It was great to introduce our two job-share receptionists to Robyn’s Getting a Grip on The Paper War text. It became a catalyst for us to improve our administration proce..."
Marie Collins,
Business Manager, The NZ Institute of Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery
Thank you for all the tips and words of advice you and your team have sent through.I have been constantly reading it and it does wonders to my line of work and also being a wife and mot..."
Anaseini Liku,
Communication & Media Coordinator, Ministry of Education, Cook Islands
I have just finished reading 'Getting a Grip on Time' and 'Getting a Grip on the Paper War'. Particularly your book on 'Time' got me back on track, and during the day I catc..."
Ingrid Geerlings,
Owner, www.houseofmilk.com
‘I’ve just been reading ‘Getting a grip on Leadership’. It is very good and has had an impact on me. I realised I’d lost my way a bit re who I am ..."
Heather Millar,
Manager, Professional Practice, Central North Island Kindergarten Association, New Zealand
I have personally known Robyn Pearce for around 16 years.
From time to time my firm has contracted Robyn on a project basis to work with our professional staff as well as partners in the fi..."
John Hackett,
Partner, A J Park, New Zealand
The kick-start that I needed was delivered by a velvet glove, but make no mistake the iron hand within the glove ensured that the message was received and understood. If you are going to spend some..."
Heather Jenks,
Associate University Librarian (Research and Learning Services), University of Canterbury
Having worked already very successfully with our NZ Team, Robyn's support of the Australian Team over a 12-month period was fundamental to helping us cope with increased day to day workload - espec..."
Julia Braun,
General Manager - Marketing, Beiersdorf Australia
I have used Robyn as an Executive Coach for key Senior Staff for a number of years now and couldn't recommend her more highly. I've found as people step up in the organisation they often struggle t..."
Merilyn Havler,
Then General Manager, Beiersdorf New Zealand
When we reviewed the progress made as a result of your concepts, a staggering number of them had become an integral part of our day to day business, collectively making a huge difference to our eff..."
Wayne & Lisa Hughes,
Occupational Therapy Helping Children, NSW, Australia
I'd like to highlight the benefits felt both by the staff members attending your sessions, and the motivational flow-on effects experienced throughout the Hotel.In the developmental sta..."
Human Resources Manager,
Wentworth Hotel (part of the Rydges chain)
Thank you for your interesting and indeed challenging speech. I could see all the people who've ..."
Australian Institute of Credit Managers,
Sydney Branch
On behalf of the team at Strategic Lifestyle Management and our client Lend Lease I would..."
SLM Conference and Incentive Manager,
for client Lend Lease
"Thank you for the practical and informative Time Management seminar you recently gave to our senior m..."
HR Manager,
ANA Hotel, Sydney
The response to the program was extremely positive, with an average rating of 4.4 out of ..."
Noel Cook,
GM, Outdoor Network, Australia
Your time management seminars are one of the best things we've ever done. Weeks l..."
Centrelink,
Dubbo, New South Wales
Now several months later and my productivity has increased between 30% and 50%. I'm seeing more and bette..."
Senior financial planner,
IPAC, Australia
A wonderful surprise to learn how much I had improved since the first programme with you nine months a..."
National Sales Manager,
Personal Insurance, GIO Australia
Feedback from the staff was very positive... all felt they had gained a great deal of control and di..."
MD,
C.Y. O'Connor College of TAFE, Northam, WA
A lot of great new ideas and some very good new tools that I shall start implementing immediately.
Group Services Trainer,
Adecco
"Many practical hints which helped me reorganise my office, to operate efficiently." ..."
Senior Partner,
Baldwins (Patent Attorneys)
I would like to take this opportunity to commend you on the flexibility of your approach, and..."
Human Resources Manager,
Professional Services Review, Canberra
You presented a most informative and challenging training session. Your ability to gain q..."
Human Resources Manager,
Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal of NSW
Once again you combine an enthusiastic presentation style with useful tips and techniques. Succinct and fun ..."
Manager - Training & Development,
Real Estate Institute of NSW
Your presentation was brilliant, and your thoughts on how to make time management beneficial to eve..."
Barbara McCarthy,
President, Chatswood Chamber of Commerce, Sydney
We could not have chosen better. Your contribution was just what we wanted and needed, and I was t..."
Raewyn James,
Tamaki Teachers' Conference
Robyn, you gave a fantastic speech, and I am still having positive feedback about your talk to this day..."
Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator,
Swiss Grand Hotel, Bondi, and co-ordinator of Eastern Suburbs Women's Breakfast
I know everyone who attended was fascinated by all your planning tips and I know many have put t..."
Solo Home Business Network,
Sydney
We were very impressed... everyone gained considerable insight to effective ..."
MD,
IT software company, Auckland
Following a number of very positive reference checks we invited Robyn Pe..."
Godfrey Pembroke National Conference,
Hobart, Tasmania
"Thank you! I'm sure you could tell from everyone's enthusiasm that they enjoyed your presenta..."
Programme Director,
Pioneer SWAP
Robyn gave much more than the professional information imparted in this kind of session...."
Principal Heritage Officer,
Heritage Council NSW
Thanks for your wonderful presentation. I've had a lot of positive feedback from our staff, and they c..."
GM's assistant,
Austereo, Australia
Your down-to-earth common sense certainly hit home to a lot of people, and the feedba..."
Lyn McDermott,
Ass. Director, Marketing and Communication, L.J. Hooker Ltd
Robyn, in light of this morning's session (and comments about short emails!) I could leave it the..."
Wilf Marley,
Principal, Marley Loft Systems (Accountants)
We've had great feedback since your last session with the NZ Institute of Charte..."
Denise Bovaird,
Past President, New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants
Since your time management course our managers have found that they ca..."
John Moore,
Then-HR Manager, International Cricket Council, Dubai
Robyn spoke to four of my Academy groups in the space of 11 days. I wa..."
Barrie Barrett,
Chairman, Academy for Chief Executives, United Kingdom
I just thought I'd spend a few minutes in the Proactive/Value-adding quadrant and let you know ho..."
Law Clerk,
Bell Gully, New Zealand
I would like to extend a huge thank you for making your valuable time av..."
David Greenslade,
Managing Director, Strategi, New Zealand
Since we worked with Robyn 5 months ago our team of 12 underwriters and support staf..."
Senior Underwriter,
QBE Insurance, New Zealand
Thanks very much for the Time Management programme you have conducted over the ..."
Gareth McCulloch,
National Sales Manager, Southern Hospitality Limited
Yes, the need always comes before the money to pay for it.
So prioritising comes first.
To prioritise we need to see the truth about where we’re at relative to where we need to be.
To see the truth we need to slow down.
Doing less to achieve more …
Take a look at this story.
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:
the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.
45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made…. How many other things are we missing?