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Join a free 7-week online learning on the go

3 September, 2024
Join a free 7-week online learning on the go | News | Pause Awards
George Hedon, founder and CEO, Pause Fest & Awards
George Hedon
3 September, 2024
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We are thrilled to introduce the Breakthrough Sessions, a series of engaging, 30-minute online sessions starting on 6 September and running until 18 October.

Scheduled every week at 1 pm, these sessions are designed to spark new ideas, inspire action, and foster a community of forward-thinking individuals passionate about driving change and innovation in their fields. Best of all, they are completely free to attend!

To join us, see all sessions via this link: https://lu.ma/pausefest.

Each week, a different session will be hosted by a renowned expert who will share their unique insights, experiences and strategies to help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of business, creativity, technology and personal development.

From compelling storytelling techniques to advanced financial strategies, from fostering inclusive workplace cultures to exploring cutting-edge technologies, our speakers bring a wealth of knowledge that promises to challenge your thinking and empower your journey.

Session Line-Up and Speaker Highlights:

Storytelling

Week 1 — 6 Sep: Crafting Narratives: Turning Brands into Beloved Stories
Register now: https://lu.ma/7pga7faq

Learn the art of compelling storytelling with Samantha Finnegan, Sonia Clarke, and Jocelin Abbey. Discover how to build a deep emotional connection with your audience and transform your brand into a movement that drives passion and loyalty. Samantha Finnegan, the founder of Madebox, brings over 20 years of marketing expertise and a successful track record in sponsorship and advertising. Sonia Clarke of Clever Manka combines her corporate and creative expertise to bridge business strategy with innovative communication. Jocelin Abbey from Mamamia adds her vast experience in global media and her commitment to inclusivity and representation to the discussion.

Dream

Week 2 — 13 Sep: 101 Dreams Workshop: How to Create a Life of Your Dreams
Register now: https://lu.ma/kzx35lk3

This hands-on workshop is facilitated by Kristina Karlsson, founder of kikki.K and Dream Life. Kristina will inspire participants to dream big and create a practical action plan to achieve their top three dreams. Drawing on her journey in building a $650 million retail brand, Kristina shares real-life experiences and practical steps to help you turn your dreams into reality.

Founder

Week 3 — 20 Sep: Founder Finance: Balancing Business Growth with Personal Wealth
Register now: https://lu.ma/lb1n9gup

Dive into innovative strategies for managing both personal and business finances with Adrian Stone, Aprill Enright, and Victoria Beal. Adrian Stone, a seasoned founder, and investor, shares his insights on financial management and growth. Aprill Enright, co-founder of Tractor Ventures, brings her experience in alternative finance and investment. Victoria Beal, co-founder of Submarine, emphasizes the importance of genuine diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the tech industry, particularly in Australia.

Scaling culture

Week 4 — 4 Oct: Scaling Smart: Adaptive Culture for Growing Organisations
Register now: https://lu.ma/3stwqeni

This session, featuring Deepak Singh, Kate Thompson, and Ryan McMurray, focuses on managing the challenges and opportunities of scaling a business. Deepak Singh, an emerging culture creator at Uber Carshare, shares his approach to fostering inclusive and innovative workplace environments. Kate Thompson, Group Strategy Director at Hardie Grant Media, offers her expertise in shaping strategic direction for global media brands. Ryan McMurray of Wake by Reach discusses the importance of emotional skills development in the workplace.

NASA

Week 5 — 11 Oct: Joint AR: Discover New Extravehicular Activities
Register now: https://lu.ma/gbstqktt

Explore the future of space exploration with Sarosh Nandwani and Matthew Noyes from NASA. Sarosh, a human systems engineer, and Matthew, a mechanical and software engineer, will discuss how augmented reality technology is transforming spacesuit design, enhancing astronaut decision-making, and enabling safer planetary explorations.

Mystery

Week 6 — 18 Oct: Unveiling the Next Game-Changer Soon: Stay Tuned!
Register now: https://lu.ma/gdgybk54

Get ready for an electrifying announcement! Our final session will feature a global speaker whose identity will be revealed soon. This mystery guest will offer groundbreaking insights that promise to be a game-changer.

Brand

Week 7 — 27 Sep: Financial Power of Brand and Why it Matters in the Context of M&As
Register now: https://lu.ma/wo4z9xtq

Join Sergio Brodsky, a Chief Strategy Officer, as he explores the financial power of brand equity in mergers and acquisitions. Sergio, an award-winning consultant, will discuss how strong branding can drive value and shape successful corporate integrations, drawing from his international experience and contributions to the World Economic Forum. Don’t miss out on this exciting finale to the Breakthrough Sessions series!

Each session is carefully crafted to deliver actionable insights and inspire change, providing you with the tools and knowledge to drive forward in your personal and professional life. Mark your calendars for 1 pm every week, starting from 6 September to 18 October, and get ready to be part of a transformative journey.

Register now and see all free online sessions at https://lu.ma/pausefest and be a part of the second season of Breakthrough Sessions — where practical innovation meets inspiration.


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Category tracks



The Culture track seeks entries that exemplify the development of an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture, crucial for organisational success and growth. Submissions should illustrate transformative strategies implemented across core business functions, reflecting expertise, leadership, and a clear vision. These strategies should demonstrate a positive impact on the business, its employees, stakeholders, and customers, showcasing how a nurturing culture contributes to overall growth and innovation.

The Excellence track celebrates businesses that have demonstrated remarkable success and impact within their industry, regardless of their size. Entries for this category should illustrate how the business's strategic execution, guided by visionary leadership and exceptional expertise, has significantly influenced the industry. The focus will be on the tangible outcomes of these strategies, highlighting the company's ability to innovate, lead, and leave a lasting impression in its field.

