Last chance to register for Professional Development Session

Don't miss BSB's first professional development session of the year, focusing on Corporate Based Mindfulness Training.

Presenter Kerry Azar will share a practical tool - one used by leading corporations including Google, Microsoft and McKinsey - with proven results to increase focus and efficiency, and reduce stress.

When | 12 - 1.15 pm, Wednesday 4 February 2015

Where | BSB Auditorium, 70 Merivale Street South Brisbane

Register | Click here for more information and to download the registration form

Congratulations to the Queensland Symphony Orchestra

The Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) has achieved history-making Box Office results for its 2014 Mainstage Series and special events.

QSO Chief Executive Officer Sophie Galaise announced the Orchestra’s 2014 Maestro concert series achieved ticket sales well in excess of $1 million, representing nearly 40% growth on the previous year.

QSO opens their highly anticipated 2015 Season on February 7 with the Queensland premiere of the blockbuster event Star Trek, Live in Concert.

Click here for more information on upcoming shows and to book tickets.

Australia Day Celebrations

The South Bank parklands will be hosting a wide range of activities over the Australia Day long weekend. The main attractions are as follows:

Great Australian Bites
Pop up food stalls provided by some of Brisbane's finest restaurants, music and entertainment.

• When: Friday 23 to Monday 26 January 2015
• Where: River Quay, South Bank Parklands, Brisbane

Fireworks Display
A spectacular display of fireworks will light up the Brisbane city skyline.

• When: Sunday 25 January (Australia Day eve)
• Where: Along Brisbane River, South Bank Parklands

Click here for more information on Australia Day festivities.

Australia Day Road Closures

Full road closures will be enforced at the South Bank Parklands for Russell Street, Sunday 25 January from 9.30 am to 8 pm and Monday 26 January from 9.30 am to 6 pm.

Little Stanley Street will be closed on Sunday 25 January from 6 am to 8 pm and Monday 26 January from 5am to 7pm.

This will not affect the car park at Southbank which will remain open for the entire Australia Day Celebrations with entry in via both Glenelg St and Tribune St.

Southpoint Night Works

A gantry will be installed to the Queensland Rail, Vulture Street ramp on Platform 1, South Brisbane. The dates and times that these works will take effect are as follows:

•         Wednesday 28 January 2015, night works from 7pm to 4am
•         Thursday 29 January 2015, night works from 7pm to 4am
•         Friday 30 January 2015, night works from 7pm to 4am

Noise levels will be kept to a minimum.

For further information, contact the Southpoint enquiry line on 0477 742 638 or email southpoint@watpac.com.au.

High Performance Minds

Kerry Azar, Owner of business

Tell us about your business/organisation?

High Performance Minds focuses on the constant shift and change needed to successfully adapt, align, operate and succeed in a time short, complex and fast-moving business environment. We do this through leadership coaching, workshops and consulting.

What is your role at your organisation?

I founded the organisation in 2007, and work as Executive Coach, consultant, facilitator. I enjoy partnering with clients to help them achieve success.

What are your key skills?

My extensive background (over many years!) means I have been exposed to a wide range of business environments and the need to achieve sustained peak performance to remain successful. This has given me the opportunity to understand both the complexities and opportunities that sit within organisations, as well as an appreciation of the possible drivers for moving forward. This experience has been garnered from walking the board rooms and back rooms of multinational companies and consulting firms in Australia, the US, Asia and Europe.  I’ve worked across industries as diverse as mining, IT, healthcare, the arts, transport, energy, banking, digital media, FMCGs, aerospace and defence.

How many people work at your business?

I collaborate with trusted colleagues when the circumstances require more input, otherwise I undertake the work myself.

What is your favourite place in the precinct? 

I love wandering through the exhibitions at GOMA and also the State Library. There’s always something interesting to see and I am so impressed that Brisbane attracts world-class, high calibre installations.

What do you want BSB members to know about you or your business?

I firmly believe that effective leadership is a competitive strategic advantage, both when moving forward career-wise, and from an organisational perspective.

I’ve worked with more than 300 CEOs and senior executives, emerging leaders and teams of public and private sector organisations, including ASX-listed and Global 500 companies, as well as NGOs and Not-For-Profits.

What has recently happened at your organisation?

Since 2008 I noticed my clients increasingly talking of huge workloads, tighter deadlines and the increased expectations placed upon them – all part of the ‘new normal’ work life that we now face on a daily basis. As a result I recently accredited in Corporate-Based Mindfulness Training (CBMT) with The Potential Project.   It’s a highly practical program with a great track record. In 2014 The Potential Project reached some 25,000 people in 20+ countries, working into companies such as Google, American Express, and NSW Health.

What have you learnt lately?

I am taking an online course at Duke University on “Making Space: How the Brain Knows Where Things Are”.  I am completely unsure if I will ever have a practical opportunity to use what I learn, but it is surely an interesting course!

What do you hope to achieve in your industry?

If I can bring an increased sense of corporate calm to the world, if I can continue to help my clients get clarity from their personal and organisational complexity, and if I can continue to work with them to grow their organisations sustainably, then I will be most pleased.

What inspires you?

I have the dream job, and my clients inspire me, every single day.

What are your words of wisdom?

I will dip into the wisdom of Brian Dyson, former Coca-Cola Executive -

Don’t use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved.

Life is not a race, but a journey to be savoured each step of the way.