KSS April Edition eKourier 2025

Kennards Kourier EDITION: April 2025

MOMENTUM 24 UPDATE

IS AI TAKING OVER?

ARE YOU A TEAM PLAYER?

SPACE FOR CHANGE

PAINT THE TOWN BLUE

IN THIS ISSUE

Message From Sam

3

Team Member Profiles

4

10 Questions With

5

Momentum 24 Update

6

Challenges And Embracing Growth...

6

Paint The Town Blue

7

Is AI Taking Over?

8

Spotlight On...

9

Space For Change/Feedback

10

Are You A Team Player?

11

Developments Outside Storage

12

Lets Huddle Up

13

Nev's Notes 14 Community/KSS Boxes To The Rescue 15

NEXT ISSUE

Deadline: July 18, 2025 Editor: Sharon Munro Email: sharon@kss.com.au Distribution: June 13, 2025

Front cover: David van Aanholt (KSS Chairman of the Board) and Andrew Kirkham (NZ Operations Manager) visiting Wairau Valley, New Zealand.

Inside cover: Kennards Self Storage Minto, NSW.

FEATURE

MESSAGE FROM SAM

L to R: Property Development Team - Richard Dib (Project Manager), Felicia Yu (Project Coordinator), Sam Kennard (CEO), Michael Micheledt (Property Development Manager), Darren McKeon (Commercial Leasing Manager), Michaela Endicott (Design Manager), Craig Henery (Project Manager).

2025 is already flying by, KSS has some exciting opportunities filling the development pipeline. Recent acquisitions in Canberra and Queanbeyan will see our ACT presence grow. The company now has 19 new centres in the development pipeline. These projects include several in-construc- tion, planning and consent phase and some further on the horizon while we wait for leases to expire or infrastructure and services to arrive.

of new centres, in contrast to acquiring exiting operating centres. It has been a core competency while also reflecting our appetite for greater risk. The strategy also comes with longer lead times and more gradual growth but delivers superior quality outcomes and returns. In addition to our new centre develop- ment program, we have an extensive list of expansions and upgrades. The capital expenditure budget for growth and upgrades is now in excess of $350 million, including those in the longer term.

The exciting growth trajectory has meant we have now increased our capability in the Property Team with the addition of Michaela Endicott (Design Manager), Richard Dib (Project Manager) and a soon to be appointed Project Coordinator. This increases the Property Team from four to seven. We welcome and look forward to their contributions to the growth of the KSS Brand across Australia and New Zealand.

Sam Kennard Chief Executive Officer

Growth in our business has been dominated by ground-up development

3 Kennards Kourier April 2025

WHO’S WHO

TEAM MEMBER PROFILES

Amber Xiao Assistant Manager - Gladesville, NSW

Alan Burvill Manager - Thebarton, SA

Tell us about your career background: I have mainly worked in retail since I was 15 years old from general sales to Management. Then 10 years with the Royal Navy, where I volunteered for Submarine Service. After this I was a Store Manager, a Manager for a soft furnishing store and then Tesco’s as a Night Shift Manager. Since being in Australia I have worked for St Gobain Glass as a supplier and then as a merchandiser for Crossmark. I Then settled with Kennards and now about to experience my fourth centre at Thebarton. What do you enjoy doing when not at KSS? (Hobbies/ Interests)? I am an avid historical wargamer, I also enjoy caravanning and love any historical based podcast. What are you reading now? Normandy 44 by James Holland and The Cruel Victory by Paddy Ashdown. What are you watching now? Rouge Hero’s. What favourite foods or restaurant would you recommend? Sunday roasts and I love all desserts especially Bakewell Pudding. Would also recommend the Eastern Garden Chinese Restaurant in Norwood. Where did you grow up and what was it like? I grew up on the South Coast of England in Littlehampton, a seaside town on the river Arun. I spent most of the time at the beach, amusement arcades or on the South Downs. Favourite hangout people when not at work? I Have a great circle of close friends that are very good company. Favourite holiday destination or interesting place you’ve been to? The North Pole, Pompei in Italy, down to the Island of South Georgia and a lot of places in between.

Tell us about your career background: I worked in China for two years as a General Manager and Executive Sales Manager. During Covid in Australia, I worked as a Manager in The Factory in Gosford for almost four years. I moved to Sydney and worked as a Retail Manager in POP MART for two years and now I am with Kennards! What do you enjoy doing when not at KSS? (Hobbies/ Interests)? Reading, playing instruments, gaming and shopping. What are you reading now? Asian history, it covers the WW II parts. What are you watching now? The Boys, Mandalorian, sometimes Friends as background noise. What favourite foods or restaurant would you recommend? My favourite brunch is Pina. I would recommend everyone to try it. The problem is you need to wait in line for at least half an hour. Where did you grow up and what was it like? I grew up in Shenzhen, a modern metropolis in southern China, right next to Hong Kong. It’s one of China’s fastest-growing cities and a global tech hub. I Spent 19 years in Shenzhen. Favourite hangout people when not at work? That would be Silvia and Cathy. Cathy and I were classmates for nine years and we became besties and I met Silvia while I was doing some volunteer work for a Buddha Temple. Favourite holiday destination or interesting place you’ve been to? My favourite holiday destination would be Phillip Island in Melbourne where I have watched the small penguins coming from the ocean.

