On April 1st at the Nineteenth Annual NSAA Convention, the Hon Brendan Nelson
MP, Minister of Defence (representing the Minister for Education), and the Hon
Gary Nairn MP, Special Minister of State, announced that the inaugural Kerrie
Nairn Scholar is Jennifer Harwood from Victoria. Find out more about Jen at http://www.jenharwood.com
Kerrie Nairn Scholarship – 6 Month Report
KNS - A Life Changing Experience
The last 6 months as the KNS Scholar have been an incredible experience. I have learned so much, experienced even more and I am excited about the next 6 months that’s ahead of me.
In summary, this is what I have experienced.
Speaking Training and Development
Speakers Academy was brilliant. The first session in Melbourne was fabulous and so was meeting other speakers like me. For one of the Academy sessions, I went to Sydney and I am so glad I did. I was so inspired by Gihan Perera and especially David Penglase. (David grew up in a country town right next to me. I went to high school with his brother!) before meeting David, I was wondering if I had what it takes to realise my dream and David from Koondrook, Victoria can do this, so can I!
I listened intently to David (and all the other Academy speakers) and started taking action. I closed my Bendigo city based office and found a brand new 4 brm home that I can run my business from and live in as well. I saw how David and his family did it and so I am too !! The move has been huge and my staff have adapted very well. I am also collating content, speaking ideas and using David’s maps and tools he provided.
When Gihan was presenting, I was shrieking (as quietly as I could) at the back of the room as he gave us knowledge on how to get our seminars transcribed into books and product. I have developed so much content in the last 6 months and I have been at a loss as to how to pull it all together. So with Gihan’s advice, I’ve hired freelancers in the US and UK who are editing and preparing content for me as well as transcribing material. I will have product (Books, ebooks, CDs and DVDs) developed by Christmas. That is something I didn’t think was ever going to happen.
Speaking Industry Mentoring
I have spent time with the NSAA masters. For example: Winston Marsh – Wow, Winston was great. He gave me the facts, encouraged me, challenged and inspired me to do great things. Winston Rocks !
Sarah Cornally – Our first meeting was great and I look forward to more. Sarah invited me to participate in a Regional Leadership Program as a speaker in Bendigo. The client was delighted with my work.
Helen MacDonald – our Past NSAA president shared half a day with me and that was very motivating and inspiring. Helen gave me strategies on how to go beyond what I thought about myself and also how to control my emotions around my expectations for clients.
Lynn Champion – I spent 2 days with Lynn looking at my style and image and we went shopping. Lynn was fabulous and I now have a style that I love and am confident with.
Scholarship Mentoring
Sandi Givens has been mentoring me on the Scholarship and she has been awesome. Not only am I working on my career and development, I have set goals for my involvement with NSAA, including designating as a professional speaker, becoming more involved with NSAA leadership and also working on securing international speaking gigs.
Developed and ran my own Seminars
I have always wanted to do this and for years I’ve only talked about it. Well, this year we ran two events: April – How to attract the Ideal Client and in May – Sales Essentials for Retailers. The results were great - The conversion rate of clients from these workshops was 20% into coaching clients and other speaking work. I’m developing both of these into workbooks and tools for small businesses.
My Business Success (Direct Incite Pty Ltd)
I’ve experienced fantastic results for my business as well. Some highlights include:
My company was chosen as an ambassador for Regional Victoria as a regional business that has successfully re-located to country Victoria. We’re in their publication; website and I attended the launch of the campaign.
I was chosen to be involved in high level networking for the region with Minister Brumby’s office in regional business issues. The real win was meeting and talking to the very senior leaders in the community – Rob Hunt, MD Bendigo Bank and Dianna Williams, MD Fernwood Fitness …just awesome.
We won a Federal Grant to deliver Young Entrepreneur Business Development Programs to the central Victorian region. The contract is worth $185K.
I’ve hired a new PA and employed 2 more staff.
Speaking Calendar
Since April – my speaking calendar has been booking up. Last year for the same 6 month period I spoke at 4-5 events for free. Most of the events below were paid for;- Bendigo Business Expo (3 seminars) –
The Art of Networking – Echuca Business Network, Mildura Business Network & AIOP.
MC for the AIOP Annual Breakfast in Bendigo
MC – Launch of a new community program, Bendigo
Ideal Client Workshop – Melbourne Franchise Group
Professional Presentation in the Workplace
Sales Essentials for Retailers - In-house Sales Training and Motivation Workshop Series
How to get the best out of PR - Mildura
Negotiation Strategies for Business Success - Robinvale
The Entrepreneurs Game – Company Planning Day
Keynote Speaker – Heart Kids Victoria
The Confident Woman –Women’s Development Day
Keynote Address and Workshop – International Franchise - Annual Conference
Keynote Address and Workshops – National Franchise - Annual Conference
Keynote Address – NSW Australian Institute of Conveyancers
What the KNS has done for me so far
This scholarship is giving me the confidence and tools on how to grow myself, my skills, my craft and my business.
I am seeing how I can grow my speaking business bigger than myself – books, tools, product etc.
I have an immense appreciation and respect for the CSPs and what they have achieved.
I want to be a CSP even more than before
I am humbled by the privilege of being a speaker and being able to make a difference.
I am so VERY GRATEFUL for the opportunity and thank the NSAA and the Australian Government for this opportunity. I encourage anyone that is passionate about their speaking career to apply for this Scholarship as it will indeed change your thinking, actions and results. You will transform into the person and speaker you always thought was possible. I look forward to sharing another update in a few months.
