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CONTRIBUTORS
Fiona Blayney: silencing digital distractions
Balancing work and family while working from home can be difficult, especially with constant digital distractions. Fiona Blayney offers her top three tips for reducing distractions and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Fiona Blayney: the art of responsible leadership
I recently met a friend for lunch, and what we discussed resonated with me long after I digested the delicious poke bowl I ordered.
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OPINION
Fiona Blayney: how a single word can influence your success this year
I’m a Dragon, and before you’re quick to agree, which Dragon do you think I am referring to? I’m talking about the Chinese zodiac sign.
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OPINION
Four hidden benefits of flexible working
Sometimes you can go into a team meeting with a plan and come out with an entirely different outcome than what you anticipated.
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OPINION
Fiona Blayney: The silver linings playbook
Sometimes it can be hard to find the silver lining when you fail at something. But as Fiona Blayney explains, there are some steps you can take to make the best of a bad situation.
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OPINION
Fiona Blayney: calling time on unnecessary tech
I wear an analogue watch. You know, the old school variety with a face and hands. I love my watch. I love the weight of it on my arm, how it doubles as a piece of jewellery and how when I bought it many moons ago, I felt just a little bit fancy. Unfortunately, though, our love story is peppered…
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Elite Agent
Fiona Blayney: Treading a new path
Fiona Blayney reflects on the tumultuous year that was 2020, what she learnt from it and why two simple questions will help you plan the remainder of the year ahead and make better connections with your clients.
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Elite Agent
Leaders: Take a break…
As the months of 2020 wore on, the faces of those staring back at me through the ‘Zoom portal’ started to change. The make-up was removed and the coffee levels increased. The language being used, the rhythm of the dialogue, the speed of decision making, the questioning of self, the level of support required, all slowly started to resemble that…
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EPM: First Person
How to make Mission 2020 into Mission Possible
When people have asked me in recent months how I am, one of my go-to responses has been ‘excitedly exhausted’. While 2019 won’t go down in the books as the best year in my life, I am learning to find the gifts within it. That’s what you’re meant to say when things have been tough…
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EPM: First Person
Whose goal is it anyway?
What do dresses, my parenting skills and real estate have in common? You’ll never guess, so I’ll tell you – goal setting. More to the point, collaborative goal setting and the ability to know when to take over and when to co-operate. I came to the sudden realisation recently that collaborative goal setting may not be as simple and automatic…
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EPM: First Person
The value of choice
As I continued my crusade in the industry, shouting about the arrival of choice and the departure of disruption, I realised recently that I have started making different choices. Choices I never thought I would make. You see, I love grocery shopping. Yes, I know you may think I am strange, but cooking is my happy place. I’m no culinary…
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Elite Agent
Forget the fast fix
There I was, staring into my old wardrobe. I say old not because it looks decrepit, but because it remains filled with my old clothes; clothes that belong to a body I’m yet to become reacquainted with. The evening was cold and, for the first time this year, my husband and I had a free pass to go out. I…
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EPM
Seeking the truth
From the moment we are born we strive to communicate. Babies cry to let their parents know they are hungry, tired or need a cuddle, while parents wait patiently for their first word. More often than not, patience quickly turns to impatience as they decide the most incoherent babble is actually a word, albeit one only they understand. In jest…
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EPM
Life by Design
I SPENT A significant portion of my time over the weekend doing one of my favourite things: packing bags for our upcoming family holiday. Now don’t get me wrong; I am not so sadistic that I rate the physical act of packing exhilarating (although I must admit after being on the road for 15 years I do get a kick…
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EPM: First Person
The secret to handling change: Fiona Blayney
A single woman doesn’t really need a 4WD, especially when she has nothing that needs carting around in the back of it; a laptop can surely fit in the front seat. After caving to the advice of Dad when I returned from my backpacking adventures, I bought that sensible Green Corolla Hatch instead of the Jeep Wrangler I so desperately…
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EPM
Why we need to look outside the real estate industry for customer service lessons
There is something about watching mere mortals attempting to renovate what appears to be the ‘unrenovatable’ (and yes, I’m sure that’s a word) in a matter of weeks, with limited to no experience, whilst living through the unlivable. Now that I think about it, watching reality renovation shows for someone who has never renovated is akin to being an armchair…
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EPM: First Person
How overcoming ‘stranger danger’ can be good for business
Green and white stickers once adorned letterboxes across a community; they represented a Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) ‘safe house’. If your letterbox had one of these stickers you were considered a safe house for children in need on their way home from school. They were a fantastic idea back in the day when kids were walking home from school; should they…
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EPM: First Person
Call the Professional: Fiona Blayney
I think everyone has an inner wannabe. I’m not talking about the social wannabe, the one you’d associate with a schoolyard name-calling, but the adult wannabe that exists in us all. There are two types of adult wannabe status. One that invariably rears its head is when we’ve got the time and inclination to dabble in that profession we fancy…
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EPM: First Person
Relationship Status: It’s Complicated – Fiona Blayney
It’s been some 27 years since I started in the workforce. I recall with much amusement a group of us girls switching out of our school uniforms, Clark Kent-style, and into our ‘Woolworths Checkout Chick’ fashionable wear in the rather private space that was the back seat of the 107 bus heading straight from school to the illustrious Top Ryde.…
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EPM: First Person
Fiona Blayney: How to Handle Tough Conversations and Decisions Like a Hero
Tough decisions and difficult conversations: at times like these you need to find your inner superhero and put on your big girl pants, says Fiona Blayney. I’ve never really been a fan of big girl pants. I’ve never found mine a natural fit and as such, if I’m honest, I still find them pretty uncomfortable. I don’t remember the first…
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EPM: Leadership
The Magic of Numbers: Fiona Blayney
Abracadabra alakazam! Now you see it, now you don’t. Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat! The magic of the magician was embedded into our minds as young children. More recently, I was reminded of this as B1 and B2 (our favourite Bananas in Pyjamas) turned professional magicians and made a friend disappear from their magical box. Just…
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EPM: Leadership
Behind Closed Doors
Sitting here in a café in Melbourne, grabbing a quick breakfast before I head to training for the day, I am surrounded by people doing the same. Same same but different. My lady friend to my left (yes, you’d be right to imagine me being that person who strikes up a conversation with anyone) has been patiently waiting for her…
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EPM
R U OK?