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WHO’S WHO

10 QUESTIONS... With Deepa Chirayath - Digital Marketing Coordinator, THQ

Darren Marshall says, "it's open-heart surgery". A lot of work has gone into it, and we are now working through the final bits. Like any modern SaaS platform, it gives us the ability to scale, streamline operations, introduce automation and work flows giving us a competitive edge over the rest of the market. Name a person who has inspired you both professionally and personally? For me that person was my professor, Dr. Justin Nelson. At 18, I was angry, frustrated and filled with more untamed energy than a hyper-caffeinated Squirrel. My emotions had a way of bursting out in disruptive ways. But instead of writing me off as a lost cause and letting me spiral into chaos, he redirected my intensity into something useful—like ambition, purpose, and (somewhat) socially acceptable enthusiasm. I’ll always be grateful to him, not just as a professor but as the person who saw the best version of me before I even had a clue she existed. How do you spend your time outside of KSS? When I’m not working, I’m living my best chaotically balanced life. One minute I’m baking like I’m auditioning for The Great British Bake Off, and the next I’m doing Pilates to convince myself that croissants are a food group. I also love reading, mostly books that make me feel intellec- tual, even if I forget everything I read 10 minutes later. And of course I spend time with my friends, who have accepted that I communicate in a mix of sarcasm, snack recommendations, and unsolicited life advice. Basically, I’ve perfected the fine art of eating, stretching, learning, and social- ising—sometimes all at once!

now. The rest of my family is back in India. Both my parents are working and are loving being empty nesters. I have two younger siblings, a brother and a sister both of whom I have tried to convince that they are adopted. I have a big group of friends here, most from my uni days. If you had the chance to tell your younger self something what would it be? Not sure, I was a pretty bratty kid. I would probably tell myself to be kind to both others and me. In a world of ifs and buts it costs nothing to be kind. Do you have a favourite holiday destination or holiday you've taken? I’d say Dubai, most of my friends are based out of there and it’s a wonderful mix of luxury, adventure and beautiful architecture. The other holiday that holds a very special place in my heart is a trip to Wagah, which is the border between India and Pakistan. There is a ceremony at the end of the day and a parade where the boarder forces of both countries lower the flags. It’s a pretty electric environment and the energy is infectious. It's one of the most powerful experiences I have witnessed. To sum up KSS in one word? Inspired.

What year did you start at KSS and what did you do before joining KSS? I Started at KSS in August 2018. Before that I worked in Mondelez and PepsiCo in India, across Sales and Marketing. When you started at KSS what were you doing and what is your current role now? I was in the CCC, worked there for 18 months. Currently working as the Digital Marketing Coordinator. I work with our Digital Marketing agencies who help us to maintain our website and advertising. Basically, my job is to make sure if people think storage, we show up online (preferably on top!) and provide them a frictionless way to rent a space. What would you say is the best part of your job? The best part of my job is the opportu- nity to work in a dynamic and ever-evolving field like Digital Marketing. I enjoy the combination of strategy, creativity, and data-driven decision- making, which allows me to contribute to impactful marketing initiatives. Working with my team is also especially rewarding. Out of all the changes you have seen take place at KSS over the years, what do you think has been the biggest game changer? I think Hummingbird is going to be by far the biggest of them all. Like

Tell us about your family and friends?

Its just my husband Joe and me here. We have been married for 10 years

Deepa with her husband Joe and Godchild Isabella

5 Kennards Kourier April 2025

FEATURE

MOMENTUM 24 UPDATE

Since the last update the main theme has been from the Customer Experience Pillar Team; Fiona and Nicole, with the launch and celebration of 'Paint the Town Blue'. The creation of the song was a great addition to build energy and fun when seeking nominations and presenting prizes to Team Members. What a fantastic exercise in reminding us all to appreciate and recognise the good efforts of so many.

