Collaborations inevitably spring up between Femeconomy members who are values aligned and have complementary skill sets. When Sam Trattles of Other Side of the Table, and Kathy Rhodes and Stacey Packer of Thought Alchemists met at the Women’s Business School Accelerate Program in 2020, they discovered they had more than a few things in common, and also how they could support each other in business, which led to multiple collaborations, and a firm friendship.
Tell us how your business relationship evolved
KR & SP:
We met Sam Trattles as she was a fellow participant in the 2020 Accelerate Program run by our good friends Peace Mitchell and Katy Garner at the Women’s Business School.
From the outset, we were impressed with Sam’s contribution to group discussions, her views on the world and the business she runs – Other Side of the Table.
It became clear very quickly that Thought Alchemists could help take Sam’s thought leadership and her consulting business to the next-level so she became a client. And we’ve loved every minute. Not in the least because we’re now much better negotiators thanks to Sam!
We expect our relationship to evolve again every time we find ways to connect Sam to people in our network who need her services – especially those working in sport, music, the arts, philanthropy/community sectors, as this is Sam’s area of expertise.
ST:
I met the Thought Alchemists team through another Femeconomy connection, Peace Mitchell, who I am so grateful to for the connection.
Having been in corporate roles most of my career I was used to being a cog in a wheel and not having to understand all aspects of running a business. But running your own practice, does not give you that luxury.
I met Stacey and Kathy at a time where I was struggling to find ways to simplify my business, I had fallen out of love with the daily challenges in business.
I have big goals to help more people learn to love negotiating, and from the moment we started working together I could tell they ‘got it’.
It’s been interesting having 3 strategists thinking together – some fun debates have, and will continue to be had, as a result. I love having these two shrewd and intelligent women by my side, especially as they are fun and kind as well.
What has been the impact of the relationship on your business?
KR & SP:
Like all our female clients, Sam has already become a friend and advocate. She was one of the first to sign-up to Thought Alchemists’ inaugural Thought Leadership Retreat, to be held in Cairns in late April.
We can’t wait to introduce her to other female thought leaders and watch the incredible connections form. Just like they do through the Femeconomy community! There really is just so much value in women supporting women in business.
From a commercial perspective, working with Sam provides us with yet another case study / success story that we can lean on to attract more female founders just like her.
ST:
With the new strategic direction created in collaboration with Thought Alchemists, Other Side of the Table is now focused on simplification for growth. We’re off the hamster wheel and are settling into delivering on a strong and clear vision.
This has positively impacted my ability to get above the ‘doing’ and freed me up to think bigger again. The next few years will be very different, in many aspects, than the last couple (regardless of COVID impacts).
As the key thought leader in this business, working with Kathy and Stacey helped me see where we could be in 5 years from now; helped me map out the negotiation landscape as we want to re-write it; and it will no doubt have huge impacts on the numbers of people who are exposed to the methodology I use to help them learn to love negotiating!
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