The Quest is a Collaboration Global digital publication
Issue Sixteen
Brian Abbott
Spotlight on a key collaborator
The theme of this issue is:
DAVID LIDDLE FRANCIS WEST
Reflections and Realisations of 2020
KAY WESTRAP BENN ABDY-COLLINS GILL TINEY
Published by Collaboration Global, 2 Moat House Horsecroft Road Harlow Essex CM19 5BN Issue 16, first published on 1st December 2020 All rights reserved. Copyright Š Collaboration Global and Contributors, 2020 While aligned to the vision and values of Collaboration Global, the views expressed here are soley those of the contributors and are not expressions of policy on behalf of the Collaboration Global leadership. To experience a Collaboration Global Community, be our guest and come to a meeting. Register at https://bit.ly/3gcOrT3
For more details about The Quest and about Collaboration Global, visit our website at www.collaborationglobal.org You can contact the team by writing to team@collaborationglobal.org, or to one of the contributors whose contact emails can be found at the end of their articles. The Quest is a publication platform open to members of Collaboration Global to contribute to major debates and issues of concern. Operating within the UK economy, and part of a global economic system, contributors to The Quest hold a big picture. They are personally involved with complex issues that require the skills and intent of many to solve. They are on a passionate, sometimes a life-long search, to secure change in the world and as such hold a great responsibility for benefitting future generations. Collaboration Global believes in working for a world where every individual has the opportunity to be the best they can be: where we are empowered to recognize and honour our ‘innate genius’, exploit our full potential and make our dreams real. We seek a world where business and work are designed to meet a Human need for respect, to be valued, to achieve and to contribute to others. Most of all we seek a world where everyone has the opportunity to have their voice heard and make a positive difference to the planet and humanity.
2
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
Issue Sixteen
C O N T E N T S
About the contributors Editorial Gill Tiney Lessons learned from 2020 David Liddle A year of contemplation and unexpected surprises Francis West When the going gets tough.‌ Kay Westrap Lessons Learned from 2020 Benn Abdy-Collins When the World Gives you Lemons‌ Gill Tiney Collaborator profile: Brian Abbott
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
3
About our contributors David Liddle David is a seasoned award-winning Mortgage Broker and property professional at Liddle Perrett Ltd. As a NLP Master Practitioner and qualified coach his approach to business is very much supportive, personal and wholistic. Family life is spent between London and France following his main interest “The Great Outdoors”, covering a variety or adventure sports on land and in the water. Very much a family man, David is married with 2 kids, living in London. In addition to Ultra’s and adventure sports, he is heavily involved with Scouting on a local and County basis, and extremely active in the local community. Email: david@liddleperrett.com Telephone: 07810 508781 Website: www.liddleperrett.com
Francis West Originally from South Africa, Francis West has spent nearly 30 years in the UK delivering IT and cyber security solutions to businesses. Francis launched Westtek Solutions with the aim of redefining IT Support to the SME sector. Through hard work and innovation, he has formed strategic partnerships to provide comprehensive support and cutting-edge cyber security solutions through Security Everywhere, a cybersecurity focussed business aimed at educating and protecting over 1 million people from cyberattacks by 2023. Francis is a mentor for CompTIA, helping train the technology gurus of the future. Francis believes that it is the increase in CyberAwareness that is at the heart of the solution to the threats we all face. Email: francis.w@westtek.co.uk Telephone: 07872 552555 Website: www.westtek.co.uk
Kay Westrap Kay is fully qualified as a Master NLP practitioner, Master coach and hypnotherapist, timeline practitioner, advanced TFT practitioner and Empowering Learning Practitioner (level 2) She has a wealth of experience from working with young people and adults with learning and physical disabilities, mentoring and being a volunteer with the Samaritans. Her personal experiences mean she empathises with people who are experiencing challenging times in their lives. Struggling to cope? Speak with Kay. Email: kaywestrap@gmail.com Telephone: 07795 217217 Website: www.couragetogrow.me.uk
4
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
Benn Adby-Colllins Love is the most important component of life. Love empowers change, safety and comfort during times of transition. In his work, Benn empowers you to re-find your feet again during the challenging times you face. As Midlife Transitions Mentor, Medical Herbalist, Funeral Celebrant and Professional Speaker, he blends his professional skills, with life experiences of personal transitions. He knows how it feels to face life challenges, the effects these can have on emotions and sanity. How to arrive on the other side, with clarity and purpose. And, how to rise phoenix-like, because of Love, care and kindness. Email: benn@bennabdy-collins.com Telephone: 07957 658890 Website: www.bennabdy-collins.com
Gill Tiney Gill Tiney is a speaker, author, coach and ultimately a Community Catalyst and as such looks after the Collaboration Global community. Together they are instrumental in creating collaborations that in some large or small part can and do change our world. This community works to build and develop strategies that help collaborations to success by providing a safe space for abundant thinking and practical solutions to bring a project to fruition. Meeting every month they build a culture that expands genius, delivers knowledge and growth to members and enables them all to make a difference to the community and beyond. Gill invites you to join them at a session near you, or connect on the online platform Collaboration Global where you can meet other collaborators like you, who are looking to make our world a better place. Email: gill@collaborationglobal.org Telephone: 07798 601701 Website: www.collaborationglobal.org
Brian Abbott Brian is a business behaviour Magician. He has been intrigued in the Mystery and Magic of Human Behaviour for 3 decades. His passion lies in HOW we can grow into amazing Human Beings and achieve far more than we ever believed possible. His quest is to help as many people and Companies as possible find the SPARK of MAGIC in themselves. Once found it cannot be extinguished. He fully believes that if you are not having fun in what you do, you are paying too high a price. He is an avid Photographer and he is in his element when he has a camera in his hands and have the opportunity to photograph Mother nature’s magnificent canvases. Wildlife and landscapes are his speciality. He believes that the vast majority of people on this Globe and good decent souls, searching for purpose. Email: brian@brianabbotttraining.com Telephone: 07787 444782 Website: www.brianabbotttraining.com Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
5
Editorial Gill Tiney
Reflections and Realisations of 2020 As 2020 draws towards its end, it’s a year that very few would have predicted. In fact, I for one was very optimistic going into a new decade as we rebranded Collaboration Global and we got ourselves set up for a bright new future. I didn’t expect to experience such extremes, and see our world being devastated and come together in such heart-wrenching and heart-warming ways. It is for this reason that I asked our members to pause for reflections and realisations on their lives through this historic year. How have they been impacted, what they learnt about themselves, and what can we learn from their experiences. David Liddell has been a member for many years and over this year I have seen a profound change in him – even though we haven’t met in person. He has been a loyal member of our online community and watching his escapades on Facebook and LinkedIn has shown me what a strong family man he is. On many occasions I have envied his children as he has been such a passionate home schooler often abandoning the textbook for lessons in nature and science on a practical scale. Read about his realisation of a newly found way of life with his family. Francis West in contrast is a new member and although not new to the world of collaboration. Here he shares his passion of protecting the vulnerable from cybercrime. He has an innate sense of justice and has declared his mission to help as many people as possible to be protected from the virus that is wilfully infecting our digital world. Without people like him we might be held to ransom, pretty much like the Corona virus has done to our everyday lives. Like David, Francis is also very passionate about his family and sees the virus as an opportunity to get back to nature. Kay Westrap has been on the journey of a lifetime during the last 12 months, a literally life or death situation that had nothing to do with the pandemic, and (yet) ironically was helped by the world going into shutdown. Here she tells her amazing reflections and the learning she takes from them. A remarkable woman and a strong believer not only in God but also in the power of collaboration. She is a powerhouse behind much of what the Collaboration Global community creates – even when many of us would be merely in survival mode, her natural state is to help others. We are blessed to have her in our community. 6