W ith so many initiatives working away in the background, the Pillar Teams most certainly have their work cut out for them! Here is an update on the status of each Pillar. Pillar #1: Technology - Champions: Jeff Xanthos and Wayne Brown : Technology continue to take steps to raise awareness on Cybersecurity and the team are also moving forward with the big projects that will become our new financial and payroll system choices. Hummingbird is getting more deeply into the training, the pilot stage and ultimate launch. Lastly Atlas continues to have small enhancements and improvements made. Pillar #2: People and Company Culture - Champions: Darren Marshall and Darryl Hodgson : Recruitment for a southern NSW/ ACT region Operations Manager was completed with an outstanding number of internal applicants competing with over 50 external applicants. Phil Rayner are presenting challenges right now. However, history shows that these cycles are a normal part of business, particularly in the retail sector. The good news, we’re starting to see positive signs of recovery. With interest rates beginning to ease and green shoots of business activity emerging, there is much cause for optimism. My approach to the team and business is we should continue to move forward with confidence and with a strategic growth plan. A nice addition in the New Zealand portfolio is the recent acquisi- tion of a 40-unit storage business adjacent to our Omahu Road site that

will commence with KSS this month. We continue to work on Key Role Risk, documenting many tasks and processes so that we build better capability across the business. Also, the much-anticipated Future Leaders Program has been reviewed by the Operations Team with final changes being made. Pillar #3: Customer Experience - Champions: Fiona Harding and Nicole Bergan : As mentioned, round one of Paint the Town Blue is now complete. The engagement by teams across KSS was exceptional. Value Add - External sales training with some of the Queensland team is being trialled with Freedman Group. We will review the teams progress and their feedback at the end of the trial. Pillar #4: Innovation - Champions: Kellie Robley and Tony Vuong : The team have been working with our partners at Webvine to include a we are currently building in Hastings. This new site brings our total footprint in New Zealand to 11 sites following the successful acquisition in Kilbirnie. Regardless of economic fluctuations, our business remains resilient and strong. Self storage has consistently proven its durability in both good times and bad, and our continued success comes down to doing the fundamen- tals exceptionally well. A focus on Best Practice, attention to detail and doing the basics well are the cornerstones of our performance thinking.

Suggestion Box in Atlas so that teams can easily and quickly put forward ideas. Importantly, a key goal is to ensure teams receive feedback on their ideas and progress updates when they are adopted. Security innovations continue to be rolled out across centres through the “Security Hardening” project, with learning that in part, came from conferences and research into other businesses and their security strategies. Pillar # 5: Brand - Champions: Deepa Chirayath and Jared Mobbs : Jared and Deepa recently completed a BI (Business Intelligence) course to better combine and produce marketing data across KSS to understand our marketing position, success of initia- tives and so forth. The KSS Marketing Calendar is now well underway and in use. There is still work to do to develop an internal communication strategy to ensure all of us inside KSS get the same messaging as customers. Darryl Hodgson NSW Operations Manager Every interaction, whether purchasing moving supplies or securing a premium unit, should reflect our genuine interest in helping every customer. Many of our Google Reviews reflect this with individual Team Members mentioned to recognise the special efforts made. As a team, we are fortunate to be part of a well-run, efficient, and profitable business. The efforts we put in today will drive better results in the future. I am proud to see the positive and committed approach the NZ team have with a focus on excellence, positive growth and success going forward this year. Andrew Kirkham NZ Operations Manager

CHALLENGES AND EMBRACING GROWTH IN NZ I t’s no secret that economic conditions

However, what truly sets us apart is our dedication to customer service.

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FEATURE

PAINT THE TOWN BLUE

Top left: L to R - Dennis Ling, Michael Tucker (TSM), Maria Katselas and Kathleen Byers from KSS Camperdown. Top right: Shaun Young from KSS Coorparoo. Bottom left: L to R - Michael Chan, Harrison Shaw, Stuart Smith, Antone Boustani (THQ) and James Su from KSS Waterloo. Bottom middle: L to R - Renee Ormond-Birch, Kim Simpson and Neil Pardoe from KSS Penrith. Bottom right: Bronwyn Maugavao from KSS Minto.

C elebrating every little win, we're the People Who Care, where the Stories begin! The Paint Was Flying! Thousands of Viva likes, hundreds of comments, and a total of 85 people were shouted out, during what was an amazing kick off for our first Paint the Town Blue week! During round one, themed ‘Customer Experience', we captured stories ranging from exceptional Google Reviews to peer support, providing a wonderful glimpse into our teams work ethics and how their inspiring efforts are helping us achieve our dream of being 'The Favourite Name in Space'.

at the airport, to deliver gifts to some well-chosen winners below!

quarter as a fun stream for us to share ideas, communicate and celebrate the great work happening in all corners of the business. It’s a space where we can learn from each other and grow in a creative and fun way! ‘ Celebrating every little win, we're the People Who Care, where the Stories begin! When the Space Goat arrived at THQ we knew we were in for some fun. Hats off to Space Goat for braving the 35-degree heat, dancing with teams and stirring up a bit of chaos ‘

• Bronwyn Maugavao (Minto) • Stuart Smith (Waterloo) • Neil Pardoe (Penrith) • Shaun Young (Coorparoo) • Maria Katselas (Camperdown)

Our next Paint the Town Blue will take place this month, with a new topic to be announced soon. Future themes may include Security Hardening, Points of Difference and Best Customer Video Testimonial, and of course, we welcome any suggestions you might have!

