The Quest is a Collaboration Global digital publication
Issue Twenty
Rob Morgan Our key collaborator The theme of this issue is:
Business Reinvented
Spotlight on...
DR. LIZZY BERNTHAL
ALAN BROWN BEN DRURY GILL TINEY JAMES KNIGHT ALI IPAKCHI Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
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Published by: Collaboration Global Unit 2 The Old Stables Strood Green Wisborough Green West Sussex RH14 0HJ Issue 20, first published on 1st December 2021 All rights reserved. Copyright © Collaboration Global and Contributors, 2021 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 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 vision. 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 one of us 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.
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Issue Twenty
C O N T E N T S
About the contributors Editorial Gill Tiney It all started with conkers Alan Brown Do you want commitment or merely compliance? Ben Drury Back to basics or time to reinvent the wheel? Gill Tiney Multiple your identity capital James Knight Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone? Ali Ipakchi Spotlight on... Dr Lizzy Bernthal Key Collaborator profile: Rob Morgan
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About our contributors Alan Brown
Alan is an optimistic entrepreneur who loves life. He is passionate about people finding true and lasting happiness in their lives and aims to put a smile on the face of everyone he meets. Alan is married to Gill and has two grown up daughters Danielle & Nicola – these three women in his life are the reason he gets out of bed in the morning. Alan has been in business since the age of 9 and continues to be passionate about his purpose of helping people find true and lasting happiness. He is in the process of writing a book on the subject ‘It’s All About You’ in which he explores his own ‘Bubble Paradigm’ Email: alan@theschoolpeople.uk Telephone: 07836 07836 555042 Website: www.theschoolpeople.uk
Ben Drury
Ben has been on Dragon’s Den with his invention, Lacemups. He’s toured writing, directing and performing with theatre companies and he’s worked with some of the biggest companies on the planet. Benjamin makes workplaces awesome. He works with extraordinary forward-thinking leaders to help build authentic, purpose-led, people-centred organisations fit for the 22nd Century. Benjamin is an experienced entrepreneur having built several businesses. He’s an experienced coder and a trained social worker. He understands people and cultures. He is a dynamic, entertaining and innovative speaker, having honed his skills during 15 years involvement in stage productions. He’s worked writing and directing stage productions, designing internet banks, developing and delivering leadership training courses, managing businesses, and building web applications for global companies.
Email: ben@thecultureguy.co.uk Telephone: 07980 567574 Website www.thecultureguy.co.uk Gill Tiney
Gill Tiney is the Founder of Collaboration Global and is passionate about teaching people how to collaborate. She believes that creating the right culture for collaboration begins with the individual and has the potential to transform how we see and what we can create in our world. As an author and speaker, she has travelled the world sharing her philosophies. She is proud to be part of the growing Collaboration Global community that holds a space for everyone to reach their full potential. She supports them to make a difference not only in their lives but also in the lives of all those they connect with too. Email: gill@collaborationglobal.org Telephone: 07798 601701 Website: www.collaborationglobal.org
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James Knight
James is the creator of iMA. This is a simple, colour based, universal language that can unlock the Mystery of your Self Actualisation by giving you renewed understanding of how you fit into your world,your relationships with others and how to Connect with them. To discover which of the 4 iMA dialects you
speak go to: http://collaborationglobal-ima.com/ Email: james@imastrategies.com Telephone: 07789 381536 Website: www.imapractitioner.com
Ali Ipakchi
Ali is an entrepreneurial-minded engineer, team leader and company director promoting CHANGE and IMPROVEMENT in the way we do our day to day work and practices. He has more than 24 years of experience mainly in Energy (Oil & Gas/Petrochemical) industry working as an Engineer and/or manager in the UK, Middle East and other parts of the world While he considers himself primarily a technical person, his entrepreneurial spirit, as well as his further education and personal development in various fields including Process Improvement, Leadership and Management and Marketing, helped him to work in other sectors including finance in the city of London.
Email: aipakchi@emveedo.com Telephone: 07926 603030 Website: linkedin.com/in/al-ipakchi Spotlight on: Dr. Lizzy Bernthal
Dr Lizzy Bernthal is a resilience and cultural change specialist She is also and empowerment and mindset leadership coach. She is an international speaker, author and wellbeing specialist. She supports authentic leaders and ex- military to stand tall and rediscover their voice. She designs and delivers transformational programmes for leaders and businesses to find their purpose, embed their values to create innovative, collaborative, inclusive culture, stress management, resilience and leadership. She served 25 years as a British Army nurse and midwife (Lt Col) gained a PhD in psychological wellbeing and resilience. In 2017 she was awarded Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy for her global contribution to higher education.
Email: lizzy@rypotential.co.uk Telephone: 07905 584218 Website: www.rypotential.co.uk
Key Collaborator: Rob Morgan
Rob works with leaders and business owners to improve personal performance and leadership presence and to address and overcome the barriers that stand in the way of success and fulfilment. The premise of his work is that people always underestimate what they are capable of and have within them all the tools, all the creativity, everything they need to succeed at whatever they set out to do. Rob lives in Hatfield in Hertfordshire with his wife Tika and children Billy and Kyra.
