I have a confession to make. I am a self-proclaimed over-achiever. I’ve spent most of my life trying to cram way too much into each day. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. In order to maintain some semblance of ‘calmness’ in my life, I am constantly on the look-out for productivity tips.
I have been quite interested in training and research for years now. And so, it was only natural that I turned all of this productivity research into a training program for like-minded over-achievers.I figured that the tips I learned were simply too juicy to keep to myself.
How did you come up with the company name?
I distinctly remember a hot sunny day, sitting on a friend’s patio, tossing around different ideas (and a whole lot of laughs) as we brainstormed the company name. We had a big debate about whether to call the company “Clear Concept” or “Clear Concepts”. (Obviously, we settled on the singular version.) I think back to that fun afternoon every time someone calls the company ‘Clear Concepts’ in error.
How did it all begin?
During my first maternity leave, I had great fun organizing our home. (In fact, I had so much fun ‘organizing’ that I even helped a good friend with her home as well). I know, I know … some of you nodding in agreement with this concept or groaning in disbelief. People kept telling me: “Ann – you’ve got a business here.” And so, I started with one corporate client and grew the company from there. They told two corporate friends, and they told two corporate friends, and so on, and so on …
How did you create your training programs?
When I was at Queen’s University doing my MBA, one of my fellow students turned to me and asked “how do you get it all done Ann?” (At the time I had a lot on the go, but it never occurred to me that I had some kind of secret formula. I remember thinking ‘isn’t this what everyone does?’) However, the question did inspire me to start trying to unravel the mystery of how some people are able to get more done. Countless books and interviews later, I was ready to launch the Core Productivity Program. Our advanced programs developed from observing similar training needs in the market.
What motivates you?
My biggest motivation comes from seeing a client undergo a truly positive change.
My favourite clients are those who are willing to put in the effort to improve their work habits. Change doesn’t come easy, but nothing warms my heart more than hearing a client say that they feel so much calmer and in control of their day. I have goose bumps just thinking about this!
Have you always been organized?
I’ll let you in on a little secret. When I was a teenager, my mom gave me framed, cartoon picture for my bedroom. It said “It’s my mess and I love it.” I was shocked. To be fair, there were clothes strewn all over my floor at the time. But I truly believed that under all this mess, I had a good organizational framework. And believe it or not, that framed picture actually served as motivation for me to keep things tidy! Hmmm … reverse psychology at its best perhaps?
What’s next for you?
I have countless ideas to expand Clear Concept. Personal Productivity is a popular topic these days and it is truly exciting to think about the potential. Check back with our website often for more blog posts, productivity tips and programs.
Ann Gomez has a background in Management Consulting. She spent more than three years with A.T.Kearney, working with clients across many industries all over North America. Ann also spent more than four years in pharmaceuticals and health care research. She holds an MBA from Queen’s University and an Honours Bachelor in Science from McMaster University. As a productivity consultant, Ann enjoys working with several top law firms, Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, AstraZeneca, Yahoo!, Procter & Gamble, Grand & Toy, and Queen’s School of Business. She has been quoted in the Globe & Mail and has appeared on ROBtv several times.
Ann Gomez, BSc., MBA
President and CEO of Clear Concept Inc.
What motivated you to launch Clear Concept?
I have a confession to make. I am a self-proclaimed over-achiever. I’ve spent most of my life trying to cram way too much into each day. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. In order to maintain some semblance of ‘calmness’ in my life, I am constantly on the look-out for productivity tips.
I have been quite interested in training and research for years now. And so, it was only natural that I turned all of this productivity research into a training program for like-minded over-achievers.I figured that the tips I learned were simply too juicy to keep to myself.
How did you come up with the company name?
I distinctly remember a hot sunny day, sitting on a friend’s patio, tossing around different ideas (and a whole lot of laughs) as we brainstormed the company name. We had a big debate about whether to call the company “Clear Concept” or “Clear Concepts”. (Obviously, we settled on the singular version.) I think back to that fun afternoon every time someone calls the company ‘Clear Concepts’ in error.
How did it all begin?
During my first maternity leave, I had great fun organizing our home. (In fact, I had so much fun ‘organizing’ that I even helped a good friend with her home as well). I know, I know … some of you nodding in agreement with this concept or groaning in disbelief. People kept telling me: “Ann – you’ve got a business here.” And so, I started with one corporate client and grew the company from there. They told two corporate friends, and they told two corporate friends, and so on, and so on …
How did you create your training programs?
When I was at Queen’s University doing my MBA, one of my fellow students turned to me and asked “how do you get it all done Ann?” (At the time I had a lot on the go, but it never occurred to me that I had some kind of secret formula. I remember thinking ‘isn’t this what everyone does?’) However, the question did inspire me to start trying to unravel the mystery of how some people are able to get more done. Countless books and interviews later, I was ready to launch the Core Productivity Program. Our advanced programs developed from observing similar training needs in the market.
What motivates you?
My biggest motivation comes from seeing a client undergo a truly positive change.
My favourite clients are those who are willing to put in the effort to improve their work habits. Change doesn’t come easy, but nothing warms my heart more than hearing a client say that they feel so much calmer and in control of their day. I have goose bumps just thinking about this!
Have you always been organized?
I’ll let you in on a little secret. When I was a teenager, my mom gave me framed, cartoon picture for my bedroom. It said “It’s my mess and I love it.” I was shocked. To be fair, there were clothes strewn all over my floor at the time. But I truly believed that under all this mess, I had a good organizational framework. And believe it or not, that framed picture actually served as motivation for me to keep things tidy! Hmmm … reverse psychology at its best perhaps?
What’s next for you?
I have countless ideas to expand Clear Concept. Personal Productivity is a popular topic these days and it is truly exciting to think about the potential. Check back with our website often for more blog posts, productivity tips and programs.
Ann Gomez has a background in Management Consulting. She spent more than three years with A.T.Kearney, working with clients across many industries all over North America. Ann also spent more than four years in pharmaceuticals and health care research. She holds an MBA from Queen’s University and an Honours Bachelor in Science from McMaster University. As a productivity consultant, Ann enjoys working with several top law firms, Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, AstraZeneca, Yahoo!, Procter & Gamble, Grand & Toy, and Queen’s School of Business. She has been quoted in the Globe & Mail and has appeared on ROBtv several times.