mount Hotham where it's so beautiful this morning. Samantha Bell

www.samanthabell.com.au.

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Expansive Nullarbor

2010-09-17T01:31:00.001+10:00

It was amazing spending time in the Nullarbor recently - great people, sensational scenery, and time to myself to reflect and be.

I'd always wanted to see the Great Australian Bight, to see the bottom part of Australia that looks exactly like... a bite has been taken out of it!

I wondered, as you drive across the desert, do you just pull off the road and the cliffs drop away just on the side of the Nullarbor Highway? And what's it like to drive through desert along such a long stretch?

Researching before I left, I read that there's two reactions when you say you're going to the Nullarbor - "why would you want to do that?" and "I've always wanted to go there". This was true in my conversations beforehand - it was fascinating seeing people's perspective.

I also assumed all Australian desert was red soil and always HOT.

What I learnt is...

The desert in this southern part of Australia is a sandy colour tending to slight red tones - not that bright. And the desert isn't always hot - average temp was around 20 degrees Celsius.

You can see from the photos - lots of blue sky and great cloud formations. Big, expansive surrounds. The expansiveness and (often) lack of fences reminded me of the 'big sky' Mongolia steppe. The driving combined with the expansiveness afforded me great moments of calm and peace and reflection.

In Natural Adventure mode, some days we booked accommodation each morning others we found it as we went. On the first night after a long drive from Adelaide, a self-service motel appeared gratefully in the middle of nowhere.

The majestic cliffs aren't on the side of the highway - there's a few carparks close to the road at some spots and other spots we drove a few km's to get to the coast. How's this photo for a view... it's exactly what I wished to see and more:

A true highlight was the whales at the Great Australian Bight - approximately 15-20, including a white whale cub. I was entranced and overjoyed to see them. So beautiful.

It's an extraordinary trip. If you're one of the people who says "I've always wanted to go there" - book your flights. Get there. Look into the campervan relocation deals - some only $1 per day to move a campervan from one place to another within certain dates. We did the trip in a week - from Adelaide to Eucla return and it was about 2,500km's. You may choose to take longer and go at a slower pace.

More photos of this extraordinary place and our trip are here:

Happy days to you, enjoy!

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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What's possible? My Natural Adventure weeks

2010-09-15T20:02:00.001+10:00

Yesterday I blogged about my life as a "natural adventure" and today I'm inspired to add to it with a photographic and written representation of my last 5 weeks to provide further inspiration/insight to you.

9-15th August: Start the week in an enjoyable setting - a cafe on Albert Park Lake - with a client, friend and social entrepreneur, Gretha Oost (the creator of 321-water bottles) then another fascinating conversation with a potential business partner, Jeremy Baird of Plan Book Travel at Salon T.

Don the suit, catch the tram, into Melbourne CBD, to facilitate 2 days of Change Management training for Origin Energy, meet with a Melinda Jacobsen of Sports Dieticians Australia to prepare for a Saturday - facilitating a business planning day for their Board. Attend a health conference on the Sunday.

16th - 22nd August: Two cafe meetings at MART130 to eat cherry pie and other delicious food, brainstorm, discuss and prepare two Social Media & Global Trends Presentations for clients in collaboration with Edward Harran; further work to finesse the presentations (a late night included), deliver one presentation on the Wednesday night for Chisholm & Harper clients and one on the Friday morning. Drive up to the snow Friday afternoon with a sense of achievement from great client feedback, ski til Monday (mixed with a few hours work via WIFI), have a very exceptional skiing day with a great friend Gary on the Sunday.

23rd - 29th August: Ski Monday til lunch then drive to Melbourne - arriving in time for a special dinner with exceptional senior leaders (who I met in Far North Queensland when we were saving turtles last year). The rest of the week is a mix of client meetings (cafes!!), celebrating a client's (Damian Moloney of Franklyn Scholar) 50th Birthday at a great lunch spot in St Kilda then a few chores before collecting my sister and nephew from the airport on the Friday. Time with family. Sunday afternoon: drive to the snow. Emails and a few hours work here and there.

30th August - 5th September: Start the week teaching a dear friend, Rosalinda Batson, and her kids how to ski from Monday to Wednesday when I jump in the car to drive back to Melbourne to spend time with my sister and prepare for her best-friend's wedding in a swanky penthouse on the Friday. A few hours of work online at different moments checking in with clients, phone calls as required.

6th - 12th September: Pack and travel to the Nullarbor Desert to meditate, explore what's next for me in work and life, and be with two amazing friends who I work with - Jan Stewart and Edward Harran.

I'm allowing life to be easy and setting up my life to be at my optimum and optimal for me. It's possible :)

Happy natural adventuring,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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My 'Natural Adventure' Life

2010-09-14T22:12:00.001+10:00

Jan Stewart recently said to me, "Sam, your life is one, great, "natural adventure"!" The realisation from this simple comment has been awesome.

"Natural adventure" was coined by Ross Hill and is when you're doing things that you would love to do ("natural"), as and when you'd love to ("natural adventure").