Nicole Bergan QLD Operations Manager

Paint the Town Blue will run each

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FEATURE

IS AI TAKING OVER? (But let's pretend we're in control)

Look, I’m not obsessed with AI, but if I had a dollar for every time I’ve listened to an AI podcast, I could buy a robot to do my laundry and probably fold the fitted sheets too (something I’m still failing at). ‘ChatGPT, write my resume.’

Viewsroom: China vs. The U.S. – AI Edition AI isn’t just disrupting businesses it’s reshaping global power. Viewsroom reports that China is closing the AI gap fast, building powerful models that cost way less than what Silicon Valley is cranking out. If AI is the new oil, China is drilling deep while the U.S. wonders where it left its hard hat. The race for AI dominance isn’t just about tech; it’s about who controls the future. Lex Fridman & Dwarkesh Patel: The AI Deep Dives For those who like their AI talk nerdy Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and AI researchers debate whether AI will save us or send us straight into a sci-fi dystopia. Patel’s show is basically “AI, but make it intellectually intimidating, where he explores the complexities of AI development and its potential trajectory toward AGI (Artificial General Intelligence). So… Should We Be Worried? AI is moving at warp speed, and whether you see it as the ultimate sidekick, or an impending nightmare depends on who you ask. But one thing’s for sure—if you want to stay ahead of the AI wave (or at least understand what’s about to disrupt your life), these podcasts are essential listening. Now, go forth and impress your friends with AI knowledge—or just ask ChatGPT to do it for you. and existential, The Lex Fridman Podcast and Dwarkesh Patel’s Podcast bring the heavy hitters.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to listen to a podcast where AI might explain why it’s smarter than me? Honestly, I just want to be ready when the machines take over and politely ask if I need help with my taxes, plus, it’s the closest I’ll get to being “tech-savvy” without actually having to learn how to code. AI is here, and it’s not just coming for your playlists, it’s apparently coming for your job, your economy, and possibly your sanity. But don’t panic! (Okay, maybe panic a little.) Some of the smartest minds (and podcasters) are breaking it all down so we can pretend we understand what’s happening. Scott Galloway: AI is Coming for Your Job On The Prof G Pod, Scott Galloway sounds the alarm: AI isn’t replacing factory workers it’s coming for lawyers, consultants, and anyone whose job involves staring at spread- sheets and nodding knowingly. AI is faster, cheaper, and doesn’t need coffee breaks. While productivity will skyrocket, so will wealth inequality. Unless governments step in, we’re

looking at a world where AI prints money for tech bros while the rest of us learn to bake sourdough (again). Vox’s Good Robot: AI Has a Morality Problem Over at Good Robot, they’re tackling a fun little problem: AI might be making decisions without a moral compass. Some developers want to slow things down before AI acciden- tally takes over the world, while others are like, “Nah, let’s see what happens!” (Spoiler: probably nothing good.) The series highlights why ethics should be baked into AI before it turns into a digital overlord with the emotional intelligence of a potato. The Big View: The AI Civil War According to The Big View, the AI world is basically Game of Thrones but with more spreadsheets and fewer dragons. Big Tech is at war, racing to dominate AI, while investors throw cash at anything with “machine learning” in its pitch deck. Some believe AI will outthink us all soon, while others say, “Chill, it’s just a fancier calculator.” Either way, the AI boom is making and breaking fortunes faster than you can say

Deepa Chirayath Digital Marketing Coordinator

8 Kennards Kourier April 2025

PROPERTY

SPOTLIGHT ON ROSEBUD

misbehaviour the whole time KSS has been here. L to R: Amanda Coaker and Steve Best at Kennards Self Storage Rosebud. We have quite a few smaller competi- tors around our area, a couple of these are quite new. Some of these are not manned and to view unit’s customers are required to make an appointment, however our office being manned seven days a week is one of our biggest draw cards. Our bigger competitors are 10 kms away in Dromana and 25 kms away in Mornington. Our occupancy is currently sitting at around 88%. We have also seen a good increase in rental income and our asking rate has also risen with this. Our merchandise sales are also increasing. The Team at KSS Rosebud consists of myself (Manager), and Steve (Assistant Manager). I started at KSS in February 2022 when KSS acquired Rosebud Mini Warehousing. Steve joined us in February last year as Assistant Manager. We are very excited about our rebuild which is currently undergoing approval from Council. The rebuild will make us the biggest storage facility on the peninsula.

K SS Rosebud is situated on the Mornington Peninsula and opened in February 2022. We are located on a busy thoroughfare road approximately 2 kms from the beach and the local shopping precinct. With a very busy Bunnings a couple of hundred metres away, along with various other small industrial and commercial businesses, we get a lot of passing traffic. Prior to the KSS acquisition our site was Rosebud Mini Warehousing, a family owned and operated storage business for approximately 15 years. We have four separate sites with a total number of 570 units. We have a good mix of units available, ranging from three square metres to 63 square metres. 215 of our units are shipping containers. The KSS Box Shop is quite unique as it is a Ranch style weatherboard house. We cater to a wide range of customers with a lot of our larger units currently occupied by our local trades: Plumbers, Landscapers, Concreters and Electricians. We also have 23 open spaces for boats and caravans. These are quite popular during the summer when customers come to the Peninsula on holidays.