Don’t just ignore stress, anxiety and depression – a little question to a friend or colleague may start a vital conversation about mental health, says Fiona Blayney. You’ll be getting the impression that a few things have my heightened attention at the moment if you’ve been reading my most recent words. I’m not sure if it has something to do…
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EPM
Creating a Masterpiece: Fiona Blayney
What would be the icing on your cake in 2017? You’ll have a better chance of achieving more meaningful goals if you understand what your ‘why’ is first, says Fiona Blayney. They always look so good in the pictures, don’t they? Painstakingly put together over countless hours, no doubt by extreme professionals, and of course beautifully photographed. You buy the…
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Brand Editorial
The Power of Change: Fiona Blayney
The Transform PM program saw an intensive period of change for all those taking part. Head coach of Transform PM Fiona Blayney looks at the power of transformation and the effect it could have on your team, using the experience of the Transform PM teams as inspiration. Transformation carries with it so many elements. There is the transformation that takes place…
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EPM
A Trouble Shared: Fiona Blayney
Why is it so hard to ask for help? A chance encounter with a stranger leads Fiona Blayney to reflect on the wisdom of admitting when things are getting too much. I once received an email that shot me into an instant energy boost for the day. It started with, “Wow! I wish I had hooked up with you a…
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EPM
Tea For Two
A recent heart-to-heart with an old friend has led Fiona Blayney to an interesting discovery. By embracing her own vulnerability and feeling the fear she found a surprising source of strength and energy. I had a ‘pop in’ yesterday; a dear friend of mine was in town and she called in to see my family and me. We sat around…
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EPM
Searching for Wally
Finding the right member of staff can be a matter of sifting through a great many potential candidates before you strike gold. For our new people-focused column, Fiona Blayney asks: is your people strategy really sustainable, or is it time to think outside the box? AS I TUCK MY daughters into bed, we go through the final leg of the…
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Elite Agent TV
Transform PM Ep 1: Goal Setting in Property Management, Fiona Blayney
This is Part 1 of a 2 Part Episode featuring head coach Fiona Blayney who talks the teams through the important subject of goal setting and where they want to get to over the next 8 weeks. This lesson is brought to you by Real+ realplus.com.au. Visit eliteagent.com for more transform videos.
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Elite Agent TV
Transform PM Ep 1B: Goal Setting in Property Management, Fiona Blayney
Thank you our Episode 1 sponsor: Real +, the property experts – providing a full spectrum of services to ‘grow your business and yourself’. Support + Knowledge + Industry insights + much, much more! As part of the program, our teams will receive six months complimentary access to templates, tools, training and coaching from the real+ team. For more info, visit realplus.com.au.…
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EPM
Beating The Winter Blues
Fiona Blayney plans to fight off any idea of hibernation this winter by refusing to let the cooler weather influence her mood. I have always thought the notion of a spring clean was kind of funny. I understand the theory. Winter brings with it the traditional need to rug up, stay indoors, turn on the heater and eat soup. After…
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EPM
The ‘Gabby Effect’
Fiona Blayney had her hands full when a moment of stress led to a domestic mishap. Saved by the kindness of a stranger, she points out how everything we do impacts on other people – and why we should all pay kindness forward. I had a knock on the door this week. Turns out it was a pretty important knock…
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Transform 2016 Coach
Working with the PM team to generate leads with Fiona Blayney
Thank you our Week 7 sponsor: Real+ are the property experts providing a full spectrum of services to grow your business and yourself. Real+ offers Training, Recruitment and consultancy services. Support + Knowledge + Industry insights + much, much more! Coaches: Claudio Encina and Fiona Blayney Coaching Links: Fiona is a regular contributor to Elite Agent and Elite Property Manager magazines. Click here for some…
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EPM
Sliding Doors: Do You Have an Exit Strategy?
What would you do if your life changed overnight? Have you planned an exit strategy for yourself or your business? Fiona Blayney finds out that sickness, retirement or other developments could mean that the end of the road comes sooner than we imagine. I’VE THOUGHT A lot about a new friend I made recently. I’ll call them a friend, perhaps…
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EPM
The Comparison Cloud
When we draw the easy and inevitable comparisons between ourselves and others we can end up feeling like we are falling short of the mark or not good enough. Fiona Blayney explains why you should not compare someone else’s social media ‘showreel’ to your own real life. It started out like any other booking, albeit I was excited by the…
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