Rolling with the flow of life and doing what you're naturally attracted to do.

Ahhhh... sounds good? Is it possible for you too...?

Over the past few years of running my own business, I've worked with great people and businesses who know my skills and experience and we do great work together. It's also not important where I work and how I do it. My work is results-orientated rather than time-orientated. It's about the job being completed well rather than how long or how I did it.

I wish for more people to be doing this - whether working as an employee or for themselves. Work hard. Have fun. I believe this allows people's greatness to be explored, expressed, let out. Innovation and great results come.

Start your Natural Adventure Life by being Determined, taking action and building Trust in you and your environment

Similar to Kim Wood (read her great blog post), I have had the drive to set my life up this way and have attracted clients, business partners/friends who support my way of life. Funnily / Strangely / Amazingly enough, the timing always works out. I always have work when I need it. Now I believe it's part of the natural way of living - that if we allow, we receive. Part of it is 'letting go' and trusting you're always supported.

Living this way, leads me to insights, connections, innovation, ideas, and a feeling of freedom which is important and an essential part of being me. Great ideas come on... a chairlift, in nature, meditating on a hill. True Innovation from being 'in flow'?

I've learnt how I can optimise myself and I'm still learning. I'm exploring how to structure my life, what to do in life, how to be - it's ongoing, it's not found in a moment then lived. Who I am is continually evolving.

Natural adventuring opens up your mind, life, heart, levels of excitement, peace, tranquility, happiness. I guess that's a part of how I get to work with great people!

Happy 'natural adventuring' days to you, get into it!

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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Exploring me. Exploring you.

2010-09-14T21:12:00.001+10:00

My role on this earth is enabling others to see for themselves how fabulous they are; to inspire them to both express, show, use their gift in life; to revel in life.

...For you to "become all that you can be".

Your life is the expression of what you have that is special: the reserves of amazing-ness inside that is there to tap, explore, find, utilise, harness - for the good of the individual, and if you like: for the human population and the planet.

I've been exploring this for me for a couple of decades and in earnest for the past 5 years. To me, my life is an adventure, having great spirit around the things I do, expressing my true nature and exploring me. [That's why, as I write, I'm researching gaining an Indian visa for a November trip...] Letting my life force flow and having fun with others. And I see that in expressing what I'm truly great at, it inspires others to be great too. In allowing the life flow to take me, everything works out perfectly and beautifully. It's still a surprise.

The world is easier if we are doing what we love. I know many criticise this premise, so I am writing to inspire others and using my story as an example to show that it's possible.

I also don't give false illusions - yes, this has been a difficult road for me at times and it's not always perfect... yet it is incredible to me to be able to have the life I do.

Roll back in time with me now...

This photo is of me at the end of 2005.

Shortly after this time, I started to feel a growing feeling of 'this is not-quite-right' in my consulting role at a large organisation. Through the counsel of a dear friend and inner wrestling with conflicting rational and emotional impulses, I decided to resign. Two groups of my colleagues formed: those who were curious and expressing similar dissatisfaction/confusion/un-ease with their job/life and those who were really surprised/confused especially when I replied that I didn't have any plans and didn't know where I was going next.

What I didn't know at this time was that the next fours years would afford me time to investigate what I loved to do in life, leaving behind the societal expectations / pressures of what I should do, should like, who I should be, what I should wear and buy. I'd spent enough time fitting in: gaining a degree, having successful jobs, winning awards and wearing a suit - now it was time to explore. Life provided me enough work to come in at times when I required more cash flow and time to explore.

I discovered my love of: yoga; driving out of town to eat at great places (Kilcunda is a highlight); spontaneous adventures and travel; having an unstructured week/month/year where I can explore a lot; de-cluttering my life (having less stuff to have more clarity of mind), earning a good living and lower expenses so I can explore more and 'work' less; my fascination with macro world trends, social media - and how it can enable expression/insight/passions/goals/connections, data, anything2.0, seeing people interact at markets in different places, living/skiing/working in Canada for a month a year; what sort of work I really enjoy and the people I really love to spend time with at work and in life - many overlapping. I also learnt to enjoy spending time with myself - seeking to have my own time.

And that I can easily fill moments with things to do rather than doing what I'd love to.

I went through many peaks and troughs and through feeling strange/unusual/different to "the norm".

Through all that, I have reached a wonderful life.

I'm now learning more about inner peace while on a trip to the Nullarbor Desert through self reflection, meditation and spending time alone. I'm realising that I have inner peace on so many occasions and in so many moments now. I wish this for you.

More thoughts and ideas are a-coming. Check back here when you can, when you're inspired or seeking inspiration...

Happy days to you :)

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

The quotation at the start of this blog post is from the Integral Life Practice Book, by Ken Wilber, Terry Patten, Adam Leonard and Marco Morelli.

This photo was taken somewhere enroute to the Nullarbor from Adelaide:

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Exploring me. Exploring you.