Unlike most KSS centres, many of our units are situated on ground level. These are mostly drive-up units however most do not have any covered areas to unload and load, therefore we are very dependent on weather. We are very excited about our rebuild which is currently getting approved from Council. The rebuild will make us the biggest storage facility on the peninsula We have a small area on one of our sites that is two-storey with 24 small units on the upper level. This area is accessed by ramps (no stairs or lifts). Getting from site to site to show our customers units, or when carrying out cleaning and gardening, is made easier with our little car, filled with cleaning equipment and gardening tools. Each of our sites are secured with electric fencing and we have approx. 140 CCTV cameras (a little excessive I know). These are a big deterrent as we have not had any break-ins or ‘

‘

Amanda Coaker Manager, KSS Rosebud, VIC

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FEATURE

SPACE FOR CHANGE B orn out of the 2016 Momentum conference, our facilitators at Step Change challenged us to define a purpose, a reason to get out of bed and go to work each day. A strong motiva- tion to achieve something meaningful. Dan Pink, a well-known American author, wrote in his best-selling book Drive, about what motivates people, citing 'purpose' as one of the three key elements in achieving true motiva- tion. Jim Collins, another well-known American author, also refers to purpose as one of the core fundamentals of Level 5 Leadership, being in service to something greater than ourselves. He incorporates purpose as an essential, foundational element in his frameworks for building enduring and successful organisations. It goes beyond profit, serving as a motivator, a guide, and a unifying force that helps companies achieve greatness and longevity. After much deliberation and debate, we landed on our purpose: 'To Create the Space for Change'. But why this purpose? Storage is driven by the events that shape people’s lives. Some planned, while others are sudden and disrup- tive, necessitating the need for storage. Change comes in many forms: leaving home, travelling, starting a family, moving or renovating. However, disrup- tion can take many forms. Governments imposed lock downs, difficulty entering the housing market, the high cost/lack of rentals, can all influence the need for storage. Businesses also experience disrup- tion and evolution. It is often said that storage acts as a business incubator. Startups and small businesses turn to storage for its flexibility, to increase or decrease the amount of space needed. Many businesses who become successful eventually outgrow storage and transition into larger, more permanent spaces. Talk about creating the Space for Change!

This was the premise of our purpose back in 2016, providing peace of mind by being there for people going through change. ‘ Storage is driven by the events that shape people’s lives. Some planned, while others are sudden and disrup- tive, necessitating the need for storage During Momentum 2024, our purpose was questioned for its continued relevance, sparking deeper discus- sion and leading us to discover an even greater meaning. Not only does it serve as an external mission, helping customers navigate life changes, but it also serves as an internal message, recognising the personal growth and transformation of individuals within our own team. Just as our customers experience change and growth through significant life events, our Team Members also undergo their own evolution. KSS has long been committed to developing its people. Our learning and development programs, like PEP and our leadership programs around LSI, along with participation in profes- sional networking groups like TEC and Think Tank, all contribute to this growth. Our Self-Improvement Program (SIP) encourages Team Members to explore external learning opportunities beyond KSS. All of this is designed to help individuals grow and develop, enabling them to live more satisfied and fulfilled lives. ‘

"I wanted to take a moment to recognise the outstanding service I received from Phillip during my move in to KSS Macquarie Park. I’ve not used many storage units in my lifetime but have been involved with a lot of site transfers and operations. I can safely say this was one of the best move-in experi- ences from a customer support perspective I’ve ever had. Phillip’s professionalism, efficiency, and willingness to go above and beyond really streamlined the entire process. From the outset he demonstrated a thorough understanding of the storage solutions available and offered support getting everything right to fit our needs. He proactively anticipated a few potential challenges and addressed them before they became issues, making what could have been a compli- cated move much smoother. His attention to detail, clear communi- cation and commitment to our satisfaction was evident along every step of the way. He was friendly, approachable, and it’s clear that he takes pride in his work and in creating a positive experience for clients like us. Anton was also a genuine pleasure to deal with while organising use of the trailer. He was clear, concise, thorough and genuinely helpful. I sincerely appreciate the hard work and support from your team and wanted to share the positive experi- ence with you.

We are the 'Space for Change', for our customers and our people.

Your team at this site are a credit to your business".

Darren Marshall Chief Operating Officer

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TRAINING

ARE YOU A TEAM PLAYER?