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
Benn Abdy-Collins is known as The Listening Guy, and his reflections consider the changing landscape from his window; closed schools, no one on buses and tube stations deserted. The everyday actions of going to and from work no longer required, his outlook must have been of a dystopian future. He reminds us of the realisations of our First World issues and the gratitude we can find that we still have in food, the health service, and for most of us, access to the internet. It may have been traumatic for some but for many we were grateful that no bombs rained overhead and no ‘enemy’ was at our door. Yes, the pandemic has turned our world upside down, but there are many blessings to be found as we emerge from the experience. I could not let this historical issue go past without my reflections and realisations on the whole year. Taking a more global perspective I see this time in our history as a beautiful opportunity to teach the world how to collaborate, and so ensure we can always survive whatever this world can throw at us, because together we are stronger. Finally, our Collaborator in the spotlight is Brian Abbott, known as the Business Behaviour Magician, and a very popular member of our Collaboration Global community. Hailing from South Africa, Brian sees the world in full-blown technicolour and has spent his life stretching himself and learning from all of his adventures. A great energy, even though we haven’t met in person (yet) I already know we would have a great time together because we are aligned in our values and that is why he fits so beautifully into our community. He is also an accomplished photographer, so enjoy his stunning images that he has shared with us. Whatever your reflections of 2020, always look back with gratitude, learn the lessons from the tough times, and bless others around you – what goes around comes around. My realisation is that our old world is gone. It is up to us to create a new and better version for our next generation. Will you join us to make a global impact?
About The Quest Team The Quest is produced by the Collaboration Global Digital Team and is made possible by, you guessed it, collaboration. For her driving force to bring the project to fruition, proofing and liaising with contributors, writing of editorial and case study and being our Team Dynamo we give huge thanks to Gill Tiney gill@collaborationglobal.org www.collaborationglobal.org For typesetting, layout and art, project management of The Quest, proofing and creation and maintenance of our website, our warmest gratitude and huge thanks to Kay Westrap kay@mybusinessmum.co.uk and kay@couragetogrow.me.uk www.mybusinessmum.co.uk or www.couragetogrow.me.uk For his awesome editing skills, thanks to Benn Abdy-Collins benn@bennabdy-collins.com www.bennabdy-collins.com
For her proofreading and chasing skills, many thanks to Linda Burns. linda@lifeinsideout.co.uk For diligently proofing the content and checking for typos, huge thanks to Alan Brown of Brown and Tiney. alan@brownandtiney.com www.brownandtiney.com For proofing the typesetting, design and artwork and generally ensuring that the look and feel are always 100%, our huge respect to Simon Thomas of Toucan Internet LLP. simon@toucanweb.co.uk www.toucanweb.co.uk or www.simonthomas.org.uk
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
7
David Liddle
LESSONS LEARNED FROM 2020 8
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
“I firmly believe that the past six months have been incredibly good for us as a family.”
2020 has been a great year. Lots has been achieved, many things have been learned, and many new very valuable connections and relationships have been formed.
rarely left a split level two bedroom flat), was quite incredible. To name a few, we did rockclimbing, hammock camping, backwards cooking, abseiling, stairs toboggan, camping, simulated paragliding, and a vast array of less The start of 2020 was very much like any adventurous stuff. In short, the level of ingenuity other year. Lots to look forward to, hopes and and creativity that went into ensuring that the aspirations, and a rough plan of how to get from kids had a thoroughly exciting adventure sports A to B. To address the elephant in the room, filled time in the flat, was brilliant (and okay ... I and the only time I’m going to do this, Covid-19 like my kit which has something to do with it). quite simply threw all of our plans, organisation, and commitments up into the air. When all of Most importantly throughout these midlife crisis this was blowing up I distinctly recall being sat fuelled daft antics, we had an incredible laugh in the car having a conversation with one of my and jelled together as a family in a new way. I scouting management team, discussing what can now fully appreciate what it’s like to live in was the right thing to do? Should we just carry a submarine, and I doubt we ever realised what on? Would there be a lockdown? How on earth a massive part of our lives the great outdoors would we manage? How would people react? actually are. We have a 100% new appreciation Little did we know within weeks the majority of for the time that we get to spend in nature, and the UK would be in lockdown. Here ends the going outside to the enlivening effects of the negative part of the story - this was very much weather. a catalyst for what was to come. If you’ve not danced naked in the rain, do it. For those of you who don’t know me, there You only live once. To be fair I only ended up are a number of areas of my life in which I am doing this due to an unfortunate incident with hugely passionate. Keeping this simple let’s a septic tank in the summer – which is another address some as follows: story - but it’s the experience that counts. Live life alive, and be aware of all the good things Family around you. I firmly believe that the past six months have been incredibly good for us as a family. How Scouting many evenings prior to this did we all sit down One of my biggest passions in life is Scouting. for dinner? How many evenings did I stop work Partially because I’m a firebug at heart (I love a at a sensible hour and spend time with the toasted marshmallow), but also I have a huge kids? How much time do the kids actually see passion to grow, develop, and empower young their dad? I would probably have argued that it people to achieve things that otherwise might was a lot more than it actually was. not have been accessible to them. In reality, this period of chaos, change, and When things changed back in March, our team adjustment has meant that I have spent did what they do best. Our group changed, considerably more time with the kids. The adapted, and we made it work. Within ten days activities that we have got up to during the we had weekly meetings setup and engaged lockdown period (bear in mind this was with all our young people pretty much as nearly four months where the kids very, very, always. Sure, it was a bit of a wing and a prayer Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
9
“My Worldwide Scouting Family is simply amazing!”
job initially, but it was held together through the dedication and commitment of a magnificent team of volunteers. That and a huge amount of talking and listening. I don’t actually think we ever really give ourselves credit for the skill set involved in doing all of this, but when you have got passion and commitment, amazing things are possible.
and a sharing of skills, which will open doors for us all for years to come. Most importantly, it’s been my absolute pleasure to meet a group of utterly fantastic individuals, who have expanded my views of what is possible, and we’ve all had a huge amount of fun. My Worldwide Scouting Family is simply amazing!
