Thanks to everyone who attended this year's conferences in Sydney and Melbourne and for sharing your own #1ThingAboutCulture. If we are going to Change The World One Organisation At A Time we can only do it together with our amazing community - so thanks for coming out and supporting us. Also, congratulations to this year's culture award winners.

Sam O'Brien
Area Manager NSW/ACT 
JB HIFI

The One Thing I Wish Everyone Knew About Culture: "You Have To Stay True To Your Purpose"

Trying to build a constructive and intrinsically motivating culture isn't easy. There were many moments of doubt… but Sam has a strong personal purpose and a belief in a better way to lead. Staying true to his purpose, he maintained the course and turned the corner on both culture and the results. Now he wants to help you do the same.

Sam is is a retail manager with over 15 years' experience across large organisations. As an Area Manager at JB Hifi, he is responsible for over 300 staff, and almost $180m in turnover per annum. Passionate about leadership development and creating a highly engaged workplace he has a keen focus on nurturing high performance, culture shift, and linking business goals with purpose.

Download a PDF of Sam's Presentation

Mary Lemonis
Vice President – Human Resources
Campbell’s Asia-Pacific

The one thing I wish everyone knew about culture: It’s Personal.

If we are going to get the best out of people, we have to be able to connect with what sparks their motivation. Messages need to cut through for individuals and we have to have the courage to ask questions we might not like the answer to.

Mary is responsible for leading the HR function across Campbell’s Asia Pacific businesses including Arnott’s Biscuits and Campbell’s, with turnover in excess of $1.25 BN and 5,800 employees located across five countries. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Arnott’s Foundation as well as a founding member and Board Director of the International Woman’s Forum Australia.

Download a PDF of Mary's Presentation

Robert A. Cooke Ph.D.
CEO and Director
Human Synergistics International

The one thing I wish everyone knew about culture: It's not the same thing as climate. 

"Culture" features in countless articles, books and consultant pitches - but often what people are actually talking about is climate and engagement. In this presentation, Dr Cooke will talk about the difference between Culture and Climate, and why the difference matters to you.

Dr Cooke is the CEO and Director of Human Synergistics International and Associate Professor Emeritus of Management at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Cooke was previously an Associate Research Scientist at the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center and a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University. He received his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the Kellogg School of Management.

Download a PDF of Rob's Presentation

Grant Blackley
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Southern Cross Austereo

The one thing I wish everyone knew about culture: It’s the DNA of your company – your competitive advantage.

Culture defines the qualities and personality of any organisation and can be the most valuable asset you own. It must be treated with respect and should continually evolve to ensure it remains appealing to your people and attractive to your existing and future customers.

Grant Blackley is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Southern Cross Austereo, a leading Australian media Company with extensive media platforms including regional free-to-air TV networks, national radio networks, online & mobile. Grant’s media industry career spans over 30 years during which time he has held numerous senior leadership roles at Network TEN, including CEO from 2005 to 2010.

Download a PDF of Grant's Presentation

Rob Murray
Board Member - Southern Cross Austereo, Bestest Foundation
Chairman – Metcash

The one thing I wish everyone knew about culture: Boards need to measure their own culture and behaviour.

Boards aren't just there for governance, they are the most senior leaders in a business. Leaders’ behaviour makes culture. Leaders who choose constructive behaviours create effective cultures in which others thrive and achieve better results.

Robert Murray has had a distinguished career in sales, marketing and general management having served most recently as the CEO of Lion (formerly Lion Nathan), one of Australasia’s leading food and beverage companies, including during its acquisition by Kirin Holdings in 2009. Before that, Rob worked for Proctor & Gamble for twelve years, and then for eight years with Nestlé, firstly as MD of the UK Food business, and from 2000 to 2004 as CEO of Nestlé Oceania.

Download a PDF of Rob's Presentation

Chairman
Human Synergistics New Zealand and Australia

The one thing I wish everyone knew about culture: Its about what helps and hinders our ability to achieve our potential as individuals, groups and organisations.

The culture within your company affects everything that goes on. In this presentation, Shaun talks about the impact culture has from the individual all the way to the entire enterprise.

Shaun established Human Synergistics in New Zealand and Australia and brings with him wealth of knowledge, experience and anecdotes from a long and distinguished Consulting Career. If you have a question about leadership or Culture – Shaun will have a story to illustrate an answer to it. It is this depth of experience that has led to him being invited to lecture in University programs, speak at many national conferences and being featured in the Australian Financial Review, Boss Magazine and on ABC radio.

Download a PDF of Shaun's Presentation