2010-09-10T23:11:00.003+10:00

My role on this earth is enabling others to see for themselves how fabulous they are; to inspire them to both express, show, use their gift in life; to revel in life.

...For you to "become all that you can be".

The world is easier if we are doing what we love. I know many criticise this premise, so I am writing to inspire others and using my story as an example to show that it's possible.

I also don't give false illusions - yes, this has been a difficult road for me at times and it's not always perfect... yet it is incredible to me to be able to have the life I do.

Roll back in time with me now...

This photo is of me at the end of 2005.

And that I can easily fill moments with things to do rather than doing what I'd love to.

I went through many peaks and troughs and through feeling strange/unusual/different to "the norm".

Through all that, I have reached a wonderful life.

More thoughts and ideas are a-coming. Check back here when you can, when you're inspired or seeking inspiration...

Happy days to you :)

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

The quotation at the start of this blog post is from the Integral Life Practice Book, by Ken Wilber, Terry Patten, Adam Leonard and Marco Morelli.

This photo was taken somewhere enroute to the Nullarbor from Adelaide:

Posted via email from samantha bell's posterous

Exploring me. Exploring you.

2010-09-10T23:11:00.001+10:00

My role on this earth is enabling others to see for themselves how fabulous they are; to inspire them to both express, show, use their gift in life; to revel in life.

...For you to "become all that you can be".

The world is easier if we are doing what we love. I know many criticise this premise, so I am writing to inspire others and using my story as an example to show that it's possible.

I also don't give false illusions - yes, this has been a difficult road for me at times and it's not always perfect... yet it is incredible to me to be able to have the life I do.

Roll back in time with me now...

This photo is of me at the end of 2005.

And that I can easily fill moments with things to do rather than doing what I'd love to.

I went through many peaks and troughs and through feeling strange/unusual/different to "the norm".

Through all that, I have reached a wonderful life.

More thoughts and ideas are a-coming. Check back here when you can, when you're inspired or seeking inspiration...

Happy days to you :)

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

The quotation at the start of this blog post is from the Integral Life Practice Book, by Ken Wilber, Terry Patten, Adam Leonard and Marco Morelli.

This photo was taken somewhere enroute to the Nullarbor from Adelaide:

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Twitter gains in Business - sneak peak at tonight's presentation:

2010-08-18T16:23:00.001+10:00

Hi there,

Here's a sneak peak at a presentation I've prepared for tonight on Twitter and it's gains to business. Enjoy - let me know your thoughts!

Gains from Twitter in Business

View more presentations from Samantha Bell.

Happy days to you,
Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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An eye-opener: energy consumption in your life

2010-08-09T20:33:00.001+10:00

Thanks to Trev Allen for putting me onto this. It's a video by the BBC showing a family's usual power requirements and the number of human bicycle riders required to deliver it.

Very insightful.

Happy days to you,
Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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My photos from another great weekend

2010-08-02T08:31:00.001+10:00

From Melbourne to Marengo to Lorne (via the Great Ocean Road) to Melbourne. Peaceful time & great time w friends. :)

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Happy days to you
Sam
www.samanthabell.com.au.

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A sneak peak at my presentation for tonight on Social Media in the Consulting Profession

2010-07-29T15:57:00.002+10:00

Here's the presentation I'm delivering later today to an audit / advisory / consulting firm. The focus is to provide high level insight on how online is influencing the industry and basic next steps for risk mitigation and market positioning.

The Changing Consulting Profession

View more presentations from Samantha Bell.

Happy days to you,
Sam
www.samanthabell.com.au

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@RichardBranson: Beware of the 'they' (thanks @JanStewart)

2010-07-27T17:15:00.001+10:00

Great writing by Richard Branson on breeding great culture in organisations and what works to create great environments for people.

Enjoy! It's one of the best things I've read in a long while.

https://www247.americanexpress.com/MoblOpenWeb/articles.do?TargetID=they-have-a-lot-to-answer-for-richard-branson&showOnOne=true

Thanks Jan Stewart for the link via Twitter.

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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Busy creating right now

2010-07-27T17:00:00.001+10:00

I'm busily creating right now.
In flow.
Loving life.
Life is easy.
Allow the flow...

Happy days to you,
Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au
this photo is from the boston globe's big picture. isn't it great.

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Plastiki sails into Sydney Harbour

2010-07-26T18:25:00.001+10:00

Much joy today to see that Plastiki has arrived in Sydney from San Francisco! Please get on their site to make a pledge to no longer use plastic - water bottles, bags etc - and send onto others so they can hit their target! Find out more about Plastiki and the team here: http://www.theplastiki.com

And related videos:

Arriving in Sydney -

1. Photos:

2. Video:

And earlier - prior to leaving San Francisco -

Here's the blurb from one of the news websites:

"The catamaran made of 12-and-a-half thousand plastic bottles will end an epic four month voyage from San Francisco to raise awareness about plastic waste in oceans. David De Rothschild heir to the Rothschild family banking fortune skippered the Plastiki and has attracted worldwide attention since he set sail on March 21. The catamaran made of 12,500 plastic bottles will be ending its remarkable 18,520km journey across the Pacific Ocean.