Email: rob@robmorgan.co Telephone: 07711 181852
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Editorial Gill Tiney
Business Reinvented Welcome to our 20th edition of The Quest a publication by Collaboration Global, an organisation and community founded on a deep love for humanity, with a mission to make a difference globally. In this issue we are considering the plight of the majority of businesses across the globe who are struggling to get a firm footing in the economy. With beloved retail shops that have been on our high street for centuries having to close, we all acknowledge the need to reinvent ourselves in our brave new world. Easier said than done! Alan Brown has been in business for many years, having started his entrepreneurial journey at the tender age of nine. His philosophy rings true with many of us, as he believes in always putting the customer first with the classic, under promising and over deliver mantra. Nothing new there perhaps, but we must be aware in our reinvention, not to throw the good out with the bad. James Knight takes us back to the engine house and looks at how you perceive yourself through self-actualisation. Who are you BEING? I would grab a pen and paper as you settle down to read this, he has some great exercises for you to try. I then have my collaborative look on this theme and consider how businesses need to reinvent not only to thrive in tough times but also to help our planet thrive too. Now that is what I call a win/win/win! Benjamin Drury aka The Culture Guy has his own spin on this and shares a lovely story of a business called Gravity Payments – going against the odds, doing the right thing; being successful (against the perceived odds!). Thankfully this is happening more and more and when you have examples like this one it encourages others to do the same. I know it will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.
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Ali Ipakchi shares a story of someone reinventing themselves as opposed to their business. Was it worth it? You decide. I am also delighted this month to have Rob Morgan as our Key Collaborator in this issue. See what matters in his life and how Collaboration Global fits in with it. And finally… drum roll please… we have a new final section to The Quest. We have so many amazing members that we wanted to Spotlight another one in addition to our Key Collaborator. Our very first Spotlight is focussed on Dr Lizzy Bernthal Lizzy shares what makes her giggle and what brings her joy; it is a light-hearted look at another very special member. Whatever business you may run, or perhaps you are considering starting one, there is no denying that success is tied up with commitment, discipline, and plenty of hard work. No matter what happens in our world, I doubt these values will go out of fashion. We hope you enjoy our look at how we can make it all just that bit easier. it’s called COLLABORATION!
Gill Tiney
About The Quest Team The Quest is produced by the Collaboration Global Digital Team and is made possible by, you guessed it, collaboration. We give huge thanks to Gill Tiney for her driving force for bringing the project to fruition, proofing and liaising with contributors, writing an editorial and case study and being our Team Dynamo. 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@couragetogrow.me.uk www.couragetogrow.me.uk For his awesome editing skills, thanks to Benn Abdy-Collins benn@bennabdy-collins.com www.bennabdy-collins.com
Adding to our amazing Technical Proofing Team, Dr. Lizzy Bernthal lizzy@rypotential.co.uk www.rypotential.co.uk 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
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Alan Brown
IT ALL STARTED WITH CONKERS
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I launched my first business at the ripe old age of nine years old. My father would take my brother and I to Wanstead Flats in East London to collect conkers which I would then sell to my classmates for 1d each. However, alas the good times were not to last, others started undercutting me and selling their conkers two for 1d and I lost all my customers quicker than Linford Christie could run 100m. I then learnt the most important lesson in business, don’t sell on price, add value, and give the client “what they want.” As John Lewis says “under promise and over deliver” – a lesson many businesses could learn from; it really is the best kept secret for any good, thriving business to succeed. So, what did the nine-year-old do to stop the rot in his failing business? I drilled a hole in the conkers and put a string through them, so they were “ready to play” – I increased the price to 2d each and they sold like hot cakes! – or is it Hot Chestnuts?
Footnote: if you don’t know what playing conkers is, or don’t know what 1d is, just Google both, and make me feel incredibly old at the same time. Since then, I have had a market stall selling watches and clocks in Upton Park market near to the mighty ‘West Ham United’ football ground before they moved to the Stratford Stadium (I did have the nickname Arthur Daley); worked for a communications company on commission only; started my own communications company, and then in 1988 started the business I still own today selling office supplies to SME businesses. About five years ago, I sold half my business and changed the focus of the business, niching my offering to the education sector as I felt that is where I could add most value. My wife used to be a teacher and constantly told me that most schools were disorganised and simply want an easy life from their suppliers, or in other words, make it easy for them to order. My job was to make that happen whilst still being competitive. I have experienced and seen many changes in
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business over the past 33 years, some good, some bad, but I have always maintained high standards in customer service as well as listening to others and adapt where I felt necessary – you are never too old to learn!
I absolutely love business and love seeing others succeed in their business also – like an Iceberg – others see success, but below the water they do not see worry, hard work, long hours, pain, and loneliness.
In the early days, I held every role in the organisation: Purchaser; Seller; Delivery Driver; Tea Maker; Cleaner; Worrier; Bookkeeper. You name it.
I have been through two painful, worrying, long recessions during my time as a business owner and both times have had to make changes to adapt to changing circumstances.
I remember the time when my first daughter was due to be born. My wife called me on my very large, brick shaped mobile phone (1989), to say she was going to the hospital and her main question was: “where are you and how long before you get to the hospital?” I was in fact making a delivery in West London, but I told her I was at the office and would be at the hospital very soon. I juggled so many balls in the air in those days, it was a miracle none fell to the ground. But they were happy times and working for myself was something I had wanted to do from those conker days aged nine – and I had done it and found my purpose.
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These included things like – 1) making sure my customers were happy and they did not leave us 2) ensuring we were paid on time – cash flow is king in any business 3) checking that my customers were not “in trouble” as the knock-on effect of any liquidation can have serious implications down the line 4) increasing our marketing budget to gain more customers when our competitors were cutting theirs. You expected to see cost cutting among the list of changes, but I didn’t and still do not believe that
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“I get a little triggered by those “cost cutting” companies who look at the bottom line rather than the goodwill and relationships between customer and supplier”
cost cutting in time of recession (or any other time for that matter) should be the focus of any business. Be prudent yes, but trying to save money can be a costly exercise especially when the cogs of the wheel are already running smoothly. (By the way, in 33 years of business I have never made anyone redundant or implemented pay cuts and this was repaid to me over the years by my loyal and committed members of staff).
during both recessions, and am still here to tell the story today. The bottom line is that any business that put’s its head in the sand during tough times instead of pivoting their business to adapt, is simply asking for trouble: talk to customers, talk to suppliers, talk to your business coach – if you have one – you are not alone and there is absolutely no need to be. The community of Collaboration Global has given me so much over the past few years – especially at times when I need to offload or get some advice. I would almost say that it is a lifesaving organisation with so many knowledgeable members who are more than happy to help and advise, during those tough times.