The Good track is focused on recognising companies dedicated to their mission of creating a positive societal impact. Entries should highlight innovative solutions aimed at addressing global challenges such as environmental sustainability, social equity, and community well-being. Successful submissions will demonstrate how their initiatives contribute to significant changes, tackling issues like gender inequality, social imbalance, and injustice, thereby setting a precedent for responsible and impactful business practices.

Awarded to a single entry in a category, Grand Prix is the top accolade in that category. To win the Grand Prix, the entire Judging Board must unanimously agree that the entry deserves the accolade of being the best in that category.

The Growth track is about showcasing how businesses have enhanced productivity and execution to make a significant impact in their market. Entries should highlight innovative strategies that have optimised the customer journey, leading to increased engagement and commercial success. This track is for those who have effectively used their understanding of the market and customer needs to scale their business and achieve notable growth.

The Operators track seeks entries that showcase leadership in fostering innovation within their ecosystems. Ideal submissions will highlight how your initiatives have catalysed the creation of new products or services, bolstered by a culture that uplifts internal teams and the wider community. This track celebrates those who drive progress by empowering voices and forging transformative connections in their industry.


Categories


  • Always Evolving New

    Acknowledges a culture of continuous learning and improvement within a company, encourages employee development, and always looks for ways to optimise and innovate operations.


  • Big & Mighty Culture New

    Recognises companies (51-1000 employees) for their exceptional efforts in cultivating a culture that champions innovation.


  • Diverse Co.

    Celebrates workplaces dedicated to fostering innovation through a vibrant tapestry of diverse talents and perspectives.


  • Small & Mighty Culture New

    Applauds small teams of fewer than 50 employees for their remarkable ability to foster innovation and set new benchmarks in their domain.


  • Work Sweet Work

    Acknowledges companies that have achieved extraordinary employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention, creating an exemplary workplace culture.


  • Company of the Year

    Honours an outstanding company that not only showcases exemplary leadership and resilience but also demonstrates a clear, quantifiable impact over the past year.


  • Customer Obsessed New

    Applauds prioritisation, understanding and meeting the needs and expectations of their customers, including feedback, personalised services and ensuring high satisfaction.


  • Defiant Ones

    Recognises firms that lead technological innovation, setting new standards and defining the future of their industries.


  • Hammer

    Celebrates companies that have not only defined success on their own terms but have also concretely demonstrated their triumphs over the past year.


  • I Wish I'd Done That

    Applauds ingenious, simple solutions in niche markets that spark a universal sentiment of admiration.


  • On the Rise

    Celebrates early-stage startups, under 4 years, that have shown remarkable progress and success in their initial years.


  • Prodigy

    Recognises young visionaries under 30 with outstanding talents and achievements, setting them apart in their fields.


  • Singularity

    Highlights AI-driven companies that are pioneering new services or integrating AI to create innovative products.


  • Women in Business

    Celebrates female entrepreneurs and leaders who are forging paths for future generations by creating more equitable opportunities.


  • B-Good

    Recognises businesses that redefine commercial success by positively transforming our economic system for the benefit of all stakeholders.


  • Circular Pioneer

    Celebrates companies at the forefront of circular economy practices, making substantial and sustainable differences.


  • Ethical Leadership New

    Commends companies exemplifying leadership in environmental and social governance, setting standards in corporate responsibility and ethical practices.


  • Going Green

    Acknowledges companies leading large-scale sustainable initiatives, addressing critical areas like clean energy and environmental justice.


  • Collab New

    Honours strategic partnerships and alliances with other businesses to leverage complementary strengths, access new markets, and share resources for synergistic growth and innovation.


  • Design First

    Celebrates companies where design is the heartbeat of innovation, engaging the whole team in crafting groundbreaking products.


  • Going Global New

    Applauds companies that have expanded their reach globally, showcasing exceptional growth and international success.


  • Great Pivot

    Acknowledges companies that adeptly navigate change, leveraging insights to pivot towards delivering outstanding products.


  • Movement

    Recognises unforgettable event experiences that resonate emotionally, drive social change, or achieve viral status.


  • New Model

    Honours businesses revolutionising markets with elegant and disruptive business models.


  • Next Level New

    Applauds companies which had successful strategic acquisition and integration of another entity, staff or an asset that allowed them to further grow and scale their services.


  • Wildfire

    Celebrates companies that have rapidly and significantly impacted their marketplace, online and offline, setting new standards for success.


  • Angel

    Honours visionary angel investors who've significantly contributed to early-stage startups, guiding them toward success.


  • C-Suite

    Recognises exceptional leadership qualities in high-ranking executives, showcasing their management and interpersonal excellence.


  • Creative Maverick New

    Honours unconventional thinkers with exceptional abilities to execute typically unimaginable initiatives, expertly coordinate teams, secure funding or successfully launch multiple ventures.


  • Ecosystem Star

    Celebrates individuals who energise and nurture their communities, fostering engagement and advocacy.


  • Future Builder

    Recognises the determination and resilience of founders who've embarked on the challenging journey of starting their own ventures.


  • Quiet Achiever New

    Applauds the unsung heroes whose behind-the-scenes efforts have led to flawless project executions and exceeded expectations.


  • Splash Down Under New

    Acknowledges international companies making a noteworthy entrance into the Australian market, enriching the local business ecosystem.


  • TopCoder

    Recognises developers for their outstanding technical skills, clean code, and collaborative spirit.


  • Venture Cap

    Salutes venture capital firms with a track record of backing transformative businesses, contributing significantly to Australia's economic growth.


  • Visionary New

    Recognises effective leadership by setting a clear vision, motivating the team, and making strategic decisions that guide their business towards its goals.