Interviewing for Humility : Ask about past successes and listen for “I” vs. “We” language. Ideal team players credit others and acknowledge their own mistakes. Assessing Hunger : Look for a track record of going above and beyond. Ask candidates about times they took initia- tive or worked on something without being asked. Testing People Smarts : Observe how they interact. Do they pick up on social cues? Can they read the room and adapt their communication? Developing Your Team : If someone lacks in one area, help them grow! Encourage humility with feedback, cultivate hunger by setting ambitious goals, and sharpen people smarts through mentorship and communication. Final Thought : The Power of a Balanced Team. A team full of hungry but not humble people? You get cutthroat competition. A team of humble but not hungry people? Great culture, but no drive. A team of smart but not humble people? Manipulation and office politics. But a team full of Humble, Hungry, and Smart people? That’s the goal. That’s where the magic happens. So, are you the ideal team player? If not, where can you improve? And if you’re a leader, how can you build a team that embodies these values? Whatever your role or function in the business, embracing these three qualities will make you a better team member, leader, and professional. Time to level up! If you would like to know more about the subject matter don’t hesitate to reach out to me or your Operations Manager.

L to R: Zackery Grimley (Pakenham), Cameron Gaddes (Belmont), Antony O'Dwyer (Erina), Craig Maguire (TSM NSW), Michael Chan (TSM NSW), Conor Kennedy (THQ), Suzie Maharjan (THQ), Stuart Officen (Adelaide Airport), Dana Pinkerton (Maroochydore), Jonas Silva (TSM NSW).

E ver wondered what makes Patrick Lencioni’s book, The Ideal Team Player, breaks it down into three key virtues. Humble, Hungry, and Smart. If you’ve got all three, congratu- lations you’re the kind of person every team needs! If you’re missing one (or more), don’t worry, self-awareness is the first step to improvement. Humble – What does this mean? And more importantly what does it mean at KSS? No big egos here! Ideal team players focus on the success of the team rather than themselves. They give credit where it’s due, are open to feedback, and don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room to make an impact. someone truly great to work with? The Three Essential Qualities Hungry – These are the Team Members that are self-motivated, always looking for ways to contribute more, and naturally go the extra mile. They don’t wait to be told what to do, they take initiative and keep pushing for excellence. Smart – Not just book-smart, but people-smart. They understand team dynamics, pick up on social cues, and communicate effectively. They

know when to listen, when to speak, and how to work well with different personalities.

So, how do you measure up?

Think about your own approach to teamwork. If you had to rate yourself from 1 to 3 (where 1 = Excellent, 2 = Needs Focus, and 3 = Needs Work), how would you rank yourself on these three traits? Most people have a natural strength in one or two areas but might need to develop the third. For example, someone might be super hungry and smart but lack humility, which can make them come across as arrogant or overly competitive. Another person might be humble and smart, but without hunger, they may not take enough initiative. Like many things in life these traits can be developed with the right mindset and effort. As leaders how do we spot and more importantly develop ideal team players? If you’re hiring or leading a team, finding people with these three qualities is a game-changer. Here’s how you can identify and nurture them:

Wayne Brown Learning & Development Manager

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PROPERTY

DEVELOPMENTS OUTSIDE THE STORAGE BOX

Kennards Self Storage has a history of integrating retail and fast food outlets into their property developments. For instance, our Penrith site underwent a two-storey extension along with the addition of three fast food outlets which are under Commercial Leases.

Above: Left - Artist Impression of Kennards Self Storage Craigieburn commercial precinct. Above right - Kennards Self Storage Craigieburn. Below left: Kennards Self Storage Roxburgh Park.

to be approved by Council very soon and construction documentation is underway. Craigieburn (VIC) Located in the north of Melbourne and next to Bunnings, KSS Craigieburn has been serving the local community since 2023, providing over 500 units and 16 Enterprise Spaces. Looking ahead, we are expecting to expand the centre with three additional storage buildings. In addition, we are also exploring the development of a commercial precinct, which will include a couple of retail outlets and fast food restaurants on the expansive vacant land situated between our existing self storage centre and Bunnings.

Roxburgh Park (VIC) In 2023, a new KSS centre opened in Roxburgh Park. This facility was converted from a HomeCo Centre and now offers more than 600 units upon the completion of Stage 1. Apart from the self storage centre, the site features several retail shops at the front of the building, including Nutrition Warehouses, Chemist Warehouse, a Medical Centre and Petbarn, all under Commercial Lease arrangements. There is a spacious car park with hundreds of parking spaces, the location of which is highly visible from Pascoe Vale Road. We are now working on a new commercial development for this area which will include three fast food restaurants featuring Red Rooster and El Jannah. The planning permit is expected

for fast food establishment Guzman y Gomez and anticipate receiving the permit for the retail shops very soon. Officeworks, BCF and Total Tools have already been confirmed as tenants.