Adventure Sports Perhaps my love of adventure sports started some years ago when some idiot told me that it would be a bad idea to run the London marathon? Clearly my place was booked about three minutes later. Some might call that At a county leadership level, our team delivered “impetuous” at a time where it was expected a series of Home Adventure Challenge Badges for this to start and end with a heart attack for and 150 daily challenge tasks which were me (apparently I used to be slightly fatter?), but picked up quite literally all over the world. I prefer “focussed / committed”. The speed of social media spread was quite ridiculous. It led to conversations that I really For years I have enjoyed pushing myself, and believe would not have happened in any other as a self-confessed kit freak (ideally in Orange), circumstance. We had joint meetings with I absolutely enjoy getting stuck into pretty the USA, South Africa, a meeting with Japan, much any outdoor adventurous sport, at any had some of our young people involved with time of the year. It does not particularly matter an International online Scouting Program if I am any good at it, or the level of discomfort produced in Los Angeles. when it goes wrong., oddly, In this case it all happened without question the team delivered and worked together. Not once have we ever had a conversation about roles and responsibilities.
The level of communication and the “what the hell let’s ask and see” approach was fantastic. Open questions, a whole lot of listening, and the “can do - let’s make this work” approach was fundamental to what we achieved. The result: we’ve formed relationships that will help us all work in a collaborative cohesive manner, spanning districts, counties, and internationally.
I’m particularly partial to adverse weather because however you dress this up, the extremes of nature make you feel alive. Wet, cold, warm, stormy, all have a physical and psychological effect, one that elicits a deep feeling. To get your body moving, to push your limits till you drop (okay I’m not necessarily advocating ending up in the medical tent throwing up at the end of an 100km Ultra, Out of opportunity have come international again!), always expands your depth, and friendships, and an abundant way of thinking breadth of experience. 10
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
of “helpful” encouragement, than see you back We all feel and think of experiences differently, out; giving up is simply not an option. I hope to and I guess the one thing that I love about 100k have got another 100km ultra, or two, in before ultras is that the only competition involved is the end of the year. the one with yourself. I’m not in it to race a 2020 has been a huge year of personal growth 21-year-old, or to try and be the next Linford and achievement. I’ve been more of a dad this Christie or Mo Farah. I don’t have the Lycra year than I think I’ve ever been. Potty training, shorts for that! What I do want however, is to teaching the kids to ride a bike, family days out expand the envelope of my experience and on the paddle board, catching crabs on the beach. It’s all about good quality family stuff. feelings. I’ve never really shouted about a lot of things I do, not for any particular reason - maybe I thought people wouldn’t be interested. I think this year has taught me to really throw off the metaphorical shackles, and to go for it. My heart is naturally a place of humour, and I think over the years I’ve taken myself far too seriously. The future is going to be a place where the focus is Throwing up on the medical staff while you on family fun, entertainment, and having a lot laugh at the mess you have got your feet in, is more of those belly laughs where you spill your funny as it’s simply a demonstration of what the drink, and cry in laughter with your friends. human body can do, and bounce back from – if you push it hard enough. The people I meet My close friends this year have been more at these events are nothing but positive and important to me than they ever have been in inspirational. They would rather hold your hand the last “35” years of my life. Okay the 35 might while you get up the hill, or shout all manner be an approximation. 2020 has given me a crystal-clear understanding of why I enjoy putting myself through these games, and confirmation that pushing my envelope is 100% the right thing to do for me. I recognise that it is also a good thing because I’m doing it – for me. In doing so I face the very real fact that I am likely to fail.
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
11
“There is no hidden agenda, judgement, or attitude.” Collaboration Global In 2020, Collaboration Global has represented something fantastic. It is a group of people from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations, who might never have met under any other circumstances. There is no hidden agenda, judgement, or attitude. Conversations are open, supportive, and from a position of non-judgemental curiosity. We are a group of friends, linked by a common ideal of positive collaboration, and the expectation of working socially, and cooperatively together. I’ve found myself having conversations that never in a million years would’ve had otherwise. Some random, some taxing, and some “I want to chat all night”
12
conversations. To repeat the conversations would be disingenuous and inauthentic, however more truth has been spoken over idle chat than you could possibly comprehend. I really look forward to the time we are all able to meet again for a beer, toast the successes of 2020, and raise a glass to the fantastic future in 2021 that awaits us all. You can contact David at: Email: david@liddleperrett.com Telephone: 07810 508781 Website: www.liddleperrett.com
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
Francis West
A YEAR OF CONTEMPLATION AND UNEXPECTED SURPRISES
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
13
Like most of the world I find myself currently longer a short-term requirement, but part of experiencing a “new normal” as a result of our future way of working and living. COVID-19. In both my personal and professional life. For many of us, (apart from the glaringly obvious anxiety and worry caused by the lockdown) one It’s fascinating to realise that at the peak of the of the biggest challenges has been how to try pandemic, more than 2 billion people were to continue with work, while home schooling under some form of lockdown. And 91% of and managing the craving we have for friends the world’s population live in countries where and family that we’re currently unable to see. border controls or travel restrictions were We have had to quickly establish new routines, implemented due to the virus. identify new ways of working and look for new ways to meet our needs. At the start of the pandemic, I thought that this was merely an interruption, and that the world For myself I went from working from an office would return to ‘normal’ once medicine and with my team to working from home with science had tamed the virus with a vaccine or the family around me. While I miss the team a cure. camaraderie in the office, we were able to settle into our new routines with daily catchup calls I quickly came to realise that adapting was no and check-ins, although nothing can replace
14
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
“And in those moments of chaos, two things have kept me sane: nature and collaboration.”
our regular go-karting sessions. We also had amazing weather this summer, so I got to spend lots of time in my garden with the kids. For me this has been a welcome gift of family togetherness, learning numerous new skills and doing all those jobs around the home and garden that I never thought I would find the time to achieve.
to appreciate instead of our usual routine— missing all the sun because you’re sat in the office.
