New year, big plans – go!

Hello 2017, we’re pretty pleased you’ve arrived. In the grand scheme of things, 2016 was iffy at best, but we have all the hope in the world that this new year is going to be the start of something good.

My one-and-only new year’s resolution is to be positive and open to new things – specifically a new charcoal rug that hides black cat hair... If you’re looking for some inspirational goal setting, look to the right and you’ll find the whole IO team’s hopes and dreams.

The ongoing personal goal is to get my cupboards/pantry/wardrobe under control, but that’s less to do with the calendar and more to do with the motivation. That said, with a few days free between Christmas and January 1, it’s the perfect time to tackle those long-standing jobs. But there’s sometimes a bit more to it than the quick pluck-and-chuck. This issue, Peter Walsh shares the story of how he came to be an organisation expert. He told me when we initially met in a swanky Sydney hotel foyer and I actually shed a tear, just seeing how passionate he was about the mother who couldn’t let go. Turn to page 116 and you’ll see what I mean.

On a side note, on page 122 I share a few things I found out on a trip to IKEA’s HQ in Sweden last year. I learnt a lot, but what I took away from the trip was the knowledge of what the IKEA Foundation is doing in the refugee housing area. It really struck a nerve. Now that I think about it, I’m changing my one resolution to doing more charitable work. Please hold me to it. Here’s to a great year ahead of big change for the better!