Its six-member crew, skippered by David de Rothschild, a descendent of the famous British banking family, were greeted by US Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich and deputy Sydney mayor Phillip Black.
“We've made it! After 4 months at sea and over 8,000 nautical miles we've reached Sydney's Darling Harbour! Whoooooo!!” The Plastiki crew announced on their Twitter account.

The crew finally step back on to dry land after four months at sea at the city's maritime museum, Darling Harbour, where the Plastiki will go on temporary display. Speaking in a webcast from the Plastiki on July 24, Mr de Rothschild said he was surprised at the lack of awareness about the amount of rubbish being dumped in the sea. "It was a needless problem," he added.

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

Edward Harran - it even includes an infographic - see the bottom of http://www.theplastiki.com/ to see # webpages viewed etc. #socialmedia #insights

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A view of leadership... Julian Assange - Founder of Wikileaks interviewed by TED.com

2010-07-20T06:55:00.002+10:00

Rapt to see Julian Assange recognised by TED.com after him being on the run and leaking documents - seeking to share information and true insights of crime + politics through the world.
Leadership on display in this video. Enjoy...
Happy days to you,
Sam
www.samanthabell.com.au

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Food Inc.

2010-07-19T18:59:00.001+10:00

Last week I saw the movie Food Inc. A revelation to me about our global food production and supply. Above is my tweets to give you further insight. I highly encourage you to check out www.takepart.com/foodinc to learn more about the movie and also to see what actions - some small, some big - that you can take.

Happy days to you,
Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au

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A new look samanthabell.com.au

2010-07-18T01:01:00.001+10:00

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au.

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Awesome mending

2010-07-17T23:35:00.001+10:00

Repairing with lego. Awesome. Fun :)

Happy days to you,
Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au.

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Going deep -> peace

2010-07-17T22:41:00.001+10:00

I am seeing it everywhere now.

As I go deeper into who I am, I see others going through their own metamorphous in life and I see it in movies too. In books.

For me it was a process from selfishness / me-orientation

to fitting societal structures..

to then seeing the benefits of working collaboratively with others for the world...

to self-focus to strengthen me as an individual and supporting others doing the same. Turning up the volume of my voice, what I stand for, discovering the life I choose to explore, to live.

Going deep into myself to tap the flow of life where life is easier, less effort. I am more me than I was.

I uncover new depths of truth, speak/express it, and I gain peace. What was truth two years ago is a deeper level today.

I discover a deeper intimacy with those around me, my relationships. In this state, I 'win', you do, we do as a global human community, and the planet. We go deep into ourselves, uncovering more and support each other in unearthing our individual uniqueness and soul expression.

I wish this peace for you.

This post comes with huge kudos to those who have assisted me in the last week through this 'quickening learning': Jan Stewart, Ross Hill, Edward Harran, Dave Hood, Joanne Spain. I love you.

Happy days to you,

Sam

www.samanthabell.com.au.

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Wonderful videos of Sir Ken Robinson at TED

2010-07-03T16:47:00.003+10:00

These videos of Sir Ken Robinson are engaging, interesting and insightful about better utilising our 'human resources', education revolution required and people's great talent.
Enjoy!
Sam

Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?

"...Very many people go through their whole lives having no real sense of what their talents may be or if they have any to speak of..."

Most recent (2010):

Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution!

Inner Greatness

2010-07-02T23:21:00.003+10:00

Let someone do what they wish to

Be who they wish to be

Take actions that empower and suit them

I know what is best for me

You know what is best for you

Be around others expecting them to be great in the direction that 'great' is for them

Let go of your opinion of who they should be / what they should do

Believe in their highest potential being achieved - that is, believe that they will always be creating themselves and doing what is aligned to their highest possibility of themselves

My experience: they'll surprise you and they often become who you see they could be.... without you having to say or do anything.

This is the irony of our human experience. We can push for something to happen when actually, letting go is wayyyy easier.

Happy times to you

Sam

Social Media Club Melbourne notes

2010-06-08T19:30:00.002+10:00

Here's me sharing my rough notes on tonight's event...
Via @problogger:
Researching your blog - write a document including:
Example name of example reader of your blog
Add a picture (to make the example real)
Outline issues they have
What I can answer through my blog
Where are they hanging out (eg flickr poor photos)? Then build
presence there - eg this helped Darren work out that he needed to
build a presence on flickr as people were posting poor quality photos
there - people he could provide support to in getting better at
photography.
Write stuff people want to pass on. Work out what's being passed on &
what could be passed on.
Business blog - alongside your business, showing what u do,
Blogging can be navalgazing so, if you've got readership, this = army.
Get them doing something. Turn it back out - use what u create in your
blog for others (crafts for budhfire victims), campaigns/project.
USA is past the negative view (that blogs aren't trusted sources) &
are referred to.
Blogworld expo - event Darren goes to each year. 40,000 bloggers.
Never tweets personal stuff via business blog or Twitter (I.e.
digitalphotographyschool)
vlogs (video blogs) can be powerful as diff people learn different
ways. Include a transcript for those who don't watch videos.
Jasmine Star - great business blog.
Daydream lily - great Melbourne blog
What u wish you'd known?
Offer email newsletter - pop up on site, once for new visitors
offering to subscribe. Not just rss. Highest traffic to website on the
newsletter day.