One of my projects with the pallet wood was to build squirrel feeders. The idea is that the squirrel lifts the lid with its head to get to the peanuts. It took our squirrels almost 3 weeks to figure this one out, but now all 3 are masters at it. I placed the squirrel feeders outside my One of my hobbies is making things from old window and I loved watching those crafty pallet wood and it was really great to replace squirrels work together to get to the peanuts. the commuting time with ‘me’ time. I had It was both calming and fascinating. forgotten how much I enjoy working with my hands and creating. Self-development also My garden has also gotten some much needed became a priority and I now often listen to attention. All those tasks that kept being postponed, finally got done. Sunset evenings podcasts while working with the wood. really do take on a different meaning when you relax in a garden you are proud of. It has also It hasn’t all been roses though. been amazing to notice the return of bees and Trying to work out how to teach the children, insects… or maybe they were always there but I when I have no idea whatsoever what they’re just didn’t notice. meant to be doing, or how they’re meant to be doing it, and confirming the suspicion that my Is it because we are noticing more, because children have of me that I am actually clueless... we have slowed down and are not rushing to all while trying to stick to deadlines and have race in our cars to work, or jump on the tube online video conferences and meetings and or a cab, or is it because the earth is showing praying that the dog won’t bark and the children it’s gratitude for some reprieve in a break in try to keep their arguments and scuffles at a pollution? Whatever the reason, I have really enjoyed having the time to take in the beauty low volume. around us and it has helped me maintain some And in those moments of chaos, two things of my sanity. have kept me sane: nature and collaboration. We have been so fortunate to have had the The other key sanity factor for me has been majority of the lockdown in glorious weather— collaboration. Collaboration with employees very unlike the UK, but if there was ever a time has always been a key component of work not to look a gift horse in the mouth, it is now. culture, but since the coronavirus pandemic Everything has been so strange and surreal began, workforces have had to operate yet the unusual treat of the UK sunshine is remotely due to lockdown restrictions, something most us have had the opportunity Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
15
meaning that many employees have had to get accustomed to using conferencing, messaging and other tools designed for remote working for the first time.
educate and protect over 1 million people from cybersecurity threats by 2023. Because COVID-19 is not the only risk with the ability to quickly and exponentially disrupt the way we live. The crisis shows that the world is far In order for companies operating remotely more prone to disturbance by pandemics or to not only survive but thrive in the current cyberattacks than we could anticipate. ‘new normal’ they find themselves in, their collaboration practices must adapt to home A cyber pandemic is probably as inevitable as working. This means making use of cloud a future disease pandemic. The time to start platforms that are accessible to all employees thinking about the response is now. to lay down ideas, as well as carrying out administrative tasks. When I examine the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, I can find frightening similarities And it’s not only employee collaboration that is with a future global cyberattack. important. Collaboration further afield also saw an increase. It was amazing to see neighbours Firstly, a cyberattack would spread faster and helping neighbours, whether it was buying further than any biological virus. groceries for those self isolating or making masks. Collaboration between businesses The reproductive rate of COVID-19 is which might normally see each other as somewhere between two and three without competitors also grew. I saw farmers work any social distancing, which means every with restaurants to arrange delivery of fresh infected person passes the virus to a couple fruit, vegetables and even meat and eggs. of other people. This number affects how fast a virus can spread. Personally, I met amazing business owners through social media and webinars which By contrast, estimates of the reproductive rate opened doors to working together and keep of cyberattacks are 27 and above. One of the focussed on my mission. fastest worms in history, the 2003 Sapphire worm, spread to 10.8 million devices in 24 This ‘new normal’ has made me even more hours. determined to focus on my mission to 16
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
“...what we can count on and encourage ourselves to embrace, is that the small things that give us stability, and cost nothing, are there for all to savour.” Since cyberattacks are rarely discovered right away, it would take a while to identify the virus and even longer to stop it from spreading. If the virus attacked a popular social networking application with, say, 2 billion users, a virus with a reproductive rate of 20 may take five days to infect over 1 billion devices.
and education and the right technological solutions, we can be prepared for that one.
And as we see the world starting to reconnect slowly, let’s keep focussed on what was positive during this time – nature and collaboration. We cannot deny that this has been a very difficult time for most businesses, but what we can Secondly, the economic impact of a widespread count on and encourage ourselves to embrace is that the small things that give us stability, and digital shutdown would be quite severe. cost nothing, are there for all to savour. In a global cyberattack, millions of devices As I start moving back to the office on a part would be taken offline in a matter of days. time basis, I find myself looking for ways to keep The only way to stop the spread would be to my family time intact. I am making sure I keep fully disconnect all vulnerable devices from my wood pallet building and gardening time one another and the internet to avoid infection. as part of my regular schedule and keeping The whole world could experience cyber the relationships I have built through lockdown lockdown until a digital vaccine was developed. intact. But I am also excited to be go-karting All business communication and data transfers again and meeting with friends and family in would be blocked. Social contact would be person, all safely social distanced of course. reduced to people contactable by in-person visits, copper landline, snail-mail or short-wave The beauty in nature, that is all around us, and the positive impacts of increased collaboration radio. is the centrepiece that we can all rely on now A single day without the internet could cost the and, hopefully, long after this perilous time is behind us. world about £38 billion. Could you work without the internet? COVID-19 You can contact Francis at: was an unknown threat for most of us. So, too, is the digital equivalent. But with awareness Email: francis.w@westtek.co.uk Telephone: 07872 552555 Website: www.westtek.co.uk
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
17
18
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
19
Kay Westrap
WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH...
20
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
“On the morning of his surgery he turned and said to me “Kay, this is going to be life altering, not life threatening”. Little did we know it would be both.” I bet when Billy Ocean sung that song, none of us really appreciated how tough life could get. 2020 – how ironic that 2020 is the term used for perfect vision! Well the vision I had for 2020 was not as it has turned out at all. Actually, there is a meme circulating that goes along the lines ‘I bet 5 years ago, when asked, nobody got the answer right to the question “Where do you see yourself 5 years from now”’. Well in my case I would never have seen this coming a year ago, let alone 5.
1st November 2019 my Husband was diagnosed with Jaw Cancer and we went through a complete rollercoaster of his multiple operations, neglect, near death and then radiotherapy, tube feeding and now reconstruction so that he will be able to eat orally again.
I too had cancer in 2011 and I had a really heavyduty chemotherapy regime as I had the most aggressive grade tumour. Well we thought that was tough… Little did we know how tough his I bet you are all thinking I am referring to Covid19 would be. On the morning of his surgery he and the devastation that has caused, well yes, I turned and said to me “Kay, this is going to be am, but I have also had my own dramas playing life altering, not life threatening”. Little did we right alongside that concurrently. know it would be both.