Cranbourne (VIC) Another land area where we are

developing retail and fast food outlets is in Cranbourne Victoria. Located in Melbourne's southeast, the existing self storage centre is purpose-built, offering 674 storage units. The existing building also has a dedicated retail area and is currently leased to Nutrition Warehouse. Similar to the Craigieburn project, we are proposing to develop a couple of fast food restaurants and retail shops on the vacant land at the corner of Thompson Road and Whitfield Boulevard. The two fast food tenants, Soul Origin and El Jannah, are incorporating drive-thru features and will benefit from great exposure to those two major roads. The Planning Permit has been granted by Council and we are finalising the construction documents to commence. Michael Macheledt, Craig Henery, Felicia Yu, Michaela Endicott and Richard Dib Property Development Team

We have obtained the planning permit

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FEATURE

LET'S HUDDLE UP

Top, L to R: At Kennards Self Storage Artarmon2 - Chris Hangan (Rozelle), Steve Jansen (Pymble), Leigh McKonkey (Artarmon), Jelena Stricevic (THQ), Chris Jeffrey (Chullora), Daniel Chick (Nowra2), Antone Boustani (THQ), Kellie Robley (THQ), Keenan Mowat (THQ), Beth Mafrici (THQ), Anthony Tropiano (THQ), Darryl Hodgson (THQ), Terry Langley (Box Hill), Varsha Samji (Pymble), Andrew Kirkham (THQ), Tony Vuong (THQ), Michael Chan (TSM, NSW), Lorena Yepes Rojas (Artarmon2), Phil Boniface (Macquarie Park), Dennis Flack (Petersham), Mehul Peiris (Macquarie Park). W ith the newly renovated showroom at Artarmon2 we thought what better way to introduce other teams to the new format than to engage in a Team Huddle! The Sydney Team Huddle was attended by 30 guests. We had the pleasure of hosting the huddle for all the Operations Team and many Centre Managers. It was a casual get together and a chance to catch up. There had been a rumour that Space Goat may attend, unfortunately not this time around. We had some yummy food and the evening was full of fellowship and laughs. Our Huddles are something we are well known for. So, what’s the secret to an impactful and successful Huddle? Getting everyone together (yes, I mean everyone), this is always the biggest challenge of a great Huddle. When it comes to Huddles, always start (and end) with high energy. The reality is that company news is no different than anything else in life, it ebbs and flows. Sometimes there are long runs of amazing wins, other times there are crickets. But we always try to find something to be excited about! Have fun with it and most of all, get your team pumped up. Good news and good thoughts help produce good work. Leanne Nassif Manager, KSS Artarmon2, NSW

K icking off Victoria’s social calendar strongly in 2025, the Ivanhoe Team, Najeeba and Hayden brought food, fun and games to a new level. Not missing an opportu- nity to see each other and enjoy great food, our team quickly filled the centre. Upon arrival, the team were greeted with a grazing platter and many also took the opportunity for a guided tour, highlighting some of the Security Hardening measures that have been implemented. They also took in the views from the leafy balcony at the rear of the property.

After catching up and enjoying some Italian food, a few brave Team Members volunteered for what I can only call blindfolded Pictionary. In this game, the artistic talent of our team truly came to light. While the voting was split, Charles took the top spot with his depiction of 'Wine Storage'. As always, huddles are an excellent way to see other centres and get to know your teammates better. Thank you to everyone who was able to make it out and special thanks to the Ivanhoe Team for a lovely evening.

Beth Mafrici VIC Operations Manager

Above, L to R: At Kennards Self Storage Ivanhoe - Top Row: Michael Cimoli (Vermont), Charles Shepherd (TSM, VIC), Bruce More (TSM, VIC), Hayden Galloway (Ivanhoe), Kamil Kaya (Craigieburn), Sean Rodda (TSM, VIC), Sam Grant (Roxburgh Park), Najeeba Moscatiello (Ivanhoe), Keenan Mowat (THQ). Bottom Row: Daniel Huntington (Hawthorn), Azam Muhammad (Truganina), Andrew Nelson (Roxburgh Park), Eli Savic (Maribyrnong), Tania Norris (Maribyrnong), Beth Mafrici (THQ), Suzanne Schuback (Nth Melbourne), Diane Colosimo (Flemington), Fabiana De Assuncao (Abbotsford1), Dan La (Abbotsford1), Adam Kniese (Hawthorn).

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NEV’S NOTES

NEV'S NOTES

Neville Kennard (1937 - 2012) Founder of Kennards Self Storage, enjoyed and was very passionate about expressing his ideas. These little gems have been appreciated by many in KSS. We will continue to publish his ideas that we have in stock. Enjoy!