Twitter stream for this event: www.twitter.com/SMCMelb
Sent from my iPhone
Samantha Bell
e contactsam@samanthabell.com.au. W www.samanthabell.com.au.

Awesome initiative: Peace through Music: Playing for change

2010-05-27T18:11:00.001+10:00

Enjoy!

Why bother with Twitter?

2010-05-24T21:59:00.001+10:00

I've been inspired to create this presentation to give insight to why anyone would bother with using Twitter. It's written with a business / organisation audience in mind. Let me know what you think, leave a comment!
Sam

The Twitter World

View more presentations from Samantha Bell.

How as an expanding Global Community are we using and enhancing the Internet for our betterment?

2010-05-10T07:22:00.000+10:00

On Friday I presented to the Gippsland Community Leadership Program and was delighted to meet a large group of very impressive leaders. A great time and lots of learning.

here's the slide deck I presented... (contact me / leave a comment if you'd like more info):

Our Expanding Global Network

View more presentations from Samantha Bell.

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samanthabell/sets/72157623889260793/

And here's a very special treat for your enjoyment. The amazing Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir - 'Lux Aurumque' - it gave me goosebumps all over. (with huge thanks to co-presenter Mark Kent of http://www.wpsvideo.com.au/)

Thanks

The Aussies Tour of GoogleCampus

2010-05-04T14:43:00.002+10:00

Yesterday was a very memorable day for me and the Aussie crew that traveled across to the Wisdom 2.0 Conference in Silicon Valley.

We had an awesome time at the 'unconference' day at Google and then had a tour of Google headquarters - joy! As we couldn't take photos, I thought I'd make a few notes as we walked the Google halls and revelled in what it would be like to work there.

Here's what we saw and heard about...

One of Virgin's space ships suspended from the ceiling

a great collage of Google employees in the reception area with "Google" overlayed

a beautiful display of google searches coming off the revolving earth as bubbles in different locations and in different colors for each language
over 20 cafe's on the campus
organic food provided to employees free

all drinks are non-corn-syrup as much as possible - sweetened with agave

a focus on outcomes rather than hours worked
fun displays on all the walls - photos, whiteboards, notices
Google takes on the ethos of the Burning Man festival - self sustainable, no money is exchanged (gift economy, love, food, share)...
Lots of great photos of this festival
A dinosaur with plastic flamingos in its mouth (true depiction of history)

A note on one of the many whiteboards that have fun graffiti - favorite quote:

small actions x lots of people = big change + extra people

Overall the theme of the tour and the environment reflects building a great company, enjoyable workplace and great world. I'm rapt that Google gain great talented people, loads of people want to work there and that they are influencing the world. Awesome.

The lovely Natalie Villalobos took us on the tour... (thanks again Natalie and Gopi - so great to meet you and thanks for the delectable blue corn chips. Yummmmmmm.)

Love to you all
Sam

Wisdom 2.0 Conference: Google Unconference Day: Social Change and Social Media

2010-05-03T06:58:00.002+10:00

Just now, I was sitting in a session led by Ari Pliskin and MeiMei Fox in regards to Social Change, Social Action and using Twitter and new media. Here's my notes / key points:

Christine Egger from Social Actions
Visit http://socialactions.com/actionpacks
see causes on this site
you can see what's being tweeted on causes you're interested in
you can download a widget with the tweets for a particular hashtag

When tweeting, each tweet should be so full of info, including:
the what
what you want them to do
where you want them to go (website link)
how quickly you want them to do it
"Pls RT"
#takeaction hashtag - at the end
leave space in 140 characters for the retweet - i.e. 120 or 128 characters or less.

David Hood: "Support people in making change / taking action. Don't expect guilt or emotional connection will force them / be enough to get them to act."

Give space and time - don't bombard.

Wisdom 2.0 Conference: Lessons in Social Media from Whole Foods

2010-05-02T07:46:00.003+10:00

Great to see Whole Food's insight from Bill Tolany. Here's my notes - very action-orientated/tactical:

WF's Twitter accounts - differentiating communities across Whole Foods' offerings:
Wholerecipes - auto tweeet each time we blog new recipe
Wfmcheese - lead by a wf's lady who knows loads about cheese
Wfmwineguys
(and there's many more)

Repetitive tweets lead to website or blogpost + having bit.ly link on side of Twitter.com recommending how people can find that info (saves replying repitutuve info) eg apply job, suggest store location (see the picture/photo above).