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
21
One of the choices I made was to utilise my private health care, thinking we would get the best of treatment. Wrong on so many levels. He was in the Cromwell Hospital in Kensington for over 4 weeks, when they had estimated less than 2. My journey was approximately 3 hours each way. Which when added to the visiting time, then feeding myself, doing his laundry and sleeping, was an exhausting and gruelling period. When he took a severe turn for the worse, I started staying up there in grubby shabby budget hotels. I stayed at an amazing friend’s house for a few nights but the journey back and forth was half as bad as being at home, and considering I was by his side from 7am to 10pm every day, that was just not practical. I simply could not leave him as his care was so poor, badly managed, disjointed and negligent that literally his life was in danger, without me there to advocate for him.
the situation then sunk in. “If you do not get him back into NHS care, he is going to die� Those that know me, know I am very rarely lost for words. But I literally sat there openmouthed and panic just filled my thoughts. She offered to advocate for me and had contacts in my local authority that she had told the story to, and thankfully were willing to take him on. My head was swimming.
His own Consultant was preparing to send him home with absolutely no way of him eating or drinking. I lost it and demanded that he get him an obturator (palate cover) in place before he was discharged and not afterwards as an outpatient. The implications were that firstly not only was he losing weight rapidly, he was dehydrated, was still being treated for sepsis and could not walk any distance without a When a Consultant finally pulled me to one wheelchair. We would have had to go to Guys side for a confidential chat, the full enormity of Hospital, with no disabled badge for parking 22
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
and get him to the hospital and when I say without a wheelchair – I forgot to mention we didn’t even have one! I borrowed one later from a kind soul that responded to a plea for help in my local FaceBook group. He finally came home just before Christmas. My 4 large dogs had been kindly cared for by one of my closest friends and they stayed there for another week, but that was a 2-hour drive away. My Mother in Law, has dementia and my Husband is her Carer. We had asked her to stay at her Sister’s whilst he was in hospital and again, she stayed there for a week after he came home, to allow us to settle in and see how we were going to cope. The answer to that one was badly. I have never felt so much stress and pressure
and so totally out of my depth, exhausted, mentally drained and quite honestly alone. He was on all manner of medication, could not walk in the house without the aid of crutches, outside needed a wheelchair and I was also working full time remotely. Finding that the wheelchair had flat tyres was a bit of a revelation as to why it was so hard to push! We still did not have a blue badge and so the countless trips to the hospital to see all of the multi disciplines, plus the dressing clinic to dress his leg that had gone completely septic were a massive struggle. I had failed to be able to care for his Mother as I just did not have the emotional or physical bandwidth so she had to go back to her Sister for another few weeks and then we managed to get private carers to come in and see her once
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
23
“...we actually found that we both have the B+ blood group – which really is so telling about us both.”
a day so that the basics were being covered. He gradually started to improve and was then able to walk on crutches after a few months. He had a feeding tube fitted in February and then started 6 weeks of daily radiotherapy in the middle of February.
I had people calling me, texting me, popping to the shops and queueing for us. We got the Blue Badge. We got priority shopping. The carers had now settled his Mum into a sort of routine.
It really was one of the hardest chapters in my Then Covid19 hit. life and certainly the worst in his. Fortunately, I had been careful with money and had made Thankfully as he was half way through his enough provision for us to survive financially as sessions they allowed him to continue. Unlike my contract came to an end at the beginning others who had not started, who had theirs of March. cancelled. We have the strongest relationship and both But it made an already terribly tough time ten have a very positive outlook – we actually times worse as now we could not leave the found that we both have the B+ blood group house, other than to go to the hospital and no – which really is so telling about us both. We one could visit us. laughed when we could, (much more so now) and always looked for a solution to the latest We could not get online shopping; we couldn’t issue. go out and so we were at the mercy of the internet and other people’s generosity. There were times when I felt alone and isolated and really that the hope we had on the night We actually went into lockdown at least 3 before his first operation, seemed to be ebbing weeks before we were told we had to, as we away. realised how dangerous the situation was and how vulnerable he was. I was also classed as But survive he did. Why, because he is loved vulnerable due to my own health issues. So, and it was not his time. He is not a great between the two of us we were on a hiding to believer (yet) but I am and I firmly believe that nothing! the power of prayer pulled us through. My game plan was to make his name so loudly Out of the darkness there was light, friends and heard by God that he could do nothing but let family rallied round us, we had support from him stay with me a while longer. Everyone and the NHS, from Essex Welfare Services and anyone was praying for us. I remember when so many complete strangers. I even had the I was diagnosed with cancer, being given a Red Cross bring him a prescription when he book mark with the Footprints poem on it. It contracted yet another infection! gave me great solace then, and again I very 24
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
much felt held up and carried through these reinforced how incredible blessed I am and in darkest of times. answer to the title of this piece… To say I love my Husband sounds lame, but I really don’t care. He completes me and makes me feel like my life is worth living. That is not to say that I don’t anyway, but he puts the real love and meaning in the world for me. He is funny, intelligent, caring, astute, stubborn and cantankerous. I love every bit of him and what he is.