Don’t get me wrong, I have had customers who have gone elsewhere for a cost saving only to return when they realise what we offer as standard is not offered at all by our competitors. We don’t get invoice queries as they are always, without exception correct first time, but good luck if you have an invoice query with Amazon! We are hearing more and more recently about mental health and how that can affect individuals in We lost a contract recently from a large a negative way. I am so pleased that this has come Comprehensive School who went through a long, to the front of government thinking, so individuals exaggerated cost saving exercise with one of the can get help and not feel isolated or depressed, if ‘big boys’ for all their stationery, only for them to their business is going through a rough patch. discover that their paper quality (the one product we supplied) is inferior, and they no longer get our I believe that in a few years’ time we will see mental next day delivery service, but there is nothing they health counselling departments in large firms, can do, as they signed a one-year deal. etched in legislation just as we see HR departments today. I will admit that I get a little triggered by those “cost cutting” companies who look at the bottom line Again, I suggest: just talk to people around you, but rather than the goodwill and relationships between only to those people you respect and are willing to customer and supplier. But I won’t get on my high take advice from. There are lots of people out there horse here, suffice to say I’ve maintained excellent who are happy to advise / criticize you about things relationships with both customers and suppliers they know nothing about. So don’t take criticism
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from people you would not go to for advice in the first place. Running your own business can be a tough space, not the Harry Enfield portrayal of the 80’s ‘Loads of Money’ culture, but more like the quick thinker, decision maker of modern times. Above all stay in control ensuring the business is going in the direction you intended and be aware of the “numbers” within your business; I’ve seen many businesses fail when unchecked expenditure out stripped income. Collaboration Global has taught me how to set up successful partnerships with other companies, one was where a fellow member who was a surveyor and wanted to offer a ‘government grant’ to schools to help with their ageing, dilapidated roofs but had no idea how to market to that sector. It was a dream made in heaven, I sent emails to my 1,000 strong customer base and he did the consulting. He gained new customers by the droves.
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Covid 19 (March 2020 to now) and the implications of that nasty virus, has been a challenge. Our customers (schools) were closed for the best part of a year and as a result, our turnover dropped 80% overnight. Thank goodness that our government stepped in to help keep the wheels turning. Like so many other SMEs, we would have struggled massively had they done nothing. That said, I also think that if you have a resilient business that can adapt to change, then you are at least on the court playing, rather than being in the crowd looking in. Good luck with your business and if you would like to talk, I would be happy to lend an ear. Be happy but above all: stay in control.
You can contact Alan at: Email: alan@theschoolpeople.uk Telephone: 07836 555042 Website: www.theschoolpeople.uk
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Ben Drury
DO YOU WANT COMMITMENT OR MERELY COMPLIANCE?
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Imagine: if everyone one went to work excited, energised and highly motivated to bring their best, and went home at the end of the day fulfilled and happy that they’d done a worthwhile day’s work and been appreciated for that effort. How would that change the world of business?
from the Guayusa leaf which is grown under the canopy of the rain forest, so their business model requires them to replant large areas of the rainforest. The unique “forest gardens” where the leaves grow are managed by people indigenous to the Amazon, the Kichwa, so the company is both helping to preserve the rainforest and supporting independent local Imagine every business solved a real problem farmers. Even the name Runa means ‘fully alive’ in a sustainable, accessible way to the benefit in the native language of the Kichwa people. of society and local community and it wasn’t just about money. How would that change We need more companies like Runa that look society? to use business for good rather than just get rich. Companies like Gravity Payments, run The future of business and the future of society by Dan Price. Six years ago, Price raised the depends on us reinventing the way we go about minimum salary at the company to $70,000 the business and actively seeking to use business 120 staff that worked there. He even slashed for good, in a way that has sustainability baked his own $1 million salary to accommodate the into the business model, in a way that actively change. He felt that for the company to grow inspires and connects people to a bigger cause. and thrive he decided that the employees need to be able to look after themselves and The Runa company, for example, make drinks their loved ones without having to worry about Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
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“For the 22nd century. Organisations need to move beyond the current employer/ employee paradigm” money. The response from the media was and with joy. We need organisations who not mainly scepticism, calling the move socialism only include employees in the mission, but and most reporting expecting (almost rooting also choose to share the spoils. for) the experiment to be a failure. We need to move away from control and However, six years later Price believes it has compliance where people come to work, do been an incredible success, with 10 times as what they’re told (or at least what they can many people able to buy homes for the first get away with) and go home having earnt time and nearly three-quarters of employees enough from the hours they contributed to have been able to reduce or complete their survive. Business should not be like that. Life outstanding debts. There has also been a baby should not be like that. People want to be part boom with ten times the number of new-borns. of something more. People want to belong to Gravity is a community of people on a mission. a business that is a collaboration of people It has gone far beyond merely paying people who are committed to something more than for their time. Gravity has drawn people into a just making money for the shareholders. A relationship of collaboration and commitment community of people all pulling in the same to a cause. So much so the staff bought the direction because they believe in what they are CEO a Tesla to say thank you. We need more trying to achieve together. companies like Gravity Payments. People who are merely compliant wait to do But building companies like Runa or Gravity what they’re told. Then they do precisely what is not easy. It takes energy and effort and (they think) they were told and no more. They patience. We need leaders who go against the need lots of managing and reams of procedures grain. Leaders who are willing to stand up and and policies to get the ‘best’ (or maybe most) do things differently. Leaders who are willing to out of them. And even then, their best is likely take risks and try new things. We need leaders to be mediocre at best. Just enough to not get to look beyond the next quarterly results and fired. choose to build for the long-term future. Committed people, on the other hand do what For the 22nd Century, organisations need to needs to be done. They don’t need telling, move beyond the current employer/employee they don’t need regulating or controlling. They paradigm and stop thinking in terms of a simple don’t need reams of policies dictating every exchange of time for money to generate profit. thought and action. They need freedom, trust, If we are to move to a new economy based and autonomy. They may need some guidance on businesses with purpose, we need to and input. They will probably need some help inspire and draw people into the reason that a and support and sometimes they may need business exists. We need to gather people to a little inspiration. Mostly you can leave them a cause. We need to articulate the good that to get on with it. Committed people don’t we do in a way that people can emotionally need motivating to get best from them. They connect with it and not only choose to be part motivate themselves. They want to do the job of the solution, but actively self-motivated to and they want to do it well, because it matters turn up and give their time and energy willingly to them, and they understand the impact it 16
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has in the world. They will often surprise you with what they can achieve and it’s usually better than you imagined. It’s also cheaper, less stressful, and more energising to work with committed people.
