New Helloworld chief executive Elizabeth Gaines has pledged to adopt a “dynamic approach” to leading the business and emphasised the need to develop a “strong team spirit” in order to succeed.
In an email to partners in the wake of her appointment as replacement for Rob Gurney, Gaines said she was “delighted” to be given the top role and reassured the industry she was “dedicated” to the Helloworld cause.
She said a key focus will be supporting agents through “process improvements and efficiencies”.
Gaines was promoted to CEO immediately after the departure of Rob Gurney on March 28. She was previously Helloworld’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer.
“Over the coming weeks I will be engaging with key stakeholders, listening to your feedback, ensuring that our marketing activity is driving sales and fostering a strong team spirit which is essential to the success of any business,” Gaines wrote.
“I know through my experiences both here and overseas that successful companies excel when they engage effectively with all key stakeholders. In Helloworld’s case this means our agents and members, preferred suppliers and enthusiastic staff.
“My appointment as CEO will see the business operate with a dynamic approach focused on results, collaboration and outcomes.”
Critical to Gaines' role will be her ability to reinvigorate an exective team low on morale.
In the email, she pointedly referred to the “important role” each member of the executive team has made, singling out head of branded network Julie Primmer, head of associate networks David Patman, head of affiliate network Kaylene Shuttlewood and head of strategic partnerships Mike Thompson.
Gaines stressed there will be “no changes to the level of engagement and support that you receive from your business partners as Helloworld”.
Gaines, who made no mention of her predecessor, added that the long term achievement relies on “engagement from all levels of the business”, outlining her goal to build on the “significant progress” since Helloworld was launched.
“To achieve this, my main objectives are to continue to transition Helloworld locations nationwide, raise the consumer profile of the brand and maximise the return on investment via our integrated marketing campaigns,” Gaines said.
“A key area will be supporting the growth of our agents through process improvements and efficiencies. As a result this will deliver growth for our preferred suppliers.”
Gaines will earn an annual salary of $750,000 as chief executive which could rise to $1.5 million based on agreed financial and non-financial targets.
Meanwhile, Helloworld has announced that its 2014 owner/managers conference will be held in Los Angeles between October 2 and 4.
