Naomi Simson’s advice for remaining ‘bulletproof’ in a constantly-changing business world

“There are those in life who watch what happens. Those who ask, ‘What happened?’ And then there are those who make things happen. You need to be the ones to make things happen.”

Entrepreneur, business commentator and influencer Naomi Simson had a room of more than 250 property industry professionals hooked when she spoke in Canberra on Tuesday morning.

Naomi presented at the National Gallery of Australia as the fourth speaker in the Zango presents series; an event series designed to bring the most phenomenal Australians to the capital to inspire, motivate and connect the ACT property industry.

Naomi, a former judge on Channel 10’s Shark Tank and the founder of travel experience platform RedBalloon, asked those at the breakfast event to think back to their very first customers.

“For those of you who started your own business, you'll never forget that moment,” she said.

“That moment someone believed in you and what you were doing.

“Sometimes we come to a point where we think, literally, I don't know how I'm going to keep going. I'm really tired. I need to do something different.

“But you start remembering your why — why do I do this? Why do I keep going? And the why always comes from how we contribute to humanity, to other people.

“Your purpose always comes from people. From your customers.”

Naomi spoke on the qualities that make exceptional leaders, including resilience, curiosity and “being human”. She said the only way for businesses to remain bulletproof in a world constantly being disrupted and reinvented by technology, was to pour everything into relationships.

“In a world of artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms, what can’t be replicated is true human connection,” she said.

On stage ahead of Naomi was special guest speaker Peter Gilchrist, a growth expert and adviser to real estate agents and property executives across the world.

Peter encouraged those in the room to sharpen their skills in digital marketing as a way to differentiate themselves. But he said the trick to truly experiencing growth and success was to approach business from a place of deep gratitude.

“When you win a listing, instead of going ‘Yes! Another $25,000 in the bag! Or Yes!

Another $40,000 this month’ start saying thank you,” he said.

“Another listing, thank you.

“Thank you to whoever you want to thank: the universe, your beautiful clients, your amazing client base. Thank you. Another listing. Move on to the next one. Take another listing.

“Don't worry about the money. Just be grateful. When you start working from a position of gratitude, you’ll be amazed what happens on the other side.

“You'll be amazed how people respond to you when you call them. Just having gratitude before you pick up the phone is an amazing thing to do.”

Zango General Manager Karen Ligdopoulos said she loved Peter’s advice to design an exceptional customer experience instead of “hosting a transaction”.

Karen said Naomi Simson’s advice to property professionals to think of their customers as a community really hit home for Zango.

“As the only local online platform, we have the power to create communities,” Karen said.

“And by hosting these events, it brings us, as the property community, together to connect.

“No other property portal brings industry together to collaborate like we do.”