The additional bonus about being clear on your purpose and values, is this will actively differentiate you from the rest of your industry. Your competition may be able to steal your ideas, but they can’t duplicate your culture without it seeming inauthentic and fake. It’s your superpower, but most organisations never really define it and those that do are often afraid to truly express it in the way they operate. Get it right and you will really stand out.
How do we create an organisation worthy of commitment? How do we build a business that people want to be committed to? If you’re a leader looking to transform your business into a 22nd Century business with loyal employees and legions of fans you need to be clear on The Players three things: the cause, the players, the words Secondly, you need to decide who’s in and and ways. who’s out. Who are the people you need to partner with to help deliver? Who totally The cause believes in the organisational values? As Jim Firstly, you need to be really clear on what Collins puts it in “Good to Great” - you need your business is for. Why does it exist? What to get the right people on the bus. One of the is the point? Why are you in business in the first things Steve Jobs did when he returned first place? Why you do it? What is the heart to Apple was to change his management behind what you are providing for clients? You team and fill it with people who understood also need to be clear on the way you want to his vision and shared his obsession. The right go about business. What are the values and people are crucial in creating a collaborative behaviours you want to live by in delivering this and committed organisation. raison d’etre? Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
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But it is not just people that fit the culture and share the values. If you really want to elevate your organisation to one that is truly future fit, you need to find people that contribute to the culture, people that bring life and add to the culture and the outworking of that culture in different contexts. Find people that more than just fit, but who actually actively elevate and bring the culture to life, helping you to raise your game. The Words and Ways Finally, you need to look at your voice and your systems. How do you talk about what you do both internally and externally, in your marketing, in your internal communications, in meetings? And what systems and processes do you have in place for your metrics and rewards, your procedures, your environment, and office space? All these areas need to line up. Your organisational voice needs to reflect your purpose and values. Your ways of working need to reinforce your commitment to the company values. When these things 18
are congruent throughout your organisation and over time it demonstrates consistency and commitment to a cause that others want to be part of. It all adds weight to your trustworthiness and authenticity and creates a community that people want to be part of. A company that people will choose to work for and be motivated to bring their best and truly be committed to. If you’ve got to the point of needing to enforce compliance rather than inspire commitment, then perhaps it’s time to take another look at what you’re building. Perhaps it’s time to move some people on, and it’s definitely time to be honest about why you’re doing what you’re doing. You can contact Ben at:
Email: ben@thecultureguy.co.uk Telephone: 07980 567574 Website www.thecultureguy.co.uk
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Gill Tiney
BACK TO BASICS OR TIME TO REINVENT THE WHEEL?
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When I was a child, I could always see the opportunity and not the pitfalls of innovative ideas, for example, flying cars were THE BEST idea and why couldn’t we all have one! I also couldn’t see why all cars didn’t have rubber bumpers, so that if anyone had a little knock in their car it wasn’t a cause for an insurance claim – they would simply bounce off each other leaving no damage. My Dad told me that the insurance company would soon be out of business, and he couldn’t convince me that was a bad thing. I still hate the idea of people profiting out of others misfortune.
convenience doesn’t stretch this far. I see this as an example of a world gone mad! I can imagine what my Nan would have said, having lived through rationing. And I agree with her! That to one side, we have never been better positioned to bring new opportunities to the marketplace. Technology allows everyone to let their imagination go crazy – holidays in space anyone? What I love about this is that many innovators are also using their business for good. In other words, it is not merely a vehicle to raise money for profit, but is also focused on helping others, as they grow. The pizza place that helps feed the homeless, the shoe company that pledges to send shoes to those in need, the clothing company that recycles and pledges to do their bit to reduce plastic in the ocean. We all get a feel-good moment when we purchase from these types of companies. It means that, in some small way, we are doing our bit too.
