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Clarity

Gemma Irish

Minneapolis, MN

I've supported Execs at Fortune 50 companies and small start-ups; I've run my own theater company; I can teach anyone how to craft a strong narrative. Call me when you need to build team trust, find the compelling story in that pile of data, or compose an email that people are guaranteed to read.

I can help you:
- build trust with your team or partners
- find the compelling story in the data dump
- craft emails that people actually look forward to receiving
- read minds (aka anticipate needs)
- maximize your relationship with your EA or other support staff

$2.00/min

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Marketing Communications Community Building Team Building Storytelling Team Leadership Leadership Development Building Relationships Empathy

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Build Trust

I have led teams through organizational change and volatility, and as an Executive Assistant I have worked alongside great leaders in Retail, Market Research, and the Arts as they built trust with their teams and effectively navigated strategic goals.

Great leadership comes down to trust. Trust takes time to build, but there are a few things you can start doing today that will make a huge impact. Let’s tailor these practices to your personal style, and get you on the road to leading a dedicated, productive team.

Maximize Leadership/Exec Assistant Relationship

An Executive and their Assistant should operate like two halves of the same brain – your Assistant should know what you need before you do, should be one step ahead, and should help you in ways you never expected, from the most difficult to the most mundane.

I have supported Executives at Fortune 50 companies, mid-sized family businesses, and small start-ups, and I can help you work with your assistant and other support staff to maximize your productivity.

Find the Story

I can tease out the compelling narrative from any jumble of data. Fifteen years writing for the stage and a decade of working in corporate Marketing departments has taught me the importance of a clear story.

You will leave our conversation with clarity about the story you are telling (whether it's the story of your brand, your company, your product, or yourself), and actionable next steps for sharing that story in a compelling way with investors, stakeholders, or clients.

Craft Emails That People Actually Read

How often does your important information get lost in the daily deluge of people’s inboxes?

My years working as a writer and Executive Assistant make me an expert at crafting communication for a wide variety of audiences. I can help you write authentic, engaging emails that your team, clients, or stakeholders look forward to reading.

Read Minds

When I worked with a high-powered Marketing Exec, he would turn to me a few times a week and say “You read my mind! How did you do that?”

It’s not as hard as you think. With a few psychology hacks, you can anticipate the needs of your colleagues, clients, and leaders, which allows you to eliminate unnecessary back-and-forth so you can work efficiently towards mutually satisfactory outcomes. Your colleagues will swear you’re psychic. (Crystal ball not included.)

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Answers

Gemma Irish answered

What is the best way to reward our back-office positions such as accounting, admin assistants, HR, etc?

As someone who has worked in administrative positions for the better part of a decade, I will say: being seen and recognized as part of the team goes a long way.

This can be simple - sending an email to congratulate your team on achieving a goal? Send it to the folks the back office positions, too, and call them out in the email as being part of the success.

A coffee shop gift card with a note that says "thanks for your work on this project" tells us that you see us, and you see how hard we work.

The more information your administrative and clerical employees have about the company goals and objectives, the more they can be involved in meeting them. Take them as true partners rather than peripheral positions - this helps them stay engaged in the work, which helps both you and them.

I'm happy to chat further about my experience - I've worked in huge corporations and small businesses and can help you brainstorm more solutions for rewarding your team.

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HR Consulting

Business Strategy

Gemma Irish answered

Any recommendations for office entertainment for a growing startup? Looking for inspiration - not just the stereotypical foosball table.

A bin of Legos or wooden blocks is an inexpensive, portable way to give people something to do with their hands while they're in a meeting, or on the phone. Having them out in a public area will organically lead to collaborative building projects and creative thinking.

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Company Culture

Startups

Lean startup

Gemma Irish answered

Any recommendation how to promote my personal website for freelance service?

You might want to start with former clients who are happy with your work. Let them know that you are freelancing and available for hire. Offer them a discount on your services if they refer a new client to you.

You could also ask former clients for a recommendation that you can post to your website. If you are designing pitch decks, is there a way you can find out what your conversion rate is? "XX% of my clients landed the investor using my deck." Concrete proof of your talent will help people trust you, and want to pay what you are asking.

Facebook ads are an inexpensive way to get your product/services in front of a very specific group of people. You can invest as much or as little as you want to, and they have pretty good analytics so you can track effectiveness.

Finally... have you created a pitch deck for yourself? Maybe this is a no-brainer, but often as professionals we forget to take advantage of our own talents. If nothing else, creating that pitch deck will help you articulate and get specific about what you are offering to your clients.

Good luck! I'm happy to help you brainstorm about what makes you unique and helps you stand out in a crowded field.

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freelancing

Marketing

Fundraising

Gemma Irish answered

How do I keep motivated when I'm overwhelmed with starting a business?

First of all, you are not alone! Almost anyone with a successful business has left a trail of half-finished ideas and projects. Sometimes we realize we don't have the skills to execute our ideas, or we don't have the capital, the resources, whatever.

Your question makes me think it's not that you don't have the skills to execute your ideas, rather it's that you run out of steam or get nervous. If this is the case, you might need an accountability buddy - someone who will meet you for coffee, listen to your ideas, and help you figure out how to make them happen.

My friend and I meet up once a month and update each other on projects on which we are working. I feel guilty when I don't have updates for her, and this motivates me to get stuff done. This is more of a mental hack for yourself, but it totally works!

You might also look for a Mastermind group in your area (or virtually) which can help you feel like you're part of a community and not going it alone. I've learned a lot from peers who are going through the same thing I am.

Happy to chat more if you want help thinking this through!

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Entrepreneurship

Startup Consulting

Sales

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Member since November 2016