When the going gets tough – the tough get grateful! You can contact Kay at: Email: kaywestrap@gmail.com Telephone: 07795 217217 Website: www.couragetogrow.me.uk
Everyone is reflecting on 2020 and how different this world is now and will we ever return to normal. My concerns are much more selfish I guess in that I am more concerned about his being able to eat and drink and me being able to work again. All I can say is that this whole episode has Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
25
26
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
Benn Abdy-Collins
LESSONS LEARNED FROM 2020
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
27
I’ve written this article, and in doing so, worry understanding, to hug friends and family, to be that I’ve fallen into the pit of the clutches of a in spaces where people I love and care for act with some sense of normality. I’ve not hugged year we never expected. my 82-year old Dad for over seven months We now talk of Zooming, of ‘you need to unmute which is weird given how much effort I’ve made yourself’, and ‘virtual hugs!’ Our world has to travel and see him. transmuted, we crave social contact, and we’ve needed to adapt hard and fast to exclusion and I, like everyone else, never envisioned the isolation; fortunately, we’ve had many tech toys, globalised pandemic fear as a response to a resources and services and facilities to get us viral infection. I saw the first glimmers of such through. We’ve also had utilities, rooves over early in March, reinforced on 14th during an our heads and food available. Whilst it’s been event of the Professional Speakers Association. dreadful (in First World terms), we’ve been And it got worse from there. People I know got lucky, despite it being rather inconvenient in sick, friend’s parents died; it became bloody. many unexpected ways. Other countries face The cause and effect of Covid bit deep, and bit far worse conflict, confusion, and challenge on hard as businesses crashed, and mental health a daily basis, even before Covid arrived to add challenges arrived in spades. The rash of its two-penny worth. With that said, here’s my political measures put in place helped many; our cultural, commercial and community writing, my thoughts and my observations. landscapes altered beyond belief. With the Well, what a year 2020 proved to be. So much death toll constantly in the press, people feared has happened, with very little as expected. for their personal wellbeing, and their future. It Who could or would have anticipated the was a real rollercoaster ride! It still is. world going on pause, shutting down; with our However, I’ll remind you of the Chinese societal structure flipped like a pancake? pictogram (character) for chaos shows, that Personally, I had no particular plans for 2020 within chaos there is opportunity. Within the apart from more funeral services (that’s my vacuum caused by the UK lockdown, and the work) and gaining after-dinner speaking pauses formed in other countries, the inhibition experience. Beyond those two, it was carry of social gatherings, the very essence of on with building relationships within my tribes much of life, has brought a lot of unexpected of speakers and fellow collaborators. Also, benefits. Benefits that follow the ingenuity to continue with my self-development and of shared skills, understanding, wisdom and 28
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
novel solutions, which I’ll explore throughout the kids returned to school (a wonderful sign this piece. of normality), and on three bus routes – buses still travel past with hardly a person onboard. One of the greatest wonders we’ve faced All very strange. throughout the crisis has been the availability of technology. Many people have taken their With people facing new challenges, creative lives online in diverse ways. Imaginative solutions abound. solutions have meant people working from home; gyms dropping off training equipment Food and drink have become important to members; apps such as FaceTime and palliatives to being at home, working at home, Zoom have enabled meetings and even to being on furlough, shielding, social-distancing say goodbye; online shopping has never been or in isolation. Some have gained weight, whilst busier. Tech has also provided entertainment others have chosen to strengthen their exercise and distraction, virtual reality tours, parties, options, – online yoga classes, keep fit, jogging, celebrations, and gatherings such as quiz cycling, more electric scooters (to avoid public nights. Plus, much opportunity for education – transport), a new diet, different health choices both formal and informal. normally impossible under the usual routine demands of life. Ultimately, if you’re not one I often enjoy seeing how people respond to of the key workers or under the cosh working crises, to challenges and how they adapt to from home, you’ve had multiple opportunities what’s going on. I live in an area where many to shift and change life patterns. people are from Eastern Europe – when they don’t work, they don’t earn. Many have just For some, the chance to pause has meant carried on as normal all the way through. I also they have reflected on how they impact their live near two schools, it’s been very quiet until environment and the planet they live on. They Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
29
“I found myself feeling immensely grateful for many of my life fortunes and for what I have.” are choosing to use resources more effectively, to reduce unnecessary pollution or consider how they impact the environment and how they live their lives. With quarantine being such an issue, flights abroad have converted to staycations, holidays within the UK mainland, and support for the UK holiday market has boomed, which ultimately strengthens our economy, providing a much-needed boost. In the UK, a First World Country, we are used to certain things working in expected, fairly reliable ways – utilities, food availability, health services, emergency services, mail and some form of law structure. Things we have taken for granted. Since the pandemic we have seen food shortages, reduced public transport, hospital beds over-flowing and deliveries overloaded. So easy to take them for granted because of their normality in presence. They are easy to not appreciate and be grateful for. I suggest that in the pause, a greater appreciation and gratitude of and for, our essential services and structure, has been noticed. I may not be the only one feeling like this. Faced with the same, similar, or even worse challenges, some are pausing to review their life, their roles, and their place in the world. The world is not what it was back in January and February. It has challenged so much of our mental health; changed our outlooks, our choices, our behaviours, our work; we are not the same as we were. That stimulates a review and shift in what we think, believe and how we can and do behave. We need to acknowledge it is a different time, folks.
humanity being increasingly understanding and simply more human. In my own retreat, watching an incredibly quiet world (not) go past my window – I also live by a tube station so there is usually constant footfall most hours of the day, and much of the night – I found not only cabin fever, but also reflective time and space invading my social withdrawals. Personally, I’ve been eating a very different diet, invested in a re-brand inside myself, in my clothes, in my business presentation, my marketing, my inner confidence and in understanding what I do, and how I make a difference in the world. I found myself feeling immensely grateful for many of my life fortunes and for what I have. Yes, my business disappeared like so many that work face-to-face. (No, I wasn’t busier with funerals, in fact I was quieter due to restrictions.) I got time to reflect as I wrote daily, or thriceweekly on LinkedIn, I started to work with a coach, I began to see what and how and why I want to work in the future. I gained insights I’d never have seen if I was busy. This got me interested in appreciation and gratitude, in seeing and witnessing their importance; in understanding even more, that I can find hope in my life, in what I do and how lucky I am, regardless of my bank balance (though that does help), of course.
My research in myself brought the following: Appreciation and gratitude are essential life attitudes, I’d even say skills, which enable us to value what is present, what is possible, and provide opportunity to gather wisdom and I’ve also noticed how much people have risen growth. to the occasion of the community crisis – care for and interest in the vulnerable, ensuring they They encourage engagement with life and have more support; increased neighbourliness; with people, with the fundamental elements 30
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
that make up the world we live and provide future for all, with or without Covid19. circumstances we can rely upon to make a difference. I write this in September and do hope these issues have massively moved towards positive Most importantly, they provide a sense of change by the year end. With that: I wish you purpose, a reason to be here, now, making a “All power to you as you spring forward and difference in my and your worlds. Some of the grasp gratitude so that you may grow from the most important times and places we can be hell that has been 2020.” present is when we are in appreciation and gratitude. You can contact Benn at: To conclude: I’d say we have been fortunate, for amid the chaos of change, silence and Email: benn@bennabdy-collins.com rapid transition, we’ve been given opportunity Telephone: 07957 658890 to shift in our perspectives, to realise gratitude, Website: www.bennabdy-collins.com to be more aware. And that, my fellow humans, is powerful. A great place to start being the difference and making a difference in the world. I remain saddened by the devastation of human trust, societal confidence and the fear that has become a political illness, there are few ways back from these ruptures. And yet Collaboration Global stands for a new way of BEING to bring forward positive solutions to show us a new way to make a stand for a better world. They and I are working towards a better Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
31
32
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
Gill Tiney
WHEN THE WORLD GIVES YOU LEMONS…
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
33
“I was now on my personal mission of telling the world how to Collaborate and why it was the solution to so many of our world problems.” Was it inevitable? Was it predicted? Maybe by the scientists and those who were in the know, but could we really have been better prepared for the world-wide pandemic? Back on 1st January 2020 it was a new decade, we all had such hopes for what we might achieve. New Year resolutions held a more poignant message, this year it was going to be different. Boy, oh boy, I don’t think ANYONE realistically saw just how different.
member of the Human Race. Every Thursday evening while we applauded the people who were keeping our country on its feet, I cannot be the only one who felt a lump come to my throat. It confirmed what I was so passionate about, we need to come together, not be pulled apart. Daily, we heard stories of amazing people helping their communities. Selflessly putting others before themselves, it wasn’t long before it was being likened to the camaraderie of the Second World War. Indeed, this became even more poignant when Captain Tom Moore started to raise funds for the NHS at 99 years of age. What a heart-warming story amongst the plethora of news reports of death and PPE shortages, when he raised over £33 million and was justly knighted and promoted to Colonel. Observation: our natural instinct to collaborate and help each other, was kicking in.