Getting related companies to do blog posts eg toms shoes

Bring enjoyment to people.
*Gave 1milionth Twitter user 1 mil pound of quinoa!!!
* Competition :What would you do with a case of peanut butter" = 1200 responses on blog.
* WF action figures - "ecosuave" ken doll with a talking bubble "hey baby are you going to recycle that?"

Session background
2:15 - 2:25 - Lessons in Social Media from Whole Foods

Presentation by Bill Tolany, Head of Integrated Media at Whole Foods

Wisdom 2 Conference: Managing the Stream: Living Consciously and Effectively in a Connected World

2010-05-01T07:53:00.001+10:00

Here's the first of my blog posts from the wisdom 2.0 conference. Largely my notes, in brief. Favourite thoughts, words and comments that struck a chord with me. Enjoy, leave a comment as you wish.

"Constantly connected" world
- Soren Gordhamer

How may I be effective each day on a macro sense. Retraining your mind to lose the 'lottery' style excitement you get from receiving new emails... retrain to what do I wish to achieve today, on a macro sense. Not always replying to emails; learning to be selfish - not replying to emails / doing stuff for others.
- Chris Sacca

The creators of Twitter and social networking sites create flow for us.
- Roshi Joan Halifax

Instead of organising meetings to meet with potential people I invest in, I can connect with them through social media and the web to gain info / background of them and then when we meet, we come together with a mutual interest / mutual investment rather than a meeting to meet.
- Chris

Tweets = flow through; email = static
- Chris

Two ends to one stick. Nothing replaces warm hand to warm hand; face to face contact.
- Roshi Joan Halifax

** I frequently use Google mid-conversation (to answer question / query) which adds to / enhances the conversation.
- Chris

Concern for the 'shut ins' - young people in Japan who are largely working on their computers in their home without social interaction. Possibly we have the same number here [in the USA] without us having identified yet.
- Roshi Joan Halifax

Session background:
1:30 - 3:00 - Managing the Stream: Living Consciously and Effectively in a Connected World

Panelists:
Bradley Horowitz (Vice President of Products, Google)
Chris Sacca (Strategic Advisor, Twitter; former Google Head of Special Initiatives)
Roshi Joan Halifax (Upaya Zen Center)
Greg Pass (Vice President of Engineering, Twitter)

Wisdom 2 Conference begins...

2010-05-01T02:04:00.001+10:00

1pm Thursday 29th:
On the BART (San Francisco subway / train) into the city to meet @suzieis @edwardharran @davidahood at Blue Bottle Cafe
Snowpatrol "Open Your Eyes" chosen on iTunes
Headphones in
Tunes start.......Awesome track to commence this journey!
My mind is full of Minmia's indigineous spiritual teaching: ego, greed, healing the world, humanity, leaving a world for us in 100 years that is free from pollutants and what toxins....
*excitement for what is coming*
blue skies
whizzing train
Peaking sounds from Snowpatrol.... "tell me that you'll open your eyes...."
!!!
goosebumps and happiness
Bring it on.
Feeling peace
Spotted white caps and waves in San Francisco Bay
Passing 'Daly City' station
Keeping my eyes open for what's coming...
xoxo
S

Water bottles: Brita: Changing the way we see water

2010-04-20T09:15:00.001+10:00

Drink tap water! Here's Brita's view on how much plastic we consume to drink from plastic bottles... very insightful and real. Enjoy and if you're compelled to, leave a comment - I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Oh and check out 321 water by clicking: http://www.321-water.com/thirst.html

They are an initiative that I highly endorse, with a vision for clean, drinking water for everyone in the world.

Let's preserve the beauty we have.

Happy days to you
Sam
contactsam@samanthabell.com.au

Come back again soon! See more of what I do and think via: www.samanthabell.com.au

Change in Business, Social Media, Web2.0 and the Consulting Profession

2010-04-19T13:42:00.000+10:00

It was wonderful to present to an Australian consulting group recently on Web2.0, Social Media and Online Strategy. It's a broad topic as online is now 'touching' most areas of business and the philosophical conversations that come from how we use the Internet, people's tendencies and what's right and wrong in a business vs social context. Great group. Enjoyable time.

Here's the presentation - join in the conversation - add a comment!

How the Internet and Social Media is changing the Consulting Profession

View more presentations from Samantha Bell.

Happy days to you
Sam
contactsam@samanthabell.com.au

Come back again soon! See more of what I do and think via: www.samanthabell.com.au

AIMIA Victoria Conference #v21 session "Reaching Your Audience in 2010", New Generation Business Models

2010-04-15T12:49:00.001+10:00

Shifting media consumption - to consumption of various media at the same time - 45% of internet users consume more than 2 media channels at a time - TV and Internet at the top. Web site visits during Ten's Masterchef tripled during the show - show's the multi-tasking of media consumption.

How to get content across all the channels that are relevant to customers. Focus on customers and adapt the technology.

Awesome video shown from OneLove about their work and social media. Key tips: Post-event publicity important, user-generated content is key - elicit responses via providing value. Key point - users like to have FUN.

