For the past nine months, Beef Central has followed the journey of one of this year’s Graeme Acton Beef Connections mentoring project participants, in the lead-up to Beef 2024 in Rockhampton starting on Monday.

Using a monthly diary format, South Australia’s Phoebe Eckermann* has outlined her experiences and learnings as part of the program. Today’s entry is her last before the event, as she, along with her mentees, prepares to participate in the Beef Connections program during next week’s event.

Links to Phoebe’s earlier diary entries can be found at the base of this page ….

 

 

 

 

WOW …. May is upon us, meaning Beef 2024 is here!

What an amazing 12-months it’s been as a Beef Connections mentee. I’ve learnt so much.

I’ve met so many amazing people and experienced significant personal growth. I can’t wait for the celebration of it all at Beef 2024. The final schedules are being released and wow there’s some exciting things in store.

From the delish meals that’ll be served at The Signature Beef House restaurant (shout out to the family business of Lauren Angus one of my fellow program mentees), to the technology on display in the Ken Coombe OAM Tech Yards & Innovation Hub.

I’m looking forward to being a part of Beef TV, the Suncorp Bank School’s Program and of course, the Graeme Acton Beef Connections Luncheon (details below) which will be packed with inspiration.

I’m speaking along with my nine fellow Beef Connections colleagues. It’s going to be an event not to be missed – I’ll see you next week!

Now, to be honest, there’s still a bit to do before then so read on about how we’ve been developing our communication skills ready to inspire everyone we meet!

Communication is Key

My mentoring journey has reinforced the essential role that communication plays in connecting with others and sharing our stories. These insights have been pivotal in developing skills that will benefit me throughout my career.

I’ve come to understand that communication isn’t just about conveying information; it’s about connection, building relationships, establishing trust, influencing others and fostering a sense of community.

An Afternoon with Sally Prosser

In the lead-up to Beef 2024, we were offered fantastic opportunities, such as an afternoon with renowned speaking coach Sally Prosser. From the moment Sally began speaking, I was captivated. Her refreshing perspective on speaking as a source of joy shifted my mindset: “Speaking is joy,” she emphasised. “Our real voice is a megaphone for our inner voice—when we tap into the ‘why’ and embrace the joy, fun, and playfulness, the tension melts away.”

Sally encouraged us to set the energy before any speaking event, advocating for embodying the emotions we want the audience to feel rather than trying to generate energy spontaneously. This approach allows for more authentic and impactful communication. Sally modelled this point so well even via Zoom you could feel her energy, her vibrancy – it really inspired me.

The 3 Bs to Speaking Success

A key learning for me was the 3Bs to Speaking Success.  I’ve implemented this in the lead up to the Beef Connections Luncheon, where we’ll be speaking in front of 400+ attendees.

Belief: The internal dialogue we have with ourselves shapes our speaking performance. Our real voice amplifies our inner voice, so developing a positive belief statement is essential. Sally repeats phrases such as “People want to hear me” each morning to strengthen her self-confidence – what a great technique we can all use.

Body: Speaking involves much more than just our mouth and voice box; it requires engaging our entire body. We need to prepare physically before speaking by moving and warming up. This approach helps us access our physical energy and express ourselves more authentically. I’m looking forward to fellow mentee Emily McNair running us through the warm up before our speaking event at Beef 2024.

Breathe: Breathing serves as the fuel for our voice. Deep belly breathing without raising the shoulders provides the power and stability needed to communicate effectively and confidently. I now have some great breathing exercises to use to prepare.

Crafting a compelling speech

When preparing speech content, focusing on a one-liner key message that conveys the core idea of the speech is essential. As Simon Sinek suggests in his TED Talk about the importance of “why,” people don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. Repeating a key message helps reinforce its impact.

To illustrate the key message, share a personal story in four lines: first set the scene by recalling a pivotal moment. Then describe how the situation was navigated, the obstacles encountered, and the unexpected opportunities that arose. The story helps the audience visualise the journey, leading them to understand the result and the reason behind telling the story.

The end can be a good place to start when writing the speech thinking about what message you want the story to reveal – what will the call to action be and how will it link back to the key message. Sally’s call to action is one we can all implement; she called us to do a daily voice warm-up. This can be as easy as a tongue twister and will help be ready for clear and engaging communication.

Build Your Beef Future and Beyond

I’m eagerly anticipating putting into practice these speaking and presenting tips. I’ve learned so much and I’m using it all as I prepare for my speech at the Graeme Acton Beef Connections Luncheon next Wednesday, May 8! This will be a significant event, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences and insights.  And I’ll meet my mentor, Sam Noon, for the first time face to face. I honestly can’t wait.

Additionally, my project – Build Your Beef Future is reaching an exciting milestone with the upcoming launch of our first digital magazine showcasing career pathways in the beef industry. The magazine will debut on May 8, so make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated and be among the first to access this valuable resource. Mark your calendars and join me in celebrating this important moment.

Thanks for reading & make sure you come back next month for my final recap.

See you at Beef 2024!

 

Phoebe

 

• The Beef 2024 Graeme Acton Beef Connections lunch will be held in the Long Paddock from Noon on Wednesday. 8 May. Join the cohort of ten 2024 mentees in a joyous lunch as they come together to celebrate the journey they have been on in the 12 months leading up to next week’s event. Hear about their experiences, learn about the innovative projects they have developed, and network with colleagues.

 

 

Phoebe’s previous diary entries

April 2024: The Build Your Beef Future project journey

March 2024: Beefing up Innovation, and how you can too

February 2024: Embracing change and seizing opportunities

December 2023: Riverina families inspire

November 2023: The power of collaboration, opportunities and preparation

October 2023: Being, Balancing and Building Brilliance

September 2023: Meeting our mentors 

August 2023: Our journey begins

* Diarist Phoebe Eckermann works with NextGen Agri, a genetics and management consultancy company working with beef and sheep producers across Australia. She is one of ten 2023/24 Graeme Acton Connections Program mentees. Phoebe’s project vision is to create a web-based resource where people can explore the endless career pathways available in the modern beef industry. She has been engaged with the beef industry since her early teen years, having established her own Limousin stud and shown cattle, winning championships at the Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne Royal Shows.