BUSINESSNEWS
IS IT THE BOTTOM-LINE OR A POSITIVE WORK EXPERIENCE THAT MATTERS MOST IN BUSINESS? One piece of advice that stands out for me was when I was told, by a business mentor, that I was ‘naïve’ to think that I could only work with people whom I respected. But where do you draw the line and go with your gut?
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed - and endured counselling, mentoring, business coaching, leadership development, business mentoring, worked with a management consultant and taken advice from an angel investor as well as family, friends and well-meaning clients. I’ve networked, spoken at events and hosted a successful networking group, before, during and after Covid. I’ve written countless columns and interviewed many business leaders over the years.
The model for my business is disruptive. Pay-as-you-go PR really causes radical change in the marketing industry - the definition of disruption. The established public relations market is known for its more traditional retainer model and schmooze. We don’t do it like that. We’re straight-talking, hardworking professionals who manage outsourced marketing for SME’s across the two counties. We also manage interim campaigns for busy businesses who want extra support at busy times. Some love the freedom and some don’t. We love the excitement of a new challenge and doing
our best for businesses who are in need of support. Like it or loathe it, pay-as-you-go really works for us and, more importantly, for our clients. It allows them to pick and choose when they want to tap into marketing to suit their business needs. It’s not that I’ve wanted to be disruptive, it’s just I’ve seen a chance to do something differently - that works. So, in summary, I prefer to work with like-minded people - both clients and associates - and don’t feel that’s naive. More than that, it’s not only a way that works for me and my business, I believe that it’s the way forward in many businesses. Is there, perhaps an intuitive link between working with the right people and a positive work experience? Can you have both? I think so, do you?
JULIE FINCH, HAY FESTIVAL CEO Julie Finch is CEO of Hay Festival, the world’s leading literary charity bringing writers and readers together in events to inspire, examine and entertain globally. Based in the Festival’s head office in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, Finch joined the charity in August 2022 to lead a new organisational strategy, working to enhance the organisation’s national and international standing, reach, impact, engagement with existing and new audiences, and its long-term sustainability. As a cultural leader, Finch is a passionate advocate for the arts in Wales and around the world with experience spanning the charity, private and public sectors.
With over two decades of experience in the cultural sector, Finch’s achievements have included developing and leading the revisioning programme and 10-year strategy for Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park, setting up a cultural trust in Cheltenham, developing the concept for the new museum for Western Australia and reframing Bristol Museums Galleries and Archives around audiences. Whether conceptualising new museums (M Shed, Boola Bardip) or leading ambitious cultural change programmes (Cheltenham Trust, National Football Museum), Finch has been a champion of strengthening and modernising venues, engaging with audiences and partners
and contemporising interpretation and visitor experiences. A member of Arts Council England Midland’s regional council, a former member of National Council, Arts Council England, Committee Member of the National Lottery Heritage Fund in the Southwest, Finch is a qualified executive coach and mentor, an experienced board member and is committed to enabling the sector to grow to meet the needs of 21st century audiences.
SOLICITOR SAM WINS PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Samantha Lloyd, Partner and Head of Wills and Probate at SME Solicitors has won the President’s Award in last week’s Worcestershire Law Society awards. The Worcestershire Law Society (WLS) runs its awards annually and this is a discretionary award given to a recipient who is deserving of special recognition. The decision, even though
it is called the President’s Award, had the unanimous support of the judging panel.
President of the Worcestershire Law Society Andrew Chandler commented:
Samantha Lloyd was awarded this special category win in recognition of her ability to successfully combine her role as Head of Department in a busy, city centre law firm, with her child’s diagnosis of a very serious illness in the depths of a pandemic, and the associated problems of dealing with hospital visits and treatments during that time, alongside the emotional and physical toll.
“Samantha demonstrated extraordinary commitment and determination in continuing to serve her clients and work with her supportive colleagues during a prolonged period of personal difficulty, which was itself exacerbated by the pandemic. The WLS rightly recognised these qualities in Samantha and she is thoroughly deserving of the President’s Award 2022.”
As the Head of her department, Sam demonstrated determination to continue to serve her clients’ best interests, to hold the fort and to lead her team, even if that meant working and conducting Partners’ meeting remotely from the hospital bedside. Sam’s team has described her as an inspiration.
Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
Sam Lloyd added: “I am honoured to receive this award; thank you to all the judges. I must recognise the unerring support of my fellow Partners at SME Solicitors and of our team here, who have been by my side throughout.” SME Solicitors is a full service firm of solicitors based at 8 Sansome Walk, Worcester. For more information, please visit www.smesolicitors.co.uk.
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