Got to give initiatives at least 3 months to see results. Behaviour change / involvement takes time.

"Social Media" is such a terrible term. It's more like "media".

From the tweet stream:
"TV is a gateway drug to the hardcore searching online"
"Phone brands used by 18-29 year olds - iPhone market share just over 10% compared to Nokia with approx 45% & Sony 15%"

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I hope you enjoyed these notes - let me know what came up for you in reading - leave a comment!

Happy days to you
Sam
contactsam@samanthabell.com.au

Come back again soon! See more of what I do and think via: www.samanthabell.com.au

Program information: http://www.v21.com.au/program/ or tweet stream (today or for the next week) at: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23v21

Session information: 11.50am – 1.05pm: "Reaching Your Audience in 2010"

Looking at three demographics (under 24, 25-44, 45+) we define the proven methods to communicate to these rapidly changing audiences. Panel speakers from multiple industries explore the results of major campaigns to provide insight into the engagement, awareness and returns they’ve generated using specific online and traditional tools. Does social media actually generate revenue? Is TV more effective than ever? Are engaged audiences worth the hassle?
Moderator:
Ben Shepherd - Commercial Director, Sound Alliance
Speakers:
John Curtin - Brand Manager, Onelove Music Group
Stephen Leeds - General Sales Manager Victoria, Network Ten
Ash Hunter - CEO, Hunter 5

AIMIA Victoria Conference #v21 session "New Retail Role Models for the Online Consumer", New Generation Business Models

2010-04-15T11:25:00.001+10:00

From the Moderator: Robert Wong - CEO, Catalogue Central/Stylehunter
14 mil people in Australia online - more time online than watching TV - 57% of Australians research online before buying (not for every product). 3-4% of retail sales are online in Australia
That would fill the Melbourne Football Ground (MCG) 140 times!

From Kate Elton - Online and Event Manager, Sportsgirl & Peter Nobel - CEO, Citrus

Constantly looking for ways to engage our 'girls' / community who uses the site.

We're handing over part of what our website looks like to our community - asking our girls to create their own backdrop. Winners backdrop will be on our email, on our site for a week - giving them a sense of ownership on our space.

Don't make your customer work too hard for what they're after - reading, blogging content, shopping

Shortly launching mobile platform

As a retailer, you need a digital media plan and also be flexible with it.

Stephen Smorgon - Head of Digital, Perfumania
Website was built over 10 years ago on a shoestring budget approx $10k. We use hotshed back end (which dstore uses too). New website coming shortly.
Online sales have been reducing over time.
Very competitive perfume industry.

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In this session I wondered about the "Social Good" element? The focus was on consuming, getting people to online sites and the success of this with respect to sales.What about where the products come from, get recycled, how we're informing people about their impact on our planet? I'd love to see Sportsgirl and other retailers bring a lot more of the sustainability / social good work into their social media work.

Subsequent note - an hour or so later: I had a great chat with Kate Elton of Sportsgirl and heard of great initiatives they are conducting at Sportsgirl. She helped me to be reminded that it's about starting - that recycling at the office, recycling clothing events, promoting fair trade products at Xmas and other initiatives are a start. More to come. I love the idea of growing great initiatives - using the success of initiatives to drive awareness and to lead to inidivuals in organsisations looking for ways to embed sustainability into their (great) business models sustainability.

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I hope you enjoyed these notes - let me know what came up for you in reading - leave a comment!

Happy days to you
Sam
contactsam@samanthabell.com.au

Come back again soon! See more of what I do and think via: www.samanthabell.com.au

Program information: http://www.v21.com.au/program/ or tweet stream (today or for the next week) at: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23v21

Session information:

10.10am - 11.25am: "New Retail Role Models for the Online Consumer"

There is now a mass of over 14,000 million people online in Australia every month. Many spend more time online than watching TV. As a result there is a new type of Australian shopper evolving where online searching, browsing, buying, commenting , reviewing and socialising with brands and products forms a significant part of the consumer’s buying process. Progressive retailers in Australia are finding economic models to engage with consumers online across the whole buying cycle. In this session we explore some of the success stories with three Australian retailers who are regearing their businesses towards online and becoming online retail role models.
Moderator:
Robert Wong - CEO, Catalogue Central/Stylehunter
Speakers:
Kate Elton - Online and Event Manager, Sportsgirl
Peter Nobel - CEO, Citrus
Stephen Smorgon - Head of Digital, Perfumania

AIMIA Victoria Conference #v21 session "Show Me the Money", New Generation Business Models

2010-04-15T10:14:00.002+10:00

Here's the first of a few posts including my notes and some from the Twitter stream (thanks to all who contributed tweets) from today's AIMIA Victoria Conference "Meet the New Generation Digital Business Models".

This first session was entitled "Show Me the Money"

Martin Hosking - Red Bubble
We wanted to establish an ecommerce company that would grow as a social network (the combination of these two variables at present a conundrum in internet business models).

Is it making money? Yes it is making money - because we don't have to spend anything on marketing.