As the world revolves so innovators and inventors continue to bring great new ideas to the market – and some, not so great ideas. I heard yesterday that there is a company who will supply you with just one ingredient within 10 minutes of you requesting it. So, for example if you are baking a cake and have run out of self-raising flour, they will get it to you in time for you to continue baking your Victoria sponge. Whilst I admire their anticipation for a The opposite happens when we purchase from gap in the market, I really hope our need for a big conglomerate. I find no joy in purchasing
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“The old way of doing business
no longer fits the purpose of the world we live in. ” from Amazon, when it appears their record for employee conditions is still appallingly low. I would rather get my purchase in a week instead of tomorrow and buy from a smaller company who are taking their responsibilities seriously. Yes, even if it means paying a bit more. I, and we, have more power than we realise. Understanding that our responsibility lies with supporting each other and not lining the pockets of the fat cats means that collectively we can make our objections heard. Have you come across B Corporations yet? This is an amazing accreditation that acknowledges companies who are ticking boxes for sustainability, looking after their staff, and their customers. Putting people before profit at every level. I believe I can spot a B Corp company just walking through the door – online or off, they stand out from the rest. B Corp is a certification that is awarded to organisations using business as a force for good. Another initiative to demonstrate that your business is focused on making a difference is B1G1, a charity that has a brilliant model whereby they can ensure 100% of donations go to the chosen charities and the positive impacts are recorded in real time. Our community at Collaboration Global are members of this fabulous organisation and we are registered Champions who support the growth of the organisation. You can find out more on our website collaborationglobal.org. I think this is the future of business. People have come to realise in the last few years what is truly important in our world. Whether it is climate change, over consumption, plastic 22
pollution or more, the common denominator is us – humanity are the cause, and humanity are suffering the results of our rapidly changing lifestyles. Creating a business for good is one solution to make a dent in this global problem. Remember: no one is coming to save us. The old way of doing business no longer fits the purpose of the world we live in. We do not have to work to quarterly goals that pursue ever increasing turnover and production to be considered viable. Shareholders are not the gods they once were. It appears that small business owners are reinventing what it means to do business. The time is ripe for change, we can revert to the old ways of putting the customer first, whilst at the same time keeping an eye on how we can make a difference in a wider context. Business is no longer a straightforward practical price choice for customers. Emotions play a large part in the decision process too. Marketing has now become about demonstrating to your audience that you are an ethically sound, environmentally aware business, and that they can purchase from you with confidence. Utilising something like the B Corp certification takes out some of the guesswork, knowing that a third party has done some checking on our behalf. If anyone wants to start a new business, how about an app, that we just feed in the name of the company we are about to purchase from, and it tells us their environmental footprint and ethical standpoint. I think many people would pay an annual membership to have that information at their fingertips. The power of choice! Things are moving so fast! It is not only what and who we purchase from that is changing
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– (Idaho potato with your face on, anyone?) but also how we buy our goods and services. Cash is being used less and less. I don’t know many 30-year-olds who carry cash with them anymore, they can’t see the point. Take that to the next stage and I imagine within the next five years it will be practically defunct. Next of course is the crypto currency revolution with El Salvador recently being the first country to use Bitcoin as legal tender. This will bring problems we cannot even imagine as unregulated currencies hit our communities.
generation, that would encourage a new type of business. The Victorians were inventors and masters of beautiful architecture, is it time to slow down and appreciate the beauty that we can create? Perhaps for such beauty it is worth paying more, knowing a craftsman has taken their time to produce something of beauty that transcends time and fashion. Our world is struggling to see what is truly valuable. Banksy perfectly illustrates the absurdity of vast amounts of money being paid for a piece of art when he shredded his piece immediately after it was bought for £1.4 million. Then ironically it was considered even more valuable. Digital art is now highly valued too. The person who can predict the next big thing will make money instantly and then will need to get out before the bubble bursts.
However, people are now more awake, making empowered choices no matter what currency they choose. Acknowledging our power and acting positively, utilising collaborations, we will be able to create massive positive impacts. Imagine: if we learn a corporation wasn’t paying its taxes, do you think it would be possible to unilaterally boycott that company until it does? No matter what your business does, I hope you 24 hours without one purchase going through have a business for good. And that it will stand the tills, might give it a shock to do the right the test of time. thing? Just a thought… You can contact Gill at: I also think we don’t need to reinvent the wheel and perhaps go back to traditional Email: gill@collaborationglobal.org skills, craftsman creating beautiful long- Telephone: 07798 601701 lasting furniture that can be passed to the next Website: www.collaborationglobal.org Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
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James Knight
MULTIPLY YOUR IDENTITY CAPITAL
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Most people would agree that we are living in exciting, challenging, turbulent times. Massive, rapid, continuing, unending changes brought about by the digital revolution followed by the fear and uncertainty of the global pandemic has made it even more difficult to survive and prosper and it has left many of us feeling some pain. Things that we felt worked only a short time ago might not work today and chances are that they will not work tomorrow. With all the emphasize on the virtual world and how we need to ‘re-invent ourselves’ it’s important for everyone not to lose sight of your most important need and, in my opinion, that is to realise your talent and potentialities. Abraham Maslow described Self-Actualization as “the process of becoming everything you are capable of being.” Emerson said, “What I need most is to be forced to be as good as I’m capable of being.” With conditions as uncertain as they are we are being forced to consciously, boldly, take hold of our thoughts feelings and emotions and look at ways we can Be, Do and Live better. I recommend that you start the process of becoming better at what you are doing by gaining a renewed
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understanding of how you fit into your world. “Identity capital, is the collection of skills, relationships, and professional resources we build up over our lives.” Erik Erikson It is how we build ourselves—bit by bit, over time. The investments we make in ourselves. Your identity capital is what makes you, you! Your identity capital is in direct proportion to your self-image. It is the mental picture you have of yourself. That picture determines the kind and scope of person you are. Every day, you program your self-image to work for you, or against you. It is your life controlling mechanism and all that you will do, or aspire to do in life, will be based upon the mental pictures that you hold of yourself. If you can’t see yourself doing something, achieving something, you literally cannot do it. Your behaviour, achievement and performance levels are consistent with your self-image.
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“Whatever we focus our attention upon forms the experiences of our life.”