THE IMMORALITY OF TRADE UNIONS

T rade unions in Australia once again are flexing their muscles, this time because their political party, the Labor Party, is in government and they have the leverage to get certain Acts of Parlia- ment passed which will benefit their members and the ruling elite of the trade union movement. Also there is pretty much full employment in Australia — that is, if you discount the tens of thousands on some sort of structured benefits that ensure their unemployment or under- employment, but where they don’t count in the official unemployment numbers. So the time is right for trade unions to start once again to extort benefits for their members from employers. That this is to the detriment of all other employed Australians, and of the cost-of-living, and to productivity and competitiveness, is undisputed. But what is of more interest, perhaps, is the ethical and moral position of trade unions and their power. Voluntary trade unions, or any other voluntary group of people, who do not have special legal privileges and are not engaging in any coercive activity, are quite moral and ethical. There are many trade organisations and associa- tions where membership is voluntary and where these associations or their members have no special legal privilege. These inflict no financial burden or ethical conflict on those they may deal with. But trade unions as we know them do have special legal privilege and they use this as a mafia or protection racketeer might. Organised crime organisations are less harmful than trade unions, however, as they are somewhat constrained by the law, even if they may violate the law with some impunity at times. But are petty criminals compared with trade unions. Trade unions can now, since the government of the day authorised it, enter employers property, talk with his

unique skills in niches to businesses and private people, makes it very difficult for the unions to find and to extort fees from them. Self-employed people don’t need or want the “services” of trade unions. They also like their independence and ability to negotiate their pay and their produc- tivity with the “customer,” who may have previously been their boss. Coercive trade unionism with its special privileges is a dying institution. It is dying because it is both immoral and unethical and also because it is uneconomic. It will continue for quite a while probably in government and public service jobs where the produc- tivity is difficult to measure, where profitability of the employer is not measurable, and where competition is non-existent. With the trend to privati- sation of government services, even in the public service trade union member- ship will be in decline. Non-coercive trade unions could fill a useful need to employers by relieving them of the need to find good staff and by becoming, in effect, “contrac- tors,” labour-supply contractors who relieve an employer of the need to search for labour and skilled people. Competing trade unions would vie with each other for contracts with employers who would then negotiate productivity deals with them. Trade unions would thus become a productive part of the process, part of the division of labour process which ever-increases produc- tivity and prosperity. It may happen when their privileges are taken away. After a hundred years of trade union privilege and cosy relationship with governments, the day of the unethical and immoral trade union will draw to an end. The days of the coercive trade union bosses is drawing to an end. July 14th, 2011

employees and even force the employer to negotiate. Trade unions can require that an employer deduct their union members fees from his pay and remit it to the union. While trade union membership is not compulsory, the union can make it quite uncomfortable for non-members, and for non-compliant employers. The ethics of this use of force and coercion is obvious. If an ordinary person were to do what the trade unions do they would be guilty of extortion, or attempted extortion. The victim would probably call the police and seek the arrest, or at least the restraint of the person who was threatening to harm the employer. Traditionally, trade unions have justified their extra legal powers on grounds that it balances the power of lowly employees against more powerful employers. This is an attractive (at first glance) proposi- tion, but it is quite fallacious as well as being immoral. Employers need to attract good people and pay them market rates. If they don’t, they will be forced to hire not-so-good people at lower rates, making the employer and his products or services uncompetitive. Henry Ford understood this and hired workers at double the going rate; he knew that he could get the best people and get them to work very productively if he paid them well. He knew he could pick and choose, and he could also demand high productivity. And people came by the train-load to get a job at Ford Motor Company. It also had the effect of lifting the going wage in other industries and of lifting the standards of performance and productivity. With more and more service industries, more and more self-employed “contrac- tors,” the demand for membership of trade unions is declining. The division of labour, an ever increasing trend, where more and more specialists offer their

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PEOPLE/CHARITY

KENNARDS COMMUNITY

KSS BOXES TO THE RESCUE

Congratulations Craig Henery from THQ, now the proud grandfather of Liokar Grace Henery. Proud parents Maccoy and Jaythene welcomed their daughter into the world on February 4th.

O n February 28th, in support of Oasis Youth Services (Salvation Army), KSS proudly provided 100 boxes to the Property Industry Founda- tion (PIF). Alongside teams from across the industry, PIF helped to clean, pack, and store over 44 wheelie bins worth of goods. The Surry Hills Crisis Centre, which serves as the central hub for local services supporting young people in need in the metro Sydney area, was in urgent need of organising and storing essential supplies. As a result, over 20 boxes of baby clothes and other support items for young mothers

can now be distributed across local services, providing much-needed goods and donations. Penny Kaleta, NSW State Manager of the Property Industry Foundation, expressed her gratitude: “We can’t thank Kennards enough! It may seem simple, but securing enough boxes to support our charities can be incred- ibly costly. Your generous donations make a tremendous difference to local services.” About PIF The Property Industry Foundation brings together the property and construction industry in a unique collaboration to have a tangible impact on Youth Homelessness. Powered by the industry, the Founda- tion builds homes for homeless youth and provides ongoing support for homes where young people can rebuild their lives. They are supported by over 140 organisations in the industry. To learn more visit the web site: pif.com.au Jessica Pollard NSW Corporate Partnerships Mgr Property Industry Foundation

Congratulations to Daniel Pereira from KSS North Lakes, QLD and his wife Michaela Grill on the arrival of their baby, Niklas Pereira-Grill, who was born on March 10th.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Eleanor Roosevelt

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