10 years ago red bubble couldn't have worked because of the cost of data heavily reduced.
More people view art at redbubble (2mil/mth) than all Oz art galleries combined

Launching a global company from Australia - it's not as easy as expected. There's no Australian companies in the top 500 Internet companies which is an indictment on our nation.

Tips: Need to provide compelling reason for people to be at your site. Our customers are coming back from the community, to sell their artwork online...
When I review many business plans, I consider who is the customer and as the customer, am I really gaining? Is there really a compelling need for me? Is there the needs, desires, and enough money for to pursue the opportunity?
Helps if your 1st customer is yourself: at least you have some insight into wants/needs

In Australia we can't fund Twitter or Facebooks - they need to have good, underlying business models. The Australian VC or Business Angel community don't support these - for good reason. Hence you need to consider not only customer needs but the economies underlying it - think of both areas - how are you going to fund it?

I think of Social Media as marketing. It's about how you make it relevant around certain things - e.g. Woolworths - how do you make people interested in who's buying what at Woolies? Unsure about that... It's about making it relevant.
Tips: e.g. On RedBubble someone loaded artwork of a flower which went to facebook stream and led to people discussing what flower it was, how to grow it = learning/information/value to people.
Empower the market to do things for you - that's what redbubble is about

Don't spend too much on marketing before you've worked out a bit more about your customers and explored social media.

Leni Mayo - 99Designs
Yes! We're making money.
We realised that designers were competing against each other and many smart internet people were seeking designers to create logos and designs. We saw this as an opportunity.
You register what you're after and how much you wish to pay on sitepoint.com
cash flow positive and profitable - $250k with 2 staff - today: 1 mill in revenue and 22 staff
The more designers that interact with the site the more attractive the site is to designers, buyers. We are the platform - so when we do things, we do good things for each of our customer groups.
Arbitrage opportunity in the past owing to cost base being largely Australian dollars vs US$ (not now owing to the US$). Now we have more people in the US = 5 people (was 1 person a year ago)

Australian businesses not as good 'marketers' as we should be.

Q&A: Did you have unsuccessful business models at sitepoint?
Main revenue 10 years was advertising then it wasn't there any more! We tried a lot of different things quickly. We noticed traffic for particular article so we asked that person to quick writing articles - loads of traffic - then had him write a book - so we became a publisher. So we got into eBooks which

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I hope you enjoyed these notes - let me know what came up for you in reading - leave a comment!

Happy days to you
Sam
contactsam@samanthabell.com.au

Come back again soon! See more of what I do and think via: www.samanthabell.com.au

Program information: http://www.v21.com.au/program/ or tweet stream (today or for the next week) at: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23v21

Session information:
9.10 - 10.10am: Opening Interview "Show Me The Money"

To set the scene for the day, two serial entrepreneurs with successful online businesses put themselves under the spotlight as ABC Radio Australia's Ryan Egan gets straight to the point: are you making money? What can you teach others about doing business online? Martin Hosking is founder of multi awarding winning online art community, RedBubble which, at 1.7 million unique visitors a month - 37 million page views, 400,000 items sold, 3 million images - is among the largest new model business models to have come out of Australia. Leni Mayo is an internet pioneer and co-investor in the fastest growing online marketplace for crowd sourced graphic design, 99designs.

Moderator:

Ryan Egan - Presenter/Producer, ABC Radio Australia

Speakers:

Martin Hosking - Co-Founder, RedBubble

Leni Mayo - Director, Sitepoint and 99designs

The Greatness Within Us All

2010-03-30T14:26:00.001+11:00

Hi!

I've been quiet on the blogging front since sxsw for a few reasons - a couple being I'm considering how to focus my blog(s) for the future - so it's easy for you to see more of the information you're interested in and also because I've been traveling. I'm based in Melbourne for a month now which is lovely to be set up.

I was writing an email today and am now compelled to share it...

It's about the 'greatness within us all' and also the shift in current (consulting) business models.

Interested to hear how you'd add to it! Here it is:

Finding the passionate people and connecting them to others who can bring about their visions is part of being a great company
they're often a minority in business

there's innovation possibilities in everyone
so many texts concur
plus there's great work to be done by many who are currently controlled, constrained, etc by current business models

bringing out every person's uniqueness and special qualities is a possibility to every (business) environment

new business models will come
Consulting firms current models aren't sustainable
Many don't wish to be partner - the hours, what's required etc

what's the answer?

a 'key thread' for me is leadership
perhaps servant leadership (without losing oneself)
i.e. trust, entrust, inspire, encourage, support, allow those who you work with

let the business model be a combination of 'self organising' principles and current world
as the two blend (as our input to and involvement in the web strongly influences our lives)...

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Drop me a comment - let me know what you think - agree / disagree / additions / what's missing / what works for you? Thanks in advance - I appreciate it.

Happy days to you
Sam
contactsam@samanthabell.com.au

Come back again soon! See more of what I do and think via: www.samanthabell.com.au