Dr. Maxwell Maltz, Author of Psycho Cybernetics, said that “the most important psychological discovery of the 20th century is the discovery of the self-image” If you wish to raise your performance level, all that is necessary is to elevate the mental picture that you have of yourself. This is the mechanism that controls your life. Your self-image operates in the same way as a thermostat controls the temperature in a building. You set the temperature at 72°which is comfortable for you. When the temperature gets below the setting the thermostat automatically triggers on the heat until 72° is reached. When the temperature gets too high on comes the air-conditioning until the temperature reaches a comfortable 72° again. So, it is with your self-image and achievement level. If you perform below your self-image you adjust up next time. Perform too well, and your achievement is too high, and your self-image will create the necessary tension to bring you down again to where you think you belong. Your self-image is where you think you belong, and it is this mental picture that you hold of yourself that is your thermostat that controls your life The beliefs that you hold of yourself have been programmed into you by well-meaning parents and teachers. Their opinions about you and your capabilities have been stored in your memory bank as truth, but it is just a figment of your imagination shaded by your environment. Realise that you have the power to control the
settings of your self-image as you desire and can elevate it and enlarge your universe at will. Recognize that you can raise your performance and multiply your identity capital and elevating your self-image by getting into the habit of talking to yourself in the right way every day. By using affirmations daily, we can keep our minds so busy thinking about what we want that there is little time to think about things we don’t want. Remind yourself: Whatever we focus our attention upon forms the experiences of our life. What we radiate outward in our thoughts, feelings, mental pictures, and words we attract into our lives. Others may influence or suggest, but you are the only one that can control what your mind accepts or rejects. To keep control you must consciously choose to eliminate negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” Albert Einstein Behavioural psychologists agree that your subconscious mind is incapable of determining between real-life actual experiences, and that which you have vividly imagined. Begin today to take control and upgrade your self-image and achievement level by imagining with pictures, feelings and words, the person that you really want to be. By dwelling upon and holding a clear vivid picture of the person you most want to become and your role in life, as if you have already achieved it, you will be giving yourself the greatest gift you can ever give. Give yourself a preview of coming attractions. What You See Is What You Get. (WYSIWYG)
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Here are some personal exercises for building a more positive self-image. Set aside 20 to 30 minutes a day, and as you relax during this time imagine yourself achieving and enjoying your most important creative personal desires. Picture yourself achieving a professional triumph, maybe an award ceremony, a promotion, or a bonus. Picture another scene involving family happiness spending quality time with the people that mean the most to you. Imagine still another scene where you alone are relishing a personal victory. Hear the approval of the crowd and see yourself standing in the winner’s circle. Get the actual sensation and vivid image of each event and how it feels to experience each one. Amplify the pictures so that the feeling of good fortune is radiating throughout your body, and you feel really, really, good.
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Try reading one biography every month of someone who has reached the top in your profession, or just someone who you’ve admired throughout your life. Close your eyes and imagine that this person is standing in front of you. In your imagination float into their body and see and hear things the way they would see and hear them. Focus on whatever quality you are cultivating within yourself and notice what insights you get from the perspective of your role model. Ask yourself each of the following questions: What should I do more of? What should I do less of? What should I start doing? What should I stop doing? Take action on your best insights as soon as you possibly can. If you are at a tipping point in your life where you have a dream, but fear, uncertainty and doubt are holding you back from embracing it, now is the time for you to begin moving forward in making it a reality. Here are some things that you can do to
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help you move forward.
dreams so that everyone gets what they want.
• Realise that you have the power to make your wishes come true • You get what you focus on • Recognize that something magical happens when you put your vision into words • Don’t keep your dream a secret • Make it come alive • Take ownership of it • Start moving in its direction by telling others what it is that you want to Be Do or have. • Write it down to make it happen!
These are things that when practiced will help you to become the Self-Actualising person that you are capable of being.
Go as far as you can see Identify people who are living their dream and are where you want to be.
A great person to Be and to Be with. When that occurs collaborations can be harmonious and powerful, and you can achieve more than you ever thought possible. Reinvention of your business becomes easier and more enjoyable, life becomes easier, because you know who you are!
You can contact James at: Email: james@imastrategies.com Telephone: 07789 381536 Website: www.imapractitioner.com
Listen carefully to what they say and do what they do. Identify and Dare to Dream a Big Dream! Move in its direction. Actualize it by weaving your dream into others
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Ali Ipakchi
ARE YOU READY TO STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE?
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“We are all living in an evolving world; everything is constantly on the move. As humans, we are drawn to being comfortable and happy.” It was another Friday morning, and the company canteen was getting busy. People from various buildings on campus were filling in for the Friday special, spoiling ourselves with a full English breakfast with the choice of poached or fried eggs. The queue was building up with colleagues dressed in the typical Friday casual attire of jeans and sneakers, complimented with an end of the week smile. Friday at last! After getting my breakfast, I headed towards the usual spot, a big corner table where my close colleagues and I had been sitting for the last few years. In the opposite corner of the hall was John, sitting on his own facing the wall, having his breakfast accompanied by the latest Financial Times article on his phone: I’d seen him do this, many times. We’d now gotten used to seeing him sitting on his own, or if not, with one or two people from the top management team. Three years ago, John used to be one of us; sharing the same tasks, same break times, same breakfast table. Then suddenly, he started to be a different person; a different attitude, dressing differently and even talking differently. John decided to change his job and follow his higher ambitions by taking a very challenging assignment in Nigeria. It was offered to many people at the time but was declined by everyone because of the sacrifice of the job; nobody was willing to leave their family here in the UK to live in offshore Nigeria and only come back every two months. But John seized the opportunity. Staying on the assignment for a year, John came back a different person. He was promoted to head
