About me
Hi, I'm Kerri McConnel
Hi, I’m Kerri, head content creator, writer and all-round Chief Website Officer for the successful travel website, Beer and Croissants. I’m also a business and blogging coach that would love to work with you to help you realise your own business and blogging goals, whatever they may be.
In addition, I also create new and refreshed websites for busy business owners and handle WordPress technical issues for clients who don’t want the hassle of technology.
I started Beer and Croissants in 2015, following the end of a long career in the corporate world.
I graduated from university with a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and spent the first few years of my fledgling business career as an accountant. Working for brands such as Defiance Mills and Panasonic as a company accountant and later in London for a major food company, I got a solid introduction to corporate business, people and culture.
A few contract roles following our time in London lead me to Australia Post, where I worked in and across many divisions including finance, product development, marketing, sales and retail operations. The final eight years of my career were in executive general management in the retail division.
I have developed strong business, operations, and people leadership skills that are an integral part of how I run my websites and my business. Knowing how to write is never enough. I am a planner, an organiser, and a communicator who knows how to deliver results, even when the going gets tough.
My main point of difference is that I put my business hat on before I put my website hat on. Ensuring I undertand your business and your goals ensures that you get a good result at the end. We talk in plain English (not developer jargon) and I build what you want (not what I want). Communication is at the heart of everything I do and it’s something I have enormous experience in. Plus I love a chat.
Kerri McConnel
"I have been looking for Kerri for three years! Don't waste another minute trying to decipher confusing internet information. Give Kerri a call to discuss your website or coaching needs."
key business achievements
- Lead a team of area managers, network planners, merchandising managers and 1500 staff across a geographically diverse state.
- Lead and managed in excess of 780 postal/retail outlets in Qld.
- Developed & executed the network strategies for changing customer needs & economic, political & community requirements.
- Drove a sales & service culture that consistently delivered results in a difficult retail environment, and on customer service programs including Priority Customer and Net Promotor Score.
- Consistently delivered results that met or exceeded state and national KPIs.
- Forged & strengthened business partnerships with major customers and business, political, industrial & community leaders to drive strategic business, customer & community initiatives.
- Created & fostered a workplace environment which drove employee engagement to national & global benchmark levels.
- Implemented & lead a positive safety culture that resulted in a significant reduction of injuries.
- Regular MC at corporate events.
- Sponsor of the Australia Post myMentor program for women, Xplore Leadership Program.
- Developed and executed a Men's Mentor Program in Qld.
- Launched successful travel & food website, Beer and Croissants, in 2015 and another affiliate wesbite in 2018.
- Developed and lead Pinterest webinar for Australian Society of Travel Writer members.
- Created and administer several highly engaged commercial/advisory groups and pages on Facebook. Co-admin for Australian Travel Bloggers Facebook page.
- Established kerrimcconnel.com in 2020 to provide online business and blog coaching, WordPress management and website creation.
The first mistake people often make is to ask questions on Facebook forums. Everyone is an expert there but most don't have the experience, skills or knowledge of your website to give an accurate answer. Most will always direct to a generic paid course or some guide on the internet. This just doesn't work for most people.
Associations, memberships & awards
- Treasurer and Board Member Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW)
- Digital Publisher member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW)
- Winner of the 2012 Laurie Cowled Scholarship for Women & attended Harvard Business School
- Past President of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Alumni Board
- Inaugural President of the QUT Learning and Potential Fund Friends & Alumni Chapter
- Former Treasurer Fostering Executive Women (FEW)
- Justice of the Peace (Qual)
- Beer and Croissants named Best Online Food & Travel Advisory 2020 (Acquisition International)
- Member of TravMedia
- Australian Ambassador HOSTMilano 2019
- Honorary Barge Lady - Barge Lady Cruises
There are five methods of learning: visual, auditory, written, kinesthetic & multi-modal. Wading through a ton of gobbledy-gook on the internet rarely helps anyone. Working with Kerri means you can work at your own pace, in your own style in a safe environment where no question is a dumb one.
It's not all business
Part of coaching is understanding personalities and creating a connecction to each other. Here’s a sneak peek into mine.
- I actually love working and the challenges it brings. I often have to be told (or warned) to stop working!
- I love process improvement, so I'm always asking questions, which often sees me going off down a rabbit hole to find the answer. Sometimes, it will make sense to me in the middle of the night.
- I come from a family with a strong insomnia gene. (I'm talking 1-2 hours sleep a night!) Luckily that one didn't seem to get passed on to me, although I can still survive on much less sleep than the average person and getting up at 4.30am especially in summer is quite normal.
- I love animals and have a very pampered labrador.
- Travelling regularly with my husband is what makes me happy. Our travel always involves lots of good food and wine.
- I love a good craft beer and French champagne. I hate coffee!
- Motorhome road trips, especially through Europe, are our passion. We also love camping.