For myself I was launching a new brand, broken away from old partnerships and with a focus on growth, and establishing myself as a speaker with a new message. Previously having been lucky enough to travel the world speaking about Networking I was now on my personal mission of telling the world how to Collaborate and why it was the solution to so many of our world problems. Before my very eyes in the space of a few short weeks I witnessed the world coming together like never before For a few short weeks we forgot to moan about and collaborating. It made me proud to be a Brexit, didn’t care what politicians said and even
34
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
“We wanted to get through this nightmare, and we knew the only way to do that was to work together. So, we did.” felt concern for Boris as he fell foul of the virus. Neighbours helped each other around the world. My heart melted at many of the YouTube videos of Italians serenading each other across balconies while they were in lockdown. You too will have your favourite, I’m sure. The focus was on the positive. We wanted to get through this nightmare, and we knew the only way to do that was to work together. So, we did. Then the threat of our hospitals being overwhelmed passed and the media started digging up the dirt and looking for people to blame. I get it, it was their job, but really how can you blame anyone when it is unprecedented and there was no right or wrong answer, we were all flailing around in the dark, apart from maybe New Zealand. Jacinda Ardern, the New Zealand PM, demonstrated what it means to care for your country, a great example of making good decisions, and explaining why, as well as remembering to reassure the children. Let us have more leaders like her. Meanwhile George Floyd was killed at the hands of an American police officer and the world was offended. The Black Lives Matter movement swung into action once more, the tragedy is that they should even have to exist. This time, with my life and business online, I found it hard to escape the anger and frustration, especially when this was hurled at me, albeit indirectly, I felt compelled to take action.
I instigated an online meeting with the express intention of helping white people to better understand how the hidden bias is in operation, even when we don’t see it. A subconscious bias that has been created historically and exists in some part in every white person. We don’t know what we don’t know, and haven’t experienced, and we will probably never know, but we can choose not to be part of the problem going forward. That session opened my eyes to the division of our world. No wonder many people struggle to collaborate effectively, we are conditioned to be separate and divided! Now more than ever the Collaboration Global values of Human Being First, Collaboration, and Love are needed in society. We always state that we don’t care how old or young you are, gay or straight, male or female, black or white, able bodied or disabled, fat or thin, short or tall, however you appear, you are a HUMAN BEING FIRST, and as a fellow human, we love you. That is for you to accept or for you to disown. We are connected and together, as we have shown during this pandemic, we can make miracles happen. The Black Lives Matter movement feels like an almost insurmountable problem, and yes of course all lives matter, but white people haven’t faced the historic bias and disadvantage that blacks have. Can you imagine what it must have felt like coming to the UK in the 1950s to help the British economy and being told by signs in the windows of guest houses, that they don’t accept blacks or dogs! There is a lot of fear in those statements and a lot of prejudice to
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
35
overcome. We will get there, when we accept a culture of love, connection, and abundance; there truly is enough for everyone. Now is the time to be part of the solution.
offline, at our face to face meetings, was actually possible online and, in some instances, more profound. We upped our content distribution, added more value to our online Collaborator Academy and grew our audience gaining I redoubled my efforts to tell more people members across the globe. about Collaboration Global, and with my team started pulling together new dynamic There was a need, there was a curiosity and sessions that we could take online and invite there was a thirst for a new type of culture, a people from around the world to attend. All of different way of viewing the world. Sure, we still a sudden, we truly were a global organisation, talked about improving business and looked at and it felt like I held the solution in my hands. bottom line profit, but always from a place of: Our mission is to teach the world to collaborate, how can we help each other to be successful? to help people to understand the power of I have made new connections with incredible true collaboration, and to show them how it people, and the taste for deeper relationships can impact every area of their life. To start, you has created some amazing collaborations. must first be aware that you cannot collaborate People are giving, sharing, caring, and helping if you are not connected to your inner self. each other to reach their potential. Yes, that Once you have connected with your inner self, was always out there to a certain extent, but you can then connect with others at a deeper in the community at Collaboration Global, it is level to facilitate powerful collaborations. Then emerging as the norm, this is how we do things transformations truly occur. Simple right? here, and people are proud to step up. Slowly our mission grew, with the new-found One quick example is a connection I made knowledge that the magic we had experienced from someone resulted in him giving our 36
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
community some free places on his course (RRP £2,999) and once we took advantage of his generous offer a group of Collaborators utilised the Collaboration Global platform to support each other to ensure success. In other words, we want to be successful to honour the contribution by him to our businesses. We can then give glowing testimonials for the course. It is the ultimate win/win/win scenario.
quoted to ‘go to our rooms and think about what we have done to our planet’. I pray that we heed these lessons, to allow the oceans to flow pollution-free, the skies to breathe easy again, and for our societies to remember the glue that holds our world together. Not the presidents of this world who gesticulate in their ivory towers, but the real workers who care for our sick, clean our streets, deliver our essentials, those who brave illness and possible death, to make Christmas is around the corner and it is a very our world function for us. different world we find ourselves in from last year. Personally, I am hoping to be celebrating Again I applaud you and will work tirelessly in a new home, as the pandemic taught me with Collaboration Global to teach our world that I wanted to be closer to my daughters, the power of coming together, irrespective over two-hours’ drive is just too far when you of race, gender, age or ability to share, care, want to give them a hug. Whether a vaccine support, and love our human race. Together can be found or not, I doubt that will be the We Are Stronger! end of the potential for pandemics, and so we “Never doubt that a small group of committed will have to slowly get used to this new normal. citizens can change the world, indeed it is the Less travel maybe, making new friends online only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead maybe, finding new ways to care for each other most definitely! You can contact Gill at: Despite the tragedy of losing loved ones, I lost a dear Uncle and Aunt, I cannot help but feel Email: gill@collaborationglobal.org optimistic for the lessons we have learned Telephone: 07798 601701 from this unprecedented time in our history. It Website: www.collaborationglobal.org has given us an opportunity, as has often been
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
37
Profile: Taking a look at a key Collaborator in the community.