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office as soon as he came back to work. He not only came back with tanned skin but had become a different person with not only a different look, but also a different attitude. Having been promoted to management level, John made sure he was not giving any preferential treatment to any of his friends, which was when he started to stay away from the crowd. Even though he seemed a little miserable sometimes on Friday mornings sitting away from his funny old friends, this was something he had signed up for when he decided to be different; he knew this was part of the package. Cutting a long story short, he is now one of the top managers in the company I can see him being part of the corporate C-suite soon. He has grown immensely; he has reinvented himself. Why being different needs courage? John’s story emulates a story of progression that happens around us every day, not just in people’s careers but also in day-to-day personal lives. We are all living in an evolving world; everything is constantly on the move. As humans, we are drawn to being comfortable and happy. That’s why we create comfort zones and stay in them. But when we stay in our comfort zone, we don’t necessarily remain unchanged, often regressing. However, stretching that circumference, we can achieve great things: the butterfly puts in some effort to escape the chrysalis. Reinventing yourself requires courage. It takes effort and determination to come out of our comfort zones and get ourselves out there. Starting this journey on our own, a journey from A to B, won’t be as easy as remaining in a steady state, but will make
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us a different person, someone who has decided to be different. When we get to our desired destination, it feels incredible, so much so that we never hear of people making efforts to go ‘backwards’ or ‘de-evolve.’ But to start such a journey, we need to know the A (our starting point), B (our end point) and what I call the big ‘Why’: why would and should someone put themselves through this phase of uncertainty? What I don’t like about A Unlike going on holiday in the summer and other similar trips, a journey of reinvention does not end with coming back to a comfortable, warm home. There’s no going back to square one again. In fact, it’s kind of the opposite: the growth comes from not returning to this comfort zone that, much like a home, has taken years of love and care to build. Instead, we leave A to get to B. There is no return ticket. At the very least we stay there, and if not, we eventually embark on another journey of change. To plan the journey, the first step is establishing a clear definition of what we don’t like about A, what
we want to change about A. We need to have a clear image of what we are moving away from and make sure we don’t define another, repackaged version of A as our planned B. Define the “Why” Every great move happens with a Why, which if not well defined, will mean jumping into a world of ambiguity and could be risky and counterproductive. When deciding to be different, whether it is how we behave or something in our career or changing our mindset, having a clear and transparent WHY is a must. The better we define the Why, the more motivation we will feel to leave the comfort zone and a greater sense of purpose and determination to fight our way towards B. Define the B Having a clear idea about what we don’t like about where we are or who we are (A), and the big WHY is vital for the next stage: to accurately define B in its most realistic form. Of course, when we haven’t been somewhere yet, we can only use our current tools to build a good picture of B before starting the journey, but this is more than enough. Is this the point we want to get to and never come
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back from? What is so good about B that urges us to leave our comfort zone in the first place? Whether we are looking at ourselves as individuals or at our business, there has to be a good reason to reinvent ourselves. The same way we listed what we don’t like or don’t want about A, we have to write a list of things we want to gain when we finally stand up for ourselves and move towards being different. What is so intriguing about the new ME that it is worth risking the many pairs of potential rolling eyes and general pessimistic energy? More on this to follow... The Journey Now with a clear list of dislikes and likes about A and B respectively, and a well-defined WHY in mind, we are ready to move on from who we used to be to the new “Me” and in turn your new business. It is important to note that change does not please everyone. Others around us won’t necessarily
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understand our process or like who we are becoming. Of course, for those who care about our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being, this is something good which will be and needs to be supported and encouraged. BUT there will be many more people who won’t like our journey towards the new ME, whose words and thoughts may make us doubt our journey. It’s like testing an aeroplane. When deciding to be different, think of yourselves as a testing plane in the middle of a wind tunnel, where designers are testing rigidity and the integrity of the plane’s structure and systems – your structure and systems – against the worst possible conditions – like discouraging views of people around you…. If that pushes your panic button, get it together!... This is how to evolve into a better you, a different you, and unlock more real potentials of what it means to be ME.
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Summary: 1 - Being different from our current self and the people around us is a journey that needs good self-awareness, planning and visualisation. 2 - A list of all points “we are moving from” should be prepared most honestly. 3 - A list of all the things we want to move to, whether it’s a habit, set of actions, lifestyle, job opportunity, physical excellence, etc. should be prepared. 4 - The big WHY is the most crucial question that we should ask ourselves: Why do we need to reinvent ourselves? 5 - The journey towards being different is a difficult path that often includes some negative vibes and rolling eyes, but is worth every second if, A and B and Why are correctly defined. 6 - If we are lucky, there will be people around us to encourage us to go through the journey, but it’s more of a bonus rather than a requirement. The real requirement is the right mindset and determination. 7 - Last but not least, your best courage should come from yourself. Just try to visualise the new “ME”, the better version of the ME you have today, which will also have the experience of the journey,
has been awarded the unique feeling of success and now might even be thinking about a new journey from B to C... Remember there is no standing still. If you are not continually moving forward in thoughts and deeds in your business, you are actually going backwards – and that is not a place you want to be. Better to let circumstances be created by you than to let them happen around you. No, we could not have had a plan for Covid, nobody could have foreseen the devastating effect it would have. But you do have the choice now, how to respond. Will you write your A and B list, and in doing so discover your WHY? Then take ACTION and reinvent yourself AND your business to thrive.
You can contact Ali at:
Email: aipakchi@emveedo.com Telephone: 07926 603030 Website: linkedin.com/in/al-ipakchi
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Spotlight On: Pointing the Spotlight on one of our Collaborators
Dr. Lizzy Bernthal
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Who do you call family? My husband of 25 years Paul - together for 28, daughter Rodena 19, step daughter Charlotte, her daughter Aria 8, stepson James, his children Ava 3, Issy 1 cousin Mark Rosie who I have grown up with as my sister, husband Bryan, her children Alexa and Gabby, her brothers Ian and George
How do you chill out? Meals with friends Watching Strictly on a Sat night. Dream lying by a pool on a hot sunny day with family/friends
Are you a dog or a cat person? Dog - always!
And finally…. What question would you like to add to this list to ask other members? And please answer it yourself too How do you show up for you?! I show up for me in a variety of ways, like my daily routine as above! As a coach I owe it to my clients to be the best version of myself. To do this, I invest in my own self development through continued learning (always on a course!!), investing in a variety of coaches for different aspects of my business, being part of a mastery group for accountability and engage in the wonderful supportive community of Collaboration Global.
If you could have a super-power, what would it be and why? Click my fingers and be anyone in the world helping others to acknowledge that they have everything within them already to be their awesome resilience self, nothing is fixed or broken What do you consider to be your genius? Or what do other people say you are amazing at? Inspiring others to own who they are Coast or country? Always the sea. How did I end up in the Midlands?! What is the most adventurous thing you have EVER done? So many in my military career...non-military been the 1st English group to enter Sikkim in the Himalayas - was there providing health cover What makes you cry? Ooh - so much gets to me! Seeing people overcoming adversity achieving the impossible against the odds - such as in the Paralympics and Invictus games. Seeing my daughter off on her travels and welcoming her home again!
What do you do to look after you? Daily routine of self-care - journaling, meditation, mantras, reading, exercise
Showing up for me is being in integrity as a normal way of being and noticing and clearing up when I am not. This includes acknowledging when I am being inauthentic, such as when not practicing what I preach e.g. working late or not listening to my body when I need to take time out. The power of the courage to be vulnerable, gives others the space to be so too, in an empowered not victim way. So, part of me showing up for me, is taking responsibility for every aspect of my life! You can contact Lizzy at: Email: lizzy@rypotential.co.uk Telephone: 07905 584218 Website: www.rypotential.co.uk
What is your biggest frustration? When people don’t show respect for others and make it all about them. Join the discussion... facebook.com/Collglobal
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Profile: Taking a look at a key Collaborator in the community.
Rob Morgan
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Who is Rob Morgan? I have lots of ideas about who this Rob is. There are the relationships I have with others, father, son, husband, brother, client etc. There is the work I do: change work, coaching, leadership development, training. Then there are the things I tell myself I am: good and bad (usually more bad than good). But my belief is that all those identities are just ideas that my true-self experiences and my true-self is consciousness itself. That thing that enables me to experience all the ‘I ams’.
What fills you with joy? What fills me with joy is the experience of connection.
Connection with myself, with my family, my colleagues, my friends, my clients, and with the world around me. It is in that space of connection that we can see our world from a different perspective. Where we can get fresh new insights and ideas to move us forward; where we can create something new from nothing, literally no thing.
What is your reason for BEing? Or in other words what are you passionate about? Let me answer with a story. When I was around ten years old, I had a very clear view of my purpose. I was disturbed by everything that was going on in the world; war, famine, disaster, and it looked clear to me that what was needed was for people to connect and communicate together rather than argue and fight. Although I didn’t know how I thought if I could somehow facilitate that process that would be great. Over the following 50 years, that purpose got lost
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in beliefs about what I could do and what others thought I was capable of, and finding a job I wanted to do and, and, and. Now it looks to me as if that purpose has been working in the background all the time. The way I would articulate it now is to help people to see more clearly who they truly are, and where their experience is coming from. Because it’s as we discover those two truths for ourselves that our lives become easier, and we are better placed to be who we are meant to be in the world.
From that perspective almost all the success I have had in my work and more widely in life has come from my ability to look at things in a new and different way. And it’s the same for my clients. It’s that ability to create a new different and better version of the now that moves us forward. This seems to be a quality that is innate for all of us.
Please share what your experience has been since you joined Collaboration Global? Collaboration Global is a space where I can reflect
If you could choose one Collaboration Global and explore. behaviour or value that you identify with, what might that be? A safe space with like-minded individuals who I’d have to pick creativity, although once again that’s a fairly recent discovery for me. If you’d asked me even five years ago, I’d have told you that I wasn’t really the creative type and I really believed that to be true.
understand that personal growth can be nurtured and fertilised in that space of connection. The meetings are an oasis in the desert where I can leave my daily concerns at the door and soak in a feeling of connection, creativity, fun and joy.
I was stuck in a mindset that creativity was about things like painting, music and drama and I didn’t believe I had any talent for that sort of stuff.
This issue of The Quest has focused on ‘Business Reinvented’, how do you see that manifest in your life?
But I now see creativity as any activity where we create something new that wasn’t there before.
I see business as constantly reinventing itself in order to adapt to the world in which it operates.
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A new business world is evolving continually because the businesses that don’t adapt to better fit the evolving wants and needs of their customers, just won’t survive.
My business is all about making a positive difference in the world in the people that we work with directly or who we influence by who we are, what we do and how we show up in the world.
Businesses adapt to meet the challenges of the world such as pandemics or climate change, and it could well be argued that they are much more effective at doing so than Governments which have more traditionally been the route for change. For me, this is where true leadership in business comes into its own.
That may sound a little wishy-washy, but I don’t feel the need for a very specific and compelling vision. It looks to me that: if when we know our direction of travel, we have all we have all we need to take action in the world.
The ability of leaders to identify and address the wants and desires of its customers, and of society more widely, often before their customers know what they want themselves, is the hallmark of successful leadership.
We can then see if our actions have moved us closer to our vision or further away from it. Then it’s just a case of doing more of what moved us closer and less of the other stuff.
If someone is interested in getting involved with our Collaboration Global community, from your perspective what might they Are you free to operate within your Genius? expect when they get there? What does that mean for you? For me genius comes from within. It’s not about what I know, it’s about who I am. I find (that) the more frequently I can connect with that deeper wisdom that I believe resides in every human being, the easier life becomes and, hopefully the more my genius shows up in the actions I take.
They will experience a relaxed and supportive community of peers always willing to connect and explore, listen, and absorb, and share from their own wisdom and experience.
You can contact Rob at:
Email: rob@robmorgan.co What vision do you have for your business Telephone: 07711 181852 and your life going forward within the Collaboration Global community?
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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 (UK local time) 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
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