Brian Abbott
38
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
Who is Brian Abbott? I was born in South Africa in Hillbrow (you would never venture in there today), Johannesburg. It used to be a hive for amazing music venues, great food, and a fabulous social life. My father was a banker and vowed that I would never do banking as a career – not likely, knowing my persona. He died at 52 years young. My mother was a part time musician and played at many weddings and dances with a band, she moved to the light at 92. I got married at 40 (yes, for the first time) to an amazingly beautiful lady, Janet (inside and out) and with that came two gorgeous daughters, Nicole and Victoria (Tori) and a Rottweiler, Tashy. No one ever prepared me for the ride of my life having been living on my own, to now having four ladies with me, yip, the hound was also female.
This has been the most amazing experience of my life, as having a family brings along another level of love and life. Along with this have come two amazing grandsons, Connor (five years), and Ryley (ten months). Connor, since a baby, named me B-PA, a very special place that name has in my heart. We have all relocated and emigrated to the UK and are now British Citizens. I am an outdoor boy, having done some amazing 4x4 trails with Jan, deep into the mountains of the Cederberg, 7weeksport, The Hell, and many others. I have a passion for flying and have been extremely fortunate to fly in a Spitfire and have the controls for part of the flight. What an experience.
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
39
I am passionate about seeing people from all parts of the Globe become one with deep caring for our beautiful planet. And each other. Perhaps a tall order, however, with no big dreams, come no big realisations.
ground level. For me, there’s also a feeling of exhilaration; I imagine this is how birds feel, well I would, if I were a bird.
What is your reason for BE-ing? Or in other words what are you passionate about? What fills you with joy? I love seeing people happy and joyous. When I am filled with joy when I experience deep I see them find their inner ‘magic’, their sense ‘unconditional’ LOVE. I believe that hounds can of purpose, it fills me with an abundance of teach us so much about absolute unconditional ‘dopamine’ and it makes all the challenges we love. They live in the moment and we are their have in life worthwhile. I am so privileged to be WORLD. Cats, now that is a different story, ha! able to lend a hand in this domain. This is my boy Buddy, now in a place for very special conscious dogs (yes, I use present When I see people take care of Mother Earth tense as his energy and love is still with us every and respect all forms of life, my heart sings and day) and the pure joy, love fun and laughter he my faith in humanity is restored. consistently brought every day. One of the reasons I am so passionate about Imagine what our world would be like if we photography is that it creates the medium to could love like this? capture the magnificence of Nature’s canvas I am extremely blessed to share my time with and hold it for a brief second in my eternity. my amazing wife and Soul Mate, Jan. We have Sharing it with those that also have a deep the most amazing experiences and share appreciation for the beauty of our globe keeps so many hobbies, like photography, nature, my heart singing. laughter, and Love. Pause for just a minute and listen to the Robin I also love being in the air, the view is amazing, sing and tell me it does not stir you with a and it gives us a perspective of our country, teaspoon of joy and gratitude. and the Earth that cannot be seen from 40
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
If you could choose one Collaboration Global behaviour or value that you identify with, what might that be? Well, that is a nigh on impossible task to choose only one. Every – ‘ONE’ holds value for me. My choice would have to be “We are Compassionate and Empathetic.” When we live with compassion, a space opens up in our mind, one that allows us to become deeply in tune with gratitude. I love these two quotes form the Dalai Lama – he is an amazing SOUL: Love and Compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive. If you think you are too small, try sleeping with a mosquito.
You are a relatively new member of Collaboration Global, can you share how you have found it so far? This has been the most amazing experience in nine years of BE-ing in my new home (UK) for me, meeting FANTASTIC people with amazing values. I love the ZERO EGO status of the team, and that everyone is on a growth path that we share easily and readily. I have attended numerous ‘networking’ sessions and this experience is far beyond that. In fact, this is not a networking event for me, it is about deep collaboration. Hats off to you and your amazing team Gill, this is what it is about. AND, it is huge FUN. I look forward to every session, the topics, and discussion are brilliant. When someone asks me what it’s all about, my answer is simple. The only way to really
Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
41
understand, is to join us for one Zoom meeting, huge slowdowns. and then you will know what the team is all The webinar space will still be very popular, about. although I sense that it will also experience a This issue of The Quest has focused on change and not be as chaotically used as it is ‘Reflect and Renew’, how do you imagine life right now. after Covid-19 will manifest in your life? I believe one of the biggest “Reflections” will For me, this is a very challenging and creative be how much closer this has brought families space to be in. As our business model has been together and, in many ways, created a deeper turned upside down, it’s forced us to become understanding of how to share responsibilities very creative in many ways. One of them is to re- at home. ignite my photographic experience and focus on building it as a business. This is amazingly Are you free to operate within your Genius? exciting and at the same time it creates the What does that mean for you? ‘Butterfly Effect’ in my stomach. I believe we all have a CHOICE, regardless of I also see a slowing down of crazy business the programs we have installed. travel (I have to admit I love flying), and it being limited to necessity. Many people will That choice allows us to explore our inner continue to work from home and demonstrate genius, when doubt and fear step into the how much can be achieved in this manner. It frame, to cause hesitation and self-questioning. could have quite an impact on the commercial I have seen this over the past few months, and property magnets, as rentals could experience have experienced this as well. 42
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
What vision do you have for your business and The space of generosity where we are free to your life going forward with the Collaboration express, be vulnerable, whilst seeing it as a Global community? strength, is of very powerful value. All in all, if they are looking for a place to explore One of the things I love about Collaboration REAL PEOPLE with REAL interest in others‌. Global is the willingness we all have to share This is it. what our current challenges are and how the team is so open to listening to and exploring You can contact Brian at: alternate ideas. As a solopreneur, this is a fantastic space to be in, as many brains are far Email: brian@brianabbotttraining.com more effective than just one. Telephone: 07787 444782 Website: www.brianabbotttraining.com If someone is interested in coming and getting involved with our Collaboration Global community, from your perspective what might they expect when they get there? They will most certainly experience a deep, warm reception with/from some extremely experienced people from all sectors of life. The sincerity they’ll find is amazing and the depth of engagement with no judgement, mind-blowing. Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
43
Be Our Guest! Be our guest at one of our regular live online sessions and meet our community. The last Tuesday of the month 3-5pm online What happens: We learn - as a member shares their genius We discuss – as we consider ways to improve our business and life We debate – a topic of the day or a belief system We connect, collaborate, and grow! Click the link below and we look forward to seeing you there. https://bit.ly/3gcOrT3
44
www.CollaborationGlobal.org
